Mistake

  Squall casually walked through Balamb Garden, his gunblade hung at his side.  The
ammo strapped around his waist made a jingling noise.  That noise, along with the soft thumping
of his boots was well known throughout the Garden.  It was the noise that made people aware of
the fact that the Squall Leonhart was coming.  Squall, the man whom every guy looked at with
admiration for his brave defeat of Ultemicia, and the man who made every girl swoon at his
radiant good looks.   
  Squall was aware of the looks that he recieved as he walked down the corridor.  He was
used to it and dismissed them with ease.  He did, however, catch sight of a group of young girls
giggling and blushing at the sight of him.  With a sly little grin, Squall straitened the fur collar of
his jacket and went to work.
  First, he subtly changed his walk from the solid and practical one he was used to, to a
smoother and much more sexier one.  He also changed the look on his face as well.  Instead of a
stern facial expression, he relaxed the muscles in his face to give him a more casual and friendlier
look.
  Squall came closer to the young girls who, at the sight of him, were frantically taking
deep breaths and straightening their hair.  
  When he was beside them he gave a slight sideways nod and with his most charming
voice said, "Afternoon ladies,".  Flashing them a brilliant smile, Squall walked away from the girls
and stepped on to the nearby elevator.  As he descended, he caught site of the girls fanning
themselves with their hands in an exagerated expression of their obvious nervousness, giggling
hysterically, and casting longing looks towards him.
  Squall smiled to himself.  He loved to flirt.  Some people thought that it was cruel to toy
with girls the way he did, but everyone knew he was involved so what was the big deal?  
  When the elevator reached the first floor, Squall switched back to his normal walk and
facial expression.  However, when the doors opened, his stern face lit up with joy.
  Standing with her back to the elevator, her raven black hair cascading down her back,
stood Rinoa.  Squall silently crept up behind her and then swung his head over and kissed her on
the neck.
  Stunned by Squall's surprise advance, Rinoa yelped and lept forward, turning around in
the process.  When she saw that it was Squall that stood behind her and not some deranged man,
Rinoa relaxed her already tense nerves and smiled.  "I thought you'd be coming from the front
gate," she said.
  Squall grinned, "I thought I'd take a different route."
  The two just stood silently looking at each other, happy to be in one another's presence. 
Squall, unable to stand the silence, suddenly reached forward and pulled Rinoa's small frame up
to his much larger one and kissed her with such passion that for a moment, Rinoa actually
blushed.
  The two embracing in the middle of the Garden recieved many looks from passers-by. 
Guys, wishing they were in Squall's place, and girls, wishing they were in Rinoa's place.  Of
course they never would be.  Squall and Rinoa were solid, together forever.  Everyone knew
that, so despite their wishes, they continued on their way.
  When the couple finally let go of each other, Rinoa grinned at Squall, swung around, and
looped her arm around his.  She sighed and rested her head on his shoulders.  Squall smiled at
her and they started walking.  
  There were not many places in Balamb to go on a date, but there was a cute little coffee
shop with a view of the ocean nestled quietly between two much larger bulidings.   Squall and
Rinoa visited it frequently, and were in fact headed there now.
