Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII....
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, everyone, but I'm afraid that it could become a habit now that school is back. I am taking three honors classes, so I have to juggle a lot of work with this fanfic. I'm hoping that I'll be able to finish this up in about five or less chapters, but since this fic seems to have a mind of its own, I don't even know what's going to happen. Also, I have written yet another angst songfic called "Can't Let Go." If any of you could read and review that, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed either fics!
On the Ice
Chapter 19- Finding You
"Ms. Trepe? My name is Doctor Carmichael. I am going to be asking you some questions. Please, take a seat."
Quistis reluctantly sat down across from the doctor. "You better make this quick. I don't need a damn shrink."
"Quistis...I'm just here to help you. Might I also remind you that you are in no position to be making demands. Like it or not, you are still a prisoner."
She snorted. "You want to help me? I'm sorry, doctor, but I am beyond help."
"Nobody is beyond help, Quistis," the doctor said as she patted her arm reassuringly.
"Really? Well, you obviously haven't heard my story."
"Then why don't you tell me? Sometimes it helps to get things off your chest."
Quistis sighed. "You want to hear my story? Here it is. I loved Squall Leonhart from the moment that I laid eyes on him. We eventually became skating partners and I always held on to the hope that we could be something more. Then, the twit, Rinoa Heartilly, entered the picture. Squall was manipulated by her and now they are married." Tears filled her eyes. "Can't you see? Rinoa stole Squall from me!"
Dr. Carmichael handed Quistis a box of tissues. "It sounds to me, Quistis, that you are in denial. Obviously, you had strong feelings for Mr. Leonhart and when he turned to another woman, you were hurt. However, there was never a romantic relationship between the two of you, so don't you think you might be overreacting?"
"No, I do not. There was always a connection between us, but he didn't want to acknowledge it."
"Quistis, look where this rage and denial had gotten you. You are serving a five year sentence in jail. Surely, you wouldn't want to waste you life away over a married man."
Quistis slammed her fist down on the desk. "I will never give up on Squall! He loved me! Rinoa is making him deny his feelings for me!"
"You need to calm down. May I ask you a question? If your feelings for Mr. Leonhart were so strong, then why turn to Seifer Almasy? We know that there was a romantic connection between the two of you."
"Seifer was just a distraction. He made me forget about Squall for awhile, but in time, I realized that I couldn't possibly let him go. I can never let him go! Please, I need to get Squall back!"
What this girl needs is a muzzle! "Quistis, have you seen Seifer since your sentence? Has he contacted you in any way?"
"No," Quistis snapped. "Why the hell would he? It's pretty apparent that his heart belongs to the twit, as well. What is wrong with everyone?"
"So what you are telling me is, you haven't seen or spoken to Seifer Almasy in eight months?"
"That's what I said, isn't it?"
"So, would it be correct for me to assume that you don't know anything about him disappearing this morning?"
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"Squall, stop splashing me!" Rinoa shrieked. Her and Squall had walked down to the pier from their hotel. Rinoa was sitting on the edge of the docks, while Squall was swimming in the calm water.
"I guess I'm going to have to. I wouldn't want you to go into labor or anything," he teased.
"Squall Leonhart! You are the one who stressed that this was going to be a relaxing vacation. Well, ever since we arrived here yesterday, it hasn't exactly been relaxing."
Squall smirked, remembering the night before. "I promise, all relaxation the rest of the time that we are here." He pulled himself out of the water and onto the docks, next to Rinoa.
"Well, you've always been a man of your word. I suppose that I'll just have to trust you on this one."
"Really, I don't see why you are so anxious to rest, anyway. Your attitude was the complete opposite yesterday."
"I guess that the traveling, on top of being eight months pregnant, just wore me out. I'm exhausted."
Squall gave her a worried look. "Are you feeling alright? I really didn't mean to wear you out."
Rinoa gave him a small smile. "No, it wasn't you. I'd just really like to get back to the hotel and rest right now. Do you think we could?"
"Of course, Rinoa. Why wouldn't it be okay?"
Rinoa shook her head. "I don't know. You know how I get when I'm tired."
Squall smiled. "Yes, I do." He extended his hand to her and she got up.
"God, I feel like a penguin," she complained.
Squall chuckled. "Are you going to be able to make it back to the hotel?"
"Of course," she said assuredly as they walked towards their destination.
