Squall and Seifer were standing in the quad, discussing Zell, after leaving Cid's office. Normally, Seifer wouldn't allow Squall to give him orders, let alone set up a mission without his consent, but the circumstances were different since Cid was in charge of both of them. It was an odd combination since Squall had been the commander of Garden while Seifer was the commander of the Galbadian army and a Balamb emissary for Galbadia Garden. They both had an equal amount of experience, not to mention fighting skills, and they refused to take orders from each other. Two commanders were better than one, but they always had to work separately.

Too many chiefs and not enough Indians, Irvine had said once.

So, when Seifer had agreed to Squall's idea about training Zell, it had surprised both of them. Unfortunately, it only emphasized how important it was to get Zell under control. Either Zell Dincht would follow correct SeeD protocol, or he would be ejected from Garden for good.

Seifer had always thought Zell was a chicken-wuss, but he didn't want the punk to be kicked out. He knew what it felt like, to be on the outside looking in. It sucked. And he knew that Zell had always wanted to be a soldier – since the orphanage. They all did. It was…their destiny.

Besides, Zell was good at what he did. He was just an idiot sometimes.

Seifer put a hand on his hip and shook his head, glancing towards the medical wing. "I can't believe he shot Raijin."

"At least he didn't do it on purpose. And I don't really blame him – this Estharian equipment has been a little confusing to handle lately," Squall rubbed the back of his head.

"That's because we're relying on fucking Odine," Seifer curled a lip. "I'm not surprised that this shit doesn't work."

"It's only a recent anomaly," Squall replied. "Somehow it has to do with the sudden power surge within the monsters - "

"Yeah, yeah, so what in the hell do you want me to do with Zell?" Seifer crossed his arms, impatient. He wanted to get the job shit out of the way so he could see Quistis. "And why in the fuck do I have to be the monkey trainer?"

"Because you two don't really get along, which is perfect. You won't put up with his crap. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't trust them to get the job done."

Seifer raised an eyebrow at him. "Come again? Did I detect some praise in that statement?"

Squall ignored him. "I don't have time to do it, and even if I tried to take this on myself, he wouldn't take it seriously since he considers himself to be my best friend."

Seifer crossed his arms. "That sucks."

"Yeah. I wish I could help, but - "

"No, I mean it sucks that he's your best friend. I'd hang myself."

Squall ignored him again. "Besides, I need you to use some of your covert-ops experience to train him."

"Why?"

"You know why. He's not exactly the quiet type."

"One evil sorceress and five years later he's still not up to par with this shit?"

"He just needs practice. I'm afraid he'll blurt out someone's name during radio contact or something - "

Seifer snorted. "Chicken-wuss blowing a mission? No…"

"- which is another reason why I think it'd be better if you were in charge of this."

Seifer looked doubtful. "I dunno. He's not going to listen to me any more than he'd listen to you, Leonhart."

"Oh, he'll listen to you. He doesn't have a choice. Just use your charming social skills on him."

Seifer grinned. "He's going to hate you for this."

"I don't care. He'll get over it."

"How much time am I supposed to spend on him?"

Squall shrugged. "As much time as you need. As long as he's trained and it saves lives."

Seifer crossed his arms. "Yeah, okay. Can't argue with that. Tactics?"

"Use your own. Whatever works."

"You do realize what you're doing, don't you?" Seifer gave him a mischievous grin.

Squall sighed. "Just don't mess around with him too much, Almasy. At least try to train him properly. That's all I'm asking."

"Fine. I'll need a team, eventually…"

"Take whoever you want. I suggest taking one of our own with you if you have to drag a bunch of cadets out into the field."

"Why?"

"I think it'd be good to have someone else with experience. Someone else who would be able to calm Zell down if things get out of hand. Take Quistis, if you want…or Irvine or Selphie."

"Wait…if things get out of hand? I thought you trusted me."

"I don't trust you that much. If you and Zell get into a fight, the rookies aren't going to know what to do, and you'll all be sitting ducks."

"I don't know if I should take that as an insult or a damn good idea."

Squall crossed his arms and didn't reply.

"Does Ifrit still live in his cave, or is he long gone?" Seifer narrowed his eyes, thinking out loud. "That'd be a nice place to practice."

"I'm not sure. We've gone in there before to check it out. There are plenty of monsters hiding out in there, but no sign of Ifrit. If he does still live there, he doesn't want to talk to us."

"Is it still hot as hell in there?"

"Yeah."

"Hrm. If Ifrit left, you'd think it'd cool off."

"I don't know," Squall shrugged. "You'd have to ask Quistis about that stuff. But I'm pretty sure that the GFs want to be left alone. If you do see him in there, don't aggravate him."

Seifer put a hand to his chest, looking shocked. "Who, me?"

"Have you heard of or seen any other GFs around the area?" Squall asked.

"Just the Brothers. They like to fuck around with people who try to explore the cave outside of Deling City. Our SeeDs had to go in there a few times to shut them up, but that's about it. Cerberus is creepin' around the Galbadian forest somewhere, but we don't mess with that thing." Seifer glanced at Squall. "What about Shiva?"

Squall looked at the ground. "She's up north, in Trabia, where it's cold."

Everyone knew that it was easy to bond with a GF if it was junctioned long enough. Seifer didn't know or care about the attachments, since he was the only one that never junctioned – to him it was like a sick addiction – but Squall had bonded closely with Shiva since she was his first GF.

She popped Squall's junction cherry, Seifer thought with a suppressed grin.

"Anyway, Zell should be here within the next week if Cid sends that letter out," Squall continued. "Your job starts as soon as he sets foot in Garden."

"There's no guarantee this will work, you know," Seifer warned Squall. "I've never worked with victims of brain-damage."

"It shouldn't be hard," Squall rolled his eyes. "It won't be much different from what you do now, anyway."

"The hell does that mean?"

"The only thing you do over at G-Garden is act as a drill sergeant."

Seifer glared at Squall, eyes narrowed. "Fuck you! At least I don't sit behind a desk and make gay, lovesick, oogly faces with my girlfriend all day long."

It was Squall's turn to scowl. "I'm not behind a desk all the time."

Seifer snorted. "I rest my case."

Before Squall could respond, Seifer finished the conversation by walking away, heading towards the medical wing. "I'm goin' to visit Rai. Let me know when shit needs to get done around here, because I'll get bored."

It was Seifer's subtle way of saying he'll help out around Garden, even though he may not take orders. Squall sighed and shook his head. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. "Yeah. Okay." With that, he ran a hand through his hair and walked back towards the dormitory wing.

. . .

Squall had noticed that since they left Cid's office, Rinoa had become unusually quiet. She was sitting in her room quietly, absent-mindedly thumbing through a magazine, when he'd come back from his talk with Seifer.

"Hey."

She looked up and gave him a quick purse of the lips. "Hey."

"…Are you all right?"

She nodded. "Mm-hmm."

