Legacy

Second story in the Sands of Time series.
by scribblemoose

Chapter 15

The first thing Irvine knew was the ache. A deep, throbbing ache that spread from his head, down his neck, across his right shoulder and lodged firmly in his guts. It hurt like hell.

The second thing he became aware of was Squall.

"Squall?"

"You're awake." He almost sounded surprised. "Drink this."

He shoved a glass in Irvine's hand. It had the reassuring rainbow glow of elixir, but with a greenish tinge that Irvine didn't much like the look of. He wasn't about to argue with Squall, though, so he gulped it down.

Gulping proved to be a bad idea. The first mouthful came straight back up and collided with the second, leaving Irvine coughing and spluttering.

"Not all at once," Squall scolded. "Hyne." He threw a towel at Irvine and took the glass back while Irvine cleaned himself up and dabbed at the sheets.

Sheets. Clean, white sheets. He was in bed, but it wasn't his bed. He looked around the room, wincing when he moved his head too fast. It was Squall's room. Squall's.

He was in Squall's bed.

"Drink it slowly," Squall said, exchanging towel for glass again. "Then you can have some water. Kadowaki's concoctions usually taste pretty foul."

He wasn't wrong about that. But Irvine did as he was told, got the medicine down in small, careful, excruciating sips, and collapsed back on the pillows, suddenly exhausted, with the taste of tin in his mouth. The elixir kicked in fast, though, and he started to feel better. He accepted the second glass Squall offered him with mopre enthusiasm: cool, clean water laced with ice. There was even a straw.

"Thanks," he said.

"She reckons you'll live," said Squall. "The doctor. But you've got to take it easy for a few days. You lost a lot of blood and there was some kind of infection from the bites."

Irvine remembered: the catcherpillar. Teeth like a million poison needles sinking into his shoulder. "Gun jammed," he said.

"What the fuck were you doing out there at all? You were supposed to be in the infirmary for observation. Kadowaki said you'd charmed the nurses into letting you out early."

"Yeah, couldn't stand the smell of the place, y'know?"

Squall's face fell into that cold, hard expression that Irvine knew all too well from their days on the battlefield. "Don't play dumb with me, Kinneas."

The truth came out of Irvine's mouth before he had a chance to think of a lie. "I had to find Ether. I fucked up. I'm sorry."

"Didn't it at least occur to you it might be a good idea to take another GF with you? Or some help? Or are you so arrogant you really thought-"

"I didn't think anything! You don't have to tell me how stupid I am, okay? I know. Believe me, I know."

"Irvine..."

Irvine shut his eyes tight against the threat of tears and wished he had the energy to run away. But he could barely sit up, never mind get out of bed. And that was after Kadowaki's miserable medicine. So he flung an arm over his face and lay still, hoping Squall would get on with the lecture and get it over with.

Squall sighed deeply, and there was a scraping noise. When curiosity got the better of Irvine and he peeked out from under his arm, he saw Squall sitting on a chair beside the bed. His arms were folded across his chest, and a familiar frown furrowed his brow.

"Just send me back to Galbadia and be done with it," Irvine said. "I'm not your problem any more."

"Irvine, you're my friend. Or at least, I thought you were."

Not an accusation, just Squall's usual self-doubt.

"Don't know what you'd want me for," Irvine said, "but yeah. 'Course I'm still your friend."

"Then why did you leave?"

There was a long pause. Irvine struggled to form words, to keep his voice steady, to find some way of answering without answering at all. A whole clutch of possible, plausible reasons presented themselves. That Xu had told him to. That he'd missed Duck and Zef. That he couldn't trust himself around Frila. That he was too irresponsible to be a goody-goody Balamb seed any longer. That Ether preferred Galbadia. Each of them at least a little bit of truth. But not true enough.

"You don't need me any more," he said. "Nobody does."

"That's such bullshit."

"You stopped sharing stuff with me. I hardly saw you."

"You were never here."

"You could have called me any time. Besides, you had Rinoa."

"What's Rinoa got to do with it?"

"I didn't want to get between you two. You had her to keep you company, give you advice. You didn't need me."

Squall's mouth twisted into a snarl. "Yeah. Because that worked out so fucking well."

Irvine's heart raced. His palms felt clammy.

Squall's expression softened, and he sighed. "Rinoa and you were totally different. What I had with her was...." He struggled briefly for words. "It was romance, I suppose, destiny, kind of, a sort of exciting comfort. I'd never been in love before and it was just..." He shrugged, out of words. "But you... you understand me like no-one ever has. You stop me acting crazy. I can talk to you. Do you know how many people I can say that about, even now? None. That's how many."

