A.N./ Wow, I'm getting way more reviews then I thought I would! But I like it... I'm trying not to rush the story as the idea's are coming so quickly I have to write them down. So with out further ado here is the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own wacky ways... though I would like to keep Seifer in my bed room xD

I swear to you... Ch.5
"Sir"

"Yes Hertnz?" The voice was malicious, spoken from a man secluded behind a desk. His hair slicked back with so much gel you might think it was permanent. He sat in a large chair behind his rich mahogany desk. His suit a deep navy, so dark it was almost black. One hand sat under his chin thoughtfully while the other stoked the head of a weird animal perched in his lap.

"Sir, we intercepted a message from Balamb to Esthar..." Hertnz was nothing like the man behind the desk. Short and gaunt, with short hair hair that came in such tiny wisps you would be afraid to touch it for fear of rubbing it out of existence. His voice was quivering as were his hands over a sealed envelope.

"And..." He seemed almost bored, staring off into his 'windows'. They weren't actually windows, instead they were the sides of a large aquarium which seemed to flow along the walls. The light spewing from the tropical waters drew reflective lines over the office and gave the man behind the desk an even more eerie look.

"Well, sir, it appears that they have lost an elite member of their team, one Quistis Trepe. She's acclaimed as one of the hero's that stopped that last sorceress's reign." He said, gathering what courage he had left in his skeletal figure.

"Missing you say?"

"Yes sir, they believe she is still alive, but sorceress Rinoa is unable to track her at the present moment."

"Hmm... this is interesting..." He said gazing off at nothing with a thoughtful gaze. "I want you to find her Hertnz... Balamb will pay a Hefty sum for her alive." He said waving his hand.

As quickly as he came the whimsical man bowed and ducked out of the office with a quick 'sir'.

The man at his thick desk, in an exotic office, stood up. The weird creature jumping down with what could be claimed a purr and trotted over to a nearby couch. He sauntered over to the back of his office, watching the fish inside gracefully slice threw the waters. The shine dancing across his face and suite in the dimly lit room.

"Poor little SeeD's have lost their friend..." His neutral face twisted into a wicked grin. "I wonder if they'll come out to play..."

As usual Quistis awoke to find that Seifer had left the bed early. It was a weird feeling, knowing he came to bed after her and left before her... it was almost as if he was afraid to fall asleep while she was. Though a few times she awoke in the night to find him sleeping almost on the edge of the bed. It didn't seem right, in the back of her mind she knew something was amiss.

Crawling out of bed she went about her settled routine, taking a shower, drying her hair, getting dressed; though this morning something was different. As she tied her hair back and walked out of the bedroom she noticed that at the end of the hall Seifer's coat and shoe's were still hanging. Stopping to listen she noticed there was noise in the kitchen, the rustling of pots and pans.

He had stayed home for a morning.

Stepping into the kitchen her speculations were proven right. Not only had he stayed home but he was cooking breakfast and placing it on two plates set on the table. Something in the pit of her stomach lurched at the unusual feeling... had he ever made her breakfast before? Had anyone? Yes. Someone had, but she couldn't remember who.

"Good morning." He said with out having to turn around, who else would it have been? Scrapping the last of some finished scrambled eggs onto a tray and turned and placed them on the table. He then pulled a chair out and ushered her to sit down.

She paused for a moment, trying to place everything in her mind, before she walked over and took a seat in the chair he had pulled out for her. Before sitting in his own chair he planted a soft, casual kiss on her cheek.

This caused her to blink and stare at him for a moment. Had Seifer taken her seriously? Was he trying to act as if she had never gone missing? It appeared to be so. At least she wouldn't feel like a ghost anymore.

"Don't you have work today?" She asked, a little curious as to why he would have stayed.

"Fishing season ended, there's nothing to catch... Plus, I thought I would take you into town and get you some better clothing." He said trying to sound nonchalant as he took a bite out of a piece of his toast.

A smile crept up her face and she went about eating her breakfast.

"Eee! You get out of my store!" Came a shrill familiar voice just as Quistis and Seifer entered the shop of the strangely different, but kind, Ms. Ling. As soon as they entered a young fisher boy exited, with fear in his eyes. Ms. Ling followed close on his heels, shoe in hand, which caused Quistis to giggle lightly.

Seifer glanced at Quistis when she giggled and raised an eyebrow, he had never heard Trepe giggle before... but he liked it.

