Chapter Three: When Opportunity Knocks, Yank It In, Tie It Up and Have Your Way with It!

***

Rinoa sat outside the palace, sniffling like a little kid who had just been told she could not have that toy in the store window. Selphie jumped quickly off the transport unit. In no time Selphie spotted Rinoa. "Oh great, that's all I need," Rinoa thought to her self, she glanced with her head up briefly to see Selphie determinedly walking over.

"Rinoa," Selphie slowly slipped her hand on Rinoa's shoulder. "It isn't that bad."

Rinoa stopped sniffling and looked up squinting her eyes in anger. Selphie smiled cheerfully and sat down. "Well maybe I might be wrong."

Rinoa turned her body away from Selphie. "How about you are wrong, and leave me alone!" Rinoa whipped away a tear and frowned.

"Hey girl, it's not the end of the world! I mean I personally would be happy if Sir Laguna was my daddy."

Rinoa breathed heavily and giggled a little while she spoke. "You be happy if gummy bears could talk," she said smugly.

"Come on don't be that way. It helps when you tell your friends how you feel."

Rinoa let her head collapse in her hands. "Selphie you couldn't possible begin to know how it feels to find out that your boyfriend is your brother."

Selphie looked up at the sky happily. "Well maybe you're right about that too."

Rinoa snatched her head out of her hands. "See! Now would you just go away!!!"

Selphie slapped Rinoa on the back in a friendly manner and in doing so Rinoa thrusted forward. "You know what makes me feel better when I'm down?"

Rinoa flung her back over the bench so that half of her body tipped over it. "Getting a Happy Meal and listen to the Barney theme song," Rinoa said sarcastically.

Selphie jumped up cheerfully, "No silly, I'll go shopping!" Rinoa peeked up at her in interest. "That's right nothing makes me feel better than filling my closet with some new clothes. And Esthar is known for it's beautiful styles."

Rinoa pulled Squall's wallet out of her pocket. Squall had just got paid and asked Rinoa to hold his wallet for him, ever since her dog had bit a hole through his pants' pocket. She opened it up and ran the tip of the fingernail through the top of the bills. Rinoa stood up right and looked up at Selphie devilishly. "Let's go make some receipts"

***

Squall stood leaning over the railing on the main balcony in the palace. The air picked up a bit and whipped his dark hair, which made him coughed violently since Esthar's air is so polluted. The door behind Squall hissed as it opened. Out walked Quistis. Her footsteps gave a light click as she came near Squall. Squall sighed in aggravation.

"Look Selphie just get..." Squall turned to see Quistis standing with a smile of sympathy. "Oh sorry" Squall turned around and continued to look out over the city.

Quistis gingerly took a place next by Squall. Before Quistis had a chance to think, she spoke, "So what are you thinking about?" Quistis groaned to herself. "Good master SeeD, do you have to utter the six most annoying words to Squall?"

Squall took a deep breath, "I don't know any more."

"Huh?" Quistis was surprised. Squall responded that simply? "This is an opening better take it," Quistis thought.

Quistis rubbed Squall's hand, "I know this whole thing sucks."

"Everything is weird now," Squall stammered. Quistis looked at Squall understandingly.

"I know how you feel so many times. I feel as though I have the full picture and then the scene extends."

Squall shook his head back and forth. "I knew what was going on. I for once had a clear understanding of my life. Didn't like it, but had an understanding. Then BOOM! Here comes Laguna - Oh yeah. By the way I got it on with your girlfriend's mom, and like got her knocked up around the time. Your mom was pregnant with you and all, so your girlfriend is your sister!"

Quistis started choking up. She was having a terribly hard time not rolling out laughing by the way after Squall presented his feelings. "Squall, look, I know Laguna makes Esthar's 'Deadbeat Dad of the Year' list. But hey, maybe he's wrong and Rinoa's not your sister."

Squall threw his head up in the air and laughed, "Yeah right, you know I don't know why I stay with Rinoa. She doesn't treat me good."

"Not really," Quistis joked sarcastically under her breath.

"What?" Squall said, confused.

"Oh nothing. Continue," Quistis waved her hand signaling him to go on.

"She doesn't understand me. She is way selfish," Squall gripped Quistis hand and began to squeeze it. "But it's like I have a loyalty to her. I mean she... she got me out of my shell and all."

Quistis gently turned Squall's face to meet hers. "Squall," she said in a sweet, nearly motherly voice. "You don't owe anybody anything. You made yourself into a new person. YOU! And you should be with somebody who makes you happy."

Squall pulled in Quistis' face gently and slowly kissed her. Quistis' brain could have exploded at that very moment as it threw its own little private victory. "Hell yeah!! And that's the game sports-fans! Sharon Stone, eat your heart. I didn't even had to wear a short dress."

