Authors Note: Okay it's been a while. Sorry for the lengthy delay. I had things to do and I really forgot about the fic. I was in Rome last week and I'm sick at the moment. I wrote most of this chapter before I went to Rome and then I finished it today. Sorry if I have a few spelling mistakes or grammar mistakes. This chapter is so long because I didn't want to drag it into two chapters, it would have been too awkward. A lot happens so I hope you all like it. The next chapter will be up in about two weeks. If I am delayed it's because I have to write a play for school at the same time as writing this. Well enjoy…

3. Leaving

Irvine stepped into the hotel. He walked towards his room and opened the door, letting himself in. He quickly closed the door behind him and looked up to see a teary eyed Denise looking at him.

'I'm sorry.' She said in tears.

'What?' Irvine said, a bit dazed.

'For yesterday, you were right.' She sighed. 'I needed to let off some steam is all. It's just that I thought you were lying.'

'You should have trusted me.' He said. He knew that this was the perfect opportunity to break up with her. 'I…'

'Irvine, I love you.' She cut in. 'I need you with me. If you left I would be all alone again, I wouldn't be able cope. Do you know how hard life is if you have no one to go to. No friends, no family, no nothing.'

'Okay.' Irvine responded. He decided that he didn't have the nerve to break up with her at this point.

'We should stick together.' She said.

'Yeah.' Irvine muttered.

She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him, trying to comfort herself. Her touch sent shivers down his spine. She was so rough with her hug, why couldn't she hug like Selphie?

'So what you do today?' Irvine asked trying to come up with an excuse to move Denise moved away from him.

'I took the train to Esthar and bought some stuff.' She said. 'Comfort shopping, I was feeling so down.'

'Oh.' Irvine said in response, trying to look as though he was interested. 'Listen, I'm sorry if I was spaced over the past few days, it's just weird being back here.'

'Why?' She asked.

'Well, I had a moment here.' Irvine explained.

'Who with?' Denise asked. She sounded as though she was getting defensive.

'No one.' Irvine sighed. She was irritating him for some reason, he couldn't see why she was.

'Really.' Denise said. 'Can't you just tell me who it was?'

'Selphie.' He replied. 'She helped defeat Ultimicia with me.'

'I know her, I saw her in the paper.' Denise mumbled. 'She wasn't that good looking.'

'She is good looking.' Irvine said angrily. She was really pissing him off now. 'She's beautiful.'

'Okay, sorry.' Denise said, staring at Irvine in shock. 'No need to get so angry.'

'Yes there is.' Irvine shouted. 'Don't ever say Selphie is ugly.'

'I didn't.' Denise said, she looked as though she was going to cry again. 'I just didn't think she looked good in the paper.'

They looked at each other for a few seconds longer, each one not knowing what to say to each other. Finally Denise turned away and walked towards the bathroom.

Irvine pulled out a smoke and lit it, fogging up the small hotel room. He looked over at the "No Smoking" card on the desk. After a few seconds he pulled it off and crumpled it up, placing it in his pocket. He didn't want to go outside just for a smoke, he couldn't be bothered.

He fell down on the bed and inhaled the beautiful nicotine into his lungs. The place was silent except for the steady splashes of water from the next room as Denise had her shower. He stubbed out the butt of the cigarette on the night stand and turned over in the bed. The steady heat from the sun that was coming through the window was making him sleepy. He closed his eyes and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

He awoke slowly and looked around the darkened room. Denise was lying in bed beside him fast asleep. It took him a few minutes for his eyes to adjust the the darkness and then he looked at the clock on the wall. It read two a.m.

Irvine groaned. He knew that he wouldn't be able fall back asleep, even though he was tired. He got up and quickly threw some clothes on him before staring down at Denise's sprawled out figure on the bed. She looked so peaceful and happy, unlike when she was awake.

He turned and crept out, only opening the door so he could step through.

The reception lady was standing at the desk as usual and looked quite tired.

'Hi.' She said, looking quite shocked to see Irvine at this hour.

'Hi.' Irvine replied with a friendly smile. 'I'm just going out for a walk.'

'Okay.' She said in the same polite tone. 'Don't be too late though, the front door closes at four.'

'I'll be back before then.' Irvine said.

He walked out and closed the hotel door behind him. There was a cold breeze blowing that sent a chill down his back. He walked out to the pier and sat down at his usual spot. The waves were big due to the wind and it was starting to rain.

Irvine pulled out another cigarette and lit it under his coat. He stared out at the full moon, thinking of how troubled Denise would be when he told her he was leaving her.

How the fuck can I tell her, he thought angrily. She can't even take a hint.

