**Author's notes: Whoa. It's almost been a year since I last wrote anything. But after wonderful reviews on many of my pieces and reading Ashbear's works many times, I feel inspired and hope to create something to keep me in fanfiction. I'm not too sure how to handle this chapter. It's going to be r rated so I'm hoping not to offend anyone, but rather to entertain. I'm also planning to re-write previous chapters because I'm not happy with them anymore.

*Chapter Five*

 Ever since the day at the cafeteria with the girls, Alli's mind began to run constantly in a fluster of thoughts. She and Zell had been through so much. They'd helped each other through times of good and bad. She wanted to continue further with their relationship and Zell being so damn sexy didn't help her hormones at all. She tried to work out how she felt, so she could relay it to Zell, but in her mind nothing made sense. Life continued on with its usual day activities. Alli had cut down her shifts at the library from full time to part-time and had decided to become part of the Balamb Garden Crimson SeeDs: A newly created unit of the garden that are basically SeeDs, but of a lower rank. They are not required to go on any minor mission, but are able to volunteer. Alli told Zell she joined to help her keep fit with all the sparring, but later confessed it was really so she could go on missions with him.

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Alli walked through the door wearing what her receipt described as a metallic blue boob-tube dress with a shocking $300 price, and she wore it for all that it was worth. Around her neck she wore an "invisible" style choker with a simple blue topaz that dangled in the center and she tried desperately to walk normally in heels that you could go sky diving off. She stressed that her hair didn't look right, then her make-up was too thick and how she was so stupid as to have forgotten her mirror. Of course when Zell caught sight of his girl, he didn't notice anything but how amazing she looked. He stood there, unable to speak or move, just staring with a small lop-sided grin. Taking note of Zell's actions, rather his lack of, she began to fret that she had smudged her eyeliner or her handbag didn't match or the dreaded thought of having toilet paper stuck to the back of her dress. Seeing her widened eyes, Zell laughed.

"Don't look so scared Al. You look amazing, totally amazing. Too good for me."

She relaxed her face and gave a small sigh of relief. She was always so worried about her appearance. Zell put on a frightened face.

"I don't want to go to this dinner now though, because the minute we walk through the door every single guy in the room is going to want me dead!"

Zell had organized a special surprise birthday party for Alli and had invited lots of people to come along. It was quite an amazing idea. The guests would be treated to fine foods and tasteful wines & spirits aboard the Ragnarok II. When the couple boarded the ship Zell didn't get murdered, but he kept mumbling to Alli that certain males in the room were giving him evil stares. She giggled every time he'd mention it.

After marvelling at how wonderful everything looked from above at night, Alli and Zell sat down at a table with their close friends and began to chat. Everyone was happy and smiling, all except for Alli. Zell softly elbowed her under the table and whispered

" 'Sup Hun. You ain't even touched your Bundy"

"Ten years tomorrow" was her soft reply.

Zell was slightly puzzled at first, but then remembered why Alli could never truly enjoy herself around her birthday. The rest of the table had stopped talking, but missed the couple's conversation.

"Are you OK Alli?" Rinoa asked. "What were you saying?"

Alli spoke slightly louder and Zell comfortingly rested his hand on her thigh.

"I said it's been ten years tomorrow. Ten years since my parents were murdered."

"I'm sorry Alli", Seifer spoke with sympathy.

 Alli had been told the story of the orphanage and of how they were all friends many years ago, but had never told them of her past. She didn't feel like she would be outcasted or anything similar, it was just really hard for her to talk about it.

"How come you never told us? You know our past. We wouldn't judge you"

"I dunno" Alli said tightening her lips in an effort to ward off the tears. "It's just hard for me to talk about. I was really close to my parents. They were 2 very special people to me"

"Come on Al. You know they are ok now, right? They're watching you, from up above being proud of everything you do. They don't want you to be sad on your birthday. You've just turned 20! Enjoy yourself"

Squall finished another one of his surprising yet comforting emotional outbursts that were becoming a lot more frequent. Alli nodded with a small smile and she was thankful that Rinoa changed the subject onto her beautiful dress. With that topic, Alli began to talk with a feverish speed that only a girl can understand as clothes talk, however Alli felt Zell's grip on her leg slightly tighten when she mentioned the "really low price that was 40% off and a total bargain at only 300" He asked her how a dress with such a simple design (but adding it looked totally gorgeous on her) and barely any material could cost so much (adding in that she still looked gorgeous) Alli then began explaining the process of how the designer material was hand-stitched with only the finest tools and materials. Zell waved her off with a laugh as she fakingly sulked.

It seemed like only 10 minutes later that the speakers boomed that the ship would be arriving at Garden any moment. Alli and Zell waited at the exit and thanked each guest individually. Zell pretended to be jealous when the men that had been giving him stares all night kissed Alli on the cheek and didn't meet Zell's hand for a shake. When they were out of ear shot, Zell whispered to her that when she got home, he was disinfecting her cheek. The only guests that lagged behind were Squall and Rinoa.

"Thanks for a wonderful night sweetie' Rinoa smiled as she hugged Alli.

 "Thank you both for coming!" was Alli's chirpy reply.

After Squall and Rinoa had departed, Alli was about to follow suite, when Zell pulled her back.

"Hey, don't think you can get rid of me that easily" and he gently guided her back into the section of the ship that was decorated to be the ballroom.

