Watching You
Chapter Four: No One Else
By PasifikStar

Author's Note: Sorry, I've had a busy week and my weekend is kind of busy, too. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. It's progressing painfully slow, I know. Please bare with me!

* All standard disclaimers apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.


"Squall?" She knocked on the door and frowned. She checked her watch once more and narrowed her eyes. He should've been there. It was a Friday afternoon and she figured that he would still be at his office at that time.

"Rinoa?" a voice said behind her. She turned around and smiled.

"Hi, Quistis!" she said with a bright smile.

The blond smiled and walked over to her. "What are you doing here? Did you need help with anything?" Quistis asked. Rinoa blushed slightly and shook her head.

"I just came to ask Squ...er...the Commander a question." Rinoa said. Quistis nodded.

"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but he took a day of leave today," Quistis said. She sighed tiredly and shook her head. "I don't know why. He usually doesn't, so I'm kind of worried."

Rinoa had a concerned look on her face. "Do you know why? Is he sick?" she asked. Quistis shrugged.

"I don't believe so," she said. "At this morning's faculty meeting, he was fine. I don't know what happened, but around lunch, he told Xu that he needed some time off and then left."

"Will he get in trouble?" Rinoa asked.

"I don't think so," Quistis mused. "He's high ranking for the Garden and he's never taken a day of leave so abruptly. I'm assuming it's because he had an emergency at the speedway."

"Oh..." Rinoa whispered. She looked down at the floor and nodded. "I see. Okay, then. Thanks, Quistis!"

"It's not a problem," the blond replied. Rinoa began to walk away from the door, but Quistis called her back. "Rinoa, did you need a question answered? I might be able to help."

Rinoa just smiled and shook her head. "Thank you, Quistis, but I don't think it's a question you could answer."


The empty hallway rung with the sound of a body being shoved against the wall. A pale hand grabbed the wooly collar of the cowboy's long leather trench coat as he was shoved against the wall. His head tilted to the side, looking away from the furious green eyed blond that was glaring at him. He remained passive, knowing that if he struggled, it would only get worse. Besides, he was a lover, not a fighter.

"What the hell are you doing here, Kinneas?" Seifer hissed as he glared at the cowboy.

"I'm just visiting, Rin," Irvine replied casually. "Do you mind letting me go? I told you before, I'm not into being touched by men."

Seifer let out a growl as he shoved Irvine against the wall once more before taking his hand away. "HE sent you, didn't he?" Seifer demanded. "He doesn't trust me looking out for her so he sent your ass here!"

"Relax," Irvine stated. "I'm just a safety pre-caution. I'm not replacing you or anything."

"A safety pre-caution for WHAT?" Seifer hissed.

Irvine straightened his jacket and stood up straight, facing Seifer as they stood alone in the halls. "He knows about President Loire's son," Irvine stated simply. "He sent me to make sure that Rinoa is staying away from him."

"She IS staying away from him," Seifer snapped back. "She can't be with him anyway. It's the Garden's policy."

Irvine grinned and tipped his hat at Seifer. "Is that what you think? Really, I thought you'd be more attentive to our little Rinny. Especially concerning the matter of her boyfriends."

Seifer's green eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I arrived last night," Irvine said casually. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. "I decided to go to this restaurant for dinner and who do I see sitting there with some man - Rinoa."

Seifer let out a growl as he punched the wall. "That little..." he grit his teeth and glared at the hole in the wall that he had created. "I knew I shouldn't have let her go into town by herself."

"I've never seen Rinoa so...touchy with a man like that," Irvine said thoughtfully, as if mocking Seifer. "She had her arms all around him and-"

"Shit!" Seifer growled. "Don't you know what this means, Kinneas? If they're caught, Rinoa's going to get her skinny behind kicked out of the Garden. The incident will be reported to her father. And her father will be PISSED."

"So?" Irvine shrugged. "Her father won't be happy, but as long as it's not Loire's son, he won't kill you. Now if it WAS Loire's son...uh...I don't know his name...anyway, your ass would be served to Caraway on a silver platter."

Seifer looked at Irvine as if he were completely stupid. "How'd he look like?"

"I don't know," Irvine replied. "It was dark-"

"TELL ME." Seifer demanded.

Irvine sighed. "I don't know...he looked to be probably shorter than us...dark brown hair... I couldn't see his eyes but his hair was short and had bangs over his eyes."