Irvine crumpled a bit inside. "Oh, Man."

"'Course, I'm not the expert in human relationships. Guess I got it wrong all over again."

"No! No, it wasn't you. You didn't... I missed you, you're my best friend, I just thought..."

Irvine had never felt so utterly wrong about anything in his entire life. He went back in his mind over the last few months. Years, even. Drifting. Hiding. So wrapped up in his own loneliness, while Squall...

"I'm sorry," he said. "I've been such an arsehole."

Squall's hand twitched. He nibbled a bit on his lower lip. Then, tentatively at first, he reached out and squeezed Irvine's shoulder. The good one.

"You're just a jerk," Squall said, with the faintest of smiles. "'s okay."

"I don't want to be a jerk." Squall's fingers were warm on Irvine's skin. He folded his own hand over them, keeping them there.

"I used to wonder if it was Ether," Squall said. "If he needed that much of you, maybe made you forget stuff...."

Irvine shook his head. "Doesn't work that way. If anything, he knew what's right better than I did. Kinda."

The loss hit him in the gut, in the chest; he felt empty, and it hurt a million times more than that stupid cockatrice, more than the catcherpillar, more than a fucking tail kick from a red dragon. He must have made a noise, because Squall looked concerned, and squeezed his shoulder again.

"I'm sorry, man," he said. "It must feel...."

"Yeah." Irvine rubbed tears from his eyes and drained his glass. Squall took it from him and refilled it from a jug on the bedside table. "Is Rinoa..."

"Rinoa left me." Said in a cold, flat voice, defying sympathy. "Life's been shit."

"I saw her, in Deling. I'm sorry Man."

"You knew?"

"I guessed."

Squall nodded. "That's that, then."

"It need not be. These things happen sometimes. You guys can straighten it out."

"Whatever. So are you fucking Selphie now? That's what everyone says."

Ouch. "Yeah. Well, I wouldn't put it exactly like that, but, I guess."

"So you did run away together, then?"

"No! Shit, no, it wasn't like that. I'd already decided. She kind of came along for the ride at the last minute. It wasn't supposed to happen that way."

"Oh." Squall looked genuinely surprised.

"It wasn't a good idea," said Irvine. "I'm not proud of it. It just.... she needed someone, and I always... you know. It's kind of complicated."

Squall leaned back in his chair. "Go on. I can do complicated these days. You'd be surprised."

"Really?"

"Try me."

"Well.... It's what I've always wanted. Only, when it happened, it wasn't."

"Why?"

"I don't know," said Irvine unhappily. "It just doesn't feel right."

"Ether? Incompatabilities can be very powerful."

"No. If it was I'd feel different now, wouldn't I? But I don't. If anything.... oh shit. It should be so simple, me and Sefie, just like it was supposed to be. But it isn't."

"Hm," said Squall.

"She asked me to give up Ether, before I left. I thought I could do it. I thought I could give up Ether, and Zef, and Duck, and be what she wanted. So why can't I? I could be in Galbadia now with the girl I love. So why did I go and get myself half-killed by a fucking catcherpillar instead?"

"Maybe you don't love her any more."

"What?"

"I think that's what happened with Rinoa. It happened with Zell and the library girl. With Selphie and Xu. And Selphie's different, isn't she? She's not the person you liked back in the Ultimecia days."

Irvine closed his eyes. Maybe Squall really was getting the hang of these things. He'd struck the truth fast enough. "I won't give up on her."

"This may surprise you," said Squall dryly, "but you can help people without fucking them."

Irvine opened one eye.

"In fact sometimes it makes things a lot easier."

"Is that right?"

"You could try," said Squall. He was actually smiling. Just a bit.

"We'll see," said Irvine.

It was a surprisingly appealing idea. It still hurt that it felt more wrong to be with Selphie than not, and he couldn't even begin to imagine telling her, but.... damn, Squall had got better at this stuff. Who'd've thought.

"The Doctor will be here in about an hour," said Squall. "You should get some sleep."

"I feel like I slept for a week already."

"You still look like crap."

"Gee, thanks."

"Besides. We've got a lot to do. Don't want you flaking out on me just because you didn't follow doctor's orders."

Surprisingly enough, Irvine found himself yawning. Maybe Squall was right. Or maybe that sudden fizz of magic from Squall's fingers had something to do with his sudden acquiescence. Irvine found he didn't much care.

