Thank you to h34rt1lly, for beta reading this first chapter for me! Without your input, several things would have been missing so I hope the final draft of this will be as good as you hoped!

[AU] What would happen if Rinoa had never made it to Timber? If she had never hired SeeD? When her father sends her to Galbadia Garden, his intent is to keep her safe and teach her some discipline. But Rinoa is stubborn. Determined, she will do everything she can to help with Timber's Liberation. Even if she has to become a SeeD herself.

For those of you wondering, there will be some eventual Squall and Rinoa fluff and stuff, but that may be a ways off. Keeping the rating at T for now, but once we get further may have to bump it up. Enjoy!

Change of Plans (Chapter 1)


She had almost made it to the train station when he found her. She cursed her luck, the soldiers that had escorted her home, and that man with his piercing gray stare and strict demeanor. Her arms are crossed as she slumps in the plush chair of the office. He hasn't said a word, just shuffled through papers as though she was unimportant. As though she was nonexistent.

Just like almost every other day of her childhood.

When he finally looks at her she straightens instinctively, shoulders tensing for what she is sure will be a formal tear down of her views and a reminder of her place in this household, before he soundly locks her away in her room.

She's tired of being kept behind locked doors. She's not a child anymore.

He watches her with those piercing eyes and she knows he misses nothing. He's a general after all. Always a general first. In a small moment of panic she wonders if she's lost her chance, if she'll ever be able to try and escape again. What if she ruined it? What if she never has a chance to make a difference? What if Zone was right, and she was just a princess with useless words and no action?

He sighs and she uncrosses her arms, hands snapping to rest on her knees in impatience.

"Well?" she demands. Her voice is like a crack of thunder compared to the silence that had held the room before. She almost winces, but forces herself to hold onto her anger. She's had a lifetime of disappointing her father and receiving his lectures; what's one more?

"…It's clear that you are more reckless than I had thought. I had hoped you would pay closer attention to what I had been trying to tell you about the situation with Timber, and satisfy your curiosity and misguided intentions some other way." He pauses, hands clasping together over his desk as he studies her. His daughter, the rebel.

"I won't be satisfied until Timber is free," she states simply. It has become her sole obsession. Her mother's birth place, reduced to a stamping ground for soldiers who take advantage of the citizens. It wasn't right. Why couldn't he see that? "The people are treated unfairly and someone needs to stand up for them. It's not ri-"

"You are one person, Rinoa. A teenage girl with good intentions, but nothing more. Do you honestly think one more rebel vigilante is going to help matters? You would be putting yourself in harm's way for nothing."

"It wouldn't be for nothing! I could help! I wou-"

"You would cause more trouble than there needs to be. You've always been rash, but I never expected you would try something like this. You are the daughter of a high ranking government official. Any one of those terrorists could decide that you would be more useful as a ransom, or make your death a statement against the military as a whole. I will not let you throw your life around as if it were a play thing."

Her lips purse together, hands tightening into fists as he speaks. She longs to yell at him, to tell him of her plans and tell him that her friends were not terrorists. Her mother's countrymen were not terrorists. But he continues on, hands shifting as he grabs a stack of papers inside one of his many labeled folders and pushes it towards her.

"The lack of discipline in your life is my own fault, but I plan to make up for it. You are not suitable for the military and leaving you at home when I'm forced elsewhere is no longer an option. A friend of mine at Garden has agreed to my terms and your care will be overseen there, where you will be protected but also educated about military tactics and the world beyond these doors. Your train will leave tomorrow morning, where you will register as a cadet in the ranks at Galbadia Garden."

When he finished, she couldn't help but stare at him in shock. Her eyes were wide and she was sure her mouth was hanging open…. But his words were unexpected and a heated flush started to rise in her cheeks. He was punishing her by sending her away… to a Garden that trained… mercenaries

"You… You're sending me off to become a mercenary? How is that any better than me going to Timber?!"

"You won't become a mercenary, Rinoa. But the Gardens have a unique stance in that they can remain a neutral party in times of war and their grounds are heavily secured. They have other programs than those for fighters. Martine assures me that you will be well cared for, but he will not give you special attention. It is best that you go into this prepared to learn. If the war takes a sour turn, Deling will be one of the first places to be under fire and you will be safer there."

