What's Love got to do with it?

Disclaimer:; School, is the worst thing ever! You know the drill, I don't own a single thing, and thanks for being so supportive. I know, if any of you read my other stories, that I haven't updated... -_-() I'm going to when I'm done with this one, there is about 2-3 more chapters left.. I think.. but here you go..

Chapter Fourteen

"I know nothing stays the same

But if you're willing to play the game

It's coming around again

So don't mind if I fall apart

There is more room in a broken heart

I believe in love, what else can I do?

I'm so in love with you, I know nothing stays the same

But if you're willing to play the game,

I do believe, I do believe, I believe in love..."

"And I want a moment to be real

Want to touch things I don't feel

Want to hold on and feel like I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

Their the ones that stay the same

They don't know me, cause I'm still here"

Rinoa stood there and stared at Quistis. A sudden fear gripped her; the last thing Rinoa wanted was to talk to Quistis. She didn't need an excuse or anything, but an instinct inside her told her this was bad, this was wrong, this was going to be painful some how. Rinoa quickly pushed the fears to the side, she didn't need to be thinking the worse, not now. Rinoa in her mind, thought she was in charge of this situation, but her body and heart told her she wasn't. It was true, Quistis had her fate right now hanging in the balance, and Rinoa of course knew none of this.

"We need to talk Milady, it is for your benefit I'm afraid." Quistis muttered quickly, almost pleading. Rinoa rose an eyebrow, she couldn't help it. She paused then leaned slightly against a nearby table, crossing her arms across her chest. Inside, she felt that she was lost in this situation, she had nothing to gain, and everything to lose. Instead of feeling powerful, she was planning to just look and act like it. She nodded slowly, examining her nails not bothering to look at Quistis.

"I doubt, if you would please ignore my quick and feverish tongue, that nothing you say has much to do with my benefit espically after the last thing, that had to do with my as you put it, benefit." Rinoa glared now, her eyes narrowing as she stared deep into Quistis, who looked discouraged. Quistis nodded slowly, and turned taking a step, then stopped. She tensed for a moment, took a step forward and stopped. Rinoa watched her carefully, she was fighting herself again, and an enraged battle that was taking up most of Quistis energy it seemed. Quistis turned slowly, and looked at Rinoa, by the expression on her face, whatever was bothering her was decided now. Quistis stepped toward Rinoa, and cleared her throat.

"Milady, I understand that you are furious with me.." Quistis started, but Rinoa interrupted her.

"Yes, and why do you suppose that may be? Maybe I think, yes that might be it, you slept with my husband?" Rinoa snapped standing up and walking quickly over to her. Quistis tensed, then relaxed.

"Milady, I don't mean any disrespect, but it would be a favor if you would listen to ..." She started but once again Rinoa cut it.

"No.." She said simply, and turned to walk away. Quistis raised her hands up then dropped them, glaring at Rinoa's back, she suddenly was to frustrated and annoyed to keep playing Rinoa's version of cat and mouse. It had always been a problem for Quistis to expresses her emotions, out of fear mostly of no one really understanding or caring. But now was not the time for such petty thoughts, it was the time for action.

" I did not share a bed with your husband.." Quistis shouted at the top of her lungs. Rinoa stopped walking, and turned quickly. Her facial expression was easy enough to read annoyance, confusion, and a little sign of depression. All of this went away as quick as it had come.

"What?" She asked stepping forward looking at her puzzled.

"We did not sleep together, I was asked by...Seifer.. to set a play for you.." Quistis said softly, then she turned away from Rinoa. Quistis closed her fist and bit onto it, a tear running down her cheek. It was hard to tell Squall, but it was harder for her to tell Rinoa. Rinoa stood there, first she was in shock, then suddenly, something else came over, distrust.

"You don't need to lie for him, Quistis. You may leave now.." Rinoa sighed slightly and walked away.

"I'm not lying milady.." Quistis walked after her. Rinoa turned and faced her, Quistis stopped, Rinoa was crying.

