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

Author's Note: A few more chapters and this ficcy will be finished! To those of you who commented on Sabina's name, my friend is actually named Sabina and I've always loved that name, so that's where I got it from. Thanks for reviewing!

On the Ice

Chapter 21- Returning Again

The days went by and Rinoa and Squall were the happiest they had ever been. Well, until Sabina would start crying her eyes out, but still, they loved every minute of it. However, underneath all the happiness lay a hidden anguish in Rinoa. The question of "would she ever skate again?" was constantly gnawing at her mind. She hated herself for not being satisfied with what she had. Once you had a taste of that feeling out on the ice, like you were flying, you simply couldn't go back to being content without it. That was why, three months after Sabina was born, Rinoa entered the kitchen with joy shining in her eyes.

Squall looked up from where he was feeding Sabina. "Okay, what's going on? And don't tell me nothing, Rinoa, because I can read you like an open book."

Rinoa grinned mischievously. "Well...I just thought that now would be as good a time as any to return to skating."

Squall's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"

Rinoa smiled gently and took a seat next to him. "I know what you're going to say, but please hear me out first. Two weeks after Sabina was born, I decided that I was going to train myself to be able to skate again. Every day, I met with Cid for two hours to practice. I told you that I was going to physical therapy, however, that ended right after Sabina was born. I didn't want to tell you because I knew that you wouldn't want me to overwork myself. However, after a lot of frustration, I was able to overcome my disability and skate again! Again, Squall, I am so sorry, but I needed to do this on my own, and I wanted to surprise you when I felt like I was at my best. That time is now, Squall. I want to train with you again, win with you again." she searched his face questioningly. "Please say something."

He stared at Rinoa silently for what seemed like an eternity, but he couldn't stop the grin from forming on his face. "You can skate again?" he asked in disbelief. "You have skated again?"

Rinoa nodded. "These past three months have been the hardest of my life, but I already know that it's worth it. That's why I've been so tired lately. You didn't think it odd because you thought I was worn out from Sabina."

"I don't know what to say.... Rinoa, I should be mad at you for lying to me, but how can I be? I knew that you could do it!"

"Oh, Squall, I am so happy! This was such an obstacle for me...you can't even being to imagine how relieved I feel right now. We can go back to our career!"

Squall placed Sabina in her carrier and then drew Rinoa to him. "I am so proud of you. Do you know how much you have overcome? You've beaten Seifer and Quistis. Look where they are now, and look where we are."

Rinoa laughed. "You're sounding like quite the cocky one right now."

"I have every reason to be," Squall told her. "Look at where I am. It doesn't get any better than this."

Rinoa sighed happily. "No, it doesn't."

******************************************************************************************

Drip...drip...drip.... Quistis shuddered, feeling like she would go crazy if she didn't get away from the constant noise of the dripping water. She had been in jail for about a year now. How she would survive another four was beyond her comprehension. Every day wore on, dragging into the next, until there were no longer twenty-four hour periods, just a slow, ongoing cycle of time. Quistis wanted it all to end, even if it meant taking her life. Constantly on her mind were ways to go about ending her pitiful existence.

During the time she had been in jail so far, not a soul had come to visit her. Barely anyone talked to her, except for the occasional psychologist and counselor who claimed to want to "save her soul." Ha! That was a joke. Like anyone could save her now. She was cursed to live the rest of her days in solitude. Even when she did get out of jail, no one would want to be around her. She was supposedly "dangerous." If Quistis could hit a rewind button and go back to the day she met Seifer Almasy, she would have avoided him at all costs. All he did was screw up her life.

Yes, she did feel remorse for the things she had done. Despite her having been dubbed the "Ice Queen," she did have emotions. What had ever possessed her to lead such a pitiful life? She supposed that is she thought back to it, she could blame it on Squall. It was her love for Squall that had broken her apart. She had been normal until he had entered her life. No matter what she thought of Squall, though, she could never hate him. Even after everything, she still loved him deeply. The only difference now was that she was starting to accept the fact that she would never have him. That's what a year in jail will do for you.

Not only was the boredom driving her insane, but she constantly had to deal with her thoughts. They haunted her, trying to rip her apart, make her go insane. Some would argue that she already was. Hell, she wanted to believe that. Convincing herself that she was insane somehow made what she did just a little less horrible. However, she knew that wasn't the case. She had known what she was doing, when she had done it.

