"You need me to do what?!" Quistis shockingly said as she pulled Zell inside her dorm room.

"I need you to..."

"Zell, I heard you perfectly clear, but are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?! No one will believe that we have feelings for each other."

"We'll make everyone believe. Please Quistis. Please help me. I don't know who else to ask." Zell said as he got down on his knees and begged. "You're my only hope."

"Zell, will you please get up?"

"I won't get up until you decide to help me." Zell said while giving Quistis the puppy-dog look. "Pleeease Quisty."

"Oh, all right!" Quistis sighed. "But you better make sure that the group knows about this."

AT THE DANCE

The dance held that evening was Balamb Garden's Summer Formal Ball. The grand ballroom where the dance was held was already packed with people when Zell and the gang got there. Ladies were dressed up in gowns while the men where dressed up in tuxedos. People were dancing, eating, drinking champagne, and talking among their friends.

Zell took a deep breath as he entered the room. "I hope this works," Zell whispered to Quistis.

"I think it already is working, Zell." Quistis said.
The minute Zell and Quistis entered the ballroom, they could hear people talking about them.

"Quistis is going out with Zell Dincht?!!" you can hear some of Quistis's Trepies say.

"Nooooo, Quistis, NOOO!!" you hear another one say.

"I guess your Trepies are disappointed that you're with me," Zell mentioned to Quistis.

"I bet you someone is a bit heartbroken that I'm with you." Quistis told Zell as she glanced in Aya's direction.

Across the room, Aya was having a conversation with Rex and his friends. She couldn't believe that she was going to meet Zell's "love" tonight. Excitement filled her heart, but at the same time, so did sadness.

Suddenly, she heard someone mention Zell's name in one of the nearby tables.

"Zell Dincht? Who would have thought she'd go out with someone like him."

"Zell's here!!" Aya excitedly thought to herself. "But who is the girl they're referring to?"

Aya turned around to look at the ballroom entrance and saw Zell holding Quistis's hand.

Quistis is Zell's love.

Zell looked especially handsome that evening. Dressed in a black tuxedo, Zell looked very distinguished and mature. With his hair trimmed short, he looked like a perfect gentleman. Quistis, on the other hand, was also quite stunning. Dressed in a long, black, one-strap gown that showed off her wonderful figure, Quistis looked very glamorous. Her hair was up in a very fashionable style and her make-up was perfect. Aya couldn't think of any other couple who looked as good as Zell and Quistis that night.

"I see you spotted Zell and his mystery love." Rex whispered in Aya's ear as he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Quistis, what do we do?" Zell asked Quistis as he saw Aya across the room.

"Well, I think it would be best for us to go over there and have you introduce us as a couple. I'm pretty sure that you want to get this part of the night over with." Quistis told Zell as they headed in Aya and Rex's direction.

Zell couldn't keep his eyes off of Aya. As Zell and Quistis walked toward Aya and Rex, Zell couldn't help but notice how beautiful Aya looked that evening. Dressed in a long white silk gown, Aya looked like an angel. Her hair was up in a simple hairstyle and secured with tiny glittery pins. She was hardly wearing any make-up except maybe for a light touch of her rose-colored lipstick for her lips and pale-pink blush for her cheeks. Zell found Aya's sweet and innocent look very alluring.

"Look who we have here." Rex said as Zell and Quistis finally reached them.

"Hi Aya." Zell said as he smiled at Aya.

"Hi." Aya softly said back.

"Aren't you going to properly introduce us to your girlfriend, Zell?" Rex said as he stood next to Aya and protectively placed his right arm over her shoulders. Zell knew that Rex did that intentionally to remind him of the conversation they had at Aya's dorm room a couple of days ago.

"Aya, Rex, I'd like to properly introduce you both to my girlfriend, Quistis Trepe."

A FEW HOURS LATER AT ZELL AND THE GANG'S TABLE

"Zell, please put down that glass of champagne. I believe that's your fourth glass this evening." Selphie worriedly told Zell.

"I'm fine, Selphie. I'm just fine." Zell told Selphie as he looked at Aya and Rex dance happily at the dance floor.

