Author's note: Okay, everybody….I'm really uncertain about this chapter…So feedback would be really helpful. Honest, constructive criticism…PLEASE? J I'm not used to writing this intimacy stuff….
Quistis lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Lord Gefrey had been ecstatic when she'd presented the Finder's Way to him, and Lady Elana had already begun to plan the second Harvest Ball around celebrating the return of the rod. Nadiana, Bret, and Geral had been invited to dinner, but the entire team, Quistis included, had been too worn out from their flight, and had chosen instead to retire for the evening. Now, however, after she had showered, undressed, and slipped into bed, she found she couldn't sleep.
True, the rod had been found….Did that mean it was time to return to Garden? She wanted to explore the city they'd found, but the horde of undead creatures posed an additional problem. Then again, maybe Lord Gefrey would be interested in hiring her to clear them out. She also had vacation time coming. She wouldn't really mind spending it with the team down in the mines. She was growing found of the three; they'd followed her orders unquestioningly, and that had given her confidence to make clear decisions. Not to mention the fact that the mission had gone relatively smoothly. For the first time in a long time, she felt competent again.
And then there was Gabriel.
"I give up," she said aloud to the darkness of the room. She sighed, sitting up and swinging her feet over the side of the bed. Perhaps a walk would clear her head. She dressed quickly in a green sweater and worn jeans, grabbing Save the Queen and hooking it on a belt loop, just in case.
She passed Benton in the front hall, and stopped to let him know she'd be out for a walk. The elderly man raised an eyebrow at her.
"Are you certain that is safe, my lady?"
Quistis smiled at him, patting Save the Queen. "I can take care of myself, Benton. Good evening."
"Yes, ma'am."
Squall picked up the telephone, carefully dialing the number Rinoa had given him. He stared at the control panel of the ship, idly running his finger over the buttons as the phone rang. Finally, after five rings, someone picked up.
"Vanderstyll Manor, Devvery speaking, how may I help you?"
"Yes, this is Commander Squall Leonhart from Balamb Garden. I would like to speak with Ms. Quistis Trepe, if you could connect me, please."
"Hold one moment, sir." There was a long pause, and then another man's voice, this one much older, came back on the line.
"I'm sorry, Commander Leonhart, Ms. Trepe has stepped out for a walk. Would you like to leave a message for her?"
"Uh….Yeah," Squall had not expected her to be out at this time of night. Of course, it could be different wherever she is. I don't recognize the area code. "Please let her know her commander called to check on her progress, and would like her to report in to the Ragnarok as soon as possible, no matter what time it is."
"Very well, sir. Have a good evening."
"Goodbye." He hung the phone up and stared at it for a few moments, feeling disappointed. He looked up as Selphie came in to the room. He could tell immediately that something was up. He gave her a quizzical look.
"He's on the move," she announced.
Instantly Squall was on his feet, grabbing his gunblade out of its case on the floor next to him. Finally, some action, he thought as he led Selphie off the Ragnarok.
Quistis closed her eyes, savoring the feel of the warm breeze in her face. She wasn't sure how or why, but she'd found her feet leading her up the trail and to the statue of the angel, and now she was standing in the rose garden.
She walked up and down the over grown trails, looking at the roses with wonder-filled eyes. I always thought roses needed a lot of pruning and attention. Yet these are flourishing, here where no one has been for a long, long time. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she felt that this place had been empty for years, centuries maybe. She stopped to look at one particular vine that climbed its way up a crumbling stone archway. Strange, that this place looks so much like the garden in my dreams.
It is the same.
Quistis blinked. It was easy to think fanciful thoughts in this mysterious place, she told herself. She sighed, reaching out to touch one of the heavy crimson blooms.
"It is beautiful, isn't it."
She froze, a shiver running up her spine at the sound of that voice. She turned slowly to look at him, standing near the steps that led back out to the angel. She wondered how long he'd stood there, watching her, before he said anything.
Gabriel walked towards her slowly, studying her. A gibbous moon hung in the sky, filling the garden with a soft, silver light, reflected in the ebony strands of his hair. He was dressed in plain grey clothing, with a black cloak slung about his shoulders. His sword hung at his side, and a silver chain glinted just above the neckline of his shirt. He made no sound as he moved, not even his scabbard daring to clink with his stride.
He looks like something out of a dream, she thought, holding her breath as he drew near. He stopped beside her, looking past her at the roses.
"What are you doing here this time of night?" he asked softly.
"I could ask you the same thing," she replied, thanking Hyne her voice did not tremble. He chuckled, and nodded.
