He heard the wall clock in his office ticking rhythmically as it took a step for every second that passed. The soft sound almost deafened him that he had the urge to punch himself for his silliness. He looked at the dreaded clock once more… six o'clock. She's probably with him at that moment. They were probably reliving their moments together… talking about what had happened and … the future they may share together.

A good deed always caused some sort of comfort, or at least that was what he was taught; however, he couldn't stop the throbbing in his chest. He couldn't seem to make the ache go away no matter how much he tried, no matter how much he made himself believe that it did not exist… no matter how much he told himself that she'd find happiness with someone else.

The clock continued to tick steadily and it almost drove him insane how a piece of machine can seem so stable in contrast to the restlessness he felt. He shook his head and berated himself. He should be working right now. He was the one who almost begged to overtime. He had to finish a lot of things besides his illusion of being with Julia Heartily forever. But he must admit, he was not quite done with that, and he would probably never get over it. But still. He knew he had to sooner or later.

It was funny how he used to force Julia out of the same predicament. He so wanted her to move on and forget everything to begin anew with him instead. It was only now that he realized how difficult it was to do such a thing.

He still had his career. He still had lives to save, soldiers to lead, battles to fight. That's right. He can always go back to the field. A few hours ago he was given the option to do just that. Another team may be sent to Centra to investigate. It might take months or even years to meet the mission objective and he may even be required to take up residence in that dessert for a while… he was one of the few who were asked to take on the mission. He looked at the paper in his desk and tried to read it once more. It would be a good opportunity to get away from everything. It was a good way to escape the politics, the paperwork, Julia. He was one signature away from the Centra mission yet somehow he cannot seem to make his hand move to finally seal his fate. It was probably his weakness showing, or his cowardice, or that faint hope he had in his heart that his presence in Deling would still somehow be needed … wanted… by someone…who would eventually learn to…

He placed the paper aside as he read the other articles that needed his attention. Benefit grants, artillery upgrades, route maneuvers … he studied each paper carefully and wished the piles in his table would never end as it stops his mind from wandering somewhere else. How could he think of such trivial matters when he had a lot in his hands? It was then that the ticking started to nag him once more. He almost placed his hands in his ears to keep him from hearing it but then he realized that it wasn't the clock he heard but footsteps coming towards his direction.

"You're still in the office?" he addressed his secretary, "I'm sorry, it's taking me a while. I told you that you didn't have to wait for me…" he trailed off when he looked up from what he was doing and saw Julia instead, watching him as he worked.

He couldn't quite paint her expression at that moment. They stared at each other for a while, both of them not knowing what to say to the other. Maybe she was grateful, Richard thought, and gave her a reluctant smile. He had not expected this to happen; but at least, this would be a good time to say goodbye…

"Hey, it's late. What are you doing here?" he started as he stood up from his chair to greet her properly.

"The same goes for you general workaholic. Didn't you hear the doctor when he said that you needed at least a month of bed rest?" her voice was a little edgy and he wanted nothing more than to hold her for one last time.

"Oh. Sorry about that but well, duty calls. I knew… I knew you'd be here to scold me!" he rubbed the back of his head timidly, "Ok, ok, I'll take a sick leave tomorrow, I promise."

He smiled at her once more and Julia felt her heart melt with tenderness. She remembered how she promised herself to jump in his arms the moment she arrived in Deling. However, the moment she did arrive, she was surprised to hear that he was still working at such an ungodly hour. It was then that she realized how great the pain he may be feeling at that moment was. The guilt she felt in her heart was magnified when she saw him finally, working quietly in his dimly lit office that she lost the courage to come to him and push away all his suffering, as well as her own.

"So… Did you…?"

"Richard I…"

They both stopped and somehow their eyes reflected what they felt. There was a hazy hue of pain and an almost dreamy hue of love.

Richard walked away from his desk and opened the windows in his office. He closed his eyes as the cold air touched his skin, soothing him slightly and making him less nauseated.

Julia looked on and felt his pain in her own heart. How could she have done this? She asked herself that question repeatedly and almost felt tears in her eyes.

"I finally saw him today, Richard," she started and watched as Richard bent down his head dejectedly. Surprisingly, in a matter of seconds, he chuckled and turned to face her with a big smile dancing in his lips.

