Drifted
Chapter Nine: Surprise Party
By PasifiKStaR

Author's Note: I think I will keep Shizuka for Library Girl's name since it means quiet and she does work in a library. ^_^ Shout outs to all my reviewers (Sickness in Salvation, Tai, Black & David, Verdanii, Almicene, Commander Squall L., and so many more, you know who you are)!!! Much love!!!

*All Standard Disclaimers Apply


The sun peeked through the partially clothes blinds, right into Squall's eyes. He winced as he attempted to open his eyes and was momentarily blinded. He began to shift his weight, when he suddenly remembered that he wasn't the only one on the bed. He looked down and saw Rinoa's sleeping figure curled up next to him.

Her eyes were still closed as her lips opened a bit to let out warm breaths of air in her sleep. Her head was resting on his bare right, upper arm. Her right arm was draped across his chest, her hand right over his heart. He smiled slightly as he looked down at her. His free hand rose and gently moved her bangs out of her face.

*Hyne, how I missed waking up like this...* he thought to himself as she moved a bit from the touch of his hands. She snuggled closer to him and whispered his name, making him feel warm all over. The sunlight cast a golden glow over her pale face as he watched her intently. Slowly, he turned his head to the night stand.

The clock flashed '8:23 am'. He silently wondered if she had anything to do that day that she should have already woken up for. "What time is it...?" she moaned from where she was situated. She opened on eye and peered at him with chocolate brown eyes.

"Not even eight thirty," he replied softly. He kissed her head. "Good morning."

"Good morning," she replied back. She smiled as she crawled over his body and kissed him on the lips. She laid on top of him and played with his thick locks of brown hair. "You haven't lost your touch."

Squall instantly grew flustered, although none the less flattered. His arms went around her body, keeping her firmly on top of him. "I think I need some more practice." he grinned.

Rinoa was about to agree when something heavy jumped on their bed. They looked over and saw Angelo coming towards them. Rinoa giggled as she rolled off of Squall and sat up, bringing the sheets to her chest. "Hey, girl..." she cooed. "Good morning to you, too."

Squall let out a sigh and sat up as well. He allowed the sheets to fall to his waist as he reached out and scratched the canine behind her ear. "Good morning, Angelo," he told the dog who gave a small bark in reply. "Couldn't wait to wake us up, could you?"

She barked again and Rinoa kissed the tip of her nose. "Okay, baby, let's get you some breakfast. You're hungry, aren't you?" Angelo barked once more and Rinoa giggled some more. Angelo jumped off the bed and seemed to prance around the room as Rinoa swung her feet off the bed.

She felt two arms go around her waist and pull her back. She let out a help as she fell across Squall's lap. "Are you coming back?" he asked intently.

Rinoa smiled and blushed. "Maybe," she teased. "We'll see if I feel like it."

He gave her a questioning look as she wiggled out of his grasp and stood up. She brought one of the thin bed sheets with her, wrapping it around herself like a toga as Squall was left with the comforter. He watched her leave the room with Angelo at her heels.

He looked at the clock once more and decided he had to get up. Even though he was on vacation, he couldn't bring himself to slouch around the whole day. Rinoa was outside, putting kibble in Angelo's bowl when she heard Squall's shower go on. Suddenly the phone rang. Rinoa jumped and clutched the bed sheet toga around her as she walked towards the phone.

"Hello, Rinoa?" a female voice said on the other line. Rinoa new the voice was familiar and it ran through her head until she found out who it belonged to.

"Shizuka! Hi, how's it going?" Rinoa said casually.

"Oh, you remembered me!" Zell's girlfriend said, feeling somewhat relieved. "We were wondering what happened to you and Squall yesterday?"

Behind her, Zell, Irvine, and Selphie snickered as they sat around in Zell and and his girlfriend's room. She waved her hand to keep them quiet. Rinoa looked around her suite as she leaned against the breakfast bar and blushed. "Umm...well, we just stayed in the room all day catching up."

"Oh really?" Shizuka said. She lifted her hand to her mouth to silence the other three. "Catching up, huh? You two missed a fun day at the water park."

"Oh, you went?" Rinoa asked. She wandered into her room to change. "How was it?"

