Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with Final Fantasy VIII.
The only thing I own is the plot line for this story.
Author's Note: Here's the second part of the story. I hope you readers like it. Many thanks to Raven Cactuar for being my first reviewer for this story (
Oh, and does anyone know how to work the html coding for this site? It always screws up when I try. I really need help with that.
Rating: PG-13 for mild language and sexual innuendo.
"The elevator stalled."
"It always stalls when going down to the basement."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"It's pretty dark in here."
"Well, the power went out when the elevator stalled. What do you expect?"
"I'm scared. Hold me."
"Oh, grown up!"
"Please, just for a little bit."
"Irvine, will you get off me!"
"Mmmmmm....I love it when ya play hard to get."
"Get off!"
SMACK
"Oh Hyne! Irvine, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you, I really didn't."
"Ow! That hurt! That was my precious face ya know."
"Well, I couldn't see you. And I told you to get off me twice. I gave you fair warning!"
"That doesn' mean ya have ta take my head off."
"Oh please! I bet it's not that bad."
"Maybe you should kiss it better."
Quistis turned on her flashlight illuminating the pitch-black elevator. She was looking less than pleased at Irvine whom was grinning (big surprise) down at her. She moved his hand from his cheek see how hard she really had hit him. It was barely pink.
"You're so melodramatic," she said shaking her head.
"I was hopin' ta get a kiss out of it."
More grinning.
"Hyne Irvine, you're such a pain in the ass."
"Oh Quistis, I'd love ta be a pain in your ass."
Quistis turned a bright shade of red before glaring at her lanky companion.
"You disgust me," she declared. Irvine feigned hurt. Quistis rolled her eyes and he smiled back. At least she wasn't mad at him anymore.
Quistis and Irvine had searched the main floor at Balamb Garden with no luck. They had almost caused mass hysteria in the library after quietly asking Zell if he'd seen the rodent. Zell had caused more of a scene than Quistis. He screamed "Rat!!" and jumped up onto a chair, causing the rest of the people in the library to get into hysterics and get up off the floor. Luckily, Squall had been able to calm them down, but he warned Quistis and Irvine to be less vocal about their search.
Finally, Quistis suggested that they search the basement and Irvine had hesitantly agreed. Now she almost regretted asking him for help. Sure, he could be flattering, but now he was bordering on annoying. She had to remember the rat and the fact that she would never pick it up in a million years just to keep herself sane. But now that she was stuck in the elevator with Irvine, she was wondering how long she'd be able to hold onto her sanity and not murder him.
"I think there's a trap door around here," Quistis said as she bent down and examined the floor. Realizing her position, she looked at Irvine who was grinning broadly behind her.
"I don't even want to have a hint as to what you are thinking," she said dangerously. Irvine smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. Quistis rose one of hers and went back to looking around at the floor.
Irvine just didn't understand Quistis. He'd tried everything on her (all of his best lines!) and she still wouldn't give him the time of day. All of his jokes never worked - she just took offense to them. He was running out of ideas. He bent down to help her and successfully released the trap door.
"Thanks, " Quistis said smiling at him. He gestured for her to go first and she obliged.
The stepladder was awkward to go down, while holding a flashlight to assure that one didn't miss a step. Irvine tried to lighten up the ordeal.
"I expect a reward after that rat is caught," he said, calling down to Quistis.
"What kind of reward? I doubt I have enough gill to pay you," Quistis answered, oblivious to what he was implying.
"No, not that kind of reward..." he said back.
Quistis sighed. She paused and swung around the ladder to jump onto the landing. Irvine followed.
"You never give up do you?" Quistis questioned one hand on her hip and one on the flashlight. Irvine shrugged.
"I have ta try everythin' to reach one so unattainable," he replied gesturing at Quistis who rolled her eyes, "Like, how can ya resist a guy like yours truly?"
Quistis snorted, "Irvine, guys like you are a dime a dozen." Quistis turned around and started to head down the hallway. Irvine stood behind her, quite confused.
"What's that supposed ta mean?" he called. Quistis didn't answer so he jogged up to her and asked again.
"It means that I've already heard every line in the book from every guy like you," she said, poking him in the chest for emphasis, "Hyne Irvine, I'm a year older than you which means I have that one extra year of experience."
Irvine looked at her skeptically, "You couldn't possibly have heard every line," he said.
Quistis sighed. He was missing the point completely, yet again. How can a guy who claimed to know women like he know the back of his hand miss all of her hints, "That's not even my point. The point is that I know exactly what you want."
