I don't have much to say anymore except: "Ecky, Ecky, Ecky Pa-Tang Zoom Ping." That's all I have to say.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Final Fantasy 8 and it angers me. Grrr I also don't own the saying of the Knights Who Say Ni from Monty Python. (For those who have NO idea what I'm talking about, it's the thing in the paragraph above)

Chapter Seven

Squall opened his eyes and had to think where he was. His eyes focused on the ceiling. He was in his room, and he didn't quite remember how or when he got there. He turned his head and was staring into two brown eyes.

"I was wondering when you were going to wake up." She sat on the edge of his bed, clearly waiting.

"How long have you been here?" He asked, forcing down a yawn. He had had a rough night. Ultimecia was back. That meant trouble. More trouble than last time, and with Rinoa being a sorceress too that was a bad combination. Who knows what power Ultimecia had now? And Ultimecia would definitely try to achieve Time-Compression again….

"About twenty minutes. I didn't have the heart to wake you. You looked so peaceful." Rinoa's cheeks began to burn.

He shook his head and sighed.

"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong? Or what's bothering you?" She whispered, concerned.

I don't want to scare you. He thought to himself. "…Nothing." Squall answered her, trying to sound sincere and failing miserably.

"Squall," She said, moving slightly closer to him. "I know there's something. Please, I want to know." She pleaded with him.

"I…I can't." Squall felt horrible. He made to get up but she stopped him. She wouldn't let him run away.

"Why not?" Rinoa searched his eyes for the answer that he couldn't voice. Ashamed and scared, he looked away.

"Rinoa…please." He tried to get up again, only to find her holding him down again. "Not now, please." But Rinoa did not give up very easily.

"Squall-"

"Rinoa!" he broke free and moved away from her. He felt terrible for snapping at her like that, but he just couldn't bring himself to tell her. He would let Cid do that.

"Come on," He said, pulling her off the bed, avoiding her eyes. "We have a meeting at ten."

"Squall, I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you." Rinoa hung her head in an attempt to keep the tears in her eyes from being seen.

He had nothing to say that would comfort her and that killed him. He squeezed her hand and led her to the Conference Room.

Everyone was there but Cid and Laguna.

"Where have you two been?" Irvine asked, lifting his cowboy hat to reveal his normally shaded eyes. The smirk he was giving Squall told everyone else what he was thinking. Rinoa rolled her eyes and broke away to take a seat next to Selphie, who immediately began to inform Rinoa on her night after the party.

Squall shot him the famous 'Watch it' look just as Cid entered the room with Laguna.

"Good, you're all here. " He took the remaining seat next to Squall, as Laguna had already seated himself. "I'm afraid I have some bad news. The President and I received a message from Esthar that Ultimecia has somehow returned. There were sightings of her around Tears' Point. The President and I have come to the conclusion that this job should go to none other than those who fought her the first time. We need to get rid of her for good. In other words, this falls to you all again." He stopped and looked around at them. They were all shocked, except for Squall, who was staring at the floor looking extremely pale.

Rinoa couldn't believe it. It was because of Ultimecia that she had almost died. She looked over at Squall. Was this what had been bothering him? It was a few seconds before she realized that they were all looking at her.

"Rinoa," Cid said. "If you don't want to, you do not have to partake in this mission. It may even be better if you didn't. It's up to you.

"I want to." Rinoa stated firmly. Cid gave her an understanding nod. Squall looked from Rinoa to Cid. He couldn't believe that he was going to allow her to come. What if Ultimecia tried to use her again? He stood.

"Sir, with all due respect, NO!" Squall would not put her in danger.

"Something the matter Commander?" Cid asked, also standing.

"Sir, do you remember what happened last time? She almost died!" He was close to shouting.

"Yes, yes. I know." Cid was trying to avoid an ugly scene. Fat chance, Mr. Headmaster.

"Well, I don't think it's very wise or safe to allow her to join us." Squall was about to pop.

