In Secret

by diddly day

Disclaimer: They're not mine, don't take my money.

A/N: Flashbacks are in italics. Something new I'm experimenting with.

Chapter two

The dark crimson splattered from her dark lips. It was hard to breathe. She couldn't believe it. This was something out of a book. She didn't think it would happen to her. Yes, she knew it would happen someday, but for it to approach so soon? The red liquid trickled from her mouth. She brought a weak hand, sweeping drops away from her chin. A cough erupted in her throat. She felt Squall's hand on her back.

"Are you okay, Quistis?" his nervous voice brought her back to reality.

"Yeah," she gasped between heaves. "It just went down the wrong pipe."

Still tasting the cranberry juice that she was once savoring in her mouth. That was, before Squall asked her that shocking question. Looking down, she saw the droplets of her drink that she had sprayed from her lips, now splashed on the floor at her feet. She snapped her head over in his direction.

"I take it that's a yes?" he asked hopefully. Quistis shook her head to make sure she heard right. Squall, however, had taken that sign differently. Quistis was still trying to get the juice out of her lungs, making it impossible to tell him otherwise.

"Oh."he sounded disappointed. "So that's a no." Quistis shook her head again. This time the action was contradicting his suspicion.

"No. . . . that's not it. I was just thinking." He sighed out of relief. She again, cleared her throat and spoke. "Your wife?"

"Will you be my wife?" saying it a second time made her once again feel the fire embrace her.

"Is this some kind of proposal?" he nodded. "Sorry, that's kind of a stupid question. But you're talking about marriage."

"I know."

"You want me to be your wife. That means you'll be my husband." Again he nodded.

"Yes, I still know." He stretched his hand out and grasped hers. "That's what I want. That is, of course, if you'll have me." Her hand wrapped firmly around his.

"You know I'll have you. No matter what." she smiled at him. "I'm just afraid of what will happen if I say yes."

"What will happen?" Pulling her closer, she pressed her body against his.

"I might lose you." Surprisingly enough, Squall laughed at her comment. Stepping away from him, his hands shot out and enfolded around her waist. This time, he held her to his chest.

"Even if Cid did take you away from me, I wouldn't let him. I'd follow you. No matter where you'd go." Dipping his head, he began to kiss her neck. He could feel her throat expand under his lips as she gasped.

Her knees suddenly became weak. Clinging to his shirt, she fought to ignore those wonderful tingles he was giving her. Just ignore them long enough to get her strength back. He must've gotten the hint, considering the fact he pushed her gently against the wall. His mouth tasting her flesh. Roaming over across her throat, over her collarbone, trailing up the to her ear. Squall always did this to her. He made her drunk with craving for his lips to be pressed over hers.

She loved him, and to be his wife would've been the greatest complement she could ever have. He had just kissed the patch of skin under her ear when she exhaled those wonderful words that in the future, she would never regret saying.

"Yes." His mouth left her neck. The cold air rushed passed where his hot lips had once been. It made her shiver.

"Yes?" she heard him pant. She opened her eyes and gazed at him.

"Yes, I'll be your wife." Quistis had seen him smile many time over the past few months, but the way he beamed at her now was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen in her life.

"We're getting married!" a small giggle escaped her as he shouted in triumph. He kissed her passionately. In that kiss she realized how her life was going to change, for the better.

I I I

Where was she? Squall shifted on his stool. He wanted to see her. The bartender was starting to look annoyed at how slow he was drinking his one glass of wine. But Squall didn't want to be too drunk when he finally saw Quistis tonight. Yes, they had not seen each other for three weeks. But Squall realized that it had probably been six weeks. Six weeks because of the mission they had stuck him on right after his wedding.

Squall sighed. Looking back, he was lucky that their wedding had gone as well as it had. They had used Irvine and his friend as witnesses since they were from another Garden. He remembered how she looked as they said their vows. The way she kissed him when it was over. The way Irvine not believing that the pair had fallen in love.

"You two!" He howled. "Of all people to get married. You two would have been the last couple I would've bet my money on!"

"Just don't tell anyone, okay?" Quistis had begged. Irvine crossed his heart.

