Wow, i asked a question and i only got one reply. I'm thinking my readers dont like this interactive play. Fine!

This chapter is a bit shorter than my previous ones.

Chapter 12 – Regret, Remorse and Repercussions

Seifer walked in through his front door tiredly kicking off his shoes at the corner of the corridor. He could smell his mum's baking going on in the kitchen.

"Ma, I'm home." He called out to her.

"Hello dear, how was school?" Edea asked walking in to the hallway to meet him. Even though she had only seen him a couple of hours ago she took him into a hug and kissed his cheek.

"It was fine." He half told the truth.

"Oh dear, what happened to your cheek; it's all bruised!" She cupped his face in her hands and inspected it.

"It's nothing Ma." He tried to dissuade her from any thoughts.

"Puts some ice on it. Oh you and Squall aren't fighting again are you?" She asked hands on hips. "After the scar you both gave each other I thought all this nonsense was over?"

"It was nothing, we were just mucking around and he accidentally bumped me." He lied.

She didn't believe him, she just nodded her head and walked into the kitchen.

"Do you want dinner now sweetie?" She asked taking her oven mitts out.

"Nah I'm okay" He started making his way upstairs.

"How about a sandwich then?" She asked.

"Nah Ma, I ate at school." He replied at the top of the stairs. He leaned over the banister knowing she'd ask if he'd like anything else.

"I can make you some fruit salad if you like?"

"I'm okay Ma, I'm going to get started on my work" He said and closed his door.

He made his way over to his computer after chucking his jacket on his bed and dumping his school bag on the floor. He logged in thinking he'd quickly get some work done before his shift at the Mall. He wasn't bothered to work after the incident that took place at lunch, his mind kept reeling to Squall's hand smacking Rinoa away. He knew it was an accident, but he wasn't sure if Rinoa would see it that way. She had cried in the bathroom while Quistis wiped her up. She refused to go to the infirmary to get the cut checked and refused to allow Quistis to take her to her Dad's villa, but promising to let Seifer drop her off outside the Villa Estates Square. She had returned to her lessons after wiping her face and allowing Selphie to apply a plaster on her cheek. He had joked and called her Nelly, but she wasn't in a joking mood and made her way to her Chemistry lesson quietly.

Seifer opened up a fresh browser starting his research. He tried his best to stay focused but occasionally he'd go back to the situation with Squall. He couldn't understand why Squall still refused to let Rinoa in, he knew it had something to do with his mother. It was evident when Squall had started throwing punches, he just didn't know Squall was that seriously troubled and scared of getting close to someone.

Quistis sat on her bed with her legs outstretched; she took her phone from the bedside table and dialled in Seifer's number. She waited four rings and then heard the click as it connected.

"Hey gorgeous." Came his smooth reply.

"Right back at ya." She giggled back. "You sound like Irvine."

"So do you." He teased.

"What you're doing?" She asked bored.

"Just on my way to work, what about you?"

"Oh yeah you work Monday evenings, don't you get tired?" She asked playing with her necklace.

"Yeah I do, but my Dad will moan otherwise." His reply came back. She could hear the sounds of cars rush by and guessed he had reached the town now.

"Oh and here I was, wanting to know if you wanted to come by." She teased him with a smile on her face.

"Hmm, well I guess I can get off earlier if the offer is still available?"

"It is." She giggled. She smiled feeling all giddy. She would never have believed it if someone had said to her Seifer was lusting after her, and that she would actually want his attention. A month ago she was pining on Squall yet here she was finding romance in a long time companion.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked at her sudden quietness.

"I feel guilty Seif." She spoke softly. "I mean, I completely messed up Rinoa and Squall's chances for my own desires and here I am thrilled at 'us'."

"Us?" Seifer teased.

"You know what I mean." She said rolling onto her stomach.

"Nah, could you elaborate?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, figure it out for yourself. Seifer, I don't know what to do, how am I going to make this up to Rinoa?"

"I don't know, I don't think she expects anything."

"Still, I can't help but feel bad for what happened today."

"If anyone should feel bad it's me. I made him break, I felt like crap when she got involved." His voice came through with such guilt.

"Seif, it's not your fault. There's just so much drama in all this. It was so unnecessary."

"I know, but if I hadn't of said those things, he wouldn't of gotten mad, and she wouldn't of gotten in the way. I didn't even see you guys approach."

"Yeah you guys were pretty loud; I was surprise none of the teachers came out to investigate." She thought out loud.

