Disclaimer: who really reads these anyway? Anyway…for the record, I don't own Squaresoft, final fantasy or any of they're characters…so I am by all means still allowed to dream about them…right? No? uh oh….

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Chapter 13-Coming Home

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"Hello?"

"Oh, hi Mrs Sullivan, we're coming to pick Squall up soon."

"Alright, well he's all ready to go."

"Listen, could I talk to him?"

"Sure thing," she said, after which covering the mouth-piece of the phone to shout, "Squall, phone, it's Rinoa."

He made his way carefully to the kitchen, taking the phone, "Thanks Mrs Sullivan." Putting the phone up to his ear he said, "Hey Rin, you coming 'round soon?"

"Uhuh."

"How'd ya get Zell to come and pick me up, some sort of bribery had to be involved," he smirked.

"Yup, I bribed him with hotdogs."

Squall laughed, "Yeh, that usually works."

"Something weird happened when I told Cid."

"What?"

"Well, he wants to talk to us when you get back…I'm not quite sure, but I've got a weird feeling about it."

"I'm sure its nothing."

"Yeah, I hope so."

"Well, I'll see you in a bit."

"Yup…love you."

Unaware that Mrs Sullivan was still in the kitchen, he casually replied, "I love you, too. See ya." He ended the call and heard faint giggling. Oh Hyne, she heard me. Best to ignore.

He walked back to his room and sat on the bed, inhaling the smell for the last time. He had spent so many days in the room, mostly thinking of – remembering - his life before his blindness. Breathing a sigh he lay back down remembering the events of last night, the way Rinoa had held him. It'll never be the same again, will it...

- - -

Rinoa set down the phone on the counter of the kitchenette and grabbed a sweater on the chair. Just like old times, she thought to herself as she made her way through the corridor to the cafeteria, recollecting the fact that she had had a conversation with Squall over the phone - a rare treat even before he left.

"Zell, come on, you ready?"

"Yup," he said getting up from his place at the table. "Let's go." They made their way down to the car park area. They had just made it out of Garden when Zell spoke, "So…how are you coping? Not overwhelmed or anything?"

"Well, of course I'm overwhelmed. I mean, I haven't seen him in three years. But…I dunno, I feel…complete again…I'm happy."

Zell smiled at her, "Well I'm really glad to hear that. You've been so…well…depressed these past three years. I was wonderin' if you'd ever be happy again."

"Thanks for the concern, Zell. Means a lot coming from you," she playfully punched him in the arm.

"Ok, where do I go now?" he asked as they approached the city, clearly unaffected by her hit. Rinoa gave him the directions to the Sullivan residence.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to Mrs Sullivan." They stepped out of the car, walking down the path to the door. She knocked and Iona promptly answered.

"Hi there Rinoa, this must be your friend."

"Yes, Mrs Sullivan, this is Zell. Zell, Mrs Sullivan." Zell grabbed at Iona's hand shaking it furiously.

"You have no idea how much I've wanted to dine at the 'Benita Banquet'. I haven't had the honour yet, but I've heard so many good things about it - the entertainment and the hot dogs."

Mrs Sullivan smiled at him. Our hotdogs? They're on the children's menu...they really aren't that special.

Rinoa then stepped forward to whisper in her ear, "I asked Zell to drive in exchange for some hotdogs. Is that alright? I'll pay of course."

"Oh sure," she whispered back before raising her voice a little. "Well, why don't you come with me then and I'll fix you up with a hotdog. It's on the house." She released her hand from his grasp and led him to the restaurant, throwing a wink at Rinoa. She smiled and went inside to Squall's room. Seeing that he had fallen asleep she made her way over to the bed and sat next to him. She could see all his features clearly now in the broad daylight, soon to become dusk. The length of this hair had grown considerably, but nothing else had changed. She sat there entranced for a while just staring at him with a small smile on her face. After a few more minutes she leaned in and kissed his lips.

Squall stirred out of his sleep and kissed her back. "Hey."

"Hey. Ready to go home?" she asked, her face still centimetres away from his.

Home...boy was I ever. "You bet. Hey listen, where will I stay?" he queried, not moving off the bed.

"Oh, well, your room, of course." Rinoa sat back up, taking his hand.

"I still have a room?"

"Yeah. Cid insisted that we leave it. You know, I think it was out of respect or something."

"Come on. Where's Zell?" he asked as he got up from his position.

"Where do you think he'd be?"

