Final Fantasy 8TM; and its characters are property of SquareSoft© :)
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Lies
Written by Quistis Kinneas.



- I -


"Verbal sex is not my style
words are mistakes and mistakes are yours
I don't wat to remember that I also make mistakes
One day I want to discover why the ones
that know how to lie are the strongest
I don't want to remeber that I also lie"
translated from "Eu Sei(I know)"-Legião Urbana

The train arrived exactly on time,on Balamb Station.The train announcer gave the last call to inform the passengers that they had arrived their destiny,or that they were half way to Galbadia.Many people left the train,heading for the streets or to a Rent-a-Car.The last ones slowly left their waggon,and among them,a handsome man wearing a black overcoat,jeans and a cowboy hat.His tan-honey hair was tied on a pony-tail that reached his waist,but some strands were loose around his face.
He put his hand-luggage on the floor and arranged his hat,showing a pair of dark-blue eyes and a fascinating smile,as he looked around the city.He was trying to find the differences,but he found a whole new town.The square didn't have the fountain anymore,nor the old benches.Now they had an exotic statue of a witch...he felt a shiver when he saw it.
Zell's house was still there,and he could even see the smoke comming from the fireplace.Sure that there were more and different kinds of houses next to the square,and different people too.There were also many shops,new restaurants and even a Pub.A Pub,for a small city as Balamb,was really a sign that things were different.But he could see the same old faces,the same Library and even the same attendant on the stairs that led to the station.
He could even feel the breeze that came from the Balamb Port.He wanted to go there,take off his boots and walk on the sand,with the sea wetting his feet.But as he openned his eyes,he noticed a clock in front of him.The clock marked 10 o'clock,and Irvine decided that he would not be able to do these things and arrive on time.Then he took his hand-luggage and went on to the street.He waved to a taxi and entered on it,heading to Balamb Garden.