"Yeah, they're only good for investigating who has hall passes. When someone's hurt they're not in sight." She could hear his voice bitter. She knew he was feeling guilty over the incident but truth was it was no one's fault. It was just something that happened, not even Squall was to blame.

"Seifer, you didn't start this, I did." She looked at herself from across the room in the long length mirror by her window. "And no matter how much you'll tell me it's not my fault, it is. I wish I never made her agree to that damn promise."

Squall stood outside Rinoa's closed door. He wanted to knock and see if she'd let him in but was afraid she'd get mad at him and slam the door in his face.

He was remorseful, he couldn't believe he'd hit her. He hadn't meant to, he didn't know who was behind him, all he saw was red. He cursed Seifer for mentioning his mother, for making him realise his fears were all down to his phobia of being hurt by someone he loved. Seifer was right, it wasn't his mother fault; she hadn't abandoned him, well not intentionally. Yet he felt getting close to Rinoa would lead him to the same heartache he felt when he had lost Raine.

He put his fist to her door daring himself to knock.

Rinoa sat on the floor leaned against her bedroom door. She had her knees up hugging them for support. Once Seifer had dropped her off at the Villa Estate Square she had walked up the rest of the ten minute walk to the Loire's home. Once at the house she had rung on the doorbell and was pleased that Ellone had answered, yet displeased that the girl was on her way to a society meeting.

She had run up the stairs and locked herself in her room before Squall got home. She saw him before she left the school, waiting outside her locker. She was still angry with him and decided that she'd have to pick up her books tomorrow to save the hassle of meeting with him.

She was starving now; dinner wouldn't be served until another two hours and she hadn't eaten anything since the bowl of chocolate hoops she downed while her father was still in the kitchen during breakfast. Missing lunch because of the fight between Squall and Seifer was a bad idea and now her stomach took every ounce of her leftover energy to keep reminding her.

My bar! She jumped up remembering she had bought a granola bar during break and rushed to her bag to retrieve it. Feeling happy with herself she ripped open the packet and took a huge bite, finishing the sweet bar within three bites.

Yet it didn't suffice her, she was still hungry and there was no other way of getting food unless she left her prison.

Sighing she sat on her bed looking out of the window onto the wide beach below her. She wanted to go outside for a walk, but was too scared to leave her room. She was too scared to bump into Squall, not because of what he might do to her, but because she didn't know what she'd say to him.

"Squall!" Laguna called out to him.

Squall lowered his fist closing his eyes and cursing Laguna for the bad timing. He turned and made his way down the stairs.

"Here, I went ahead and ordered these prospectuses for you. There's an application form at the back so fill it in and I'll make sure that the Dean personally handles it." Laguna offered his son the Esthar Central University pack.

Squall took the pack hesitantly; yesterday he was sure of going, today he was in doubts again. He thanked his father quietly and returned upstairs. He glanced at Rinoa's door before walking in to his own.

Rinoa made her way downstairs slowly; she could hear talking in the dining room and the sound of cutlery being moved about. She walked past the corridor and peeked into the dining room seeing Ellone setting the table along with her father and Laguna. Squall wasn't anywhere in sight and she released a breath for relief.

The kitchen door to her left opened and she turned her head surprised only to be faced with Squall holding a bowl of cooked vegetables in his hand equally shocked at her arrival. She looked away and hurriedly made her way into the dining room feeling safer in the company of the rest of the family.

They sat around again, this time Rinoa choosing to sit closer to her father and the furthest away from Squall. Her father took on the role of asking how their day at school was and when the trip to Shumi Village was planned.

"Well I thought the General and I should make an announcement." Laguna spoke up. "Friday we will be making a press conference regarding the situation with Esthar and Galbadia, it looks like we're actually moving ahead with the plans."

"Good!" Ellone said relieved. "I hate this whole war nonsense."

Rinoa smiled glad that something was being done, she had to agree with Ellone, a war free world was something she wished for and she hoped this treaty would be as effective as they all wished.

"Dear, what happened to your cheek?" Caraway asked moving his head towards her getting a closer look.

Squall looked up at Rinoa waiting for her reply. "Oh, I had a zit which I popped but then pus came out… and I picked at it when it was dry… and-"

"Alright, enough of the details, we are eating." Caraway replied disapprovingly.

"Oh, right, sorry." She said looking at Ellone who just giggled.

Squall just kept staring; he wanted to own up to his actions. He wanted to tell them it wasn't a zit, that he had hurt her. Even if it was accidental, he had still hurt her, it was still his hand that made contact with her cheek, and it was his ring that grazed across her smooth delicate skin.

