Disclaimer: Squaresoft and whoever else has legal claim own FF8 and its characters. This story was written for entertainment only and I gain no profit from it. Only help from people on writing.

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Irvine enters the Infirmary for what feels like the hundredth time, that day. Dr. Kadowaki acknowledges him but doesn't say anything. He enters Rinoa's room and sits down on the chair. She looks slightly bemused at his return.

"Hey Rinoa."

"Irvine, how come you're here again?"

"Well to tell the truth, I promised Squall I'd come talk to you again."

"Oh, right."

"He really wants to talk to you Rinoa."

"I guessed he would."

"But the message I'm getting from you is that you don't want to talk to him."

"Not really, not yet."

"How come Rinoa?"

"I just don't feel I can face him right now. I feel like I've let him down. That I've ruined everything."

"What makes you feel like this?"

"I'm not sure. The fact that I ran away. The fact I got myself into a dangerous situation. The fact I nearly died." And then quieter "The fact that I had to be rescued by him."

"Rinoa, those things are nothing to feel ashamed about."

"But I can't help but feel this way."

"Squall doesn't blame you for any of those things. If anything he blames himself."

"Himself? Why? I did everything of my own choice. It's nothing to do with him, so why does he feel guilty?"

"I think he felt that he drove you to it. That he forced you away."

"No he didn't, No… No… No… No… No go away; leave me alone, I can't talk to you, I…" She is looking past Irvine at the window in her room which looks out into the corridor.

"Rinoa what's wrong, what's happened?"

"Just go away." She screams before she breaks down crying.

'What has caught her attention, what is causing her so much distress? Is it something I said?' His gaze follows Rinoa's to the window of the room. 'Oh Fuck, Squall, I said I'd come and get you when I'd talked to her.

"Squall, leave, she isn't ready to talk to you."

"Irvine, make him go away, please… please?" She clings desperately to Irvine.

"Squall, just leave. Dr. Kadowaki, make him leave. For Rinoa's sake. She's distraught." He holds Rinoa close.

Irvine watches as three Garden Faculty members grab hold of Squall. He is struggling as hard as he can keeps breaking free of them, but eventually they drag him out of the Infirmary. They post two Garden Faculty members on the door to the Infirmary to prevent Squall returning to the Infirmary to see Rinoa.

'I…I can't believe I just did that to Squall. I… I kept him from Rinoa. He looked so hurt when I got Dr. Kadowaki to make him leave… He really didn't want to leave.'

"Shhhh, it's ok Rinoa, he's gone."

'I can't believe I just did that to my best friend. I made him leave his love, kept her from him. What sort of friend does that? It took 3 of the Garden Faculty to restrain him. He looked so desperate. He needs to see her. They need to talk, but first I need to calm Rinoa down. I need to persuade her to talk to him.'

"Rinoa… Rinoa look at me please. I need to talk to you. You don't need to say anything, but please let me talk to you. Squall cares for you, I know he does. He cares for you a lot, and he hates seeing you upset. He needs to talk to you himself, tell you this stuff, and other things, but I know he cares. Please, please will you let him talk to you? I know it's going to be hard for the both of you, but you need to talk." He hugs Rinoa tight.

'Please Rinoa, just let him talk to you, let him explain. He cares more that I can tell or show you. It has to come from him. Not from me.'

"Will you talk to him?"

"Oh… Ok."

"Thank you Rinoa, Thank you so much."

'I'll stay a few minutes longer; I'll stay until she calms down, until she has stopped crying. I can't leave her in this state, but I do need to go talk to Squall…'

Irvine remains in the Infirmary hugging Rinoa, comforting her.

*~*~*~*~

Squall is passing round his room; he is fuming about being thrown out of the Infirmary by both Irvine, his best friend, but also by Rinoa, his sorceress, and his love.

'Why? Why wouldn't she talk to me? Wouldn't she look at me? I saved her from that Torama, yet all she can do is scream and shout as if she hates me. And turn to Irvine. My best friend. She finds more comfort in him than me; I don't understand what's happened to make her trust him more than me.'