"Great! Irvine lost his hat, but he found it later," Shizuka replied. "So, are you two free this evening?"

"I believe we are," Rinoa said. "Do you guys want to have dinner?"

"Yeah, we were wondering if you guys were interested in joining us for dinner tonight. That is...if you're not busy..." Shizuka said.

"Oh, no we're not busy," Rinoa replied. She looked at herself in the mirror and smirked at how messy her hair was. "What time?"

"Around...seven at the Blue Crystal," Shizuka said. "So dress nice!"

"I will!" Rinoa said. "So what's the occasion?"

"Occasion!?" Shizuka nearly screamed. She looked at the other three nervously. "Uh...umm..."

"Oh no, she's weakening!" Irvine said.

"Just hang up the phone!" Selphie whispered quickly.

Rinoa narrowed her eyes. "Is that Irvine and Selphie?"

"Uh...Zell's here! Got to go! Bye!" Rinoa jumped back as she heard the phone slam. The dial tone echoed in her ear and she narrowed her eyes at it suspiciously.

Two arms wrapped around her waist. "What's wrong?"

"I think Irvine, Selphie, Zell, and Shizuka are up to something..." Rinoa murmured as she felt him nuzzle his head against hers.

"Shizuka? Whose she?"

"What do you mean, whose she?" Rinoa said, rolling her eyes. "Zell's girlfriend. Honestly, Squall..."

"Oh yeah..." he mumbled. *Her birthday party is tonight...I have to remember to bring her.* "So what did they want?"

"We're going to the Blue Crystal tonight for dinner," Rinoa said as she tossed the phone on the bed. She turned around to face him. "So dress nicely..." Her voice trailed off as she stared at him. "Oh, wow..."

Squall smiled lopsidedly as he blushed. "I...um...I ran out of towels."


"A puppy?" Quistis asked as she looked over at Selphie, who was skating slowly next to her. "Hmm...I guess you can. But I'd check with Squall or Headmaster first."

"Yeah, I guess so," Selphie said. She giggled cheerfully. "I can't believe Irvine is going to buy me a puppy!"

"Have you decided on what kind?"

Selphie shook her head. "I think I'll go to the shelter and see," Selphie said. "Even if it's already a grown dog."

"What about a name?" Shizuka asked.

"I haven't thought about that," Selphie said. "We'll have to see the dog. I'll name the dog what I think it should be named."

"Maybe I should ask Zell for a puppy..." Shizuka whispered. "No, they're too energetic. Maybe a cat."

"Oh...I bet you can keep it in the library and no one will know!" Selphie said. "We can call it Library Cat!"

"No, no," Quistis said. "Cats tend to chew on the corners of papers."

"That's true..." Shizuka sighed. "Still, a cat would be fun to have."

"I'd like a black one." Selphie agreed as they began to make their second round around the ice rink.

"I'd like a fluffy one. It doesn't matter what color." Quistis added.

Shizuka sighed contently. "I want a little blond kitty with black markings on it's face," Quistis and Selphie exchanged looks and giggled. "What?"

"Nothing," Selphie giggled. "It's just...who does that remind you of?"

"I don't know..." Shizuka mumbled. She thought for a moment. "Quistis?"

Back at the outside of the rink, Zell skated off after the girls as Seifer sat on a bench, meticulously tying his laces. He was taking his sweet time, the memory of getting smacked in the face with a hockey puck still fresh. Someone sat next to him.

"How much did it cost you?" Irvine said.

"75 gil," Seifer replied. Irvine winced. "Plus tip."

Irvine let out a heavy sigh. "How about I just pay you 85 gil?"

"That sounds about right," Seifer sat up straight and checked his laces. "But don't try to stick me with the bill again. You're lucky Quistis was there."

Irvine smiled weakly. "Sorry..."

"Seifer, Irvine!" Quistis called as she passed them. "Come on, you two! Seifer, are you scared of the ice?"

"NO!" Seifer growled as Irvine stood up and walked past him. "What the hell gave you that idea!?"

Quistis rolled her eyes and put her hands on her waist as she stopped. "Well, after you were hit in the face with a puck-"

"I'm sorry, by the way!" Shizuka said as she skated by with Zell. Seifer grumbled.

