Chapter Seven: Some Alone Time
By PasifikStar
Author's Note: This is a primarily Quistis x Seifer chapter; because I love the pairing. :3
All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.
A soft hand caressed her cheek as the subtle scent of his cologne enveloped around her body, comforting her, yet making her feel vulnerable at the same time. "You can pretend all you want..." his deep voice resonated in his throat. "But deep down, you're not what you think you are."
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into..." she said in a low voice as her heart raced in her chest. "You can't love a person like me. You should leave..."
"I know how you feel about me. I'm not leaving you."
"A person like you shouldn't be with a person like me," she told him truthfully as she tried to take a step back. He took a step forward and took her hand before she could walk away. "Stop-"
"Do you or do you not love me?" he asked. She diverted his face, unwilling to look at him in the eye. He tugged on her arm and pulled her closer. His hand cupped her face and forced her to look up into his green eyes. "Answer me."
Her lips trembled as she found herself caught in his arms once more. "I love you..." she whispered breathlessly. She shook her head as tears found their way on to her eyes. "No, I -"
"No..." he said intently as his emerald eyes locked on to her sapphire ones. "I love you. Not the business woman. Not the shrew...just you..."
"This isn't a fairy tale," she told him matter of factly, trying to sound serious. "We won't live happily ever after..."
"Of course not," he replied, a sly smile crossed his lips. "We'll do one better."
His hand slid under her chin and slowly tiled her head up. She leaned upwards, feeling his warm breath across her face as his surprisingly soft lips pressed against hers gently. Her arms slid around his body and held him closer as the music declaring the end of the play echoed in the back ground.
"Great! CUT!" a voice shouted in the background as a series of clapping could be heard. Quistis opened her eyes and found herself frowning as Seifer refused to let go.
"Seifer!" she muffled out as his lips were still pasted on to hers. She moved her arms between them and tried to pry him off.
"Wait, just one more..." Seifer almost pleaded as he was pushed away. He gave Quistis a playful smirk as she frowned and pulled her arm away.
"All right, everyone!" Rinoa's voice through her megaphone shouted. "Great job with tonight! Remember, two days from now is dress rehearsal! Please see Selphie for your costumes!"
"Remember to sign for them! You cannot pick up the costume of a another actor or actress; they must pick it up on their own!" Selphie shouted. "If they're not here to pick it up, they can come pick it up from me tomorrow at 6, here in the quad! Otherwise, they'll have to set up a time to pick it up!"
Rinoa watched to make sure that everyone was in line getting their costumes while the stage crew, led by Zell, was doing the final check on the props. She sat back on her chair and looked over the notes at the back of her copy of the script. 'Hmm...photo shoot is before dress rehearsal...'
"Seifer, I'd love to," Quistis said tiredly. Rinoa lifted her head as she heard her lead actress speak. "But we just don't have time."
"What do you mean we don't have time?" Seifer asked incredulously. Rinoa sat up straight and looked around. From the stairs to the stage, Seifer was following Quistis as she walked over to the costume pick up station. "We have plenty of time!"
"Honestly, Seifer, don't you see me enough?" Quistis exclaimed as she stood in line. "I mean, you see me every day. Not to mention you're up with me on stage for hours. And then there are our out of rehearsal practices."
Seifer jerked his head back and frowned. "Oh...I see..." he said in a snotty voice. "You're sick of seeing me, aren't you?"
Quistis rolled her eyes. "No-"
"I see how it is!" Seifer gasped as he crossed his arms and turned his head away from her. "Well, then good day to you, Instructor Trepe! If you don't want to see me, I'll stay out of your way from now on."
"Oh stop it, that's not what I meant-"
"Hush woman! You're giving me a headache!" Seifer told her dramatically. From her seat, Rinoa rolled her eyes and shook her head. Quistis took a deep breath.
"All right then, fine," Quistis said calmly. "I won't see you unless we rehearse then."
Seifer's eyes flew open and he turned back to her. "Quisty, honey, I'm just kidding!" Seifer pleaded as he took one of her hands in his. "Really!"
"The play is in a few days," Quistis told him as she pulled him along. "And then right after is finals. I have to start writing up the tests for my students. And then after finals, I have to tally up the grades. Not to mention my duties to Rinoa as her maid of honor."
"You can't even squeeze an hour or two in your oh so busy schedule for me?" Seifer gasped, as if shocked.
"We're with each other on stage, off stage, between my classes..." Quistis trailed off.
"I'm not talking about THAT," Seifer said, obviously frustrated. "I'm saying that we haven't had a night to ourselves in WEEKS."
