Chapter 9
Let's make a deal

"So again I just have to ask, how are we going to get there?" she asked.

She was studying the map intensely, memorizing every contoured line, every sketched-in detail. Her fingers traced the outlines of the island. Both of her elbows were propped up on the edge of the table as she held the map in her hands. Long dark hair covered her shoulders as she leaned her body forward to gaze upon the map. The sunlight filtering in through the front windows settled on her body, providing a warm aura. The hat resting upon her head was slightly off kilter with the bill positioned a fraction of an inch to the right of center, casting a shadow across her face. She had obviously put it on in a hurry, not checking to make sure that it sat on her head just perfectly. Judging by her actions when she first came into the Fire Cavern she was trying to dodge the reports that were staked out in front of Sumet's. I can't really blame her though, sometimes those fucking reporters just don't take no for an answer. They're always digging and prying for more information, looking for the one story that would jump-start their own careers. Fucking vultures.

It's a good thing that her full attention was focused on the map. My eyes began to wander over her body. They slid down the bill of her hat and were they meet two soft brown downcast eyes. She spoke with such awe and wonder, as if this whole idea were some unobtainable dream just out of her reach. I began to memorize her mannerisms; the way she wrinkles her nose when she get annoyed, how the corners of her lips turn up when she has won an argument, or how she subconsciously weaves her fingers through her hair when she gets bored. Each were so miniscule to the eye, yet for some reason I was picking up on them. Even the angle of her hat was so minute that upon first glance one would overlook it entirely, but maybe it was the way that she didn't care or that it didn't even bother her that I was starting to find alluring. Sensing that I had not yet answered her question her eyes flickered up to meet mine. Shit.

"Uh…I'm sure that we can find someone who can drop us off on the island," I said while casting my eyes down at my coffee as I stirred the steaming liquid with my spoon, careful not to look back up at her.

"Hello, I just said that no one is going to even get near the island!"

"So you're telling me that we're not going to find a single person, on the entire island of Balamb, who can just drop us off?" I asked in utter disbelief.

"Yeah, that's what I said!" she replied as if it were common knowledge.

"Bullshit, we'll be able to find someone," I said and quickly snatched the map out of her hands flashing a fake grin.

I mean, come on, you expect me to believe that there isn't a single who has a boat that wouldn't be interested in a quick drop off on Ponchi for a couple hundred gil? The people in Balamb would do anything to make a quick gil. They've got fortune tellers trying to foresee your future, people selling cheap knock-offs of expensive goods, hell; there is even someone trying to sell snake fang necklaces. That's just fucked up. I folded up the map and stuffed it into my side pocket. When I looked back up she had an amused looked plastered on her face. Oh great, she is thinking up something. I can see the wheels turning, she is going to tell me off. Yeah, this is really what I need first thing in the morning.

"You want to bet on that?" she asked with a smile.

There are some things in this world that a guy just can't back down from. For example, if someone is offering you something for free with no gimmicks, no plans, no contracts attached…you take it. If some obnoxious leather-clad asshole is laughing his head off at your expensive when you've just been forced to run down a street buck naked…you break his fucking jaw. Now, if you're asked to make a bet on something in which you are one hundred percent certain on…you make it. Case in point, Rinoa here as just asked me to make a bet on whether I can find someone who will drop us off on Ponchi. Poor, poor Rinoa; she has no idea what she is getting herself into. I just shook my head and took a sip of my coffee.

"What's at stake?" I asked.

Her face lit up and she shifted around in her chair, bringing one of her legs underneath her to sit upon for more leverage. She folded her hands on top of the table in a business-like manner and tried to keep a straight face.

"How about this, the loser has to make the meals for the first week," she offered in a very proud and confident manner. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back in my chair.

"Hmm…no good," I said while shaking my head. She pulled her head back and stared at me. I could tell that I had just crushed her spirit.

"What do you mean 'no good'?" she asked.

"You would only be suffering three times a day, where is the fun in that for me?"

"No, you would be suffering," she said, I merely scoffed at the idea.

"You don't believe me? Alright, Mr. Leonhart, what do you propose?"

"The loser becomes the winner's slave for a week."

She brought one arm up to her face and rested her chin in her palm. Her eyes darted off as she weighed the pros and cons of the bet. I could tell that it was tantalizing her. After a moment of contemplation, a small wicked smile began to form on her lips. She slowly brought her eyes back to focus on me. I leaned forward and propped my elbows on the table, anticipating her answer. I already knew what the answer would be, lets be honest, no one would pass up an opportunity like this one. The only thing that I didn't anticipate was that her eyes were now starting to roam my body with eagerness and hunger. Is she openly checking me out? Now normally I wouldn't mind, but I could feel my cheeks beginning to grow hot.

"'Slave' in what sense of the word?" she asked sweetly.

"Uh…well the 'slave' would have to follow the winner's orders, simple as that," I answered. She was still looking me over with her soft brown eyes. I raised my eyebrow at her when she finally met my eyes.