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Selphie slowly got up on a chair and looked around the ballroom to see the result of her job.
There were coloured ribbons tied on the centre of the sallon,and from there they scattered around the room reaching the walls.Ballons in pastel tone were fastened around the windows.In the middle of the saloon was the SeeD sign,drawned in black and white.
She smiled,happy with the results.The room was coloured enough to shine the lights previously prepared by her and give that 'disco' effect.She jumped from the chair and walked toward the sound equipment,on the other side of the room.
After checking the cds,Selphie choose one of them and put it on the cd player.She raised the volume and put herself to dance around the saloon.
"Do you ever work seriously here?",a voice came from behind.
Selphie turned to the door and shouted:
"Irvine!You came!You really came!!!"
She ran and threw herself into his arms.
"I can't believe you're here..."she separated from him and gave him a look, "wow,you're wonderful!"
He scratched his head and said:
"Well,I'm always wonderful..."Irvine answered raising his hands on his head's direction and then turning back his hands,on his own tipical movement.
"Oh,I see you've changed."
"Always for better...but you...you changed...",he said staring at her.
Selphie smiled and turned.She was really different,but that old childish look was still there.Her hair was longer,her face had a mature look and her eyes had that old brightness,a happiness that always did they smile.When they where down,in the worst moment,Selphie always knew how to find a positive side on it.
"Well,since we finished our relationship I got really better...being far away from you made me feel...good."
"Oh!How can you say such a thing!I though I made you happy!"
"I'm kidding.You did,Irvine.We're just too good together...a pity it is over.But we're better like this.We were not being sincere to each other,and it's no good..."
"And now,tell me...what have you been doing?"
"I've been traveling around",said Irvine.
"I heard Galbadia Garden gave you a title...the last time I saw you you were Supervisor,weren't you?"
"Yes,I am the Public Relations of Galbadia Garden now..."
"Wow!You,Public Relations?!The world changed...how did you convince them?"
He leaned against the wall and said:
"I've been a good boy..."
"Be serious!"
"Right...they decided that I deserved it because of my...brave acts.The Galbadia Garden wanted someone to be connected with the other Gardens...and as I had no patience to supervise classes they decided to use my abilities,you know.As I am a shooter,and a good one,they asked me if I wanted to go to Travia Garden and stay there to teach some students,you know...so,I accepted.I returned to Galbadia Garden some months ago and I had a lot of work there,talking with people and back to my normal activities..."
"And is it fun?"
"Not as funny as work with you...but it is good.And you?Are you managing parties all the time?"
She smiled:
"I'm a serious woman now...I'm the head of Balamb Garden Commitee..."
"Party commitee?"
She slapped Irvine's shoulder:
"No,you jerk!This Commitee is responsable for every reunion,comemoration or event on Balamb.You see?"
"Sure.It's clear for me now...and you?Did you meet anyone special?"
"I actually don't have time to this kind of thing...but I am almost sure that YOU probably was the star on Travia..."
"You know that women can't resist me..."
"OH,I know...I guess that,when you went away,women stared at Travia's door with pamphlets begging you to stay...do you actually have a fan club?"
"They are scattered around the world..."
Irvine looked around and asked:
"Where's everybody?I didn't see anyone..."
"Well,is that..."
"Kinneas?Is that you?",a sweet voice asked behind them.
They turned and found Cid's wife,Edea,entering the room.
Irvine took off his hat,always staring as he faced her.Edea was surelly one of the most beautiful women ne had ever seen,and she seemed to be even more beautiful than before.
"Edea...boy,how I envy the Principal sometimes..."
Edea smiled:
"You never change,Irvine..."
He kissed Edea's hands and said:
"You know that I really missed Balamb..."
"I thought you would not come..."
"How would I miss Selphie's party?"
"It's not MY party..."
"No?But you said..."
"It's a party for Balamb's students",answered Edea.
"Oh,really?..."
"Didn't you know?We're on vacation!"
"Oh...well..."
"It's a kind of party for...everybody...and they liked the idea..."
"I see."
"You understand that we're entering on vacation...Cid also thought that it would be a very good moment for all students,to have some fun...",explained Edea.
They heard an anouncement calling Selphie and Selphie took her things of the chair:
"I must go,but I'll find you both later...don't forget about the party,Irvine...maybe you can help me here..."
"Sure..."
"I'll be upstairs.Bye..."
They saw Selphie turning and entering the elevator in silence.Then Edea turned to Irvine and said:
"We missed you.You just vanished that way,after the party...if I am not wrong...it've been..."
"Two years.Yes,it's a long time...and where's everybody?"
"Well...let me see...Squall and Rinoa are on Derring City visiting Coronel Karway...if you don't know...they're married..."
"Really?"
"Yes..."
"When it was?"
"Last month.We sent you invitations,but you were on Esthar,I guess..."
"Well...but they married that soon?"
"They were prepared,Irvine."
"I'd take ten years of preparation before tying up..."
Edea smiled:
"It's something I'd love to see...well...Zell is giving classes of martial arts.Students are enjoying it a lot,you know?"
"Really?I guess this boy finally found a way..."
"He is not here right know...you know,Selphie is giving a party,so he decided going to Balamb City and see his mother..."
"I understand..."
He stayed in silence for some seconds and Edea asked:
"Is that all?Won't you ask me about Quistis?"
Irvine gave her an hurt look and said:
"Sure...how is she?"
"Do you want to see her?"
"See her?Now?"
"Why not?She is at the training centre now,giving classes."
Irvine took a deep breathe and said:
"Let's go there..."

