Disclaimer: I don't own anything…yada yada….you know the drill
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Chapter 14-Family Issues
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"What the hell are you doing, Laguna? Cid, what does he have to do with my mission?"
"Squall, if it hadn't been for your father, you and every single person on that boat would've died."
Rinoa bit her lip before speaking again, "Excuse me sir, but what would my father have to do with anything. What could he possible want?"
"I'm not very sure, Rinoa. And I intend to find out whether or not he is involved in this."
"What the hell does Laguna have to do with this?" Squall asked again, a little more forcefully.
"Squall, your father sent an order to counteract the orders to destroy your ship, clearly someone wanted you dead."
"And because I'm your father I made it my business to find out everything about your mission and the possible dangers," Laguna added patiently.
"Nobody asked you, Laguna," Squall scoffed. "Anyway, how the hell did you know there was someone out to get me?"
"I'm a political figure, it's not hard to come across these things. Besides, I got several threats concerning your life from a Sigmund Damaris."
"After the explosion, I tried getting information on both men. On Sigmund Damaris I found nothing. But the only information I ever received about Theodoric Sewell's whereabouts were some restaurant and hotel reservations and aeroplane bookings from about ten years ago."
Another laugh erupted from Rinoa, "Reservations and plane bookings?! You really are clueless, aren't you?" She looked at Cid's puzzled face. "Ok, when I was a little girl my father told me that he used to write stories and stuff, he was obsessed with the dream world he had created about armies and wars. He read them to me once, they were about a boy and the main character was always named Theodoric Sewell, he had a sort of obsession with the name as well. My father used it as an alias for reservations at restaurants and hotels and for plane flights. My alias was Christabel Sewell. It was our little joke. It stopped when my mother died, though. This is totally unbelievable. I don't know who this Sigmund Damaris is, but there isn't any doubt that you've been chasing my father all this time. But why would he need Squall?"
"He didn't, he wanted him dead," Cid replied monotonously.
"And Squall would be dead if I hadn't saved him," Laguna interjected.
"Yeah, sure. So you managed to save my life. Give yourself a pat on the back."
"That's not all I did."
"That's right, you should be grateful that Laguna found a nice family for you to stay with," Cid stated in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"What the hell are you talking about? Mr Sullivan took me in."
"That's what's great. The Mr Sullivan you speak of, he had a wife?"
"Yeah."
"Iona Sullivan."
"Yeah, what are you getting at? I don't have the patience to deal with your games."
"Iona is my cousin."
"Say what?"
"Iona is my cousin. After I found out that you were taken in by them, it wasn't too difficult to get updates on your progress. So I, of course, knew all about your disability and requested that you stayed with them until you were ready. It was a kind of favour."
"Wait, you knew that Squall was alive? And you didn't tell me?" Rinoa said a little louder than expected, her eyes focused at Cid.
Cid's head dropped slowly in shame. "Yes Rinoa, I had to respect his wishes. That's why I couldn't face anyone outside of my office. You especially, I had to keep it away from you. I'm so sorry Rinoa."
Rinoa averted her vision to her lap. That's why he kept Squall's room untouched. I can't believe he kept it from me for so long.
Rinoa's mood did nothing to stop Squall's outbursts at Laguna. "You're a dickhead. You have no right to know what happens to me in my life. I was doing fine when I didn't know you existed, so can we please just go back to that!"
"Squall, listen, I know I haven't been a father-"
"Forget it. I don't have to listen to this, at least not from you."
"Squall." A soft voice called, instantly calming him down. "Let's go. I'll see you around Headmaster." Cid nodded as Rinoa took Squall's hand and led him outside and eventually back to his dorm.
"I know I'm not the greatest expert on parental matters. But I do think that you're not giving Laguna fair chance."
"Rin, he didn't care for eighteen years, what suddenly made him care?"
"Well, the knowledge of your existence, for one thing. I've heard him say it. You've heard him say it time and time again. He didn't know Squall. He doesn't seem like the type to go and abandon his family."
