Disclaimer: lemme think.........nope, still don't own it. (Dûh!) anyway, the only
thing I own is the plot. After I'm done with borrowing the characters I'll
put them back nicely in their cupboard. I don't hear them complain, so I
guess they don't mind starring in this fic.
AN: the final chapter has arrived. Hope you all like it!
~ Chapter eighteen: Goodbyes ~
Quistis opened her eyes. It was still a bit dark outside, but birds were singing, signalling the sun would rise soon. She felt Seifer's arms around her, holding her close in his sleep. His coat and shirt were on the floor, next to her shoes. He looked so peaceful.
Tenderly she traced the scar on his face. Then she traced the contours of his face. Slowly he opened his eyes. Helooked at the girl in his arms, she looked cold, only wearing a tanktop and shorts. He smiled. She smiled back.
"Goodmorning." She said softly.
"Morning sweetheart." He answered. He was still holding her in his arms and now pulled her closer to give her a kiss.
"Seifer.........I.........I can't live without you here."
"We could still run away. Just you and me." He said excited, sitting up straight. "There's still time!"
She smiled and kissed him again. "Just imagine. We could live in a cottage, somewhere outside a city. We could get married.........I'd be mrs. Almasy. I like the way that sounds. Quistis Almasy." She giggled.
"Yeah." He said dreamily. "And maybe.........maybe we could get kids too. A girl and a boy.........that would be perfect. Our dream."
She leaned against his chest, feeling his strong arms around her made her feel safe.
"Maybe.........maybe we should do it." She said. "Maybe we should."
In her eyes twinkled adventure. He grinned. As if someone had given them a starting signal, they jumped up. Quistis was digging through her closet, trying to find a suitcase. Suddenly a knock on the door.
They looked at each other nerveously. Seifer took the suitcase and shoved it ùnder the bed hastily.
"W-Who is it?" Quistis' voice sounded frightened.
Seifer took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"It's me, Selphie. Can I come in?"
They sighed. Thank Hyne it was their friend. Quistis opened the door and let Selphie in.
Selphie looked a bit embaressed. She looked from Seifer, who was shirtless, to Quistis the pile of clothing on the floor.
"Oh.........I'm sorry. I hope I didn't interrupt anything." She said with a heavy blush.
"Don't be silly Selphie. Nothing happened, okay?"
"Right."
Seifer gave her a questioning look. "Why are you here this early?"
"I- I was wondering if you guys had talked yet.........but I guess you did.........Hey, are you going anywhere?" she asked curiously, pointing at the suitcase that was sticking out from under the bed.
Quistis shot Seifer a frightened look. "Well we.........we........."
But as she looked at Selphie again, she thought of Fujin. If she couldn't hurt them, then she would hurt others. Others like Selphie. Innocent and unaware. She couldn't do it anymore.
She looked at Seifer. He read it in her eyes and understood. He had thought it too. He nodded and took her hands in his.
"I know." He whispered.
"We can't, can we." She whispered back.
Softly she started to cry again. All he could do was hug her, trying to comfort her. But he was crying softly too.
Selphie cleared her throat. "Uhm.........guys?"
They broke apart. Quistis quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and composed herself.
"No Selphie, we're not going anywhere."
Seifer stepped forward and grabbed Selphie's shoulders. "Selphie, I have to go away. With Fujin. I can't explain right now.........but I have to. I'll miss you all." He hugged her. "Please take care of Quisty." He whispered in her ear.
Selphie nodded. "I will."
He let go again and coughed. "I- I should go.........I guess." He picked up his shirt and put it on.
"It's best if you don't come to the harbour Quisty. It'll only be worse."
"Yes.........I know.........but I have to. I'll come with you."
At that moment two soldiers came inside the room.
"General Fujin has requested your presence at the docks sir." "If you would come with us quietly."
Seifer nodded. "Yeah yeah I'm coming."
He turned to Quistis again. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It was the only way."
