Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII....

Author's Note: So sorry for the delay with this chapter. I would have had it written sooner, but I had some medical problems, so that was what delayed everything. Thank you to all of you who have stuck with me so far. Your kind words are always wonderful to hear.

To Love You More

Chapter Ten

"Hey Irvine!" Ellone greeted as she walked into the room where Irvine was seated. "It's so good to see you again!"

Irvine chuckled. "Long time no see, eh?"

Ellone smiled. "I know that you wouldn't have come here on such short notice if it wasn't extremely important. You sounded anxious on the phone. What is it that you need to talk to me about?"

"It is important," he said. "But before I can tell you, I need you to swear that you won't tell anyone. I mean it, Ellone."

"Yes, of course. You have my word."

Irvine nodded. "This morning, I received a call. It was...it was Rinoa."

Ellone's eyes widened. "What did she say? Where is she?"

Irvine explained what Rinoa had told him. "See? That's why I need your help. Do you have any idea where this Zuwang place is?"

She thought about it for a minute. "You know, I think that Uncle Laguna has some files on the country of Zuwang. I'm sure that he would be more than happy to help us."

Irvine looked unsure. "There's no way that you could access the files yourself? Without having to involve Laguna?"

Ellone narrowed her eyes. "You don't trust him."

"It's not that," he said wearily. "I just think that the less people who know about Rinoa, the better. Elle, Squall just got married. I don't even know how to tell him that Rinoa is alive."

"And Rinoa has no idea," Ellone said softly. "I agree with you about not telling anyone. Listen, I know Uncle Laguna can have somewhat of a big mouth, but I think he has a right to know. He can really be an asset to us."

"Okay, we'll tell him. It has to be now, though. I hate the idea of Rinoa being alone in some strange place."

"That shouldn't be a problem. Just one more question, though. What do you plan to do with Rinoa when you get back? Do you think that telling Squall is a good idea?"

Irvine sighed. "Hell if I know. My thinking is this: Squall and Quistis aren't getting back from their honeymoon for another two weeks. I need to talk to Rinoa and explain everything to her. I think she should be the one to decide."
Ellone nodded. "I agree. No one else will know where you really are, other than myself and Uncle Laguna. Come on, lets go find those files."

Irvine stood up and followed Ellone to Laguna's office. Laguna was seated behind his desk, reading the newspaper. He looked up upon hearing them enter. "Irvine!" he exclaimed. "What brings you here?"

"Uncle Laguna, Irvine needs our help," Ellone said before Irvine could explain himself. "Rinoa is alive. We need to give him all the information we have on Zuwang. That's where Rinoa is now."

Laguna stared at them, as if he wasn't able to comprehend what Ellone was saying. Finally, he managed to sputter out, "Rinoa is alive? How?"

"I don't know, Sir," Irvine said. "I only spoke to her briefly this morning. The most important thing right now is to locate her. That's why I need information on Zuwang."

Laguna nodded. "Please, call me Laguna. I understand where you're coming from. Just tell me one thing. Does Squall know?"

Irvine shook his head. "I thought it would be better not to tell him, at least not yet. He's on his honeymoon, and I didn't think it would be right to intrude on that. Besides, I think that Rinoa needs to hear about everything first, and decide if she even wants to come back."

Laguna looked at them sadly. "One day too late. If only she had called sooner." He shook his head. "I suppose that you want me to keep this a secret as well."

Irvine nodded. "You and Ellone are the only ones besides myself that know. Everyone else thinks I'm on a mission."

"I hate to keep this from Squall, but I can see why it would be a good idea to. I won't tell anyone about where you really are. It's not like I'll be talking to Squall much, anyway."

"Thank you," Irvine said sincerely. "Now, about Zuwang. Do you really have information about it?"

"Yes. It's around here somewhere..." He started to rummage through his desk drawers.

"Uncle, don't you keep a copy of all your files on the computer?" Ellone asked gently.

Laguna grinned sheepishly. "I guess I forgot about that." He turned to his computer. "Hold on a minute, Irvine. Just a few clicks and I can get you the coordinates you need."

"If you don't mind my asking, how exactly did you get the coordinates in the first place? From what I gather, barely anyone knows about them. If they have no contact with the outside world, how do you know about it?"

"Well," Laguna started as he typed in his password, "Esthar was just like that not so long ago. We had a vague idea that Zuwang existed, but they called for our aide years ago, and as a result, gave us the coordinates. Our technology is very similar to theirs. Although we have contact with them occasionally, they prefer to remain hidden to the world. You see, they are a group that believe strongly in Hyne, and they prefer to remain that way. A-ha! Here we are!"

Irvine looked over his shoulder. "You found the information?"

"Uh-huh. Let me print out the coordinates for you." With one more click of the mouse, the printer whizzed to life, spewing out the information. "Here you are," Laguna said as he handed Irvine the paper.