An order was an order, after all.

*

Frila sat on the edge of Sanke's bed in her tiny cell, and nibbled on an apple. Laguna had sent an enormous fruit basket, which enraged Frila on the one hand - how dare he, when it was all his fault Sanke was locked up like this? - but on the other hand, she was hungry. She hadn't really made it to the cafeteria very often since Sanke was locked up, finding the training centre a far more satisfying place to vent her anger.

A piercing howl came from somewhere beyond the force-field, making Frila jump.

"What's that?"

"Lycantor," Sanke replied. "The big wolfy one opposite."

Frila went to have a look and saw what looked suspiciously like a werewolf, in a cell on the other side of the room. It stood straight and tall, head tilted back, and howled again. one of the two SeeDs on duty scuttled across the room to soothe it.

"They've all been restless today," Sanke said, with a sigh. "Even worse at night."

"No-one likes to be locked up."

"Hm. So, tell me some news. Have you seen Irvine?"

"Not really. Well, he was in reception last night."

"He brought me chocolate yesterday." Her face saddened. "I expect he's back in Galbadia by now. With Selphie."

"Probably."

Sanke sighed again. "So sad," she murmured.

Frila flung herself back on the bed. "This is so stupid. We have to find a way to get you out of here."

"It's not so bad, really. I do understand, about the tests."

Frila snorted dismissively. "Have they even started any yet?"

"Oh yes! Well, kind of. They asked me some questions last night, after dinner. About my powers, and what it felt like to use them. I think they were trying to work out whether I enjoyed it or not."

"Just questions? They didn't... do anything to you?"

"Nope, just questions. I don't mind answering questions. It was okay. They were nice to me. Really, I understand why they're worried."

"Well, I don't. You've always done everything they wanted, put up with two years at Esthar, came here to be a stupid cadet. It's that fucking vincent they should lock up."

"Well, he did behave badly towards Asha, it's true. But he's been punished too."

"That's not the point. I'll get you out of here. I promise."

Sanke lay a hand on Frila's arm. Her touch was gentle but sure. "It's alright. Really. It's best to do what they want. It was very scary, what I did. If they can help me to understand better how it happened, honestly, it's what I want."

"So long as that's really what they're doing."

"Of course it is, silly! Laguna wouldn't lie to me."

Frila wished she could summon half the confidence in others that Sanke had.

Sanke gave her arm a little squeeze. "Really, Fril, it's okay."

Frila let out a long sigh. "So long as they're treating you right. Promise you'll tell me the minute you're not happy with this? Promise?"

"Of course. It'll be fine. Now, why don't you try one of the peaches? They're delicious."

Frila sank her teeth into soft, ripe fruit, juice running down her chin. Delicious, definitely. Sanke was right.

As usual.

*

Irvine cradled his coffee mug in his hands and watched the milk foam swirl around on the top. Everything felt unreal, but at the same time the familiarity of Squall's kitchen, Squall's mug, the rich scent of Squall's coffee and the squeak of Squall's leather trousers were like an anchor.

"So it's a month to the election," Squall was saying, "and the bastard looks like he might win."

"And be President?"

Squall quirked an eyebrow. "So you have been paying attention."

"Not entirely. They don't tell you much at Galbadia."

"Unless you go to the briefings."

"Ah. Well, there is that," Irvine admitted sheepishly.

"You've got a fair bit to catch up on. I could arrange for a Xu to get you up to speed," Squall said with a grin.

"Give me the short version. Why does it matter who wins some stupid election in Deling? Isn't SeeD supposed to stay out of that shit?"

"He wants to demolish SeeD. Thinks he can do without us."

"Well, that's more than usually moronic."

"No. I don't think he's a moron; in fact I think he can be very clever. He's been building up to this for a while."

Squall gulped a mouthful of coffee. "There was a broadcast, two nights ago. He'd got film of Sanke from the other day and used it to show us in the worst possible light." A muscle in Squall's cheek began to twitch, a sure sign his temper was flaring.

Sanke?

"So we're going to kick his arse?" said Irvine.

"Put it this way: however he wants to play it, I'm ready. I don't give a shit about politics, but I won't let him put innocent people in danger, and I won't let him badmouth SeeD."

"Spoken like a true hero. And Rinoa?"

Squall's expression darkened, and he turned away to dump his empty mug in the sink. "Rinoa made her choice."

"She's still in Deling?"

"Last I heard."

"And Zell?"

"He made his choices, too. It's none of my business any more what they do."