"So what are you getting at?" Quistis asked as they reached the table. Seifer was about to open his mouth, but Quistis held up her hand. "Hold on a second, Seifer," she said as she turned to Selphie. "I need my costumes, Selphie."
"All ready...here you go," Selphie said as she laid out three black dress bags on the table and pushed a clip board with a slip of paper towards Quistis. "And sign here..."
Quistis nodded as she took the clip board and a pen away from Selphie so she could sign her name. Seifer stepped up. "When are MY costumes coming in?"
"They'll be arriving tomorrow morning," a voice said behind them. Quistis dotted the i's in her name before turning around and saw Rinoa approaching. "So...what is everyone's plan this weekend?"
"Whatever you have planned for us," Quistis said as she handed Selphie the clip board and took her dress bags. "So what will it be?"
"Well, seeing as how the promo shots aren't until Monday, I figured everyone would get the weekend off," Rinoa said calmly. "After all, I don't want my actors stressed to bits before the big day."
Quistis opened her mouth to say that she was perfectly fine when Seifer cut in. "What about for the wedding? Does she have to do anything for that?" he asked.
Rinoa shook her head. "Nope, she's free the WHOLE weekend. You're all free to do what you want, just don't come to the rehearsal Monday with a hang over."
Seifer smirked from ear to ear and looked over at Quistis with an almost predatory look. "I heard it and you heard," he told her sternly as he took her hand. "We're going out on a date tomorrow night!"
"WHAT!?" Quistis gasped. She pulled her hand back and frowned. "But the finals-"
"They can wait!" Seifer said. "I'll go make the reservations now."
"Reservations? For WHAT!?" Quistis gasped as Seifer gave her a quick kiss on the cheeks before letting her go and jogging towards the building. "SEIFER!" Quistis screamed out. "FOR WHAT!?"
He merely waved his hand in the air and blew a kiss back to her. The tall blond let out a groan and ran her hand down her face. Rinoa giggled and shrugged. "Well, speaking of dates, I have my own to attend to. So I'll see you guys later," she said with a beaming smile. She looked over Quistis' shoulder. "Selphie! Finish up here?"
"Will do!" Selphie shouted in reply. With that Rinoa turned around and headed towards the building.
'When I said we should go out, I don't think this is what I had in mind...' Squall thought to himself as he sipped his soup. His icy blue eyes looked up across the circular table from him at Laguna, who was engrossed in a conversation with Rinoa about her play. 'So much for my romantic night out...'
"I mean, of course we'll make a killing the day before the play when we sell the promotional pictures," Rinoa explained. "What I'm worried about is that we won't have enough. Last time, we ordered two hundred posters and five hundred promotional cards and we completely sold out of merchandise."
"What about the autograph session on Thursday?" Laguna asked. "Do you provide the pictures?"
"Yes, but those who bought the posters and cards get to line up first," Rinoa said. "I'm limiting the session to merely two hours this time. Last time, Selphie and Irvine missed lunch."
Laguna let out a heavy sigh. "I'm still waiting for the day when I can see you two on stage."
Rinoa giggled and slipped her hand over Squall's, which was resting on the table. "We'll have our moment in the sun on June 7th, dad. Don't worry. Next weekend, it's Quistis and Seifer's moment."
The sound of an alarm clock was silenced before it even had a chance so sound as Quistis' arm reached over and shut it off. The rays of the dawn were barely coming through her closed blinds as she sat up. She tossed off her blankets and stretched her arms up. She looked at the blinking numbers on the clock and stood up.
Just when it turned seven, the radio on the clock started. "Good morning Balamb!" the DJ said cheerfully as Quistis walked over to her closet to pick out her clothes for the day. "This is Weekend Walt here at KBLMB playing the hottest of today's music. We're starting off the morning with a very romantic dedication!"
"Better than the weekend top one hundred seventy two..." Quistis mumbled as she grabbed a pair of panties and bra and tossed them on to her bed. She headed into her bathroom.
"It's from directly from our very own Balamb Garden!" the DJ shouted energetically as Quistis turned on the shower.
"My dearest leading lady! I may not be with you to bask in your greater than the sunrise glory, but be prepared for a well deserved weekend! I will personally see to it that your every whim is granted over the next forty-eight hours. I love you more than life itself and if I can show you just how much you mean to me in the next two days, it will be worth everything! I await thee with open arms - Love, your knight in shining armor!"
Quistis thoughtlessly tossed her clothes in the hamper as the DJ continued. "This song is dedicated to Quistis from Seifer!"