  As the two neared the exit, they were distracted by an incredibly loud shout.  Surprised,
they turned around to see what the commotion was.  What they saw did not surprise them. 
Headed towards them at an alarming speed was Selphie, her short hair bouncing and her face
filled with joy.
  She skidded to a stop just a few feet in front of them.  She tried to speak, but she was too
short of breath to make any sense.  "Sq...Rin...you...Cid...throw...huge!"
  "Selphie, just take a breath will you?" said Squall amused at her nonsense.
  It didn't take long for Selphie to regain the air in her lungs.  "You guys will never guess
what Cid told me!  Some bigshot from Galbadia's coming to the Garden, and guess who's
throwing the big welcome party?....Me!"
  "Wow that's great Selphie!," Rinoa said enthusiastically, "So who's the bigshot?"
  "I dunno, I wasn't listening, but the important thing is that we're having a PAR-TAY! 
Actually I was hoping that maybe you guys would be interested in helping me with this thing."
  "Sure."
  "Sure!" Squall and Rinoa both said in unison. 
  "When is it?" Rinoa asked.
  "In two weeks, on the weekend."
  Rinoa's face fell.  "In two weeks?  That's when I'm going back to Timber for a few days!"
  "Aww man!  Isn't there some way you can re-schedule?"
  "No way.  I've been promising Watts and Zone that I'd come to see them forever.  I told
them I'd be there for sure in two weeks!  I'm really sorry Selph."
  "It's okay," Selphie said despairingly, "But Squall, I can count on you can't I?"
  "Yeah sure Selphie.  I'll need something to take my mind off Rinoa not being here
anyway."
  "Woohoo!  Great!  Look there's a meeting for everyone who's helping tomorrow kay?"
  Squall smiled at the plucky girl and smiled.  "Sure Selph.  But you know Rinoa and I
were just on our way out.  I'll see you tomorrow!"
  "See ya!  Don't forget!  Tomorrow at 1300 hours in the Quad!"
  As Selphie watched the two walk away, she had to marvel at how much Squall had
changed.  It had been a year since they had beaten Ultimcia and in that time Squall had gone
from secluded and still somewhat uncaring, to outgoing and happy.  He was more aware of
people's feelings, and whenever Selphie saw him he was always smiling.  Rinoa was good for
him, and it was really too bad that she wasn't going to be able to make it to the party.
  Thoughts of the party made Selphie realise that she still had work to do.  She had to find
more people to help her.  She was good, but not that good.
  Selphie turned to head back when she bumped into someone.  She looked up and the first
thing that caught her eye was the black cowboy hat.  "Irvine!" Selphie squeeled.
  "Hey Selph.  How's my girl doin'?"  With that he leaned down and kissed her.  
  Selphie and Irvine had been an item for almost as long as Squall and Rinoa, and with
Irvine's dark good looks and Selphie's perky cuteness, they were almost as envied.
  Cheered up even more by Irvine's sweet kiss, Selphie giggled.  "Oh yeah, I almost
forgot.  There's an important guy coming from Galbadia in two weeks and I've been chosen to
cooridinate his welcome party!"
  "Hey Selph that's awesome!  Congratulations!  Anything I can do to help?"
  "Actually yes.  I need people to help me with certain details.  This is really important to
Cid and to the Garden so the party has to be perfect."
  "You can count on me babe.  I'll do my best to help you make this party become the
greatest in Balamb history!"
  Selphie giggled again.  "Irvy you're too good to me."
  The two continued their happy chattering as they walked into the Garden.
                                
