Mythology
Chapter Seven: I Am Not Alone
By PasifiKStaR
Author's Note: I think I found the perfect theme music for this story - Hirahara Ayaka's "Jupiter". What an amazing voice!! I wish I could sing like that. But I can't sing for crap (Seriously, you think I'd LIE about my singing ability? No, I really do suck.) Anyway, if anyone has questions about the story, please email me! I'm more than happy to answer. ^_^ Congrats to my adopted lil bro Tai for his story on ff.net!
*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Final Fantasy.
"Let's go inside..." Squall whispered in her ear as he gently pushed her away. He swept her soaking bangs aside. "You'll get sick."
Rinoa nodded numbly and allowed the taller brunette to put his arm around her shoulder and lead her back into the house. He closed the door behind them and ran up the stairs, leaving Rinoa standing with a distant look on her face in the foyer. Her entire body was numb. She could barely feel the cold, soaking clothes against her skin.
Squall brought down some more towels from the linen closet and rushed down to her. Rinoa hadn't moved. He reached her and hesitantly reached for the sheets. She didn't flinch and he decided to go through with physically changing her. She didn't even move as he pulled the sheets off her frail body.
Squall's head was turned away, not wanting to have to see more than he was allowed to. He didn't want to take advantage of her when she was like that. Rinoa slowly looked up at him as he wrapped her in a warm, thick terry cloth towel. Her hand slowly rose to hold it in place as he put another one over her shoulders to catch the water dripping from her thick hair. He stepped away from her reluctantly and bent down to gather the soaking sheets that had fallen around her body.
"You...you haven't answered my question..." she breathed out in a nervous voice. Squall paused, his hand clutching part of the sheet.
"What question?" he asked casually as he stood up and pulled the sheet up with him. His eyes were down cast. "I'm going to put this in the laundry room. Go to the den and I'll bring your clothes out-"
"Will you answer my question?" she persisted quietly. Squall had turned around. He paused and slowly nodded his head.
"I'll try..." Rinoa narrowed her eyes as he quickly walked down the hall and rounded the corner. He seemed to be trying to avoid her.
"Maybe we should call them?" Zell asked as he sat across from Selphie and Irvine in the cafeteria.
"I already tried to call Squall's house phone and it's disconnected," Irvine told him tiredly. "It seems that the phones are down."
"Doesn't he have a cellular phone we can try to call?" Selphie asked. Irvine shook his head.
"I called it, and then I heard ringing from Squall's tent," Irvine replied. Zell let out a groan and ran his hand down his face. "Relax, I'm sure they're all right. I've been to Squall's place and it's nice and sturdy."
"I hope Rinoa's okay," Selphie said as lifted up a piece of French toast with her fork. "I bet she was mad that we ditched her."
"Squall probably wasn't too happy either," Irvine agreed. "When he called he was kind of gruff."
"Isn't he always like that?" Zell asked.
"GruffER," Irvine corrected. Zell nodded, accepting the answer. "Don't worry, Selphie, I'm sure when they finally come back, she won't be mad."
"And if she is?" Selphie asked curiously.
"We'll run. Run really really fast."
"What are you doing here?" Seifer looked up from where he was sitting in the research tent. The computer monitor in front of him showed the scanned words of the third tablet. Quistis was frowning as she put her umbrella down.
"Good morning, princess," Seifer said with a pleased smile. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"
"I was worried sick about Rinoa," Quistis snapped as she turned her back to him and removed the dark green rain slicker she had been wearing. She hung it up on the coat rack by the door and turned back around. She was wearing a buttoned up, long sleeve, white cotton work shirt. She wore faded blue jeans over black boots with wet sand and dirt encrusted on them. "Now you answer MY question."
Seifer shrugged and stood up. "I woke up early and thought I'd come in and do a little reading," he answered casually. Quistis narrowed her deep blue eyes. Cautiously, she stepped around him. Seifer let out a chuckle. "What's the matter? I don't bite."
"It's not your bite I'm worried about," Quistis murmured. "Get off my chair."
"That's a very cold way to speak to your sponsor," Seifer reminded her coolly. He watched with interested green eyes as her pale hands turned into fists at her sides. *She's so fun to rile up.*
"Mr. Almasy, PLEASE move so I can continue my work." she hissed out between gritted teeth.
