Legacy

Second story in the Sands of Time series.
by scribblemoose

Chapter 13

Irvine tucked his shirt firmly into his trousers and cleared his throat before entering Martine's office. He realised suddenly that he'd forgotten his hat, and felt uncomfortable about it: he always felt half-naked without his hat, and he was off-balance enough as it was. He could barely breathe. The world was closing in. He didn't know how he was going to tell Duck and oh, gods, Zephyr. He didn't dare junction Ether. With one rash promise he'd cut himself off from everything, everyone, and there was nowhere left to run.

"Kinneas? Are you alright? You look a bit pale."

Irvine blinked up at Martine. "Sir?"

"Must be the light. I keep telling maintenance to get those bulbs fixed, they flicker incessantly. Come in, Kinneas, come in."

Martine ushered the bewildered Irvine over to a small meeting table in one corner of the office. It was smooth and polished and empty of all but one small flower arrangement, not a paper in sight.

"Well," Martine said. "Are you settling in alright?"

"Yes, I, um, yes, fine, thank you Sir."

"Good. So?"

"So?"

"You wanted to see me because….?"

Irvine's brain blanked out for a second, then at the eleventh hour came up with: "Bullets, Sir. Zephyr, Sir, he said you were interested in those plasma bullets we used in the mission the other day."

"Ah!" Martine's eyes lit up. "Yes, I was most intrigued by his description. I contacted Balamb Garden to inquire as to whether they might order me some, but apparently Commander Leonhart was not available to give a decision."

Irvine could well imagine that Squall wouldn't be interested in Martine's shopping list.

"So, I was thinking about going direct to source."

"That would be Sybon, in Balamb."

"With whom you have an account?"

"Yes, I do."

"So." Martine leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of his nose. He seemed to be waiting for something.

"Sir?"

Martine sighed. "Let me see. I want some of those bullets. Squall won't handle my request. You, however, have authority to commission directly from the supplier. Therefore.…"

Irvine's brain struggled to keep up, until…

"You want me to get them for you?"

A smile crawled onto Martine's face. "It's very kind of you to offer, Kinneas."

"But Sybon's in Balamb," said Irvine, stupidly.

Balamb. A strange combination of fear and hope sprang up in Irvine's heart.

"Yes, Balamb. I believe you are familiar with the town?" said Martine with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course, Sir, yes Sir, Balamb Sir."

"The night train leaves in an hour," said Martine. "There's a group of cadets due to go on an exchange, and I've been trying to find someone to accompany them. You can kill two wendigos with one boulder for me. Do you have any experience with cadets, Kinneas?"

Relief flowed through Irvine like a summer breeze. He smiled.

"Yes, Sir," he said. "I think I can handle it."

*******

Quistis scanned the horizon for any sign of movement, but there was nothing. With a sigh she jumped up onto the wall outside Garden, and sat carefully, smoothing down her skirt. Soon. He would be here soon.

She shivered, and pulled her wrap a little tighter around shoulders. Summer might be on its way but it was still cold in Balamb in the evenings. Pleasant, though. The spring flowers around the entrance to Garden were closed up now, but still sported vivid, pretty colours, and laced the air with the rich scent of growing things.

She smiled to herself at the little flicker of excitement in her tummy. She'd questioned herself a million times in the hours since Squall finally agreed to summon Laguna. Was it really in Sanke's best interests? Or was it simply that every time they were separated it got harder, the days alone longer, and she'd wanted to see him so much that she could barely concentrate at work. Perhaps that was an exaggeration: she took great care not to appear like a lovesick teenager (she'd had quite enough of that with Squall back in the day), and her students were still progressing well, Garden was running smoothly. Well, her part of it, at least.

But the rest….

She spotted it at last: a dark shape, no more than a speck at this distance, but moving rapidly, the air shimmering around it. Quistis's heart flipped. She dropped down off the wall. In moments the Ragnarok was shuddering to a halt on the landing pad, the wind from its fading engines whipping at Quistis's hair. She was dimly aware that she was grinning like an idiot, but she didn't care. She watched the hatch slide open, peering anxiously inside, waiting, waiting….

And there he was.

Laguna waved as he strode down the ramp, tripping briefly on the final step down to the ground, but recovering quickly with an adorable, rueful smile. She waved back. She wanted to run to him. She wanted to fling her arms around him and hug the breath out of him.

But she stood still, and waited for his interminable walk across the tarmac to be over. There were other people scurrying around: Estharian guards, looking nervous and intimidated as they always did outside of their own country; Odine, protesting about something inaudibly to… Kiros? But none of them mattered. They may as well not have been there.

"Hello."

He stood in front of her, real and touchable and solid. But she didn't touch him.

"Hello," she said. "Thanks so much for coming at such short notice. We appear to have a situation here, and I think you're the only one who can help us."

Laguna smiled at her, his eyes twinkling and pleased and a whole world of other things besides. "It's good to see you," he said.

Kiros and Odine and the guards were catching up rapidly with him. Quistis smiled back. "It's good to see you, too," she replied. "Let me show you to your quarters."

And with that, without a single touch or out-of-place remark, Quistis turned and led him towards Garden.

She felt whole again.

*******

Duck threw her long leather coat over the rail at the end of the bed and yawned. "Fuck, what a day."

Zephyr patted the bed beside him. "Come here and tell me all about it. Want me to roll something for you?"

"That would be nice. You're good to me." She kicked off her boots and joined Zephyr on the bed.

"Always," Zephyr said.

"I just saw that chick, you know, the one Shotgun's banging."

"That doesn't necessarily narrow it down much," Zephyr smirked. He reached for the little bag of grass and papers.

"Oh, I dunno. He seems to be more about nailing boys lately," she said archly.

"Does it bother you?"

"'Course not." She gave a smug little smile. "So long as he still fucks us, I don't care where else he sticks it."

"Ah, Sarissa. You have such a way with words."

He paused for a moment to stroke her hair, taking a moment's pleasure in the way she leaned in, just a fraction, to the touch.

"Anyway, you know who I mean. The Balamb chick."

"Ah, Selphie."

"Yeah, whatever. She's a bit whacked. Seemed to think Irvine was going to turn all faithful when he gets back from this trip he's on."

"Trip? What trip?"

"Martine's sent him to babysit some kids on the way to Balamb, apparently. Seemed a bit weird, but you know Martine."

Zephyr blinked. "That was sudden. I saw Irvine this afternoon and he didn't say anything about it then."

Duck gave him a sly look. "Maybe he was distracted."

"No… well, yes." He grinned. "But all the same."

"Kind of fucks up the whole faithful thing."

"Wishful thinking on her part, maybe."

"You're worried."

"What? No, not really. He can look after himself."

"Yeah." She didn't sound very convinced, and Zephyr had to admit he wasn't, either.

He darted out his tongue to lick the paper he cradled in his fingers, and deftly sealed up the joint. He lit it and took a deep drag before passing it to Duck.

