Disclaimer: The character's belong to Square. Well, all but three, that is. But you catch the drift right?

Chapter Ten

"Squall, where are we going?" Rinoa asked sitting next to Squall. They were on a train. A train to who knows where.

"I….don't know." Squall avoided her eyes. He felt bad for leaving the others to face Ultimecia alone. "Somewhere Ultimecia can't find you."

"You're doing this for me? Why?" Rinoa's face was blank. Squall turned to her, taking her hand.

"I'm doing this because I don't want to lose you." Squall looked her in the eyes bravely as he said this.

Rinao reached over and hugged him. Her heart was singing. "You won't," she whispered.

How can you be so sure? How do know that something won't happen to either of us? Squall thought.

"Where are we going?" she asked again pulling away.

"Where do you want to go?" Squall countered. He didn't know what he was doing or what to do. He was just following his heart's instructions.

Rinoa thought for a moment and realized that she didn't care where they went. As long as he was there with her, she didn't care where they were.

Squall waited for answer but never got one. He was beginning to dislike her silence. He didn't want her to say "I want to go back." He needed to say something.

"Rinoa, can I tell you something?" he asked, lowering his voice to a soothing whisper. "I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not listening to my head. It no longer has anything worth listening to."

"What are you listening to?" Rinoa played with his fingers. She had removed one of his gloves. He didn't mind; he liked the feel of her skin brushing against his.

He didn't say anything at first. He pulled her closer to him and pressed his cheek against hers. "My heart," he finally said.

"Now you know how I feel." She now was squeezing his hand. "I've been listening to my heart ever since you saved me from falling off Garden." She shut her eyes. "I still don't want time to move. I Still just want to stay here with you…forever."

"Rinoa, do you remember what Ultimecia said during out fight against her? 'Time. No matter how hard you hold on, it escapes you. It stands still for no one.'" Squall smiled.

"Squall, promise me something." Rinoa looked out the window at the passing stars. "Promise me that you'll smile more."

"Why?" Squall's smile began to fade as a puzzled expression replaced it.

"Because no other mortal holds a more beautiful trait," she replied.

Squall closed his eyes and smiled again. Before he met Rinoa, he had never smiled. He had a wall which he used to keep everyone out. He used that to distance himself. But she found a way in. When no else could, she did. Effortlessly. Now he didn't want her to leave. But time stops for no one. All good things come to an end. Or do they?

"Squall, let's go to Winhill." He nodded.

"I promise, but only for you."

They sat on the train all night. The trip from Esthar to Timber took all night, and the second train form Timber to the outskirts of Winhill took several hours. They made it to Winhill around noon the next day. No one had noticed either of them. The village was practically deserted.

"Where is everyone?" Rinoa asked as they walked into the town.

"I don't know. I guess they know Ultimecia's back and have boarded everything up." This was very strange, for the people of Winhill didn't care about what happened outside their little town and went on with their business. they resented outsiders.

"Do you think something could have happened?" Rinoa asked.

"I don't know," Squall replied again looking around as they walked down the deserted street. The few shops in the village and the hotel all had "closed" signs, which was unusual because most of the shops hardly ever closed.

"Something's wrong," Squall said as a breeze rushed in.

"Don't I know it," Rinoa replied. "What do we do?"

"What can we do?" Squall countered.

They came to Raine's old pub. It too was closed.

"Let's check the abandoned house next door," Squall said, putting an arm around her waist, guiding her.

The door to the old house was unlocked, like always. No one had used the place since Laguna stayed there nineteen years ago. It was exactly how Laguna left it. Nothing had been moved or cleaned. There was dust everywhere.

"Why don't we stay here? It's cozy," Rinoa remarked, tugging on his jacket.

Squall nodded, sitting down at the table in the small kitchen. Rinoa sat beside him.

"What's wrong?" She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Nothing," he answered. "I'm just wondering where everyone is, that's all."

Rinoa laid her head on Squall's shoulder as he put his arm around her.

"I still want time to stand still," Rinoa whispered, smiling.

"So do I." Squall's voice was hoarse and his eyes were growing heavy.

"How long are we going to stay here?" Rinoa asked, placing an arm around Squall's side to better steady herself. He pulled her all the way onto his lap.

"Until Ultimecia is ether dead or powerless." He spoke very quietly, trying to stay awake.

Rinoa could hear in his voice how tired he was, but didn't want to move. She felt safe and secure in his arms because she knew that he would never let anything hurt her. Rinoa knew that yesterday when Squall had carried her back to Esthar that he was boiling mad. She could see it in his face. His teeth had been clenched, and he had been shaking slightly. She had never seen him so angry before...

"Squall, you look tired." Rinoa lifted her head and looked into his eyes. "Why don't we go upstairs?"

Squall nodded, partly asleep. Rinoa stood and half pulled, half help Squall up. They went upstairs and Squall climbed into the bed. Rinoa walked over and sat next to him. She ran her fingers through his hair. She loved his hair. It was so silky and soft, and it always fell back into place.

Squall put his arm around her waist again and tugged at her. Rinoa took the hint laid down next to him. He pulled the covers up to her shoulders.

"Squall?" Rinoa whispered. "I-I'm... scared."

Squall sat up and looked at her. His eyes curious and concerned. "Why?"

"I'm scared of what Ultimecia can do. She can use me again, and this time I may not..." Rinoa cut herself off and buried her face in his chest. Squall ran his hand over her hair. It was a gesture that she found comforting.

"It's okay. I won't let her hurt you again. I promise." Squall tried to sooth her and laid back down, his arms embracing her.

That's what you said last time. Why make a promise that you know that you may not be able to keep? His head asked of him.

Because it's what she wants to hear. His heart answered for him. He sighed as he drifted off with her.

A/N: This is one of the chapters that I don't like very much. There are only I a few that really bug me and this happens to be one of them. Anyway, R&R, thanx and Later Days!

E/N: Congrats, no morbidly misspelled words! You need comma work though, buddy. :P