Seifer gracefully stood up and even pulled the chair out for her to sit in. She mumbled a reply of thanks as she sat down. She put her hand on the mouse when Seifer suddenly loomed behind her. His arms went around her slim shoulders as he bent down over her. Quistis' body stiffened. "Oh, don't let me bother you," Seifer told her, as if what he was doing was nothing. "Go ahead and continue with your work."
"Just HOW am I supposed to do that with you hanging all over me!?" Quistis growled. Not only was he stopping her from doing his work, but the merely feeling of his body pressed against hers was sending chills up her spine. She could feel her entire body almost shaking. From what exactly, she wasn't sure.
"You just looked cold," Seifer answered in a worried like voice. He pulled away a bit and put his hands on her upper arms. Slowly, his large palms ran up and down the length of her thin white cotton shirt. "I just wanted to warm you up a bit."
*You infuriating man!* Quistis wanted to scream. Her entire body was frozen as she sat there. She felt the heat from Seifer's arms course through her entire body, making her feel hot and cold at the same time. "Please stop.." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
*Nervous?* Seifer thought, amused. His caressing came to a slow stop at her shoulders. "Come on, Quisty," he said as he leaned forward and brushed her blond bangs aside to whisper into her now pink ears. "Do you hate me THAT much?"
"Yes," she replied sternly. Her eyes narrowed as her hand clenched the material of her pants tightly. "You're distracting me."
Seifer smiled from ear to ear. "So I am..." his warm breath brushed against her ear, making Quistis close her eyes. Her heart was racing faster the longer that Seifer was there. "I'm sorry."
Surprisingly, Seifer backed away. Quistis suddenly felt a surge of disappointment rush through her body as Seifer stepped back. She turned her head around quickly and saw him heading towards the door. He was wearing a simple black knit sweater over dark, crisp new jeans and black boots. As he walked, she could almost see his muscles moving with each step and movement.
*Oh, Hyne, Quistis! Get a hold of yourself! What are you doing? Are you checking SEIFER out? SEIFER!* her logical mind screamed. Yet deep down another voice was answering, *I'd sure like a piece of that.*
"If you need me, I'll be in my tent." Seifer told her sweetly, almost as if inviting her to join him.
His near mocking tone snapped Quistis out of her thoughts and she glared at his retreating figure. "I WON'T, nor will I EVER, need you!" she screamed.
Seifer merely smiled as he stood at the door way. He opened it and stepped out on the first step, the rain not yet hitting him. He threw her a smirk over his shoulder before heading out towards the path. Quistis let out a frustrated growl and whirled back around to the computer.
Steam lifted from the ceramic mug as Squall poured hot tea into it. He put the tea kettle down on a little stand before lifting up the mug to Rinoa. She sat on his couch, wearing her clothes. Her hair was damp around her head and around her shoulders was one blue towel. Rinoa looked at the white mug and shook her head. She lifted her hand to stop him from giving it to her.
"It'll warm you up," he told her softly. Rinoa shook her head silently. Squall hesitantly put the mug back down on the coffee table before he sat next to her. Rinoa immediately moved further down the length of the couch. "Rinoa..."
"Just answer my question," Rinoa whispered bitterly. Her eyes lifted and locked on to his blue-gray ones. "Who ARE you?"
Squall sat there, a look of powerlessness on his face as his eyes squinted slightly. "I..." he began. *Hyne, what do I say!?*
"You're not really a doctor are you?" she asked in a suspiciously voice. She clutched the towel around her tightly.
Squall shook his head. His hair was still damp from the rain and he now wore a white shirt and some dark, comfortable cotton pants. "I really am doctor," Squall told her. "I graduated with specialization in internal medicine from the University of Esthar, Esthar City."
"UEEC Medical School?" Rinoa asked with narrowed eyes. "That's the best medical school in Esthar."
"I have the diplomas to prove it," Squall told her. "I can get one-"
"Don't try to change the subject," Rinoa snapped, immediately shutting Squall up. "I'm serious. Who are you?"
"You know who I am," Squall insisted. "My name is Squall Leonhart. I'm a field doctor-"
"Excuse me for being so rude," Rinoa cut him off once more. "But I find it highly unlikely that that's ALL you are."
Squall took a deep breath. "What do you want me to say?" he asked. He looked at Rinoa with confused eyes. "What do you want to know about me? You just can't ASK me who I am and expect me to know what you want to hear."
"Fine," Rinoa hissed. "Then who is that woman in the paintings?" She studied Squall's face for any sign of recognition. The man kept a straight face.
"Someone I once knew." Squall whispered in a low voice.
His face looked away from hers and Rinoa studied him more. "What was she to you?"
