*Author's Notes* (I know you love them)

*-* According to my calculations it has been over a MONTH since my last update and for that I am sooooo sorry! Not only was my account taken away at school, where I do the majority of my fanfiction work, but my own, dear, sweet, beautiful, flat-panel screen, infinite memory, high-speed internet, personal computer which resides in my room was taken away for a month due to my (or lack of my) grades. I didn't do THAT badly. I didn't even fail anything! But, of course, my parents' view of a failure is about 20% higher than that of the government. Enough ranting Mayonaka *takes deep breath* you've gotta write! For the sake of the readers! I still haven't gotten my computer back by the way (urg!) but I did manage to break into my old account briefly and copy what I had of my story on a disk. Don't ask how I did this. If anyone knew I could pretty much kiss that stuck-up, all-girls, private school goodbye. Not that I'd mind leaving but then I'd NEVER get my computer back for sure. Let's just say it involved a teacher's office and a decoy...hehehe. I just REALLY didn't want to re-write an entire chapter. This took sooo long. So I'm now on my friend Katie's account to finish up and post the new chapter. I would like to thank Katie…Actually I'd like to shower her in riches for all she's done for me in order to get this chapter out. I LOVE YOU MAN!! NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU PRANK REVIEW ME AS PRINCE WILLIAM!! ……………...That is all. Later!*-*

~*Chapter 9*~

Escape

*If you feel like leaving, I'm not gonna beg you to stay. But soon you'll be finding.

You can run you can hide but you can't escape my love*

-Enrique Iglesias

*Somebody PLEASE shoot me* Rinoa thought as she drained her glass of champagne in one gulp and desperately tried to maintain polite interest in the scientific ramblings of the man sitting next to her. He, along with Laguna, was one of the 6 strangers who joined the hero SeeDs on the stage for recognition of their accomplishments after the ceremony for those who defeated Ultimecia was over. The President was being re-honored for his past heroic deeds over the sorceress Adel along with three men who fought in some battle over some monster and two scientists. One of which, who sat next to Rinoa, was sadly amused by sharing his infinite knowledge of primal nature uncensored.

"Did you know that the actual length of intercourse of an Ochu is approximately 10 hours?" He exclaimed smartly with a strong western accent. He flaunted his sexual discoveries proudly, almost as if he had found a cure to cancer. In the last five minutes he had managed to completely ruin her concept of Centra fiends considering she now knew the excruciating details of their mating habits. What a fun date he must be.

The echoing reverberation of a bell, signaled those who were loitering to take their seats. Those who were being honored in tonight's ceremony (well those who bothered to show up that is…) pulled themselves out of their conversations with others seated on the floor and searched from their name cards along the long table that ran the length of the stage horizontal to the audience which was packed with SeeDs, politicians, upper-class business men and at least one representative from every form of media across the globe. In an attempt to escape boredom, Rinoa had begun counting the number of cameras and microphones dotted here and there in the massive crowd…at least 200 hundred she estimated. There must be an extreme lack of news in the world if this stupid gathering appeared on the front page.

Rinoa accidentally let loose an exasperated sigh as she rested her head on her hands, elbows leaning on the table, looking as bored and depressed as ever. The doctor, sadly, didn't take the hint of her not wanting to pursue the subject. "It is my theory" he continued while slipping an arm over the back of her chair in a failed attempt at being discreet "that that explains why the species is so relaxed! Wouldn't you agree?"

She shrugged indifferently and anxiously scanned the room for one of the waiters carrying trays loaded with precious alcohol. If she was forced to stay at this stupid dinner she would be in definite need of a lot of booze. Especially while sitting next to Dr. Horny, who had to be at least 60 judging from the gray hairs and wrinkled hands.

*Hyne Help me* she thought as she felt his thumb slowly begin to trace circles on her bare shoulder. *30 more seconds of this and I will no longer be held accountable for my actions. *

The ceremony and dinner was scheduled to last at least 2 hours before the adults dispersed and the students were allowed to move onto the 'real' party. But the way things were going, Rinoa didn't think it would take 5 minutes until she lost it and simply RAN for the exit shamelessly.

Glancing at her wrist, Rinoa sighed again as she realized that she wasn't wearing a watch. There was absolutely no point in staying…she was only there as part of the team who had to support their leader as he accepted awards and praise. And seeing that 'he' wasn't even here…well, this whole thing was a bust. The majority of the hundreds of people seated right in front of her were only there to see HIM. At least she wasn't the only one who would be inconvenienced by his absence. The press would definitely harass Cid and the other garden masters once they realized the Commander wasn't coming. Poor headmaster…all because of that idiot. The idiot that she loved

*Just leave* she mentally coaxed herself, staring longingly towards the entrance to the ballroom which was blocked from view by the many students pilling into the dining area, desperately trying to find seats among the few tables reserved for the youngsters in the back.

