Squall sat at the bar alone drinking. He was not sure what kind of drink this was, but it was strong, and right now he needed it. Rinoa and Natalie would be starting their Friday night performance soon, and after that, he needed to make a choice that would alter his life for ever.

Do I betray the only place I've ever called home in my life? The man who raised me, and gave me everything I have today? Or do I betray the woman I still love even after all that has happened?

Squall certainly did not like either of these choices and turned up his drink, swallowing hard at its bitter taste. Breathing out he felt there was still something he was missing, and slammed the glass onto the table, motioning to the bartender for another drink.

Master.

Shiva's cool voice ran through Squall's mind like blood. Shiva, how thoughtful of you to decide to speak to me finally two days after you nearly sent me into a coma.

Shiva's voice betrayed that she was not amused by Squall's sarcasm. My apologies, Young Master, but there were issues that needed to be discussed by the Guardians.

Squall frowned. Two days? That's quite a long time. So what did you want to tell me before?

Instead of speaking, Shiva flashed images into Squall's mind, at a much slower rate. Squall saw Rinoa's eyes flashing gold and striking him with magic, though the colors seemed different than he remembered, and he could actually see a magic spell being formed. Then a flash and suddenly he saw his body hurling against the wall, shoulder first.

At this picture Squall flinched slightly. Ouch... I'm surprised I'm not in the hospital with a broken shoulder blade. Squall saw Irvine pulling him to safety, being assaulted by more magic, then Zell rescuing him and pulling them both to safety. Finally the images stopped flashing in his head.

That, Master, is what happened two nights ago. This worries me, because the Guardians have seen another image, which is even more disturbing.

New images flashed in Squall mind. There were black clad men going around killing unarmed men indescrimanently. Blood flowed everywhere, and drenched the catwalks in crimson. I know that place! Squall thought instantly as the horrific scenes of gruesome violence continued. That's Esthar City! The images panned out slightly to show great fires raging through the city, with huge explosions erupting in some buildings and starting more. Also, Squall could see many Esthar soldiers lying dead on the ground, next to civilians. There were thousands... maybe tens of thousands from the part he could see.

The Guardians are worried as well Master. We believe that this might be an image of the future if Rinoa goes insane, but we are not sure. Rinoa is the last sorceress alive, if she dies without passing on her powers, bad things will happen. I cannot elaborate now, but please believe me. You must do everything possible to keep her sane. You are still her knight; you can still feel a connection to her and her thoughts and emotions. I can say no more.

Squall shook his head. Shiva wait! What do you mean, bad things will happen? What about... Shiva? When is that going to happen? Esthar was getting destroyed!

Squall spent the next 5 minutes trying to talk to her, and when he got more desperate, to Bahamut, but to no avail. Both were as silent as if they were not junctioned, but he could still feel their presence in his mind. Flashbacks to the horrid images of the slaughter in Esthar flew through his mind. The carnage, and blood that was present disturbed even him, and suddenly his problem with Rinoa seemed less important, yet even more so, because if he did not solve it, a bloodshed on a scale which he could barely imagine would happen.

Applause erupted around him and he turned to the stage to see Rinoa and Natalie walk onto the stage. Squall found all thoughts temporarily pushed from his head as the lights dimmed in the room. Rinoa was wearing a very familiar cream white dress which did not even reach mid thigh. Instant memories of his first meeting with her assaulted him, and the small celebration they gave Squall when he became commander of Garden, days prior to their battle with Galbadia Garden. She had worn the dress on several other occasions, but those two memories were ones that seemed to almost replay themselves in his mind.

Rinoa began speaking over the applause "Ladies and Gentlemen. This song is a special one, dedicated to a very special person in my life."

Squall felt a light brush on his mind and Rinoa's focus centered straight on him. She had managed to pick him out from the back of the room with the lights dimmed. Somehow he knew she was staring straight at him. Natalie began playing, only short few broken chords of introduction before Rinoa's sweet voice filled Squall's ears and mind.

Think of me...

Think of me fondly when we've said good bye

Remember me...

Every so often promise you'll try.

On that day...

That not so distant day

When you are far away and free

If you ever find a moment

Spare a thought for me.

Rinoa stopped singing as Natalie crescendoed and played a grandiose solo, showing off her extreme skills at the keyboard as she changed keys. Squall was absolutely horrified by the piece. It was in a major mode, and sounded so happy, almost playful, yet the words were ones that cut deep into him. It was like she was saying good bye to him, and thinking it was a good thing, or the best thing she could think of.

She was keeping her focus solely on him even as he stood to move around the bar. He could not help get the feeling that Rinoa was singing this solely for his ears. She continued singing as Natalie decresendoed.

And though it's clear...

Though it was always clear

That this was never meant to be,

If you happen to remember

Stop and think of me.

Think of all the things we've shard and seen...

Don't think about the way things might have been

Think of me...

Think of me waking silent and resigned

Imagine me...

Trying to hard to put you from my mind

Think of me...

Please say you'll think of me

Whatever else you choose to do

There will never be a day when

I won't think of you!

Rinoa paused again as Natalie went solo, being even more grandiose and showy with her display of ability. Rinoa had not taken her eyes off of Squall the entire time she was on stage, and the longer she sang, the more it seemed like she was singing only to him.

Flowers fade...

The fruits of summer fade

They have their seasons so do we

But please promise me that sometimes

You will think...

Rinoa's voice flew high almost like a dove as the last two notes sounded on her lips.

...of me!

Squall stared at Rinoa with a deep seated feeling of dread as applause erupted throughout the room. One look from Irvine showed he had caught Rinoa's message too, though Zell like always seemed one step behind the game. He looked back at Rinoa, and her almost happy smile somehow seemed hollow. Squall for some reason could almost see deep pain and sadness radiating off of her as she bowed to the audience. Squall could not bear her sight anymore, and without another thought, turned and quickly walked up the stairs and out of hotel.

Hey guys just a little update. Im REALLY REALLY sorry about leaving you all hanging!!! My life has been hectic to say the least! 2 weeks of midterms ended last Friday, and since then, I had a lot of personal troubles, but they are settled now I think. On top of that, the lives of my 2 beta readers have been very hectic, one is getting married (!!!). Chapter 12 is done (FOURTH TIME IVE POSTED THIS!!!), and chapter 13 is being reworked. I already have chapter 14 planned out to the final detail, and most of chapter 15. Chapter 16-17 are already written. I hope to have a marathon over the next week and a half or so, and take a break at the end of 17. I think it's a good stopping place anyways (grin)

Song is "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. I dont own it... i wish i did... such a beautiful musical... and id be rich beyond belief and able to buy Squaresoft and make lots of FF games!

I HOPE this stays up this time... im getting annoyed at reposting this.....