Irvine's breathing had finally slowed to a plodding rhythmic pattern and his arm had loosened the grasp around Selphie's waist. Gently she removed it and slipped off the bed, quietly tiptoeing out of the room.

The hallway was empty. Selphie sighed in relief and began the trip to her own room. Her heart was heavy. Memories of earlier that night replayed in her mind. He was trying, she had to give him that. In the parking garage he had offered to talk about their problems, but she had said no. Maybe she was scared that their relationship was too far-gone to save, or maybe she was just too tired to try. She wasn't quite sure anymore.

It was just easier to resort to a night of physically satisfying sex and then sneaking out once Irvine was asleep, but there was something missing that use to be there. How many nights had she left him lying there alone? It was quickly becoming a habit, one that left her disgusted with herself.

She reached her room. Not bothering to flick the light on or change her clothes she threw herself on her bed too disgusted to sleep and too empty to cry.

Rinoa glared down at her bed with her arms crossed. Today had been the first time she had really prove herself, shown that she was capable of succeeding on her own and she was damned if she was going to let a name stop her from enjoying her well earned sleep.

It was time to beat that sorceress bitch once and for all. It was time to beat the nightmares, and then maybe things with Squall would straighten out. Then perhaps the rumors and the whispers of doubt and incompetence would stop. Then maybe she could finally feel like the independent and strong person that she truly was.

"Tonight's the night," she assured a sleeping Anglo.

Clicking off the lights she snuggled into her bed determined to make it through this night on her own.

His light was still on and his door unlocked. Squall sat on his bed facing the door waiting, his back resting against the wall. She would come, she always came, but as the hours passed by he began to question their nightly ritual.

Maybe she was angry. He hadn't told her about the length of his mission. He hadn't been there when she was sent on hers. Was he supposed to have been there? No one had ever taught him anything about relationships especially romantic ones. How was he supposed to know what was expected? He was way over his head.

Finally his fatigue from the long day got the best of him and he slipped off into an uneasy slumber not even bothering to turn the light off.

Quistis walked quietly through the empty Quad. Nighttime was the only time she felt anywhere near okay. She was finding it much easier to be alone than to try to pretend in front of others. Crickets chirped and a cool breeze blew past her. No thoughts dominated her mind just an overall haze of being. Her skin felt slightly cold but she didn't shiver.

It was time to go back to her room and sleep. It was well into the early hours of the morning and she did have appearances to keep, classes to teach.

The halls of Garden were just as empty as the Quad, which suited Quistis just fine. She made her way to the dormitories slowly. No need to rush, she doubt she would fall asleep any time soon anyways.

A lone figure appeared in front of her, walking swiftly. One of the few overhanging lights illuminated her face briefly reveling and agitated Selphie. Quistis watched as she reached her destination and slipped into her room silently. It was a testament to how much Quistis had changed over the past few months that she detachedly observed one of her closes friend's misery with no intention of check up on her or even really worrying at all. Slowly she continued on her way to her own room.

"Quistis?!" A voice called out in the dim hallway. A gasp escaped her lips as she turned to find the owner. "What are you doing out so late, Professor?"

She quickly recognized the voice and with a small sigh she responded, "Shouldn't I ask the same thing to you, Zell?"

"Oh I'm always up this late. Well not always, but I train at night. Nobody there to bother me."

Trying to detract the attention from herself she replied, "You go alone? That is against Garden policy."

"Ehh when you kick evil sorceress ass you get perks like ignoring policy, you know Quisty. Anyways you didn't answer me, whatcha doing out her this late?"

She couldn't come up with an adequate excuse and decided on just telling him the truth, "I couldn't sleep." Well part of it anyways.

"Oh," Zell replied. He paused for a moment as if he were looking for the right thing to say, "Quistis, if something were wrong you'd tell me right? I mean if you were hurt or something…"

"Zell if I receive and injury then I'll consult doctor Kadowaki."

"That's not what I meant, Quisty," Zell said slightly put off. "I meant if you were… like emotionally… hurt or something like that," he finished awkwardly. Quistis swallowed and remained silent. "We're… I'm just worried about you Quistis. You just haven't seemed like yourself lately."

"Zell, I'm tired. I'm going to bed," she replied, trying to ignore the hurt in his voice.

Zell sighed and then smiled. "Well if you need to talk or something… I'm here for you," he paused briefly to look for her reaction. She didn't seem to move at all, but she seemed exhausted, beyond exhausted. "Well night then Quistis," he finished and then headed off toward his own room.

Quistis didn't move for a moment. Her eyes were locked on the spot where Zell had been standing, her mind working furiously trying to understand the sudden uprising of emotions assaulting her. "Good night, Zell," she whispered and then headed toward her room.

Okay readers sorry for the long delays but I'm busy you know with classes and work and more work and such. Anyways thank you for all of your support especially Rosa Heartlily who has been especially helpful with reviewing and constructive criticism. Thank you to everyone else who has read and reviewed. I hope you enjoy the story and I do intend to continue it, but no promises on when I will next update, hopefully soon.