Disclaimer: Not mine

Author's notes: The end! Thanks for all the reviews. I hope that you enjoyed the fic.

"Hey."

Rinoa did not need to look the person in the eye to find out who it was. She would recognise the voice even if she was in a coma. In fact, she is surprised that she did not run into him sooner.

Turning around to greet him, she nodded her head amicably. "Squall."

"You look good," he says with a tiny smile.

"You too," she said, meaning it.

His hair is considerably shorter than the last time they saw each other and he'd obtained a slight tan through his missions and travels.

Rules be damned.

Rinoa smiles warmly at him and engulfed him in a tight hug. She notices that he returned it uncomfortably; he probably did not anticipate a hug.

When she finally releases him, they stood in the middle of the hallway in silence as if waiting for each other to make the first move. Rinoa had never expected their meeting to be this awkward.

"So…"

"So…"

They both started at the same time.

She giggled and gestured for him to continue. "You go first."

"Um, congratulations on your engagement," Squall says with a pat on her back.

Grinning at his clumsy gesture, she nods her head enthusiastically. "So you heard?"

"Selphie told us."

Rinoa fiddled with the ring on her finger; she did not expect the news to get out so fast, but if Selphie found out the whole Garden would have heard by now. Which probably explains why she got strange looks while roaming around.

For some reason, Rinoa felt that she owed Squall more than a confirmation. "He's a nice person. We met through some family friends."

"Ah."

"He gives me stability," she said, swallowing the rest of her words, which you could never do.

"I am happy for you," he says, and she sees that he really means it. Something in her heart stirred when she finally realises that he has moved on.

Another moment of silence followed his statement and Rinoa couldn't help but wonder if they always acted like strangers around each other.

"And how are things with Quistis?"

Squall seems taken aback by that question, but he composed himself quickly. "We are…," he paused while trying to pick the correct words, "…taking things slow."

She notices that his ring was visibly absent around his neck, where it always was before they were together.

"Good," she mutters, more to herself than to him, "That's good."

Shifting his weight from foot to another, he looks at his watch and his eyes widened slightly.

"I am sorry, I have to go," he apologised, "But I will catch up with you later."

Rinoa knows that he is going to see her, she shakes her head from side to side and smiles at him. "Mm, it's okay. It's great catching up with you."

Turning on his heels quickly, he made his way to the cafeteria in large, hurried steps.

Rinoa chews on her bottom lip in deep contemplation before calling out after him.

I have to know.

"Squall!"

He stopped and turns when he heard his name.

"Are you happy?" she asked the same question in the same tone that she used long time ago in Fisherman's horizon; in his arms.

Squall paused and looked out the courtyards. She knows that he is picturing Quistis. Rinoa sees a smile growing on his face; the same smile that was once meant for her and her alone.

He answered in a definitive, final tone. "Yes."

Rinoa grins back at him with a nod of her head. Squall waves at her and makes his way to the Quistis; with the smile still evident on his lips.

And they lived happily ever after.