Seifer swore. "That's him," he stated. "I don't know how it happened, but Rinoa's infatuated with him."

"Whose HIM?" Irvine asked. "What's his name?"

"Squall Leonhart," Seifer said in a disgusted voice. "He's the-"

"Commander of the Garden, right?" Irvine said. He nodded. "I read about him...it was something important..."

Seifer rolled his eyes. "He's Loire's son."

"What?" Irvine asked, confused. "But the name-"

"He took his mother's maiden name," Seifer replied quickly. "But that's him."

Irvine's eyes went wide. "Damn...the General will be pissed-"

Suddenly a gunblade was to his throat and Irvine's eyes slowly turned back to the burning green eyes of Seifer. "The General won't find out..." he hissed.

"Seifer!" a voice gasped. Irvine's eyes rose up and he let out a sigh of relief as he saw Rinoa running down the hallway with Quistis behind her, clutching folders to her chest. "Seifer, what are you doing!?"

Grumbling, the blond male withdrew his gunblade. Rinoa reached them and pulled Seifer away. She reached up and checked Irvine's neck for any damage and was relieved to find none. She immediately turned to Seifer.

"Don't even start with me," Seifer hissed. "You LIED to me."

Rinoa's eyes went wide and she shook her head. "I didn't lie to you! What are you talking about!?"

"Last night," Seifer snapped. He looked up, noticing Quistis approaching. He cast one last disapproving look at Rinoa. "We'll talk about this later."

"What's going on?" Quistis said as she adjusted her glasses on her nose and looked at the three people. She had seen all three of their faces somewhere before, but she couldn't remember exactly where.

"Seifer and Irvine were just having another argument," Rinoa sighed. She looked at Seifer and gave him an annoyed glare before turning to Quistis with a smile. "Sorry...they're always at each other's throats...literally."

Quistis looked at Irvine and then at Seifer. "Seifer, what did you do?"

"ME!?" he gasped, half surprised and half disgusted that he would even be asked that question.

"Well, who else would start this!?" Quistis demanded.

Before Seifer could answer, Irvine swept between them and took Quistis' hand. "I'm so sorry," he said in a deep, sensual voice. "Firstly for disobeying Garden rules and now for not knowing your name."

Rinoa slapped her forehead and ran her hand down her face. *Hyne, he says the corniest things...*

Quistis couldn't help but blush at Irvine's charming grin. "Quistis Trepe."

"Quistis Trepe, the instructor?" Irvine gasped, pretending to be surprised. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. The students were all talking about their wonderful instructor. I couldn't wait to meet you."

Quistis nodded. "Thank you," she said with a shy smile. Seifer's mouth nearly dropped at the sight. Slowly, his blood was beginning to boil once more. "Are you a friend of Rinoa's?"

"Ah, yes," Irvine said, still holding on to Quistis' hand despite Seifer's burning glare. "I work with these two."

"You're a model!" Quistis gasped at the sudden realization. *No wonder...three good looking people...I've probably seen them in magazines.*

"Here's my card," Irvine said, handing her a small black piece of paper with white letters. "Give me a call," he winked. "You have model potential all over you. I'd like to be as well."

"Oh, Hyne..." Rinoa mumbled, embarrassed.

"Kinneas..." Seifer hissed out in a dangerously low voice. Rinoa glanced over at the blond male who was shaking. He seemed ready to shoot Irvine.

"Thank you...Irvine." Quistis said looking at his card. She put it into her pocket and Seifer finally lost it.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Seifer growled at Irvine.

"Just complimenting the pretty lady." Irvine said with a smirk. Rinoa groaned.

"Every time we're together..." she murmured. She grabbed Irvine's hand began to pull him away. "Hey! I want you to meet some other friends of mine, okay, Irvine? Let's go!"

"Sure thing, princess," Irvine said with a smile. He looked over his shoulder at Quistis and winked once more. "Call me!"

As they vanished around the corner, Quistis chuckled and looked over at Seifer. The tall blond was seething with jealousy and Quistis couldn't help but smirk. She quickly wiped the look off her face as he turned to her. "Don't get yourself involve with that-"

"You could learn a thing or two from him," Quistis said as she walked past Seifer. The young man's mouth was still open in mid sentence as Quistis passed. "It would be nice to be complimented once in a while."