Squall stepped forward. "Listen…Rinoa…I don't want you to get worked up or upset about what was discussed up there - "

"It's okay, Squall. I know. This is part of the job description. I'm going to have to deal with it whether I like it or not…I'm a sorceress. I've accepted that. It's fine."

Squall licked his lips and sighed. "Still…you know Seifer…can get a little…uh…"

Rinoa smiled softly. "I know."

"He doesn't really think before he speaks - "

"Seifer did what he had to do five years ago," Rinoa interrupted him gently. "He spent more than enough time with Ultimecia. If I were him, I would probably hate sorceresses, too…"

"He doesn't hate you, Rinoa."

"He doesn't trust me, either."

Squall sighed again. There was a long pause before he spoke.

"Rinoa…if you're uncomfortable with this whole SeeD thing…we can tell Cid - "

She shook her head. "No, that's not it. It's okay, Squall. Really. I like what I do. I can help."

Squall looked at the ground.

"I was just thinking…" she trailed off and looked down, placing the magazine on the coffee table.

Squall stepped over and slowly sat next to her. "What?"

"It was just something that Cid said," Rinoa replied. "…About…two of those SeeDs being orphans. I guess I didn't realize that so many of you lost your parents."

"You lost your mother," Squall pointed out. "Just like I did."

Rinoa smiled at him sadly. "Yes, but you never got to meet yours, did you? Didn't she die during childbirth?"

Squall nodded.

"My mother died in a car accident. I was five," Rinoa admitted. "She and my father were having problems…well…they fought off and on, but deep down I know they loved each other. I don't think it was her intention to leave. I think she just needed to get away for awhile…"

Squall blinked. "You never told me this."

"I didn't?"

"No."

"Oh. Well, I guess it's because it has to do with my father. I never liked talking about him. For the longest time I thought she'd left because of him." She shrugged and let out a derisive snort. "Actually…she did leave because of him. They were fighting, and she went to take a drive to blow of some steam…but…she never…" Rinoa licked her lips and took a deep breath, as if mustering her strength, "…she never came back."

Squall looked down and swallowed.

"I blamed him for her death," she continued quietly, "even though it wasn't really his fault. I just…I hated him for it. I hated him for driving my mother away, and I hated him for killing her. I thought that for so long. That's why I left for Timber. That's why I was a member of the resistance. I wanted to be the opposite of everything my father was. I even refused to call him my father."

Squall nodded slowly, remembering the uncomfortable scene in Caraway's mansion over five years ago.

"And…you know…really…he loved her. He loved her so much…and when she died…it was like part of him died with her. Like…he just…shut down. I think he tried to talk to me once or twice about it, but he didn't really know what to say…" Rinoa sighed. "And I guess it didn't help that I wouldn't listen, anyway. I blamed him for her death, right in his face…and I never thought about it then, but now…" She looked at her hands as she fidgeted. "He was so hurt. He was so sad. Since then, he became distant. I'd never seen him so devoted to his work after that. He was always working…always out of the house…and I hated him even more for that. But…really…"

She glanced up at Squall, her eyes full with tears. "I was just so angry! I let it consume me, and I was so selfish…so selfish…just a stupid little girl who didn't understand real life…"

Squall reached over to hold her hand and her lip quivered. "I feel so awful, Squall, for acting like that. I never once thought about how he must've felt…and I suppose I never had to face something like that, until…until…I met you…then I thought about how I would feel if something happened to you…and…"

Squall nodded grimly. He thought about the exact same thing…every waking moment of his life since he met Rinoa.

"…it's not something I would wish on anyone," her face screwed up and tears started to run down her cheeks. "And my father must've relived that moment over and over again, for months and months…and then, his own daughter…abandoning him…"

"It's not your fault, Rinoa," Squall reminded her softly, giving her hand a squeeze.

"I could have done more," she warbled. "I could have…you know…" She sniffed. "…tried to talk to him, or at least said something at the Garden Ball, or even when Seifer was given that special Galbadian military gala when he took command…" Her lip quivered again and she bit her lip. "You know what's sad?" Rinoa wiped at her eyes and gave a half-laugh, half-sob. "Seifer has spent more time with my father than I have. He probably knows him much better…" She sniffled. "How ironic is that?"

Squall set his jaw, silent. He didn't know what to say. He ran his thumb across her hand reassuringly.

She took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall apart like that. It's just that…I've been thinking about this for a while and I guess it finally got to me…"

"Quistis always told me that bottling my feelings up isn't healthy," he replied with a smirk.

Rinoa smiled and wiped at her eyes again. "Yeah…"

There was another long pause. Squall got up, grabbed a tissue box from the bathroom, and handed it to Rinoa. She took a tissue and blew her nose, then let out a deep sigh.

"I hurt him, Squall…I don't think I've ever realized how much I hurt him…"

"He's your father. I'm sure he understands."

"I haven't spoken to him in almost six years."

"You'd be surprised how forgiving fathers can be," Squall rolled his eyes. I didn't even know mine existed until five years ago.

"I should visit him," she sighed, sounding as if she were trying to half-heartedly convince herself.

Squall reached over and squeezed her hand. "He doesn't know about…you know…"

She shrugged. "I know. I don't think that really matters, though. I can go out into public, Squall. It's not like I use magic everywhere I go."

"I didn't mean about you being a sorceress. I meant about you being a SeeD. Wouldn't he disapprove?" And he'd hate me even more, Squall lamented. If he found out about us, it would totally justify everything he probably ever thought about me. Some punk kid soldier whisking his daughter off to an exciting life as a mercenary.

"I'm not sure," Rinoa looked thoughtful. "His whole life has been the military. I wouldn't be surprised if he would be proud to find out his daughter was a SeeD peacekeeper."

Squall opted not to say anything.

"Do you think…Cid would let me go?"

Squall didn't reply. Sure, Cid would let her go. But…

"Whenever Seifer leaves for Galbadia," Rinoa thought out loud, "I could take a transport with him and - "

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Squall interrupted.

"Squall, will you quit worrying? I can handle Seifer."

Squall rolled his eyes. "I'm not talking about Seifer. I just…don't think leaving Balamb would be ideal right now…what with the current situation…"

Rinoa blinked. "The current situation? You mean the monsters? There were two that popped up recently, not a hundred."

Squall sighed and didn't reply.

"I've left Balamb before," she pointed out.

"Yeah…but…"

"You don't want to see my father," Rinoa finally deducted.

Squall let out a heavy sigh. "It's not that…"

"He's just a man," Rinoa shrugged. "He's not going to bite your head off."

"He's a general," Squall corrected her, "and he has very important ties to Garden. We've worked really hard to achieve international peace through these joint collaborations and I don't want that to fall apart because of some grudge - "

"He's my father, Squall," she cut him off in a pained voice. "I'm not allowed to see my father because you're more afraid of breaking diplomacy? Your father is the president of Esthar! Don't tell me this is about a conflict of interest!"

When she said it like that, he couldn't really conjure up a decent response.

