A/N I will be continuing with my other fics, I just couldn't resist writing this. It'll be a bit different from all my others as most of it will be from different character's viewpoints. Anyway, please review. Also, the prologue takes place four years before the rest of the story.
Songs of YesterdayThose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana, The Life of Reason.
Prologue
If nothing else is left, one must scream.
Silence is the real crime against humanity.
Nadezhda Mandelstam, Hope Against Hope.
"Who's there?"
"It's me," a voice from the darkness growled.
"I'm sorry, sir. Come right in. I didn't recognise you Commander Leonhart."
Squall entered the front gate of Garden, his arm around Rinoa. He looked down at her, smiling and kissed the top of her head softly.
"Did you have a nice evening?"
"It was wonderful. Thank you." She still couldn't believe that it was quite real. Squall had always been so cold, so uncaring, and there he was taking her out for dinner at an expensive restaurant and, the most perfect part of all, a moonlit walk along the beach. She couldn't help feeling that something was wrong.
"If you don't mind, could you come with me to my dorm? I have…I have something I need to tell you." Alarm bells began to ring in Rinoa's head.
"What could he want to speak to me about? This can't be anything good. And just to make it worse, I'll have to tell him tonight. I've been putting it off for far too long. I have to do it tonight."
"Are you alright? You don't look too well."
"I'm fine, she lied. Just a little tired, that's all." The feeling of dread began to deepen in her stomach, as she began to think. "Just how do I tell him I'm pregnant?"
"She knows. She must know. That's why she looks so afraid. She knows what I'm going to ask. And she's going to say no."
He patted the top pocket of his jacket, making sure that the ring was still there, that he hadn't lost it on the way back to Garden. He knew that he was just being foolish. He had already checked several times before, just to be sure. He was nervous. So nervous that he couldn't bear the thought of anything ruining his plans.
"Maybe I shouldn't do it."
"No, I'm no coward. I'm not going to back down now. I've been planning this for so long." He took a deep breath to build up his courage, before unlocking his the door to his room.
"Rinoa, I need to tell you this," he began in earnest.
"Hold on," she interrupted. "I…I have something very important to tell you. It can't wait."
"But Rinoa, I…I love you, and I was wondering if…if…"
"Could Commander Leonhart please report to my office immediately. I repeat, could Commander Leonhart please report to my office immediately. This is urgent." Squall sighed at the sudden interruption from the PA system, knowing that the moment was ruined, his courage ebbing slowly away from him.
"I…I guess I'd better go." He kissed her on the forehead and turned to leave, disheartened.
"Wait, Squall." She grabbed his trailing arm, pulling him back around to face her. "Did you mean that? Really?"
"That I love you?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"I meant it with all my heart, you're everything to me. I just wanted you to know." He looked down at the floor, too embarrassed to look her in the eye. He had been saving this revelation for the moment he proposed.
"Thank you." She threw her arms around him, kissing him deeply.
Shocked, he turned to leave.
"Oh and Squall?"
"Yes."
"I love you too."
"Squall, this is an urgent request from Esthar. A group of militants is trying to overthrow the government there. They are encamped outside the city, which is where SeeD will engage them. You will command a group of almost a hundred SeeDs. We're sending our finest fighters to back you up. Estharian forces will also be there."
"If Esthar has its own army, why does SeeD have to be there?"
"Their army has insufficient numbers and the soldiers are not as well trained as SeeDs. Besides, President Laguna specifically requested your presence."
Me? Why me?
"When do we leave?"
"Immediately."
"Immediately?" Squall's heart sank. "I won't be able to ask her until I come back."
"Is that a problem?"
"No. No it's not." He left the Headmaster's office, taking the ring box out of his pocket. "I'm taking this with me. There's no way I'm letting her find this. It has to be a surprise."
"Squall. Please be careful." Squall could see the concern in Rinoa's eyes. She seemed truly afraid that something might happen to him.
"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself." He gently stroked her cheek. "Before you know it, I'll be back here with you."
"Promise?"
"I promise. I'll be here."
She smiled, remembering the previous promise they had made in the flower field. Squall had stayed true to his word, and she had no reason to doubt him now.
"Can I tell you something before I go?" she asked, tentatively.
"Of course. What is it?"
"I…I'm…" She couldn't do it. She couldn't tell him. "I love you Squall."
"I love you too." He kissed her goodbye and stepped aboard Ragnarok.
"I will tell him. It'll just have to wait. I have plenty of time to tell him."