Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII, or any of the characters…that's it.

The Imposter

Chapter 10

Pieces of the Puzzle Revealed

"THAT'S NOT MY SON!"

That was all President Laguna was able to burst out of his chest before he slumped into his chair with fatigue and anger. Ellone pressed the hang up button instantly, disconnecting Cid from the other line, then rushed over to her Uncle.

"Uncle Laguna, calm down," she said gently, starting to massage his neck.

"Ell, sweetie," Laguna said, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "That's not my son."

Ellone was quiet.

"Ell, you still listening?" Laguna asked, "That's not Squall."

It was getting chilly and in the distant, the sun had begun to set, signifying the end of the day. However, to Laguna, it seemed as if it was taunting the end of his son. He had believed from the beginning his son was innocent, and now it appeared he was right. But this was one of those moments in his life that he hated being right.

"Uncle Laguna?" Ellone whispered, "Tell me why you think that's not Squall, then I'll tell you my reason."

"You think that's not Squall, too?" Laguna said, "Oh, thank God…I'm not going crazy…"

"What's your reason?"

"Squall…would…" Laguna lowered his head, his voice choked as if someone was preventing him from talking, "Squall would…never call me…Dad…"

Ellone was quiet, but she gave a slight nod as her eyes started brimming with involuntary tears. She lowered her head and buried it into Laguna's neck.

"I thought the same thing…" she said.

"Ell…" Laguna reached up a hand to lift up her face, then stood up and pulled her into a hug, "Uncle's here, it's alright."

"No, Uncle, I'm OK," Ellone sniffed, "It's you…I'm worried…"

"Oh, me," Laguna said, scratching the back of his neck, "Me, oh, yeah, I'm a bit down…I know, but…I got used to it, I guess."

"But Uncle, you are his father," Ellone said, "You do have the power over him, you know?"

"I…can't…" Laguna said sadly, "What kinda father forced his son to acknowledge him?"

"Laguna, I'm terribly sorry," Ellone said, "This is…"

"Hey," Laguna said, wiping away Ellone's tears, "No more crying, alright? We'll tell Cid, they'll tell whoever it is they need to tell, then we'll free Squall."

"But he's on the run…?"

"Oh, that's right," Laguna said, "Oh, no, but still, we should talk to Garden so they could stop sending out messages that threaten my son."

Ellone nodded, wiping her tears and walking over to her computer.

This was quite fast, Laguna thought, Perhaps my son will return to me after all…Man, his Daddy should know he wasn't born to be a criminal…can't even stay on the run for more than a day…

"Uncle?" Ellone asked.

"Yeah?" Laguna asked, startled.

"Are you sure about this?" Ellone asked.

"I'm already sure from the beginning, Ellone," Laguna said solemnly, "My son would never commit a crime, and he…would never call me Dad either…"

Rinoa wandered around in the Training Center, not for the purpose of training or disturbing any monsters. All she wanted to do was to think about the cruel things that fate had played on her. After the Sorceress' War, she was planning and hoping for Squall to take her hand in marriage one day, but now, everything was falling apart, and she was left without the heart or courage to move on with another man. But even if there was another man, she was sure he would never be able to understand her soul just as Squall did. With that thought mentioned in mind, she suddenly felt guilty again. She was the one who promised that she would try her best to understand his soul and guide him through the difficult course of life, but now, before even trying to understand him, she had smacked him and sent him away.

Stopping by the small bridge, Rinoa knelt down, stared at her reflection in the flowing water and began to wonder where Squall could be now. He was on the run but where had he stopped? Wherever it was, was it safe? What about him, was he hurt?

Is he even alive now?

Shaking her head, Rinoa forced the thought away.

Of course he is alive, he promised to always be with me…

But what about me…what about my promise to be there for him…

Looking up to the starlit night above, a trail of tear rolled down her cheek. Quickly wiping it away, she quietly made a wish.

Please, let him return safe…wherever he is…I don't care if he's a murderer, he's my Squall…

Staring down at her reflection again, Rinoa allowed a tiny smile to cross her face, because now a tiny spark of hope lingered in her heart, granting her the strength to await his return.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her, footsteps that were too familiar. Before she could turn around, the person was able to squat down beside her, smiling with pure happiness.

