Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII, nor do I own the song "Hotel Paper" by Michelle Branch.

Author's Note: Hey everyone! This chapter is really close to my heart because the song, "Hotel Paper," by Michelle Branch is actually what sparked the whole idea for this fic. You can actually consider this chapter as a turning point of sorts. Think of it as closing the door on "act one" and paving the way for "act two." This chapter is pretty much what bridges the gap and leads into the latter half of this story. I hope you enjoy it!

To Love You More

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"SHH, she's coming," Selphie whispered frantically as she scurried to her hiding place behind a table in the ballroom. "Everyone in position!" The few people who weren't already in their hiding places hurriedly resumed their positions. Footsteps could be heard approaching.

"Are you sure the Headmaster is having the party tonight?" They all heard Rinoa say. "It doesn't look like anyone is in there."

"I'm positive," Irvine assured her. "Maybe we're just here early."

Rinoa stepped into the ballroom skeptically. "How early are we, exactly?" There was no answer. Rinoa turned around. "Irvine?"

Suddenly, the lights came bursting on, accompanied by shouts of "Surprise!" Rinoa looked around her in astonishment. It seemed as if every student attending Garden was there, along with her friends, and plenty of familiar faces. Rinoa was now able to see that the ballroom had been decorated in all different hues of blue, from the brightest turquoise to the deepest midnight shade. A huge banner hung from the center of the room that read "Welcome back, Rinoa!" in shiny gold letters.

"What do you think?" Selphie said as she approached her friend.

"I...I don't know what to say! How did you manage to pull this off without my knowing?" she asked incredulously.

"Well, that's where Irvine came in. He volunteered to keep you distracted while the Garden crew worked their magic."

Rinoa turned her gaze to Irvine. "Oh, I see. So that's why you had the sudden interest in spending so much time together." Her tone was teasing, but she couldn't help feeling disappointed.

Irvine shook his head. "I assure you, everything that happened these past few days was completely real on my part." A few whistles were heard throughout the ballroom at Irvine's statement.

Rinoa blushed. "Well, thank you all so much. I can't even begin to tell you how touched I am."

Selphie grinned. "You all know what happens now, right? Time to par-tay!" The crowd erupted into a fit of applause and the ballroom was immediately transformed into a chaos zone. "So, you really didn't suspect anything?"

Rinoa shook her head. "Not a thing. I can't believe so many people are here! You're the best, Selphie."

Selphie beamed. "I'm glad you're happy, Rin. Now, I'm going to go check on the music and let you circulate with your guests. See ya later!" Grinning, she disappeared off into the crowd.

Looking around, Rinoa wasn't sure who she should approach first. There were so many people that she wanted to talk to. It had been so long since she had seen most of them. She suddenly wondered if Squall was there, and quickly scanned the room for him. She was disappointed to note that he was not there. Quistis, however, was, standing by one of the refreshment tables. Rinoa was surprised to see her there, and made a mental note to talk to her later. Right now, she wanted to catch up with Zone and Watts.

"Princess!" Watts exclaimed as she approached him and Zone. "We were so relieved to hear that you were okay!"

Zone nodded in agreement. "I knew that Squall wasn't good enough for our Princess. You're better off without him."

Rinoa resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Well, it looks like you two haven't changed a bit. Although I have to say, it's great to see you guys."

"Zone was sick for months when he found out the bad news. If you thought he had stomach problems before, you should have seen him then!" Watts told her, his face lighting up with the retelling.

"Shut up!" Zone snapped defensively. "That's not true, Princess!"

Rinoa smiled. "Whether it's true or not, it was really sweet of you to think of me." She gave each of them a hug. "I'll see you later, okay?" She waved and walked off in search of her next "victims."

"Rinoa, dear," a voice said quietly behind her.

Rinoa turned to see Edea, whom she had grown to call Matron over the months after Ultimecia's defeat. Edea had been helping Rinoa control her sorceress powers before the accident. "Matron!" Rinoa exclaimed, enveloping the elegant woman in a tight hug. "It's so great to see you!"

"As it is to see you. You look beautiful, dear," Edea said, smiling at the young woman.

"Thank you," Rinoa said modestly. She was wearing the ivory dress that she had bought with Quistis. It had come in handy after all.

"How have your powers felt lately? They haven't acted out of the ordinary, have they?" she questioned.

Rinoa shook her head. "I haven't really been using magic lately, but everything seems fine."

"Good," Edea said. "I only ask because sometimes sorceress powers can be affected by traumatic experiences. If you have any questions, or if you just want to talk, you know where to find me. Cid and I will be staying at Garden for awhile."

Rinoa nodded graciously. "Thank you. I'm sure that I'll be taking you up on that offer. If you'll excuse me, I think I saw Laguna." She smiled. "I haven't seem him in so long..."

