Tears of Love

by RPGfangirl

The one thing Quistis longed for, to win Squall's affection, has cost her everything. Her career, her friends, her home, her life is all sacrificed for his sake. When she moves on old wounds reopen and, as a result, bring dire consequences.

4. Guardian

Tears of Love

Chapter IV "Guardian"

lLlLlLlLlLl

Rinoa stared. She half expected Quistis and the young boy to start laughing and say it was only a joke. But Quistis is never one to joke. Zell and Selphie, probably, but never Quistis. Her throat felt dry, she couldn't swallow the lump that formed, and she felt light headed.

The shorter woman had to place a slim hand against the wall to steady herself. Her body felt cold, but her face felt warm. Then she felt her cheeks grow cold from the tears that stained them.

Quistis frowned. She pulled Laramie so he would face her. On one knee Quistis smiled at him. "Why don't you go and wash up while I speak with my old friend."

Laramie's face scrunched in disappointment. He gazed at Rinoa for a moment longer. There was something about her that he just didn't like, she made him feel uneasy. And he definitely didn't want to leave his mother with her. Sighing, Laramie nodded and headed for the washroom.

Rinoa snapped out of her trance when she heard the shower turn on from the bathroom behind her. Her chest felt tight. More tears slid down her pale skin. The reason for her tears was due to what felt like betrayal.

Quistis immediately read Rinoa's face. "He didn't cheat on you."

Rinoa looked up at the blonde woman. She desperately searched in her sky blue eyes for any sign of lies. When she found none Rinoa breathed easier.

"Sit."

Rinoa obeyed and joined Quistis at the table again. She reached for her glass of tea and lifted it to her dry lips, her hand shook.

Where to begin, Quistis thought, this isn't how I wanted to break the news. In all honesty Quistis felt terrified. She always knew that someday she would have to face her past lies, but she wasn't expecting for it to be so sudden.

"When?" Rinoa finally choked out. "When did–you and Squall–"

Quistis sighed sadly. "It was such a long time ago." She massaged her eyes. To her it felt like last week. Most nights she still dreams of that moment Squall held her close, his arms keeping her warm. She shook her head to rid of the memories. "Remember when you and Squall separated for a few weeks?"

Rinoa frowned. After a moment she finally remembered the one and only time she and Squall broke up. "Oh...yeah."

Quistis nodded. Her chest was feeling tighter. "After about two weeks, it just...happened."

"Something like that doesn't just happen." Rinoa snapped. She bit her tongue and wished she didn't just suddenly say that.

"I could say the same with Seifer and yourself."

Rinoa cringed. "That was a mistake."

Quistis shook her head. "Regardless of the reason, I'm not here to judge you Rinoa. Squall was devastated. He wouldn't sleep, eat, he did nothing! He would just lock himself up in his room. So I started to take him some meals, and one day he invited me in, he confessed about what happened between you, and from there..."

Rinoa now understood. The reason why Quistis left Garden was to keep her son, Squall's son, a secret. Then she suddenly felt critically queasy. Did that mean Squall knew? Exactly on the fourth week she and Squall got back together. Was it him that forced Quistis to leave Garden so she wouldn't find out? Rinoa quickly grabbed her tea and chugged the rest of it to keep herself from getting sick.

"Squall doesn't know, Rinoa."

Hearing her name, the younger woman looked into Quistis' eyes. She was telling the truth. Feeling relieved again, and all queasiness nullified, Rinoa placed her empty glass on the table and sat up straighter. "Why didn't you tell him? Do the others know?"

Quistis shook her head. "I wanted to tell him. I was going to tell him. But the day I was going to you...showed up."

Feeling guilty again, Rinoa gagged. Nausea was resurfacing.

"I know how much you mean to him, Rinoa. He loves you." Quistis' lower lip felt shaky and her chest felt congested and painful. She looked down at her shaking hands. "He's always loved you, and always will. When he felt betrayed by you, he was just on the rebound. It was his way of getting back at you."

Rinoa scoffed.

