It had been a completely surreal few days. Maiere sighed with relief as she and Teran finally entered their home. Despite the fact that, due to where they lived, safety was largely an illusion, "home" still meant "safe" to them both.

The SeeDs that had transported them were more than accomodating, embarrassingly so, in fact. The pilot, a blond, muscular man with a startling facial tattoo on his handsome face, gave both her and Teran effusive hugs, thanking them profusely, before escorting them out of the airship. It turned out that he was a close personal friend of Commander Leonhart, and was very happy indeed that his friend had survived. They'd very kindly brought her truck back down the ramp and parked it in front of her house as well.

"Listen, Ms. Maiere, if there's anything you need, anything at all, call us. Any of us." the pilot, who'd introduced himself as Zell, said.

"I will," Maiere had said, feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. "I'm just glad to be home."

"Squall is too. He'd have come and said good bye personally but..." Zell shrugged.

"I know." Maiere smiled. "I'm just glad he's doing better. Still not real clear on how, though."

"You'll have to come visit us in Balamb to find out." Zell said with a shrug, and a wink.

"Can we mom?" Teran asked, looking up at her hopefully.

"Maybe we'll do that," Maiere said, squeezing Teran's hand.

Another SeeD, Reive, who introduced himself as Squall's Personal Assistant stepped up and handed her an envelope, saying, "Rinoa wanted me to give you this, and to tell you 'thanks' as well."

She was floored when she opened the envelope, expecting a letter or note, and indeed there was one...wrapped around an astounding amount of gil.

She scanned the note quickly, then turned to Reive, protesting, "I can't accept this! It's too much!"

He raised his eyebrows, and asked her, "You are a medical professional, aren't you?"

"Well, yes, I'm a nurse practitioner," she answered.

"And you have expended a considerable amount of time and effort, not to mention supplies, in saving Commander Leonhart's life and transporting him to us. We have already reimbursed Dr. Marlow for his fine work, it only remained that we reimburse you as well. The fact is, Mrs. Leonhart found this a completely inadequate recompense for what you've managed to do for all of us, not only for the commander and his family, but she couldn't think of anything else that would be acceptable. Or as useful. And this would at least replace the supplies that you used on his behalf. Please take it." The young SeeD said ernestly.

Maire had nodded slowly, stunned.

She looked at the stack of gil notes again. It was enough to replace all of her supplies, and then some. SeeDs, she'd learned, had a strong sense of honor about them, when it came to their own.

She wandered into the kitchen, intending to start dinner, Teran trailing listlessly behind her. He felt it too, how quiet, empty and dead, the place felt. Even injured and weak, Squall had a certain vitality to him that was palpable. He made his presence felt.

Her husband had been like that too, which was why she felt that emptiness so keenly now.

"Will we ever see him again?" Teran asked plaintively.

Would they? Well, if it was merely a matter of funds, that was no longer an issue. The payment she'd recieved was several times what she earned normally. It nearly doubled what a professional nurse practicioner earned in Deling City. For an entire year. Of course, getting there from their remote outpost wasn't going to be all that easy.

Maiere thought about how they'd even manage it, shying away from actually calling them. It seemed frivolous to request a pick up by the SeeDs for just a social visit.

"We will, though it'll be awhile before we can get to Balamb. It's a long way from here," Maiere said.

It actually took them three months.

Life had gone on, as it usually did, and Maiere had been kept busy helping Dr. Marlow care for their little community. But, an opportunity had arisen, as had the need for certain supplies that were not easily available through their usual channels, and Maiere had volunteered to go in the doctor's place to get them.

It had been a challenging trip, getting from Centra to Galbadia, involving a week-long sea voyage on top of the trek to the coast to meet the boat. All told, it had taken three weeks of travel to get there. Fortunately, this journey wasn't nearly as eventful as the last one she'd attempted, and they finally arrived safely in Balamb via train.

In the months since they'd been returned home, Teran had devoured everything he could about Balamb Garden and SeeD...and their commander, Squall Leonhart. As they'd drawn closer to Balamb, the boy's excitement had increased. Maiere had to smile at that; at least this adventure was a fun one.