"I know." She whispered.
They followed the soldiers into a car. Slowly it drove to Balamb.
* * *
"Yes sir! All men have received a message sir. I quote: 'Allert status has ended. All men return to base without performing any military actions.' They've all gone back home, sir."
"GOOD." She hung up.
Soldiers were no longer neccasary in this situation. She didn't need an army to get her way anymore. Father would be proud. A real leader always got her way. Soon they would arrive with Seifer. Then they could leave FOR Dollet and never come back. He would learn to love her once they were back home again. Maybe they could even relive some of their glory days as Disciplinary Comitee, now that Rajin was back as well.
She smiled. Yes. Everything was going smoothly and according to plan.
"HE'LL BE MINE ONCE MORE."
Someone coughed behind her.
"Miss? Our ship has to leave soon if we want to reach Dollet in time."
"WE WAIT. I'M WAITING FOR SOMEONE IMPORTANT."
"But-"
"NO. WE WAIT."
"Very well. Yes ma'am." Bowing he left the room again.
Fujin sighed. She couldn't hold this ship here for much longer. If only they would hurry up. Suddenly a phone rang. Her cellphone.
"YES?" "OH. HELLO FATHER." "YES EVERYTHING IS FINE. ALL ACCORDING TO PLAN." "YES HE WILL BE JOINING US."
She smiled. She could hear her father's enthousiasm as she told him the good news. Then she heard a car stop outside.
"I HAVE TO GO. SEE YOU SOON." She hung up and walked outside with a steady pace.
* * *
Quistis was clenching Seifer's hand. He was looking at his shoes and she was staring out the window. Across the bench was Selphie. She had come along, as a promise to Seifer. The car stopped.
"No.........Seifer please, don't go."
"We can't Quisty. Hyne knows I have to. I wish-"
But then he was dragged out by a soldier.
"Hurry up, we ain't got all day."
Quistis stumbled out the car and ran after them.
"Fujin! Please don't do this!" she called out to the lonesome figure on the deck.
But Fujin stared back coldly. No real emotion on her face. All Quistis could see through her tears was Seifer. He was being dragged away, his struggling pointless.
Quistis ran after them and threw herself around his neck, kissing him for one last time. The she was thrown off by one of the soldiers and all she could do wsa watch as Seifer was being brought aboard the ship.
She sank to her knees.
He was gone.
Sudden shouts came from below deck and suddenly Seifer came running outside again. He hugged her as tight as he could.
"I can't leave like this. Not without saying goodbye.........I love you Quistis. I love you, I love you, I love you. Hyne! Why is it like this. I love you." He kissed her.
"SEIFER!"
A shout sounded from the ship. Fujin had raised her Zahn again.Seifer sighed and turned back to Quistis.
"I will never forget you."
"Nor will I forget you." She answered, a faint smile tried to break through her tears. Tenderly she touched the necklace around his neck.
He kissed her again.
"I love you."
Then he turned around and wallked onto the ship.
When Quistis looked up again her empty eyes saw him. There he was, standing next to Fujin. The ship slowly started to move. She could see Fujin putting her hand on his shoulder, but he was just staring back at Quistis. Slowly her knees started to shake and she fell to the ground again.
* * *
"GOOD." Fujin said. "YOU'RE ABOARD."
She snapped her fingers and immediately the ship started to move.
"IT'S ALL FOR THE BEST YOU KNOW."
She laid a hand on his shoulder. "YOU'LL LEARN TO LOVE ME."
"I love her. Not you. And I never will." He answered blankly. "Love has to grow by itself. You can't force it or make it grow."
"IT WILL."
All he could see now was Quistis. Her blond hair, her face. She got up from the ground and started running. Running towards the ship, running towards the end of the pier. His eyes shot open wide.
"No! Quistis!"
She was running and now she was gone.........
She was in the water and he could feel she wasn't trying to swim, to get her head above the surface again.
