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

Author's Note: Sorry for the slight delay with this chapter. I actually had a good portion of it written, but then my muses went on vacation, lol. They're back now, so it's all good ^_^ Thanks for the reviews! Also, I just wanted to remind everyone that the monthly writing challenge is still going on. I'm still looking for a lot more fics, so see details in my FF.net profile if you are interested. I apologize in advance for the mushiness at the end of this chapter ^_^

On the Ice

Chapter 16- The Road to Recovery

"What do you think about eloping?" Squall asked the next morning as he laid in bed with Rinoa.

"Eloping?" Rinoa asked surprised. "I never really thought about it."

"It makes sense if you think about it. Neither of us really have family members. I just think that a big wedding would be a waste of time."

Rinoa looked thoughtful. "I suppose planning a wedding could take awhile. With physical therapy and the baby, it could get stressful. Besides, there really wouldn't be anyone to invite, would there? Irvine and Selphie are really the only other people I would want to be present."

"Alright, then how about this. We'll hire a priest, invite Selphie and Irvine, and get married wherever you want."

Rinoa couldn't help but smile. "That sounds perfect. If you don't mind, could we get married in a church? Call me silly, but I've always wanted a church wedding."

Squall shrugged. "Whatever makes you happy. As soon as your surgery is over and you're feeling back to normal, we'll have our 'wedding'. Sound good?"

"Yes," Rinoa sighed happily. "Now, we just need to handle the little matter of Seifer and Quistis."

Squall became serious. "I'm going to question Quistis about it today. If I'm lucky, I'll get her confession on tape."

Rinoa's eyes twinkled. "There's no need for that."

Squall frowned. "Why not?"

"You don't think that I would risk Seifer coming over here to confess without getting solid evidence out of it, do you?"

"What did you do?" he asked accusingly.

Rinoa laughed. "I had a tape recorder going the whole time. Now, not only can we nail Quistis for attacking me, but now we have evidence that Seifer attempted to rape me."

"Rinoa, you are brilliant," Squall said as he kissed her.

She smiled. "I have to admit that after I know they're locked away for good, I'll feel much better."

"Rinoa, if you're worried about our child, don't be. I promise that I won't let anything happen."

"And you know I love you for that," Rinoa said as she cupped his face gently. "But it'll just be reassuring to know that they can't do us any harm."

Squall pulled her toward him. "I would never let them touch you. You and the baby are all I have...you're my only family."

"The same thing goes for you, Squall. You have to promise me that you won't do anything that will put your life in danger." Tears filled her eyes. "I don't want our child to grow up without ever knowing its father."

"Shh, that's not going to happen," Squall assured her.

"Promise me, Squall."

He nodded. "I promise. I'm not going to be leaving any time soon. Now, can we please stop with all this talk? We're getting married and we have a baby on the way...plenty of reason to celebrate."

She sighed. "You're right, as usual. Everything that's important to me is here in this room. I need to focus on getting better so that our child has a future."

Squall groaned. "Forget about the future, Rinoa. Isn't that what you used to say? Concentrate on the here and now."

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Right again." She rolled over and sat up on the edge of the bed. "Now, if you would be so kind as to escort me to the shower, I can get ready, and we can head down to the police station."

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A hour and a half later, Squall wheeled Rinoa into the Deling City Police Station. The place was pretty deserted, probably because of the early hour. There were a couple of officers sitting behind desks doing God only knows what police officers do to solve their crimes. Approaching the main desk, they were greeted by a serious looking gentleman who appeared to be about forty-years-old.

"I'd like to report two cases of violence," Squall told the officer.

"Step into my office," he said as he led them down the hall and into a small room. "Now, what are these so-called cases?"

"I should probably be the one filing the report," Rinoa told the officer. Glancing at his badge, she saw that his name was William Delaney. "This past Wednesday, I was attacked in front of the Deling City Arena. Then, yesterday, Seifer Almasy admitted that Quistis Trepe had attacked me and then he tried to rape me. The pizza we had ordered earlier came before he could do much damage. Seifer left when the pizza delivery guy threatened to call the police."

Officer Delaney raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to prove that what you say is true?"

"We have evidence. I managed to get Seifer's confession on tape. When Seifer was at our condo yesterday, I secretly taped the whole conversation."

Officer Delaney nodded. "Where is this tape?"

"Right here," Squall said as he handed the tape to the officer.

"Alright, we can review this tape and file a case against Seifer Almasy and Quistis Trepe. If what is contained on this tape is seen as significant evidence against them, they will be arrested. After that, they will have to go on trial, where their sentence will be carried about."

"Sounds like this could take awhile," Rinoa said regretfully.

"Well, not necessarily. It really depends on the specific sentence and how fast they can appear before a judge. In the meantime, I suggest that you be on your guard. They know where you live now."

