Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII because someone beat me to it.  Now doesn't that sound clichéd?

Chapter VII

It's amazing how green highlighter looks cool when you're drawing.  When you're highlighting passages in a notebook or whatever it just looks like green highlighter.  But I was drawing little stick figures blowing the shit out of each other on my lunch break and it actually turned out good.  It was all lime greenish …

It kind of gave me the urge to go into the training center and chop some monsters up but I was forbidden until my shoulder was fully healed.  Psh, load of shit.  I could take on five T-Rexuars right here, right now without breaking a sweat.  I could always just go and hope that I don't get caught.  Because if I did I would awaken the dragon, the sleeping anger of Rinoa Heartilly.  Yeah, she has a 'sleeping anger'.  As if she's not bad enough already.

"Dude, line one." Zell entered my office without even knocking.  The ass!  I'm the freaking commander of this place, I think I deserve a tad bit of respect! 

"When on your fucking work shift you will refer to me as Commander Leonheart and you will knock on the door and wait until I tell you that you may come in, got it?" I snapped at him, "Who the Hell is it?" I motioned to the phone disdainfully.  I didn't really liked to be bothered during my lunch break by stupid politicians that asked me how my affairs were going.  My affairs were going pretty damn fine, I found it useless to tell them this more than once every six months.

"It's Rinoa.  I think she's crying … at least she sounded like it.  I asked her what was wrong and she said she was about to die so I judged it was that time of the month and she desperately needed a conveyor of emotion so, against her better judgment, she called you."

"What the Hell is that supposed to mean?  Get out!" I picked up the phone, "Hey?"

"I'm going to die!" She blurted out and it did sound as if she was crying which worried me a tad.  If your girlfriend was bawling on the other line about dying would you stay as cool as a daisy?  Well then you must not love her and I'll make sure to find out who she is, call her up and tell her.  Then she'll either dump you or you won't get laid for a while.

"So I heard, what else is new?" Stupid, stupid, stupid … STUPID THING TO SAY.
"SQUALL!"

"What?" I-Am-A-Moron!  M-o-r-U-n!

"I'm going to die." She whined sorrowfully.

"And how do you feel about that?" I put on my best imitation of a psychiatrist to lighten the mood or to at least show I cared while I figured out a way to untangle the phone cord from my arm.

"I feel ANGRY!" Sleeping dragon of anger my ass.  It's been awake for years and years, you just get used to it.

"And how do you feel about that?" I repeated against my better judgment.

"I feel like feeding you to sharks, that's how I feel!" She snapped at me and I could very well tell that she was getting annoyed.

"So I'll see you in Hell?" The cord was cutting the circulation to my hand … where the fuck is Zell when you need him?  Oh no, it was turning blue!  My hand is turning blue!  NINE, ONE, ONE!  Someone!

"No, you'll never seen me ever again because I'll be frolicking with the angels while you burn down there with Lucifer!" She hissed, "I'm going to die valiantly, I'll have you know, Mr. Squall Leonheart, Commander of Balamb Garden."

Quick, go to plan B!  Stall with random comments! "Apparently, my grand-mother died when she fell down the stairs and broke her neck."

"Oh … I'm sorry then." You could distinctly hear traces of confusion in her voice.

"Don't be sorry, she was trying to kick a maid in the ass when she tipped over and fell down.  No one really missed her when she came to pass."

"Wow … that reminds me of my grand-mother." She replied seriously, "Except mine isn't dead yet." Then a moment of silence.

"So why're you going to die again?" I had finally gotten the freaking cord off my arm.  My hand was numb and cold.

"I'm in charge of Stu's birthday party." She sighed, "It's all my parents' fault, they did this on purpose!  Joan is going out to visit her sisters this week-end and so they planned a one night stay in Esthar pretending to have a 'meeting' but they're just trying to escape the tortures of Stu's evil little friends running around screaming and popping balloons and-ARGH!  WHY ME?"

"So … if I got this right … you have to plan and carry out Stu'd birthday party this week-end coming up and not to mention baby-sit your brothers until Saturday night?"
"Horrible isn't it?"

Wait a minute … I knew where this was going, "Yeah, no … there really is a meeting in Esthar.  Lots of politicians going … INCLUDING me."
"You conniving liar but I don't believe you, jackass!"  She snapped, "I know that there is no meeting in Esthar and you're just trying to get away from helping me!  Well I'll chain you down and drag you over if I have to but you're helping me!"

"Can you just make it sound a little more inviting?" I pleaded, "Like … put on a seductive voice and coax me into it?  It'll be a lot more enticing this way."

"Look at it this way, my parents won't be home."

"Now we're talking."  I could practically see her roll her eyes and I had to smile, "I'll meet you in Deling on Friday?"

"Yeah, I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, bye."

***

 Friday came like I usually think … slowly.  Hah, that was a joke.  As in … I don't usually think slowly.  I'm not slow.  No, seriously!  I'm perfectly intelligent … I swear!  If you don't believe me that's your problem … Rinoa's probably had too big of an influence on you … FEMINISTS!