"You know... I guess he might not come back," she said.

"I guess," said Zephyr.

They smoked in silence for a while.

*******

Rinoa paused at the mirror in her father's hallway, and checked her hair and makeup. Not that she'd felt much like dressing up, but her father expected it and she felt she should make an effort for Zell and Ness. It was sort of an engagement dinner, after all.

She'd chosen a simple lilac dress, one of several that she'd found in the wardrobe in her old room. She remembered buying it, years ago. The same shop she'd got the white one for the ball at Balamb, the one she was wearing when she first met....

Rinoa bit her lip and let the wave of sadness pass. It was going to be hard, dealing with some stuffy diplomat tonight, while Zell and Ness got moon-eyed over each other. Very hard. She just hoped it wasn't Fargi. One smart-arse remark from him tonight, and her father might get to see first hand how effective SeeD combat techniques could be.

Rinoa took a deep breath, fixed a smile on her face, and pushed through the doors into the dining room.

The first person she saw was Binti.

*******

Laguna dropped his bag on the floor of Quistis's living room and gasped for breath. Quistis showed no mercy, however. Her arms were tight around his middle and she was hugging him very, very hard indeed.

"Wow," gasped Laguna. "You missed me, then?"

"Of course." Quistis released her hold a little and smiled up at him. "I always miss you."

"So what's all this about? The message from Xu wasn't very detailed, just said it was something Guardian-related."

"We couldn't take the risk of things getting out, not any more than they have already. It's Sanke. She attacked a fellow student."

"Sanke? You're kidding! Sanke wouldn't hurt a fly."

"There was considerable provocation, as far as we can tell. But the point is she lost control, and the results were devastating."

"She killed someone?"

"No, he survived, but only just. She cast a waterga spell powerful enough to nearly drown him." Quistis gave Laguna one more hug, then let him go. "Would you like a drink? Something to eat? Did you get dinner?"

"Tea would be great. I ate but the drinks machine on the Rag is offline again."

He followed her through to the kitchen, losing himself for a moment in the sway of her hips. "So what's happened to Sanke? She must be terrified."

"It's hard to tell. Frila's as protective of her as ever." Quistis reached up to take a mug from the shelf above the counter; her blouse rode up a little, baring a precious inch of firm, smooth skin. Laguna ran his fingers through his hair. "She seems okay. I honestly don't think she meant to hurt anyone."

"Which makes it worse, right? Because it means she was out of control."

"Exactly. If she's frightened of anything at all at the moment, I'd say it was her own power."

"And that's never good."

Quistis pottered around the kitchen while Laguna leaned against the door frame and did his best to pay attention. He could never tire of watching her. Even these simple, everyday tasks he cherished, stored up for later, when he was apart from her again.

"... so she's grounded and Frila's suspended," Quistis was saying, setting mugs of tea on the kitchen table. Laguna took his place at the seat opposite her.

"And how has our little firebrand taken it?"

"Badly." Quistis raised her mug to her lips, and peered over the top at him with an adorable twinkle in her eye. The bottom of her glasses steamed up a little.

"Let's get married," said Laguna. "Come back to Esthar with me when we're done here. I'll lend you to Squall a few days a year when he gets in a state over something. Quistis, please."

She put her mug down very carefully, and took a deep breath. "Laguna, I..."

"Please," he repeated. His heart thudded in his chest; he'd never wanted anything so much in his entire life, and okay, maybe this wasn't the best-planned proposal in the world - in fact he hadn't planned it at all - but seeing her again like this, after all these weeks of dreaming about her, yearning for her....

"Must be something in the air." Quistis wasn't looking at him. She stirred her tea round and round and round. "First Martine, then Zell, and now..."

"Zell's getting married?"

"Apparently. And worse still, he's left SeeD to do so."

"For that Ness girl? That's kinda romantic."

"I suppose. But he's not being very loyal to his friends. After all this time, first Irvine and Selphie, then Zell, and Rinoa-"

"What's happened to Rinoa?"

Quistis's brow wrinkled into a frown. She was still staring at her tea. "I'm not entirely sure, but she's in Deling on an extended leave of absence, with no fixed return date."

"She's gone to Deling now? With all this crap going down about the election?!"

She looked up at that, startled. "You know about that?"

"Of course I do. Kind of goes with the job, you know?"

"Of course. Sorry, I didn't think."

"Don't sweat it. Everyone thinks I'm the dumb guy who just smiles a lot and does whatever Kiros tells him."

"I know better than that."

There was a long pause. Quistis rounded up a few stray flakes of sugar from the table where Laguna had spilt them.

"So," Laguna said eventually. "You didn't answer my question."

She looked up at last. "I'm sorry. I can't. Not now. Squall's so... he's alone, Laguna. It hasn't been this bad since.... not for a long time. I couldn't leave him. I'm sorry."

Laguna swallowed down his disappointment and took her hand, lacing their fingers together. "It's okay," he said, trying to mean it. "It was just a spur of the moment thing. I understand."

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "You know that I love you. It's not that, it's just...."

"Squall. Yeah, it's okay." He gave her hand a little squeeze. "And I've got an excuse to hang around a while this time at least, yeah? If you can stand it."

Quistis smiled. "Yes, I think I can stand that just fine. Just don't let on I told you Squall's having problems, okay? He's been so fucking determined not to get you involved. If it weren't for the fact that we'd promised to share responsibility for Sanke..."

"Only my son could be so stubborn and arrogant as to think an international conspiracy against SeeD doesn't concern me."

"Well, technically Esthar is neutral."

"Neutral isn't the same as irrelevant. At least, I don't think so." Laguna was well aware that some of his Estharian citizens might disagree on that issue.

"Fair point. I hope he'll open up a little, now you're here."

Laguna wasn't sure that was likely: Squall had never been too keen to share his concerns with his father if he'd had a choice. But Laguna wasn't about to dash Quistis's hopes. "I'll get Kiros to send him some security reports," he said. "Maybe that'll break the ice some."

"And then there's Sanke."

"Yes, of course. I should go see her. Have they locked her up?"

"No, but she's confined to quarters. We can go as soon as you're ready."

She looked worried; there were dark circles under her eyes and Laguna recognised the burden on her. She was dealing with it like she always did: organisation. Any minute now, she would get out a notepad and start writing out his itinerary for the next week, just like Kiros did. If in doubt, make plans. It was a kind of distraction.

"Later," he said firmly. "In the morning."

Because he knew far better ways to distract Quistis. And for now, Sanke could wait.

*******

The sun was setting behind the Deling skyline. Rinoa sat in the swing she'd loved as a little girl, and watched the fireflies gather over the tiny pond in her father's back garden.

"Want a push?"

She looked up to find Binti leaning against the frame of the swing, looking tall and handsome.

"What brings you out here?" she asked.

"Can't say I've much interest in weddings or politics, and that's all anyone wants to talk about. Except you."

