Vacation.



It's a noun.



A noun that means leisure time away from work; devoted to rest or pleasure. It's the ultimate escape from the hectic day to day life. The word that everyone is excited to hear. A word associated with fun and relaxation. A word that everyone looks forward to. A word that everyone understands...except of course, for poor workaholic, Squall Leonhart.



He had never had a vacation in his life that I was ever aware of. His vacation was his work apparently. The very idea of a fun time without a gunblade in hand had eluded this unfortunate soul for far too long I knew. And when the opportunity presented itself I decided that I was going to show Mr. Leonhart a good time, even if it killed me. At the time though I didn't know I would come so close to the latter. I think I need to be more careful about my self-oaths in the future. But, forgive me, I'm jumping ahead of myself. I must start at the beginning.



Said opportunity presented itself in the form of dogfood. More specifically, a dogfood contest. Yeah, I'm a sucker for contests. I've entered every one that I have come across since I could remember. Because I've always thought, hey, someone has to win, why not me? Well be that optimistic thought as it may, I had never won a damn thing in my entire life. So when I finally did, needless to say, I was a little more than excited that day.



"Squall!!" I squealed, bursting into his office like a cockatrice with its head cut off. "I won, I won, I won!!!"



He gave me a baffled look that would have been very similar to the one I would get if I had been said headless cockatrice.



"Um, I'm...glad?" He said slowly and offered a small smile of congratulations...and then he drops his gaze back to the pile of paperwork on his desk.



So, I tried again.



"Well, aren't you even curious as to what I won?"



"Uh hmm?" He muttered half paying attention to me, scribbling something on a sheet of paper.



This is nothing new when he is busy. It's okay, I'm persistent.



I strolled around the desk as he continued working. I paused behind his chair and reached down and wrapped my arms around his neck, my head resting on his shoulder. This tactic didn't work. Not even when I slid my hands inside his jacket and began massaging his chest. He was more far gone than I thought.



Drastic times call for drastic measures.



I leaned closer to his head and blew gently in his ear. This got a bit of reaction as it made him shudder a bit. Still, not the response I was looking for. So as seductively as possible I put the tip of my finger in my mouth, turning it a few times to get it good and wet...and then I shoved it in his ear.



"Ahh!! Dammit!" He yelled as he rubbed his ear vigorously.



Success!



He looked up at me with a hot-tempered gaze. "What is it!?!"



"Hi!" I said cheerfully. " 'It' is me! Rinoa Heartilly, you may remember me from my role as your girlfriend." I said as I sat on his desk in front of him. "The one who loves you much more than this paperwork under my butt."



His irritable expression faded as his eyes grew soft he reached out and put his hand on top of mine. "Sorry Rin, I didn't mean to ignore you, I've just been caught up in reviewing all these SeeD applications, there's no end to them. It's mind numbingly exhausting."



"I know baby, and that's why I'm here, I have come to take your mind off all those troubles."

I could actually feel him tense up as redness spread across his cheeks.

"Rinoa, that could get us in a lot of trouble if we got caught in here."

Boys. They have a one track mind don't they ladies?

"Um, no Squall, not that."

"...Oh." I caught the tiniest bit of disappointment in his voice. "You see Squall, Cactuars N' Bits was having this contest..."

"Cactuars n' what?"

"Cactuar N' Bits. It's the dogfood I buy for Angelo. Anyway, there was a contest that you could enter on the bag. The winner gets to take their dog to The Island Closest To Hell for a photo shoot. And I actually won! Can you believe it? My dog's picture is going to be on the next bag of Cactuars N' Bits! Isn't that cool!?"

"Sure is," he said as excitedly as he could muster. You must understand, its very hard to excite this guy.

"But that's not all! Its a vacation package with a four day cruise to the island!"

"Wow, thats great Rin, I'm happy for you. I hope you have a great time."

"And...," I added. This would be the kicker. "I have two tickets!"

"Oh really? That's cool, who are you going to take?"

Again, you must forgive Squall, he doesn't take hints well, you have to spell out everything for him.

I slid off the desk and grabbed his chair and rolled it out from the desk. I kneeled in front of him and put all the saccharin I could into my words.

"Squall, honey, baby, sweetie..." I said while running a hand along his thigh. "I want to take you away, I want you to take a break from all this stuff. I want you to come with me on...a vacation."

I might as well have said I was going to feed him to a T-Rexaur with the expression he gave me.

It was one of horror.

"Va...vacation? Rinoa, I can't leave now, there's too much work to be done here. All these applications have to be reviewed. I have to send out the acceptance letters. I'm sorry you know I'd love to go with you but..."

"But nothing Squall," I said as I put a finger to his lips. "For you see I have planned ahead, I have talked with Cid and he is in complete agreement that you need a vacation! Everything has been arranged. You don't have to worry about any of this stuff, it will be taken care of while you are away with me."

He looked even more frightened. Hah, he was not going to wiggle his way out of this one.

"But...a cruise ship? I really don't think it would be my kind of thing. Shuffle board, bingo tournaments, limbo contests, old men in bad pants...no monsters to kill. I just don't think I could enjoy myself, and I don't want to keep you from having a good time."

Oh, nice try lion boy. Now it's my turn. "Squall, I would make it my duty to make sure that you had fun. C'mon this will be a new experience for the both of us. I've never been on a cruise ship. And I couldn't think of anyone I would rather spend my time with...than with you."

"But.." He countered.

I mustered up some tears for the next bit. "I want to spend time with you. Everything has been so hectic lately...I hardly see you. I understand, I know you have your duties and responsibilities to tend to and I guess I'm just being selfish. But, I want to be with you. I want to get out and see the world and have a little carefree fun for a change...but that would mean nothing, if I couldn't share it with you."

Be aware I escalated the waterworks throughout that entire guilt trip. I concluded my dramatic speech by placing my head against his knee.

"Hey...hey, don't cry." He said as he stroked my hair with his hand. I had won him over! I would be doing a little victory dance later.

He sighed before continuing. "I...I'll go."

"You will?!?" I said as I looked up at him, the quick recovery a little too apparent in my voice.

He smiled. I think he was happy that he made me happy. Either that or he got joy out of seeing me beg him for something.

"Yeah, I will."

"Yes!" I said happily as I stood and wrapped my arms around him. "Thank you! We'll have fun, I promise!"

"Hope you're right," he mumbled against my shoulder.

I hoped so too.









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Hi all once again! Just a little but very IMPORTANT note down here! This fanfic has been possible only through the help of my dear friend Ashbear who has given me the title as well as many ideas for this fanfic, as I know little about cruise ships. And she has loaned me Maude McCay from her wonderful fanfic Castles In The Sky (which is a beautiful story that everyone should read...right now! go go go!). Maude will be making her appearance next chapter. Thank you for all your help Ashbear! **hugz** I love you man! I could never have done this without you.