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'Am I trembling?!Oh...it's been such a long time...',thought Irvine as they entered the training centre.
"Are you okay?",asked Edea impressed by the silence around him.Usually Irvine would talk through all the way,make jokes,tell her about his qualities...but this time,he just remained in silence.
"Yes...I am",answered Irvine.Inside,he was confused.He didn't see Quistis for more than two years,and didn't have any idea of what he'd find there.He always saw Squall and Rinoa at Galbadia,and even Zell and Selphie,for two times when they went there to see him.But never Quistis.He just asked about her,and they always looked each other with some caution and answered that she was okay,but not more than that.Not that he wasn't interested,but it's just he hadn't courage to know more about her,and discover that he was really trapped.But all that time passed,and he just felt as he should start again.He missed her.Maybe the bad things they told to each other the last time were just forgotten...but he himself wasn't sure about what he was really doing there.He knew it was't for the party,nor his friends.Maybe he was trying to find out his own way.
They arrived at the training centre and stopped behind the glass that separated the field from them.It was a kind of looking glass,so,the others on the field could not see them,but they could see the field.This way teachers could test their students and give them their grades.
Edea sat on a chair and offered one to Irvine.She looked through the glass and said:
"Oh,there she is...she is in front of the young people...can you see her?"
Irvine balanced his head yes.He could see her.He could see her very well,as she was turned to them.
Two years,and he felt like they were decades.He couldn't imagine that he cared that much about Quistis...he missed her more than he could imagine,and now,seeing her,he felt like a thristy man that has just found an oasis.She was beautiful as always,her long blond shiny hair untied,surrounding her pretty face.She was wearing her glasses,which gave her a kind of an 'intellectual' look that he liked so much...but it wasn't just that,there was something else behind that beauty.He could feel that her eyes were without brightness,as she was sad or depressed.He thought that she was always more beautiful when she was sad...it looked like that sadness combined with her.Maybe it was just his impression,and maybe she was just tired...but something was happening with her,he was sure.
"So...you became Galbadia Public Relations,didn't you?",asked Edea breaking the silence.
"Yes,they offered me and I accepted."
"And why did you spend so much time on Travia?"
"Well,they also offered me a purpose to teach there,and I also accepted."
"They...offered you?Or you offered you?Isn't it strange?You are Galbadia Garden's Public Relations,passed half of your time on Travia and the other half in Galbadia doing nothing...and as a Public Relations you should be traveling around the world,to other Gardens...but you didn't appear here.When we needed to talk with Galbadia,we had to use our Public Relations..."
He looked at her,puzzled:
"What do you mean?..."
"Irvine,you can deceive everybody,but not me.I talked with Galbadia Principal,and he told me that you asked him to go to the farthest place on Earth.But I guess you meant the farthest place from Balamb...am I right?"
Irvine sighed:
"Yes,you are."
"Why?Why did you vanished like that?"
"It's a long story..."
"I guess I won't go anywhere."
He smiled:
"Were you always like this with us,weren't you?"
"I always care about the people I like."
"Right...you know that...I always was like this...I never had anyone in my life,and the only thing that could put me above the others was some special ability...that's why I became a shooter.I had a special talent and Galbadia decided using it.I trained everyday and acted all cool to give me confidence,and that worked.Girls were always around me,and soon I discovered another talent...I guess I used my abilities to be different from the others.I went out with many girls,but never took anyone seriously.That's how I passed those years in Galbadia.I guess I didn't even know the importance of being a Galbadia shooter until I had the mission of...assassinate you..."
Irvine scratched his head uncomfortable,but Edea smiled:
"Well,it's so good you didn't..."
He also smiled:
"Well...being part of an important task as that we were,made me see life through a different way.It was our lives that we were dealing with,and the possibility of losing my life made me face it more seriously.At least for some time.And after all those things happen,and life was back to normal,I decided to give more importance to things...and then,when I asked myself what was really important to me...I heard her name.When I saw her again for the first time after the fight with the witch,I felt so good to see her,my heart was so alleviated that I realised that there was something stronger than the usual attraction inside of me.I knew I was in love with her,I knew that for the first time in my life I was in love with a woman...I was 'trapped'.That's why I decided to...try...and...conquer her.But I didn't imagined that this would be hard.On that party things went completely wrong.I used the wrong strategy with her,I guess...you remember how I tried...I asked her to dance,she didn't accept and went to talk with Cid and you...well,after some time,I finally found her,alone on the balcony.The ballroom was almost empty,and the functionaries were already cleaning the room.Quistis was drinking some wine on the balcony,looking to the stars...she was so beautiful...

'Quistis?",Irvine asked behind her.
"Kinneas?Are you still awake?It's almost dawn..."
"I know.But I can't sleep anyway..."
He approached her and leaned against the balcony,by her side.He looked at her face for one moment,and he new that he would never forget that scene...her eyes were closed and the first orange rays of light touched her hair,making her blond hair shine as gold.She had a sweet smile of satisfaction on her lips,and her expression was so lovely that she reminded a painting,with the dawn as the scenario.Irvine smiled,touched by her momentaneous happiness,and couldn't help it,but also stared at the sky,breathing the sweet air of the dawn:
"Isn't it beautiful?I love this place...I never looked at this scenario like this before..."
"I always get up earlier when I can,to see this...I grew up here,watching this same dawn.And I never get tired of this."
"No one would..."
She turned to Irvine and asked:
"Will you stay here?"
"Well,I'd love to.I'll ask Galbadia's Principal to let me stay here..."
"Now that you are famous...hardly they will set you free...you'll be Galbadia's principal attraction from now on."
"Oh...I've always been Galbadia's principal attraction.You should know that ",he said in a funny tone.
"Oh,yes,I forgot that you are the best shooter on the world..."
"And what about you?What will you do?"
She sighed and drank the rest of her wine,once.
"I...am not sure..."
"Didn't Cid offer you a new job?"
"More or less...now,you know,Squall was choosen for the Supervisor title...one year ago,I could be the Supervisor,but because of Seifer,they dismissed me and I was no more a teacher...I'm not complaining...but I spent my life here...and I'm good...but now...I'm nothing."
"You should not say this things..."
"Why not?",she asked with her voice already affected by the wine,"I was dismissed by Squall once...dismissed by SeeD...now I was dismissed by Cid.I guess it's destiny."
"You are wrong.I would never dismiss you."
Quistis similed:
"Oh,Kinneas.You would never dismiss anything that wears a skirt."
"I'm not always like this."
"No?So,there is more about you that I don't know?I would love to see..."
"If you give me the chance..."
Quistis started laughing:
"Come on,Kinneas...you're dating Selphie and now you ask me for a chance?I would never give a chance to a man like you!You are my opposite,a bohemian...what respectable woman would give you a chance?And how can you do such a thing,ask me to something when you're my friend's boyfriend!"
Irvine was surprised by her words and answered:
"If you were not as drunk as you are I would take it as an offense...it's a surprise that even the great always controlled Quistis Trepe would be human enough to get drunk...I wonder...if you don't have a reason..."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Maybe,just maybe...you are still in love with Squall,that's why you are acting like this."
Quistis'face turned red as she said:
"What do you know about my feelings anyway?You are just a stupid shooter that thinks you are irresistible,that women die for you...you are just an irresponsible,stupid and selfish man,that just cares about your own feelings...your behaviour makes me sick!You make me sick!"
"I make you sick?No,the problem is not me,it's you!You act like you are perfect,like you can control your feelings,or maybe that you even don't have feelings...but the truth is that you hide yourself from people...you tell that I am irresponsible,bohemian,but I prefer being like this than lie...at least I am transparent to people!But you..."
"You bastard!Who you think you are to talk to me like this?You are nothing to me!And if you stay here,I'll go to the farthest place on Earth to stay far away from you!"
"Oh,don't you worry...it won't be necessary!If it will please you,I will go to Galbadia,and you'll never see me again!"
"Finally you will make something good to someone!"
Irvine controlled himself to not shout at her.He just turned away and Quistis shouted:
"I hate you!"
Irvine turned to her and said:
"Great!At least we agree!'

