Author's Note:

Wheeee! I'm so happy people actually like this story! XD

Zalexiya: Thank you so much! Hehe, I was worried people would think they were OOC or something! X3

Beautiful Songstress: LOL... Your wish is my command.

Angry Angel: I seriously die everytime I read your comments on DA. Thaaankkk yyooouuu!!! XD Muahaha... and also... GO READ JEN'S STORIES, EVERYONE! They're so much fun to read!! X3

Final Fantasy doth not belongith to me... which suckiths royally.


Chapter Ten: Fate

Seifer's heart was racing in his chest. He had never wanted anything so badly as he did this last chance to prove himself as a good person. He listened intently. His eyes were frozen upon Cid's face, watching every movement he made with anxiety.

Cid continued speaking. "After reviewing these past reports and hearing Mr. Almasy's testimony, we cannot in good faith hold him responsible for his actions under Ultimecia's influence. Therefore, Mr. Almasy, you are hereby free of all charges of murder or other unrest held against you. We will shortly publish this verdict throughout Gaia."

Seifer couldn't breathe for a moment. Was it true? Had he really been forgiven? Was he really free?

Quistis's tight embrace brought him back to reality. "Thank Hyne!" She whispered.

"Furthermore," Cid continued. "Mr. Almasy will be given one more term's enrollment as a student. Upon the end of this term, if you have not gained status as a SeeD, you will be asked to leave. The counsel and I have decided to place you under Instructor Trepe's advisement."

Quistis's eyes widened at those words. My student? But if he's my student...then...we can't...

"Hah, just like old times!" Seifer whispered happily. His eyes were dancing with excitement.

"Oh, yeah! Right..." Quistis replied as she tried to dismiss her previous thoughts from her mind. I said I would stay by his side. I'll keep my word. ...Even if it does mean I won't be able to have a relationship with him... Her heart sank.

"Congratulations, Mr. Almasy." Cid finished. "And now, if I may, I'd like to have a word with you in private."

"That's our cue," Quistis said, smiling faintly. "Uhmm... I'll see you later." She quickly got up from her seat and left the conference room, leaving Seifer a little stunned.

...Hey... I thought that called for at least a little kiss or something... Tch, I'll never understand women...

"Congratulations, Dear!" Matron said as she hugged him. "I'm so thrilled for you! I know you'll make a fine SeeD!" She happily blew a kiss to Cid before she, too, left the room.

Now see that? Seifer thought. HE gets a kiss and he's not the one who just got pardoned! Here I am, a free man, AND Quisty's new student and... oooohhh... Damn, Seifer, are you really that slow? No wonder...

-Meanwhile...-

Quistis wrapped her arms around herself as she walked to her favorite spot in Balamb Garden. It was eerily silent as she passed down a couple of hallways and rounded a corner. As she neared her destination, she could hear T-rexes roaring nearby, but even they seemed to heed Quistis's wish to be left alone.

The "Secret Place" was thankfully empty. Quistis walked over to the balcony railing and stared off into the horizon. The cool breeze danced through her golden hair. I wonder what Cid and Seifer are talking about... I wish I hadn't left like that. She thought with a frown. His name is cleared. He doesn't have to fear for his life anymore. And he has another chance at becoming a SeeD. I have another chance to make sure he doesn't fail. I shouldn't even think of... myself... She sighed as she watched a few birds drift lazily through the air. It just might've been nice to... She shook her head. That's no longer an option. It's best not to even think of it anymore.

Suddenly, she could hear footsteps coming closer.

I want to be alone... She thought to herself as she rested her head in her arms.

"There you are." A familiar voice said. Quistis slowly stood up and turned to face the newcomer.

"So," she began, trying to force a smile on her face. "How does it feel to be a free man again?"

Seifer nearly knocked her over as he raced to her and held her tight. "I think I'll get used to it." He said, smiling. He decided now would be the perfect time to test out his earlier findings. "I can't thank you enough." He whispered, warm breath nuzzling against Quistis's neck.

Please don't'... She thought miserably. She pulled away from him a little and averted his gaze. "I didn't do much, really. Cid really deserves the most thanks."

Seifer frowned as he released her completely. "Something wrong?"

"Tch, of course not!" She replied a little more enthusiastically than she hoped. "What could possibly be wrong?"

"You tell me." He said softly as he stroked a stray piece of hair away from her cheek. Quistis immediately turned her head.

"Please don't." She forced out in a whisper.

"I don't bite, you know." He began softly. "And look, no claws," he said, holding out his hands.

Quistis laughed feebly. "I know... I just don't think that we..."

"It's another man, isn't it?" Seifer interrupted.

Quistis looked up, eyes full of surprise. "No, no!" She tried to interject. "It's not-"

"Uh huh," Seifer continued. "That's all right."