Rinoa was very hungry and ate quickly hoping to be excused to allow her time to run up and lock herself in her room again. She felt awkward around Squall now, she didn't know how to act or feel around him. But at the same time, Why do I still feel the same way? Because he didn't mean it. She knew the truth, he didn't mean to hit her, he hadn't known she was there. What surprised her more was his bigger revelation; he did love her, why he lied to her was still confusing, but his outburst proved his true feelings.

The doorbell rang suddenly and the two families looked at each other confused.

"Who could that be?" Laguna asked getting up making his way out of the dining room and to the front door.

Rinoa stole a glance at Squall and immediately regretted it. He was looking at her; he was looking at her cheek. She just stared at her food, moving them about now unable to eat knowing he was watching.

"Sup Mr Loire!" Came Zell's voice from the front entrance.

Oh crap! Squall thought to himself. He remembered back to the conversation he had with Zell about their assignment in their Biology lesson. At the time he had told Zell to come over as a distraction from Rinoa but forgot the dire detail that she was staying with him. He jumped off his seat to stop Zell from entering, knocking over a chair whilst getting up.

"Zell what brings you here, now?" Laguna's voice called over, "We're in the middle of dinner."

"Oh sweet, Ma's gone over to the lil' rascal's house, and I didn't really fancy fish. Anyways Squall and I gotta do our Bio assignment as well." Zell replied making his way to the dining area.

"Ah, Zell actually-" Laguna tried to stop the boy from going any further but failed as he already walked in.

"Yo Squall, you in… here… hey Rinoa." He said very confused.

"Hi." She meekly replied red faced.

"Whoa whoa whoa. So lemme get this straight, your father is General Caraway, the General Fury Caraway of Galbadia," Zell was asking Rinoa across the dinner table who nodded, "And you're staying with Squall because of something I'm not classified to know." He asked which the people around the dinner table nodded. "But you moved here because the press aren't allowed to know about you?"

"No, they are, but we don't want them to." Rinoa replied correcting him.

"And you're not actually working for Timber Maniacs?"

"I used to, but not anymore." Laguna replied.

"Ok, but now you work in Esthar?" Zell continued.

"Yes."

"But again, I'm not classified to know what as."

"Yes." Laguna answered again.

"And you guys are definitely not cousins." He asked looking at Rinoa and Squall.

"No." They both said in unison somewhat perplexed at the last question.

"Oh, well I'm happy you guys trust me." Zell said laughing. "If it were me, I would have lied and said I was related to the General and he was here for my Mum's birthday." He continued to laugh.

The people around him looked at each other. They all realised, for two families who were suppose to be running a country, it would have been easier to do just that. Ellone giggled and Rinoa followed laughing at their honesty. In some sense she was glad she didn't have to lie to Zell, of course they didn't tell him the complete truth, but she didn't have to keep a cover any longer. She only wished Zell's attitude towards her wouldn't change.

"Okay," Zell said still processing everything. "So, as long as I don't spill anything I'm not going to be executed by Galbadian law right?"

General Caraway laughed. "Son, as long as you don't spill anything you're safe. Why don't you kids go upstairs and we'll get things cleared for a change?" He offered.

Quistis sat on the couch flipping through the different channels uninterested. Her phone went off and she made a grab for it thinking it was Seifer calling to let her know he got off early. Her expression changed however as she saw the name of the caller highlighted.

"Hey Rinny, how you feeling?"

"Hey, I'm okay, you guys gotta stop worrying." She sounded a bit more lively.

"Rin, is there anything I can do?" Quistis asked sincerely.

"No. Don't worry about it, it's just a phase, we'll all get over it."

"Yeah but this is all my fault, I shouldn't have made you promise that stupid…" She put her chin on her free hand and stared at her lap.

"Quisty, c'mon don't do that. Look, it's a silly thing to fight over, and I made that promise when I first got here. It's not like either of us knew this would happen." Rinoa comforted the girl.
She couldn't be bothered to fight any longer, she just wanted it all to stop, to go back to the way it was the first week she arrived, the way she imagined it would be. Rinoa laughed to herself, when she had first arrived she thought it would be fun staying with her cousin, like having a sister. She'd go to school and meet new people and have all kinds of friends. She never guessed she'd fall in love and have her heart broken all in the space of a couple of months.