'I'm supposed to be her knight, but how can I be if she won't let me near her. When she started to cry all I wanted to do was to run in and hold her, but instead Irvine does. And he called Dr. Kadowaki, who in turn gets the Garden Faculty members to pull me away. As if I'm nothing to her. I feel so hurt, so betrayed. I mean it was me that killed the Torama, saved her, and she is grateful to Irvine, what did he do to save her? Nothing.'

He pauses next to his window looking out and thinking. He has to squint due to the brightness of the sun. It is shinning directly into his room and straight onto him. He can hardly see anything due to the brightness of the sun. He loves the warmth on his body but is thinking about other things.

'I need to talk to him, to her. To both of them. I need to get things sorted. They can't go on how they are.'

'I wonder if he has left the Infirmary yet… I can't go back there yet. I've already been escorted from there once today, let's NOT make it twice. That wouldn't look good. Especially as I am the commander of Balamb Garden. I guess I could check his dorm, the Cafeteria, but I really want to go to the Infirmary. I could get someone else to go into the Infirmary, just to check if he is still there, and to make sure Rinoa looks ok.'

'I'll get Zell to go. He never seems to mind going and doing things for me. I guess he is a good friend, though sometimes a little annoying. I guess he'll be in the cafeteria try to get hot dogs as usual. How can he like those things, the smell bad and taste even worse?'

Squall quickly leaves his dorm and heads straight for the Cafeteria. He doesn't look at anyone as he strides towards the Cafeteria, and, people have learnt from watching him, people avoid getting in his way.

'Wow the Cafeteria seems empty, but my hunch paid off. Zell is here, and with hot dogs.'

"Hey Zell."

"Hi Squall. How are ya?"

"Yeah I'm ok. Umm can you do me a favour please Zell?"

"I guess, as long as I can finish my hot dogs first."

"Sure, can you got to the Infirmary and see if Irvine is still there, and also make sure Rinoa looks ok please?"

"Ok, don't mind me asking but why can't you go?" He looks puzzled.

"I had to be escorted out of there earlier, for upsetting a patient."

"WOW, the mighty Squall upset someone, Who???"

"Zell, it doesn't matter who. Can you just go see if Irvine is there, and if Rinoa looks ok?"

"Ok. Hey if Irvine is there what do you want me to say to him?"

"Just tell him I want to talk to him."

Zell quickly finishes his hot dogs and leaves the Cafeteria in his normal slow walk. Squall sits down at the table and waits for Zell to return, but unable to keep still.

'Sometimes Zell can be too inquisitive. I just hope he does this right, and doesn't do anything to get himself in trouble. I guess I could check Irvine's dorm before Zell gets back. I could get there and back before Zell even reaches the Infirmary, he walks so slowly.'

He leaves the Cafeteria at an even faster pace than he entered and walks straight to the dormitories and to Irvine's dorm.

'Garden really is quiet during the day. I never realised it before. I guess that's because I'm always shut away in my office. I really should get out more. I should check round Garden myself, rather than just trusting that nothing has gone wrong because no one has come and told me something has gone wrong.'

'Ahh, Irvine's Dorm. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.' He knocks on door.

'Ok this doesn't look very promising.'

"Hey Irvine, you in there?"

'Damn, that's pretty much a no. I guess he's still in the Infirmary with Rinoa. Zell should come back with him though. Time to head back for the Cafeteria I guess. Better make sure I get there before Zell does.'

He walks back to the Cafeteria deep in thought, but swings by his dorm and picks up Lionheart for no apparent reason that he can determine, but nether the less takes it from it's case and straps it to his side.

*~*~*~*~

"Rinoa, do you mind if leave now? I think I need to talk to Squall. I mean I did get him sent away. He deserves an explanation."

"Yeah, you're right Irvine. Thanks."

"No problem. If you ever want to talk you know where to find me."

"Yeah at the centre of a group of girls!"

"Hey Rinoa, you know there is only one girl for me, Selphie."

"Sorry Irvy, but it had to be said."

"Hmmm. Not sure I forgive you Rinoa Heartily."

"Oh come on Irvine I was only kidding."