"Perhaps our reasons are the same." She felt his breath tickle her ear as he moved past her, walking down the path towards the cliff face that lay opposite the entrance. She followed, puzzled, until she realized what had drawn him in that direction.
There, in the rock, was an archway that led into the mountain, covered in swirling designs that matched the artwork from the city.
"Wow," she whispered. "Where do you suppose it leads?"
"I don't know. Let's find out." Without waiting for her response, he drew his sword and walked in.
"Wait," she said quietly, but she was talking to empty air. Sighing, she wrapped her hand around the handle of Save the Queen and followed him.
It proved to be a short walk. The corridor led into a small cave, mist and the crystalline music of running water filling the air. A pool of clear blue water gathered in the center of the cave before draining away through some unseen stream. On the other side of the pool, smooth, rounded steps led up to a dais, where an oval structure stood, carved of some kind of black and silver stone. It was decorated with more of the swirling knot work, with a hole in the left side.
Like a keyhole.
Quistis felt as much as heard Gabriel's gasp at the sight. She moved up beside him, giving him an inquisitive look.
"What is it?" she asked.
"There's only one thing it could be," he answered in a voice full of awe. A long moment of silence passed, and Quistis shifted uncomfortably. Gabriel turned to look at her, apparently sensing her impatience.
"Local legend tells of a healing portal that existed once, a long time ago, before the time of the Sorceress. It was said that once the key was in place, any who passed through the portal would be healed of all ailments, all disease, all imperfection."
"And you think this is it?"
"It has to be." He looked back at the portal. "You have no idea the importance of this discovery! However…."
She saw his brow furrow, his eyes narrowing. "Yes?" she prompted.
"If word gets out….Starvale will be swamped with all kinds of people from the outside, trying to get to the portal. Trying to own the portal."
"But, if what you say is true, it could help a lot of people."
He turned towards her, his eyes intense. "Yes….But how many lives would it destroy? Regardless, it is useless without the key. We should at least talk it over with Gefrey. This is his land, after all."
Quistis stared up at him for a long moment, considering his words. His arguments were very similar to her own in regards to the underground city. She knew he had a point. It seems Starvale has a lot of secrets. She nodded slowly.
"You're right. We'll talk to Lord Gefrey about it. In the morning."
As they turned to walk away, Quistis noticed some words carved into the archway. She didn't say anything, but committed the symbols to memory before exiting the small cavern.
Quistis breathed deeply as they reentered the garden, savoring the scent of roses drifting on the air. She followed Gabriel to a stone bench, tentatively taking a seat next to him as he leaned back, looking up at the stars.
"So, why did you come out here?" she asked, wanting to break the silence.
He shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. Needed to think. This place seemed safe….I just sort of found myself walking here before I knew it." He looked over at her. She pretended to be studying the constellations, when in fact she was acutely aware of his eyes on her. "Where are you from, Ms. Trepe?"
"Balamb," she answered without thinking about it.
"Balamb Garden?" he asked.
"Well….Yes." She felt as if he could look right through her; no point in trying to cover anything up.
"Must be fun."
"Loads."
A long silence ensued. This time, Gabriel broke it. "So…are you married? Attached? Boyfriend?"
"No," she responded, a little too quickly. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "I'm too busy for that."
"Really." He didn't sound as if he believed her. She just continued to stare up at the sky. He leaned over, his voice a husky whisper in her ear. "That's too bad. You're beautiful."
She chuckled nervously. Hyne! I'm a grown woman, not a child! Pull yourself together, Trepe! "Thank you," she said wryly, turning to look at him. She gasped when she found his face to be much closer than she'd thought. He smiled, a kind, gentle smile that lit his eyes with a warm purple glow. She found herself caught in those amethyst depths, drawn into their warmth. Suddenly she felt hot, her sweater entirely too heavy for the comfortable garden air. She could barely keep from trembling as he reached out and touched her cheek, drawing a line slowly down her face, along her jaw line and back to her ear before cupping the side of her head with his hand. He leaned in towards her, and she thought her heart might leap right out of her chest as his lips touched hers softly.
Her world began to spin as the kiss deepened, part of her mind crying out that this couldn't be real, she must be dreaming, while the other part of her sang out in ecstasy. His warmth enveloped her as he drew her in. She tangled her fingers in his ebon mane, relishing the feel of the silky strands, feeling her own golden hair fall down around her shoulders as he unclasped the clip that held it in place.
She whimpered a little when his mouth left hers, but silenced when he began to rain little kisses down her neck, gently sliding one arm beneath her knees while the other supported her back. He stood slowly, lifting her from the bench and took a few steps before lowering her down on the grass between two rose bushes. She didn't resist, only clung to his neck, pulling him down to kiss her again.