Her gaze returned to the fireflies. "I'm afraid I'm not terribly entertaining either. Not tonight."

"Would you rather be alone?"

"No, that's okay."

They exchanged smiles. "It was a very pleasant surprise to find you here this evening. I thought the evil Balamb Garden would have called its sorceress home by now."

"No. Or, well, I did go, but then I came back."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You know," she continued. "Sorting things out for Zell and Ness."

"Ah, of course. You performed miracles, it seems. So now that the lovebirds are happy, will you be stolen away from us again?"

Tears threatened, out of nowhere. Rinoa fought them back, giving her head a quick shake, hair falling in her face, screening her from Binti's scrutiny. "No." She kept her voice steady. "I'm going to stay here for a while, actually."

"Well, that's good news. But what about Commander Leonhart? How come he's willing to let you out of his sight?"

Rinoa was fighting a losing battle against the tears now. She wiped the back of her hand across her cheeks and cleared her throat. "He doesn't tell me what to do."

"I rather thought that was what commanders were all about."

"No, I mean…. We split up."

There it was. Spoken and out there and real.

She choked back a sob.

"I'm sorry," he said, moving closer. "I had no idea."

"Please don't tell anyone. No-one knows, I haven't, I didn't want to spoil things for Ness, and I'm not really sure… I don't know what's going to happen. So please…"

"I promise…" His voice was soft, and sincere, and he reached out to gently stroke her hair. "… I won't say a word. But if you need a friend, it would be my privilege…"

Rinoa leaned into his touch, and closed her eyes from the fireflies for a while.

*******

The train drew into Balamb station at dawn; the sky was tinged pink with the remnants of sunrise. Irvine hitched his bag over one shoulder and stepped out onto the platform. It was quiet, and all but empty: he quickly spotted Xian waiting for him by the turnstiles. She smiled as he approached, followed by his gaggle of nervous cadets.

"Hello, Irvine! It's good to see you." She saluted cheerfully at him. "How's Galbadia?"

"Fine when I left it." He saluted back.

"And Selphie?"

"She's, um, good. Better."

"Oh, that's great news. We were all so worried about her." There was a somewhat expectant look on her face. Irvine could guess what she expected. After he and Selphie had left the way they did the whole of Balamb probably expected some kind of declaration of their new-found love.

"They told me to deliver this batch of rookies to you," said Irvine. "They're a good lot, shouldn't give you any trouble. Have fun with 'em."

"Thanks." Xian pulled out her clipboard, ready for roll-call. "Aren't you coming back to Balamb with us?"

"I've got an errand to run first. I'll catch up later."

"Okay. We've got a room ready for you." She scribbled a number on a piece of paper and handed it to him.

"Oh. That's my old room." He didn't much like the swell of emotion that resulted from seeing that number.

"Is it? I guess they haven't reallocated it yet. At least you'll know how to find it!" She clicked her pen on. "Right, cadets. Let's see who we've got here..."

Shoving down all manner of feelings he really didn't want to deal with, Irvine left the cadets with Xian and set out for the junk shop. It was already busy, despite the early hour, and the door opened with a welcoming jingle of its bell. Irvine took a moment to breathe in the warm scent of gun oil and magic. There were several SeeDs browsing the racks of weapons, and a tall guy at the counter who Irvine recalled vaguely - one of Nida's seal guards, maybe? Irvine tipped his hat to Sybon and waited patiently for his turn.

~Sniper.~

~Ether?~

~You will abandon me for Spirit.~

There was no hurt in Ether's voice; for an empath he seemed oddly lacking in emotion of his own. But there was a sort of detached resentment.

Guilt fell heavy around Irvine's heart.

~I'm not sure this is the best place to discuss this.~

~She is not whole.~

~Sorry?~

~Spirit. She is broken.~

~I know. I love her, Ether, I've always loved her. I want to mend her. Which means spending time with her, and you know she hurts when you're around, it's one of those things, so…~

~She wishes me to be gone.~

~I'll find a way. Maybe, in time… I don't know how, but I promise, somehow…~

~You are distressed.~

Ether echoed Irvine's confusion and anxiety; the panic rose and Irvine had to close his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to breathe slowly.

~Ether, I…~

"Hello, Sir! Good to see you again. What can I do for you today?"

Irvine looked blankly at Sybon, trying to remember, through the sharp spikes of panic, where he was and what he was supposed to be doing here.

~Ether?~

Ether slipped out of junction, retreating to the very back of Irvine's mind, nothing more than a quiet presence. Irvine went weak from the sudden loss of power, staggered forwards, and had to grasp the counter in front of him for support.

"Captain Kinneas, are you alright?"

Irvine sucked air deep into his lungs, and struggled to made himself focus. Sybon, it was Sybon, he was here to buy plasma bullets for Martine, he was in Balamb, no Selphie, no panic, he was…

Irvine let the breath out slowly, and his head finally started to clear.

"Fine, I'm fine. Sorry." Irvine stood up straight and switched his smile on. "Not enough sleep. Long train journey. How are you?"

"Ah, not so bad."

"Business good?"

"Aye, can't complain. Lots of new SeeDs upgrading."

"That sounds good. I'm glad." Irvine managed to relax a little. He adjusted his hat..

"I thought you moved over to Galbadia," said Sybon. "Or so I heard."

"That's right. I'm still there, really, just came back on an errand."

"Ah, I see." Sybon smoothed a cloth over the glass counter. "Permanent move, then?"

"Yeah. Pretty settled."

"Just so long as you remember where to come for supplies. Can't be losing one of my best customers!"

"You know I'd never go anywhere else. Exeter wouldn't perform if just anyone serviced her."

Sybon grinned at him. "Glad to hear it. So, what can I get for you today?"

"Plasma bullets. In fact, I've got something big to offer you. Martine wants a hefty shipment for Galbadia Garden and he's given me authority to negotiate a good deal on his behalf."

Sybon's face clouded. "Ah. I'm sorry, I'd have to refuse."

"Sorry?"

"I don't do exports. Not anymore." He rubbed fiercely at a speck on the counter top.

"Oh. Not at all? What if Commander Leonhart…."

"The Commander knows my feelings on the matter. We have an understanding."

"An understanding about what, exactly?"

"Galbadia. Ah, there's plenty of junk shops in Deling and the like, so they tell me. Sure they'd be happy to help. But I won't risk arming the enemy, see, not at times like this." Sybon's expression hardened, his fingers clenching tight on his dusting cloth. "Not again."

Galbadia. The war. Sybon's son, Frila's brother, had been killed fighting for the Sorceress after she took over Galbadia Garden. But that was so long ago. "Times like what? We're not at war."

"Not yet." Sybon straightened up, looking Irvine clear in the eye. "But it's on its way. I keep my ear to the ground, I watch the world. If Poppy loses this election, if that bastard Fargi gets in, well, Leonhart will have the mother of all battles on his hands. And I know what side I'm on."