                 *******Two Weeks Lateer*******
                                
  Squall sat in the SeeD auditorium bored out of his mind.  He took a quick glance around
and could tell that he wasn't the only one.  
  Cid was at the very front making a disgustingly long speech.  He was talking about
Galbadia, how powerful a nation they were, how he was glad that a truce had been worked out,
yadya yadya yadya.  
  Squall missed Rinoa.  This would have been a lot easier to bear if she had been sitting
next to him.  Rinoa had only been gone for a day but he already yearned for her soft skin and
melodious laugh.  ‘Oh well,' he thought, ‘No sense in getting depressed about it.  Atleast there's
the party after this.  My friends will be there and that will cheer me up.'
  After another ten minutes, the representative of Galbadia came out.  He was a short,
stocky man with greying hair that was balding at the top.  He talked for another fifteen minutes,
and when he was finished Squall could almost feel everyone in the auditorium give a sigh of
relief.  Now it was time for the real fun.

  The Quad was elegantly decorated with ribbons and balloons of Galbadia's colours. 
Colourful banners expressing Balamb Garden's welcome were hung almost anywhere they could
fit withough looking too tacky.  On two sides of the room, long tables were set up and were
covered with edible goodies.  Cookies, cakes, sandwiches, fruit, everything a person could
imagine to eat was there.  There was also a liquor bar not far away.
  Squall walked in and admired Selphie and her crew's work.  They had done a really
magnificent job.  Squall's duty was to make one of the welcome banners and as he looked at it he
patted himself on the back for doing such a good job.  He then scanned the room for Selphie and
Irvine.  He spotted them talking to Cid and the man from Galbadia.  While Squall waited
patiently for them to be finished he noticed Quistis coming towards him.
  She was dressed in a long light purple dress made of silk.  The dress flashed in the light as
she made her way over to Squall.  "Hey there," she said, "You look good tonight."
  Squall looked down at his new black tuxedo.  Rinoa had made him buy a tuxedo for this
party but he would have rather have worn his normal clothes, or his SeeD uniform at least. 
"Thanks.  You look really nice yourself too.  New dress?" Squall asked.
  "Yeah.  Cost me way too much money but I just couldn't resist."  Quistis noticed Squall
kept pulling at his collar, shifting his weight and grimacing.
  "Are you okay Squall?  You look a little uncomfortable."
  "No I'm fine...,"he said, but after a few moments added ,"It's just that this tuxedo is really
irritating me.  I feel like I can't breath.  Not to mention the fact that these shoes are ridiculously
small."
  Quistis laughed at Squall's confession.  
  "What's so funny?  You think my being in pain is funny?" Squall asked slightly irritated.
  "No not at all Squall," Quistis said through her giggling," I just think you're really cute
when you're irritated."
  Squall was surprised by her comment.  ‘She thinks I'm cute?' he thought,‘I wonder what
that's supposed to mean? It better not be what I think it is...'
  Squall suddenly noticed that Selphie and Irvine were finished talking to Cid and his guest
and were standing in each others arms, talking softly.  Squall hated to interrupt them but he
needed to change the subject with Quistis.  Things were getting a little too akward for his liking.
  "Oh look there's Selphie and Irvine-let's go say hi." Squall said hurredly.
  The two walked over to where Selphie and Irvine were.  "Hey Selph.  Congratulations on
a job well done," Squall said as he gave her a hug.
  "Yes I must say the whole affair is very well done," added Quistis.
  "Thanks guys," Selphie said brightly, "But you know I couldn't have done it without either
of you."
  Squall looked over at Irvine.  "Evening Irvine," Squall said with a friendly handshake.  "I
gotta say, you look a lot different without you're hat or trenchcoat."
  "Isn't he handsome?" Selphie said dreamily.
  Irvine blushed at both of them.  "It's hard to get used to not having anything on my head. 
I feel so naked," Irvine said with a smile.
  All three of them laughed.  "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get used to it," said Quistis.
  "Hey you guys wanna come to the bar and have a drink with us?" Irvine asked Squall and
Quistis.  Now that they were eighteen, drinking privelages were suddenly granted to them.  
  "Yeah I could go for that," said Quistis.
  "Me too," agreed Squall.
  ‘This will definitely keep my mind off Rinoa' Squall thought happily.
  The four friends made their way to the small bar that had been set up in the corner of the
Quad for this special occasion.  
  The bartender was a tall, friendly looking man with a welcoming smile.  When all of them
had sat down he asked, "What can I get you folks?"
  "I'll have a screwdriver please," Irvine said.
  "I'll have that too," Selphie said.
  "I'll have a gin and seven," Quistis said.
                                                      "And for you sir?" the bartender asked kindly.    
  "Whiskey," Squall stated simply.
  His three friends all gave Squall surprised looks.  "Wow, whiskey, isn't that awfully hard
for so early in the evening?" Selphie asked innocently.
  "I don't care," Squall said with more sterness then he had intended, "I'm kind of depressed
because Rinoa's gone."
  "Aww, cheer up.  She's only been gone for a day Squall.  And she'll be back as soon as
you know it."
  "Yeah I know...but that doesn't mean I can't have a few drinks"
  "You be careful Squall.  If you get drunk I'm going to be the one who has to be
responsible for you," said Quistis teased.
  "I know, I know, I won't drink to much, I promise."

