Author's Notes: Hello everyone! My, it's been such a long time since I updated... Sorry! I was kinda busy with a fic for the Squalphie contest...that and the fact that I had so much school work...and was kinda lazy... ~_~ Okay, so I got the game (yay~)! It's great! And I finished it! ^^ So enough about that... Well, I didn't add any new chapters but I redid the last one because I really didn't like it...not at all... I hope this one's good! There's stuff from the old chapter but there'll be a change later on.

PART 14 Tearing Apart

Quistis entered her room and quickly closed the door, leaning her back against it. She shook away a few droplets of water from her hair and headed for her bed. She lay on her bed and placed her fingers upon her lips, still tingling from Seifer's kiss. Her small, quick breaths were the only sounds to fill her dark room as she tried to find a reasonable explanation for the ex-knight's unexpected action. Why did he do that? And worse yet: Why did she kiss him back? Should she be angry that he dared to commit such an act as inappropriate as that? Should she concerned about the new feeling starting to take control of her? Should she be sad that she had to find that happiness now when she knew she would lose it all very soon?

Happiness? When had she thought of the strange new feeling as something that had made her happy?

She got under the covers, not bothering to change her damp clothes. She just needed to sleep. She didn't know what she should be feeling but she knew one thing: She was confused. Very confused. Maybe in the morning, things would get better.

~*~*~*~

"Miss Trepe!!! Miss Trepe!!!"

Quistis awoke to the sound of pounding at her door and immediately got up to answer the urgent calling outside.

Two young girls, one with long strawberry blonde hair and the other, ebony curls. The two girls were struggling to hold up an all-too familiar blond man.

"He was looking for you," the light-haired girl groaned.

"I'll take care of him," Quistis replied calmly as the two girls handed him over to her.

"Hope we didn't wake you up, Miss Trepe," the dark-haired girl said. She and her friend bowed slightly and then left for their dorms.

"Quistis..." Seifer mumbled as Quistis tried to support his weight. She looked up at him to see his face, red with drunkenness. "Hey, let's go get a drink, whaddya say?"

"I think you've had enough drinks for tonight, Seifer."

Seifer pulled away from her and made an attempt to stand up straight. "I'm Seifer Almasy! Nuthin's too much for me, ya hear?! Nuthin!!!" He hiccupped and passed out, falling down to the floor.

~*~*~*~

"Ugh..." Seifer put his hand up to his forehead and felt a moist washcloth on it. 'What happened to me?' He rolled over to his side when he heard a dreamy sigh and found a sleeping Quistis Trepe on the floor. 'Quistis...!? Is this her room!?' Slowly, he began recollecting the events of last night. He had gone to a local bar shortly after what happened between him and Quistis, regretful of his actions. As shocking as it may have seemed, he was still human and the alcohol had gotten the best of him. Why he had sought out his ex-instructor? He had no idea.

It was so rare that he saw her so peaceful. Her blanket covered from the waist down, showing that she was wearing a small white cotton shirt that left to the imagination but revealed a good amount of her soft ivory flesh. The rays of sunshine that seeped through the blinds reflected off her long golden hair which was spread across the pillow. She was beautiful and he wanted to reach out and touch her.

He shook his head and looked away as he placed the washcloth on the table nearby. He started to sit up but he groaned and lay back down, rubbing his temples, as his head began to ache.

The noise he made caused Quistis to stir and she quickly sat up, stretching. She covered her mouth and yawned. "I see you're up," she said softly. "Does your head still hurt?"

Seifer put the washcloth back on his forehead and nodded. "Yeah..."

Quistis left the room and came back with a glass of water and a pill. She handed the pill to Seifer. "I don't have any special cures so you'll just have to take some aspirin." Seifer swallowed the pill and Quistis handed him the glass of water to wash it down. Quistis took the washcloth off his forehead, placed it in a bowl of water on the table, squeezed out some water, and put it back on Seifer forehead. "Need some ice?" He nodded and she went to get a bag of ice then placed that on his head.

"That's much better..."