"Oh! Seifer, you bring pretty wife! Good boy!" She said noticing the two after making sure the other boy was good and gone. With that thought out of mind she grabbed Quistis's arm, not roughly, but firmly and dragged her deeper into the store. Placing the shoe down she made her stand on what appeared to be a circular mat. "Pretty wife need nice clothing, not grungy man taste!" She said pulling at the sweater she was wearing, which cause Seifer to chuckle as he now leaned against a counter with amusement on his face.

Quistis shot him a look, which only seemed to increase his amusement slightly.

Pulling out a measuring tape she began running it all over Quistis, making her slightly uncomfortable. After taking a few measurements Ms. Ling scuttled off to the back, muttering something in her native language. Blinking, Quistis watched her go off, when she turned back she noticed Seifer was standing closer to her. "I have to go get somethings, I'll be back in about an hour. Pick out a few outfits that you like..." He said giving her another casual kiss on the cheek and turned to leave. "And... get a dress, I'm taking you to the festival tonight." He said before leaving the store, the bell chiming as he did.

She watched him leave, and let herself sigh. Things just seemed to be fitting into place with Seifer acting normal... or at least she thought he was. So far she had no reason to doubt him or his actions. Because of that she was finding the loss of her memory easy to deal with. She was pulled out of her thoughts by Ms. Ling coming back from the back with shirts, pants and some fabric in her arms. "Let's make you outfits!"

"Sir."

"Yes, Hertnz?"

"Sir, you remember Seifer Almasy?"

The man in a Navy suite turned away from the massive fish tank to look at the frail man standing on the other end of the office. "The sorceress lap dog?" He asked, now thoroughly interested in what his lackey had to say for once.

"Yes sir, the one you requested we keep an eye on."

"Well get on with it Hertnz! What do you have on him?"

"Well sir... according to Fridie... he... well..."

"Out with it!" He yelled, hair falling out of place slightly, only to be slicked back by a hand.

"We suspect he has her."

"Her as in Trepe?"

"Yes sir... just recently rumors of his missing wife went into circulation around the fisherman. When it reached Fridie he and his boys investigated it... only to find that Almasy has never been married before." He said stepping forward timidly and placing the files on his desk.

The man let out a laugh, so loud that Hertnz thought the walls of his giant fish tank might burst. "So he has her held for ransom then?" This made things even juicier.

"No, sir." He paused and watched his boss's eyebrow's lift. "By further investigation we found that she is suffering from Amnesia, and was checked in and out of the hospital by Mr. Almasy. He found her... but doesn't want Balamb garden to know he has her."

"Hertnz... you just made my day."

The sun was beggining to set along the horizon and the once blue sky was now stained pinks and purples. With not a cloud blocking the veiw the stars were definately going to be visible... yet it was not late enough for them yet.

Walking back to Mrs. Ling shop on some of the last rays of light Seifer fidgeted before pushing the door open. He was determined to take her to the Fisherman's Horizon Festival tonight... but he knew that afterwards he had to tell her the truth. After there chat yesterday he knew it was the right thing. Quistis was not acting like the Quistis he knew, this Quistis had no real barriers she was hiding behind... and he suspected that this was the real Quistis no one got to see. She was bright, beautiful, and full of life... but he knew that she was also confused, and it was his fault.

Sure he could make up a story... but it would never seem that real, as it wasn't. He wasn't her husband and because his consious kept telling him this he wasn't acting like it. She needed to know the truth and she needed to know that he lied to her. Sure it would mean that he would have to admit his fears, but Trepe had saved his life once, maybe she would do it again if he returned the favor.

The bell chimed as he entered the store, which had long ago been dubbed as closed when Quistis arrived. Stepping in he looked around to see if he could find anyone. Following a noise he went towards the back and nearly collided with the short oriental women who let out a, "EEEE! Oh! Seifer, you scare me! Come, you come look at wife, I made her pretty for tonights festivals!" She stated grabbing the mans hand and pulling him into the back room. Before he could protest he was standing infront of a Quistis he barely reconized.

A cascade of soft lilac material clung to her chest and back and loosened to flow out from her abdomen. It stoped at her knee's and due to the ammount rippled around her thighs in long waves. It was held over her shoulders by thin spagetti straps and bunched together in the middle of her chest, giving her breast a naturally perky look. Through the soft cotton he could see every curve she had on her, from her bare perfect shoulders, to the indents of her knees.

Her hair had been curled and was only half pinned up, letting a fountain of rich blonde swirls fall over her back. Her bangs hung over her face... shorter then he remembered them being, but still framing her face. Hers eyes and lips were enhanced with natural and delicate amounts of make up, as, acording to Mrs. Ling, she didn't need much at all. For a moment he had difficulty believing this was the same Quistis who had taught all those years ago, standing before dressed so beautifully.

