MISSING AND MOVING ON

By Wonga316

COPYRIGHT
Final Fantasy and its characters are property of Squaresoft etc, etc...

INTRODUCTION
This my first attempt at FF8 fan fic. It takes places directly after time compression with a twist that will rock the crew of FF8 to the core (especially Rinoa).

Excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes. I try my best to catch them all but occasional one does slip through. I'll also try to keep everyone IC and minimize OC.

"..." Indicates normal speech [...] Indicates speakers thoughts -...- Indicates any other communications e.g. – radio, television, telephone, speaker

CHAPTER 03

Squall looked up at the door as he heard the hissing of compression lock release and was greeted by Selphie and Quistis rushing towards him. The two women grabbed Squall in a huge bear hug. There momentum together forced him backwards back onto the floor.

"SQUALL! / SQUALLY!" They exclaimed with tears running down their face.

"Alright... Alright... I can't breath." Squall replied.

"Squall! It is you!" Selphie said looking up at his tired face.

"Yes I know." he answered Selphie. "Can you let go? I can't breath."

"That's our Squall. Same personality." Quistis said as she released Squall and helped him to his feet.

"You guys look well. Where's...Whoa!" Squall was interrupted by a flash of blond hair and another huge hug. He looked down and found that it was Zell squeezing the life out of him.

"Zell! Let go!"

"Squall! It's good to see you bro!" Squall looked at Selphie and Quistis for assistance but only received laughs from the women.

"Come on, Zell." Irvine said placing his hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"Oh shit, sorry man!" Zell replied as he let go. Irvine produced a key for the locks that held Squall's hand and began to release him.

"I'm not going to hug you but that doesn't mean that I missed you" Irvine said offering his hand to Squall.

"Thanks Irvine." Squall said taking his hand. "I missed you as well. All you guys." Squall looked at Quistis, Selphie and Zell. Cid and Edea followed Irvine and hugged Squall like he was their own son.

"It's good to have you back my child." Edea said wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Thanks matron." They started discussing among themselves and failed to notice Laguna and Rinoa standing in the doorway.

"Well... What are you waiting for?" Laguna asked the young sorceress.

"I'm... I'm... sc... s... scared..." Rinoa shivered looking at everyone around Squall. She couldn't see his face clearly but deep within her heart she knew it was him. His hair had grown and it hung just above his shoulders with his fringe covering most of his face. She noticed that he needed a shave when Selphie started rubbing and making fun of his short beard.

"Scared of what? He's Squall... Your Squall." Laguna replied encouraging the young woman.

[Why am I scared? Should I be scared? What if he does want me any more? What if he's forgotten about me? What if the doctor is right and that he's not my Squall...]

"Rinoa?" Rinoa was so deep in thought that she failed see that Squall was looking at her and Laguna.

[What if he blames me for what happen? It's my fault that we had to fight Ultimerica and go through time compression...]

"Rinoa, are you ok?" Squall asked again this time get her attention. When she looked up she stared into the stormy blue eyes that she fell in love with the first time she danced with him at the Seed graduation. His eyes told her more than any words could and they told her that everything was ok.

"SQUALL!" Rinoa cried and bolted across the room. She ran straight to him and buried her face in his chest, crying and saying his name over and over again. Everyone watched on with a feeling of completeness and joy.

"How come you never greet me like that?" Irvine asked Selphie in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Ha! You wish buddy!" Selphie replied elbowing the cowboy in the mid section.

"Rinoa I think we better let Squall get some rest and I'm sure that the doctor would still want to do a checkup." Cid said.

"No..." Rinoa replied still crying and holding onto Squall. "I don't want to loose him again."

"It's alright Rinoa." Squall said calmly. "I'll explain everything later... You better talk to Alex..." Squall said a little disappointed.

"What? Alex? How do you know about Alex?" Rinoa panic looking up from Squall's chest.

"I'll explain later... Alex is waiting for you outside."

Next Morning – Presidential Dinning Room

Servants and chiefs were busy setting up the buffet breakfast in the dinning room. The sun had not risen yet. They knew many of the presidential staff would wake early due to their work commitments. Laguna was usually the first to enter followed by Kiros and Ward.

