Disclaimer: I don't own FF8...

Author's Note: You guys are good! Most of you were able to guess that the person at the end of the last chapter was Quistis. Thanks for all the reviews! I'm gonna hurry up and type this chapter now, because I just found out that the Goo Goo Dolls are coming to Boston on August 11th and I HAVE to get tickets to see them!!!!!!

Never Free

Chapter 6- Griever

They pulled apart quickly. "I can't believe you two!" Quistis screamed. "What are you, sleeping with this slut now?!"

Rinoa gasped and Squall came to her defense. "Ms. Trepe, I'd watch it if I were you..."

"Oh yeah, I'm so terrified of you, Squall! The almighty lion! Bet your parents didn't think so highly of you when they got rid of you at that orphanage!"

Rinoa watched as hurt and pain flashed across Squall's face. She was furious. "Shut the hell up, you tramp! Why don't you take a look at your pathetic life? What do you have, Ms. High and Mighty?! Big breasts?!" Rinoa had really lost it. How dare she say that to Squall?!

Quistis was seething with rage. "You little bitch!" She raised a hand and was just about to slap her, when Squall grabbed her wrist.

"Get out of here, Quistis." Squall said in disgust. He turned to Rinoa. "Let's go." She nodded and her and Squall got into his car and drove off.

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"Squall, where are we?" Rinoa asked. They had been driving around for what seemed like forever. Now, they had finally arrived and gotten out of the car.

"This is the orphanage where I grew up. There's a flower field in back...let's go." Rinoa followed him.

"Wow...it's so peaceful here." Rinoa sighed.

"I come here a lot...when I want to be alone, to think..." He told her.

"I can understand why..." She touched his arm. "Squall, about back there, and what Quistis saw..."

"Rinoa, there's no need to be sorry. We both know what happened back there... Who cares what she thinks she saw?" He sighed. "By the way, thanks for sticking up for me back there...it really meant a lot..."

"Oh, she just made me so mad! I can't believe that she said those things to you! She has a major problem!" Squall nodded. "Oh, and thank you. You really had my back and I appreciate it."

"No problem. She had no right to call you that...she's the slut."

They stood there for awhile, gazing at the stars together. Neither of them said a word, not wanting to break the moment. Then, out of nowhere, Rinoa spoke up. "That's a cool-looking ring." She commented.

"What?" He asked, confused.

"Your ring." She gestured to the ring on his finger. "What is that on it, anyway?"

"A lion. Lion's are known for their great strength and pride..."

"Hmmm...great strength...pride...kinda like you, Squall..."

"I wish..."

"So, does this lion of yours have a name?"

"Of course. It's called Griever."

"Griever...hmmm...."

"Listen Rinoa, I want you to have it." He took off Griever.

"You're giving me your ring?"

He nodded. "It's always been, I don't know, kind of like a symbol of strength. In this business...you're going to need a lot of strength, mentally and physically. It's always been a part of me, and now I want it to be a part of you... Here..."" He placed it in her hand.

"Thank you." She said as she closed her hand around it.

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"Squall, Cid wants to see you." Seifer informed Squall the next day.

"What does he want?" Squall asked, clearly annoyed.

"It's about Heartilly... What's going on between you two?"

"Seifer, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Quistis came in here last night. I overheard her talking to Cid...about you and Heartilly. She said she found you two together..."

"Seifer, it was nothing."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Listen Seifer, I'll admit I was with Rinoa last night."

"Rinoa? Squall, you call her by her first name?"

"You know I hate being called by my last name. The same goes for everyone else. I call you Seifer, don't I?"

"Yeah... So, what happened last night?"

"Rinoa was a mess...I was just talking to her."

"Just talking to her, huh? Are you sure?"

"Yes, Seifer, I'm sure. Anyway, I guess I have to go meet with Cid now. I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, good luck..."

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"You asked for me, Sir?"

"Yes, Squall, have a seat." Cid instructed him. "I called you here because of your relationship with Ms. Heartilly."

"What about it, Sir? I am Ms. Heartilly's handler."

"Are you sure that it's nothing more?"

"What are you implying, Sir?"

"Agent Trepe tells me that she saw you and Agent Heartilly at the docks last night. Is this true?"

"Sir, I don't know what Agent Trepe told you, but I ran into Ms. Heartilly at the docks and we started talking. That is all that happened."

"You know it's not good for you two to be seen in public together!"

"I know, Sir, and I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"I'm going to trust you, Squall. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, Sir." Squall saluted and left the office. Before he had gotten very far, Quistis stopped him in the hallway.

"Squall, I know what you and Rinoa are all about. You think you can hide it from Cid, but the truth will come out."

"Whatever..." He started to leave.

"Wait!" She called after him. "What happened to your ring?"

"My ring?"

"The one that you always wear. You don't have it on..."

"Oh, I think I left it at home."

She gave him a skeptical look. "I'll be watching you, Squall Leonhart, just you wait and see..."

Author's Note: Sorry if that chapter was too short, but I gotta get my Goo Goo Dolls tickets!!!!!!!!! Please review!