Chapter 11
turbulent wake

"You have to let me take a look at it!" I shouted over the deafening wind.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it!" he shouted back.

"But you're bleeding!"

"Don't worry about it!" he shouted while cautiously lifting his head to peer over the cushioned back of the bench to looked back at the shore. Okay fine, bleed to death, see if I care.

"Why are you being so stubborn, you could bleed to death! You know that ri-!" I shouted right back at him while attempting to sit up, stopping mid sentence as the pain once again stabbed at my side. I clenched my teeth together and winced.

"Stay down, you're hurt!" he shouted while gently pushing my shoulders back. I reluctantly complied, being more concerned with whether or not Squall had really been hit. Rinoa he's fine, if he had been hit he would be wailing out in pain…right? I looked back up at him and he tried to avoid eye contact with me by looked ahead towards the horizon. Something isn't right, I just know it.

The boat continued up the coastline, slicing through the waves with ease. The engine was so loud I could feel the vibrations through the cushions. I took a deep breath in and held it while closing my eyes, once again acknowledging the sharp pain that momentarily shot throughout my ribcage as I instinctively clutched my side with one hand. Well…nothing feels broken…that's good.

My mind became numb as the wind blew across my body and ran freely through my long strands of hair. I was beginning to feel lightheaded, the images of being shot at racing through my mind in slow motion. The wooden chips flying through the air were so vivid as the bullets riddled the dock, chasing after Squall. I began visualizing the bullets as they sped past me while I just stood like a Centran statue on the dock. The realization was slowly ebbing into my mind that I was being shot at…and that I nearly died…in fact I would have if it hadn't been for…Squall. I turned my head towards the bench cushion as tears began to cascade from my eyes, my hair flying around my face acting as a temporary shield. I squeezed my eyes tightly trying to quell the onslaught of tears, but they kept coming anyways.

I faintly heard the roar of the engine begin to die down as Seifer slowed the boat's speed. I barely felt the weight on the bench shift as Squall slowly got up. I cracked my eyes open and squinted against the blowing wind and saw Squall leaning forward to fight against the wind as he was trying to walk forward. He crouched down to Selphie and Quistis who were huddled down together. I could see his mouth moving but his voice was lost in the wind as he spoke to them. He slowly helped them up to their feet and they nodded their heads in unison. Irvine and Zell slowly got up from their positions as well, Irvine shaking the shards of glass that had landed on his hat off into the water. They all looked so…normal; so unfazed by the fact that we were just shot at. There were no hysterics or loud wailing like you would think, but just …a normalcy…like it didn't even happen. Seifer stopped the boat.

"Man, did you see that old coot runnin'?" Zell said while chucking at the thought.

"I know, I'm just surprised he could even walk without using a walker!" Irvine exclaimed while busting up with laughter. Even Selphie was beginning to giggle a little.

What the hell is going on! We were all just fucking shot at! We all could've DIED! I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I couldn't do a thing but just stare at them as they joked about the situation, with tears still sliding down my cheeks. I shifted and sat up while pulling my legs close to my chest. I wrapped my arms around them and winced at the pain I had to endure for changing my position. I sniffled and rest my chin atop my knees silently praying that no one would notice that I was crying. Unfortunately for me, someone did notice, in fact, two had noticed. I could hear them walking over to me so I suddenly looked away and forcefully wiped the tears with the back of my hand. I was looking back behind the boat as Selphie sat right in front of me, putting one of her hand on top of mine which were clutching my bent legs. Quistis kneeled down beside me and tentatively put her arm around my waist, drawing me into a friendly embrace. Silence ensued.

Great...lets focus in on blubbering Rinoa. I didn't want the attention; I didn't want anybody to see me crying, not in this state. I felt like a cowering child hunkering down from a schoolyard bully. I don't know how much time was spent in silence. The boat gently rocked back and forth, almost as if to soothe my nerves.