The grand double doors open and revealed President Loire wearing business suit and looking hungry. He greeted the staff and proceeded to the coffee machine.

"Ahhh... I needed that." Laguna said after taking a slip. The double doors opened again and Laguna assumed it was either Kiros or Ward. "Morning Kiro, morning Ward" he said without looking up.

"Wrong person."

"Squall?"

"Hey... Can I get something to eat?" Squall asked.

"What... YES of course. Help yourself." Laguna replied nervously. He watched Squall pour himself a cup of coffee and walk over to the balcony door, which looked over the Esthar.

"You sleep well?" Laguna asked walking next to him.

"Not really... I guess you've heard the doctor's report." Squall asked.

"Yeah... but that doesn't change anything Squall. These are still the same people that you grew up with and love you. Nothing will change that." Laguna replied. "I still haven't heard your side of events. I'm sure that you left some details out with Dr. Odine."

"Yeah... I know they are still the same people... It's just that I haven't change with them." Squall said. "As for my side of the story. It's all in the doctor's report."

"You're a hopeless liar you know that."

"Whatever..." Laguna left Squall to watch the city in peace and returned to the table to open the morning newspaper. Laguna was so wrapped in the paper that he failed to see Squall had opened the balcony door and walk out onto the balcony.

"Good morning Laguna." Kiros said as he entered the dinning room. "Why is the balcony door open?"

"Oh... I guess Squall went outside."

"Squall? He's up already. He should really be resting." Kiros replied. "I guess he's a like sleeper like his father."

"That's enough!"

"You still haven't told him yet, have you?" Kiros asked.

"That's none of your business." Laguna spat. "Oh hey, Ward." Laguna acknowledge Ward's entrance into the room.

Guest Suites

The knocking of the front door slowly woke Rinoa from her slumber. She attempted to ignore the person by rolling over and hiding in Alex's arms. The knocking became louder and she felt Alex leave her side. It was only then that she realized what she was doing.

[My god... what am I doing... Alex and Squall... I'm sorry...]

"Hyne Zell. It's too early! What do you want?" Alex complained as he opened the door to reveal the blonde Seed.

"Sorry guys but look, I got up early to see Squall but he was missing..." Zell explained.

"WHAT? SQUALL'S MISSING? WHAT HAPPEN? TELL ME?" Rinoa had over heard Squall's name and bolted to the front door.

"Whoa... Hey Rinoa can you stop that?" Rinoa had grabbed Zell by his shirt and proceed to shake the answers from him. "The intern told me that the doc completed the tests and was free to go."

"WHAT? Why didn't anyone tell me!"? Rinoa demanded.

"What the hell is going on out there!" Irvine stuck his head out of his room to see what all the commotion was about. Everyone turned to him. Zell started to explain when...

"BOOYAH!" Selphie launched herself onto Irvine's back, which caused him to tumble out of his room and land face first in the floor. "Ride 'em cowboy!"

"Selphie! Get off me!" Irvine shouted from the ground. "It's too early for piggy back rides"

"Fine! I know you don't love me anymore." She pouted. "I bet Zell will get me a piggyback ride" in one swift moment Selphie jumped off the Irvine's fallen body and latched onto Zell's back.

"Wait a minute... Sel... I still love you." Irvine pleaded [Damn it... This girl is going to kill me]

"Ha! You had your chance Mr. Kinneas!" She finished by sticking her tongue out at the sharpshooter.

"I'm glad to see that all of you are awake." Quistis said from down the hallway. She was already dressed and ready for the day.

"Quistis! Zell says Squall has run away. We have to find him!" Rinoa rushed to the mature member of the group and pleaded her case.

"Rin, calm down. We'll find him. Chances are he's still in the palace." Quistis reasoned.

"As I was saying I reckon Squall's gone to get something to eat." Zell interrupted as he tried to get Selphie off his back. "I was wondering if you guys would to come down to breakfast."

"Of course! He's having breakfast! I'll be ready in a minute." Rinoa said rushing back into her room to shower and change.

"Rinoa wait a minute..." Quistis said but the young sorceress was already in her room.

"You guys go down to breakfast. We'll meet up there when we're done." Alex told the remainder of the group.