Irvine tried to make sense of all this, and failed.

Then Sybon's smile returned, and he reached across the counter to give Irvine's arm a firm and comradely squeeze. "No need for you to worry, though. I'll always make an exception for the best shot in the whole of SeeD. For personal use, like. What'll it be? Two dozen?"

"Right, yes," said Irvine, distantly, and Sybon went to bustle about in the backroom to find the bullets.

War? With Galbadia?

And who the Hell was Fargi?

*******

Frila paced her living room like a caged tiger. Sanke was in the bath, so she didn't have to hide her frustration, at least, but still there was nothing she could do. She longed for the training centre, the beach, even the library... well, okay, maybe not the library. But somewhere out, where she could stretch her legs and breathe and run.

When the door buzzer sounded she sprang into battle stance, ready to call Sulis to junction in an instant. It took her a moment to realise that the sound really wasn't a threat.

"Come in, it's open!" she called.

The door slid wide to reveal Quistis and Laguna. She felt herself calm a little: it was a relief to know Laguna was here at last. If anyone could help Sanke right now, it was him.

"Hello," she said.

"Hi!" said Laguna, striding towards her. "It's good to see you." He gave her a huge bear hug, while Quistis looked on with an amused sort of tolerance. She looked good: her skin glowed and her dimples showed when she smiled. The little worry-frown had disappeared.

Poor Quistis. Must be hard for her when the big guy wasn't around.

"Sanke's in the bath," Frila said. "She'll be so pleased to-" But before she could finish the sentence the bathroom door slammed open and a small, wet cannonball rocketed through the room to land in Laguna's arms.

"'Guna!" Tears streamed down her face. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I swear I didn't! Please say you believe me!"

"Hey, steady, Princess. Of course I believe you." He gently prised her far enough away that he could see her face. "Don't worry. We'll work out what happened and then we can make sure it never happens again. Okay?"

Sanke just looked at him, eyes huge and trusting, filling with tears. "I'm so sorry! Laguna, I'm so, so sorry!"

Frila watched Laguna's face crumple as Sanke burst into tears. He folded her in his arms and kissed her damp hair. Even Quistis didn't look so happy any more.

"Frila-" Quistis started.

"I'll make us some coffee, then," said Frila.

Quistis and Laguna exchanged looks.

"I'll give you a hand," said Quistis.

Frila led her through to the kitchen, and busied herself with the mechanics of coffee production, while Quistis arranged mugs on a tray.

"Frila," Quistis said eventually. "After a full briefing about the incident with Sanke, and a full consultation with Odine-"

"That never ends well."

"He wants to do some tests."

"Figured as much. It's what Odine does, right?" She could feel Quistis watching her, gauging her reaction. "It's not like we have a choice."

"We always consult you where Sanke's well-being is concerned."

"Yeah. Consult. So, when are we going back to Esthar?"

"We're not. Odine believes the tests can be done here. In the Clearing Centre."

"Here? Oh, well, that's not so bad. Just tell me when to bring her down for her first appointment, okay? And I can pick her up after training, they said I could go for an hour this afternoon, so-"

"Um… that won't be necessary, Frila."

Frila's heart sank. She turned to face Quistis, eye to eye.

"Okay," Frila said. "What's the catch?"

*******

Sanke lay her things one by one into the open bag on her bed, trying not to listen to the yelling that was going on in the kitchen. A few clothes, her sketch book, pencils and the seashell Frila had given her last year. She was starting to understand why Frila travelled so light. Things really didn't matter much when you ached this much inside.

"Ready, Princess?" Laguna smiled at her, eyes kind and twinkly as ever.

She buckled up her bag, slung it over her shoulder and took a deep, sad breath. "Yes. Let's go. Before Frila stops yelling and comes in here to try and stop you."

Laguna held out his hand and she slipped her fingers between his.

"Cheer up," Laguna said. "It's not like you're going to prison!"

She smiled, because she didn't like to see Laguna sad. But she couldn't help thinking, in a tiny voice deep inside:

~Isn't it?~

Laguna squatted down, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry, Sanke. If there was another way…."

"Silly Laguna. Nothing for you to be sorry for. It was me who messed up. I understand."

"This isn't a punishment, it's just-"

"I might be dangerous. I know."

"Everyone makes mistakes. Hey, I've messed up more times than I can count. Did I ever tell you about the day I almost caused an earthquake in Centra?"

"Yes." Sanke grinned. "Lots of times."

"Oh dear. Am I turning into a boring old man?"

"Not a bit," said Sanke.

A sound like breaking china came from the kitchen. Sanke put her hand in Laguna's, and helped him to his feet. "Come on. You can tell me again on the way."

*******

Squall stopped a few yards from the cave, and scrubbed his face with his towel. He'd jogged all the way from Garden to the beach with no enclosures up, decimated every monster that crossed his path and still it wasn't enough. Fire raced through his veins. His mind was blessedly full of combat strategies and adamantoise responses, and he longed to keep it that way. So it was with some reluctance that he switched his junctions from combat to recon mode. Shiva responded instantly, rechannelling energy, boosting defences and sharpening his wits.

He slung the towel around his neck and took a good look around. Nida was talking to the SeeDs currently on guard by the seal. Advanced cadets were drilling up on the sand dunes, preparing for combat tests. But Squall's eye was drawn to the shallow stream of surf at the shore. Seifer stood there, alone, throwing pebbles into the ocean. Apparently oblivious to Squall or anyone else, his expression inscrutable.

Squall frowned.

"Is everything alright, Sir?"

"Nida?"

"Yes, Sir."

"What's Almasy doing here?"

"Sorry, Sir? Is this area out of bounds for him?" Nida sounded rather hopeful that it might be.

"No," said Squall, with some regret. "He's a SeeD now. Just wondered why he's here."

"I've often seen him walking on the beach and such. Keeps himself to himself."

"Keep an eye on him. Anything untoward, report direct to me."

"Yes, Sir, of course. Will you be conducting a full inspection today?"

"Not unless you have anything to report?"

"No unusual activity at this time."

"Fine. I have a task for your auxiliary team. I want you to put the Gardens through transport manoeuvres."

"All the Gardens, Sir?"

"Yes."

"Including Galbadia?"

"Especially Galbadia. Why, is there a problem with that?"

"Uh, no, of course not, Sir. Can I ask, has Martine been informed?"

"I'll send him an email."

"Oh. Very well, Commander. I do hope there isn't some kind of trouble on the horizon?"

"Depends how stupid the Galbadian voters are," said Squall.

"But surely SeeD shouldn't…"

"I'll do whatever's necessary. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir!" Nida saluted, crisp and clean as always.

"Now, I'm going back to get a shower before the next pointless fucking meeting."

"Sorry Sir?" Nida actually looked somewhat shocked.

"Whatever," said Squall, and turned to job back up the beach.