"And what is that?" Irvine countered.
"Just another good time," Quistis said. She couldn't help but smile a little.
"Well..." Irvine said, staring off into space. He didn't deny anything.
"Yeah that's what I thought," Quistis said. She couldn't help smiling, not with Irvine so concentrated on trying to come up with a line to deny her accusation.
"Quistis, I think you're my soul mate," he replied catching up with her as she walked away.
"I thought Selphie was your soul mate? I seem to recall a certain conversation you had with her on a train just over a year ago..." Quistis trailed off.
"Well...like, that was before. But she gets all hyper and shit; it really tires me out. Plus, she does this weird thing when we're-"
"I really don't want you to finish the rest of that sentence," Quistis warned him. Irvine smiled, but she didn't notice. She was busy trying to open another trap door that, no doubt, led farther into the basement.
"Hyne, how many levels does this place have?" he complained. Quistis opened the hatch before she answered.
"A few more,"
'Well, if ya don' mind me askin', but, like, how does a rat make it's way through trap doors and stepladders?"
Quistis paused for a minute, "Did you see it upstairs?"
"No?"
"Have you seen the rat so far?"
"No."
"Then it has to be farther down," she replied and jumped through the hatch. Irvine followed without question, for once.
"You're so determined," he said.
"SeeD at fifteen, instructor at seventeen - I think I'd have to be," she replied, smiling slightly. The pair continued through the tunnel, Irvine stooping slightly because of his height. They turned off their flashlight since there was enough light now and Quistis' had died out anyway.
The short passageway opened up into another landing. It was significantly darker where the landing was than in the tunnel and Irvine, who was leading, didn't see where it ended. He tottered at the edge until Quistis saw him and pulled him back, saving him from a dangerous fall. She didn't, however, manage to rescue the flashlight as it slipped from Irvine's grasp and smashed on the ground below. Quistis tossed her useless flashlight to the side.
"Sorry 'bout that," Irvine apologized. Quistis shrugged.
"I'm sure that I can get another one from Squall."
"Where to now?"
Quistis pointed to the stepladder.
"Is there no end to this basement?! Are we doomed ta keep goin' further and further down until.we die?"
Quistis laughed, "I'm sure that there is a bottom to it and when we finally reach it, that's where that damned rat will be."
Quistis started down the ladder and after a heavy sigh, Irvine followed, closely behind her. There wasn't much lighting down this opening and the stepladder was slightly wet from moisture. Irvine's boot slipped on one of the rungs, catching Quistis on her cheek. Surprised from being hit in the face, Quistis let go of the ladder and started to fall. She grabbed at the edge of Irvine's duster to try and catch her self, but Irvine was already off balance from missing a step. As a result, the two fell the rest of the way down, Quistis landing on the metal floor on her back and Irvine landing on top of her, face forward.
"Uh, Irvine."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think you could move your hand?"
Irvine glanced down, realizing he'd put his hand on Quistis' chest so he wouldn't land with all his weight on her.
"Oops."
"Yeah really."
"No, seriously. I would have asked for permission first before puttin' my hand on any of your assets. So may I?"
"Never in a trillion years," Quistis snapped. She started to move from underneath him, but he had her pinned, "Do you mind letting me up?" she asked, knowing exactly what his answer would be.
"Hmm, I dunno. I kind of like this position." He pressed his cheek to hers and playfully bit her ear.
"Irvine get off me!" Quistis pushed his shoulders as an attempt to get him off, but he was lying with his full weight on her and he had pinned her legs down so she couldn't kick. She gave up struggling and turned to face him, their noses pressed together. They lay in silence. Quistis gave up the urge to get Irvine off and for once, Irvine didn't say anything. He leaned in closer and gently brushed her lips with his own. Quistis responded by pressing her lips to his.
She was the first to pull away. Irvine pulled back himself to look at her face which was plastered with a look of absolute horror. He didn't think the kiss was that bad. Bad breath maybe?
She finally spoke, "Uh, Irvine?"
"Yeah."
"Now, don't get excited. Um...the rat...it's...it's on your shoulder."
The look on Irvine's face would have been comical had they been in a different situation. He jumped off Quistis faster than she thought was humanly possible and slapped at his shoulder to get the thing off him. Quistis got up to help him, but he nearly took her head off from his flailing arms. Irvine tore off his tan duster and threw it to the ground. The rat ran away into the nearest room.