"All right. If that's what you really want, then we'll go see him."

She smiled up at him, hopeful. "You promise?"

"I promise. It might not be as soon as you'd like, but, schedule willing, maybe within the next few months or so - "

Rinoa cut him off by lunging forward and embracing him in a tight hug. "Thank you, Squall," she whispered. "Thank you."

He sighed and hugged her back.

. . .

Fujin and Raijin were exactly where Seifer thought they'd be; in the medical ward. Raijin was lying on his stomach on a medical cot, covered with a thin sheet, but Seifer could see the bulky white banages that covered one butt cheek. He had a drink in his hand, slurping at the straw, intently watching television that was set in the far corner of the room. Fujin was sitting in a chair, legs crossed, nonchalantly flipping through a Weapons Monthly. She looked up and smiled once Seifer entered the room.

"FINALLY."

Raijin looked up, following Fujin's gaze, and beamed. "Yo, Seifer!"

"What's up, you fuckin' invalid?" Seifer was grinning ear to ear, giving Fujin an acknowledging nudge with his elbow. "Heard you got shot in the ass cheek!"

"Yeah, never saw it comin', ya know?" Raijin grinned back.

"How could you? You got shot in the rear."

Fujin snickered.

Raijin shook his head, smiling. "Kinda funny when I look back on it now, ya know?"

"That's an understatement," Seifer agreed. "I laughed my butt off – pun intended – in Cid's office for a good twenty minutes before I came down here."

His joke garnered a chuckle from Fujin, who nodded and added, "IDIOT."

Seifer nudged her again. "I know, right? What an ass."

"CHEEKY."

"Look at this guy, sitting around like a fuckin' bum."

"Aw, c'mon, Seifer. It was an accident, ya know? Zell's already apologized to me a gazillion times."

"GUILTY."

"He never looked so miserable, ya know? He brought me all sorts of homemade food his mom made, ya know? I had this kickass Balamb trout the other day, and today he brought me some of her brownies. Pretty nice guy, ya know?"

Seifer perked. "Brownies?"

Fujin pointed towards the small table sitting between Raijin's cot and an empty one. There was a large white plate with fudgy brownies stacked on it, and the pile had looked as if it was already starting to dwindle.

"Oh, fuck yeah," Seifer rubbed his hands together and walked over to the plate. "Come to papa."

"Hey!" Raijin protested, but it was too late. "Those are mine, ya know?"

"The posse shares, Rai. C'mon. These are homemade, even. I haven't had a decent homecooked meal since - " Seifer paused for a moment. "Hrm. I haven't had a decent homecooked meal. Period."

"MATRON," Fujin reminded him.

"That doesn't count," Seifer took a gigantic bite of the brownie, adding in a muffled voice, cheeks full, "vat was reewy wong ago. Don' rememer."

"Ya mean Quistis hasn't cooked for you?" Raijin asked.

Seifer swallowed, raising the brownie to his mouth for another bite. "Cook with what? She doesn't have a kitchen in her room, dumb ass."

"How's she gonna learn how to make dinner for you and the kids, then, ya know?"

Seifer coughed during mid-bite and swirled around, giving Raijin a death glare. "The fuck?"

Fujin put a hand to her mouth, suppressing a laugh.

"Aw, c'mon, Seifer, when are you gonna marry her, ya know?"

"No. Stop right there. End the fucking conversation or I'll finish what Zell started," Seifer pointed at Raijin menacingly. "What did I tell you about that shit?"

"Just sayin', man."

"SCARED."

"Got that right, Fuj," Raijin grinned, glad to have turned the tables. "Talk about cold feet, ya know?"

"Hey! Who's side are you on, Fujin?" Seifer turned on her.

"PROPOSE," she instructed, a mischievous grin on her face.

"Yeah, you're way overdue, ya know?" Raijin added.

Seifer pointed at Fujin. "Shut the fuck up or I'll tell Raijin about how the ol' pretty-boy second-in-command at G-Garden has the hots for you – OH. Whoops."

Raijin's mouth opened into a wide O as Fujin immediately turned a shade of pink and snarled, "OUTRAGE!"

"Ooo, shit Fuj, Zavier likes you!" Raijin squealed, shifting in his cot excitedly.

"QUIET."

"Why didn't you tell me, ya know?"

"LIES."

"Look into my eye," Seifer stared to sing, clutching his hands to his chest in mock lovesickness. "You will see - "

"Whaaaaaaat you meeeaaan toooo meeeee," Raijin joined in loudly.

"ENOUGH."

"Search your heart - "

"Search your soul - "

"IDIOTS!"

The two boys were now singing the song simultaneously, and to Fujin's dismay, horrendously loud and off-key.

"And when you find me there you will seaaaarrrrch no moooooore!"

"Don't tell! Me! It's not worth trying for – "

"Tryin' for!"

"You can't tell! Me! It's not worth dyin' for - "

"Dyin' for!"

"SHUT UP."

"You know it's true - "

Fujin promptly interrupted Seifer by giving him a swift kick to the shin.

"OW! Fuck, Fuj! That shit hurts!" Seifer grimaced, but he was chuckling.

"She doesn't play around, ya know?" Raijin was grinning from ear to ear. "It's about time she kicked you. She always kicks me."

Fujin promply marched over and smacked Raijin on his damaged rear.

Raijin let out a loud howl. "OWWWWWW, Fuj! What'd ya do that for, ya know! Aiiyeeee, that HURT, ya know?"

Seifer couldn't talk. He was laughing too hard.

"Not fair, Fuj, NOT fair!" Raijin squirmed and jammed his forehead into a pillow, wincing in pain. "Faaaaaaaaaack, man! Now it's gonna swell back up, ya know?"

"Fujin," Seifer managed to find his voice in between bouts of laughter, "that was probably…the funniest…fuckin' thing…I think I've ever seen you do…"

"Not funny, ya know?" Raijin groaned. "Aaahww. Definitely not funny."

"Oh, Hyne," Seifer breathed. "It's good to be home with you two."

"I'm not gonna make fun of you anymore, Fuj," Raijin shifted in the cot and winced again. "Damn. It ain't any fun anymore, ya know?"

"GOOD."

"Seriously, though, how'd you find that out?" Raijin asked Seifer, still wincing. "I thought you didn't like Zavier."

Fujin crossed her arms and emitted a frustrated growl, clearly wanting to change the subject.

"I don't," Seifer replied, ignoring Fujin. "He's got a giant stick shoved so far up his ass that Martine uses to puppeteer him around," he rolled his eyes. "Sticks to the rules to a T and always acts like a fuckin' dick. Gotta hand it to him, though…damn good on the battlefield. Smart dude." He paused for a minute and rubbed his chin. "Come to think of it, if Squall and Xu had a lovechild, that would be Zavier. Ugh. Fuckin' gross."

"You think so? He kinda looks like the sniper – Irvine – ya know?"

Seifer shrugged. "Meh. Not really. I mean, sorta, but all those Galbadians are fairy-ass pretty boys."

