Disclaimer- I in no way shape or form own the rights to Final Fantasy VIII. I do finally own a copy of the game though...marital property. lol

Author's notes- I sure hope this chapter reads alright. I have done everything just shy of pulling my hair out over this chapter. I wrote and rewrote it five times since I posted the last chapter. I just couldn't decide what to have Quistis do while Nida was gone. I eventually settled for having the chapter start a lot like the first chapter did. I figured since this was the last chapter of the actual story it couldn't hurt for it to be a bit reminiscent of the first chapter. With any luck, I may be able to put the epilogue up on the story's two year birthday, the 6th. That leaves me less than 24 hours. Wish me luck.

JadeAlmasy- Yeah his family is messed up. I unfortunately know a few families that are a lot worse. I really enjoyed writing the cafeteria scene.

Eridalove- I'm glad you like the pairing.

Returning Home

The day had been a warm one; one of the many signs that summer was almost upon them. Quistis thought of the implications the changing of the seasons held and smiled to herself as she pushed open the apartment window. She closed her eyes and absorbed the warmth the wind carried with it. Absently, she took out her hair clip and let her hair cascade down her back. The wind played with a few stray stands and she watched whimsically as her hair seemed to dance along with the curtains that hung alongside the windows.

Her gaze fell to the waves that crashed up against Garden's colorful hull. She knew it was only a matter of time before he'd meet them at this dock. The thought of his return sent chills up her spine. She bit at her bottom lip as she realized how foolishly sappy it made her feel. It was like she was twelve again and had just met her biggest crush face to face. She forced herself from her musings and continued to watch the waves. It was funny how much the sea reminded her of him.

She cautiously pulled her knees up to her chest, bringing her bare feet to rest on the windows ledge in front of her. Leaning against the frame she carefully took hold of the window to steady herself. She was comfortable and content on her perch above the water. Her blue eyes danced as she watched the waves below.

Xu groaned as she stumbled into the apartment carrying a box nearly as heavy as she was. Struggling to hoist it up higher on her hip, she freed up her right hand and tucked a few rebellious strands of hair behind her ear. She paused at the sight of Quistis and cleared her throat.

Startled from her daze, Quistis hurried over to her friend and took the box from her. "Sorry about that. I was expecting Seifer," She apologized.

Xu shrugged if off. "He got side-tracked by something. Asked me to take the last box up."

"Side-tracked huh," Quistis shook her head. "That sounds about like him." Xu chuckled.

"Well I need to get up to the bridge. My shift starts in a few minutes."

"Alright. Thanks for the help," Quistis called after her.

"No problem," Xu waved as she stepped out the door.

Now alone, Quistis struggled to carry the awkwardly large box into the spare bedroom. It only took a few steps for her to realize that wasn't going to happen. Regrouping, she carefully tried to lower the box to the floor, but the smooth cardboard of its sides slid down against her fingertips. She reached to catch it but ended up falling onto the floor with it. The box landed with a loud clunk. Quistis winced as she raised herself up to her knees and pulled open the box's flaps. Looking inside, she examined Nida's assortment of small paint cans for any sign of damage. Once satisfied, she took a deep breath and rolled onto her back.

Nida hurried down the corridor and hastily slid his card through his door's slot. He waited impatiently as the door unlocked and snapped open. Quistis had probably been trying to call him all day and he'd lost his cell phone. If he didn't find it fast and call her he figured he was a dead man. Before the door had even opened he had come up with a rough idea of where he'd left it. However, upon stepping into his room, all his previous ideas vanished as he found himself somewhere he didn't think he was supposed to be.

A bit confused, he paused at the empty space that surrounded him. This wasn't his room. It couldn't be. He looked around at the bare walls and floor. Curiously stepping towards the closet, he slid the door open to find none of his clothes or storage boxes. There was however a few loose pieces of notebook paper covered in cobwebs in the back corner. He knelt down and picked up the papers. They were nothing more than some of his old rough sketches, but even with that, his first instinct was to check and make sure he'd entered the right dorm room. He knew that'd be pointless because only his card key would open his door. Puzzled, he walked over to his bed and paused once again.