"Squall," Cid walked to the door and motioned for Squall to follow. Boiling mad, he stormed out. Cid also motioned for Laguna to join them, and they, too, walked out behind him. The door closed, and they all looked at each other, prepared for the worst.

"Sir, you can not let her go! Surely, Ultimecia will use her again!" Squall yelled.

"Commander, I assure you, she will be all right!" Cid yelled right back.

"Sir, I am not going to allow it! I'm not going to lose her!" Squall yelled, not really caring who heard.

"Commander! I don't think you're in a position to keep her from going! I can't even do that! So why don't you talk to her!" Cid was right up there. "She's probably only going to be with! If she wants to go, she goes! You are not going to stop her!"

"And, Squall, if you're there with her, she'll be fine. You are her knight, remember?" Laguna's voice was barely audible.

"I will not let her go! I will do everything in my power to stop her! I will not end up losing her again!" Squall yelled, finally losing it. "I love her and there is no way I'm letting go!"

"Squall!"

There was silence. They all looked at Rinoa. She slowly stood and headed for the door. All eyes stayed on her as she opened the door and exited.

Outside the Conference Room, Laguna and Cid stood staring down the hall. Squall was seen marching away from them. The anger that he was holding was visible as his back remained to them.

Rinoa turned to the two older men. "Go back in there and continue the meeting. I'll do what I can with him." She whispered. They nodded and reentered the room, leaving Rinoa alone. She began to follow him. She basically had to run to keep up with him. She kept her distance, however. That last she wanted to do was scare him away from her.

But she was extremely shocked when he punched the wall and suddenly turned around to face her.

"Rin…" His voice trailed off and he looked away from her. She noticed how uncomfortable he had became.

"I have to go." She whispered. He looked back at her. Anger and sadness covered his face. His mask had slipped away and he was no longer able to hide his emotions from her. His wall was utterly useless now.

"Why?" It came out as a near plea rather than a question. He silently pleaded with her to reconsider.

"I can't." She answered him. She knew what he was thinking, what he was asking her to do. "I need to come with you. You can't face this demon alone. I know what she can do to you. Let me come with you. Don't tear us apart." She stepped closer to him until she stood at about arms length away.

"I don't…. I don't want to lose you." He looked away from her again. He felt her come closer. He felt her so close, too close. He began to retreat back to his coldness again. But the hand that cupped his cheek seemed to spread a burning heat through his body. Yes, she was too close. he pulled away.

"They're waiting. Come on." She sensed his fear. She didn't want to make him any more shy than he already was. Walking back to the Conference Room, she heard his heavy footsteps behind her.

Upon entering the room, everyone went quiet. Rinoa took her seat, but Squall stayed in the shadow of the door.

They restarted the meeting and everyone remained quiet.

"Well, let's get down to business. President, if you would explain the current situation." Cid sat down as Laguna stood.

"As you know, Ultimecia has returned and we must stop her before she achieves Time Compression, as we are sure that is her goal once again. To do this, we must drain her of her powers, virtually rendering her powerless and then destroying her completely. We have come up with a fool-proof plan: Find the legendary energy crystal, find Ultimecia, force her to fight, then get her in contact with the crystal, which will drain her powers. Finally, destroy her completely. Simple, and if all goes well, we will save the world… again." Laguna rolled his eyes. "Ah, one more thing. Ultimecia has grown stronger. She can now posses other, not just sorceresses." Laguna paused. "Also, make sure that the energy crystal touches no one but Ultimecia. If Ultimecia posses someone and you use the energy crystal on her, it will not only destroy her, but it will also destroy the one she has possessed." Laguna sat again as Cid stood.

"You will split into two groups. Group One will go search for the energy crystal, while Group Two will search for Ultimecia then wait for Group One. You choose the groups, it doesn't matter to me, just get the job done. You leave at dawn with President Loire for Esthar. Dismissed." Cid saluted, turned, and left the room.

"It's best if you all relax and get some sleep." Laguna whispered to them. He stood left with that said.