"Zell, I agree with Selphie, you really should put that glass down." Rinoa said.

"I said I'm fine. Please just let me be." Zell said as he picked up his glass of champagne and took another sip while watching Aya laugh at something Rex said.

"I don't like what's happening to you, Zell. You haven't been yourself all evening. If you continue to drink tonight, you might end up doing something that you'll regret tomorrow." Quistis continued.

"I already have regrets." Zell responded as he took another sip of champagne from his glass.

"Ladies, you're all over-reacting. Can't you guys see that our Zell here is in love?" Irvine jumped in to say.

"We know that, Irvine. However, it does not mean that it gives Zell the excuse to get drunk tonight." Quistis responded.

"Zell, I agree with Quistis. You really should put that glass down. Aya is having a great time tonight. You deserve the same. I don't want to discourage you from telling Aya how you feel, but it appears to me that Aya is very happy with Rex. You deserve to be happy, and drinking is not the way to go about it. You and Quistis planned on going to this dance as a couple. I think it's about time that you play that part. People are starting to wonder if you two really are going out. You dragged Quistis into this. I think the least you can do is show her a good time instead of getting yourself drunk." Squall said.

Everyone looked at Squall, especially Rinoa, who was shocked to hear Squall say more than three sentences at one time. "Uh, Squall's right, Zell. You really should start playing the part of Quistis's boyfriend. I agree with Squall. Everyone is a bit skeptical of you two pairing up." Rinoa told him. "As for you, Squall, I'm really glad that you're becoming more open about your opinions" Rinoa gladly said as she hugged Squall.

"Squall's right. I apologize for my behavior, everyone. It's just that," Zell sighed, "I wish I'm the one there on the dance floor dancing with Aya instead of Rex."

"It's all right, Zell." Quistis placed her hand on Zell's shoulder. "We understand what you're going through. How about a dance, huh? I'm not very good at dancing but we both sure could use it right about now."

"Let's go. I guess it's about time we start having fun this evening."

Zell and Quistis danced at the dance floor. At first, they were a bit uncomfortable dancing with each other, but after a while, they actually started having fun. They were laughing, and having a great time.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE DANCE FLOOR

Aya watched Zell and Quistis dance. Her heart ached as she watched Zell and Quistis look so happy together.

They look so perfect. Aya thought to herself. But I wish I'm the one Zell is holding in his arms instead of Quistis.

"Having fun, princess?" Rex whispered in Aya's ear as they danced.

"Uh huh." Aya said as she forced a smile at Rex.

Rex knew that Aya was not having a great time. When Zell introduced Quistis as his girlfriend, Rex was pretty sure that he felt Aya's mood change. Aya became a bit distant somehow.

Aya told Rex that nothing was going on between her and Zell Dincht. However, Rex was not convinced. Rex could sense the attraction between Aya and Zell. He knew for weeks that Zell had feelings for Aya, and that Aya had feelings for Zell. However, Rex did not know how much Aya felt for Zell until this evening when Zell introduced Quistis as his girlfriend. Rex realized that Aya possibly feels more than just friendship for Zell.

Rex does not want to loose Aya because he had fallen deeply in love with her. He promised himself that he was not going to give Aya up so easily. He'll fight for her love and make her realize that he is the one for her.

"Mr. Rex Barton?" A messenger interrupted Rex and Aya's dance.

"Yes. I'm Rex Barton. Who might you be?"

"I'm officer Fei, Commander Rowen's messenger. Commander Rowen wants to see you right away concerning the Neo-Galbadian crisis. He needs your advice since you're a war tactics specialist."

"Couldn't you send another specialist to see him?" Rex asked.

"Sorry, sir, but Commander Rowen asked for you personally."

"It's all right, Rex. You go on ahead." Aya jumped in to say. "I need to get some fresh air, anyway. I'll be waiting for you at the balcony until you come back."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh huh." Aya reassured him.

"I promise I won't take long. I'll be back before you know it." Rex said as he kissed Aya and went on his way.

MEANWHILE...

Zell and Quistis were having a great time dancing on the dance floor. However, in the back of Zell's mind, he couldn't help but think about what Squall said earlier.

