Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII...

Unexpected Destiny

Chapter 51: Nothing more than Feelings

By CelestialRage

The whole world seemed to stop at that instant, all her surroundings zeroing in the sweet warmth pressed harshly against her slightly opened mouth. The raven-haired was completely stunned. Never in a million years would she believe this was actually happening.

Squall Leonhart was kissing her.

HER!

Of all people!

Sure, she´d fantasiazed with it a thousand times before, though to be completely honest, her fantasies never included the Training Center and the burning corpse of a Grat in the picture.

Rosie´s head spun, still trying to comprehend what was happening. Last thing she remembered was arguing with Squall before he pulled her towards him. The move had been so sudden, she couldn´t help but yelp in surprise, the sound muffled by his mouth over hers.

And now, she stood here... barely on her tiptoes as most of her weight was supported by his right hand resting around her waist while his left still held his trademark gunblade. Her hands hadn´t found support due to his sudden motion and laid immobile at her sides as she found no strenght at all to move even the tinniest muscle. His musky cologne filled her nostrils and she could feel the fast beating of his heart against hers.

She didn´t know how long it take for her to register all those things... though she considered not much, as even before she could close her eyes to bask into the feeling, the kiss ended as suddenly as it had begun when Squall pulled away.

The Commander´s expression remained as emotionless as ever, his eyes – however – spoke a completely different language. Rosie stood breathless in front of him, gazing at the stormy orbs and all the emotions reflecting in them until he abruptly broke the eye contact and sheathed Revolver before hurriedly walking out of the Training Center.

The raven-haired tried to call him out, but no voice came and with her limbs feeling like jelly thanks to the shock she´d just received, Rosie really doubted she could manage even a single step without falling flat on her face, thus leaving her no other choice but to watch him walk away.

Her right hand ascended to her face, her index finger resting on her lower lip where the slight and alien tingle Squall´s mouth had left on hers was the only prove she held that the last minute´s events were true and not a figment of her active imagination.

"... he kissed me ..." her voice was monotone and so low even Rosie had a hard time hearing herself. "... he REALLY kissed ME!"

An imposibly huge grin spread through her features when realization finally hit. The raven-haired blinked twice, waking from her shocked trance-like state, smiling widely and holding her head with both hands as though fearing it would explode from the sudden rush of emotions coursing through her veins.

"HE KISSED ME!!"

ooo ooo

Squall´s thoughts were completely mixed.

His surroundings and the people walking pass him were nothing but a colorful blur as he stormed through Garden´s main hall towards the dormitories´ wing.

He needed solitude to sort out everything that was revolving inside him, threatening to shred him to pieces like a huge emotional tsunami. The truth was, the Commander had never felt so lost in his whole life.

Hell, he had never felt so much in his whole life!

Anger, fear, confusion, shame, sadness and other emotions he wasn´t familiar with, all of them were present at that precise moment. Some more powerful than others, but still they were there, making his whole being painfully overloaded with feelings, something he wasn´t used to in the least.

Bolting shut his dorm´s door, Squall rested his back against it and held his head on his right palm, breathing deep to try and settle his racing heart and swirling mind in the process.

Why?

Why am I feeling all this?

And why in Diablos´ name did I do something as stupid as that?!

The shocked look on Rosie´s face played for his mind´s eye for the thousandth time and he couldn´t help the heat that suddenly rushed to his face. He still couldn´t believe he´d acted like that! Such a stunt was proper of Irvine, not himself.

It was the first time he had really acted on impulse. Not even during his heated matches with Seifer, when adrenaline was quickly pumping through his veins and anger tensed every muscle in his body, had Squall lost his head and done something he´d regret later. Every action he´d taken through his entire life had a cold logical side to it...

... except this.

What had provoqued that reaction in him?

Were the last minutes´ events the ones to blame?

Sure, he´d been angry with Rosie for her stupid stunt back in the Training Center... but why the hell did he even care? It was her life after all, not his.

Maybe it was just because he´d realized she could easily do that in the battlefield, exposing not only herself, but also their comrades...

.. the odd thing was if Zell had done the same, he wouldn´t be as half as pissed as he was right now... and certainly he wouldn´t have felt inclined to kiss the martial artist!

That was other thing bothering him.

Why kiss her?

Why had his impulse been precisely that?

With all the emotions overwhelming his entire system, the idea, the desire or pulling her to him flashed in his mind, muffling his other thoughts for a brief, yet very powerful moment. He wanted and needed to feel her, to know she was there, alive and safe... the notion had been so strange...

... but somehow he felt it was the right thing to do at that moment.

His eyes closed and he could feel his heart quickening again as the feeling of her warm body pressed against his returned to haunt him.

ooo ooo

"Rosie!" Selphie called out when she picked her friend´s frame walking outside the Training Center. The raven-haired, however, seemed to not have heard her as she slowly continued her way towards Garden´s main hall.