Zell nodded and left with Selphie still attached to his back. Irvine returned to his room to change. Quistis started to follow Zell and Selphie but stopped mid way

"This must be difficult for you, Alex...but remember that Rinoa still loves you even if she still has feelings for Squall." Quistis said then continuing her way to the dinning room.

"Yeah... I know..." Alex said to himself.

Dinning Room Balcony

[I wonder how the others will take the news... I wonder how Rinoa will take the news... I guess there's only one thing that I can do.]

"You look good in that uniform then again I always knew my little brother would be a heart breaker." Ellone said from behind him.

"Hey, Sis." Squall had been given a spare Esthar army uniform to wear since the only clothes he had were the ones on his back when compression portal spat him out.

"You should be resting. I don't want you to push yourself." Ellone said waking up and resting her head on Squall's shoulder.

"Whatever." Squall replied. "Besides, who else would be around to hold you up when you fall asleep on your feet." Feeling Ellone head resting on his shoulder.

"Are you making fun of me, Squall?" Squall replied by taking another slip of his coffee. "You've changed, my little brother..."

"Not as much as everyone thinks..."

"Come inside, everyone should be up soon." Ellone lead Squall back into the dinning room.

"Laguna, the reporters and newspapers are still bombarding the office about Squall's reappearance. What should I do?" Kiros asked.

"Man... I don't even know how the news got out about Squall." Laguna replied.

"My guess would be the media attending the Kinneas Wedding." Kiros replied with Ward nodding.

"What's the media talking about me?" Squall asked interrupting Kiros and Laguna.

"Oh, hey Squall... It's nothing to worry about." Laguna replied quickly and nervously.

"It didn't sound like nothing. Is Squall in any danger or trouble?" Ellone asked concerned about her brother's welfare.

"Nah... It's nothing. You know how the media is about things. Squall isn't exactly no one. He's the hero who defeated Ultimercia. The media naturally going set its claws onto any news about him." Laguna answered.

"It's alright Ellone... Breakfast remember." Squall said pointing to a bowl of cereal he was holding. Ellone complied and followed Squall to the table with some toast. An extended silence began as everyone continue breakfast until Zell entered the room with Selphie still attached to his back.

"Hyne, Selphie did you put on weight?" Zell complained.

"Ohhh... Come on Zelly. Hurry up we have to find Squall." Selphie encouraged the blonde street fighter. "Booyah! I found him!" Selphie yelled as she leapt off Zell's back.

"Where did you go Squall? Zell said you ran away." Selphie asked rushing up to him.

"What? I didn't run away." Squall replied. "Zell, what are you spreading?" Squall asked looking at Zell who was rubbing his back from carrying Selphie.

"I didn't say you ran away. I went down to lab to see if you were awake and you weren't there."

"That's not true, Squall. He got Rinoa all upset when he told everyone that you were missing."

"What did I just say Selphie?"

"Are saying that there's something wrong with my hearing?"

"I'm beginning to think that there is something wrong with your head!"

"And what's this about me putting on weight?!"

"ALRIGHT! ENOUGH!" Squall yelled over the top of the feuding Selphie and Zell. "Just sit and eat." Zell and Selphie complied like children being disciplined by their parents. Laguna and the others snickered at the scene. The snickering gradually grew to laughter and soon everyone in the room was enjoying a good laugh. Squall even allowed himself a small chuckle.

"My... My... I guess my children are still children after all." Edea with a smile as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Cid and Edea had managed to enter the room during the argument and laughter unnoticed.

"But Matron... Zell started it... It's his fault..." Selphie whined as she pretended to cry.

"This is unbelievable! I..." Zell replied standing up from his chair but before he could finish Squall dragged him back down.

"Don't Zell... It's not worth it..." He whispered to his friend.

"Come on Squall. Us guys have to stick together. We can't let these women push us around!" Zell replied.

"Loosing battles aren't my style. It's better to retreat."

"Hell no. I'm right! Men are always right!"

"WHAT WAS THAT!" Selphie, Ellone and Edea yelled. Selphie stood up from her chair and rounded the table to where Zell was sitting. Realizing that he had said something that he shouldn't have to turned back to Squall for support.

"Squall! Help man!" Squall replied by picking up the newspaper that Laguna had finish and began reading it himself.

"Come on bro... Help!" Zell pleaded but Squall just continued reading and turning the pages.