"At the restaurant?"

"Eating hotdogs."

"How predictable," he laughed, grabbing the bags near the foot of the bed. Rinoa led the way out the door and to the car where Zell was already waiting with Mrs Sullivan, praising her.

"Have a nice afternoon tea?"

"Oh, Hyne yes." Was her response.

"Well, shall we go?"

"Thankyou for everything Mrs Sullivan," Squall thanked Iona. "I wouldn't have made it through without you."

Mrs Sullivan steeped forward and hugged him, "It's quite alright. You're welcome anytime. I'm sorry, again, about my nephew this morning."

"Not your fault."

"Yes well, I didn't bring him up. My youngest sister did, and that speaks for itself," she chuckled. "Well, keep in touch."

"I will. Thanks again." That said, he released his hold of Mrs Sullivan, took Rinoa's hand and was led into the car.

After the car had driven off Iona smiled to herself and made her way back inside. She headed to where Squall had left the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Presidential office please, its Iona Sullivan."

"Hold the line please." She waited for a few seconds and then heard the familiar voice on the other side.

"Hi Iona, what's new?"

"Squall's gone back home."

"You're kidding right?"

"Nope, he just left. Rinoa came and picked him up."

"What?! How'd she find out?"

"My nephew came to visit with her and well…Squall told her himself."

"Oh, alright. Good, good. So…is he happy?"

"If you could only see him. He was happy alright."

"Thanks Iona, you're a good cousin."

"Anytime. Listen, you better call Cid."

"I will, thanks."

"I never told you a thing, ok? So act surprised when they invite you to their wedding."

"If I'm invited. I'll talk to you later." He hung up the phone and sighed. Squall was happy…

…just as his mother would've wanted.

- - -

Rinoa was careful to lead Squall back to his room taking the most discreet route. It wasn't too hard considering they had used it so many times in the past. There were few students about, most were in their dorms bludging around…or the odd student doing their homework. When they reached his door, Rinoa mechanically put the code into the system. The door opened and Rinoa picked up the two bags and brought them inside, leaving Squall at the door. She then took his hands and led him inside.

"Sorry, it's a little musty…hasn't been aired out in a while. I was going to open a few windows before you came, but I figured it wouldn't be right coming in without you, so I waited. I was gonna change your bed sheets and everything, too, but I didn't get 'round to it…"

"Rin, shuttup," he said pulling her closer to him. "I'm home now, that's all that matters."

"I'm gonna move in with you for a little while. You know, until you get your bearings right."

"Ok…you're only down the hall anyway."

Rinoa smiled. "We should go see Cid…I kinda want to see what he has to say."

"Yup, let's go." They took the elevator up and found Xu typing away at her computer.

"Hey again. Cid busy?"

Typing something she replied, "Nope, go on ahead."

- - -

"Hello?"

"Cid, good to hear from you again. Squall's on his way back."

"I heard, Rinoa told me."

"Are you going to tell them?"

"Well yes. I have a meeting with them sometime this afternoon. I told Rinoa to come see me when she got back."

"They should be there soon then. Iona called me when they left, that was about ten minutes ago."

"Why don't you stay on the line…we could tell them together."

"Alright, but I don't think Squall would take my 'presence' very well."

"He will, if he knows what's good for him. So how you been?"

"Not bad…you managed to find any more information?"

"No such luck…wait a second, Xu just messaged me, they're here. Hold the line and be quiet."

"Ok, Cid," the man laughed quickly, shutting up straight away.

The door opened, Rinoa in front, obviously leading Squall.

"Hello there, Rinoa. Squall, I never thought I'd see you again."

"Sir."

"Oh cut the formalities, Squall. No doubt Rinoa has informed you. You are no longer Commander."

"I know. What was it that you wanted to discuss with us."

"Well, firstly, let's start at the beginning. I am aware that Rinoa knows nothing about the likes of your mission, and that is where I wish to begin. Rinoa, Squall was only doing his job in concealing it from you."

"I know," she nodded.

"Alright, three years ago I received a request from a man asking me to send him the best SeeD in Garden to undertake a mission. Naturally I chose Squall. The only information I was given was that it was a secret mission and that Squall was to meet him when he got to Deling City and that he would be given his instructions upon his arrival. Nothing out of the ordinary, I get those requests all the time. We were told to drop Squall of at Fisherman's Horizon where he would take a carrier to Deling City. What happened, I'm not exactly sure, I was hoping you'd tell us, Squall."

