Chapter 4

The hours they've spent together in the quaint coffee shop were wonderful. Time passed so quickly, Quistis could have sworn her watch played tricks on her.

Talking about everything from music to poetry, the inner glimpses of himself he gives only strengthens the feelings she had harbored for the longest time.

Her conscience also weighs heavily at times, because inner guilt pushes through her thoughts urging to speak about what she had done.

Of course there never comes a right time, so when he mentions going back to his home to share some of his music, she accept, not only seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put back his diary, but hopefully give him a glimpse of her feelings as well.

It was a small miracle that opportunity struck as soon as it did.

The moment both of them walked through the door, his phone rang demanding attention. Murmuring he'd just be a minute, he casts her an apologetic stare when he retrieves it. A few seconds later he covers the mouthpiece to explain the call was about a playing engagement in one of the local places around here.

"it might be a few minutes before this conversations through, but if you want to see some songs I've written, you'll see it in my office desk. I'll join you in a little while." With a wary smile Seifer told her

Counting her blessings for this miracle, with purse still in hand, Quistis wander to his office.

With her heart pounding an anxious crescendo since she had harbored his diary in her purse all day long, the first thoughts are to find a place to put it that would look inconspicuous.

Within his desk?

"No, he wouldn't justify finding it so easily after he's probably looked for it. Perhaps among the other books on the shelf? It'd blend perfectly", she thought since some of the books there were leather bound and matched to camouflage -- a reasonable explanation why he wouldn't of found it till he came upon it.

Quistis pull out a book making room on a particular shelf. She reached for his diary to place it in that slot. With a twinge of guilt, she realize it's perfectly camouflaged as she slides it in.

''Now all I need to do is put this book on another shelf and then...''

Her words fade as a few pieces of paper flutter to the floor. The handwriting recognizable. As she reached to retrieve them, her hand trembles as the words written touched her heart, her eyes unable to ignore the wondrous words there are to read…

"...Tonight was so amazing that I couldn't even find my journal. I've been writing in it so much that I could have left it anywhere.

I've woke-up in the morning thinking of her, walked down the street wondering if I'll run into her, and have sat here at this very desk wondering if she's thinking of me.

Tonight that all changed.

She was close enough to touch, and so beautiful that if I could have found the right words I would have told her. Like always she took my breath away.

The moments we shared alone only feed the yearning to be in her company like this all night. If only I could've found a way to avoid all the responsibilities of the party, it could have been a reality.

I wonder if anyone noticed how absent-minded I was the rest of the evening. I just couldn't think of anything else but how close she had been to me tonight. So close I could hear her heart beat.

I was mere inches away from her lips while the touch of her skin brushed across my hand reminding me of fragile silk. It's hard to believe this woman was so close, possessed so much tenderness, that I could have almost tasted her passion and sweetness. I wish that could have spent more time with her tonight.

Most of the night was a blur after she left.

Then it happened, the phone rang and I couldn't believe it was her that called. I was in even more amazement that she agreed to see me. At first she hesitated which scared me but then I heard the pause fade into a yes.

If I hadn't still had responsibilities to guests still here, I could have stayed on the phone with her all night.

It wasn't till after our conversation that I realized in all the confusion she had left the book she wanted to borrow. I had to take the opportunity given.

I decided to send it along with her friend. But before I did, I wrote a hint of my feelings.

My first instinct was to write 'to the one I love' but that would be too much. I wanted to hint, not scare her away.

Then it came to me. I realized all this time it was her. She was the woman in my dreams. This woman that I'd been hoping for to become a reality. Running the dreams through my head I finally put everything together.

My dreams were merely visions of what was to be.

I wrote what came naturally, and took it to her friend to deliver tonight when she stopped by to retrieve her bag.

After the rest of the guests left, I reflected on what I'd done.

I pray that I hadn't acted too hasty. I just let my feelings get the best of me, and its getting too difficult to hold them back any longer.

The woman of my dreams not only exists but she's entered my life. I can't just let her walk away. I've battled these feeling long enough.

Tonight when I dream I know she'll be there, I can only hope some day she'll dream the same of me."

Seifer

"I already have," Quistis whispered out loud,

"You've flooded my dreams and my heart."

As she gather the few other papers there are, her eyes befall for another….

She knew her hands were trembling, knew she should just fold up these papers that so tenderly expressed his inner feelings, but her heart simply couldn't hold back from reading his inspired words.

Taking a deep breath she began to whisper his tender sentiments to be sure they were truly written from his hand instead of wondering if her vision played tricks on her.

"I believe that I have found someone again.

