Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII...

Author's Note: One of the scenes in this chapter is very similar to a scene that really happened in Alias. I just changed some things around. To those of you who have been waiting for Squinoa, I hope that you like this chapter.

Never Free

Chapter 5- Trust

"Excellent work you two." Cid complimented Rinoa and Quistis. "You too, Agent Leonhart." All three of them were in Cid's office. Cid was ecstatic that the mission had gone off without a hitch. Because of Rinoa and Quistis, Balamb Garden now had a hold of some very valuable documents.

"Oh, don't mention it. It was a piece of cake." Quistis told Cid.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Agent Trepe, I believe you have some paperwork to do in your office?"

"No, Sir."

"Well, there is some work for you there now. You are dismissed."

"Yes, Sir." Quistis said, scowling behind his back.

"Agent Heartilly..."

"Yes, Sir?"

"I just wanted to congratulate you privately. I know that Agent Trepe isn't the easiest person to work with..."

"You could say that, Sir."

Cid smiled. "Yes, well nevertheless, you managed to accomplish your mission."

"Yes, but you are forgetting that I didn't work alone. Squ...Agent Leonhart, was reading me the codes and taking me through step by step. I couldn't have gotten anything done if it weren't for him." She smiled.

"Yes, Agent Leonhart is a very skilled young man..." Squall blushed. "Anyway, you two both are dismissed. Take the day off...you've earned it."

"Thank you, Sir." They both said in unison.

Once outside of the office, Squall turned to Rinoa. "You did really great back there. Quistis didn't faze you one bit."

"Thanks. She was a real pain on the train, but I have to admit, she was pretty good on the mission."

"I guess...but...you were better."

Rinoa just stared at him. Did I hear him right?

Oh great, I can't believe I just said that to her! "Um, I really have to go. You probably have places where you need to be..."

"Yeah. I'll see you, then. Bye!" She waved.

"Yeah, see ya..." He mumbled as he turned away.

Unknown to both of them, Quistis had heard the entire conversation...

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"Hey Dad." Rinoa greeted.

"Hi." Caraway greeted. Rinoa had called him and asked him to meet her at his mansion.

"Dad, would you like to have dinner with me?"

"Dinner? Like a business meeting?"

"No, Dad. I mean just a regular dinner. You know...to catch up. It's been so long since we've had a decent conversation, that doesn't revolve around our jobs."

He nodded. "It has been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yeah... So, what do you say?"

"I'd love to Rinoa, honestly, but I have so much work that needs to get done."

"Please Dad? For once, can't you just forget about work?" Rinoa's eyes pleaded with him.

"...Alright. Just this once, though."

"Thanks Dad! I'll meet you at that new Italian restaurant at 7:00. Is that alright?"

"That's fine. I'll see you then."

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Rinoa had returned home and was getting herself ready for her dinner with her father. Selphie was at her job, (she worked as a vet in Deling City) so Rinoa was on her own.

Hours later, after searching her closet multiple times and then raiding her collection of makeup, she was ready. She was very nervous about this dinner. Her and her father had never exactly had the best relationship. Rinoa was ready to make amends and put the past behind them once and for all. She was just about ready to leave, when the front door opened.

"Rinoa?" It was Selphie.

"Hey Selphie. I'm sorry, but I can't stay. I'm going to meet my father for dinner."

"Really? That's great! Are you guys getting along now?"

"I guess...at least, our relationship is better than it was before."

"That's good. Well, I'll catch you later then! Have a good time!"

"Thanks!" Rinoa exited the building. This is it...

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Rinoa sighed as she looked at her watch. It was 7:10 and her father still hadn't shown arrived. It's not like him to be late...but he must be. Billows always works everyone longer than he should...

Another twenty minutes passed and Rinoa was starting to get worried. What if something happened and now he's hurt?

Before Rinoa could think of any more horrible things that could have happened to Caraway, her cell phone rang. She picked it up anxiously. "Hello?"

"Rinoa?" It was him.

"Dad?! Where are you?"

"I'm...at work. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to make it for dinner. You understand..."

"Yeah...of course." She hung up the phone. I can't believe he could lie to me like that. I should have known he hadn't changed... Rinoa was crushed. In a fit of emotion, she picked up the phone and called the only person she felt she could trust.

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Rinoa stood at the docks, staring out into the water. Moments later, she felt Squall's presence beside her. Without turning to look at him, she began to speak. "I'm sorry I made you come here... It's just that, I didn't know who lese to call." She turned to him. "You're the only person I can trust..."

"It's alright. You didn't make me come here...I wanted to come." Squall told her.

"I hate this business, Squall. I hate lying to my friends." She started to cry. " I hate knowing that every second of my life could be my last. I hate my father!"

"Rinoa, what happened?" He asked gently.

"He was supposed to meet me for dinner and he never showed up. I sat there for thirty minutes, wondering if he was okay. Do you know what he did? He called me and said that he couldn't make it because he had to work. He wasn't working Squall! I traced the call and it came from his house! I am so stupid, Squall!"

"Rinoa, don't say that!"

"It's true! I was so stupid to think that he actually loved me!"

"Stop it, Rinoa! You are the most amazing person that I know. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise! Other agents, they don't know what they're doing. You're amazing...I don't know how you do it. You know exactly what you're about, what you value. You always stay true to yourself...never doubting yourself. Where's the Rinoa Heartilly that I know?"

"She's gone, Squall...and she doesn't want to come back." Suddenly, her phone began to ring. Rinoa grabbed it and hurled it into the ocean in frustration.

"You just threw your cell phone into the ocean." Squall stated, trying to keep a straight face.

"I know." She smiled slightly, but then broke down in tears again.

Squall's heart broke to see her like that. "Rinoa..." He wrapped her in his arms and she cried into the fur of his jacket. "Listen...I'm sure your father loves you...how could he not? He's probably just scared...scared that you might reject him..."

Rinoa snuggled deeper into his arms. "I wouldn't..."

"Rinoa..."

Before Squall could say another word, a voice rang out that Squall knew all too well. "What the hell is going on here?!"

Author's Note: Too mushy? Not mushy enough? Review and tell me what you think!