"So you didn't answer my question, ya know?"

"So anyway, we're goin' over this battle plan for the new shitstains entering Garden and he just asks me about Fujin out of nowhere. Blindsided me. I didn't know what to say for a minute."

"Really! What'd he ask, ya know?"

"RIDICULOUS," Fujin waved a hand, trying to hide her embarrassment, downplaying the whole thing.

"Wondered if she was still at B-Garden…wondered if she was ever going to come to G-Garden to help me out with stuff. Guess he figured out we were pretty close. Didn't really ask me outright about anything…just sort of…dropped her name and that was it."

"Daaaaaammm, Fuuuuj!" Raijin crooned with a gigantic smile on his face. "You know how to rope 'em in, don't ya? How the hell did you get Zavier's attention, ya know?"

"STUPID," Fujin shot back.

"Don't worry, Fuj, I held him off for you," Seifer crossed his arms.

Fujin and Raijin both glanced at Seifer, but their expressions were completely opposite one another. Raijin looked surprised and excited, while Fujin gave him a menacing glare.

"Yeah? What'd ya say, ya know?"

"I told him that she's a lesbian. I said that she and Xu were together."

Fujin looked slightly taken aback. "LIAR."

"Seifer, did you really say that, ya know?"

"Why does it matter? You don't like him, do you Fuj?" Seifer nudged her with his elbow.

She stepped back and scowled. "IRRELEVANT."

"For real, Seifer, you didn't say that, did ya?"

"Of course I said it! It sent Zavier running the other way! Good riddance!" Seifer crossed his arms, looking victorious. "You're welcome, Fuj."

"IDIOT!" Fujin's face grew pink.

"Seifer, dude, that ain't right," Raijin shook his head. "You should've let Fujin take care of it, ya know? Especially if it ain't true, ya know? Let her decide for herself, ya know?"

"EXACTLY."

Seifer feigned surprise. "Really?"

"OBVIOUSLY," Fujin fumed, her fists balling at her sides.

Seifer snickered and pointed at her. "Look at your face, Fuj! You're so pissed! You like him, don't you?"

Fujin scowled. "NO."

"I didn't say that shit, don't worry," Seifer chuckled. "I just shrugged and told him I didn't know. I ain't gonna play matchmaker. Yech."

Fujin crossed her arms and looked away, hiding her embarrassment.

Seifer narrowed his eyes, looking thoughtful. "Although, the part about Xu is probably true. Total carpet muncher."

"I don't get it, ya know?" Rajin looked at Fujin, then at Seifer. "Since when did Zavier become interested, ya know? He's barely here, ya know? And Fujin hardly ever goes to G-Garden."

"DROP IT."

"Apparently, he bumped into her five years ago when you guys were delivering Martine that message from the Shumi," Seifer shrugged. "Must've left an impression, Fuj. Did you show him your tits or something?"

Fujin smacked his arm. "RAGE!"

"Then there was that Garden party…you know, the one Loire hosted for all three Gardens…"

"Ohhh, yeah," Raijin nodded. "I think that was the first time I've ever seen you in a dress, Fuj. You looked good, ya know?"

Fujin sighed audibly. "ENOUGH."

"And then I guess she led a team a couple months ago over in the Galbadian region and rendezvoused with Zavier's unit," Seifer added. "Guess some crazy call-of-the-wild shit went down in the field, eh, Fuj?"

Fujin shook her head and put a hand to the bridge of her nose. "IMMATURE."

"Oh, yeah, I remember that mission," Raijin nodded slowly. "I was out in Esthar with Squall and Quistis, ya know? I forgot that Fujin went to Galbadia."

Seifer glanced at Raijin. "What were you guys doing in Esthar?"

"Eh, weapons stuff. Plus, we had to stop by FH and make sure the trade route was operating smoothly, ya know? Ever since those roads opened, monsters have been migrating out of Esthar to prey on the traders, ya know?"

Seifer nodded. "Douchebag Dobe give you any trouble?"

"Nah. He stayed away from us for the most part, ya know?"

"Good. I can't believe that asshole is still the mayor," Seifer shook his head.

"There's nobody to run against in that town, ya know?"

"Yeah. Good point."

"So what's up, Seifer? How come you're back in Balamb, ya know?"

Seifer explained to them about his recent mission, the strange hybrid monster, and the malfunctioning equipment, which led to the subject of his new assignment with Zell.

Fujin snickered. "INTERESTING."

"Yeah," Seifer snorted. "No shit. If I take that joker out in the field, I might take you with me, Fujin. I can't babysit Zell and the rookies all at once."

"FINE."

"Hey! Whadda 'bout me, ya know?"

"No way. You and your busted ass can stay here."

"Aw, c'mon, Seifer. That ain't fair, ya know? It wasn't anyone's fault. A misfire was bound to happen, ya know?"

Fujin snorted and rolled her good eye. "UNDOUBTEDLY."

"Hey – what? You think I would screw up a live fire exercise, Fuj?"

"It's a miracle you haven't yet," Seifer crossed his arms.

"AGREED."

"That's harsh, ya know?"

"How did you get shot in the first place, Rai? The hell were you guys doing, anyway?" Seifer raised an eyebrow. "Shooting at blobras like a bunch of morons? Did the bullets bounce off?"

"Nah, well, I think Zell's mostly in trouble for how he commanded his squad, ya know?"

"Why? What'd he do?"

"MISCOMMUNICATION."

"He ordered my unit out front, ya know? But then once we were in position, he changed his mind about the mode of attack, ya know? Confused some cadets – some new ones were with us, ya know – and before you know it, our formation was all jacked up. Students were caught in the line of fire and all sorts of hell was breakin' loose, ya know? Zell realized his screw-up and ordered us back but when we were getting out of there, a monster swooped in on us from behind. So Zell - "

"He said behind," Seifer grinned and nudged Fujin with his elbow again.

"IRONIC."

"Hey! I'm tellin' a story, ya know?"

"So Zell shot you instead of the monster?"

"That's when his weapon misfired, ya know? Went off before he could take aim. Was pretty pissed off, ya know? But then I was limpin' and bleedin' pretty bad, and everyone realized what happened. Luckily the ammo wasn't infused with any magic."

Seifer crossed his arms. "Hrm." Cid and Squall were right. It wasn't the accident, per se, that landed Zell in the hot seat. It was his shitty orders that put his squad in danger in the first place. Normally, the SeeDs practiced with rubber bullets, but this must have been Zell's first command over others during a live-fire practice.

He must've been nervous as hell. That probably didn't help things.

Raijin had been a SeeD for over five years, and he had slight seniority over Zell, but Zell outranked him in terms of skill and his experiences with the war. In this case, none of that seemed to matter, since Zell apparently wasn't good at coordinating attacks and giving commands to large squads.

Seifer glanced at him. "Why didn't you take charge?"