"You close your mouth! You drool all over her!" Mrs. Ling said smacking him lightly on the leg, only to receive a giggle from Quistis.

"You afraid she's going to melt or something?" Seifer replied, gathering his composer when he realized he was gapping. "What do I owe you?"

"Nothing! You go now, festival almost start." She said waving her hand as if to brush him off, "You come pick up rest of clothing tomorrow!" With that she began pushing them both towards the door, handing Quistis a white shall to put over her shoulders should she get cold; it matched well with her white sliper shoes.

When out side of the shop Quistis watched Mrs. Ling locked the shop up and waved to them. She let out a giggle as Seifer scratched the back of his head. "She has to be one the strangest people in this town..." He exclaimed, not knowing what else to say.

"Strange she may be, but she is kind hearted." Quistis said smiling up at him, making him lose his words once more.

"You look..." He paused, trying to think of the right words. Beautiful wouldn't do it, she was that anyway. Stunning might have worked considering his first reaction, but then again she wasn't a traquilizer... amazing, too cliche. He would have to go with, "lovely." Anything else just didn't seem to sit well. The combination of the dress, hilighted lightly with white... it brought out a Quistis he had never seen.

"Thank you." She said, taking up his arm, knowing full well he had gone through every word he could think of due to the large pause.

Arm in arm he led her off towards the center of the village. As they drew closer to the festival she could see all the lights and decoration set up all around the stalls and set up over hangs. It was a spectacular sight, and yet she felt like she had seen something similiar before."What are the festivals for?" She asked, noticing all sorts of people standing in groups laughing, eating, and, of course, drinking. Sailors, wifes, children, sisters, mother, all sorts of people were around dressed in nice clothing. Not fancy, but nicer then the everyday clothing that they usually wore around the fishing village.

Seifer smirked, now that was something he could answer with complete honesty. "Each year as the season dies down for fishing the men celebrate the year they had by holding the festival. It originated from the old days when the fishermen used the make a sacrafice, of fish usually, to thank Hyne for the bounty he brought them each summer." He said as he led her through the crowd, pleased with himself to a full amount. Not only could he explain most things about the south side of Fisherman's Horizon, but he had a beautiful woman on his arm... which was receiving him a lot of looks; both good and bad.

"So they don't tie women to polls and feed them to the evil sea monsters?" Quistis asked in a jokin tone, trying to hide the grin that was slipping onto her face.

He couldn't help but chuckle when he heard that, "Only when their being naughty and cheeky." He retorted smartly giving her the eye.

"Better get the rope out then." She added back, earning herself another Seifer sized grin.

"Captain!" Came a cheery voice from behind him. "Glad you could make it!" Said a burly sized man, who came up behind Seifer and proceeded to whack him on the back in a friendly gesture.

"Gerto, glad to see your not completly smashed yet." He responed, smiling to one of his crew members. In this village Seifer was a highly respected Captain of his own fishing boat, as Quistis would soon learn. Not his full dream, but at least he was respected and looked up upon, which was good enough for him considering he was minutes away from execution only two and a half years ago.

"Nah! Gotta' save some of my natural charm for da ladies!" He said elbowing him and winking, then glanced over at Quistis. "Well now, if it isn't the mermaid we pulled aboard." He said with a huge toothy grin, scratching the small brown beard he had growing.

"Mermaid? I don't know about that." Quistis responed, trying not to laugh at the cheesy compliment.

"Mermaid or not, it is a pleasure ta meet yeah." He said taking her hand up and kissing it lightly. "I must be getting on, there's a keg some where here with my name on it. You watch out for this one, don't let him get to slopped!" He said giving Seifer one more friendly smack before parting off, loudly shouting at a group of men who cheered back at him.

"Quite the character." She said when he left.

"They all are, good men, but very interesting personalities." He said taking up her arm once more and leading her to a table where some others were seated.