"Well, he did. sure he may have changed, but the fact remains: he did abandon his family."
"Look, just give him a chance, please. The way you and your father-"
"Laguna."
Rinoa rolled her eyes at his stubbornness. That's something that'll never change. "Fine, the way you and Laguna carry on actually makes me feel bad about the way I've been treating my father. And that's saying something. Especially after all he's done to me. I swear, the list could go on!"
Squall sighed, admitting defeat. She's the only one who can do this. "Alright. I'll give him a chance. Can we drop it now?"
"Sure."
"what time is it?"
"Umm, well almost dinner time. Are you ready to face the music?"
"I hope so." With that they made their way to the cafeteria.
Rinoa spotted them at their usual table as they made in to the door. "Okay, "she whispered, "Seifer, Quistis, Selphie, Irvine and Zell are here already. I've talked to them and they've promised not to annoy or do anything bad to you."
"Thanks Rin," he said, almost laughing. Seifer? Promising not to annoy me? This'll be a treat.
Rinoa took two seats, leading Squall to sit on one of them. "Hey guys, what's for dinner tonight?"
She received no answer. They were too busy observing Squall, recognising the changes, and even the features of old that hadn't been present during the last few years.
"Hiya Squall!" Selphie was the first to speak to Squall.
He was unsure of what to say, so he responded plainly, "Hey Selphie." At the sound of his voice they all released the breaths they had unconsciously been holding, all greeting him and shaking his hand, getting him to sit down.
"Hey Squall, we were wondrin' when you'd get back," Irvine remarked.
"Yeh, I've been dying to ask you all sorts of questions since I picked you up, but I wasn't about to go and disturb you and Rin," Zell commented, smiling at them both.
Squall merely smiled back, ensuing an uncomfortable silence between the friends. Seifer being nice? This could be fun... "So Seifer, I hear you're commander now. Having fun?"
"Oh, its great," Seifer smiled falsely even though he knew Squall wouldn't see. I can't believe I promised Rin I'd be nice.
"You do realise that you were just a substitute, and that I did have the position before you." How will he answer this one?
Well aren't we arrogant, puberty boy...I can't say that! Ack! There's a million comebacks just waiting to be said... "That's the way the cookie crumbles I guess," he said with a little laugh. THAT WAS SO LAME! I can't believe I just said that!
The entire table had kept their snickers to themselves. Rinoa stood up suddenly, "I'm gonna go get some food."
"I'll come with you," Seifer said just as quickly, following Rinoa. When they were far enough from the table he whispered, "Rin, come on, do I really have to be nice for a month?" a nod was his response. "Oh, man. He's purposely roasting me! And you know how seriously I take promises."
"Be a good friend. Besides, its amusing. I'll tell him not to, if that'll make you feel better."
"Thanks, Rin. You rule." That said he returned to the table where they were talking amongst themselves. "So Squall, have a fun night last night?"
What the...? "I sleep fine, thanks." What's he getting at?
"Well you and Rin-" Quisits nudged him violently and shook her head.
"Shuttup," she whispered.
Rinoa presently came back holding two plates, one for herself, the other for Squall. She lay it in front of him and took her seat beside him. He leant over to her and whispered, "umm, Rin, what is it?"
"Pasta."
"Oh right."
"Aren't you going to eat?" Rinoa frowned.
"Yeah I am, I'm just a little…well…embarrassed."
"Honestly Squall, what's more embarrassing? You eating by yourself, or me actually feeding you? Here's your fork," she said as she placed it in his hand, "and your plate is here. Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"If you say so…"
"Aww! You two are so cute together!" Selphie squealed.
"So you two are engaged? when's the wedding?" Seifer inquired.
Rinoa looked over to Squall who looked as if he were playing with his food. "We haven't set a date or anything. We're just gonna play it by cards." Squall merely nodded.
"Listen Rin, I'm not so hungry."
"Yeh, neither am I," she replied, sensing his want to get away. "We're gonna go now, we'll see you all in the morning." She and Squall both stood up, as the others said goodbye to them. Rinoa took his hand and led him back to the safety of his dorm where he unexpectedly let out a sigh.