"Hyne no........." He sobbed softly. "Please no.........Oh dear Hyne, don't let it be true."
* * *
Quistis was on her knees. What was there left for her now. She would never see him again. Never. She was startled when someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Quistis........."
Selphie didn't know what else to say.
"He's gone Seph. I've got nothing left."
She looked up again. The ship was almost out of sight. She got to her feet and followed the vessel, running. Running down the pier. Running to catch up a ship she could never reach.
She knew, in a few seconds, there would be no more pier left under her feet. Just the cold water. In the distance she could hear a voice, begging her to stop. But she didn't stop.
Suddenly there was no more wood under her shoes. Suddenly there was only water. Water everywhere. She didn't know which way the surface was and she didn't care. The water engulfed her. Her eyes were open. Everything around her was dark. And cold.
She opened her mouth to draw breath, but only water entered her mouth. She welcomed it willingly. What was the point in resisting.
Slowly she was going numb. Her eyes closed.
'I love you Seifer. I love you, I lo-'
Cold and darkness were the only things left.
Suddenly she felt someone seize her body. Suddenly there was bright light everywhere. She gasped for breath.
She opened her eyes but everything was fuzzy. Someone in the background was screaming.
'Selphie.........' she thought.
Then everything went dark.
* * *
She was somewhere warm. And comfy. What had happened? She had been drowning, but then.........she could hear hushed voices around her, but she couldn't understand what they were saying.
Carefully she opened her eyes. At first she was blinded by the white light, then slowly everything came into focus.
Her friends were all there. Squall, Zell, Rinoa, Irvine, Selphie and.........no, not Seifer.
"Hey! Hey you guys! She's awake!" Rinoa said excitedly.
Selphie hid her tears quickly.
"Oh Quisty, we've been so worried about you."
"We thought that you had- because you were just laying there for days!"
Selphie bent down and gave her a hug. "I was so scared."
Zell gave her a hug too. "Yeah, lucky Selphie was there to help eh?"
Quistis gave him a strange look. "You know?"
"Yeah, Selphie told us."
Quistis shot a scared glance at Selphie, who was looking back at her reassuringly.
"You know.........you remember what happened right?" Zell said. "You fell in the water when a T-Rexaur attacked you out of nowhere. The doctor said that you hit your head pretty bad, you must've, if you fell unconcious. We were all worried sick. But anyway, you're okay now, aren't you."
She turned on her side and stared at the photograph on her bedside table. Seifer was smiling brightly at her.
"Yeah." She answered flatly. "I'm fine."
~*~ THE END ~*~
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
* ~ * ~ *
This was it. The last chapter. I have really enjoyed writing this story and I also really ejoyed reading your reviews and getting your feedback. I'm really glad that I had a group of people who reviewd regularly, because that was also a reason for me to carry on typing this fic out. (believe me it was a hell of a lot of work ^_^) And those of you out there reading this now know who I mean when I talk about regular reviewers. Thank you all! I hope this last chapter left you with a content feeling. And last, but not least, I'd like to thank a few of those faithful reviewers who also reviewd the seventeenth chapter.
Verdanii: Well, that was a freaky Fujin alright...Anyways, bedankt dat je bij elk hoofdstuk ff een review plaatste!
Dark Angels: I'm sorry if this ending made you cry! But hey, it's just a story right? Anyway, thanks for always reviewing!
Sickness in Salvation: hehe, I was laughing when you placed that revieuw saying 'What's she gonna do, sic her dad's army on him?' because that was what I had planned right from the beginning of the fic. And thanks to you too for always reviewing.
Firess Ifrit Devil: ^_^ and certainly last but not least, thank you too for being one of those regular reviewers! I hope you liked the ending of this fic!
Well, that's it. At least for now. I'm pondering about writing a sequel to this story, but I'm not sure if I should. I've started it, but it's not coming on really fast. So.........should I write a sequel? Well, we'll see. If I really end up writing a sequel it will be called 'Hyperion Queen'.
