They had just sat down for dinner, when Seifer arrived. He had brought along a guest. She was dressed in a light blue tunic, and black pants. Her boots had the same silver caps as his, but what drew Tala's attention was the pale color of her hair. She glanced up at Tala's stare, her left eye narrowing slightly as the two studied each other. Usually, that blood red gaze on a person made them stiffen, but Tala just canted her head slightly in greetings. The girl smirked slightly, then nodded in return.
"Fujin! When did you get here?"
Rinoa asked, hopping up from her seat. Zell did so as well, dragging over two extra chairs.
"Seifer called. Needed date."
No one except Tala noticed how Squall's hand suddenly gripped his glass much tighter. Rinoa and Fujin both laughed while the others just glanced at Tala. She shrugged slightly. "I'm glad you could make it, Fujin. I'm sure the next couple of days will be full of surprises."
"Certainly started with one today."
Irvine remarked dryly. Selphie nudged him in the ribs with an elbow, while Seifer helped Zell with the chairs. They waited until Fujin and Rinoa had sat, then seated them selves.
Laguna finally hurried into the room, rolling up his shirtsleeves. "Sorry, I'm late everybody. Stupid meetings."
Selphie smiled, hugely. "That's quite alright." She apologized for everyone at the table, and a few snickers broke out. Tala covered her mouth, pretending to cough when Selphie looked at her. "Water went down the wrong pipe." Squall came to her rescue, and patted her back. "You okay?"
"Just dandy..." They smiled at each other.
Laguna tapped his fork against his glass, drawing everyone's attention.
"I know all the official toasts aren't supposed to start yet, but I want to give you two one anyway."
He raised his glass. "To you, my son. May love always be true to you. And to you, Tala... may your love be true."
Everyone else raised his or her glass, repeating the toasts.. Even though they didn't really didn't understand why he said them like that. Seifer thought he did, but both Tala and Squall were forcing a smile. He wondered why. Could Squall's memories have returned? He'd have to find out later.

----

"Is everything alright?"
They were back in their room, and Squall had been pacing for about five minutes. He turned to look at her, and shrugged. She shook her head.
"Go talk to him."
Before he could say anything, she grinned. "You need to. Before it drives you nuts. Or drives me nuts, from you pacing. Go talk to him."

Unbeknownst to them, Fujin was having the same "pep" talk with Seifer.
"You won't feel any better until you know if his memories have returned. If she says they will, I'd believe her."
"You really think so, Fuu? I don't know if I should believe her. After all, she took them away."

Tala's smile faded a little, as her eyes became more serious. "I saw the way your hand tightened on the glass. When Fujin said date. You two were in love once, very deeply... Weren't you?"
Squall nodded. "Then, why are you wasting your time here? Go to him, Squall. See if those feelings are still there."

"What if they aren't? What do I do then?"
Seifer asked, his eyes hallow. Fujin shrugged. "You move on with life, and treasure what you had. You still have others who love you Seifer. You have your friends. It's not the end of the world."

"You know I'll always be here for you, Squall. We'll always be here for you."
"You're right. I need... To go talk to him."
Tala smiled as he stepped outside, and softly shut the door behind him. She waited until she was gone, then picked up the phone. She punched in a number, waiting while it rung three times before it was picked up.
"It's me." Pause. "Oh? Good." Another pause. "Let's hope it works out. Yea.. Stubborn males... Sheesh." Laughter, then they hung up.