*So many people…just to see Squall…he let a lot of people down tonight. They're all going to be so disappointed.*

With a bit of a scowl, Rinoa glanced at the 3 empty seats along her table. Quistis hadn't bothered to come back either. Was she already winning their bet at this very moment? She REALLY didn't want to think about that at.

The bet had been nothing more than a case of temporary insanity mixed with an unhealthy amount of jealousy and rage. After not even 2 seconds of serious thinking, she had decided not to pursue it. It was immature. It was completely insane. And Selphie was right…she had absolutely NO chance of winning. Elite SeeD or not, Squall wouldn't breathe if he thought it would disappoint Garden. That's just how he functioned…and she was still going to leave. The plans were already finalized.

Even if she did somehow lure Squall into making love, she wouldn't want it to be because of a bet. It meant more than just proving Quistis wrong. It was a joining of two bodies into one. Their souls intertwining and their hearts melting into one another. It was serious…it was special. And she had already made the mistake of letting herself get pressured into sex. Quistis was, sure as hell, not going to be the next person to push her into it. Let her have Squall…one bastard deserves another.

"Are you okay?" asked a voice from beside her.

Rinoa whirled around to be faced with a familiar pair of friendly green eyes. Laguna had somehow managed to switch places with the horny doctor during her staring into space and was now seated comfortably in the chair next to her, a concerned frown on his face. She should have realized the change. No one had tried to touch her thigh in at least two minutes.

"I'm fine," she said in what she hoped was a composed voice "just a little disappointed that your son didn't find the time to grace us with his presence." It was impossible to keep a the hint of scorn in her voice no matter how hard she tried.

But, as he always does, Laguna seemed to understand and nodded with an encouraging smile. "I know how you feel." he stated with a sigh, while gazing at the star studded skylight. "I've been both dreading and anticipating this night for months. I realize he doesn't think too highly of me but you'd think he'd at least show up! I mean, sometimes he's a real…"

"Coward." Rinoa finished for him, realizing how familiar his story was.

Laguna faced her slowly, as if noticing the raven-haired beauty for the first time. "Exactly!" he exclaimed, giggling slightly at the irony of a cowardly lion. Such a contrast in terms shouldn't be allowed, especially when referring to Squall. It seemed that only Rinoa had the guts to voice her true opinion of him. To publicize the true Squall Leonhart not as commander of SeeD, top of his class, a youngster frightfully talented in battle or even as the hero who saved the world. She saw him as not only a human being, but also one who possessed more than a few faults. And it was her ability to tell the truth that fascinated the president. Perhaps, he could use her insightful knowledge to his advantage in helping him comprehend the tangled web of emotions that was his offspring. It could be a good thing that the TRUE Leonhart wasn't as cold-hearted and stuck-up as some of the magazines described him in their interviews. But did that mean in reality he was even worse?

"You believe that Squall is overrated?" He asked, not knowing whether to be relieved or frustrated that all the research he had done on Squall in an attempt to have an idea of his background and personality had been no more that publicity lies.

Rinoa shrugged and took another casual sip of champagne, trying to convince herself not to feel to bad about talking behind Squall's back to his father of all people, which she knew for a fact he'd hate. It didn't take long, after reminding herself that he had wasted an entire year of her life, for her to decide that Laguna deserved to know how much of asshole he was. If only to warn him of course.

"Well Mr. President," she began with only a slight slur in her words (she never did have a good tolerance to alcohol) "Squall may be nicknamed 'The Lionheart' but when it comes to real-life matters he's a bigger chicken that a chocobo."

Laguna chuckled lightly and nodded his head, signaling her to continue as he made mental notes.

"Sure he can handle a gunblade like no other but in the long-run does that even matter!? I mean get a life for hyne's-sake! And his vocabulary…don't get me started on his vocabulary! You'd think the man rated the top of all his classes could form a sentence! Or at least something a tiny bit more colorful than 'Whatever'! The first time I met him I honestly thought he'd come from some foreign country and had only been introduced to that word thinking it meant 'hello' or something. Oh and his lack of any social acknowledgement. What is with his constant longing to be alone? I believe that, given the choice, Squall would have actually preferred to live in complete isolation as long as there were enough monsters around to keep him busy. He's violent. He's…"

"Rinoa…?"