"Listen to me carefully, Quistis, I understand that you want to help Lord Squall, but our relationship cannot be mended, cannot be cured, and cannot be fixed by you, and I highly doubt by anyone... you are a loyal friend to the lord of the house, but you are not a faithful friend to me. I hope you understand me now, cause I will not repeat myself, I do not wish for you to bother me anymore..." Rinoa said finally sitting down, her voice was shaky now, and she had to bit her knuckle to control the sobs from coming out. Quistis nodded slowly looking down at her.

"I understand that you do not believe the truth, milady your angry toward my Lord Squall is blinding you from the truth you know to be real. You have noticed that Seifer has tried this before.." Quistis said firmly, her voice was cold and edgy. Rinoa looked up at Quistis, frowning.

'I know he has, I accepted he has, but I never accepted you to, why did you do this Quistis? If your story is not false, why did you subside so low?" Rinoa asked softly, looking forward again into the fire. Quistis walked in front of her, and bent down staring at Rinoa. Quistis looked down then back up at her face.

"I am not proud of my actions, I will always live to regret them of course. But I wish for you never to punish Squall for my foolish behavior. My vision is not as good as yours, it was blinded by something I thought was love, instead it was foolishness..." Quistis paused frowning at this painful memory. Slowly Rinoa's head rose, as her eyes connected with Quistis.

" You...loved him?" Rinoa asked quietly. Quistis frowned and nodded slightly.

"I loved him, and I thought he loved me in return, but he loves you, no he does not love you, he lusts for you Rinoa. Please remember that, remember that when Seifer tries to tell you he cares for you, when he does not." Quistis nodded and stood up slowly. Rinoa grabbed her hand and pulled her slightly.

"Hear my words Quistis, and understand them.. Seifer also used me, I thought he loved me, but he did not. I cannot say that I forgive you, but I cannot blame you. Seifer is quick with his tongue, quick and dangerous. Love makes people do crazy things..." Rinoa finished looking down now, blushing slightly. She was fiddling with her dresses, wrapping it around her fingers. Quistis nodded watching her carefully.

"Do not punish my lord for my mistakes..." Quistis asked once more, smiling slightly. Rinoa nodded slightly, she didn't seem like she was paying any attention to Quistis, she was staring at the fire in front of her, with a smile of complete bliss. Quistis walked out of the room, shaking her head, and running her hand through her blonde hair.

Rinoa might have been enjoying the news she received from Quistis, but Squall was not enjoying the new discovery at all. It was one thing to personally attack his relationship with Rinoa, and that one thing was not something light, but to use one of his best friends, for a strike on himself, was flying over the line that had already been stretched. Zell had informed Squall that Seifer was in the study, requesting an audience with Quistis. Squall turned the corner heading down the hallway, where it met large wood doors. She paused when he reached the doors, looking at them, determining how to handle this. After a few moments, he pushed the doors open and stepped into the room. Seifer's head snapped upward, at first a clear sweep of panic feels across is features, and then he seemed to be able to control them. He smiled slightly, the side of his mouth twitching with the effort.

"Well, I wasn't expecting an audience with my lord..." Seifer bowed his head, slightly, not all the way though. Seifer had learned a few things from battle, that he used everyday. The first rule was never let your enemy out of your view, this was a battle between Squall and Seifer now. Squall nodded slightly, his face was set, and his jaw was clenched.

" I wasn't expecting you in my house my..friend.. I wasn't expecting you near me, and I don't expect that you will be staying long, if you wish to leave this house, in a decent condition." He finished this sentence as he edged toward Seifer. Seifer did not move, but leaned against the desk, his eyes were the only thing that was moving, and they were locked on Squall.

"Is this how you treat all your guests, threaten them with petty words and actions that will never happen?" Seifer smirked drinking some of the brandy he had removed from Squall's desk. In a quick movement, Squall was in front of Seifer, and his hand had swept across and knocked the brandy clear out of Seifer's hand, sending it crashing to the ground. Seifer looking slightly shocked , with a hint of fear in his voice he muttered.

"Well, you are a rude host, I must say.." Seifer laughed, then stopped quickly, when Squall grabbed his collar with his hands and pushed him back against the desk. Seifer winched when his back hit the desk, he glared up at Squall, ashamed and annoyed that he had let himself be pinned by him. Squall was glaring at Seifer with the up most of hatred, Seifer would almost feel the heat coming off of him.

