MISSING AND MOVING ON
By Wonga316
COPYRIGHT
Final Fantasy and its characters are property of Squaresoft etc, etc…
INTRODUCTION
This is my first attempt at FF8 fan fic. It takes places directly after time compression with a twist. Excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes. I'll try my best to catch them all but occasionally 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 07
ESTHAR PRESIDENTAL PALACE – UPPER BALCONY
An incoherent groan from Rinoa's lap brought her back to reality. Seeing Alex, the thought that he had witness her and Squall and the news regarding her father was too much to take at one time. She looked down and found him patting for air and sweating. Her hand noticed that it was touching something damp. It was blood, Squall's blood.
"Squall!" she cried. "Laguna help!" the older man rushed over.
"It looks like he has reopened one of his wounds. We have to get him back to the sick bay." He turned towards Alex. "Come on give me a hand."
Alex remained on the ground, his eyes fixed on Rinoa, his emotions a whirlwind. "Don't just lie there, Help me!" Laguna shouted at the young Seed but he just picked himself up, brushes the dust from his clothes and walked away without giving them another look.
"What the hell! What is he doing!" Laguna was visibly upset had someone wouldn't lend a hand to help his son.
"Let him go. We just have to help Squall." Rinoa spoke up.
ESTHAR PRESIDENTIAL PALACE – DINNING ROOM
Everyone remained quiet as Kiros explained the situation with General Caraway. Laguna and Rinoa had somehow carried Squall back to the infirmary and Dr. Odine was alerted. Rinoa didn't even think about washing the Squall's blood that was drying on her hands. She sat staring at her bloody hands palm up. Alex chose to stand opposite side of the room. Since Rinoa had entered the room he hadn't made eye contact or spoken to her. Once again Selphie was doing her best to comfort the young sorceress, Quistis and Edea were still missing.
"…General Caraway is in a stable but critical condition and…" Kiros looked at his president. "Officially Esthar can't be involved in this…" Kiros continued.
"What do you mean? This is Rinoa's dad we are talking about!" Laguna argued.
"You have to understand; relations between Esthar and Galbadia are still unstable, even after five years after the Ultimecia War." Kiros replied calmly. "I know you have good intensions but we can't go running away like we use to do in our army days." Ward agreed and nodded.
"Fine… So happens next?"
"An official request from the Galbadian government has been made to Balamb Garden. I would presume that headmaster Cid will decide what happens next." Everyone turned their attention to the older man who was currently going through the package that Kiros gave him from the Galbadian government.
"It appears that the Galbadian government wants to keep the attempt on his life a secret and have requested that this mission be given top secret classification." Cid rubbed his chin as he continued reading. "The request states that they want the same team that defeated Ultimecia and further information regarding this case will be made available once the team has arrived in Galbadian."
"I guess we're headed for Galbadia?" Irvine looked over to Rinoa. "Don't worry princess." He used her old nickname. "We'll find out what happen to your dad."
She didn't respond. "Come on." Selphie encourage her. "Let get you cleaned up start packing your things." She helped Rinoa to her feet and led her out of the room. Before leaving, she looked up at Irvine and nodded towards her cousin on the opposite side of the room.
Understanding what his woman wanted, he casually walked over to Alex when everyone filed out of the room. "You're not helping anyone acting like this." he stated.
"Stay out of this, Irvine." Alex replied still arms folded across his chest. "It doesn't concern you."
"I'm afraid I can't do that." He copied Alex's posture and the both of them didn't say anything for a moment. "It's funny… You and Squall are kinda alike…" Irvine couldn't finish his smart arse remark before Alex whipped around, grabbed him by the front of his jacket and pushed him against the wall.
"Don't you ever compare me with him!" he seethed.
"You even get worked up like Squall…" Irvine smirked. "But do you think messing up my clothes is going to help the situation or Rinoa?"
ESTHAR PRESIDENTIAL PALACE – INFIRMARY
Ellone had decided to remain with Squall when Laguna and Rinoa brought him back to the infirmary. Dr. Odine discovered that his had popped a number of stitches on the wound across is abdomen which caused the bleeding.
She was holding his hand gently when she felt him stir. "Squall?"
"What… What happen?" he asked groggily.
"You nearly bleed to death. Uncle and Rinoa had to carry you back. What were you doing out of bed!" her voice carried a hint anger.
