Disclaimer: yada yada don't own square….they own me!!!!!!

Warning: just a little note, there is a little implied nudity in this chapter, and what I think to be a fairly soppy speech, so if there are any complaints, I assure you all, you have been forewarned. Nothing too bad though…I hope…

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Chapter 15-Perfect Proposal

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"Squall, get up, you already did propose."

"Rin, I didn't, so please, be quiet." He held his breath and then released it, trying to imagine how they looked. The moon was out, creating a glow around the couple, quite a romantic effect. Oh if I could only see her. Taking another breath he began his speech.

"Rinoa, I know that I haven't done right by you these past three years, I did it out of what I thought to be your best interest. But now that I'm back, I know that I was wrong. When we first met I admit that our relationship was slightly strained. But as I got to know you from afar, you introduced me into a new world; given me a new meaning to life. It wasn't because of you, or for you that I changed; it was with you that I changed. These past years were hell for me, knowing that I could've been with you but wasn't. All of my favourite memories were of you, and the time we spent together each day. We grew together and my true self began to unfold. I accepted myself as someone who was capable of loving another, without the fear of being left. Rinoa, I know you know this, but I'll say it again. All of my love, all of being, I give to you. You've made me happier than anyone could've imagined, seriously. Please allow me the honour of your hand in marriage, so that we can continue to grow and share our happiness and love with each other." Squall took another deep breath. Why isn't she saying anything? Was it that long? Did she fall asleep?

After a moment of sheer surprise, Rinoa got down onto her knees, bringing herself down to his level. She took his other hand and sighed, "Do you really expect me to refuse after a proposal like that?"

Squall smiled and raising his head, pulling her into a kiss. Whilst still in the embrace, Squall gently slipped the ring onto Rinoa's finger. He broke away slowly standing up, pulling Rinoa up as well. "How was that?"

"It'll do," she laughed. After a moment she rested her head against his chest and sighed contentedly. "No, it was perfect. Of course I'll marry you." She glanced down to the ring, admiring the way it glittered in the moonlight. "Come on, it's getting cold, we better get inside." They made their way back inside to the living room where Rinoa sat Squall down on the couch. She sat next to him, leaning into him, entwining her fingers with his as she closed her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Rin nervously bit her lip before she spoke again. "Squall."

"Yeah."

"Have you, well, ever considered eye surgery?"

"I've thought about it, of course. I just figured it'd be impossible. Living with Mrs Sullivan, I didn't want to make her pay for anything, and I don't have any money. Besides, what are the chances that it'll be successful anyway?"

"What's to lose if it doesn't work?"

"Money for one thing, which we don't have in the first place." At that Rinoa unexpectedly giggled. "What?"

"You just said 'we'. It kinda got me a little excited."

Hyne, do women always act like this? "Yeah I know what you mean. But seriously Rin, there's no way I could afford it. heck, I'm not even a SeeD anymore."

"Don't be an idiot, of course you are. Sure you're a little, um, disadvantaged, but you're still a SeeD."

"Rin, I appreciate your caring so much, but there are some things we have to face. I'm blind. I could have surgery done, but I don't have any money-"

"You could ask Laguna." Rinoa bit her lip. Oops...shouldn't have said that. Not tonight, at least.

"No. Absolutely out of the question."

"You said you'd give him a chance."

Oh man! "Sweetie, you don't understand. I can't just ask him for some money."

"Sure you can. What's stopping you besides your pride?"

"Well…" he sighed in defeat, "nothing." That's twice in one night!

"My point exactly. Besides, he's your father. Whether or not he's done right by his job as a parent is a totally different story. Fact is, he's your biological father. At least he's trying to show he cares." She said with a slight frown.

"Rinoa, your father does care…"

"Of course he does," she replied sarcastically, "he tried to kill you. What kind of father would try to kill their child's future partner? Answer me that."

"It isn't proven that he was the one who ordered the attack. And we don't even know who Sigmund Damaris is."

"I already told you. This can't be coincidence, it just can't be. Besides, he probably did have a motive for doing it."

"What are you talking about."