                  *******Two Hours Later******
                                
  "What right doesh she even...even have, to go...gavalanting around without me huh?"
  "Well first of all, it's galavanting and second, she just went to go see her friends Squall. 
It's not like she left you."
  "R-Rinoa left me?  How do you know?  You're lying!"
  "No Squall I didn't say she left you I just meant.....nevermind.  It's not important."
  Squall had been drinking for the past two hours, and despite his promise, had gotten
completely drunk.  And just like she had said, Quistis was the one who had to sit and listen to
Squall moan about all his problems.  Actually she wasn't exactly innocent either.  Quistis had had
a little more to drink then she probably should have.  It was stressful having to listen to Squall's
bellyaching.  She needed something to loosen her up.  Luckily for Quistis, she wasn't as drunk as
Squall and could probably find her way to her room when the time came.
  "Quistis, I think I need to go to my room."
  "Huh?  Yeah okay...Goodnight Squall..."
  "Uh huh..."  
  As he got off the stool, Squall accidently got his fot caught and fell flat on his face. 
Quistis burst out laughing but when Squall didn't get up, she figured she had better help him.
  "Come on Squall, let's get you to your room, you drunken idiot."
  She bent down to help Squall get up and was surprised at how much he weighed.  She let
out a small grant but did succeed in getting him on his feet.  
  Quistis pretty much had to drag him to his room, but they eventually made it.  Squall had
regained enough sense to actually open his door when they reached it.  As he went in, Quistis
turned to go to her room.  "Hey uh Quistis...do you wanna come in for a little while?"
  "Um...sure."
  Quistis walked into Squall's room and looked around with interest.  "So this is Squall's
room huh?  Not much here is there?"
  "Not really but it's okay, I like it this way."
  Squall sat down on his bed and stared blankly at the wall across from it for a few
moments.  Then he reached underneath his bed and pulled out a bottle of wine.  He popped the
cork and poured some into two glasses.  He then offered one to Quistis.
  "Don't you think we've had enough to drink tonight?"
  "Well here's how I see it.  We're both drunk, so what's the harm?"
  "Good point" she said, completely ignoring the possibility of alcohol poisoning, and
grabbing the glass.  She drained half the glass in her first drink.  Squall smiled at her, "That's my
girl.  Come sit down."
  Quistis went and sat on the opposite end of  Squall's bed.  ‘Okay don't panick Quistis. 
You're sitting on Squall's bed drinking wine but that doesn't mean anything.  Besides he's
involved with that girl...what was her name again?  Doesn't matter.  Just be cool.' she thought to
herself.
  They sat drinking wine for a good while, until they had finished off the entire bottle. 
Quistis went to poor herself another glass and was despaired to find that they had indeed run out. 
She shook the bottle upside down for a while to make sure that it was completely empty and then
stared at the empty bottle with a look that might have represented despair had she not been so
drunk.
  Across from her Squall just sat and stared at Quistis.  He was drunk but he still noticed
how beautiful she was.  Blue eyes, blond hair, nice body.  There had been a time when she had
loved him but that was gone.  Or was it?
  "You're pretty," Squall blurted out akwardly.
  "Thanks..." Quistis looked at him, but when their eyes met she looked away.  She had
loved him once, but that was gone.  Wasn't it?  Then how come she felt so funny?
  "Can I kiss you?" Squall asked softly.
  "What?  W-what about uh...what's her name...your girlfriend?"
  "Who cares.  She's not here is she?"
  "I gue-"
  But before she could finish her sentence Squall reached over and kissed her.  At first
Quistis pulled back but then changed her mind.  This was what she had always wanted, but
Squall had never returned her feelings.  Now he wanted her.  This was her dream coming true,
so why did she feel so wierd about it?
  Squall moved closer to her, and when his body touched hers, any doubt that she had in
her mind completely disappeared.  The two fell over laughing onto Squall's bed.