"I don't remember much…" he said. "I'm… sorry… about…"
"Why are you apologising! Try to get some sleep." She said getting up and fixing his covers.
"I didn't mean to yell at you… about Laguna…" his eyes were fully open by now and look up at her.
"Squall…" she gently brushed some of his long bangs from his face. "I should be the one apologising. I had no right to keep something like that from you. You had every right to be angry."
"No… I'm sorry for saying that you weren't my family…" his gesture brought a tear to her eye. She leaned over and gave him a gentle hug.
"I'm glad you're back…" Ellone pulled back from her hug and wiped a tear away. "You must be hungry. I'm sure that food Odine is giving you isn't too good. I'll get you something from our dinning room." As she left the room, someone else was entering and they bumped into each other.
"I'm sorry Quistis… I didn't see you coming." The blond smiled politely, thinking nothing of the incident.
"How is Squall?"
"He's fine. He's awake; you can see him if you like. I'm going get him some food from the dinning room." Ellone continued on her way and left the instructor and former commander alone.
"How… How are you feeling?" She asked nervously as she pulled up a visitor's chairs next to him.
"Why have you been crying?" only close up Squall notice the small red and puffiness around her eyes.
"It's always been like you to get straight to the point. No chit chat." Quistis half laughed and Squall just looked at her confused.
"Help me sit up."
"Are you sure you should be moving?" she asked with concern.
"Whatever…" Silence fell between the two. Squall wasn't one to start a conversation unless necessary and Quistis was still debating whether tell him about her feelings. Eventually the silence got the better of Squall. "So… Did you want to talk about something?"
Quistis looked up straight into his eyes and hesitated under his glaze. "It's… It's nothing…"
"There's obliviously something on your mind. It's not like you to keep thing bottled up. That's my job."
"Was that an attempt at a joke, Squall?" he just shrugged his shoulders.
"Do you remember the night of your graduation when I asked you meet me in the secret area of the training centre?"
"Yeah… What about it?" He tried to stretch but his injuries stopped him from doing too much.
"Do you remember what we talked about that night?" she nervously started picking at the hem of her skirt.
"Something about you being an instructor?" Squall said unsure about his answer.
Quistis nodded. "Yes and we talked about something else. Well, I talked and you tried to ignore me." This just confused Squall further. Sensing that her attempt wasn't going anywhere she decided to escape. "I'm sorry Squall… I'm sorry I bothered you…" Quistis cried before getting up to run away.
"Wait." Squall managed to grasp her wrist. As a result Quistis almost dragged Squall out of bed. "Ah! Shit!"
"Hyne! Squall!" she quickly caught him in a hug before he completely fell out of bed.
"Thanks…" murmured Squall. His breath ran down the side of Quistis's neck causing her heart to race. Stray strands of his hair brushed against her face and his scent was slowly over whelming her senses.
"Squall…" Quistis said in half a daze. "I need to know…"
"Need to know what?" Squall was more concerned about his wounds and getting back in bed than being in the arms of an attractive woman.
"I just need to know…" she moved her head to face his in a way that her lips brushed against skin. "I think I love you Squall…" was the last thing she breathed into his mouth before sealing them her lips.
Squall couldn't react as Quistis deepen the kiss and moaned a little. He went to put has hand on her shoulders but she shifted her body weight and they fell backwards onto the bed. Quistis's body, mind and soul were in over drive. She had dreamt and wondered what it would be like to kiss Squall but her thoughts and dreams didn't even come close to the real thing. Quistis was lost in her own world and failed to notice someone coming in.
"I'm back guys." Ellone said carrying a tray of food. "I wasn't sure what you liked so I got a bit of everything. I remember when you were little you hated tomatoes so…" but stopped short when she saw what was in front of her.
"Hey Squally!" Selphie cheered, carrying her own tray. "We bumped into Ell on her way here. Rinoa and I didn't get to eat either so we thought it'll be nice to eat together." Rinoa followed her in carry a jug and some glasses. The next thing everyone heard was the clanging of the steel jug and smashing of the glasses as they hit the floor. The commotion caused Quistis to break away and turn around. Everyone just froze as the water and glass pieces spread across laminate floor.
Rinoa's throat closed up and tears began streaming down her face. She tired to speak but nothing came out. "Rinoa…" Squall whispered. She broke from her reverie and bolted from the room. "Wait!" he gently pushed Quistis off him and tried to stand but fell straight over.
END OF CHAPTER