*******

Irvine's old room was just as he'd left it weeks ago: bare, empty, cold. Although maybe a little cleaner. He dumped his bag on the bed and went to look out of the window. Not one of the best views - the room gained SeeD status for its size rather than its aspect - but as familiar as his own name.

Irvine let out a long sigh.

Things hadn't worked out quite as he (or more specifically, Martine) had hoped, and this left him with a problem. He didn't want to go back empty handed. He was starting to question Martine's motives - surely if there was a political situation, Martine would know about it? Had it been some kind of test of loyalties?

And what was with this Fargi guy? Wasn't he in charge of the Forest Owls or something? Why would he want to make war with Balamb - did he have some kind of death wish?

The sensible thing would be to talk to Squall. Find out what was going on, try and persuade him to send some stupid bullets to Martine, or give him some other concession to take back and shut him up. It was too soon to get on the bad side of his new boss.

Except the odds on Squall doing him any favours right now weren't exactly favourable.

He could ask Quistis. Squall wouldn't even have to know he was here. He could take the request to Quisty, maybe ask a few subtle, well-placed questions, and be on his way without having to spend the night, even. Too bad the trains didn't run after dark, but he could wait it out at the station, catch the first ride at dawn….

…. No.

Irvine slumped on the bed.

It had to be Squall. He owed Squall. He'd be furious and there would probably be violence, but it would be nothing compared to what would happen if Squall knew he'd tried to get a favour out of Quisty behind his back.

Irvine called Ether into junction and his Guardian came softly, feeding power and energy through him bit by bit. Soothing. Comforting. Ether was quiet, offering no comment, just sitting in Irvine's mind, sharing his strength. Irvine let him rest. There would be precious little to feed him on in miserable Balamb, after all.

He yearned suddenly for Duck and Zef. To go back and fuck them both until they were sated and full and nothing mattered any more. But Selphie. He'd promised Selphie….

Ether flinched.

~Sorry, old friend.~

Irvine tugged his bag open, and rummaged around for the bag of grass he'd squirreled away in the bottom. Before he got to it, he found something else, something smooth and hard in a crinkly wrapper.

Chocolate.

Irvine managed a smile.

At least there was one person in Balamb who would be pleased to see him.

He took a quick shower, and after careful consideration dressed in jeans and a button down shirt. He wasn't on duty, exactly, and the Galbadian uniform was itchy and felt weird around his neck. Then he set out into the corridors of Balamb, busy as ever, people bustling about with a sense of purpose in a way they just didn't seem to do anywhere else. Irvine arrived at the second floor classrooms not quite sure where to start looking, but almost immediately spotted Xian, still with her clutch of new cadets in tow.

One of them, the shy one who'd been homesick and had spent most of the trip from Galbadia sobbing all over Irvine's duster, ducked out of line to give him a tentative wave.

Irvine waved back. They exchanged smiles.

"Hello Irvine," said Xian, with a little wave of her own. "I'm always looking for cadet mentors, you know. If you're interested."

"Sorry. Back to Galbadia tomorrow. Actually, I was looking for Sanke. Any idea what class she's in?"

The smile faded from Xian's face. "Oh."

A cold shiver ran down Irvine's spine. "Oh?"

Xian looked around and spotted an empty room. "Wait here," she told her cadets. "I'll resume the tour in a few moments. Irvine?"

"What's wrong? What-"

She jerked her thumb towards the room. "Come with me. There's something I need to explain."

*******

Irvine waited in line behind a girl he vaguely recognised as a cadet from Frila's year, or thereabouts. Graduated now, resplendent in SeeD uniform (complete with short skirt) and speaking to the woman behind the counter in soft, reticent tones. The crisp white tile of the clearing centre gleamed, so bright Irvine found himself squinting at the glare.

The girl moved along, and it was Irvine's turn.

"Hi there." He tipped his hat at the receptionist. "I'm here to see a friend."

She arched one slight, perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"Sanke," said Irvine.

"Ah, the little girl GF."

"I guess you could call her that, yes, although-"

"And you are?"

Irvine blinked. Sure, he wasn't in uniform, but all the same…

"Captain Kinneas," he said, flashing his most brilliant smile. "But you can call me Irvine."

"I'll need to see some ID, Captain Kinneas."

Irvine dug around in the pockets of his duster until he found his swipe card. The receptionist squinted sceptically at it for a moment. "I'll have to check clearance on it," she said, and plucked it from his fingers.

For one terrible moment Irvine thought perhaps he didn't have all areas access at Balamb any more. There was no reason why he should, after all, not once he'd transferred to Galbadia. But the computer bleeped a confident yes, and the receptionist returned his card. "Through both sets of double doors, fifth cell on the right."

Cell? Fresh anger surged through Irvine, but he didn't question Miss Skinny-Eyebrows any further. He headed straight for the doors.

The Clearing Centre was bustling with activity at a pitch Irvine had never seen before. Squall had clearly kept up the Guardian hunt at a frantic pace since he'd left. But Irvine had no wish to peruse the new arrivals. There was only one resident he had any interest in, and he found her sitting in her designated cubicle between something distinctly slimy looking and a little purple fireball.

"Irvine!!" Her delighted squeal echoed off the harsh, sterile walls. She ran to the force field holding her captive, only just remembering in time that it was there.

"Hello, Princess." Irvine forced a smile onto his face. "Hang on a sec." He quickly scanned the room for a friendly face, and found a cute blonde technician tapping away at a computer. "Excuse me, I'm Captain Kinneas and-"

"I know who you are," she said with a pretty smile. "How can I help you?"

"Let me into Sanke's cell?"

"Of course. Just one moment." She consulted her screen and tapped in the code.

The force field came down, just long enough for Irvine to slip inside. He scooped her up and she nestled into his arms.

"Nice pad you've got here," said Irvine.

She sniffled.

"Hey, come on, Princess. It'll be okay. Frila won't let anything bad happen to you. Here. I've got something for you." He produced the bar of Finest Galbadian Chocolate and offered it to her.

"Thanks. It's lovely." She put it down on the hard steel bed next to her.

"Don't you want to try some?"

"Oh, yes, but I can't. They're monitoring what I eat."

Irvine frowned. He reached across the cold steel table and gave her a gentle hug.

"Ether isn't very happy," Sanke observed.

"No. He doesn't like seeing you like this. Neither do I."

"It's all right, really. I did something bad, and Laguna came, and Odine said they need to do tests, to make sure I don't do it again. It's not like I'm a prisoner or anything."

"No. Course not. And Laguna always takes care of you, too. Like Frila."

"Hmm. I didn't say goodbye to Frila, though. I sort of snuck out because I knew she'd get mad. Laguna said Quisty would make sure she didn't do anything stupid. You know, try and bust me out or anything. She's probably very annoyed with me."

"She won't be mad with you, sweetheart." Irvine kissed the top of her head. He didn't mention that he'd already worked out how to help Sanke escape, should the need arise.

She nodded cautiously, and there was a sad little silence before she said: "Why did you go away, Irvy?"