"I know what you have done to Quistis.." Squall whispered slowly, Seifer looked up at Squall. Seifer had learned that people are the maddest when they whisper or talk quietly. When someone yells, it's true that they are mad or upset but he knew that you messed something up really bad when they actually whisper. Seifer smirked slightly, he couldn't let Squall think that he was actually afraid of him, or show any weakness.

"What did I do?" Seifer asked in a would be innocent voice. Squall pulled Seifer up slightly then pounded him harder into the desk. Seifer winced, the desk groaned with the extra weight being pinned against it. Squall paused for a second looking at Seifer, his eyes were locked with Seifer's, everything that was wrong with the world seemed to be coming from Seifer. Squall pushed him harder into the desk, Squall had never felt this way before, this new feeling, this new ..rage was overtaking him slowly. He pulled Seifer off the desk, and shoved him hard into the bookcase. Seifer hit and bounced off the bookcase, hitting the ground with a loud thud. It echoed in the empty room, as Squall slowly advanced toward Seifer, who leapt to his feet so quickly, Squall startled. Seifer rose his fists quickly, his eyes narrowing.

"Enough games, friend.." He growled pacing around Squall. Squall watched him with deadly narrowed eyes, every movement, everything Squall watched slowly. Then Seifer attacked.

It was not hard to hear noises of voices, and smashing of things from anywhere in the house. But Rinoa had learned in these quarters every noise must be taken seriously. She walked outside to find Quistis and Zell talking, Zell was pointing madly and Quistis looked distress.

"Is there something wrong here?" Rinoa asked looking from one face to the other. Each face was equal guilty, Zell looked startled and unable to find words, and Quistis avoided her eyes. Rinoa slowly grew annoyed.

"If you will not tell me I will find the problem on my ---" Her sentence was interrupted by Irivine running down the hallway. Rinoa looked at Irivine surprised, and it dawned on her that she hadn't seen her around the household for awhile now, and she wasn't the only one.

"Where have you been?!" Zell shouted at Irivine. Irivine shrugged sheepishly.

"Around.." He muttered taking off his hat, and bowing clumsy to Rinoa and Quistis.

"Milady.." He muttered, then looked between Quistis and Zell. Rinoa crossed her arms across her chest.

"What is it, that you have come to say, it was not difficult to see you stumbling over your two feet to reach us.. or them, so you might as well share.." Rinoa narrowed her eyes slightly. Irivine frowned, glancing between Quistis and Zell. Whatever it was, Rinoa gathered Irivine didn't really want to share with her.

"Well..er.. milady, I do not wish to cause alarm for you, milady.." Irivine muttered quickly.

"And yet you wish to cause alarm for Quistis? I believe I can fend off for myself, thank you." Rinoa finished quickly, raising her chin slightly watching Irivine.

"Yes Milady, I did not mean to ----" Irivine stopped talking and nodded once.

"Well.. Sir Seifer is in the building.." He said quickly looking at Quistis. Zell stepped forward, his fist clenched.

"He has a lot of nerve coming here.. we should send out a search party.." Zell snapped looking around, then he started marching off.

"Wait!" Irivine yelled.

"What?!" Zell turned around giving him a dirty look.

"We can't let him enjoy the castle, what is it Irivine?" Quistis snipped annoyed.

"Well.. It's not necessary.." He muttered covering his mouth with his hand. Rinoa sighed and grabbed his hand, flinging it to the side.

"What?" She snapped looking him dead in the eye.

"What I meant to say, is Lord... Squall has already found him.." Irivine finished looking nervously around.

"Excuse me?!" Rinoa gasped.

"What!" Zell shouted.

"Why didn't you say something before.." Quistis asked staring at Irivine with the look of up most confusion. There was a loud noise from the study before Irivine could defend himself.

"..That sound doesn't some encouraging does it?" Zell said looking at Rinoa. The four of them set off.