Anyways, back to my point.  Wait, did I even have a point?  I do now!  My point was that Friday came slowly but it did finally get here.  I packed my bags that afternoon and headed over to Deling.  Traffic was horrible, women were at the wheel, so what else is new?  HEY, who just chucked that high-heel?  If you ladies can't handle truth than get the Hell outta here! 

Before Rinoa gets a hold of this … I take back everything that I said about women and bad driving, ok?  So don't tell my girlfriend anything that she doesn't need to know.  As in … don't repeat anything to her at all. 

So when I got to the mansion I was a tad uneasy at the thought of knocking at the door.  I was afraid Caraway would take after me with a shotgun.  But then again he wasn't precisely pissed at me.  Stepping around the fears I rang the doorbell, Joan answered, hugged me (Ah, shaddup and keep your comments to yourself) and let me in. 

I waltzed my little ass into the kitchen (No, I didn't literally waltzed!  I don't even know how!) and wasn't surprised to find Rinoa and Caraway sitting on opposite sides of the dining table glaring at each other.  Mikey and Stu stood back, awaiting the eruption. 

"Hi." Rinoa greeted and she didn't even look at me.  I feel the love, I really do.

"Hello Squall." Caraway acknowledged me in the same way.  Julia came up from behind and tried in vain to put some 'life' or 'cheer' in the household.

"Hey Squall!"  She was overly-enthusiastic and made wild gestures for me to fall in the act.

"Hiya, Julia!" I said as happily as I could muster. 

"How was the trip from Balamb?"

"Excellent!"

"Great!"

"Yeah!"

She snapped, "Christ on a cracker!" She glared at her daughter and husband, "I give up!  I hope one of you dies!"  I'm sure she didn't literally mean that.  Well, not to that extent.  "I've seen Mikey and Stu act more mature!"

"Run that one by me again!" That yielded a result from Rinoa.

"You heard me." Julia glowered from her side of the table, "I'm sick of these stupid attitudes you have towards each other!  James, your daughter is a grown woman and she can do what she pleases!" This earned a smirk from Rinoa and a look of utter shock from Caraway.  "And Rinoa, you … uh … you … I don't know!  You have more respect for your father, there!" 

Rinoa's eyebrow arched, "Might as well start respecting worms."

"I beg your pardon!?"

"I pardon you then."

"That's not what I meant!" Caraway roared.

"Then be more clear."
I rubbed my temples and groaned, "Rinoa, please."

"AHA!" Caraway pointed at me triumphantly, "See, daughter-dear … even the poor boy is getting sick of you."  Rinoa glare was radioactive.  Like a gamma ray, it pieced flesh.

"Wanna re-word that sentence, Leonheart?" She snapped.

"Leave him alone, he has a right to express opinions." Mikey said, rubbing his chin, imitating a great philosopher or something a rather.

"Oh, go screw Cynthia, Justice-Boy." I had no idea what that was about but it certainly hit home.

Mikey gasped and glared at her, "Bitch!"

"BOTH OF YOU, SHUT UP!" Caraway snapped.
"What does she see in you anyways?  Little brain-little … actually, I don't even want to think about it."
"Well, what do you see in Rinoa, Squall?"  He turned to me.  Actually … everyone turned to me.

I would have thanked the Gods if I had simply dropped dead at that exact moment.  "Well … I … uhm … you see … I could answer that question … but … it is my best intention to uh … bring to your attention … the fact that … Angelo wants to come in."  Oh, well done, Squall … well done. 

Joan opened the kitchen door leading to the backyard and let the dog in.  Then the phone rang, Joan departed, Stu tripped on a tile, Caraway carried suitcases downstairs, Julia and him left … and everything was right again in the world because they had dismissed the fact that I had still a question to answer. 

Rinoa didn't speak to me for the rest of the day.

***

Since there was going to be over ten kids at this party, I hypothesized a riot if they didn't get a goodie bag each.  So, I drove Stu to the mall where he picked the odd knick-knacks to treat his friends with; crappy toy cars, pencils, whistles (Oh GOD), chocolate (That's even WORSE) and the odd shit that happened to catch his eye.  I would have suggested flavored condoms but I doubt Rinoa would have appreciated.

After we were done, we had supper.  Mikey suggested McDonald's so you know, whatever.  It's not Kraft Dinner so I'm all for it.  However, maybe I shouldn't have since I had to restrain myself from tossing my cookies for the rest of the walk around the mall.  What the hell do they put in those burgers? 

After that … there … wasn't really anything worth mentioning.  Oh, besides the little old lady that came up to us and told us, "Why, I've never seen such a charming family.  Two sweet little boys and charming parents … so beautiful."  She sighed and moved on before I had the chance to toss her in a garbage can.  Rinoa just stood staring, Mikey groaned and rolled his eyes.

