In Secret
Disclaimer: Not mine. Haha!
A/N: Thanks for the kind reviews. Okay, the italics are the dreams/memories. So just go with it if you don't understand. But I'm sure many of you will. I understand that my last chapter was something of a disappointment. I hope this chapter makes up for it. Thanks again to all you awesome and sexy people! You all rock!
Chapter Five:
He felt so alone. Why? He was surrounded by so many friends. Matron was always kind to him. So why was he feeling so lonesome? Perhaps it was because he was different. Yes, that had to be it. Squall. The lone wolf. No one to love, and no one to love him. It would be that way until he was an ancient, scaly man with one or two marbles rolling around in his head.
Tears of perils glided down his full, smooth cheeks. He sniffed and brushed his tangled hair away from his sweaty forehead. It was useless. Nothing in his life was ever going to work out. She had left him here. He was never going to see her again. His big sister had vanished like a phantom into the cold, dark, rain.
His mouth felt like chalk. It was so dry he was sure that if he dared open it, grains of sand would spill from his lips and onto the floor. He licked his thick, swollen tongue over his wet, salty upper-lip. He wanted a glass of water, but he couldn't let anyone see that he had been crying. Irvine and Seifer would tease him. Selphie woudl try and cheer him up with some lame jokes. And Quistis would probably tell him to go clean his room or something to make himself feel better.
No thanks, he was staying here. In the broom closet. Where it was safe.
He heard the bedroom door open, and small light footsteps padded into the room. Squall wiped his face and eyes and stiffened in the closet. Whoever was out there was looking under the bed. Their steps heading closer and closer to the closet. Squall shrunk back in the shadows so not to be seen.
Closer and closer.
Their shadow now visible through the small slits in the closet door. They hovered and then the door drew back.
"Squall?" a little, timid voice asked.
"Go away!" he shouted back at Quistis and buried his head in his knees.
"Squall, we've been looking everywhere for you. You've made the Matron worried sick!" Her usual bossy voice didn't change. She stood with her arms folded over her chest.
Everything that had happened to him in the last few days broke, and he began to feel fresh new tears growing in his eyes. His nose started to make more mucus. He sniffed.
"Are you crying?" she asked.
"No! Now go away and leave me alone!" He heard her move forward. The floorboards creaked under her feet. He lifted his eyes away from his knees and squinted through his raveled hair. Her shoes scuffed the floor as he saw her pant legs rolled up so she wouldn't trip over the end of them. She came closer.
"Do you want to go talk to the Matron?" Her voice was so close to him now. Squall bunched his fists in irritation.
"What I want is for you to leave!"
She didn't leave. But she didn't come forward either. She just stayed still. He wondered if she was going to pull him to his feet or turn around and walk away. Leaving him in his own misery.
"She'll come back Squall," Quistis whispered slowly. The air grew thick around them.
"No, she won't."
"Yes. She loves you. She'll see you again." Squall could feel his body tense at her words. She was lying. Quistis was a liar. A liar just like. . .her.
"No one loves me," he choked and put his arms over his mouth.
"We're your friends. We love you." She stepped nearer to him. Suddenly her hand brushed his arm. Probably by accident, but that was all he needed to send him over the edge.
He jumped to his feet.
"Leave me alone!" he screamed in Quistis's face. He grabbed her arms and pushed her as hard as he could out of the closet. She landed on her back by the bed. Staring up at him with alarm and shock.
For only an instant did he see her blue eyes glaze over. Her lips trembled slightly. Quickly, she stood up and dashed for the bedroom door. Leaving him alone. All alone.
Just like he wanted.
Squall stared at his own hands. A small pang of guilt struck him. He hated feeling guilty. And he hated things that made him feel guilty. It was her own fault. She should've left him alone like he had told her. Quistis had brought it on herself. She was always bossing him around. Always telling him what to do.
It wasn't his fault. He wasn't to blame. He turned around and stepped back into his closet. Slamming the door behind him.
I I I
"All right. Pencils down," Instructor Trepe announced. Squall smashed his pencil down on his desk and cursed under his breath. He had failed. He could've done better. . . If he had a competent teacher.
Standing up and walked toward the door with his test in hand. Quistis stood at the door accepting everyone's tests while wishing them a nice day. He waited a few minutes so no to see her to soon, but no to be the last one at the door. Carefully, he blended into the line of students.
