A/N: Wow, thanks to everyone who reviewed! For the most part I'd say everyone seemed to really enjoy that chapter. I meant to update sooner, I apologize, school gets in the way very often right now. My English teacher apparently feels the need to give us essays every week just because it's all on the curriculum. At least now we know why–– she'll be away three weeks in December and she wanted us to get a lot done before she left. Still, sucks. BUT I did do this chapter, it's not great by any means but it is an update that will hopefully tide you over until next weekend or so. Thanks for reviewing the last chapter and hopefully you review this one.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII does not belong to me. Never did, never, ever, will.

Addicted

EilayAdnayVolieay

Chapter Twenty-One: I Spy

(Rinoa's POV)

The ride to the mansion was fairly silent most of the way. The odd time, Katie attempted talking to Squall, but for the most part he brushed her off or just flat out ignored her. For once, Rinoa was glad that Squall knew how to be rude— it certainly felt good to not have to hear Katie's voice. To her, Katie's voice was like nails on a chalkboard— at least, that's how it sounded to her after that voice had belonged to the person who had mentally tortured since she was little. As for her stepmother— she could bare hearing her voice, although she tried to tune it out the best she could. If she heard her say one more time how worried she was for Rinoa's father, Rinoa thought she'd throw up. Why can't Nico and Laguna see through her like Squall can? Anyone can tell she's faking it... even her tears look fake. She's probably just biting her tongue hard enough that tears start to spill over. Rinoa sighed and her head jerked forward slightly as they came to a stop in front of the mansion. Her home... she didn't want to be back to it so soon. She felt as if... as if when she went in the mansion, she'd be sucked in forever. Trapped inside with no hope of ever leaving it again. She was sure that if her Stepmother had her way, she would be trapped there. Thankfully, there was still her father, who had admittedly made his own mistakes, but was on the way to recovery from them. If he managed to recover from his recent hospital visit.

"Rinoa, why don't you show these nice people to their rooms? I'm sure you'll know which ones," Rinoa's stepmother replied. Why do I have to? I'm like a guest her now too... practically. Rinoa walked up the stairs and sighed, pointing at the largest guest room.

"Laguna, Nico— you guys can stay there. It's the main guest bedroom, normally used by my grandparents or other couples." Rinoa replied. She started walking and Squall followed not too far behind her, glancing at the portraits on the wall as they passed. Rinoa finally stopped walking and opened a door that lead to a bedroom. She closed her eyes for a moment and just leaned against the wall. Squall must have noticed, because he awkwardly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you...?"

"I'm fine." Rinoa told him briefly. "This is your room. Excuse me," she replied, walking away. She didn't bother turning back to see if Squall was glancing at her— she didn't want to know. For the moment, she didn't even care. More than ever, she wished her mom was still alive. At least you would have really cared that daddy got her... you wouldn't pretend like Katie and the Wicked Witch. Why did Devin's dad have to cause that accident? Was it really... accidental? Everything just seems so confusing. I wish... Rinoa sighed and opened the door to her old bedroom. Walls were completely pink— she had always hated that. It used to be a nice midnight blue, but her stepmother had said that a girl should be "lovely". A girls room should be ladylike, and blue was a boys colour. Who even believes that? It's so old-fashioned. Rinoa looked at her wall and smiled. There was a picture on the bulletin board— Sammy must have drawn it. I wonder where he is? Probably out with the nanny or at a play-date. Everything has to be done proper in this family.

"Rinoa?" a voice came from the other side of her bedroom door. Rinoa jumped up, startled, before walking over to the door. She didn't open it— she knew who it was and she didn't want to see her right then.

"What do you—" Rinoa took a deep breath and started over. "I mean... yes?" she replied. She knew that even though she didn't live with her stepmother and father anymore, that she would get in trouble for being disrespectful. At the moment, her father wasn't around to help her get out of trouble— she was on her own.

"We're going to the hospital. However, I want you to wait here until Sammy gets home and then come in." her stepmother replied. Rinoa heard her walking away, but she threw her door open.

"Why do I have to wait here? Why can't Katie? It's not her father in the hospital," Rinoa added. Her stepmother turned and faced her, glaring at her.

"Katie is a better daughter to my husband than you ever were, and ever will be. You're nothing but a disgrace to the family and the only reason I put up with you is because of him. You can believe me when I say that if anything happens to him, you'll be dragged here by your ear kicking and screaming if I have to, but you'll be back here. I never approved of sending you off." her stepmother told her. She began to walk away but Rinoa stopped her. She had gone too far this time.

"Excuse me? Katie... is a better daughter? I'm the one that never tried to give him trouble until you came along. Do you think that's some coincidence? Katie causes nothing but trouble for this family and if I ever got into trouble it was because I was blamed for something she did. Better daughter or not, I'm his real biological daughter, why should I have to wait here?" Rinoa demanded.