"Of course, my dear," Edea said, smiling. "Just keep what I said in mind and come to see me if you have any problems at all. I'm always free to listen."

Rinoa smiled her agreement and walked over to Laguna.

"Rinoa!" Laguna said happily as he hugged her tightly. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too," she said, laughing. "How are things in Esthar?"

"Same old, same old. I've come to realize that Esthar is completely trivial compared to my family. That includes you, Rinoa."

Rinoa was surprised to find tears stinging her eyes. Laguna's words really hit home with her. "Thank you," she managed to croak. Clearing her throat, she said, "Will you be staying in Balamb for awhile?"

Laguna shook his head. "I don't think so. Maybe for a couple of days, if things don't get too serious in Esthar. I think that it's better if I keep my distance from Squall. He seems to want nothing to do with me. Although," he said thoughtfully, "He did call me out of the blue about a week ago."

Rinoa inwardly smirked. "He'll come around, I'm sure. You said he called you, so that's a step in the right direction, right? It would be really great if you could stay."

Laguna shrugged. "Maybe. I'll think about it." He paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. "You know," he said quietly, "I always thought that you would make a wonderful wife for my son. This is probably wrong of me to say, but I think Squall made the wrong choice. I've always seen you as my daughter-in-law."

Rinoa stared at him, speechless. Had he just confessed that he thought Squall's marriage to Quistis was a mistake? Suddenly, a hand was placed on Rinoa's shoulder. She spun around to face the blonde.

"May I have a word with you, Rinoa?" she asked.

Rinoa nodded mutely, not really registering what was going on. All she heard as she walked away was Laguna's sharp intake of breath, followed by, "Ah, I think my leg's cramping up!"

SQUALL walked into the ballroom just in time to see his wife leading Rinoa away. He narrowed his eyes. What is she up to? Despite the fact that they were both probably going somewhere to have it out, Squall couldn't help but notice that they both looked gorgeous. Quistis, with her long, red satin gown, and her hair up perfectly framing her face. Rinoa, with her delicate ivory gown, hugging her in all the right places, contrasting perfectly with her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. There was no doubt that the two were breathtakingly beautiful.

A hand was clamped firmly on Squall's shoulder. "Observing my daughter, eh? Keep your eyes on your wife, Leonhart."

Squall resisted the urge to groan. Whose bright idea was it to invite him? "General Caraway," Squall said politely. "I didn't expect to see you here."

The General awarded Squall with a look full of venom. "And why not?" he barked. "Rinoa is my daughter, is she not?"

"In the biological sense, yes."

The General narrowed his eyes. "I've never liked you, Leonhart. Here's a friendly word of advice: stay away from my daughter."

Squall glared right back at him. "Quite frankly, Sir, I don't give a damn about what you think. If you want my opinion, I think Rinoa would be a hell of a lot better without you in her life."

Caraway's fists clenched in anger. Suddenly, a thought popped into his head. "If you feel that way, then why did you ask Rinoa to come see me?"

Well, that question seemed to have him backed into a corner. Why did he make that stupid bet with Rinoa? He certainly had nothing to gain from it. "Rinoa loves you. I honestly don't understand why, but nevertheless, she does. I didn't want her to have any regrets about you. You know what, though? I should have kept my mouth shut because all you proved to do was crush anything she saw in you."

"Ah, that's a good one," Caraway said, laughing bitterly. "Just like you did to her. I guess we're more alike than I'd imagined."

"I never abandoned Rinoa. Too bad I can't say the same for you."

"You're a bastard," Caraway hissed. "Saying such things to my face. You never abandoned her? What the hell do you call your marriage to Trepe?"

"You know damn well that that has nothing to do with abandoning Rinoa. She wasn't even in the picture."

"Don't lie to me, boy. If you claim to have loved my daughter as you've said, then there was never a moment when she wasn't in the picture. Why do you think I never remarried after my wife's death?" He shook his head. "Deny it all you want, boy, but you abandoned her. My earlier statement still holds true. We are more alike than you think."

Squall just shook his head, refusing to acknowledge that fact. "You have your beliefs, and I have mine. Good evening, General."

RINOA had been concentrating on following Quistis when she had spotted him. He had walked into the ballroom looking extremely debonair in his SeeD uniform. The way he carried himself, from his long strides, to the way he stood tall, exuded authority. There was no mistake in Rinoa's mind that Squall had been born to be in a position of authority, no matter how much he tried to convince everyone otherwise.

"Rinoa, I'm sorry," Quistis blurted out suddenly. "I've wanted to tell you that for the past few days, but I couldn't seem to find the nerve to." She chuckled nervously.

The brunette shook her head. "No, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I was completely out of line. Everyone's been using the alcohol as an excuse, and although I was drunk, I don't think it should matter. I honestly didn't mean any of the things I said."