Brushing past her, he folded his test and chucked it into the garbage. All the while, not meeting Quistis's eyes.
"Wait! Squall come back here." Her voice holding a dogmatic tone. "Just set the tests on my desk." she told the other students quickly. "Squall, come back now." He stopped in the middle of the hall.
She jogged to catch up with him.
"Why did you throw your test away?" she asked softly. He clenched his jaw and turned his head. "Answer me," she demanded.
Squall's eyes darted to meet hers. They flashed with sudden fury.
"Why?" he spat. "You want to know why? Because I failed! I study, and I study, and I study. And it still never comes out right. It's a waste of my damn time." Quistis put her hands up to silence him.
"Lets see how the score comes out."
"If you want my score then go dig it out in that stupid trash can." He turned around and gestured toward her classroom door.
"Squall, I know you've been studying. I know you did better than you thought you did on the test. Let me look at it, and then we'll decide what to do next."
"Whatever," he hushed as he marched past her. He heard her let out a soft sigh. He didn't look back. He couldn't look back. He was never going to be a member of SeeD.
I I I
"An eighty-three percent," Quistis said to him the next morning as he passed her at the door. She held out his test in her hands. Crumpled round the edges, and it looked as though someone dropped their jelly doughnut on top of it.
"I passed?" Squall stared dumbly at the crinkled pages that she held so carefully in her hand.
"I thought you might like to know." She smiled at him as he reached out and stuffed the paper in his notebook. "I knew you could do it."
He didn't say anything to her. So she had taught him well enough so he could pass a dumb test. Big deal.
"You might want to brush up a little on your studies about GF. But other than that, you did above average. Good work. Now take your seat." She turned to walk up to her desk.
He needed a new teacher. One that didn't get on his nerves.
I I I
"I can't believe we've been together this long," Rinoa whispered in his ear as they danced. Squall smiled. He couldn't believe it either. It was the first time that he had ever felt truly happy.
"I'm still very excited about the fact that you were able to transfer here. It's just too good to be true." He placed a soft kiss on her lips. He swayed with her out on the balcony. She suddenly shivered against him. He wrapped his arms around her. "You're freezing, lets go inside okay?"
"Yeah, as magical as this night is, I would like to go inside now. I'm very tired." Squall smiled again. She always was so tired.
Grasping her hand with his, he led her though the balcony doors. It was one of those lovely nights. Squall never really had appreciated how wonderful a starry sky could be. It wasn't until that he had met Rinoa that he was able to notice all those small beauties of the world.
"We'll be together always, won't we?" asked Rinoa as they made their way down the dark hall. He glanced at her and gazed into her cinnamon eyes.
"As long as I'm alive," he answered. They would always be together. He'd die before he let that happen.
The two gazed at each other as they walked. It was though the only thing that existed was them. He was with the one he loved. And nothing, not even Hyne, could change that.
"Watch it!" came Seifer's voice. The two lifted their hold on one another's eyes and stared at him. Quistis was on the ground, papers scattered around her body.
"You ran into me," she retorted as she began to rise from the ground. "Why don't you watch it?"
Squall rolled his eyes. The two had not been getting along at all. Why couldn't they act as old as they were? Seifer and Quistis had been at each other's throats since their infamous date. Apparently, it had been a complete disaster.
"Whatever. You shouldn't be walking around this late at night without your eyeglasses Quistis. You know you're as blind as a bat without them." Seifer chuckled as Quistis knelt on her knees and picked up the loose white paper dispersed around her.
"Well, I may have trouble keeping my eyes in check, but at least I don't have a problem with keeping my mouth in check." Seifer shut his mouth and glared ahead of him. It was then that he spotted Rinoa and Squall.
"Well, if it isn't my two buddies?" he laughed. He walked closer to both of them. As he got nearer, Squall could smell the faint odor of liquor.
"Have you been drinking?" Rinoa asked. Seifer shrugged his shoulders.
"Just a few. I swear. I don't have a problem." He crossed his heart and held up his hand like a boy scout.
Squall's eyes traveled over to Quistis who was still sorting through the pile of strewn documents. Her usually neat and clean hair looked untidy and unwashed. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and small scratches on her forearms. Sweat stuck to her brow with her skin abnormally white.
"You okay Quistis?" Rinoa questioned over Seifer's shoulder. "You look really pale," she observed.
"Yeah, I need a vacation," Quistis answered as she stood and tucked the pile of messy papers under her right arm.