I've run out of things to say, so, I'll say thank you once more. *does a little salute* Bye everyone! ~Raven55
AN: the final chapter has arrived. Hope you all like it!
~ Chapter eighteen: Goodbyes ~
Quistis opened her eyes. It was still a bit dark outside, but birds were singing, signalling the sun would rise soon. She felt Seifer's arms around her, holding her close in his sleep. His coat and shirt were on the floor, next to her shoes. He looked so peaceful.
Tenderly she traced the scar on his face. Then she traced the contours of his face. Slowly he opened his eyes. Helooked at the girl in his arms, she looked cold, only wearing a tanktop and shorts. He smiled. She smiled back.
"Goodmorning." She said softly.
"Morning sweetheart." He answered. He was still holding her in his arms and now pulled her closer to give her a kiss.
"Seifer.........I.........I can't live without you here."
"We could still run away. Just you and me." He said excited, sitting up straight. "There's still time!"
She smiled and kissed him again. "Just imagine. We could live in a cottage, somewhere outside a city. We could get married.........I'd be mrs. Almasy. I like the way that sounds. Quistis Almasy." She giggled.
"Yeah." He said dreamily. "And maybe.........maybe we could get kids too. A girl and a boy.........that would be perfect. Our dream."
She leaned against his chest, feeling his strong arms around her made her feel safe.
"Maybe.........maybe we should do it." She said. "Maybe we should."
In her eyes twinkled adventure. He grinned. As if someone had given them a starting signal, they jumped up. Quistis was digging through her closet, trying to find a suitcase. Suddenly a knock on the door.
They looked at each other nerveously. Seifer took the suitcase and shoved it ùnder the bed hastily.
"W-Who is it?" Quistis' voice sounded frightened.
Seifer took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"It's me, Selphie. Can I come in?"
They sighed. Thank Hyne it was their friend. Quistis opened the door and let Selphie in.
Selphie looked a bit embaressed. She looked from Seifer, who was shirtless, to Quistis the pile of clothing on the floor.
"Oh.........I'm sorry. I hope I didn't interrupt anything." She said with a heavy blush.
"Don't be silly Selphie. Nothing happened, okay?"
"Right."
Seifer gave her a questioning look. "Why are you here this early?"
"I- I was wondering if you guys had talked yet.........but I guess you did.........Hey, are you going anywhere?" she asked curiously, pointing at the suitcase that was sticking out from under the bed.
Quistis shot Seifer a frightened look. "Well we.........we........."
But as she looked at Selphie again, she thought of Fujin. If she couldn't hurt them, then she would hurt others. Others like Selphie. Innocent and unaware. She couldn't do it anymore.
She looked at Seifer. He read it in her eyes and understood. He had thought it too. He nodded and took her hands in his.
"I know." He whispered.
"We can't, can we." She whispered back.
Softly she started to cry again. All he could do was hug her, trying to comfort her. But he was crying softly too.
Selphie cleared her throat. "Uhm.........guys?"
They broke apart. Quistis quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and composed herself.
"No Selphie, we're not going anywhere."
Seifer stepped forward and grabbed Selphie's shoulders. "Selphie, I have to go away. With Fujin. I can't explain right now.........but I have to. I'll miss you all." He hugged her. "Please take care of Quisty." He whispered in her ear.
Selphie nodded. "I will."
He let go again and coughed. "I- I should go.........I guess." He picked up his shirt and put it on.
"It's best if you don't come to the harbour Quisty. It'll only be worse."
"Yes.........I know.........but I have to. I'll come with you."
At that moment two soldiers came inside the room.
"General Fujin has requested your presence at the docks sir." "If you would come with us quietly."
Seifer nodded. "Yeah yeah I'm coming."
He turned to Quistis again. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It was the only way."
"I know." She whispered.
They followed the soldiers into a car. Slowly it drove to Balamb.