"Listen. He knows just as well as we do that I'm a Sorceress. Sorceresses have certain powers, do they not?"

"Yeah."

"Some powers can only be attained whilst in the presence of her knight."

"What are you getting at?"

"Don't you get it? my father is power hungry. When he found out that his daughter was a Sorceress do you think he was scared or anything? My guess is that he wants my power, and he couldn't get my power while you were on the scene. So he goes off in attempt to have you killed. Only Laguna saves you, which doesn't make his situation any better."

"That's a bit harsh a conclusion to come to, don't you think?"

"Well yeah, but its my father! We don't have to think rationally when he's involved."

"Don't take this the wrong way, Rin, but you're being a hypocrite."

"What?!"

"Why don't you give your father a chance, then I will."

"You can be really impossible sometimes," she scolded.

"Am I wrong?"

Rinoa stayed silent, a scowl on her face.

"I thought so."

"Ugh, fine. I'll give my father a chance and you will give your father a chance. Happy?"

"Quite," he laughed. One win to two losses. The odds are getting better.

"Listen, I'm just gonna go get my pyjamas from my room, okay? I'll be back soon." She stood up, facing Squall.

"Okay," he replied as he accepted a kiss.

"Don't go anywhere."

"Whatever, it's not like I can anyway."

"Sorry. I didn't mean any offence."

"I know, I know. Go!" With that she went back to her dorm down the hall. When the door closed behind her she stayed, leaning against it, smiling to herself. Squall proposed! It's official! We're ENGAGED! were the thoughts in her mind. Breathing another sigh of happiness, she made her way to her bedroom, grabbing her pj's and then to the bathroom to get her toiletries. She turned off the lights and proceeded back to where Squall waited for her. She opened the door again, Squall still in the same position as when she had left.

"Squall, why don't you have a shower first?"

"Umm…"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing…I might…well, need some help. That's all."

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Squall, that's why I'm here. Don't tell me you're suddenly going to get all shy around me."

"I'm not shy! Just, a little uncertain."

"About what, exactly?"

"Never mind." He got up slowly, trying to remember the layout of his room. He successfully made it to his room as Rinoa kept close by, steering him in the right direction every so often. When they got to the bathroom Rinoa subconsciously started undressing him.

"You know Rin, I can undress myself. I've managed for three years, haven't I?"

"Yeah, but I'm here to help. Besides, you sound like you're scared. Its nothing I haven't seen before," she giggled softly.

"That may be, but still. Just tell me where the shower is and I'll do the rest," he said as he stood with only his boxer shorts and white shirt on.

"Fine, fine. The shower is here," she said placing his hand on its door. "I'll just turn around."

"Rin, you can go, really."

"And who'll pass you the shampoo, conditioner and soap?"

"Uhh…right. Ok." He undressed and stepped into the shower, feeling for the taps. On the other side of the closed shower screen he heard giggling. She didn't turn around at all! She's right though, I don't have anything to be scared about…it has been three years though... He turned the shower on, adjusting the warmth. "Shampoo, please." The door opened at his request, and he suddenly felt another presence behind him.

"Rinoa?! What the hell are you doing?!"

"Having a shower."

"But I'm having a shower."

"Yeah, I know. I'm joining you. I'm environmentally conscious, this saves water. Besides, it not like we haven't done this before."

"Ugh, fine. Can I have the shampoo now?"

"Sure," she said as she squeezed some onto his palm. After a couple of minutes she asked, "Conditioner?"

"Nah, never used it before."

"Yeah you have."

"That was once."

"Yeah, and your hair was soft and shiny that once. Please?"

"No. Pass us the soap." Rinoa made a face and gave him the bar of soap. Having already conditioned her hair she asked for the soap back. Although Squall was already finished, he made no move at getting out of the shower. When Rinoa finished, she turned to face him, leaving the water on.

"Rinoa, you can turn the shower off if you're done."

"Not done yet," she simply said before she pulled him down to a kiss. When she pulled away she turned her head slightly and whispered into his ear, "You still remember that morning don't you?" he nodded in reply. "I just needed to relive that moment. Only, this time you won't be going on a mission."