"Why, what did you think the 'slave' would be doing?" I asked.

"No, nothing, I was just thinking if there were any boundaries to stay within…or anything…" she trailed off, something preoccupying her thoughts.

She flinched at my question. Again, it was so minute, yet so blatantly obvious to me that she had something else in mind. I could only come to one conclusion at what she was thinking about.

"It's not like I would have you doing any sexual favors or anything when you loose. I mean, we did just meet about fifteen minutes ago. What kind of gentlemen would I be then?" I asked with a knowing smile. Her face instantly flushed and she furiously shook her head. Ha…this is too easy.

"What!" she exclaimed while fervently looking around the Fire Cavern to see if anyone had come in and heard what I had told her. She hid her face in her hands and shook her head. "I can't believe you just said that."

"…unless you want to…" I cautiously offered. Her head popped out from her hands and she glared at me in disgust and anger; her face was still flushed. Okay, so this is the part where her head spins around 360 degrees and knives start flying through the air right at us. Not in the mood to die Squall, defuse the situation, and by the looks of it, quickly.

"Whoa, before you even start, it was just a joke. I would never do that," I quickly said while holding my hands up in defense.

The door to the kitchen opened and the waitress scurried over with our orders on a tray. Rinoa's face instantly softened as the waitress approached the table. She smiled and quietly thanked her while the waitress put a bowl of front and a glass filled with a fruit concoction in front of her. The waitress placed my bagel in front of me and promptly retreated to the kitchen.

"Did I happen to mention that you're an ass?"

"I believe so. A gentlemanly ass at that, if I do say so myself," I smartly replied. "So, do we have a deal?"

"Deal, but you're going to be sorry that you even made this bet," she mustered through clenched teeth.

The next thirty minutes that went by were pretty much unbearable. Rinoa was methodically eating her bowl of fruit, impaling each piece with the metallic prongs of the fork. More customers were beginning to file in through the front door. Most of them looked to be fishermen about to depart for their morning catch. Every time the door would open, Rinoa would quickly glance over just to make sure that no reporters had spotted her.

Not long after, Seifer and Quistis entered and spotted us in the back corner. I looked over only to see Quistis smiling happily at the sight of us while Seifer merely arched an eyebrow. I instantly looked back down at my now empty mug and crossed my arms over my chest. Rinoa looked over and smiled warmly at them as Quistis pulled up a chair right next to her. They began chattering right away, but Quistis looked different somehow, she was almost…glowing? Seifer slowly pulled out a chair next to me, nudging me with his elbow as he sat. Well, this is fucking great, the rumor mill is here.

"So what have you two been up to this early in the morning?" Seifer asked, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"What, are you Irvine now? I should ask you the same question," I said while studying Quistis who hadn't stopped smiling, in fact, she was now turning beet red. Seifer just shrugged his shoulders in indifference. Rinoa heard the question and looked back across the table at us. I didn't have to look at her to know that she was burning a hole through my head right now. I rubbed the back of my neck and let out an exasperated sigh.

"We were discussing how to get to the island of Ponchi, where the beach is," Rinoa replied.

"Does that mean that you are coming with us then?" Quistis asked. Rinoa looked over at Quistis, smiled, and nodded her head in agreement.

Quistis enveloped Rinoa in an embrace. The action caught both Rinoa and I off guard. Rinoa's hat was pushed higher on her head, exposing her shocked face. Her hand shot up to catch the teetering hat before it threatened to completely fall off of her head. After a moment, Rinoa brought herself out of her stupor and returned the embrace with an angelic smile set upon her on highlighted face. Quistis released her and looked across the table at Seifer and me, who stared at her in utter confusion. Quistis is normally very prim and proper, not so…so…giddy?

"What?" Quistis asked.

"Nothing," Seifer and I answered quickly while exchanging looks. She rolled her eyes.

"Look, I'm just happy that Rinoa is joining us. I mean, you guys always out number Selphie and I, Rinoa will just help even out the playing field," Quistis explained. Rinoa nodded her head in understanding and looked over at me mockingly.

"Whatever," I mumbled. Great, now Rinoa is going to be brainwashed by Quistis and Selphie. Nothing but an annoyance…

"So what's the plan?" Seifer asked.

"The plan is to find someone who will drop us off on Ponchi," I stated. Rinoa just shut her mouth, clamping her lips together tightly.

"Yeah, Yeah, I know. Come on Seifer, we've got work to do," I said while standing up and pulling Seifer with me.

"Why do I have to go?" Seifer cried.

"Because I have a bet to win, come on," I said, starting to get annoyed. "Ladies…" and with that we left.

I know, I know, it's short. I decided to break this into two chapters, the next one will be better I promise. Sorry for the long wait, what can I say, moving is a bitch. Thanks for taking the time to read and if you feel compelled to review, don't let me stop you. A special thanks to my reviewers, they really do inspire me. Anywho, glad tidings everyone. (feeling festive...eh)