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

Author's Note: First off, I just want to say happy belated birthday, Squall! Lol, thanks to everyone that reviewed! Also, I posted a Squall/Rinoa one shot song-fic last week called Un-Break My Heart. I'd really appreciate it if you could give me some feedback on that. Thanks!

On the Ice

Chapter 17- New Beginnings

"Rinoa, are you ready?" Selphie asked excitedly. "Squall and Irvy are probably there already!"

"I'll be ready in a sec," she called.

Two weeks had passed since Rinoa's surgery. Everything had gone perfectly and Rinoa had been going to physical therapy three times a week. She was making remarkable progress and couldn't be happier. One of the first things that she had done was go out with Selphie and purchase a formal dress. She hadn't wanted to buy a fancy wedding dress because the ceremony was going to be very small and simple. With the help of Selphie, Rinoa had made the perfect purchase.

Selphie tapped her foot impatiently. "Rinoa, I'm serious! You don't want to be late for your own wedding do you?"

Finally, Rinoa emerged from her room. "Okay, I'm ready. What do you think?"

Selphie stared at her friend in admiration. Rinoa was adorned in the gown they had purchased. It was ivory and sleeveless. Tiny pearls dotted the swooping neckline and the waist. It was classic and elegant and it fit Rinoa completely. Rinoa had all of her hair piled on the top of her head, with a few strands framing her face. On top of that was a small tiara.

"I think," Selphie said, "that Squall is going to have a heart attack when he sees you."

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Only you would say something like that, but I'll take it as a compliment."

"Well, you should. Now, come on. Do you really wanna keep your future husband waiting?"

"No, I suppose that wouldn't be a wise thing to do. Wouldn't want him to change his mind."
It was Selphie's turn to roll her eyes. "As if he would. You and I both know that the man has it bad for you."

Rinoa blushed. "You really think so?"

Selphie smacked herself. "Yes! You should know that better than anyone! Now, enough chit-chat! We really do need to get going."

"Okay, okay, let's go." Rinoa grabbed her purse and followed Selphie out of the condo and into her car.

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Meanwhile, Squall and Irvine were at the church, waiting for the girls. No one was there except for them and the priest that was now approaching them.

"I was wondering," the priest began, "if you are ready to begin the ceremony?"

Squall raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"The ceremony," the priest repeated. "You are getting married, aren't you?" Squall nodded. "Well, then why don't we begin?"

"We can't begin without the bride," Irvine pointed out.

"Oh!" he chuckled. "Forgive me. I just assumed that you two were…together."

"Together? Squall and me?" Irvine burst out laughing. Squall, however, did not look amused. Thankfully, Rinoa and Selphie chose that moment to show up.

"Sorry about the delay," Selphie said as she walked through the door. "Someone decided that they were going to take their sweet time." Selphie looked pointedly at Rinoa.

Rinoa blushed. "Sorry," she mumbled. Squall didn't seem to mind, though. He was too busy staring at her.

"Ahem!" The priest cleared his throat. "Can we please start the ceremony now?"

Irvine rolled his eyes. "You two had better say yes. He's been at it for quite awhile."

Rinoa smiled and took Squall's hand. "We're ready."

The priest nodded and began. The ceremony was short, but meaningful in its own way. It was very simple, but simple is exactly what they had wanted. It was just the two of them, and their two closest friends. Of course, Selphie couldn't help but start crying. It was a very sweet day for all of them. Once it was over, they thanked the priest and received their congratulations from their friends.

"So…what's the plan now?" Irvine asked.

"Well, we're going out for dinner and we'd love it if you two could join us," Rinoa informed them.

"Really?" Selphie asked. "Are you sure you wouldn't be happier if it was just the two of you?"

Rinoa shook her head. "Don't be silly. We want you two to share this with us."

Selphie smiled. "Alright then. Where to?"

"Angelo's," Rinoa announced. "Do you know how to get there?"

Irvine nodded. "I'm pretty sure, but we'll follow you, just in case, okay?"

"Okay. Let's get going."

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Rinoa laughed as Squall picked her up and carried her into their home. "You know…you can put me down, Squall. I can walk."

Squall shook his head. "You're supposed to be taking it easy."

"Oh, so that's it. Obeying doctor's orders, are we?"

"At least one of us is."

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Squall, put me down. You're going to throw out your back. I'm starting to get pretty heavy."

Squall grunted and deposited her onto the couch. "Comfortable?"

"Yup!" she giggled. "Seriously though, I couldn't be happier."

Squall looked at her thoughtfully. "Are you happy, Rinoa? I doubt that this is the life you had imagined when I asked you to become my skating partner."