"Rinoa, you do know he didn't know it was you? I've seen Squall fight before, he's exactly like Seifer; all they see is blood." Quistis spoke softly.

"I know." She replied sadly.

"He probably thought it was Zell or Irvine trying to pry him away from Seifer, I don't think he knew you'd even be there."

Rinoa breathed in deep and exhaled. She knew the truth, she just wasn't so sure what she should do or how she should feel now. Everything had become so complicated.

"Anyways, I thought you should know is all." Quistis smiled though she was aware the other girl couldn't see it.

"I know. Quisty, I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do, or how I am supposed to feel." Rinoa confessed.

"Well, how do you feel?"

"I still… you know… love him." She replied embarrassed.

Quistis giggled, surprising herself. "I can't believe I'm actually finding you cute, you're like a little school girl with a crush."

"I can't believe I'm actually telling you I love him and you're not strangling me." Rinoa joked.

"Hey!" Quistis pretended to be offended. "But on a serious note, you heard him right? You heard him say he loved you."

"Yeah I heard, just not sure how much. I mean if he does, what's with his attitude and behaviour?" Rinoa replied bitterly.

"I think he's just scared after losing his mum. He doesn't want to get hurt again." She tried making Rinoa understand Squall's predicament.

"Yeah, well me and him both."

Quitis remained quiet now; she knew she shouldn't get involved, every time she did something bad happened. She needed to just resist the temptation and let the ship set sail. She realised she needed to let Rinoa and Squall solve their own problems.

"Oh, that reminds me, I can't believe I kept forgetting to ask!" Rinoa said excitedly. "What is up with you and Seifer? I saw how you were leaning all over him during lunch."

Quistis grinned through the phone, "Yeah, we're together, kinda, sorta, definitely. Hehe." She laughed.

"Since when?" Rinoa asked still shocked.

"Erm, Sunday… I think. Well that's when he told me he liked me, I swear I never even clocked on. Anyways when we left this café we were eating at, I thought to myself: why not? So I held his hand as we walked home." She reiterated the story feeling happy for herself, yet still in disdain for Rinoa's loss.

"Aww that's sweet."

"Yeah, but still, not fair is it?"

"What do you mean?" Rinoa asked, although she knew where the question was heading.

"Well it's not fair that I get my Prince Charming after what I did to you."

"Quistis, for the last time, get over it! Look I'm not bothered anymore, what's happening with me and Squall is beyond your control. He didn't mean to hit me, but he did mean to say those things. And… he'll have to face the repercussions for his actions."

"I'm still sorry though." Quistis spoke softly again not being rid of the guilt she felt.

"So am I." She thought deeply, she just wanted to be rid of the trial she was going through. "So… does that mean I can start my own poll about you and Seifer now?"

Quistis groaned closing her eyes and putting her head down laughing along with Rinoa's giggles through the phone.

Rinoa sat on her bed leaning against the headrest. She had ended the call with Quistis when she heard Zell and Squall walking up to Squall's room next door to work on their assignment. Zell had asked her to join them but she declined saying she needed the rest. She wanted to take him up on the offer, she wanted to go back to normal, but things weren't normal. She needed answers from Squall, but at the same time was too upset by the turn of events that she wasn't ready to face him.

She hadn't imagined that telling Squall she loved him would have led to all this. Nor did she imagine that he'd whacked her across the face seconds after he confessed his love for her.

She sighed and looked at her door, desiring to join them in the next room.

"Look, all I'm saying is, I think you should just apologise. Everyone was shocked when it happened, but we all know it was an accident. I did just shout at you both so I thought you were guessing it was me pulling at you." Zell explained to a mute Squall.

He wanted to believe Zell; that apologising to Rinoa would solve everything, but it was hopeless.

"An apology isn't going to fix this." He finally spoke flipping through his textbook.

"How do you know?" Zell questioned.

"I just do."

"Just apologise, she still loves you."

Squall looked up to meet Zell's eyes, was it possible? He wondered if this was Zell's analysis or whether she had actually told them she still did.

He looked at his door, Maybe I can try and apologise?

Zell looked down at his notebook which was surprisingly filled with plenty of notes for his part of the assignment. They had briefly discussed the situation with Rinoa, although it was Zell that was mainly doing the talking, or suggesting rather.

"Dude, I got a lot of notes here, I think all I need is to sort out the graphs and then we can call it night." Zell informed the brunette. "When I leave, then it might be the best time to talk to her."