Quistis nodded. "We've really been acting childish, haven't we? I mean, we're both adults here. I don't want a petty squabble to come in-between our friendship."

"I couldn't agree more," Rinoa said wholeheartedly. "Now that I have the chance, I also want to thank you for helping plan this party. I'm sure that it was the last ting you wanted to do after what I said."

"No, I really did enjoy it. Although I had hoped that we would be on speaking terms for it. It looks like that wish came true."

Rinoa nodded. "Definitely." She hugged the blonde lightly, not wanting to ruin her dress. "Gorgeous dress, by the way."

Quistis smiled. "Thank you. The same goes for you. Whoever picked it out has great taste."

They both laughed at that one. Rinoa noticed Squall standing by himself in the corner. She felt goose bumps dot her arms as she was suddenly thrown into the past. Everything was so like that first night when she had met Squall and shared that amazing dance with him. Tonight, there would be no dancing between her and Squall. There was someone else for that now.

"Quistis," Rinoa said suddenly, "Why don't you go over and talk to Squall? Who knows, maybe you can even drag a dance out of him."

The blonde looked uncertain. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

Rinoa shook her head. "Go on and have some fun." She smiled encouragingly.

"Okay. I'll talk to you later." She smiled and made her way over to the other side of the ballroom. Rinoa watched her go, smiling sadly to herself. What she would give to dance with him that night...

I write mostly on hotel paper

Knowing that my thoughts will never leave this room

I'd be out of line telling you, "Leave her"

So I lie lonely surrounded by you

By you

Quistis grabbed Squall's hand uncertainly. "Will you dance with me?"

Rinoa watched as Squall nodded his head and allowed himself to be lead onto the dance floor. Quistis placed her arms around his neck and he placed his firmly on her waist. No guidance was needed, as had been the case when she had danced with him. The music played softly in the background, thankfully, not the infamous song that had played so long ago. Their steps are flawless, Rinoa noted, unable to keep her eyes off the pair. They looked like the perfect couple; her light features complementing his darker ones perfectly. She watched as Quistis laughed, twirling, and Squall rewarded her with a smile. They were the fairytale couple that everyone always dreamed about being one day. Is this what Quistis used to think when she saw Squall and me together?

"Champagne, Miss?" The waiter's words snapped Rinoa out of her trance-like state.

"Oh, no," she said. "No, thank you."

Before the waiter could even reply, Rinoa's eyes were back on the dancing couple. She did indeed seem to be in a trance. It was as if every fiber of her being was pulling her to that spot, forcing her to watch. Her mind silently taunted her. See that, Rinoa? See how happy he is with her? Are you ready to finally accept that? The song suddenly ended and both Squall and Quistis looked flushed. The latter was positively beaming at her husband. From where Rinoa was standing, it was impossible to decipher the look on Squall's face.

"Oh my God, Rinoa!" Selphie exclaimed as she came bouncing over. "Have you heard the good news?"

"No," Rinoa said slowly, not understanding what she was talking about. "What good news?"

"Well, it's kind of a secret, but I don't think Zell will mind if I tell you."

"Tell me what, Selphie?" Rinoa asked exasperatedly.

"Zell proposed to Carrie!" she squealed. "And Carrie accepted! Isn't that wonderful?"

Rinoa nodded, forcing a smile. "That's wonderful. I'll have to congratulate Zell when I see him."

Selphie nodded enthusiastically. "Looks like I've got a wedding to plan! I've got to spread the good news!" She skipped away, humming to herself happily.

Lately I can't be happy for no one

They think I need some time to myself

I try to smile but I can't remember

And I know tomorrow there'll be nothing else

The news Selphie had just bestowed upon her was pretty surprising. She had never really imagined Zell as the type to settle down. She was happy for him, though. Even if she didn't show it on the outside, she was pleased that her matchmaking skills from so long ago had succeeded. Too bad nothing else had. Including the plan for her own life. That had pretty much washed down the drain the second Nida had crashed the Ragnarok.

"Hmph, that boy might be stubborn, but at least he knows enough to heed my advice."

Rinoa turned around to find herself facing her father. In all the commotion, she hadn't even realized that he was there. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Nothing. Leonhart just needs to keep his priorities straight. It looks like he's finally coming around with that wife of his."

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "I don't know why you even bothered showing up. I most certainly don't want you here."

"I know you don't mean that, Rinoa."

"I assure you that I do. Just leave me the hell alone."

She quickly walked away from him and allowed the crowd to conceal her. Looking up through the glass domed ceiling, a shooting star whizzed by. Shocked, she glanced back down and spotted Squall watching her a few feet away, sans Quistis. She looked at him questioningly, and he nodded, signifying that he, too, had seen the shooting star. The right thing to do would be to look away and pretend that that just hadn't happened; that it was all a coincidence. Rinoa didn't believe in coincidences, though. She believed in fate. There was no looking back. She took a step forward.