"I'm not going anywhere this time." Rinoa smiled and finally turned the shower off. "Environmentally conscious, my ass!"

Rinoa laughed and passed him a towel. "Well you seemed convinced."

"Whatever." Rinoa got dressed and went to get Squall some clothes from his bags. She came back and helped him dress. Taking his hand she led him back into the bedroom where she sat him on the bed. She grabbed her comb and began combing his hair, much to his dislike. "Rin, stop. I don't comb my hair. I like the natural, scruffy look." With that, he felt a hand roughly mess up his tresses.

"That natural enough for you?"

"Of course, if I'd just been caught in a tornado," he smirked, running his fingers through his hair. "Rin what time is it?"

"Almost 7."

"Okay." He violently threw his back onto the bed. Rinoa lay beside him, her head resting on one hand, the other stroking Squall's chest.

"You tired?"

"Not really." The phone then rang. Rinoa answered it.

"Hello?"

"Rinoa, I thought you'd be there, no one was answering at your dorm. I'd like you and Squall to come and see me again tomorrow morning."

"Sure Cid, what time?" she said monotonously, still quite upset with him.

"About 11 o'clock, if that will suit you."

"Yeh that's fine. What's the matter?"

"Nothing, I just think you're presence is required."

"For what?"

"You'll see tomorrow."

Rinoa rolled her eyes at his cryptic replies. "Okay, see you tomorrow then." She hung up and returned to her position on the bed.

"Who was that?"

"Cid."

"What he want?"

"He has 'requested our presence' tomorrow morning."

"Uhuh. What for?"

"Dunno. I don't think its gonna be good news, though."

They stayed in silence until they eventually fell asleep. With one question plaguing them both once again, What could Cid want this time?

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A/N-OMG! How was that?! Now I must apologise if you think that proposal was ridiculous, but please understand, I have never myself been in such a position (ack! I'm only a teenager), I have simply formulated it out of various examples read in many stories…not to say I copied or anything, cos I didn't…so don't sue me!!! *breaths heavily* well, now that I've said that…what y'all think?? Good, bad, extremely bad? Tell me about it. in other words…please review! I love getting feedback and I seriously want to know how ppl are receiving this fic. For those who reviewed last chappy:

Angelprinczess29-you actually thought that scene was funny? I think it lost a bit of humour after all the times I had to read it, but I'm glad you enjoyed. Hope this update was early enough for you…how was the proposal? Thanks for the review!!

JerseyGirl03-umm..in answer to your question in order: can't say; maybe; maybe; just for the month; the proposal was present in this chappy (how was it?); maybe. Right, I'm glad you like it…thanks for the review!!

lionhearted-thanks for the idea…I'm working on it, I swear…even if it does appear cliché. I'm glad you like this fic and thanks for reviewing!! Btw its e-s-t-h-a-r…if you were wondering ^.^

freelancer47-how soon was this?? Hahaha hope you liked this chappy ie the proposal ^.^…anyhoo, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!!! Thanks for the review!

Shadow-there ya go! Thanks for reviewing, all feedback, despite its length, is great to receive! So thankyou!

Mariko-sweet chapter eh? How was this one then? Hahaha thanks for the review, mate! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Maz-yeh, I'm sad Squall hadta be blind too =(…but thanks for the review! Its great to know that you enjoyed it!

CharlieGirl- =(…am I really *that* predictable? Or are my hints not subtle enough? hehehe…again, you are the only one picking up these little hints!! But I can't asy anything, well I can…I choose not to though. Ahh yes, anxiety created by exams…I know it all! And I feel for you, really I do. Hope you're doing ok and that my updating isn't cutting into your *studying* time. Thanks for the review!

ima hopeless romantic-I'm sorry if I appear mean ^.^ hehehe how soon was this update? Soon enough I hope…did you like the 'happy' moment? Thanks your review!

Sefran-Good work eh? Thanks for the compliment! And thanks for the review!!

R&R!!!!! at the beep

*BEEP*