On his bed lay a fresh set of SeeD regulation sheets; neatly spread, tucked and folded back like they were the day he moved in. He stared at the bed for a moment. He never made his bed, much less used the regulation sheet sets. They were cold. Nida gazed up at his ceiling for some reassurance he was in the right room. Seeing his beige on white ceiling tiles gave him little comfort. Where was all his stuff? A thought crossed his mind. How was he going to find his cell phone if he didn't even know where his stuff was.

Swiftly grabbing the phone next to the bed, he dialed his number and waited. A faint ringing cried out from under his bed. He sat the receiver down next to its cradle and dropped to his knees to peer under the bed. Nida pushed aside a spare canvas, a few small boxes and an old pair of dress shoes before he finally found his phone under what appeared to be a pair of underwear. Absently setting his cell phone onto of his bed, he pulled out the pair of lavender panties and started laughing to himself. Quistis had lost something.

Tucking his find away in his dresser, he was relieved to see that whoever had cleaned out his room hadn't taken everything - yet. Making sure to close his dresser drawer, he then hung up his dorm phone and flipped his cell open. A frown crossed his features when he saw the seven missed calls. He immediately dialed Quistis' number and paced the floor while he waited for her to answer. When she didn't answer he hung up and rubbed his temples.

"She didn't answer her phone did she," A stern voice spoke behind him.

"How did you..." Nida's question died on his tongue.

"If you want your privacy keep your door closed," Seifer said bluntly. Nida just stared at him for a moment before he responded.

"I wasn't talking about you being here. I meant how did you know I was calling..."

"Quistis and I talk," Seifer paused. "Quistis and Xu talk. Quistis and I argue. But that doesn't matter though. She's been trying to get a hold of you all day."

"I forgot my cell phone," Nida responded as he tucked the phone in his pocket. "Why else would I go to my dorm room to use it?"

Seifer seemed to consider his response. "Like what she did with the place?" He asked.

Nida looked around, the emptiness still giving him a cold sensation. "Ehh...not really."

Seifer smirked. "You weren't meant to like it. When you didn't return her calls she got a few girlfriends together and they tossed your stuff out."

"What?" Nida's face read pure disbelief. "This is my room. She can't throw out my stuff to kick me out."

"Yeah you try telling that to three irate, men bashing women," Seifer scoffed. "I started to. But let me tell you there was so much estrogen in the air I was swiftly silenced and sent out." Nida crossed his arms and continued to stare at Seifer skeptically. "You think I'm lying. But I'll have you know that Xu, Selphie and Quistis together are trouble."

"Selphie?" Nida laughed.

"Yeah, there's a lot of raging hormones in that girl," Seifer's face held a mask of utmost seriousness. Nida narrowed his eyes and shifted his weight. "Anyways, what wasn't dumped out the window was toted upstairs to apartment four." Seifer grinned and handed Nida another card key.

"They packed everything in my room?" Nida asked as the realization of Seifer's implication took root.

Seifer frowned. "No. I packed everything and hauled most of it up there. They picked out curtains and decorated." Nida raised an eyebrow. "Go up there and see for yourself." Seifer stepped aside and made room for Nida to pass. He waited until Nida'd walked past him before he grabbed his arm and dragged him back into the room. Nida tried to pull his arm free to no avail. "Before you go let's get one thing straight. I haven't seen her this happy about something as long as I've known her. You hurt her, and I'll hurt you," Seifer threatened him.

Nida seemed to think. "I don't think that's a threat you're going to have to worry about following through on."

"Good," Seifer responded as he released Nida's arm.

"Oh and Seifer," Nida said from the doorway. Seifer just raised an eyebrow. "You missed a few things."

"Hmph," Seifer crossed his arms and looked at Nida accusingly. "I make it a point to avoid foraging under another man's bed and in his dresser." Nida grinned guiltily and then quickly left his room. Once he was out of sight, Seifer casually picked up the phone on the table and dialed Quistis' number.

