Author's Note: And finally, we begin to get into the meat of the story!
Chapter 7 – Dancing Around the Truth
"Kylah? We're going to be late!" Squall called through the door to her bedroom. He was beginning to get impatient. They had agreed to walk to the presidential dinner and ball together, but if she wasn't ready soon he was going to leave without her.
"Ready!" she called gaily as the opened the door to her room.
Squall's heart stopped as soon as he saw her.
Her deep auburn hair was done up in a becoming twist, leaving out only her bangs and a few soft tendrils next to her cheek. The midnight blue dress clung to every curve. Her already bright blue eyes seemed even brighter that night, and the light seemed to catch every highlight of her silky hair.
"Wha-- What is THAT?" he asked, gesturing to her dress.
She smiled sweetly at him. "It's half of your next paycheck," she quipped, referring to their game of poker from the night before.
"I thought… I mean… Weren't you…" Squall struggled to speak. "I uh, thought you were, er, going to wear, that is, I thought we were both going to wear our, um, uniforms. SeeD uniforms."
"That's what you get for thinking," she replied, lightly. "Ellone talked me into buying this while we were shopping this afternoon.
"A-are you sure that's…appropriate for a SeeD?"
"It's appropriate to wear to a presidential ball," she responded, patiently. "Look, I've been working hard all week helping Laguna with negotiations and looking out for his personal security. I thought I'd treat myself. I don't see the harm in it."
"And where, exactly, are you going to carry a weapon under that thing?"
She gave him a defiant look. "I'm already packing. See?" She lifted her skirt slightly, pulling the slit up so that it revealed her thigh. Strapped to it was one of her dirks. "The other one is strapped to the other leg," she assured him.
Squall nearly swallowed his tongue. He struggled through his mind for a valid reason for her not to wear that dress to the ball. Try though he might, he could not come up with a mandate in the SeeD regulations that would prevent her from attending the ball out of uniform. With a shrug, he stalked out of the suite without waiting for her to catch up.
Kylah blinked as she watched him leave. What the heck is his problem? she wondered.
"Are you trying to ditch me, or is that just a side-effect of your sparkling personality?" Kylah asked when she finally caught up with Squall. He was just outside the door to the grand ballroom, waiting to go through the receiving line inside.
He turned and scowled at her. "No, I'm not trying to ditch you."
"Then what's your problem?" she asked, obviously annoyed.
"Nothing," he shot back, and turned away.
She stared at him a minute, contemplating firing back an equally nasty response. Figuring that she wouldn't really accomplish anything other than further alienating her mission partner, she shrugged and gave up. Realizing that they were next to enter the ballroom and go through the line, she pasted a cheerful smile on her face and stepped through the door.
"Good evening, Mr. President," she welcomed Laguna warmly.
"Laguna," he corrected her, returning her smile. "We may look formal tonight, but that doesn't mean we have to act it!"
She chuckled. "Thank you for inviting us as your guest, tonight." She gave him a silent, pointed look that assured him that security was taken care of for the night.
He nodded slightly and sent her a knowing look. "Thank you for coming! Squall! It's good to see you tonight, too!"
Chuckling to herself as she listened to Squall attempting to make polite small talk with Laguna, she moved on to the next person in line. "President Caraway," she greeted. "You look quite dashing tonight."
"And you look lovely, Miss Deraldi," he replied, leaning over to kiss her cheek gently.
She smiled at the compliment, then turned to the next person in line. "Ambassador, it's nice to see you –" she paused when she saw who stood next to her father. "Mother!" she cried, obvious delight in her voice.
Squall turned from his conversation with Laguna when Kylah's squeal caught his attention. Grinning happily, she hugged a striking woman who was obviously related. Mrs. Deraldi was a lovely older version of her daughter, same deep auburn curls and sparkling blue eyes.
"Hello, darling!" he mother greeted her, warmth and love in her voice.
"I had no idea you were coming!" Kylah said, pulling away to look at her mother.
"I thought I'd surprise you. You look absolutely lovely tonight, dear."
"Yes, she does," said a voice from behind Kylah. She turned slightly and found herself looking up at Laguna, who rested a hand on her shoulder and addressed her mother. "Mrs. Deraldi, your daughter has been an incredible asset to me this week. You must be proud!"
"Indeed I am," she said, smiling fondly at her only child.
"And," Laguna added, "it's easy to see where Kylah gets her stunning looks!"
"Mr. President," Kylah's mother admonished, a teasing note in her voice and a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I happen to be a happily married woman!"
"And your husband is a lucky man," Laguna replied. He winked at Kylah, then walked away to greet some of his other guests.