"Because I said so." her stepmother replied coldly. "I don't know how things worked back in that backward town, but you're under my roof now, and you'll listen to what I say. You were placed under the care of Nico and Laguna Loire, but I'm still your legal guardian." she added. At that, she walked away, and this time Rinoa didn't stop her. This isn't fair! I want to see my father... daddy... I...

"This isn't your home. I'm not under your roof... you just weaseled your way into our family, took advantage of my father, and now I'm stuck with you." Rinoa muttered angrily.

"Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity." Rinoa spun around and saw Squall smirking at her. She glared at him.

"Then I guess you're certifiably insane yourself. Leave me alone, Squall." she told him tiredly. She walked down the stairs, leaving him behind. I hope Sammy gets here soon... Rinoa thought. They've already left. But... Nico and Laguna went... Katie and my stepmother— why is Squall still here? She turned and saw Squall at the top of the stairs. He started walking down and sat on the bottom stair.

"Nico asked me to wait with you." he explained. "Besides, I'll do anything to get away from your family." he leaned back and shut his eyes, offering no further conversation. Rinoa couldn't help but smile a little. At least she wasn't alone in wanting to get away from Katie.

"Sometimes I wonder what makes them both so foul." Rinoa replied after a few moments of silence. Squall sat up.

"Huh?"

"Katie and my stepmother. Nobody can be that mean by nature." Rinoa replied thoughtfully. Squall shrugged.

"Who knows." he replied. Rinoa turned to him and frowned. In other words... who cares? That's what you're thinking, isn't it Squall? Rinoa thought.

"I wish I did." she tried again. Squall sighed.

"I'm sure you do. Is that a car?" he asked. Rinoa looked at him confused, but then she heard it too. Yes! Sammy must be back from his... well, whatever he had.

"I think it is. Come on!" she exclaimed, grabbing Squall's arm and dragging him over to the door. She looked through the window and gasped. It wasn't Sammy in the backseat— it was Devin! "Quick— in the closet!" she exclaimed.

"What!? Why?" Squall asked, not moving. He went to open the door but she stopped him.

"Just do it!" she told him. She shoved him in the closet and then closed it, looking through the crack. Devin knocked on the door, and one of the servants rushed to open it.

"Is Mrs. Caraway here?" he asked, looking around. Rinoa backed away from the crack, afraid he might notice the closet was open just a bit.

"I'm sorry sir, she just left to go see her husband. She did leave something for you— in the Master's study. Follow me please," the servant added, walking away. Devin closed the door behind him and walked. When he had left the room, Rinoa opened the closet and stepped out.

"That was strange. What's Devin doing at my house? And why is he looking for my stepmother?" Rinoa asked. It was more of a question she was asking herself— she didn't really think Squall would say anything.

"I don't know." Squall replied, glaring at the door Devin had exited through. "But it doesn't seem right." Rinoa smiled at him and started backing away.

"Then let's follow them and find out!" she exclaimed. Squall groaned— he didn't want to play spy and follow Devin, it was none of his business what Devin was doing there and he didn't care anyways. But he also didn't want to wait here for Devin to come back.

"Fine. But you better not get us caught," Squall warned her. They quietly slipped through the next door and followed a safe distance behind Devin.

—

(Quistis' POV)

"Did you hear about Rinoa's dad?" Selphie asked. Quistis turned to her sharply.

"No, why? What happened?" Selphie took a bite out of her pizza and then put it back down on her plate.

"He's in the hospital. He was in an accident, I guess. Squall came into our class this morning, talked to the teacher and then he and Rinoa left and nobody's seen either of them since. I think they probably went back to Rinoa's home in Deling, to visit her dad." Selphie added. Quistis looked down at her plate sadly. Poor Rinoa, she thought.

"Was it serious?" she asked. Selphie shrugged.

"How should I know? Gossip was just flying around the school. At first people thought maybe Squall and Rinoa were dating, and cutting class together— since they saw them walking down the halls. But— well, come on. This is Squall we're talking about, I don't think he's ever dated anyone, and he and Rinoa can argue pretty badly when they want to. It eventually got out that her dad was in an accident— some kid was hiding in the teachers lounge and they were talking about it." Selphie added. Quistis looked up as Zell and Irvine walked into the pizza place and sat next to them.

"Ladies," Zell greeted. Selphie giggled but Quistis just rolled her eyes.

"I hope Rinoa's okay." Quistis replied finally. "Maybe we should do something for her."

"Why? What's wrong with Rinoa?" Zell asked, looking from Selphie to Quistis, confused.

"Her dad was in an accident." Irvine filled in. "I passed Squall's dad in the halls this morning, he was asking me if I saw Rinoa and he filled me in." he added.

"Why didn't you tell us at lunch?" Selphie whined. "We didn't find out until practically the end of the day when people finally got the facts straight."