                  ******The Next Morning******
                                
  Quistis woke up to the sounds of someone puking.  She sat up as best as she could
despite her splitting headache.  Doing a quick scan around her surroundings she right away
realised that she was not in her room.  When she looked down she also realised that she was not
in her clothes either.  In fact, she wasn't in any clothes.  ‘What happened last night?  I remember
getting drunk and then helping Squall to his room....oh no...we didn't sleep together did we?'
  Right as she finished that thought Squall walked out of the bathroom.  A pair of old black
sweats was the only clothing he wore but, Quistis noted, it did show off his well-sculpted upper
torso quite nicely.  
His once silky and neat hair was dirty and sticking out every which way.  His face looked
rather pale and it was not very becoming.  "I don't feel so well," Squall moaned as he stiffly made
his way over to where Quistis still lay.
The two sat in silence for a few minutes, both of them reflecting on what had happened
the previous night.
"Squall…we didn't actually…you know…do what I think we did last night did we?"
Squall looked at her sadly.  "I think we did, Quistis.  But…I think we both know that it was
a mistake."
"Yeah.  Yeah it was definitely a mistake…" Quistis said miserably.  ‘Was it really a
mistake?" she thought.  
Squall noticed her tone of voice and gave her a questioning look.  "Why do you sound so
sad?"
"It's just that…" Quistis hesitated before finishing the sentence.  Did Squall really need to
hear this?  
"Quistis what is it?"
Quistis decided that it was probably best if Squall knew her feelings.  "It's just that, I'm
not completely convinced that it was a mistake."
Squall jumped of the bed in shock.  "Whoa, whoa, whoa.  What are you trying to say
here?"
"I think…what I'm trying to say…is that…whenever I'm around you I get this funny feeling. 
It's not like anything I've ever felt.  I mean, you're handsome, strong, brave, sensitive…"
"Quistis, I…I mean…I'm in love with Rinoa.  What we did last night was wrong, completely
wrong.  Besides, y-you said that you had gotten over me, that what you felt for me wasn't love, it
was an older sister type of thing.  Remember?"
"Of course I do.  But I think I was scared to admit that I was in love with you, so I came
up with an excuse.  The things I feel for you, they can't just be older sister instincts, they can't be. 
Maybe I'm not in love with you, but I do have feelings for you Squall, and they get harder to
ignore with every passing day."
  Squall was starting to get a little nervous.  He remembered thinking that it was odd the
way Quistis would look at him sometimes.  Or the way she always said he was cute.  Even
though it made him feel a little uncomfortable, he always took it as a joke.  But this…this can't be
happening.  He didn't feel anything for Quistis.  It was bad enough feeling guilty, and now he
had to break Quistis's heart.
  Squall slowly moved back to the bed where he had been sitting.  He sat down next to
Quistis who was staring blankly at the wall in front of the bed.  Squall hated to have to do this but
Quistis had to get over him.
  "Quistis," Squall started off gently, "Even though you're not my instructor anymore, you
are still a member of the faculty at Balamb Garden.  As my superior, you have a responsibility,
and part of that responsibility is maintaining an acceptable relationship with the students.  You
may be my friend, but you are still an instructor and I am still a student, therefore that rule must
be applied."
  Squall could see tears forming in Quistis's blue eyes.  He was not enjoying saying these
things to her, nevertheless, they were things that needed to be said if he wanted Quistis to remain
his friend.
  "I...I don't love you Quistis.  I never have.  You are a great person and you were a terrific
instructor, despite what others say, but you and I...we're not for each other.  You know that. 
Rinoa is my true love, and somewhere out there-there's yours."
  Quistis's long slender fingers played with the ends of her long blond hair.  The hair, no
longer pulled back, flowed down her shoulders and back.  Her fingers wrapped the golden hair
around themselves, and then released, letting the twisted hair fall back into place.
  The tears were flowing down Quistis's cheeks freely now.  They slid down her face and
landed with a barely audible thud on Squall's blanket.
  "I'm sorry Quistis...but this is for the best."
  Quistis lightly sniffed and wiped her eyes after letting the last tears flow.  "No Squall...i-
it's my fault.  I let my feelings get out of control.  I know that this is for the best, it's just going to
take some time for me to truly...get over it."
  She sat up straight, ran her fingers through her hair and began getting dressed.  Looking
down at the floor Quistis noticed that the only clothes she had here was the gown she had worn
last night.  Seeing a lack of alternatives, she began putting the crumpled dress back on.  
  Quistis stood up and made her way to the door.  Before she left, she turned around to face
Squall.  He was in the exact same position he had been ten minutes ago.
  "Squall, are you going to be okay?," Quistis asked sympathetically.
  "Um, yeah, yeah.  I'll be okay.  I just don't know what I'm going to tell Rinoa."
  Whoops.  Quistis had forgotten about that.  "Well, you know, you don't have to tell her."
  "I'd feel guilty."
  "You shouldn't Squall, we were both ridiculously drunk.  None of this happened on
purpose.  Just keep telling yourself that and it'll be okay."
  Squall was surprised at Quistis's sudden change of attitude, and admired her optimism. 
And she did have a point.  But could he really do that to Rinoa?  ‘If I told her, she might break up
with me,' Squall thought dismally, ‘I couldn't deal with that.  I can't live without her.  If I don't tell
her, if I forget this happened...' 
  "Yeah I guess you're right.  But um...can I ask you a small favour?"
  Quistis knew what was coming and smiled, "My lips are sealed."
  "Thanks Quistis, you're a true friend."
  Quistis smiled again and opened the door.  "I guess I'll see you later."
  "Yeah.  See ya."
  Quistis stepped quietly out of Squall's room, looking around to make sure the coast was
clear.  If someone saw her coming out of his room dressed the way she was, she couldn't even
imagine what Cid would do to her.
  Seeing that there was nobody around, Quistis made a mad dash to her room.  She made it
just in time, for as she closed her door, a large group of young cadets walked past.
  Once inside her room, Quistis let out a huge sigh of relief.

