Author's notes: A-ha! This is the last chapter and it is finally up! After many frustrations and useless calls to tech support, I ended up having to finance a new computer. (But it's a nice Gateway with nice doo-dads that I never had before!—Like a new word processing program where I can finally save it as an html file instead of text, and have nice-looking formatting like the rest of you guys. So without furthur ado… READ! And review. (Might want to read from beginning again to capture full effect. I always have to do that!)

The birds were chirping as the sun shone through the window slats. Out on the street, the sound of traffic began its busy day in the city with most of its inhabitants going on with their daily routine. It was the start of a beautiful new day.

Squall was usually up at the crack of dawn, but not today. But it wasn't sleep that kept him in bed, more like the lack thereof. He tossed and turned all night, and when he did manage to drift off, it was restless.

He lay there now trying to talk himself into getting up. The wall he had been staring at most of the night was becoming brighter as more light entered the room. During the night, it looked like a perfect paint job even in the dark. Now as the morning hit, he now noticed the imperfections on that wall that he didn't see before, like paint peelings, a few holes from previous wall hangings, etc. Strange how things can seem so right in the moonlight, and with the rise of the sun reality shows everything for what it really is. Tired, he trudged out of bed. He and Zell had a train to catch.

A short while later, Squall carrying all his belongings he packed for this trip, entered the hotel's lobby. He found Zell waiting in a big chair, dozing. Not wanting his mood to be apparent, Squall pushed it back and tried to put on a cheerful facade. Although 'cheerful' wasn't the right word. The closest to 'cheerful' as Squall could ever get would be more of a 'stoic'. He thought he owed it to his friend not to bring him down. He still felt guilty about taking his frustrations out on him after their mission yesterday.

He nudged Zell's sleeping form, attempting to wake him up with a lame joke. "C'mon, it's too early for naps. Those aren't on the schedule until 1400 hours."

Zell yawned and stretched out of the chair. "Just catchin' some more Z's while I was waitin' for ya'."

"Didn't get much sleep?" Squall asked just to make conversation. Then suddenly he remembered the events of last night. He quickly retracted, "Wait! Don't answer that - please!"

Zell gave a tired chuckle and smirked. He put out his hand to shake. "I just want to say-" and mercifully threw himself at Squall's feet, "You're the best gosh darn buddy a guy could ever have (sniff)."

The brunette rolled his eyes. How did I know he was going to do this? Literally! "Alright, alright. Stand up. This is embarrassing."

Zell got up off his knees, smiling.

Squall continued lightheartedly. "Please. I got the jist of what happened to you last night. I'm very happy for you, congratulations, but please don't fill me in on it. I beg you. Tell Irvine all about it when we get back. I'm not the least bit interested."

Zell chewed his lip and put his thinking face on. After a few moments of pondering his friend's words, he was satisfied and shrugged, "Ok," and happily walked out the front wooden doors.

Squall followed. "I'm serious. Don't just casually start talking about it in the middle of a conversation 'cause I'll shut you up."

"Fine. You got it, pal," Zell calmly complied. He understood that his friend wouldn't beg for details like he himself probably would.

"Ok, so that's settled."

"I will not bring it up."

"Thank you."

The two men proceeded to the train station. Zell glanced over at Squall a couple times, wondering if he was even the least bit curious. But then remembered how bummed out he must be. Mary told him that he refused her offer because he was "in love with some woman." He only had one guess as to who that could be. He didn't want to bring up the delicate subject, knowing how his friend liked to remain private.

They walked in silence for about another minute when Squall couldn't take it anymore and blurted, "Ok. I just have one question. One question and then no more. End of subject."

Zell turned to him with a cocky smirk. "Shoot."

Squall paused for a moment. Then in an intellectually curious tone, he lowered his head, raised his eyes and asked in a low voice, "How was it?"

The zany man grinned widely and nodded slowly, "...Exhausting."

The two men had a good laugh that made Squall temporarily forget his troubles.

