Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list iota. This is set after the game and is slightly AU. Theme 12: It's Only Forever. I'm just half way through and I've broken a hundred reviews. Thanks so much to my readers!

Not Long At All

Quistis set her glasses down on her desk and rubbed her eyes. It was barely nine o'clock, and she already had a headache. Her desk was covered in mountains of paperwork, everything from tests and assignments to grade to requisition forms to fill out. This was not a good way to be spending her birthday. Quistis turned twenty-one today, and no one seemed to remember that. Of course, she had forgotten it was her birthday until she saw the calendar today, but that wasn't the point.

She sighed and got back to work. Even though her instructor's license had not been reinstated, Quistis found herself designated as the general substitute for any classes that the instructors didn't want to teach. There was also the fact that she had ended up helping Squall with much of the administrative work that went with his position as Commander. There was a lot of paperwork, and after nearly three years of doing the paperwork, Quistis was beginning to wonder if she would ever escape it.

Of all of the orphanage gang, she was the only one who was still in limbo after the war. Squall had easily settled into the role of Garden Commander and into his relationship with Rinoa who had decided to stay on at Balamb. The sorceress had been training with Dr. Kadowaki to work as a nurse. Selphie had spent most of the first two years after the war getting Trabia Garden rebuilt, surprisingly enough with Irvine's help. However, once she had accomplished her goal, Selphie had found that Trabia wasn't really home anymore, and she and Irvine (now dating seriously) had relocated to Balamb. Even Zell had finally asked the library girl out on a date. He and Hypatia had gotten fairly serious very quickly, and Quistis would not be surprised if they got married before any of the others.

Edea had returned to her orphanage and with the help Seifer, of all people, started taking in children again. Matron frequently visited Balamb, but Quistis had seen very little of Seifer in the past three years. He wasn't really a very welcome person in Balamb. But Quistis had seen enough of him know that he had grown up quite a bit. She sighed again. This wasn't getting her paperwork done.

There was hardly a dent in the mountain when the headache struck. Quistis closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Headaches meant she should go eat something. It was far too easy to get caught up in work and forget about meals. Setting aside her pen, Quistis rose from her seat and made her way to the cafeteria. Maybe she could scrounge up a birthday treat of some sort.

A half hour later Quistis was heading back to her office, her mood no better than before. Lunch had not exactly been pleasant. They had been out of everything except for hot dogs, and Quistis had found herself the victim of two people's clumsiness which had resulted in her having to run back to her quarters to change into clean clothes. The cafeteria had also been out of desserts, and not one person had wished her a happy birthday. She wasn't sure if she was being petty about that, but it did hurt.

She had almost made it to her office when Selphie came pounding up.

"Quisty! Did you hear? Squall just proposed to Rinoa! Isn't that wonderful? You have to help me put together an engagement party for them. We'll have it tonight."

A sense of weariness settled over her. "Not tonight, Selphie. Please."

"Why not? Nothing else is going on."

Quistis smiled tightly. "Talk to me later, Selphie. I really have to get my paperwork done today."

With that she ducked into the safety of her office. She turned to her desk, and her jaw dropped. The paperwork was completely gone, replaced with a tall crystal vase of peach and cream colored roses, several boxes wrapped in pale blue paper with silver ribbons, and a cupcake frosted to look like a peach rose and baring a single candle.

"Happy Birthday, Quistis."

Seifer was leaning against the wall. He smirked at her startled expression.

"Seifer?"

"Matron's stuck at the orphanage with several cases of chicken pox, but she wanted to make sure you got your presents. Most of those are from Matron and Cid, but I got you something too."

She found herself blinking back tears. "Thank you."

"Well, blow out your candle. You can't open your presents until you make your wish."

Quistis grinned at the reminder of the old orphanage rule and leaned over the desk to blow out the candle. She wished for direction. Taking a seat at her desk, Quistis waved a hand at the other chair in her office. "Have a seat, Seifer, please."

Carefully peeling away the paper and ribbons, Quistis began opening her gifts. The first proved to be a book, The History of the Centran Sorceresses, and the second a soft blue sundress. The third box contained a new hair clip. The fourth a straw hat and a pair of sandals. The final box was the smallest. It held a delicate cameo hung on a slender gold chain.

She was speechless. It was so beautiful.

"Do you like it?"

She nodded, holding the necklace close. Seeking to change the subject, Quistis asked. "How are things at the orphanage?"

Seifer smiled. "Pretty good. Matron and I could use a few extra hands, but we're managing okay. Fuujin and Raijin stop by every once in awhile and lend a hand. What about you? That was a monstrous stack of paperwork on your desk. Has the instructor assigned extra homework?"

"I'm not an instructor," Quistis admitted. "I'm just subbing for three classes right now. The rest is admin work for Squall."

Seifer frowned. "You work way too hard, Quisty. Do you really want to be doing other people's paperwork for the rest of your life?"

"What else would I do? They won't let me transfer to just SeeD missions. According to them, I'm 'too valuable an asset" for that." She smiled wry.

"You could do whatever you wanted. You're probably the smartest person here."

Shaking her head, Quistis turned the subject back to the orphanage. She and Seifer chatted for nearly a half hour before he rose to his feet.

"I should get back to the boat. I'm picking supplies for Matron, and they should be arriving soon. I'll be in port until this evening."

Quistis too rose to her feet and impulsively hugged him. "Thank you for my birthday."

He dropped a kiss on the crown of her head. "You're welcome, Quisty."

After he left, Quistis sighed and began digging up the paperwork Seifer had hidden. She nibbled on the cupcake as she made her way through the reams of paper. She gave another sigh when she finished her treat, tossing the wrapper in the trash.

She could see her entire life spread ahead of her. She would still be here in this little office doing other people's paperwork. Nothing would change. Quistis bit her lip. She wanted more than that from her life. The young woman carefully drew a single piece of paper from the bottom desk drawer. Her hand was shaking as she signed it, but her signature was clear. She dropped it on the top of the pile of completed paperwork. Gathering up her gifts, Quistis also collected the few personal items that the office held. With that done, she left the office without looking back.

An hour later she was dressed in her new dress complete with hat, sandals, and necklace and carrying two duffle bags. Standing on the edge of the dock where the Silver Sorceress was moored. Seifer was standing up on the deck.

Quistis grinned and called out. "Do you have room for a passenger? There's this place I know that could use an extra pair of hands, and I hear you're headed that way."