Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy or anything to do with it. All I own is a cardboard sign that says Will Write Fanfiction 4 Food.

A/N: I don't know where the hell the end of the last chapter came from it was just a kind of spur of the moment idea. I'm gonna see if I can possibly justify it in this chapter...here goes...


Selphie, Iris, and Irvine were running through the halls of Balamb Garden. D.W. was bleeding profusely and completely unconscious. Selphie knew they would have to get him to the infirmary fast if there was to be any hope. She was also totally baffled as to why Iris and Irvine were helping her.
Finally, they reached the infirmary.
"Dr. Kadawoki!"Selphie shouted,"Dr. Kadawoki come quick! We need help!"
Dr. Kadawoki came running out. She saw D.W. hanging limply in the three SeeD's arms.
"Get him to the table!"Dr. Kadawoki ordered.
The lifted him onto the hospital bed.
"What happened!?"Dr. Kadawoki asked.
"He was shot,"Selphie said as her eyes began to fill up with tears again.
"He's alive. He's a goner if the bullet has hit his heart. I'll see what I can do, but I'm going to have to ask you kids to wait outside,"she said gravely.
The three stepped out. Selphie figured that this was a good time to find out why Iris and Irvine had helped them.
"Why did you two help D.W.?"Selphie asked. She was really just trying to keep her mind off the fact that her one true love might be dying in the next room.
"Well...I guess you could say that's a little complicated,"Iris started,"I guess it all happened after D.W. left to go chasing after you. I really did love D.W. in the past. I don't think I'll ever know what was going on in my mind when I almost had him killed. My mind was clouded by money and my own evil deeds. I'm in no way a changed person. No one can change that quick, but I think I saw the error of my ways in the situation between you two. Then I also remembered a call I got a couple of days ago from a friend saying that a contract killer was seen in Balamb. He thought he might have been after me. Then I figured it out. He had been sent after D.W. I thought like a criminal because I am one and I knew that the best place to kill a SeeD would be the training center, so I went after him, but I was too late. One more thing, too. D.W. wasn't lying earlier. That was a goodbye kiss. I was trying to seduce him, but it didn't work. He really does love you. You're really lucky. Hang on to him and don't hurt him like I did."
"Thank you,"Selphie said,"I don't think I can ever understand what you did to D.W. in the past, but even if I lose him today, I forgive you for trying to split us up. There's one other thing, though. Why did you try to help him, Irvine? You hate D.W."
"Well, Iris came and told me about the hit man guy. It ain't right to win you by default if D.W. dies. And maybe I should just let love rule and just let you go. But you didn't hear that from me."
Selphie rolled her eyes. Then they just went silent.

Two hours later...

Dr. Kadawoki stepped out of the room she was in. Selphie leaped up from her seated position.
"How is he!?"Selphie asked frantically.
"He's going to make it. He was lucky. The bullet went straight through and missed all of his vital organs. I had a few elixirs on hand. It will take a while for his wound to fully heal, but he's doing exceptionally well,"the doctor said.
Selphie was speechless. She felt herself crying again, but this time they were tears of joy.
"Can I see him?"Selphie asked.
"Go on in. He's been asking for you."
Selphie practically sprinted into the room. D.W. smiled when he saw her. His shirt was off and he had some clean gauze wrapped around his shoulder.
"Hey,"he said. He made a strained attempt to stand up and after a little while he finally made it. Selphie ran into his arms nearly knocking him down.
"I'm so glad you're all right. I was so scared. I thought I had lost you. Iris told me the truth about what went on between you two earlier. I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I should have trusted you. Forgive me?"she asked.
"There's nothing to forgive you for. I would have done the same thing in your situation. There is one more thing I need to take care of, though. You stay here,"he said as he started for the door. Selphie knew exactly what he was talking about. He was going to go take on that hit man.
"No! You can't! You're hurt!"she shouted running up to him.
"Look, Selphie. I know you're worried about me, but I'm almost fully healed and there's no way I'm not getting back at him for trying to kill you and nearly killing me,"he sat, his jaw set. Selphie knew she couldn't talk him out of it.
"Then I'm coming with you,"she said, her jaw also set.
"No. I'm not going to risk you getting hurt. You almost got killed before,"he argued.
"I'm going no matter what you say. I'm not just going to sit here and wait. I wouldn't be able to stand it. I want to be with you when whatever happens happens,"she said.
"Fine, but you've got to promise me you'll stay back,"he said.
"I promise."

