Disclaimer: I love ff8 but I don't own anything at all to do with the ff series or Squaresoft. Apart from maybe Sierran, Preane and Fertia, but who wants to own them?

~*Chapter 24*~

"Come on man, wake up!" The voice was worried, insistent in its demands.

The sting of palm meeting cheek forced him to crack open his eyes and he grabbed the limb swinging toward him as the man attempted another rousing slap. The face of the man came into focus as his eyes adjusted to the twilight and the pain in his head slowed to a dull throb.

"There was no need to hit me…" He thought, groaning as he sat upright. Recognition of the man in front of him began and words formed in his mind, spilling from his mouth unconsciously.

"I, Irvine?"

Irvine looked relieved and hauled the youth to his feet, grinning. "Thank Hyne you woke up, Squall! Rinoa would've had my guts for garters if I'd brought you back in that state. Come on, let's get back to the transport, the missions finished."

"Where are we going?" He rasped, his voice cracking from the pain.

"You're going straight to Doc Kadowaki, but I'm sure Rin's got plans for you after you've been given the all clear!" Irvine winked and let the man lean heavily on him as they made their way back to the ship.

Noticing his companion slipping back into unconsciousness, he engaged him in conversation. "You know, I never really got the chance to tell you how happy I am for you and Rinoa. I think it's great someone finally broke down those barriers, it's even better that you actually let her in. Marriage. It's a big step…never would have imagined it so soon for any of us, especially me and Sefie. But here we are Mr and Mrs Kinneas, leading the way. I guess you just know when the time's right, huh? You decided on a date, a place for the ceremony?"

The other boy shook his head dumbly, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. The ship in sight, Irvine picked up the pace and a collective sigh of relief was audible as they entered the cabin.

Rinoa ran to the shaken boy, pressing her head to his chest. "Oh Squall, I was so worried! When your squad came back and you weren't with them, the worst things ran through my mind. Oh Hyne, I'm so glad you're safe."

He pushed her away gently, shaking his head before collapsing heavily in a chair, his eyes rolling back as the waves of unconsciousness stuck him once again.

"Squall? Squall?" Rinoa's voice began to rise in pitch and volume as hysteria began to take hold of her senses.

Irvine put an arm around her shoulders, calming her. "It's ok Rin. He took a knock to the head, he'll be pretty dopey 'til we get him to the infirmary and get him checked over. Don't worry, he's a fighter. He'll be fine."

His soft voice soothed her and she sat down weakly beside the unconscious figure, cradling him in her arms. Tracing his scar lightly, she noticed it looked brighter against his paler than usual skin, probably due to the combination of shock and blood loss.

She looked up from the study of his face and smiled at the group who were watching the pair worriedly. "You're right. Let's get him home."

~*~*~

"Open your eyes. Come on Commander, work with me a little here."

He groaned as his eyelids were forcefully pried open and a blinding white light shone into his eyes. He scowled at the woman fussing around him.

"Glad to see you've returned to the land of the living, Commander. Say your name for me."

He squinted before mumbling a reply, "Squall Leonhart."

"That's great. Well, you seem fine; there's no concussion so you're free to go. I'll go tell Rinoa."

She left the room and he sat up, grunting as a rush of blood to his head caught him unawares. Sitting forward, he rested his head in the palm of his hand, his eyes closed as he savoured the cool leather against his brow. His peace was shattered as a flash of blue dashed into the infirmary, knocking him backward onto the bed and suffocating him with kisses.

"Squall! It is so good to see you're better! Hyne, I've missed you!"

"Rinoa, take it easy on your fiancee!" The doctor interjected with a smile.

Rinoa coloured prettily, looking slightly abashed as she grinned, "News really does travel fast in Balamb. I'll make sure he gets plenty of bed rest Doctor Kadowaki."

The doctor smirked at the young couple and winked, "Real bed rest you two, not your own interesting slant on it."

Rinoa giggled ad mock saluted, "Yes ma'am! Thanks for taking care of him."

"Anytime. Now go on, there's a waiting room full of your friends out there and I can't treat my real patients."

Rinoa lead the youth by the hand, laughing as he retreated a little in shock at the cheers celebrating his departure from the Infirmary created.