"When was the last time you even had one?" Squall laced his fingers with Rinoa's. Quistis stared off into space for a few moments. Bitting her bottom lip, she took her free hand and drew her hair away from her face.
"I really don't remember," She replied. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with Headmaster Cid."
"Wow, aren't we the bitchy one?" Seifer smirked. Quistis stopped and stared him straight in the eye.
"Shut up you lousy drunk."
His smile vanished. His eyes flashed dangerously and his nostrils twitched.
"Quistis, don't waste your time," Squall interrupted. "He's wasted."
"No, no. It's okay Squall." Seifer growled. "After all, what can I expect from the ice queen?"
"All right, knock it off," Rinoa stated quietly. Seifer didn't seem to hear her. Instead, he took a step closer to Quistis.
"You were the worst date I've ever had. I can't believe I even thought about taking you out." Quistis kept her gaze away from him. Her eyes fixed on a small dot of dirt on the ground. Squall squinted to try and see whether or not she was crying.
"I guess I know better now," he continued. "No one loves you."
The room was deathly silent. Seifer bent his knees and looked under her bowed head for any sings of tears. She turned her face aside. Pressing her lips together, she clenched her hands. Satisfied, Seifer stood up tall on his feet and simpered.
"You can't get mad because it's the truth."
Quistis's head snapped up. Her eyes very clear and dry. The papers under her arm fell to the floor again as she brought back her arm, and with surprising strength, rammed her fists into Seifer's chest. He didn't let out a sound as his body flew backwards and onto the side bench along the hallway. His body tumbled over the bench, crashing into a pile of decorative plants. Dirt from the pots spilled over his clean, white clothes.
His head faced her as he lay on the ground. Face completely blank. A few clumps of soil fell from his blond hair.
"Beaten by a girl. I guess we know who's the better fighter," Quistis whispered. "You can't get mad because it's the truth."
Leaving the papers where they were this time, Quistis stepped between Rinoa and Squall. Her head held high. Squall made a mental note never to piss her off as Seifer had.
I I I
Squall stared into the pond at his own reflection. And decided . . . that he looked bad. Not only had he gotten the crap beaten out of him by Selphie in training, but he had eaten a bad hotdog that morning and now felt sick. Sitting down to wash his face, he tucked his legs behind him.
"Don't get too close, or you'll fall in," said Quistis as she stood in back of him. Squall jerked in surprise and put his hands in the pond to keep from falling in. He heard Quistis let out a soft giggle.
"Where did you come from?" Squall asked as he wiped his hands off on his coat.
"I'm your stalker. Didn't you know?" Squall smiled. Sometimes her sarcasm was surprisingly straight faced. He wasn't sure if she was joking, or being serious. "I was thirsty, so I came down here to get a drink. And I found you." She walked up beside him.
"You always know where to find me. I go to sleep: you're there. I wake up: you're there. I go to fight, and you're there. Fighting right beside me." He dipped his hands in the pond and splashed the cold water on his cheeks.
"I think you like the fact that I constantly by your side," Quistis joked. Squall hid his smile in his hands.
The truth was, he did like Quistis. She had become a great friend to him. She was strong, loyal. And she never, ever, made him feel like he was inferior. After he and Rinoa had broken up, she never pressured him to get help. Or to cry on someone's shoulder. She kept quiet and let him be. He had liked that. He had liked that a lot.
"Are you serious? I feel like you are one of my groupies." He scrubbed at his face with his hands in hope to get the sweat off. A nauseated feeling overtook him. He held still, wishing it would pass.
"Are you sick?" Quistis's voice suddenly broke his concentration. Squall shook his head and continued dashing water on his face.
"Yeah, I think I had some bad food."
"Well, if you're going to puke, you might as well puke here." He felt her hand touch his shoulder to keep him steady. It was a good thing too. Otherwise, he would've fallen right into the pond.
"Thank you," he muttered.
"No problem."
Squall sat back on the ground and took in a few deep breaths.
The sun felt good on his face as he let the light kiss him. A few beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, mixed with the cool pond water. The front of his shirt was now soaked making it itch against his chest. He brought up his nails and scratched just above where his shirt buttoned. He looked down and saw red streaks where his nails and been. Turning his eyes up, she noticed that Quistis was staring at him intently.
"Do I still have dirt on my face?" He rubbed his jaw to feel if any dust was still there.