Irvine watched him carefully. There was something Squall wasn't telling him, but Irvine knew Squall's moods and now wasn't the time to push.

"Okay," he said gently, when it was clear Squall wasn't going to venture anything further. "Tell me where to start."

"I called the clearing centre, told them to search for Ether as a key priority in the next twenty four hours. Thirty mile radius of garden. Take Siren for now. You'll need her."

Irvine nodded, too choked to speak. The lack of Ether still burned him inside.

Squall touched his face, finger tips to temple and cheekbones, and passed the junction to Irvine.

"She's been dying to get back in your head," Squall said, as Irvine adjusted to a rush of power painfully familiar and at the same time tortuously different. Sure enough, Siren settled into his mind with a langorous purr. Stronger than the last time Irvine had junctioned her; that tended to happen when Guardians had been Squall for a while. The bastard just never quit training.

Energy returned in a rush. His aches and pains disolved, and for now, Irvine felt strong. Physically, at least. He knew the shock of unjunctioning and losing it all again would hurt like a bitch, but for now he didn't care. It was damn good to not feel weak as a kitten.

"Time to round people up," Squall said. "If we're headed for battle we have to be ready."

"What about Galbadia?" Irvine said, thinking suddenly of Zef. "If there's a war..."

"All Gardens are under my jurisdiction," Squall said. "Galbadia fights for me now."

A slightly foolish grin appeared on Irvine's face. "Damn, but it's good to have you back, man."

"Actually," said Squall, pointedly, "it wasn't me that left."

"Whatever," said Irvine.

*

Quistis took off her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was beginning to understand why Squall hated politics so much.

"Don't worry," Laguna said cheerfully. "Squall can't sulk in his room forever. If he doesn't come out soon we just tell him there's a crazy sorceress on the loose again. Betcha he couldn't resist."

Quistis smiled. "That might just be worth a try."

"But meanwhile, what's next on his exciting schedule?"

Quistis consulted the data screen in front of her. "Nida. Seal report."

"Well, that shouldn't be too taxing."

"Better than the Guild of Armourers, at any rate."

"Oh yes. Shall I go and see if he's waiting outside?"

"Ah, he will be. I don't think I can even imagine Nida being late for anything."

She watched Laguna walk across the small meeting room to the door, admiring the glossy swish of his hair, shown off perfectly against his soft, white shirt. There were compensations to covering for Squall. Working with Laguna meant that they'd seen more of each other in the last two days than they ususally did in a month.

The door opened and sure enough, Nida stood there. He saluted smartly at Laguna and looked somewhat disappointed when Laguna gave him an airy wave in return.

Quistis returned his salute in a more orthodox style, and invited him to sit with them at the steel-topped table in the centre of the room. Nida did so, twitching his terribly neat uniform jacket into place when it threatened to ride up around his neck (as male SeeD uniforms were prone to do).

"I was expecting Commander Leonhart," Nida said, in a neutral tone that betrayed no sense of disappointment.

"He has some urgent business to attend to," said Quistis. "You are to deliver your report on the seal to me instead."

"Oh. Well, alright. There is nothing to report."

Quistis wondered if Squall really met with Nida every single day to hear this. She knew as well as anyone how important vigilence at the cave was, but surely neutral reports could be taken as a default position?

"Does Squall see you every day about this?" Laguna asked, obviously thinking along the same lines.

"He usually inspects personally," Nida replied. "But he hasn't had much time lately."

Laguna and Quistis exchanged a glance.

"But everything's fine down here?" said Quistis.

"Yes, it's all in order."

"Very well, Nida. Thank you. That's all for now, then."

"There was one other matter."

"Yes?"

"I wish to requisition the Ragnarok to assess GF sightings in Galbadia."

"Why?" Quistis asked.

"Commander Leonhart asked me to put all three Gardens through training for manoevres. Given the current sensitivities regarding Galbadia, I thought it prudent to investigate first."

"I don't think there's any need for that, Nida. Xu should be able to tell you all you need to know."

Nida tugged at his collar. "With respect, Commander Leonhart intimated that-"

"The Rag's going back to Esthar tomorrow," Laguna said. "Sorry, man."

"It would only take a couple of hours." Nida was almost pleading. "I'm quite sure that if Commander Leonhart was here, he would-"

"But he isn't," Quistis said. "And the Ragnarok isn't under his command, it belongs to President Loire. You heard his decision."

Nida opened his mouth as if to argue, then shut it again. His hands gripped the arm of his chair so hard that his knuckles went white.