Quistis had just stepped into the shower when she froze. 'Oh my Hyne...that message is for me!' she gasped. She grabbed her towel and jumped out of the shower to hear the song. Immediately, a blush crept up her entire body as that most popular love song of the moment flooded her room. She felt her knees go weak as she sat on her bed, staring, shocked, at the radio. She smiled thoughtfully. 'That sweet...stupid...arrogant man...'
Outside her door, Seifer smirked as he heard the song barely get through the doors. He pushed himself off and headed down the hall. The weekend and his elaborate plans had just begun. A sly smirk graced his face as he walked down the hall, head held high. Quistis would be begging to be his before the sun set, he just knew it.
"Seifer," a voice said behind him. The tall blond turned around and saw Squall walking up to him, several folders in his arms. "I'm glad I found you," Squall said as he pulled out several thick folders. "These are your assignments."
"Assignments?" Seifer asked, looking confused. "Wait a second, Captain Puberty, I wasn't assigned a mission for this month-"
"It's not a mission," Squall told him has he went through his stack of folders and removed two more. He piled them in Seifer's arms. "In case you forgot, you signed up to be part of the committee that reviews the SeeD test outcomes."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Seifer snapped. "I don't remember-"
"Quistis joined it." Squall spat out.
"Oh...that's what that was..." Seifer frowned, distinctly remembering signing a paper after he found out that Quistis was signing it, too. He shook his head and put the folders back in Squall's arms. "Sorry, but I've got a busy weekend."
"So do I," Squall said as he piled the folders back in Seifer's arm. "It's your responsibility to get those to me by this afternoon. It shouldn't take you long to review them. Just remember to be fair."
"No way, I've got plans, Leonhart! I'm too busy-" Seifer insisted.
Squall glared at him. "If you want to be taken into consideration for the commander position, you better pull your weight. Being irresponsible won't get it for you," Squall told him dully as he stepped aside and walked away. "BY THIS AFTERNOON." Squall reminded him without turning around.
Seifer glared at the brunette who was walking away. "I'll REMEMBER this!" Seifer threatened. He looked down at the five folders and frowned. 'It shouldn't take long...' he thought to himself. He lifted up one hand and looked at the time on his watch. "Hmm...I can probably get this done in an hour or two...I'll just have to make Quisty breakfast tomorrow morning...Grr...damn Puberty Boy..."
Quistis stepped out of her dorm room, refreshed and fully awake. She looked around the hall, half expecting Seifer to be standing there with a bouquet of roses. As she turned her head and looked up and down the hall, discovering that there was no knight in a white trench coat, she found herself being slightly annoyed and disappointed.
'You would think that after he pulled a stunt like that, he would be here to see my reaction...' Quistis thought to herself as she turned left and walked towards the elevators. She let out a tired sigh as she pressed the down button, intent on getting breakfast.
Just as the doors slid open, Quistis gasped as Selphie ran out, crashing into her. "Ah! Sorry!" the petite brunette gasped as she steadied herself against Quistis. She looked up and emerald green eyes went wide. "Oh! Quistis! Good, it's you!"
"What is it, Selphie?" Quistis asked calmly as Selphie stepped back and tried to catch her breath.
"Problem! BIG problem!" Selphie gasped nervously. "I need your help!"
"Help?" Quistis frowned. "What's wrong?"
"I was supposed to send out Rinoa's wedding invitations last week, and I did, but I forgot to put the stamps on them and they all came back!" Selphie nearly bawled, her huge green eyes rimmed with tears as she hugged Quistis. "There are hundreds of invitations, Quistis! You have to help me! The mail gets sent out today at eleven! I don't know if I can do them all by myself!"
"What about Irvine?" Quistis suggested. "Can't he help you?"
"Last time he helped me with the invitations, he and Zell spilled my latte on them and I had to reorder new ones before Rinoa found out!" Selphie sniffled.
Quistis let out a deep breath. "Well..."
"If I don't get them out and Rinoa finds out, she'll HATE me!" Selphie whimpered. "And she already got mad at me for the play!"
"She wasn't mad at you-" Quistis attempted, but Selphie let out a wail.
"You have to help me, Quisty! You're the only one competent I can count on! PLEASE? You're not busy are you?" Selphie asked. Quistis looked down at the desperate girl and let out a heavy sigh.
"I was just going to-" Quistis began, but Selphie cut her off.
"Great!" Selphie exclaimed as she grabbed Quistis' hand and dragged her into the elevator with her. "Thanks, Quisty! You're the best!"
"Wait!? Where are we going?" Quistis asked as Selphie pressed the button for the marking garage.