"I do compliment you!" Seifer snapped as he followed behind her.

Quistis rolled her eyes. "Seifer," she stated coolly. "I'm going to tell you for the last time. I don't find being told that I have a nice rack is a compliment."


The motorcycle roared and passed the finish line. The sensors calculated the time and large yellow numbers flashed on the sign boards. From the pit, three men let out a whistles and shook their heads. The black and dark blue motorcycle turned into the pit and screeched to a skidding halt in front of them.

Immediately, the kick stand was up and the rider violently got off, nearly tearing off the helmet on his head as he stalked towards the three blondes. Tidus elbowed Cloud.

"He looks pissed." he whispered.

Cloud rolled his eyes. "We've been telling you that since he got here," he mumbled. He stood up and approached the seething brunette with caution. "Squall, what's wrong? You're not yourself out there today."

"I'm fine." Squall snapped as he passed by them. He was heading towards the cooler. Zidane was sitting on it and quickly jumped up and opened the top just as Squall reached him.

"Your times are lower than usual," Zidane mentioned. "We're kind of worried."

"You'll never win the G-14 with those times." Tidus added.

Squall was gulping down some water. He slammed it on the nearest table, sending water over the table and the his leather gloved hand. "I know that!"

"Then what's wrong?" Cloud persisted. He was the oldest member of the group, having been the one to teach the other three riding in the first place.

"Nothing!" Squall growled. The other three took steps back nervously.

Tidus studied Squall and nodded. "Girl troubles." he concluded. Cloud ran his hand down his face. He had known that the whole time but knew that Squall didn't want to talk about it.

The blue eyed brunette's eyes glazed over as he looked away. Zidane nodded. "So it is a girl."

"I knew it!" Tidus said, beaming proudly. "Why else would a guy be so out of it if it weren't for a girl!"

"Will you shut up, Tidus?" Squall hissed. Tidus backed down immediately, looking hurt. "I don't want to talk about it, all right!"

Cloud stepped in, pulling the other two away from Squall. "Squall, we're just worried," the eldest said. "No need to yell at us." Squall leaned over the work bench where he had slammed his drink.

His hands were gripping the edge tightly as he looked down, his shoulders hunched over. He took deep breaths to calm himself. Ever since earlier that day when he saw Rinoa run over and hug that cowboy dressed man, he'd been in a bad mood. He immediately took the day off, knowing he couldn't concentrate on his work after seeing that.

He decided to work off some steam at the speed way, but found it problematic. With his mind resting else where, he couldn't concentrate and was doing simple mistakes. He was turning too early or even at times, just plain slower.

Cloud had been there with Tidus when he arrived. They were eager to watch him take on the asphalt track, but were disturbed to watch him make such novice errors. Cloud had been the one to realize that something was wrong when Squall first entered and was considering not letting him ride.

He knew what could happen to racers if they weren't concentrating. But Squall had insisted and so he let him. Zidane arrived just as Squall's first time was revealed and said that the racer sucked. He was shocked to find out that it was Squall.

"I'm just not having the best day..." Squall murmured.

"Squall, as your friend, I'm going to tell you to go home," Cloud told him. He put a hand on Squall's shoulder. "You're in no position to drive in your state of mind."

"Hey, I drove Dagger's car today," Zidane said. "I can give you a lift-"

"No, I'll drive home," Squall cut him off. There was no way he was leaving his bike there. He also didn't want to have to spend an almost hour long ride with Zidane in Zidane's girlfriend's car. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He pushed himself away from the desk and headed towards the locker rooms. "Squall," Cloud shouted as the other man sulked away. "If you're still like this tomorrow, I'm not going to let you ride."

Squall froze in his steps. His hand gripped his helmet tightly. Without another word, he continued out. Tidus and Zidane looked over at Cloud. "Are you sure that was a wise thing to say?" Tidus asked. "He's really pissed now."

Cloud sighed. "It's for his own good."

Inside the locker room, Squall threw his helmet into his locker and took a deep breath as he leaned against it. His racing helmet tumbled to the ground and he closed his eyes. Every time they closed all he could see was Rinoa hugging that OTHER man. Her arms were thrown around him and she even kissed him.

*Who the hell is he?* Squall thought angrily. *He couldn't have been her...dammit!*

A hundred possibilities ran through his mind with the cowboy being everything from Rinoa's brother, to her brother-in-law, to her best gay friend. Hyne, how he hoped he was one of those.

