Disclaimer: Did you see that? No? That was my hopes of owning ff8 flying out the window.

~*Chapter 14*~

Fear was unmistakable, tangible in that she could taste it, smell it. Her very being was infused with it, skin tingling and senses heightened, willing her stubborn feet to move, the frightened child that was her voice to surface from hiding. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, the rush of blood deafening her. Squall noticed he had to drag her as they approached the entrance hall of Garden and he stopped. A gloved finger pushed her chin up, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Rin?" She made no reply. She simply stood there, eyes glazed like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a truck. He took her by the shoulders and shook her gently, managing to shake her from her trance.

"Mmm?"

"S'up?"

The tick resurfaced, the floor beneath her boot becoming dirty as she scuffed her foot on the ground beneath it, head hung in shame. "Nothing."

"Liar." He smiled sympathetically. She looked up to see all her friends around her, willing her to cheer up. Ready to defend her. She brightened, they believed in her, why should anyone else here have a problem with her? Her voice became stronger, the words rang true.

"It's nothing! Let's go! I think I remember Zell promising me a famous Balamb hotdog…" Zell looked to Quistis for approval, she rolled her eyes and nodded slightly, smiling at his enthusiastic, puppy dog eyes.

"YEAH BABY! Come on Rin, I'll race ya, we have to be quick or they'll be none left. Don't get onions, it ruins them and the sauce is great and get at least four if you don't eat them I'll have them and…" The pair ran off, Zell still relaying instructions for the perfect hotdog, Rinoa lagging slightly as she was nearly doubled over at Zell's obsession.

"I'll see about our quarters then…" Squall called after the rapidly retreating figure, she turned and waved before hurrying after Zell again. The four who remained looked at each other in silence before bursting into laughter. Irvine wiped away a tear of mirth,

"Did you see the look on his face? I think he's a little too fond of those hotdog's!"

"Ah, leave him be Irvy! What were you like when we finally got you your Exeter? "Oh my Hyne, she's gorgeous! I could make love to you all night baby!"" Selphie chastised him, teasing gently. Irvine had the good grace to look slightly abashed.

"Well, she is gorgeous. She's only slightly less beautiful than you my love!" Irvine tried to defend himself and failed miserably.

Selphie grinned and started to pull the wayward cowboy away by his lapels, "Come on cowboy! We gotta go see Cid about our rooms and the little matter of arranging a wedding!"

"You're having the wedding here?" Quistis questioned.

"Yeah, well we thought it'd be kind of fitting. Y'know it was this place that brought us together and all our family is from here so…" Irvine tried to explain as best he could, as Selphie butted in, hyper as always.

"Besides, the Quad would be beautiful for the ceremony and the ballroom is just so cool! I don't think anywhere else would be big enough to accommodate all the SeeD's and guests we're planning to invite. Oooh! I meant to ask, will you and Rinny be my Maids of Honour? Will you ask Rinny, Squall?"

"Yeah, and would you and Zell be my best men? Quistis, you'll ask him if I don't see him right?" Irvine interjected.

"Sure Selphie! But, isn't there only meant to be one Maid of Honour?" Quistis was delighted, but as always her common sense prevailed.

"And one best man?" Squall was also happy to be asked, but concerned.

"Well, yeah but you're all so important, we couldn't separate you!" Selphie explained, a soft smile painted on her lips.

"Well, we'd all be honoured!" Quistis looked to Squall for consent; he nodded and smiled at her.

"Well then it's settled, come on my little cowgirl, we got us a wedding to organise!" Selphie giggled and jumped on for a piggy back, deftly stealing Irvine's cowboy hat at the same time, she waved comically from her position and kicked Irvine lightly,

"Giddy up!" She yelled, several SeeD's staring quizzically at the small, vivacious girl sitting atop the tall cowboy. They headed for the lift to see Cid, and Squall remembered he needed to see Cid too.

"Tell Cid I'm looking for him!" Squall called after the couple, Irvine gave him a thumbs up and continued struggling up the stairs to the lift, collapsing when he got there.

"Jeez Sefie, you put on a coupla pounds?" Selphie grinned and hit him playfully,

"Nope, you're just weaker! You need to get to the training centre pronto, before I marry a flabby cowboy!" He pouted and she kissed it away.

Quistis and Squall were left looking at one another awkwardly. Squall surprised her by breaking the pregnant silence.

"So…what's happening with you and Zell? Are we going to be hearing wedding bells from your direction too? You seem pretty tight."

She smiled a little and shook her head, "No. We've talked about it, but marriage isn't for us. Ever."

"Ever?"

"Ever. We love each other, that's enough. I don't need a piece of paper to parade to the world. We don't dislike the idea of it; it's just not for Zell or me. Besides, I'm sure you four have that all sown up!"

He raised an eyebrow, "Pretty sure of yourself Ms. Trepe. So, are you going to get quarters together?"

"Nope. I need my space, and his hotdog obsession would dry me nuts! Some day, but not right now. What about you and Rinoa? Oh, did you hear that?" She held a hand to her ear comically, a look of intense concentration on her face.

He sighed in annoyance, he knew where this was leading, "Hear what?"

"I think, it may be…yes! I think I hear wedding bells!" She teased.

"So?" The comment caught her off guard a little and she reeled.

"Really? That's great, have you asked her yet?" Her voice dropped to a conspiring whisper, he shook his head.

"Actually, I was wanting your help with that. I need somewhere to take her, any ideas?"

"Well, you could, oh!" She ducked behind Squall as a platoon of Trepies passed by. In doing so she drew the attention of a familiar figure. He sauntered over, a smirk painted on his face.

"Well, look what we have here! The Instructor and Commander Puberty. I don't think your fans would be too happy to see you sniffing about Squall's ass Instructor." Quistis stood, her face beet red and brushed herself off.

"What the hell are you doing back here, Seifer?" she hissed.

"Well, Squall here was kind enough to let me back in, on the condition I pass the SeeD exam next week. And guess what! You're my Instructor! Just like old times, eh?" He regarded her smugly as the news sunk in.

"Squall, no! I won't teach him again, it's his fault I lost my license in the first place. You're Commander, override the decision." She was pleading, but she was desperate and she didn't care.

"Ah, but he can't. Came straight from the head honcho." Seifer smoothly interjected.

"Sorry Quistis." Squall shrugged then turned to address Seifer; "You will follow her orders though, got that? And Seifer?"

"Yes, oh Commander of Infinite Wisdom?" Sarcasm dripped from his every word.

"Speak to Irvine. You might be more bearable if you knew what happened when we were younger. And my name is Squall." He turned his back on the green-eyed boy, which only served to enrage him.

"Put Squall on the list Raijin." He bellowed.

"I don't think he can be on the list, ya know? Seeing as how he's the Commander and all…"

"RAGE!"

"Ok, ok! I'll put him on the list!" Raijin nursed his ankle as Seifer glowered after the retreating Squall.

"Quistis? I'll catch up with you later about that thing."

"Ok. My lips are sealed!" She shouted after him and turned to face Seifer wearily. He eyed her with a sneer.

"So. Hear you're with Chicken-Wuss. Bet that's fun. Does he swat flies in the bedroom too?"

She responded with a steely glare, "Training centre. Now. Then we head straight to the Fire Cavern. I'm sure Ifrit remembers you fondly, just like I do."

"I'm sure." She sighed. It was evidently going to be a long week.