"It's alright Rinoa…we're just…kind of used to it," Quistis spoke softly with a caring warmth, it was that same comforting, motherly tone. WHAT! Who gets used to getting shot at! I slowly turned around to look at everyone, who was staring down trying to avoid contact. Squall had his back turned towards everyone with his head down. I didn't know what to do or say, I felt so helpless. The tension was smothering me, I felt that I was about to snap. So I started…laughing...yes, uncontrolable nervous laughter escaped from my mouth.

"Damn it Seifer!" Squall yelled out. "What the FUCK did you do that for!"

Squall's outburst left everyone stunned. I immediately quit my laughter, looking up to a now ticked off Squall. His fists were clenched as he turned to glare at a shocked Seifer.

"What?" Seifer asked in disbelief, "are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm not kidding Seifer!" Squall exclaimed.

"Chill the fuck out Squall, nothing happened," Seifer replied, obviously annoyed at this sudden barrage.

"…nothing happened…" Squall murmured while shaking his head in digust.

"Why are acting like we just botched a fucking mission! It's not like anybody got hit."

"Yeah I did, thank you very much," Squall spit out while pulling back the side of his shirt to reveal his newly formed gash.

"Shit man!" Zell said. Selphie and Quistis were about to get up and go to him when he spoke up again.

"No, don't, I'm fine, honestly it's nothing…it just skimmed me," Squall said while motioning Quistis and Selphie to stop and pleading with his eyes.

"Well what is it then? Is this because I stole the boat? 'Cuz if it is, that's just bogus! We've done way more shit that far surpasses stealing a boat Squall."

"Did you even fucking think, Seifer!" Squall lashed out again. "Did you even stop to think for one fucking second that we might be shot at?"

"Earth to Squall, we've been shot at before-"

"Yes, so we're used to being shot at! But did you ever stop to think that Rinoa has probably never been shot at!" Squall yelled while pointing over in my direction. "FUCK! She could've been killed Seifer! Hyne…that's exactly why…" he trailed off. Seifer turned his head away while Squall turned back and walked towards the front, gripping the railings.

Did he not want me here? But…he invited me…didn't he?

"Look…Squall I…I fucked up alright," Seifer said, still looking out over the ocean.

"Yeah well, I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," Squall said while practically tearing his shirt off from his arms, peering down to get a better look at his cut.

I watched as Squall took off his shirt and twisted his body so that he could see the cut the bullet made as it grazed him. I watched as every muscle in his back contorted and flexed on command. I faintly took notice of a tattoo placed between his shoulder blades. As he moved I couldn't make out tattoo, only that it seemed to resemble some sort of animal. His cargo shorts hung low on his waist, exposing the top of his suit. He turned to his right and his bangs fell in front of his face, shielding it from view. He flicked his hair back suddenly to try a get a better view. I watched as he gingerly touched his cut, inspecting it with skill…almost as if he had done this before.

It was then that I realized that Squall was concerned for me. He had just started an argument his best friend over my well-being. I felt a warm glow begin to grow from inside, but it was quickly quenched by the guilt that began to rear its ugly head on my conscience. This was the second time that I had caused him to nearly be killed. I shut my eyes and shook my head in disgust at myself.

"Rinoa…I just thought…sorry" Seifer offered as he turned to face me with one hand still fastened on the steering wheel. I tried to smile at him with a genuine smile.

"…It's okay…" I squeaked out.

"Hyne Rinoa, did you get hit?" Quistis asked as she saw the blood on my shirt. I instantly looked down and felt my side to make sure that I wasn't hit, but then I remembered that it was Squall's blood and not mine.

"Uh…no…it just missed me…" I trailed off as I looked up at Squall who had turned back around and was looking at me with concern. "I'm fine Quistis, thank you."

Squall turned back around and Seifer started the engine back up to continue moving north up the coast. I gave both Quistis and Selphie reassuring smiles that I was alright. I looked back at Squall and found him ripping his shirt into long cloth strips. Selphie squeezed the top of my knee and smiled down at me as she got up and walked back to the other bucket seat, carefully stepping over everyone's packs. Quistis too got up and walked over to Seifer. She then promptly and firmly smacked him in the back of the head. Seifer looked up to her and they exchanged heated words. I of course couldn't hear a word as we sped atop the water. Quistis then reeled her arm back again, threatening to smack him. Seifer just smirked and pulled her down onto his lap, to which she didn't object to.