Frowning a little, the brunette quickly approached her target through the mass of students and SeeDs hanging out in the huge chamber. "Hey, Rosie!" repeated Selphie when she finally reached the raven-haired and placed a hand on her shoulder. The other girl jumped visibly at the light touch and the brunette couldn´t help but smile as her friend had clearly been too deep in thought to even notice her presence.

"S-Selphie! Hi!" greeted nervously the raven-haired.

"You ok?" asked the tiny SeeD raising an eyebrow in suspicion "You seemed to be far away from here just now."

Rosie´s eyes widened slightly while her cheeks tinted a pale shade of pink "Y-yeah... I´m fine." More than fine, actually... she thought smugly and couldn´t help the smile that crept to her lips as the previous incident played for her mind´s eye for the millionth time that morning.

Confused by her friend´s behaviour, Selphie ventured "So? It went that good, uh?"

"What?!" Rosie´s face burned at the brunette´s statement. She couldn´t know about the kiss, could she? Squall certainly wasn´t the kind of guy who´d go around making public his private life... or anything else for that matter. And she hadn´t told a soul... which the raven-haired actually thought would remain that way.

Then how did...?

Damn!

The Training Center was a public area, meaning someone could have seen them and of course, having surprised the stoic Commander engaged in a not very common – at least for him – activity was just a too juicy gossip to keep.

The raven-haired felt her gut clench in panic as her gaze quickly wandered through the hall. A little relief washed over her as she noticed not a single soul was even glancing her way, all the other teenagers seemed to be engrosed in their own bussiness. For a second there, she thought...

"Your chat with Rinoa. You wanted to talk to her, remember?" Selphie´s emerald eyes narrowed in suspicion at her friend´s odd behaviour "You sure you´re ok? You look kinda nervous."

Rosie nodded, feeling stupid at her sudden panic. What the hell was she thinking, for Hyne´s sake?! "Yeah, Selph. Don´t worry... I just had an encounter in the Training Center... a T-Rexaur." She finished with a small smile.

"You ok?" asked Selphie concerned and looking over her friend for signs of injuries. When the raven-haired nodded, she smiled too and added "I hate those things."

"Yeah. They´re... troublesome." replied Rosie deviating her gaze to the floor. She hated lying to her friends now that they knew everything about her and she felt completely comfortable. But she knew if she told Selphie about it, the tiny girl wouldn´t be able to keep her reaction low and surely would attract the stares of the other hall´s occupants.

... and that wouldn´t be good.

"I-I think I´ll go have some rest." muttered the raven-haired, looking back at her friend. "You don´t mind?"

"Of course not." replied Selphie smiling. "Go ahead. I´ll catch ya later, kay?"

ooo ooo

Rinoa stopped in front of his door and glanced at the closed entrance. Ever since Rosie had left her standing in the back of the Library the raven-haired girl had been musing about the SeeD´s words.

Was this all real?

She was not a religious person and certainly a spiritual answer was not what she needed to soothe her troubled thoughts. Rinoa knew it´d been almost 11 years since the last time she´d ever believed that a superior being, intelligence or whatever it was looked over each and every one of this planet´s inhabitants. Not since her mother´s death.

The truth was Rinoa needed a deeper assurance, the type only science can give her. There was no faith in there, only facts... and facts were irrefutable. That was why she needed so desperately to see Dr. Odine; she´d been reading his book when Rosie entered the Library and interrupted her lecture, though Rinoa would be the first to admit the technicisms and complicated physics laws and theories made her more confused than she already was.

Now, standing in front of the Commander´s door, the raven-haired girl debated on whether she should just knock and tell him the whole truth about Rosie, hoping he would take the right measures... or to wait in the other side of the hall to the owner of the dorm across Squall´s to appear and end their conversation.

ooo ooo

The Commander groaned in frustration as the raven-haired´s bewildered face flashed in his mind again.

I make Laguna look like a genious.

Surely he´d never be able to look at Rosie again without feeling guilty and incredibly embarrased for his sudden behaviour. Not to mention he hadn´t been precisely kind when pulling the girl towards him and the kiss had been far from gentle or cautelous, it´s nature had more a demanding note to it.

The worst part was, it had happened in the Training Center, the only place aside from his room, where Squall actually spent his spare time at. The SeeD doubted he´d venture inside the place again... at least for a long while.

The Commander sighed and untangled himself from the door that had been supporting his frame since he entered the room. Unsheating Revolver, Squall placed it carefully inside the black case designed to contain it. Closing the lid, his stormy eyes landed on the silver symbol standing out magnificently from the rest of the item: a cat-like head frozen in a silent cry.

His right hand caressed the platinum surface as his mind called the familiar symbol´s name and all it represented for him. His eyes narrowed for a second and he couldn´t help but think how far he still was from achieving the symbol´s ideals...