                   ******Two Days Later******
                                
  Rinoa stepped off the train and looked around Balamb.  Her trip to Timber had been
wonderful, but it was good to be back..  
  Her eyes quickly scanned around the station, hoping to see Squall.  She knew that he
wouldn't be here but she didn't give up hope.  It didn't matter anyway.  She would see him once
she got back to the Garden.
  Cid had sent someone to come pick Rinoa up so that she didn't have to walk, but the car
ride  was slow and uneventful, and she couldn't stop thinking about Squall.  
  Finally the car came to a stop at Balamb Garden.  Rinoa burst out of the car as quickly as
she could and ran to find Squall, leaving the poor man who had come to pick her up to deal with
her luggage.
  Rinoa ran as fast as she could to the fountain in the central court of the Garden.  That was
where she and Squall always met.  Sure enough, when she reached the fountain, there he was.
  He immediately saw her.  They stood staring at each other for a long time, oblivious to the
hustle and bustle that was going on around them.  Squall held up an insanely large bouquet of red
roses for Rinoa to see.  At the sight of the flowers, Rinoa dashed towards him.  She jumped into
his arms and he swung her around, both of them laughing.  The whole thing looked just like a
scene from a mushy romance movie and many people smiled as they walked by.
  When the two had finished spinning, Rinoa reached up and kissed Squall.  "Who are the
flowers for?" she asked, teasing.
  "Well I was supposed to meet my stunningly beautiful girlfriend here but she hasn't
showed up."
  Rinoa giggled, "Do you think she'd mind if you gave them to me?"
  "I think she'd be okay with that," Squall said through a grin.
  Rinoa took the flowers in one hand, and in the other, she took Squall's hand.  The two
lovers, completely engrossed with each other, walked away from the tall fountain, laughing and
chattering.  
  From the second floor, Quistis watched Squall and Rinoa slowly fade from view.  ‘Looks
like things are gong to be okay with those two,' she thought with a smile on her face.  She turned
around to walk away and bumped into someone.  The blow threw her balance off and she landed
on her butt with a soft thud.
  The man she had bumped into simply walked away without so much as an apology or
inquiry as to whether she was okay.
  Suddenly a large hand reached towards her to help her up.  She accepted the offer and let
the incredibly strong stranger pull her to her feet.  After she had straightened herself she went to
thank the man for his kindness, but when she looked at his face, her breath caught in her throat.
  He was the most handsome man she had ever seen.  He had blond hair, although his
colour was much darker than Quistis's.  His bangs were too long and fell into his soft green eyes. 
Quistis had never seen eyes quite that colour and they entranced her.
  Noticing her silence, the stranger spoke.  "Are you okay?"
  His voice was beautiful, low and melodious, and it made Quistis's knees weak.  "Uh...yes. 
Yes I'm fine, thank you for helping me."  The words barely came out of her tight throat.
  "Hey it's no problem.  It's not every day that I have the pleasure of helping someone as
beautiful as you."
  The man's comment made Quistis blush a light pink.  
  "My name's Ceri.  My I escort you to wherever it is that you're going?"
  Quistis smiled prettily.  "I'd be honoured."
  The two walked arm in arm down the busy corridor of the Garden.  Quistis looked up at
Ceri.  She could tell that this was the beginning of something special.

                        ******Fin******
                                
  Well that's it folks.  I do hope that you enjoyed this fanfic.  Since this is my very first
attempt of writing something like this, any feedback you could give me would be greatly
appreciated.  If you have any criticism to offer, try to be nice kay?  Otherwise I'll become really
depressed and you don't want that ^_^
My Email: irvysgurl@hotmail.com