Squall and Seifer were on now, the fighting was intense. Squall was slamming, and being slammed into everything. Seifer was a good fighter, but he talked too much while doing it. Seifer had started a sentence, and Squall had knocked him a few times in the face. Seifer grabbed Squall's jacket and lifted him up, slamming him up against a mirror, Squall jerked in pain as the broken glass slashed his back. Seifer smirked glaring up at hi. Squall opened his eyes, and kneed Seifer square in the stomach. Seifer released Squall, and bent over huffing loudly. Squall took this time to recover, then he stepped toward Seifer. Seifer glanced up, and Squall uppercut him, sending him flying through the air and landing on his back. Seifer winched slightly, as Squall walked over to him. Squall grabbed Seifer's jacket and pulled him forcefully upward, then once again pinned him to the desk. Seifer gripped Squall's hands trying to hold him still, while his foot looked for body. Squall pounded Seifer's fists against the desk, and placed his elbow across Seifer's chest so he couldn't move to well. Glaring down at Seifer, Squall rose his fists and hit him, over and over again. Seifer's head looked like something caught in the sea, bobbing up and down. The door flung open and Squall heard as gasp. He turned his head and spotted Rinoa in front, followed by Quistis, Zell, and then Irivine. Seifer used this moment, to throw his weight up at Squall. Squall being caught off, fell back and onto the ground. Seifer hurried over, and started kicking Squall in the side. Zell rushed forward, but Irivine grabbed Zell's arms. Zell jerked all around, trying to free himself from Irivine.

"Let me go!" Zell shouted, frustrated about his unable ness to help his master. Irivine didn't say anything but watched Rinoa. Rinoa stood there and watched for a moment, till Squall coughed and spat out blood. Then she moved. She went over to Seifer, who stopped quickly and looked at Rinoa heaving.

"He attacked me.." He said shortly, Rinoa glanced down at Squall who was slowly rolling over to stand. Rinoa looked back at Seifer, and rose her hand. Before Seifer knew what was happening, he was struck hard across the face. Seifer looked back at Rinoa, shock written all over his face, then slowly realization came over his face.

"You...bitch!" He shouted and grabbed her arms forcefully. Squall was up now, and he was charging. Seifer released Rinoa quickly, as Squall tackled him around the waist, ramming the both of them, into the desk. The speed they were traveling they both flipped over the desk, and were quiet for a moment. Zell jerked once more, but Irivine let go this time. Rinoa stood still, looking at the desk waiting. Zell stepped forward, next to Rinoa looking hopelessly at the desk. He turned and shot Irivine a dirty look, then peered forward trying to see either of the men. A grunt was heard, and slowly Seifer stood up. He was badly cut , marks over his face and arms. Black and Blue marks were slowly coming to the surface on his skin, as he whipped his mouth free of some blood that had lingered there. He looked down at the ground behind the desk, then over at the crowd. He smirked once again, whipping the blood away from his mouth.

"Did you have fun watching the entertainment, shame it's over.." He smirked, and walked around the desk, kicking something first. Zell walked over to Seifer and threw a punch, not in the mood for crap, Seifer dodged it, and grabbed Zell's shoulder. Seifer pulled Zell toward him, and rammed his knee into his stomach. Zell jerked slightly, then fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around his stomach. Seifer smirked and walked further toward Rinoa, who merely glared at him as he approached her.

"Seems we figured out who is the bigger man, the one who can get up after a fight, don't you agree.." He smirked, as Irivine moved closer.

" Sir, I would advise you to step away from milady.." He spoke quietly, but his voice was dangerous. Seifer rose an eyebrow at him, glancing at him up and down, sizing him up.

"Do not threaten me, servant I am not in the mood to deal with a weakling like you." Seifer growled looking back at Rinoa.

"I was not talking about myself, sir, I was talking about my lord.." He finished smirking slightly. Seifer looked at Irivine oddly, then Seifer jerked slightly for he was struck in the back with the head with a book. Seifer fell to his knees, then collapsed on the ground. Squall glared down at Seifer with a look of hatred and disgust over his face, dropping the book he looked around the room, then his eye lingered on Rinoa.

"I do believe I smell something burning.." Quistis said quietly. Zell blinked, being helped up by Irivine.

"I do not smell anything, ow!" He grunted when Irivine elbowed him in the side. Irivine and Zell, pulled the sleeping Seifer from the room. Squall walked toward the door.

"Wait Squall.." Rinoa said quietly. Squall turned and looked at her, Rinoa sighed slightly.

"I think we need to talk.." She muttered quietly, Squall merely shrugged and walked out of the room.