Rinoa hung her head. "It was foolish of me to allow Seifer access to our home. I suppose that if he gets put away, it'll be worth it, though."

"Sometimes sacrifices must be made." The officer stood up. "I will call you after we gave reviewed this evidence. Try to stay out of trouble."

Rinoa glared at his back as he left the room. "The way he said that, you'd think we were kids."

Squall shrugged. "Policemen tend to act that way. Are you ready to get out of here?"

Rinoa nodded. "Definitely."

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Before Rinoa knew it, Tuesday had arrived. It was time for her surgery. She had been on edge since the moment she had woken up. There were so many questions and worries on her mind. What if the surgery didn't work? Even if Squall was willing to dedicate his life taking care of her, she wouldn't have it. It was his life to live. He didn't need to be tied down by an invalid.

Now, as Rinoa sat in the waiting room beside Squall, she couldn't help but be nervous about the future. After their trip to the police station, Officer Delaney had called Squall and Rinoa saying that the evidence was enough to arrest Seifer and Quistis. Their trial was in a week, in which Rinoa was going to have to testify. Until the trial, they would remain in jail. However, Rinoa knew that it was just a temporary security. If Seifer and Quistis weren't found guilty, her family would be threatened. She feared for the life of her unborn child.

"Rinoa?" Squall waved a hand in front of her face, "Dr. Kadowaki says they're ready for us now."

Rinoa nodded absently and allowed Squall to help her down the hall. Once they reached another room, Rinoa changed into a hospital gown and Dr. Kadowaki began to explain the procedure.

"Okay, Rinoa, the first thing we're going to do is put you under anesthesia. Once that takes an affect, we will begin to operate on you leg, basically replacing the damaged tissue and cartilage. This procedure will take longer than usual because of your pregnancy. Too much anesthesia could hurt the baby, so we need to give it to you in light doses."

Rinoa became alarmed. "No one told me anything about this surgery hurting my baby. If this is going to endanger my baby's life, then you can count me out."
"Rinoa, I assure you that we will do everything in our power to make sure that both you and your baby are fine during the surgery. The actual mechanics of the surgery won't affect your baby at all. Like I said, the only thing that could possibly harm your baby is too much anesthesia. I will personally be supervising the anesthesiologist, so I will not let that happen."

Rinoa turned to Squall, still worried. "I don't know. What do you think?"

"I think that the baby will be fine. Rinoa, you need this surgery."

She sighed. "Alright, I'm ready."

Dr. Kadowaki nodded. "Just lay down here and we'll wheel you into the operating room. Squall, you're going to have to go wait out in the lobby."

Squall nodded. He helped Rinoa into the bed and gave her one last hug. "You're going to be fine. I'll be right here with you when you wake up."

Rinoa smiled. "Good. I want you to be the first thing I see. Promise?"

He squeezed her hand. "Of course." Squall released her as Dr. Kadowaki wheeled her down the hall. Sighing, he turned around and headed into the waiting room.

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"Squall, hey!" Selphie ran up to him energetically, Irvine right behind her. "How's Rinoa doing?"

Squall sighed. "She's still in surgery, so I haven't had any updates on her condition."

Irvine whistled. "Pretty long time to be in surgery, eh?"
Squall ran a hand through his hair in a nervous gesture. "According to the doctor, the surgery is taking longer because of Rinoa's condition."

Selphie frowned. "What condition?"

Squall mentally slapped himself. That's right...they don't know that Rinoa's pregnant. This isn't exactly the best time to tell them, but... "Rinoa is pregnant."

Both Selphie and Irvine stared at him in astonishment. Finally, Selphie broke the silence. "Wow! Congratulations! Can I be its godmother?"

That definitely broke the tension of the announcement. Even Squall managed a small smile. "Well, I'll have to talk it over with Rinoa, but I'll see what I can do."

"Woo-hoo!" Selphie jumped up and down excitedly, causing a few other patients to stare.

Just then, Dr. Kadowaki entered the room. "Squall, I am extremely pleased to tell you that the surgery went very well. Rinoa is still asleep from the anesthesia, but she should be waking up soon. You can go and see her if you'd like. I'm sure you don't want to break your promise," she smiled.

Squall nodded. "Thank you, doctor. For everything." That said, he walked down the hall and entered Rinoa's room.

Like Dr. Kadowaki had said, Rinoa was sleeping peacefully, a small smile upon her lips. He wondered what she was dreaming about. He relished in the fact that he could watch her forever, just like this, and never get tired of it. I guess that this is what all the hype is about. The songs, the poems, the vows. All for this one feeling, a feeling that can creep up out of nowhere and attach itself to you when you least expect it. But...I wouldn't have it any other way.

Rinoa's eyes opened slowly, and just as she had wished, the first thing she saw was Squall. "You kept your promise," she whispered groggily.

He smiled. "I always do."

~*~