"…annoyingly quiet. He's whipped by his superiors. He…"

"Rinoa…?"

"…can't take a joke. He wears the same thing every, single, stupid day. He.."

"RINOAAA!!!!!" The sorceress looked up from counting faults on her fingers and immediately blushed after realizing how stupid her ranting must of appeared to the president. He crinkled his brow in a confused stare and gingerly place his hand of her shoulder whispering "You're passionate about this aren't you?"

This only caused her to turn, if possible, a deeper shade of crimson. *Nice going Rinoa* she scolded herself, desperately trying to resist the reflex urge to hide under the table *Now he probably thinks you're a perfectionist freak who can't stand perfectly normal people for stupid reasons. Like that girl from magic class who refuses to sit next to me cause I supposedly emit 'vibes of the utmost ignorance regarding philanthropic nature'…I didn't have the heart to tell her that her statement makes no sense whatsoever. Besides, I don't emit 'vibes' of ANY kind…at least I don't think I do.*

Sensing an accumulation of awkward tension, one of the few things President Loire hated, Laguna let out a hearty laugh. His friendly green eyes sparkled in the twilight and Rinoa couldn't help but feel calmed but them.

"You know, if I didn't know any better," he managed to murmur in between huge gulps of air "I'd say you were in love with Squall?"

"WHAT!" she immediately protested, her eyes wide with embarrassment. Though what he was accusing her of was perfectly true, she wasn't going to admit it anytime soon. Especially to his father of all people. "That's…that's crazy Mr. President."

"Laguna."

"Whatever. Sure he's incredibly good looking and sweet at times and even romantic in private but what kinda of girl would ever even consider lov…you know what? I'm going to shut up now." And with that she chugged the remainder of glass and quickly stole a fresh one from one of the warriors sitting next to her. The man stared at her oddly for a few moments before shrugging in defeat and continuing his conversation.

Laguna simply laughed again, clearly amused with the scene of Rinoa's discomfort. "It's all right. You're secrets safe with me. Just be warned. I hear this girlfriends of his, Quistis, can be a real…" he paused and scanned his surroundings before leaning forward and whispering in her ear "B-I-T-C-H."

*You have no idea*

"RINOA!" came a sudden, high-pitched, gasping voice from behind them. Laguna and Rinoa quickly turned to face a clearly hyperventilating Selphie. She strode (more like staggered) up to them, slowly sinking to her knees once reaching the pair and grasping Rinoa's hands desperately (not to mention painfully) in her own, wringing and twisting them nervously. "Squall wouldn't have happen to magically appeared now has he?"

"No" The sorceress tried not to scowl or wince as she shook her head and desperately tried to pry her hands from Selphie's vice-like grip. "Why do you ask?"

"BECAUSE I CAN'T DO A SPEECH!" she yelled loudly, causing a few heads to turn as she threw her hands in the air. "Cid is absolutely CRAZY for even suggesting that I do so. A speech requires…notes! I need notes! A speech requires more than 5 minutes notice. It needs…It needs…I…I need a drink."

Rinoa gladly surrendered her un-touched glass of champagne to her friend who gulped it down greedily. With a refreshed smack of her lips, Selphie was just about to run off when she bumped right into none other that the headmaster himself, checking of course that his backup speaker didn't disappear as well like she was prone to do. He was a smart man Cid.

"Ah! Selphie!" he exclaimed happily, flinging his arm over her shoulder as if too restrain her from running for it. "You ready to go on?"

Selphie somehow managed a weak smile despite the intense feelings of fear brewing within her. "I think I'm…I'm pretty sure I'm…No I'm definitely gonna be sick." And with that, she wrestled herself from Cid's grasp, clamped a hand over her mouth and dashed into the technicians' booth, the only closed off area within reach since the bathrooms required plowing through the ever-growing audience. Not 5 seconds after she entered did the three technicians rush out of their haven, disgusted expressions on their faces.

"Oh dear…" murmured Cid as he, once again, removed his glasses from the bridge of his nose and began wiping them furiously of his vest though they were already spotless. Nervous habit, Rinoa guessed. Coming to the conclusion that Selphie would most likely NOT be returning any time soon, Cid quickly scanned the table for a new victim. "Where's Quistis?" he asked assertively, furious with the possibility that not two but THREE of his best SeeDs didn't show up to a ceremony in their honor. Laguna, Rinoa and Irvine shrugged, all three of them had their own theories on the instructors whereabouts, all of which were not fit for the headmaster's ears. "Irvine," he began, turning toward the cowboy seated 3 places down the table "could you possibly…"

"No way man." He interrupted instantly, not even flinching at the desperate tone in his superior's voice. "It's bad enough sitting in front of this audience but speaking on a moments notice? Way out of my league."