Squall´s stomach complained loudly, interrupting his musing and reminding the SeeD he hadn´t eaten anything the whole morning due to his earlier appointments. The Commander´s frown deepened. As much as he was reluctant to leave his room after his stunt, he was truly starving. Debating with himself for a while, he finally decided to take a quick trip to the cafeteria.

Squall opened his door and was immediately greeted by Rinoa, who was sitting on the paved hallway, her back resting against the door of the dorm across his.

"Hey!" said the raven-haired smiling brightly.

Squall´s eyes were drawn to her ebony hair and he couldn´t help but feel slightly out of breath at the powerful memory attacking his brain again. He nodded at her after his brief reverie and turned to lock his door.

"You ok?" her voice mixed with the shuffling sounds she made as she got up. "You look grimmer than usual... and that´s saying a lot." She finished with a small giggle.

The Commander turned to face her again when his eyes detected a figure standing a couple of meters away from them. Azure orbs widened slightly and he seemed to freeze in place, his gaze locked with the person behind Rinoa.

The raven-haired girl noticed his odd behaviour and turned to look at the source of his apparent bewilderment, finding Rosie, whose dark eyes were trained on Squall´s face while a slight blush graced her cheeks.

Rinoa´s gaze darted from one SeeD to the other, her right eyebrow lifting in suspicion. She´d noticed something was going on between them for a while now, though she had always hoped it wasn´t what she suspected...

The truth was the raven-haired liked Squall, but everytime she tried to approach him, Rosie seemed to find a way to keep the Commander away from her. Rinoa had managed to be near Squall during the time the other raven-haired girl was away, but ever since the squad bound to the Missile Base returned, the chances to be next to the brunet had vanished like smoke.

And now she stood here, between both of them, watching as they shared a prolongued silence. Suddenly, the raven-haired SeeD´s stare drifted from Squall to Rinoa, her eyes narrowed slightly, sending her a chilly gaze. The Commander seized the chance to leave before his cheeks burned, giving away his embarrasment, and walked off as quickly as he could, all the while wondering why Hyne felt inclined to make his life a living-hell lately.

"You were going to tell him, didn´t you?" asked Rosie coldly once the brunet man was out of earshot.

"What?! Of course not!" replied the other raven-haired, her tone making it quite obvious she felt indignated by the female SeeD´s acusation. "I was waiting for you, actually."

Rosie snickered and folded her arms "Yeah, sure."

"I was!" Rinoa´s voice was firm. She shook her head slightly before saying "You know what, forget it! I don´t need to put up with your nonsense... I have more important things to worry about." her voice cracked a little at the end and just as she turned around to leave, a slender hand wrapped around her upper arm.

"Rinoa, wait..." Rosie´s voice was soft and more calm than it had been mere seconds before, making quite a contrast with her earlier tone. ".. look, I´m sorry..." she took a deep breath to settle herself. Her heart beat at double pace while a whole pack of conflicting emotions ran through her mind. First, glancing at Squall had just triggered the brief kiss´s memory and all the emotions attached to it. Then, looking at the man she loved and the other raven-haired girl standing together, alone in the hall made her incredibly jealous and scared, emotion that only got stronger when the idea of Rinoa telling him her secret flashed through her mind, which finally added anger to the mixture.

"So much has happened today... and I´m still scared... and very confused." offered Rosie apologetically "I know it´s not an excuse to take it on with you... I shouldn´t have acted like I did." Rinoa´s frown softened a bit and the female SeeD decided to continue "I´m really really sorry for that." a very small smile crept to her face as she joined her palms in front of her face and glanced at the other girl "Can you forgive me?"

Rinoa kept her pout for a little while, more out of stubborness than anything else. She could understand Rosie quite well, but that didn´t mean she was giving in that easily. Finally, glancing at the raven-haired SeeD, she nodded and smiled slightly "Okay. But try to control your temper next time."

"Promise." replied Rosie smiling back and crossing her heart with her right hand before lifting it in the air. She turned to unlock her door and, looking at the other girl out the corner of her eyes, asked "So, you were waiting for me?"

"Yeah. I wanted to finish our earlier conversation." replied Rinoa shuffling her feet nervously.

The female SeeD nodded, motioning for her to get inside her dorm. The raven-haired girl walked to the bed and sat down, Rosie following her close. A thick silence enveloped both women as neither of them had the words to restart their earlier debate.

Rosie licked her lips slightly before finally saying "I´ve been wondering many things this last couple of hours, you know?" her dark gaze settled on the tiled floor, unable to look at the girl seated beside her "Whether this is real... whether I am real..."

"You?" asked Rinoa surprised.