"It dies with me."

So far, he had been good on his word. Squall hoped that not a soul knew of what happened in that church, aside from the people who were in it. After all, they had gotten married on their lunch break. The rest of the day had been torture for him. The one thing he wanted, the one thing he couldn't have. All he wanted to do was kiss her until he was in a coma.

Later that night, she met him in his small dorm. He could tell she was nervous. He was too. She trembled when he wrapped his arms around her. Whispering soothing words in her ear, he began to kiss her. Kissing her in a way that would drive him mad. In the dark of his dorm, on a night that to everyone else would've seemed like an average evening, Squall made love to his wife for the first time. It was the most marvelous thing he had ever experienced. Sadly, since then it had been the first and only time they were able to spend that wonderful time together.

Mission's had torn them apart, making it difficult for him to spend even a second with her. It was almost as if fate didn't want them to be together. That, of course, was a ridiculous thought. They were meant to be. But he had almost changed his mind on one occasion.

He had just gotten back from a three-week mission. Not a second to breathe before he was pulled into the office.

"You're sending her on a suicide mission!" Squall shouted at the Headmaster. Cid raised his hand to silence him.

"It is dangerous, yes. But it's not suicide. We do, however, risk losing our SeeD officers in every mission we accept. This one is a little bit more risky then we like, but Quistis Trepe is an excellent officer. We wouldn't send her if we didn't think she could handle it." Cid explained.

"Then send me. I'll go." Cid laughed lightly.

"I would if I could, but you just got back. And I'm afraid it's against policy to send you on a long mission right after you got back from one. We don't want our officers keeling over. That is why we didn't let Miss Trepe come with you, we were saving her for this."

"And if she dies?" Squall almost spat. Cid shrugged his shoulders.

"That is a risk that Miss Trepe is willing to take. I've already asked her if she'd do it, and she's accepted." Squall put his hand over his eyes.

"Of course she did. It's her duty." When he put his hands down, he saw the Headmaster looking at him suspiciously.

"You seem awfully attached to Miss Trepe. I also got that same vibe from her. I asked if she'd help us with our next calling, she said yes, but not without a hint of regret."

Squall avoided his eyes.

"Is there something I should know?" Cid asked.

"Are you implying something?" Cid didn't answer Squall's question. "Why did you bring me up here anyway?" He blurted out, changing the subject. Cid folded his arms and stared at him.

"I've asked that Miss Trepe recount to you when she gets back."

"If she gets back." Squall interrupted bitterly.

"And your job is to write a report on how she did." Cid ignored his earlier statement. "Yes, I'm asking you to evaluate her."

"But she's my partner! Isn't that a little odd?" he was starting to feel rather irritated with his Headmaster.

"You are also a commander. That is your job. I'll expect your report a week after when she gets back." Squall was about to protest when Cid silenced him again. "You are dismissed." he said calmly.

She was already gone by the time Squall got back from Cid's office. He had hunted for her all over the Garden before he finally gave up and decided to chance it and ask Zell if he knew where she was. He had met him in the hallway outside of the library.

"Sorry man, you just missed her. She left about a half hour ago. She didn't look to happy when she left. I asked her- What's the matter? Why are you frowning?" Zell stopped and stared at him.

"Oh, I just needed to talk to her." Squall headed into the library, found a small corner where no one was around, and sat down with his head in his hands.

Call it what you want. She was on a suicide mission. She was asked to escort a very powerful community to a haven. And if anything were to happen to them (which was a great likelihood) She and her parties were to act as body guards, A.K.A. human bulletproof vests. There was an immense chance that he would never see her again. They had hulled her off before he could even say goodbye.

The next three weeks were hell on earth. Sometimes, as pathetic as it sounded, he would sneak into her dorm and just sit there. He would lay on her bed and inhale her scent. In a very unusual way, it made him feel better. It made him feel as if she were right there, lying next to him. He would close his eyes and imagine their wedding night. He would remember the way she kissed him. How her every touch made him come alive. And then he would pray. Pray that she would come home to him.