-------

They met each other in the hallway. Seifer saw something flicker in those silver orbs before it as blanked out. He felt his hopes rise, slightly. Perhaps Squall did remember him. That's why he was here, right? Wait, why he was so nervous? This was Squall. That same little punk who had come up to him on the dock, three years ago. And have the nerve to tell him that he needed him. Hyne, he didn't know how right he had been, till after he no longer had him.
"Seifer... We need to talk."
The taller blonde nodded. "That we do. Where's someplace private? I'd rather not have it out here in the hallway. Never know who might be up against a door with a glass."
Squall lips cuved in a slight smile. After the earlier kiss, he was sure everyone was dying to know what was going on.
"I know a place, come with me."
They walked back through the hallway, and into the main foyer. They both paused to look at the stained glass window. The only light on it came from the lamps overhead. It was a sight to behold during the day, when the sun filtered through the colored glass. One could almost swear that the Lionheart was a real blade, the way the blue shimmered. Or that the petals around Rinoa were about to swirl into the room. Even Seifer looked as though he was about to make a smart remark.
"You know, I've always wondered if they used magic to create this window."
"Why is that?"
"It's so very... real. It's like captured a part of us and put it into the window."
Seifer blinked, then nodded. "I've felt that way about too, a few times."
Squall said nothing, instead just walking to the door that lead to the balcony. He hadn't been out there since the party, but it was the only truly private place he could think of. Seifer followed him once again, wondering why he had to choose that balcony, of all places.
Once they were outside, a light wind was blowing. Even with all the lights around the palace, you could still see a few of the stars, and the moon was showing a part of its face today. It was only a slight smile in the blackness of the sky.
"I miss the Garden balcony. I'm spoiled.. I guess."
"You mean being ale to see the stars, and hear the water while near Balamb."
Squall nodded, turning to face him. "I.. We spent a lot of time there, didn't we?"
Seifer nodded. "It was one of your favorite places. Though you never did say why. I guess being able to see the sun, comes from your Leo nature. As for wanting to be away from all the hustle in the Garden. a little private place.. I don't know."
Seifer folding his arms across his chest, head tilted to the side as he studied Squall.
"Just what do you remember, about us?"
Squall frowned thoughtfully, racking his brain for something other then what he had remembered earlier. Suddenly, three memories burst into his head, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Our first kiss was on the beach. I was practicing, when you appeared like a ghost from this mist. I made a remark, to which you answered, 'No, but I'm admitting you need me.' Our blades met again, and as we crossed- you kissed me. I remember you tasted like fresh strawberries. I always thought of you when I ate them after that."
Seifer smiled slightly, nodding. "And you tasted like chocolate. You still do sometimes." His grin grew a bit more. Squall didn't reply to that, instead continuing. "You loved to catch the others with an off-color remark about when you got the chance. You even said a few remarks to Headmaster Cid when he'd wake us in the middle of a night for a mission."
Seifer tried to make himself look as innocent as possible. Squall couldn't help it, he laughed. And Seifer just stared at him for a moment. Squall had never laughed often when they were together. But to hear it. It was a warm, husky sound. Inviting you to draw closer to the person laughing, to come enjoy the reason for his mirth.
"That never worked, you know. You could never be considered innocent."
"Oh yea?" Seifer unfolded his arms, taking a closer step to Squall. One auburn brow lifted, as his hand dropped to his sides. "You had a hidden gentle side, which few ever saw. Rinoa knew of it, I saw it many times. You wanted everyone to think you were a major badass. But you weren't able to say I love you, till I told you that I did too."
"And do you now?"
Seifer leaned forward, arms on either side of Squall, trapping him there. Their eyes were locked on each other. Seifer's dark, Squall's whirling between blue and silver. He smiled slightly as Squall licked suddenly dry lips.
"I...." His voice was low, confusion slightly etched within it.
"I don't know."
"Maybe this will make you decide."
With that, his head dipped. He kissed him softly, unlike today's earlier kiss. Squall, instead of fighting against it, welcomed it this time. Although he didn't remember everything, now he knew why he had felt as though kissing him was like coming home. In a way, it had been.
He reached up to lightly thread his fingers through silky blonde hair, as Seifer's arms went around his waist.
For a few moments, two hearts beat as one.
------
Woke up to the sound of pouring rain
Washed away a dream of you
But nothing else could ever take you away
'Cause you'll always be my dream come true
Oh my darling, I love you

Remember yesterday - walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand - I remember you
Through the sleepless nights and every endless day
I'd wanna hear you say - I remember you
------

A/N- And so.. who's he gonna marry? What will Tala do? ^^ Please review, and tell me if I should continue. As you know, Squaresoft owns the peoples (not Tala and Ian, though) Skid Row - "I remember you."