He punched the wood in frustration. He knew he would have to tell her before the end of tomorrow. She would probably start crying and beg him to stay. He hated that. There was no way she'd take it gracefully.

He stared back out again onto the limitless sea, the waves crashing against rocks and the darkness of it. It looked so different at night than the day, so much more exciting. He smiled, thinking that he would be out on the ocean in a boat with Selphie tomorrow, far away from Denise.

He sat there for a long time, thinking of Selphie and what it would be like when they got back to Balamb.

It'll be like old times, he thought happily.

After an hour or so he got up and started to walk back slowly to the hotel. He nodded to the receptionist as he walked by into his room.

'Hi.' She said in response.

He fell onto the bed next to Denise and sat there thinking of the next day.

Irvine woke from an uneasy sleep and looked at his watch. It read one p.m.

Must have drifted off, he thought sleepily.

He pulled on his shirt quickly and looked around to wake up Denise but she wasn't there.

'Denise.' He called into the bathroom.

There was no response. He got up off the bed and walked over to the door. He noticed a note on the floor and picked it up.

Gone to the beach, I'll be back later…

Irvine crumpled up the letter and threw it on the floor. This was perfect, he'd have the whole day to himself without her annoying him.

He got into the shower and turned on the hot water, feeling the water on his skin with pleasure. He was happy because of what was going to happen today, he would be rid of Denise for good.

He pulled a dry towel around his waist and headed out into the bedroom to put on his cloths.

There was a loud knock on the door. Irvine answered it quickly. Selphie was standing outside wearing a short emerald green dress that matched her eyes.

'Hey.' He said, a large smile spreading across his face. 'What's up?'

'I felt like such a fool, I had to ask the receptionist were you staying here and she said she couldn't tell me so I decided to check anyway.' Selphie said in one breath. 'I just came by.' She continued. 'To tell you that the boat is leaving early, Gefrid has to get back early, he's got a meeting in Trabia Garden.' She looked away angrily.

'What's wrong?' Irvine asked.

'Nothing, it's just we'll be just back from our honeymoon and he'll be going away on a business trip' She explained. 'I'd like to be able talk to him when we get home, but that won't happen until he gets back from the meeting now.'

Irvine couldn't help but feel happy that there was trouble in their relationship. He smiled to himself but quickly stopped thinking that Selphie would notice.

'How long will he be away for?' Irvine asked.

'About a week.' Selphie muttered. 'I wish he would just say he couldn't go.'

'It'll be alright, he'll be back in no time.' Irvine said in a comforting voice.

'I really wanted him to get to know you, I know that you would be friends.' Selphie said.

Irvine silently disagreed.

'I'll talk to him when we get on the boat.' Irvine insured her.

'He seems to think that you are just going after me, he doesn't see how good friends we are.' Selphie sighed. 'I'd like him to get to know you so he could see how sweet you are.'

How could he think that, Irvine thought sarcastically.

'When is the boat leaving?' Irvine asked eventually.

'In three hours.' Selphie said.

Irvine noticed Denise walking in through the hotel door and he started to panic. She spotted Selphie and started to walk towards her.

'Hi.' Denise said fake-happily.

'Selphie spun around and looked at Denise with a smile.

'You must be Denise.' She said.

'Yes, what's your name?' Denise asked. She sounded so defensive of Irvine even though Selphie had only been talking to him.

'I'm Selphie.' She said less cheerfully picking up on the cold atmosphere.

'It's nice to meet you.' Denise said. She didn't offer her hand to shake.

'I'd like to talk to you sometime Denise.' Selphie said quickly. 'I have to go pack now though.'

'Okay.' Denise said, sounding happy to hear that she was leaving.

Both Irvine and Denise watched as Selphie left and Irvine turned on Denise.

'You don't have to be so rude, you know.' He said.

'I wasn't being rude.' Denise protested.

'You know that you were.' Irvine snapped. 'Forget it, you probably won't even see her again.'

'That's good.' Denise said back.

She collapsed on the bed.

'I'm gonna go to sleep for a few hours, I walked all the way up and down the beach.' She said. 'I'll talk to you about Selphie later.'

'You're so selfish, why'd you have to be so defensive anyway?' Irvine asked.

'I just didn't like the girl, she seemed fake.' Denise muttered.

'You're more fake than her!' Irvine spat.

'Irvine, why are you attacking me?' Denise said, bursting into tears.

'Look, you didn't even give Selphie a chance.' Irvine said. 'She is so nice and I just got pissed off that you weren't being nice back.'

'Sorry.' Denise said quickly.

'Forget it.' Irvine said. He was feeling guilty for snapping at her. 'Get your rest and I'll talk to you later.'

