Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII...

Author's Note: First of all, I just want to say that I went to see the Goo Goo Dolls in concert yesterday. I got to talk to Mike and Robby, and I came so close to meeting Johnny! I saw him go right into his tour bus, damn it! Sorry that it took me a long time to get this chapter out. I've been having some family problems, which will hopefully turn out okay. Anyway, thank you all very much for your reviews. Here's chapter fourteen.

On the Ice

Chapter 14- Unexpected News

Rinoa hummed to herself happily. Even though she could barely stand up, she was in a wonderful mood. In a little while, she would be going home with Squall to their condo. She still couldn't believe that he had bought it for them. Yes, getting around before the surgery would be hard, and so would getting around after it, but Rinoa wasn't going to give up. Squall has faith in me...I won't let him down.

"Rinoa?" Dr. Kadowaki knocked on the door.

"Come in," Rinoa called from her place on the bed.

She walked in and smiled brightly at Rinoa. "Everything is all set for you to go home."

Rinoa couldn't help but smile back. "That's great! Did you get my test results back?"

Dr. Kadowaki shook her head. "Unfortunately, the lab has been shorthanded, so they're running behind schedule. There's no need for you to wait around here, though. I'll call you as soon as the results come in."

Rinoa nodded. "Thank you. So, I'm free to leave?"

"Yes. You can sign out whenever you're ready."

She sighed happily. "As soon as Squall gets back, I'm out of here. No offense, but I'm not very fond of hospitals."

The doctor chuckled. "I don't blame you. I heard that Squall bought you a condo."

Rinoa grinned. "Yes, he did. He's determined to stick by me through all this, and he's certain that I'll skate again."

"That's exactly what you need, Rinoa. Keep up that positive attitude, and I'm sure you'll be skating in no time."

"I hope so, Doctor Kadowaki. As long as Squall is with me, I feel like anything is possible."

"Anything is possible, Rinoa, as long as you put your mind to it," the doctor embraced her warmly. "You take care of yourself now. I'll see you on Tuesday."

"Yes. Thanks again."

Dr. Kadowaki nodded and left the room. Minutes later, Squall appeared, holding a single white rose.

"This is for you," he announced as he handed Rinoa the flower.

"It's beautiful," Rinoa said as she breathed in the scent of the rose. "Thank you, Squall."

He nodded. "Are you ready to get out of this place?"

Rinoa grinned. "I'm more than ready. Dr. Kadowaki said that I can check out at any time. Now seems as good a time as any."

"Alright then, Ms. Heartilly," Squall said playfully, "I will be your escort. Allow me," he said as he scooped her gently into his arms and placed her in the wheelchair she would have to use.

"Why thank you, my noble knight," Rinoa played along. "Would you be so kind as to wheel me to the reception desk?"

Squall smirked. "Your wish is my command." He took off with Rinoa at lightning speed down the hallway.

"Squall," Rinoa giggled, "slow down!"

Squall obeyed and stopped right away...right in front of the reception desk. "See, I got you here in record time."

Rinoa laughed. "I'd appreciate it if you got me out of this hospital in record time."

"I'll see what I can do," Squall said as he walked up to the receptionist. "I'm here to sign Rinoa Heartilly's release forms."

"Hold on just one moment, please." The receptionist rummaged around through a drawer, finally producing the forms for Rinoa's release. "Here we are. Dr. Kadowaki has already signed everything, so we'll just need you and Ms. Heartilly to sign on the given area."

Squall nodded and took the papers from her. He scribbled his signature a few times, and then passed the papers on to Rinoa. After she had signed everything, Squall handed them back to the receptionist.

"Thank you, Mr. Leonhart. Ms. Heartilly is free to go."

With a final nod, Squall turned to Rinoa and wheeled her out of the hospital. They were going home.

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Meanwhile, in a hotel in Deling City, Quistis and Seifer were planning their next moves.

"What is the status on Rinoa?" Seifer asked Quistis.

"She was just released from the hospital," Quistis announced as she hung up the phone. "It's amazing what a little false information can get you. So much for confidential information."

Seifer nodded. "Were you able to get an updated status of her condition?"

Quistis nodded smugly. "Her leg was badly damaged and she will be returning to the hospital sometime in the near future for surgery. The best part is," Quistis smirked, "she may not be able to skate again!"

"Are you sure about that?" Something in the way Seifer said that disturbed Quistis. He almost sounded...remorseful.

"Of course I am sure. Why are you acting like this is a bad thing?"

"I'm not. I just need to think about what the best course of action is. I bet Squall is watching her like a hawk."

"Then our first step is to find out where they are. They can't stay in a hotel forever, can they?"

Seifer shook his head. "Especially not if Rinoa is temporarily handicapped. Squall would take her somewhere she could be comfortable. That guy's blind when it comes to her."

Quistis looked away. "Do you think that they're staying at Caraway's?"

"I doubt it. Rinoa always hated her old man, so I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want to be around him."

