Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII...
Author's Note: When I was uploading the last chapter, it wouldn't work, so I was forced to remove the whole fic and re-upload it. Unfortunately, all my reviews for chapter one got deleted in the process. So, Rinoa.J, yes, you did review chapter one, but it got deleted. Thanks again to everyone that reviewed. This chapter is dedicated to Rinoa.J and Athena88 for reviewing my fics so many times. Thank you!
Never Free
Chapter 3- Double Agent Dad
"Rinoa, what are you doing here? I thought you said your company sent you to Dollet?" Zell asked, very confused.
"Well, um, yeah, you're right. I thought I was going to Dollet, but at the last minute, the company realized that I was supposed to be going to Balamb instead." Rinoa tried to be as convincing as possible.
"I see... So, are you heading back to Deling, now?"
"Yes, and I'm going to miss the train if I don't hurry up."
"Yeah...I'm going back to Deling, too. Shall we?" He offered his arm, jokingly.
"Let's go." She smiled as they boarded the train. "So, why were you in Balamb?"
"Well, at the last minute, my company decided to send me there to take some pictures for the upcoming issue of 'Balamb World' magazine." He explained.
"Zell, that's great!" Rinoa exclaimed. "Out of all those photographers, they picked you! That's so awesome!"
"Thanks!" The train stopped, having reached its destination. "So, you heading home now?"
"Unfortunately, I have to drop some things off at the office, but I'll be home after that. So, I guess I'll see you later, okay?"
"Yeah, okay. Bye!"
Rinoa hurried through the streets of Deling City. She was on her way to her father's mansion. Hopefully
he's home... Rinoa approached the door and knocked. A maid came to the door. "May I help you?" The maid asked.
"I'm looking for General Caraway...is he here?" Rinoa asked anxiously.
"I'm, sorry, Miss, but the General is out on business. I'm not sure what time he will be back."
"It's alright. Thank you..." Rinoa turned away and approached the Train Station once again. She knew where her father was and what she had to do...
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"Ladies and Gentleman, we have now arrived at our last stop, Galbadia Garden. Please gather your belongings and disembark the train at this time. Thank you."
Rinoa got off of the train and entered Galbadia Garden. She hurriedly made her way to Rodney Billows' office and knocked on the door.
"Come in." When Rinoa walked into the office, she found Irvine and her father sitting down, as well as Rodney Billows. "Where have you been?" Billows demanded.
"I can explain..." Rinoa started to say, but was cut off.
"Oh, believe me, you had better have a good explanation. You failed to eliminate Balamb Garden, you never contacted Kinneas, you just disappeared!" Billows was furious.
"Let the girl explain herself." Caraway interrupted. "Go on, Rinoa."
Rinoa nodded. ""Everything was going according to plan, Sir. Agent Kinneas stationed himself in the main hall of Balamb Garden, while I went into the basement to plant the bomb. I planted the bomb and was on my way out when a class of students came right in front of me, blocking my only exit! I had to wait in the shadows until they left, which seemed to take forever! Then, I exited Balamb Garden and hit the switch on the remote, but nothing happened. I tried several more times, but still nothing. So, I decided that it would be best for me to come back and report to you, Sir." She explained.
"Dammit! We were so close!" Billows took a deep breath and composed himself. "However, what's done is done and there is nothing we can do about it now. Next time, we will have to plan our strategies more carefully... Dismissed!"
Everyone filed out of the office. As they were leaving, Irvine tapped Rinoa on the shoulder. "Listen...I'm sorry I didn't wait for you back there. I-"
"It's alright." Rinoa interrupted. "You were following protocol...going by the rule book. You simply did what any good agent would do. Irvine, there's no need for you to be apologizing."
"Thanks, Rinoa. Billows was really rough on you though, huh?"
"Yeah, but at least he believes me..." Shit! Rinoa mentally cursed herself. He's not supposed to know about Balamb Garden!
Irvine gave her a quizzical look. "Why wouldn't he believe you?"
Rinoa forced a smile. "Oh, you know him. He's always so suspicious of everyone and everything. It's so freaky sometimes!"
"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean... Anyway, I have some work to do, so I'll catch you later."
"Yeah, bye!" On her way out, Rinoa ran into her father. "Dad...would you like to meet me for lunch?" She asked.
"At that pizza place?" He questioned.
"Yes."
"Sure. I'll meet you there A.S.A.P."
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We have a lot to talk about..." Rinoa told Caraway, after waiting thirty minutes for his arrival.
"Why, did something happen?" Caraway questioned.
"Yes. Dad...I lied to Rodney Billows today..."
"About what happened in Balamb? I kind of figured you were lying..."
"How did you know? Was I that obvious?"
"No, actually it was quite the opposite. You were very convincing. Rodney Billows doesn't have a shred of doubt that you were telling him the truth."
"Then how did you know I was lying?"
"That's not important right now. What's important is that you tell me what happened in Balamb."
"I met Cid Kramer. To make a long story short, I am now a double-agent working for him and for Billows. Dad...Billows killed Mom..."
"I know..." Caraway whispered.
"What?! You knew all this time and you never told me?! And now you're working for him?! Are you sick?!"
"Rinoa, please, let me explain. Cid told you to talk to me, right? That's because him and I are very close friends. I have been working as a double-agent for Cid and Billows. Our ultimate goal is to bring down Billows and Galbadia. Now...you're involved, too..."
That's why Cid said that about him... "So, what happens now? This is all so confusing..."
"We wait and do as we are told. Did Cid explain all the code names to you?"
"Yes. Whenever Squall calls-"
"Squall Leonhart? He's your handler?"
"Yes...is there something wrong with him?"
"No, it's just that he's so...young..."
"Well, so am I."
"That's why I'm worried. Rinoa, you mustn't get emotionally attached to that man. He's full of loneliness and pain. He's had a hard past..."
"I'm not emotionally attached to him!"
"You just called him 'Squall'. From now on, you are to refer to him as Agent Leonhart or Leonhart."
"Dad! That's so formal, and I call Agent Kinneas Irvine, and we're just friends!"
"Believe me Rinoa, this is for your own good. I know I've never been much of a father to you, but I'm trying to make it up. Just trust me, okay?"
She nodded. "So, what happens if Billows finds out what we're really doing?"
"He must never know. If he does, we will be killed..."
Author's Note: I know that you all wanna see some Squinoa action. It will be coming up very soon, I assure you. So, please bear with me! Also, don't forget to review!