He took another deep breath and opened his eyes. He began to change out of his uniform. As he unzipped the front of it, the doors opened. "Squall!" Zidane called out. "You have a call from Garden!"

Grumbling, the brunette walked around the corner, his uniform falling around his waist under his white shirt. He took the phone from Zidane. "I'll bring it to the front before I leave."

"Thanks!" Zidane replied. He left the locker room and Squall lifted the phone to his ear.

"SQUALL!"

Squall winced. That hyperactive voice... "What is it, Selphie?"

"Are you busy!?"

"I just finished some trials-"

"Good!" she said, cutting him off. "Come straight to Siren's! Everyone is here!"

Squall rolled his eyes. He wasn't much the clubbing type and he'd only go to them when he was forced to by the others. "What do you mean everyone is there?" *It's party night...the clubs will be full.*

"Quistis, Zell, and I are taking out our new friend!" Selphie announced proudly. "He just arrived today!"

Squall narrowed his eyes. "Who." he demanded, rather than asked.

"Irvy!" Selphie shouted energetically. "He's another model that works with Rinoa and Seifer and he came by to visit so we're going to show him so Balamb hospitality!"

Squall slowly mulled over the situation. Finally, he came to the conclusion. "I'll be there."


"Rin! C'mon, loosen up!" Irvine said as he put his arm around her slim shoulders. "We're here to relax!"

"I am relaxed!" Rinoa retorted as she looked up. She was sitting in the booth in the corner of the club drinking a weak drink when Irvine rushed up to her.

"You're hiding from us," Irvine frowned. He reached over and pulled her up. "C'mon!" he said as he took her hand. "Everyone's dancing but you!"

Rinoa sighed heavily as she looked around the club. Selphie had all but vanished into the crowd. She would occasionally see her head bobbing up and down in the sea of bodies and flashing lights. Zell had been lost long ago, Hyne only knew where he was. Quistis and Seifer were last seen dancing across from each other.

In the crowded dance floor, they were constantly pushed together, much to Quistis' annoyance and Seifer's pleasure. Irvine tugged Rinoa into the group. The music was pounding around her as the swirling lights danced across their skin. Slowly, she began to feel the music around her.

Before long, she was dancing with the best of them, meshing with the sea of heated bodies. Her arms were in the air as her head tilted back. Her dark hair swayed around her head as she jumped and danced around to the beat.

That was how Squall found her, unknowingly trapped in a large group. He narrowed his eyes and searched for the cowboy. Near the center, he saw an all too familiar black hat and followed it down to the man wearing it. He was smiling and dancing with a rather large group of girls.

"Squall!" a voice shouted. He turned around, dressed in slick leather and a white shirt that was so typical of him. He saw Zell running up to him. "Hey, glad you could make it!"

"Whatever," Squall said. "I'm going to go upstairs for a drink!"

"Don't you want to tell the others you're here!?" Zell shouted over the loud music.

"I'll tell them later!" he replied. He turned and headed towards the stairs that led to the second floor where alcohol was being served.

Rinoa turned her head just in time to see a fleeting image. *Squall!?* her mind screamed. Her dancing came to a stop as she began to try to worm her way out of the dance floor. She didn't pay any attention to the other men she had kind of been dancing with as she kept her eyes on the stair way.

Irvine looked up and saw Rinoa heading towards the stairs. His overall rhythm didn't falter as he watched her go up the stairs. He glanced over at Seifer who had also noticed the young brunette retreat to the upper level.


"Whiskey." Squall said, just loud enough to be heard above the pounding music of the club. Behind him, people were chatting while sitting at and around tables. Drinks were in their hands as swirling lights flashed around them.

"Right away, sir!" the bartender said over the music as he turned around to get a glass. Squall leaned across the counter and took a deep breath as he looked at his hands. He placed his elbows on the table and took a seat on a stool by the bar.

Rinoa stood by the top of the stairs. She paused and looked through the crowd as the young Commander accepted his drink from the bartender. He lifted it to his lips as a young woman accidentally brushed up against him. Rinoa narrowed her brown eyes as the woman attempted to speak to Squall.

The brunette merely shook his head, not interested and turned away. The woman frowned and moved on to her next target. Rinoa let out a breath of relief. Suddenly she was tapped in the shoulder and turned around.