Still lying on the carpet, Quistis stretched her arms above her head and stared at the ceiling for a moment. The sunlight pouring through the windows illuminated the walls and ceiling so that they seemed to radiate the bright white that they were painted. She closed her eyes and sighed as she silently enjoyed the feel of the soft new carpet. Reaching over for her purse she pulled out her cell phone and checked it for any missed calls. Finding two, she paused and stared at the phone blankly. The first was from Nida's cell, and the second from his dorm room phone. She hadn't heard her phone ring either time. Quistis sat up and went through the call history.

"Ten minutes ago," She said as she stumbled to her feet. "He's here." Before she could even put her phone away a feeling of dread and apprehension washed away any of the good feelings she may have had earlier in the day. "He's back," She said as she paced the floor and tried to get the bad feeling to go away. "Xu!" Quistis called out as she hurried to catch her friend. Xu looked down the hall at her as she waited for the elevator to come up. Quistis motioned for her and then stepped back into the apartment.

"What's wrong?" Xu asked as she hurried into the room.

"He's here! Things are never going to be the same," Quistis whispered.

Xu raised an eyebrow. "But I thought we were fixing this apartment up for him to return to."

"No don't you get it?" Quistis half cried. "He's coming back with his sister...as the guardian of his sister. He's coming back with a child!" Xu stared at her in confusion.

"I thought you were comfortable with that idea," Her voice held a worried tone. "Should I go get Selphie?"

"No! I mean I was comfortable," Quistis' voice wavered. "But that was before it dawned on me that things between us will never be the same."

Xu's face softened as she placed a hand on Quistis' shoulder. "Look, I've known Nida longer than you. His sister isn't going to make him change the way he feels about you. He adores you."

Quistis mustered a smile. "But his sister needs a responsible parental figure. And that means that we aren't going to be able to spend the time we used to together. I'm not going to be able to show up at midnight and get him to go watch a movie with me. And I'm not going to be able to do anything spontaneous because he'll have to make arrangements to have her taken care of."

"Quistis," Xu grabbed her shoulders. "Amira's thirteen not three. She's the same age I was when I came here. I promise you she'll be alright if you two want to run off and go do your thing," She laughed.

Quistis took a deep breath. "That's not what I'm saying. His life is going to be different because he has to take care of her now. He has to be more responsible...and he has to put her first," Quistis started crying. Xu just stared at her silently. "Damn it Xu I'm jealous. At this point in our relationship I don't want to be number two in his life. And I feel guilty as sin for feeling that way because I know its wrong."

"Honey there ain't nothin' wrong with feeling that way," Xu said as she pulled Quistis into a hug. "It'd be wrong if you acted on it and poisoned the poor girl or got her taken out of the picture," She joked. Quistis smiled. "But there isn't anything wrong with being afraid of growing apart from someone you love." Quistis remained silent as she considered her words. "Just trust me. Things will work out somehow." Quistis nodded as she wiped her eyes. "Now go clean yourself up. If he's already back, he'll be here in any minute...and quite frankly, you look like hell."

"Thanks," Quistis pulled her hair back and grabbed her purse. "I'll meet you for supper in the cafeteria."

"Five thirty," Xu said as she stepped back into the main hall. "Don't you be late!"

"I won't!" Quistis called from the bathroom.

From the elevator Nida could hear Xu's voice. As he grew nearer he could see she was just outside the apartment he was going to. Right as he got to her, she spun on her heel and plowed right into him. He quickly caught her arms to keep her from falling.

"Oh Nida..." The surprise on her face was very evident. "How long have you been there?"

"I just walked up. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," She dusted off the sleeves of her uniform. "But I'm late for my shift. I'll talk to you tonight."

"Alright," He said as she hurried around him and then ran down the hall to the elevator. The doors slid shut right as she reached it and Nida watched with some amusement as she hit the doors weakly with the side of her fist and then crossed her arms in annoyance.

Quistis was putting away her makeup when she noticed the reflection in the mirror in front of her. She looked up and smiled when she saw Nida's reflection behind her. He smiled back and wrapped his arms around her waist. Quistis closed her eyes as she felt his lips brush the base of her neck.

"I'm sorry I didn't answer the phone," Nida whispered in her ear. "I uh...misplaced it last night and totally forgot about it this morning."