* * *
"Yes sir! All men have received a message sir. I quote: 'Allert status has ended. All men return to base without performing any military actions.' They've all gone back home, sir."
"GOOD." She hung up.
Soldiers were no longer neccasary in this situation. She didn't need an army to get her way anymore. Father would be proud. A real leader always got her way. Soon they would arrive with Seifer. Then they could leave FOR Dollet and never come back. He would learn to love her once they were back home again. Maybe they could even relive some of their glory days as Disciplinary Comitee, now that Rajin was back as well.
She smiled. Yes. Everything was going smoothly and according to plan.
"HE'LL BE MINE ONCE MORE."
Someone coughed behind her.
"Miss? Our ship has to leave soon if we want to reach Dollet in time."
"WE WAIT. I'M WAITING FOR SOMEONE IMPORTANT."
"But-"
"NO. WE WAIT."
"Very well. Yes ma'am." Bowing he left the room again.
Fujin sighed. She couldn't hold this ship here for much longer. If only they would hurry up. Suddenly a phone rang. Her cellphone.
"YES?" "OH. HELLO FATHER." "YES EVERYTHING IS FINE. ALL ACCORDING TO PLAN." "YES HE WILL BE JOINING US."
She smiled. She could hear her father's enthousiasm as she told him the good news. Then she heard a car stop outside.
"I HAVE TO GO. SEE YOU SOON." She hung up and walked outside with a steady pace.
* * *
Quistis was clenching Seifer's hand. He was looking at his shoes and she was staring out the window. Across the bench was Selphie. She had come along, as a promise to Seifer. The car stopped.
"No.........Seifer please, don't go."
"We can't Quisty. Hyne knows I have to. I wish-"
But then he was dragged out by a soldier.
"Hurry up, we ain't got all day."
Quistis stumbled out the car and ran after them.
"Fujin! Please don't do this!" she called out to the lonesome figure on the deck.
But Fujin stared back coldly. No real emotion on her face. All Quistis could see through her tears was Seifer. He was being dragged away, his struggling pointless.
Quistis ran after them and threw herself around his neck, kissing him for one last time. The she was thrown off by one of the soldiers and all she could do wsa watch as Seifer was being brought aboard the ship.
She sank to her knees.
He was gone.
Sudden shouts came from below deck and suddenly Seifer came running outside again. He hugged her as tight as he could.
"I can't leave like this. Not without saying goodbye.........I love you Quistis. I love you, I love you, I love you. Hyne! Why is it like this. I love you." He kissed her.
"SEIFER!"
A shout sounded from the ship. Fujin had raised her Zahn again.Seifer sighed and turned back to Quistis.
"I will never forget you."
"Nor will I forget you." She answered, a faint smile tried to break through her tears. Tenderly she touched the necklace around his neck.
He kissed her again.
"I love you."
Then he turned around and wallked onto the ship.
When Quistis looked up again her empty eyes saw him. There he was, standing next to Fujin. The ship slowly started to move. She could see Fujin putting her hand on his shoulder, but he was just staring back at Quistis. Slowly her knees started to shake and she fell to the ground again.
* * *
"GOOD." Fujin said. "YOU'RE ABOARD."
She snapped her fingers and immediately the ship started to move.
"IT'S ALL FOR THE BEST YOU KNOW."
She laid a hand on his shoulder. "YOU'LL LEARN TO LOVE ME."
"I love her. Not you. And I never will." He answered blankly. "Love has to grow by itself. You can't force it or make it grow."
"IT WILL."
All he could see now was Quistis. Her blond hair, her face. She got up from the ground and started running. Running towards the ship, running towards the end of the pier. His eyes shot open wide.
"No! Quistis!"
She was running and now she was gone.........
She was in the water and he could feel she wasn't trying to swim, to get her head above the surface again.
"Hyne no........." He sobbed softly. "Please no.........Oh dear Hyne, don't let it be true."