They walked out of the infirmary together. They had to sneak by Dr. Kadawoki because they both knew she wouldn't let D.W. go. They made it outside where Iris and Irvine were waiting. D.W. knew he had something to say to Iris, but it would have to wait.
"I can't talk to you guys right now. I've got something I have to do,"D.W. said as he walked by. Iris knew what he was talking about and she just nodded.

D.W. and Selphie walked into the training center. They stopped by a tree that was ahead of the secret area. Selphie noticed that the man was gone from where he was knocked out.
"I want you to hide over here, okay?"D.W. asked.
"Fine,"Selphie said. She really didn't want to leave D.W. alone, but she knew there would be no stopping him.
D.W. walked toward the secret area. His swallow was out and ready.
"Hey, asshole! Come out here and face me!"he yelled.
Ace emerged slowly from the secret area carrying his gun.
"You wanna fight me?"he asked.
"No, I wanna play tiddly winks with you,"D.W. replied sarcastically.
"Very funny. Let's go then,"he said.
"No weapons. Gun against blade isn't a fair fight,"D.W. said.
"You SeeDs and your fair play,"Ace said,"Very well."
He set down his gun and kicked it aside. D.W. threw his swallow.
'Not entirely fair,'D.W. thought. He knew Ace would eventually go for his gun so he threw his swallow in the direction Selphie was hiding.
Ace charged D.W. with his fists raised. He tried to hit D.W. with a haymaker, but D.W. ducked. He turned around swiftly to meet face to face with Ace again. Ace tried to hit D.W. in the face with a high kick, but D.W. bent backwards dodging the kick. D.W. turned and did a roundhouse kick, the heel of his boot hitting Ace in the jaw. Ace bent over in pain. D.W. approached him. Ace immediately uppercutted D.W. in his stomach. While he was distracted Ace tackled him and they rolled a few feet tied up together. Ace saw his gun out of the corner of his eye. He kicked D.W. off and leaped for his gun.
"Selphie!"D.W. screamed,"My swallow!"
Ace was to his feet holding the gun. Selphie hurled the heavy swallow at D.W. D.W. grabbed the handle and made one quick, desperate swipe. He heard Ace fall. He was bleeding from his throat. He was dead.
D.W. fell to his knees and Selphie ran to him. He said a silent prayer for the fallen hit man. He rose to his feet and hauled Selphie into his arms.
"Let's go back,"he said. Selpie nodded and they walked off together.

They found Iris and Irvine. D.W. stepped up to Iris he knew what he had to do.
"Iris,"he started,"You almost had me killed and you tried to get me to lose the one I love-"
Iris cut him off,"I know what you're going to say, D.W., and I know you can never forgive me. I'm quitting SeeD. I'll be out of your life forever."
"I forgive you,"D.W. said. Iris's eyes went wide.
"And I'd be honored if you would be my friend and fellow SeeD,"he finished.
Iris was speechless. She just nodded.
"Irvine,"he started,"Thanks for saving my life as well, but stay the hell away from Selphie."
"I don't think that'll be a problem,"Irvine said,"After spending all this time with Iris, I've taking quite a fancy to her. She outta be a challenge."
D.W. could see a vague blush starting to surface on Iris's face. He turned to a smiling Selphie and kissed her. Another hurtle cleared by Balamb Garden's greatest couple.


Well, there it is. I'm gonna do an epilogue so be ready for it. Sorry this took so long. I hope you've enjoyed it. I was tempted to keep Iris and Irvine evil, but I just had to make it a happy ending for everyone.