"But you a SeeD!" Cid protested firmly, moving a few steps closer. "Surely you can at least try to…"

"I'm a sniper Sir. Look it up. I doubt you'll find anything remotely close to 'entertainer' in that definition."

Cid let loose a defeated sigh as he, yet again, thoroughly searched for someone...ANYONE who would give an appropriate opening speech. Rinoa tried not to take it personally when his gaze finally did rest upon her a full two minutes later. Strangely, he had avoided looking at her directly the entire night. "I would have preferred a SeeD" the headmaster began, keeping his eyes glued to the floor as he spoke. "but you're still a member of the team. Can you do it?"

Rinoa wanted nothing more than to say no. This was the man that held the leash of her love. He was the one who was, for some reason, ordering them apart. Why? What did he have against her? Why couldn't he have just left them alone? And now he needed her help. Mere hours before she was leaving and a perfect opportunity for revenge had already presented itself. But, of course, Rinoa couldn't bear to let him down.

So, with a last reassuring squeeze on the shoulder from Laguna, Rinoa rose from her seat and followed a relieved Cid to the podium. "Thank you." He whispered to her while tapping the mike to catch the attention of the audience. "You'll make a fine SeeD someday." There was a hint of sadness in his voice as he said this, but before she had time to analyze his reaction, she was being announced.

"*Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen*' Cid's voice boomed over the Quad, bringing the remaining chatters to a sudden halt. " Welcome to the first annual SeeD ball celebrating this organization's finest hour. When six our young students risked their lives by venturing into a Time Compressed future then challenging and defeating the threat of Sorceress Ultimecia once and for all. To think that at this time, a little more than a year ago, these now famous heroes were little more than simple students pressing hard to pass their exams. If you had told me the day Squall, Zell and Selphie became SeeDs that they would save the world…I would have surely laughed. Zell Dincht seemed to care more about hot dogs than his own mother. I was sure that Selphie Tilmitt was using some sort of illegal substance and Squall…well Squall he…" Cid paused as if striving to search for the words to describe him. "Squall Leonhart was destined for SeeD. A born leader. But what caused me to doubt his ability was his lack of the passion, the flare that one needs to become a true hero. Luckily, our next speaker had more than enough for the both of them. Please welcome Ms. Rinoa Heartilly."

A polite applause followed as Rinoa replaced Cid at the podium, avoiding her eyes the entire time. At least now she had some idea of what to talk about. The party members of course. Personal stuff that the magazines haven't heard before. Just go on and go about how challenging it was…blah blah…how it changed my life…blah blah blah…I wouldn't changed the experience for the world…the end.

That seemed easy enough. Of course, not a second after Rinoa's name had been called did a murmur begin to rise.

"Wasn't it supposed to be…"

"I was sure that the program stated that…"

"I can't see him. Maybe he's late saving the world again…"

"I wonder where he could possibly be…"

To sum things up, the question on everyone's mind at that moment was simply; Where the hell is Squall Leonhart?

Who cared about Rinoa Heartilly? She wasn't the leader, she isn't the star, she isn't even SeeD. It was a poor substitute.

She tried to ignore them as she fumbled stupidly with the mike, trying to wrestle it down to her level since Cid was relatively taller. The moment her eyes traveled back to the audience, not one or two, but at least 40 hands were held high in the air. Dotted here and there among the crowd, people waved frantically for her attention and, judging by the sound of Cid clearing his throat loudly, she had to comply.

Pointing at the nearest person in the audience, Rinoa braced herself for insult.

"Marla Williams; Timber maniacs." The woman introduced herself, holding a small tape recorder in her left hand and a champagne glass in the other. "Excuse me Ms. Heartilly but wasn't Squall Leonhart supposed to give the opening address tonight?"

*People are so dense* Rinoa thought, as she bit her tongue to escape insulting the woman for her complete idiocy. Luckily, it was Cid who stepped in, pulling the mike toward him. "Umm…Mr. Leonhart was unable to make it due to personal reasons." He said promptly, as if this answered all their questions. The audience groaned simultaneously, but Cid simply smiled and pushed the mike back toward Rinoa who was about to begin her speech again when another voice rang through the Quad.