"To the post office!" Selphie told her. "They're all stuck in my PO Box!"
Quistis ran a hand down her face. 'This is going to be a very long weekend...'
Seifer looked at the clock on the wall as he sat in the library, hunched over in a small study booth reading over the files. The last manila folder was closed and he let out a deep breath. Green eyes fastened themselves on the clock once more.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me..." Seifer grumbled as the clock struck two. "DAMN!"
"SHH!" the library girl hissed from her desk. Seifer let out a low grumble as he grabbed the folders and ran out the door.
Too impatient for the elevators, he ran up the stairs to Squall's office. He saw the door ahead of him and ran into the room. "Here are your damn files!" he growled as he slammed them on Squall's neatly organized desk.
"Umm..." a voice said from the desk. Seifer looked over the pile of folders and saw Rinoa sitting there, her eyebrow raised as she looking over some financial paper work for the play. "If you're looking for Squall, he went to get me lunch in town."
"Ugh!" Seifer threw his arms in the air, much to Rinoa's confusion. "Forget it! Tell him, I'm not doing any more of his dirty work! I'm going out with Quistis!"
"Today?" Rinoa asked. "But I just saw her leave this morning with Selphie."
"WHAT!?" Seifer growled. "WHY!?" he gasped as he slammed his hands in front of the table and loomed over Rinoa.
"I don't know," Rinoa said calmly as she returned to her papers. "I asked them where they were going, but then Selphie got all nervous and started talking really fast. I didn't catch a word she was saying."
"Did they at least say WHERE they were going?" Seifer asked, almost desperately.
Rinoa shook her head. "I don't know. Selphie grabbed Quistis and left."
Seifer was close to pulling his hair out. He had everything planned. First Quistis would wake up to her usual morning radio station, hear his dedication, and then while she was taking a shower, he would go make her breakfast. He had gotten special permission from the cafeteria ladies themselves to use the kitchen.
He had originally planned to go and stand by her door so when she opened it, there he would be, waiting with a tray of food. Then they would go out and he would take her to the Balamb Island Fair that was going on that weekend. Part of the reason Rinoa gave them that weekend off was because it was the last weekend of the fair and her crew had wanted to enjoy it. The peak of the night would be to ride the ferris wheel together in a sickening cliched, yet uber romantic moment where he would tell her just how much he loved her.
Seifer opened his mouth and swore loudly in frustration just as Squall walked in. "Did you finish the papers?"
"This is all your fault!" Seifer growled as he turned on Squall.
Squall just looked at him and shrugged before walking over to the desk and handing Rinoa a paper bag. "Squall, while you were in town, did you see Quistis and Selphie?" Rinoa asked, hoping to cool Seifer's anger.
Squall thought for a moment. "Actually, I did see them by the post office." he replied. Before he could continue, Seifer was out the door.
Rinoa shook her head and took out the burger she had him buy. "Why were they at the post office?"
Squall shrugged and sat down at the edge of the table, taking out his own burger. "No idea."
"Raijin! Raijin, GIVE ME YOUR CAR KEYS!!" Seifer screamed as he pounded on Raijin's door. It slid open and a sleepy looking man answered the door. "CAR KEYS NOW!" Seifer demanded.
"Why, ya know?" Raijin asked with a yawn.
"Don't ask questions! Just give me the damn keys!" Seifer demanded once more.
Raijin yawned and scratched the back of his head. He walked over to his desk and lifted up some keys. "Can you put some gas in it on the way back, ya know?"
"Fine!" Seifer said as he snatched the keys from Raijin's hand and raced out of the hall. He ran down the stairs and appeared in the parking garage. He ran to Raijin's car and quickly got in. He shoved the key into the ignition and started it. His eyes went wide. "NO!!" The car sputtered as he turned the key once more. The car sputtered again. "Damn you little...!"
Seifer began a string of curses against Raijin and Raijin's car as he turned the key once more. The car roared to life and Seifer let out a relieved sigh. A light went on in the dash board that told him he needed to get gas. Without another thought, he reversed and sped out of the Garden
He silently prayed to at least make it to a gas station before the car officially died on him. He wasn't so lucky. Just a block from the gas station, the car died. Seifer swore and opened Raijin's trunk. Luckily, there was a gas canister in the back. He leaned into the trunk to dig it out, just as Selphie drove past him on her and Quistis' way back to the Garden, in Irvine's car.
"Hmm..." Quistis mumbled as she looked over her shoulder.
"What is it?" Selphie asked.