"Excuse me." someone said. Rinoa apologized quickly and stepped aside as a young couple walked past her into the second level.

She took a deep breath and with her eyes set on Squall, proceeded to walk forward. She took no more than one step when a hand gently clamped itself on her left shoulder. Rinoa whirled around and froze.

"Think you'd get away so soon?" Irvine asked in a teasing voice. "You were dancing for a grand total of ten minutes. You can't be out of breath already!"

"Uh..." Rinoa looked around nervously. "I just wanted to get a drink, Irvine."

"Then why didn't you go back to the table?" Irvine asked casually. "Your drink is still there, remember."

*I forgot about that!* her mind sang out. "I wanted something new." she lied with a smile. Irvine gave her a look of disbelief.

"I know..." he said with suspicion. Rinoa's heart immediately began to beat faster. "There's a cute guy here, isn't there?"

*Well, yes, but that's not the point...* her mind replied. Rinoa blushed and shook her head. "No!" she gasped. "I just..."

"Where is he?" Irvine asked, looking around the room. "Let's see if your tastes got any better from Seifer."

Rinoa winced and momentarily forgot about Squall. "What do you mean!?" she gasped. "I told you, that was a mistake!"

"I think you were just desperate." Irvine said, continuing to rile her up. As Rinoa looked around nervously, Irvine searched for a man that looked like the man that Rinoa had been with the night before.

"No, I wasn't!" she retorted proudly. "My tastes were always good! That time with Seifer was just a fluke!"

"Right..." Irvine said. His eyes finally settled on the man at the bar. He saw the leather jacket and familiar dark hair as the figure hunched over a glass. *So... that must be the Commander.*

"Really, Irvine," Rinoa urged as she put her hands on his broad shoulders and attempted to turn him around. She was failing, but that wasn't stopping her. "Anyway, I'm going to go get a drink real quick-"

"Tell me what you want," Irvine said with a smile. He looked down at her and winked. "I'll get it for you."

Rinoa's eyes went large. *Dammit!* "No, I want to go myself," she said. "I don't know what I want-"

"Oh, there's this drink you HAVE to try," Irvine stated, already heading towards the bar. "I'll meet you back at the table! Don't worry! It won't be too strong!" He assured her and melted into the crowd by the bar.

Rinoa shook her head, shocked that Irvine was not approaching the bar instead of her. *How did THAT happen!?* her mind screamed. She shook her head and went after him.

Irvine took his place in the only open spot by the bar, the spot right next to Squall. "Hey!" Irvine said, waving down the bartender. "One ex-boyfriend!"

"Right!" the bartender said.

Irvine nodded and waited. His head bobbed to the music as he glanced down at Squall. The brunette was half way through his drink. He finally was able to get a good look at Squall. *So this is the Commander of Balamb Garden...I heard he was young, but damn...*

"Irvine!" Rinoa snapped. Irvine turned around and laid eyes on an a peeved looking Rinoa.

Squall's head snapped up at the sound of her voice. He knew that the cowboy standing next to him was the man he had seen her hug. He just didn't want to acknowledge it. He took a deep breath and continued to stare at his drink, ignoring Rinoa and Irvine.

"Hey, darlin'!" Irvine said with a grin. He reached out and put an arm around Rinoa, pulling her closer. "I thought you were going to meet me downstairs?"

Squall's hands tightened around his glass. Rinoa's brown eyes darted over to his figure. She could see past his shoulder at his hand. It gripped his glass so tightly, his hand were white.

"Squall!" Rinoa shouted above the music. "I mean...Commander!" she said, wincing at the fact that she had slipped.

Next to them, Squall straightened up slowly. In slow, graceful movements, he turned in his chair and looked directly at her with icy blue eyes. She swallowed nervously. "Miss Heartilly," Squall said coolly. "I see you're relaxing after the week?"

Rinoa nodded slowly and turned back to Irvine, who still had an arm around her shoulder. She turned back to Squall. "Commander, this Irvine Kinneas from Galbadia Garden," Rinoa said, as brightly as she could. "Irvine, this is Squall Leonhart, Commander of Balamb Garden."

"Nice to meet you!" Irvine said as he extended his free hand. Squall hesitated, but lifted up his hand slowly. Irvine grabbed it and shook it. "I'll be staying at the Garden for a while!"