Quistis left again and when she came back, a while later, she brought in a small foil-covered bowl and a bottle of orange juice. "Here," she said, placing the bowl in front of Seifer. "It probably isn't what you're used to for breakfast so you're welcome to just go down to the cafeteria if you'd like."

"Hmm... Breakfast in bed, courtesy of Instructor Trepe." His lips twisted into a small smirk. "Now that's something I've never expected."

"Just eat and don't make any smart aleck remarks about it," Quistis replied crossly, folding her arms across her chest. "That's just about how far as I'll go for being nice to you."

"You're suddenly so irritated, Quistis. Is it that time of the month already?"

She sighed and left for the bathroom.

'Still the same old Quistis.' He grabbed the spoon and fork to begin eating but stopped and he started to wonder about why Quistis seemed so concerned all of the sudden. She seemed obligated to do all those things for him when she really didn't have anything to do with his condition.

He pushed the food away and despite the feeling of pain throughout his body, he got up and walked to the door. He didn't want to be more of a burden to Quistis than he already was and decided it was best if he just left.

He was about to leave when he just came to realize that all he had was his undershirt and boxers. He slapped his forehead and immediately went on the quest for his clothes. 'Where the heck are they?!' he thought as he searched under the bed.

"What are you looking for?" Quistis asked when she got out of the bathroom.

Seifer bumped his head on the bottom of the bed and rubbed his sore spot as he looked up. It was awkward for him that Quistis should see him in his underwear as he replied, "My clothes. Where'd you put them?"

"I thought they were dirty so I decided to wash them. They're drying in the bathroom."

"So you...took off my clothes?"

Quistis nodded, feeling herself blush at the memory of last night when she had to remove his clothes and of that one moment when Seifer spoke up and made an interesting suggestion. Luckily for her, he fell unconscious again. That wasn't really why she suddenly felt quite embarrassed, though, but it was because she had actually considered taking his offer.

"Could you give them back?" Seifer asked.

"I told you they're still drying in the bathroom." She took a few steps back and leaned against the wall. "Plus, I have to talk to you about some things."

"You're just leaving me like this in my UNDERWEAR?! Gimme back my clothes! Or at least something to cover me up!"

"Seifer, why are you so self-conscious?! I don't care about seeing you in your underwear, so just listen to what I have to say!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Whoever said I was self-conscious? I'm just cold."

"Oh." Quistis felt herself blush a little more.

"Never mind. Just say whatever you were gonna say."

"I wanted to ask you..." She paused and then shook her head. "N-No... It's nothing. Just forget it."

Seifer shrugged and sat on the bed. "Geez, why don't you just make up your mind..." he mumbled to himself.

After a long moment of silence, Quistis piped up. "Umm...why don't you eat your breakfast?"

"Not hungry." But apparently, his stomach thought differently and growled to show how it felt about being neglected.

"Don't worry, I didn't poison it," Quistis said, smiling a little.

Seifer grumbled something to his stomach and began eating. When he caught Quistis looking at him, he snapped, "What? What're you looking at?"

"Ah...nothing!" Quistis replied, shaking her head. "W-Well...is it okay? The food...I mean..."

"Uh...yeah. Yeah, it's okay, I guess," Seifer replied, finishing off the last morsel and taking the orange juice.

"That's good..."

"Well, I'm done. Thanks for the meal, 'preciate it."

Quistis was twirling her hair around her finger, a ritual she did when she was uneasy or nervous, when she suddenly blurted out, "Why did you kiss me?"

"What?" He blinked at her.

"Tell me...why you kissed me..." Quistis repeated. "You...and your little surprises... I-I don't know if it was the alcohol or whatever but...I want to know why!"

Seifer turned away and tried to think up of something to say.

She waved her hand in dismissal. "Never mind. It was nothing. Besides, it was because you were drunk, right? Reasonable enough."

"Wait..."

"Forget it, Seifer, I wasn't thinking clearly. It's no big deal anyway."

"Listen..."

"I said forget it."

"I..."

"It's nothing."

"Quistis, would you just SHUT UP for one second?!"