"I could've sworn that man was Seifer..." Quistis trailed off. 'That sure looks like his tight ass.' she added, amused.
"Nah," Selphie said. "He's probably still at the Garden." Quistis shrugged and reached over to turn on the radio.
"This is Afternoon Andy with the latest weather! Balamb will be experiencing a freak, but short, shower this evening, probably lasting from sun set to sun rise. But don't worry folks! Tomorrow will be bright and DRY! The freak storm is said to be caused by Hurricane Ave off the coast of Centra..."
"Oh great..." Selphie sighed. "A storm...I better tell Zell and Irvine to put the canopy over the stage."
"Well, let's get back to the Garden then," Quistis agreed. She looked out the window. "It's getting cloudy already..."
Just as Irvine's car entered the gates of the Garden, it began to rain. "Go figure," Selphie said. "The weather man was wrong."
Quistis chuckled. "Looks like we're all eating in tonight," she sighed. As she said that, she suddenly remembered Seifer telling her that he would take her out for dinner. "Hmm...guess it's canceled..." she whispered to herself.
"What?" Selphie asked as they pulled into the parking garage. Quistis smiled and shook her head.
"Nothing...let's find Irvine and Zell." Quistis agreed. Selphie nodded. They parked the car and got out. Just as they were walking past the quad, they saw a large blue canopy being put over the stage area.
Rinoa was standing in rain boots and under an umbrella as she shouted out orders to crew members. Zell and Irvine were also helping fasten down the tent and secure the stage. "Bring out the second side and attach it!" she ordered.
"Rinoa!" a voice shouted behind her. She turned around and waved as she saw Quistis and Selphie running towards her, using their jackets as umbrellas.
"Thank Hyne! Did you hear the report?" Quistis asked.
Rinoa nodded as she herded them under her large umbrella. "Yeah, I was lucky I turned on the radio just when it came on," Rinoa admitted. "I called everyone out right away so everything should be settled down."
"Good," Selphie said. "The weather man said it would start at sunset."
"Guess he was wrong," Rinoa said. She turned around and looked back at the tent. The second part of the tent that would cover the back set was being fastened into place as Zell and Irvine ran around making sure they were secured to the ground. "Oh, by the way," Rinoa said. "Squall said he saw you guys at the post office. Is that where you guys went today?"
"Uh..." Selphie paled. Her eyes darted around nervously. "I just went to...MAIL...SOMETHING."
Quistis rolled her eyes as Rinoa raised an eyebrow. "We went to lunch afterwards." Quistis added.
"Oh okay," Rinoa nodded. She looked over at Quistis. "By the way, did Seifer ever find you?"
"Find me?" Quistis asked, jerking her head back. "No...why?"
"He didn't say," Rinoa admitted. "Apparently, Squall made him finish up some work and then he was on a mad search for you. He heard Squall say that he saw you two at the post office so he ran out. I thought he went to town to look for you."
"Hmm...maybe that WAS Seifer that we passed on our way back," Quistis said, looking over at Selphie thoughtfully. She let out a sigh and looked around as the heavy drops of rain fell. "I hope he doesn't get caught in the storm."
"Aw, don't worry about him," Selphie smiled brightly. "He'll be fine!"
Quistis heard knocking on her door. They were dull, heavy knocks that almost drowned out the occasional thunder that echoed outside her window. Lighting flashed, barely being seen against the room light as she looked up towards the door and put down one of Rinoa's books that she was re-reading. She placed it face down against her pillow as she stood up and walked to her door. She opened it and gasped.
Seifer stood in front of her, his trench coat drenched with water as a pool surrounded his feet. His entire body dripped of rain as the scent of the storm drowned out his subtle cologne. His hair was matted to his face as his face glistened with rain drops. His boots and the hems of coat were splashed with mud. He looked like a drowned blond rat.
His eyes were narrowed and he looked angry. Quistis' eyes went wide as she took a step forward. "Tomorrow," he began, his voice deep and full of authority, stopping her before she had a chance to beckon him into her room to get dry. "Do not LEAVE your room until I come to get you, understand?"
Rather than argue, Quistis just nodded as she watched him turn on his heel and head down the hall. "Seifer..." she began quietly as she stepped out after him.
"Don't leave the room!" he shouted, his back still turned to her. Quistis pulled back and stepped back into the room, allowing her head to stick out and watch as Seifer left a trail of water behind him.
"I wonder..." Quistis shook her head and walked back into the room.
Seifer wandered down the hall way to the stairs to get to his room. Everyone that saw him seemed to paste themselves against the wall as he passed. They were all afraid to stare at him, despite his soaking wet clothes. Seifer's face was set in an angry scowl as his eyes were narrowed and stared straight ahead.