"Quistis?" Zell asked.

"Yes, Zell?"

"Should I just let it go?"

"Let what go?"

"Aya."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, Squall's words got to me. He said that Aya seems happy with Rex. Do you think it's for the best to just let her be happy with him?"

Quistis was quiet for a moment, and then said, "Honestly Zell, I don't know. I agree with Squall that Aya seems happy with Rex, but I don't think it means that you should just let her go without even finding out how she feels about you."

"I think I'm too late, Quistis. I missed my chance with Aya. I doubt she'll want to leave Rex for me. Rex has so much more to offer her. Besides, I couldn't even to get the words out of my mouth whenever I try to tell her that I love her. I choke, Quistis. I simply choke." Zell told Quistis.

"Well, you'll never know if Aya wants to be with you until you tell her how you feel, Zell. We all know that she had feelings for you once, I think it's possible that she'll have feelings for you again."

Zell sighed and said, "I want to tell her how I feel, but it's impossible to do so since Rex is always around."

All of a sudden, as if a sign of help from God, Zell saw Rex walk quickly off the dance floor and out the main ballroom entrance.

Where is he going and why is Aya not with him? Zell thought to himself.

"Thinking about Aya?" Quistis asked.

"Yeah, sort of. I just saw Rex leave the ballroom, but Aya did not leave with him. I wonder what happened between the two of them?" said Zell.

"Why don't you ask her? I don't know where she is but I'm sure she's around here somewhere. You should go and look for her."

"You think I should, but wouldn't people wonder why I went to see her and not stayed out here with you? In case you forgot, we're supposed to be a couple."

"Don't worry about it, Zell. I'll go and talk to Xu over there so it wouldn't look like you left me. If anyone asks where you went, I'll just tell them that you went to talk to a friend. Don't worry about a thing, Zell. I have it covered. Now go. Go on and see if Aya is okay."

"Thanks, Quisty. You're such a great friend." And with that, Zell hugged Quistis tight, and kissed her on the cheek.

Before Aya went out into the balcony, she glanced at the area where Zell and Quistis were dancing. Aya could barely find Zell and Quistis because the dance floor was crowded, but somehow she managed to spot them. From where Aya was standing, Aya saw Quistis say something to Zell, and all of a sudden, she saw Zell happily hug and kiss Quistis.

Aya felt her heart ache seeing Zell kiss Quistis. However, little did Aya know that Zell only kissed Quistis on the cheek.

AT THE BALCONY

Aya leaned against the balcony and looked up at the night sky. But as she looked at the star-filled sky, she only thought of Zell.

Oh, Zell. Aya thought to herself, Why couldn't you love me that way?

All evening long, Aya tried to put up a happy façade. She smiled even though deep down her heart was aching. Every once in a while, she would look in Zell and Quistis's direction and catch the two of them smiling at each other. It broke Aya's heart each time she saw them smile. Aya regretted not telling Zell about her feelings for him. She had so many chances when it was just the two of them.

Before she started dating Rex, she and Zell always went to Rinaul Coast (this is the beach near Balamb Town) and watched the sunset together. They would talk and laugh, and enjoy watching the sun go down. She had a lot of opportunities to tell Zell how she felt then, but she always felt that it would be better if she made him fall in love with her.

For months, it was just Aya and Zell, until Rex became interested in her. Rex asked her out many times, but she always declined by saying that she had other plans. However, she declined not because she was busy; she declined because she loved Zell, and was hoping that Zell would someday become interested in her.

Aya waited and waited for Zell, but it appeared to Aya that Zell would never feel the same way. One day, while Aya and Zell where watching the sunset at Rinaul Coast, Aya asked Zell what he thought of Rex.

"He seems like a nice guy." Zell told her.

"You really think so?" Aya asked.

"Yeah. Why? Are you interested in him?"

"Well, he's been asking me out and I've been wondering if I should go out with him. Should I go out with him, Zell?" Aya asked, hoping he'd tell her no.

"Of course."

Looking disappointed, Aya said, "You're not going to get mad or anything?"

"Of course not. Why would I be? It's not like there's anything going on between us other than friendship."