Denise fell asleep after an hourand Irvine began to pack his cloths. He shoved everything he had in his trunk and put it beside the door.

He looked at his watch and saw that it was half three. The boat would be leaving in a half an hour. He decided it was time to tell Denise. He walked cautiously up to her and looked at her peaceful figure.

He was so nervous of her reaction, she'd probably throw a fit. He placed his hand on the bed beside her and looked into the girl's face. She looked so peaceful there in her rest, he couldn't wake her.

Irvine walked away and took his suitcase. He opened the door and put his suitcase outside.

'Irvine, where are you going?' Denise said sleepily from behind him as he was about to leave the room.

Irvine spun around to face her.

'Just going out for a walk.' He said with a smile. 'I'll be back soon.'

'Okay.' Denise said, smiling as well. 'I'm gonna rest for a bit longer, I'll be up for dinner.'

'Okay.' Irvine said. He suddenly felt so guilty about leaving her without any explanation but he still couldn't tell her.

'I love you.' Denise said as Irvine walked out.

The words seemed to stay in him mind for a few minutes, as though haunting him.

He walked up to the receptionist.

'Hi.' He said. 'Could you leave a message for my girlfriend.'

'Sure.' She said with a polite smile.

'Tell her I couldn't go on.' He said.

'Okay.' The receptionist said, looking confused. 'Are you leaving?'

'Yeah.' Irvine said simply.

The receptionist looked at Irvine disgusted. She had obviously figured out what he was doing, leaving his girlfriend without telling her.

'See you then.' She said rather coldly.

'Yeah.' Irvine replied as he walked out through the hotel door.

He walked down towards the docks and saw the small boat waiting for him. It read "Myco Inc." on the side and was green. Selphie was standing, waving at the head of the boat. She looked really happy to see Irvine. Gefrid was beside her, looking coldly at him.

'Hey.' Irvine said to Selphie. 'I made it on time.'

'Hey Irvine.' Gefrid said dully.

'Hey.'

Irvine climbed up the wooden platform onto the small boat. He tossed his bag to the side and looked at the quiet town.

'We'd better get going.' Gefrid said. 'I need to be back by the morning.'

'Okay.' Selphie said.

'Umm… are we the only ones on the boat?' Irvine asked. 'Who's the captain?'

'I am.' Gefrid said, as though it was obvious.

'Oh.' Irvine said, looking surprised.

'It's such a pity to leave.' Selphie said as they moved out of the docks.

Selphie and Irvine looked back at the beautiful quiet town in silence, both knowing that they would probably never visit the island again.

They stared back until it went out of their view. Irvine smiled. He was glad that he wasn't with Denise anymore. He wouldn't have to put up with her constant nagging and annoying him.

'I can't wait to see everyone's face when they see you.' Selphie said excitedly. 'They'll be so surprised!'

'I bet they'll all be really pissed off at me.' Irvine said gloomily. 'I mean I left so suddenly.'

'They've forgiven you, they figured you wanted to live your own life.' Selphie said. 'Edea was surprised that you left, so was Cid. Rinoa and Squall were too busy with each other to even notice.'

'How are Cid and Edea?' Irvine asked. 'I never thought about them.'

'They're doing well, Edea didn't start her orphanage again.' Selphie explained. 'They came back to live in Balamb instead.'

'Do they still run Garden?' Irvine asked.

'No, that closed soon after we beat Ultimicea.' Selphie explained. 'Garden's main goal was to get rid of the sorceress and when that was achieved, well Cid decided to close Garden.'

'That's a shame.' Irvine sighed.

'Yeah.' Selphie agreed. 'The structure is still there, it's used to train people to defend themselves against monsters and fiends.'

'I can't believe all that has happened in two years.' Irvine sighed. 'I wish I had never left.'

'At least you met your girlfriend Denise.' Selphie giggled.

'We broke up.' Irvine lied. 'I told her it was over.'

'Why?' Selphie asked sympathetically.

'We were too different from one another.' Irvine sighed. 'She really started to annoy me.'

'I'm gonna put this on auto-navigation soon.' Gefrid called out to them from behind the wheel. 'We'll have our meal soon, okay?'

'Sure.' Selphie called back.

The sun was setting now, leaving the sky an orangy blue. Irvine looked out and sighed. It would have been a perfect setting if he was going out with Selphie.

'It's beautiful, isn't it?' Selphie said from beside him, referring to the sky.

'Yeah, perfect ending to the vacation.' Irvine said truthfully.

'Did you like the vacation?' She asked curiously.

'Yeah, it was brilliant.' Irvine replied. 'I had an excellent time.'

