Squall put the motorcycle into park in front of a small house in a slightly rundown neighborhood

Squall put the motorcycle into park in front of a house in a slightly rundown neighborhood. As Squall assisted her as she got off, Rinoa couldn't help but think how different this was compared to her lavished mansion.

They walked to the front door and Squall rummaged through his jacket pocket for the key.

"Welcome to the palace." He said jokingly, as he opened the door and led her inside.

The living room was very minimal with two simple couches and a lounge chair. There was a T.V. against the wall, and at least 3 guitars in the room. Rinoa smiled at Squall and raised an eyebrow when she saw a multitude of beer cans assembled into a tower that was in danger of teetering over.

"That would be Zell's doing." Squall grumbled. "I'll be right back." He said as he took the cans over to the kitchen.

Rinoa sat down on one of the couches and nearly sat on a pair of drumsticks.

"They must all live here together." Rinoa thought to herself as she heard Squall's footsteps.

"Let's head to my room and I'll find you some clothes to sleep in." Squall said.

Rinoa nodded and accepted his outstretched hand as he easily lifted her from the couch. She followed him down the hall and into his bedroom. The room had a bed, a nightstand, and a lounge chair with an acoustic guitar next to it. Stacked on top of the nightstand were dozens of worn notebooks.

"Cozy place." Rinoa said.

Squall smiled. "It serves its purpose."

He searched around his dresser and pulled out a black t-shirt and some shorts.

"Here, I hope this will do."

Rinoa smiled and took the clothes from his hands.

"It's perfect."

"Go ahead and change in the bathroom," He said to her as he opened the door to the adjoining bathroom.

Rinoa went in and shut the door behind her.

She slipped off her clothes and changed into Squall's. His shirt was like a short dress on her so she couldn't even see the shorts. She went over to the mirror and ruffled her long raven hair, using her fingers to comb out the tangles from the motorcycle ride. She found herself taking quite a bit longer than necessary to look herself over.

"Why am I so nervous about what Squall thinks?" her mind chastised.

Hesitant, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

What she saw left her unable to exhale.

Squall was dressed in black shorts and was just pulling his shirt over his head. Rinoa couldn't resist staring at his perfect physique to save her life.

"Turn away…Turn away!"

It was too late since Squall now turned and realized she was there. He followed her gaze and gave a sly smile.

Rinoa coughed in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry" Squall said, "I thought that since you were taking a while that I should just go ahead and get dressed."

Rinoa kept her gaze on level with the floor.

"Oh, no, don't apologize! It's fine."

She looked up to see Squall smile mischievously.

"You look good in my clothes."

Rinoa blushed madly, but inside she was preening.

She walked over towards the bed where her eyes fell upon the stack of notebooks.

"What are all these for?" she asked Squall.

He grabbed a notebook from the top of the stack and sat down on the bed.

"They're lyrics and songs I've written. Some of these are pretty old." He said, looking down to the worn cover.

Rinoa sat down beside him.

"Can I see them?" she asked casually.

Squall gave as shocked a look as if she asked if she could see him naked.

Rinoa quickly tried to recover. "I- if you don't want me to, that's fine!" she blurted out.

Squall just sat there silently contemplating. He looked down to the ink-written pages of his soul then looked up to her and said coolly, "Go ahead."

Rinoa looked at him dubiously.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

Squall nodded as he handed the notebook to her.

Tentatively, Rinoa flipped it open.

Inside, each page was filled with exquisite lyrics and deep metaphors. Every song told a story, but she noticed that they all held a certain dark kind of atmosphere.

"They're beautiful," she said aloud, "but they all seem so sad."

Squall seemed distant when he looked back at her.

"Yea, those are from when I was 15… I was going through some stuff."

Rinoa reached over and intertwined her fingers with his. Warmth crawled back into his expression as he squeezed her hand and gave a slight smile.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," she said, "But if you don't mind, I'd be happy to listen."

His storm colored eyes watched her intently, undoubtedly considering if he wanted to reveal this part of himself to her.

