The dingy room slightly brightened in the morning sunlight, giving their faces a soft angelic glow. For a long time they could only gaze into each other's eyes. Then, slowly, he bent his head towards hers and gingerly brushed his lips against her soft ones. The kiss grew bolder; he opened his mouth opened against hers and she followed suit, looping her arms around his neck. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. He carried her to his bed and kneeled before her, his aqua eyes never leaving hers.

He tenderly began to unlace her boots and then carefully removed them as he kissed her knees, his lips traveling upward. Then he languidly extracted her stockings one by one as his hands traveled up her smooth legs. Then Quistis reached down and slipped her hands beneath his blank white shirt and brought it up over his shoulders, revealing his lithe, muscular arms, his broad shoulders and chest and strong, lean abdomen. Their gaze was never broken.

He kissed her with deliberate lethargy. He took his time. He kissed all of her indulging in her sweet essence, savoring every moment he could with her.

Quistis…

Her name was like honey upon his lips. He gazed down at her bare form within his own bare muscular arms. She was divine, a goddess in his eyes. He felt her long soft fingers run through his hair and he closed his eyes at the touch. She brushed his long blonde bangs from his eyes and gently smiled up at him. He bent his head down toward hers and commenced to kiss her again with a passion.

"My sweet Quistis. I love you so much. I'll never let you go again. Never…" he breathed between kisses.

"Seifer…There will never be a reason." She kissed him back and dug her nails into the flesh of his back, gasping as he entered her. It was beautiful. It was almost completely silent, but the feeling was extraordinary. Their quick, soft breaths filled the room. The only other sound was an almost inaudible moan from Quistis at the climax.

***

His heart beat wildly with fear and apprehension. If only he could have taken it all back. If only he had known what he was doing. Did he know what he was doing? All he could remember was the shock after the shots were heard. He shook his head and squeezed his eyes tight as if to shut out the reality of it all. He nervously ran his gloved fingers through his long chocolate hair, trying to come up with the words. What could he possibly tell them that could justify his insane, psychotic episode? He breathed in deep and glanced down the street to see Irvine, Selphie and, of course, his Rinoa.

Here they come. Here she comes…

…My love, my angel…

Now she'll finally know the monster that I really am…

You're a monster, Squall…

You don't deserve the angel.

Rinoa…

***

Rinoa gasped airily, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. Her dark hair fluttered over her face against the sudden soft, but freezing zephyr.

Selphie looked up, her emerald eyes widened in alarm at the sight of him. She subconsciously looped her arm around Irvine's. He too looked up and sucked in his breath, habitually touching the brim of his hat, looking anywhere else but at him.

About 30 feet ahead, she saw him. He remained seated upon the cracked, cement sidewalk, his back against the building; his head hung in his hands, completely still. A few tufts of fur from his fur-collared jacket shifted in the light breeze, light but frosty breeze. Several wayward strands of hair brushed his blank face. He blinked.

Rinoa breathed in deep. She tucked her short dark hair behind her ears out of nervous habit and began to walk towards him. The light clicks of her boots and the almost inaudible tinkle of her necklace resounded through the still empty streets. Slowly she crouched down in front of him. His head remained bent, his hair hanging over his face. Slowly, she lifted a hand and tried to brush back his long bangs.

Suddenly he looked up sharply, his blank eyes piercing her own. Rinoa was taken aback.

"Squall…?" she whispered nervously.

He only stared blankly at her.

"Squall?" she repeated louder.

His only response was a blink. Selphie and Irvine fidgeted tensely behind her.

"Is he, uh… ok?" Selphie softly asked Rinoa. Rinoa looked back at her, her hair lightly swirling about her face now. The slight, cold breeze now became a strong, frigid wind.

"I don't know…" she meekly answered. She sighed. "Squall. Can you hear me?"

He blinked. His face remained placid. She bit her lip worriedly.

"Squall! Honey, answer me!" she cried softly. "God, what's the matter with you!?" Rinoa took his head in both her hands and forced him to face her. "ANSWER ME GODDAMN YOU!!!" she screamed, roughly shaking him by the shoulders. His head lulled back and loudly hit the building with a thud.

"Oh my god!" she breathed. She saw him grimace in pain. His brows furrowed and his eyes shut tightly as he hissed in pain. His hand lifted up to clutch the back of his throbbing head. Then he opened his eyes widely, gasping loudly. His scared deep blue eyes looked like that of a child. He sharply looked around seeming horrified. Rinoa, Selphie and Irvine all stared back at him in shock and confusion.

Finally he spoke: Where the hell am I!? And who the hell are all you people!?"

***

He gently smiled down at her sleeping form. He caressed her matted hair back from her face. She shifted slightly under the blanket they shared. He could only think of her beauty. It was she who brought light into his life. It was she alone who brought life upon him. It was she alone who had made him whole…

Shoot, son, I should probably write this crap down, Seifer mused leaning back against the pillow, his arm under his head. Quistis opened her eyes sluggishly and stretched slightly, realizing Seifer's arm around her.

"Hi." She looked up at him.

"Hey." He responded.

"What time is it?"

"I dunno around seven thirty or so."

"Really?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh what does it matter? I'm with you."

"What does what matter, Quisty?"

"Time."

"Time?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh Quisty, time is all we have. I don't know what's gonna happen after this. I don't know what's gonna happen to you to me, to us. I don't know. All I know is here and now. And right now I have you in my arms and I won't let you go without a fight."

"Seifer, you know they're coming for me. You know they won't stop until you're dead. I won't let them touch you Seifer."

She looked up at him with utter determination. Seifer's looked at her intently and then suddenly bent his head down and kissed her. It was a promise kiss. They silently agreed that by the bonds of their love, they would fight to the death for each other.

"I love you Quistis. No one can ever change that."

"No one ever will."