Author's Notes: I want to hurry up and get this thing done. So another chapter. The song in this chapter is entitled Can't Stand Alone and is in the brackets.

Chapter 19: Can't Stand Alone

{ I can't stand alone before this crowd. } { Pain's too great, drowning me now. } { Take my hand, pull me free. } { Stand by my side, and help me see. }

"I can't," he protested, trying to tug off his suit coat.

"You're going to," the other man insisted of the president elect.

"You don't understand Seifer!" Squall whimpered.

"Squall," I cut in, "You have to do this."

"Why can't you Kiros, you knew them all better!"

{ Here I am before you, } { Standing, bearing my heart } { Emotions on my sleeve are true } { Displayed like art... }

{ Torn inside, } { Cracked and broken } { On the ground } { Please help me through this. }

"This is why I can't do it Squall. They were my responsibility, and I failed them... And someone has to look over Reyn," I'd been over this to many times with Squall.

"Fine!" Squall growled angrily, marching out to where camera's waited for the funeral to begin. Swiftly he turned to look at me and Seifer, then went out. I cradled the young Reyn in my arms, tears filling my eyes... Squall has grown up.

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"Seifer, hold me," Squall insisted as he came in after his funeral speech.

{ Lost in your arms, tears staining us. } { Terror of death and like making me what I am. } { Hope of your love, hold me near. } { Knowing all I can have is fear. }

How close those two are now, they've become inseparable. They are much closer now that they are orphans again. The two kissed and departed to their room. They'd sleep long tonight, for tomorrow was a long day. Squall would take office in the morning. Everyone expects him to declare a day of mourning as his first act as President. Then he'd ask the Shumi to make a statue of Laguna. My gaze is directed outside by Reyn's reaching toward a window, rain was coming down now.

"The sky weeps for the death of a great man."

{ Here I am before you, } { Standing, bearing my heart } { Emotions on my sleeve are true } { Displayed like art... }

{ Torn inside, } { Cracked and broken } { On the ground } { Please help me through this. }

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Complete and total silence held the crowd watching me. All waited for my word....

"I, Squall Loire-Leonhart swear to uphold all responsibilities of my office. I swear to protect and pursue the good of the Estharian nation. I swear to act in our best interests as Commander in Chief of our military and our SeeDs. And I swear to do so until I am no longer fit to," I rattled off as well as I could in one breath.

Kiros smiled at me before moving to the podium, "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you President Squall Loire-Leonhart."

{ I can't stand alone before this crowd, } { Judging every breath that I take. } { Commenting on words and dreams. } { Learning nothing is as it seems. }

A tidal wave of applause began, showing the support of the people. Slowly I made my way to the podium and began my inauguration speech.

"You all know I'm not good with speeches so, unlike my father, I'll keep it short. Some people say I won only because people pitied me. None of them were right. Laguna was a great men, otherwise you wouldn't have kept him around so long running this country, Hyne knows I wouldn't," this brought a chuckle from the masses.

"Let me be honest," I said softer, "I can't be like Laguna in every way, but I'll do my best, for him, for you, and for my own family. Thank you."

{ Here I am before you, } { Standing, bearing my heart } { Emotions on my sleeve are true } { Displayed like art... }

{ Torn inside, } { Cracked and broken } { On the ground } { Please help me through this. }

{ Here I am before you, } { Standing, bearing my heart } { Emotions on my sleeve are true } { Displayed like art... }

{ Torn inside, } { Cracked and broken } { On the ground } { Please help me through this. }