Irvine shivered and rubbed himself to get the feeling of the rat off of him. Quistis ignored him and followed the rat. Irvine didn't follow her. He picked his jacket up off the floors and started shaking it clean.
"There is no way in hell that I am picking that thing up," he declared, making sure that he was firm on the matter. He was never going to let any small rodent-like creatures near him ever again.
"You don't have to," Quistis called back.
Um, what? She was going to pick it up? Not likely. Couldn't this girl make up her mind about issues? Irvine went into the room where the rat was. Quistis was crouched in from of a very old, very rusty control panel.
"Come here," she said when she noticed him. Irvine shook his head. Quistis got up and led him by the hand to where she was before, "Look," she said pointing.
There, nestled in the far corner was the rat...and about a dozen smaller ones were cuddling against her.
"How sweet," Irvine replied, "Can we go now?"
Quistis laughed, "Yeah I suppose. Just as long as those little rodents stay away from my room, things will be fine."
Irvine hardly heard her. He left the room in a hurry before she finished.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You know Irvine, I think you're more afraid of rats than I am now," Quistis joked, walking down the hall.
"I'm not afraid," Irvine retorted, "I'm just wary."
"Sure, sure," Quistis teased him.
"So when are ya going ta give you my reward for helpin' you?" Irvine asked.
"Well, you didn't really help me. It was more like complaining and hitting on me. Oh, and you did run away from the rat when we finally found it." Quistis trailed off, her finger pressed against her closed lips. Irvine had no reply to make. He just grinned sheepishly and blushed softly. Quistis continued, glad that it was her making him uncomfortable for once, "And besides, I already gave you a kiss, isn't the reward enough?"
"You call that a reward? That was like kissin' Matron!" Irvine shot back. He shivered for effect. Now he was on top again.
"What?! It-it wasn't like that at all!" Quistis stopped to glare at him.
"Well, I could be wrong. But, I don' have anythin' ta compare it ta, so." Irvine paused, loving the look she was giving him.
"Is that what all this was about? You helping me in the hopes that I will 'reward' you for you chivalry?"
Irvine shrugged. He wasn't a liar (usually), so there wasn't anyway that he could deny it without being far from the truth.
"Fine, if that's the way you play. I'll meet you in your room at eight."
And with that, Quistis stalked off down the hall, her head held high.
The end.
Author's Note: Here's the second part of the story. I hope you readers like it. Many thanks to Raven Cactuar for being my first reviewer for this story (
Oh, and does anyone know how to work the html coding for this site? It always screws up when I try. I really need help with that.
Rating: PG-13 for mild language and sexual innuendo.
"The elevator stalled."
"It always stalls when going down to the basement."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"It's pretty dark in here."
"Well, the power went out when the elevator stalled. What do you expect?"
"I'm scared. Hold me."
"Oh, grown up!"
"Please, just for a little bit."
"Irvine, will you get off me!"
"Mmmmmm....I love it when ya play hard to get."
"Get off!"
SMACK
"Oh Hyne! Irvine, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you, I really didn't."
"Ow! That hurt! That was my precious face ya know."
"Well, I couldn't see you. And I told you to get off me twice. I gave you fair warning!"
"That doesn' mean ya have ta take my head off."
"Oh please! I bet it's not that bad."
"Maybe you should kiss it better."
Quistis turned on her flashlight illuminating the pitch-black elevator. She was looking less than pleased at Irvine whom was grinning (big surprise) down at her. She moved his hand from his cheek see how hard she really had hit him. It was barely pink.
"You're so melodramatic," she said shaking her head.
"I was hopin' ta get a kiss out of it."
More grinning.
"Hyne Irvine, you're such a pain in the ass."
"Oh Quistis, I'd love ta be a pain in your ass."
Quistis turned a bright shade of red before glaring at her lanky companion.
"You disgust me," she declared. Irvine feigned hurt. Quistis rolled her eyes and he smiled back. At least she wasn't mad at him anymore.
Quistis and Irvine had searched the main floor at Balamb Garden with no luck. They had almost caused mass hysteria in the library after quietly asking Zell if he'd seen the rodent. Zell had caused more of a scene than Quistis. He screamed "Rat!!" and jumped up onto a chair, causing the rest of the people in the library to get into hysterics and get up off the floor. Luckily, Squall had been able to calm them down, but he warned Quistis and Irvine to be less vocal about their search.