"They needed me at Galbadia, sweetheart."

"So it wasn't because you didn't want to see Frila?"

"No, of course not! Why would I want to do that?"

She gave him a look more wise and knowing than someone who looked so young had any right to.

"Seriously," said Irvine. "It wasn't anything to do with Frila."

"So did you run away with Selphie?"

"Who told you that?"

"I think it's a rumour. So, nobody and everybody, you know. It's true, isn't it?"

"No." But there was no avoiding those huge brown eyes. "At least, it didn't start out that way."

"But Selphie belongs to Xu."

"People aren't possessions, like pencils or rifles. No-one belongs to anyone, sweetheart. Besides, you know how sad Selphie was. I'm making her happy again. And stop looking at me like that. There's some things you'll only understand when you're grown up."

She didn't look convinced. "Is Selphie better now, then?"

"Well, she's getting there."

"You're not back for good, then?"

"No."

"Oh, Irvine." She let out a long sigh. "You get yourself in so much trouble."

"I know. What are you going to do with me, eh?"

That, at least, earned a smile.

*******

Quistis stretched luxuriously, fingertip and toes touching the smooth wooden ends of the bed. Then, just when every inch of skin and muscle was perfectly taut, Laguna tickled her. Softly, thoroughly, just below her ribs, the place most likely to reduce her to a squealing, giggling wreck.

"You're beautiful." Laguna smiled down at her, his touch smooth and gentle as he stroked her hair.

"I have to go. I'm late." She smiled back at him.

"Not very."

"That's not the point. Late is late. It's unprofessional."

Laguna twisted a strand of her hair around his finger. "You can't be professional all the time."

"Apparently not."

He kissed her; just a brush of lips at first, then something deeper, more serious, but just as soft.

"Now that's dangerous," she whispered. "I know where that ends up."

He just mmmed into her neck, and curled one hand around her hip.

"It's Squall," she said, very much aware that her heart had already started to race. "Xu has a briefing for us. If we're both late…"

"He'd never guess. Not in a million years."

"No, but someone else might, and if they told him…"

"I think he's got other things on his mind, love. And he doesn't listen to gossip."

"But it's not gossip." She arched up to meet his touch, unable to help herself.

"He wouldn't know that."

"But…"

His hand dipped between her legs, and she lost all interest in what Squall might or might not hypothetically know. A little sigh escaped her lips, and she melted back into the sheets.

"You're so wet," whispered Laguna. "You couldn't possibly go to a meeting all wet like that. Now, that would be unprofessional."

Quistis whimpered.

"Five minutes," he said. "Just give me five minutes."

"Oh…."

His fingers made soft clicking sounds; she parted her thighs a little, rocked her hips. His tongue darted at her nipple. Every nerve in her body tingled; her breath came in short gasps and her mind blanked on everything but the pleasure he was giving her. At that minute she could have shouted it from the roof of Garden: she loved him, she loved Laguna Loire, he made her feel like honey, like clouds and mountain tops, she loved him and she wanted, wanted, wanted….

Heat rushed to her cheeks and she clamped her thighs hard around his arm as she came, trapping his fingers inside her, his thumb still dancing on her clitoris. Wet and swollen and pulsing with pleasure.

Slowly, the world came back. He was lying beside her, watching her with a somewhat smug expression on his face, his blue eyes twinkling. His cock pressed, hard and insistent, into her leg.

"I'm still all wet," she said.

"Oh dear."

"And you're…" she cradled his cock in her hand.

"You're still late," Laguna said, his eyes glazing over a little.

"Just another five minutes…"

She slid down under the covers and took him in her mouth. Thick. Hard. Eager as a puppy. His fingers threaded in her hair, gentle and grateful.

How could she resist?

*******

Irvine didn't dare to look back as he left Sanke in her cell. His mind was racing, fury building inside him. He needed something, someone, to hit.

The first person he saw as he burst through the doors into the reception area, was Squall.

Irvine stood still for a moment, doors flapping shut behind him. Squall was signing some papers for the snotty receptionist, his hair falling in his eyes. He scribbled on the last one and handed them over, looked up….

… and saw Irvine. He looked astonished.

Irvine froze.

"What are you doing here?" Squall said, full-on commander-voice. Flat and disapproving.

"I-"

"You should be in Galbadia."

Something inside Irvine snapped.

"Why did you lock her up?"

Squall stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "What?"

"Don't play dumb with me. Sanke. You've got her locked up in a cell like a fucking criminal, or worse. What did she ever do to you?"

"That's none of your business." Squall's voice was infuriatingly calm. "You decided to transfer to Galbadia. What happens in Balamb is none of your concern."

"You bastard! Just because-"

Suddenly Squall was close, very close, so close that Irvine could see every eyelash, every pore, every bristle of his barely-shaved beard.

"I'm still your Superior Officer, Captain. And I won't hesitate to act like it. Is that clear?"

"Yes. Sir," said Irvine, through gritted teeth.

"Now, get out of my sight."

Irvine opened his mouth to argue, even as Squall turned his back. But the words wouldn't come. He tried to focus.

"At least tell me why she's here. Please," he said, acutely aware that the receptionist and the SeeDs waiting patiently in line were staring at him.

"That information is classified," said Squall.

Irvine watched him turn and leave, gut twisting, throat choked. He hadn't expected a warm reception. But this… No.

Stupid. Stupid to think Squall would ever forgive him. Stupid to think he could ever help Sanke. The only person he could help, just maybe, was Selphie. And that meant….

Pain spiked through Irvine's head. He screamed and fell to the ground.

Everything went black.

*******

Seifer leaned back against the rough wall of the training centre vestibule and blew out a long stream of smoke.

"So they banged her up after all, then."

"She's under observation," Frila ground out, hating herself. "Or that's what they said. I have to get her out. So, what do you know? And don't give me your usual bullshit."

"You're fucking arrogant, you know that? Have you forgotten who you're talking to?"

Frila's eyes narrowed. "And have you forgotten who saved your neck back during the field test?"

Seifer's eyes were suddenly cold, his face still. He took another drag of his cigarette, and watched the ash fall as he flicked it. "That's low, girlie."

"Then cut the crap and tell me what's going on."

"If I do, will you go running off to tell our glorious Commander?"

"Why? Should I?"

"Hyne, you're prickly today. Need a good fuck?"

She slammed her fist into his face. Fast and surprising enough that he didn't dodge properly, just darted back, and she hit him squarely on the nose at the same time as his head cracked against the wall behind him. She braced herself, expecting him to hit her back. But he didn't.

"I wasn't offering." He wiped a trickle of blood from his nose with the back of his hand.

"Good." Frila flexed her fingers, silently cursing her stinging knuckles. "Now, what d'you know?"

Seifer gave a long sigh. "All right. But I need some assurances from you before I talk."

"Don't jerk me around. You want me to hit you again?"

