Disclaimer: I want to own ff8. I don't at the moment, but all I need from you are lots of reviews, a banana and a small toothpick and I can put my plan for final fantasy domination into action. MWA HAHAHAHAHA!

~*Chapter 9*~

The blond surveyed the room coolly, green eyes flicking from face to face. People grew nervous under that gaze, the previously rowdy pub was now reduced to whispered accusations and pointed stares. A tap on the shoulder disturbed the flaxen haired observer and the figure spun to meet the gaze of the one that had intruded on the lone soul's contemplation. Jade eyes met russet brown, which lowered in submission. The formers cool exterior never waned,

"You better have some good news for me." Green eyes regarded the dark skinned man stonily.

"They're in Winhill, about to leave for Deling. Rinoa's trying to sort things with her father, ya know?"

The green eyed one turned to the petite, ashen haired women to his left, scratching a scar that ran from forehead to nose absentmindedly.

"Is this true?" He growled

"AFFIRMATIVE." She barked.

Seifer smiled, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to have such an expression grace his face. His grey-white trenchcoat swirled about him as he turned abruptly, leaving the quiet public house.

"Rent us chocobo's. If we leave now, we should be at Caraway's by noon tomorrow." He shouted his orders at the two members of his posse and they immediately scrambled to carry them out.

"I can't let an opportunity like this go to waste…" The smirk spread across his face, "I'm especially looking forward to seeing you again puberty boy."

~*~*~

"Zell, Zell we can't! What if someone sees us?" The slender blond sighed at Zell's exuberance in trying to take her somewhere secret, where prying eyes could not follow their actions.

"Ah relax Quisty! No one knows where we are, and even if they did who cares? We're big boys and girls now! Ah shit! It's rusted shut. Give me a sec would ya? I'm gonna give it a little smack."

Quistis worriedly studied the form of her boyfriend trying to break a bolt on the door of the "secret area" in Balamb. She relaxed a little when she realised he was right, most of the students were in classes right now, Squall and Rinoa were still in Winhill, waiting for the rest of the gang to pick them up, and Irvine and Selphie were readying the Ragnarok for that very task.

The chances of them being caught were slim to none she reasoned with a contented sigh, though it wouldn't do if a student were to catch an Instructor sneaking off to make out with her boyfriend. She smiled at the thought. These stolen moments in Zell's increasingly inventive hiding spots were becoming less frequent as more demands were made on her time due to her status. She sighed as a resounding thud reverberated around the training centre. A slightly dirty Zell poked his head round the corner and smiled at her endearingly.

"Shall we my love?" He grinned

She nodded in acquiescence, reaching to his face to rub a smudge of dirt from his cheek. He grabbed her wrist and she yelped in surprise as he pulled her roughly inside.

"What are you doing Zell Dincht?" Quistis hissed

He pressed his mouth to hers and she felt a warmth flood her veins. His gloved hands caressed her skin, cradling her face tenderly at one moment; squeezing and grabbing her curves the next. Anyone who thought they knew the quiet Instructor would have thought she would be appalled at such manhandling. She wasn't. In fact, she loved it and he knew it. It made her feel alive, like a woman, not just an Instructor or a world hero. It made her feel loved and wanted, the two things she had been searching for all her life. The two of them had spent many an hour musing that what they had been looking for had been right under their noses the whole time.

A shiver of excitement ran down her spine and she breathed in deeply, savouring the smell and touch of the gloves. The leather only added to her titillation. She had become a little more daring, a little less concerned about what others thought of her and her actions since she had starting seeing Zell. She had found she could be quite mischievous when he was around to spur her on and she adored it. He had given her that much needed injection of confidence. In return, she had taught him compassion. He no longer forgot birthdays; he bought her sweet little trinkets, "'Cause I thought you'd like it". Invariably she didn't because they were slightly…tacky, but she treasured them because they were from him and because he had taken the time and effort to think of her. Small changes, but ones that were appreciated and noticed. His mother was constantly amazed at these small quirks appearing in her son and never failed to thank Quistis profusely at the Sunday dinner she insisted Zell bring her to without fail.

He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, blue mirroring blue and bit his lip expectantly. She just giggled and traced the line of his tattoo with a finger. He caught the hand and kept it pressed against his cheek, savouring her soft touch.

"Zell, we shouldn't be doing this. You can't keep encouraging me to cut class, Xu will go ballistic when she finds out that her advanced GF tutorial was left to its own devices again."

"Quisty? Shut up. Let someone else do the worrying for a change. You do too much, you deserve some time off, and I deserve some time with you. And you're not my Instructor anymore, you can't tell me what to do." He chastised her gently.

"Ok, ok. I'm sorry! You're right. But you know, we should get going. Irvine and Selphie should be about ready by now."

He shook his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. She raised an eyebrow. As used as she was to his unpredictable nature, she didn't see the possibility of him pouncing on her and pinning her against the wall. She was breathing heavily; wondering what he was going to do next. He looked up into her eyes and she saw her own lust reflected in them. He was holding her wrists, tightly enough for it to be a struggle to break free, but not enough to hurt her, just the way she liked. She nodded her head very slightly and saw the grin spread on his face.

Still holding her captive, he began working the tender skin on her neck, kissing and nibbling alternately, making her squirm in delight at the bittersweet pain. The cool touch of leather snaked its way around her waist, popping the fasteners expertly on her trousers, tugging at them impatiently. The other hand pulled up the peach top, seeking out her breast. She moaned in ecstasy as his mouth closed hungrily around her nipple, kneading the soft flesh with his incessant tongue. Both hands now free, she fumbled with his shorts, releasing him quickly. It was raw, passionate and just what they needed. They found solace and comfort in each others arms and thanked Hyne they did not have to be alone anymore, that love had been bestowed upon them.