"I didn't see you at lunch." Irvine reminded her. "I went home. And I'm not in anyones classes other than Zell, and he sleeps in class most of the time." Zell grinned.

"Ohhh yeah. Best time to sleep is right in the middle of History class—" Zell yawned and stretched out in his seat. "Man, I feel like I could sleep for ages now. I missed most of my sleep today— damn teacher woke me up. Hurt, too." he added. Selphie laughed, but Quistis ignored him. Seifer was outside of the pizza place with his friends, picking on some kid again. When will he ever learn? Quistis thought sadly. Picking on people is wrong. Just as wrong as toying with someones emotions.

"Quistis? You okay?" Selphie asked, concerned. Quistis turned quickly.

"W-what?" she asked. Selphie smiled and tilted her head.

"You kinda... zoned out on us for awhile. Are you okay?" Selphie asked again. Quistis smiled and nodded.

"Uh— yeah, I'm... I'm fine. Just tired, that's all." Quistis told her. Oh I'm tired alright. Tired of still feeling like I might have feelings for Seifer. He hurt me, badly. Why can't I just forget about him? Quistis turned to look out the window and saw Seifer talking to his friends, and pulling them away from the kid they had been picking on. He still has that nice guy inside of him... he just prefers to hide it. Why are guys like that!?

—

(Squall's POV)

He knew this was stupid. Devin's business with Rinoa's stepmother was none of his business. If Rinoa wanted to know, fine, she could go be a child and spy all she wanted, but why did he have to go along with her? Better than confronting him when he goes to leave— besides, I'm bored. I'll play along. Squall thought. Rinoa shushed him, even though he hadn't said anything, and shoved him against the wall.

"He almost spotted us that time! We have to be more careful," Rinoa whispered. Squall groaned.

"No, you have to be more careful. I'm going back and waiting for your brother." Squall replied, starting to walk away. Rinoa grabbed his shirt and pulled him back.

"Oh come on, you want to know as much as I do why Devin's here, admit it!" Rinoa told him. "You can be so stubborn sometimes!" she added, frustrated. She started walking again, and when she rounded a corner she was just in time to see Devin enter her fathers study.

"Now what?" Squall asked her. "I mean, if you go in there, he'll see you for sure. Let's just go,"

"No, he won't. Come on," Rinoa replied, dragging Squall along. She opened the door right next to the one Devin had gone into and inside it was revealed to be a very tight space they would barely fit in. Lovely. Squall thought sarcastically. What is it, an extremely long broom closet?

"Secret passage. At least, it used to be secret. Now we have an actual door here, it used to be hidden. Still, if you come inside—" Rinoa walked inside and Squall followed her part of the way in, and she lifted up a painting that was on the wall which revealed a large enough peephole that they could see in. She pointed at the painting further down. "You can see peepholes hidden under these paintings. I don't know why they're here, but they've come in handy a few times." Rinoa replied. Squall turned to her.

"Sneaky." he commented.

"Yeah well, nobody in this family tells me anything, not even my dad. Sometimes, you have to be sneaky. Now hush!" she told him. Squall looked through the peephole without saying another word.

Inside the study, Squall saw Devin sitting in a chair just behind the desk— probably her dads chair, Squall thought. Devin was reading over a piece of paper to himself, and then finally got up.

"I can't believe her..." Squall heard him mutter. "I'm going to call her right now, this is insane— SHE'S insane. This time, she's gone too far." Devin pulled out his cellphone and started dialing. "Yeah, Mrs. Caraway? I just arrived here to find out you weren't here— and you want my dad's help again. There is no way in hell that I'm going to let you use him again. The last time you did, he got in serious trouble. Find someone else to do your dirty work." Devin replied angrily. Whatever Rinoa's stepmother said, it must have been frightening. Devin's face paled, and he gulped. "But— yes ma'am. Yes. Yes. I understand. But— what if he? Alright. I guess there's no alternative. But you'll be the one getting him out of trouble again, because if he's caught this time it's going to seem like he's taking something out on the whole damn family. I'll tell him your orders. Good-bye," he replied. He turned off his phone and slammed his fist in the wall. "Damn it!" he cursed. He put the note in the paper shredder and then threw the shreds into the metal wastebasket before leaving the room. Squall stepped back and turned to Rinoa.

"What was that all about?" he asked her. Rinoa knelt down on the floor, and shook her head.

"I don't know. All I know is his father was responsible for my mothers death, and if my stepmother had anything to do with it... my dad... he's... not safe. And soon neither will I."

A/N: Well there's that chapter for you, sorry if it sucked a bit I kinda... maybe rushed it. This was actually originally going to take place at the hospital but I changed my mind and threw this in so Rinoa can start to see her stepmothers plan. Maybe you can too. Anyways, I'll try and update soon. Thanks for waiting, thanks for reviewing and thanks for waiting.