"Oh! No. I was just . . . thinking." She turned her head away and blushed putting her hand under her nose, she scratched the tip of her nose with her gloved finger. Squall saw that she had small streaks of dirt on her neck.
"You have some dirt on your neck," Squall said. Quistis's hand found its way up to her neck. She rubbed at it with her glove. It was still there.
"Do I still have it?" she asked. Squall nodded.
"Yeah, it's still there." She tried to rub it off again, but no avail.
"Now is it gone?" Squall chuckled and shook his head.
"Here, let me see." Squall pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed the end of it into the pond. Walking on his knees toward her, he cupped her chin with his free hand and pulled her head to her left, exposing her neck.
Carefully, he applied the wet rag on the bottom of her jaw. Tenderly wiping the dirt off her creamy throat. Intently, he brushed a few strands of hair away that were clinging to her collarbone. Sweeping it lightly across her skin, he noticed the drops of water rolling down her chest disappearing under the collar of her shirt. A few dribbles of sweat fell from his face and onto her lips. He stared at her to apologize but noticed that her eyes were closed. Unconsciously, she ran her tongue over her bottom lips where his drips had landed.
She had the richest lips he had ever seen. He couldn't understand why. She usually had pink lips. But today, they were a deep red. She wasn't wearing any lipstick. He then noticed how she drew her lips in and would suck them briefly. When she would return them, they would be swollen and scarlet. She did it every few minutes as he washed away the dried mud on her skin.
The hallow of her cheekbones sent shadows cascading down her face. He didn't realize how slow he was swiping the handkerchief under her jaw. He wasn't aware how close his face was to hers. Her long lashes draped over her cheeks fluttered as his breath touched her flesh. The tips of his ragged hair tickling her chin.
Her mouth parted and she inhaled very slowly. Her chest rose, making her entire body press briefly against his. Squall was shaking. She exhaled, and a scorching burst of air slipped past his ear. A small tingling began in his stomach and spread throughout his body. His fingers growing sweaty under her jaw. The wet cloth was making his other fingers wrinkled from holding it so long.
A breeze blew past them making the sweat on the back of his neck cold. He shivered, but the heat between their bodies was making him perspire more than he ever had in his entire life. He had altogether stopped wiping the dirt off her, but he did not know it.
He didn't know how the light had turned from sunny to red because of the setting sun. He didn't feel the cool air giving him goose bumps. He wasn't aware of the time he had spent watching Quistis's mouth tremble because of the cold. He wasn't there. Yet, he had never felt more alive.
"Did you get it all?" her tone made him spring back from her in start. Her eyes were dark in the shadows.
"What?" he stared dumbly at her.
"The dirt. Did you get it all?" She brought her hand up again and rubbed it quickly over her skin.
"Oh, yeah. I got it all. You had a lot of dirt. It was hard to get off." Quistis eyeballed him throughly.
"We need to get you back to the camp. You look really sick." Squall didn't quite hear her. He was still fixed on those crimson lips.
"Sick?" Why would he feel sick?
"Yes," she stretched her words out. "You are sweating really badly. And you're extremely pale. But your cheeks are all flushed."
Squall had forgotten about being sick. Why had he forgotten? A moment ago he had felt so good. He felt like he was on some sort of drug. What had changed it? A squirming sensation in his belly didn't feel bad like it had before. It felt . . . wonderful. And his heart was beating faster than it had when he had ran five miles uphill.
Rubbing his eyes, he let out a sigh. He was dizzy. Like he had been in some kind of trance. The last few moments were like a blur to him. A pleasant blur at that. Like he was falling deeper and deeper into a spell.
"Come on. Lets get back to camp." She grabbed his shirt sleeve rather roughly and pulled him up. "I swear, you make me so worried sometimes."
"You worried? About me?" Squall laughed. That was impossible.
"Yes worried about you. That happens when you care about someone." Squall walked a little bit behind her and then stopped completely.
"You care about me?" he must have looked as astonished as he felt because when Quistis turned around to look at him, she let out a loud whoop. Clutching her belly, she staggered backwards.
"Of course I do! You ass!" she cackled.
"Why?" He looked her up and down, not believing that someone like her would care about him.
"I don't know." She shrugged. "Perhaps it happened during our big adventure last year. I've always cared about you. But these past few months. I feel like we have created a bond or something." She stopped laughing. A very serious expression took over her face. "I feel like you care a little bit more about the people you work with."