"That's it blonde boy! You're going down!" said as she pretended to crack her knuckles. She was just about to pounce on Zell when the double doors swung open with great force and a whirl of sky blue and black hair came rushing in.

"SQUALL! SQUALL!" Rinoa yelled frantically. She grabbed the nearest person who happened to be Selphie and began to shake the answers from her.

"Sel! Where is he? Zell's right, he's not with the doctor or in the lab! Where is he!"

"AHHHHHHHH... Riiin stttooop... shhhaaakkking meee..."

"Rinoa. I'm right here." Squall calm voice stopped Rinoa from shaking Selphie for answers. Rinoa's brain slowly processed the owner of the voice as she calmed herself.

"Rinoa? Are you ok?" Squall asked again. He notice that her body was starting to tense and shake.

Selphie slowly gained focus and saw that Rinoa had tears running her checks. "SQUALL!" In one swift motion Rinoa released Selphie and hurl herself at Squall. Everyone watched as Rinoa latched onto Squall and cried into his chest. "Don't scare me that! What were you think?" She demanded angrily.

"What did I do wrong?" Squall asked simply pulling Rinoa back by her shoulders to look her in the eye.

"Zell said that you ran away." She sniffed and half cried.

"I said Squall was missing! Why doesn't anyone listen to what I say?" Zell replied. This prompted Rinoa to stomp over Zell. "That's the same thing mister! Do you know that I nearly had a heart attack!" Riona attacked Zell.

"Come on, Rin. Take it easy." Zell said holding his hand up in front of him.

"Take it easy! I'll show you easy!"

"Let it go, Rinoa. It was just a misunderstanding. No got hurt, right?" Squall reasoned. "I'm still here." Squall placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, which calm her down immediately.

"You're lucky Squall is here." Rinoa spat as she took Zell's seat, which was next to Squall's.

"Rin, that's my seat." Zell mention but stopped short as Rinoa shot a dark glance at him. "Ahhh... it's alright. I think there is a free seat over here." Zell said pointing to the other side of the table.

"Come on, Squall. Don't you want to have breakfast with me?" Rinoa said sweetly as she patted the top of the seat next to her [Damn... Why is she making it so hard...] Squall then spotted Irvine, Quistis and Alex entering the room. "Actually, I think Alex should sit here. I'm going to keep Zell company."

Squall picked up his cereal and newspaper and walked over to Zell who was still sulking over his defeat. Rinoa look on with amazement and disappointment as Squall left her without looking back. Everyone was surprised by Squall's actions, even Alex [That's strange... I was even preparing myself for the worst and then he leaves her] Shaking the thought from his head Alex took the seat next to Rinoa.

"What do you feel like?" Alex asked Rinoa. "Hello? Rinoa?" The young sorceress was still dumbstruck by her knight's actions.

"Hey Rin... What do you feel like for breakfast?" Quistis asked her friend.

[He hates me! He blames me for what happen!] "I... I... I'm not hungry..." she cried and then ran from the room.

"Rin wait!" Quistis pleaded as she watched her flee. Selphie chased after her as everyone watched her leave.

"What's your problem!" Alex demanded Squall, slamming his fist onto the table. Getting everyone's attention except for Squall's.

Palace Garden

[Hyne! He hates me!] Rinoa kept thinking as she ran through the palace. When she stopped running she felt the warmth of the morning sunshine on her wet checks and the pleasant scent of flowers filled the air. She had ended up in one of the many Gardens that surrounded the Palace. She looked at her beautiful surroundings but it just made her fell worst.

[Where did she go?] Selphie tried frantically to keep up with Rinoa but lost her in vast halls of the Esthar Palace [She couldn't gotten very far...] She then felt the morning breeze coming from an open door. Having nothing to loose from investigating she decided to have a look.

"Leave me alone." Rinoa cried. She was on her knees on the middle of the garden, face in her hands.

[How did she know I was here?]

"I'm a sorceress remember, Selphie."

"Yeah, I kinda forget about that from time to time." She replied walking up to her friend and taking a seat next to her on the grass. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"What's there to talk about?" Rinoa yelled. "He hates! He hates everything about me!"