As Aya recalled the memory, her eyes started tearing up. She bent her head down, and told herself that she should have let Zell go back then when he said that.

"I guess it's time I let you go, Zell. You want someone like Quistis in your life. I know now that I don't stand a chance to be with you. I'm finally going to let you go." Aya told herself.

"Aya?" Startled by the deep voice, Aya turned around to face the person standing behind her without having the chance to blink away the tears in her eyes.

When Aya turned around, she bumped into the stranger. She looked up, and saw Zell looking down at her with such a concerned look on his face.

Zell saw the tears in her eyes, and immediately felt like running after Rex and punching him in the face.

"Did Rex do this to you?!" Zell said as he gently placed his hands on Aya's shoulders. Turning on his heels, Zell said, "I'm going to get that son of a.."

"Zell, no!" Aya told him as she grabbed his arm. "Rex didn't do this to me." You did.

"Then why are you all teary-eyed? What happened, Aya?" Zell questioned her.

"I'm...I'm just tired, that's all. I uh have a headache." She lied. More like a heartache.

"Are you sure Rex didn't hurt you?" The concerned look on Zell's face was still there.

"Zell, I assure you he didn't hurt me. I'm just not feeling well, that's all."

"Then you better get inside before you get more sick. C'mon, I'll go in with you."

"No, no. I'm fine. I just need some fresh air. Besides, it's too noisy in there. It'll just make my headache worse." Aya told him as she turned herself around to face the balcony. "You better get back inside, Zell. You don't want Quistis to worry."

Zell knew that something was bothering her, but he didn't know what to say. Aya wanted him to leave, but he didn't want to leave her like this.

"Uh, Quistis is busy having a conversation with Xu. Do you mind if I stay out here with you for a little while?" Zell said as he put both of his hands in his pockets and stood beside her.

"No, I don't mind."

Aya and Zell stood next to each other without saying a word as they watched the stars in the sky. After a while, Zell turned his head to the left and gazed down at Aya.

Aya looked very beautiful. As she looked up at the night sky, the gentle breeze softly blew the strands of hair on the side of her face. Zell wanted to brush those loose strands of hair to the back of her ear, but he felt that it was best that he not do that because she seemed to be lost in her thought.

"What is she thinking about?" Zell thought to himself. "What could possibly be putting that sad look in her eyes?" Zell wished that he knew what was weighing so heavily on her mind.

As Zell continued to look at Aya, he realized that it was the perfect time to ask her if she was happy with Rex. Actually, Zell would rather tell Aya how he felt about her, but Squall's words were still bothering him in the back of his mind.

Zell realized that if Aya truly were happy with Rex, he'd only be making things difficult for her. Zell wanted to find out if Aya truly was happy. If she was, he told himself that he'd let her go.

"Where's Rex?" Zell said, which finally ended the silence.

"A Galbadian Commander wished to speak with him about the Neo-Galbadian crisis. You know, that war going on near Galbadia." Aya answered. "He should be back soon."

"What do you think they want from him?" Zell asked.

"I'm not sure, but I think they want him to take part in the mission."

"Do you think he'll accept?"

"Probably, but I don't know. I really hope that he doesn't. From what I heard, most of the men who take part in that mission either come back severely injured, or worse, may not come back alive at all."

"You care about his safety?"

"Of course. Zell, I care about him. I don't want him to be in harm's way."

All of a sudden, it became very quiet inside the ballroom, and a romantic song began to play. "This song is for all you lovers out there. So c'mon everyone, grab your special someone and get on over to the dance floor." A DJ announced.

"Quistis is probably waiting for you, Zell." Aya looked at Zell to say. "You better go back in, and dance with her."

Open up your heart to me
And say what's on your mind, oh yes
I know that we have been through so much pain
But I still need you in my life, and...

"Aya?" Zell asked. "May I have this dance?"

"But Zell, what about Quistis?" Aya said surprisingly.

"Please, Aya?" Zell extended his hand out to her. Zell knew that he should go back inside, but something inside of him begged him to do this. Maybe it was all those glasses of champagne he drank that was giving him the courage. Whatever it was, Zell was glad that he had enough courage to ask her for this dance.

