Disclaimer: Squaresoft and FF8=good and I have nothing to do with them. I just have no friends as I play their games all day long and I am starting to smell. Damn you for making such addictive games! J
~*Chapter 2*~
Irvine sauntered down the 2nd floor hallway, tipping his hat as always at the pretty girls that were present. A small, auburn figure hit him with surprising force and left him on the ground in acute pain. He looked up to see his pretty girlfriend smiling broadly at him, offering a hand to help him up.
"Jeez Sefie, it feels like a pack of behemoths have just charged me!"
"Ah Irvy, quit complainin'! You'd have seen me coming if you hadn't been paying them so much attention!" she said pointedly.
"Ouch. Okay, point taken. Sorry. What's the rush anyhow? Or could you just not wait to see me?"
"Easy cowboy, or I might have to deflate that ego for ya. Squall just contacted Cid. They're coming home!"
"Well, what are we waiting for? Lets get Quisty and Zell and fire up the Ragnarok!"
At that moment, the two petite blondes rounded the corner hand in hand. They wore the smile of a couple so content just to be together that they wanted to share it with the world. Quistis had calmed Zell down, Irvine noticed with a start. He was happy now to walk and whisper the words of lovers, rather than spar and shout and cause a scene. Even his insatiable appetite for the cafeteria hot-dogs had been quelled somewhat. Quistis too had grown and changed in response to Zell. She had come out of her shell, started letting her hair down, both literally and figuratively, Zell had murmured his appreciation of the golden tresses on many occasions, and he liked the tickles against his cheek when she leaned in to talk or to kiss. Nowadays, students were as likely to find the reinstated instructor at the bar in Balamb with her friends as in the library. The Trepies were not amused to say the least.
"Hi guys! What we firing up the Ragnarok for?"
"Are we going on a mission? More importantly, will there be hot-dogs?"
"Zell!" Quistis gave him a playful punch.
"Sweetie, those martial arts lessons I'm giving you aren't really having the desired effect, are they?" He grinned.
She pouted prettily and he kissed it away, leaving a smile in its place. Selphie watched with interest, playing absently with Irvine's hair. So comfortable were they with one another they were prone to unintentional displays of affection.
"Enough of that you two! I was just telling Irvy, Cid's finally heard from Squall and Rinoa. They're ready to come back to civilisation! We've been assigned to go pick them up from the orphanage."
"Thank Hyne. I was starting to worry they'd never come home."
"Quisty, you worry too much, and then you get these cute little lines right around here and…"
"Argh, Irvy! You try and drag those two to the ship, I'll get it warmed up"
Irvine saluted sharply and kissed the top of her head, "Aye aye cap'n! We'll be there in ten Sefie, don't worry."
"Thanks sweetie. You two, MOVE!"
With that she skipped off happily to the new docking bay added recently to Garden at FH to facilitate the use of the Ragnarok. They were left looking at the small retreating figure in wonderment. She never failed to surprise them.
~*~*~*~
"That's them! Look, look!" A very excited Selphie was waving maniacally, causing the ship to tilt perilously from side to side.
"Selphie! Stop! We're not going to see them if you kill us!" Irvine looked alarmed and slightly green.
"Sorry Irvy, I'll be more careful!" she giggled.
Rinoa looked wistfully at the approaching airship and wondered what was in store for her.
"What's the bet that a very excited Selphie is the one making the Ragnarok wobble like that?" Squall smiled.
Rinoa woke from her contemplation at the sound of his voice and giggled, "Ooh, I'd say you were onto a winner there, Mr. Leonhart. Double or quits that Irvine is scared stiff?"
She paused, only to turn to him and declare, "I love your smile. You should wear it more often. You have no idea how much it suits you."
"Well then, I'll make you a deal. I'll wear a smile more often, if you wear that dress more often. You know the one with the sexy split and the thing. Oh yeah, I love the thing…"
She laughed and he smiled again, "Right Ms. Heartilly, that's two dress appearances now that you owe me."