I brought my legs over the cushion and placed my feet on the floor. A long strand of hair flew across my face as I turned around. I swept the lost strand back with one hand and tucked it behind my ear. It was then that I realized that I no longer was wearing my hat and that it was forever lost at sea. I watched Squall in his attempts to making his strips long enough to cover the perimeter of his waste. This is ridiculous…he needs help.

I slowly got up and began making my way to the front of the boat, slightly wincing at the pain. I followed the walkway past Seifer and Quistis, pasted the blown out windows, and up towards Squall. I walked up right beside Squall's left and leaned my back against the railing. I wasn't sure if we were on speaking terms, so I just waited until he noticed me, only he didn't. He was either purposely ignoring me or just hadn't noticed me. I decided to put my hair up in a ponytail with a hair tie, creating some commotion to grab his attention. Again…nothing.

"Need any help?" I tentatively asked. He turned around and glanced at me.

"What are you doing up, I thought you were hurt," Squall said, avoiding my offer and fumbling with a cloth strip that he had torn. I started feeling a little more relaxed. Okay, at least he is speaking to me.

"Well I was, but that's because I've never been tackled before," I said with a hint of sarcasm. Knowing that everyone, most importantly me, had just gone through an emotional rollercoaster, I tried to lighten mood a little bit. Mostly for my benefit, to make sure I was still sane. Squall looked at me with an arched eyebrow and sighed at my comment.

"So the next time you'd prefer to stay standing in a barrage of bullets?" he asked, also with a hint of sarcasm.

"Well if it means not having the wind knocked out of me, then…" I replied with a smile.

"Whatever," Squall said. He shook his head and returned to fastening his strip cloth around his waist. I peered around him to see how he was doing; it was a sad sight to say the least. The strips of cloth would work fine for wrapping the cut, but he really needed some gauze to apply to the surface to the wound. A thought promptly came to mind. I looked down at my plain white shirt, now ruined with blood and a bullet hole, and decided that it would suffice as a substitute for gauze. I grabbed the ends of my shirt and pulled it over my head, revealing my bikini top. I pulled it down my arms and balled up.

"Here, use this," I said as I outstretched my arm towards him. He turned around and saw my offer, but also glanced over my body.

"I'm not wearing your shirt."

"Well, I'm sure you would look fabulous in it, but it's for your cut," I said a little more breathy then I wanted to. I instantly looked way, tongue in cheek. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I could hear him chuckling at my sudden school-girlish actions. I slowly returned my gaze towards him. Instantly the scene from last night replayed in my head. I found that this time our roles were reversed, but in the same situation. "And to thank you"

"You're thanking me with your shirt?" he knowingly asked.

"No, the shirt is for the cut. I'm thanking you for tackling me," I said while looking up into his eyes. Whoa…Rinoa, that's way to open ended, say something else before he thinks…shit. He turned fully to look at me in amusement and leaned his elbow on the railing while holding the remainder of his tattered shirt in his hand.

"Really…"

"For…um…from the bullets, yes, tackling me away from the bullets," I quickly stammered out. He swiped the shirt from my hand.

"You're not the first girl to thank me with your shirt."

"Ew." Is he serious?

"Here, hold this for me," he said as he thrust his shirt into my empty hand. He then proceeded to rip my shirt apart at the sleeves.

"You wore deodorant today, didn't you?" he asked in seriousness.

"Of course I did!" I replied, taking offense that he would even ask that question.

With the sleeves torn off, he handed the shirt back to me and balled up the sleeves. He pressed the balled up mass against his wound, wincing at the pain. He then pulled away one long strip from my hand and tried to hold the sleeves in place while wrapping them at the same time, only he couldn't do it. He ended up tying his fingers in with the sleeves. I tried to suppress my laughter at his attempts. He eventually gave up and looked over towards me.