Irvine sighed and said to Edea:
"After that I returned to my room and packed up my things.I waited for everybody to get up and you remember how I was on that morning..."

'Why you decided this?",asked Selphie,"but you said...
"I know what I said.I just thought better and...decided to be back to Galbadia...I grew up there and I like that place."
"Are you sure?",asked Squall.
Irvine balanced his head yes.Everybody looked each other without knowing what to say next.Zell,that was eating his breakfast in silence,finally openned his mouth and said:
"We don't want you to go.If they are obliging you to come back,we can go there and show them who gives the orders!Edea,you can talk with them!"
They looked at Edea who was drinking some coffee.She looked to Irvine and he sighed.
"Galbadia didn't give us any call.I guess it's Irvine's decision."
"But you can't let us!",complained Rinoa.
"Yeah!Come on Irvine,and what about...your feelings for...well,I thought you'd fight for your dreams!At least,you told me so when we finished our relationship...and now you just give up!Quistis...will never forgive you...",said Selphie.
"She would never forgive me for many things..."
"People...I guess you should let Irvine decide.He is old enough to know what he wants.We will miss you too much,Irvine...but if you think that you'll be better there,so,we understand",Edea said.
They remained in silence for some minutes,then Irvine said:
"I guess it would be better for me to go now.I don't want to lose the train..."
He got up and Selphie embraced him:
"Promise that you'll come here to see me...and also,fight for your love...your real love...I know your feelings for her are true,please,Irvine..."
He kissed her forehead and said:
"I promise..."
Rinoa got up and kissed his cheek:
"Don't worry...we'll go to Galbadia to see you..."
"I'll be waiting..."
Zell offered his hand to Irvine:
"What will I tell to the girls here?"
"Well,they have you,don't they?"
"Take care,shooter..."
"I will."
Irvine turned to Squall,who smiled to him and slapped gently Irvine's back:
"Don't vanish.We'll be waiting for you to...shoot some ducks,you know."
"And you take care of that girl there",he said pointing to Rinoa.
"Right.While you take care of the girls there..."
Irvine smiled and finally turned to Edea:
"Can you tell bye to Cid for me?I guess you can explain things to him..."
"Sure.He will understand.Won't you say good bye to Quistis?"
He smiled:
"I already said good bye to her..."
Irvine kissed Edea's cheek and said:
"Well...bye to you.I hope we'll see each other very soon...'