"Ok, ok! You can take me out to dinner tonight and I'll wear the dress then."
"Deal."
"Deal!"
Finally, the Ragnarok landed and the group of friends practically fell over themselves to reach the pair first.
"Squall! Rinoa!"
"Jeez, have we missed you guys!"
"It's about time man, Gardens falling to pieces without your strong, yet silent hand to guide it!"
"Rinoa, everyone's been missing you! How you both doing? Did you know you and Irvy are SeeD's now? Cid gave the go ahead, said Ultimecia was your field exam!"
They were all shocked into silence when Squall laughed and hugged them in turn. He pulled away from Irvine and looked confused. "What's up? Have I done something wrong?"
"No man, it's just you're so, well, you're so different."
"What?"
"Think about what you were like two months ago. Then contrast it with now."
He thought back. The group had just reached completion this time two months ago. Irvine had just joined them from Galbadia Garden and they had been on their way to assassinate Edea. Sure that's different, he thought, she's not possessed anymore. We know now Edea is Matron. We know now that we all grew up together, Irvy, Sefie, Quisty, Zell, Seifer, Sis and me. Rinoa and I, well, we definitely get along better now, he smirked.
Then it hit him. He had changed. And Rinoa was the one who had changed him without him even realising it. She had opened him up to the world, to his friends, to new possibilities and to her. Just through her love for him. He felt an overwhelming rush of love for her and was so grateful for what she had done for him. In the short time they'd spent together she had accomplished what no one else ever could. She had taught him to love and she had taught him to trust, in himself and in others. He hadn't thought it would ever be possible for him to feel this way again. But he did. She was so special, so precious. I have to tell her, he realised. She's got to know. He turned abruptly from Irvine, and he called,
"Hey man, I didn't mean to offend you. Not this quickly anyway…"
"I'm not offended Irv. I just need to talk to Rin." He called over his shoulder.
Irvine nudged Selphie. "They've had a whole frickin' month to talk and he waits till now?"
"Ssh Irvy, I think you made him realise what Rinny's done for him." She was unusually solemn, and he knew it was time to shut up.
Squall strode purposefully to where Rinoa stood talking to Quistis and turned her to face him. He held her by the shoulders and looked into the depths of her soul.
"Thank you. I never even realised. I love you so much Rin. You've done so much for me, you're so precious to me and I, I don't even know how to begin to thank you." He held her close as the tears sprang to everyone's eyes at this emotive speech from their normally taciturn leader.
"Oh, Squall. I love y…"
"Instructor Trepe? Instructor Trepe? Can you read me? Over." The com on the bridge of the Ragnarok broke everyone free of the moment. Quistis hastily wiped away the single tear and answered its pleas.
"This is Instructor Trepe Headmaster. I can hear you loud and clear."
"Did you find them? Are they safe?" The voice at the other end was frantic with worry.
"They're here and they're fine. They send their best regards and can't wait to be home."
"Excellent. But, there is a small matter I need Squall to attend to on the way back…" Squall prised the receiver gently from Quistis and spoke with what he hoped sounded like confidence.
"Headmaster, this is Squall. What "small matter"? As you know Sir, my duties to Rinoa must take precedence now as we discussed and…"
"Squall, it's not a duty! President Loire of Esthar has requested both your presence and that of your comrades tonight. If you can spare a few hours, will you all please make the effort? I believe it may have implications concerning the construction of Esthar Garden."
"There's a Garden being built at Esthar?"
"Yes. Quistis will fill you in on all the new Garden business. Good to hear of both your and Rinoa's imminent homecoming. I will await your speedy return. Hyne speed. Over and out."
The group was silent for a moment, allowing the headmasters words to permeate their brains.
"I can't believe we have to go and see that moron." Squall sulked.
"Sir Laguna's not a moron! He's just sooo sweet!"
"Whatever. Set a course for Esthar Airstation Selphie. Let's get this over and done with."