Finally, Quistis suggested that they search the basement and Irvine had hesitantly agreed. Now she almost regretted asking him for help. Sure, he could be flattering, but now he was bordering on annoying. She had to remember the rat and the fact that she would never pick it up in a million years just to keep herself sane. But now that she was stuck in the elevator with Irvine, she was wondering how long she'd be able to hold onto her sanity and not murder him.
"I think there's a trap door around here," Quistis said as she bent down and examined the floor. Realizing her position, she looked at Irvine who was grinning broadly behind her.
"I don't even want to have a hint as to what you are thinking," she said dangerously. Irvine smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. Quistis rose one of hers and went back to looking around at the floor.
Irvine just didn't understand Quistis. He'd tried everything on her (all of his best lines!) and she still wouldn't give him the time of day. All of his jokes never worked - she just took offense to them. He was running out of ideas. He bent down to help her and successfully released the trap door.
"Thanks, " Quistis said smiling at him. He gestured for her to go first and she obliged.
The stepladder was awkward to go down, while holding a flashlight to assure that one didn't miss a step. Irvine tried to lighten up the ordeal.
"I expect a reward after that rat is caught," he said, calling down to Quistis.
"What kind of reward? I doubt I have enough gill to pay you," Quistis answered, oblivious to what he was implying.
"No, not that kind of reward..." he said back.
Quistis sighed. She paused and swung around the ladder to jump onto the landing. Irvine followed.
"You never give up do you?" Quistis questioned one hand on her hip and one on the flashlight. Irvine shrugged.
"I have ta try everythin' to reach one so unattainable," he replied gesturing at Quistis who rolled her eyes, "Like, how can ya resist a guy like yours truly?"
Quistis snorted, "Irvine, guys like you are a dime a dozen." Quistis turned around and started to head down the hallway. Irvine stood behind her, quite confused.
"What's that supposed ta mean?" he called. Quistis didn't answer so he jogged up to her and asked again.
"It means that I've already heard every line in the book from every guy like you," she said, poking him in the chest for emphasis, "Hyne Irvine, I'm a year older than you which means I have that one extra year of experience."
Irvine looked at her skeptically, "You couldn't possibly have heard every line," he said.
Quistis sighed. He was missing the point completely, yet again. How can a guy who claimed to know women like he know the back of his hand miss all of her hints, "That's not even my point. The point is that I know exactly what you want."
"And what is that?" Irvine countered.
"Just another good time," Quistis said. She couldn't help but smile a little.
"Well..." Irvine said, staring off into space. He didn't deny anything.
"Yeah that's what I thought," Quistis said. She couldn't help smiling, not with Irvine so concentrated on trying to come up with a line to deny her accusation.
"Quistis, I think you're my soul mate," he replied catching up with her as she walked away.
"I thought Selphie was your soul mate? I seem to recall a certain conversation you had with her on a train just over a year ago..." Quistis trailed off.
"Well...like, that was before. But she gets all hyper and shit; it really tires me out. Plus, she does this weird thing when we're-"
"I really don't want you to finish the rest of that sentence," Quistis warned him. Irvine smiled, but she didn't notice. She was busy trying to open another trap door that, no doubt, led farther into the basement.
"Hyne, how many levels does this place have?" he complained. Quistis opened the hatch before she answered.
"A few more,"
'Well, if ya don' mind me askin', but, like, how does a rat make it's way through trap doors and stepladders?"
Quistis paused for a minute, "Did you see it upstairs?"
"No?"
"Have you seen the rat so far?"
"No."
"Then it has to be farther down," she replied and jumped through the hatch. Irvine followed without question, for once.
"You're so determined," he said.
"SeeD at fifteen, instructor at seventeen - I think I'd have to be," she replied, smiling slightly. The pair continued through the tunnel, Irvine stooping slightly because of his height. They turned off their flashlight since there was enough light now and Quistis' had died out anyway.
The short passageway opened up into another landing. It was significantly darker where the landing was than in the tunnel and Irvine, who was leading, didn't see where it ended. He tottered at the edge until Quistis saw him and pulled him back, saving him from a dangerous fall. She didn't, however, manage to rescue the flashlight as it slipped from Irvine's grasp and smashed on the ground below. Quistis tossed her useless flashlight to the side.
"Sorry 'bout that," Irvine apologized. Quistis shrugged.
"I'm sure that I can get another one from Squall."
"Where to now?"
Quistis pointed to the stepladder.
"Is there no end to this basement?! Are we doomed ta keep goin' further and further down until.we die?"
Quistis laughed, "I'm sure that there is a bottom to it and when we finally reach it, that's where that damned rat will be."