"Thank you, Laguna," Irvine said, relief evident in his voice. "I better get going. Thank you again, and you too, Ellone. I'll call you when I get back with an update."

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"Wow..." Marianna sighed. "Your first kiss on a balcony overlooking the ocean. And that shooting star? How romantic!"

"Yeah," Rinoa sighed dreamily. "It was amazing." She had just finished telling Marianna about how she had met Squall, and everything that had followed.

"I wish my relationship with my husband was like that. So much passion! Unfortunately, I have more fun watching TV these days," she said sadly. "But enough about that. I'm sure that you are more than anxious to see Squall again. I'm really going to miss you, though."

"I wish I had gotten to know you better. You and Leanne were so good to me. I don't know how I could ever repay you for your kindness."

Leanne smiled warmly. "There is no need to, Dear. We never would have left you there to die. Even when Leanne said you situation was grim, we never gave up hope. There was something about you, Dear."

Rinoa laughed. "I don't think I deserve that, but thank you nevertheless. I have to admit that I'm nervous about going back. A lot of things can change in three years. Squall...he thought I was dead. He could still think I'm dead. I don't know if Irvine has even talked to him yet."

Marianna patted her hand reassuringly. "Yes, many things can change in three years, but some things never do. From what you have told me, Squall loves you very deeply. Time isn't going to change that."

"I know...it's just...three years. You don't know Squall. When I first met him, he was so cold and distant. You see, his sister left when he was younger, and he never got over that. I don't know how he would take my death, but if I know Squall, he has probably been blaming himself this whole time."

"Rinoa, I feel like you're blaming yourself for what happened. You had no control of the aircraft. Stop blaming yourself, please. Soon, you'll be back with Squall, and things will be just the way you remember."
Rinoa nodded. "I'm sure that you're right. We were happy, you know? I don't think I've ever been that happy in my life. I know that it's selfish, but why did this happen to us? Squall has been through enough. Will it ever end?"

"Dear, I'm sorry. We can't predict what is going to happen to us, but I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason."

"No one can predict the future," Rinoa said softly. "I told Squall that once." She closed her eyes. "Okay!" she exclaimed as her eyes shot open. "Enough of this depressing talk. Irvine will be here soon, right? Before I know it, I'll be back with everyone, and that's what's important."

"That's right, Dear. Good for you!"

"Mom!" a child of about eight ran into the room. Her curly black hair surrounded her face wildly and her cheeks were bright red from the running she had done. However, the girl stopped in her tracks when she saw Rinoa.

"Alanna, do you remember the girl you found on the beach a few years ago? The one I've been going to see in the city? Her name is Rinoa and she has finally woken up."

"Are you really the girl I found?" Alanna asked shyly.

"From what your mom tells me, it looks like I am. I believe that I owe you a thank you for saving my life."

Alanna blushed. "I'm glad that you're okay. Mom has really been worried about you."
"Yes, we are all thankful that Rinoa is okay. You looked like you wanted to tell me something, Alanna. What is it?"

"Oh, Dad wanted me to tell you that the men saw a strange aircraft approaching. He told me to come home and stay here in case there was danger."

"An aircraft?" Rinoa asked. "It has to be Irvine!"

Marianna nodded. "It makes sense. We rarely get any visitors. Alanna, please stay here. Rinoa and I are going to welcome her friend."

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Squall stood on the balcony of his hotel room. Dollet was quiet; no one wanted to be out in the rain. Except for him. Personally, he liked the rain; found that it fit his mood most of the time. A fitting way to spend my honeymoon.

"Squall?" Quistis called gently as she joined him on the balcony, scantily clad in a white silk robe. "What are you doing?"

"Watching the rain," he stated simply.
"I hate the rain," Quistis commented. "Look, you're getting soaked. Why don't you come back to bed, where it's warm," she winked.

He shrugged. "I just have a bad feeling..." Actually, he had gotten a bad feeling from the moment he said "I do," but he wasn't about to tell Quistis that. "Don't you feel like something is off?"

Quistis rolled her eyes. "Other than you? Seriously, Squall, why can't you just be happy? We're married now. I know you're worried about Garden, but for once, just relax," she said as she began to massage his shoulders. "When we get back to Garden, you can worry as much as you want, but while we're here, don't you think you deserve to have a little fun?"

Fun? Of course, he was supposed to be enjoying himself. It was his honeymoon, after all. Even so, he couldn't shake the feelings that something was off. Despite Quistis talking about being worried about Garden, the feeling he had had to do with something else entirely. "I'm sorry, Quistis. I haven't exactly been the easiest person to get along with, have I?"

"No," she smiled. "But you can make it up to me right now." Grabbing his hand, she led him back into their room.

Squall was ready to protest, but at that point she had already dropped her robe and pushed him onto the bed. So much for those bad feelings. In place of them went more meaningless sex, a diversion from what his heart was telling him. Squall didn't know which one he found worse.

~*~