Authors Notes: Hey everyone, sorry for yet another long delay, I just can't keep up with myself! I have to write a school play, another two stories and a few poems at the moment so I don't get as much time for this. I have been writing it constantly though. I'm sorry if there are any spelling or other mistakes. Please tell me of them and I will fix them! Well that is all for now, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 4- Balamb

'Irvine.' Came Selphie's sweet voice into his ear. 'It's time to get up, we're there.'

Irvine opened his eyes and stared straight into Selphie's smiling face.

'Have a good sleep?' She asked.

'No.' Irvine said. 'I felt guilty about hurting you.'

The smile faded a little from Selphie's face and she looked away.

'Sorry about that, I just wanted you both to get along.' She said. 'I guess I can't have everything my way.'

'Don't apologise.' Irvine instructed. 'It is me and Gefrid who need to apologise, we were both acting like idiots.'

'Is that an apology from you?' Selphie asked, the smile returning to her face.

'Yeah.' Irvine said moodily. 'I guess it is.'

'I should have recorded that! You giving an apology, now that's funny.' She laughed.

'Why?' Irvine asked.

'Because you're really stubborn and you never apologise.' She said. 'I guess I should be grateful you did!'

'I'd better get dressed.' Irvine said, changing the subject because he was embarrassed.

'I think I should make you and Gefrid shake hands and apologise to each other.' Selphie said with a huge grin.

'Don't push it.' Irvine said.

'I'm only kiddin'.' She said with another laugh. 'I know now that you weren't meant to get on with him.'

'Sorry for being such a pain.' Irvine said quickly. 'I know it must be hard for you to just come across me out of the blue, especially since I left without a word. I hope we can put the past behind us and remain as really good friends.'

'Yeah.' Selphie said, a little uneasy. 'I did find it really emotional when I saw you in the restaurant. Part of me felt like screaming at you for leaving me and the other part felt like running to you and holding you.'

'I'm glad you didn't scream at me anyway.' Irvine said with a laugh.'

Selphie laughed to and hugged Irvine. 'I hope we can stay friends this time.' She said.

'Of course.' Irvine replied.

'Selphie.' Came Gefrid's voice from the deck. 'We need to go.'

'Coming.' Selphie called and then she turned to Irvine. 'Take all your stuff and we'll go to the house.'

'I'd better rent a room in the hotel then.' Irvine said.

'Don't be silly.' Selphie said at this. 'You're staying with me.'

'Are you sure?' Irvine asked. 'Wouldn't it be a lot of hassle?'

'Not at all, you can stay with me.' Selphie said. 'When you're ready come up to us.'

'Okay.' Irvine quickly got dressed and packed all his belongings into his case. He quickly threw the covers back onto the bed and left to the deck.

Both Selphie and Gefrid were waiting. Gefrid had a scowl on his face and he gave Irvine a look of deep hatred as he saw him. Irvine looked around and noticed the beautiful city of Balamb beside him. It looked as happy and active as ever. There were children playing on the harbour and an old couple walking a dog. The sun was shining on the beautiful city which put a smile to Irvine's face.

'It's so beautiful.' He said.

'Yeah.' Selphie agreed. 'I'm so happy to be living here.'

'You would barely need to go on a honeymoon living here.' Irvine stated.

'Let's go.' Gefrid said. He was trying to sound cheerful but Irvine knew that he wasn't at all happy. They walked off the boat and onto the harbour.

'Honey.' Selphie said to Gefrid. 'When are you leaving?'

'At two o'clock.' Gefrid mumbled.

'Will you have time to have lunch with us?' Selphie asked.

'No.' Gefrid stated immediately. 'I have to go to the train at half one so I can meet up with my company.'

'Oh.' Selphie said disappointedly.

'When will you be back?' Irvine asked.

'You'll probably be gone when I get back.' Gefrid said harshly.

'Gefrid.' Selphie snapped. 'Don't be so rude.'

They walked onto the main street where a market was running. Irvine looked around the place thinking how wonderful it would be to live there.

'This is our house.' Selphie said, reaching Zell's old house. There were flowers on the windows and the place looked so much brighter than when Zell owned it. Selphie opened the door and they walked in to a small living room. The decoration had been completely re- done since Irvine had seen it last. The walls were painted a modern white and the couches were made of white leather. The whole place looked like a leap into the future.

