Chapter 11 Welcome home

            After going to the funeral directors, Rinoa returned to her apartment only to find her answer machine filled with messages from the same voice. Each word used was different every time, but the overall message was the same.

            "Rinoa, where the hell are you?"

            Rinoa stared at it blankly. Before throwing her bag down and switching on her T.V.

            Esthar gets ready to welcome home today their President. After his extensive peace talks with the world leaders. His trip was originally expected to last a week, but thanks to some pervasive speeches from the President, the talks were a unanimous vote against military action in the South. Other news from Esthar, a new theme park is being built on the outskirts. It is expected to bring more money into the already rich country, and is predicted to be a huge success. With the advanced technology available to Esthar, the park will be of the very sophisticated nature, with new and more stimulating rides. This park will be aimed to be completed in two years time, and will open for the president's 50th birthday!

            Rinoa sighed, if she had still been there she could have interviewed him today and got the best story. Maybe then her boss would give her a pay rise.

            Instead she had spent the remains of the day in the funeral directors. Her eyes were tired from the long journey back to Galbadia and she fought to keep them open. Also the change in the time frames had meant that she had lost a day to her travelling.

            A knocking at the door drastically disturbed Rinoa's peace and she cursed.

            "Who the hell?"

            "Rinoa? You there? I saw a taxi outside not long ago. I know your there."

            Rinoa dragged herself up from her chair and answered the door. She was met with an angry looking blonde man on the other side. It was clear that Rinoa knew who it was, as her face didn't show any emotion.

            "Rinoa where the hell have you been? No note, no phone call!" Seifer screamed. Rinoa braced herself. She didn't need this right now not after all she'd been through over the past few days.

            "Well with all your other girlfriends, I didn't think you would mind too much about me leaving for a few days." Rinoa said wearily, she was tired and if Seifer pushed this she was in the right mood for an argument if he wanted one.

            "A few days? It's been almost two weeks!" Seifer said. Rinoa had to admit though, that he did have a point. "Where have you been?"

            "I've been to Esthar on a business trip." Rinoa answered. "I was asked to interview the president. It all happened so fast, I didn't have time to tell you."

            "Have you finished now? Is that it, are you home to stay now?" Seifer asked. Rinoa shook her head.

            "No I have to go back. I'm writing there and…" Rinoa explained. Seifer leaned further in from his post outside the door.

            "Rin, if I find that you cheated on me!" He said, looking straight into her eyes. Rinoa felt herself blush and step back from him.  

            "Cheating on you! Seifer if I cheated on you, why should you care? You never pay any attention to me anyway!" Rinoa said. Seifer moved away from her slightly.

            "I do pay attention." He said sulkily. Rinoa thought that he looked suddenly like a child that had been told not to play in the sand pit. Rinoa made a noise that sounded like 'ppft' and rolled her eyes.

            "I know you haven't been faithful to me while I've been away." Rinoa said. Seifer immediately put up a defence. "You think I wouldn't notice the blonde sat in your car?" Rinoa asked looking at out the side window and down at Seifer's car.

            "She's just a friend." Seifer said simply.

            "Yeah right." Rinoa said moving to shut the door. Seifer shot out his hand a pushed it open again.

            "Rinoa, I won't let you go." Seifer said, his eyes full of seriousness that made Rinoa worry.     

            "Well Seifer it's just too bad, because we are finished." Rinoa said closing the door on him. Seifer stood outside in shock.

            "Rinoa! Open up! Open this door." Seifer shouted as he pounded his fists onto the wood. Rinoa lay onto her bed and pulled a pillow over her head to drown him out. After what seemed like forever he left, and Rinoa was able to drift into a welcome sleep.

            The sound of the television woke her up at 7:30am the next morning. Rinoa rolled over to gaze at it across the room. Some female reporter was getting anxious on the screen; she kept fluffing up her red hair and looking around.

            Rinoa groaned, she must have left it on by mistake.  

"And here he is! Mr President, Sir, can I ask you how you felt the peace talks went?" The red haired woman asked.  Laguna looked a little flustered from his recent landing of the private helicopter flight. But despite that he seemed to be enjoying the attention.

            "Well miss…. err?"

            "Reporter Jane Reast." The woman replied flicking her hair once more. Rinoa scowled, she was totally flirting with him!

            "Well, Jane. It went a lot smoother than I thought it would. Yes I think the talks were a great success." Laguna said, smiling in his usual merry way.  The reporter giggled, and Rinoa felt herself turn red in anger. "It should be me on that screen broadcasting to Galbadia, not this hormone raging twit!" Rinoa grumbled.  

            "And are you pleased to be back?" The reporter asked. Rinoa rolled her eyes, who made up her questions? A dead person?

             "Yes, thank you." He replied. Well what else was he supposed to say? 'No I'm feeling like shit now that I'm back here?' Rinoa smiled. She was determined; her interview was going to be like no other.

            "Thank you sir." She said backing away from him and walking towards a separated crowd of onlookers. "And Mr Leonhart, are you happy with your fathers peace talks?" She asked smiling. Squall looked at her with the same contempt that he showed to everyone.

            "Well, we're not at war are we?" Squall said in monotone. The reporter's smiled flickered, but she held it with determination.   

            "I heard that you were planning another party at the palace. Apparently this one is a fund raising event, is this correct?"

            "Yes fund raising, for the improvements on the buildings in the older parts of Esthar." Squall replied. The reporter looked intrigued. "But frankly I'd rather spend my money on keeping people away than inviting them to a party."

            The reporter looked confused, but managed a fake laugh. She gave a sideways glance to Squall who scowled.

