Chapter Three: Fondest Memories

Squall stood in the well-furbished study of General Caraway, a glass of wine in one hand and a packet of cigarettes in the other. The room looked as it always had aside from the fact that his desk had been moved and more chairs had been set out for the guests.

Squall sat in one of the chairs provided and thought about the service. The church had been lavishly decorated with lilies – Rinoa's favourite flower – and the altar had been covered in her most precious possessions – a photo of her mother, a feather, Angelo's leash and, of course, her necklace.

After her death, Caraway had tried to give Squall the necklace as a reminder of everything he had meant to her but Squall had found he couldn't take it. At the time he'd wanted to forget that day completely and only now did he regret that decision. What better way to remember her than with that which she holds dearest? Caraway had kept the necklace and even had a glass box erected for it to be placed in. Squall felt that was far more fitting than putting it away in a jewellery box. That'd be like shutting the lid on her memory, rather than letting it shine for all to see.

Yes, the church had looked beautiful and he knew how much Rinoa would have appreciated it, but the sermon… Squall didn't know who the priest had been describing up there, but it hadn't been his Rinoa. His lively, vivacious, passionate, kind, loving Rinoa. Loving. How much he missed her and now all he had left of her were memories…

"Come in," said Squall calmly from behind his desk, the sunlight filtering through the window behind him. The door opened and Squall put down the papers he was marking to see Rinoa come through the door.

She smiled sweetly at him and perched herself on the end of his desk, her deep brown eyes staring into his own. "Hey," she whispered.

"Hello, Rinoa," smiled Squall briefly before going back to his papers.

For a moment, Rinoa looked a little put out and shifted uncomfortably but then she smiled again. "I was thinking," she said, running her fingers through her dark hair. "That maybe we could go out tonight, you and me. Balamb's stopping over Esthar tonight for supplies, so we could pop into one of those new restaurants or go catch a film or something."

Squall shook his head. "Can't. These papers have to be marked."

Rinoa tensed slightly. "Well, how about tomorrow night?"

Squall looked at her. "You know we can't do that. Not only do I have a very important meeting with the Headmaster of Trabia Garden," he gestured at the schedule pinned to one of the walls. "But… He's there."

Rinoa placed a hand gently on his arm but he shrugged her off. She stood up abruptly, disturbing the papers and sending them spilling over the floor. "There's always something, isn't there? Some little job that simply has to be done and is so urgent you can't even spend one evening with your supposed girlfriend!" The last word came out as an angry cry as Rinoa released the feelings that she had pent up so long inside.

Squall stared at her, shocked. "I thought that you would understand," he replied.

"What do you think I've been trying to do, Squall? Hmm? But you just make it so damn difficult sometimes! I don't even feel like I have a boyfriend anymore – I am tired of having a relationship with your secretary as messenger!" She stormed over to the door and threw it open then turned back to face him. "Look, Squall, it's not my fault that you have issues with your father."

"I know!"

"Then stop acting like it is!" And with that she stormed out of the room, slamming the door angrily behind her and banging into a clearly confused Quistis who had been waiting in the reception area.

"Rinoa, are you al-?" she began but Rinoa was already gone. Quistis peered around the door of Squall's office, taking in the papers strewn across the floor and the stunned expression on the Headmaster's face. "What have you done now?" cried Quistis in exasperation.

Squall stood up slowly and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. "Quite possibly ruined the best thing I had going for me."

Rinoa sat on one of the desks in an empty SeeD classroom, sobbing quietly. Part of her was still angry at Squall for his insensitivity but now she couldn't help but a feel a little guilty. Maybe she had overreacted a little. Another part also wondered why he hadn't found her yet, or if he was even looking. Well, Rinoa, she thought, you may well have blown it this time.

"Hey," said a voice softly from the doorway.

Rinoa didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. "What do you want Squall?"

Squall didn't respond straight away but instead wove his way between the tables to where Rinoa sat. "May I?" he asked, indicating the adjacent desk. She shrugged. Squall took that as a yes and heaved himself up, legs swinging. He lowered his neck and tried to look into her eyes.

Rinoa looked away quickly. Yes, she wanted to make up but no way was he going to guilt an apology out of her. After all, he was the one in the wrong. Quickly, she thought up several arguments she may use in her defence should the need arise.

"I've been thinking," murmured Squall in that same soft, silky tone. "About you and me. I booked us a table at the Homesick Soldier this new restaurant in Esthar at seven. That is, if you're willing to go with me."

Rinoa shook her head. "So typical of you, Squall. You think that you can just waltz in here with a bunch of flowers or a few complimentary words and dinner reservations and everything will be alright. Well, let me tell you-"

"Rinoa," Squall interrupted and Rinoa felt the excuses die in her throat. "I love you."

There was a moment's silence. For the first time since he had come in, Rinoa looked at Squall. "Wh-what?"

"I love you." He stated the three words simply and Rinoa saw the sincerity in his eyes. Rinoa let out a little giggle of disbelief. Squall blinked at her then began to laugh too, suddenly struck by the unlikelihood of that remark in these circumstances. Soon they were both bent over helplessly unable to stop the laughter if they tried.

Rinoa hopped off the table, finally able to control her giggles and stared into those deep, aqua eyes as her own filled with tears. "I love you too," she whispered and they shared an embrace the likes of which neither had ever experienced before and were unlikely to again. It was as though their very souls were being entwined and both marvelled at the relief and joy three simple words could bring.

Suddenly, Rinoa pulled away. Squall gave her a questioning look, a little startled. "Well if we're going out tonight I'd better start getting ready," she smiled at him and they laughed and shared one final quick kiss.