"So," Mrs. Deraldi said as soon as she had her daughter alone, "who is that devastatingly handsome young man?"
"What young man?" Kylah asked, confused.
"The one who has been standing in the corner staring at you for the past five minutes," her mother replied, conspiratorially.
She turned and spied Squall standing nearby, a scowl permanently on his face. Kylah returned the scowl, then turned back to her mother.
"That's my partner, Squall Leonhart."
"He's quite the looker," her mother observed. "And he has a nice set of buns."
"Mother!" Kylah was shocked.
"Just stating the obvious, dear," she replied, cheerfully as she patted Kylah's cheek. "Well, I'm off to find your father."
"Have fun," she responded with a roll of her eyes. Just as her mother stepped away, a strong hand grabbed her by the arm and pulled her off to a quieter corner of the room. "Hey!" she cried, outraged. She spun out of her abductor's grip and discovered that it was Squall who was dragging her away. "I will NOT be manhandled," she informed him, angrily.
"I thought you didn't get along with your parents," he shot back.
"I said I don't get along with my father," she emphasized. "Mother and I have a perfectly civil relationship."
"Yeah, well, don't forget that we're here under as Laguna's employees. Your parents are here representing Gabaldia."
Fury rose up into her throat. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, don't mix business with pleasure."
Kylah had enough. "That's it!" she exploded, feelings wounded. "Would you mind telling me exactly what your problem is tonight?"
"Nothing," he retorted. "I'm not the one with the problem here."
"I'll beg to differ."
"Whatever," he responded, stalking off angrily.
Kylah clenched her fists up with rage as she watched him storm off. She slowly counted to ten as she fought off the urge to chase him down and knock a few of his teeth down his throat.
She gave herself a few more moments to calm her anger, then forced a smile onto her face. Whatever problem Squall had, she would not let it ruin Laguna's party or spoil her evening. Let him have a miserable evening. I plan to enjoy myself.
"What crawled up your butt?"
Squall dragged his attention from the dance floor and turned to look at Ellone, who had come up to stand beside him. She was looking up at him with a questioning look on her pretty face, waiting for an answer.
"Nothing," he replied, turning back to the floor as he took a sip of his drink.
"Then why have you been sitting over in the corner all evening, glaring around the room and generally being as personable as a cactuar?"
"I'm not."
"Yes you are," she argued. She paused and followed his gaze. "Why are you angry with Kylah? Did you guys have a fight?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"What about," she pressed, not willing to let him off so easily.
He thought over their conversation. "I dunno."
She stood beside him and watched Kylah as she twirled smoothly around the dance floor with Laguna. The two of them were deep in conversation about something. Whatever it was, it must have been funny as Kylah abruptly threw her head back and laughed.
Ellone observed that Squall apparently didn't find the situation as amusing as Kylah did. Whenever she laughed so heartily, the scowl on his face deepened.
"Oh, I see. You're upset because Kylah looks absolutely stunning in that dress, and she's now dancing with her third partner of the night."
"No I'm not!" he protested, eyes never leaving the dance floor. "And it's her fourth. Not that I'm keeping track."
"Of course not," she replied, amused. So, it appeared that her "little brother" was jealous. "C'mon. Dance with me."
"What?" he asked, finally turning to look at her again. "No, I don't think so."
"I'm not giving you an option here. Put the glass down," she said, pulling it from his hand and rested it on a nearby table, "and dance with me." She grabbed Squall's hand and pulled him out on the dance floor.
Squall heaved a big sigh. He hated dancing, but he supposed he would do it for Ellone. Reluctantly, he took her hand and prepared to lead her around the floor to the sweet waltz that the band was playing.
"Everything going okay?" Laguna asked as he led Kylah around the dance floor.
She nodded in reply. "Very nicely," she said as he twirled her out, then back in. "I've been keeping my eyes peeled for problems, but haven't noticed any."
"Can I ask a question?"
"Sure," she replied as she smoothly kept up with his quick footwork.
"Where on EARTH would you keep a weapon under that dress?"
She burst out laughing. "Squall asked the same question earlier. Don't worry, I'm armed and dangerous."
He nodded, satisfied that she was ready for action if necessary. "So, what's Squall's problem tonight?"
She scowled. "I have no idea. He's been acting like that since I we left for the party tonight."
"Think he's jealous?"
A puzzled look crossed her face. "Over what?"
He spun her around. "Over the fact that you look ravishing in that dress and have danced with every man in the room but him tonight."
Kylah rolled her blue eyes. "Oh sure. Every man in the room. Please. I've danced with President Caraway, Kiros, Ward, and you."