            "Well this has been Reporter Jane Reast, reporting for Galbadian news international."

            Rinoa walked to the TV to see close up pictures of Zell climbing out of the helicopter with difficulty. Rinoa smiled as Ellone appeared after him. It suddenly occurred to her that she wasn't home at all. Everything here that was ever worth having was either in Esthar, or gone. He father was too busy for her, and now her Aunt was not longer here.

            Tears began to wind their way down her face as she saw Selphie and Irvine waving at the cameras in the background. Squall was looking surly, but Ellone managed to get a hug out of him at least.

            Squall embraced Laguna with more difficulty, but Zell grabbed him in spite protests, and almost lifted him off of the ground.

All this was happening without her, and all in the background of the red haired lady. Rinoa switched off the TV and started to make Breakfast.

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            "Squall! How've you been?" Zell asked as he let go. Squall straightened himself out before answering.

            "Just fine." He answered. Zell smiled before walking over to Selphie. "Hi I'm Zell." He said holding out his hand. Selphie smiled and reached out, but he tripped on his laces and fell on his face.

            "Heey! That was funny, do it again!" Selphie said as he pulled himself up. Squall fought against a smile. He was doing an 'I am in a bad mood, give me attention' act today.

            "Where is Rinoa?" Laguna asked. Squall looked away for a moment. But before he could answer Selphie butted in.

            "They had an argument, and then Rin's Aunt died and she went home." Selphie said as if it happened everyday. Irvine hit her in the arm. "Ouch! Irvy…?"

            "You had an argument?" Laguna asked suspiciously. Squall just stared. "And she left?" Squall still didn't reply. "Squall you know how important she was to me! I've read her writing; she is the best. She needs to write my book. Get her back." Laguna ordered.      

"W…what?" Squall asked stuttering over his words.

"Get her back. That is an order." Laguna said, using his last words carefully. He didn't like to give orders to Squall, but sometimes it was necessary. Squall scowled, then turned on his heels and stomped off to his car. Ellone hurried after him, along with Selphie and Irvine.

"I knew we couldn't trust you with her." Ellone said a smile on her lips in a typical big sister way. "Oh! You were camping?" He asked off topic once she saw Squall's car.

"Yup!" Irvine said, glad to get a word in finally. Squall looked at them all, it was clear he wasn't happy. 

"I'm going home. If you want to come you can, or just hang around here and get your photo on tomorrows papers." He said, before jumping into his car. Selphie and Irvine climbed into the back.

"We'll go with you." Selphie said speaking for both of them.

"Fine." Squall said spitefully. Ellone smiled.

"Well I'm going to get my photo taken," She said sarcastically. "Hope they get my good side!"  Squall rolled his eyes before driving off.

The next half hour was spent in silence. Selphie was sure that if Squall were in a fit state to talk, all that would come out of his mouth would be curses.

"So…um, you going to go get Rinoa back?" Selphie asked nervously, watching his reflection in the widow. He looked like he had calmed down now. Well, calm enough to stop growling at everyone in the cars in front of him.  

"No, she'll come back to me." He replied. Selphie looked at Irvine, who shrugged.

"How do you know?" Selphie asked puzzled.

"Because she never got her interview."     

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            "Rinoa! What the hell are you doing back?" Was the greeting she received as she stepped back into her office.

            "I'm sorry Sir, I've had a bit of trouble. Some family issues, but it's all sorted now." Rinoa said to the fuming man in front of her.

            "But you are going back soon I take it?" He asked. Rinoa regretfully shook her head; she could tell that he was doing his best to remain calm.

            "I'm sorry, but I can't." Rinoa said, looking down at the floor to avoid his angry eyes.

            "Why the hell not?" He shouted. The office around him suddenly became very quiet as everyone became interested in Rinoa and her embarrassing moment.

            "Well err…um. I just can't." Rinoa stuttered. A woman scuttled past them with files and jumped when Rinoa's boss reached out to snatch one from her.

            "See this?" He asked thumbing though the pages in the file. Rinoa nodded worried. "This is work. This is work from someone who is about to be promoted." He said pulling out the pages and holding it to Rinoa's face. Rinoa swallowed nervously. "Now this…" He said holding up the now empty file. "Is work from someone who is about to be fired. Do you know whose work this resembles?" He asked.

            "Err…mine?" Rinoa said quietly.  

            "Bingo!" He said, a insane smile on his face. "And Miss Heartilly, if you don't go back and get the interviews you will be fired. Do I make myself clear?"

            "Yes Sir. Very clear." Rinoa said miserably.

            "And am I right in saying that you will be returning?" He asked smiling. Rinoa nodded but kept her eyes on the floor.

            "Yes Sir, I'll leave as soon as I can." Rinoa answered. Her boss smiled.

            "Good. Well get going!" He said pushing her out of the door. Rinoa smiled weakly and left.

            "Stupid boss." She mumbled, as she walked back to her car. "Can't believe I have to go back! Well that's it, if he wants and interview he's gonna get one like no other. I promise him that!"      

        

A/N: Well here you go, if you still want to add questions for Rinoa to ask please do so. They can be as silly or flirtatious as you want, so go nuts!

Thankyou to: blah, RPG Hui, Grasshopper, Another Rinoa with Wings (who really made me laugh!), FFgal, Angelprinczess29, Lionhart, The Angel of the Lion, miss wings, Charlie Girl, Griever Lionhart, Cute Mooglez, Angelwingedprincess, Steel magnolia, Mariko (It doesn't get much better in this chapter that's for sure!), Lady Yevon, Sammy-Chan.