Quistis started down the ladder and after a heavy sigh, Irvine followed, closely behind her. There wasn't much lighting down this opening and the stepladder was slightly wet from moisture. Irvine's boot slipped on one of the rungs, catching Quistis on her cheek. Surprised from being hit in the face, Quistis let go of the ladder and started to fall. She grabbed at the edge of Irvine's duster to try and catch her self, but Irvine was already off balance from missing a step. As a result, the two fell the rest of the way down, Quistis landing on the metal floor on her back and Irvine landing on top of her, face forward.
"Uh, Irvine."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think you could move your hand?"
Irvine glanced down, realizing he'd put his hand on Quistis' chest so he wouldn't land with all his weight on her.
"Oops."
"Yeah really."
"No, seriously. I would have asked for permission first before puttin' my hand on any of your assets. So may I?"
"Never in a trillion years," Quistis snapped. She started to move from underneath him, but he had her pinned, "Do you mind letting me up?" she asked, knowing exactly what his answer would be.
"Hmm, I dunno. I kind of like this position." He pressed his cheek to hers and playfully bit her ear.
"Irvine get off me!" Quistis pushed his shoulders as an attempt to get him off, but he was lying with his full weight on her and he had pinned her legs down so she couldn't kick. She gave up struggling and turned to face him, their noses pressed together. They lay in silence. Quistis gave up the urge to get Irvine off and for once, Irvine didn't say anything. He leaned in closer and gently brushed her lips with his own. Quistis responded by pressing her lips to his.
She was the first to pull away. Irvine pulled back himself to look at her face which was plastered with a look of absolute horror. He didn't think the kiss was that bad. Bad breath maybe?
She finally spoke, "Uh, Irvine?"
"Yeah."
"Now, don't get excited. Um...the rat...it's...it's on your shoulder."
The look on Irvine's face would have been comical had they been in a different situation. He jumped off Quistis faster than she thought was humanly possible and slapped at his shoulder to get the thing off him. Quistis got up to help him, but he nearly took her head off from his flailing arms. Irvine tore off his tan duster and threw it to the ground. The rat ran away into the nearest room.
Irvine shivered and rubbed himself to get the feeling of the rat off of him. Quistis ignored him and followed the rat. Irvine didn't follow her. He picked his jacket up off the floors and started shaking it clean.
"There is no way in hell that I am picking that thing up," he declared, making sure that he was firm on the matter. He was never going to let any small rodent-like creatures near him ever again.
"You don't have to," Quistis called back.
Um, what? She was going to pick it up? Not likely. Couldn't this girl make up her mind about issues? Irvine went into the room where the rat was. Quistis was crouched in from of a very old, very rusty control panel.
"Come here," she said when she noticed him. Irvine shook his head. Quistis got up and led him by the hand to where she was before, "Look," she said pointing.
There, nestled in the far corner was the rat...and about a dozen smaller ones were cuddling against her.
"How sweet," Irvine replied, "Can we go now?"
Quistis laughed, "Yeah I suppose. Just as long as those little rodents stay away from my room, things will be fine."
Irvine hardly heard her. He left the room in a hurry before she finished.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You know Irvine, I think you're more afraid of rats than I am now," Quistis joked, walking down the hall.
"I'm not afraid," Irvine retorted, "I'm just wary."
"Sure, sure," Quistis teased him.
"So when are ya going ta give you my reward for helpin' you?" Irvine asked.
"Well, you didn't really help me. It was more like complaining and hitting on me. Oh, and you did run away from the rat when we finally found it." Quistis trailed off, her finger pressed against her closed lips. Irvine had no reply to make. He just grinned sheepishly and blushed softly. Quistis continued, glad that it was her making him uncomfortable for once, "And besides, I already gave you a kiss, isn't the reward enough?"
"You call that a reward? That was like kissin' Matron!" Irvine shot back. He shivered for effect. Now he was on top again.
"What?! It-it wasn't like that at all!" Quistis stopped to glare at him.
"Well, I could be wrong. But, I don' have anythin' ta compare it ta, so." Irvine paused, loving the look she was giving him.
"Is that what all this was about? You helping me in the hopes that I will 'reward' you for you chivalry?"
Irvine shrugged. He wasn't a liar (usually), so there wasn't anyway that he could deny it without being far from the truth.
"Fine, if that's the way you play. I'll meet you in your room at eight."
And with that, Quistis stalked off down the hall, her head held high.
The end.