She watched as his hands tightened. His fingers dug into the cushion of the couch as he turned his head away from hers completely. His face was pale and taunt. Rinoa already knew who that woman was and he knew it. "I loved her..." his voice was low, almost as if in pain.
Rinoa closed her eyes. *I thought so...* She leaned back against the couch, her hand covering her face as she struggled to hold back tears. *Stupid, naive me...of course there is no way that someone like you would be interested in ME. Not because my face looks like hers...*
Squall looked back up at Rinoa as he heard her breathing pattern change into short gasps. His eyes softened as he unclenched his hands. "Rinoa..."
"I'm sorry, but I'm not her," Rinoa said in a stern, but shaking voice. She stood up, not even bothering to look out Squall. "We just share the same face. Sorry." Her voice was cold and distant as she began to step away.
"Rinoa, wait!" Squall shouted. He shot up off the couch and rushed after her. Rinoa was at the door way to the hall and stopped. Her head was downcast and her shoulders slumped forward. "Even if I told you everything...you wouldn't believe me anyway."
"What makes you think that I wouldn't?" Rinoa asked softly. Squall was one step behind her, his arms at his sides.
"Because I barely believe it myself..." he answered hesitantly. He watched as Rinoa's dark haired head lift slowly. "I wasn't using you last night...as a replacement for her. Believe that, at least."
Rinoa closed her eyes, refusing to believe him. "When the storm is over...we'll return to the camp." Without another word, she left him alone.
Squall felt a knife slice at his chest with her words. She quickly continued to walk away from him, leaving him standing in the den, staring at the spot where she had been standing. Squall closed his eyes and stumbled back against the wall. He ran his hand down his face. *What am I supposed to tell you?* he thought as he tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling. He heard her feet run across the wall upstairs. *That you're the woman I loved all those years ago...*
Rinoa threw open her door and slammed it quickly behind her. She grabbed the towel around her neck and threw it on the ground. She leaned back against the door and slid down to the floor. She clutched her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them as hot tears slid down her face.
Her fingers dug into her leg as she choked out sob after sob. What had she done?
A warm hand caressed her hair and she smiled. Slowly, she opened her eyes and found two blue ones looking down at her. "Sleep well?" he whispered intently as his hand gently brushed her bangs out of her face.
Rinoa nodded slowly. "What time is it?"
"Sunset," Squall replied warmly. He turned to his right to look at the glowing ball of red and orange setting in the distant horizon. Rinoa blinked slightly and tilted her head up slightly to see. "You've been asleep for a few hours."
"Mmm..." Rinoa smiled weakly and giggled softly. "Quistis is going to kill me...I should've been back earlier."
"It's all right," Squall told her. Rinoa was slowly pushing herself off the picnic blanket that they had brought with them. Squall's arms wrapped around her and pulled her against him gently. She smiled and leaned her head back against his shoulder. "Quistis will be too busy complaining about Seifer. He said that he would go visit her today."
"Oh, Hyne...he'll never give up, will he?" Rinoa asked as his arms rested around his waist. Her warm hands gently placed themselves over his.
"He keeps insisting that she loves him and just won't admit it." Squall said, rolling his eyes.
Rinoa let out a slight laugh. "Actually, I have to agree with him there," Rinoa admitted. "I think that Quistis does like him...even just a little."
"Really? With those bruises she gave him last time, I was sure of the exact opposite." Squall chuckled.
Rinoa let out a content sigh and closed her eyes as the last warmth from the sun set in the horizon. She felt so comfortable leaning against Squall. "I love you, Squall..." she whispered softly, almost unconsciously.
Squall looked down at her and smiled as he kissed the top of her head. He wrapped his arms around her slim shoulders. "I love you, too, Rin..."
"Forever?" she asked softly.
"For eternity," he nodded. "We have eternity together."
Rinoa giggled and nodded. Suddenly, she sat up straight. "Hey, that reminds me! Did you finish?"
"Finish?" Squall asked, slightly confused as she pulled away from him. Rinoa nodded brightly and beamed a smile.
"You were painting right before I went to sleep," she replied. His eyes went wide, as if just remembering. "Did you finish it?"
"Uh..." She watched as Squall looked away sheepishly. His face tinted with a slight rosy color and she urged him further.
"What did you end up painting?" she asked. She looked around their picnic blanket. On his right side, she found his brushes and paints wrapped in a tight brown canvas sack. The sack was resting on a sheet of canvas attached to a board. "Let me see!"