The train depot was filled with several busy people each with their own agendas: families on vacations, businessmen on their daily commutes to their offices in Deling, and the occasional straggler who didn't own a vehicle. There were people everywhere they looked.

The two SeeDs each grabbed a seat amongst the other future passengers that would be riding their train. Still, among all these people, Squall felt alone –- empty. Even having his best friend sitting right next to him couldn't fill the gap he felt in his being. It was like a hole formed in a place he couldn't recall feeling empty before… Except… for when he thought he lost her in time compression when they were 17. Yes, it felt just like this! God, the void, the hopelessness. It was so awful. Then everything turned out to be all right afterwards, and I didn't think I'd have to worry about feeling that way again. Even after we broke up, it didn't hurt then either. We both needed that; there was no pain… Then I shouldn't be feeling pain now, right?

Zell, not being one to sit long, got up and started shadow boxing in a corner in the waiting area. A few of the people waiting for the same 10:00 train as the SeeDs, exchanged nervous glances, a few considering hopping on the next train that followed.

The movements of the fisted fighter shook Squall out of his depressing trance. I hate myself for being like this! There's no use in feeling this way.

He stopped watching Zell and peeked at his watch, 9:40.

They should be making the boarding call soon.

Zell, still in his corner, now moved on to practicing kicks. Security officers were now looking at him funny.

I'm bored. At least Zell found something to do.

A man in a uniform approached Zell cautiously and tapped him on the shoulder. Zell, lost in his own world, jumped at the interruption. Seeing he had an audience, he shyly bowed his head and walked back to his seat. Upon returning, he heard Squall quietly humming a tune.

..Train, train, take me away… to a place far away-

Zell elbowed him in the ribs. "Dude, and I thought what I was doing was embarrassing!"

Squall realized he was humming Selphie's 'train' song –- in public. What the hell am I doing? I need to get out of this city!

Spotting some vending machines along the wall, Squall stood up to fish some change out of his pocket. He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper that he thought to be a dollar gil.

Please don't let me be too late! Please don't let me be too late! she thought to herself as she paced through the station, searching for the gate for trains departing Dollet. She left in the middle of an important lecture, deciding this was more important right now than anything.

The crumpled paper turned out to be the note Rinoa left him two nights ago. He remembered stuffing it in his pocket when he was packing and getting ready to check out of the hotel. He began to reread it. A phrase stuck out to him.

"…But I don't know how you feel about this either…"

No, Rinoa, you don't. You didn't stick around to find out… But it's not like I planned to feel anything in the first place. He stuffed the note back in his pocket. But does anyone actually plan to fall in love?

She rounded a corner and spotted Zell sitting among other people. But where's Squall? She scanned the area and saw him standing, facing away from her, looking down and reading something. Her heart jumped.

This is it. Should I be doing this? She held in her hand the homemade replicated ring and necklace given to her. Even though she stopped wearing them a few years ago, she kept them safe in a drawer since they held so much sentimental meaning at one time. She dug them out last night after her talk with Neil.

I need to do this. I have to let him know how I feel, no matter what. Even if he doesn't want to listen… But what if he really doesn't? What if he refuses to even look at me? I don't know if I could handle that.

She squeezed the jewelry in her palm, trying to draw the courage that the lion's emblem held. If I were him, I wouldn't want anything to do with me either. Doubts were overtaking her mind and she was getting scared. Who am I kidding? I can't just show up like this and expect him to forgive me!

He stuffed whatever he was reading in his jeans and turned a bit. She could see the side of his face. His expression - it looks… bitter.

Hot tears were forming on her lids and she looked down, mad at herself for not being able to hold them back. I'm not doing this. I can't go through with it, especially like this. I just keep breaking down! She quickly turned and walked briskly back the way she came. She tilted her head down and shaded her eyes with her hand, attempting to not attract any attention while tears poured down her cheeks non-stop in the defeat of courage.

Squall turned in the direction to sit back down until he thought he saw a flash of long black hair out of the corner of his eye. Instead of going to his seat, he headed to where he saw the image. It looked like her height. Could it have been… no. I'm just tired and now I'm seeing her wherever I go from thinking about her too much.

