Stealth
Chapter xlii
By YuriNigasa
*standard I don't own FFVIII, Squaresoft, characters, etc. applies from now until whenever I decide I'm done*
Stealth
Chapter xlii
By YuriNigasa
Autopilot was a godsend, if one believed in gods. Squall and I were in the Ragnarok, about fifteen minutes outside of Balamb, heading to see Elle. It had taken her less than a day and a half to arrive at Balamb Garden. We had left the rest of the group in Centra, sent on our way with promises that they would have the chamber opened by the time we got back. Squall was uneasy about leaving them there alone, but as I pointed out, they were probably safer there without us than with us. The six of them unloaded some tents and temperature regulation units and swore they would make due until we got back. That had been several hours ago. I reached over, disengaged the autopilot, and worked on lowering our altitude. Swinging in east of Balamb Harbor, I gently set the ship down just slightly southeast of Garden. Hitting the com button, I called "We're down."
"So I figured from the view of Garden outside the window," Squall replied, deadpan.
"Smartass," I growled. "I'll be down in a minute, just going to move everything to standby."
"Copy that."
I heard the hatch opening somewhere below and the various gears and parts moving to lower the stairs. Flicking switches and hitting buttons, I shut down all the nonessentials. I gathered my knapsack and headed for the lift, feeling that slightly disorienting twinge when it set down. I walked out to the hangar and down the steps where Squall stood waiting, bags in hand, a look of utter complacency on his face. I didn't trust that look. I swung my gaze around to the imposing structure before me. It seemed years more than weeks since I'd left here to go on what was supposed to be a routine field exam on a routine mission. Surprisingly, my stomach gave a nervous little flutter at the prospect of stepping back inside as not only a member of SeeD, but according to Elle, a hero. I swallowed, pushing the feeling out of my gut. I lifted my free hand and put it behind Squall's neck, running it lazily through the baby-soft strands of hair that tangled against my fingers. I kissed him quickly on the forehead, a move that, predictably, earned me the glare of reproach for inferred condescension, overprotection, or just plain moodiness.
I followed beside him at an easy pace as we walked up the road that, modified in our absence, now included a graduated ramp, allowed for easier access in and out of the Garden without sacrificing the mobility of the building. A retractable gangway of sorts bridged the gap between the ramp and the entranceway. It swayed just slightly as we crossed, our footsteps ringing out with the sound of boots on aluminum. It was strange, not having to cross the courtyard to get inside anymore. How many years ago I did I first walk through those old gates, now assuredly obliterated, if not by the initial movement of Garden, then by the subsequent missile impact? Now, no gates. Just a ramp and a walkway. Walking on board Garden for the first time is an experience, a strange sensation unmatched by any other. Some quasi-rocking sensation as the stabilizer below constantly made minute adjustments in an attempt to keep the structure level. Previously, I hadn't really thought enough about it to notice it. Now, several weeks later, with, for the most part, all those weeks being quite on terra firma, I noticed it enough that it occasionally teased at my equilibrium.
Whispers preceded us, falling silent as we passed, replaced by the sharp sound of salutes and echoes of "Sir!” and resuming to whispers behind us. We headed toward the Senior Staff quarters, bags in hand. Reaching the door, I realized I still had no idea what the code was to get in. I looked over at Squall, who smirked, dropped the bag in his hand, and reached up to punch in the numbers. "Three-two-one-six-zero-seven," he said, looking down at his feet, suddenly quite interested in picking up his bag.
I quirked an eyebrow. "You're kidding, right?" It was too much of a coincidence. The numbers were the year, day, and month of my birth.
"No," he blushed furiously, a haze of crimson that spread up his cheeks like flame.
Go figure. Maybe the Commander of Garden is a romantic at heart after all. I wonder if any of the others ever puzzled that one together for however long they'd used this code. Probably not. Selphie didn't know how to keep a secret that good for that long.
I opened the door to Squall's - our - I corrected myself mentally, room. Tossing the bags on the couch, Squall walked in to the study, and turned on the terminal. I dropped my bag on the floor and walked up behind him, putting my hands gently on his shoulders, resting my chin on the top of his head. He tilted his head up and I obligingly kissed his proffered lips. "So where's our guest?" I asked.