Squall didn't ask any questions. He merely nodded. Slowly, he turned back around. "He's a FRIEND!" Rinoa gasped out. Squall paused in his seat. Rinoa's voice sounded almost desperate. "He, Seifer, and I have the same manager! I've known Irvine for a long time, he's my best friend!"

*Best friend...* Squall's mind registered.

"He's a great friend!" Rinoa added. "And always will be!" Irvine watched them silently.

The Commander nodded his head slightly. "I assume that his room has been prepared?" Squall asked as casually as he could as relief flooded through his body.

Rinoa closed her eyes, also feeling relief. She smiled. "Yes, Commander. Everything is fine."

Squall still had his back turned to her as he nodded. "Good." he said as he lifted his head up. Rinoa smiled to herself.

Irvine glanced down at her and barely caught the smile on her face as she looked over at Squall. "Ex-boyfriend." Irvine turned his head as the bartender placed the glass in front of him.

"Thanks. How much?" Irvine asked, reaching into his back pocket to get his wallet. He took his arm off of Rinoa and the young woman took that moment to step away.

"7 Gil." the bartender said.

Irvine nodded and took out his wallet. He opened it and Rinoa smiled. She reached over and grabbed Squall's hand. His head jerked up and he whirled around as he was nearly pulled off of his seat. "What-"

"Commander, you have to dance, too!" Rinoa exclaimed as she pulled him forward. "Hey, bartender!" Rinoa called over her shoulder as she pulled Squall into the crowd. "The cowboy will pay for his drink, too!"

"What!?" Irvine gasped. He looked up, surprised. He noticed the empty seat in front of him and turned his head to the side. Rinoa was almost to the stairs and right behind her, being dragged with her right hand, was Squall. "Rinoa!" Irvine shouted.

He took one step forward. "Hey!" the bartender shouted behind him. "That's 14 Gil!"

Irvine paused and turned around. He looked down at his wallet and grabbed a 20. Without a second thought, he threw it on the bar counter and took off. "Keep the change!" he shouted as he headed into the crowd.

As if destiny was against him, he was kept from the stairs by a thick stream of people. Mentally swearing, he tried to swim through, only to reach the stairs and stop. He leaned over the railing and shook his head. A large party was heading up the stairs.


Squall grabbed Zell as the tattooed blond was leaning over a pool table, about to hit a ball. "What the- Squall!" Zell gasped.

"I was never here." Squall told him in a warning tone as he held on to the collar of Zell's shirt and brought him face to face. Zell's eyes were wide open.

Zell stepped back and nodded slightly. "R...right..." Zell mumbled. Squall turned around and headed for the exit. As he ran out, Zell noticed that he was pulling someone along with him. He caught the sight of a familiar young woman with pale skin and dark hair layered around her head. His eyes went wide. "Rinoa?"

Squall held on to Rinoa's left hand with his right hand as they wove through the groups of people trying to get into the club. They burst through the front doors, the cool night wind going over their bodies as they escaped the heated club. Their hearts were racing as their breaths were ragged. Rinoa looked around and was suddenly tugged to her left.

She turned her head and followed behind Squall. She followed his gaze and noticed his motorcycle parked on the side of the street. Squall began to dig into his pocket with one hand to take out his keys. As they neared it, it let go of her hand.

"Here," he said. Rinoa barely had time to catch the helmet that was tossed over to her. "Get on."

Numbly, she nodded and put his helmet on as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Squall got on the machine and started it. Rinoa got on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Where are we going?" she asked as she leaned her head against his.

Squall himself wasn't wearing a helmet once again. He took a deep breath and got on to the road. "Anywhere you want to dance."


"Zell!" Irvine said. He waved his hand at the blond. "Hey, you wouldn't by any chance seen Squall and Rin, would you?"

"Squall?" Zell asked, wrinkling his nose as he stood over the pool table, watching someone else play. "He's here already?"

Irvine let out a heavy breath and smiled as he shook his head. "Never mind. But keep an eye out for them, okay?"

Zell nodded. "Sure thing," Irvine thanked him and decided to go outside and check. As he did, Zell let out a heavy breath. *Sorry...*

Irvine ran through the doors of the club and looked around. He looked up and down the streets and didn't see any sign of Rinoa or Squall. He took a deep breath and removed his hat so he could run his hand through his hair.