Still, he couldn't shake the curiosity from his mind. He glanced back at Zell slumped in his seat, apparently he had fallen asleep again already. Hell with it. I've just gotta know!

(("The train to East Academy will be boarding shortly."))

He turned the corner where he first saw the black-haired person and searched the crowd. There were still lots of people everywhere, almost making it impossible to pinpoint the mysterious person. Just then he saw her again, at the end of the hallway turning another corner. She was definitely female judging by the way she moved.

He tried to politely push his way through the crowd. By the time he arrived at the spot he saw her last, she was nowhere to be seen. Maybe I'm chasing a ghost.

This time he jogged down this hallway, hoping to see her walking in an adjoining one. When he got to the end, he had two choices, either left or right. Squall glanced to the right, nothing. He glanced to the left, there she was! He could only see the back of her head among the traffic of people.

Trying to sprint, he bumped into several people and received a few dirty looks. I'm almost up to her! But I'm afraid to call out her name, what if it's not her?

She was keeping close to the wall and walking fast. Squall was now only a couple yards from her and could make out her figure. It is her! But why, what reason does she have to be here, and practically running for the exit?

He cautiously put a hand on her shoulder. She spun at the intrusion of her escape, startled. She lowered her hand in shock that was shielding her face. Squall could see by her puffy eyes and wet cheeks that she had been crying.

Out of breath, he was the first to speak. His fast heartbeat felt like it was in his throat, and not just from running. "Rinoa, I thought that was you…," tentatively reaching out gloved fingers to wipe the moisture off her cheeks, "…why are you crying? What are you doing here?"

She felt like a deer caught in headlights. She couldn't move or talk. "Uh… umm –- I… ah –-" she managed to spit out. His hand, touching my face like this. And those eyes. He –- he looks genuinely concerned. Oh, how I miss those blue eyes. Why is he doing this? Why is he acting so… compassionate? Towards me? She could only stare back at him, mesmerized by the look on his face: caring, incredulous, confused… now turning into worry.

"Rinoa?"

She became extremely nervous the more she stood there. Thoughts escaped her, for a long moment she couldn't remember her motive for being there in the first place. After chickening out back there, she didn't expect to ever see him again. And here he stood again in front of her after chasing her down.

If she was ever going to get her head back together, she looked away from his entrancing expression and once again covered her eyes.

"God, I feel so embarrassed," she said, not sure of how to start. Dumby, say more than that! Why didn't I plan this out first? I just ran here without choosing the words I was going to say?

Taking a deep breath and squeezing the jewelry still in her palm, she started, "I came here… to try and catch you before you left." She stole a quick glance to make sure he was still there. Squall looked very confused, which made Rinoa feel even more ashamed than she was already, knowing he was wondering why she was running away from him instead.

She forced on, "I don't know any other way to say this, so I'm just going to say it." She hastily dried her eyes with the back of her hand and bravely looked up to him. I have to be strong. I got a second chance and I'm not blowing it this time. No tears. Just the truth.

"What I did to you, the other night when I left… I was really confused. I was having feelings that I didn't expect to have and it scared me. I didn't know if I should stay, go… I mean, if I would've stayed, would I have been unwelcome in the morning? You know, intruding on your life? I was the one who just sort of invited myself in on your night off, after all. Or would it be the opposite? Maybe you were expecting to still see me in the morning."

Rinoa paused to try to read his face. He looked indifferent, not angry nor happy. She continued, glad he was still willing to listen. "So I copped out. I made a decision and went back to my normal life, trying to stabilize myself again, thinking that would be the best for both of us… But actually I wasn't thinking. I had so many emotions running through my clouded mind and my judgment was working for shit."

She took a shaky breath. Squall remained quiet. "I went home and Neil was still there; he had fallen asleep waiting for me." Sadness entered her voice and she chuckled bitterly. "There was no way I could tell him what I just did. Ironic. After all that, I still ended up lying to him that same night."