Finally he nodded to her, and began,

"When I was 15 I was extremely angry at my father, and well…the world. When my mother Raine was pregnant with me, my father up and left her. Some time after she had me she became very ill. I was so mad that my father wasn't around to help us and to take care of her. It was too much responsibility to always be there to help her, but I did. She was always so kind to everyone, and when she'd hear me voice my hate for dad, she'd always stick up for the man and say that he was young and afraid of being a father and that he simply wasn't ready to handle the responsibility. She died around when I turned 15 and I was just so angry. I lived like I didn't care, and would take out my feelings with drinking and partying, until I finally found something that helped better to numb the pain. It was songwriting. After that Seifer and me came up with the idea to have a band. Zell and Irvine were eager to join, and soon, well we dedicated our lives to our music. It was something to live for."

Rinoa felt a newfound respect for the man before her. Her dark idol was becoming more of her hero.

"Squall's really had it rough. And he told me before that when he was young sometimes he'd have nowhere to live…I don't think I could ever be as strong as he is."

"Wow, Squall, I…"

"Yeah?" he asked coolly.

Rinoa couldn't find the right words to say, so she just flung her arms around him in a hug.

She felt his chest shake a bit against her cheek as he laughed lightly.

She looked up at his face when she heard him speak again,

"You know Rinoa, you've helped me a lot today."

"Really?" she asked, incredulous.

"Yeah. You just helped me right now, and earlier at my show."

She thought back to earlier at the concert and blushed at the memory of the short kiss she gave him.

"I…you know, Squall, that was all you up there." She said quietly. "You didn't need me. All your talent is what helped you."

"But without you I'd never believe that I had any."

Rinoa bashfully buried her face into his shoulder, but with his free hand he gently tilted it back up to face him.

"You know, I don't think that I ever properly thanked you." He said.

Rinoa's heartbeat skipped erratically as she watched him slowly lean forward to meet her lips.

He paused just before they met, his stormy eyes watching her for permission.

Rinoa closed her eyes in answer and felt his soft lips collide with hers.

In moments Rinoa was completely enraptured in the sweet sensation. She never knew that a kiss could produce such ecstasy.

She was pleasantly surprised when Squall deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue into her mouth, which she eagerly welcomed with her own.

Softly, he pushed her so that she was lying on her back with him lightly resting on top of her.

His kisses became more intense and Rinoa arched her back in pleasure. Greedily she drank in the wonderful sensation of his touch.

"Squall…" she uttered in sheer delight.

Squall pulled back and she took this opportunity to catch her breath. Both their breathing had turned ragged.

Squall's eyes were hazy with desire. He leaned in forward to taste her mouth again, when he pulled back abruptly. He knit his brows together and it seemed that he was exerting much effort when he said to her,

"Rinoa, I think we should stop for now."

Rinoa felt her heart shatter into a million jagged pieces.

"What'd I do wrong?" she whispered to keep from breaking into tears. "Why don't you want me anymore?" is what she really wanted to ask.

She could see that the passion still hadn't vanished from his eyes, so why was he rejecting her?

"You didn't do anything wrong, Rinoa. Really." He saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. He kissed her softly on the lips and said, "It's just not time to go further, alright? But it's not your fault Rinoa…You're amazing."

She sniffled, but choked back any stray tears. She gathered back all her strength and gave him her best smile, trying hard to make it reach her eyes.

"Alright." She said.

He smiled back at her and kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

"I bet you're getting tired. We should turn in for the night."

Rinoa nodded and watched him stand up.

"You have the bed tonight. I'll sleep on the floor." He said to her.

"I don't want you sleeping on the floor because of me!" Rinoa quickly protested. "You have the bed tonight, it's your room after all."

Squall smiled. "Well I'm not having you sleep on the floor…would you mind sharing the bed with me?"

Rinoa playfully rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips and hoped that he wouldn't notice how painstaking the effort was. The wounds in her heart were still raw.

"I guess I can…if I have to." she said.

Squall chuckled softly and turned out the light. The moonlight faintly lit the room through the thin curtains.

Rinoa crawled under the covers and Squall got in bed beside her.

"Goodnight, Squall." She said.

Squall watched her close her eyes as she gave in to sleep.

"Goodnight, Rinoa Heartilly."