The rest of the day was spent in silence between the six party members. They said barely anything to one another.

Squall walked down the hall and down the stairs. He didn't feel like talking to anyone. He went to his room and laid down. Ultimecia was stronger and she'd know that they were after her again. And surely she'd know that they would use an energy crystal.

There was a knock on his door. "Uh-huh?" He grunted, not opening his eyes. Squall heard the door open and then close again. He figured that whoever it was, saw that he was asleep and left.

"Squall?" It was Rinoa. "Are you alright?" he nodded, again, without opening his eyes. He felt her bend down over him and kiss his forehead lightly. A shiver ran up and down his spine. "Good night." She whispered. Squall opened one eye to see her walking away. He reached out and grabbed her wrist. He sat up and pulled her towards him, ignoring the little voice that was screaming to push her away. He was scared to death. Scared of losing her. He had only started to become close to her. She had broken down his wall effortlessly, and he didn't want anyone else but her.

Rinoa sat beside him, resting her head against his shoulder. He did his best to stay calm as he laid back down. She followed.

Laguna couldn't sleep. He was worried. Worried about the mission, Balamb, Esthar, his son, and Rinoa. No matter how hard anyone tried, especially himself, Rinoa was the only one who could get to Squall. Shewas the only he trusted. She was the only one who could get past his wall. But how? How could she be the only one who could be with him when no one else could?

Laguna had tried so hard, maybe too hard. Maybe he just needed to give him some room. But still, Laguna couldn't help but wonder: How?

Rain beat hard on the windows of the Ragnarok. Everyone was dead quiet. The only sounds heard were those of the giant machine. Selphie and Laguna were driving up front, Zell and Irvine were sitting next to the window, exchanging different glances. Quistis was standing behind Laguna, gripping the seat. Rinoa was sitting behind Selphie's seat watching Squall, who was sitting way in the back.

Very few words had been said when they had boarded. Squall had been in a very testy mood ever since Irvine had burst into his room yelling at the top of his lungs, "Squall! Rinoa's gone! Get up!" Irvine then observed that she was perfectly all right. To make matters even worse, Zell had come in, and seeing the two of them in bed together, began laughing his head off. He finally stopped when Squall threatened to slice him in little pieces and give him to the lunch ladies to put in the hotdogs.

They were about five minutes from Esthar when someone finally said something. "When we land at Esthar," It was Laguna. "We'll go over the plan again and then split into the two groups." There were murmurs of agreement and then everything was quiet again.

Twenty minutes later, everyone sat in the meeting room of the Esthar Presidential Palace. Dr. Odine was explaining things about the legendary energy crystal.

"And ze energy cryztal…" But his words weren't being heard. Everyone's minds were wondering.

When Odine finally stopped talking, Laguna briefed them one last time. "Now remember, Group One finds the crystal, Group Two finds Ultimecia. Sleep here tonight, split into the groups, and leave in the morning. Remember, no matter what happens, get the job done." Laguna got up and left. Odine and his duck walk followed.

"Where are we supposed to sleep?" Zell asked, rather confused.

"I guess in the guest rooms of the palace." Irvine answered him, not too sure himself. "Is that right Squall?"

Squall nodded. Laguna had already told him where they would be sleeping. He stood, and acknowledging everyone, left the room. He didn't want to deal with anyone right now, he just wanted to be alone.

Squall was halfway down the hall, when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

"Squall, wait!" Her voice rang like a bell. she laid a hand on his arm.

He turned around. She looked paler than he had ever seen her. She looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep in weeks.

There was an eerie look about her. It was as if she knew something bad was about to happen and was already suffering from it.

Rinoa shook slightly and brought a hand to her head. She looked up at him, still shaking.

"Squall…" She whispered and hit the floor unconscious.

A/N: Here's chapter seven. This chapter was originally two separate chapters, but I had to throw out a lot of stuff, tweak it a bit, and rewrite a lot. So, I hope it's okay. Hey, R&R. Thanx and Later Days!