Disclaimer: ...Need I even say what you all already know! ...Of course I don't own it!

Chapter 2- Return

Now what am I supposed to do?

I turned away from the window and headed to the hotel of Balamb. She and I had moved to Balamb because we both grew up pretty roughly in Deling. Her father was rich and I had nothing, anyone could understand the trouble we went through before and after we were married.

I don't even like to think that far back into our past together. We went through so much pain, but we survived. It was our success that kept us together. Some say we were just rebellious kids, but we both knew we were in love: Nothing could stop us.

The only thing that did stop us was me…it was always about me. I never took the time to actually see what I had in front of me, until I went away. Now that I'm back, I realize this is where I want to be. She is my home. However…

"Who was that?" I felt my hands trembling as I used them to comfort my face. Rinoa must be seeing someone. Why? Why would she do that to me? She knew that I would be back… "Come on, Squall…you left without saying anything. You didn't even leave a letter. What was she supposed to do?"

I lied back onto my bed and closed my eyes hoping to erase the image of mystery man closing the curtains, but to no avail. It didn't help that I could see the scene replay in my mind over and over, almost beginning haunt me. Has Rinoa forgotten about me? The thought was too much for me to bear, and my heart instantly fell.

No…I won't let her forget. It's too hard to forget! Whether she likes it or not, I'm going to be in her life. I have to speak to her again, and I can't just let go of her now. I'm too close. Three months ago, I didn't even have the courage to come back to Balamb, but now…I'm here. I'm finally here. Come on, Squall…get yourself together. First thing tomorrow morning, I'll go right up to her and… And? I don't even know what I'm going to do…

No, I won't give up. I can't. And I will never forgive myself if that mystery man takes her from me. Rinoa, I still love you.

"Hey, Rinoa!" My good friend Selphie recently moved to Balamb. She and her fiancé, Irvine, who is so dedicated to her, decided that Balamb would be a nice place to live. It's relaxing and warmer here, rather than that barbarically snowy, Trabia which is her hometown. I guess she instantly fell in love with it when Irvine and I brought her to Balamb for a vacation sometime two years ago.

"Selphie!" We hugged like long lost friends, but in reality, I just spoke to her two days ago. She needed to borrow some sugar from me. I joked and told her to be sure to bring my sugar back, every last grain, even the sugar that she used to bake the cake!

"And look at this pretty little girl, Irvy! Where did she come from?"

"Hey, Sefie, I'm here all the time!" Rori said while jumping up into Selphie's extended arms.

"Hi, Irvine. How are you doing?" I had asked Irvine with a grin which he greatly returned.

"So far so good. I'm going to start work at the carpentry place down the street."

"Oh really? That's great! I'm happy for you."

"Irvine's not too excited about it, you know he had that dream about owning that Gun shop." Selphie always likes to tease him.

"Hey, Sefie, one step at a time, eh?" But Irvine knows she never really means any harm.

"I know, I know. Well, we don't want to keep you any longer." She told me.

"Oh, yeah. Thanks, Selphie." I almost forgot that I was supposed to leave Rori at their house until later today. "Rori, I have to go now, so be a good girl while I'm gone, okay?"

"I will!" Rori said while running to my arms. I kissed her forehead and squeezed her tightly in my arms.

"I love you, Rori."

"I love you too, mommy!" Those words were all I needed to hear. I smiled and left Rori with two wonderful people who were my friends. Selphie had become Rori's nanny because she felt that keeping the child would help to prepare her for her own baby someday. Irvine always seemed to become nervous whenever Selphie mentioned kids, and he'd wryly smile then make an escape from the room.

I walked back to my house. It wasn't too far away, just a couple of blocks down from Selphie and Irvine's home. It's always a nice walk too. The breeze is just right. I remember when he and I first took this walk together…

I can't stand it…will I ever be free from him? Whenever I finally make progress, that's when thoughts of him begin to cloud my mind. I have to let go of what will never be. Besides, I have Seifer now and he's all I need.

What am I going to do? There's that doubt on my mind again. I'm standing right in front of our door and I don't even have the courage to walk to it and knock. I…can't do it.

I don't get it. I want to see her, but I feel like something is holding me back. I have to see her again.

I sighed and took a seat on our, no…her doorsteps. After a few minutes, I heard someone walking down the road in front of the house, and when I looked up…I could have died happy.

It was her, Rinoa, looking at me strangely and slowing up her pace. I stood from the stairs, took a deep breath, and licked my lips to get ready to speak, but she took off running in the opposite direction before I could say anything.

"Rinoa!" I ran after her and caught up to her, she was never that fast of a runner. When she finally looked at my face, I saw that she had started crying. "Rin."

"…What do you want?" She said angrily, but I can't blame her. I'm angry with myself. I haven't been this close to her in ages…I just want to stare at her for a few moments.

"You are so beautiful." Those were the only words I could speak. Yeah, I know I could've said something else, maybe a 'hello' or something. But I was being honest. I reached for her face, but she backed away from me.

"You came here to tell me that?" More scold was present in her voice.

"H-how are you, Rin?"

"I'm doing fine. I'm doing just fine. I can take care of myself, and I don't need you." Surprisingly, the tears were gone and she spoke so clearly that I was beginning to believe her. "Why are you here?"

"I…I came here to apologize and…I." There I go, freezing up my words again. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? That's it? You're sorry?" She said while she put her hands on my chest and pushed me back. I felt myself go back quickly, but I caught my balance before I could fall. "No! You can't just leave for, not one, but four years and expect me to forgive you! I hate you, Squall!"

What a shame, the first time I hear her use my name in ages…and those were the words she chose to use it with. She ran away from me again, but this time I let her go on.

Rinoa, I'm sorry.

In any case, it looks like I'll have to keep that hotel room booked for a long time.

I hate him! It's no wonder I've been thinking about him a lot more lately. My instincts were trying to warn me that he was returning. I don't want to talk to him. He can't just leave and then expect me to forgive him so easily!

On papers and documents, I'm known as Mrs. Rinoa Leonhart…but everyone who personally knows me or those that have recently met me would know that I prefer my mother's name, Heartilly. Yes, I was originally Rinoa Caraway, but I rebelled against my father and changed it to Heartilly, of course, this was only done off the record.

Just like I said goodbye to my father's name, I'll say goodbye to his. I need to get to the town hall and file a complaint, an arrest warrant, a divorce or something.

A divorce…?

Once Upon an Author's Words:

Hey everyone, Thanks for the reviews Amy! And alsoto those who've put this story on their favs, thanks!

I'm going to post up the 3rd chapter as well, but a little later. If you guys don't mind, I'd like to put this story on hold. (I really didn't want to post it up so early...bad mistake.) I have a lot on my heart right now, and I'd like to take a break, so please be patient with me. Support will be greatly appreciated.

Another thing, if this plot is similar to anyone elses' please let me know, and I'll immediately delete this story. I don't want anyone blaming me for plagiarism, okay?

As you might have guessed, I'm not feeling too well at the moment. Honestly, I need a vacation, lol.But,Thanks for your time!

StardustRay