Authors Note Welcome and thank you so much for giving me a second look. As of this date: 27/9/04, Option A is in the lead. But Don't worry Enix and XxMazLeonhartxX I am already thinking about a sequel called What If where you can see what might have happened if... But that'll take a while.

What Next?

By Sara Leigh.

"OK." He shrugged.

"OK? OK to what?" I asked.

"OK, I'll marry you."

What the hell was that? I had just poured my heart out, offering to spend the rest my life at his side and he acts as if I asked him if he wanted fries with his hotdog! I was livid! Steaming at the ears, I mean really! "Oh. Kay?" I demanded slowly, my breath hissing between my teeth. "Well thank you very much Squall, for making me feel as wanted a bad rash!"

"What?" He yelled, sounding offended. "What did I say?"

"You said OK!" Looking back I was probably over reacting a little. But only a little. After all, he had just insulted women all over the globe.

"I know what I said Rin." He said in that really calm tone that really bugs you if you're already mad. "I mean, why are you so upset about it. I don't see the problem."

"You wouldn't." I barked back.

"Hyne Rinoa!" He shouted at me (I think he was beginning to lose his habitual cool.) "I said I'd marry you! Why are you fighting with me?"

"Because I've changed my mind!"

"What?" It was so quiet I barely heard it, but my fury sent adrenaline racing through my system and every word he uttered was fuel for the fire.

That's when I said one of the most spiteful things ever to pass my lips. I regretted it instantly but it's one of those things that can't be taken back. I cringe just thinking about the words I used. "I don't want to be chained to an emotional retard for the rest of my life. That's why!"

Silence.

Total and utter silence. We just stood, staring at each other as the candles burned down and the food got cold. But Squall was the brave one; he spoke first. "An emotional retard?" The pain in his voice was tangible and I felt awful.

I wanted so much to tell him how sorry I was. "Squall, I..."

"Don't bother." He cut me off. "You're right."

"But...." I tried to protest. I have no idea what had possessed me. I felt so miserable, and he wasn't even giving me the chance to apologize.

"No. For as long as you've known me you've known I'm not the best at...expressing myself. I've tried hard for you Rinoa. Hyne, I've told you things I wouldn't even think to myself. But it's not enough, not for you anyway. I wish I could say something that would make this all well again, but I can't. There just doesn't seem to be any point."

I think that was the moment when my heart grew cold and just stopped. I had just stood there and listened while he called our entire relationship a fraud. I'd gone numb. I felt like I was standing outside myself and just watching my whole life crumble in front of my eyes. When I spoke, it was little more that a strangled whisper. "What are you saying Squall? I don't understand."

"I'm saying, maybe we're not as perfect for each other as everyone seems to think."

"Nobody is perfect." I said. I'd have said anything at that point to keep him from leaving with that attitude of me. "We have to work at it. Please, Squall, don't let it end like this. Not over one little fight. I'm really sorry I even brought it up."

He shrugged. "I'm not sorry you brought it up. I'm just sorry that it led to this."

My mouth was dry, but so were my eyes. I remember thinking that I should be crying, that I should be feeling more hurt. It was strange, but I felt nothing. It wasn't that I was beyond caring; it was all too much, too fast. I woke up that morning thinking we'd have the rest of our lives together...and now.... "Are you breaking up with me?" My voice sounded hollow even to myself.

"I don't know Rinoa. I just..." He took a step towards me then, with him arm outstretched. A spark of hope flared up inside me, but it died quickly. I still had my back to the door; he just wanted to get the hell out of there.

Not that I could blame him; I wanted to crawl under a rock myself. "Where are you going?" I asked, moving aside as the door slid open.

"The training area."

"Are you coming back?" I was started to panic now. He was practically out the door.

"I'll see you around Rinoa." And that was it. The door closed behind him and I was alone.

"OK..." I murmured into the silence.

Authors Note Oh no... just goes to show that even though you pick what happens you never really know what's on the cards. So you see, Dark Raion you had nothing to worry about. Right, now the choices. What will Rinoa do about this situation? Will she: A Confide in a friend. B Confront Squall directly. Or C Try to fix things herself.