Once he had gotten the canister for gas, he walked the block to the gas station, only to find out that he had left his wallet in the car. He then walked back to the car, got his wallet, and walked BACK to the gas station. There he watched some kids steal the red canister he had left at the station.
He had spent a good few minutes chasing them down and would've scared them more had he the time. Instead, he ran back to the gas station. At that point, it was already raining heavily. Regardless, he paid for the gas and pumped two gallons into the canister. Then he walked back to the car, put gas in it, and went to search for Quistis.
Three hours after driving and walking around, he finally headed back to the Garden. He had forgotten to put gas in the car and so ran out of gas half way to the Garden. Without any way to get gas, Seifer got out of the car and walked the rest of the way to the Garden. That had taken him two hours of walking in the muddy road side to get back.
The sun had long set and Seifer walked into his room. His stomach grumbled. He had spent and entire day looking for Quistis and was so into it, he didn't even eat. And the cafeteria was closed. He fell on his stomach on his bed. "The world is against me..."
There was a knock on his door and he let out a grumbling 'enter'. The door slid open and Seifer didn't bother getting up. A towel was put over his head. "Take off your wet clothes and go take a warm shower," a voice ordered. He turned his head and saw Quistis take a seat beside him. She smiled warmly at him. "I heard you were looking for me..."
Seifer let out a groan and put his arms around her waist, burying his face in her lap. "I thought I told you to stay in her room..." he said in a muffled voice. Quistis merely smiled and ran her hand through his cold wet hair.
"We'll argue AFTER you're in dry clothes." Seifer nodded and stood up. Quistis sat on his bed and turned on his television as he went to take a shower. After a few minutes, he came back into the room, dressed in a white T-shirt and cotton pants. He rubbed his head with a towel as he sat on his bed, behind Quistis.
She leaned back against him, dressed in a sweater and pajama pants. His arms went around her body, pulling her closer to him as his head bent down and kissed the top of her ear. She turned off the television with the remote and turned her head to a receive a kiss full on the lips. Seifer let out a pleased moan as he fell on his back, Quistis on top of him still enveloped in his arms.
"Thanks for the song, by the way." Quistis said with a smile as she parted from him. Seifer smirked.
"Thank me more." he insisted. Quistis chuckled slightly as she blushed and leaned down to kiss him once more.
"Hey, Seifer, where are my - oh!" a voice gasped from the door way. Seifer let out a yell as he sat straight up. Quistis yelped as she rolled over and fell on the floor.
"Quistis!" Seifer gasped as he scrambled to help her get up. He looked up at the door to see a sheepish looking Raijin. "What is it!?"
"Um...my...uh...keys...ya know..." Raijin stammered nervously. He looked around the room and saw the keys on the desk. "Ah! There they are, ya know!" he chuckled nervously before reaching out and taking them. He gave a weak wave as he ran out.
Seifer was seething as Quistis ran her hand, flustered, through her hair. "Um...I guess I better go."
"What? WHY?" Seifer gasped as Quistis stood up and headed towards the door. "Quisty-"
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Quistis asked. Seifer sighed and nodded.
"Don't leave your room without me," he said as he fell back against his bed tiredly. "I mean it this time!"
Quistis smiled and nodded. "Tomorrow then."
The knock to her door came early and Quistis quickly answered it. Seifer gave her a knowing look and she nodded as she slung her purse over her shoulder. "Let's go!"
Quistis' white sedan was parked in her assigned car port. Seifer glanced over as she got into the driver's seat. Her gas tank was full and he let himself relax. 'Everything is fine...' he told himself.
"So where are we going?" Quistis asked as she backed out of her car port.
"I thought you might enjoy a nice day at the fair," Seifer told her as he leaned into his seat. "What do you say? It's the last day..."
Quistis chewed her lower lip thoughtfully and nodded with a smile. "All right! Sounds good!"
As they exited the Garden, they passed by three parked cars in front of the Garden. They didn't see Selphie jump up as she stood in front of seven people. "All right!" she said cheerfully as the men of the group, except for Zell who was just as energetic, yawned. "Today's the last day of the fair! Let's make the most of it!"
"Everyone in the CAR!" Rinoa shouted. She dragged Squall to their car as Zell and his girlfriend got into Irvine's with Irvine and Selphie. Raijin got into Fujin's car; he couldn't find his in the parking lot. And Fujin went on to the passenger's seat, intent on just sitting back on the way there. "This is so exciting!" Rinoa beamed as Squall started his car.
