Disclaimer: I don't own FF8 and I don't own the song "Walk Me Home" by Mandy Moore.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out, but I've been VERY busy. High School is very demanding, you know! At least I have today and tomorrow off from school. Gotta love those in-school teacher meeting days. The teachers have to go to school, but the students don't! WHOO-HOO!
Rhapsody
Chapter 6- Home
"Rinoa, you're on in fifteen minutes!" Tim called.
"Alright!" She hollered back. "What the hell am I going to wear?" She asked out loud. I should have went shopping when I had the chance...
"Rinoa, open up!" Selphie called. "It's just us."
Rinoa opened the door, still in her bathrobe. "Come on in guys." She said miserably.
Quistis smiled knowingly. "We knew you wouldn't be ready yet. Can't find anything to wear, as usual."
"It's not funny, Quistis! We're going on in less than fifteen minutes and I'm not even dressed!" Rinoa exclaimed. "Look at you two...you're perfect. Oh, why didn't I go shopping with you!"
"Tee-hee, Rinoa, you can be such a worrier sometimes! Chill out!" Selphie exclaimed.
"Selphie is quite right, Rinoa." Quistis laughed. "We figured you would be too preoccupied with your, um, thoughts, to remember that you hadn't bought an outfit for tonight. That's why we bought you this." Quistis showed Rinoa the dress she was hiding behind her back.
Rinoa gasped. "Oh, you guys, it's gorgeous!" The dress was a rich green silk that reached to her ankles. The neckline was square and black flowers outlined the top, sleeves and along the bottom.
"We knew you'd like it! Now go put it on before Tim comes and tells us it's time to start!" Selphie exclaimed.
Rinoa grinned. "Thank you so much! I don't know what I would do without you two!" That being said, she went into the bathroom to put on her dress.
Minutes later, Rinoa emerged from the bathroom looking stunning. Her hair was pulled back with a clip and two strands of hair framed her face. The dress Selphie and Quistis had purchased for her fit perfectly.
Rinoa just smiled at the looks on their faces. "Come on you two, we have to get out there!"
The girls walked out on the stage to the roaring plaudit of the crowd. Rinoa wished that Squall could be there to hear the song she wrote, considering that he had been the inspiration for it. On the other hand, she would have been very nervous for Squall to hear it. Just a few more days, Rinoa. Then you'll see him again.
"Hello everyone. Thank you all for coming out to see us again. The song I am going to sing tonight is inspired by a man that I met recently. Unfortunately, he is unable to be here tonight. I am dedicating this song to him, wherever he may be. This is called 'Walk Me Home.'"
"Walk me home
I don't wanna go all the way alone
Baby would you walk with me home
Baby would you take my hand
Come with me now to a special land
Baby would you walk with me home
3 A.M.
You're on my mind once again
I must have been dreamin'
Thought I felt your heartbeat just then
And I wondered how it would be
If I was your lady
And you were my friend
I would put my heart in your hands
And it would never end
Baby would you walk me home (walk me home)
I don't wanna go all the way alone (all alone)
Baby would you walk with me home
Baby would you take my hand (take my hand)
Come with me now to a special land (ohh)
Baby would you walk with me home
Ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh, ohh
La, la, la, la, la, la
I hold your picture
Next to my heart all the time
Oh yeah, baby
You're my dream come true
So glad you're mine
And I wondered how it would be
If I was your lady
And you were my friend
I would put my heart in your hands
And it would never end
Baby would you walk me home (Baby would you walk me home)
I don't wanna go all the way alone (all alone)
Baby would you walk with me home
(Baby would you) take my hand
Come with me now to a special land (ohh)
Baby would you walk with me home
Oh, oh, oh
Every day and night I wanna hold you
Understand that I am gonna love you
In my own special way (In my own special way)
Baby would you walk me home
I don't wanna go all the way alone
Baby would you walk with me home
(If you take my hand) Baby would you take my hand
Come with me now to a special land
Baby would you walk with me home
Baby would you walk with me home (Baby would you walk me home)
I don't wanna go all the way alone (all alone)
baby would you walk with me home
Home, home, home
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Would you walk with me home?"
The last note of the song played and Rinoa bowed. Unknown to her, a familiar face at the back of the club sighed and exited the club.
