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

Author's Note: Well, everyone, here is the final chapter. I would just like to thank everyone that reviewed or sent me e-mails supporting me with this fic. Most of you know that there were some really trying times for me while writing this fic, but it was the kind words of you reviewers that encouraged me to continue on with this fic. Now, it is finally coming to a close. Again, thank you so much for all of your support and for sticking with me until the end. You have no idea how much it all means to me. I really hope that this final chapter doesn't disappoint you.

On the Ice

Chapter 23- Peace

Squall and Rinoa stared up at each other in confusion. Seeing that neither of them had been hurt, they shifted their gazes. Their eyes were met with the sight of Seifer, lying dead, on the ground and bleeding profusely. Standing behind him was Quistis, a gun in her hand. Seifer had taken a bullet right through the heart. Both Squall and Rinoa stared at the two in shock.

Quistis took a few steps forward, tremblingly. Every pair of eyes in the arena was on her. "I-I had to. Seifer...he was shooting at you, Squall. I couldn't let him kill you." Tears poured from her eyes. "Y-you never loved me, b-but I have always loved you. I don't care if you hate me. I just needed to make sure that you were safe."

"Quistis...I...." Squall trailed off, truly at a loss for words.

"It's alright, Squall. You don't have to say anything. Look at your wife's face. Do you see the relief there? Be happy, Squall. Be with your family and live. Don't let anyone claim your life as their own."

"Quistis, you're not making sense. What are you talking about?"

She smiled sadly. "I needed to do this one last thing...to finally clear some of the guilt. Maybe...maybe I won't be remembered as such a horrible person now. Please Squall, don't remember me as the person who attacked your wife. Remember me as the person who saved your life."

"Why are you talking like this? Like you're about to-" Squall stopped as he remembered the gun she was holding. It was now aimed at herself. "Quistis, no!"

"Good-bye, Squall. Remember to live. Seifer is gone, and now, so am I." That said, she pulled the trigger and fell to the ground.

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"They didn't even have a funeral for them," Selphie whispered to Irvine. "I know they were criminals, but still...."

Irvine shook his head. "I know, Selphie. You just need to think about all the hell that they put Squall and Rinoa through. They only got what was coming to them."

Just then, Rinoa and Squall exited their house and walked up to them grimly. "Cid and Edea are staying to watch Sabina," Rinoa explained. "We're ready to go now."

They nodded and then they all entered the car. The mood in the car was extremely somber and no one said a word. It was funny how much two people could make you feel. You held this...hatred in your heart for them, but when you witnessed them dying.... The memories would all come flooding back, about those few times that were good. You begin to ask yourself, "Where did everything go wrong?" What are you supposed to do when you don't know whether to be sad or relieved that a person you had so much history with, although mostly bad, was dead? These were the types of questions that Squall and Rinoa were asking themselves as they rode to the cemetery.

Irvine parked the car, but stayed inside with Selphie, wanting to give them their space. They approached Seifer's grave first. Rinoa stared down at it, a myriad amount of emotions running through her.

Seifer...there were times when I thought I hated you. Sometimes, I still think I do. When I think about how you tried to rape me, kidnap me, kidnap my baby, and kill Squall, I just can't forgive you. But I can't completely hate you, either. When I look back on that summer, so long ago, when we met...I can't hate you. Back then, you were so innocent, so carefree. I was in love with you then, Seifer, but I see how foolish and naï ve I really was. I'm sorry that things had to turn out this way, but they did. I hope that you can finally see how wrong you were in doing the things you did. Now, I believe that I can finally find some peace. Maybe...maybe you can, too.

Rinoa turned to Quistis' grave then, needing to "tell" her some things, as well. Quistis...I never thought I would say this, but I feel sorry for you. I know that you were driven by Seifer to attack me, driven by your blind love for two people. In the end, I truly believe that you changed. In my heart, I am able to forgive you. You saved my husband's life, and for that, I am grateful. However, your final words are what have driven me to forgive you. I honestly believe that in those final moments, you knew all that you had done, and that knowledge was too much to bear. That's why you pulled the trigger. May you find some peace, as well.

Rinoa then turned to face Squall, who was looking extremely uncomfortable. His eyes had been trained on her the whole time, watching as she "spoke" her final messages.

"You looked like you were...concentrating," Squall told her quietly.

She nodded. "In a way, I was. I believe that they can hear our thoughts, if we wish for them to be heard. That's what I was doing. 'Talking' to them. It really helps...to get some closure."

He nodded. "You really think they can hear our thoughts?"

"Yes, if we want them to do so."

"Okay, then," he said confidently. "Will you wait for me in the car? I just need to do this...alone."

Rinoa nodded in understanding. "I'll be in the car if you need me."

Squall turned back around and stared at the grave in front of him. It simply read "Quistis Trepe." No one really took any time to care about criminals. Squall closed his eyes. He felt a bit stupid, talking to Quistis inside of his head, but like Rinoa had told him, he needed this closure.