Quistis forced herself to face Rinoa again. "I knew that if I told Squall anyway about getting pregnant it would only create more problems between you. I couldn't do that, not after you both worked through your problems, I didn't want to bring another one. If...if you had left Squall again, perhaps even permanently, I don't know what he would have done to himself. I was scared for him, you're everything to him."

Rinoa felt fresh tears fall down her cheeks. She hiccuped. There was still a deep stab of guilt in her though. If she didn't betray Squall, none of this would have happened. Quistis wouldn't have had to leave her life and hide, Squall wouldn't have suffered from her betrayal, but then Laramie wouldn't exist.

"I couldn't tell the others either. They wouldn't be able to hold such a secret against Squall. I just had to leave." Quistis stopped to wet her throat with some tea.

Rinoa looked up again. "What about Laramie? Does he know about Squall?"

Quistis nodded. "Yes, I've told him who his father is. It's been hard for him growing up without a father, but he's also grown proud and strong, but also bitter. He's proud of not needing a father, but he has some resentment against Squall."

"Why?"

"I explained the situation...how I helped Squall find some form of revenge relief, and the reason for my decision to leave my home. And so he has a resentment against Squall for...well, using me." Quistis licked her lips. Her ears strained to hear if the shower was still on, it was.

Rinoa wanted nothing more than to face time compression again. She had no idea of the damage she caused. Sure she simply thought Squall just brooded in his room, but to use Quistis in such a way. And worse, for her to be accepting of it.

Then it hit her. She could remember it now. Years ago, when she just moved into Balamb after the Ultimecia crises, there were rumors circulating of a love triangle between herself, Squall, and Quistis. Rinoa approached Squall about the rumors but he denied any feelings between himself and Quistis. She never asked Quistis, and she showed no signs of any attraction to Squall. So Rinoa easily dismissed the rumors.

If Quistis did have feelings for Squall, then Rinoa could see why she would accept being used by Squall. If she were in Quistis' shoes Rinoa would want any attention from the man she loved, even if his feelings were only blinded by lust for revenge.

Rinoa tilted her chin up. "Did...did you love Squall?"

Quistis' eyes widened slightly. Such a question coming from Squall's wife felt very out of place. Chewing on her lip and squirming in her seat, Quistis tried to find some way out of answering the question.

"Quistis?"

Sighing mentally, the blonde nodded. "Yes. I...I still love him." Then she laughed bitterly. "I've always tried to convince myself that I don't love him. I even tried to convince both him and I that my feelings were nothing more than a...a sisterly love. Even now, I still can't...get over the feeling. I've moved on but...I still..."

Rinoa sniffed. What kind of person was she? If Quistis always had feelings for Squall, why didn't she notice it before? Suddenly she felt like she was the traitor. The ring on her finger felt like it was starting to burn.

Quistis laughed again, not bitterly, but sadly. "Forget me. My life is dedicated to my son now. I have no need for love."

"No!" Rinoa exclaimed. She slapped both her hands onto the smooth table. "Quistis...I...you can't...just give up on love."

The older woman's shoulders slumped. "I haven't given up on it. I still wish for the day that I can wake up and not want to be with a happy, married man. To get over him is really all I want, and I haven't given up on love. I love Laramie with all my heart. There are different kinds of love that we need in life. Raising my son is all that I need."

Whipping her tears, Rinoa smiled. At first she thought she would hate Laramie. Hate him for not being her and Squall's son, but she knew hating a child for such a thing that cannot be helped was beyond stupid. She was glad Quistis found peace with herself with Laramie.

"I'm sorry Quistis."

"Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong."

Rinoa opened her mouth to argue, but what could she say? She still felt guilty, but the smile on Quistis' face said she was at peace with her.

"Looks like we have a lot to catch up on." Quistis said.

Rinoa nodded, but then she remembered she had a train ready to leave. As stupid as she felt, she thought she would only need to visit Esthar for a few hours to find Quistis and drag her back to Balamb. "I really, really wish I could stay but my train leaves in an hour. I...wasn't expecting to stay long. Everyone's gone and come back tomorrow morning, if I'm missing Squ–err, everyone will panic."