'Are you not annoyed that you broke up with your girlfriend on it?' Selphie asked, surprised at his response.

'No, I'm glad to be able to move on from Denise.' Irvine stated. 'The timing really wasn't right for us.'

'I know what you mean.' Selphie said. 'I felt the same way about you when we were going to fight Ultimecia. I thought that you were too immature at the start but gradually I came to like you.'

'Really?' Irvine said.

'Yeah, I really liked you, then you left and I spent days crying in my room.' Selphie said. 'I moved on eventually.'

'Can I ask you something?' Irvine said quickly.

'Yeah.' Selphie replied.

'If you didn't have a husband at the moment, would you give us a second try?' Irvine asked.

'Yes.' Selphie answered immediately. 'But I can't imagine my world without Gefrid now, I love him.'

Irvine looked at the ground.

'I'm happy for you.' He said eventually.

She laughed happily.

'I'll be so glad to be friends though, I will love you in that way.' She said.

'I know.' Irvine sighed.

'So why did you decide to go back to FH anyway?' She asked.

'I remember how much fun we had there preparing for Squall and Rinoa's concert.' Irvine said. 'That was the most fun I'd ever had.'

'That's the same reason I went on my honeymoon there, that and because it was such a peaceful twon where you could relax.'

The cabin door creaked open behind them and Gefrid walked out. Irvine turned to face him.

'Is the boat on auto now?' He asked.

'Yeah.' Gefrid replied. 'Let's go and have dinner.'

'So why do you bother to control the boat if it can go on auto?' Irvine asked.

'The boat can only stay on auto for a short space of time.' Gefrid answered coldly. 'Besides it uses more fuel on auto.'

'Oh right.' Irvine said. He really didn't like Gefrid but he decided that he would be nice to him to impress Selphie.

They both followed Gefrid back in through the cabin door and up to the small eating room. There were chips, cold turkey and vegetables set out on the table for them.

'Thanks for going to such trouble.' Selphie said to Gefrid, kissing him.

Irvine felt a prickle of jealousy and tried to hide it by looking around the room. It was small and musky. There was a lot of dust on the benches against the walls which showed that it wasn't used very often.

'I hope you like the food.' Gefrid said half heartily to Irvine. It was clear he was only saying it to impress Selphie.

'I will.' Irvine said back. He made a mental note to pretend to be sick afterwards.

Gefrid and Selphie sat down beside each other, holding hands. Irvine sat opposite them.

The moment he sat down, he took some of the food and put it on his plate.

'It's lovely.' Irvine said hesitantly with a frown as he ate some turkey. He was trying to make clear that the food was horrible.

'I know.' Gefrid said ignoring Irvine's frown.

'Honey, why don't you tell Irvine something about yourself?' Selphie asked, trying to get rid of the awkward silence.

'What's there to tell?' Gefrid asked his wife.

'Gefrid, don't be so rude.' Selphie scalded.

'It's alright Selphie, he doesn't have to tell me about himself.' Irvine said. 'I think I'll go to bed anyway, this food doesn't seem to agree with me.'

'You said you liked it a few minutes ago.' Gefrid reminded Irvine.

'Yeah, well I feel sick now and I can't think of anything else that would have made me sick.' Irvine said, satisfied by Gefrid's reaction.

'You're both being so selfish.' Selphie shouted, bursting into tears. 'Why can't you just get on? I hate this!'

'Sorry.' Irvine said quickly. He was ashamed to have made Selphie cry.

It's too late, I'm going outside.' Selphie said through her tears. 'Neither of you are to come out.' With that she ran outside locking the door behind her.

'Look what you did!' Gefrid exploded. 'You're a pain in the ass.'

'It was both of us.' Irvine said. 'We shouldn't have acted like that in front of Selphie. We may not like each other but we'll have to get on for Selphie's sake.'

'Why are you trying to steal her from me?' Gefrid shouted.

Irvine stared into Gefrid's angered eyes and smiled.

'Because I want to.' He said before turning around and heading towards the bedroom leaving Gefrid there stunned.

Authors Note: Yes! I'm finished the third chapter! Jumps in the air in happiness. Well I hope you like the chapter, here is the thank you list from the last chap:

QueenAdreena- Thanks, your review made my day. I have been reading your story and I can say that it is very good. I'm glad to see that you like the chapter!

JadeAlmasy- No one is a SeeD anymore. Glad you liked the chapter.

LadyPyrefly- I made Denise so that your supposed to feel sorry for her but not like her at the same time if that makes any sense to you. Glad you liked the chapter.

Rob- Glad you liked the chapter. I don't think I'll have a really typical ending.

Well thanks again to everyone, please review this chapter too, till the next chapter see ya…