Squall thought about it and then nodded. He sifted through his notepad and handed Zell his graphs. While the blond was copying he practised in his head what he could say to Rinoa. He wasn't sure if she would accept his apology or even how she felt about him now. All he knew was he had one shot at fixing this entire mess, he needed to show her he was serious about her and regretful of his actions.

Rinoa's head slumped for the third time, she was feeling very sleepy. Staying up late crying the night before and the continuous hunger she felt throughout the day had her running on very little energy.
She rearranged herself on her bed getting into the silk sheets and turned to face the dimly lit lamp on the bedside table. She was already in bed and too lazy to mind the extra light. She let her head hit the soft pillow and closed her eyes feeling the prickles in her eyes lessen. She let out a huge yawn and let her mind close off, promising she'd turn the lamp off before she fell into a deep sleep.

Squall looked at his clock, it was 9:30pm, they had been working since dinner and he felt a little tired. Zell was on the final graph and Squall wished he would hurry. He wanted to sort out this mess with Rinoa quickly. He needed to apologise to her, it was killing him with misery knowing he had hurt her, knowing she was upset with him. At the same time he was loathing himself for being so self-absorbed; the entire incident was from his own hands, if he had thought rationally he wouldn't have ended up in this mess. He wouldn't have lost her twice within the same week.

"Ah, done!" Zell said and stood up stretching his legs and bending down to his knees. He packed his books into his bag and then zipped it slinging it over his shoulder.

"Alright, you make sure you talk to her." He firmly said to Squall who nodded agreeing.

Squall waited atop the stairs near the banister as Zell made his way downstairs and out the door shouting goodbye to Laguna and the General who were in the Library.

He walked to Rinoa's door slowly, each step making his heart race faster. He wondered what to say to her, the only suggestion he came up with from his rehearsal was 'I'm really sorry'. He had to do it; he'd find the words once he saw her and opened his mouth.

He tapped on her door lightly at first, but no answer. Maybe she didn't hear. He tapped again louder this time. Still no answer. She might have her earphones on, maybe that's why she isn't answering. He knew he was deluding himself, trying to make himself feel better from the truth that she was actually refusing to acknowledge him.

He put his hand on the doorknob checking to see if it was locked. It gave way and he heard the click of the door as it opened a crack.

He stood frozen; he questioned whether he should go in and check on her. What if she gets angry? What if I freak her out?

The door was already open; he could just walk in and ask her to hear him out.

He pushed the door slowly and surprised himself when his voice spoke out of its own accord.

"Rinoa?" His soft voice came out. He looked at the crumpled bed in front of him, she lay there very still. Her breathing was soft, her chest moving up and down smoothly. Her eyelids were shut and her mouth was slightly open. She had one hand under her cheek as she slept quietly.

He wanted ever so much to walk up to her and gently touch her cheek, the same cheek he injured. He wanted to move the stray hairs that fell across her neck. He wanted to tuck in the sheets that exposed her chest and make sure she was warm. He debated whether he should do any of those things. Would she like me to after what I did to her?

He closed his own eyes; he'd have to leave apologies for tomorrow. He walked into her room and stood at the side of her bed for a minute looking at her sleeping peacefully.

He raised a hand towards her cheek, but once there stopped. He didn't want to touch her without her permission; he had already done once. He moved his hand away disheartened. He turned to the lamp ready to switch it off, looking at her again taking in the beauty that always made his heart race. Would she forgive him? Would things return to normal? Would she still love him? He needed answers to all these questions, but he needed to be patient and wait for when the time was right.

"I'm sorry Rinoa." He whispered and turned off the lamp leaving the room in darkness all except the light that came flooding in from the corridor. "Sweet dreams." He walked to the room's exit and took the doorknob pulling the door shut behind him and making his way to his own room.

Rinoa opened her eyes and tried focusing on the blackness that was her room. She had panicked when she heard him knock; she didn't want to talk to him, it was awkward enough during dinner. But after hearing the remorse in his voice she wasn't so sure if she was still angry at him, or even annoyed.

She sighed not knowing the course of action she should take. Last week her only problem was Quistis, now a whole new set of problems arose.

Hmm, will she be so forgiving? R&R!

I should let you know I am now writing chapter 16 of The Set Up (TSU), and currently writing chapter 9 of my other story, not telling you the name, only one person knows the name ;). But i'll give you a hint, its only 15 chapters long, 5,000 words per chapter (more or less). So what does that mean? It means i'll have a complete story to post every week... given it gets enough reviews. First chapter will be posted once TSU is finished.