"..."

"Thank you!" Seifer got up and approached her. "Quistis...I wasn't drunk."

She took a moment to think about this and then shook her head in disbelief. "What are you doing, Seifer? Why are you trying to confuse me? Could you just...please stop all this nonsense? It's getting on my nerves! So if intoxication wasn't the reason you kissed me then what is it? It was some kind of sick joke, wasn't it?! What are you trying to prove?!"

"I'm not trying to prove anything...! Why do you always judge me?!"

"I don't judge you!"

"Yeah, you do! You didn't let me explain! You assumed that I did what I did for my own sick purpose but it wasn't that at all!"

"Just..." Her arms were limp by her sides as she turned away. "Just forget it. We shouldn't be fighting over one kiss. It's just a kiss. I have to get ready anyway." She sighed and departed for the bathroom.

Seifer watched as she left and plopped down on the bed, taking a moment to comprehend her words. 'Just a kiss...? So that's what it meant to her? Just a kiss?' He clenched his fist and fought back the stinging in his eyes. 'Just a lousy kiss... A stupid, lousy kiss... So if that's all it is then what do I mean to her?'

~*~*~*~

Realizing what his kiss meant to her, the most passionate kiss he had ever given a girl and one of the very few that had forever made a place in his memory, Seifer Almasy's ego had really been hurt. Along with his wounded pride, he felt a painful pang in his chest which was practically unknown to him. He knew he had felt it before, when he was with Rinoa, and it returned, but this time, stronger than ever. As much as he tried, he couldn't erase the thought of her from his mind and decided once and for all to confront her. He didn't know whether or not he was right about what the feeling was but maybe if he told her, it might be it and would leave him. It was worth a try, anyway.

He strode over to her room and with a gloved hand, knocked on her door. When there was no response, he knocked again, this time stronger and louder. Frustrated that there was no answer, he started yelling.

"Quistis, are you there? Hey, open up! I have to talk to you about something!"

After about five minutes of his hollering, Zell came by.

"Shut the hell up, will ya??!!" the martial artist demanded. "Quistis isn't there!"

"Then if she isn't there where is she???!!!"

"She left!"

His heart skip a beat. "You...you asshole... Liar! Where is she! Tell me the truth!"

Zell opened the door, showing that the room was practically empty, only containing a few pieces of furniture. "Do you see her there? Huh?? Do you? She's gone!"

"Where'd she go?"

"I can't tell you. I don't know."

"Tell me where she went..."

"I don't know. If you want to know, you can ask Headmaster Cid."

Without so much as a mutter of his gratitude, Seifer ran off to the Headmaster's office.

"Son of a bitch," Zell murmured. "I can't believe she actually cares for him." Walking down the hall, he reflected on the conversation he had with the former instructor that day.

~*~*~*~

"Yo, Quistis!" Zell called out as he approached the blonde woman. "Need some help with those?" he asked, motioning towards the luggage Quistis had in her hands.

"No, thank you, Zell," Quistis nodded politely. "I can manage."

"Come on, let me help," Zell insisted as he took a couple of bags away from her.

"Oh, thank you."

"No problem. What are all these for, anyway?"

"I, uh... Well, I'm leaving."

"What?!" Zell stopped in his tracks. "Leaving? Already? But you... I never knew about this!"

"I was kind of hoping...no one would find out."

"But why?"

"It's not that big a deal anyway."

"Not a big deal?! It's a really big deal!"

"No, it's not!"

"Quistis, your friends are here... What would they think if they went to your room and found that you were gone?!"

"I was planning to come visit...some time..."

"Why didn't you tell us you were leaving?"

"I have...my reasons..."

"...Oh..."

She shook her head and they both continued on their way out.

"How are you gonna get to wherever you're going?"

"I rented a car and... Oh, there it is now!"

"You gonna be all right?"

Quistis waited until the car had pulled up and her luggage was put in to answer his question. "I'll be okay," she reassured, opening the car door. When she got in, she added, "And Zell...please do me a favor."

"Anything, Quistis."