"Yeah, me." replied the other raven-haired girl lowly. "I´m the one who´s not where she´s supposed to be..." Rosie bit her lower lip briefly before continuing "You know, when I fist "appeared" here, I thought I was dead... my body was just so numb... and before that I can only remember a sharp, deep pain coursing through my body followed by a bright light..." her voice faltered and she closed her eyes trying to supress the chill that had suddenly assaulted her body at the memory.

She refrained from telling Rinoa about the path her doubts had led her on, especially the outcome of her little "experiment". Even when the raven-haired girls shared the same deep conflict, Rosie chose to only share her conclusion with the other, the trip she´d done to get there will remain hers alone... it was just too intimate to voice.

"But you know what..." the SeeD´s words echoed through her dorm, her tone was soft but firm at the same time. Her dark eyes finally dared to settle on Rinoa´s expecting face and a very small smile crept to her lips as she said "... I finally understood." The raven-haired girl didn´t move or try to interrupt her, instead waited patiently for Rosie to continue. After what seemed an eternity, she smiled warmily at Rinoa and said "I know it´s real... I don´t know how I got here or if I could go back to my world someday..."

Or if I ever want to go back...

"All I know is I´m here now... alive and sane in a completey different world." The raven-haired SeeD smirked slightly at the look in the other girl´s face "I know it sounds weird... but the truth is, you don´t have to worry anymore..." she took a deep breath and continued "I had the answer inside my heart all the time... I was just too blind to see it... or too stubborn to accept, whatever fits best." muttered Rosie before shaking her head slightly and looking at Rinoa´s eyes intently "Don´t let it happen to you... don´t let your fears and doubts consume you."

I almost paid the price... and it´s way too high

Rinoa sighed and broke the eye contact. "I know what you´re saying... but it´s not that easy... at least to me it´s not."

"Yeah, it isn´t. You can´t stop thinking about it... the doubts just keep going around in circles like a neverending dejá-vu." Rosie smirked again when the other girl focused on her face once more with a surprised look, as though the SeeD had been reading her thoughts. She couldn´t believe what she was about to say! "We´re very alike, Rinoa."

The raven-haired girl frowned "Whether we like it or not."

"Or not." replied Rosie smiling widely as Rinoa took one of her pillows and threw it her way. "Hey!" she grabbed the fluffy weapon and returned the blow.

"You started!"

"Me? Of course not!"

The battle went on for a little while, both girls giggling madly as relief washed over their hearts. Although the pain and fear were still there, their sharp edges were blurred, making them more bearable to live with.

Rinoa plopped down on the bed, trying to catch her breath. She turned to look at the other raven-haired girl sitting on the floor and smiled "Thanks."

Rosie shook her head "Don´t mention it." remembering their earlier conversation, she continued "We´ll go see Odine, I promise... just, give me time...I-"

"You love him, don´t you?" the raven-haired´s sudden comment made her heart skip a beat. The female SeeD´s eyes widened and locked with Rinoa´s as a deep blush covered her cheeks again. "That´s why you haven´t told Squall yet."

Rosie´s gaze shifted downwards. Athough the other girl´s words were not accusatory, she felt the characteristic cold sensation in the pitch of her stomach only guilt is capable of producing. Yes, she loved him... but to admit it to Rinoa? She was, after all, Squall´s mate during the game... however as many things since her arrival, that could have changed too.

She´d stood between them... and – although the raven-haired SeeD was ecstatic with the kiss the Commander had given her – she felt incredibly guilty with Rinoa too. The last Rosie wanted was to be happy at expense of other people´s happiness... that just didn´t feel right at all.

"I do." Her voice was barely over a whisper and the girl sitting over the matress had to lean forwards slightly in order to catch her words. Rosie´s eyes returned to Rinoa´s face challenging her to reply to her statement.

The raven-haired girl sighed inaudibly and got up slowly "I see..." she walked towards the door, not even sparing a glance at the SeeD as she passed her. Halting suddenly just in front of the threshold, Rinoa said "Just try to tell him soon, okay?" her face turned to regard Rosie, surprising her with the warm smile adorning her face "I´m not going to wait forever." Without another word, the girl opened the door and dissapeared into the hallway.

The female SeeD remained sitting on the floor, wondering whether Rinoa´s words meant for her to tell Squall about her secret...

... or her feelings towards him.

ooo ooo

"Phew! Finally!" exclaimed Selphie smiling as she pressed the study panel´s keyboard. She´d just finished updating her online diary on the Garden Festival´s page. Though it was a little pointless proyect, the brunette girl knew many students were actually reading it, so she didn´t neglect it... especially now that this year´s Festival was unfortunately cancelled thanks to all the external events and she needed something – aside from the Grat population inside the Training Center – to keep her mind off business.