Quistis put her arms around Squall for the last five seconds of the kiss. Squall finally departed from Quistis lips. Squall's thoughts ran like clockwork. "Wow I enjoyed that! Can't ever recall enjoying kissing Rinoa that much. As a matter of fact I don't even recall liking kissing Rinoa at all. Now what? I don't know what to say! She's just looking at me. Does she want me to kiss her? Did she like it? Was I good? Oh no, I'm thinking too much. If she did like it she probably thinks I'm stupid now. Or worse, she's comparing me to Zell!"

Quistis figured that she better say something or they were going to be there until the gang came looking for them. "I didn't know you could kiss this good."

Squall blushed, "Well... I... had practice." Quistis raised a brow along with a grin. Squall caught himself, "Not like that. I mean... I... we better go catch up we got to go get filled in on our mission."

"There is no mission, Laguna made it up to spend time with you." Quistis said, moving forward, hoping for another kiss.

Squall's whole mood changed "BASTARD! He called me here for nothing."

"Who cares?" Quistis said reaching for Squall's hand but he ignored her and paced the other way.

"Last time... Last freaking time, they can have missiles aimed at this damn city! And I'll tell Cid not to send a single SeeD to help him!"

Quistis pretty much got the picture that the romantic moment was over.

Squall tapped his foot in aggravation, "Well we should get back to the Laguna's office and round up everyone." Squall banged the back of his hand on the wall. "Never again" he whispered.

Quistis walked over to the door and pushed the open button. Quistis knew with Squall one thing was for sure. When he was upset it was best not to push the issue. Better just to let the moment lay until the time was right to bring it up again.

***

Selphie walked into Rinoa's bedroom with both hands carrying three bags in a go.

"See Rinoa don't you feel better!"

Rinoa walked empty-handed. She wore a brand new short black skirt with a small slit in it. She also had on a flower-top that came down in a V-like way so that the bra-like part of it exposed her cleavage a little.

"Oh Selphie you were right. I feel like a new person! Throw it in here boys!" Rinoa yelled to the three men, whom she hired, carrying her twelve bags. Rinoa jumped up and down in glee as each man passed her. "Thank you, and as a tip," Rinoa pulled out Squall wallet, but to her dismay all the money was gone. Then she felt along the side. The smoothness gave way to a lump - Squall's credit card. As she pulled out the card a note fell out. "REMEMBER: Only use this card in case of an EMERGENCY" the note read. Rinoa smiled coldly.

"Here you can charge it to this pretty gold card." The store carrier pulled out his automatic credit charger and ran the card through the slot. "Here you go Miss," the man said handing the card back to Rinoa.

Selphie's head peeked into one of Rinoa's bags. A big mischievous smile captured Selphie's face. "I'm assuming this is a treat for Squall when you two make up."

Rinoa snatched up the bag, "I'll thank you to mind your own business." Rinoa snapped tossing the bag on the bed.

"Well your little mission is completed. I'm happy, so get lost!"

Selphie rolled her eyes and giggled, "Ok I'm going. I shall be seeing what I can do to help the Neon Flower Night Celebration anyway." Selphie smiled brightly as she walked out the room. "Oh! By the way, that outfit in the bag was a great choice. Black has always been Squall's favorite color."

Before Rinoa could give her a good shove Selphie ran out. Rinoa slammed the door. "Maybe you're Laguna's daughter!!" She screamed. "Sure do. Act the same." Rinoa walked back over to her bed, pulled out the outfit and laid it across the bed. She heard a knock on the door.

"All right I got something for you missy." Rinoa said under her breath as she threw out flowers that were in a vase that had water in it. Rinoa yanked open the door and threw the water. Rinoa gasped in error. Standing before her stood a drenched Seifer.

"Ok I deserved that," he said calmly.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Come in. Let me get you a towel," Seifer walked in and wrought out his shirt on the rug. Rinoa walked back from the bathroom and handed Seifer a towel.

"So it's been a long time," she said, looking down and twisting her foot. Seifer spoke, as if he was muffed, through the towel as he dried off his face.

"It's been six months," Seifer finished, drying off his stomach and tossed the towel on a chair. For a few minutes the two said nothing. Then Seifer broke the silence.

"Look Rinoa, about Adel and everything. I'm really sorry. I was under a spell." Seifer looked deep into Rinoa's eyes. "You know I never do anything to hurt you." His voice rang with the deepest seniority.

Rinoa began to glow red. "I know." Since the time she first met Squall even up until now, she had never stop having feelings for Seifer. "So what have you been doing? I mean I haven't seen you around," Rinoa said meekly.

"This and that. I've done a lot of traveling, picked up some new skills with my gunblade." Seifer rolled his arm around back and forth mimicking the real thing.

"A lot's changed," Rinoa said half-heartedly. Seifer gave a grin.

"Yeah but you still look great."

Rinoa's face couldn't contain the smile it was trying to hold back.

"Ah now there's what my day was missing. Your wonderful smile."

Rinoa giggled uncontrollably. "Oh Seifer you always did know what to say to bring a smile to my face."

"Not like Squall 'whatever'," she mumbled, imitating Squall. A smile slid across Seifer's face. This was going better than expected.

"He couldn't be treat'n ya too bad if you're gonna wear this for him." Seifer ran his fingers over top the outfit that was laid out on the bed.