Quistis looked up as a guard unlocked her jail cell. She got up and followed him silently. She was used to this by now, as well. They no longer needed to handcuff her as she was escorted to the cafeteria for lunch. All of the women had lunch a the same time, separately from the men. Quistis rarely, if ever, saw Seifer, which she couldn't say was very disappointing.

The guard left Quistis just outside of the cafeteria. Just as she was about to walk through the doors, she was grabbed roughly from behind. Her eyes widened as she saw who it was. "Seifer," she hissed, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

He pulled her into the shadows, and out of sight from any guards who could be lurking about. "We only have a few minutes before they notice I'm missing. I need to talk to you."

Quistis sighed. "Make it quick."

"Word has it that Squall and Rinoa will be making their comeback into competition in Trabia next month. When they do, I am going to be there, and believe me, it will definitely be a memorable night. However, I might need some help. That's where you come in."

She looked at him in disbelief. "Excuse me? Do you really think that I am going to help you after all that you've put me through? I don't want to have a damn thing to do with you!"

"So you're not interested in getting your revenge anymore, is that it? When did you become so righteous?"

"I never said that I was, Seifer. The difference between you and me is that I know when to stop. I'm sick of living my life in this jail. Don't try to find me again," she said as she walked away.

Seifer shrugged. "Your loss."

******************************************************************************************

"Good, good!" Cid said encouragingly as Squall and Rinoa practiced the moves for their new routine. "The way it looks, you'll be ready to enter into the competition in Trabia on the first of the month. This competition is big. Only the best will make it through to the finals. It will be tough, but I know you two can do it."

Squall frowned. "Are you sure that it's good for Rinoa to be competing in that type of event so soon after her injury?"

"In my personal opinion, I would say yes, but only Rinoa can truly answer that question." Both men turned towards her.

"I can handle it. I already told you, I feel great! I am more than ready to do this, so please don't worry about me."

Squall nodded. "I'll trust you on this one, but seriously, if you're not feeling well, you have to tell me. Okay?"

"Mmhmm. If I'm in pain, I will tell you."

"Well, now that we've got that settled, why don't you take it from the top?" Cid instructed.

They obliged, putting their hearts into their routine and trying to work out any of the kinks. After going through the jumps a few more times, they were interrupted by the sound of Sabina's cries.

Rinoa skated over to the sidelines, where Sabina was in her carrier. "I think that she's hungry," Rinoa announced as she picked her up and began feeding her. "Looks like we're going to have to take a break."

Cid smiled. "You've definitely earned it. Like I said before, you two are doing fantastic." He walked up to where Rinoa was sitting. "Uh, I may just be an old man who wishes he had some kids of his own, but may I feed her?"

Rinoa laughed. "Of course! You can be her surrogate grandfather since it doesn't seem like my father will be taking an active role in her life."

Cid frowned. "What ever do you mean?"

"My father and I are not exactly on the best terms. He hasn't come to see me since I got married and had Sabina. To be completely honest, he probably doesn't even know that he has a granddaughter."

"That's a shame," Cid said as he cradled Sabina in his arms. "How could you shun a perfect little creature like this?"

Rinoa sighed. "Who knows? What I do know is that I don't need my father. Believe me, you have been more of a father to me then he ever was."

"Well, thank you, Rinoa. It really has been my pleasure. Edea and I never had children, so we definitely appreciate having you and Squall, as well as Selphie and Irvine."

"Mmm," Rinoa murmured as she watched her husband still practicing. He was such a gorgeous skater. She still couldn't believe that he was her husband.

"Listen, Rinoa, you and Squall have both got in plenty of practice today." He handed Sabina back to her. "Why don't you two go home and, uh, rest." he winked.

Rinoa smiled. "That sounds like a plan." She stood up. "Hey Squall!"

He stopped and looked up questioningly. "What?"

"You ready to head home? Cid says we've done enough training for one day."

Squall smiled and skated over to them. Taking of his skates, he said, "I have to say that I agree." Smirking, he picked up Rinoa in one hand and flung her over his shoulder. In the other hand, he picked up the carrier that Sabina was in.

"Have fun!" Cid called, smiling to himself. What a pair!

~*~