Maiere had called ahead, informing the woman who'd answered, Quistis, of her impending visit. A SeeD cadet was waiting for them at the entrance, next to the guard station, when they got there.

Teran was full of questions and snippets of information about Garden and its commander, and he chatted animatedly with the cadet, who couldn't have been older than twelve or thirteen (and in fact, looked vaguely familiar). The boy appeared to be very knowledgable about Teran's favorite subject too, which Maiere thought was a nice touch.

Maiere herself was simply in awe of the place. It was huge, airy and graceful, and had an air of peace and serenity at odds with its stated purpose of training elite warriors.

As she followed the boy through the place, she wondered how Squall and his family were doing. Rinoa would probably have had their baby by now. She hoped all had turned out okay for them and that both Rinoa and the baby were healthy...and that Rinoa had managed to give him a name she liked.

She couldn't help thinking back to the day that they had been rescued. Fear and despair had eaten at the edges of her determination to keep Squall's heart beating, and she'd wanted to weep with relief when the trauma team had taken over. She fully expected that he'd be in surgery and incapaciated for a long time, so was completely astounded when he'd stumbled out of the infirmary just hours later. Torn flesh had been mended and already showed scar tissue, bruises already faded. Healing that should have taken weeks, accomplished in mere hours.

He'd been barely able to stand, but she saw firsthand his stubborn tenacity, which she'd learned later, was the stuff of legends. She wouldn't have believed it if she had not been there to bear witness to it. He had been essentially dead, mere hours ago, and then he was standing and...well, if not walking, then coming very close to it.

She had found it odd that despite the fact that he looked perilously close to collapse, and despite the intense attention his arrival had garnered from those who'd gathered there to keep vigil for him, no one stepped in to try and help. Not until she saw how closely they were watching him, yet allowing him to try on his own...such was his pride and their respect for it.

Then he stumbled into his wife's arms and wept into her neck, and Maiere's heart shattered into a million pieces. It was through a blur of tears that she saw him slowly sink to his knees and rest his head against Rinoa's pregnant belly, visibly trembling. Either physically or emotionally at the end of his strength. Indeed, he hadn't protested when she'd gently urged him into a wheelchair and wheeled him off somewhere, presumably to a bed.

"Wait here a moment," the cadet said, dragging Maiere back to the present.

They'd stopped at a door in what appeared to be a residential portion of the academy. The boy opened it and stepped inside briefly, then ushered them into a fairly neat, if lived-in, living room. Maiere smiled to herself as she saw evidence of a small child in the home. Children, she thought, catching sight of a bottle in a dish rack.

It took her a minute...and a glimpse at a family photograph...to finally realize why the cadet seemed so familiar to her, and why he'd brought her and Teran there. She'd only met him once, briefly, three months ago, when she and Teran had been rescued along with Squall.

"they'll be right out." The cadet said upon his return.

Maiere smiled, "Saber, is it?" at the boy's nod, she said, "I almost didn't recognize you. I didn't expect you to bring me to your home. I hope this isn't a bad time."

"Its okay. They wanted me to." Saber replied with a shrug.

"Is everything going well?" Maiere asked.

"It's going very well, thank you." a deeper voice said softly.

Maiere turned and couldn't help smiling at what she saw. Squall stood barefoot in faded jeans, with a plain white tee-shirt on; he'd obviously dressed for comfort...with a tiny, swaddled bundle resting against his left shoulder. He looked tired, as most parents of a newborn would, but peaceful and...happy.

She had to laugh, "you don't look anything like a military commander right now, you know that?"

He snorted, "I'm on leave. For awhile anyway." The tiny bundle squirmed and grunted softly, and he patted it gently. A quiet belch followed.

"How's Rinoa doing?" Maiere asked.

"She's fine." Squall answered, smiling slightly. "Have a seat, make yourselves comfortable." He indicated the couch, then asked "Would you like anything to drink?"

"Water is fine for me. Teran?" Maiere turned to her son, who nodded.

"Saber," Squall said, tilting his head wordlessly toward the kitchen. The boy disappeared without comment, returning with a filled glass each for her and Teran.

His hair had grown out, Maiere noticed, the white streak at his temple a startling contrast against the darker color. She was glad to see him fully restored to robust health and vitality; he was still lean, but was far more muscular than he had been. And when Rinoa joined them, the way they seemed to glow from within when near each other, made her heart hurt.

