Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII in any way shape or form for it is the rightful property of SQUARESOFT.
Chapter 19: ConfrontationsSeifer burst into his office, waking the sleeping Zell on the carpeted floor. Squall was sitting in the Commander's chair, his feet were propped up on the desk but when he saw Rinoa enter with Seifer, he bounced out of the chair.
Selphie and Quistis had joined the party to make it seven. "Rinoa, you're alive!"
"Thanks Quistis. It shows you aren't the one who just walked in an apartment with Sarah and three of her friends." Rinoa hissed at her, giving her a death glare.
"You want us to give you a medal?" Irvine joked; Selphie was sitting on his lap.
"Shut it, Irvine." She replied, Seifer silenced the banter and cleared his throat.
"Alright, now… So we've collected this info that I have pieced together…" Seifer announced, "Trabia was and still is doing very well economic wise. Both Galbadia and Esthar buy weapons of mass destruction so clients aren't in the lacking department. There was a small flaw in that assurance when Rinoa and Squall kissed right in front of their freaking eyes without knowing…" Seifer looked at Rinoa and Squall accusingly, "You stupid morons."
Rinoa looked down at the floor and pondered helplessly on how she couldn't have noticed. She knew that Mr. Tribal and Mr. Conrad hadn't been showered with the fish guts because the last time she saw them that nigh… Their suits were perfectly clean.
Squall felt some embarrassment showing in his cheeks and Quistis made an 'ooh'ing noise that was quickly silenced by another of Rinoa's death glares.
"Anyways, if Rinoa and Squall were to marry there would be a peaceful union between these opposing countries. I mean… a daughter of a respectable General and the son of the President himself. Never had a political marriage been made between these rivals and Rinoa being the only daughter and Squall being the only son… The parents would have accepted." Seifer informed, "With that… Trabia's business goes into the negative number. So they needed to keep the two apart. Laguna was 'proposed' a deal. Squall would marry Sarah or Squall would die"
Seifer paused then went on, "So after Squall was stupid enough to let this by, three years later Caraway accepts to marry his daughter? Not very plausible is it… But think. Squall's made a reputation of being reckless and wild… Not the obeying type. So Trabia needed assurance… That's where Melvin steps in… Rinoa's like a sheep, she'll follow what her father says because she's powerless."
"Um, excuse me!" Rinoa snapped, "You didn't have to say it like that."
"I meant… Politically powerless…" Seifer chuckled nervously, "So now we need to know why Caraway married off Rinoa. And… That's self-explanatory… By being threatened by Trabia with the same weapons he had ordered to be made."
"So where exactly do we come in?" Quistis scowled, "What the hell can we do?"
Seifer grinned, "Rinoa, Squall… Right now I need your acting talents."
***
"For the eighteenth time, I am not doing this!" Rinoa cried out, "I can't… Don't you get it… Not in front of my father!"
"Rinoa, it'll only be once… You might feel like a cheap whore now but you'll have something to tell your children later." Seifer tried to ease her about their current situation. Squall said nothing… He wasn't sure if he would live through tonight after what Seifer had suggested.
"You said it yourself, Rinoa. I'm a shitty actor, so let's see if you can do better." Zell grinned and Rinoa shot him a look of disgust.
"I can't… I won't do this!" Rinoa protested once more, "It's a stupid idea, not to mention my father would kill me!"
"So say it's a joke after!" Irvine exclaimed, "Tell him it was just to get a confession out of Tribal!"
"Oh, right…" Rinoa said sarcastically, "That'll work…"
"Would you rather marry Melvin?" Selphie snapped, irritated at her friend's constant refusal of the 'plan'. At this comment, Quistis gave Rinoa a taunting glare.
"Ok… Fine… But if that tape recorder screws up, you're going to die Zell."
***
Tribal and Caraway sat leisurely in the study, puffing on exquisite Winhill cigars. The finest tobacco went into these and these powerful men had the means to acquire them. The un-smoking Melvin just sat there, watching his father.
Rinoa entered calmly in the room, "Sorry to interrupt but we've things to discuss, father." She applied her 'rich-girl' accent thickly as she proposed a conference.
"Surely you wouldn't mind your soon-to-be father-in-law and fiancée to be present while discussing such matters, would you darling?" Mr. Tribal refused to let the girl speak alone with her father… At this point, it would be too risky.
"Not at all." Rinoa smiled her sweetest smile, "And it is about this marriage business that I wish to speak about."
Caraway's expression changed from discomfort to nervousness and then to fear. "Ahem… Go on my dear…" He shot nervous glances to the two men beside him.
"I really can't be wed to Melvin." Rinoa announced, "Because I'm married to someone else." Her words were traced by a certain elegance in her voice. Her declaration was so calm, so neutral… The lie couldn't be perceived.
"What?" Caraway breathed, "This is a joke, right?"
"Father, I'm really in love with him. I'm sure… You wouldn't want to get in the way of true love?" She panicked a bit; thinking the coat of exaggeration was being applied too thickly.
"With who?" Tribal's question reflected his anxiety… If it was whom he feared then… A complete loss of control would be ensued.
"Well, it is Squall Leonheart." At this moment Squall entered the room and grinned, looping his arms around Rinoa waist.
"I'm sure, the Tribal family wouldn't be insulted or hurt, honey, after all… They are a very respected bunch." Squall tried not to sound as constipated as Zell had.
As the final blow, Squall kissed her, not overdoing but still making it apparent that tongue was present. Caraway didn't know whether to be pleased or terribly angered at Squall and his daughter.