Laguna caught Ellone's eye as she led Squall to the floor. Silently, he sent her a message. She nodded slightly to acknowledge that she understood. Gracefully, Laguna began to subtly lead Kylah in Squall and Ellone's direction. "Still, you barely even looked at him all night!"
"Why would I want to look at him to see that unfriendly scowl?"
"Maybe because he's been watching you all night?"
She gave him a withering look. "Yeah, right."
"No, really!" Just a few more feet and the two couples would be dancing side-by-side. "He hasn't taken his eyes off you!"
"I don't believe that for a minute."
"Then why don't you ask him yourself," Laguna said, with a nod to Ellone he abruptly spun Kylah out and let her go. At the same time, Ellone pulled apart from her partner, grabbed Kylah's wrist and gently pushed her into Squall's arms. Smoothly, Laguna then took hold of Ellone's hand and danced her away leaving a stunned Kylah and Squall to face each other on the floor.
Squall hesitated, wrestling with his emotions for a long moment. Kylah, still slightly annoyed with him turned to leave, but he caught her wrist before she had a chance to get far and pulled her into his arms for a dance.
"Let's humor them," he said, as he began to lead her across the floor.
Kylah wordlessly followed his lead, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Don't forget that we're here to work tonight," Squall cautioned in her ear as he held her close.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Laguna is our client," he reminded her. "The two of you looked pretty chummy out on the dance floor."
She snorted, looking over his shoulder. "We were discussing work."
"I've never found work that funny."
"If you really must know," she said, icily, "he asked me where I would hide a weapon under this dress. A question that I seem to recall you asking earlier this evening."
"Another reason why you shouldn't have worn that dress."
"What!"
"Distracting the client. Inticing him by wearing a sexy dress."
She smiled as she continued to look over his shoulder, speaking directly in his ear. "So, you do think my dress is sexy."
Despite his best effort, a flush crept up into Squall's cheeks. "I didn't say that."
"Yes, you did."
"Whatever. Anyway, you should have worn your uniform."
Kylah pulled back so that she could face him. "For the last time, what is your problem tonight? Are you angry because I'm out of uniform? Because you've had to take a backseat all week? Because Ellone chose to spend the afternoon with me? What?"
He looked at her for a long moment. There was that fire in her eyes again. "I honestly have no idea."
"So you're acting like a complete buffoon for absolutely no reason? And they say that women are confusing!"
"Kylah—" he began, impatiently.
"What?" she asked, expectantly.
"I –" he stopped himself, not entirely sure what he wanted to say.
Before he had a chance to gather his thoughts, the band switched from a soft, light waltz to a slow, bluesy romantic number. Couples all around them snuggled closer to one another. Assuming that Squall would not want to continue this dance, Kylah started to pull away and excuse herself from the dance floor. To her surprise, Squall refused to let go of her wrist and pulled her back, even closer than before.
"I'm not finished talking to you yet," he said.
"Well, what did you want to say," she asked, holding herself stiffly in his arms.
"I – I'm not really sure."
"Well, then, what's left to talk about?"
"Just shut up and let me think a minute," he responded, pulling her even closer and resting his cheek against her temple.
Kylah continued to dance stiffly in his arms for several moments. Gradually, however, the effects of the music playing and the wine that she had been drinking got the better of her and she began to relax in his arms. She wrapped her arms up around his neck and snuggled her cheek against his.
Squall allowed himself to enjoy the feel of her snuggled against him. He closed his eyes briefly and breathed in the light mixture of the scent of her perfume and shampoo. He hadn't felt this way in…he didn't think he had ever quite felt this way.
They danced close together for the duration of the song. Once it ended, they pulled back slightly and looked at each other with startled expressions.
"Squall…" she said, unable to finish her thought.
Suddenly, Squall realized what was happening. What am I doing? She was his partner. His co-worker. He couldn't allow himself to fall for her. Wouldn't allow it.
"Kylah…." He searched his mind for the right thing to say to her. "The party is, um, almost over. I'm going to head on back to our suite. I'll see you later."
Using every ounce of self-control he had, he gently released her, turned and walked out of the room leaving a very stunned and bewildered Kylah staring after him.
Kylah entered their suite a little while later and found Squall standing next to the window staring out. He had changed into his jeans and t-shirt, his feet bare, and was leaning against the window frame with his arms crossed, one leg crossed over the other. He didn't turn from the window when he heard her enter the room.
"The party's pretty much over, if you care," she said, staring at him. She dropped her handbag onto the coffee table and walked toward him.
He nodded, still not turning away from the window.
"Squall," she began, stopping next to him and crossing her own arms.
"You really do look beautiful tonight," he interrupted, turning from the window at last.