"Headmaster Cid told me to help out, ya know? But it was Zell's show, he needed the practice, and I was only s'posed to step in if things got really bad, ya know? But then…when things did get bad, I was the one who got shot and couldn't do much from then on, ya know?"

Seifer glanced at Fujin. "Were you there?"

Fujin shook her head. "NO."

"Fujin got stuck with a bunch of new cadets that day, didn't ya, Fuj?" Raijin grinned.

Fujin rolled her good eye. "JUVENILES."

Seifer sighed. "Well, apart from the misfire, how did Zell do before that?"

Raijin made a face. "He kinda stinks, ya know? He didn't really know what to do, ya know?"

Zell's experience in combat was basically doing whatever Squall told him to do. Seifer could remember Squall confiding in him that he didn't let Zell do much on his own during the war; he had entrusted most of the smaller missions to Quistis. And Quistis had told him that Squall usually kept Zell on a team where he could keep an eye on him at all times, unless it was for recon.

Seifer was beginning to wonder if this was a good idea. Training Zell was going to be harder than he originally thought.

"Hrm. Guess I've got my work cut out for me."

"Heh. Welcome back, ya know? No rest for the weary, ya know?"

"Yeah. Speakin' of, I'm gonna go catch up with Quistis. Fuj, you don't have any missions lined up for the next month, do you?"

Fujin shook her head. "FREE."

"Good. I'll contact you about this bullshit training thing. I'll make sure you don't get stuck with the juvies this time around."

"BETTER."

Seifer gave them a little salute and headed out of the room. "I'll catch you dicks later."

. . .

After talking with Fujin and Raijin, Seifer made his way back to Quistis's dormitory. He opened the door with his card key and locked it once he stepped inside.

"Hey, Quistis? Quis."

Quistis emerged from her room, pinning her hair up. "Yeah?"

He grabbed her and kissed her, emitting a low groan. "Hey."

She smiled. "Hi."

"Let's get naked."

She chuckled and shook her head. "I can't, Seifer. I have class in five minutes."

"Cancel it."

"I'm not going to cancel class for sex."

His mouth dropped open. "That is the saddest damn thing I've ever heard in my life."

She rolled her eyes and turned away, putting a few books and papers in a satchel.

"C'mon, Quis," he slinked up behind her and put his hands on her hips, lowering his face towards her neck. "I haven't seen you in two months."

"Well, nobody forced you to leave for two months," she reminded him.

Hyne. Leave it to a fucking woman to bring up the long-lost past. He let out an annoyed sigh. "Yeah, well, someone gave me a damn good reason to be gone that long," he retorted, his expression darkening.

Quistis straightened and emitted a short huff. "I have class, Seifer. This can wait."

"No, it can't."

She turned and stared at him, narrowing her eyes. "Excuse me? It can't? Uh, yes it can. My class only takes an hour. Surely you can wait for one more hour. You didn't seem to mind hanging out in Galbadia for two months."

"Oh, don't start with this shit," he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, it's my fault, blah blah blah, fucking asshole, blah blah blah, one-sided bullcrap, nothing's ever your fault - "

"I never said that, Seifer - "

He waved a hand. "Just go teach class, Quis. Have fun. When you come back, though, it might be a little harder to turn me on. I don't wanna get frostbite."

She curled her lips and crossed her arms. "Hyne, Seifer, why is everything with you about sex? I have a job to do! You know the motions! How is it that you're not adjusted to my schedule yet? Why are you even with me? You always get so mad if I don't plop right down on the bed and spread my legs - "

Seifer threw up his hands. "Fuck! It's not just the fucking sex, Quistis! Hyne! It's about spending time with you!"

There was a pause. She wavered.

"Naked," he added with a malicious grin.

She narrowed her eyes. "This is ridiculous, and now I'm going to be late," she snarled, snatching up her satchel. "Wonderful. Just fantastic. License revoked again because I'm dating a selfish, womanizing prick."

"Oh, here we go, putting the fuckin' gloves on," Seifer snapped back, following her out the door. "Blame it all on me, yeah. Good. Never mind that you act like an uptight, rigid bitch."

She set her jaw and picked up the pace. "Fine. I'm a bitch, huh? Then what are you still doing here?"

"I didn't call you a bitch, I said you acted like one."

Quistis abruptly stopped and spun on her heels to glare up at him. "What's the difference?"

"There's a big difference. And I'd like to remind you that you call me names all the time, but I always let that shit slide."

She let out an angry huff and turned around again. "I'm not going to get into it with you right now, Seifer. I have class. Please leave me alone."

His expression grew darker. When she used her p's and q's during an argument, it only pissed him off even more. He grit his teeth and picked up the pace, following her closely. Staring at her backside wasn't helping, especially when she was walking like that – angry and purposefully – and as her hips swayed back and forth, he grew even more frustrated.

"I'm not done with you yet."

"I don't care," she snapped. "I'm done with you! This can wait until - "

Before anyone could see them, and before she reached the turn of the hallway that led to her classroom further down, he grabbed her wrist and yanked her into an empty lecture room, slamming the door, pressing her against it, and shoving himself against her, forcing a kiss on her lips while locking the door simultaneously.

She angrily whipped her head to the side. "Seifer - "

He silenced her with another kiss. One hand cupped her cheek while the other fumbled with the hem of her skirt.

She wriggled even more. "You can't just - "

His tongue quieted her once again and he clenched the fabric of her skirt, lifting it higher until he could reach down between her legs.

She came up for air one last time and tried to push him away, her resolve significantly weaker. Her hand clutched the fabric of his shirt against his tightened chest and she applied force, but apparently it wasn't enough.

"Seifer - "

He grabbed her wrist and held it against the door, dipping his head to nibble and suck at her neck. The other hand had found what it was searching for and he started to tease and caress her. Her lithe body started to relax and he knew that she had given in, as he ventured lower past the neckline. Voices on the other side of the door made her briefly remember her senses and she let out a gasp of protest, but he shifted her over to the wall and pinned her there, hiking her skirt up even higher and pressing into her, releasing her wrists and using his hands to massage her breasts as he kissed her forcefully. She sighed and lowered her hands, skillfully unbuckling his belt and slowly loosening the waistline, unzipping his pants and taking him into her hands –

He groaned and dipped his head, spreading her blouse wider, but it was only partially unbuttoned and would only go so far. He could rip it, but she would bitch at him for that (again) and he wasn't in the mood for any more nagging. He pressed his face into her chest and licked and nibbled and used a hand to tug at her bra.

Damn. Obstacle.

Impatiently, desperately, he grabbed her wrists and brought her arms up over her head, moving them out of the way, so he could reach down and –

Damn. Another obstacle.

He yanked her panties down as far as he could take them, then kissed her again forcefully, just in case she would protest. She let out a sigh instead when two of his fingers went inside her – Hyne, she was so ready – and his lips trailed back down –

Bras that clip in the front. They need to invent those. Aren't they already available? Quistis needs to buy one -

She whimpered.

Fuck it.