Squall yawned once more. 'Whatever...as long as Laguna isn't with us...hmm...I wonder were he went...'
Quistis couldn't believe she was at a fair with Seifer. Even as she slowly ate her pink cotton candy as she stood behind Seifer, who was trying to get a ball into a milk canister. For the tenth time, it bounced off the rim.
She laughed behind him. "Seifer, let it go...it's not going to go in. I swear, it's rigged!" she insisted.
Seifer stubbornly shook his head and slammed another gil on the counter. "Another!"
"Seifer..." Quistis sighed. She finished up her cotton candy and shook her head. It was her fault that he was there. Her fault they had spent the last thirty minutes trying to figure out a way to get the ball into the canister. She had been the one to point at the huge stuffed bear that was hanging over the booth.
However, it WAS Seifer who had insisted on winning it for her. "I'm going to get you that bear," he told her once again. He looked over his shoulder and threw her a winning smile. "Have a LITTLE more faith in me?"
Quistis sighed heavily and nodded. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Good luck."
"That's what I'm looking for," Seifer said. He held the ball in his hand and aimed. "Here we go..." The ball left his hand and Quistis prepared herself for another one of his disappointed growls.
"WINNER!"
Her eyes went wide as she looked up and saw the carnie taking down the large white stuffed bear. "Impossible..."
"Here you go, sir!" The carnie said as he handed Seifer the bear. She looked over at him, not the least bit surprised to find that cocky grin on his face as he held it out to her proudly.
"I told you I'd get it for you," he said. "Do I get a kiss thank you?"
Quistis began to laugh and shook her head as she took hold of the bear and kissed it's nose. "Thank you." she told the bear. Seifer rolled his eyes.
Quistis felt his arm go around her slim waist as she held on to the stuffed animal. She leaned her head against his shoulder and let out a content sigh. "Maybe you're right... we should get out more often."
Before Seifer could reply, another voice cut through the air. "SEIFER! QUISTY! Look, guys! It's Seifer and Quistis!"
The two blondes froze in their spots as they heard the sounds of an all too familiar cheerful voice. "No..." Seifer mumbled. "Not now...not today!" He felt Quistis pull away from him as she went to great them and he slowly turned his head.
Sure enough, there they were. Disrupting his precious Quistis time. Immediately he scowled and noticed that Raijin and Fujin noticed. They stammered some excuse as they wandered off. "What are you all doing here?" Quistis was asking.
"It's the last day!" Selphie replied energetically. "They'll have fire works and everything tonight!"
Rinoa, who was holding Squall's hand, saw Seifer scowling and gently tugged on her fiancee's hand. He turned to look at her. "Squall, let's go ride the haunted house!"
"What? Why?" he asked. Rinoa rolled her eyes and she tugged on his hand.
"Let's GO!" Squall followed without question. Seifer then turned his annoyed gaze at the last two couples.
"Dinner sounds good!" Quistis said, making Seifer's mouth drop. "Where should we all meet?"
"There's a big BBQ on the southern end," Selphie said. "We should meet there!"
"All right-" before Quistis could agree, Seifer cut in.
"Don't you guys have somewhere to GO?" he asked. Quistis shot him an annoyed look. Zell and Irvine got the hint and dragged Selphie away. Quistis turned to Seifer to scold him for being rude, but he just shook his head. "Today is supposed to be JUST US," he insisted. "Now...let's try to enjoy the rest of the day."
Quistis looked around hesitantly and nodded. He put his arm around her and lead her away. The rest of the day, Seifer kept out a wary eye for any of the other Garden members. Whenever he even thought he saw one of them, he would lead Quistis the other way. Twice they had run into Selphie, who made them eat funnel cake with her and Irvine.
As they walked towards the southern end to meet the others at the BBQ, Seifer tugged on Quistis' hand. She turned to look at him. "What is it?" she asked.
"One more ride," Seifer said with a grin. Quistis looked at him suspiciously. "That one." he said, pointing to the ferris wheel.
"Umm...I don't know...it might take a while and we're supposed to meet everyone-"
"They'll understand!" Seifer said as he pulled her to the line. "C'mon, Quisty! You're not SCARED are you?"
"Scared? Oh, please..." Quistis waved her hand to dismiss the thought. As they reached the box they were going to sit in, Quistis had to hand over her bear. They got into the bright red box and were locked inside. As they slowly began to ascend, Quistis frowned. "I hope we don't miss the fire works."
Seifer laughed and leaned back on his seat across from her. "Don't worry about it," he assured her. "So... how was it?"