Teran, who had been uncharacteristically silent as he took in his surroundings and Squall's altered appearance, finally spoke up, asking, "Um, when did the baby get born?"

Rinoa smiled kindly at him, answering, "About a week ago."

"What'd you name it?" He asked curiously.

"Well, there was quite a discussion about that," Squall answered, exchanging an amused glance with Rinoa, before adding. "We went round and round about it for months before I got hurt."

"He was almost certain we'd settle on Tempest, but we decided on something different, after we got home." Rinoa said.

Squall slipped his arm around Rinoa's waist and she leaned against him. They really were an incredibly photogenic pair, Maiere thought. Rinoa, only a week postpartum, still looked luminous and lovely.

"The doctor told me, after you had been taken home, exactly what you both had done to help me, and how much of a part you'd played in it, Teran." Squall said, studying both Maiere and her son. "I wouldn't even be here, if it wasn't for you." he paused a moment and carefully shifted the sleeping infant from his shoulder to the crook of his arm, gazing down at the baby's face for a moment.

"I wouldn't be holding my newborn son, Teran, if you hadn't kept squeezing that bag and forcing air into my lungs when I couldn't do it myself." looking up and meeting Teran's eyes, Squall said, "The baby's name is Teran Collen Leonhart. Rinoa and I both agreed on it. I hope you don't mind."

Maiere was touched at the gesture, and Teran looked ready to burst open with joy.

"You really named your baby after me?" Teran asked him, eyes wide in amazement.

"Yes, we did." Squall nodded. "You want to come and meet your namesake?"

Teran glanced at Maiere, silently begging. She nodded permission, and he approached Squall and peered down at the infant.

"He looks kinda...funny." The boy said doubtfully.

Squall snorted quietly, "should have seen him when he was born. All red and kind of squished looking, and covered in goo."

"Really?" Teran met his eyes, then glanced over at Maiere for confirmation, asking "Do babies really look like that when they're born mama?"

"They do," she said.

"He's so little," Teran marveled.

"They all start out that way," Squall said, running a finger gently over the top of the baby's downy head.

Maiere glanced over at Saber, who was simply watching them all quietly, and asked him, "are you okay with this?"

Saber met her eyes, and she was struck by how beautiful they were. Much like his father's, but in clear emerald rather than ice-blue, and set off by inky black hair. Very reminiscent of a former political figure who she'd recently learned, via Teran, was this boy's grandfather.

Smiling slightly, he answered, "Yeah. I am. And for the same reasons my dad said."

"How long are you going to be visiting Balamb?" Rinoa asked them.

"We'll be here the remainder of the week, then we'll have to head back. Part of what brought me out here was some supplies that I could only get in Galbadia. Since Balamb is a short train ride away, a visit here was part of the plan. I do need to get back soon though, Some of those supplies are critical, and it takes quite awhile to get there." Maiere said."It took us three weeks just to get here."

"Why didn't you call? We could have arranged a pick up," Squall said with a frown.

"It seemed silly to have you fly that big 'ol airship out to come get me just for a shopping trip." Maiere said with a shrug.

"Well, don't worry about getting back. I'll have Nida or Zell drop you off. Just let me know when you want to go and I'll arrange it." Squall said firmly.

"Thank you, really, but that's not necessary..." Maiere began.

"Nonsense. You can be home in hours rather than weeks. And I insist." Squall said.

Maiere ducked her head and finally nodded, "thank you. I appreciate it."

"Mom? Saber said he'd show me the Quad. Can I go?" Teran asked.

Maiere glanced at Saber who shrugged, "I need to take the dog out, and the weather's nice today."

"That was kind of you to invite Teran along." Maiere nodded to her son. "Go ahead. I'll catch up with you later."

The two boys left with the dog in tow, and Maiere sighed, watching them. Then she returned her attention to Squall and Rinoa, wondering how to ask the numerous questions that she had rattling around in her mind now that they were private.

It was very disconcerting to see the way they both watched her expectantly, even more so when Rinoa said softly, "I know you have questions you wanted to ask out of your son's hearing. Don't be afraid to ask them now."

