Disclaimer: I don't own any char. of FFVIII, I just own the plot. So feel free to READ, REVIEW, and ENJOY!

Ch.2: Calm Before the Storm

The young female blonde's eyes immediately welled up with tears, as she sat listening to the slightly smaller blonde pour out his heart and soul.

Quistis almost instantly grabbed Zell and pulled him into a tight, loving embrace.

"Oh Zell…I love you too." Quistis spoke through unshed tears.

There the two young lovers sat, lost in each other's arms; desperately holding on to a moment they wished would last forever. Alas as soon as it came, it was forever gone, a distant memory playing over and over in the corner of their minds.

A cool ocean breeze slithers by, sending shivers through the happy couple's spins.

"It's getting cold, we should head back." Zell said and draped his jacket around Quistis' small shoulders, offering what little warmth his surprisingly short jacket could.

Quistis pulled the jacket tightly around her.

"Thanks Zelly, you're such a gentleman." Quistis complimented.

"Yeah I got some moves." Zell beamed and winked at his girlfriend.

"So tomorrow is the big day, huh?" Quistis questioned as they began to walk back to Garden.

"What?" Zell asked, confused at the question.

"You know, it's our first mission since Ultimecia's defeat." Quistis replied.

"Yeah so, what's the big deal?" Zell asked.

"Well Squall said that since we were the one's who defeated the sorceress, that now Garden, well mainly those who defeated Ultimecia, meaning we, will be under some intense scrutiny. We need to be in top shape, and show everyone why we are the best. He said one little screw up and everything we worked so hard for could come crashing down." Quistis explained.

"Oh, well hey no worries, with all of us working as a team, nothing can go wrong." Zell said as he wrapped his arm around the slender waist of his companion.

After a few moments they were finally back inside Garden and reached Quistis' door.

"Thanks for walking me to my room." Quistis whispered so not to wake any of the students sleeping on the same floor.

"No prob. babe." Zell leaned in and gently place a tender kiss on Quistis' cheek.

She blushed slightly and proceeded into her room, while giving a slight wave to her boyfriend in the hall. Slowly she closed her door, so it wouldn't make a peep and disturb everyone else.

"Damn!" Quistis cursed as she looked down.

It was too late when she realized she still had Zell's jacket wrapped around her shoulders.

"Aw well." Quistis said and smiled at the fact that she could be a ditz sometimes, but then again she wasn't the only one who forgot. She started to giggle at that thought, remembering that Zell forgets everything, he's the type of person who would forget their head if it wasn't attached.

She placed the jacket neatly across the back of her couch, so she wouldn't forget it tomorrow. She walked into the bathroom and took her hair out of her patented ponytail and let it cascade down her neck, gently fluttering about around her shoulders.

She quickly brushed her teeth and rinsed with mouthwash. She loved the intense tingly sensation that exuded in her mouth after using mouthwash. She went to the dresser that was dominating the eastern half of her room and pulled out crimson colored satin pajamas. She undressed and slipped them on over her vulnerable naked body.

They were implausibly soft; it felt like she was wrapping her body in tender clouds. Finally she made her way to her queen size bed; she knew she didn't need a bed this big, but it gave her plenty of room to stretch out, she has always been somewhat claustrophobic.

A smile curled its way onto her sweet lips as she began to reminisce about the night's events. She quickly fell asleep with a slight smirk still etched on her features.

Zell was in bright spirits as he made his way back to his room.

"Wow, I can't believe tonight went so well." Zell spoke to the listening shadows.

Shortly thereafter he made his way to his room. Upon opening the door he fumbled around for the light switch, and in doing so he clumsily stubbed his toe on a nearby coffee table.

"Ahhh! What in Hyne was I thinking placing this damn thing right in the way of the friggin' light switch?" Zell cursed himself for not being well versed in organization.

After hopping around on one foot for a few minutes he finally settled down and managed to turn on the light without any further incidents. He quickly stripped down to his boxers which were a bright shade of indigo, with an elegant picture of Shiva designed down the right side.

He made his way to the bathroom and brushed his purly whites. After brushing he stood in front of the mirror for a moment and flashed his trademark wide, toothy grin. He winked at himself and strolled over to his bed. It wasn't anything special, just a twin size bed, with a few pillows and a couple of body pillows. Then again Zell didn't need anything extravagant or comfy to sleep on, he could sleep anywhere.

He collapsed backwards on his bed, as a sea of blankets encased his chilled body. He stared up at the moonlight that slyly slithered through the cracks in his blinds and danced about on his ceiling, causing the ever present darkness to flee.

'I wonder what the big deal is with tomorrow. I mean yeah we have been getting a lot, and I mean A LOT of attention from anyone and everyone, but come on, what's the worst that could happen…?' Zell's thoughts questioned his mind repeatedly.

A/N: Well there's chapter 2, nothing special, just keeping the plot in line, but don't worry, some major things are about to happen, lets just hope Zell will be alright, not to mention everyone else…No worries, I should be able to post the next chapter SOON :), but 'til then please read and REVIEW this one, and tell me what ya think. P.S. once again AZND45, you da bomb! Thank you!