"Wait!" Squall gasped. He reached out to try to stop her, but she evaded him and went around his back side instead. "It's not done!"
"Oh, you're just being shy!" she laughed as she reached behind him and grabbed the edge of the canvas. "I bet it's great!"
"Rinoa, no!" Squall gushed. Panic filled his face as Rinoa pulled the medium sized canvas against her body. She jumped up before Squall could stop her. "Rinoa!"
She turned her back to him as she slipped away. Her bare feet touched the lush green grass as she stepped away from the blanket. Squall was reaching out towards her, trying to stop her from looking, but it was too late. Rinoa lifted the sheet that was protecting the canvas off of it.
Squall watched as the white sheet fell to the ground by Rinoa's bare feet. His face flushed as he turned it away. His hands clutched the folds of his clothes as Rinoa let out a sharp gasp. "Squall..."
He barely heard her soft whisper escape her pink lips. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I should've asked for your permission before I-"
"It's beautiful!" His head shot up just as Rinoa turned around. She hugged the canvas against her as she smiled brilliantly at Squall. Her soft brown eyes glowed with joy through the dark night. "May I have it?"
Squall's eyes went wide and he struggled to keep his jaw from dropping. "Wh...what...?"
"May I have it?" she asked again. She turned the canvas around and to reveal the sleeping image of her on the blanket. "Looks just like me, huh?" she giggled.
"You're...you're not mad...?" Squall asked, confused. He felt his humiliation slip away from him as Rinoa shook her head.
"Of course I'm not mad! Why would I be?" she asked with a laugh. She looked back at the canvas. "It's not an ugly picture," she mumbled. She looked back at him and smiled sweetly. "You're an excellent artist Squall..."
He looked up at her, his face now feeling warm, but for a different reason. The cool night breeze swept through their hill side oasis, sweeping her silken locks of hair into the air. Her light blue toga billowed around her and she hugged the picture that he had put so much emotion into painting.
He smiled slightly. He'd just been inspired yet again.
Outside, the rain was still falling in a never ending cascade. Rinoa opened her eyes slowly and looked around the dark room. Everything seemed like a blur for a moment as her eyes adjusted. She blinked a few times before the dark figures became clear. She squinted. Someone was sitting by the bed.
Bed? *I don't remember falling asleep on the bed...* Rinoa thought to herself. Slowly she moved and the figure by the bed turned to her.
"You have to eat." The voice was Squall's. Rinoa closed her eyes and mentally swore.
"Go away," she pleaded in an annoyed voice. "I don't want to deal with you right now."
"You haven't eaten since last night, Rinoa," Squall's voice grew stern and he stood up. "I'm telling you to eat as a doctor. I've brought food for you on the dresser. I'll leave you to eat, but I'll be back in an hour and I expect the food to be gone."
Rinoa stubbornly turned her head away and rolled over on her side, putting her back to him. Squall rolled his eyes. She heard him walk away and close the door behind him. *How long has he been here?* Rinoa turned once more and looked over her shoulder to make sure that Squall was gone.
She quickly got up and headed towards the dresser. She had been starving that morning, but had refused to go downstairs and face him. *Lot of good that did...he owns the house. It's not like he can't come up stairs...*
Rinoa reached the dresser and found a wooden tray. There was a plate with two slices of pepperoni pizza and a can of soda. *He probably ordered out...* she thought to herself. She picked up one slice and found it cold. *How long has he been waiting for me to wake up?*
She felt a prang of guilt hit her and she paused just before she was about to take her first bite. She stared at the food. How long HAD he waited by her bed side? He must've been the one to carry her to her bed in the first place. She narrowed her eyes and viciously took a bite of the pizza. *It's only because I look that that woman...the woman in the paintings!* Rinoa swallowed the cardboard tasting food as searing tears fell down her cheeks. *And that's all I'll ever be to him...*
The cold wind blew through the open doors. Squall stood in the middle of the room vacant of furniture. His hair flew around his face as he looked up at the pictures of a haunting memory. The images that once held so much warmth in their perpetually opened eyes were now cold and empty.
They were nothing more than hollow shells of what they stood for and he knew it. He closed his eyes as he clenched his fists at his side. Why had he left the door to this room open? Why had he allowed Rinoa to find it in the first place?