* * *
Quistis was on her knees. What was there left for her now. She would never see him again. Never. She was startled when someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Quistis........."
Selphie didn't know what else to say.
"He's gone Seph. I've got nothing left."
She looked up again. The ship was almost out of sight. She got to her feet and followed the vessel, running. Running down the pier. Running to catch up a ship she could never reach.
She knew, in a few seconds, there would be no more pier left under her feet. Just the cold water. In the distance she could hear a voice, begging her to stop. But she didn't stop.
Suddenly there was no more wood under her shoes. Suddenly there was only water. Water everywhere. She didn't know which way the surface was and she didn't care. The water engulfed her. Her eyes were open. Everything around her was dark. And cold.
She opened her mouth to draw breath, but only water entered her mouth. She welcomed it willingly. What was the point in resisting.
Slowly she was going numb. Her eyes closed.
'I love you Seifer. I love you, I lo-'
Cold and darkness were the only things left.
Suddenly she felt someone seize her body. Suddenly there was bright light everywhere. She gasped for breath.
She opened her eyes but everything was fuzzy. Someone in the background was screaming.
'Selphie.........' she thought.
Then everything went dark.
* * *
She was somewhere warm. And comfy. What had happened? She had been drowning, but then.........she could hear hushed voices around her, but she couldn't understand what they were saying.
Carefully she opened her eyes. At first she was blinded by the white light, then slowly everything came into focus.
Her friends were all there. Squall, Zell, Rinoa, Irvine, Selphie and.........no, not Seifer.
"Hey! Hey you guys! She's awake!" Rinoa said excitedly.
Selphie hid her tears quickly.
"Oh Quisty, we've been so worried about you."
"We thought that you had- because you were just laying there for days!"
Selphie bent down and gave her a hug. "I was so scared."
Zell gave her a hug too. "Yeah, lucky Selphie was there to help eh?"
Quistis gave him a strange look. "You know?"
"Yeah, Selphie told us."
Quistis shot a scared glance at Selphie, who was looking back at her reassuringly.
"You know.........you remember what happened right?" Zell said. "You fell in the water when a T-Rexaur attacked you out of nowhere. The doctor said that you hit your head pretty bad, you must've, if you fell unconcious. We were all worried sick. But anyway, you're okay now, aren't you."
She turned on her side and stared at the photograph on her bedside table. Seifer was smiling brightly at her.
"Yeah." She answered flatly. "I'm fine."
~*~ THE END ~*~
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
* ~ * ~ *
This was it. The last chapter. I have really enjoyed writing this story and I also really ejoyed reading your reviews and getting your feedback. I'm really glad that I had a group of people who reviewd regularly, because that was also a reason for me to carry on typing this fic out. (believe me it was a hell of a lot of work ^_^) And those of you out there reading this now know who I mean when I talk about regular reviewers. Thank you all! I hope this last chapter left you with a content feeling. And last, but not least, I'd like to thank a few of those faithful reviewers who also reviewd the seventeenth chapter.
Verdanii: Well, that was a freaky Fujin alright...Anyways, bedankt dat je bij elk hoofdstuk ff een review plaatste!
Dark Angels: I'm sorry if this ending made you cry! But hey, it's just a story right? Anyway, thanks for always reviewing!
Sickness in Salvation: hehe, I was laughing when you placed that revieuw saying 'What's she gonna do, sic her dad's army on him?' because that was what I had planned right from the beginning of the fic. And thanks to you too for always reviewing.
Firess Ifrit Devil: ^_^ and certainly last but not least, thank you too for being one of those regular reviewers! I hope you liked the ending of this fic!
Well, that's it. At least for now. I'm pondering about writing a sequel to this story, but I'm not sure if I should. I've started it, but it's not coming on really fast. So.........should I write a sequel? Well, we'll see. If I really end up writing a sequel it will be called 'Hyperion Queen'.
I've run out of things to say, so, I'll say thank you once more. *does a little salute* Bye everyone! ~Raven55