One step too far: Seifer stepped forwards, grabbed her fist and shoved it back so hard it wrenched her shoulder. "Information like this doesn't come cheap. You know why the Disciplinary Committee is so damn good? Contacts. Years of work knowing the right people, gaining their trust, making sure they owe us favours."

"And your point?"

"If you tell Leonhart, he'll go wading in there waving his gunblade around, and everyone'll know who squealed. And next time there won't be any information. There's only one way the Disciplinary Committee works: through me."

"That's good, because it's you I asked and it's you who's standing here" She moved in closer, nose to nose with him. "So tell me."

Seifer sighed. She stood her ground.

"Vincent's brother crashed out of the SeeD programme eighteen months ago. His father took it very badly, begged Leonhart to take him back. Even offered money, substantial amounts by all accounts."

"But Squall said no."

"Yep. Made a dangerous enemy in the process; the guy's rolling in Gil. Funding some political campaign in Deling right now. Rumour has it he runs some kind of underground racket in spy tech, but it's all hush-hush."

"But what's that got to do with Sanke?"

Seifer shrugged. "Just trying to stir trouble, I guess. Not the kid's fault, she's just an easy target, with the freaky powers and all."

"So they wanted to give Squall a headache and she was just… handy?"

"Looks that way."

"Oh." Frila felt somewhat deflated. Not that it wasn't good to have some answers, but she'd expected something more personal, somehow, something she could use to show Sanke's innocence. Worse still, if Sanke was an obvious target to Vincent's father, this wouldn't be the end of it. She stood out and anyone who wanted to make a point - and Frila guessed there were a lot of people like that - had a bloody beacon in Sanke they could light whenever they saw fit.

This wasn't going to go away.

"Hey, I'm sorry it's turned out so shitty for you and the kid," Seifer said. "You look like you could use a drink. Fancy a trip to Balamb?"

"No." Frila pulled Sulis into junction and wrapped her fingers firmly around her gunblade. "First I need to kill stuff."

"Okay. Mind if I tag along?"

"Whatever." Frila shoved through the doors. "Just don't get in my way."

"You could get in trouble with a cocky attitude like that," said Seifer, falling in step beside her.

Frila snorted.

They'd just killed the first grat when Seifer spoke again.

"Faggott," he said, with a frown.

"What?!"

"The name of that guy Vincent's old man sponsored. Faggot, or Fagit, or…"

A cold shiver ran down Frila's back. "Fargi?"

"Yeah. That's the one."

"And this guy was into spy-tech?"

"Something like that. Why?"

"Do me a favour?" She backed away at a jog.

"What?"

"Kill that for me." She pointed at the T-Rex over Seifer's shoulder, then turned and ran.

*******

The meeting room was too hot, and Squall's temper wasn't improving any for it.

"I don't know where Quistis has got to," said Xu. "It's not like her to be late."

"So call her," said Squall.

"I've tried. There must be a problem with her phone, she's not answering."

"Then we start without her."

"Well… okay. If you think so." Xu rifled through the prodigious clutch of files she'd brought with her. "Although I really think…"

"We can start with you explaining why Sanke is locked in the Clearing Centre."

"What?"

Squall glared steadily at her.

"She's locked in the Clearing Centre? I had no idea! I wouldn't have-"

"Just find out why."

"Of course. There must be a perfectly good explanation. Perhaps she-"

"Yeah. Perhaps. Now, the missions for next week..."

"Actually, there's something else I have to show you. It's very urgent."

She seemed genuinely agitated about something. "Go ahead."

Xu got up and turned on the small TV at the end of the table. She slipped a disc into the player.

"This was broadcast as part of an election bulletin in Deling this morning," she said. "Brace yourself."

The first thing that occurred to Squall as he watched was that he hadn't really seen Fargi in action before; apart from one computer-enhanced official photo he'd had no idea what his enemy looked like. He was younger than Squall had imagined. Thirty, maybe thirty five tops. His face was cracked with a fake smile; his blond hair was slicked back and parted on the side.

This? Rinoa had.... with this?

Squall's foot bounced impatiently on the floor.

"I could fast forward," Xu said. "The important bit is later."

"No. Let's hear what the bastard has to say."

Squall listened as Fargi droned on about taxes and education, the economy, making feeble promises just like any other politician. And then the image changed. Fargi's pale face was exchanged for stock footage of the Gardens: Galbadia first, then Balamb, and finally Trabia.

And Fargi's voice went on, aggressive now, even passionate.

SeeD is an enormous drain on our resources.

What do we really know about Squall Leonhart?

Leonhart's private army depends on dangerous and unpredictable alien forces.

They call it magic. I call it reckless meddling with beings we don't understand.

The view cut back briefly to Fargi's face: serious, intent, concerned.

Don't take my word for it. We've all been lied to before. I want the people of Galbadia to make up their own minds. That's why I'm showing you this exclusive footage taken inside one of these so-called Gardens - scenes Squall Leonhart would never want you to see."

There was a flash of Galbadia Garden again and then a Balamb classroom. Standing in the centre of the shot was Sanke, calling water out of nowhere, a vicious torrent flattening Vincent while cadets around them screamed and ran.

Squall stared at the screen. He couldn't think.

... This monster, half human, half alien, is not only free to walk the streets of Deling, it is revered and honoured. What other uncontrollable magic has SeeD brought to the world in order to exploit the ordinary men and women of the world?

They say we need them. They say only SeeD can defeat the monsters. But ask yourselves this: have the monsters gone? Can you roam the countryside without risking your life? No. Can we build new towns, expand our industries, improve communications with our neighbours? For four years they've wasted your money on extravagances like the new garden in the frozen wastes of Trabia, while our government didn't have the nerve to stand up to them. But here's the truth. We don't need SeeD. We don't need Leonhart. We can fight the monsters.

Join the fight- the real fight for Deling's future. Vote for freedom. Vote for safety. Vote for-"

The TV clicked off, and somewhere through the white noise roaring in his ears, Squall heard Xu say his name.

He didn't wait around to hear what else she had to say.

*******
In a world of pain and panic, Irvine slept.

Frila was there, and Zephyr. They were playing together on the very edge of the ocean, naked, frolicking like puppies.

But the sky darkened, flattened, unreal in grey and purple. Irvine yelled a warning but they didn't hear; he was forced to watch, powerless, as the ocean grew and threw a wave so huge and powerful that it swept them both away. He was still standing there in horror as the tide receded; a few feeble ripples of surf and it was gone, leaving nothing but sand and grit and writhing, stranded creatures as far as the eye could see. Irvine chased the tide until dark came. Things crunched under his feet. He stumbled over rocks, slipped on what was once the seabed, searching, searching, searching. But there was nothing. No-one.

He was completely and utterly alone.

Irvine woke with a jolt like lightning, sitting bolt upright so fast he made the nurse at his bedside scream.