She has touched me yet different from before.

Is it the beauty that shines so bright,

The kindness she shows to others,

The way she understands how I feel inside,

Or is it the way she makes me smile.

I think it is all of these and more…

But will I lose her like I have lost all the others.

By standing back not sharing my feelings like before.

This time there is so much more worth fighting for.

But does she know just how beautiful she is.

How much she means to me.

How I dream of her at night.

To walk in the moonlight.

Give her all that I can give.

Or does she see me as a foolish boy,

who thinks he has found love.

All these things I do not know…"

The husky murmur of his voice from the doorway startling her as he finished the last lines from memory,

"…But I do know that,

I would give anything in the world

to hold her tonight."

A shock to the senses, she literally jumped from the sound of his voice. Papers she held in her hand fluttered to the floor as she did her best to explain.

"I-I'm sorry…I mean, well they just dropped out of the book…I didn't know. I didn't mean to read them, and then, I couldn't help myself…"

She bent down hastily to retrieve the scattered array on the floor while her courage faltered to glance his way and gage his reaction.

"Oh I've really done it this time", she thought, "probably ruined our whole evening, no chance now of him seeing me as anything more then a snoop."

All right so she was a snoop, but it wasn't like she had purposely set out to invade his privacy…

"well, in this instance", her heart chastised.

"I don't know what came over me. One minute I was looking through your books, then when these fell out...I-I…I'm so sorry."

"Quistis, there's no harm done."

All too suddenly he was crouched down beside her, the gentle warm touch of his hand lifting her gaze to meet the deep probing depth of his stare.

"Do I look upset?"

"You could be sparing my feelings."

"And you could be doing the same."

"Me upset? How could I be? What I've read here is beautiful…I mean I shouldn't have read it…I knew it was private, but…" She looked away still feeling guilty, searching for the words so he wouldn't think badly of her.

His touch lingered only a moment before it left to encase her hand. As he stood, he gently tugged her with him while his other hand simply set aside the papers she held.

"Quistis, don't ask me to take you home yet, please?"

She wasn't sure she understood.

He wanted me to stay? He wasn't upset after all?

His omission gave her the courage she needed to meet his eyes once more to discover a reflection of her own heartfelt feelings.

"I don't want to leave."

The smile that formed across his features reached his eyes and brought a softer glow to his stare.

"Good, then my plans aren't ruined."

A touch of teasing in his warm voice caused her own smile to form, and absent-mindedly she murmured

"Plans?" as her heart skipped from a new set of butterflies.

"A-huh. Ever wanted to learn how to play the guitar?"

The curved surface of the wooden instrument rested on her lap. With her finger placement at the neck of the guitar she realized that the cords he taught her weren't to hard to figure since she always had harbored a talent to play by ear.

Of course that had always been limited to her parents' piano, but once she got over the differentiation and heard the way the placement of her fingers sounded, it was a joy to know her fingers produce those wondrous sounds.

However she was human. Learning the cord placements of the song was easy enough, but the constant distraction of his nearness sent her into numerous mistakes because of her lack of concentration.

"Oopps, that was supposed to be in 'C' right? I'm such a jerk."

He lean over her shoulder so his hand could help with her finger placement while his other briefly strummed against the strings to hear its tone.

"You're not a jerk, in fact I'm impressed you've grasped this so fast. There. Try that."

She took a deep breath due to the runaway sensations his voice near her ear invoked. Her other hand tangled across the strings, as she laughed nervously.

"Looks like I'm helpless."

Oh no, how could I say that! I meant Hopeless!

Biting a portion of her bottom lip she strummed again, this time the cords' sounds were smoother rather then a tangle of different struck strings.

"Better?"

"Much."

No way could she miss the hint of amusement his voice betrayed that told her he caught her slip.

"But I think if I strum, it'll make things easier."

He leaned forward a little more, and her senses became totally aware of the contact every part of his body made from the side of his hip to the caress of his cheek against hers from behind her. Suddenly her heart raced faster, and her lungs wondered where the air in the room went.

"When I nod my head, just change cords like you've been. Ready? Three…two…one…"

The way his fingers trailed the strings could only be called poetic, yet the way his cheek tenderly caressed against her in what she'd bearly call a nod, could only be described as tender persuasion.

It was a wonderful feeling to share the experience his music brought as she listened with a new level of understanding. While she changed cords and he strummed the melody of the piece, both their efforts combined was something she couldn't even put into words except that it was the closest she ever came to magic.

"I'm going to add words now."

came the soft mummer of his voice as they returned to the beginning of the melody. Not trusting herself to speak, all she could do was nod her head, and suddenly his voice trailed the words that cursed through her soul…

"Music and roses is what I love to share.