She blinked, surprised by his compliment. "Th-thank you."
"I guess that's why I was in such a crappy mood. It caught me by surprise. I'm used to seeing you all polished an businesslike." He uncrossed his arms and reached up to brush a lock of hair away from her cheek.
"I, uh, know how to clean up when the occasion calls for it," she quipped, trying to keep the mood light. Her breath caught in her throat as he stepped in closer.
"You clean up nicely," he retorted, bringing his other hand up to her other cheek.
To Kylah's utter and complete amazement, he leaned down toward her. She closed her eyes as soon as his lips lightly touched hers in a soft, sweet and tender kiss. Slowly, she raised her hands up to rest on his broad chest as she lost herself in the kiss, savoring every sensation and surge of emotion.
Squall felt as if Quezacotl had unleashed an attack from within his body. His fingertips and lips both tingled with electricity. His stomach felt as if a thousand Bite Bats had been released inside. Her lips tasted sweet and wonderful, just as he had imagined he would.
When the kiss ended, the two of them gazed into one another's eyes for a long moment. Neither of them dared to speak, afraid of ending the moment.
Finally Squall had to speak. His emotions were completely in turmoil. On one hand, he was teetering on the edge of falling for her. On the other, he was terrified of doing so and the implications of it. "Kylah, I –"
"Yes?" she said the word breathlessly.
"I…can't do this." He pulled away, suddenly. "I just…can't. You're my partner. I can't compromise our mission. I'm sorry."
"Squall –" she began, searching her mind for the right words to put his mind at ease.
Frustrated, he buried his hands in his hair. "I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning." He turned and walked into his bedroom.
"Squall, stop. We need to talk about this—"
His only reply was to quietly shut the door.
"This is quite a turnout," Kiros commented as he surveyed the room.
Kylah nodded in agreement. The press had come out full-force for the historical signing of the treaty. She, Kiros, Ward, and Squall had all arrived a bit early to scope things out for Laguna. Once he and President Caraway arrived, the press conference and treaty signing would begin.
She caught her father's eye from across the room. He gave her a tight smile and a formal nod, then turned back to confer with one of the presidential aides. With a roll of her eyes, Kylah sighed in resignation. She would probably never repair her relationship with him. Her eyes continued around the room to survey the situation.
Big mistake. Inevitably, he gaze rested on Squall, who had taken a strategic position near the door and next to the gathering press. They had been very formal and distant with each other all day. The memory of the kiss they had shared was still fresh in her mind, and she was hurt by the way he had reacted since. He had carefully kept her at a distance, not willing to allow himself to get close again. His gaze locked onto hers for a moment, but he then abruptly looked away.
Ignoring the pang in her heart, Kylah turned back to Kiros. "Are things just about ready?"
"All set. We're just waiting for the presidents."
As if on cue, Laguna and Caraway strode into the room together. Smiling, they both greeted the press.
Laguna took the microphones first. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a very exciting day for all of us. Esthar and Gabaldia, the two largest powers in our world have been fighting for years…"
Squall tuned out Laguna's speech and began surveying the room. If he looked up at Laguna, he had to see Kylah who was standing nearby. He was struggling very hard to put last night's encounter out of his head.
He forced his mind to switch to military mode and took inventory of everyone in the room. Keeping his position near the door kept him out of the spotlight, which made him even happier. He looked each of the members of the press over carefully, telling himself that he was doing his job of helping keep up Laguna's personal security.
Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. One of the news reporters was excusing himself from the room. That struck Squall as a little odd, given the importance of this event. Maybe the guy was as bored with Laguna's speech as he was. Besides he noticed that the guy had left his camera running.
The camera. Cocking his head to the side, Squall looked at it a little closer. Something about that camera looked a little strange to him. He hadn't spent much time in television studios, but this one just didn't look quite right. Quietly so not to attract attention to himself, Squall crept over to examine it up close.
As he looked it over, a flash inside the lens caught his eye. He peered closer into it. His heart dropped into his stomach when he realized what he was looking at.
Red digital numbers, counting down. Fifteen seconds remaining.
"Bomb!" he shouted, snatching it up by the tripod it was resting on. Thinking quickly, he tossed it toward the nearby door, hoping it would make it out of the room before it detonated.
Laguna stopped mid-sentence, his eyes wide as the situation registered in his head. He was so stunned that he couldn't even react.
Kylah's SeeD training took over. Her job was to protect the president. Thinking quickly, she jumped across the stage and knocked Laguna off of his feet, using herself as a shield to protect him.
Just as they hit the ground, a deafening explosion rocked the room. Kylah closed her eyes against the blinding light just before the entire world went black.