Squall sat silently behind his desk typing away at his keyboard with his eyes fixed on his computer screen. Just as he had done every night for the past five years since becoming commander. Tonight was different from those nights. He worked at a much faster pace than normal. He wanted to be done soon so he could finally take his vacation.

He hadn't been able to take one, EVER. Though he had enough leave days saved up to the point where Rinoa had threatened bodily harm if he didn't use them to take her somewhere. He had always admired her ability when it came to keeping promises. She was tiny and unimposing, but she could go head to head with the best SeeDs and leave at least a few marks on them.

He was finally on the home stretch, finalizing the last of the SeeD requests when he heard his email alert ding. He knew that could only mean one thing, another request, he sighed and continued to work while trying to ignore his obsessive need to check the message.

"Last request." He promised himself, finishing the request.

he kept glancing at the flashing tab on his screen for his email as he tried his best to focus. His curiosity got the better of him though. He clicked on the tab and saw the email was from Laguna with a subject of 'HELP!' He let out an exasperated sigh while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Great, just what I needed. Why did I have to look?" He thought, opening the email. The tone of the subject had absolutely nothing to do with the body of his email. "I'm going to kill him."

Squall,

Hi Son! How have you been? Good I hope.

Anyway, I have a mission that I need taken care of as quickly as possible.

Please get back to me as soon as you can!

Love,

Papaguna!

How does he manage to be such an idiot?! Squall thought rubbing his forehead. He decided it wasn't worth the headache that would come with replying to Laguna, so he continued with the request he was currently working on.

After about 10 minutes he finally finished all his work when his email alert went off again. He looked and saw that it was another email from Laguna.

"Does that man have any patience?!"

This time the subject line read 'Follow-up'. He clicked on the email all it said was, 'I know you read my email...' Squall was surprised and slightly creeped out by the email. He decided to reply to this one, mostly because he was sure another one was to follow soon after.

Laguna,

I am currently not able to draw up any contracts to send SeeDs out on a mission for at least two weeks. I apologize again for any inconvenience this causes you.

However, if you truly require SeeD assistance, you can contact Lt. Commander Quistis Trepe first thing in the morning.

Squall.

He waited a moment to see if Laguna would reply, and sure enough, he did.

Squall,

I know you'll be going on vacation, but I really need at least three SeeDs. It's extremely important, possibly even life or death!

Honestly, I'd really need your help on this one.

Squall hit the reply icon again.

Laguna,

History has told me, that statement is a lie.

It wouldn't be the first time Laguna said a mission was life or death. He'd once used a mission just to get Squall to have dinner with him and Ellone. Another time he'd even had to take Zell on a "life or death mission" that had turn out to be just a party that was being thrown for Laguna's birthday at the Presidential Palace.

Squall,

I know I have lied about that in the past, but this time it is for real!

With every email his frustration level grew.

Laguna,

History has told that that is ALSO, a lie.

He started to wonder why he was still playing this game, all he had to do was get up and go home and it would be done. Except that Laguna also had his cell number, and he would just continue to beg either via text or calling him till he answered the phone.

Before Laguna could send another reply squall quickly typed another message.

Tell me what the mission is and I will consider it.

It took no time at all for Laguna to reply, it was almost instantaneous.

I knew you would come around son!

Shortly after another longer message popped up.

The Princess of the Centran Empire is a friend of mine. A few weeks ago she told me that she was receiving death threats. She didn't give me much detail, but they have gotten progressively worse as time goes by. I'm afraid that her life may be in danger.

Squall was surprised that it seemed to be a legitimate mission, he just couldn't help but wonder why any of this was his or Laguna's problem.

Doesn't this fall under the jurisdiction of the King? Why are you trying to hire SeeD? Doesn't he have people taking care of this?

Squall.

Well, technically, yes. But he doesn't believe that it's a serious as she claims.

Papaguna.

If she is receiving death threats, why doesn't he think it's serious?

Squall.

It's to complicate for me to explain via email, so will you do it?

Papaguna.

I never said I would do the mission personally; you already know that I'll be going on vacation with my WIFE. So no, I can't personally go on this mission, but I could probably send Zell and Irvine.

Squall.

I would only need your help for a week, which would still leave you with a week to spend with Rinoa!

Plus, I will reimburse whatever you paid for your vacation plus pay you triple your normal salary.

Papaguna.

That is something you'll have to take up with my wife.

Squall.

Squall waited for a few minutes to see if Laguna would reply. When he didn't, Squall took it as a sign that he could finally go home. He got up from his desk and left after turning off his light, computer and locking his office door. He made it to the elevator when his phone buzzed with a text from Rinoa.

"I think you need to go on this mission." Was all it said.

"Why? Zell and Irvine can probably handle it." Squall replied.

"Trust me." She answered.

He sighed as he pressed the down button on the elevator and he received another text, this time from Laguna.

"Be at the Presidential Palace tomorrow morning and we'll get started :-)."

"Fuck." he muttered to himself.

He boarded the elevator and headed to the first floor to get Zell and Irvine.