"Is there a problem with carrying out Squall's orders?" Quistis asked.

"No! of course not." Nida pulled himself together and forced a smile. "With permission, I'll progress those orders immediately."

"Don't knock yourself out," Laguna said. "You look totally stressed, man. Why not take some R&R time and start in the morning?"

Quistis had to stifle a giggle; Nida looked mortally offended.

"I assure you, President, I am quite-"

"I'd take his advice, if I were you," said Quistis. "You are very diligent, Nida, and we could have a long battle ahead of us."

Nida stared at the table, a muscle near his left eye twitching furiously.

"You can go," said Quistis. "And for the time being, only report back if there's something of note, either at the seal or regarding the Garden exercises. Clear?"

"Understood." Nida got to his feet, gave a stiff little salute, and left.

"Now there's a guy with a stick up his arse nearly as big as Squall's," Laguna observed.

Quistis burst out laughing, her giggles only subsiding when Laguna kissed her.

The kiss left her as breathless as the laughter. She gasped as he pulled back, her heart pounding.

"On the table," Laguna said. "Now."

Quistis fought for words - the door's unlocked, anyone could come in, the schedule... but none made it from her brain to her voice. Laguna lifted her up, light as a feather, and deposited her on the edge of the table. Smooth, cool metal clung to her thighs. He hitched up her skirt and tugged her panties (black lace, a recent extravagance) off, cursing under his breath as they snagged on her boots. Once he'd got them free he ran his hands over her knees, along her thighs, parting them, touching her with warm, strong fingers.

"You're wet," he purred.

"Apparently." Quistis winked at him. Her glasses were sliding down her nose and her hair was escaping its barette. She felt dishevelled and wonderfully, amazingly out of control.

"Oh Hyne." Laguna showered kisses on her throat, her uniform blouse swiftly opened to reveal soft, trembling breasts. She heard a rustle of fabric and the unmistakable rasp of a zip, and the next thing she knew Laguna was tugging her towards him, lining himself up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and let herself fall back against the table as he thrust into her. The world disappeared: Garden, Squall, Nida, war, politics, all of it, except for the deep, hard pleasure of fucking.

Fucking. Laguna was fucking her on a table in a meeting room and-

She came in hard, violent clenches that wracked her whole body and made Laguna yell out in surprise. Her head tipped back and she arched her spine, acutely aware of Laguna's hands. One on her hip, one on her breast, his mouth on her neck, biting and sucking at stretched skin, his cock hard and huge and driving into her over and over.

The hand on her hip tightened, holding him still, and he growled into her hair, thrust deep.

"Laguna," she breathed, stroking his hair, her body shuddering in time with his.

Time stood still for a moment or two, and then Laguna said, "Wow."

"Um," said Quistis, nodding towards the door. "We'd better...."

"Oh! Yeah, right." Still dazed, he pulled out and away, fumbling to make himself decent. Quistis took stock: her hair was a total mess, her legs were still trembling and her heart was soaring with the recklessness and excitement of what they'd done.

"Are you okay?" Laguna asked.

"Yes." Quistis smiled. "But we must never, ever take a risk like that ever again. Obviously."

"Oh, right! Absolutely. Sure."

"I mean, anyone could have come in!"

"Well, yeah. I just... yeah." He nodded firmly, and was clearly trying to look as if he cared. But he'd never been a good liar.

"I mean it!" Quistis hopped down from the table, smoothing down her skirt. Her hair made its escape complete, and tumbled over her shoulders in glossy blonde waves.

"You're so beautiful," Laguna sais helplessly.

He looked flushed, his eyes a little too bright, his cheeks a little too pink. But his expression was so full of love and happiness, Quistis couldn't help but smile. "Let's get back to the schedule," she said. "Just give me a moment to fix my hair."

"Sure." Laguna returned, whistling, to the computer screen in the corner of the room. "Oh, hello. Looks like Squall's come to his senses. He's called a briefing meeting."

"Really? When?"

Laguna looked from the screen to his watch and back again. "In about... half an hour?"

"Good." Quistis gave her hair a final pat and straightened her jacket. "Let's just hope he's stopped throwing things."

*

The air con was on full in the meeting room, lending a chill that scattered goosebumps across Irvine's bare arms. He sat low in his seat, hat screening his face. There were people around the table he hadn't seen for a while, most of whom had good reason to be pissed off with him for one thing or another. Quistis. Laguna. Xu. Xian. Nida, even. He wasn't sure he was ready to face them yet.