Quistis nodded. "I understand, another time then."

"Yes, definitely another time. Perhaps you and Laramie can come?" Rinoa's eyes brightened. "Everyone really misses you."

Quistis chewed on her lip. She would rather sit down privately with Squall to tell him the news. She didn't want him to find out at the same time with the rest of Balamb Garden. "I'll...think about it."

"Aw, come on." Rinoa pouted. "You don't have to move back, just...come visit some time."

Sighing, Quistis nodded. "Okay, maybe not tomorrow. But...soon."

"I hope not another ten years." Rinoa laughed softly as she sat up. Quistis led her to the door, but Rinoa stopped suddenly. Ever since she first laid eyes on Laramie, and how much of Squall she saw in him, there was more than just the thought of betrayal. There was sorrow and grief. When she looked into Laramie's eyes, she was disappointed, sad, that she saw Quistis' eyes instead.

"Quistis...Squall will want to see Laramie. He's his only son." Rinoa's voice trembled slightly.

The blonde nodded. "I know. Whenever he wants to come...just give me a heads up. I don't want to drop the bombshell on Laramie."

"No...I mean that..." Rinoa now chewed on her lip. "Squall and I have been...not so successful in making a family."

"What do you mean?" Quistis hated asking, as she had a hint of what Rinoa was trying to say.

"For years we've tried to start a family, and when I went to a doctor...they don't know why but I just...can't have children. At first I thought it was probably because of, you know, my special abilities." Rinoa sighed. "But now I just think this is my punishment, Squall's and mine for what we did to you and Laramie."

Quistis frowned. "Don't blame yourself. Or Squall. Please just...don't blame yourselves. This is no one's fault. Laramie is happy. I'm happy. You and Squall are happy too."

Rinoa shook her head. "We've been thinking of adopting, but I know Squall would love children of his own. Have a family he wished he had when he grew up. He will want to see Laramie."

Dread filled Quistis' turning stomach. She knew she would have to face him one day. She wasn't going to chicken out now. "I understand. I'll talk to Laramie about it."

Rinoa hugged Quistis. She felt the taller woman stiffen for a short moment when her arms wrapped around her, but she eased and returned the hug. Quistis pulled back first. A warm smile grew on her lips.

"I just have one question." She asked.

"Yes?" Rinoa replied.

"How did you find out I was here? After all these years."

Rinoa laughed. She reached into her bag and pulled out the magazine and showed it to Quistis.

The blonde winced and groaned. Of all magazines she had a subscription to.

Rinoa placed the magazine back in her purse and wrung the strap on her shoulder. "Expect Squall soon."

Quistis nodded again. "Give me two weeks."

"Right." After one last hug, Rinoa stepped out of the house and headed for the train station. Once she was in the comfort of a private compartment, Rinoa slammed her back against the wall and slid to the floor. She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her head around her arms. Besides the increasing feeling of guilt, there was something in the pit of her stomach that worried her. She had horrid feeling in the pit of her gut that increased with every passing second. It made her feel that something terrible was going to happen.

lLlLlLl

Quistis was washing the dishes when Laramie poked his head in.

"Mom, who was that lady?" Laramie asked, his face was barely taller than the counter he stood behind.

Quistis placed the final glass in the cabinet before grabbing two plates with a piece of pie on each. "Oh, she's just a friend of mine. We met at Garden."

Laramie walked into the kitchen and poured some milk into two glasses and joined his mother at the table. His mouth was watering and his stomach gave a slight growl. He eagerly shoved large chunks of the pie into his mouth.

Quistis giggled. "Laramie, chew one piece at a time. I will not have you eat like your grandfather."

Laramie smiled with his cheeks bulging. "Buff yor pi isth–"

"Swallow your food before talking."

"But your pie is so good."