Squall still held a passive disposition. Rinoa bowed her head out of shame. Shame for how she treated Squall, shame for how she deceived Neil… Is he disgusted with me? His face isn't telling me anything! Just keep talking, Rinoa. Don't stop until you've told him everything.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking since then. A lot of thinking… and not much sleeping. Squall…" she looked into his eyes, trying to convey the sincerity that her trembling voice couldn't match, "…the night we spent together –- and I don't just mean the sex, I mean the whole night: seeing you at the pub, you hearing me sing, sharing a hundred laughs –- I didn't want it to end, despite my later actions."

Rinoa shuffled her feet slightly. "Last night, I came to a point where my guilt for not being truthful to Neil was just eating me alive. So… I told him. I told him everything. Well, except for the sorceress part." She hoped Squall would understand why she didn't come clean with that fact. She cleared her throat before continuing, "I also told him… that I wasn't in love with him."

It was getting harder for Rinoa to keep it together. She was aware that her voice was shaky, her knees were about to buckle, and she was light-headed from unconsciously holding her breath. What's happened to me? I used to be so strong. I could stand up to anything, especially when I believed in it… Maybe I need my knight again to restore my confidence.

"After he left, I sat there, alone in my apartment, and thought about my life. About who I am, what I am, the friends I've had, the relationships… It felt great to get the lies I told him off my chest and to figure out where he stood in my heart."

(("Now boarding the train to East Academy."))

Oh, no! That's his train. I've got to get the point. I can't let him leave until I've got this all out in the open. Squall didn't seem to react to the boarding call.

Rinoa mustered up every last ounce of the willpower she had left. She stood tall again and met his gaze, "But something was still bothering me. There was still another situation I had to resolve. I spent the rest of the night knowing what I had to do next… But I was afraid. Embarrassed, ashamed at how I walked out after what you and I shared. I figured either you could've cared less, or you hated me and thought I was just using you… But, Squall, it wasn't like that at all. The time we spent, I enjoyed every minute of it. All my actions that night came from the desires of my soul, not just my body."

Her pleading eyes were still on his. Finally she was able to at least read something from them –- pity? Does he pity me? I must look pathetic to him. I'm practically falling apart at the seams.

"What I'm trying to say is… you, Squall, are the only man I've ever truly loved. You are the only one who understands me and that I can trust." She couldn't stand to see him continue to look sorry for her, so she broke their gaze and shut her eyes tight. I'm losing it again.

"If you want nothing to do with me, I completely understand. All I'm asking is for you to please forgive me-" Her last word caught in her throat and she knew if she were to speak another, the remainder of her composure would be lost.

She swallowed and forced her eyes open, preparing to see him one last time before he left for good.

What she thought to be pity from her past lover's facial expression was actually empathy, for Squall was feeling the same pain that Rinoa had endured the last couple days. Just that he didn't have the guts to come forward like she had right now. I can tell this must have been very hard for her… Oh, Rinoa, you think you're weak for coming to me, but I'm the one who's weak by allowing myself to be miserable instead of doing the brave thing like you did.

Squall finally spoke. "I admit I didn't have any intention of anything happening between us beyond that night. I told myself over and over that I wasn't going to get involved, mainly because of the circumstances: you have your own personal life here, I'm always traveling and busy with my job…" He stated firmly, "You were seeing another guy. Who would I be to jeopardize whatever you had going on with him? The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in some complicated love triangle."

Rinoa's heart sank. Of course. I'm a fool. I instigated this whole mess.

He softened, "…but those were just excuses."

Rinoa's heart lifted anchor and began to float back up with the tiniest bit of hope. Is he saying what I think he is? She cherished the touch of his hand on her arm as he guided them more off to the side so their conversation could be a little more private.

This time it was Squall who took a deep breath. "Do you remember when we had that argument outside your apartment, when I asked how you could expect to be serious with the one you love if you weren't honest with them?"

She nodded, "Of course, that's what got me thinking about all this."