No point trying to explain that to Squall, of course, so here he was.

"You can stop hiding, Irvine," Quistis said. "It's not as though you'll fool us into thinking you're still in Galbadia."

Irvine emerged sheepishly, tipping his hat back a little.

"It's kind of hard to ignore six foot of cowboy." Quistis smiled at him. "Welcome back, Irvine."

Irvine smiled cautiously. "Thanks."

Nida cleared his throat. "May I ask, is this a permanent arrangement? Or is it just a holiday?"

"Um," said Irvine.

"Irvine will be in Balamb for as long as I deem necessary," Squall said. "Where's Frila?"

"She was in the Clearing Centre when I sent her your message," Quistis said. "I'm sure she won't be long."

Squall grunted.

"She's finding it hard," said Quistis.

Something dangerous sparked in Squall's eyes. "Oh really? What, exactly, is she finding hard?"

"Being separated from Sanke," said Quistis.

Squall leaned across the table, face like thunder. "So why exactly are they separated? Whose idea was it to lock Sanke up like an animal, and why the fuck didn't anyone tell me?"

Quistis couldn't quite look him in the eye. "Oh. Well… There was a memo," she said, weakly. "And I was going to explain to you at the meeting, only-"

"You were late."

Quistis blushed to her roots.

"Chill out, Squall," said Laguna. "It's not Quisty's fault. You gave jurisdiction over Sanke to us, and we did the best thing for her."

Squall glared at his father, while his father smiled back pleasantly at him.

"So you really didn't know she'd been locked up?" Irvine said to Squall.

Squall shot him a glare.

"Sorry," said Irvine, but allowed himself to feel a little smug just the same.

"I should have included you in the decision, Squall," Quistis said. "Please accept my apologies."

"I don't need apologies. Why did you lock her up?" This directed at Laguna as much as Quistis. "Is she a threat?"

"Yes and no," said Laguna.

Irvine could feel the impatience fizzing from Squall. It was oddly reassuring in its intensity; without Ether he wasn't getting his usual overdose of other peoples' feelings and it was surprisingly hard work to work it out the old fashioned way.

"She's not likely to harm anyone," said Quistis. "Only under extreme provocation, according to Odine."

"I thought we'd already worked that out," said Squall.

"Yes, but-"

The door opened with a hiss and Frila came in.

"Is this about Sanke? Because I've had just about-"

"Sit down," said Squall.

She noticed Irvine then; he watched the surprise cross her face. He smiled at her, and kicked out the chair at his side.

"What're you doing here?" she said, sitting down in a squeak of leather.

"Decided to stick around for a while after all," said Irvine.

"You don't look as crap as you did last night."

"Thanks."

Frila shrugged.

"Hello Frila," said Laguna. "How's the Princess?"

"Fucking miserable," Frila said. "I'm not sure I'm speaking to you right now."

"Oh," said Laguna. "I'm not very popular today, am I?"

Squall gave an exasperated sigh. "Why don't you just give us whatever pathetic explanation you have to offer, and then we can get on?"

"You saw that film, I take it," Laguna said. "You know what Fargi's doing."

That sure came out of nowhere.

Squall was suddenly very still. "Yes."

"You're all very quick to think about your safety," said Laguna. "Did any one of you think about Sanke?"

"She's in my Garden," Squall said, voice a low warning growl. "She's safe."

"Think about it, Squall," said Laguna. "This was all Fargi's doing, right Frila?"

"Yeah. There's a connection. Vince's father works for Fargi. It wasn't an accident. They pushed her on purpose, to make her go apeshit."

"Not only that," Quistis said. "They got it on film, too. And smuggled it out of Garden and right to the Deling media."

"Shit," said Squall. "Oh, shit."

"You locked her up for her own safety," said Irvine.

"Yes," said Languna. "It's probably best if no-one outside this room finds out, though. We don't know how widespread the security breech is yet."

"There's no need to lock her up," Frila insisted. "I could look after her just fine."

"He's right," Squall said. "This looks to the outside world like we took action, and it's the most secure place in Garden." He looked Frila in the eye. "I know what it's like to have to protect people you care about. Sometimes you have to make difficult choices."

Frila stared at the table. She looked tired: there were dark circles under her eyes and her skin was pale. Irvine reached out to squeeze her hand in sympathy, but she snatched her arm away and glared at him.

"Unfortunately the response to Fargi's broadcast was very positive," Xu said. "He's risen ten points, that puts him way ahead of Poppy. At this rate he's going to get a landslide."