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The next morning, Rinoa tidied up her room, smiling to herself. The TV was on and she would glance at it every now and then is she heard something interesting.
"Breaking news!" The newscaster on TV said. "General Caraway of Deling City was admitted to the Deling Hospital today. We'll have more for you after the break." A commercial came on and Rinoa froze in front of the TV. Admitted into the hospital? What could have happened? She sat there for a few minutes in stunned silence. Finally, the commercials were over and the newscaster came back on.
"I'm Brett Landers reporting live outside of the Deling City Hospital. Early this morning, General Caraway was brought to this hospital by ambulance. He reportedly suffered from a heart attack. One of the servants in his house apparently found him and called an ambulance. General Caraway was originally listed as critical, but it has just been announced that he is stable. We will be following this story all day and notify you when we get more information." The newscaster announced.
"Oh my God..." Rinoa whispered. "I have to go see him." Grabbing her jacket, she scribbled a quick note telling Quistis and Selphie where she had gone, and ran out the door.
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"Excuse me?" Rinoa asked the receptionist. "Which room is General Caraway in?"
"I'm sorry, Dear, but only family are permitted to see him." The receptionist told her. "The poor man...as far as I know, he has no family."
"I...I'm his daughter...Rinoa." She said softly.
"His daughter? Ah, yes! You're the daughter that ran away a couple of years ago." The receptionist said. "You're a singer now, aren't you?"
"Yes, but I'd really like to see my father now." Rinoa said.
"Of course, Dear. He's in room 422."
"Thank you." She said as she walked down the hall. She stopped outside of room 422. It's just your father, Rinoa. There's no need to be nervous. She told herself.
Walking into the room, she saw that Caraway had an IV in his arm and was also unconscious. She sat down in a chair next to the bed and hesitatingly took his hand.
"Dad..." She started. "You probably can't hear me, but I just want to say how sorry I am. When I left...it wasn't because of you...it was me. I just couldn't be that girl that you wanted me to be. I wish you could understand...I needed to get away, to live my own life. I...I can forgive you for what you did after Mom died. I know now that you were so overly protective because you didn't want me to get hurt." She sobbed. "I'm so happy now, Daddy. I love my singing career, and I even met this wonderful guy." She laughed. "You'd probably run him through an interrogation if you met him. You never liked the idea of me dating." She smiled slightly. "Please wake up, Dad. I really miss you and I...I want you to be a part of my life. I really...I really love you, Dad." Rinoa choked out.
Caraway blinked a few times. "R-Rinoa?" He asked weakly.
Tears dripped down Rinoa's face. "Yes, Daddy, I'm here."
Caraway gripped Rinoa's hand. "I heard you." He told her. "Everything you said..."
"It's okay, Dad." Rinoa said. "Just rest. Everything will be fine."
"Dad...it's been so long since I've heard you call me that." He said. "I love you, Rinoa."
Rinoa smiled. "I love you, too, Dad. You're going to get out of here soon and then we can catch up. How's that sound?"
Caraway smiled weakly. "Wonderful."
"Good." Rinoa smiled. "Good."
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"Hey, Irvine. Did you go to the club?" Zell asked.
"Yeah...I did." Irvine said.
"So, what happened? What's the matter?" Zell asked.
"It's nothing. I'm just kinda worried. Rinoa really likes Squall."
"Yeah, so? I thought you said a relationship was exactly what Squall needed." Zell said, confused. "You've seen the way he acts around her. I really don't see the problem."
"Yeah, Zell, you're right. I just thought that Squall might be a little freaked. He's never had a woman." Irvine grinned. "I guess I'll have to give him some pointers."
"Irvine, man, you are one sick dude." Zell said.
"What's the problem? I don't see what's wrong with wanting to help out a friend."
"You wouldn't just be doing this to get closer to Rinoa, would you?" Zell asked. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you had a crush on her."
"A crush on Rinoa?" Irvine asked. "No way. That Selphie on the other hand..."
Zell shook his head. "Come on Irvine, let's go before you really loose it." Zell said as he walked away.
Irvine smirked. "Zell, you don't know the half of it..."
Author's Note: Sorry for how bad this chapter sucked. It was really horrible, wasn't it? Again, I apologize, and I'm also sorry for the lack of Squinoa action. I'll hopefully have some of that for you in the next chapter.