Quistis smiled. She sat quietly as she watched Laramie wolf down the rest of his pie. She would tell him about meeting Squall in the morning. "I bet you are eager to practice again. You need to work on your aim."

Laramie's face beamed. "Can I mom?"

"Sure, just be back before it gets dark."

The small boy jumped out of his chair, placed his dishes in the sink, and sprinted to Quistis' room. Then he sprinted back to the table to give Quistis a peck on the cheek before running out of the house.

With Save The Queen tightly gripped in his hands, he excitedly stood in front of the small tree that stood in the front yard. He walked up to a short branch and pulled out some small figurines from his pocket. He neatly placed them in a side by side line on the branch before backing up a few paces.

The gold weapon felt heavy in his hands, but he worked well with it. Quistis taught him how to hold it, spin the whip above his head, beside his body, how to hurl it forward, grab something, and then pulling it back to cause the most damage. He still had difficulty hitting his targets, but that's why he was out practicing. He loved practicing with the very weapon that took down Ultimecia.

Laramie lifted the whip and twirled the long chain above his head for two spins before he lashed it forward and tried to aim for the branch that held all the toys. Instead, the whip wrapped around a higher branch and snapped when he pulled the handle of the weapon. He also had a difficult time unwrapping the whip from a distance.

lLlLlLl

Of all places, Squall thought, it had to be in Esthar.

Sighing, Squall bypassed a small group of children playing "hide-n-seek" and felt relieved that none of them recognized him. Then again, after ten years most people eventually got over the "Ultimecia hero's" and moved on. Shaking his head, Squall pulled his thoughts back to why he was facing a small home in his least favorite city. He can still remember the look on Rinoa's face when he returned from his mission. She was pale looked like she was ill, she looked worse than when the doctors told her that she would be unwilling to have children.

"You have a son." She said. "That night you were with Quistis."

That was all she had to say. Squall immediately left and used the Ragnorak to get to Esthar. By the late afternoon, he was now face to face with the door to Quistis' house. At least he thought it was her house. A part of him wished this was some sort of sick joke, there would be hell to pay by whoever was in charge of the joke, but he would still be much more relieved. The thought of having a son was unbelievable. He couldn't believe it until he saw his child with his own eyes.

Heart beating quicker than a hummingbirds, Squall rang the doorbell. After a moment the door swung backward. Looking up, Squall finally looked at a face he hadn't seen in a decade.

"Quistis." Squall mumbled. His voice was hoarse due to his sudden dry throat.

His ex-instructor hadn't changed much over the years. Her hair was still bright, but she ditched the clips and left her hair down. Her face hadn't changed, she still looked young. She was still young, only at the age of 29. But her eyes were different. Before, Squall remembered they were the exact color as the sky. Now, they looked paler, almost gray.

Quistis stood speechless. She tried to say Squall's name in return, but her voice failed her. Her tongue stuck to her upper palate. Her hands and knees shook and for a moment she thought she would faint. She told Rinoa to give her two weeks! Anger flared through her for an instant, but then it evaporated as quickly as it came. She couldn't blame Rinoa. Squall most likely flew here the first moment Rinoa said "child".

She quickly analyzed him. He looked older. His face was more mature, and he had a five o'clock shadow growing. His hair was cut shorter, his clothes no longer composed of a dozen belts, leather or a fur collared coat. The scar between his eyebrows was barely visible, it had faded.

"Can I come in?" He asked suddenly. It was a stupid question, but it was hot outside. And he wanted to see his son more than anything else.

Quistis moved aside to let Squall in. The smell of his hair, the slight touch of his arm on her shoulder brought vivid images in her head. Wincing, she shut the door and shook her head.

Squall stood in the center of the living room and glanced around. The house was quiet. "Where's my son?"

Quistis stiffened. She couldn't look Squall in the eyes. She kept hers fixed on the carpet.

"I do have a son, right?" Squall asked bitterly. "This isn't some sick joke?"