"I'm not scared of the ice!" he growled. He stomped over and got on, skating with skill towards Quistis. "See?"

Quistis smiled and took his hand. "No tricks this time, okay?" He nodded. The person in charge of the music over the rink announced that it was time for couples free skate. Quistis looked over at Seifer, who suddenly had a competitive gleam in his eyes. "No, Seifer."

"Why not?" Seifer pouted as he looked over at her. Selphie and Irvine flew past them with Selphie being propped up on Irvine's shoulder. It didn't match with the slow music that was playing.

"Whoo-hoo!" She shouted as they passed.

"They're beating us, Quistis..." Seifer grumbled as he pointed them out.

"They're not beating us since there is no competition," Quistis explained. He tugged on her hand. "NO."

"Too late!" He grabbed Quistis' arm as she let out a scream. He pulled her into his arms. "Nothing fancy, I swear."

Quistis let out a tired sigh. "Fine..." As the lights dimmed slightly, they began to skate around the rink.


There was knocking at the door and Squall grumbled. "I'll get it." Rinoa said as she sat up from her bed. He sighed and put down the book he was reading.

"No, you sit," he said, pushing her back down gently. Rinoa was leaning against the head board, writing in her song book. Squall had been laying next to her, on his stomach, reading a random book that had been on her night stand. "I'll get it."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"It might be lunch," he stated. He rolled off the bed and walked on the thick rug with bare feet. He was wearing a worn jeans over dark blue boxers. That was it. Rinoa was in gray cotton pants and wore a knit light blue sweater over a white T-shirt. Squall walked outside and opened the door. "Hello-AH!"

"Squall!" *SLAM*

"Squall?" Rinoa shouted from the room. She put her note book down. "Who was that?"

"No one!" he shouted loudly as he began to lock all the locks on the door. Rinoa got off the bed and put on her fuzzy slippers. She walked towards the door and frowned.

"Squall..." she said. She moved him aside and looked out the peep hole. Outside was a very confused looking Laguna. She gasped and frowned. "It's Laguna!"

"I know."

"Oh, Hyne..." she sighed and moved his aside and opened the door. "Hi, Laguna! How are you doing?"

"Good afternoon, Rinoa!" Laguna said. "I haven't see you two in a few days-"

"It's been one day." Squall cut him off from within the room. Rinoa rolled her eyes and stepped to the side.

"Come in, Laguna," she said. "Have a seat."

He nodded and walked in, dressed in khaki pants and a long sleeve shirt under a warm pink sweater. Squall shook his head. *He has hideous taste in clothing, too...*

"Do you want something to drink?" Rinoa said. Laguna sat down at the table, across from were Squall was leaning against the wall with a frown.

"No, no," Laguna said. Rinoa took a seat across from him and waved for Squall to join them. Grumbling, the handsome captain sat down next to Rinoa. "So... how are you two?"

"Great!" Rinoa said with a smile. She grabbed Squall's hand. "I guess since you're here, you should be the first to know!"

"Oh my Hyne!" Laguna said, his eyes getting big. "You're going to have a baby! Thank Hyne! I thought I was never going to be a grandfather!" He wiped his brow and Rinoa looked at him confused.

Squall just looked at if as if he were crazy. "No!" Squall shouted. "Rinoa and I are back together!"

"Oh..." Laguna said. He continued to smile brightly. "That's just as good. I'm very happy for you two. Squall! You have my blessings."

"What? Why-"

"Thank you, Laguna," Rinoa giggled as she squeezed Squall's hand. "We're going to try to make it work out this time."

"If you two need anything at all, just tell me," Laguna told them. "So..." he looked over to Squall. "Will this lead to...?"

*Marriage!?* Squall's mind shouted. "We haven't thought that far," he answered simply. "But I don't plan on letting Rinoa go any time soon."

"I'm very happy to see you two back together," Laguna said proudly. "I never doubted that you two would get together again."

Squall turned red as Rinoa smiled brightly. "Laguna, do you mind taking Angelo out for her walk?" she asked. "We'd do it ourselves, but we kind of just want to relax."