Then this morning. On the two-year anniversary that he had danced with Rinoa, she came back. Talk about irony.

"Hey, Squall! The team just came back today. I think you can talk to Quistis about whatever you were gonna talk about." Zell came and told him in training.

Needless to day, he dropped everything and ran out with Zell. Zell and he stood out over the upper hallway, looking out over the first floor. They stared out as the party marched along the hallway. Two sharp looking young men leading them, then Selphie, skipping along swinging her head from side to side.

Then there was Quistis. Her whip hung off her belt, grazing down her khaki pants. Her hair pulled back with a few strands falling about her face. She looked weary and dirty. The hollows of her cheeks more visible than usual. Her arms loosely hung as she walked in long strides. He then noted the brown shade of dried blood on the neck of her clothes.

"Look up at me." he whispered so low that Zell couldn't hear. She seemed to, because at that moment, she glanced in his direction. Their eyes linked, only briefly. Quickly, she looked away and ahead of her again. Except this time, a small smile played on her lips, and she seemed to walk a little taller.

Never again, would he let her go on such a dangerous mission. Now he sat at the bar, the party becoming a hit. All of his memories with her came down to this. He was ready to make new ones with her. All she had to do was meet him here. He heard someone walking up beside him.

"Is this seat taken?" Rinoa asked behind him. Disappointed, he looked back up at the pestered bartender.

"Yes, I think it is. Is that right Mister?" asked the bartender. Squall nodded. Rinoa didn't seem surprised. Instead she walked by him, not sitting on the seat, but standing next to it.

"How are you doing Squall?" she asked politely. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Quite good."

"Whom are you waiting for?"

"Just a friend." He met her eyes and smiled a friendly smile at her.

"You seem well." she observed.

"As do you." She nodded and smiled again.

"How come you never dance at these things? You always have to be forced. I had to force you last year, and the year before that." He laughed at this. Rinoa seemed taken aback with his chuckles.

"I never really did like to dance. But I always enjoyed watching other people dance."

"Would you like to buy the lady a drink?" the bartender interrupted.

"No, I'd better get back to Seifer . . . I mean, uh, never mind. Anyway," she continued hastily. "take care Squall. I'll see you around."

"Bye." He turned back to his drink.

She had been pleasant, as always. But he was greatly sad that it wasn't Quistis. The aching he was feeling started to become unbearable. Strangely enough, the emotion didn't hit him until after he talked with Rinoa. That was very odd. He wasn't sure why. But he knew that if he didn't see Quistis now, he'd lose it before the end of the party.

Someone else came up behind him.

"Can I sit here?" He knew that voice. Trying as hard as he could not to grin, he nodded.

"Go ahead." Careful not to look at her, Quistis sat down softly and placed her soft hands on the bar.

"What can I get for you Miss?" asked the bartender.

"Red wine please."

"Put that on my tab." Squall cut in. The bartender raised his eyebrows at Squall.

"What a gentleman." She was smiling, he could tell.

"So, how was the mission?" he was trying not to sound too desperate to see her, but he was bursting with joy.

"Oh, it was great." the sarcasm in her voice made him laugh. "How was life in the Garden?"

"Oh, it was great." he answered in the same sarcastic manner. This time, he won a laugh from her. He wanted to touch her. To kiss her would've been heaven. But he couldn't because they were in a public place.

"Why did you ask me to meet you here?" He lowered his voice not to be overheard. "Why not somewhere more . . . private?" She swallowed her wine.

"Because I wanted a free drink." She put the glass to her lips again, hiding her grin.

"Really?" it sounded more like a statement than a question. "Any other reason?"

"Well," she paused. "I would love it if I could have a dance with you." Squall thought about the conversation he just had with Rinoa and felt suddenly scared.

"Are you sure?" trying to hide the question. What he wanted to say was, 'Are you sure that isn't a little bit suspicious?' She seemed to get the hint.

"Just one little dance. Please? No one will be watching us." Squall thought about it for a moment. It was just a dance. That was all, wasn't it? No one would be able to know they were married by a simple dance.