"Hey, why sound so glum? He's all right, isn't he?" he breathed in shakily and placed his hands in his pockets. Julia knew that he was smiling now, but his heart was crying as much as hers at that moment.

"Yes, Laguna… he's quite all right. He was very happy…" Richard felt the pain, it was greater than before. Yet he was warmed by how Julia shared this moment with him now than spend it with Loire. He would probably cherish this consideration she showed him for the rest of his life.

She couldn't bear the sight of him that she looked down on his desk and tried to stop her tears. She was surprised when suddenly she felt his arms around her in a longing embrace.

"I'm very happy for you Julia. Please stop feeling sorry for me. I'll be fine." He squeezed her tightly like it was his last chance to do so. He finally made up his mind. He'd take the mission to Centra. Maybe… maybe he can find peace in solitude one way or another.

Julia looked up to him with tears streaming down her eyes and he felt something burst in his heart. "Julia, please don't cry like that…"

She tried to hold back her tears but sobs came out instead. She then felt Richard's gentle fingers wiping away her tears. "You… idiot!"

He was taken aback by what she said, but he continued to hold her nonetheless, trying to give her all the comfort he could give.

"Why do you always do this to me? Why are you always nice to me when I don't give back to you the love you deserve." She held on his collar tightly as she looked at him defiantly, but even in her blind anger, all he could do was look at her quietly with his lonely eyes.

Because I love you so much, he wanted to tell her but he knew he couldn't. Not now when he had no right to claim anything, that there was no turning back. She was with him now, the real man she loved… or so he thought.

"Idiot…you're such an idiot…" She continued to sob in his arms until finally, just when she felt him letting go of her, she leapt up to place her arms firmly around his neck and boldly pressed her lips to his. He stiffened for a moment, visibly shocked.

"Julia…"

She placed her hand on his lips to keep him from saying anything so he can listen to what she has to say… so he can finally hear the words from her mouth. With her eyes wholly focused on his, she finally said, "Richard. I see you. I love you."

"What…? But…You… I …" he stuttered and Julia felt his knees buckle. It seemed almost comical to her but as she saw the confusion in his eyes, she felt the pain gradually lifting from her own heart.

"Please, you don't have to pretend Richard. You don't have to pretend to be him, or to pretend that you'll get by well without me. I love you. Only you." She pressed her head against his neck and breathed in deeply, "I saw him today but I couldn't feel anything… but my love for you. It hurt me so much when you said goodbye. And it hurts me how much you work so hard … to try to forget…"

And as he held her as she cried he felt his tears falling as well, finally letting go of the pain and starting to feel…inexplicable joy.

"You … love me?" was all he could say and Julia had to kiss him again to prove her point.

"You deaf idiot. That's what I just said. I love you Richard Caraway, please don't ever say goodbye to me again."

He hugged her even more tightly at that as everything that happened finally sunk in. Julia loved him. She really loved him.

"It's not a dream…please tell me it's not a dream…" Julia heard him murmur unconsciously in her ears. She giggled and pinched his arm slightly.

"Of course not, this is for real…" she sighed happily, glad that everything worked out well.

"Then you wouldn't mind kissing me again, would you?"

Julia laughed and did as she was asked, with all her heart and soul.

So let me come to you

Close as I want to be

Close enough for me

To feel your heart beating fast

And stay there as I whisper

How I loved your peaceful eyes on me

Did you ever know

That I had mine on you

Darling so share with me

Your love if you have enough

The tears if you're holding back

Or pain if that's what it is

How can I let you know

I'm more than the dress and the voice

Just reach me out then

You would know that you are not dreaming

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Author's notes:

Wow. That was mushy. Hahaha. I wanted to make it appear that the 2nd part of eyes on me was dedicated to Julia's new love thus… Rinoa was born from love between two people (that would be a good explanation why she's so er… lovey-dovey-ish… ok nevermind.)

I still have an epilogue to make, but it won't really matter since …er… only 2 people read this fic anyway. Hahaha. I hope those two people read this part. Thank you so much for reading it. I must say that this fic challenged me a lot because … well, I loved making this fic. However, this is my least appreciated work. I knew "whatever" said it sucked but, well… nevermind.

Again, Thank you to all who read. I really appreciate it. I loved sharing this story to you.