'You did the place up nice.' Irvine commented. 'It's different.'

'I know.' Selphie said. 'I really like it.'

'I'm just gonna pack and go.' Gefrid said. 'I have to be there soon.'

'Okay honey.' Selphie said with a smile.

'Make yourself comfortable.' Selphie said.

Irvine sat down on the sofa and stared up at Selphie with a smile.

'I love being back here.' He said.

'I know.' Selphie replied. 'I'll make some tea.' She said after a few moments.

'Don't tell Squall and Rinoa I'm here.' He said. 'I want to surprise them.'

'Do you want to give them a surprise visit later?' Selphie asked.

'Sure.' Irvine said. 'I'd love to.'

'I'd better go make the tea.' Selphie said.

She went into the small kitchen and put two teabags in a kettle. She put it on the hob and came back out, sitting down beside Irvine.

'It's lovely to be friends again.' She said, taking Irvine's hand in hers.

'Yeah.' Irvine agreed. He looked into her eyes, feeling a deep connection. He felt as though they were a part of him, an attachment that he didn't want to get rid of. Irvine leaned in towards her when Gefrid came down the stairs, suitcase in hand. Irvine immediately pulled back and looked away from Selphie.

Gefrid stared at them in suspicion.

'Selphie can I talk to you for a moment?' Gefrid asked.

'Sure.' Selphie said. She walked outside the door with Gefrid and closed it behind her.

Irvine relaxed on the couch for a few moments until the kettle started to whistle on the hob. He went into the kitchen and turned it off. He poured the tea into two cups and set them down on the table in the living room.

After a few minutes, Selphie came back in looking extremely angry and hurt.

'What's wrong?' Irvine asked as she punched the wall in anger.

She looked over at Irvine and seeing the tea set out for her, she picked up the cup and smashed it against the wall.

'Whoa.' Irvine called. 'Calm down, what happened.'

She was in tears. Irvine walked over and hugged her.

'My own husband doesn't even trust me.' She said angrily.

'Why?' Irvine asked.

'Because he thinks I'm going to get with you while he's away.' She said. 'He thinks he should leave and I haven't even done anything wrong.'

'That's his problem Selphie.' Irvine sympathised. 'Not yours.'

'I don't want him to leave me though.' She said, tears streaming down her face. 'I love him.'

These words made Irvine feel like his heart had just been punctured.

How can you love him, he thought to himself. He's horrible.

'He doesn't deserve you.' Irvine said finally. 'If he acts like that.'

Selphie pulled out of Irvine's hug and stared at him.

'What should I do?' She asked.

'I'm sorry.' Irvine said. 'But I can't answer that. You'll have to answer to yourself.'

'I'm gonna talk with him when he gets back.' She said finally. 'I'll explain to him that he'll have to trust me if he wants to remain married with me.'

'That's good.' Irvine said smiling.

She smiled weakly as well.

'Sorry about smashing the cup.' She said. 'I was so angry.'

'It's your cup, why would I be mad?' Irvine asked.

'Thanks for listening to me, I probably sound really selfish after all that.' She said.

'No you don't!'

'I'm gonna go up and have a rest for a while, I didn't get any sleep last night.' Selphie mumbled. 'I'll talk to you later.'

'Okay.' Irvine said. 'I might go out for a short walk.'

'Okay then, don't get yourself hurt though.'

'I won't.' Irvine said.

He watched her walk upstairs to the bedroom and then stepped outside. The warm sun beamed down on him as he walked up the main street towards the entrance of the town. He walked out lighting a cigarette. He decided after a few minutes that he would walk over to Balamb garden to see what it looked like now. He walked slowly down the small pathway that lead to Garden, feeling calm.

He turned with the pathway and Garden came into view. It looked rather run down. The spiral around the top was no longer there and the whole structure looked as though it could collapse any minute.

Shame, Irvine thought. It was worth something and they let it go to waste.

He decided to walk away not interested in how run down it probably was in the inside. It would just depress him, seeing it. He had spent time there with Selphie and now it was wasting away. He turned and headed for the beach. He sat down and smoked away looking out at the ocean. He always retaliated to the sea to become one with his thoughts.

There were a few boats out sailing on the ocean but it was a clear greenish colour apart from that. Irvine smiled at it. The ocean reminded him of Selphie's eyes.

