Ch. 13
A Word to Trust
No one questioned his departure to Timber. No one knew it was at Emma's request and no one knew that he needed time away from his dearest friends, it was easier that way. They just went along with it telling him they take care of everything. Squall was very grateful for this.
Two days later after his encounter with Emma Squall arrived in Timber. There waiting at the station was Emma.
"I'm glad you made it," she said cheerfully.
"Well I said I would."
She looks at him her expression hardened. "There are few people in this world that actually do what they say."
In a dead serious voice he tells her. "Then I guess I'm one of those few."
They looked at each other intensely. Squall got the feeling that she was analyzing him. Then after that brief moment her face brightens up.
"Shell I bring you to your residence for the next few days."
Squall didn't say anything he just let Emma lead the way. She took him to a small house in the middle of town.
"Welcome to my home." She said to him proudly.
"This is your own place?"
"Yeah, after Seifer broke up with me and I came back to Timber, and the first thing I did was buy this place. It's small, but I can call it my own."
"Maybe some things work out for the best." He told her not believing a word of it. In the end things never work out. In the end you always turn out alone, but for Emma's sake Squall tried to stay optimistic.
"Maybe." Was all Emma said in return and they left it at that.
Emma gave him a quick tour of the house. It wasn't much with only a small kitchen, a smaller bathroom, and two bedrooms, neither much larger then the area of one bed. Despite all that Emma was extremely proud of her home and Squall envied her for that.
"You'll be staying here." She said pointing to one of the smaller rooms. "Sorry it's not very big."
Squall made a face at Emma showing her that he didn't care about the size of the room at all. The fact that they would be staying in the same house alone, however, did bother him.
"And you'll be here too?" He asked stupidly.
"Well you don't expect me to sleep in the street do you?"
Squall forced out a laugh. "No, it's just.just."
"Just what?" Emma asked while giving a noble attempt not to boil over in mass hysterics.
"Awkward." Squall said while making sure not to look her in the eyes. He was a bit surprised when he heard her chuckle.
"I'm not going to bite you or anything."
"I'm sorry," Squall apologized. "I'm very grateful for you letting me into your home."
Emma smiled. "Come on leave your bag here I want to show you around town." Together they left the house.
Timber had gone through some major rebuilding since Squall had last seen it. A lot of the shops were rebuilt and many of the homes had also seen some renovations not to mentions the dozens of new homes that were added to the expanding city. City Hall was also shaping up to be quite the impressive building.
Like her house Emma showed off everything with such pride that Squall could feel it glow off her body.
"Emma this is all really something to be proud of." He told her looking around the city. "Few people, even the best of leaders could have accomplished half of what you have done here. The other day you said I made a great leader, but coming here I see I don't even hold a candle to you."
Emma blushes and turns away from him bashfully.
"Now look who's the modest one." He teased.
Emma turns back towards him and smiles brightly; she had a smile that always made Squall weak in the knees. Suddenly she grabs him by the arm.
"Come on there's still one last thing I want to show you."
She leads him away from the city hall and started to move towards the middle of the city. From the distance Squall see's a statue. When he got closer Squall gasped and stopped abruptly in his place. He felt his breathe leave his lungs and his heart clench. There framed into a statue stood Rinoa. Somewhere behind his mind he heard Emma explain.
"It's a memorial to Rinoa Heartilly. She started the fight for Timber's liberation, but under bizarre circumstances she passed away. Zone and Watts, who knew her well, asked if they could put the statue up I thought it was a great idea. She sounded like an amazing person. I want to soon have a wall put up with Vince, Kira and everyone else's name who gave their lives for Timber's liberation to be put behind miss Heartilly's statue."
Squall stopped listening to Emma and moved closer to the statue. He ran his hand across Rinoa's stone face. He closed his eyes remembering what it was like to touch her silky skin, the touch of her lips against his own, and the warmth that filled his heart whenever she was by him.
Without even realizing it tears began to pour down Squall's cheeks. Through his teary-eyed vision Squall read the words that were engraved into Rinoa's statue.
Rinoa Heartilly, for your determination and heart you'll always be with us
Squall fell down to his knees. That was a lie it was all lies. Rinoa was no longer with him she had just become someone that people talk about in pass tense. Something Squall could only hang on to by memory because now that was all she was, one sweet memory.
Squall felt a body kneel down next to him. He looked up into the eyes of Emma Winston they were filled with a deep sympathy and gentleness that Squall thought he never seen again. In a whispered voice Emma says to him.
"She was the woman that you loved wasn't she?"
Squall started to sob harder, he felt Emma take him into her arms. Her voice cooed.
"It's alright Squall," he heard her own tears start to come as she replied the same thing over and over again. "It's alright."
"I.I loved her so much." Squall whispered struggling to find his voice.
"I heard she was incredible." Emma said to him her voice comforting.
Squall didn't know why he did it, but right there and then while they both lay on the ground he told her Rinoa and his whole story. He couldn't control it. It was like the tale had a mind of its own and it was using Squall's voice.