About seven minutes later, they reached the hotel. Rinoa was completely out of breath and had to take a moment to rest before entering the building. She leaned against a nearby tree wearily.
"I never should have let you walk that. Stay here...I'll go get you some water, okay?" Squall asked.
Rinoa nodded, too tired to speak. At that point, she just wanted to have the baby and get it over with. A hand on her shoulder made her jump in fright. Her eyes widened as she felt the hand tighten, and then a voice say, "Looks like I've found you."
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"What do you mean, Seifer escaped this morning? There has to be some mistake. He wouldn't just leave me here!" Quistis exclaimed, outraged.
"Didn't you just finish telling me that Seifer was a distraction and that he was basically in love with Ms. Heartilly?" the doctor asked.
"Well, yes, I did. I meant what I said."
"Then why did you sound so surprised to hear that Mr. Almasy didn't include you in his escape plans?"
"Why don't I ask you a question, Doctor. If this is a prison and nobody is supposed to get out, how did Seifer manage to escape?"
"That's what I was hoping you would be able to tell me," she replied.
"Well, you can forget it. I can see that all you care about is finding Seifer. You don't give a damn about my mental health. That was all an excuse to question me, wasn't it? I'm willing to bet that you're not even a doctor."
"Then you would lose that bet. I assure you, Ms. Trepe, that I am. I do want to help you, but you are also imperative to gain information on Seifer's whereabouts."
Quistis rolled her eyes. "I'd have to disagree with that statement, considering that I don't know anything. You're going to have to find some other way to locate Seifer."
"Quistis...please be reasonable. If you know anything, it would be in your best interest to tell us. You would be rewarded for the information...possibly even get your sentence lessened."
"As appealing as that may sound, I am telling you the truth. I don't know where Seifer went."
Doctor Carmichael folded her hands neatly and pasted on an artificial smile. "In that case, I will have you escorted into your jail cell, and out of my office. I have no further use for you."
Quistis clenched her fists as she was grabbed roughly by two security guards. "So much for caring about my mental well-being, you bitch," she muttered.
Once Quistis was out of her office, Dr. Carmichael turned to the ward in her office. "I'm willing to bet that Seifer Almasy isn't very far from Rinoa Heartilly right now. Locate her immediately."
"Yes ma'm." The ward nodded and silently left the office.
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"I have to say, Rinoa, that your friends aren't very cautious. One of the mechanics down at the auto shop in Deling told me all about your little vacation with Squall."
Rinoa gritted her teeth. "We're in a public place, Seifer. You wouldn't dare try anything. Squall went to get me a drink and he's going to coming back in a minute. He'll kill you if he sees you here."
"Are you actually concerned about me now, Rinoa? That's funny...you didn't seem too concerned when I landed in jail."
"You didn't 'land' in jail, Seifer. You only got what was coming to you and you know that. So why are you here? Have you come to admit your undying love for me again? You don't seem to get that I hate your guts!"
"You flatter yourself," he whispered. "No, I am here for another purpose entirely. It's your child that I want."
Rinoa gasped. "Never! You would have to kill me first."
Seifer chuckled. "Believe me...that can be arranged."
"The police will find you. They're probably on their way here right now."
"By then, we'll already be gone. See Rinoa, I'm always one step ahead of everybody else. Even your dear little husband."
"What the hell do you want my baby for? You want a kid? Go bang Quistis! I'm sure she'd be more than happy to oblige."
"You don't seem to understand, Rinoa dear. I don't just want any baby. I want your baby, or more specifically, yours and Squall's baby. It will kill him to know that I'll be raising his child with you."
Rinoa laughed. "Do you honestly believe that your plan is going to work? The police will find you, and then you'll be back in jail for an even longer period of time. You said that you want to remain one step ahead of everyone else? Well, why don't you just quit while you're already there?"
"What would be the fun in that? No, Rinoa, I am perfectly happy with doing things my way. You and your baby will live the rest of your lives under my roof. We'll be one big, happy family. It will drive Squall insane."
"No, it won't," Squall said as he stepped put from where he had been hiding in the shadows. "Because you won't be taking my wife."
Seifer grinned. "Oh? How do you suppose you are going to stop me?"
"Why don't you look behind you?"
Turning around, Seifer was faced with a police squad. "Shit," he cursed as he was grabbed and handcuffed.
"Seifer Almasy," one of the officers said, "You are under arrest...again."
~*~