"Kale Lymrickk; Esthar Times" bellowed a large man in a tight gray robe/suit. "Mr. Kramer, do you mind telling us, the press, what was possibly so important that Mr. Leonhart could not attend a ceremony in his own honor?"

Again, Cid's feet were heard shuffling to the podium and the mike was yet again pulled from her face. "Well, as I said before, personal reasons which must therefore remain 'personal'. Now if there would be no more interruptions, I would like to move onto the opening address sometime tonight."

The mike was pushed back to her, and Cid (again) took his place at the table. It seemed Cid's last statement worked. No one else had their hands up in the entire audience. Finally she could begin.

She cleared her throat.

Took a sip of water…and

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Tonight I have been given the honor of…"

"Mr. Kramer?"

*god damn it*

As Cid rushed up to the podium to answer yet another inquiry about Squall's whereabouts, Rinoa returned to her seat, deciding that her presence was very much pointless. It was only out of politeness that she bothered staying, but enough was enough. Why be forced to endure this crap any longer.

"Good evening Laguna." Rinoa said while hastily gathering the hem of her dress, ignoring the odd stares she was receiving from several people in the audience. "It's been fun." Taking one last swig of champagne, Rinoa began to hastily walk toward the end of the stage where a small, 5-step staircase brought her back to the floor. Back with the 'common people' where everybody thought she belonged. She only got to the second step before she suddenly paused…something was moving in the otherwise still audience. Someone actually. A figure, desperately trying to make its way to the stage through the throng of tables, students and politicians that blocked his path. Murmurs followed his every move.

He aggressively pushed and shoved anyone who was unlucky enough to be in his way, oblivious to the uproar he was creating. What really got everyone's attention was when he threw the president of Dollet into a passing waiter, both of them colliding vigorously followed by the crash of broken glass and several important politicians yelping as they were showered in chilled alcohol. Not that he noticed. He kept his eyes on his one goal…Rinoa.

His angel, frozen in mid-step on the stage. Words could not describe that swell of emotions that built up inside him the moment he saw her face. She was beautiful. She was radiant. And she was to be his for all eternity, and he hers.

By the time Squall reached her, everything had gone still and all eyes were on the 'insane' Commander. The apprehension grew as they stared at each other. Some positioned themselves within shooting range in case Squall made an attempt on her life, for his strides proved his severe anger. They must have been shocked, to say the least, when he yanked the stunned sorceress into his arms…and kissed her.

Not the timid balcony kiss. This one was the passionate ' I want you here and now' kiss that she had been daydreaming about for quite some time now.

At first, she was shocked, caught totally unaware.

Then, she was angry, that he only showed up now!

And, last but not least, she surrendered to him. Her hands, at first clenched and prepared to strike, had somehow found their way around his neck and everything and everyone dissolved into a blissful white blur.

Now this was heaven.

~*~

At the podium, Cid's knuckles turned white as he gripped the microphone so hard he feared it would soon break.

HOW DARE HE!

He had told Squall not to see her. He had been warned of his dismissal if anything even remotely relative to this scene ever occurred! Had all that training been for nothing? What a horrible example was his commanding officer making by deliberately disobeying him in font of not only all of Garden but the media as well.

This can't be happening.

This will ruin everything.

Edea is waiting for Rinoa in Centra.

And she WILL go to Centra.

Tonight.

No matter what.

*(Author's Notes)* Good?….bad?….so-so?…review and tell me. Just for the record; I know it's horrible. But you try writing a serious chapter at 3 o'clock in morning at your friend's house while they blast music and party. Not easy I tell you.

*Thanks, by way to;*

Katie; (who made it possibly to post this chapter minus my own computer)

Green-pixie-stick-fearie51; you rule. Hehe. I'm glad someone thought it was a good idea to make Quistis a slut.

Dark Raion; You're prolly not gonna read this since you are way too busy with your own fics to read mine but all the same; I love you man!

Purple Rose; Always on my favorite list of people. Hope you come up with another, long final fantasy fic soon. Looking forward to it.

Vick330; Thanks for the MANY reviews and the email of ideas. I love them as you know and plan to incorporate them in my next chapter.

Computer-geekz; another great writer which I am honored to have read my lame story.

Optical Goddess; You're just cool and you know it. Hehe. Hope you start writing again soon.

TO ALL MY REVIEWS EVER!!…and my coffee. Coffee had a big part in this whether you believe it or not.