"Rin, I'm sure that he doesn't hate you. I think he's still getting adjusted." Selphie replied calmly. "What he went through wasn't exactly normal."

"Then why didn't he want to be near me at breakfast?"

"To be honest with you... I think it might have something to do with Alex." Rinoa looked up from her hands.

"What... what do you mean?" Rinoa asked, knowing full well what Selphie was trying to say but she wanted someone to say it to confirm her thoughts.

"Come on, Rin... It's pretty oblivious isn't? You've been with Alex for almost two years and then Squall comes back. Makes for a pretty soap opera if you ask me."

"I guess you're right but I haven't mention anything about Alex to him. He told me that Alex was waiting for me when he was in the lab."

"Hmmm.... May be one of the other guys told him or overheard them talking." Selphie reasoned [That's strange, she didn't say anything yesterday.]

"No, I'm sure that no one said anything. I could sense that everyone was nervous about Squall reacting to Alex."

"Hmmm... You do have a point. So you think that Squall is angry with you about Alex?" Rinoa could only nod sadly. "Rin, you just have to talk to him about it. I'm sure that he'll listen."

"But what should I say?"

"Anything. Anything is better than crying in the middle of a garden. In fact, I bet you, he's probably wondering what he did wrong."

"I can't Sel. I have to choose between Squall and Alex. I can't do..." [Wait! what's that feeling? Squall!"] Rinoa bolted up and sprinted back towards to the dinning room sensing something was wrong.

"Rin! Hey wait, where are you going?"

Presidential Dinning Room

"I'm talking to you, Leonhart!" Alex spat again. Squall tried to continue with his breakfast and the morning paper [Damn it, I didn't want this to happen]

"Alex, man... May be you should calm down a bit." Irvine reasoned.

"Calm down! I'll calm down when this arsehole explains himself!" Alex yelled at Irvine. "So how about Squall?"

"I think you should take Irvine's advice." Squall replied coldly. His comment prompted Alex to circle the table to where Squall was sitting.

"Don't tell me what to do! Tell me why are you ignoring Rin!" Alex demanded as he picked Squall up by the front of his shirt. Irvine, Quistis and Ellone quickly followed the table around to try and defuse the situation but were stopped by Laguna.

"It's alright, Zell." Squall said as Zell left his seat to assist. "I got this."

"Got this? You haven't got anything!" Alex spat. "Do you know what Rinoa has gone through because of you? Do you have any idea how happy she was when you returned and then to have you ignore her? I stayed up all night consoling her after what you did to her yesterday!"

The next thing Alex realized was a sharp impact to the middle of his nose. He released Squall and stumbled backwards. "Argh! My nose!" A strong arm then wrapped the front of his torso and flung him onto the table back first. He recognized the sound of dishes and glass breaking as his body impacted with the table.

"FUCK YOU! YOU DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN TO ME!" Squall yelled planted his left forehand onto Alex's throat. Alex struggled for air and Squall applied more pressure.

"Squall wait!" Quistis and Ellone pleaded.

"Back... off..." Squall growled. Alex could see a blood spatter concentrating around Squall's forehead [Fuck, head butt! I probably broken my nose]

"Tell me! What the fuck do you know about what happen to me? Have you ever gone through a time compression gate to battle some fucked up bitch from the future only to get trapped in a place where time and space doesn't exist? To watch your life waste away and be unable do nothing about it. To watch you're friends and love ones suffer and not do anything about it." Squall picked up Alex's head and slammed it back onto the table. "Answer me! I lost everything so you and everyone in this room could have life. Then I come back to have my actions questions. FUCK YOU!"

"SQUALL NO!" Rinoa pleaded from the doorway. He saw the tear stained checks of the young women and slowly eased off Alex's throat. Alex rolled off the table, grasping for air and spitting blood.

"DAMN IT! I did want it to happen this way!" Squall said, wiping the blood from his face.

"Alex are you alright?" Rinoa said with concern as she rushed to his side. Moments later Selphie entered the room. "What's going on what happen?"

"...Sigh... Well since everyone is here, I guess now is a good of a time to tell you all..." Squall said looking out the balcony window. "I'm leaving."

AUTHOR'S NOTES
Big thanks for positive reviews and sorry for the delay in update. I've got 3 fics including this one going at the moment.