Sweet songs and poems is how I show I care.

All these dreams I hope they happen soon.

To walk along the beach and to dance with you underneath the moon.

Midnight talks and champagne by the fire.

My hearts melts around you cause its full of desire.

Romance in my dreams,

Only happens when my eyes are closed.

Romance in my dreams,

Always leaves me crying…"

Her finger placement skipped, and the taunt lift of his cheek she felt against hers had to be a noting smile.

"It's ok.", his whisper assured her as his other hand came to the rescue resuming the finger placements for her…

"...I want to feel your gentle touch upon my face.

I want to watch you dance as you move with so much grace.

I want to run my hands through your hair with my fingertips.

I want to touch your face and kiss your tender lips.

I want you by my side so I can hold you tight.

I would give anything to have you here when I wake up from the night.

Romance in my dreams,

Only happens when my eyes are closed.

Romance in my dreams,

Always leaves me crying…"

She couldn't help herself, the embrace of his music surrounding her while his words so meaningful touched her soul cohered her into closing her eyes and opening her heart to the melody his hands strummed. Resting her head against his shoulder she gave herself over to his music losing herself in the pure essence of it.

"...Sleepless nights filled with nothing more than romance.

By the candlelight is where we shall dance.

My heart beats faster as we move real slow.

We pull close together as music is played low.

Whispers in the dark leave a ringing in my ears.

To share a night like this with you I have dreamed for years.

Romance in my dreams,

Only happens when my eyes are closed.

Romance in my dreams,

Always leaves me crying..."

The tremble of his body she felt behind her and the strong pounding of his heart, told her his own emotions were shaken by the experience he was feeling as well, but his voice never wavered, his hands never once faltered.

"...Romance in my dreams,

Only happens when my eyes are closed.

Romance in my dreams,

Always leaves me crying..."

He had given her the inner sight of his soul, his heart through his words, and the magic of his music that was so much a part of him. As the strumming of his fingers slowed and eased, she found it hard to find the words of just how moved she'd been by his song, his music, and his emotions.

"Quistis?"

She opened her eyes to a watery blur that didn't surprise her, but made it more difficult to voice the vortex of emotions she felt.

"You have this uncanny ability to ruin my concentration."

Blinking back tears, she felt his hand slowly push back strands of hair, his fingers ever so softly caressing the contour of her cheek. That next moment, the guitar slipped to the ground with a thud, and her smile widened just a fraction

"Oopps… There goes the music."

His touch trailed the curve of her jaw, his fingers gently lifting her face a fraction more before his thumb lightly caressed her smile and his voice trailed with his nearness,

"And here goes my good intentions…"

The moment his lips traced along her own an onslaught of sensations cursed through her. The combination of tenderness and heat brushed with hesitancy as soft as a promised caress.

She couldn't understand how a kiss that was all too brief, could be that impactful. One thing was for sure, if she was reeling like this with just the promised caress his kiss could bring, she was certainly going to lose every semblance of sanity when his kiss had free rain.

The lingering touch lifted and deep fathomless eyes mirrored how much he'd been shaken from his sudden impulse.

"Did I mention I'd like to see you again?"

His smile was contagious. Taking another deep breath to steady the swirl of emotions that still ran rampant, Quistis teased,

"I think you just did."

"Then if I don't take you home now, you'll tempt me to cross boundaries."

She nervously bit her bottom lip since the same temptations to feel his kiss again surged through her as well,

"And that's bad?"

His eyes trailed to her lips again and as she sensed the battle within him, his forefinger grazed the soft patch of skin just under her bottom lip where her teeth bit.

"On our first date? Yeah," his forefinger then taped lightly for emphasis,

"This sexy habit of yours is already driving me crazy."

Well that did it, her teeth let go of her bottom lip and with a murmured apology she tried to hide the tell tail blush his omission caused.

With a hint of regret, he expelled a sigh, moved to stand, and extended his hand to her.

"The sooner I bring you home, Quistis, the sooner I can see you again."

She couldn't help it, she just had to reassure herself she'd see him again, and when that would be.

"And our next date is…?"

That soft-teasing glint was back in Seifer's eyes,

"Five seconds after you close your door and I perform a three-sixty to knock on it again."

She squelched the laugh begged to escape with that answer, and her heart leaped with joy knowing he was just as anxious to see her again as she was him.

As Quistis placed her hand in his, she silently thanked heaven above for making her dreams reality

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Author's notes:

mmm…(yawnzZzzz…) well..that's it :)