"But-"

"And here I was thinking it had something to do with the whole teacher-student relationship thing."

Quistis suddenly grew silent and Seifer knew he'd hit the nail on the head.

He shrugged and continued as he turned his back to Quistis...

...to keep her from seeing his ever widening grin.

"I was kind of concerned about that, myself, so I asked Cid about it and he said it didn't apply for people who had already become a couple before becoming teacher and student." He rested a hand on his hip. "So I told him you and I were already pretty much together and he said that wouldn't interfere with you teaching me." He slowly turned around, expecting her to rush happily into his arms.

"...You told him what?!" Quistis's face turned bright crimson in a matter of seconds.

Again, not exactly the response I was hoping for. Seifer sighed inwardly. He walked back up to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Y'know, you're proving to be one of the most difficult women to love in the history of Gaia, Quistis Trepe."

Quistis froze and blinked a few times. "...What...?"

Seifer smirked playfully as he wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. "You heard what I said." He leaned closer to her ear. "I love you, Quistis."

"...Why?" Her voice was full of surprise and sincerity.

Seifer rolled his eyes teasingly. "Easy..." He whispered as he nuzzled her hair. He spoke in between trailing kisses along her neck, sending Quistis into soft giggles. "Because you're smart, and strong-willed, and compassionate, quick-thinking, drop dead gorgeous, and... you're delicious," He finished with a devilish grin. He looked deep into her sparkling, blue eyes.

"I love you, too, Seifer." Quistis replied, smiling brightly at him. She began to lean towards him, tilting her head.

Seifer followed suit, until their lips were only an inch away, and then he suddenly stopped. "Hey, wait. What about me?" He said with a playful grin. "...kidding..." His lips met hers and pressed together tightly. The kiss became steadily deeper, until they gently released for air. Then their lips softly embraced again.

Quistis gently pulled away, still running her fingers through Seifer's short hair. "I really should take vacations more often." She said, smiling.

"Not without me you don't." Seifer replied, gently rubbing her back. Suddenly, a playful smirk crept across his face. He reached up and grabbed Quistis's hairclip and tossed it over the side of the balcony. "Much better," he said as he leaned towards her again.

"Hey!" Quistis began to protest halfheartedly. She closed her eyes and met his lips again as he held her close with one hand and ran the other through her long, golden locks. They slowly pulled apart again and a smirk curled across Quistis's lips. "You know, this doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on you."

"Tch, like I need the extra credit." Seifer replied. "I actually read carefully, unlike someone I could name..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if you had carefully read your instructor's manual, you would have known that under section 41 H it states that instructors may not date first year students. And I, my dear instructor, am obviously not a first year student." A satisfied grin spread across his face.

Quistis looked flabbergasted. "...What?! A-are you sure?!"

"See? I actually do my homework."

Quistis just laughed and hugged him tighter. "I'm glad." This is exactly what I wanted. This is what I was searching for.

To find peace at last.

-Some years later...-

"Look who's here! Oh my goodness... Just look at how much you've grown!"

A little girl with soft, blonde ringlets and bright emerald eyes leaped into the older woman's outstretched arms. "Nana!" She giggled as the woman swept her up. "Did I really grow? I thought I did! I told Cirrus, but he didn't believe me."

"Well, never you mind about that. I say you did grow. So there's two against one." The little girl smiled triumphantly at the older woman. "Now, then. Where is your mommy and daddy?"

"They're coming." The little girl explained. "They're just slow." She added with a tiny smirk.

"Alexandria, wait for us!" Seifer cried, smiling. "Hi Mom!" He waved to the woman waiting on the front steps of the tiny restaurant.

"Hello my dear." Mama replied. "Where's Quisty?"

"She's coming. We've got some stragglers." He motioned behind him and soon four others came into view.

"You don't have to be nervous, Cirrus. Mama is one of the nicest people in the world." Quistis said as she walked beside two of her friends and their young son.

"Aunt Quistis is right, Dear. She's a really good cook, too."

The little dark haired boy gazed into his mother's mahogany eyes, his own light grayish blue ones sparkling with curiosity. "Better than Daddy?"

"Well..." The dark-haired woman began to reply.

"Hey..." Her husband cut in, smiling.

"Dad's still the best." The little boy replied, smiling at his light brunette father.

"Hey, Uncle Squall." Seifer called. "Hurry up, I got a ravenous beast over here and if she doesn't get some food pretty soon, she'd apt to go crazy! Isn't that right?" He grinned as he held his daughter in his arms.

"Right!" The little girl gave her most ferocious-sounding growl as she curled her hands in front of her like claws, causing her father to laugh at the cute spectacle.

Quistis smiled as her gaze met with her husband's. She never thought she could be this happy. And yet, here she was... with the life she had always dreamed of.

The happy ending she deserved.

The End