Again, Quistis' voice failed. Her mouth opened, but no sound would escape. She needed at least two weeks for a reason. She mostly needed them for herself. She needed to prepare herself before seeing Squall again. All night she couldn't sleep, she stayed up imagining how their encounter would be. All night she planned what she would say, how to say it, everything. Now she forgot everything.

Squall grew slightly agitated. "Do I have a child, or not?"

Quistis nodded.

His heart leapt. So this wasn't a joke. For a moment he nearly smiled, but he still wanted to see his son first. He was eager to see what he looked like. Did he look like himself? Or did he look more like Quistis? How tall was he? What did he like to do? What was his favorite food, his favorite show, sport, drink, anything, everything. Squall felt more thirsty for facts about his son instead of water.

"Where is he?" He asked.

Quistis licked her lips before shaking her head. "He's not here right now."

Squall frowned. Then he remembered it was Saturday. No doubt his son would be out and about playing with friends. Then he remembered the group of children that were playing outside. Was his son among them? He brushed aside Quistis and opened the door. He searched the neighborhood, but the children had vanished.

Shutting the door, Squall turned to face Quistis again. She still had yet to do much as blink.

"Quistis." He said sternly.

Finally, the blonde woman snapped out of her trance and faced Squall. For a moment they simply looked at each other. Until Squall broke the silence. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Quistis looked down again. Why wasn't her voice obeying her?

Squall's agitation increased. "Did you think I would run off? Deny that I was the father?"

Quistis shook her head.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

More silence.

"Wait, let me guess. Was there some kind of rule against pregnancy in Garden and something, and were you kicked out of Garden?" Squall's voice reeked of sarcasm.

"Because–" Quistis whispered. "Did, did Rinoa tell you why?"

Squall shook his head.

Inhaling deeply, Quistis contined, "I...didn't want to tell you because...well I was going to tell you." Quistis hugged herself. She suddenly felt cold. "The day that I found out was the same day Rinoa and you got back together."

Squall winced.

"I didn't want to...stir up any more problems. You had just gotten back, decided to work out your problems, and I was just afraid that this one would...create a permanent distance between you both."

Squall scoffed. Deeply, he knew Quistis meant well. But it still angered him that she would keep such a secret from him. "What right did you have to strip me from being with my own child?"

Quistis frowned. "Squall, I didn't mean–"

"If Rinoa and I were able to set aside our problems to be together again, don't you think we would do the same in this case?"

Technically, Quistis did think of that possibility, but she didn't want to risk it at the time. "I just didn't want...Rinoa to hurt you again."

Squall laughed. He gripped his hair. He didn't think it possible, but never had Quistis made him want to scream. He was overreacting, he admitted it, but it couldn't be helped. For the past few months he and Rinoa have had their share of problems, his missions were becoming too time consuming, and when he returns home he's suddenly told that he has a ten year old son. All he wanted was to meet him. He didn't want to hear Quistis' excuses.

"Okay, okay. Fine. I don't care for your reasons, Quistis, I just want to see my son." Squall never was a pushy one, but when he is angry he's prone to wording out his thoughts.

"I told you, he's not here right now. He's out playing."

"Then can't you get him? You've had him for ten years, I think I deserve to spend time with him now." Squall cursed mentally. He didn't mean to say that out loud. What was wrong with him? He hated losing control of his own mouth.

Quistis' gaze lowered. "Squall, I'm sorry."

Inhaling deeply, Squall tried to calm himself. Nothing would be done if his anger got the best of him. "Don't be. The past is the past. Listen, this is still a huge shock for me. A part of me still isn't convinced that we have a son. But I really, really want to see him."

Quistis nodded. "I understand. But he'll be here shortly. The sun is setting, and that's when he returns. Why don't...you sit and wait?"

Squall nodded in defeat. He would have to wait. He sat on the couch and stared out the window. What would he do once he met his child? Did he know he existed? Did he believe his father was someone else?

Quistis sat next to him and answered the very questions that ran through his head. Squall felt better, happy even. It eased some of the tensions in his head. "What's his name?"

