<I’ve never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight

I’ve never seen you shine so bright>

The woman was breath-taking. Normally, she was beautiful. But tonight she was magnificent. And untouchable. Seifer simply gaped, marveling at the creature as she seemed to float down the stairs, scanning the room as if she owned it. At that moment, she did.
A filmy dress floated to slightly above her knees, a combination of reds, from the brightest flame to the lightest red-pink, over a cherry sheath. On her feet were strappy cherry sandals, at least three inches high, making the curve of her already muscular legs look even more appetizing. Her golden hair fell in ringlets from a bun at the back of her head, and around her neck was a simple golden chain. Lips were painted a ruby color, striking against the pale of her face and dark eye make-up. Her azure eyes glowed like jewels, the blue visible even from the other side of the room and suddenly they met his.
And Seifer forgot how to breathe.

<I’ve never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance

They’re looking for a little romance, given half a chance>

Her pale hand left the oak banister and she headed for him, eyes intent on his, golden hair swinging around her close to perfect face. Even as men, hopelessly infatuated with the vision before them, asked her to dance, her blue eyes never left his. Her answer was the same every time, and the faces fell, as the men realized they had no chance.

<I’ve never seen that dress you’re wearing

Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes

I have been blind>

Seifer’s jade eyes traveled up and down her svelte frame, every curve and muscle visible to his eyes only, as a small smirk crossed his lips. He’d seen what that goddess had to offer and it was everything it promised to be. But the red of the dress brought out the strawberry of her blond hair, another reason why her sapphire eyes were so startling. Now he knew that they were blue before and that Quistis Trepe was gorgeous before, but the unearthly beauty getting progressively nearer to him was as new to him as every other man in that room.
Quistis reached him and stood before him, looking only slightly upward into his awestruck face. “Seifer.” His mouth opened, but no sound came out, and her eyebrows lifted. “Cat got your tongue?” He recovered and sent her an arch glance.
“No. Unless Quistis Trepe is describing herself as a cat.”
Her blue eyes rolled upward, before focusing on his mouth, and Seifer felt the breath he’d only recently regained catch. Then she winked and turned away. “I’m going to go see if Nida wants to dance.”
He lunged and grabbed ahold of her white arm. “No you’re not.”
“Oh?”
“You can’t just-you’re not-I-“
“Seifer.”
“What?” he snarled, half-sulking as he let her arm go.
“Are we going to dance or what?”
Unable to help the self-satisfied grin that spread across his face, Seifer bowed low over her hand. “Quistis Trepe, I would be honored if you would dance with me.”
“As if you had to ask.” She smiled back and took his hand, letting him lead her to the dance floor as a slow song began to play.

<The lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek

There’s nobody here, just you and me

It’s where I want to be

But I hardly know this beauty by my side

I’ll never forget the way you look tonight>

When they reached the center of the floor, Quistis turned immediately, placing her head on his shoulder, arms wrapping around his neck. Seifer, in turn, rested his cheek on top of her head. A few moments later, he smiled into her curls. “Quistis, I’m crushing your curls.”
She giggled. “Only you.”
They danced silently for a few minutes more and the world disappeared around them. Slowly, Seifer drew back and held her at arms length. “You’re so beautiful,” he said, finally, quietly. A light blush rose in her cheeks, and she looked at the floor. He reached out a hand and tilted her chin up gently. “Don’t look at the floor, Quistis. Just me.”
Emotions played through her eyes, exactly what Seifer would call windows to her soul, before she nodded solemnly. “Only you.” Then she returned to his arms.

<I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight

I've never seen you shine so bright you were amazing

I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side

And when you turned to me and smiled

It took my breath away>

“Seifer…”
“Yes?”
“I…I feel guilty…”
“About…oh.”
“Yes.” She drew back, but her arms remained around his neck as her blue eyes began to shimmer. “It isn’t fair. For Zell, for Lex…I just…I love being with you, but then I feel horrible, because I still have you.” Tears hovered on the edge of her eyes. Carefully, Seifer reached up to gently blot them away, and she cradled her face in his hand.
“Quistis, it’s NOT fair. But Lex wouldn’t want us to be unhappy. You know her, she would hate to be the cause of that. You know she would tell you to be happy while you can.”
Her eyes met his, before her mouth curved up into a tentative smile. Seifer matched it with a half-smile of his own. “Seifer…”
“Let’s be happy while we can, Quistis.”
The smile on her face made her glow.

<I have never had such a feeling

Such a feeling of complete and utter love, as I do tonight

The way you look tonight

I never will forget the way you look tonight

The lady in red>

Seifer felt his heart well up with something. Of course he loved her. He knew that. But as she moved closer to him, seeking solace in his arms, he knew he couldn’t live without her. Why Zell had done what he had was completely obvious to Seifer. He probably would have done the same thing. If it had been Quistis. Only after he tortured and murdered the person who killed her. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Don’t think about that, Seifer. Quistis is safe right here, in your arms. She isn’t going anywhere. No one will take her from you.
“Hey, cheer up, Seifer. Let’s be happy while we can.” Quistis smiled up at him, her fingers massaging the back of his neck. “No bad thoughts right now.”
“Yes, Instructor.” He grinned at her.
Jade eyes caught and held sapphire ones.
“Quistis…”

<My lady in red . . . I love you>

“I love you.”
***
“Lady in Red” copyright by Chris de Burgh