"Second floor SeeD quarters," he said. "Why they didn't put her in here I don't understand." He hit the com button and paged the room. "Elle?" he asked.
"Squall? Is that you?" she responded.
"Yeah, it's me. Why'd they put you way up there?"
"Oh, you know me. I didn't want to be a bother so I just took an empty room."
"You should have just stayed in here, you know," he sighed.
I suppressed a snicker, knowing for certain what she would say back.
"Not when I know what's been going on in that bed, thank you," she said.
I love it when I'm right. "Aww, come on Elle, we washed the sheets," I interrupted.
"And the mattress?" she asked. I could only laugh in response. "I thought so, Seifer. I'd feel better staying in Zell's room, if that tells you anything!"
"I don't see how that would be any better," I replied. "Anyway, get up here and quit being so antisocial. That's Squ-...” A hand clamped down firmly over my mouth before I could finish my sentence. I found myself on the receiving end of a cool stare. Winking at Squall, I succeeded in opening my mouth wide enough to force my tongue out and lick his palm.
"Seifer! That's disgusting!" he exclaimed, reaching out to wipe his palm on the sleeve of my shirt, which I quickly dodged.
"Guys, hello, guys? That's not encouraging me to visit you," Elle's voice came through the com link.
"Don't worry, I promise Squall will keep his pants on." I had to run out of the room quickly for that comment. Squall was not pleased.
"Don't pay attention to him Elle," Squall said with just a hint of exasperation. "We'll see you when you get down here. Out."
"Okay!" Elle's voice came through cheerfully, before the link was cut.
I couldn't truthfully say I wasn't worried. Closer to downright scared, terrified in a way I'd never been before. I look over to my left, seeing Seifer beside me. To my right, Elle sat in a chair beside the bed. I suppose I shouldn't worry, because it's all in the past, right? Yeah, not very reassuring. Seifer's hand is warm, larger than mine, rough palm covering my hand and long fingers entwined in mine. He refused to let me go alone. Elle's not even sure she can send me into my own past. It might fall into the realm of paradox. If that proves to be the case, Seifer's going alone. I don't like that idea at all. It's not that I have anything to hide, well, I can think of a few things I'd rather Seifer not know, but I don't know. All my worries are probably baseless.
"Ready?" she asks me, and I look over at her. I can't say a word, just look at her; I'm sure she knows what I can't say as I nod affirmatively.
I feel that strange sensation - half sleep, half paralysis - overtake me. My eyes are shutting involuntarily.
Squall? Squall, can you hear me?
Elle? I hear you.
Seifer?
I'm here.
Okay, I'm going to try. Get ready.
-flash-
"Dammit, Rinoa, you don't understand. I'm not like you; I don't want to be like you. I can't be what you want, and you can't make me into what you need!"
Ugh, she actually put you through this too?
What the? Not good, Squall, not good. You're hearing things. Soon you'll be as bad as Laguna and his faeries. At least he had a reason to hear things.
Not far enough. Back.
-flash-
Sight of a gray trench coat, ragged and bloodstained, retreating out the door.
"Fuujin?"
"Yes, Squall?"
"Do what I can't. Take care of him. Both of you."
Catch of breath.
"We will."
Further.
-flash-
Alive? Oh hell, he's alive. Heart pounding, racing. This isn't like it was. Oh hell oh hell. Junctions are in place I don't want to do this. He'll die. I won't kill him, I won't. Not like this not ever no no.
Strange conflicts for one of your type. He is an enemy, no?
What the, oh Shiva, no Shiva. Not enemy, no. I can't describe it; it's like...
love?
Love? I... Seifer... Do I?
Say no more. I know. (impression of a smile)
She can't smile can she? You can't smile can you?
(impression of laughter) Worry not. No harm will befall him that he will not recover from.
Almost. Just a little ahead from here.
-flash-
Fallingfallingfallingohfuck... it burns! I'msorrysosorryeveryone... Seifer... I'm sorry.
SQUALL!!!!!!!!
-black-