He yanked the shoulder straps down as far as they would go – stopping at her elbows – and pulled the cups down, greedily sucking at a freed breast.

He pressed against her harder and she let out a sigh, hiking up a knee and wrapping her leg around his hip as an invitation. Within seconds he wrapped his arms around her, lifted her up, and moved into her. She bit her lip and furrowed her brows – an expression he fucking loved – and he went deeper, burying his face into her cleavage, licking anything he could get his tongue on. She arched her back, allowing him to sample more, and moaned, bucking her hips. He pumped even harder as he grabbed at a bra cup again, yanking it further down, finally exposing a nipple. Sucking and pinching at it, Quistis whimpered again and grabbed his hair with one hand, the other splayed against the wall as he moved her up and down it, as if she were making a feeble attempt to hold herself up.

He held her with one arm, but it was getting tired, and he was using the other hand to squeeze and caress a breast. Only one was exposed, though, and he wanted to grab – he needed to readjust – if he could just reach –

Multitasking like this was a bitch.

He swiveled and pitched her forward, spreading her across the bare instructor's desk, and used both hands to yank the white shirt down, past her elbows, allowing the bra to slide further down as well. Gripping both breasts in each hand, he kissed her hard, and she kissed back, moving with his hard rhythm. It was almost impossible not to make any noise, and as they reached ecstasy, Seifer's groans and Quistis's whimpers grew louder, not caring whether anyone heard.

For some reason, the sex in the shower wasn't nearly as rough and desperate as it was now. They made love in the shower. They had savored their time together, caressed each other, and were slow and gentile with another. Now, it was power-struggling, frustrated, angry sex. It involved some wrestling, some biting, some scratching, some pinching, some shoving, some ripping, and not a whole lot of compromise. Besides, there was just something about her old, empty, dark classroom that made it all so exhilarating. He'd pined over her from the back of the room for years, about how he'd finally get her to bend over that desk and show her the man he really was, how she'd moan and whimper for him and beg for him not to stop and cry out his name, how they'd conquer every inch of that classroom, and now that they were really there, he wouldn't let a moment of it go to waste.

They must've had sex in that classroom so many times he lost count. He made sure that only he had the key.

When they were finished, Seifer was bent over Quistis, breathing hard on an exposed breast, resting his forehead on her chest. Her legs were wrapped around him, and she still gripped the wood of the desk tightly, her eyes closed.

It was just the two of them, in that heady moment, breathing hard and basking in the hard love they'd just made –

Knock, knock, knock.

The light knock on the door made them freeze. Quistis glanced at the door in panic, and Seifer lifted his head, narrowed his eyes, and curled a lip.

"How could anyone know we're in here?"

They remained silent and frozen in place, not wanting any movement to make any sounds and attract attention, but the subtle knock came again.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Oh, Hyne. Seifer, if I'm caught - "

"You're not gonna get caught," he replied in a low voice, pulling up his pants and buckling them quickly. "It's probably a lost student. Wait here."

Seifer slowly walked over to the door as Quistis rushed to adjust her uniform. He glanced over to make sure she was out of sight, then opened the door a slight crack. As soon as he saw who it was, he let out a sigh and rolled his eyes, opening the door wider to let the person in.

"Hyne. What do you want?"

Selphie stepped through and Seifer closed the door behind her. She stuck her tongue out at him. "Nice to see you too, behemoth face."

Quistis stepped forward. "Selphie, what - "

"Hey, Quisty. Don't worry, I cancelled your class fifteen minutes ago."

Quistis blinked at her in surprise. "You did?"

Selphie stared at her as though the answer was obvious. "Well, yeah. Why would you teach right now? Seifer just came back," she motioned to the classroom, "obviously."

Quistis grew pink. "Oh. Right." She cast Seifer a quizzical glance. "You didn't have anything to do with this, did you?"

"No, but it was a damn good idea." He grinned at Selphie. "Good thinkin', wee one."

Selphie threw him a fake, sloppy salute. "You betcha, sarge."

Quistis narrowed her eyes. "What did you tell all of the students?"

Selphie shrugged. "Told 'em that you were super duper wiped out from the mission – might have even caught something from that nasty wormy mucus – and that class was cancelled until further notice."

Quistis crossed her arms and sighed, but it was much too late to argue.

Seifer put a hand on his hip. "I thought you'd be hanging around the rhinestone cowboy. The hell'd you go out of your way to do that for, anyway?"

Selphie shrugged nonchalantly. "Quisty's been way too uptight lately. Ever since you left, we couldn't cut the tension around here with a frickin' chainsaw. I think we all need a break from her grouchy attitude. Pssh. It's about time." She glanced at Quistis, completely ignored her irritated glare, and added, "You need to ride the ol' baloney pony more often, Quisty."

Seifer let out a bark of laughter, but Quistis glared at Selphie, her face turning beet red.

"Thank you for that very professional assessment, Selphie."

Selphie beamed. "You're welcome!"

"C'mon," Seifer gave Quistis's rear a squeeze and motioned towards the dormitory wing. "You heard the captain. Less work, more play."

Quistis rolled her eyes. "We'll see you around, Selphie. Go be with Irvine…although, you hang around him too much. I think you're picking up his dirty habits."

Selphie shrugged and grinned. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Seifer and Quistis walked back to her dormitory room slowly and contentedly, his palm resting on the small of her back. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and hid a smirk as he admired how some of her hair had fallen loose during their little classroom charade. Selphie was right; he was home, he was with her, and he wouldn't let the day go to waste. They'd spend the rest of it together, most likely in bed, if there weren't any other pressing SeeD issues at hand.

Although he wouldn't admit it, Raijin was right. Seifer was completely smitten. Aside from co-commanding Garden and coordinating diplomatic relations with Galbadia, Quistis was his life. As far as he was concerned, she was the reason he was alive in the first place. He never did believe Squall when he had said that his only purpose was because of Rinoa, and he had never really expected to give a shit, but he was finally beginning to understand the gravity of Squall's words.

Quistis was his, and he'd fucking kill anyone or anything that laid a hand on her. He loved her, and he wasn't about to let her go. The war taught him that. He didn't take her for granted anymore, like over the many years he used to.

Did that mean that he made googly faces with her and kissed her in the hallways and told her that he loved her every single day?

Fuuuuuck no.

If anything, they fought hard and they fought often. Seifer's carefree, callous attitude never really helped; combined with Quistis's uptight, organizational rigidness towards everything she did, it served for wonderful argument fodder. The two were remarkably incompatible yet they were crazy about each other. They couldn't spend every single waking moment together without arguing about something – Seifer would make jabs about how type-A obsessive compulsive she was about every little thing, and she'd retort something back about how careless and irresponsible he was. The arguments were always about something small and stupid and ironically enough, something was really wrong if they weren't fighting. It was simply in Seifer's nature to poke and prod and push it to the limit, and it was in Quistis's nature to nag and boss and scold him about something.