Squall paused before explaining further. Looking down, and much to Rinoa's surprise, he slowly took one of her hands in his, and continued. "Well, I realized that that applies to me too. At first I tried to shut out my feelings to make things less complicated, but when we began to get intimate… I knew it would be impossible to not let you in. And I also admit that I was shocked to not see you there the next morning. But it's not like I expected you to stay, either. So I went back to telling myself that it was no big deal, I didn't want any emotional attachment anyway, right? Well, to make a long story short… I was in denial all day and it took a couple odd situations to make me realize the truth. Now that I've found to be honest with myself, I also have to be honest with you, because…

"…you are the one I am in love with, Rinoa."

He squeezed her hand he was holding and felt something metallic dangling from it. He looked down to inspect it and opened her palm. A little smile curved up the corners of his mouth as he recognized it.

"You still have these?"

Rinoa, overwhelmed by his confession, answered in a cracked voice, "I would never give these up."

Squall took the gifts from her hand and held up the tiny Griever necklace. "May I?"

On the verge of tears, she found she couldn't answer. Squall reached behind her neck and delicately clasped the necklace.

The act brought back special memories to both from a SeeD ball, a beach, and an interesting shower. Rinoa touched the fragile symbol of their connection again hanging around her neck and asked in a half whisper, recreating the scene, "How does it look?"

Squall scanned from the necklace on up to her flushed face.

"She's beautiful."

Rinoa let out a short intense burst of sound, which consisted of a laugh, shriek, and sob all mixed into one, followed by the sudden rush of the most ecstatic tears she had ever cried. At the same time she threw her arms around her love's neck and embraced him with all the joy and relief that poured from her renewed spirit.

Squall held her just as tight, silently vowing to never ignore what his heart was telling him again.

(("Last call for the train to East Academy!"))

They quickly broke from the embrace and looked at each other with wide eyes. "Squall! Isn't that your train?"

"Zell!"

He grabbed her hand and whisked her through the hallways that they both previously ran down earlier in other states of mind. When they arrived at the waiting area, the whole room was cleared except for Zell, still slumped over in the chair snoozing, just like how Squall left him. Apparently none of the other passengers bothered (or cared to) wake him up. -–Wonder why.—

Squall, with Rinoa in tow, ran over to Zell and shook him. "Wake up! You're about to miss the train!"

Zell jumped out of his seat at the sudden commotion, sticking out his hands like a traffic cop would. "Huh? Oh! Yeah! C'mon, Squall!… Rinoa? Where did you come from?"

"There's no time for that. You have to get on the train before it leaves without you!"

"Without me? Aren't you coming too?" The conductor moved to the side to allow Zell to board. Rinoa looked at Squall, confused.

He put his arm around her waist and said to Zell who was now standing on the entrance steps, "Tell Cid I'm taking a personal day and staying here an extra night." He then looked at Rinoa, "…if that's okay with you."

Not expecting this spontaneous gift of time given to her to spend with him, she stared open-mouthed at him and exclaimed, "Of course!"

Zell saluted with a smile, happy that his friend worked out his problems and was now at peace. "You got it, bud. Rinoa, always a pleasure. Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do!" He walked inside the car and sat down by a window to wave out.

Squall turned to his partner still attached to his side, "I don't even do the things he would do!"

Rinoa laughed at his rare humor and suddenly remembered something very important. She shouted over to the window as the train began to slowly pull out, "Hey, Zell! Could you please check on his fish until he gets back?"

This time her comment made Squall laugh instead. They closed the space between each other once more and finally sealed their reunion with a kiss; much like the first one they shared on a balcony five years ago, signifying a new beginning for their relationship.

THE END

Author's notes: I sure hope I gave everyone some nice closure and that everyone liked it. I've been writing this since last Thanksgiving and it's finally finished! Although it's sad for it to come to an end. Just like the game. I have all these ideas for follow-up but, it's mainly all fluff. No action or angst like this one. If anyone is interested in reading more, let me know. This was so much fun! Thanks for all the reviews!