"I do," Squall admitted.
Since he had gotten involved with Rinoa, he had learned to depend on other people. And upon doing that, he saw that they were people just like him. They had emotions. They had interest. They weren't there to annoy him or pester him. They were there to help him. They had always been there. He just hadn't seen it before.
Rinoa may have been gone. But the attention he now saw in other people hadn't left. He liked how Selphie never ceased to be happy. Or at least try to be happy. He saw that despite his lady-killer image, Irvine was quite a down to earth guy who wanted one woman. That Zell never could give up. It was in his nature to try even when it was sure he would fail. Even Seifer. In spite of his tough exterior, he was really a softie. That is, when he wasn't drunk.
And then there was Quistis. . .
All his life, he had only seen her as a peeve. Holding him back, talking him down, and never giving him any room to breathe. But in reality, she was one of the most important people to him. She had always been there. She could've left, many, many times. Yet, here she was. Standing before him, leading him back to camp.
She was the only one who really knew what he had been through. The only one who could endure his attitude. Not even Rinoa endured him the way Quistis had. That was one of the reasons that he had driven her away. He never told her his thoughts, his wants. With Quistis, he didn't need to say anything.She knew.
Because she was so much like him.
She knew about pain. She knew about loneliness. And she knew about heartache. She just didn't express it as openly as he did. She wore a mask about her. She didn't let people get close. Sure, she let them think they got close. But she fooled them all. Even him. He remembered one night at the campfire, they had been chatting and she let him see a part of her. A real part of her.
"Sometimes," she had said. "I start to crack and I have to rush into my dorm before I turn back into myself."
He had been so dazed that she had said that. She wasn't fake. But he had noticed that she hardly ever talked about herself. She would always let other people talk about themselves, but never about her. Over the past few weeks, he was slowly able to unwrap her. He was able to expose her for what she really was. And he liked who she really was.
He liked her very much.
"Are you coming?" Once again, her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "We need to get you into bed before you get even more sick than you already are."
"Yeah." He smiled at her. A real, genuine smile. "I'll be right there."
Perhaps he should thank Rinoa for releasing that side of him. Because it if weren't for her, he never would had seen Quistis.
I I I
"What are you doing to me?" she whispered in his ear. He ran his lips over her jaw and back down her neck.
"I'm kissing you," he sighed, tracing his fingers up her back. He nipped her bottom lip with his own and she moaned. Kissing the corner of her mouth, he inhaled as he brushed his mouth over her cheek.
"You're playing a dangerous game," she hushed into his hair as he let the flesh from the front of her neck slip between his lips. "We could be seen."
"I know. That's what makes it fun." He let his fingers dance over her stomach. She out a light chuckle. He'd forgotten that she was ticklish there.
He let his lips taste hers. And she kissed him back. Her fingers curling in his hair. He let out a sharp breath. Grabbing her hips, she opened her mouth to accept his. Her whispers and moans made him quiver with excitement.
The hair on his neck stood on end and his heart felt as though it would explode. She tasted so sweet.
Startled suddenly, she pulled away and licked her lips. His head still in her hands, her eyes shifted over to her right.
"Someone's coming." He stopped to listen. She was right. Someone was coming. Their heavy footsteps fell dramatically on the ground. Reluctantly, he sprang away from her.
Whoever it was, they sounded like they were in a hurry. He expected to see Seifer, or Cid, or even Zell but instead. . .
"Squall? Quistis? What are you guys doing out so late?" Selphie asked as she came flying around the corner.
"Huh, I thought I heard a noise. So I told Squall and he came out to look and see if someone was in the corridor." Selphie looked frightened at Quistis's words.
"You heard someone? Like . . . a burglar?"
"Yea-yeah." She was a terrible liar. "That's what I heard."
"Oh, I better lock my doors tonight. I don't want any of my valuables stolen. That would suck." Her words may've been funny, but her facial expression wasn't.
"You might want to get to bed in a hurry. He could be hiding," Squall said with a straight face. Selphie gulped once and turned toward her dorm.
"Don't you two stay out too long. I don't want to find your bodies hacked up in the morning." And with that she disappeared into her room.
Squall turned back toward Quistis. She smiled and raised her eyebrow seductively at him in return.
"Now that she's gone . . . " She slid her arms around his shoulders.