Aya looked up at Zell and saw the longing look in his eyes. She knew that she shouldn't, but her heart was telling her to accept his offer.


I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right
I really need you tonight


Aya's wrapped her arms around Zell's neck, while Zell gently placed his hands on Aya's waist.

As Zell danced with Aya, Zell wondered how he could have been so blind. They could have been together, but he was too blind to see her feelings for him. As Zell held Aya close, sadness and regret filled his heart.

Aya, on the other hand, was also feeling sadness and regret. She wished she told Zell how she felt when it was just the two of them, instead of holding on to her pride. She wished that she could go back in time, but then realized that it wouldn't have made a difference because she was nothing like the girl who Zell loves. Zell would never see her as more than just a friend.


I figured out what to say to you
But sometimes the words they,
They come out so wrong, oh yes they do
And I know in time that you will understand
That what we have is so right this time, and...


As Zell and Aya danced out there on the balcony, it was getting chilly and it was also starting to drizzle.

"Zell?" Aya said softly.

"Yes, Aya?" Zell said as he gazed into her eyes.

"I'm really happy that you found someone like Quistis to love." Aya was having a hard time saying those words, but she felt that she needed to say those words out loud so she could get over Zell. "I'm glad that you found the perfect girl for you."

The perfect girl for me is the one I'm dancing with right now. Aya you're the perfect girl for me! "You are?" Zell asked.

"Yes, I'm so happy that you're happy." Aya said as tears started to fill her eyes. Not wanting Zell to see her tears, Aya wrapped her arms around Zell's waist and said, "Zell, can you hold me?"


I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right


"Are you cold?" Zell asked. Before Aya could respond, Zell removed his tuxedo jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thanks, Zell." Aya said as she rested her head on his chest. "But you'll get cold."

"It's okay." Because having you this close to me is enough to keep me warm.

Zell and Aya didn't realize that they stopped dancing to the music. They just stood there out in the balcony holding each other close.

As Aya rested her head on Zell's chest, she listened to his heart beating. I guess this is the closest I'll get to your heart, she thought to herself.

Zell was confused. He didn't know whether he should tell Aya about his feelings, or let her go. Holding Aya this close made Zell realize that letting her go would probably be the biggest mistake of his life.


All those endless times we tried to make it last forever more
And baby I know I need you
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right
I really need you, oh


"Aya?" Zell asked.

"Yes, Zell?"

"Are you happy with Rex?"

No. "Yes, Zell. I'm very happy with Rex." Aya replied. Aya wanted to tell Zell that only he can truly make her happy, but she wondered what good it would do. Zell loves Quistis.

All of a sudden, a cold gush of wind blew, and Zell instinctively pulled Aya closer in his arms. As Zell held her that close, a sense of pain and loss filled his heart. "Let her go, Zell" Zell heard a voice in the back of his mind say. "She just told you that she's happy with Rex. You got the answer you were looking for. Let her go. You're too late."

It was starting to rain hard, and Zell wondered if Heaven was crying down on him.

"Zell, it's starting to rain hard. We really should get back inside."


I need you tonight
I need you, oh I need you baby
I know deep within my heart
No, it doesn't matter if it's wrong or it's right
All I know is baby
I really need you tonight


Zell didn't want to end this moment with Aya. He wished that he could just hold her in his arms like this forever.

"Aya," Zell said as he stepped back enough so he could look deeply into her eyes, "I'd rather be out here like this with you."

Before Aya could react to what Zell just said, Zell was already slowly leaning down his head to kiss her. Both of them closed their eyes as their lips got closer.

They both knew that what they were about to do was wrong. Both of them were aware that the other is involved in a relationship. However, they felt that this was something that they needed to do.

Zell and Aya were just a second away from kissing when all of a sudden, someone grabbed Zell's arm and spun him around. Before Zell could react to what just happened, Zell felt someone's fist hit him in the jaw.

"What the HELL do you think you're doing?!!" Rex said angrily as he started to take another swing at Zell.


AUTHOR'S NOTE: The "I Need You Tonight" lyrics I used for this chapter came from the Backstreet Boys' "Millennium" album. No copyright violations intended.