*Rinoa...* Squall's mind called out longingly. He had followed her that morning. The moment she closed the door, he opened his eyes and followed her just in case she got lost. He had seen her heading for this room, yet he did nothing to stop her. *Did I WANT her to see this...? No. Impossible! She'd never understand!*
She was on the floor, a sea of bed sheets around her pure body. Her angelic face twisted with indescribable shock as she looked into her own face. Dozens of them, all lined the walls. Everywhere she looked, she would see herself. It would be enough to drive a person crazy.
"I make you crazy now...?" a voice giggled behind him.
His eyes shot open. "Wha..." Squall felt his heart skip a beat as his eyes widened. "Rinoa...?"
He stared into a painting of the young woman dressed in a familiar light blue and white toga with gold slippered feet. Her clothes were being blown in the wind as the night sky fell behind her like a star lit curtain. Her familiar face turned to him and she smiled. "Do you miss me that much?"
"Impossible..." Squall heard himself murmur. He raised his hands to his eyes and rubbed them vigorously before looking up again. His heart stopped in his chest as he felt his blood grown cold. The painting had it's star lit back drop, but it's main feature was gone.
"Over here!" a teasing voice called him. Squall whirled around and turned towards the open doors leading outside.
"Rinoa..." Squall whispered. He felt his body turning towards the fleeting figure that seemed to be walking on air. He stumbled forward, reaching for her as he struggled to keep his eyes on her.
He could hear her echoing laugh in his ears as she stood outside, waiting for him. The rain was still pouring outside, but the drops seem to go through her as she beckoned him closer. "Come on, Squall!" she called intently. She was still smiling at him. "Let's go watch the stars. I know how much you love watching the stars!"
"The stars..." he murmured. His tired lips hesitantly lifted into a smile as he stepped through the doors. He was reaching for her, but the figure merely took a step back, coaxing him to follow her. In the darkness, she seemed to give off a radiant glow, making her seem almost transparent before him. Her toga was the same was it was in the painting. Right down to the gold chord around her waist and arms. Her smile, with her closed eyes, was the same. Warm and inviting.
Squall's bare feet fell into the rain puddles on the ground causing cold, mud soaked water to hit the bottom ends of his pant legs. Heavy drops of water fell against him, once again drenching his body and clothes. "Come on, Squall!" the image called like a siren. "Hurry!"
"I'm coming..." he gasped out. His foot steps were uneven as he swayed in a dazed fashion in his back yard. "Please wait...Rinoa, wait for me..."
"Squall! This way!" he heard her voice calling out. Squall's eyes squinted as rain started to get in them. His vision was starting to blur.
"Rinoa!" he called out. "Rinoa, wait!" His foot steps quickened, but he was now walking on mud. He didn't feel the mixture of water and dirt against his feet or the cold of wind and rain against his skin. "Please!"
Her face turned to him and his eyes went wide. She was smiling, but her eyes...her beautiful, deep brown eyes were now open...and vacant. He stopped in his tracks, his hands still reaching for her. She frowned slightly as her seemingly dry toga flew around her body with the wind. "Squall..." she called out. "Come with me...I don't want to be alone..."
His breathing was shallow and uneven as he fell to his knees into a puddle of mud. He swallowed hard as he looked up at her. He shook his head. "You left ME behind," Squall said as her image slowly disappeared in the rain. "You left ME behind, Rinoa..." he whispered as he closed his eyes. He suddenly felt the cold flood his body. "I don't want to be alone, either..."
"Ah! Irvy, there you are!" Irvine looked up from his cot on his tent. Seifer was sitting across from him showing him some paper work. Selphie held the flap of the tent open as she held her umbrella up. Her bright yellow rain pancho was slick with water. "Irvy, can you do me a favor?"
"Anything, Selphie, you name it." he told her with a bright smile. Seifer rolled his eyes.
"Some professional lawyer you are..." Seifer grumbled. Selphie ignored the blonde's comments.
"Quistis fell asleep in the research tent," Selphie said. "I don't want to wake her, but do you think you can carry her back to her tent?"
"Sure-" Irvine began, but Seifer was already standing up. He tossed the stack of papers on Irvine's lap and the cowboy looked up at him. "What-?"
"I don't want you touching MY Quistis," Seifer snapped in a deep voice. "I'll bring her to her tent."
"I'll help!" Selphie said. "Someone's got to open the tent for you."
Seifer nodded and picked up the umbrella that was by the entrance of Irvine's tent. "Let's go!" he ordered in an authoritative voice. Selphie nodded and ran out ahead of him. Irvine smirked.
"Old feelings die hard..."