Squall took a breath. "Well…" he started slowly, recalling the memory back from that night three years ago. "I really don't want to talk about it," was all he said, banishing the thoughts with a shake of the head.

Cid decided to continue, "Alright Squall. Rinoa there was an explosion involving a carrier, it was caused by a couple of fighter planes. I heard of it and tried to get in contact with my client to see if Squall had made it. I wasn't able to reach him. I've been conducting a search for a couple of years now, and I haven't been able to get any information."

"Umm, pardon my asking, but what was your client's name. I did live in Deling city a while, I might know him…my father being a big political figure and all."

"Oh, I don't see why I should talk in secrecy…it has been three years. His name was Theodoric Sewell."

Rinoa unexpectedly burst out laughing. "Is this some kind of sick joke? Is my father in on this as well?"

"Your father?"

"Yes, my father, General Caraway."

"Why would he have anything to do with Squall's mission?"

"Theodoric Sewell…never mind. It could all be just a coincidence." She frowned, shaking her head softly.

"Yes, well anyway, if your father was involved then that would make our situation rather interesting."

"How so?" Rinoa asked warily.

"Well it would mean that both of your fathers are involved."

"Involved in what?"

"I don't have a father," Squall insisted stubbornly.

"Squall you do and you know it. You have got to stop this nonsense. Its about time you accept the that Laguna Loire is your father and that he only wants the best for you."

"Oh sure, now he does."

"I heard that Squall," a voice echoed from the speaker phone.

Laguna? What the hell does he have to do with this?

A/N- what does Laguna have to do with this…methinks…hehehe I know, the question is…do you?…the answer obviously being no, I won't tell you, its my little secret…the only one I have! Ok…insanity has left. Anyways…I'm sorry it took so long for me to update, I mean, with exams on for a week I was kinda….well preoccupied. So yah! My exams were ok, thanks for asking…though I don't know my results…ok…enough about me. Well I hope you all enjoyed this chapter…you did? well go ahead and review then ^.^ hehehe joking. Anyhoo yeh, please review, I love your comments and to those who reviewed last chapter:

Charliegirl: you can have your heart, I have no wish to take it from you. I hope your mind is at rest now that I've updated…or would it be with more anticipation with that cliffy? Was that a cliffy? Anyways, hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!

Jewels14: thanks! I'm glad you love this fic. I do too! Hehehe nah, I really enjoy writing this fic and its because of reviews like yours that I do. Makes my works seem appreciated. Hope you're still enjoying it!

Freelancer47: hey! Thanks for the review! Sorry to burst your bubble, but Brendan isn't gone, at least I don't think so ;) hint hint. XD anyhoo…yeh…oh yeh, do you play freelancer? My brother is kinda obsessed but I haven't seen a lot of it. anyway…how was that for randomness? Hehehe hope you enjoyed this!

Angelprinczess29: HEY! Again, Brendan might not be out of the picture yet…haven't decided yet, he may still have a minor part….ahem…you never heard that! Thanks for reading and I hope you're still enjoying this fic! I enjoy your immensly!!! XD as I've sed a million times before probably. Thanks again! hope you did alright in your finals!

Shadow: well now you have a little background on what Cid's gonna be talking about…but yeh. I hope you enjoyed this chappy (how many times have I sed that? Like seriously…) anyhoo…thanks for reviewing!

Mariko: oh ok, I see. Thanks! You're saying that my fic is good menas a lot to me!!! Really it does…I feel…well…SPECIAL!!! Hehehe thanks for reviewing…hope you enjoyed this one. Ja ne hehehe had to have my turn XD

Ima hopeless romantic: this was as soon as I could post it! so I hope you enjoyed it!! anyhoo, I'm glad the last chapter made your cheeks wanna burst, makes me feel all specialer. Hehehe hope you liked this chappy…its been a long time in the making

Jerseygirl03: well now you know what happens!! Thanks for reviewing, you brightened up my day! Hope this instalment satisfied your wants ^.^! thanks again!

Crazy: hoped this was soon enough. but as to who ambushed Squall…it's a secret! And I'f like to keep it safe form you for a lil while…at least til next chapter, unless you're really perceptive and already know ;)..anyhoo….hope you enjoyed this chappy and thanks for your review! Squinoa forever!

PLZ R&R!!! I love feedback! Thanks all for your interest XD! Peace out!