Tribal, however, blew his stack, "Dearly sorry, but Leonheart's honeymoon'll be in hell!" He got up from his chair and held out an outstretched arm, revolver in hand.
"Unity between Galbadia and Esthar? Never… Without the war between them, Trabia'll be nothing… No economical feedback. We have no other options!" He spat out in anger and Caraway sat there, shaking in his chair, oblivious of what to do.
Melvin spoke nothing in his chair, just watched back peacefully as his father's speech went on, "I've tried to keep you two away from each other for three years. Mr. Conrad and I, both! Imagine… Squall Leonheart and Rinoa Heartilly being husband and wife. Wouldn't the two countries be so pleased? Such a perfect couple, such a perfect peaceful unison between Galbadia and Esthar. Of course… Softening the people's hearts by a model couple. Not likely… What would Trabia do without a weapon department?"
At that moment, though, Irvine came from the 'secret passage'. The little angel statue holding a wine glass (To the untrained eye it was merely a decoration for this authentic study) shifted to the side and the gunman shot at Mr. Tribal's revolver-armed hand … hitting with amazing aim, sending the gun flying out of his hand.
"Oh yeah, baby! Who's got the aim?" Irvine did his own little victory dance, tipping his cowboy hat to the front, leaning his precious 'Exeter' on his shoulder.
"And who's got the little confession on tape!" Zell jumped into the room from outside the door, throwing his fists in the air, one that held a tiny device known as a tape recorder.
Seifer entered through the same door and picked up the dropped gun. Tribal's bleeding hand caused him much anguish as he cried out in pain. Melvin had gotten to a semi-standing position; unsure if helping his father was a good idea.
Quistis and Selphie came in as well, and the seven young adults all bore the same triumphant expression on their faces.
Caraway turned to Tribal, "Since this has finally been resolved, I'm calling officials. Dincht, give me that tape; I'll take care of the rest. You…" He looked at Squall with such menace in his eyes that the mighty Leonheart would have cowered in a corner at that moment.
Caraway brought back his fist and landed it right on Squall's jaw. Squall stumbled back and winced in pain, "Dad!" Rinoa cried out.
The General ignored her; "You dare kiss my daughter in my face like that again I will not let you live." He grabbed the tape from Zell, escorted Melvin and his father out of the room and left himself.
"Uh… Well, it was for the best Squall. Everything's fine now, right?" Seifer laughed nervously as Squall advanced towards him.
"So who's hair-brained scheme landed me a fist on my jaw?" Squall hissed.
Irvine put a gloved hand on Squall's shoulder and reminded him, "And got you your girlfriend back?"
***
"That's it, we're done! Sweet, sweet, sweet success at last!" Quistis cried out in Squall's dorm. The party of seven had decided to shield Squall from General Caraway for the time being and… Have a little party.
Rinoa rolled her eyes, "Not that you did much, Quistis."
"Yeah, we got you and Squall back together. So I think we deserve a tad bit of credit." Selphie hopped around the living room of Squall semi-apartment, semi-high classed dorm.
"Well, I say cheers to Rinoa and Squall who acted amazingly and through the midst of it all… Found each other, with a little of our help. Then cheers to the remaining five, who had the courage to help them find each other, because Hyne knows how both of you are stupid, stubborn mules sometimes." Seifer held up his can of Coke up high.
To this, everyone had to say, "Cheers!"
***
It was the wee hours of the morning when finally, Seifer and Quistis decided to depart. Everyone else had gone.
"I'm guessing you won't need a ride, Rinoa?" Seifer grinned maliciously, raising his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
"No, she won't." Squall shoved Seifer out of the dorm, "So you can stop doing the freaky eyebrow thing."
"Have fun…" Quistis giggled and Rinoa couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Squall laughed a sarcastic 'ha-ha' and then shut the door in both their faces. He turned to Rinoa and couldn't help wrapping his arms around her.
"Finally…" A tiny smile was tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Mmhmm…" She murmured and said, "I'm so glad this thing is over."
"Yeah…" He pressed his lips against her own and kissed her softly.
A scuffling sound could be heard, and the kiss broke off awkwardly as they turned to look at Quistis … who had entered the dorm once again.
Tears were forming at the corners of her eyes, "You guys are so adorable when you kiss like that…"
"Quistis, what the hell are you still doing here?" Rinoa's aggravated tone uttered Squall's thoughts.
"Oh… Sorry…" Quistis grinned awkwardly, "I just… Forgot my bag." She scampered around the room, found her purse and left but… Not before saying her final word, "I'll be expecting to hear about this tomorrow…" She winked and darted out the door.
Squall closed it, annoyed, and this time he locked it. Needless to say, Rinoa didn't go back to Deling city that night.
Sammy: Hee hee hee … the nineteenth chapter is up! *Collective groans from the audience* Buuut, you all knew that apparently. So yeah, THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! So I really hoped you liked this chapter… It is currently 12:30 A.M. and I think I'm going to die on the keyboard… Well, not die… Just fall asleep. Please review, please review! I've done my duty as an author and I have written. It is only custom that you do your job as a reader and review… *Grins* Anyways, you don't even have to do a full review. Type in 'A' to say 'That was the best!' Type in 'B' to indicate that 'It was good.' Type in 'C' to inform me that 'This was average' and type in 'D' to tell me 'This chapter sucked so bad that I think I'm going to puke.' Thank you all very much and keep in tune for the twentieth and FINAL chapter.
Beta's Note: I can see a certain resemblance in the last line…. Saaaam? Bah, whatever.