He finished the cigarette and stubbed it out on the sand. He walked slowly back towards the house, welcoming the thought of seeing Selphie again.

He walked past a small child with black hair. He stared at Irvine as he walked towards him, obviously surprised to see someone new in town. The child was small and fat. He had brown eyes and a strong jaw-line. Irvine smiled at him and walked past.

He stepped back into Selphie's house, locking the door behind him. There was silence.

Selphie must still be asleep, he thought.

He walked up the stairs into the bedroom and saw Selphie lying on the bed. Her eyes were closed and shje was breathing heavily. He sat down beside her and watched her. It was strange how her breathing seemed to soothe him.

He put his hand on her shoulder after a while and she woke with a jump. She looked up at Irvine in surprise.

'Irvine how long have you been here?' She asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

'A minute or so.' Irvine lied.

'I'm so tired.' She complained. 'I want more sleep.'

'You can if you want.' Irvine said.

'No.' Selphie sighed. 'It's probably better that I get up.'

'Maybe yeah.' Irvine agreed.

'Let's go over to Squall and Rinoa's soon.' Selphie said suddenly changing the subject.

'Sure.' Irvine said, although he really didn't think they would welcome him after he left without a word.

'Let me just have a shower and dress up and we'll go.' Selphie said.

'Yeah, I think I'll have a shower too.' Irvine sighed. 'I feel kinda crap.'

'Okay, there's a shower in your room, just down the hallway.'

'Thanks.'

Irvine left towards his own room. The room was large and looked as though it hadn't been used in a long time. The bed looked uncomfortable but Irvine was happy to sleep there none the less. He stepped into the shower room and took a quick one. He pulled some clean cloths out of his bag and put them on. He walked back downstairs and waited for Selphie.

After about half an hour Selphie walked down wearing a green dress. Irvine stared at her, stunned by how pretty she looked.

'Ready to go?' She asked happily.

'Yeah.' Irvine replied.

They walked out onto the street. The sun had set by this stage and the sky was covered in stars.

'It looks so beautiful.' Selphie commented. 'I haven't seen this many stars in a while.'

Selphie walked towards Squall's door and knocked. She signalled for Irvine to hide. He quickly ran across the street behind a car.

'Hey Selphie.' Irvine heard Squall's voice say as he opened the door.

'Selphie's back?' Came Rinoa's voice from inside the house. Irvine heard her footsteps as she came out to meet her. 'How was the honeymoon?' She asked

'It was brilliant.' Selphie stated. 'I brought back a surprise.'

'Really what is it?' Rinoa asked. Irvine could hear the sound of Squall sighing.

'You can show yourself now.' Selphie called.

Irvine came out from behind the car slowly and watched as the expression of happiness on Rinoa's face changed to an expression of shock. Squall stared at him coolly, acting as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

'Hey guys.' Irvine said, scratching his neck.

Rinoa continued to look at Irvine, as though not believing that he was really there.

'So you came back.' Squall said eventually.

'Yeah.' Irvine said.

'It's been so long.' Rinoa said after a few minutes.

'I know.' Irvine said. 'Sorry for leaving so suddenly.'

'Come in.' Rinoa said eventually. 'I want to talk.'

Irvine followed Selphie, Squall and Rinoa into the house. They were led down a small hallway into a large living room. There was a small child playing with blocks whom Irvine presumed was their son. He looked up at Irvine as he walked in, probably scared of the stranger in his house. The child looked about two and had brown hair and eyes.

'Hi.' Irvine said him, smiling.

The little boy continued to stare and didn't reply.

'He can't talk very well yet.' Rinoa explained. 'We've been trying to get him to say hi to people but he just won't. Too shy!'

'It's alright.' Irvine said.

He sat down on a chair. The others sat around him and they stayed silent for a few moments.

'Sorry about this.' Rinoa said. 'It's just so strange to see you after two years!'

'I know.' Irvine sighed. 'I really shouldn't have left like that, I guess I felt it was time to move on.'

'Why though?' Rinoa asked. 'I mean we were all good friends.'

'I know.' Irvine sighed. 'I just had to leave, I don't even know why myself.'

'Wow.' Rinoa sighed.

'You left us.' Squall said. 'Why do you expect us to be friends with you after that?'

'Squall…' Rinoa scalded. 'He is back now and we're his friends, we're supposed to forgive him. Right Selphie?'