Nevertheless, the make-up sex was fantastic.

Seifer had considered his future with Quistis many times. Now that they were older, he'd wondered how long they would be in Garden. With Cid close to retirement, he visited Centra more often and they knew that it would only be a matter of time before he left Garden for good, to live quietly with Edea at the old orphanage on the beach. Seifer had started thinking about how his life would be if he and Quistis eventually did the same thing.

…For some reason, it just didn't seem realistic.

He'd been to the Galbadian Jewelry shop dozens of times to look at the overpriced, sparkly merchandise. Galbadia boasted the prettiest diamonds on the continent – besides Esthar – which were excavated from the Shumi mines and dazzled the customers with the various styles and radiant colors. Every single time he'd glance over at the engagement ring section, however, he'd get pissed off at the over-zealous sales personnel, grumble "just looking," and hustle out.

It just…didn't seem realistic.

Proposing to Quistis? Marrying her? Then what?

Buy a house?

Settle down and have kids?

Get a dog? No. Fuck dogs. A cat? Nnnnrrgh.

Put Hyperion away? Leave Garden? Sit behind a desk? No…more…missions? Training? Fighting?

He couldn't. And he knew she couldn't, either.

He loved her, but…marrying her? It was what everyone else did when they didn't know what else to do with each other. They settled down with their boring-ass lives and read the newspaper at night before waking up to the same routine the next day. Seifer knew he wouldn't do that. Garden was his home. Why would he ever leave it? And why did he have to get married, anyway? To legally bind her to him? So what? She already knew that he didn't want anyone else…didn't she?

Besides, getting married would only make things complicated. He was a commander and she was a head instructor. Sure, it's been done before, but…

Seifer shook his head.

People like Squall and Rinoa get married. Guh. Not me. Not Quistis.

Anything Squall did, Seifer had to do the opposite.

Fuck getting married. SeeDs don't have time to get married. SeeDs have a job to do.

But he had entertained the thought of living together…cooking together…going to the beach together…they weren't going to be young forever, and it would only be a matter of time before their hard labor and their lives as soldiers would take a toll on their bodies…

It would be nice to call her his wife. He wasn't sure about rugrats – to him, having a child was like taking care of an extremely expensive pet – but he simply couldn't imagine his life without her.

…No. No marriage.

He hated preparing for the future. Preparing for the future meant…

…It meant…

Hoping. Planning.

Dreaming.

But…really…the future…

The future always reminded him of her.

He gritted his teeth. It wasn't marriage, per se, that scared him. It was his SeeD perspective on marriage. A legal binding contract to someone else meant that they had ties to each other – ties that could be accessed. Ties that could be exploited. Ties that could be destroyed. By an enemy.

She…might come back. She might come back, and if I have a wife…if I have a family…

…I don't know what I'd do if I lost them.

. . .

"I really appreciate you doing this for me," Ellone walked quickly next to a young scientist, possibly an apprentice, who was much taller than she was. His gait was almost twice as much as hers, so she tried to keep up. He was also incredibly skinny and had thin-rimmed glasses perched on top of his nose. If she had to guess, she was a little older than he, which made her wonder just how old she'd gotten in the past few years. The professional staff around here seemed to be getting younger and younger. Even the Garden SeeDs were younger than she was. Funny, how age snuck up on people so suddenly. Her whole life, she'd been a little girl protected by older men and soldiers, and now it seemed to be the other way around. She was growing older but she was being protected by teenagers. Funny, and a little sad.

"It's no problem at all," he replied with a smile. "It's not every day we allow observers into the laboratory. However, Dr. Viedt says that you're a special guest of ours and you'll always be welcome. If there are any questions you have for me, I'll be happy to answer them."

At least he had manners. Most of the scientists around here were very anti-social.

He had shown her the wet lab, which was mostly full of scientists studying the magic chemistry and biology of the plant life that might give more insight into the draw points that sporadically bled from the ground, and he had pointed to a large door that led to off-limits research and development (top secret), but Ellone knew very well that it was for firearms and weaponry. He showed her the room full of scientists doing calculations and statistics for the moon's orbit (apparently researching the Lunar Cry), and another adjoining room full of machinery and computers.

"Can you explain why you're doing this again?" Ellone asked. "Dr. Viedt mentioned that it was important to study how draw points work, but I'm not quite sure I understand the significance of it…"

"Of course. Are you familiar with draw?"

Ellone pursed her lips and shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I never learned how."

"It's very easy. Once someone's trained, it's hard to forget. Almost like riding a bike."

Ellone decided not to mention that she'd never learned how to ride a bike, either.

"Most civilians don't draw, anyway," the scientist continued. "Usually it's for soldiers and SeeD operatives."

"Do you know how?" she asked him.

He shook his head. "I've never performed a draw, just studied it. However, the actual process is quite simple. Those more skilled at it, like the military, can draw from anything – people, animals, or the ground, depending on what's available and if there's a draw point. The natural draw points in the earth can run dry, though, if drawn too much – almost like tapping a natural resource for an extended amount of time. Nature must replenish that which was lost, but it can take a while. Our studies involve what happens during the draw process, and we're also trying to find a way to make draw more feasible, as well as alternative junctioning in case draw isn't an option, for instance, in emergencies or when draw points aren't available."

Ellone shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Do you know where all the natural magic comes from, in the draw points?"

She shook her head again. "No."

"Neither do we. That's one thing we're trying to figure out."

"Oh."

"We noticed that when people junction guardian forces, it's also easier to draw. We don't know why this happens, either. We want to know if there's something about the GF that makes 'magical communication,' so to speak, easier."

Ellone slowly nodded. "Hm."

"Now, since the military and Gardens want to abandon the dependency on guardian forces, we want to try to find alternative ways to increase strength, and magic, and so forth…give the soldiers that boost they used to get when junctioned to GF's…but without damaging them physically, or causing any side effects, like the GF's used to have…"

"I see. So how do you find these alternatives?"

The scientist led her to a large, thick, metal door with a keypad attached to the knob.

"This is where we house the monsters. We can only keep a few in here at a time, but for the most part, this is where the hybrid research begins."

He led her into a large room that was lined with desks and computers. It was almost arranged like a lecture hall or classroom, except instead of a stage or chalkboard at the front of the room, there were two separate holding pens, completely separated by thick glass. Ellone suddenly felt as if she were in a zoo observatory. The pen on the right was empty and the lights were off, but there was activity going on somewhere behind the pen on the left. Scientists were organizing their papers and typing away at computers.

"We'll stand here in the back for a little bit," the scientist said in a hushed voice to Ellone. "I think they're getting ready to catalog another catch."

"What does that mean?"

The scientist pointed to the pens. "A new monster is brought into that room, or that room, and then they're scanned into the computer, weighed, microchipped, and an anti-magic collar is secured to them before moving them along."

"They look like examination rooms," Ellone stood up on tip-toe to get a better look. There wasn't anything in the room. Bland paint had been scratched up by whatever was in there before, but that was about it. A small, square, black device was nestled in the ceiling.