"Then where would Squall take her?"

"I don't know, but I'm willing to bet that Kinneas and Tilmitt do."

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Squall turned the key in the knob and unlocked the door to their new home. Rinoa gasped as she took in all of its features. The door opened into a fully furnished living room with a couch, love seat, recliner, coffee table, and flat screen TV. A desk with a computer was located in the corner of the room. The next room, directly to the left, was the kitchen. The kitchen was also fully furnished with everything they could ever need. Down the hall were three more rooms. The first room on the right was a guest room furnished with a bed, desk, dresser, and book case. The room directly across the hall was the bathroom, which Rinoa immediately fell in love with. The walls were a peach color and located in the middle of the room was a gorgeous marble bath tub. The floor was made of white tiles and in addition to the bath tub, there was a shower. Finally, they came across the room at the end of the hall; their room. A pale blue carpet adorned the floor, going perfectly with the white walls. A king-sized bed was located in the middle of the room, along with a desk, nightstand, fireplace, dresser, and book case. The best feature, in Rinoa's opinion, was the balcony.

"Squall," she gasped. "I can't believe that we have a balcony!" The balcony overlooked Deling City and the view was spectacular.

"Well, I saw how much you seemed to enjoy them when we stayed at the hotels, so I figured, why not get our own."

Rinoa hugged him from her place in the wheelchair. "This is all too much, Squall. You didn't have to do any of this."

"But when I see how happy you are, Rinoa, it's all worth it. I'm going to take care of you until you get back on your feet...literally."

"Are you implying that after I'm 'on my feet' you're just gonna dump me?"

"Rinoa, that's not what I meant at all. I-"

Rinoa cut him off. "Squall, I was just kidding. I know what you meant and think that it's extremely sweet of you. Now, if I could only skate again, I'd be the happiest girl in the world."

"Don't think about that right now. When the timing is right, you will be able to skate again. I promise."

"How can you have so much faith in me?" Rinoa asked bewildered.

"Because you've taught me to have faith. Faith in you and faith in myself."

Their moment was interrupted as the phone rang. "Our first caller. Didn't think many people knew how to reach us. I'll get it, though." Rinoa wheeled herself to the phone in their bedroom. "Hello?"

"Rinoa? It's Dr. Kadowaki."

"Oh, hi! Is something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing like that. I just got your test results back and everything looks great. However, there is something that I'd like to talk to you about."

"What is it?" Rinoa asked concerned. "If everything looks great, then what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, as far as I can tell, but I would like to see you right away. There is some...news that I absolutely have to discuss with you."

Rinoa sighed. "You mean I have to come back to the hospital?"

"Yes, but just for a little while. You won't have to be admitted or anything like that. I just need to talk to you in person."

"Alright. I'll have Squall drive me over right now."

"Okay. I'll see you in a little while then. Good bye."

"Bye," Rinoa said as she hung up the phone.

"What is it?" Squall asked worriedly. "You have to go back to the hospital?"

Rinoa nodded. "Dr. Kadowaki said that she needs to discuss something with me. She said that it was nothing bad, but I wonder..."

"I'm sure that it's nothing. Come on, I'll take you there right now. The sooner we go, the sooner we'll be out of there."

They exited the condo, got in the car, and were on their way, hoping against hope for good news.

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"Rinoa, thanks for coming. I'm sorry to just call you in here like this," Dr, Kadowaki apologized.

"It's alright. I would just like to know what's going on."

"I know. Squall, will you excuse us, please?"

Squall nodded and left the office. I wonder what this is all about...

"As I told you over the phone, your test results were magnificent. I see a full recovery in store for you."

Rinoa beamed. "That's wonderful! But couldn't you have told me that over the phone?"

Dr. Kadowaki chuckled. "That's not why I called you to come in. In doing your tests, we discovered something...unexpected."

"Unexpected?" Rinoa asked in alarm. "What do you mean?"

"Rinoa, I'm just going to come out and say it. You are pregnant."

Rinoa stared at the doctor in shock. "Pregnant? How?"

Dr. Kadowaki smiled. "I hardly think that I need to lecture you on how babies are made."

Rinoa blushed. "It's just that this is so...sudden and completely unexpected."

"Rinoa, if you feel as if you are not ready for this child, there a different options-"

"No!" Rinoa cut in. "I am not going to get rid of this child. I said this was unexpected, but I never said that I was unhappy about it."

"Yes, well the decision is ultimately yours. However, in your current condition, physical therapy is going to be twice as hard."

"I am a fighter, and I will fight for my life as well as for my child's," Rinoa said stubbornly.

She nodded. "Anyway, that's what I wanted to tell you. You are free to go, but remember, if you ever have any questions, feel free to call me."

"I will. Thank you." Rinoa wheeled herself out of the room, digesting what she had just learned. I'm pregnant! How am I going to be able to take care of this baby? And how am I going to tell Squall?

~*~