Standing up slowly, he offered her his hand. His eyes fell on her for the first time in six weeks. The most beautiful sight. She sat in her elegant dress. Glasses off, (not that he didn't mind her with her glasses on) honey hair shimmering. Her eyes seemed more blue. He stopped breathing it seamed for an eternity. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders. She smiled slyly at him.

"You look very hansom tonight." she heaved.

"Likewise." he knew it was a lame thing to say, but there were no words possible to describe how beautiful she was. In more ways than one. He knew very few, if any at all, who were just as ravishing on the inside as one the outside. Quistis was hands down, one of these people.

It took him a moment to realize how foolish he must have looked, gawking at her.

"Dance with me?" he invited. She gave him her hand, and let him pull her up.

The fire in her touch was intoxicating. Entwining his fingers with hers, he led her to a corner of the room, where they would most likely not be noticed. Grasping her hand, he held her waist with the other, as she held his shoulder. Innocently, he began to lead her in a slow grace. Did he dare allow himself to stare at her? He did, to find that she was gazing into his eyes. Before he could stop it, a massive grin found its way to the corners of his mouth.

He wanted so badly to kiss her. It was driving him crazy. To be this close to the one you love, and yet so far. She was a lovely temptation. He greedily wanted to be alone with her. Carefully, he closed the gap between their bodies. Letting his cheek touch hers, he closed his eyes. The perfume of her filled his nostrils. Her lashes fluttered in bliss, he felt them on his skin. It was suddenly hard to breathe.

No one else was in the room. Just the them. The last six weeks had never happened, it was still his wedding day, and he was sharing the dance that he was never able to have with her. They swayed together in the dark. The rhythm of her heart against his, they beat in a wonderful song. Falling further into his dream state, he moved to kiss her. Suddenly, the spell broke as he realized what he was about to do.

Not a moment too soon, the song ended. And he soon found himself back at his stool. Quistis right behind him. But she didn't sit down.

"I'm going to bed. Goodnight Squall. Thanks for the drink." She nodded at him and left. He tried his best not to watch her slick movement as she vanished out of the room. He turned back and quickly finished the remainder of his wine.

"Your friend is Quistis Trepe?" The bartender asked.

"Yeah." Squall answered, trying not to sound too proud.

"Awe, she is the most glorious woman in this whole Garden! I almost joined SeeD to be with her. But I failed the test."

"That's so sad." Squall said without the slightest trace of pity. He waited a few more minutes in the dance hall before paying for the drinks and making his way for the door.

"Hey Squall!" Oh no. Selphie raced up behind him. "Where are you off to?"

"Uh, no where, I was just walking around." he lied. Selphie looked like she was trying not to roll her eyes.

"You fidget too much. They say if you always pace, there is something wrong with you. Maybe you should go talk to the nurse. I think she can help you with your problem. Oh! I know! You could go see a physical therapist. I betcha he could help. Well, maybe not, I really don't know what a physical therapist does. Say, why don't you find out for me?"

His head was spinning. A million questions after a glass of wine and a dance were not the best mix.

"You okay? You look really sick." Selphie stepped back. "Don't blow any chunks on me, okay?"

"I'll try not to." she scrunched her face in disgust.

"Go to bed before you pass out." He didn't have to be told twice. Turning on his heel, he left.

Entering the hallway, all the lights turned low. It was strange how the lighting could make the place look so different. The deserted halls made an eerie atmosphere flow through the dark halls. Turning, he came to a hall, the lights were off, save a few that gleamed through the door. He started to make his way to his dorm when he felt a hand grab him gently from behind.

"What's the rush?" A gust of hot air blew past his neck and ear. Everything in him broke at that moment. Spinning around, he found himself face to face with Quistis.

Not letting her utter another word, he grasped the small of her back, pulling her closer. Her arms snaked around his neck. Shadows scattered across her face. Her mysterious eyes pierced him. His bangs fell into his eyes, her smooth fingers whisked them away, letting her knuckles graze his face. He closed his eyes and leaned into her hand.