"The camera and scanning device is there," the scientist pointed to it, "and the floor is an actual scale. That's how the animal is weighed – oh! It looks like they're bringing one in now."

A large trap door lifted up on the side of the pen from a different room and a large Mesmerize stepped through, having nowhere else to go. Two men, armed with guns and carrying large electric prods, followed close behind and were trying to wrangle the Mesmerize into submission so they could put a large, black collar around its neck. The terrified equine was not obliging, however, and rose back on its hind legs in order to attempt to trample them with the front. It whinnied and screamed, but its true mode of defense – the long, curling horn sharpened into a blade – had already been broken off, leaving just a stub of bone. It pranced and whinnied and reared, so once the men advanced, they'd just have to back away again and try a different method.

"Oh, the poor thing," Ellone hugged herself. "It sounds so frightened."

"We try to use methods as humane as possible," the scientist replied, "but you have to remember that they are monsters. If provoked, they'll go on a killing spree."

"Aren't you worried that the glass will break?"

"It's very thick and has been engineered for this type of thing," the scientist pointed out. "It's virtually indestructible. Magic-proof and bullet-proof - "

The Mesmerize bucked and its back legs slammed against the barrier, making Ellone startle and jump back.

" - so this type of thing won't shatter it," the scientist finished with a grin.

"Goodness," Ellone put a hand on her chest. "How many creatures do you bring in a day?"

"It depends. We've been pretty busy, lately, since the hybrids bred from the last Lunar Cry are starting to mature, but on average, I'd say the military brings in at least five to seven a day."

"And you research their traits?"

"Yes, that's correct. Physical and magical traits. Most of them have healing power, and so many of them have special features that can be converted into medicine or specific vitality potions - "

"Or weapons," Ellone interjected.

"Er…yes, or for the development of weapons," he nodded.

Ellone glanced back towards the holding room and watched as the two men began to shock the Mesmerize with their prods in an attempt to get it to submit into a corner. It screamed and whinnied more, rearing back in fear. She couldn't help but feel sorry for it. "Oh, that's awful!"

"We do what's necessary. The shocks never have a long-term effect."

The Mesmerize suddenly stopped whinnying and stood still. It snorted, then turned its head to stare right at Ellone. It's yellow eyes blinked. The two men braced themselves for another struggle, but it never came. They hesitated and glanced at each other, puzzled at its sudden calm behavior.

Ellone swallowed and took an involuntary step back.

A few scientists stood up.

"What is it doing?"

"It's not moving."

"It's not attacking!"

"Why is it so calm?"

The scientist followed the Mesmerize's gaze and glanced at Ellone. He glanced at the animal again, then looked back at Ellone.

"Ellone? Are you all right?"

"I…" she blinked, her eyes still wide, and nodded. "Yes, but…what's the matter with it? Why is it acting like that? It's staring at me."

The scientist rubbed the back of his head and glanced at the beast. "To be honest…I'm not sure. That's the first time I've ever seen a creature like that act so calm."

The Mesmerize whickered and blinked, but it remained still.

The two men in the pen with it finally came to their senses and immediately muzzled it, then secured the black collar around its neck and lead it away. Surprisingly, the animal didn't resist, and it was led towards the back of the pen through a door, out of sight.

Nobody spoke for a long while. Slowly, the heads in the room began to turn and some of the scientists were watching Ellone with curiosity.

Ellone blinked and swallowed, feeling afraid. She glanced at her escort, who was rubbing the back of his head in thought, at a loss for words.

"Maybe we should go," she uttered in a small voice. "I think I've seen enough for one day."

The scientist nodded, glanced at the empty pen, and nodded again. "Yes. Yes, I think you're right. I'm sorry that you had to see that…it was pretty strange…that usually doesn't happen…"

As they shuffled out, Ellone was staring at the floor, troubled. "Yes…strange…"

A few other scientists were watching them, but most of the returned to their work, shrugging off the bizarre behavior as nothing more than the actions of a spooked Mesmerize.

"Uh…it's possible…maybe it was tracking," the scientist suggested. "Sometimes monsters like that will search for prey, or when ganged up in a manner like that, they attack the weakest one of the group first…"

If he was trying to make her feel better, it wasn't working. The Mesmerize's yellow eyes burned into her memory, blinking, eerily calm…

…almost as if it was trying to talk to her…

She tried to shake the image from her mind. It was just a monster, after all. It was the first one she'd seen since the Lunar Cry. Of course it would scare her.

…the weakest one of the group?

Ellone swallowed. "Yes…that's probably it…how silly…"

"How about we get something to drink? A cup of hot chocolate, perhaps? Then I'll take you to President Loire's office. Is that all right?"

She looked up and forced a smile. It was amazing how she was still very much treated like a little girl, yet she had been a woman for many years. "Yes, that sounds fine. I'm afraid President Loire is out on business, but we can still have the hot chocolate. Thank you so much for everything you've done today."

. . .

After a few early-morning drills and a quick cup of coffee, Squall was walking through the quad by himself when he heard a high-pitched whine coming from the outside gates of Garden. He turned, slowly making his way to the front entrance, and noticed a large black helicopter stationed in the clearing. The large top blades and back rotor started to spin faster and faster as the whine of the engine increased, and several SeeDs were standing single-file, saluting to a short, stout, balding man as he briefly saluted back and got into the chopper.

"Where do you think he's going?"

Squall glanced behind him. Seifer was watching Cid enter the helicopter with his brows furrowed.

"Seifer. What're you doing up so early?"

"Fuckin' Galbadian routine. I can't sleep in anymore."

Squall snorted. "Sucks to be in charge, eh?"

"Can't complain too much. Quistis likes it, since I get up with her now. Besides, I swear to Hyne there's some sort of crazy-ass cockatrice perched outside of her window. It was cuckoo-ing and caw-ing all fuckin' night long. Next time I see Kinneas, I'm gonna ask him to shoot that thing."

Squall turned back to the helicopter and watched as it started to lift off the ground, flattening the grass with the billowing wind the blades created.

"I think he's going to Centra."

"To see Edea?"

Squall nodded.

"Did he leave you in charge?"

Squall shrugged. "He didn't say anything to me. I guess it's up to both of us, for now, at least until Xu comes back."

Seifer snorted. "Xu. Where the hell is she-man, anyway?"

"She's been back and forth. Right now she's in Trabia."

"Diplomacy shit?"

"Yep."

"Hrm."

They both watched the black helicopter as it rose higher and higher into the air and slowly turned south, gaining speed, until it appeared as a black speck in the sky.

"It's not like him to just up and leave like that," Seifer pointed out.

Squall didn't reply.

"Do you think he's…you know…anxious about what's going on?"

Squall set his jaw. Normally, any mention of sorceress business would trigger an unnecessary fight between them, but Squall remained silent. Seifer had a point. Cid had scheduled an unexpected departure.

"…I don't know."