Maiere, caught off guard, laughed slightly, "Wow. I had no idea I was that obvious. Either that, or you're scarily perceptive."

"Bit of both, actually." Squall said with a half smile.

Maiere studied them both for a moment.

"Teran spent the last three months digging up everything he could about you and about SeeD." She said."There's not a whole lot of information available, but some of what I learned confirmed what I saw when you were fighting the monsters that attacked us. SeeDs use para-magic, like the Galbadian army does, don't they?"

Squall and Rinoa exchanged a glance, then Squall answered, "Kind of. The Guardians that we bond or junction with give us the ability to use magic. But its...different, the way we use it. Stronger. The guardians can also enhance certain abilities: strength, speed, vitality, among others."

"Is that how you managed to heal so quickly then?" Maiere asked.

"Partly. The injuries I sustained would have been much worse if Bahamut hadn't shielded me from the worst of it. If I'd had any healing spells to hand, I could have dealt with the injuries myself but.." Squall shrugged. "In this case, the trauma team had to use a combination of healing potions, curative magic and surgery."

"So...you were cured by magic?" she asked.

"And healing potions."

"That was one of the reasons I came all the way up here. I'm bringing back a supply of healing elixirs. We need them." Maiere said. Then, biting her lip, she asked Rinoa, "I meant to ask you...how did you know my name? And Teran's? I never had the chance to tell you. And... You never asked."

"Squall told me." Rinoa answered, simply.

Maiere stared at her, wondering if the woman was making fun of her or perhaps was mistaking things. Squall hadn't spoken to her when he'd been brought onto the Ragnarok. He'd been unconscious and barely alive. And while there had been a cellphone included in his personal effects, it had been shattered beyond repair.

"I don't...understand." Maiere finally said slowly.

Maiere didn't miss Squall taking Rinoa's hand and squeezing it, supporting her.

Then Rinoa explained, "I'm...a sorceress. And Squall is my knight, as well as my husband. We have a...bond. A mind-link. It helped me to...bring him back, when his memories were damaged. He thought they were dreams at first."

"Then I remembered that they were real," Squall added."That she was real. I relayed our coordinates to her, as well as your names. That's why I knew they were coming. It wasn't just faith."

"It was at first," Maiere said softly.

Squall gave her a half-smile and nodded, "Yeah. It was at first."

"You're not like the ...other sorceresses. The bad ones." Maiere said hesitantly to Rinoa.

"No. History only records the bad ones,"Rinoa replied. "There are more, I've found, that lived quietly. Simply. The ones with good knights, were stable. The ones without or the ones who had lost their knights were...not."

Then she gave Maiere a penetrating look and said, "but that's not all that you wanted to know, is it?"

Maiere shook her head. "No. I also came here to ask Squall a question...about Teran."

Squall raised his eyebrows, "What is the question?"

"Do you think that Teran would make a good SeeD? He's...it seems that its all he talks about and...He wants to go to school here. I don't think I can afford the tuition but the educational opportunites that he could get here would take him farther than the little school in our town could. But...would he make a SeeD?"

Squall studied her silently for a moment, then answered, "No. There are tests, evaluations, that he would have to undertake before being considered for the program but I've seen enough young cadets by now that I can tell you honestly that while he's quick, intelligent and brave, he's also very empathetic. Good trait in a healer, but a liability in a SeeD. That's not a weakness, I will hasten to add. It simply means that his future lies along a different pathway."

Maiere let out a breath, both relieved and disappointed. It had never occurred to her that he might not be accepted at Balamb Garden. How naive of her. Balamb Garden was a military academy; of course there would be certain prerequisites for prospective cadets.

"I...see." She said. "I'll have to explain that to him, but..."

"I didn't say he wouldn't be accepted at Balamb Garden," Squall interrupted her. "I only said that he would not make a good SeeD. Not every child here is in the SeeD program. In fact, only about half of them are. If you think he would benefit from attending school here, and he wants to come, he would be welcome. And I wouldn't worry about the tuition if I were you."

"I'm pretty sure we can gear his education toward his strengths," Rinoa added, smiling. "He's already shown alot of aptitude as a healer. Many non-SeeD graduates from Balamb Garden go on to University. Some become doctors, or lawyers."

