********** IV – Seifer's Plea **********

He wasn't there to see her to the train, it put a finality to his words that she had hoped would never come to pass. Selphie and Zell were with her on the SeeD-Wagon as escorts, and also as Garden representatives. Her friends knew of their breakup, Squall himself had informed them of it that same morning.

Rinoa just sat by a window and looked at the changing view outside, pondering what had gone wrong. She had hoped that he wouldn't so easily give up on what they had, she had hoped that he would agree to talk to her. Alas, he had avoided her for the past two days, and rushed the preparations for her departure – it said it all.

"Rinny, what happened?" Inquired the green-eyed girl softly.

Rinoa looked up to her friend, "I wish I knew, Selphie."

There was an uneasy silence between them after that. Selphie was too saddened by the situation to try to cheer her friend up, and Zell couldn't think of a thing to say. They were all relieved when the train finally arrived in Timber. Rinoa was glad to see that some old friends were awaiting them at the station. A delegation of sorts had been arranged, and a car waited to drive them to their hotel.

"Princess, it's so good to see you again." Said Zone, "And Mr.Dincht and Ms.Tilmitt, you are most welcome."

"Hear that, Selph?" Joked Zell, "He called me Mr.Dincht."

The brunette poked him playfully in the ribs, "That is Ms.Selph to you."

"It's also good to see you again, my friend." Replied the hazel-eyed woman, "How is the election coming along?"

"Quite well, actually." Answered the ex-Forest Owl with a grin, "But you will be briefed about it later, for now enjoy Timber's hospitality."

It wasn't a long drive, and on the way they noticed the numerous campaign adds. Rinoa recognized several candidates as being ex-resistance fighters. Zone's voice brought her out of her musings.

"There are six candidates, five were in the resistance" Started Zone, "You probably remember Ambrah Carlson of the River-Wolves, she is the favorite in the polls right now."

Rinoa agreed, "Yes, she is a great leader, and helped many during the occupation. What about the others?"

"Well, there's Erdrick Riversand of the Gray-Falcons, Sargon Nagol of the Timber-Bears, and Marla Santor of the Street-Cats – remember how they passed supplies under the Galbadians' noses?"

The raven-haired woman laughed at the memory, the Street-Cats had been famous for their boldness and astuteness. "How are they all faring?" She inquired.

"Well, it is rumored that they have agreed to collaborate with Ambrah, for her victory is assured. I guess they will consent to her leadership, even if their views are slightly different."

"I am happy to see that the old team spirit is still there." Said Rinoa, and then she remembered something, "I see that Chrislen Khosgrove of the Sentry-Foxes is also a candidate, but what about that Lorgon Seldon guy?"

"Lorgon Seldon is just a rich guy with ties to Galbadia, nobody takes him seriously," Replied Zone, "Chrislen is another matter entirely…"

"I remember that he had high ambitions, and he was also a good intelligence gatherer."

"He's been quite aggressive in his campaign, and made it very clear that he would oppose the others. Not what you would call a team-player."

Yes, she remembered Chrislen well. He had been one of the first resistance-leaders she had met, and had always admired him. In fact, she had had a crush on the guy but never acted on it.

Maybe it would be a good thing to spend some time in Timber, it would give her time to sort things out – Squall's dismissal was a barb in her heart, and she had to learn to deal with it.

---------- ---------- ----------

Three weeks later, the election campaign was going well. Rinoa had met with the different candidates, and old comradeships were still very much alive. The days passed in meetings, dinners, and official gatherings. Zell and Selphie were enjoying themselves, there was little for them to do and they were glad for the time off.

That morning she was at a terrace sipping a cappuccino, enjoying the warmth of a sunny spring day. Winter lingered longer than this in Balamb, and she remembered how much she had come to love Timber. She looked up as a tall figure appeared beside her.

"Hi Rinoa, may I join you?" asked the blond man.

"Seifer? Huh, sure…" She replied, "What are you doing in Timber?"

"Balamb Garden is on its way here, and Squall sent me ahead to make sure that you and the others are all right." He explained.

"How considerate." She said dryly.

Seifer had something else to say, he knew he could trust her and so went ahead, "Rinoa, there is something that I have to ask of you…"

"Yes?"

"Listen, about that night, nearly three years ago."

"What about it?"

"Do you remember anything? Because I certainly don't."

"Seifer, if either of us remembers nothing, then it doesn't matter." She answered, "Why are you bringing this up now?"

He visibly tensed, "The truth is, I don't want Fujin to find out."

"Why would it be so terrible if she knew?" Inquired the hazel-eyed woman.

"Have you ever told Squall?" He asked, but didn't let her speak, "I don't think so, and I'll tell you why, it's because it would hurt them and neither of us wants that. You would be a constant reminder to her, and me to him, of something from the past."

"You have a point there." She agreed, "You really love her, don't you?"

"Yes, and I want to make her happy." He looked gently at her as he resumed, "I'm maybe making a big deal out of nothing, Rinoa, but Fuu has been hurt by life enough as it is. I just want us to have a fresh start."

She thought that he was in fact making a big deal out of very little, but still felt for him, "Don't worry, that was between you and me. I just thought that men liked to brag about this sort of thing."

He relaxed and continued, "I know that I am an arrogant bastard, but I've always respected a lady. Believe me, I felt like I had taken advantage of you that night, and I am sorry."

"Always the Knight, I see." She said with a smile, "But don't worry, I put myself in that situation too. Lets just leave it behind us."

"Thank you for understanding," He replied and then added, "There's something else, I heard about you and Squall."

"I don't want to talk about it…"

"Just let me give you some friendly advice," he insisted, "Squall and I have been rivals for as long as I can remember. I guess that it's because we are so much alike, especially in the stubbornness department."

"I won't argue to that." She agreed grinning.

"Do you know when I started realizing Fujin's love for me?" He asked, and then resumed, "It was in the Lunatic Pandora after she turned on me, she managed to shake off the Sorceress' control and keep me from making more mistakes. I was mad as hell at first, but then I came to admire her strength."

"Why are you telling me this?" She inquired gently.

"Because you see, Fujin loved me enough to save me from myself, even at the risk of having me hate her." He lectured, "Squall is the same, you'll have to shake him to get through his thick skull."

"Even at the risk of having him hate me for it…" She remarked.

"At least you'll have tried." He concluded.

After Seifer had left, Rinoa ordered another cappuccino and thought about all he'd told her. The 'Posse' had been accepted back to Balamb Garden, after a trial had determined that they had been mind-controlled. The blond man had changed in the aftermath of his ill-fated adventure, acquiring the one quality that had the potential to turn his life around - humility.

Maybe he was right, for the mistakes he had made had grown him. And so, Rinoa decided that she would have to talk to Squall as soon as Garden arrived. If not to win him back then to have at least proper closure.

But the fates, unheeding of us mortals' pain, had already decided otherwise…

********** ********** **********

~ To Be Continued ~