"Oh that's for - whenever," Rinoa said facing the wall in embarrassment.

Seifer turned away from the bed and began to walk towards her. "You and Squall not getting along?" He said in curiosity.

A smile faded away from Rinoa's face, and she began to hug herself. Seifer rushed to Rinoa and gripped his hands around her arms. "Squall didn't put his hands on you did he!" Seifer pretended to be outraged. He knew Rinoa would be putty in his hands if he acted extremely concerned.

Rinoa reached for Seifer's hand. "Oh it's nothing like that. It's just..." Seifer slowly turned Rinoa around.

"Like what?" he said so compassionately that even Fujin would have fell for it.

"Squall might be my brother," she finally blurted out.

Seifer gasped, "The hell you say!" Rinoa spun away from Seifer and sat down on the bed.

"It's true," she said mournfully, "Turns out that Laguna was fooling around with my mom around the same time she got pregnant with me."

Seifer sat next to Rinoa at the foot of the bed. "If you ask me none of them deserve you," Seifer said deeply. He raised her head up so that their eyes would meet.

Rinoa gave way to her true feelings. "I missed you. I missed us," she spoke softly and sweetly.

"What's there to miss. I'm right here."

At the very same time Rinoa and Seifer slipped their arms around each other and kissed passionately. Gently they fell upon the bed. This was getting out of hand. Seifer was enjoying himself a little too much. Had the both of them not being so into each other at that moment they would have heard the door open.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!" Squall screamed.

"Looks like a couple of heathens to me," Quistis said folding her arms in disgust.

"Squall!" Rinoa said letting go of Seifer.

Squall balled up his fist and shook his head. "I see now I see it all!! I'm out risking my ass and your 'Come around back baby the big dummy' is gone!" Squall's eyes suddenly became fixed on the naughty outfit that Rinoa and Seifer were sitting on. "I can believe you," Squall bellowed deeply. "Planning to slip into something more comfortable I see."

Squall's whole body was inflated with anger. His eyes fixed on Seifer. All at once at every evil, nasty, sneaky thing Seifer did to him came rushing back. It was as though someone had injected a tape of bad memories. "I should beat your ass right now!"

Seifer rose up off the bed. "I'm surprised you got the guts to fight me without Auras," he said cockily.

Squall grabbed at his side, forgetting he didn't have his Lionheart with him. Seifer quickly realized what Squall had mistaken.

"Aww... What's the matter? Don't have your weapon?" Seifer's mocking voice turned into one of the challenge. "Too afraid to fight me like a man, boy!"

All the air left Squall's lungs. He dare to call the great killer of Ultimecia a boy?! Quistis got worried, Squall was not going to let him get away with that was he? She figured she better jump in.

"You have room to call someone a boy," Quistis laughed, "As I recall it was you who got dumped like yesterday's garbage. After Ultimecia saw what every instructor at the Garden saw," Quistis took great pride in the next words she would say for she knew they would sting him the most, "A puppet that is useless unless someone is working it's strings."

Now Seifer was speechless with anger. A look of amusement played on Squall's face. His confidence rose again so he put it to good use and began on Rinoa. "Well you proved your love. First wave of trouble we have in our relationship and you jump overboard."

Rinoa stood up. She had, had enough of Squall. "Maybe I jumped overboard because the ship didn't fit me. Maybe I overturned* the hard dependable lifeboat," Rinoa taunted. She put her arms around Seifer's waist and smiled.

Seifer's fire returned, along with his trademark grin. "You know what they say Squall. Once you've had good food you push everything else away."

The insult coming from anyone else would have just gotten a 'whatever', but coming from Seifer was no doubt. He had to pay!

Outside in the hallway Selphie, Irvine and Zell stood outside listening.

"Oh baby I think they're about to throw down in there" Zell said, getting excited.

"Hot diggit damn! Then I got my money on Squall!" Irvine proclaimed.

Selphie jumped up and down. "I don't know. Seifer has taken Squall down lots of times so..." BOOM! A thunder sounding thud came pounding from the room.

"Who's winning? I've got to see!!" Zell said pushing his way ahead of Irvine and Selphie. Zell twisted the knob furiously, but it was locked shut.

"Hey open up!" Zell yelled begging intensely with both hands on the door.

"Yeah if you're going to kick the crap out of each other at least let us watch," Irvine added.

Down the hall the elevator door buzzed open. Laguna came shooting down the hall to meet the others. "What's happening?" he said huffing and puffing because he was out of breath.

Selphie was quick to answer the man she worshiped. "Squall, Rinoa, Seifer and Quistis are in there!" Zell interrupted, "GET IT ON BABY!"

Laguna eyes searched all over the door in fear, as if they were looking for a way in. "Get back," Laguna demanded. Every one moved back. Then Laguna kicked the door open.

At first sight there was nothing Irvine, Zell and Selphie could do but roll on the floor in hard aching laughs. As for Laguna he stood for the moment with his jaw wide open in shock. "What the fu...." was all he could utter.