"Please...make sure Seifer doesn't get into any trouble. And if he does, you can call me anytime. I'll handle it."

"But where will you be?"

"Balamb Hotel. But please! Please don't tell anybody... Especially Seifer. All right?"

"O-Of course!"

"Thanks."

"Say 'hi' to my mom for me."

"I will." She closed the door and waved good bye as Zell watched the blue automobile drive away.

~*~*~*~

"I told you that I do not know of Quistis' whereabouts," Cid informed. "All I know is that she is no longer residing within this Garden."

Seifer clenched up his fist tightly. "Please tell me where she is..." he said, almost begging. He slumped down onto the chair nearby. "I have to find her..."

Cid stared intently at the young man. This was a side of Seifer he never knew existed. Seifer was a perfect soldier, strong and sure, full of youthful determination. His sole purpose was victory, triumph over the enemy and he was never showing his emotions. The headmaster knew that there must have been some other side of him but he never expected it to be so...helpless. This was complete opposite of Seifer; a hopeless, sniveling, little boy.

He looked up upon hearing the doors slide open to let in his wife.

"Oh..." she gasped. "I apologize. Have I interrupted something?"

Cid opened his mouth to say something but stopped when Seifer got to his feet and let himself out.

"Seifer..." Edea called. The blond just shook his head in response and continued out. She then faced her husband. "What were you two talking about?"

"He asked me about Quistis."

"He did? What did you tell him?"

"I told him that I didn't know where she was."

She sighed and shook her head sorrowfully.

"What do we do about it? He wants to know where she is but..."

"We should tell him."

"What?" he stared at her curiously.

"We should tell him," Edea repeated. "He deserves to know. Quistis may have said that she did not want him to know but I am sure that she will regret it later on. We should tell him." She left before the startled headmaster could protest and headed for Seifer's room. She gently knocked and called out to him. "Seifer...? Seifer? It's me. I would like to talk to you. May you please come out?"

After a while, the tall teenager finally opened the door.

"Thank you, Seifer."

"Matron...I don't feel like talking..."

"Quistis is at the Balamb Hotel."

Seifer took a few moments to take in all that information. There was so much he was feeling and he didn't know whether to jump for joy or keep all his feelings in. Matron was smiling; did she know?

"You may use the Garden car if you'd like. I'll talk it out with the Headmaster."

He nodded. "Yes. Y-Yes, Matron," he said with a salute. He took a deep breath and walked to the parking lot as fast as he could. He tried the best he could to suppress his emotions but the smile forming on his lips could not be stopped as he walked faster.

"Run!"

He followed her orders and ran. "Thank you, Matron!"

'Seifer...always watching after Quistis... I hope she sees how much you care for her...'

~*~*~*~

"Thanks," Seifer nodded as he handed the gil to the lady.

"You're very welcome, Sir," she replied as she handed over the bouquet of fragrant flowers.

He tucked the fresh, long stem roses under his arm, careful not to crush the soft pink petals, and made his way to the Balamb Hotel. He hoped she would like them. Their color reminded him of the outfit she usually wore and he became more anxious to see her. He could just imagine how her face would light up when she received the flowers and of how much more surprised she would be upon hearing his declaration of... Well, he wasn't exactly sure if he was ready to call it that, but he was pretty confident that that was what he was feeling.

He stopped in his tracks when a big, black limousine pulled up in front of the hotel. He wondered who would be stopping by that hotel; those kind of cars usually were found in huge, busy cities like Deling, not small harbor towns like Balamb.

The driver got out and went to the back to open the door for the passenger. A long leg, dressed in a black, well-tailored pant leg, stepped out to reveal that it belonged to a tall, slender man dressed in a black, well-tailored suit. The man's jet black hair was neat and slicked back.

Seifer knew he had seen this man before. Somewhere...somewhere...

Before he could remember where he had seen the man, he had gone inside the hotel already. He still couldn't remember but he knew that the sight of him made him furious. But...why?

"Seifer!" a familiar blonde woman squealed with delight when she had stepped out of the limo.

Now he remembered.