"Harder than you thought, isn't it?" a mocking voice asked behind him.

Irvine closed his eyes and slowly put his had back on. With reserved steps he turned around. Seifer was leaning against the building with his arms crossed over his chest. "Did you see them?" Irvine asked.

Seifer smirked, as if saying 'I told you so'. He pushed himself off the wall and walked closer to Irvine, facing him proudly. "I don't have to see them to know that they're gone."


He had plenty of gas in his motorcycle. As the wind cut through his hair, he looked down at his hand. His wrist watch showed the time in an illuminated teal color. They had been driving for an hour.

Squall began to wonder to himself. What had he done? What was he doing? Had he really just run out of a club with one of the Garden students? As he felt Rinoa's arms tighten around his waist once more, he was assured that he had. He didn't know what had come over him. All of a sudden, he had just grabbed Rinoa's hand and pulled her along instead of the other way around.

He had glanced over his shoulder and seen her running behind him, sometimes turning her head to see if anyone was following them. His heart had been racing at the sheer thrill of running and trying not to be caught. They could keep it secret, but then he wondered would they be able to? Stunts that they had pulled earlier were sure to get them caught.

Rinoa leaned heavily against him. She was getting tired. They were one a long, seemingly endless road. It wound around the cliffs along the edge of the coast. They could smell the salty sea air around them as the winds blew. Rinoa turned her head and looked out towards the ocean.

Squall felt her tug at his arm. He saw her lift her left hand and point to the ocean. *Does she want to stop?* he asked himself. He took a deep breath and nodded. The motorcycle slowed down and he drove onto the side of the road.

In the darkness of the night, there were almost no vehicles but theirs. As soon as the bike stopped, Rinoa let go of his waist and removed the helmet. She swung her leg around the machine and shook her hair around her face. She stood there and inhaled the deep ocean scent.

Squall sat on his bike. He turned to look at her and quietly studied her as she stood there, illuminated only by the moonlight and the stars. Her eyes were fixed out to sea. "It's so dark..." she said suddenly, breaking their silence.

He didn't answer. Rinoa placed the helmet by the sit of the bike and then headed towards the cliff side. She leaned against the railing and closed her eyes as she leaned forward. The ocean breeze swept around her, lifting up her hair around her face as she smiled.

"Do you like the dark?" he asked quietly.

Rinoa smiled and shook her head. She opened her eyes slowly. "I like how you can see light the best when it's dark."

Squall squinted and tilted his head slightly. He got off his bike and walked closer to her. He stopped a foot away from her and put his hands on the railing. "If it's dark, how can you see light?"

"The sky is dark," Rinoa said. She turned to him and smiled softly. "But you can still see the moon and stars. If it's dark...you know there has to be light. They can't exist without each other you know."

His eyes looked up at the sky. A streak of light flashed across for a split second and his eyes widened. With a boyish glint in his eye, he turned to Rinoa, wondering if she had seen it as well. Rinoa's eyes were fixed on the sky, a slight smile on her face.

She glanced back at him and her slight smile widened. She pointed to the night sky. Squall continued looking at her, unable to tear his eyes away. Rinoa blushed and chuckled slightly. He blinked and took a step back. "What?"

Rinoa merely shook her head and took his hand. "Dance with me," she said. Squall looked at her, confused. He opened his mouth and she shook her head. "Dance with me..." she insisted once more.

Nervously he raised his hand and she took it. "Music-"

Rinoa lifted her eyes to meet his and he stopped in mid sentence. "Just dance with me now..." she said, almost pleading. Squall nodded and she took a step forward, placing her head against him. She closed her eyes and clung on to him. "Squall..."

Her voice was quiet. It was almost a whisper drowned out by the sound of the waves crashing below them on the cliffs. "What?" he asked quietly as his head leaned against hers.

Rinoa swallowed hard. "There isn't anyone else," she said in a shaking voice. "There's no one else but you."


Even though it was a weekend, the Garden still had a curfew. Rinoa looked at her watch as she tip toed through the empty halls. Most students had gone home or had stayed over in town to party rather than return to the Garden. At curfew, the gates to the Garden closed automatically.

However, because she had been with Squall, the Commander, he let them in with ease. They walked his bike into the parking lot and went there separate ways from there. It was dangerous enough walking in together.