"I know. Sorry Rin. See ya later Rin."

'I do feel bad about getting him sent away, but Rinoa isn't ready to face him, not yet. Soon.'

"Hey Rinoa."

"Yes."

"When do you want to see Squall?"

"Umm, to be truthful I don't really know, soon, give me a few hours."

"Ok Rin."

He leaves the Infirmary heading for Squall's dorm which is the only place he can think of that Squall could be.

'A few hours; great. How am I meant to keep him away that long? I'll have to think of something and fast. He can't see her for several hours. I guess the only thing there is to do really is to take him down the training centre and distract him with the hacking and slashing of beasties there. Or I could just talk to him.'

As he is walking he isn't really paying attention to the people walking around him, so he jumps out of his skin when he hears his name being called.

"Hey Irvine."

"Zell?"

"Whatcha doin?"

"Other than being startled by you, nothing, why?"

"Well, Squall's said he wants to talk to you."

"He actually said that?"

"Yeah that and he wants me to check on Rinoa."

"Zell she's fine, now. Don't go and bother her, she needs time to think."

"I guess I don't really need to bother her. Think about what?"

"Her problems, Squall, it doesn't really matter that much Zell. Just let her be. Ok?"

"Ok."

"So where is Squall?"

"I left him in the Cafeteria."

"Seems like a good place to start then."

"It does rather doesn't it!"

'How am I meant to explain all this to Squall? I don't really understand it myself; all I know is that Rinoa needs time to think, about her, Squall and what she is going to do.'

'Hey I know! I'll take him out to wander round, where ever we happen to be. I'm not overly sure of where we are right now. But I know one thing, we ain't moving! And without Squall around to give orders we won't suddenly move somewhere else. Perfect. That should distract him. And there maybe a few monsters to kill also just to keep him busy. I'd better just drop by my dorm to get Exeter, and make sure I have enough bullets. Then to the Cafeteria.'

"Hey Zell you go on ahead to the Cafeteria, I'll be there in two minutes. Just go to go get something."

"Sure, whatcha gonna go get."

"Doesn't matter Zell. Just tell Squall I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Ok."

'I don't really want Zell to be with us. I've got nothing against the guy; I just think that Squall won't be that comfortable with him there. I mean he was annoyed when I told Zell about Squall's and Rinoa's problems. So I think it is better that it is just me and Squall. Sorry Zell. I know you mean well but you do often make problems worse.'

Irvine hurries to his dorm to get his gun. When he arrives at his dorm he heads straight for the box under his bed. Within this box is his most prised possession. Exeter. He sits looking at the gun for a few minutes, lovingly stroking the metal barrel and thinking about the bullets he has and also the origins of his gun.

'Ah here you are baby, my gorgeous Exeter. You have just the right weight in my hands. The best gun there is going right now, and boy did the guy know it who upgraded you. It cost me a lot but she is worth it, or at least I reckon she is. It maybe a good idea to get more bullets for you soon baby, looks like I'm starting to run a little low on dark and pulse ammo. I must say though I don't really like using pulse ammo, they have a lot of recoil. Too much if you ask me, but they certainly are powerful.'

'Well I guess it's time I should be going to find Squall. I hope he hasn't gotten impatient waiting for me, I'd better hurry to make sure that he hasn't. It won't do anyone any good if he goes to see Rinoa. She said to keep him away for several hours. And it's only been ¼ an hour so far. I'd better hurry. Why do things in this Garden seem to far apart when you're in a hurry? Not like Galbadia at all. Everything seemed close there.'

He walks quickly round Balamb Garden; nodding acknowledgements to people that catch his eye. Also making a group of girl cadets giggle as he smiles at them. He enters the Cafeteria and looks round for Squall and Zell.

'At last the Cafeteria. And Squall is still here, with Zell unfortunately, but at least he is still here. It would have been very awkward if he hadn't been.'

He heads for the table they are sat at, apprehension rising in him at the thought of the confrontation that is inevitable between him and Squall.

"Hey Squall."

"Finally, you get here. Can we talk please?"

"Sure I came to talk to you anyway. I owe you an explanation."

