Seifer's POV

Everything was going well, Martine even showed. Quistis stayed on my arm all though the talks and I was thankful to have her support. Martine tried to take every opportunity to show me up but I never missed a beat with Instructor Trepe on my arm. She squeezed my arm even as I thought it, I was thankful that she had decided not to whip me in front of a room this size. Xu and Squall were going over the particulars for getting Tibia fully operational and everyone was tiptoeing around the fact that we had multiple contracts out on his head through each of the gardens, he probably knew as much. He only came to his meeting as a bluff, to try and make us believe in his loyalty and to size up our assets I'm sure. He didn't seem happy, my garden was far superior to his own, which is still immobile I might add. When the music started Quistis was my obvious partner, she was good at a slow waltz. I couldn't help but glance over at Squall. He was dancing with Rinoa; it was so weird to think that some random chick that I had been with was dating him now. I feel like he's better than that.

"Have you spoken to him yet?" She whispered in my ear.

"You were there at the table."

"I mean alone Almasy, don't be cute."

"Aren't I always cute instructor?" She pinched me, but it was worth it. "When would I have had time to speak to him? He's the one who ditched the meeting he called, remember? Who knew that he'd be such a diva?" She pinched me again; I think she enjoys hurting me. Looking at Squall I could tell that he was sad, he wasn't all fire and ice like usual, I doubt that bimbo could even tell.

"Look at Zell and Yaya," Quistis said with a little giggle. "She had a crush on him for over a year and he didn't even notice, but they've finally gotten together. It's cute."

"Yeah," I agreed. I like making fun of the guy, but honestly I wanted to see him happy. "Have you had your eye on anyone my dear instructor?" I asked glancing over and President Squall's dad who stood patiently in the corner, rubbing his leg every once in awhile. He was handsome for an old guy, squall's blood after all.

"Don't even think that…" She said stiffly before she noticed him walking toward us. I saw the sniper stumble in the room late, Selphie had been sitting at the table patiently waiting for him. He looked disheveled. I never liked him as a kid, any time I tried to tease Zell or Squall he would get in the way. If they had liked me as much as they liked him I probably wouldn't have gone dark side though. The music stopped and I had to smirk at the blush across Quistis' alabaster cheeks.

"May I have this dance?" Laguna said shyly, I could tell he was straining to stand up straight.

"Okay…" She said with a small nod. Quistis didn't even look him in the face; she put one hand on his shoulder and the other in his and stared at his chest like a high-schooler at her first dance.

"Good luck," I said cutting my way across the dance floor. The way Squall was frowning was getting on my nerves; I had to know what was going on with him. I tapped on Rinoa's shoulder. "May I cut in?" I know I was smirking; the look on Squall's face was just too great.

"Seifer! It's so good to see you again, I'd love to dance," she said with a bright smile. I thought he would be more possessive but Squall almost seemed relieved at the idea. I could see why, even without the current circumstances.

"Actually, I was hoping to dance with our dear Commander-in-Chief over here," I know I was smirking, I just couldn't hold it in. He looked as good as ever, better even. The way that his lips pouted just made me want to fill them full of—

"Are you joking?" Squall said with a frown.

"What are you chicken? You're not secure enough to be seen dancing with another man?"

"I'm not chicken?" He glowered.

"Well then?" I asked putting out my hand. I could tell that he was irritated that I was trying to lead, but my Squall never turned down a challenge. I was glad I could still get him going like this. Rinoa looked a little miffed that we were ignoring her but some poor SEED shmoe asked her to dance before she could open her big mouth and ruin my song. Squall followed very well, he met every step gracefully and elegantly. I would have complimented him but it was just too weird. We hadn't even started again. I knew I had to say something, but where to start was hard.

"So why haven't I seen you?"

"We had the Garden meeting before Martine arrived with Xu, Quistis and Laguna. And the mock meeting afterwards… and we met with clients during dinner…" he trailed off.

"You know that's not what I mean. It's bad enough to take orders from you but when I show up and you don't…"

"Sorry," he said lowering his head. For a moment I thought, hoped, he would rest his head on my shoulder but he just hovered there shyly.

"Thank you… for giving me another chance…" I said.

"You earned it… you worked really hard in Tibia… I still think you should have come home though." He said staring off at some point past my shoulder. I looked at that scar, the one that I gave him… I can't believe I hurt that face of his, but either way he was beautiful.

"Should I have?" I asked pulling him in a little bit closer. He nodded but he still didn't look at me. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room drawn to us. Irvine especially, although Zell was trying not to gawk; Laguna, I'm sure was thinking about protesting but he couldn't tear himself away from our little instructor over there.

"You're part of the family," he said softly after a long pause. I never really expected to hear something like that come out of Squall's mouth, but I was glad.

"Thank you… for forgiving me," I said softly. He looked up at me for a moment and gave me the hint of a smile and it made my heart race. Damn and I thought I still had the upper hand with him. "Squall… what's wrong?" I asked gently. This time he frowned.

"Nothing…"

"You know you can't pull that off with me," I whispered into his ear.

"…a lot of things…" he said looking me in the eyes for a moment before shifting awkwardly.

"I heard you and princess just moved in together…" he nodded. "Trouble in paradise?" he nodded again. "You should dump her. You're too good for her anyways."

"I'm not," he said shaking his head.

"Squall, look at me." I looked into those deep grey eyes for the first time in over a year, they were more blue than I remembered, more open and tender. I had to restrain myself a little bit. "You are."

"Excuse me," a deep voice said. I could feel the hand on my shoulder and without looking I could tell it was Kinneas, and I didn't mind that so much as the way that Squall seemed to shrink away from him. Him… I thought with a frown, god damn it. "Mind letting me cut in?" he drawled.

"Actually I do mind." I said, leading Squall in another direction.

"Awe, come on. Don't be a Squall hog," He came on all honey and sugar and I just wanted to sock the guy. I could tell what he wanted, hell I wanted it too. But from the way that Squall avoided his eyes, more than the way he had avoided mine after everything that had happened I knew something was up.

"You should go back off," I said softly.

"Guys…" Squalls said softly but I ignored him.

"What business is it of yours? I want to talk to Squall," he said grabbing my arm. Bad idea buddy. I was about to raise my arm and smack him on his ass when Squall grabbed it roughly.

"People are staring," he said his voice tinged with anger. "Why the hell do you have to make a scene in front all of the gardens not to mention one of our enemies? Are you trying to make my job impossible?"

"Sorry babe," Irvine said so gently that I wanted to sock him again but Squall was still holding my arm. He knew me so well.

"Commander," Fuj said, I could tell she was going to say the same thing Squall had, just with fewer words.

"Fine, but I'll catch you later okay Squall?" He was still glaring at me but he nodded. Kinneas moved in closer but Squall sidestepped him and headed out onto the balcony.