Quistis? I really don't know if you can hear me. Hell, I don't even know if I want you to. What you did...to me that is just unforgivable. Yes, you saved my life, and I am grateful to you for that, but I just cannot overlook all the years we spent together. The person you were...it just wasn't normal. You asked me to remember you as the person who saved my life, not as the person who attacked Rinoa. I don't know if I can do that. Maybe someday I will, but right now, I just can't. I don't know what else to say.... I'm sorry that things ended the way that they did, but I am not sorry that I am going to live my life and be happy. No one pulled that trigger, but you. Remember that.

Sighing, Squall turned to Seifer's grave. He had nothing pleasant to say to him, but he needed to get some things off his chest. Seifer, I shouldn't even be wasting my time with you. There is no way in hell that I will ever be able to forgive you. You hurt Rinoa far too many times, and then you tried to kill me. Well, I'm not sorry to say that you'll never have the chance to lay your hands on my family again. You only got what was coming to you, Seifer. Rot in hell.

That said, Squall turned around and walked back to the car. He took his seat, put his seatbelt on and looked to Irvine. "Let's get out of here."

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Shortly after, Rinoa and Squall had come to a decision. No longer would they compete in skating competitions. It was like a bad curse. Every time they were doing great, something awful would happen. There were just too many bad memories. However, just because they weren't skating in competition didn't mean that they couldn't skate. Now, they skated in shows only. There was no pressure to be the best, no scores, and no bitter rivalries. Squall and Rinoa both agreed that they had made a wise decision.

Now, they were taking things slow, always putting family before work. In fact, a year had passed since they had gotten married. Squall and Rinoa had decided to have a small party, inviting Selphie, Irvine, Zell, Cid, and Edea. It really had a double meaning, though. Yes, they were celebrating their one year anniversary, but they were also celebrating the fact that they had all made it through the past year. They had certainly had their share of ups and downs. For now, though, things were going pretty normally, which was a welcome relief to all the chaos they had known.

"Hey, has anyone seen Squall?" Rinoa asked the few guests they had. All of them shook their heads. "Hmm...I wonder where he went." She scanned the room, but came up with nothing. Noticing that Sabina was also gone, Rinoa began to worry.

"Is everything alright?" Edea asked worriedly.

Rinoa forced herself to smile. "I'm sure that everything is fine. Squall probably took Sabina for a walk or something."

Edea nodded. "Come, dear, have a seat and relax. This is supposed to be a very joyous day for you."

The key word there is "supposed." If I had my husband and daughter with me, I'd feel a lot better. Just then, Squall came through the door with Sabina resting peacefully in her carrier. Squall handed the carrier over to Rinoa. "Can you take this for a minute?"

Rinoa obliged, feeling confused. "Where were you? What was so important that you had to walk out on our anniversary?"

Squall shrugged. "Confidential business."

Rinoa frowned. "What are you talking about? Why did you have to take Sabina with you?" She stared down at her daughter and gasped. Placed in her lap was an open box, and inside the box was a gorgeous necklace, on which hung a diamond angel pendant.

"Happy anniversary," he said quietly.

Rinoa stared at him, then at the necklace, and then back at him again. "I...when? How? I mean, it's beautiful. Is that were you went?"

Squall nodded. "I had it specially made and I went to go pick it up. Do you like it?"

Rinoa gazed at it in admiration. "I love it. Thank you...."

"Ahem," Irvine cleared his throat. "Sorry to interrupt, but we're all going to clear out now. This has been a great party, so thanks for inviting us. Happy anniversary!" He winked. Everyone else said their goodbyes and then filed out the door, leaving the two alone.

"Come here," Rinoa said as she enveloped him in a tight hug. "This night has been perfect."

"Yeah," Squall said as he kissed her softly. "Are you up for an encore?"

Rinoa smirked. "I think I could go for that, after we put Sabina to sleep."

"That won't be a problem," Squall said as he picked up his daughter and carried her into her room. Rinoa followed him as he placed Sabina in her bassinet to sleep. "She's so perfect."

"Mhmm," Rinoa grinned. "Looks like she's settled in."

"It appears so," Squall said as he scooped up his wife in his arms and carried her into their bedroom, shutting the door behind them.

Needless to say, they didn't get very much sleep that night, or many nights that followed. Life had turned upright, and the stars were shining brightly for them. No matter what the future had in store for them, they had each other, and they had their daughter. They didn't need anything else.

~*~

Final Author's Notes: Well, that's that. After working on this for about ten months, it is finally done. Again, THANK YOU! I really, really love all of you reviewers. Oh, and if anyone was confused with the grave scene, Squall and Rinoa weren't actually talking out loud. They were saying their messages to Quistis and Seifer in their heads because it was a more personal way for them to get closure. Well, that's about it with this fic. I will have two new fics coming out, so look for them sometime soon. *Curtain falls* That's all, folks!