Sunlight flooded the bedroom, making Squall squint his eyes from its rays. He looked down and felt a grin tugging at his lips when he saw Rinoa snuggled up against his chest. The morning sun illuminated her features, making her look even more like an angel. He would've thought last night was a dream if she wasn't with him right now to verify his memories. He remembered how distraught her angelic features had been when he ceased to further advance with her. It would have been so easy, as a matter of fact its what he thought he wanted at first. If it had just been some groupie maybe he would've taken her, but with Rinoa it wasn't right. Rinoa deserved something more.

"Since when was I so soft?" Squall thought, roughly hitting his head against the headboard in frustration.

The movement was enough to rouse Rinoa from her sleep. Squall silently cursed himself. She had looked so peaceful.

Rinoa opened her eyes slowly and gave a small, delicate yawn. She looked up and saw his face. He saw her eyes widen in shock, as it seemed she just realized she was lying on top of him.

Squall watched the faint pink crawl into her cheeks and couldn't suppress his smirk.

"She always seems so innocent."

"Had a good sleep?" he asked her with a teasing tone to his voice.

When she answered him, her deep brown eyes held a thoughtful look.

"Yes I did."

The fact that his presence soothed her sent a delighted chill through his body.

"Be back in a second." He said to her as he got up from the bed and went into the bathroom.

Squall walked over to the mirror and looked at the man in his reflection.

"What in Hyne is wrong with me? I shouldn't be all light headed about this. What made me not go further with her last night? The old Squall wouldn't have hesitated…I shouldn't be getting so close."

He stared long and hard at his reflected image, wishing he could see floating answers rather than the sight of his wary blue-gray eyes.

Squall walked back to the bedroom where he saw Rinoa dressed in her clothes from yesterday. Long silky raven strands of hair were in disarray from what must've been a tumble with her shirt.

"What's wrong?" he asked. His feelings were uneasy from the sudden tension in the air.

"Squall, it's almost noon!" she said as she looked up from her clumsy attempts at retying her shoes. "I have to get home before my father does something crazy like report me missing!"

Squall kneeled down to where she was sitting on the bed and grabbed her hand and said in a purposely calming voice,

"Hey, calm down, Rinoa. It'll be fine. Tell you what I'll drive you home."

Strangely, he noticed that when he mentioned driving her home that there was suddenly panic in her eyes.

"No, it's okay, you don't have too do that! I'll get a cab! I bet you're tired from yesterday, you should rest some more!"

"What's wrong about me driving her home? What's she so afraid of?"

"Rinoa, it would be fine for me to take you."

He watched her face and tried to figure out what she wasn't saying. He paused then added,

"But if you really want to get rid of me then-"

"No! Of course I don't want to get rid of you!" Rinoa told him.

He gave a smug grin. "Good, then wait in the living room for me and I'll be dressed in a minute.

Shortly after, Squall emerged from his bedroom dressed in faded jeans, fitted t-shirt, and of course his trademark leather jacket. He had just slipped on his sunglasses when he noticed a certain young woman's stupefied gawk. An amused crooked grin tugged at his lips. Apparently she had been muttering about something to herself, but now as she looked at him her words stammered.

"Yes?" he asked her.

"Do you always look like you just walked off the cover of some rock magazine?"

Her voice held a bit of both complaint and awe.

He shook his head a little and chuckled to himself.

"Alright, you ready to go?" he asked.

Rinoa nodded her head, but her eyes still held something unreadable.

She'll tell me whatever it is if she really wants to. Squall decided. If she trusts me enough.

They'd went outside to the motorcycle and Rinoa was now clutching at his middle as if it was the only thing holding her to earth.

After hearing her disapproving comments about him preferring to drive at light speed he reluctantly eased up on the pedal. Of course this was after he'd poked plenty of fun at her for being afraid.

"I'm not afraid, I'm just…precautious!" she shouted at him.

He had to try hard not to burst out in laughter at the agitation in her voice.

They were now pulling closer to Deling's housing areas.

"Where would you like me to drop you off?" he said over his shoulder to her.

There was a long pause before she told him, "Umm…just drop me off at Revista Street."

"Is that where you live?" he inquired, not bothering to hide his suspicion.

He felt her breath gust out of her chest in something like panic.

"Well no, but, its really close!"

Why doesn't she trust me enough to tell me something as simple as where she lives? Does she think I'm dangerous or something? Well I know that guys in bands like me don't exactly have the best reputation, but well… I thought she was different than that.