"Too right you do." His voice raises. "What the hell do you think you were doing getting me thrown out of the Infirmary? All I want to do is see Rinoa, talk to her, and you got be thrown out."

"Squall this isn't the best place for this. Have you got Lionheart with you? Good. Can we go outside, where it is less public. It would be better that way."

"Fine. Just hurry up about it."

They walk in silence through Garden, Irvine uncomfortable with this fact, but not making any effort to change this. Squall looks sullen as ever but Irvine is getting more and more nervous about when they stop to talk.

'Hyne, he seems pissed off. Mind you he does have every right to be. I did keep him from his love, get him thrown out of the Infirmary, and I was there for Rinoa when he couldn't be and I think that hurt him.'

They enter a forest that was near to where they left Garden. The forest is amazingly thick with a lot of greenery in it. Irvine stops in a small clearing and sits on a log; Squall remains standing with his gunblade drawn.

'Wow the landscape here looks pretty. So green and luscious and so many trees. It seems so dark here. I guess that's because of the dense layer of branches acting as a ceiling here. It's amazing, breathtaking almost. It's as if we are the first people to see this place. It looks untouched by humans. And there isn't a monster in sight. This is amazing. I never knew there were so many different shades of green. This really is nature at it's finest. I wish we never had to leave here. And so cool, compared to the deserts we've been in recently. Also rather humid. Really pleasant in fact, it reminds me of the Training Centre, only this isn't artificially produced, this is natural.'

'I would love to bring Selphie here. And I think she would like it here also. This is the sort of place that never looks the same twice. I wouldn't be surprised if there were wild Chocobos here. There are hardly any of them left. They like to live in dark, green, wooded areas. Like this. I think this would be the perfect place for wild Chocobos.'

"I'm waiting Irvine."

"Come on Squall, don't you think this place is amazing, take a few moments to admire it. We may never see it again."

"I guess, but I'm not waiting all day."

'How am I going to explain this to him? I can't even think about how to begin let alone tell him Rinoa wants time to herself, to think about him, and her. How do I explain this. I don't want to hurt him, but I need to delay him long enough so that she gets the chance to think, with out the fear of him suddenly appearing.'

'I wish her weren't holding Lionheart so menacingly. I can tell he is annoyed, and I don't want to antagonise him, never know what might happen while he is holding that gunblade.'

"Squall, please listen to what I have to say."

"Fine, just get to the point, and quickly."

"Ok, I want to talk to you about Rinoa."

"What about her?"

'Blimey. I really had better tread carefully, he sounds really annoyed. Erm how to begin…'

Irvine stands up and looks directly into Squall's eyes.

"Well she left garden because of the phone call to the hotel as I've already told you. She realises that she miss interpreted that now, but she is still hurting. It hurts her that you couldn't find the time to tell her that you were going to invite her, or the time to invite her to dinner. She was scared, lost even and tried to do the only thing she new, and that was to go to someone she new, and trusts, someone she has known for years. She wanted to take comfort in you but you were the one who had hurt her."

"I hadn't found the right time to tell her."

"I understand that Squall, but don't you think you should have found time to tell her?"

"I guess, but I am the commander of Garden. I can't just drop everything at the drop of a hat to please her. I have to plan things, sometimes I wish I could spend more time with her, but it isn't easy."

"Squall, you're the commander of Garden, not the person who has to sort everything. That's what other people are for."

"But if I leave everything to other people they never get done. I have to do everything myself, or nothing will get done, and Garden will fall apart…" He continues.

'Hyne, he actually thinks he has to do everything himself? He really has strong feelings about this. His raised voice, the way he is swinging his gunblade,' Irvine's gaze leaves Squall's eyes and he looks at Lionheart. He continues to stare at it realising that something is bugging him about it. He is having problems working out what it is though. 'Hang on, the safety catch, it's not on…'

"I mean I can't let Garden fall into ruin, everyone looks up to me. Cid put me in charge, I didn't ask for it, in fact I hate it…" He continues over Irvine he is so mad.

"Squall, the safety, on your gunblade it's not…"

BANG

*~*~*~*~