"Sorry Rin, I'm still not used to this."
"I know."
"And I never was all that sociable"
"I know."
"You know a lot don't you?"
"Yup," she giggled as she pulled him closer to her. "Everything'll be back to normal soon." As if to emphasise her point, she lead him out to the balcony-their special spot. She rested her head against his chest, feeling him breathe.
Squall took a deep breath in, bending his head closer to hers. "You know that's not true. Things'll never be the same again."
Rinoa nodded slowly, "I know, doesn't mean we shouldn't try to get things back to normal, right?"
"Yeah I guess. Listen, what Seifer said got me thinking."
"About?"
"The wedding," he said as he brought his hands to her neck, taking her necklace off carefully. Hyne forbid I should screw this up. He felt for the unfamiliar ring and took it off, reclasping the necklace. Didn't drop the necklace, good.
"What are you doing?" she whispered as he took her hand and knelt down before her.
"Proposing to you properly."
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A/N-OoOoOo how was that for a cliffy? Hahaha am I purposely torturing you? Answer…YES! Hahaha jokes! Nah seriously, I hope you enjoyed this chapter…these chappies just keep getting harder and harder to write…as can be seen by some of the lame convos in it…..but yah…PLEASE R&R!! let me know what you think. Thank you to everyone who has read my fic, but in particular to my reviewers:
Rynn: how's this for soon? Hahaha hope you enjoyed, sorry I've been a little preoccupied with school and stuff. thanks for reviewing!
JerseyGirl03: Good questions, in quality and number. Hehehe juss kidding, umm…Laguna's role has been revealed, I think you now know who Theodoric Sewell is now, don't rmember, but yeh if not this chappy then the next one; they will find out everything soon…though not in the near future XD….chapter 17 I think; erm…as to Squall's blindness….haven't decided; I updated just not (^.^)…and I dind't do as well as I'd hoped in my exams…but they're ok. And finally thanks for thinking my fic is that good, makes me really happy XD. Tnx again!
CharlieGirl: WOW! I think you're the only one who made that connection! Hahaha, good gurl! Yes well, fi you think his relationship with Brendan is shocking, I'd like to see how you react to one of my future chappies ^.^….but I'm not telling. Brendan is far from gone in this fic. Yes it true, I didn't like him all that much either hehehe…anyhoo, I hope you do well in your exams, my results were ok. Hope this update was soon enough for ya! Thanks heaps!
kitty-catty: I'm glad you liked my fic, hope you enjoyed this chappy. Thanks again!
icedragon6171: yeh, sorry about that little thing about Zell, didn't really pay him much heed, did I? But hey, ppl can change hehehe just for the purposes of this fic anyway XD. Anyhoo, thanks for reviewing and liking my fic so much! Makes me really happy ^.^
SquallJechtLeonhart: WOW! THANKS! I never thought I'd ever be complymented on my description, I always have trouble in that area. But that really menas a lot to me! I'm so happy you like my fic! Thanks for reviewing
Shadow: Well, I kinda did shape him on the actual game, but yeh, you can maek him look that that if ya want…..prolly a bit more precise anyway…thanks for reviewing!
ima hopeless romantic: hey there! I so know what you mean about Squall being blind, I almost made a huge mistake in one of the future chapters saying that "Squall looked into her eyes" I edited it though hehehe s'all good. As to what both father could want? Well…you'll find out soon, I'm not at liberty to say XD THANKS AGAIN FOR REVIEWING!
Lady Jade: don't worry! It will be a happy ending, I promise! I had to make him blind, sorry about that, but yeh…I'm glad you liked it! hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for reviewing!
Mariko: last but not least. You'll find about the reason of Squall being blind, patience my friend (even if it is a virtue that I, myself, do no have) but yeh…hope you liked this chapter and thanks for reviewing ever so loyally!
Ok people, until next time…laterz! And don't forget to review! I'd be most grateful!