In the eerie silence that had followed Gabriel's disappearance, no one moved. No one dared to breathe as a trembling Quistis Trepe stood before the cold stone archway that had swallowed her heart.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity had passed, she opened her hand slowly, looking at the two objects he had pressed into her hand. One was a ring, a beautifully sculpted piece of some gleaming silvery metal that depicted a miniature dragon clutching the stem of a rose. The second was a silver vial held closed with a tiny ruby.
A soft moan interrupted Quistis's thoughts, and she turned back towards where Zell and Selphie sat crouched next to Squall's prone form. The fevered commander was stirring, beginning to talk in his sleep. She strode towards them calmly, kneeling down beside Squall. Selphie scooted back, giving Quistis room.
With hands that neither shook nor trembled, Quistis removed the tiny ruby that kept the silvery liquid inside the vial. She reached out and took hold of Squall's head, prying his mouth open just a little and pouring the liquid down his throat.
Instantly Squall relaxed, and Selphie and Zell watched in relieved wonder as the crimson tint faded from his skin.
Her commander safe, Quistis sat back, her head in her hands.
And cried.
Quistis stood in the center of Gabriel's room at the inn. Her eyes were closed as she simply drew breath, the scent of him still heavy in the air. She had taken the liberty of packing up what few items had been left in the room, clothing, mostly, and had paid the balance on his bill to the innkeeper. Lord Gefrey would be holding a memorial service for the young mercenary tomorrow morning at dawn.
She took one last walk around the room to be sure she hadn't missed anything. She noticed the mirror was smashed in the bathroom—she would have to be certain to pay the innkeeper for the replacement of the mirror. Now she understood the gauze she'd found on the bed.
She came back around to the door, but found herself reluctant to leave the room.
Once I step out of this room, he's really gone.
Anger filled her as she stared at the empty bed, tears stinging her eyes. "Why, Hyne?" she asked aloud of the empty room. "Why did I find him only to loose him? It isn't fair! Everyone had someone but me! I was alone, I was always alone! I find someone, and then you take him away from me!" Tears were streaming down her face by the time she realized she was shouting. She stopped, and took a deep breath.
And remembered his eyes.
His eyes…those lovely pools of violet fire. They'd held such passion. Yes, he'd told her, those feelings she'd seen in them had been real. He had loved her.
And in the end, his eyes had held peace.
"Just be safe," she whispered. "I will see you again."
As she turned to walk away, she caught the scent of roses drifting in on the evening breeze….
END