"And then...two years passed.And you are back..."
"Yes.I was tired of that kind of life...I couldn't hide my feelings anymore.I tried to forget her,I looked for her in many women,but I couldn't find her anywhere.Quistis was inside of me already.You know,when everything was over and I realised that Selphie was not exactly what I wanted,I knew that something was happening.Selphie was a friend for me,my best friend.and we got too much involved when all we wanted from each other was friendship.And when I told her about my feelings for Quistis,she understood me very well and right before the party,we finished.But I think Quistis didn't know that 'cos...well,she said so.Maybe it was just a mistake but...she tought I was still by Selphie's side.But then when Selphie called me informing about the party,I though it would be a good oportunity to...I don't know,to see her.I was missing her so much,there,on Travia...I looked to that fields,and her memory haunted me...I guess I couldn't take it anymore,that's why I came back.I needed to solve this problem,for once.I must face it...I love Quistis.I need her more than anything...and I must try..."
Irvine turned his eyes to Quistis,sighing.
Edea got up and said:
"So,you really love her...are you sure about this?"
"Yes.I was never so sure about something...I would pass the rest of my life by her side...without looking around...",he remarked.
"Irvine...would you be willing to fight for her,if it was necessary?"
"Undoubtedly."
Edea sighed:
"While you were gone,many things happened.Especially to her...Quistis is too proud to admit or confess that she is suffering...and that's why she suffers two times.And people like her will never get a balanced life...or it will be too good,or too bad.And everything around her,lately,tells me that she will not have a happy life...I know her.I don't need her words to show me that she is suffering...I guess,you understand what I mean..."
Irvine balanced his head yes.
"After you've gone,Quistis got...depressed,I guess.She submerged herself in job,classes and duties,to forget about how much you were missing,especially because she discovered about what happened between you and Selphie...I knew it,because everytime we talked about you she heard everything,got up and stayed alone for a long time.Little by little,she saw everybody finding their ways...Squall and Rinoa,Zell and Selphie...everybody together,you know?I think that this kind of thing hurt her deeply.Then,some months ago,Squall and Rinoa annouced their wedding...I guess that Quistis realised that she was being behind them,again.I guess she didn't really care about Squall,you understand?But seeing them together,forming a family,making plans,having children...it hurts her."
"Why?She is so strong..."
"No,Irvine.She is not strong.She acts like she is strong because she is weak.Do you understand?Quistis need this kind of wall to feel protected...she is afraid of being alone."
Irvine looked at her sadly:
"Do you think so?..."
"I'm sure about it...and that's why she is so sad an accepted her situuation like this...without think...especially because some time ago,some months,a person arrived here..."
"A person?"
"A man from Galbadia Garden...you must know him.His name is Gabriel.Coronel Gabriel Knight*..."
Irvine laughed:
"Gabriel?I can't believe it...he is just the last person on the world I'd like finding here..."
"So...you don't get along..."
"He is the person who tried to make my life a hell...I know him since I was a little boy and...compared to him,Seifer is an angel...he could be considered my enemy..."
"Oh...sure life is really surprising",Edea whispered.
"But what does Gabriel has to do with Quistis?"
"As I said,it was Quistis' bad moment...she was very depressed,you know...she was alone,while everybody were making their plans,lost her position on Garden...and you were not there...and Gabriel appeared on that moment.He thought her very interesting...they went out some times,started a relationship...and Gabriel proposed her."
She could hear Irvine gasp:
"What?!"
"Yes.He proposed her...and she accepted."
Slowly Irvine let his head fall over the table,his face pale.His hands trembled as he whispered:
"You must be kidding..."
"I am not.That's why I asked you if you loved her enough to fight for her..."
"It can't be happening...the woman I love,marring my rival..."
"I'm sorry Irvine.I wanted to change her mind,but...She was sure about it.She didn't want to get involved with someone...like you...even if she loved you..."
"Did she say this to you?",he asked,a sight of hope on his eyes.
"Yes.She did."
"So...why did she accept his propose?"
"It's...so hard to explain...Quistis had some bad experiences in her life and I guess she prefers doing what she calls 'the right thing' and not being happy...than try to be happy...did you heard something like:between nothing and pain,I prefer pain?Well,Quistis prefers nothing...Gabriel does everything to her,he never did anything to hurt her...she feels secure with him."
"That's all about him?Security?But you said she loves me..."
"She does love you...but she is afraid..."
"Afraid?Of me?"
"No.She is not sure about your feelings...she thinks that,for you,she is just one more...you disapeared..."
"So...if I tell her that I love her..."
"It's not that easy...Quistis needs more than love...that's why she will marry Gabriel.She doesn't love him...but he protects her..."
"And what should I do?"
"You must be patient with her...and,first of all, take that selfish coronel from your way...",Edea gave him a glance and he answered:
"Don't you worry.We are old friends,so...he will have some fun..."

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*Ps:Well,for those who likes the GK series as much as I do...just a small reference =)

Ps2:I wrote this fic when I played the japanese version of the game,so,maybe some names,titles,places are different.