When they got closer she noticed that the others at the table were three men and two women. One of the women had a child in her lap and a belly starting to grow over her slightly thin figure. She wasn't gaunt, but she wasn't huge either. To Quis she was rather pretty, though a little older then herself... maybe twenty-eight or twenty-nine. She had bright red hair and light green eyes, which meant she was probably originally from around trabia somewhere. The other woman was younger, maybe nineteen or so, and was wearing way to much makeup for her own good. Then again, it was easy to tell that she was quite plain with out it. Both women had brown hair, as it seemed there were very few blonde women in Horizon. The three men sandwiched both women, on the far left, next to the woman with children, sat a tall man with deep ebony hair and large grey eyes, it was easy to tell him and the pregnant lady were a couple by the look of the child between them. In the middle sat a stalky man who was going bald on the top of his brown haired head. His lips protruded and it was easy to tell he was the comedian of the bunch by the way the others were laughing at him. On the far right sat a man slightly shorted then Seifer, but not by much, with very light brown hair and dangerous looking almost golden coloured eyes. He had his arm around the younger girl and merely smiled at the jokes, rather then laugh.

All five looked up when Seifer aproached and gave him a heart felt welcome. "Hey Captain!" The man on the far left said, standing up to give his hand a hearty shake. "Glad to see you could make it, come sit!" He said offering two of the chairs that were left open.

"Thanks Dontai." He said, pulling out a chair for Quis before taking a seat himself. "Everyone this is Quistis." He said as Quistis took a seat and placed the shall in her lap. "Quis, this is Dontai, my first mate, and his wife Wendi." He said, motioning the two on the left, the man smiled and held out his hand, which Quistis shook. "He talks big, but I'm really the one he keeps him from falling over board." This received a chuckle from every one at the table. Next the woman named Wendi held out and her hand and shook Quistis'. "Tis a pleasure girly, glad ta see you been keeping this one out of trouble." She said nodding to Seifer before tending to the now fusing child by giving her a bit of fried potatoe to munch on.

"Not likely," Seifer said with a grin before continuing onto the intro's. "This is Kerl," he said motioning to the stalky balding man, who was now glugging a mouth full of brew. Putting the mug down roughly he grinned, foam still clung to his beard. It seemed that most of the elder fisherman had large beards of some sort, maybe to help them float?

"The only reason this toodler made capin' was cause of me not wantin' ta!" He said with humor lacing every word, but it received more chuckles, even from Quistis.

Skipping the long amount of attention kerl would want he went over to the last guy at the table. "This is Fridie, he's just joined the crew two months ago or so." He said introducing the last guy who merely nodded.

"And I'm lizza." The younger girl said sticking her nose up slightly, trying to out shine Quistis or something. "Fridie's girls." This recieved her a half hug from the guys who still had his arm around her.

"Well it's nice to meet all of you finally." She said with a smile, ignoring the aditued the younger girl gave off with ease.

"Like wise!" Came the loud, but slurred, comment from kerl.

"I'm gonna get us some drinks,play nice will you?" Seifer said, giving Quis a quick rub on the arm before getting up and walking over to where the alcohal was evidently being served.

Quistis looked from him to the group, still smiling lightly.

"Ah me..." came Wendi's voice. "I haven't seen him this happy since he was first made Capin... maybe even not as happy." She said with a cheerful smile at Quistis.

"You definately put some life back into that boy," Kerl added in, "Never seen any body caught so many blasted fish before in me life!"

"Where definately glad your here Quistis, your return has help him a lot I must say." Dontai pipped up, receving an aprooving nod from his wife.

"Glad to see you healed okay lassy!" Wendi said, kissing her little girls forhead as she began to bounce her for amusement.

She felt a tingle in her spine at hearing this. Her simple presence made some one else happy... in the back of her mind she knew that it was what she had been searching for, for a long time. She smiled once more and admitted, "I just wish I could remember farther back then the boat." She said honestly, then noticed that Fridie was paying almost too much attention to what she was saying.

"Aye, well all in good time. So long as your here now is all that matters!" Wendi said with a matter of fact tone, "Memory will come, you can be sure of that. And even if it doesn't then at least you'll have the new memories to live on."

Wendi couldn't have been more right. Sure she was frusterated that she could not remember that far back at all... but the words the older woman had shared couldn't have been more comforting to her.

This was her life now, and it was a peaceful one. He had a husband who cared for her and protected her, and it was evident that if she tried it would not be hard to make friends in this village. She had almost lost herself in thought when Seifer return with two mugs of brew and placed them down. "Hope your not charming my wife two much..." He said with a grin as Quistis smiled up at him, a smile brighter then she had before. It caught him off gaurd for a second, but he quickly stopped himself from asking question in front of the others and returned it.

In the background music began to roar and people started rising from their seats into a dance very much like a fishermans festival dance. "Come on party poopers! Let's dance!" Dontai said standing and holding his hand out to his wife.

"And how exactly am I suposed to dance with Keeri in me lap?" She asked rolling her eyes.

