Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy or anything in it, Square does.
Chapter 2: Meetings
Two months later…
"Hey Squall!" the energetic brunette called out from across the cafeteria, earning some strange looks from other people. "Irvy and me were just planning to go to Balamb to do some shopping. Wanna come?"
"No, can't come," the Commander waved them away.
"Okay then! See you!" With that, Selphie and Irvine left, arm in arm, teasing each other as they went along.
Squall watched them wistfully, wishing that he had someone to care about like that. No matter what people said, some of the things he learned before he went back into his shell had stuck with him. He could still joke, he could still smile, and he could still love. He looked around and noticed Zell a few tables away with his new girlfriend (who he had yet to introduce to the others). Oh well, might as well go talk to them, since Zell probably won't be introducing her anytime soon. So he walked over to where they were sitting and sat down next to the martial artist.
"Hiya Squall!" Zell waved vigorously at him, even though Squall was right next to him. His girlfriend smiled shyly, as if to excuse Zell's behavior.
"Whatever. So are you going to introduce your girlfriend, or do I have to ask myself?"
"Introducing right now sir!" Zell gave Squall a SeeD salute, making the girl giggle. "This is Rianna Lanstor. Ri, I assume you know Commander Leonheart?" Then he gave another salute and went back to enjoying his hotdogs.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Lanstor. Wait, aren't you one of the librarians? I've heard quite a bit about you. Well, I have to get going. And Zell, try not to choke by stuffing five hotdogs down again, will you? I assure you, it will not be good for Ms. Lanstor over here, or anyone else, for that matter." He winked at her and left them. At that moment, Zell was beginning to choke on his hotdog.
Up in his office, Squall gazed at the pictures on his desk. One was of him with Rinoa, the other with Quistis. Two of the most influential people in his life. And now they had left him. He didn't know how long he sat there, but a phone call brought him out of his thoughts.
"Commander Leonheart speaking. Please state your business with Balamb Garden."
"It iz me, sir," came a familiar voice from the other side of the receiver. Squall groaned inwardly. Doctor Odine. "We 'ave someone 'ere zat you and ze others might want to speak wiz, but you can't kill 'im. I need to do some experiments on 'im first."
"Alright. Well, who is it?"
"No, no, no. You find out when we get there. Let uz set up an appointment, sir, and then we'll talk. In secret, pleaz, it will be better if Garden doesn't know about zis person. We will have to get him to the meeting place in secret too… Rinoa should know about zis zough… Yes… Call her and tell her to come too…" Odine hung up, muttering something else to himself, and Squall was left with no choice but to call her.
*******
"This is the Caraway residence, General Caraway speaking."
"General, this is Commander Leonheart of Balamb Garden. May I speak with Rinoa for a minute?"
"Yes… wait, weren't you her last boyfriend before now? What business do you have with her? Just curious, don't take it the wrong way."
"Well, I guess it can't hurt to tell you, just don't let anyone else find out about this, okay? Dr. Odine just called me and we set up a meeting with him about… someone we knew before. He told me to call Rinoa because she might want to be a part of this meeting as well."
"Oh. Well if that's the case, I'll get her on the line right now." Squall heard General Caraway call for Rinoa and wondered how she could hear him up in her room. They had a really big house, and even though the General had a loud voice, he couldn't be that loud, could he?
"Hello, Squall?" Rinoa's voice could be heard, snapping him back to attention. "Did you need me for something?
"Uh, yes." Squall went on to explain to her what he had said to her father. "So do you think you could make it to Balamb in two days?"
"Yes, I believe so. And would it be alright if I brought Taese with me?"
"Taese?"
"My boyfriend."
"Oh. Sure. We'll get you guys temporary rooms. Or would you prefer one room?"
"Squall! I never thought I'd see the day when Squall Leonheart is making jokes like that… No, two will be fine." He could hear her giggling and the corners of his mouth turned up in a small smile. "We'll take the train to Balamb tomorrow morning. Is that okay?"
"Sure. See you then." It was going to be like old times again. Rinoa was coming back and their group would be complete. They didn't know it, but Squall and co. had all felt that something was missing since she had gone back to live with her father and now that gap was going to be filled, if only temporarily. But then again, Seifer had also been a part of their group in the past. There was another gap there.
A/N: Haha. Isn't it so hard to guess who the person Odine was talking about is? You probably know already. It's SO obvious! I know I made Squall seem really dumb for not realizing that it's Seifer, but bear with me, okay? The story has to go on some way, right? Plus, if he knew, Squall would never let him in! Anyway, please r/r. Thanks!
