********** XI – Angel Of The Morning **********

When Squall awoke he was laying on his left side, facing Rinoa who was on her back. It had been a warm night, and she had pushed the covers down. Her right hand rested on her midriff, and her head was pillowed on her bent left arm, facing away from him. Her eye was still slightly swollen - the skin around it taking a yellowish hue - but her lip and the rest of her features were almost healed. The bruises on her body were also disappearing, but the numerous cuts would leave fine scars as a reminder of her misadventure. It didn't matter to him, nothing else mattered apart having her safely back.

'And being beside her,' he silently admitted.

The strap of her nightgown had slipped from her shoulder, partially uncovering her right breast. His hand tentatively approached it, but his fingers stopped a few millimeters short of her body – unwilling to disturb her peaceful form. Strong, deeply buried longings surfaced in the dark-haired man, and an overwhelming sentiment of tenderness filled him for this brave and gentle woman beside him. A sentiment that demanded to be expressed… somehow…

Somehow…

He gently kissed her bare shoulder, her skin soft and warm under his lips. He was ready to give all he had, and all he was to have other mornings like this one, awakening by her side, watching her breathe, and knowing that she felt the same way he did. His kisses continued their exploration, in such an involved manner that he didn't notice her eyes opening, and her face slowly turning towards him.

"G'morning, Squall." Said Rinoa languorously, as she awoke to the feeling of his lips on the tender skin of her breast, the sweet and pleasant sensation gently shaking away the last remnants of slumber.

"Huh, I…" He blurted out guiltily.

"It's all right, it feels good." She reassured him.

Squall looked into her hazel-eyes, following the curve of her face with his hand. He knew that he loved her. He knew that he didn't want to lose her, but his handicap made all his dreams unattainable.

"Listen, Rinoa." He started, "Sex is important in a marriage and…"

"Yes, Squall." She interrupted him, "Sex is important, but it's not the only thing."

A small ray of hope shone through his heart, "But will you be able to live with my problem?"

She decided to be sincere, "I don't know, but all relationships have challenges to face. All I am asking is for you to give me a chance."

"What do you want from me, Rinny?"

"Nothing you cannot give." She said.

"No, I mean right now…"

Just do what you were doing, please…"

He carefully joined his lips to hers, in a soft lingering kiss. His hands tentatively explored her body, feeling her through the fabric of her nightgown. Rinoa gently stroked his back, massaging his shoulders, doing her best to make him relax. She knew that they would have to take it slow, and she accepted that reality - she would cross a thousand seas for him, and even more.

For a long, tender moment they kissed and touched, simply enjoying the intimacy and sweetness of their caresses. Suddenly, the growl of hunger from her stomach made him start and laugh. She joined in the laugher, happy at seeing him this way.

"Do you want to go for breakfast?" He asked.

"Yes, will you come with me?"

"I have to stop by my office, but I'll join you in about fifteen minutes."

Seeing Rinoa's unbelieving expression, he reassured her, "Nida and Xu have been asking to have more responsibility, and so I gave them some administrative duties while I was away. With Cid taking care of finances, Xu planning missions, and Nida going though reports I have more free time now."

"And how are they faring?" Inquired Rinoa.

A smile actually came to his features, "Great, I should have delegated some of my duties sooner. Xu loves her new job, and Nida is amazing at organizing paperwork. He has prioritized everything and only gives me what needs my immediate attention. I am seriously considering giving them both a promotion, for things are running really smoothly now."

"Well then," She announced, "Lets get dressed, I'm ravenous."

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

When the hazel-eyed woman entered the cafeteria, she spotted Selphie and went to sit with her. "Good morning, Sephy." She greeted her friend merrily.

"Good morning, Rinny." Replied the brunette, "Wow, you sure look happy today, and…"

"What?" Said Rinoa puzzled at her friend's inquisitive look.

Selphie remarked, "Your eyes sparkle, your lips are redder, and you look really relaxed and… Oh, sweet Hyne! You got laid!"

"Hush, Selphie!" Ordered the dark-haired woman, "I didn't, and I don't want the whole Garden thinking that."

The young woman's emerald-eyes clearly said that she didn't believe her friend, "Don't give me that, you look as happy as a kitten that's been in the cream."

"Nothing happened, I swear." Declared Rinoa.

The brunette refused to be placated so easily, "All right, I believe you, but can you tell me with whom you didn't do anything?"

"Selphie!"

At that moment, Squall arrived. He got a tray and went to sit with the two women.

"Hiya, Squall!" Piped Selphie happily.

"Good morning, Selphie." He replied.

Selphie noticed Squall's unusually cheerful demeanor, and her eyes went from him to Rinoa in sudden understanding. "Well, got to go," Announced the perky girl, sensing that three would be a crowd. As she was leaving, she winked at Rinoa at gave her the thumbs up.

Fortunately, the dark-haired man didn't notice the exchange. "Rinny, you want to get together for dinner tonight?"

"I'd love to." She replied delighted, "When do you want us to meet here?"

"I thought that we could go to Balamb." He offered, "Maybe it's time we act as a real couple."

Rinoa just nodded her agreement. Another sea had just been crossed, and it brought them that much more closely together.

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

After breakfast Rinoa went to visit Kathrya as promised, and saw with gladness that the girl looked in great health. The Festival was but five days away, and the artist had prepared something special for her friend.

"Rinny," She greeted the sorceress "The doctor has agreed to let me go prepare my act."

"I thought that you were only going to sing a few of your compositions." Answered Rinoa.

"I'll do better than that." Said Kathrya grinning "I wrote a song specially for you, and I'll have dancers while I perform it."

The hazel-eyed woman was positively pleased, "That is really nice of you. What inspired it?"

"Your feelings for Squall still linger inside of me." Said Kathrya "It all came to me of its own volition, it happens sometimes when I am faced with strong emotions."

"I thought that you would be back to yourself after a few days."

"Yes, but you two share an incredible strong bond." Explained the singer "It's like two melodies, different but complementing each other, entwining… growing together..."

Rinoa smiled at this, "I never could put this feeling into words, I'll have to remember what you just said."

"Words are a poor substitute to describe feelings." Continued Kathrya with a forlorn look in her eyes, "In song we can sometimes convey some of it, and share part of that beauty…"

"I am sure that it will be wonderful."

"I hope so, for it will be my gift to you. And if you want me to sing at your wedding, I'll be honored to."

'Wedding?' thought Rinoa. She didn't want to plan too much ahead into the future, these past few hours had filled her heart with hope, but she just wanted to enjoy what she had with Squall right now.

"Rinoa?" Inquired a concerned Kathrya.

"I would love that." Honestly replied the young sorceress, with a happy smile.

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

The day passed and they had dinner in Balamb as Squall had promised. They returned to the same restaurant as that painful evening, but this time his feelings were the complete opposite of what they had been back then. Upon returning to Garden, he walked her to her dorm and acted on the decision that he had reached during the day.

"Rinoa, would you like me to stay with you tonight?" He asked softly.

"Yes," she answered, "I don't want any more lonely nights."

"Me neither…"

The following nights, Squall shared her bed again. She was patient, and let him set the pace of their newfound intimacy. Finding him beside her in the morning filled her heart with happiness, and his touch soothed her very soul.

He was learning to express his feelings in caresses and kisses, and even in words. She didn't need more at the moment, for she had almost lost him and the joy of having him back was the most wonderful of blessings.

Things would sort themselves out somehow.

All would come in good time…

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

~ To Be Continued ~