"Of course I'll take Angelo out," Laguna said. He let out a whistle and the dog stumbled out of Rinoa's room, wagging her tail happily. "C'mon, Angelo...you want to go with Grandpa outside?"

Angelo seemed to think for a moment before barking. Rinoa stood up and handed Laguna Angelo's leash. "Okay, Angelo. Be good for grandpa, okay?" Angelo barked and the man and the dog left the suite.

"Your dad is so sweet," Rinoa said as she sat back at the table with Squall. He was looking down at the table seriously. "What's wrong?"

"I know we're going to try to work this out," he said quietly. "But how? I can't give up being a SeeD and you can't give up being a singer..."

"No one is asking you to give up anything," Rinoa said as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Squall...I want to be with you again. I want to go to bed next to you and wake up in your arms. And I'm willing to work it out to achieve it."

"So what are we going to do?" Squall asked as he looked up at her. "The last time we were in this situation, we drifted apart. I don't want that to happen again," He took his her hand and kissed it softly. "I don't want to loose you, Rinoa."

"Squall..." she whispered quietly as she caressed his face. "You're not going to loose me."

"Then what are we going to do?"

"I want to move back in with you," Rinoa said softly. "I want to go back to the Garden. I miss it, Squall. I miss you, I miss everyone. I've had my time in the spot light and I've moved on. I want to produce rather than perform. Seifer and I have decided that now's a good time to start our own label."

"I don't want you to give up singing for me." Squall said. "That's a big part of you."

"I'm not giving it up for you," she stated strongly. "I'm just not going to be as active in touring. I can still record things...I just...I just want to be near you."

"Are you sure?" Squall asked. Rinoa nodded.

"That is unless you're not willing-"

"I want you to move back in!" Squall said. "I got a better room after my promotion. It's good enough for the both of us...It's not as good as anything you've had in the last few years, but-"

"As long as you're there with me, I'll be fine," she said as she pulled him up. She put her arms around his neck. "Please, Squall...?"

Squall nodded. "I'll tell Cid tomorrow," he told her softly. "He won't have a problem with it, I think."

"I guess I should tell my father that I'm moving out of Deling and back to Balamb..." she trailed off. "He won't be too happy."

"I don't think he likes me." Squall mumbled. Rinoa giggled.

"He doesn't HATE you...at least I don't think he does..." Rinoa trailed off. She shook her head and kissed him on the cheek. "So...are we going to tell the others tonight?"

"Sure," Squall said as he looked down at her. "As long as Laguna hasn't blurted it out yet."

"Huh..." Rinoa frowned. "Now that you say that, they all probably know already."


Rinoa was dressed in a short, halter style, light blue dress. She wore a sheer white duster over it and light blue heels. Her hair was up in a bun and a few bangs escaped it, falling over her eyes. She gripped her white purse in one hand as the other dragged Squall behind her.

Squall was wearing a sharp black suit with a navy blue shirt under a silver tie. Rinoa had picked it out for him and he had been hesitant at wearing it. He did anyway, as Rinoa seemed so energetic about it. They arrived at the Blue Crystal.

"Miss Heartilly," the woman said. "Your friends are waiting for you in a private room."

Rinoa nodded. "All right." She looked over at Squall, who was looking around the dimly lit club. Music was pounding all around them as they followed the woman up a set of stairs to the private lounge. From there, they went towards one of the larger private rooms. Rinoa thanked the woman and Squall opened the door for her.

He stepped aside, trying to hide his smile, as Rinoa stepped in. Suddenly, shouts were heard as well as clapping as Rinoa's eyes went wide. "SURPRISE!!" Selphie and the others screamed.

Rinoa let out a loud cheer as she ran to hug the nearest person. She and Selphie jumped up and down energetically as Squall looked over the long table. Everyone was seated with a place at the head of the table for Rinoa. There was an empty seat next to her, to the right, where Squall would sit.

Selphie quickly ushered them to their seats. "Thank you so much!" Rinoa said, almost in tears. "You guys shouldn't have!"

"You were busy on your birthday, ya know," Raijin said. "So you didn't have a good birthday party, ya know."

"With friends!" Fujin added.