"Fine, whatever." His voice was cold and indifferent.

In a few minutes he put the bike into park right in front of Revista Street. It was on the nice side of town, next to all the filthy rich people's houses, and not far from the Presidential Mansion.

Quietly he helped Rinoa off of the bike. Her beautiful brown eyes were wracked with sadness and worry that immediately made him ache to comfort her.

But it seemed that maybe she didn't want him to be the person to do that. Perhaps she even had someone else. He should've known. Someone as perfect as Rinoa Heartilly certainly would already have someone with claim to her heart.

"Squall", she said as she put her hand over his, which was clamped securely to the bike's handle.

"Yeah?"

His voice was perfectly nonchalant.

She took a deep breath then began,

"It's nothing against you that I don't want you to take me home, but its just that…my father is going to be waiting for me at the door, and he'd be very upset if he saw me with you…Not to mention if he knew I spent the whole night with you."

"Is that really it, Rinoa?" Squall asked in disbelief.

Rinoa nodded, her eyes pinned to the ground.

Squall suddenly stood up and wrapped his arms around her.

Rinoa gasped against him in surprise.

He pulled back just enough for him to look at her, and lifted his hand to her cheek, gently letting his fingers graze over the bruise that was a faint blue-violet.

Feeling self-conscious Rinoa quickly lifted her own hand to hide the blemish, but Squall was faster. Gently but firmly he held back her wrist and lightly kissed the imperfection. He moved on to her forehead, then her chin, followed by her throat. Finally he settled on her lips and pulled her into a deep kiss. Her arms flew up and wrapped tightly around his neck.

After what might've been years of bliss, Squall pulled back and watched the dazed expression on her face.

"Don't ever let him hurt you again Rinoa." He whispered.

"I won't." she replied.

"And let him know that I'm not going to be leaving anytime soon."

Rinoa almost jumped with pleased shock.

"You mean that?"

Squall smiled smugly.

"Don't tell me you truly find that to be so surprising."

With that said he leaned down and kissed her before setting himself down on his bike. The rev of the engine cut through the air as the vehicle roared to life.

"Oh and by the way, you'll find that you have something in your right pocket."

She looked into her pocket and heard him say goodbye. When she looked up the rock god was already cruising down the street.

Smiling, she returned to her pocket where she felt a small folded paper between her fingers. Upon opening the paper, her smile stretched. It read:

(480) 833-3283

Squall

Now she wouldn't have to worry about how to reach him. She carefully folded the note back up and returned it to the security of her pocket. As she reluctantly walked back to the house she was making mental plans to call him the moment she reached the safety of her room. It'd be her fort tonight from the rage of her father. Now that she thought about it, she realized she'd be lucky if she'd ever get to leave the house again before she was 30.

That'd be a hard one to explain to Squall. She thought with a little laugh. She had been quite fortunate to have gotten away with not confessing her secret to him today. She felt sick to her core for not telling the whole truth to him, but she knew that losing him would hurt so much more.

The house was in view and she was almost to the front yard. The lions on the handcrafted fountain watched her from behind fiercely carved eyes. It wasn't long till she reached the stone path, on a death march to the front door where she would be sentenced. In her mind she was reciting the apology she'd prepared for Caraway.

"I'm sorry for what I said that night. I never should have said something so cruel…"

After taking out her spare key, she opened the front door and prepared for the worst.

Inside the house it was the sound of silence. The sound of Rinoa's footsteps echoed throughout the entranceway.

"Hello?" Rinoa called to anyone. She peeked around to look in the dining room to see if Caraway was inside. The room was void of any life, but she noticed that the table was set up nicer than usual. Some elaborate candlesticks and china that Rinoa hadn't seen used in maybe a year or two were carefully placed on the table. Was Caraway having guests?

Rinoa jumped in fright at the suddenness of one of the maids appearing from the drawing room.

"Hello, Ms. Heartilly. I'm sorry to have frightened you." The maid said politely.

"Hello, Bertha. It's fine, I was just a little startled."

"Oh, Ms. Heartilly, your father is in his study. He's been waiting anxiously for your arrival."

"Thank you, Bertha. I'll be up there shortly."

The maid nodded before she returned to the drawing room.

Rinoa reluctantly began the walk to her father's study. She lightly knocked on the door. Caraways deep voice answered with a "Come in."

