Disclaimer: I don't own FF8...

Author's Note: I posted chapter seven a while a couple weeks ago, but with FF.net being down for so long, I'm not sure if any of you were able to read it. Again, this chapter has some real Alias scenes that I have changed around a bit to fit this story. Enjoy!

Never Free

Chapter 8- Counseling

"Squall, I am very disappointed in you." Cid stated. "I'm at a loss for words..."

"..............." Squall just stared at him. Here comes a long lecture... I'm really going to get it now...

"What were you thinking?! You know that relationships between two agents are forbidden! Are you looking to get yourself killed?!"

Squall sighed. "Sir, it's not like that at all. Agent Trepe is definitely over-reacting! Agent Heartilly is under my care and I was just doing what I thought was in her best interest."

"Tell me, Squall. How is giving Ms. Heartilly your ring in her best interest?"

"Remember how I told you that the other night Ms. Heartilly and I were talking at the docks? There could have been Galbadian spies watching us. I gave her my ring so that to anyone watching, it would look like a gift from a friend."

It was Cid's turn to sigh. "Nevertheless, Squall, I have scheduled an appointment for you with Dr. Kadowaki."

"Dr. Kadowaki? She's a counselor..."

"Precisely. Something is going on with you, Squall. I want you to talk to Dr. Kadowaki and get it off your chest."

"Sir, this is completely unnecessary!"

"I will not have any arguments! You are to meet her in her office tomorrow morning. Don't be late. Dismissed."

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"What were you thinking?!" Caraway roared. He and Rinoa had just arrived at his mansion. "Didn't I specifically tell you not to get involved with Leonhart?! Didn't I?!"

"Don't call him Leonhart! I can't stand that!" Rinoa shouted

"I am not going to put up with this! Do you understand that you could be killed?! Relationships between agents are prohibited for a reason!"

"Dad, for the hundredth time, there is no relationship between Squall and myself! We're just friends!"

"It's Leonhart! And no, you cannot be 'friends' with him! He is your handler and nothing else! If you can't obey those rules, then I will have Cid reassign you a handler!"

"You can't do that, Dad!"

"I can and will if this happens again! Do I make myself clear?"

Rinoa nodded sadly, knowing that she had no other choice. "Yeah, I understand..."

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"Good morning Mr. Leonhart! How are you?" Dr. Kadowaki asked.

"Whatever. Can we just get this over with?" He asked, irritated.

"Have a seat, then. Do you understand the reason why you are here?"

"Cid thinks I have a relationship with Agent Heartilly, and he thinks that talking to you will help me 'open up'."

"What about you? Do you think that it will?"

"I have nothing to 'open up' about."

"Hmmm...we shall see..."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that we shall see. Tell me Mr. Leonhart, what are your feelings towards Ms. Heartilly?"

"I am her handler."

"Yes, but how do you personally feel about her?"

"I do not have a personal interest in her."

"Don't lie to me, Mr. Leonhart."

"I'm not lying."

"Do you feel the need to protect Ms. Heartilly?"

"Yes. She is a valuable asset to Balamb in taking down Galbadia."

"That is the only reason why you protect her?"

Squall gritted his teeth. "Yes."

"I see. Tell me about your ring, Mr. Leonhart."

"My ring?"

"The one that you gave Ms. Heartilly. Why would you give her your ring?"
"I already told Cid why I gave Ms. Heartilly my ring."

"Well, you didn't tell me and I'd like to know."

"I gave her the ring in case Galbadia was watching us on the docks so that it would look like we were two friends and not agents."

"Tell me, why were you at the docks with Ms. Heartilly in the first place?"

"I don't see why any of this is your business. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get my agent prepared for a lie detector test."

"We are not through, Mr. Leonhart."

Squall stood up. "Yes we are, Dr. Kadowaki."

Before she could say anything, Seifer entered the room. "Sorry to interrupt, but Agent Heartilly has arrived and I believe that you are suppose to be getting her ready for a lie detector test?"

Squall nodded. "Good bye, Dr. Kadowaki."

"Well, it was nice talking to you, Mr. Leonhart. Maybe we can do this again sometime...?"

"Whatever." Squall said as he left the office.

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"Hey." Rinoa greeted. "Heard you had a meeting with a counselor. How'd it go?"

"I'd rather not talk about it. We need to get you ready for that lie detector test." Rinoa sat down and Squall hooked her up to the machine. "The test that I am about to give you is exactly like the one you will have to take in Galbadia. This is not like an ordinary lie detector test. This one focuses on the patterns in your brain. If you're lying, it will know..."

"So what exactly do I do?"

"Relax yourself. Block off any other thoughts. Are you ready?"

"Yes. Let's get this over with."

"Is your name Rinoa Heartilly?"

"Yes."

"Are you a double-agent?"

"No." The machine started beeping.

"You need to keep your heartbeat under thirty."

"I'm trying!"

"Come on Rinoa, you can do this! Let's try again. Are you a double-agent?"

"No." The machine read twenty-seven.

"You're doing better. Do you have a romantic interest in anyone?"

She gave him a quizzical look.

"Hey, it could be a question."

"No." The machine started beeping and the numbers climbed into the sixties.

"Hmmm...interesting...."

"Wait! Let me do it again!"

"No...I already have the answer."

"You know, if this was the real test, I'd be dead by now, wouldn't I?

Squall nodded grimly. "Yeah..."

Author's Note: Please Review!!!!!!!!!!