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 20: A Second Chance.

Beginning Anew

Quistis nervously smoothed her dress. The knee length dress flattered her, and its dark blue fabric brought out her eyes. Rinoa had talked her into the dress, and Quistis would admit it did look beautiful on her. Still, the dress really wasn't the reason she was nervous. No, that had to do with the fact that a year ago Quistis and Edea had petitioned for Seifer, Fuujin, and Raijin to be readmitted to Balamb for one last attempt to become SeeDs. And that had changed things for Quistis.

She had been struggling to find a place for herself with the end of the war. The others had all paired off, and she was still single. Quistis didn't even have her work anymore. Her Instructor's License had not been reinstated. She still got sent on missions, but they were few and far between. She had been lonely, but the former disciplinary committee's return had changed that.

Matron had suggested she start a research project to fill her time. It was actually going well except for the fact that there wasn't a single table or desk free in the library. Spotting an open seat, Quistis carefully approached the table, clutching her books to her chest.

"Can I sit here?"

Seifer frowned at her. "You want to be seen with us, Trepe?"

She bit her lip. "I just need a place to work. I won't bother you."

"Fine."

Quistis spread out her books and set to work. Ten minutes later, she was listening to Seifer and Raijin debate an ice spell. Impulsively, Quistis found herself grabbing a cup of water on the table and demonstrating then explaining exactly how the spell worked. Both Raijin and Seifer had questions after that, and it wasn't until later that she caught the look on Seifer's face.

"What?"

He shook his head. "Why didn't you explain things like that when you were teaching?"

She bit her lip and told the truth. "I was terrified that my students wouldn't take me seriously."

"Huh." Seifer smirked. "So what do you know about the rest of the ice spells?"

That had been the beginning of their little study group. Quistis had soon found herself sought out whenever there was a question about their course work, and after a month, the four of them were meeting regularly for a study session. She wasn't really teaching them as they knew what the material said. It was more of helping them understand what the material actually meant. And often they had perspectives on it that taught her something.

It was fun, and for the first time Quistis found herself at home with a group of her peers. She had been so isolated by her achievements before that she had never really spent that much time with people her own age unless she was teaching them. It didn't take long for her to be getting together with Seifer, Fuujin, and Raijin just for fun in their free time. She could simply be Quistis with them, not the former instructor, not the older sister, just Quistis. And she really wasn't lonely any more.

By the winter solstice holiday, Seifer had asked her out to dinner a few times, and it wasn't long after that the two of them were seriously dating. The rest of the orphanage gang had not noticed when she started pulling away from their group. Quistis had always been on the edge of the group anyway. She hadn't told them about her new relationship with Seifer. Mostly because despite the fact that he had been readmitted, they didn't really trust him or want him there. She hadn't been secretive about it either, but they hadn't seemed to notice. The year had flown by before she knew, and the field exam was in sight. Quistis grinned at the mirror. She knew they would pass, and they had.

Quistis wore a bright smile as she saw the three of them off.

"Aren't you going to wish us luck?" Seifer smirk.

She smirked back. "You won't need it. You're going to pass."

Still she pulled him down for a kiss. "You don't need luck, Seifer. You have skill."

With that she stepped back, and he went on his way. She wouldn't admit it to him, but she was nervous. Seifer had worked so hard for this, and he was qualified to be a SeeD. He'd proved it before, even if he had been on the wrong side during part of the time. And she was afraid that Garden would deny him his due because of what he had done in the past. Seifer turned around and strode back to her.

He kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry so much, Quisty."

Things had gone well. Seifer had made SeeD, and she was going to be late to the ball if she kept woolgathering. Quistis quickly made her way to the ballroom and slipped inside. Seifer wasn't there yet, so she made her way around the room, taking care of any small talk that was required. Rinoa snagged her elbow as she was helping herself to the champagne.

"Quisty, there you are. There's someone I want you to meet."

"Actually, I'm waiting for someone, Rinoa. Can I meet this person later?"

"It'll only take a moment. Come on, Quisty."

Quistis found herself being dragged over to a knot of young men. Rinoa introduced her and then left her there. She didn't know what Rinoa had told them earlier, but it was proving impossible to get away from them. So she was stuck making polite small talk and searching for an avenue of escape. A hand came to rest on her shoulder.

"If you'll excuse us," Seifer smirked at the men, "the lady promised me a dance if I passed the exam."

He spun her out onto the dance floor, and Quistis grinned. Seifer could dance, unlike some former graduates. They swayed to the music together, perfectly content.

"Don't look now," Seifer dipped her, "but I think Puberty Boy and the others finally caught on to us."

She shook her head. "I don't care."

"Good. Then I have a question for you." He stopped them in the middle of the dance floor, taking her hands in his. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes." She reached up to kiss him. "Yes."

Seifer slid a pale blue sapphire ring onto her finger amid the applause and surprise of the rest of the room.