"And if he doesn't win," Laguna said, "Kiros thinks he'd just overthrow the new government by force."

"I'm not so sure about that," Xu said. "He's been very keen so far to stay on the right side of the law. At least as far as the public's concerned. Anyway, all we can do is sit tight and hope they come to their senses."

"No," said Squall. "I'm done sitting and hoping."

"We can't interfere in a political situation," Quistis said. "We have to remain impartial."

"Right up to the point where he attacked me, Squall said. "He crossed a line, and I'm not going to stand around and take it."

An ominous silence hung around the table, to be broken a moment later by a loud beeping sound.

Nida rummaged in his jacket pocket. "Sorry," he mumbled. "Looks like there's a situation I need to attend to. May I-"

Squall nodded.

"What choice do we have?" said Quistis. Nida fumbled his papers together and made his way out of the meeting room, still trying in vain to turn his pager off.

"We get ready to defend ourselves," Squall said. "Keep classes going for the younger cadets, but everyone in the top class will work alongside SeeD to prepare for war."

"War?" said Quistis.

"If that's what it takes. I won't give in to that bastard. SeeD have an important position in this world. People, ordinary people, need us to defend them from the monsters."

"It's their stupid fault for chosing Fargi," said Frila. "Not that I'm against a war. Just... y'know. Won't they change their mind soon as they see he can't deliver?"

Laguna shook his head. "That's just it. I can't prove it, not yet, but I don't think these are idle threats. I think Fargi has a plan to deal with whatever happens if he gets rid of SeeD. That's the key to all of this."

"Well," said Xu, "I don't see how he can do that without GF. And no-one outside SeeD could handle GF. Certainly not without us knowing."

"That's pretty arrogant," said Squall. "Why should it just be us?"

"But how would he hide it?" Xu said. "The Guardians would know. Our intelligence would have turned up something. Think of the operation he'd need to train people to junction. How would he even start to train without a SeeD to show them how?"

"'S not that hard," Frila muttered.

"It is if you don't want to go insane or risk your life," Xian said.

"Again, we're back to security," Squall said.

"But who...." Quistis started.

They each looked around the table, a name on the tip of every tongue, but no-one quite willing, yet to say it.

Except for Squall.

"Seifer."

"No," said Frila. "He wouldn't."

Squall's eyes narrowed. "I don't need your opinion."

"Don't you?" Frila got to her feet, eyes blazing. "Then why did you fucking ask me here?"

"Frila!" said Quistis, stern and shocked.

"Because of Sanke," Squall said. "That part of the discussion is over. You can leave, or you can stay and be quiet. Your choice."

Glowering at him, Frila sat. Irvine tried for a sympathetic smile, but she wasn't looking.

And why the sudden concern for Almasy?

"I want him watched," Squall said. "Twenty-four seven. Quistis, talk to Edea. Find out if there's another way Fargi could be planning to get GF power. Xu, Xian, mobilise SeeDs and cadets to battle-readiness. Nida's starting Garden maneovres so we'll be ready to relocate at any time. Irvine, go back to the Clearing Centre with Laguna and Frila and see if you can help Sanke control her power. Clear?"

Everyone around the table assented.

"And one more thing," Squall said, rising to his feet and reaching for his jacket. "The next person who puts a piece of paper on my desk gets shot. You need to tell me something, just fucking tell me. Got that?"

No-one saw fit to remind him he didn't even have a desk any more.

*

Irvine cracked open his third bottle of beer, and poured a good slug into his mouth. Swilled it around a bit, and swallowed, watching Squall all the while. Ever since they'd got back from the Clearing Centre he'd been pretty much silent. Quisty needed longer to get the data together for the assignments, Xu was still working on the training schedule with Xian, Nida was still preparing for manoevres. The world wasn't moving fast enough for Squall. But for Irvine... he couldn't see any sign of Fargi moving in with an army, the election wasn't for weeks yet, and the ache that Ether had left inside him needed filling with something. Beer and grass should do, and if Squall shared enough of the former with him Irvine knew he'd overlook the latter.

"What're you gonna do about Zell?" he said, the alcohol finally removing enough of his good sense that he dared to ask.

"Nothing. What is there to do?"

"Don't you want him here?"

Squall's lips set in a thin line. "I told you. He made his choice."

"Stubborn bastard."

Squall just glared at the same spot on the carpet he'd been staring at for the last twenty minutes.

"We could end up on opposite sides to him," Irvine said. "Doesn't that bother you?"