And I wanted to be

Giving you everything that she's not giving

And I wanted to see

Because I didn't believe what I'd been hearing

"Hey," Rinoa breathed as she finally reached him. "Dance with me?"

He had to fight a grin at that comment. "Rinoa...you know we can't."

"Why can't we?" she insisted. "We've done a lot of things that we shouldn't have."

Squall shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"Please," she said, looking directly into his eyes. "I'm looking for something, and I'll never be able to find it unless you dance with me." It was the truth. She was looking for her freedom, and this was her key to it. She needed this dance; just one more dance. One night where she could lose herself in the past. One night so she could be free.

Squall sighed. "Alright, one dance. Come on." He extended his hand to her and they made their way to the center of the dance floor.

Every eye in the ballroom seemed to be on them. The scene was surreal to them. Was their commander really going to dance with his ex in front of all of them? In front of his wife? Quistis watched the scene from the sidelines, also wondering what was about to happen. Strangely, she didn't feel any hostility toward either of them. Rinoa was dancing with her husband, for God's sake, but oddly enough, she didn't feel threatened. It was her turn to watch Rinoa place her arms around Squall's neck, and his around her waist. The music started up: Waltz for the Moon. Quistis suddenly felt dizzy and had to grip the column beside her for support.

Meanwhile, on the dance floor, Squall and Rinoa were moving with such fierce intensity that all the other dancers had stopped and were now simply watching them.

"You've improved," Rinoa said breathlessly as Squall spun her around.

"I've been practicing," he told her, his voice a silken whisper against her ear. "I never forgot what you taught me."

"Do you still remember that night?"

"How could I have forgotten?" he whispered. "You underestimate me."

"No," Rinoa said, shaking her head. "I had just hoped that you had forgotten. Please try to forget about that night, Squall."

He frowned, pulling back slightly. "Why? Rinoa, that was the night that I met you."

"I know," she said softly, "But it's of no use to us anymore." Tears stung her eyes. His lips were so close...all she had to do was tilt her head forward.

"I don't understand you," Squall whispered back harshly. "Why are you dancing with me? Is this all a game to you?"

"Maybe it would be easier if it were." She looked up at him, wishing he could read what was written all over her heart. "But no, this is not a game. This is simply...freeing myself."

"Freeing yourself from what? Me?" Squall searched his face. "Don't speak in riddles, Rinoa."

Rinoa shook her head. "No...from myself." The music stopped and she pulled away abruptly. "Thank you for the dance, Squall." As soon as the words had left her mouth, she ran. The balcony was her sanctuary. No one could disturb her there.

You turned out to be more than I bargained for

And I can tell that you need to get away

Forgive me if I admit that I'd love to love you

We both realized it far too late

That was it; it was done. The curtain had now closed on that part of her life. She couldn't explain why, exactly, she had needed that dance. All she knew was that she would have regretted it forever if she hadn't seized that opportunity. Being in Squall's arms again was all that she had needed to experience. Her talk with Quistis that night had been the only answer she needed. She would never allow herself to hurt Quistis in such a way. That was why she had needed that dance. Hopefully, Quistis would understand. She had allowed herself to live in her memories for one last moment. Now, she had locked that door for eternity.

"What are you thinking about?" Irvine asked as he approached her from behind.

"I'm thinking," she said softly, "That I've finally set him free."

Irvine didn't need to ask who she was talking about. He, like everyone else, had witnessed what had happened in the ballroom. "Do you ever think about what would have happened if you and me had just escaped from the Desert Prison together? We could have taken on the world."

"Things would probably be a lot less complicated right now. Maybe we should have taken off. Who knows where we'd be now?"

"You and me against the world, huh? Anything could have happened."

Rinoa sighed. "There's no use in looking back. You can't live in the past, Irvine."

"No, you can't." He turned to face her, gently lifting her chin so that she was looking him directly in the eyes. He searched her face, perhaps looking for some sign of consent, before gently placing his lips upon hers.

And I wanted to be

Giving you everything that she's not giving

And I wanted to see

'Cause I didn't believe what I'd been hearing

Selphie turned her head away from the two, feeling like she had just been hit with a pile of bricks. Her and Irvine had ended a long time ago, so why did she feel so hurt that he was kissing Rinoa?

"QUISTIS, before you say anything, I just want to tell you that it was purely a dance between friends," Squall told his wife.

Quistis nodded. "I know. I saw the way Rinoa was looking at you. She's given up."

Squall raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Yes, she's given up on you. The question is, have you given up on her?"

Maybe this wind blowing in just came from the ocean