Leaning back on the cozy seat, her emerald eyes kept focused on the screen, though she didn´t register the information displayed there. Her mind was already lost on the details of the latest events. Although the tiny, spirited girl always looked concern-free, the truth was Selphie worried as much (or even more) than the other SeeDs, she just tried not to show it. Through the years, the young woman had learned to face problems with a bright, smiling face, that makes the task easier to do and helps people around too.

"Hey, Selphie!" a deep baritone broke her sudden reverie.

Smiling, the brunette turned to look at Irvine, who took a seat next to her. "Hiya!"

"What are you doing, doll?" asked the cowboy grinning while sparing a glance at the screen. "Garden Festival issues?"

Selphie shook her head slightly "Not quite... I´m just updating my on-line diary, that´s all."

"Did you write something about me?" teased the sharpshooter smirking and gaining a slight blush from the girl sitting beside him.

"What makes you think I would write something about you?" asked the brunette frowning, all the while trying to conceal the pink hue coloring her cheeks. Her heart was beating at double pace and she could swear it was so loud the cowboy was able to hear it.

How she hated the way he made her feel!

Never in her life had she felt that insecure around a guy. Selphie had many, many friends, but Irvine just didn´t quite fell onto that category... everytime she saw him, her stomach would clench and a fluttering sensation would fill her gut. She felt depressed and angry whenever he was talking – more likely flirting – with other girls, a sensation so alien to her, it was intimidating.

Yet, there was this odd sensation... whenever he was close, staring at her intently with those blue eyes of his, without his 'macho' persona on... when they stood in silence just gazing at each other...

... it reminded her of something long lost. What it was, she couldn´t quite remember.

But it felt just right.

ooo ooo

Zell stepped out of the Training Center, his gloved hands running through his spiky-styled hair as he stretched his upper torso slightly. His back ached a little as his earlier encounter with a young T-Rexaur had been far from being as easy as he´d thought. The prehistoric beast wasn´t quite as large as most of his kind, since it was barely a couple of decades old. However, what it lacked in strenght and size, it made up in dexterity and perseverance, forcing the martial artist to use every trick he´d available in order to avoid ending as the T-Rexaur´s main course.

Looking at his watch, Zell noticed it was almost 4:00 p.m. No wonder his stomach was complaining! His short, bulky frame entered the cafeteria and quickly made his way to the counter.

"We don´t have any hot-dogs left today." said the grumpy cafeteria tender before the martial artist had a chance to open his mouth. She already knew what he was going to order... it was no surprise as the blond brawler always asked for that.

"Aww!!" Zell folded his arms over his chest, cursing his lousy luck when suddenly a hand rested on his right shoulder. Turning around, the blond came face to face with a brunette, slender girl with glasses.

"Here." said Thelma shoving a plate with a couple of hot-dogs on it into his hands. "You can have mine."

"B-but..."

The girl shrugged slightly and smiled "I´ve already had my fill. Besides..." she added winking ".. I´m late for my date."

"Date?" Zell muttered, wincing inwardly at how idiotic he sounded just repeating what she said like a Hyne-damn parrot.

Thelma nodded and patted the huge heavy-looking weapon strapped to her back "Yeah. A couple of T-Rexaurs are waiting for me to burn them to a crisp." Flashing a smile to the martial artist, the brunette cadet turned around and raised a slender hand "See ya!"

For the first time in many years, Zell Dincht was completely stunned and a loss of words.

ooo ooo

Rosie got up as soon as the alarm went off. Truth was, the raven-haired had been awake 20 minutes before the clock reached 8:30 in the morning as she had barely managed to get any sleep at all.

She´d tried to find Squall after her little chat with Rinoa ended, but the Commander seemed to vanish from the face of Earth the rest of the day. And although, the raven-haired´s dorm was located just in front of his, she hadn´t heard him return, meaning either he´d spent the whole night in his hideout or had happened to arrive when sleep had finally claimed her at high nightly hours.

Rosie sighed and passed a hand through her ebony strands. Squall was most certainly avoiding her... and she knew it. Her heart ached and she bit her lower lip trying to conceal the tears stinging the corner of her dark eyes. She was so confused! For a marvelous moment, she´d thought things were going great between herself and the Commander, but the look on his face when she interrupted whatever conversation he and Rinoa were holding and his later absence told her a completely different story.

What did I do wrong?

I want to talk to him, but... what am I supposed to say? He was the one who kissed me, I didn´t initiate that.

...

Is that it?

Is he mad at me for not stopping him?

No. That´s absurd!

... well, it´s Squall we´re talking about here... everything can be possible...

Frowning slightly, the raven-haired got dressed quickly and placed Reaper´s holster around her hips. Checking the gun´s barrel and gathering her item pouch, Rosie stepped towards the door, deciding to face Squall and dispel her doubts once and for all.

Her frame came to a halt as she reached the cold surface, her eyes narrowing in concentration. Resting her forehead on the hard door, the raven-haired carefully considered her options again. Thinking over, she finally decided it was better not to push the issue; surely that would only achieve making Squall even more uncomfortable than she knew he already was, thus making the brunet distance himself further from her.