And Stu?  Stu had this 'brilliant' idea.  "Let's pretend you guys are the parents and we'll be the two kids since mommy and daddy are away, ok?  We really do look like a family!"

"No." Rinoa snapped, "I refuse to emphasize my relation to you both.  Now let's get out of here."
"Aw, but mommy I wanna go to the toy store."

"Don't call me that!" She hissed at him vehemently.

"You haven't bought me my birthday present yet, mommy!" Stu pouted and crossed his arms.

"You call me that one more time and I'll slug you." Rinoa warned.

"Mommy!"  Mikey cried out, "Please don't beat me, please!" People turned to look around with looks that clearly said 'Shame on you!' directed to Rinoa.  She actually turned a shade of pink, put her hand to her forehead and walked the other direction. 

I was gnawing on the inside of my mouth so not to burst out laughing out of nervousness and just how comical the situation was.  When we got back in the car though, Mikey was beaten to an inch of his life. 

***

Rinoa still wasn't speaking to me when we got back to the house.  At ten o'clock, Stu was in bed and she was chasing Mikey around the house trying to get him to do the same, "MIKEY!"  She screamed as he shut the bathroom door and locked it, "If you don't open this door right now … I will break it down."

Full blown laughter could be heard from the other side of the door.  "That's a laugh!  With your delicate shoulders …" He mimicked a girly voice, "Ow, I bruise like a prune …"

She bit her lip in defeat, crossed her arms and leaned against the wall in deep thought.  Then without further warning she began singing at the top of her lungs, "MIKEY AND CYNTHIA SITTING IN A TREE, F-U-C-K-I-N-G!"
"BITCH!"  He opened the door and chased her down the hallway.  She faked going down the stairs and he, trying to follow her down, simply fell down the 19 stairs.  Ouch.

The triumphant sister strolled down the stairs, picked up her brother by the collar (who was whining and moaning in absolute pain) and dragged him up the flight of stairs, down the hallway, into his room, threw him on his bed and shut the door behind her, "STAY!" She yelled at the door (Well, at her brother but it still looked as if she was yelling at the door).

She looked at me, the silent observer, and gave me a death glare but I wasn't sure why.  It was probably because I hadn't helped her with her brother.  Well, I don't like getting between those two.  The one time I tried I got referred to as Pilsbury Dough Boy.  Let's leave it at that.

We went to watch TV a bit … no, really.  We actually watched TV without making out.  She sat on the opposite side of the couch of me.  No signs of affection, NOTHING!  Sniff, sniff … sometimes I feel so unappreciated.

Finally she left me in the room to contemplate if Bingo would ever escape the kidnappers.  I assumed she was going to bed, I assumed right, I followed her.  "Is there a particular reason you aren't talking to me?"
"Couch!" She snapped and pointed out the door when I was just about to get into bed.  "Couch now, out!"
"What the shit?" I cried in protest, I got into bed anyways and she tried to shove me off.  Sorry sweetie, I weigh more than you and what I weigh is nearly all muscle so fat chance of pushing me off the bed.  "What's your problem?"
"You, you are my problem!  If I could find a way to permanently get rid of you I would!" She seemed genuinely pissed off and that made me more confused than ever.

"Ok, well can I know why?"

"What do you see in me, Mr. Leonheart?  Why is it that you 'love me' if that's what you can even call it!  You can't even answer those questions."  Ah, she was referring to the incident this afternoon.
"No, you're right I can't!" I snapped back, "Because this is the first time that this has happened to me."  She was definitely in PMS, just by looking at the first symptom 'Overly Emotional'. 

"And this has happened to me millions of other times." She spat out sarcastically.

"You're being very selfish." I stated without tone whatsoever so that she wouldn't take it the wrong way.  She was.  'I love you' are very complicated words alone to say and now she wanted me to explain them.  I couldn't explain them, they can't be explained to me.  Feeling them alone is enough to knock me over and she had made me feel them …

"Maybe I am." She concluded harshly and turned off the lights, turned her back to me and …. It sucked. 

"Just listen, Rinoa …" I touched her shoulder and she shuffled away from me, "I … can't explain how I feel, I just can't.  And … you're being a hypocrite because you can't explain it either … can you?"  I would die on the spot if I happened to learn that one of her brothers was listening in on this.

She remained silent to my accusation, "Listen, when I say that … that I love you … I mean it, if that's what you're worried about."
"Worried about?" She whispered incredulously, "Worried-" She cut herself off and shuffled away from me, "Don't touch me."

"Ok."  I said and rolled on top of her, pinned down her shoulders and kissed her.  I felt her punch me in the ribs but it wasn't too effective.  Eventually she responded in my favor.

 I am in love with Rinoa Heartilly.  The only explanation I can provide is that I have no explanation.  My alibi was lost as was my sanity when I first laid eyes on her, when I first kissed her.  And my heart?  It aches for more.

Sabam: This chapter is late.  Sue me.  Well, sorry, pretty busy this week.  I'm so very behind.  Anyways.  Please read and review and I will love you forever.