Seifer reached the tent and Selphie was standing at the door way. He walked up the steps and entered to find Quistis slumped over a table, a brush to clean off the dust off an old vase still clutched in her hand. Her hair fell over her face as her mouth opened partially to let out warm breaths. A soft smile touched his lips. She looked so harmless when she wasn't screaming at him.
Selphie was getting Quistis' rain slicker off the rack as Seifer walked over to the sleeping professor. He put his hands on her shoulders and lifted her off the table and back against his shoulder. She let out a mumble as he put his arms underneath her back and knees. "Let me put her slicker on her." Selphie whispered. Seifer nodded and knelt down slightly so the shorter girl could put Quistis' slicker on.
Once it was secured on, Selphie opened the door and held out an open umbrella. Seifer grabbed the handle with his hand and held it over Quistis' head as she rested against his arms. Carefully, he stepped out into the path way and headed up towards Quistis' tent. Selphie ran ahead of him to get her bed ready.
As Quistis was being carried, she heard the rain fall around her. *Strange...I don't remember sitting like this...* she thought to herself. Slowly, she opened one of her eyes. She blinked and both blue orbs went wide behind her glasses as she looked up at the tall blonde. "Seifer...?" she rasped out in surprise.
"Shh..." he told her softly. "Just go back to sleep," he said as he held her over the path way. "We're almost to your tent. You can change and go to bed."
"What...what are you doing?" Quistis mumbled as she squinted. She could see the umbrella above her, barely covering Seifer's head, but shielding hers from the rain.
"We didn't want to wake you," he told her. Quistis closed her eyes. She could feel his heart beating steadily next to her as his deep voice wrapped around her. "I'll have Selphie and that Nida person clean up the tent."
Quistis nodded tiredly. Her eyes were growing heavy as they approached the tent in the distance. Selphie held the tent flap open for them as Seifer entered. He dropped the umbrella outside as Selphie removed Quistis' slicker off of her. Gingerly, Seifer placed Quistis on the cot. "I'll take care of her from here." Selphie said.
"No, I'll do it," Seifer said. Selphie paused from where she was removing Quistis' boots. She turned to look at him with a suspicious frown. He narrowed his green eyes. "I'm not going to take advantage of her!" he growled.
Quistis let out a tired moan and Selphie glared at Seifer. "Shh!" she said. "You'll wake her!"
"Go get the research tent cleaned up," Seifer ordered. Selphie didn't move from her spot. She still looked suspicious of him. "That's an order from your SPONSOR."
"Fine," Selphie whispered in a low voice. "But you better not do anything to her!" she added before she headed out.
Seifer grumbled back a reply as he watched the flap close. He turned back to Quistis and let out a tired sigh as he walked over to her. "Quisty..." he said in a soft voice. "Quisty, you have to get-AH!"
He ducked at Quistis raised her arm and nearly slapped him. He pulled back, his eyes wide. Some how, he felt that it was almost planned. Reluctantly, he approached her again and reached his arm out to nudge her. As if triggered by his mere presence, her arm shot up again and he grabbed it before it hit his face. "MM..." she mumbled. She tried to pull her arm back, but he held it, just incase she'd try to hit him again.
"Quisty-" he began, but she cut him off.
"Seifer..." her eyes blinked open and she frowned. "What...? Why are you holding my hand?"
"Uh..."
"Are you trying to take advantage of me while I'm SLEEPING!?" Quistis growled. She sat up, her blue eyes burning furiously. "HOW DARE YOU!?"
"Quisty, wait!" Seifer pleaded as she reached under her pillow with her free and pulled out a whip. His eyes went wide and he immediately let go of her hand. "It's not what you think!"
There was snap of a whip and Irvine winced as he and Selphie stood outside the tent. "See...Quistis can take care of herself." Selphie said with a smug smile. Seifer let out a howl of pain and Irvine winced once more.
"For the first time, I feel bad for Seifer..."
Rinoa walked down the stairs, holding the tray in her hands. She was trying to keep her shaking to a minimum as she rounded the corner and headed towards the kitchen. As she walked down the hallway, she silently prayed that she wouldn't run into Squall. She just wanted to avoid confrontation with him until they left, so she had decided to bring her things down herself.
She entered the kitchen and placed the tray on the tile counter. She looked around the dimly lit room. From the looks of it, Squall was both a neat freak and a gourmet cook. She turned around and saw a frozen pizza box on the counter. She walked towards it and lifted the cover. All the slices, except for two, were intact.