He started at the ball where it all began and left out no details. He told her about their first mission together, Rinoa being possessed, the whole Ultimicia affair and then all the events that occurred after. Everything leading to her last moments where she asked Squall a promise that he couldn't make.
When everything was said Squall felt an odd relief wash over his body.
Emma continued to hold him as he finished his story. Rain started to fall soaking the two, but they didn't move. Together they sat there not saying a word.
The rest of the trip was considerable less dramatic. Late that night they left the memorial and walked back to Emma's house. They stood in her kitchen their cloths drenched and dripping continuous amounts of water onto the wooden floor, but despite that they didn't move they just stared at each other. Words not quite able to describe the moment, words not able to describe the emotions going on inside of him. The night ended when Emma kissed him on the forehead and went to bed. Squall's lips twitched into the smallest smile. After that he followed Emma's example and went to bed.
The morning after Squall's breakdown neither he nor Emma said anything about what had happened. There was no awkwardness, no embarrassment it was like it never happened. The only difference was now when he caught Emma's eye there was something that wasn't there before, though he wasn't sure what it was.
The next couple of days went by extremely fast. He and Emma would walk around town helping anyone in the need of four extra hands.
One night Zone and Watts had them over for dinner. Although the food was somewhat questionable it was a rather enjoyable night. He and actually laughed until his stomach hurt. Emma, Zone and Watts all gave him odd looks, but it was worth it just to have that pure feeling of joy again.
When it was time to leave Emma had walked him to the train station. They didn't say anything as they sat and waited on one lonely bench at the far end of the station.
The train station had just called out for boarding the train to Balamb when Emma asked him.
"This isn't it is it?" Her voice sounded small and sad.
"What are you talking about?" He asked confused.
"You'll go back to Balamb and I'll stay here. We won't ever see each other again unless by some chance encounter and even then."
Squall waits for her patiently to finish her sentence. He didn't want this to be it either.
"Even then it might not be the same." She said at last.
He watches as Emma's eyes fall down to her lap. Hesitantly at first Squall lifts up her chin so there eyes meet.
"This won't be it you have my word.if you trust it?"
Weakly Emma smiles. "It's the only one I do."
Squall picks up her hand kissing it gently.
"Till next time." He says getting up and boarding his train.
Out the window of the train Squall looks at Emma who waves at him. She did something to him. She made him feel something that he hadn't felt in along time. Although, it was amazing to feel something like this again it also at the same time scared the shit out of him.
A Word to Trust
No one questioned his departure to Timber. No one knew it was at Emma's request and no one knew that he needed time away from his dearest friends, it was easier that way. They just went along with it telling him they take care of everything. Squall was very grateful for this.
Two days later after his encounter with Emma Squall arrived in Timber. There waiting at the station was Emma.
"I'm glad you made it," she said cheerfully.
"Well I said I would."
She looks at him her expression hardened. "There are few people in this world that actually do what they say."
In a dead serious voice he tells her. "Then I guess I'm one of those few."
They looked at each other intensely. Squall got the feeling that she was analyzing him. Then after that brief moment her face brightens up.
"Shell I bring you to your residence for the next few days."
Squall didn't say anything he just let Emma lead the way. She took him to a small house in the middle of town.
"Welcome to my home." She said to him proudly.
"This is your own place?"
"Yeah, after Seifer broke up with me and I came back to Timber, and the first thing I did was buy this place. It's small, but I can call it my own."
"Maybe some things work out for the best." He told her not believing a word of it. In the end things never work out. In the end you always turn out alone, but for Emma's sake Squall tried to stay optimistic.
"Maybe." Was all Emma said in return and they left it at that.
Emma gave him a quick tour of the house. It wasn't much with only a small kitchen, a smaller bathroom, and two bedrooms, neither much larger then the area of one bed. Despite all that Emma was extremely proud of her home and Squall envied her for that.
"You'll be staying here." She said pointing to one of the smaller rooms. "Sorry it's not very big."
Squall made a face at Emma showing her that he didn't care about the size of the room at all. The fact that they would be staying in the same house alone, however, did bother him.
"And you'll be here too?" He asked stupidly.
"Well you don't expect me to sleep in the street do you?"
Squall forced out a laugh. "No, it's just.just."
"Just what?" Emma asked while giving a noble attempt not to boil over in mass hysterics.
"Awkward." Squall said while making sure not to look her in the eyes. He was a bit surprised when he heard her chuckle.
"I'm not going to bite you or anything."
"I'm sorry," Squall apologized. "I'm very grateful for you letting me into your home."
Emma smiled. "Come on leave your bag here I want to show you around town." Together they left the house.
Timber had gone through some major rebuilding since Squall had last seen it. A lot of the shops were rebuilt and many of the homes had also seen some renovations not to mentions the dozens of new homes that were added to the expanding city. City Hall was also shaping up to be quite the impressive building.
Like her house Emma showed off everything with such pride that Squall could feel it glow off her body.