Maybe if she just allowed him time and space to sort out his thoughts everything would be alright...

... but how can she be sure?

With Squall you can rarely be sure of anything.

Bitting her lower lip, Rosie turned around, resting her back on the door before sliding down and sitting on the tiled floor. Dragging her knees towards her chest, the raven-haired hugged her legs as she rested her head on her arms and sighed.

She really wanted to talk to him, but forcing the Commander to voice his thoughts was as effective as casting a Zombie spell on a Blood Soul... and just as frustrating.

Her stomach complained loudly, but she paid it no heed, mainly because she highly doubted her clenched gut would accept any food without making her nauseous. And certainly, the last thing she needed right now was tossing her cookies.

Closing her eyes, the raven-haired sighed tiredly. His azure gaze flashed in her mind again, the emotions she´d seen reflected on the normally icy orbs making her heart warm considerably. The moment had been brief, but so potent it was impossible for her to think about the kiss without feeling the emotions it evoked once more.

I´m doing it again...

Groaning in frustration, Rosie shifted, raising her head to stare at the opened window. That was the reason the raven-haired hadn´t been able to have a decent sleep the night before... her mind just kept replaying the beautiful scene in an endless loop, making her heart ache with doubt mixed with the most powerful emotion she´d felt in her seemingly short life.

Love.

It was so intense, Rosie feared her entire being would be consumed by it. This feeling marveled and frightened her at the same time more than anything else she´d ever known before.

Taking a deep breath to steady her already racing heart, the raven-haired decided to focus her mind on other things quickly before she lost herself in a never-ending, gut-clenching, heart-aching musing once more. Her dark eyes travelled through her dorm, stopping on the small shelf located on the right side of the room, where only a couple of – still unopened – books rested.

Smiling softly, Rosie got up and stepped outside her chamber, using all her will to avoid stopping in front of the Commander´s door. Her legs carried her all the way to the Library and she couldn´t help but steal a brief glance at the nearest faccility´s entrance, her cheeks tinting pink as her mind recalled the tingling sensation Squall´s lips had left on hers mere hours ago. Shaking her head, the raven-haired forced herself to tear her eyes from the Training Center´s access and turned right, entering the almost deserted Library.

Tons of books were neatly distributed on several shelves and she smiled at the extent of choices available. Her right hand danced over the books´ sides as her eyes scanned the different titles.

Reading was something she had always enjoyed and proved to be a very effective way to make her forget her troubles for the blissful moment in which she lost trail of herself and the world around her, focusing only on the story at hand. That was how she´d managed to devour the entire Anne Rice, Rowling and Tolkien´s sagas among many other classic and modern titles, though these ones were among her favourite. A sad, nostalgic smile graced her lips as she thought how impossible it would be for her to find those books anywhere in this world...

Her eyes narrowed as she came across a familiar title: Goodbye Pupurun. She remembered somewhere during the game, Zell asked the library girl if anyone had returned it yet ´cause he´d been waiting ages to read it. Grabbing the slender volume, Rosie´s smile widened as she glanced at the cover, wondering why the martial artist found such interest in that book. Though the issue was definitely Sci-fi, the illustration of a little boy hugging what appeared to be an alien, seemed a little too childish for her tastes. Cocking her head to the side slightly, Rosie frowned as she turned the book and quickly read the synopsis.

It was just like E.T.

Though the names were different as well as many other details, the core was basically the same. The raven-haired´s eyes narrowed at the oddity of the situation... how could that be possible? She didn´t like the movie at all – in fact, she´d only seen it once – but curiosity gained the best of her and the raven-haired walked to the administrative desk in order to check out the book.

ooo ooo

The lift doors opened and Squall stepped out. Glancing around at the busy hall, he frowned slightly. What was he supposed to do that morning? He´d usually go to the Training Center once he´d attended bussiness on the bridge, but due to yesterday´s events, the Commander simply wanted to avoid the place.

Hell, I´m being too naïve.

... but what am I supposed to do?

Well, apologizing to her would be a good start... supposing she wants to talk to me again.

...Wait a minute...

Why does it even bother me?

His right hand went through his soft, copper hair as his frown deepened further. That question was the center of all his dilemma. Why did the fact Rosie wouldn´t talk to him again was bothering him? Squall´s heart clenched and he could feel a cold sensation in his stomach.

It was fear.

He was starting to depend on the raven-haired´s presence. Before now, he´d not spared a second thought on the matter, but the truth was she´d always been there whether he liked it or not. Whenever he looked around, she was there, standing beside him, always ready to offer advice, help and hope.

But what scared him the most was the sensation growing inside his heart whenever she was near, a dangerous and alien feeling that threatened to lower his defenses, leaving him wide open for a deathblow.