Guilt flooded her emotions as she slowly let the lid fall back on the box. Squall had brought the food straight to her and hadn't even helped himself. She closed her eyes and turned her head away from the table. She shook her head, once again telling herself that it was merely because she shared the face of someone he loved.
Rinoa took a deep breath and headed for the hall way. She passed the window and something caught the corner of her eye. She stopped and turned around. She pushed some of the blinds and let out a gasp. "Squall!?"
Just a few yards from the house, he laid in a puddle of mud. His arms laid limply at his sides as his head was turned away from her. His clothes were soaked with water and stained with mud. Rinoa looked up towards the sky. The rain had paused for a brief moment. She looked back at the man in the mud.
*What happened to him?* Her hands tightened around the window frame. *No, Rinoa...don't go to him!* Her heart beat quickened as she felt it twist with pain. *No! Don't! If you go to him, you'll...* Rinoa pushed herself away from the window and turned towards the glass door at the far end of the kitchen. "It's too late anyway," she told herself as she reached up and pulled the latches that locked the door in it's place out. "I'm already in love with him."
She pulled the heavy sliding door open and ran outside. She shivered as she ran through the mud path to the fallen man. Rinoa stopped a foot from his body and brought her hand to her chest. Her eyes squinted as she looked down at his mud streaked face. His lips parted slightly as a warm breath slipped out. "Rinoa..."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her arms weren't as strong as his, but they pulled him up. His built body fell heavily against hers as she let out a muffled cry. She put her left arm underneath his right one as she put his arm around her neck. She bit her lower lip and began to drag him towards the house.
*He really doesn't LOOK this heavy...* she thought to herself as she dragged him along the cement path to the sliding glass door. She gritted her teeth as she pulled him into the kitchen. Her free hand reached for a chair to put him in as they neared the table.
Squall fell back against it and Rinoa quickly went to close the sliding door. "Rinoa..." his voice was weak and muffled, but Rinoa turned around. His head was down cast and his body limp against the chair. "I'm sorry..."
"What were you doing out there?" Rinoa asked, trying to make her voice sound utterly pissed, but failed. Instead she sounded frustrated and worried. "Hyne, Squall..."
He slowly lifted up his head, his hair encased with mud and his face lined with it. But his blue eyes shone through them like stars in the sky. His gaze swept over her face and Rinoa turned it away. "Rinoa..."
"Stop it..." she murmured. Weakly, Rinoa pulled herself away. She turned her head to the kitchen. "Let's get you cleaned up..." she stammered.
Squall reached for her hand as she turned and left, but just missed it. His hand fell to his lap as a pained face watched her move about in his kitchen. She found some paper towels and dampened them with water before coming back. Kneeling in front of him, she lifted the cold towel up to his face and started wiping the mud away.
"Rinoa, I..." he began weakly. He closed his eyes. "I'm...tired..."
"Let's get you washed up and then you can get some sleep," she told him. She frowned as she pulled the mud stained towel away. "And you haven't eaten yet either."
"I don't need to eat..." he mumbled. "I'm just...tired..."
She pulled herself away once more and nodded. "Here," she said as she tossed the paper towel into the trash can. She reached over and put her arm under his once more. "Let's get you up...can you make it up the stairs?"
"Yeah..." he breathed out. He stood up, his legs still shaking slightly. He leaned against Rinoa, but not has heavily as when she was dragging him in. Slowly, they stumbled through the hall way. As they climbed up the stairs, Rinoa held on to the railing to keep them steady.
Squall's bedroom door was pushed open and she lead him inside. "Do you want a bath? I'll get a bath ready. You're filthy." she blabbered. She helped him sit on the chair by his desk. She quickly wandered to the bathroom, her heart beating faster by the second.
The last time she was in his bedroom they... *Hyne, Rinoa...just draw the man's bath and get the hell out of there!* her mind screamed. She shook her head and reached over across the massive marble tub. *Although, this is a cool tub...wow...I bet it's imported...* Her hands touched the knobs and turned them, making hot and cold water mix. She closed the drain and watched from her seat on the side.
"Shower..." Squall's voice said. Rinoa whirled around and stood up quickly.
"Squall, what are you doing!?" she gasped as she saw him leaning against the door way. "You can barely stand as it is-"
"I'd rather take a shower-"
"You can't take a shower! You'll fall and crack your head open!" she reasoned. Squall raised an eyebrow in question and her face suddenly felt warm. *Some how, that's not how I wanted it to sound...*
"Then stay and make sure I don't." he answered. His voice was stronger, but still strained. Rinoa's eyes went wide and quickly narrowed.