"I forgive you," Quistis turned her head to the right and kissed his cheek.

"I'm glad," He responded. "I'd hate to think you were mad at me."

Quistis studied his reflection in the mirror and pulled herself free of his arms. His gaze questioned her action as he watched her intently. "Where's Ami?" She asked.

"Well that's something I've been wanting to tell you all day," He grinned. "Its really unexpected but really good. At least I hope."

"What is?" Quistis asked.

"When I got to Sarah's house this morning, we had a small fight," He showed her the cuts on his fingers and palms. Quistis took hold of his hand and looked at them in confusion. "She snatched the papers out of my hand," He explained. "And from there the fight got worse and she slapped me...but I realized today that I deserved it."

"What do you mean?" Quistis narrowed her eyes. "If anyone deserves-"

Nida placed two fingers over her mouth. "I've been here for so long that I forgot what I was like. Don't say anything just let me explain. After Sarah slapped me I went upstairs to get Ami. Thing was, she didn't want to go. The times I'd talked to her on the phone she'd been mad at Sarah because they'd been arguing. But what Sarah and I didn't realize was that the reason Ami was acting the way she was, was because of me. She wanted to be sent off to where I was because Sarah wouldn't let me come home to visit." Sensing the story could be a long one, Quistis nodded and then led him into the bedroom to sit on the bed.

"This is new," Nida stated as he looked at the full size bed before him. Quistis smiled. He smiled back knowingly. "I've never had a bed this big. Thanks," He said as he pulled her into a hug.

"Anytime," She smiled as she absorbed the warm sensation he gave her. "So Amira didn't want to come with you?" Quistis silently cried out in joy.

Nida groaned as he stretched out on his back. Quistis grinned as the mattress sank with his weight. "Nope," He sighed. "She just missed me. And because she missed me she was acting up hoping to be sent where I was."

"Wouldn't it have been easier to let you come home?" Quistis asked.

"Yeah, I imagine. But the only reason I was sent off was because Sarah didn't think she could control me. After she sent me off, Amira started acting up...and then she was afraid if I came back I'd fall back into my old habits-"

"So she just never let you come home?" Quistis frowned.

"I know it sounds lousy."

"Its beyond lousy-" Nida silenced her with two fingers.

"I figure what's done is done. None of us can change what happened. We can only apologize and attempt to make amends."

"You're too forgiving," Quistis stated.

"I wouldn't say that. I'd rather be called hopeful. Considering Amira doesn't want to leave and Sarah doesn't want her to anyways, I saw that as an opportunity for me to back out of that responsibility," Nida explained as he raised up on one elbow.

"You didn't want her?" Quistis asked.

"Oh I'd have been more than willing to take care of her, I would just rather be spending my time taking care of you," Nida answered as he raised up and cradled her face with his hand. She sat frozen where he held her, the surprise evident in her eyes. He smiled as he leaned forward to kiss her and then wavered just a fraction of an inch away from her lips. "Quistis you mean more to me than anyone in this world," He whispered as he pressed his lips against hers.

When their lips parted, Quistis smiled back at him and brushed his jet black hair back away from his face. "I love you so much," She whispered. "Don't ever leave me. I don't know what I'd do with myself."

"Don't worry," Nida assured her as he lay back down and pulled her with him. "There isn't anyone or anything in this world that would make me leave your side. I love you too." He closed his eyes as he held her there next to him. Absorbing the sweet smell of her perfume, the softness of her skin, and the warmth of her body, he remained where he lay and continued to hold her. He listened to the softness of her breathing and only opened his eyes when he felt her move in his arms. The brilliant blue of her eyes greeted his as a few blonde strands of hair slid across her face. With a gentle hand he brushed the hair away and ran his thumb along her cheek. He marveled at how soft and smooth her skin really was. She was so beautiful. Even as he lay there with her, it seemed almost surreal. Three months ago he would've never believed that he and Quistis would be close friends, let alone dating. Quistis smiled adoringly at him, effectively drawing his attention from his musings and back to her. He smiled in response and gently kissed her forehead.