"We try not to mention the lawyers," Squall said, deadpan.

Maiere blinked for a moment, surprised, then burst out laughing. She quieted quickly when the tiny bundle in Squall's arms stirred and squeaked, then grunted, rooting.

He wordlessly handed the baby to Rinoa who gave Maiere an apologetic glance. "He's hungry." She said. "Seems like I just fed him..." She stood as though to leave, and Maiere stopped her.

"Don't let me put you out. This is your home. I'd better be going anyway." Maiere said, preparing to leave. "I'll see if someone can direct me to the Quad to collect Teran."

"I'll have someone take you there," Squall stood too, bending down to kiss Rinoa briefly before escorting Maiere to the door.

"You look like you've made a full recovery, I'm very happy to say." Maiere said.

"Almost. Some memories are a bit jumbled still, and I haven't recovered anything regarding the event itself. I don't think I ever will." Squall replied.

"Well, it takes time. And even healing potions have their limitations." Maiere said.

"Maybe its better that way." He said softly. Then he opened the door and smiled, "And here come our sons. I guess I don't have to draft anyone to escort you to the Quad after all."

Maiere had to smile as Teran ran up to her, happy and excited by his visit.

"This place is so cool mom! Did you know it flies? It can go anywhere!" he said, hugging her enthusiastically.

"Neat!" she said. "We'll have to talk about it a little more when we get to the hotel."

"We're leaving already?" Teran asked, looking disappointed.

"Yes. Squall has a new baby and they're alot of work to take care of. Mommies have to sleep sometime." Maiere said.

"Oh." Teran said.

Turning to Squall, Maiere said, "Thank you. For everything."

"I should be saying the same to you. Don't be afraid to call us, for any reason." Squall told her, adding, "and regarding our earlier conversation, let me know what you decide, and I'll arrange it."

Glancing down at Teran, Squall went down on one knee and said, "It was nice seeing you again, Teran." He extended his arms, and Teran took the hint and hugged him enthusisastically.

"It was good seeing you too! Can we come back?" Teran asked him.

"Sure. Your mother and I will have to arrange it, but you'll see me again." Squall assured him, giving the boy a final squeeze before standing up and extending his hand, intending to shake Maiere's.

"Are you kidding me with this? Come here!" She said, pulling him into another hug and squeezing him tight. Kissing him on the cheek, she said, "Give that to your wife for me."

"I will, thanks." He smiled at her. Saber came up to stand beside his father and he dropped his arm around his son's shoulders. "Hope you enjoy your visit in Balamb."

"We will. You guys have a good day and we'll talk to you again soon." Maiere said.

Saber gave a wordless wave, as they took their leave.

Maiere had alot to think about as she and Teran made their way back to their temporary accommodations. Teran would have all kinds of doors opened to him with a diploma from Balamb Garden, even if he did not go into the military or become a SeeD.

University, and a degree as an actual doctor, were real possibilities. But it meant that she'd either have to leave the little community that she assisted Dr. Marlow in caring for, or send Teran to live at Garden on his own. She was torn; should she stay in Centra, and continue to work with Dr. Marlow, out in the middle of nowhere? Alone, with no prospects to change that, in a wild place that appeared to be getting more dangerous by the day... Or come to Balamb with Teran and make a new life there? What about her possibilities? She had stayed in Centra because she hadn't seen any reason to leave it and it was familiar. But now...

She weighed the pros and cons over the next few days, meeting with the Headmistress, Quistis Trepe, various instructors, cadets, and SeeDs. Finally, she met with Rinoa alone. That visit solidified her decision, and by the week's end, arrangements were being made.

As they boarded the Ragnarok for the long flight back to Centra, Maiere knew that Dr. Marlow would be happy for her, despite losing her as an assistant. She would deliver the supplies that the doctor had asked for, then she would pack everything up, put the house that she'd shared with her husband up for sale, and leave it and his ghost behind.

It was time to move on, and make a new life, with new friends.

~fin~

Author's Note: And that's it my friends! All done! Special thank you to Karla3 who's done wonderfully as my beta for this story (and maybe others...). Hope you enjoyed it, and for all of you who've read and reviewed, thank you!