"Where were we?" He leaned in to kiss her once more. It was a soft kiss. Filled with tenderness and love. Not passionate as before. His lips discovering and memorizing hers. She finally pulled away and stared at him intently. Her eyes searching his.
"I love you," he shushed. His palms cradling the small of her back. Her face fell, only for a moment. She smiled back at him, however, it looked forced. Somehow, he knew she didn't believe it.
"I love you." She took her fingers and smoothed his hair away from his forehead. She turned to go to bed. She didn't get far as his hand shot out and grabbed her arm. He pulled her back, so her body was pressed against his.
"No, I don't think you understand." He stared into her eyes, forcing her to gaze back. Seeking her face, he wanted her to believe him. "I love you. You know that. I love you. Not Rinoa. You, and only you." He believed every word he spoke, but did she?
"I know," she whispered, but her eyes were filled with tears. And when she smiled, her mouth trembled. She twisted her hand so he'd release it. Not in a violent way, but softly. As she drew it back, she lightly grabbed his fingers and gave them a gentle squeeze.
Stepping forward, he kissed her forehead. She let him. And her hand traced the lining on his jacket. As he finished his calm kiss, he rested his forehead on hers. What could he say or do to make her believe him? He was planning on asking her to be his wife. Maybe she would believe him then. Even so, he didn't want her to think that the only reason he wanted to marry her was so he could prove his loyalty.
He wanted her. He needed her. He loved her. He had never really thought of marriage with Rinoa. Yet with Quistis. Squall craved it. To be that dedicated to someone was enough to make him fall on his knees and ask her right then and there. But if he was going to ask her, he would have to ask her right. So when she pulled away from him, he said nothing.
"Goodnight, Squall." She ran her hand down his cheek and vanished into her room.
"Goodnight, Quistis."
I I I
Someone groaned. Squall rubbed his sleepy eyes as he awoke from his dream. He had never had a dream so strange. It was as though all his memories of Quistis had been sequenced in his mind. Every one of those memories had been real. Although, he had experienced them all over again. He remembered how he felt about Rinoa before, and how he felt about Quistis.
The rain thudded outside his window. And that reminded him why he had woken up. He had to pee.
Standing up, his back screamed in protest. All of his muscles were sore and he collapsed back into his chair. Why the hell was he asleep in a chair? He looked around him. He was in the hospital wing. He glanced at the bed beside him. Quistis lay on her back, her face turned away from him. His heart fell as he remembered why he was in the room.
Despite the terrible pain in his back, Squall stood and sat on Quistis bedside. She looked so peaceful. More peaceful than she had looked in. . . . since Squall could remember. Her mouth was formed beautifully. She shifted slightly and that startled him. And in another way, comforted him. She was only asleep. Asleep and she was going to be okay.
Staring at her, Squall pulled her hair way from her face. He did that a lot. But he loved to do it. He loved to make excuses so he could touch her hair. She wasn't just a beautiful woman. She was his wife. And he was allowed to touch his wife.
Bending down, he placed a faint kiss on her lips. It lingered there longer than he had wanted it to. Unexpectedly her mouth opened and she kissed back. He was so astounded that he stared down at her as she continually worked her lips over his. Her soft tongue caught his attention and he began to mimic her actions. He placed his hand on her waist, her arms stayed still but her mouth gradually kissed him deeper and deeper.
Maybe Quistis was a witch. And had put some sort of spell over him. Squall smiled at that thought. She did have a way of putting him in a trance. It was her he was in love with. It was her he was kissing.
The sound the door opening of the hospital wing made Squall leap away from her. She moaned and turned her head on her side.
"There you are," Rinoa said as she walked into the room. "I've been looking everywhere for you." Her eyes fell on Quistis. "So, is she going to be okay?"
"Yeah, the doctor said she was going to be fine. I guess she just needed to sleep it off or something." Squall wasn't aware that he was rubbing his mouth over his lips.
"So, why did you stay here with her?" Rinoa walked over to Quistis's bedside. "You've been here for a few hours."
Squall's throat tightened and his eyes snapped open in panic.
"I'm supposed to evaluate here. Cid has been badgering me for my report. I need to know when she wakes up so I can get it from her." He was impressed at how well he could lie on the spot.
"And you're just gonna bombard her with questions as soon as she comes out of it? You really are a hard-ass, aren't you? You should at least let her rest a little and – what's wrong, why are you sweating?"