'Right.' Selphie said with a smile.

'Whatever.' Squall sighed, going back to his silence.

'Tell us what you want.' Rinoa said angrily. 'Why do you always sulk when no one agrees with you.'

Squall shrugged his shoulders. Rinoa gave up and turned around to focus her attention on Irvine again. She looked into his eyes trying to figure out whether he was there for good or not.

'What have you been doing with yourself over the past two years anyway?' She asked.

'Nothing really.' Irvine sighed. 'I travelled around again and I got a girlfriend.'

'Cool.' Rinoa said enthusiastically. 'What's her name?'

'We broke up and her name was Denise.' Irvine said quickly.

'Oh.' Rinoa said.

After about an hour of talking Rinoa stood up.

'I'm gonna go and get us some wine.' She said. 'To celebrate Irvine's return.'

'Great.' Squall muttered sarcastically.

Irvine looked over at him. He never really did like Squall but he disliked him more than usual at that moment.

'I'm gonna put Conor to bed.' Squall said getting up and lifting the child up into his arms. 'He doesn't need to see mommy drunk.'

'He's harsh.' Irvine said to Selphie as Squall left the room.

'Yeah.' Selphie agreed. 'Their marriage has been in trouble lately. I don't know will they stay together much longer to be honest with you.'

Rinoa came into the room a few minutes later carrying two bottles of wine and four wineglasses. Squall came sulking into the room a few minutes later.

She poured the wine and gave a glass to everyone. As she held out a glass to Squall he shook his head.

'I don't wanna make a fool of myself tonight thanks.' He said coolly.

'Squall, we're just drinking to Irvine's return.' Rinoa said. 'Just have one glass.'

Squall shook his head again and Rinoa put the wine glass down on the table in frustration.

They drank the wine, chatting as they did and after a while there were four empty bottles lying on the floor. Squall was still sitting there staring at them in frustration.

'Squall, you're such a bastard.' Irvine said in his drunken state.

Squall didn't reply but stared in disgust.

'Selphie I think we should go now. We're not wanted by him.' Irvine said, pointing at Squall.

'Sure.' Selphie said laughing. 'Let's go.'

'See you tomorrow Rinoa.' Irvine said waving.

Rinoa was lying on the couch and looked exhausted. Irvine felt sorry for her because he knew her husband would give her a long lecture when they left.

Five minutes later they stumbled into Selphie's darkened house. Selphie turned on the lights and fell on the couch. Irvine stared at her lying there and he thought she looked amazing.

'Selphie, I love you.' He said.

'Sure.' Selphie said back.

Irvine went over to the couch and she sat up to look at him. They stared at each other for a few seconds and then without thinking Irvine leaned in and kissed her. She didn't resist this time. Irvine looked at her with a smile after the kiss.

'You're a good kisser.' He said.

'You too.' She laughed.

He leaned in and kissed her again pushing her backwards so he was on top of her on the couch. He started to unbutton Selphie's dress slowly.

Authors Note: I thought I'd leave the sex scene to your imagination because I don't think it would really suit the story if I put it in. I know that wasn't the best way for them to have their first kiss but it had to be done that way. Do you like the ending? Anyway the next chapter may be the last. I have two plots lined up and one is really long, the other really short. I haven't decided yet but I might pick the short one and only have one more chapter. The next chapter will be put up soon (can't put a set date because I never keep to them). I have nothing more to say. Here is the thank you list:

Queen Adreena- I made Irvine and Selphie share a kiss. I know it probably wasn't the way you wanted them to share one but they did share one none the less. Glad you like long chapters, I hope you liked this one!

MessedUpSoMuch- Wow, my most faithful reviewer. You've reviewed all of my stories, I am grateful. Thanks a bunch mate!

Lady Pyrefly- I can't see that Gefrid/ Denise thing working, they're both too selfish. I know, I was so lucky to go to Rome, it's a beautiful city. You should go if you ever get the money! Back to the story, I hope you like this chapter!

JadeAlmasy- Are you happy I updated? Thanks for the review, I love them!

Druggo-frog- Yeah, the last comment was pretty hard in the last chapter. Well that's Irvine for ya. I hope you liked this chapter, thanks for the review!

Sorry Again to everyone for the delay!

grrr my stupid computer keeps freezing on me!