A/N: Sorry if this chapter sucks a bit but I wanted to get it up as soon as possible because I know how annoying it is when a story isn't updated quickly. Again I've not had the time too proof read it properly but I've done what I can.

When he'd promised to protect Rinoa he hadn't realised that it would entail a shopping trip for Rinoa and Ellone's dress. Flipping through the random magazines on the table he tried to keep himself from slipping into boredom as he waited for the girls. Ellone had decided to go first and was currently in the dressing room. Rinoa had chosen to sit far back in one of the corner seats, her arms wrapped around her legs. He took the time to glance over and make sure she was still alright, although she looked like she wanted to be here just as much he probably did. He couldn't really blame just her for bringing him here, Ellone always wanted a second opinion and she was probably the main reason he was here.

"So what do you both think?" Ellone spoke in an excited tone as she stepped out of the dressing room. She was wearing a halter neck cream dress with a pale blue wrap to match the embroidery on the dress. He watched as Rinoa dropped her legs and smiled at his sister, "You look lovely Ellone." Squall saw the 'I should look so good' jealous look in Rinoa's eye but Ellone appeared oblivious. The woman besides Ellone smiled at Rinoa's appreciation, "Well Squall?" his sister's voice cut through his thoughts. "It's nice."

"See! What did I say, men!" Rinoa nodded slowly as Ellone through her hands up in the air. What? What did I do now? He wondered as Ellone wandered back to get back into her own clothes.

When Ellone came back out she practically dragged Rinoa over to the dressing rooms. "It's alright I don't bite." Laughed the sales woman, Rinoa smiled unsurely before stepping out of sight. "I bet she'll look really 'nice' in her dress too huh squall?" He looked up from the magazine in his hands, "Come on Ellie, what do you want me to say?"

"I don't know something productive maybe." He dropped his head into his hand and sighed. "You know what Squall it doesn't matter." She muttered as she crossed her arms over her chest. The sales assistant came out again her hand outstretched in Rinoa's direction, "Come on don't be scared you look wonderful." Carefully she took a step out into sight.

Squall almost dropped his magazine at the sight before him; he could feel his jaw drop slightly as a shy Rinoa twisted her fingers around each other not even daring to look up. Her dress was much simpler than Ellone's it consisted of a corset top that clung to her feminine figure while the skirt of the dress followed her natural shape before flaring ever so slightly at the very bottom. The pale blue seemed to make her skin radiate and once again he could have sworn she was an angel. Ellone was the fist to speak, "Rinoa you look gorgeous!" she was up in a shot fussing over the younger girl. He just sat there star struck; Rinoa lifted her head to smile at the excited Ellone, briefly looking over to the staring Squall before quickly looking away again. Ellone stopped fussing just long enough to look over to Squall, "you going to stare all day or actually give an opinion?"

"Rinoa, you look . . . amazing." He finally managed to get out after breaking his stare. How could I promise to protect that? I . . . I'm not even worthy of talking to her let alone pretending to be some kind of knight in shining armour. What have I got myself into?

"Squall, Squall are you ready?" Laguna yelled his son's name while pounding on the teenager's door. "It's open dad!" Squall's muffled voice came through the door. As he stepped into his son's room he saw him adjusting the last piece of his SeeD uniform. "Ah, you're ready." Laguna said while scratching the back of his head. Squall slotted his gunblade into its sheath and turned to his dad, "Yeah?"

"Well I suppose we'd better get to the Ragnarok, Kiros is escorting the girls there."

"Whatever." Laguna shook his head and walked out of the room followed by Squall.

Ellone and Rinoa, along with Kiros and Ward, had reached the shuttle quickly and were already seated as Laguna and Squall arrived, "Hey Uncle Laguna I thought it was the women who were meant to be late." giggled Ellone who had been far too excitable for most of the day. "I thought he was one!" Kiros mumbled mainly to himself. "What?" Asked Laguna innocently as the girls and Kiros hushed a giggle. "What?"

As they arrived they were transferred from the shuttle to two separate limousines, Kiros accompanied Laguna and Ellone in one while Ward accompanied Squall and Rinoa. Squall glanced at a fidgeting Rinoa; she couldn't seem to keep her hands still. If she wasn't playing with her hair then she was wrapping them around one another. Squall leaned back into his seat, "You alright?" She seemed surprised by his tone of voice, "Fine" she sighed, "Just nervous I guess."

"Don't be we're all here, nothings going to happen to you." There I go again making promises I don't even know if I'll be able to keep! If something happens to her I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself. AH, I've got to stop thinking like this! I can't even think straight around her anymore. He felt a soft grip shake him back to reality, "Squall, Squall we're here." Looking down on him was Rinoa a soft smile spreading across her lips. "Come on." She held out a hand for him as he guided them out of the car.

Ahead of them on the red carpet, than ran from the entrance of the Presidential halls to the car stop, were Ellone and Laguna. Squall began after them but felt a small tug on his arm, seeing a frightened Rinoa still clinging to his hand. You're not ready for all this! He thought to himself as she smiled unsurely at him. "I've got you." He said and she nodded straightening herself out before walking confidently alongside him. The guards at the door smiled at them, "Welcome Mr. Loire, it's good to see you." one chimed before they stepped to one side and they were free to walk down the elegant staircase and into a large ball room.

Rinoa admired the dancing couples and decorations however her admiration did not cover the sorrow that slowly crept into her eyes. Ellone took her hand, patting it in comfort before she walked away to accompany Laguna as he mingled with the crowds. As they finally reached the bottom of the stairs she saw two familiar figures approach them. Squall let go of her hand to shake that of Cid, headmaster of Balamb Garden. Rinoa smiled widely at his wife Edea, as she was encased in a firm hug, tears filled her eyes as she gripped the woman back. "It's alright child, I've got you!" The woman's soothing voiced made Rinoa's body shake with sobs. "Hush, your safe now!"

"Oh, auntie Edea I miss them." The woman stroked her hair while still holding her close in comfort.

As Rinoa pulled away from Edea Squall saw the tears falling down her cheek and felt a sudden need to reach out for her, to take her in his arms and promise her that it would be all right that nothing would ever happen to her while he was there, but he couldn't, he couldn't even begin to thing how to do such an act. He saw Cid reach out and stroke Rinoa's arm, "We're sorry we couldn't see you sooner Rinoa." Why could he even have done that much? Was he really that incapable of contact with another human? Edea wiped away Rinoa's tears and smiled at her as a mother would her own child. She looked past Rinoa to him and smiled at him in the same manner, "Squall it's good to see you again."

A/N: Hope everyone liked, and thank you to anyone who reviewed or read the last chapter. (I do accept anonymous reviews so please review!)