Squall went through the back entrance while she went through the front doors. She took the stairs up to her floor and then turned the corner to get to her dorm. She was still feeling elated as she walked down the corridor. She closed her eyes as she blushed. In her mind, she replayed her night with him.

It was an amazing rush to run out Irvine and the others, hand in hand with Squall. Her heart couldn't stop racing the entire time as the excitement of the evening washed over her. All she could think of was being with Squall at the time. Nothing existed but her and Squall.

*Squall really knows how to give a goodnight kiss...* she mulled to herself as she approached her room. *And his lips are so soft...* Grinning, she lifted her keycard and slid it through the machine by her door.

The lights blinked and her door slid open. Rinoa walked into the darkness that was her room and reached to the side wall to turn the lights on. She found the switch and flipped it up.

"Welcome back." a deep voice said.

Rinoa's eyes went wide as she stood frozen at the entry way of her dorm room. Brown eyes went to her bed where a tall blond was sitting and leaned casually against the head board. They drifted over to her desk chair where a man dressed as a cowboy was sitting.

While the cowboy was smiling slightly, the blond was frowning and looking rather angry. His green eyes locked on hers. "So..." Seifer said coolly. "How was YOUR night?"


The blue eyed brunette reached his office. He needed to gather some things before he headed to his dorm room. The elevator doors opened and Squall stepped out and walked down the corridor.

"He's not there." an exasperated voice said from down the corridor. Squall froze and quickly leaned back against the wall, behind a jutting part of it.

"Where could he be...?" a tired female voice sighed.

"Zell, you've got to know where he is," Selphie's pleading voice asked. "You saw him last!"

Squall frowned. *Dammit, Zell!* his mind growled.

"I've already said too much!" Zell retorted nervously. "Just don't tell Seifer or Irvine!"

"We have to tell him," Quistis said. Squall heard steps going up and down the hall in one place and he assumed that Quistis was pacing once again. "But I just can't believe that he's doing this."

"I think it's romantic," Selphie added proudly. "C'mon, Quisty, you've got to agree."

Squall closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he three friends talked about him. "But he KNOWS she's an academic student and not a SeeD Cadet!" Quistis gasped. "If Headmaster finds out-"

"As long as they don't say anything, he won't find out." Selphie added.

"If Headmaster finds out," Quistis continued nervously. "Squall won't get that promotion he's up for. And to make things worse, Rinoa's father will be angry."

"That's right..." Zell mumbled in a sad tone. "He sent her here to get away from admirers...he won't be too happy with Squall."

"I just want Squall to know that Seifer and Irvine know," Quistis breathed out, sounding frustrated. "I'm afraid that they'll tell General Caraway."

Squall's eyes went wide at the revelation. He narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. He pushed himself off the wall and began to walk towards them, making sure that his footsteps were heard loudly.

Quistis, Selphie, and Zell all turned their heads sharply at the sound of boots against the floor of the hallway. All three looked speechless for a moment as Squall seemed to melt from the dark corners of the dimly lit hall way.

"Squall..." Zell mumbled. He looked at the other two nervously. "I didn't say anything to Seifer and Irvine! I swear-"

Squall sent him a silencing glare and Zell looked down. Selphie took a step forward. "Squall, Seifer and Irvine know. If they tell General Caraway-"

"Tell him what?" Squall asked with narrowed eyes.

"About you and Rinoa," Quistis sighed tiredly. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Don't try to hide it, Squall. You're involved with her."

"Why do you say that?" Squall asked coolly.

"Because..." Selphie began. She began to try to find examples, but couldn't really find any that she had personally seen.

"Her jacket!" Quistis gasped. "She was holding your jacket!"

"She was returning it to me after I gave her a ride back to the Garden," Squall told them casually. "I ran into her in town and she needed a ride back. I let her use my jacket on the ride back."

"What about earlier?" Zell asked. "I saw you running out with her!"

Squall narrowed his eyes. "She said she wanted to leave."

"But that abruptly?" Quistis gasped. "She couldn't even had told us!?"

Squall merely walked past them and into his office. "You needn't concern yourselves with her any more," he said solemnly as he shuffled around his desk. The trio congregated at the door and looked in. "It's merely an infatuation she has. It'll pass."

"What about you?" Quistis asked. "What about your infatuation?"

Squall paused in what he was doing. His eyes slowly looked up. "Who ever said I had one."