His lips fell onto hers. It had been too long. Withdrawal was the worst thing he had ever experienced since she left. Now she was here, in his arms. Kissing him with sizzling passion. The hot sensation in his stomach ignited, like dynamite ready to go off, he would explode. To taste her sweet lips was better than any alluring flavor that had ever satisfied his thirst. The room was spinning, his knees began to buckle, her grip tightened to keep him from falling.

"I've missed you." she muttered between the lushes kisses he was giving her. A shudder swept through his body. It was all he could do not to make love to her right there on the floor.

"Too long." he whispered. Her lips found his once again. "We've been apart for too long." another kiss.

"Your room or mine?" She ran her hands over his jacket. He kissed her forehead. Trailing more down her face.

"Whichever one's closest." he responded. Lips on her shoulder.

"Mine." She coiled her mouth over his again. Fingers curling in his hair, she grasped the back of his head. Blood was pumping through his body in waves. He suddenly realized that they could easily be seen.

Keeping his lips on hers, he opened his eyes and glanced down the dark corridor. Breaking away shortly to keep air in his lunges, then savoring her lips once again. He continued to stare down the hall. Suddenly, he noticed that Quistis calmed her kisses. Her once hot, passionate lips became slow and tender. Deeply, her mouth tasted his lips. All concerns or worries of being caught dissolved from his mind when she warmly ran her soft tongue over his upper lip.

His body began to tingle. Very aware of the fact that he was going to lose control soon if they didn't find a room, fast. His heart hammered quicker. Every time he experienced a hint of her smooth tongue, he would start to shake.

"Let's go." he reluctantly pulled away.

Briskly turning around, he paced down the hall. Quistis following him quickly behind. Throwing quick glances over his shoulder to make sure no one was in back of them. He approached the door that led to the dorms. Quistis grabbed his shoulder before he had time to open the door.

"Wait!" she whispered. He stopped. "Look in ahead and see if anyone's in the dorm hall."

Poking his head round the corner, his eyes fell on what looked like to be an after party for the ball. Friends chatted with friends and lovers whispered sweet words in each others ears, sitting in the corner. Squall saw them as guard dogs. Solders shielding their room so that the married couple couldn't spend one night together. He swung his head back around to look at Quistis.

"You're right. They're having some sort of festivity in there." Quistis rested her blond head on the wall.

"You're kidding." She sounded so faint. Squall shook his head in disappointment. "What luck, huh?"

Squall looked down at his shoes. The lights flickered from the other room quickly. A power serge. It was quickly followed by a rumble shaking the Garden. A storm was brewing, and he and Quistis were stuck right in the middle of it. One disaster after the other. He just wanted to spend one moment with his wife. Was that too much to ask?

Quistis's eyes lit up.

"I have an idea." Squall leaned over to her. He was just about ready to do anything at this point. She reached out and clasped his hand. "Come with me." Without a word, Squall obeyed Quistis into the dark.

I I I

"Where the hell is that door?" Selphie whispered to herself. Cups, she needed more stupid cups for the party. Zell had somehow convinced her to go get some.

"But the cafeteria is off limits at this time!" she had complained.

"Don't you know about the Cook's door? I heard that boys used to go there and snatch food." He turned and wrote the directions for her on a paper napkin. She took it, but not without rolling her eyes

Now here she stood, in the dark. Lost and looking for cups. . . CUPS! This was down right idiotic. She didn't even like cups. She liked glasses. But of course, her committee was cheap and didn't want to spend extra money to buy nice glasses. Was there a cooks door at all? Was Zell sending her one some kind of Snipe hunt?

Apparently not. Just as soon as she was about to give and go back to the party empty handed, she found a small door that read "Cooks Only". Twisting the handle, she prayed it would be open, and to her surprise, it was. Pulling it open smoothly, she entered without making a squeak

Tiptoeing, she found herself behind the metal counter that the cooks served behind. She could hear the rain surging down from the heavens. The wet drops romped on the roof, rolling down to the swelling earth. A flash flourished through the cafeteria, lighting it up for a brief moment. Without losing a beat, the roaring crackle shook the ground and rocked the windows. Selphie held her breath, waiting for it to end. She hated lightning.