Comfort.

He felt comfortable around Rosie.

How did that ever happen?

He knew depending on others was a mistake... isolation to avoid pain, that was his motto. Squall Leonhart was a one-man army, the lone wolf. He had no one and nothing to lose, only himself. He was free...

... or at least, he´d thought he was.

It used to be simple...

... it used to make sense.

Until... when?

Rosie´s words the night of the concert echoed inside his brain.

"I´ll always be there... for you."

"You´re not alone, Squall."

"You have us."

Words could be so deceiving and empty... but the raven-haired hadn´t only spoken to him with them, but also with actions. Maybe that was why he was starting to trust her...

Sighing inaudibly, the Commander walked towards one of the benches located around the elevator shaft. Settling down in his normal slumping position, Squall continued his silent musing not noticing the issue his troubled thoughts revolved around was slowly walking back to her dorm with her nose buried inside a book.

ooo ooo

Night fell again and the raven-haired SeeD leaned on the bed´s headboard, comfortably buried between her two pillows as she held her lecture between slightly shaking hands. Sighing inaudibly, she wished she had a cup of hot coffee with her right now as the temperature started dropping since that day´s afternoon, sign the Garden was approaching the icy northern continent.

Closing the book, Rosie spared a glance at her alarm clock noticing it was almost 9:00 pm already. Time had really flew pass her and even though it wasn´t late, she felt very tired thanks to the lack of sleep from the previous night. Placing the book next to the clock on the headboard, the raven-haired shuddered slightly as she untangled herself from the warm mattress and walked to a small device located just near her bathroom´s door.

"It doesn´t matter what Nida says... this thing is broken..." muttered Rosie checking the thermostat for the third time since that afternoon when – noticing the drastic drop in temperature – the raven-haired had tried to settle it so her dorm didn´t resemble a damn igloo, but to no avail.

Normally, she would have gone to Squall – he was the Commander after all – but giving the current situation between them, Rosie decided to ask Xu for help. It was then when Nida offered to check out the device once his shift piloting the Garden was over, much to the raven-haired´s relief. However, to her dismay, the male SeeD finished his inspection without finding any malfunction.

Still, she was freezing.

Walking to her dresser, she retrieved a warm over-sized sweater, adding it to the other 2 small ones she was already wearing along with her warmest pants and two pairs of socks. The raven-haired returned to bed quickly before whatever warmth her body had generated dissipated completely and curled into a little ball trying to stay as still as possible.

She wasn´t used to such low temperatures at all. Being from a warm part of the planet, the winters she was used to were far from extreme and once she arrived to this world, she´d only travelled along the tepid countries too. Trabia´s temperature was just way beyond her league and she just hoped the few winter clothes she´d purchased in Balamb would help fend off the chilly northern winds.

ooo ooo

His left arm reached over and grabbed the noisy device, turning it off and placing it back on its rightful place. Azure eyes opened to thin slits, scanning the room before he slowly untangled himself from the warm bed. Fighting the chill that normally assaulted him in the mornings, Squall made his way towards the bathroom, ready to start his daily routine.

Ten minutes later, the Commander stepped out of his dorm, dressed in his normal attire and carrying Revolver in its sheath. The clicking noise his boots made as he moved through the tiled hallway, filled the otherwise silent chamber as most of Garden´s population were still in deep slumber.

It was nearly 6:30 a.m., Squall´s earlier schedule having to be modified due to his new responsabilities and the latest events. The brunet had been musing over his reckless action for almost two days straight and still he was clueless as which action he should take.

Leave him to plan battle strategies or fight a damn horde of Ruby Dragons, just don´t give him some "normal" teenager issue to solve... that was just not his department.

His steps quickly led him to the Training Center, a brief hesitation making him halt for a second before he shook his head and forced himself to go inside. He needed to train, who knew what obstacles laid on their future? More over, Squall knew he needed to fight and feel the adrenaline pulsing through his veins, sharpening his senses and clearing his thoughts.

That was why he liked to come here whenever there was something troubling him. Fighting always helped him put things into perspective, everything seemed so clear when facing death...

Maybe that was why he hadn´t been able to find a solution for his actual problem as he had stayed away from the facility ever since it happened, lacking the diferent view battle granted to things.

The shriek of a dying Grat greeted him as he left the security area and walked deeper into the jungle. Unsheating Revolver, the brunet scanned the area around him, his trained senses focusing entirely on his surroundings. A bush to his left moved slightly before a low hissing sound reached his ears. Out the corner of his eyes, Squall detected the hidden monster a couple of feet from him.

With lightning-fast reflexes, the Commander brought his weapon to the right where the Grat was standing as still as possible, trying to blend itself with the surrounding flora and using its long tendrils to move the bush on Squall´s left to lure what it supposed was an unsuspecting victim to a trap.