"I'd cope. It clearly doesn't bother Zell. Does it bother you?"

"Of course it does. Zell may be a jerk but he's one of us. He had a hard choice. Ness is the best thing ever happened to him."

Squall snorted. "What? Compared to the time that dragon on the Island nearly ripped his guts out, maybe. Apart from that..."

Irvine couldn't help laughing. "She's not my type, granted," he said. "But she makes Zell happy."

"She made Zell give up the everything he ever loved. How's that mean he's happy?"

Irvine hesitated. "Well... if it was Rinoa...."

Oops. Wrong thing to say. Irvine cursed the beer, even as he gulped down another quarter bottle. Figured it would hurt less the more inebriated he was when Squall hit him.

But Squall just said in a soft voice, "I've never asked her to give up anything for me."

There was a long pause. Irvine watched him carefully, searching for the right words. "How did you find out?" he said, eventually.

"I spied on her," said Squall.

"What?"

"I didn't have a choice. She was a huge security risk."

"But she's... didn't you trust her?"

Squall's eyes snapped up to meet Irvine's, a thin glimmer of silver. "I was right, wasn't I?"

There was no arguing with that.

"I don't understand," Irvine said. "I thought she loved you. Thought you were set for life."

"Yeah. Well."

"You still love her?"

"I'll always love her," Squall said. "But I can't forgive her, and I can't put my feelings before the security of SeeD. I have no choice."

"Oh man." Irvine ached for him. "Man, I'm sorry."

Squall sighed. "Shit happens, right?"

"Looks like."

"Irvine?"

"Yeah?"

A fleeting hint of a smile appeared on Squall's face. "You can roll up if you want. I don't give a fuck."

Irvine grinned back, and reached into his pocket for the bag Zephyr had put there.

*

Hours later - Irvine wasn't sure how many - and the stack of bottles covered most of the table in front of them. The air was laced with smoke and everything smelled sweet. Squall was dozing, sprawled out in the armchair, hair falling across his face. He looked oddly peaceful.

Irvine got up quietly, and padded into the kitchen. He got out his phone and dialled.

Four rings. Five. Six. Irvine wondered vaguely what the time was; a quick glance at the clock told him it wasn't much after midnight.

Nine. Ten.

"Hello?"

"Hey. It's Irvine."

"Irvine? Wow, it's been... um-"

"Sorry I didn't call before, things have been, y'know."

"Me too. Just crazy. You know I'm in Deling?"

"Yeah. I'm back in Balamb."

"Oh."

He wasn't sure if she sounded relieved or disappointed. "I just wanted to... are you okay?"

"Yeah. I....Yeah. You know Zell and Ness are getting married next month?"

Irvine was about to say what, with the war coming?, but caught himself just in time. Phones aren't safe. Rinoa might not be.... "That's quick."

"Zell's doing so well, he's already got promoted, and he gets a house and everything, so." There was a pause, while it clicked into place in Irvine's mind: Zell's fighting for the Galbadian army, and then she said, sounding pleased and girlish: "I'm going to be bridesmaid."

"Oh. Well, that's great," said Irvine. "Real great."

"So, um, how's Balamb?"

"Same as ever. You coming back any time soon?"

There was a pause, and then she said, "No, not yet. I'll be here at least until after the wedding. Maybe longer."

"Right."

"What about you?"

"I'm, uh, not sure. Squall requisitioned me for some project, don't know how long."

"Ah."

"Look, Rin-"

"It's good to hear from you."

"Yeah. You know, Squall misses you a lot."

"Irvine, don't."

"But-"

"I don't know what he's told you, but some things you can't go back on, however much.... It's too late."

"It's only been a couple of weeks. If that. Couldn't you-"

"No," she said, simply.

"If you ever want to talk...."

"I know. Thanks, Irvine. Listen, I'm sorry, but I've got to go. Daddy wants something. I'll call you back in a day or two, okay?"

"Okay. I'd like that."

"Bye for now, hon."

"Bye, babe."

~Click.~

*

"Daddy? Is there something I should know? Some weird kink you haven't told me about?"

Rinoa shoved her phone under her pillow like she was hiding it, and rolled onto her back. She reached across to brush the hair out of Binti's eyes.

"Couldn't very well tell him the truth, could I?"

"So I'm your guilty little secret?"

"You have to be."

Binti moved a little closer, his nose just brushing hers. He was naked and warm, and his body shifted easily with hers.

"I can live with that," he said. "For now."

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