"Oh, that was big one." a voice floated through the large room. A female's. Selphie knew that voice rather well.

"Are you sure it's safe to be here?" said a deeper voice. A man's, and he sounded a little bit more worried than the woman. "I heard it's bad to sit close to windows during a storm."

"What's the matter Squall? Are you scared?" the woman teased. Squall? What was he doing here? Hadn't he been sick?

Up to the second before Selphie peeked through the crack in the counter, she expected to see Rinoa and Squall sitting comfortably, watching the storm. Her eye's budged out of her head when she spied, of all people, Quistis, sitting intimately close to Rinoa's ex-boyfriend. The pair gazed out the window, blissfully unaware that they were being spied

"I can't believe that you got the keys to the Cook's door. Where did you get those?" Squall asked. Quistis spun on her fingers, what Selphie expected ( it was rather dark) to be keys. They jingled loudly .

"I've got connections." The clanking of the keys stopped. "We're alone now."

Yeah, that's what they thought.

"I've noticed." Squall didn't sound like his normal antisocial self. Quite the contrary, he sound humorous. Another roll of thunder outside, this time sounding a bit further away.

Squinting, Selphie eyes to two. The silhouette of Squall moved closer to Quistis. Oh no, he wasn't about to do what she thought he was going to do. What little light that tinted the room, was cast on Quistis's face. Selphie could barely make out the smile that she kept, as she opened her mouth to accept Squall's lips. A squeak almost left Selphie's throat in shock. She had no idea that the shy, unloving, robot since Rinoa dumped him Squall was now kissing the woman that everyone thought got on his nerves.

She stared, mesmerized by the couple. Surprised at how tender Squall was with Quistis as he moved his hands over her body. It was amazingly sensual, the way the two held each other. The way Squall sighed whenever Quistis ran her hands down his chest. Selphie could hear the bewitching strikes of their lips against one another. How every kiss, every touch heightened, one after the other. She saw how reality seemed to be the farthest thing from both their minds, moving deeper into a world only possessed by them.

The shock still stayed in her body, Selphie didn't think she should be here anymore. That was until Squall picked Quistis up as if she weighed no more than a bundle of twigs. Clasping his hands on her waist, he lifted her up, setting her down on one of the tables. The way they regarded each other before he embarked to kiss her once more. Their eyes held hunger, but at the same time, something deeper. She had never seen Squall stare at anyone like that before, anyone. The leisure and profound kisses were almost hypnotic. Whispers were heard, but Selphie couldn't make them out. They only muttered them between kisses. However she did catch one thing.

"Here?" Selphie was dying to know what Quistis was asking. Whatever it was, Squall nodded.

Squall murmured something in return and desperately began to kiss her. What did 'here' mean? She was just about to lean in closer when Quistis removed his jacket. Sliding it down to his elbows, she glided her mouth to his neck. Carefully her hands moved to the buttons of his shirt and made unfastening movements. Squall appeared hypnotized. It finally dawned on what Quistis was talking about. Oh, she shouldn't be watching this!

Regaining composer, Selphie finally managed to move her legs. Spinning around to grab the door, her hand suddenly came into contact with silverware. Tripping over her own feet, she landed hard, flat on her stomach. The clanking silverware fell around her. Clenching her teething in panic, she swore under her breath. Well, there wasn't much hiding herself now, was there?

Rolling onto her back, she looked around into the eternal darkness. A sudden flash, for a half a second, she saw two figures standing over her. Blackness once again. Crap.

"Selphie?" came Quistis's voice. "What are you doing here?"

Answers raced in and out of her mind. She could say anything. 'I was about to ask you the same thing.' 'What does it look like?' 'I got lost'. But instead, a much more intelligent reply fell from her mouth.

"I need cups." she blurted out dumbly. She could practically feel them roll their eyes.

"Are you okay?" Squall asked instead.

"Y-yeah. I was just a little bit shocked." She started to regain her composer. Standing to her feet, she could barely make out the shadow of the two people standing before her. The tension in the air was so thick it was hard to breathe.

"Look," Quistis began.