"S…Squall?" Rinoa asked.

This has got to be an illusion…

"Hello, Rinoa," Squall said, looking down at her reflection in the water.

"Squall, I thought you were…?" Rinoa said, shocked.

"You thought wrong," Squall said, looking at her, "I had to go back because I can't stop thinking about you."

"No, Squall," Rinoa said, frantic, "No, they're hunting you down. You gotta go…"

"Shhh," Squall said, holding her hand and leaning in closer, "Don't say anything more…The Gods have heard your wish tonight…"

"My…wish?" Rinoa asked, shocked. Then suddenly remembered what she was doing a few minutes ago, Rinoa smiled sheepishly and looked down.

"I'm back here with you, and safe," Squall said, "Please don't worry anymore…I'm here now…"

Then before she knew it, Squall had swept her into a hug like none she had ever received from him.

"S…Squall?"

"I don't care whatever they do to me…as long as I am able to hide and be with you," Squall said.

"Oh, Squall…" Rinoa said. Suddenly, the powerful magic that backed up her abilities as a Sorceress began to ache within her, telling her something was wrong. However, it was her heart that was acting for the moment, not her mind. But still, she was cautious, "Are you really Squall? How…do I know?"

"How about this?" Squall said, "Remember when we were in space, and I couldn't stand losing you, I had to come out there…?"

"Oh…" Rinoa blushed.

"I was able to bring you in and into the Ragnarok…" Squall said.

"Yeah," Rinoa nodded, "And I asked you for a hug then, remember? That was the first time I asked you for one."

"Yes," Squall said, "And I think it was after that hug that I realized my feelings for you. You know, just holding you in my arms…"

Rinoa's eyes widened in shock.

This…is not Squall…

I must act normal…

"Oh, yes," Rinoa said, uncomfortable, "Look, um, it's late, since you've just returned from a long run, you know, why don't you go to your dorm and rest…I'll be there…"

"Why leaving so soon?" Squall asked, "I thought you want to be with me?"

"Um, you know, I need to freshen up," Rinoa said, "See, I can't kiss you when I smell like food from the cafeteria."

"I…guess I still have a lot to learn about you," Squall chuckled, "But before you go, I have a favor to express to you."

Rinoa swallowed.

"Go ahead," she said, trying hard not to shake.

"Rinoa, I have a very difficult task to do tomorrow morning," he said, "You see, I kinda took this job as a mercenary when I was on the run…and I heard there's some kind of creature deep in the sewer of Deling. In all of the ones who bravely came in, no one was able to emerge yet. The people of Deling are scared, and they hired me to defeat it…"

"Squall, you'll get hurt," Rinoa said, then almost slapped herself.

This is not Squall…

"Don't worry about me," Squall said, "What I'm worried about right now is the lack of magical power I have. Please, Rinoa, let me borrow your magic for one day."

"My…Sorceress magic?" Rinoa asked, surprised.

No way!

"Yes, just for one day," Squall pleaded, "I need to help the people of Deling."

"Deling, isn't that where my father…?"

"Your father met me," Squall nodded, "General Caraway, isn't it? He heard of my crime but in exchange of slaying this beast, he'll set me free…"

Now this is ridiculous…

"How about I go and freshen up," Rinoa said, "I'm tired right now, so my magic is not good at this moment. How about early in the morning, before you go, talk to me…"

"No, I need it now!" Squall said.

"No, really, you need rest," Rinoa said, backing out of the Training Center.

"Rinoa, you…please…" Squall said.

Rinoa started running.

"You silly girl! Get back here!" Squall shouted, then chased after her.

"No, stay away!" Rinoa said, then turned and shot a fireball into Squall's chest. Taken aback, Squall flew back and slammed into the bushes of the Training Center. Taking the advantage, Rinoa ran quickly out of the training grounds, shock still written on her face.

There's an imposter in the Garden…!

"Quistis! Zell! Selphie! Irvine! Anybody!"