"No," Rinoa answered, "it isn't. Now, I couldn't imagine it any other way. I am so lucky that you came into my life, Squall."

"Look at us, Rinoa. We're both twenty-two and we're already married and will soon be parents. Instead of this, you could be concentrating on your skating career. I ruined that for you."

Rinoa shook her head. "I have no regrets, Squall," she said as she pulled him in for a kiss.

"Are you absolutely sure? Because if-"

Squall never had a chance to finish what he was saying because Rinoa decided that now would be a good time to kiss him again.

"Squall," she said as she broke away gently, "pick me up."

He frowned. "I thought you didn't want me to carry you."

"Well, I changed my mind. Carry me to our bedroom, now."

Squall didn't have to be told twice. He picked up his wife, entered their bedroom, and kicked the door shut behind them.

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"We are here today to witness the trial of the defendants, Seifer Almasy and Quistis Trepe. Mr. Almasy is being tried for attempted rape and Ms. Trepe is being charged for assault. In both cases, the victim was the plaintiff, Rinoa Leonhart. This trial is now in session."

Rinoa was called to the stand first. She was asked to state her case against both of the defendants. "The night of the Deling City skating competition, I was attacked. My husband, Squall Leonhart, dropped me off near the entrance of the arena while he went to park the car. As I was walking toward the arena, I was attacked from behind. I did not see my attacker. However, after the incident, I suspected that my attacker had either been Seifer or Quistis. As Seifer's ex-girlfriend, I thought that he might confess to me if we were alone. So, I invited him to my house to talk to him. During this time, Seifer admitted to me that Quistis had indeed attacked me. During this time, he tried to rape me."

"Let me ask you this, Mrs. Leonhart. Why would Mr. Almasy want to "make love" to you, as you have said in your statement, if he already had an attractive girlfriend?"

"I don't know," she said, annoyed. "He told me that he had always wanted me and that he loved me. I don't know if he was lying or not."

"And in this time, you managed to get his confession on tape?"

"Yes."

"Mighty convenient if you ask me. Mr. Almasy just comes over and pours his little heart out to you. Don't tell me you weren't coming on to him."

"Objection!" Rinoa's lawyer called.

"That will be enough, Mr. Carstairs," the judge told the lawyer questioning Rinoa. "Do you have any further questions for Mrs. Leonhart?"

"No, no further questions."

Rinoa was free to leave the stand and Quistis was called up next. It was time for Rinoa's lawyer, Mr. Wilkins, to question her. She was asked to tell the court her side of the story.

"Yes, I was at the arena that night, but Rinoa did not get attacked by me. I was inside the arena, getting changed into my costume."

"How is it, then, that not a soul saw you in the arena until after Mrs. Leonhart had been attacked?"

"I don't know. I was getting changed, for God's sake. I wasn't exactly in a place where a lot of people could see me."

"What about your partner, Seifer Almasy?"
"He was also changing at the time."

"Funny, two top skaters and not a single person saw either of you. No further questions, Ms. Trepe. I would like to call Seifer Almasy to the stand."

Seifer took the stand, shocking the court with his version of the events. "Quistis Trepe is a liar. She attacked Rinoa because of her jealousy. She has always been jealous of Rinoa's relationship with Squall. Quistis figured that without Rinoa in the picture, Squall would be hers."

"How do you know for sure that Ms. Trepe attacked Mrs. Leonhart? Did you actually witness the attack?"

"No. Quistis confessed what she had done after the attack."

"You bastard!" Quistis screamed. "You're the one who told me to attack her in the first place! You wanted to eliminate her so she couldn't compete!"

The people in the courtroom gasped. Mr. Wilkins turned towards Seifer. "Is that true, Mr. Almasy? Did you tell Ms. Trepe to attack Mrs. Leonhart?"

"No, I did not. Quistis is just upset that I'm ratting her out."

"What about Mrs. Leonhart? Why did you attempt to rape her?"

"I didn't rape her! She was coming on to me! What did you expect me to do? It's not like I could just forget me feelings for her."
"So, what you are saying is that everything was consensual?"

"Well, not exactly…"

"Then what, Mr. Almasy, are you saying?"

"I didn't rape her! I just wanted her, alright?! I'm still in love with her, God dammit!"

"Order!" The judge called. "This is enough. This court is in recess for an hour. We will reassemble then with the verdict."

One Hour Later……

"We have reached a verdict," the judge announced. "After reviewing the material evidence and the statements made today, we find both Quistis Trepe and Seifer Almasy guilty. They are both sentenced to five years in prison. This trial is adjourned."

~*~