Quistis Trepe had had an eventful life. A SeeD member at the tender age of 15, she became an Instructor at age 17, was demoted back to a being a SeeD and became a member of the Ultimecia War team at 18, and was now an Instructor again, just before her 19th birthday. She delicately pushed her glossy blonde hair behind her ears before giving a gentle tap on the Headmaster's office door.

"Come in," came a muffled, preoccupied voice, and Quistis opened the door before poking her head around it and holding up a clump of papers she held in her hand with a small smile.

"Some more suggestions for you, Squall," she said quietly, and he looked up from his desk, his face expressionless.

"Thanks, Quistis," he muttered with little enthusiasm. "Just leave them on the side, will you?"

Damn, Quistis thought to herself as Squall went back to his work without giving her another glance. This wasn't what she wanted. What Quistis wanted more than anything was passion, desire, love – for him to forget about work, forget about Garden, forget about his true love, who she prayed everyday would not return to him. Quistis knew this was incredibly selfish behaviour, and not like her at all – but she simply couldn't help the way she felt. A long time ago, during the Ultimecia War, she had come to the conclusion that her feelings for Squall were merely sisterly affection, since they had grown up in Edea's orphanage together. At the time, this revelation seemed to please both Quistis and everyone in her group, and she put it to the back of her mind for a very long time. But now that Rinoa was off the scene, Squall convinced that she no longer wanted anything to do with him … well, there was a chance. He had been kind enough to give her back her Instructor's licence, even though during these Sorceress-less days she was mostly just an assistant. Quistis didn't care – she had an office next to Squall's and plenty of reasons to interrupt him during the day. But he was also so busy, so preoccupied, or staring blankly out of the window at nothing in particular for hours at a time. Probably thinking about her.

Quistis knew, deep down in her heart, that Squall missed Rinoa and still wanted to be with her. But her mind took over and told her that the circumstances were perfect for her to finally attempt a relationship with Squall, even though he had once been her student. Her obsessive crush for him grew and grew each day, as did her fear that any of the group should return to Garden, potentially ruining everything she had worked so hard for over the past five or six months.

I hate feeling this way, she thought to herself as she placed the papers on a side table right by the office door. She smoothed her hair – which she wore straight and loose these days, in an attempt to catch Squall's attention – behind her ears once again, before straightening out her skirt and stepping towards Squall's desk.

"Squall," she caught his attention and he looked up. "I just wanted to say again … thank you so much for this opportunity. It really means a lot to me. I feel like Balamb Garden is my home, so-"

"Quistis," Squall interrupted with a small laugh, "Stop thanking me. I just did what Cid would have wanted."

Not what you wanted? Quistis thought, grinding her teeth and wringing her fists. Do you even care, Squall? Wake up! What more do I have to do?!

"Yes, of course," she replied sweetly, keeping her thoughts to herself. There was silence for a few moments, and Quistis realised that she wasn't going to get any more conversation out of the young Headmaster. "Then, I'll see you in the cafeteria at lunch break?"

"Oh, Quistis!" Squall called out just as she turned to leave. "Just one second."

Now we're getting somewhere, the Instructor thought smugly as Squall reached into the drawer of his desk and pulled out what looked like two train tickets. He handed them to her.

"Train tickets to Esthar?" Quistis looked down at the tickets in her hand, and felt her heart skip a beat. Okay, it wouldn't have been her destination of choice for a romantic holiday, but still -

"A business trip," Squall explained, and Quistis' heart sank into the bottom of her stomach. "To see Ellone. I'm allowed to bring someone, so, I'd like you to come with me."

"I'd love to!" Quistis burst out, a little too enthusiastic. Squall eyed her up and down suspiciously as she handed the tickets back to him.

"Yes, well," he coughed. "No point hanging around here any longer, is there? I'm sick to death of looking at suggestions. Go and get your bags packed. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"Great!" Quistis breathed, barely able to contain her excitement. She turned to leave once more and she was stopped yet again.

"Hey," a corner of Squall's mouth curled upwards just a tiny amount, creating a friendly smile on his handsome face. "Your hair looks nice today, Quistis."