"No, no. I know what you two were doing." Selphie exclaimed unexpectedly. "Why didn't you tell me!" She shouted instantly angry. "I mean, how long have you guys been fooling around? What would Rinoa think?" she turned to Quistis. "And Quistis! I didn't think you'd be that kind of girl."

"What!?" She sounded as if she had been slapped. "No, it's not like that!"

"Then what's it like?" They both stayed silent. "Please tell me." Selphie pressed further.

"Hey," Squall interrupted. "even if we had been fooling around, it really isn't any of your business. And besides, why were you peeping at us?" Selphie felt her face burn.

"I told you, I needed cups. I came in here and caught both of you sucking face. Quid pro quo. Now tell me what's going on."

Quistis sighed.

"Fine." she began. "About six months ago, Squall an I fell in love."

"Six months! This had been going on for six months?"

"Shh! Please, let me tell you." But Quistis didn't continue. Instead she seemed to be trying to find the right words.

"She had I married six weeks ago." Squall burst out.

Quiet. Flash, then, blast of thunder.

"Married?" Oh wow. That was a load. Not only had she found the unlikely pair kissing, they were also married?

"Yes." Quistis whispered. "We didn't tell anyone because we were afraid that they would act like. . .well, you."

"Cid wouldn't like it if he found out about your marriage."

"We're just waiting." Squall muttered. "We're waiting for Quistis to be promoted to Inspector."

"You mean Instructor." Selphie corrected. Squall shook his head.

"No, Inspector. An Inspector has more power than an Instructor. She wouldn't be on all the missions. We could be togther then."

"I think I understand." Selphie passed a hand over her face. The image of them kissing so heatedly was imbedded in her brain.

"Please, don't tell anyone." Quistis asked. "You have to promise us." Selphie nodded.

"Yeah, I- I'll keep it a secret." The impact of all she had heard still wasn't commencing in her mind. She turned to leave.

"Promise?" Squall cut in.

"Yes. I promise."

Completely forgetting about cups, she opened the door and left. Before she exited, she heard Squall whisper to Quistis.

"Lets go see if we can get into our dorms now."

Selphie felt suddenly sick.

I I I

Rinoa stared off into space. She was absolutely bored. The dance had been fun for the first few hours, but now her feet were starting to hurt. Plus, there were no more cups. Zell had sent out Selphie to grab some.

"You okay?" Seifer asked, snapping her out of her trance.

"Yeah, I'm fine." she offered him a sweet smile. That wasn't the truth at all. She felt ill. She had felt that way since she had talked to Squall.

Squall. Where was he? About an hour ago, she had talked to him. He had been waiting for someone. Who was it? Quistis came and danced with him, but that couldn't be who he was waiting for. Rinoa knew that Quistis had a crush on him for ages. She remembered thinking it cute on how she still seemed to pursue him so subtlety. A dance was a little bit more loud, but Squall didn't seem to interested much in Quistis.

Now he was gone. She had seen him talk to Selphie for a moment. What then? Selphie left to get cups fifteen minutes ago. Oh well, Squall wasn't much of a dancer. That much she knew.

Just then Selphie appeared. Looking as white as cold legs in winter. She was empty-handed. Rinoa felt herself frown. She was awfully thirsty.

"Hey, where are the cups Selphie?" Zell asked. Selphie looked at him, but at the same time, past him.

"I'm going to bed." she announced. Turning, she left without another word.

"She's weird." Zell stated.

Rinoa didn't say anything. She was still thinking about Squall. He had seemed so different tonight. He didn't say anything out of the ordinary. As always, he had given her short answers. Avoiding contact was something that he had mastered very early in his life. Yet, something was fresh. Something seemed odd, so odd that it seemed as though she were talking to a complete stranger. He had looked calm. He had looked composed. He had looked . . .happy.

To be continued.

A/N: Thank you so much for all the reviews. I will thank all of you individually next time. But this chapter was already too long as it was. I didn't think there were so many Quall fans out there. I'm so happy. I felt like such a loner. Anyway, you all were so nice. I was blown away. Thank you a million times over. I think I will continue this story, thanks to all of you.

You all RULE!!!