Quistis smiled intently. "It was fun, Seifer. Thank you..." He smiled and leaned forward to take her hand in his.
"I'm sorry I didn't come through with my vow to make your whole weekend this good," he admitted.
"Don't be," Quistis assured him. "Besides, it was kind of funny watching you walk away drenched in rain water."
"Oh, so funny..." Seifer mumbled. Quistis chuckled as she looked at the window. She let out a gasp as she saw the illuminated Garden in the distance and smiled. Seifer stared at her face intently as her blue eyes scanned the crowds below. It was too dark to make out anyone, but she was still trying to find their friends.
"It's gorgeous up here..."
'It's now or never...' Seifer thought to himself. Still holding her hand, he dug into his pocket and felt for that little white box. He looked up at her and gently squeezed her hand. Quistis turned to look at him and smiled. "Quistis Trepe..." he said nervously, swallowing hard. "Will you-"
BOOM! Quistis immediately turned her head as her eyes lit up. Seifer nearly choked as explosions rang around them. He looked out the window and saw a rainbow of colors exploding in the darkness of the night. Below, they could hear the gasps and awes of the crowds as fire works illuminated the night sky.
Quistis was on the edge of her seat, engrossed in the fireworks, and Seifer sighed. He put the box back into his pocket. 'It can wait...'
He felt his seat move and turned to see Quistis sitting next to him. A broad smile was on her face as she leaned over and put her arms around his neck. "I love you, Seifer." she said simply as she leaned upwards and kissed him. Seifer found himself smiling as his hand left his pocket and placed itself on the small of her back.
'Oh yeah...it definitely can wait...'
"Mmm..." Quistis woke up, her body automatically getting up before her alarm rang. She looked down at her chest where a certain blond man had his face buried and was still snoring away. She chuckled slightly and caressed his soft face with her hand.
Quietly, she lifted up her left hand and stared intently at the diamond flanked by two pear shaped sapphires on either side on a white gold band. She smiled lopsidedly. "Have a good night?" a deep voice sounded. She looked down and blushed as Seifer looked up at her, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Good morning to you, too..." Quistis laughed. "We better get up," she said as Seifer sat up next to her and kissed her softly. He began to place soft butterfly kisses all over her face. "The rehearsal...starts soon...Seifer!" she gushed as she pushed him away weakly.
He let out a chuckle. "I think they'll understand if we're late," he assured her as he put one arm around her waist and pinned her back into the bed. "They can wait-"
There was a knock at the door and Seifer and Quistis looked up. Quistis was about to shove him away to answer it, when he rolled out of bed. He grabbed his boxers off the floor and quickly put them on before going to the door. It slid open and he looked around.
"Who is it?" Quistis called as she sat up in bed, adjusting her white camisole.
Seifer walked back in, a white wrapped package in his hands. "I don't know..." he mumbled as he sat down next to her. He began to open the thick paper. "Books?"
Quistis narrowed her eyes and reached forward to take one of two hard cover books. "The Emerald's Sapphire?" Quistis mumbled. She opened the book. "It's Rinoa's book!"
"I thought it didn't come out for another week..." Seifer replied as he flipped through the hardcover book.
"Advanced copies?" Quistis mumbled. She opened the book and her eyes went wide. "Seifer! The dedication page!"
Seifer narrowed his eyes and opened his copy of the book. "How the hell...?"
"To Casey & on a life time of happiness and love! - Noa..." Quistis trailed off. She lifted her head to look at Seifer. "Did you tell her?"
Seifer shook his head. "I didn't even tell Raijin or Fujin!"
"Then how...?"
"Rinoa, we're still missing Quistis and Seifer!" Selphie pouted as she looked up from her clip board at Rinoa. "What should we do?"
Rinoa stood up as she saw Laguna running towards her. "It's all done!" he said brightly.
Rinoa giggled and nodded as she hugged him. "Thanks, dad!" she said. "I knew you having control over the Ragnarok would help."
Laguna blushed and smiled sheepishly. "Well, it wasn't THAT far to the printer's..."
"Thanks again for telling me about you know what," Rinoa added as she headed back to her chair. "I'm sure they'll be surprised when they read the dedication."
"Rinoa!" Selphie said once more, stronger this time. Rinoa turned to look at her. "Seifer and Quistis?"
The brown eyed brunette smiled. "Oh, don't worry about them. Today...they can afford to be a little late."
Next Time: The play and all the drama behind it. A slight snag is hit on the road to the wedding when Laguna looses the checks that are to be sent out to pay for the wedding. Can he and the others find it before Rinoa finds out?