Unfortunately for it, the young SeeD was everything but unsuspecting and the mutant plant found its end at the mercy of Revolver´s sharp edge. It´s dying noises faded away slowly and were replaced by the sound of light footsteps and the characteristic blast from a well-placed Fire spell, followed by the painful screetch of a Grat. Squall moved towards the sounds' source, curiosity gaining the best of him as normally he was the only one inside the facility that early in the morning.

His eyes widened slightly as a very familiar frame came into sight. Rosie raised her left hand, focusing her next spell on the only Grat left. With a flash, it's body was suddenly enveloped by fiery flames, the loud, unberably shrill cry it emitted as life abandoned its charred body echoed through the huge chamber.

The Commander stepped back ready to return to his earlier position but his movement caught the girl's attention and he found himself confronted by Reaper's black, glistening cannon.

ooo ooo

Rosie stood completely stunned, the grip on her weapon softening as her mind finally registered the figure in front of her was definitely not a Grat. She'd been so focused in her battle against half a dozen of those creatures, her first reaction had been drawing Reaper to defend herself against the probable menace.

And although he was not a menace (at least to his fellow SeeDs), at that moment she definitely prefered to face another Grat than the stoic Commander.

What is he doing here? I thought he trained later in the morning...

The raven-haired had been restless thanks to the cold temperature reigning inside her dorm, so when she finally couldn't stand more the chill assaulting her body, she grabbed a pair of boots, Reaper and her item pouch and made her way to the only facility opened at that time. Surely, killing some monsters would make her warm up.

And now, she surely was warming up... her cheeks felt like they were on fire and the raven-haired was certain Squall could see her embarrassment. Hell, even a blind Armadodo could see it!

"S-sorry..." muttered Rosie lowering Reaper to its sheath and offering the brunet a little, apologetic smile.

Squall nodded slightly and took a step backwards, the raven-haired noticing his intention was to leave the place as soon as possible. Against her better judgement, Rosie took a step towards him "Wait..." the brunet stood still and she seized the chance to move a little closer "Please, don't go because of me."

Shaking her head slightly, she continued, her voice lowering and forcing the Commander to lean a little forwards in order to hear her "I'm sorry about what happened the other day... I-I didn't know how to react... I was confused and-"

Squall froze. She was apologizing for his mistake?! How could she ever think it was her fault? Quickly bringing his left hand up to silence her, the brunet shook his head and replied "You don't have to say anything."

Her eyes suddenly found the jungle's floor very interesting to look at, the raven-haired fiddled nervously with her hands as she tried hard to keep the blush attacking her cheeks at bay. She'd done it... she'd just pushed the issue and made him retreat into his shell again. How could she be so weak? Just a glance at him and all her resolve packed its luggage and took a trip to the Island Closest to Hell... or Heaven, whichever was further.

"I'm the one who's sorry." his voice made her heart make a double flip and Rosie couldn't help but return her eyes to his face. Squall wasn't looking at her, instead kept his icy stare focused on a nearby Grat's corpse. The hammering in her chest increased as she detected a faint pink tint on the brunet's normally pale cheeks. His frown deepened and Rosie could see it was getting harder for him to continue with his apology "...I don't kno-"

"It's ok." she interrupted him with a smile, deciding to save him from his predicament. After all, she knew speeches were just not his forte. When his azure eyes focused on her, the raven-haired smiled wider and nodded, repeating in a reasurring way "It's ok, really."

Standing in silence, both teenagers were startled when a sudden loud chime echoed through the facility, followed by Dante's voice.

"Attention all personel, we have just arrived to Trabian territory. Commander Leonhart, you're needed on the bridge... and Nida, you better get your ass here! Your shift started 30 minutes ago!"

As the last chime faded, along with Rosie's giggle, the raven-haired turned her attention towards the brunet again, nodding and smiling warmly. Without another word, Squall nodded back and turned around, quickly exiting the Training Center. He pushed the lift's button and was surprised at the relief he felt as the raven-haired's smile flashed in his mind again.

ooo ooo ooo ooo O ooo ooo ooo ooo

Author´s whinning:

I´m SO sorry about the late update!! Really!! I tried to do it sooner but with work, school and severous writer´s block I couldn´t do any better. I want to thank (and all of you should too) Revir for her help betaing my story. Without her advice, I would still be stuck in the middle of this chapter...

Really, girl, thanks a LOT again!

I´m sorry too (well, seems like this note is going to be only to apologize, uh?) for not replying to all your reviews. You know I always do... but again, I haven´t had the time. So I beg your forgiveness and I make a solemn promise it won´t happen again. cross my heart

Anyway, hope you like this chapter, even if it´s as long as Hell.

See ya soon! (I hope... nah! I´ll do my best!)

Lots of hugs and kisses,

Celestial "Meanie" - Mini - Rage