She began to slowly undo the buttons on his shirt. She wanted to feel his skin, to feel the beating of his heart beneath his chest. No one in her whole life had ever touched her like this, and she was feeling things she'd never imagined before. The whole world fell away, and there was only them in the garden of roses.
He slid his hand gently up her sweater, his fingers dancing in deft circles on her skin that sent sensations racing through her nerves. She shifted so he could pull the sweater up and over her head, tossing it the side. She closed her eyes with pleasure as their skin touched, his as smooth as silk, a steady thump against her chest as she realized his heart was beating as fast as hers.
She felt as if her body was on fire everywhere that his skin caressed hers. She laughed playfully as she rolled over, teasing him with her eyes. A little growl escaped his lips as he chased her, finally pinning her down against the grass.
"Not so fast, my little rose," he whispered, nibbling on her ear. His touch sent electric sensations dancing across her skin. As his kissing became more insistent, she lost touch with her own body, no longer certain as to where she ended and he began. The feel of him moved through her veins like molten lava, setting her heart aflame.
"Gabriel," she whispered softly, opening her eyes to stare into his. She gasped, entranced by the amazing swirl of emotions she saw churning in their violet depths. Passion, desire, confusion, fear.
Regret?
He blinked, then pulled away from her, standing up. She bit her lip to hold back tears, sensing the moment was over.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, handing her sweater to her. "I….I got carried away."
"That's okay," she whispered, looking down as she stood, putting her sweater back on. She gasped as he reached out and grabbed her, drawing her into his embrace.
"That's not what I meant, exactly," he smiled gently at her. "I don't think we know each other that well…..Will you….would you have dinner with me, tomorrow?"
"I…" Quistis stammered, taken by surprise. "Yes. Yes, I'd love to." She grinned up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Walk me back to the manor house?"
"Sure," he responded, taking her arm.
Quistis couldn't contain a cheery little whistle as she walked into the manor house. Gabriel had kissed her goodnight, a simple, light kiss, but her lips still tingled at the feeling. She felt like she was walking on air, her heart lifted like she'd never felt it before.
She was quite surprised to see Benton enter the hall from the servant's quarters. Considering the late hour, she'd expected everyone to be asleep. She waved at him, unable to tame the smile that spread across her face.
"I didn't wake you, did I?" she asked.
"No, ma'am. I was waiting for you to return so that I could pass on a message."
"Oh….Message?"
"Yes, ma'am. Your commander called, wishing you to contact him immediately on the Ragnarok, I believe he said."
Quistis's heart sank. They're not calling me back already, are they? Why would Squall call, and not Cid? "Thank you, Benton, I'll return his call from my room. Good night."
"Good night, ma'am."
Despite her worry over what Squall could want with her, she couldn't keep from fairly dancing her way up the stairs to her room. No wonder Rinoa is so silly, she thought, sitting down on the edge of the bed and picking up the phone. As many times as she's been in love.
Love? What are you thinking, Trepe? You barely know this guy!
But I do know him...
She shook her head. She'd worry about the complications of the matter later. For now she just had to do what she could to stay in Starvale a little while longer. She tapped her foot impatiently while the phone rang. And rang. And rang.
Finally, the answering machine picked up. "You have contacted Vessel F-0113, Ragnarok. To leave a voice message, press one."
Breathing a little sigh of relief, Quistis pressed one and waited for the tone.
Gabriel slammed the door behind him, throwing his cloak on the chair before stalking into the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, he splashed cold water in his face. He looked up at his image in the mirror, intense purple eyes staring back at him. He thought of another pair of eyes, brilliant blue orbs looking up at him from behind blonde locks…
"Damn that woman!" he growled, slamming his fist into the mirror. Glass shattered, shards flying everywhere. He stared dully at his hand, barely feeling the pain through his anger.
Just who are you angry at, Gabriel?
"Shut up!" he cried aloud, putting his bleeding fist into the running water. No one played the game of seduction better than him. That was why Ana had hired him, after all. He had won battles long before the first blow could be struck, by twisting this foolish emotion called "love" and using it as a weapon. Love was a weapon! Ironically enough, it had been Ana who had taught him that, long ago.
And in the game of seduction, an unforgiving play of lies and deceit, there was only one rule. This one rule had to be followed; failure to do so would always spell destruction. But as he stared at the remains of the mirror, he could not deny the truth to himself. He had broken that single, golden rule.
He was falling in love.