"Laramie." Quistis responded. "I gave him my last name. I would give him yours, but people might've placed the puzzle pieces together."

Squall nodded. Laramie. He liked it. With a name, he could finally picture what he would look like. He ached to ask Quistis to explain his physical features, but he really would rather see for himself.

"Quistis." Squall said calmly. "I know this is still a shock for the both of us, but I would really like it if we could spend some time together. Laramie and I."

The blonde nodded. "Of course! But, just as long as he's home by ten thirty."

"No." Squall interrupted. "I mean longer."

Quistis frowned. How much longer? "What do you mean? How long?"

Squall rubbed his faded scar. "I just have this feeling that I won't want to leave his side. I want to get to know him. I have a lot to catch up on. And I'm going to need more than a couple of hours."

Quistis' heart sunk. "You mean you want to take him to Balamb Garden with you?"

Squall nodded. "Just for a couple of days maybe? Its all I could think about on the way here. I have my life at Garden, yours is here. I just..."

Sadness tore at her chest. Quistis' whole life was Laramie. She couldn't stand the thought of him leaving. Sure it would be one thing when he grew up and moved out of the house to live on his own, but for him to leave now was just painful. Why couldn't Squall stay in Esthar for a while? The new school year had yet to start, Squall could take Laramie all over the city. He didn't have to take Laramie to Garden.

Then her mind wandered. What if Squall took Laramie and refused to give him back? He already admitted the feeling of never wanting to leave Laramie's side. Or worse, what if Laramie didn't want to come back? Would he see Rinoa as a more suitable mother than her? At Garden he would have a mother and father. He could become a SeeD, an ambition he gave up.

Dread filled Quistis, along with fear. She stood up. She was never one to gamble, and she didn't want to risk losing Laramie. "I'm sorry Squall, but I can't let you take him."

Squall frowned. He too stood up. "Why is that? Are you sparing my relationship with Rinoa again?" His anger was returning. "Haven't you stripped me from my son enough? You never gave me the chance to be there! I couldn't be there when he was born, when he started to walk, when he started school, nothing! I just want to spend a little time with him, but that's too much to ask for?"

Quistis winced and took a step backwards. She never saw Squall get this angry. When she looked into his eyes they were red, dark circles were lining his eyes, and worry lines on his forehead. He looked exhausted. She couldn't blame him for his anger, he deserved to be angry after everything she took from him. She was no better than Rinoa.

"Quistis, answer me!"

The ex-SeeD looked up. "What?"

Squall hissed through his teeth. His body was filling with adrenaline. His limbs ached to either stretch or smash something. He still couldn't understand why he was getting so angry. "Why won't you let me take him?"

Quistis licked her lips. "What if you don't give him back?

Squall laughed again. "You don't trust me? Of course I'll bring him back."

"What if he doesn't want to come back?

Squall frowned. "Where are you going with this?"

Quistis couldn't take it anymore. She was emotionally exhausted and she collapsed on the couch. Tears poured out of her eyes. She knew that if Laramie was happy with Squall and Rinoa at Balamb then she wouldn't stand in the way, or she shouldn't at least. It's just like her decision of why she kept Laramie a secret in the first place. She loved Squall, still did deep down, and his happiness was more important than her own.

But why couldn't she put aside her own feelings for Laramie's happiness? Then it made sense. She never had Squall to begin with, so it was easier to sacrifice her own feelings for his happiness. But Laramie was her son. She raised him, loved him, he was her life. He was all she had left, the only part of Squall she had. Without him, Quistis wouldn't be able to function normally. She'd be beyond heart broken. She knew Laramie wouldn't abandon her, but she just couldn't let him go, even for a few days.

Suddenly Squall grabbed her by her shoulders. His grip wasn't tight, it was gentle and warm. She was still crying.

"Quistis, listen to me, please."

lLlLlLl

Laramie pulled the whip back and heard a satisfying crack. He was finally getting better at his aim. If he was calm enough, he could hit his mark. The sun was setting, which was his cue to get back home. As he walked closer to the front door of his house he heard a male voice from within. Frowning, he stepped inside.