"Squall, man! You had us all worried back there. Must be losing your touch big guy!" Zell punched him in the arm playfully, the smile fading rapidly from his face when he received a cold glare from the boy. He retreated to the safety afforded by Quistis' touch as she hung back, scrutinising the new arrival.

"How are you feeling Commander?" She asked levelly.

"Never better Quistis."

She raised an eyebrow before smiling, "Glad to hear it."

Selphie grabbed Irvine in a tight squeeze before dancing on the spot, "I'm so happy you're ok Squall! Heeeey, why don't we all go out tonight, y'know celebrate?"

Rinoa watched as the man at her side looked at Selphie strangely, as if he wasn't sure how to interpret her.

She cleared the thought from her head and smiled brightly. "Not tonight Sef, we're all chaperoning the Graduation Ball, remember?"

The petite auburn girl slapped a hand to her forehead dramatically, "How could I forget? I organised it! I swear to Hyne, I'm losing brain cells by the day!"

"Did you have many to begin with?"

Rinoa looked at the man that was her fiancé in horror, astounded by the cruelty of his words. "Squall! He was only joking Sefie, weren't you?" She looked at him pointedly, fury visible in her eyes if not on her face.

He nodded, smirking, "Joking, yeah. Sorry Selphie."

Selphie smiled weakly, "Yeah, I know. It's ok! Uh, come on Irvy, let's go check out who passed the exam."

The cowboy dutifully followed his wife, shooting a confused look at Rinoa as he left. She shrugged, mouthing her apologies. Zell nudged Quistis in what was meant to be a subtle manner but instead looked as though he had shoved her to the side.

She rolled her eyes before turning to Rinoa. "Rin? We're going to head off too, we both have things to pick up from Zell's mother for tonight."

She waved them off with an understanding smile, "Sure go ahead! I have to catch up with my fiance anyway."

Rinoa waited until the two slender blondes were out of earshot before rounding on her partner. "What the hell are you doing? Why were you so mean to Selphie? All your friends show their concern and their love for you by offering you support and you thank them how? By insulting them? What's your problem?" She smiled to keep up the pretence of happy coupledom to the outside world watching in on them, but her gritted teeth and blazing eyes betrayed her rage.

"I'm sorry Rinoa. I just feel a bit off. Will you walk with me to my room? I want to rest before tonight so we can all have a good night together."

Her face softened and some of the anger dissipated. "Our room, Squall. You're so set in your ways. Come on then."

They walked in silence to their apartment, Rinoa leading him gently by the hand while she contemplated his behaviour. "He really must not be feeling well to need my support like this. Poor Squall, I'll explain to everyone while he's resting why he's acting like this. Hopefully they won't be offended if he says anything to them if they know the reason."

She nodded, smiling to herself as she established her course of action. Opening the door for him, she rushed ahead to prepare the bed for him. "Ok, Squall. I'll check in on you in an hour or so, try and get some sleep."

"Thanks Rinoa."

She smiled, "No problem sweetie. I love you."

He hesitated before lying to face away from her, "Uh, yeah. Whatever."

A lone tear ran down her cheek and she wiped it away gently as she closed the door to their home softly behind her. "He'll be better soon." The mantra repeated itself in her head as she tried to ingrain the words on her psyche.

She nodded in affirmation; "He has to be."

~*~*~

The howls of rage reverberated around the confines of the dungeon and the black clad man smirked as the voice raged against its incarceration. He was strong this one, resourceful. Even now he looked for tools in the sparse, dank cell, anything him to aid him in his futile attempts at escape from his keep.

"There is no escape for you in this life, boy. Death awaits you." The shadowy figure whispered at the image on the screen as it pounded in frustration at the bars that held him, touching the flickering figure gently with a gnarled and calloused finger.

The representation of the boy on the screen slumped in a corner, worn out for the time being. He shivered involuntarily as the chill air bit at his tender, naked flesh. He could feel himself begin to mentally break down. The voices that whispered threats to him on the icy wind that blew throughout the night, his vulnerability to the elements, his inability to evade capture; the factors combined were beginning to eat at his sanity as they multiplied the effects of one another tenfold. He held his head high defiantly.

"No one will defeat me." He stated quietly.

A/N: Quick plug: If you like ffx, please check out my new fic which has been receiving all the attention since this chapter became nigh on impossible. The name I hear you cry? (Or not, whatever! : ) ) Unintentional.