They returned to the table in silence, each lost in inner thoughts. Squall sipped his juice again, while Selphie nibbled on the donut Squall had bought for her. Irvine just stared at his food, glum.
"She isn't going to come between us."
Squall spoke softly, causing Irvine to look up sharply.
"But she..."
"She what? She left, Irvine. What I told you earlier still stands. If she can't accept it, then..."
He sighed, looking away from those oceanic eyes, before he got lost in them again.
"I just have a bad feelin', Squall. You're her Knight, after all... Y'all have a bond. A bond that can't be easy to break."
"Irvine..."
"What if she tries to control you? What then Squall? How are we supposed to fight against our commander? I couldn't shoot Matron, I know there is no way I could..."
"Listen to me." Squall leaned forward. "She can't. And she won't. We have a bond, true. But it works two ways. And besides, Irvine..." He reached out, cupping the sharpshooter's chin in leather encased fingers. He tilted his face upwards, waiting till Irvine's eyes met his. "I have you to keep me sane."
Selphie tried not to sigh wistfully. What should have the beginning of a new life for the two of them had turned ugly, all because Rinoa had thrown a hissy fit.
"... Squall?"
He glanced at Selphie, while Irvine drew back, causing Squall to release him.
"Want me to tell Quistis her meeting with you is gonna have to wait?"
He frowned thoughtfully, then nodded. "Yea, this one might take a while. But I don't think she'll mind. The exam isn't for two more days."
Selphie nodded, and rose. "Alright then. Messenger Tilmitt, at your service!" She grinned, saluted, then left. Squall looked at Irvine again, brow furrowed as he studied him. Irvine was leaning back in his chair; brim tilted just enough to shadow his eyes. Squall knew that they closed, he'd seen that pose before on the sniper. He was getting himself ready for battle. Against Rinoa? Hyne... What a morning this was turning out to be.


Fifty minutes later....

They entered the elevator; Irvine leaning against the wall as Squall pushed the button for the third floor.
Irvine had been unusually silent after mentioning their *bond* While Squall would have usually welcomed the silence (Irvine could talk as much as Selphie when he wanted)... this was getting on his nerves. He pushed the stop button, causing the elevator to lurch to a halt. Irvine stumbled slightly, thrown off balance.
"Wha' in the hell? What'd ya do that for?"
"Because."
Squall glanced over at him, and then looked away.
"I need to know Irvine, are you going give up? Was I just a challenge for you? A one night stand? Was I..."
He didn't get to finish, because Irvine had grabbed hold of his jacket, and shook him.
"No! You're more then that to me, you always have been..."
"I have this feeling, that you believe you've already lost me to Rinoa. Again. I'm not going to tell her how I feel about you, if you don't feel the same."
Irvine could hear the hurt in Squall's voice, and those usually cool eyes were shimmering over, becoming a darker blue. He wanted to kick himself. He was mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead, but perhaps he'd gone to far in. Squall had admitted quite a bit to him last night, and for him to pull away as he had...

"Squall." He looked up at the sound of his name, and Irvine smiled slightly, brushing back his hair. "I love you. Truly. Believe me when I say that to you. I just have to get ready for this... and I didn't mean to make it seem as though I was pulling away, or that last night meant nothing to me."
Squall surprised him by smiling softly. "I thought so, I just wanted to make sure."
He hit the button, and they started their ascent again. Irvine scowled. "Were you trying to give me a heart attack?!"
Squall snorted, as the door opened with a ping. Rinoa was waiting in the hallway in front of his office, tapping her foot. She looked up at the sound, and scowled.
"You're five minutes late."
"Sorry."
They walked towards her, Irvine's hand catching his. Squall linked their fingers together, which Rinoa noticed. Her eyes blazed for a moment, and then she looked at the door. The heavy oak began to bend and warp beneath her gaze, until Squall uttered her name, sharply. Irvine thought of a carton, when the doors regained their former shape. But this wasn't a cartoon, nor a game. They were dealing with real magic, not the para kind they wielded.
"Rinoa. Please, calm down. We can discuss this like adults."
The dark headed girl just nodded, mute. Irvine found this odd, but didn't really think about it. Squall released his hand for a moment, while he went to open the door. Irvine's gaze shifted to Rinoa, who glanced up almost at the exact same moment. His breath caught in his throat at the gold fire dancing in her eyes. Before he could even form Squall's name, she tilted her head to the left slightly; and he froze in place.
Squall frowned, at Irvine's intake of breath, and started to turn. But everything around him, or he himself... was moving to slowly. The air was dense, heavy with the taint of something... Something familiar...
Rinoa smiled slightly, as he finally faced her.
"...Rinoa... What...?"
"You. Are. Mine." She accented each word, eyes locked on his. "You are my Knight, Squall. Mine alone, not his, nor anyone else's. You made a promise to me, one I'm not going to allow you to forget."
A horrible buzzing sound went off his head, and he tried to reach out to her. But he was already falling to his knees, black swimming around him. His body hit the carpet, and Rinoa nudged it slightly with her left foot.
"I told you not to be late."


-----
A/N - And so, what will happen when Squall awakes? That is... If he awakes.
Your reviews decide his fate... and Rinoa's... and Irvine's...