Damn. Possibly he wasn't as good as a liar as he thought he was. Squall ran the back of his hand over his forehead which was slicked with sweat. It was so bad that it was dribbling into his eyes and making them sting.
"It's really hot in here. I fell asleep. You know how your body temperature rises as you sleep." Now he was being stupid. And completely unconvincing at that. However, it seemed good enough for Rinoa.
"Yeah well, make sure you let her breathe a little before you evaluate her. Anyway, I came here to give you this." She handed him a small slip of paper.
"What's this?" He took it from her. Upon close up inspection, he found that it was a pink envelope with the words "Confidential" written across in bold black letters.
"It's your statement."
"My statement?" He looked up at her confused. She shook her head as though she were gathering her thoughts.
"I know, it's weird. But because this accident was so freakish, it is mandatory for everyone to give a statement in case the injured decides to– how should I put this– withdraw money from the Garden."
"You mean in case she sues us?" Rinoa nodded. "Interesting. But Quistis wouldn't do that. She's not manipulative."
"Of course she's not. But like I said before, it's mandatory. I have to give one, so does Irvine." She looked him up and down. "Well, I guess that's it."
Squall didn't look up. Instead, he was studying the paper. "I guess it is." Rinoa shifted awkwardly. "How about those who were stuck in the lift?"
"Irvine finally got them out. After much 'persuasion.'" She spun on her heel to leave. "That's weird." Squall looked up from the envelope.
"What?" He followed her gaze. It was on Quistis.
"The bottom button of her blouse in undone. I wonder how that happened." She stepped closer to it to examen it more solidly. "Her blouse was buttoned when she was carried away to the hospital wing."
If she hadn't been staring so hard at Quistis's blouse, she would've noticed him blushing. Squall shoved his hand in his pocket and turned away. He must've gotten a little too carried away when he was kissing her. That happened a lot. He mentally kicked himself for being so stupid. How could he have been so careless? To actually undress his wife in such a public place?
"That is quite a odd thing isn't it?" Squall choked. "I guess it came undone when the doctor examined her."
"Of course, that's it." Rinoa stood up and gave Squall a soft smile. Good. She bought it.
Automatically, he reached out to touch her button. Thankfully he stopped before his hand got to it. It stayed in midair for a moment, then he slowly pulled it back. He turned his head trying hard not to goggle Quistis's navel.
"Are you okay?" Rinoa asked.
"Yeah, it's just kinda weird. Could you huh, ya know?" He nodded his head toward her button.
"Oh! Yes! Sorry." She moved over and he turned his eyes away as Rinoa buttoned Quistis's blouse for her.
"Thanks," Squall muttered. Rinoa didn't say another word as she strolled out of the hospital wing.
With her gone, Squall dragged his feet back over to the chair in the corner of the room. Throwing his head back, Squall stared up at the ceiling. He was now fully awake. The dots on the roof made Squall dizzy. He imagined what it would be like to be a spider, crawling along those dots. He wasn't sure how long he was thinking these insane thoughts. It felt like forever.
"Mmm." Squall darted his eyes toward Quistis's bed. Did she just make a noise?
Slowly, he rose and crossed the room. Sitting himself down on her bed, he reached out and took her small hand. It seemed so weak. Not at all like the Quistis he knew. There was something different about her. Even as she lay on the bed, there was something odd.
"Quistis?" he whispered. She gulped a few times and pressed her lips together. He gave her hand a squeeze. She groaned and fluttered her eyelids. The light hurt them and she closed them quickly.
Squall clicked off the lamp beside her. The rain was now falling heavily outside. It was disturbing him.
"Wake up. Quistis, you're gonna be alright."
"What?" Her voice seemed groggy. She focused her head and squinted at him. "Where am I?"
"You're resting in the infirmary. You'll be fine." Squall smiled at her. "You just need your rest." However, she didn't listen to him. Sitting up the best she could, she leaned forward and put her head in her hands.
"What happened?" Her voice was muffled by her hands.
"You took a nasty spill but you'll be okay." Squall placed his strong hand on her back. To his surprise, she flinched and sharply winced away. "Quistis?" He leaned forward to look in her eyes. "What's wrong?"
She shook her head.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Who are you?"
To be continued. . .
A/N: Oooo! I told you last chapter was important! Haha. Don't worry. I have my next chapter all planned out. Thanks to all those reviewed. And to all those who told be that the Doctor is a SHE not a HE. I could make a ton of jokes about that. . .but I won't.