"Need help?" I asked knowingly. He untied the strip and held it out for me. It flapped in the wind as I reached out and grabbed it with a slight smile on my face, knowing that he needed help after all. I placed both shirts on the floor and walked closer to him. He backed away from the railing to give me enough room to operate in.

"Alright, hold these in place with your right hand," I instructed. I stepped close enough so that I was nearly flush against his side. I held one end of the strip of cloth in my right hand pressed against the sleeves. I let the other end fly across his stomach with the wind. I maneuvered myself so that my left arm could reach around and grab the other end of the cloth strip. Only it wasn't as easy as it sounds.

As I reached behind him, I found myself leaning in on him, my chest pressing against his side and my stomach pressing against his hand as he held the sleeves in place. I could feel my cheeks start to heat up at our close contact. I had to snake my left arm in front of his bent right arm and behind his back. I reached out and tried to grab the end of the cloth, but was still a good distance away from the end. I looked up at him and found that he was watching me intently. I held our gaze as I pushed my arm against the small of his back trying to get closer to the other end of the cloth. His warm and dampened skin was sending shivers throughout my body. He looked away with a lopsided smile. I looked away as well, but my eyes decided on a path of their own. My eyes roamed over his broad chest and caught sight of small beads of sweat forming from the blistering sun, which was only a mere inches away from my face.

I inhaled sharply and subconsciously licked my lips. Rinoa what are you doing? Act professional! He has a gunshot wound and he is asking for help and …and …wow those are really defined. Suddenly the front of the boat was jolted upwards as we flew over a rough wave,flinging me forward against Squall. I clamped onto his body for support with my face crushing into his chest, my lips just grazing his glistening skin. I felt an arm go around me to hold me against him, while his other flew back to grab the railing to steady us both. It was now my stomach that was pressing the sleeves against his wound.

"Whoa there," Squall nervously laughed. I looked back at Selphie, Irvine, and Zell who were eyeing us suspiciously. I closed my eyes to tried and refocus, flushing my mind to the uh…scandalous thoughts…to say the least.

"Need help?" I heard Squall ask me. I opened my eyes and tried to focus on his face, but my eyes couldn't leave the abs that were directly in front of me. All that I could manage was a weak nod of my head. Squall let go of the railing and grabbed the end of the cloth, bringing it behind him to where my hand was waiting. His knuckles brushed against my hand and I hesitantly took the cloth. I don't think that he noticed that his other arm was still holding my firmly against his side. For some reason, I choose not to call his attention to it; it's just a minor detail. Sure Rinoa, you know it's just an excuse to rub against each other.

"Uh…Squall…your arm is…is" I said, once again way too breathy then I intended. I could feel the blush on rushing to my face. He got the message and slowly removed his arm, pushing his hand against my stomach and his side. Whoa whoa whoa there…oh right…he's just trying to hold the sleeves in place. Ok, honestly he doesn't have to be moving his hand THAT slowly. I started to form a pleased smirk while bitting down on my tongue as a way of distracting myself. Dead puppies, skinned kittens, lightning, fire…NO…not fire…um wiping out on a colossus wave, just anything! Okay Rinoa, move away from him now. Reluctantly I did move away and brought the other end of the cloth over the sleeves.

"Okay, you can remove your hand," I said while beginning to tie a knot, and finding my voice as well. "There, is that too tight?" I asked, not being able to look him in the eye.

"No, it's fine."

"Good," I said as I stepped back and turned my reddened face away from him. The next thing I knew Squall put both of his arms around me and clasped the railing. He leaned in close and brought his mouth right next to my ear.

"Was it good for you?" he whispered. My jaw literally dropped at his statement and my eyes widened. He pulled away and revealed a smirk plastered smugly on his face. He then turned around, not waiting for a response, and started to walk off. That asshole! I can't believe he just…grrr…Oh no he doesn't, he's not getting away that easily.

"Hey Squall, so about our bet…"

i know, long wait, sorry. i hope this chapter was worth the wait. what do you think?
ciao