With two swift clicks of his fingers, a curtain in front of the couple rose and a live band began to play a familiar song. Alli remembered it was the Waltz of the Moon. Zell bowed to Alli.

"May I. have this dance?" Alli nodded with a shy grin and let him sweep her off her feet. Zell spun Alli around and around like a true gentleman.

"I never knew you could dance so well!" she remarked happily.

"Ugh. Please don't mention it. I've been having Quisty teach me for months and let us just say that even though she's a great person, I'm glad those lessons are over!"

Alli had been so entranced by Zell, the music and the dancing, that she hadn't even noticed that the ship had taken off, located to a new place and landed, ready for their departure. As if on queue, Zell looked at his watch as the band ceased.

"Precisely on time" Zell grinned coyly as he guided Alli by the hand to the entrance.

He nodded to a man and they both exchanged items which Alli later found out were the money to pay for the staff of the night and a black piece of material. Zell blindfolded Alli and she let out a small shrill in excitement.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked nervously.

Zell's only answer was a slight squeeze to her hand. He carefully guided her down a pathway that was lined with small daisies. Alli felt nervous as Zell told her to wait where she was. She heard sum trees rustle and Zell's footsteps as he walked a small distance away. Alli jumped at the sudden contact as Zell carefully uncovered her eyes.

"You scared me!" she laughed. "Warn me next time! Ha ha!"

He let the cloth fall away and Alli was in awe of what she saw. It was a beautiful giant willow tree that hung gracefully with old age. It had a blue glow that radiated from it and it reflected from Alli's dress.

"It's beautiful Zell." she gasped.

"This isn't the best part", Zell grinned.

He leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek as he once again grabbed her hand and showed her the way through the draping branches. He stood by her side and wrapped his arms around her stomach. Alli stood there speechless, even Zell still got mesmerized ever time I looked at it, and he'd been to that spot many times. Underneath a thick layer of leaves they stood in a small clearing that centered on a tiny stream. The stream ran down a waterfall and into a miniature rock pool. The soil of the rock pool was the source of the blue glow. Zell showed Alli where he had layed out a small picnic for them to sit at. Still amazed at all that Zell had done, Alli held her glass as he poured her a small glass of wine and one for himself. He then raised his glass in a toast.

"To love, to loyalty, to us" said Zell.

Alli raised her glass and made the clink sound against his. Zell fumbled nervously in the top pocket of his dress shirt until his hand returned with a small silver box. He opened it slowly to face her.

"Alli" he started. "We're the strongest couple I know. Been through so much and yet we still come out even stronger. I'm giving you this ring to show my devotion to you. To promise my love for you is forever and to let you know, that I'll always treat you right, no matter what"

He took the plain platinum band out of the tiny box and slid it onto the middle finger of her right hand.

"I love you Al"

Alli didn't know what to say. Zell had already done so much, and yet he still continued to give her more. She said the words that she felt, the words that mattered.

"I love you too" and she threw herself into his arms as she tried to smile back tears of happiness.

Once she was sure she had held back the tears, she pulled away a little and indulged in a long and deep kiss. Zell let his tongue carefully trace along both of her lips, all the way around. She let her tongue meet his and she teasingly slid hers along his slowly to savour the taste. Once Alli got that taste, it was almost impossible to get her to stop. Still sitting down, her hands slid from his neck, along his sides until she reached the bottom lining of his shirt, then she headed for the middle. When she found its buttons, she skillfully unlooped them, pulled his shirt open and let his bare chest be exposed. She gently trailed her fingers down the middle of his torso to a stop just under his belly button, giving him goose bumps all over his body. Feeling his body begin to take over, Zell reached down and grabbed Alli's thigh and slid his hand upward, bringing the hem of her skirt as he went. He let his hand continue to rise until he reached her hips, then he slid his hand behind and squeezed her. Not letting his hands stay in one place for too long, Zell reached around behind her and unzipped her dress. It hung loosely on her body. He slid his hands around from her back and onto her chest. He pulled the top down so he could see her black strapless bra and continued to fondle. She left his mouth so she could continue leaving hot kisses down his neck and throat. She nuzzled her face and made her kisses more ferocious. And her hands became more adventurous, sliding around to his front and lower. Alli slid her hand under the trim of his black pants and under his boxers that she knew would be red until she found what she was after. Alli created a steady pace that she quickened slightly. Zell succumbed to her and began to breathe heavily in pleasure.

 Alli was zoomed back to reality when she heard voices in the near distance. She felt Zell freeze and knew he had heard them too. They quickly dressed themselves and grabbed their picnic items. As they did, the people that voices belonged too came into the clearing. Alli and Zell gave a small smile and walked towards the pathway as if nothing had happened, but group of people stared at them as if they were mad. When they reached the rent-a-car Zell had hired, they burst out laughing. Alli laughed even harder when she saw how bad Zell had buttoned up his shirt, only 3 of the 8 were in the right spot. She looked in the side mirror of the car and saw her messed up hair, twigs stuck in her dress that was crinkled. She laughed at how suspicious they both looked.

"Ohh" Alli sighed happily as she let herself fall backwards until she was comfortable in the passenger seat.

"I'm beat. Thanks for everything Honey. This has been the best birthday ever!!" She reached over and they shared another sweet kiss.

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