His body froze at the scene he walked into. His mother sat on the couch, tears falling down her face, which was something he never saw. Never had he ever seen his mother cry. A tall man kneeled before her with his hands gripping her shoulders.

"You're hurting me, ouch!" Quistis cried.

"Listen to me, damn it!"

Anger surged through Laramie. He wouldn't stand by and watch a stranger hurt his mother and reduce her to tears. His grip on Save The Queen tightened. Instinct kicked in him and he uncoiled the whip. He aimed for the man's arm that still gripped onto his mother's shoulders. He heard the soft noise the whip makes when the whip wraps around something, and instantly pulled the handle of the weapon back until he heard a crack followed by a thud.

Looking up, Laramie smiled when he saw the man laid on the floor in front of his mother's feet. He walked toward the stranger and looked down at him and frowned.

lLlLlLl

Squall's neck move and he couldn't move his body. One moment he was trying to break Quistis out of her crying fit and the next he felt something wrap around his neck and pull back with frightening strength. He heard a crack before he hit the floor. No doubt his neck was broken. His body felt cold and his vision was starting to darken.

Movement caught his attention in the upper corner of his eye. He strained his eyes to look and suddenly felt like he was looking in a mirror. Was he hallucinating? No, whoever he was looking at wasn't Squall. The figure was too young. But the similarities were identical. Squall felt like he was staring at his younger self. It was Laramie, it had to be. Squall wanted to smile, but he couldn't even move his facial muscles. He was feeling numb. Then, he was engulfed in the darkness.

lLlLlLl

Laramie frowned as he noticed the man stopped moving. His eyes didn't blink, he simply stared. Wait, Laramie soon recognized the man. It was his father. Although he's never seen a picture of his father, his mother always told him that he looked just like his father. No doubt it was him. But what was he doing here at their home? Why was he hurting his mother?

His attention turned to his mother that burst into a louder sob. She stared at Squall's body with her hands over her mouth. She almost sounded like she was screaming slightly.

"Mom? What's wrong with him?"

Quistis looked at Laramie. Although he understood what death was, obviously he had never seen it. And with Squall's eyes staring at the ceiling Laramie only thought he was still alive. But Squall's chest stopped moving, and Quistis heard the crack of his neck before he fell onto the ground. She knew he was dead, and there was no way of bringing him back.

Quistis jumped to her feet and pulled Laramie away from the body. She got on both her knees and squeezed Laramie close to her, as if afraid he would be pulled away by an unknown force.

Laramie didn't understand what was going on, or why his mother continued to cry and mutter "everything will be okay". He also didn't understand why he felt sad, there was no reason for him to feel that way, but his body automatically cried.

"Mom, what's wrong?" He asked.

Quistis rocked him slightly. "Nothing, everything will be fine. Everything is going to be okay."

lLlLlLl

Everything wasn't going to be okay. Laramie accidently killed his own father and didn't know it. He was always bad at aiming with the whip. No doubt he tried to aim for Squall's arms, but instead got his neck.

Quistis could feel Laramie's tears stain her shirt. He was terrified. Her cries grew heavier. She couldn't bare to think what would happen to him. Despite Laguna's position, not even he could bend the law for them. Murder was murder, and Quistis would rather take the blame than let her son go to jail. He protected her. He always protected her. It was her turn now. It's her weapon, she had the motive, she just had to admit to the murder.

Still, she hated the plan. Even though she would protect him from jail, he would still have to grow up without father and now a mother.

Dear Hyne, help us. Help him.

Quistis just continued to hold Laramie tight, it would be the last time.

lLlLlLlLlLl

A/N: I am terribly, terribly sorry for the long delay of this chapter. To sort of make up for the wait I put two chapters into one. And I apologize in advance if Squall and Quistis seemed out of character, I've really tried to explain the motive for their behavior. If I failed to deliver I apologize. I promise the next chapter will not be delayed. Yes there is another chapter. This is not the last one.