"Emma this is all really something to be proud of." He told her looking around the city. "Few people, even the best of leaders could have accomplished half of what you have done here. The other day you said I made a great leader, but coming here I see I don't even hold a candle to you."
Emma blushes and turns away from him bashfully.
"Now look who's the modest one." He teased.
Emma turns back towards him and smiles brightly; she had a smile that always made Squall weak in the knees. Suddenly she grabs him by the arm.
"Come on there's still one last thing I want to show you."
She leads him away from the city hall and started to move towards the middle of the city. From the distance Squall see's a statue. When he got closer Squall gasped and stopped abruptly in his place. He felt his breathe leave his lungs and his heart clench. There framed into a statue stood Rinoa. Somewhere behind his mind he heard Emma explain.
"It's a memorial to Rinoa Heartilly. She started the fight for Timber's liberation, but under bizarre circumstances she passed away. Zone and Watts, who knew her well, asked if they could put the statue up I thought it was a great idea. She sounded like an amazing person. I want to soon have a wall put up with Vince, Kira and everyone else's name who gave their lives for Timber's liberation to be put behind miss Heartilly's statue."
Squall stopped listening to Emma and moved closer to the statue. He ran his hand across Rinoa's stone face. He closed his eyes remembering what it was like to touch her silky skin, the touch of her lips against his own, and the warmth that filled his heart whenever she was by him.
Without even realizing it tears began to pour down Squall's cheeks. Through his teary-eyed vision Squall read the words that were engraved into Rinoa's statue.
Rinoa Heartilly, for your determination and heart you'll always be with us
Squall fell down to his knees. That was a lie it was all lies. Rinoa was no longer with him she had just become someone that people talk about in pass tense. Something Squall could only hang on to by memory because now that was all she was, one sweet memory.
Squall felt a body kneel down next to him. He looked up into the eyes of Emma Winston they were filled with a deep sympathy and gentleness that Squall thought he never seen again. In a whispered voice Emma says to him.
"She was the woman that you loved wasn't she?"
Squall started to sob harder, he felt Emma take him into her arms. Her voice cooed.
"It's alright Squall," he heard her own tears start to come as she replied the same thing over and over again. "It's alright."
"I.I loved her so much." Squall whispered struggling to find his voice.
"I heard she was incredible." Emma said to him her voice comforting.
Squall didn't know why he did it, but right there and then while they both lay on the ground he told her Rinoa and his whole story. He couldn't control it. It was like the tale had a mind of its own and it was using Squall's voice.
He started at the ball where it all began and left out no details. He told her about their first mission together, Rinoa being possessed, the whole Ultimicia affair and then all the events that occurred after. Everything leading to her last moments where she asked Squall a promise that he couldn't make.
When everything was said Squall felt an odd relief wash over his body.
Emma continued to hold him as he finished his story. Rain started to fall soaking the two, but they didn't move. Together they sat there not saying a word.
The rest of the trip was considerable less dramatic. Late that night they left the memorial and walked back to Emma's house. They stood in her kitchen their cloths drenched and dripping continuous amounts of water onto the wooden floor, but despite that they didn't move they just stared at each other. Words not quite able to describe the moment, words not able to describe the emotions going on inside of him. The night ended when Emma kissed him on the forehead and went to bed. Squall's lips twitched into the smallest smile. After that he followed Emma's example and went to bed.
The morning after Squall's breakdown neither he nor Emma said anything about what had happened. There was no awkwardness, no embarrassment it was like it never happened. The only difference was now when he caught Emma's eye there was something that wasn't there before, though he wasn't sure what it was.
The next couple of days went by extremely fast. He and Emma would walk around town helping anyone in the need of four extra hands.
One night Zone and Watts had them over for dinner. Although the food was somewhat questionable it was a rather enjoyable night. He and actually laughed until his stomach hurt. Emma, Zone and Watts all gave him odd looks, but it was worth it just to have that pure feeling of joy again.
When it was time to leave Emma had walked him to the train station. They didn't say anything as they sat and waited on one lonely bench at the far end of the station.
The train station had just called out for boarding the train to Balamb when Emma asked him.
"This isn't it is it?" Her voice sounded small and sad.
"What are you talking about?" He asked confused.
"You'll go back to Balamb and I'll stay here. We won't ever see each other again unless by some chance encounter and even then."
Squall waits for her patiently to finish her sentence. He didn't want this to be it either.
"Even then it might not be the same." She said at last.
He watches as Emma's eyes fall down to her lap. Hesitantly at first Squall lifts up her chin so there eyes meet.
"This won't be it you have my word.if you trust it?"
Weakly Emma smiles. "It's the only one I do."
Squall picks up her hand kissing it gently.
"Till next time." He says getting up and boarding his train.
Out the window of the train Squall looks at Emma who waves at him. She did something to him. She made him feel something that he hadn't felt in along time. Although, it was amazing to feel something like this again it also at the same time scared the shit out of him.