"A'll watch her, you kids go have fun. Afraid I'll throw me knee out anyway!" Kerl said motioning them to go and leave the little one behind.

Wendi accepted the offer and put the child down on the chair, stood up then took her husbands hand. Fridie and Lizza stood up and joined the dance floor as well, though they seemed more reserved then the loud and exuberent Dontai and Wendi.

Quistis laughed as she watched them spin and twirl around the dance floor with smiles and laughter. But stopped when she noticed a hand come up for her. "Oh no! I don't know how to dance like that!" She said to Seifer who merely chuckled.

"The woman never has to know, it's the guys job the spin her around till she gets ill." He joked, which earned him an eye rolling. Now there was some of the Quistis he remembered, sarsatic and stuborn. "I promise not to bite." He said with a cheeky grin.
a smirk she retorted, "Well I don't!" before taking his hand. He let out a chuckle before standing up and leading her out onto the dance floor.

It only took Quistis a second or two to get the hang of the very simple but fun dance. Round and around they went, twirling and spinning between all the couples and drunken people. They dance till both of their feet hurt and late into the night. The music turned somber and couples began joining up in a slow dance. By this point neither Quistis nor Seifer wanted to join the table again, where an exhaunsted Wendi and Dontai had retreated to not long before the slow songs.

Taking his hand on her waist he felt her wrap one arm over his shoulder while the other caught his hand. Resting her head against his shoulder she listened slowly to the beating of his calming heart. This was reality and this was the now, it was decided that from this point on she was no longer going to worry about whatever past she might have had. Then it occured to her... she had fallen in love with him. It must have been real for her to fall for him so easily, right? With a sigh she moved her head to rest more in the crook of his neck.
was not feeling exactly the same thoughts... instead he was feeling guilt. Quistis had a right to know the truth... it wasn't fair for him to lie to her, and to decieve her of such things. "Quis." He said softly, his mind racing with more then just guilt as he held the beautidul ex instructor close to him.

"Hmm?" She responed pulling back so she could look up at him, catching his deep emerald eyes with her bright saphire ones. Trust and love swept over the look, which he saw immidiately the second their eyes met.

He opened his mouth to spill out the truth... but closed it again, he couldn't... he was scared to tell her. But before he could get a chance to say anything else she leaned forward, placing her hand on the base of his jaw line, and caught his lips with her own delicately.

It was this simple movement that brushed away all other thoughts and seemed to calm him down to his soul. He returned the kiss lovenly, placing his hand on the small of her back, while the other rested on her hip.

Only when he heard a large wistle did he stop and look up, over to the table where Kerl, Dontai, and Wendi were hooting and hollaring at them.

Both of them smiled, and Quistis let out an embarassed laughed as she looked back up at him. "Save some for later Romeo." She said twinging her fingers in his own and leading him back to the table.

"Now I know where he's getting all that energy from! How come you never kiss me like that?" Dontai asked Wendi, though it was obvious he was joking.

"Cause I'm always having to watch over the spawn of your kisses!" She joked back, slapping him on the arm lightly when he started laughing.

Lizza just snorted and rolled her eyes, looking over the Fridie, who was still staring intently at Quisits.

It was starting to make her uncomfortable, so turning to Seifer she asked in a small tone, "Do mind if we head back, I'm getting slightly tired." A smile was still rested lightly on her lips, though it was easy to tell she had had enough excitement for one sitting.

"That's a good idea, tis already 1'am I better be gettin' the little one to bed!" Wendi said, jumping in so as not to make Quistis look like the wet blanket of the group.

Seifer nodded, catching the bit of uncomfort hidden in the back of her tone. "I agree, it has been a long night." Standing he gave Fridie a shake of the hand, and skipped over a passed out Kerl. "Make sure he doesn't end up there all night!" He said to the younger boy with a sharp, captain like glance. "Aye, aye." Fridie responed with a salute.

"Right, well time to get along then!" Dontai said standing and taking a sleeping Keeri from Wendi so she could walk with less weight, considering she was about 4 months pregnant. "Take care Seifer, don't stay up to late!" He said with a mocking tone as he headed off slowly. "Nice ta' meet yeah Quistis, hopefully we can meet up some time?" Wendi said with a cheerful, but tired smile, and when Quistis nodded followed her husband off.

With a last good bye to most of the people at the festival as they left, Quistis and Seifer were soon on their way out of the lit up party gates...

AN./ OKay, another chapter done, and yes it took me forever to do! The next one shouldn't take as long... and this is your last chance to give me your opinion on a lemon scene or not! Till next time. Cheers.