"If you're going to be like that then you can draw your own bath!" she shouted, flustered. She kept her wary brown eyes on him as she attempted to squeeze past his mud covered body.
A warm hand softly placed itself on her shoulder as she passed. "I'm serious," he breathed out. His voice sounded more like a plea than a fact. "Stay with me."
A wave of heat ran through Rinoa's body as his hand gently squeezed her shoulder. She closed her eyes and swallowed. Her heart was pounding in her chest. *I want to, Hyne, I REALLY want to...* "You don't need me."
His hand slowly fell from her shoulder and she suddenly felt disappointed. Squall leaned heavily against the door frame. "I...I don't want..." his voice sounded hesitant. "I don't want to be...alone."
"Squall," Rinoa said tiredly. "I can't replace the woman in the painting." she told him sternly. She had to keep insisting on that, for his sake and hers.
Squall looked at her sadly. "Her name is Rinoa," Squall whispered. He watched as Rinoa's eyes went wide with surprise, but quickly turned into suspicion. "I'm not lying."
"I find it hard to believe that not only do I share her face, but also her name-"
"And her personality," Squall added. "The way she acts. The way she talks...the way she smiles when she's happy..."
*I don't care!* Rinoa shook her head vigorously. "But I'm NOT her."
"I'm not asking you to be..." Squall said tiredly. He turned to the bathroom and looked at the tub. "I have to turn off the water..." he mumbled. He straightened himself up and slowly headed towards the bath tub.
Rinoa watched him pitifully try to get there. He looked so tired. She shook her head and went back into the bathroom and shut off the bath tub for him. Squall turned up to look at her. "I'll stay," she stated. "But don't get the wrong idea! I just want to make sure you don't drown yourself."
A weak smile crossed his face and he nodded. He lifted his arms like a child and Rinoa rolled her eyes as she reached down and grabbed the edges of his white shirt. She pulled it up and watched as the heavy chain around his neck fell back against his perfectly sculpted chest.
Squall reached behind his neck and fumbled with the clasp. "I'll clean this myself..." he told her as he lifted the chain and put it on the bathroom counter. Rinoa nodded numbly. She stood in front of him and wondered what to do with his pants.
The mud stained clothes had to come off if he was going to bathe, yet she didn't exactly feel comfortable trying to peel them off THAT part of his body. She swallowed nervously. Squall was leaning against the counter and followed the look of intensity she was giving to his nether regions.
*Okay, should I ask him or just expect him to do it himself? I should leave, shouldn't I?* Rinoa was mentally debating with herself and barely noticed Squall's hands traveling to the top of his pants and unbuttoning them. She didn't notice what he was doing until she saw the light blue boxers he was wearing underneath.
"I can do this if you feel uncomfortable." he told her, trying to hide the amusement in his voice.
Rinoa flushed and turned her head away. "Sorry!" she gasped. Squall let out a strained chuckle as she turned around faced the wall. His pants dropped at his ankles and he turned to the bath tub.
Rinoa heard him slowly slipping into the water. "It's hot..." he mumbled. "Thanks..."
Rinoa nodded. "Um...are you okay now? I'll wait outside?" she asked nervously.
"You can sit here," he told her. "I might need help."
Cautiously, she turned around. Squall was laying in the tub, leaning back against it as clear water rested just below his neck. Steam was coming up from the deep tub and she could make out his light blue boxers still on. His arms were rested on either side of the tub and he looked up at her, completely relaxed.
Her eyes narrowed. *He's trying to seduce me, isn't he?*
"Can you had me that wash cloth?" he asked, pointing to the rack behind her. She nodded and turned around. She quickly found it and walked over reluctantly. She tossed it to him and then stepped back quickly.
"Do you have everything you need?" she asked weakly, her eyes still diverted. "So I can leave?"
Squall dipped his head in the water and lifted it back up. He ran his hand down his face and turned to look at her. *She's really uncomfortable...* he thought to himself. "You can go ahead and wait outside..."
Rinoa nodded thankfully and quickly whirled around. "Call me if you need a towel!"
"Rinoa!" Squall called out suddenly. She stopped and poked her head back into the bathroom. Squall was sitting up, his head facing the water. He swallowed and took a deep breath. "I want to tell you."
She tilted her head to the side. He'd gotten very serious suddenly. "Tell me what?" she asked.
He turned his head to look at her and their eyes locked. "Everything."