Inside General Caraway was seated behind his desk, which was over flooded with papers. He looked up from a chart he was reading and slid off his reading glasses.

"I see you've returned." He said rather calmly.

It must be the calm before the storm…

"Rinoa, I would like to apologize for the horrible way I acted yesterday."

What…He's apologizing to me?

"I've been under a lot of stress and I never should have let it get out of control, and especially to have taken it out on you."

Rinoa gawked at the man and realized in a slow moment that she'd forgotten to breathe.

She spoke slowly.

"I-I don't know what to say."

Caraway continued,

"Rinoa, I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I just want you to know that I sincerely apologize."

Rinoa nodded speechless. To apologize, and to even admit that he was wrong was so unlike him. Could he honestly have felt so horrible about what he'd done?

Rinoa gulped down the big lump of air in her throat. "I'm going to try to forgive you…dad. I accept your apology."

Caraway smiled. It was a small smile but Rinoa knew the immense value of something he so rarely did.

She returned his grin with her own and felt for the first time in quite a while, a glimmer of hope for their relationship.

"There's something else I need to tell you." Caraway said.

"Yes?"

"We're having guests to dinner tonight. I'd like it if you'd dine with us."

Rinoa nodded.

"Okay. May I ask who is it?"

"A business associate of mine. Why don't you wear that dress I bought for you for? I've never seen you wear it, I'm sure it'd look very beautiful on you."

Rinoa smiled.

"I think I will. I'll be ready before the evening."

Seifer thoughtlessly flipped though another channel.

"Crap, crap, crap…Dawson's Creek, oh man, crap."

It was going on 4 o' clock and Squall still hadn't shown up yet.

I wonder where that guy is. You'd think he'd be dying to know what the talent scout at our show said.

Deciding that the news was the least crappy thing on, he set down the remote.

Feeling a bit thirsty, he decided to go to the kitchen to get a drink.

When he went back to the living room a picture was being shown on the screen of a girl and an older man.

"The General and his daughter Rinoa Heartilly attended a charity auction last fall. This election year the General will be attending yet again. The Home for Every Child charity will be proud to-"

Seifer dropped the soda can to the floor.

Undoubtedly the woman in the photograph was the exact same one Squall had brought to the concert last night. He didn't even have to ask to know that Squall knew nothing of her true identity. His friend would never be so casual and confident around someone of such high social status. Especially when high society, including the General, would never approve of the relationship.

"Rinoa Heartilly…or rather Rinoa Caraway…the daughter of the Galbadian General. Oh great." Seifer groaned.

He crossed his arms and stood motionless and tried to think of an alternative action to what he already knew he'd have to do

As much as he'd hate to hurt his friend, Squall had to know the truth that Rinoa Heartilly was not who he thought she was.

Rinoa carefully examined her reflection in the long mirror. The beautiful crimson dress that her father had purchased fit perfectly on her figure. The silk the dress was made out of was light and flowed easily with her movements. The top tied behind the neck like a halter and added emphasis to the dramatic plunge in the neck. She tried to pull the dress up so it wouldn't be so revealing, but the design wouldn't comply. She surrendered to the dress and decided that later she'd tell Caraway that next time he should stick with dresses that were a tad more modest. She had to admit though that it was beautiful. On her neck was a thin string of diamonds, and her hair was pulled back into an elegant wispy bun.

Deciding she was now proper for the evening, Rinoa exited her bedroom and strode down the stairs where her father was waiting. When Caraway saw her he gave a satisfied grin.

"I knew that would look great on you." He said.

Rinoa smiled. "Yes it does, but don't you think it's just a tad risqué?"

Caraway shook his head.

"Nonsense!"

There was a knock at the door and Caraway rushed forward to intercept the guest.

The door opened and in walked an older man, about Caraway's age. His hair was graying and his eyes were a deep green. He was dressed in a proper suit and tie. Next to him was a young man who couldn't be much older than Rinoa. He was an attractive man but he had that snobbish condescending look to him that could drive someone mad. His hair was brushed back but the bangs were slightly spiked up at the front. His eyes were an exotic emerald green.

Caraway shook hands with both men and gave an award winning host smile.

" It's a pleasure to have the Gillespies here tonight."