"Thanks, guys..." Rinoa said as she sniffled joyously. "That's so sweet. I love you guys!"

"Okay, the food is still being prepared," Selphie said loudly. "So let's just move on to the presents, shall we? Irvine! Grab that box!"

She pointed to the large box looming behind the cowboy. He turned around and grabbed it. It was passed along the table until it got to Rinoa. "Can I open it now?" she asked.

"Of course!" everyone shouted. Giddily, Rinoa tore it open and squealed with joy.

"How CUTE!!" she squealed as she held up the black bear with the angel wings on it's back. "Thank you!"

"Wait, it comes with an Angelo!" Selphie said. Rinoa dug into the box and brought up a stuffed dog that looked like Angelo. She burst into laughter as she hugged both of them.

"Thank you, Selphie!"

"The dog was my idea!" Irvine added.

"That means he was too cheap to buy you something on his own." Zell snickered. Irvine elbowed him and the table laughed.

"Here, open mine!" Ellone said. Another present wrapped in bright red was passed along the table until it got to Rinoa.

The young woman tore it open and lifted out a brown bear wearing a leather jacket and holding a miniature gunblade. As soon as it was seen, the entire table burst into laughter as Squall flushed. "It's so adorable!!" Rinoa cried out.

"Hey! Now you have matching bears!" Irvine laughed.

"That's so cute, Rinoa!" Shizuka added.

"Look, Squall, he looks like you!" Rinoa said, holding up the stuffed animal next to Squall, who was blushing.

"Great..." he mumbled.

"Thank you, Ellone!" Rinoa said. She gently put the bear back into the box and put it next to her.

"Mine next! Mine next!" Laguna shouted energetically.

Kiros rolled his eyes as he carried over a large box. "He means OURS. That's from Laguna, Ward, and myself, princess."

"Thank you!" Rinoa said.

"You have to kneel down and open it on the floor." Laguna said proudly.

Rinoa looked a bit confused, but nodded. She knelt down next to the box and opened it. "Oh, Hyne!"

Immediately, the entire table heard tiny barking and Rinoa's eyes went wide. She reached into the box and lifted up a small puppy. It looked like a miniature, darker version of Angelo. "A puppy!!!" Laguna shouted. "I took Angelo to see her earlier and she liked her!"

"Oh, Hyne, thank you!" Rinoa said as she held the puppy in her arms. She reached up and hugged Laguna and Kiros and Ward before returning to her seat with the puppy in her arms. "What am I going to name her?"

"Whatever you want," Kiros said. "Ward says we didn't name her, so you could."

"Thanks so much!" Rinoa said as she kissed the puppy. "Oh...what am I going to name, you sweetie?"

"Wait a second," Seifer said from the other end of the table. "Before we get any further, I want to give you a present from Fujin, Raijin, Quisty, and myself."

He passed down an envelope. When it got to Squall, Rinoa told him to open it for her while she held her new puppy. Squall lifted out some papers. "What is it?" Rinoa asked, confused.

"It's the plans for a building in Balamb," Seifer said casually. "Read the plan title."

Rinoa looked down and her eyes went wide. "Oh my Hyne..." she said, almost in shock. "'Angelic Productions'..." Her eyes went to the four people at the other end of the table. "You guys started building the recording studio and production building!"

They nodded and Rinoa burst into tears, stammering about how happy she was. "We'll still have the branch in Deling City," Seifer told her. "Fujin and Raijin will be running that."

"Wait a second, what about you?" Zell said. "Where are you going?"

"Oh," Quistis said. "I can answer that. It's already been okayed by Cid and everything. Seifer and I are moving in together!"

At that, Rinoa burst into more tears joy. "That's amazing!" she cried out. "I'm so happy!"

Squall chuckled as he reached out and wiped her eyes. "Shall we tell them, Rinoa?" She nodded weakly. "Rinoa's moving back to the Garden," Squall said with a slight smile on his usually cold face. "We're back together."


Next Time:
Who wants to name the puppy!? Give me ideas people! And we all know that the Garden is on lock down right now, but something's up with it and Squall MIGHT have to leave. Does this mean we have a plot!? NO! ^_^