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 3: Amnesia.

Crazy Faith

She woke alone in a white room. Sunlight streamed through a lone window, and the woman tried to remember what had happened. She drew a blank. Nothing came to mind what so ever, not even her own name. She carefully examined her hands looking for any clue she could find. She wore no ring, and there wasn't a tan line indicating she had ever worn one. Her hair was long and blond, but the window didn't provide a good enough reflection that she could tell the color of her eyes. She sighed.

A nurse came bustling into the room and paused, startled. "Oh, you're awake. Let me run get the doctor."

It wasn't long before a grey-haired man entered the room with a smile. "I see you're awake, Miss Trepe. That's a good sign. Can you tell me how you feel?"

"Confused. My name is Trepe?" Maybe she would get some answers here.

He frowned. "Yes. Quistis Trepe. What do you remember about the accident?"

"Nothing," she said flatly. "I can't remember anything before waking up here."

The doctor pursed his lips. "That's not unsurprising given your head injury. Well then. You're name is Quistis Trepe, and you are an instructor at Balamb Garden. You are currently twenty-two years old. You are currently at Trabia's main hospital after an accident during a training session in the mountains. You have several broken ribs and a sprained ankle. If you are doing well, I'll be releasing you in about two days."

"What about my memory?"

"With any luck, that will start coming back as you are exposed to familiar things. There is a slight possibility that you may never get it back, but that is unlikely. It may be a slow process of remembering bits and pieces or something may trigger a flood of information. Amnesia cases tend to be unique each time." He gave her a smile. "You have some friends waiting for you. I'll send them in, and maybe that will help. Balamb is sending someone to come pick you up shortly."

Quistis frowned. That was remarkably unhelpful. Especially since she didn't know what or where Balamb Garden was. Still maybe these friends of hers could help. So, she knew her name and what she did for a living. That was something at least. Now she just needed to fill in the rest of the blanks.

A half hour later, Quistis had a supposedly more complete picture of her life. Supposedly, because none of it had stirred any memories, and honestly, parts of what she had been told just didn't feel right. Apparently, she was famous. She was SeeD's, and they'd had to explain what that was to her too, youngest instructor ever. She had played a major role in a war a few years ago and clearly had adoring students who worshiped, something Quistis was finding a little creepy. She was seriously dating an instructor from Trabia Garden. James Carlston had been with the group who came to visit her. He seemed like a nice enough man, but for some reason she just couldn't imagine being in love with him.

Thankfully, due to her current state, visitors were limited to half an hour stays. Quistis found that she preferred to be on her own right now. She let out a sigh of boredom and settled down to try and take a nap. Maybe she would dream something helpful. Closing her eyes, she let sleep claim her.

When she woke again, there was a man in the chair beside her bed. She liked his eyes. They were the first thing she noticed about him. They were a shade somewhere between forest green and emerald. Quistis didn't recognize them, but they were comforting some how.

"Hi."

"Hey, Quisty." He smiled gently. "From what I hear, you probably don't remember your nickname."

"No. Sorry."

"It's not your fault. I'm Seifer, by the way. Seifer Almasy."

"How do I know you, Seifer?"

"Well, we lived at the same orphanage as kids. That's where you got the nickname, by the way. Then we were at Balamb Garden together. You were my instructor actually." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm currently a SeeD in Balamb."

"Oh. Then are you the person sent to pick me up? I thought you wouldn't be here a few days."

"I got Selphie to fly me over in the Ragnarok. I didn't want to wait." At her confused look he explained. "Selphie is another SeeD who was at our orphanage. The Ragnarok is an aircraft Garden sort of acquired during the Sorceress War. I brought you some of your things from home. I figured you didn't want to be stuck with a hospital gown."

"Thank you."

"Not a problem. I'll call a nurse, so you can change."

The nurse helped her into a pair of silky teal pajamas before settling Quistis back into bed. Once she was dressed again, Seifer returned.

"I need to ask you some questions, Quisty. I know you don't remember anything about the accident, so I'm not going to ask you about that, but I need to know what you've been told so far."

"Why?"

He sighed. "There have been some allegations that it wasn't an accident, and that people are trying to cover it up. Because of that, they might have given you some false information."

"Oh."

Seifer caught her expression. "You're not in trouble, Quistis. I just need to know what you've been told."

So she told him. There didn't seem to be any harm in it. Seifer took notes, frowning at times. His frown deepened when she told him about her current romantic relationship. When she was done, he put away the notepad with a deep sigh.

"Is something wrong?"

"Well, they told you the truth mostly." He pulled out his wallet. "But they lied to you as well. Here."

He handed her a photo. They were both in it, Seifer's arms wrapped around her waist. Her left hand was resting on top his and a simple diamond solitaire adorned her ring finger. Seifer smiled gently.

"That was just after I had proposed. We been visiting Matron, she's the woman who raised us."

A little stunned, Quistis asked the only question she could think of. "Where's my ring?"

Seifer patted his pocket. "Right here. I got from the hospital staff earlier."

"Can I have it?"

"Of course."

He slipped the ring onto her finger, and it felt right. Quistis smiled. She might not remember Seifer, but at least he felt like he belonged in her life. They chatted awhile longer before the nurse chased him out, claiming that Quistis was getting tired. She disagreed with that statement but was overruled. To her surprise though, she did drift off to sleep shortly after that. When she woke again, she was alone.

But not for long. The nurse popped in with a smile and announced that she had more guests. Unfortunately for Quistis, the person she wanted to see was not among them. Instead, the same crew from earlier had come to visit. She wasn't quite pleased with them. Quistis didn't appreciate being taken advantage of.

"Are you here to lie to me again?" Her tone was frosty.

That got her startled looks and frowns. It was James who spoke.

"Who told you?"

"Seifer Almasy."

He barked with laugher. "The Sorceress' Knight? And you believed him? The man is nothing more than a war criminal who got away with it by claiming 'possession'. You'd be better off trusting a malboro. How do you know that he's not the one lying to you?"

Quistis bit her lip. She didn't know that. Not for sure. But Seifer felt right, and James didn't, and at this point, she didn't have anything other than her instincts to go on. She fiddled with the ring on her finger.

There was a knock on the door, and a nurse popped her head in. "Excuse me, but there's a group of SeeD officials here to see Mr. Carlston. Would you mind coming down to the lobby."

He left and took the others with him, but he left her with doubts. Quistis sighed and buried her face in her hands. She just wanted to remember. She wanted to know what she knew before. She couldn't go through the rest of her life second guessing every decision that she made.

It wasn't much longer before Seifer appeared again. Quistis gave him a weak smile, and he seemed immediately to know what was wrong. He sat down on the foot of her bed and took her hand in his.

"What did he tell you?"

"Something about you being a war criminal and that I was a fool to trust you," Quistis replied in a small voice.

He rubbed the back of her hand. "There is some truth in that, Quisty. The war criminal part at least. I wasn't entirely in my right mind at the time, but that isn't really an excuse. I have done some things in the past that I am not very proud of or happy about, but trusting me is not a mistake, Quistis."

Seifer leaned in close, gently kissing her. Quistis closed her eyes, just enjoying the sensation. As he pulled away, she frowned at his face, bringing one finger up to trace his scar.

"Squall gave you this, didn't he?"

He blinked as realization settled in. "You remember that?"

"I remember having to patch you up since Dr. Kadowaki was busy with Squall." She smiled. "Kiss me again."

Seifer complied, and Quistis held back a giggle. She didn't have her full memory back yet, but at this rate, it wouldn't take too long.