Trembling and afraid, Irvine tried to pull himself properly awake. He had a sick ache in his head; his body felt frail and feeble. He was almost-quaking as if he had a fever. But his thoughts were clear, his heart beat strong and everything felt....

... wrong. Everything was wrong, black and scary flipside wrong.

Irvine searched his mind and wailed, pure agony.

Ether wasn't there.

*******

The door shuddered under the attack of Squall's boot heel. It tried to close, hesitated as its electronics squealed protest, and opened wide again for a flash before finally quivering shut.

Quistis caught a fleeting vision of Squall on the other side before the door formed a barrier between them. He looked furious. Absolutely fire-blood furious.

The door was locked in the few seconds it took her to reach it. She jabbed a finger at the intercom button.

"Squall? Let me in!"

No reply.

"Squall, come on. You can't just-"

There was a bang, a fizz and a shower of sparks. Quistis leapt back and only just missed the minor explosion from inside the intercom.

She stayed back. She hadn't seen Squall like this for a long time, but it wasn't something one forgot.

"Quistis?"

Quistis looked over her shoulder to find Frila standing there.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was planning on talking to Squall," said Frila, staring in astonishment at the door. "What happened?"

"I don't know," said Quistis. "I was late getting to a meeting and arrived just as he was storming out."

"Squall really hates meetings."

"Yes, but not this much. I think he-" Too late, Quistis remembered that Frila had been suspended from active duty. She shouldn't even be here. "It's nothing you need concern yourself with. What did you want to talk to him about? Won't it wait?"

"It's urgent," Frila said. "He was pretty insistent about the whole reporting thing. I don't want him to get mad again."

From somewhere inside Squall's office came the sound of breaking furniture.

"Sounds like it's a bit late for that," said Quistis.

"Yes, but…. Can't you magic the door open or something?"

Quistis adjusted her glasses. "Of course. But I'm not sure it's wise. We really ought to give him time to calm down a bit first. Even Squall's entitled to his privacy."

"I think you might want to make an exception," said Frila.

"Why, what is it?"

"Well, the thing is…." Frila hesitated, glancing towards the door. "Have you ever heard of a guy called Fargi?"

"Oh," said Quistis. "I see."

There was a flash of blue light and an almighty crash from Squall's office.

"Come with me," she told Frila. "We won't get any sense out of him until he calms down."

She let Frila back down the corridor to the meeting room. Xu was still there.

"Bad news, I take it?" said Quistis.

"You saw Squall?"

"In passing. He didn't look very pleased."

"He's gone ballistic," Frila added.

"I think you'd both better sit down," said Xu. "I've got something you should see."

*******

Irvine circled the reception area of the Clearing Centre, unable to keep still. He still felt shaky. The nurse had probably been right, he shouldn't have left the infirmary so soon. But he couldn't just lie there, couldn't be still.

The receptionist approached him nervously: thankfully it wasn't the dragon he'd seen before. He was dimly aware that it must be night time.

"I'm sorry, Captain Kinneas," she said. "There's no record of your Guardian being located anywhere in Garden."

Irvine's legs gave way: fortunately he was near the seating and collapsed untidily into a chair.

"Captain! Are you alright? Can I get you a glass of water?"

"He must be here," Irvine pleaded. "He can't corporealise for long, he needs to be tied to a strong emotional source."

"I understand." she sat beside him, smiled kindly at him, patted his hand. "Is it possible that he's transferred to a different plane?"

"I... I don't know. I suppose, maybe. But he never said he could."

"Well, we'll explore all the possibilities, and I promise we'll keep you fully informed. Would you like a temporary issue?"

"What?"

"I could issue you with another GF, just to keep you mission-ready. Help with the shock."

"No thanks, I don't... I'm from Galbadia."

"Oh, I see. Well, in that case, perhaps you should report to the infirmary..."

The main doors slid open, and Irvine found himself blinking up at Xu.

"Irvine? What are you doing here?"

She had Frila and Quistis with her. Frila looked kind of shocked. Irvine wondered why.

"Errand," he said. "Just felt a little dizzy." He forced himself to stand, and tried to focus.

"Are you alright?" asked Quistis.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. All done now. Back to Galbadia today. Later. When it's, um, light."

"It's good to see you," she said, and gave him a little hug. "We miss you. If you have time, maybe we could meet up before you go back, catch up with all the news?"

"Yeah, sure." Irvine forced a smile, but he felt weak as a kitten and his head was pounding. Quistis gave his shoulder a little squeeze and went on her way.

"You look like shit," said Frila.

"Thanks."

"Seriously. Get some sleep." And she followed Quistis to the reception desk, leaving Irvine with the distinct impression that he was having some kind of surreal nightmare.

"How's Selphie?" said Xu.

His nightmare was complete. But her voice was soft, and Irvine could feel the pain in it, even in his present tortuous state.

"She's better. Training a lot."

"Good! Well, please, send her my love." She sounded sincere, gracious. "That is, if she wants to hear from me. I'll let you be the judge of that."

"I'm sure she will."

They exchanged painful smiles and he was about to take his leave and stagger back to the infirmary when she said: "Irvine, are the two of you together?"

They could be.

It hit Irvine like a thunderbolt. Ether was the last barrier, the last thing he had to give up, and he wasn't there anymore. Irvine was free. He could be with Selphie, just like she wanted. No more difficult choices. He could just go back to Galbadia and live happily ever after.

The room span a little. Irvine felt sick. Hollow.

"I'm sorry," Xu said, "I shouldn't have asked. It's none of my business any more, only there's been so many rumours...."

"It's complicated," Irvine said. "Very complicated."

"Oh. I see. Well."

"Just.... complicated."

"I suppose with Selphie, things always are. And you... Okay. Look, whatever happens, please, look after her for me, will you?" And in a small, almost desperate voice: "I just want her to be happy."

Irvine couldn't speak. He managed a feeble smile and a nod, just barely.

"Thanks," said Xu, and ran off to join the others.

*******

Very calmly, Squall sorted through the wreckage of his office until he found the kettle. His fingers were a little numb: on reflection the ice magic might have been a bad choice. Not only had it made the whole room freezing cold, but the fragments of ice and snow were now melting and making everything very soggy. There was a definite squelch underfoot as he plodded across to the sink. The electricity sockets probably weren't safe to use, either.

Squall chucked the kettle back into the pile and retrieved a reasonably clean mug. He poured an approximate spoonful of coffee into it and filled it with water. Then, cradling the mug in both hands, he gently called forth Fire. Not too much, just enough to warm the liquid, slowly, cautiously, and with a precision that most SeeDs could only dream of.

Squall upended a mostly-intact waste bin, and sat on it, stretching his long legs out in front of him. The coffee smelled good. He sipped at it, and enjoyed a sense of calm that hadn't settled in his mind for a long, long time.

Things were clear.

He had a mission, he had an enemy.

And he knew that he would win.

Squall sat in the wreckage of his office, drinking instant coffee from an old, chipped mug, and began to work out how.

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