He leans back in his chair and she knows there's no changing his mind. In fact, the look on his face makes her wonder if he hasn't had this as a backup plan for longer than he wants her to believe. She wouldn't put it past him.

"I-"

He taps a finger on the folder and looks to the door. "There will be no further discussion on the matter. Everything you need to know is in here, including code of conduct and their dress code. I expect you to be on your best behavior. You're dismissed."

Just like that— as if she were one of the men under his command. She's dismissed.

With a huff she jumps to her feet and angrily takes the file, her left foot stomping the ground to show her annoyance before she turns on her heel and leaves the room. In a moment of petty, teenage anger she makes sure to slam the door behind her and feels some small satisfaction at the sound.

It's been two weeks since her sixteenth birthday. In a twisted sense of humor she wonders if this was Caraway's present to her.

If so, it sucks.


The sound of the train on the tracks is comforting, though she wished her destination were different. She watches out the window as the scenery passes by with her cheek resting on her hand and her elbow propped on the edge of the sill. She wasn't really going to be too far from Timber, not really. But there would be mountain passes and the forest between them. Even if she somehow managed to get away from Garden, she wasn't sure she could traverse the forest and open plains on her own.

She'd have to find some other way to help Timber. This was just a set back. That man wouldn't put an end to her plans.

Her thoughts had caused a huff of air to pass through her lips in an aggravated sound; not quite a sigh but not a growl. A soft whine came from the floor near her feet in response and she glanced down at her faithful companion. Another rebellious moment when she had managed to convince Caraway to let her go to Timber for a few weeks. She'd found Angelo at the pet shop there and brought her home, training her and finding in her a relief from the loneliness that haunted the hallways of her family home.

Since her mother's death the General had spent little time with Rinoa and instead left her in the care of tutors and nannies. The halls had once been filled with family laughter and her mothers songs, occasionally accompanied by the piano. Now the house stood like a silent monument to her mother. The piano lay untouched in a locked room that her father had banned her from entering. She'd snuck in a few times, childhood curiosity and her already rising rebellious nature urging her to linger in the one place that had been untouched since her mothers passing.

At first it had been a comfort to be surrounded by the memory of her mother in that room. But as the dust collected and time passed by, she ended up joining her father in avoiding the room entirely. It became too painful to remember how they used to be. She instead began dedicating herself to reading in the library, finding her first interest in politics and the puzzle of strategic maneuvers. She'd disappear for hours at a time inside a novel and may have continued to linger in that mild contentment until she had happened upon the article that started her obsession with Timber.

"Timber Native Julia Heartilly Finds Fame in Deling."

She patted her friends head lightly making a small shushing noise. Technically Angelo wasn't even supposed to be with her now. Pets weren't allowed, or so the file had said. But she wasn't leaving her behind. Besides, she was much more than a normal pet anyway. Much smarter and definitely better company than a few other people.

"If they can't see how valuable you are then we'll just have to sneak you in, huh girl?" She said with a smile. She doubted even that man would have thought that either she or her pet would have trained as they did. She wasn't completely unprepared... She even had a weapon. The Blaster Edge was tucked away in her bag along with her favorite pairs of clothes and her new outfit she'd planned to wear when she got to Timber.

She'd still wear it... though it wouldn't be as meaningful as she'd first intended.

She felt the prickle of tears and pushed them back. She would not cry. She wouldn't let him win. She'd prove to him and all these people at Galbadia Garden that you couldn't control someone with regulations and guidelines. She would take this as an experience to help her in her endeavor, a way to be more prepared. She could admit to herself, at least, that she would benefit from some official combat training. Sneaking off for her and Angelo to fight the Geezards just outside the city limits could only do so much. Those little monsters didn't really put up much of a fight anyway.

The chime sounding above them, signaling their arrival along with the slowing train and over head voice announcing their platform. Biting her lip she gazes out the window one more time, wishing for freedom. Resigned, she pulls herself to her feet and grabs her bag. The weight sets her off for a moment before she adjusts and steps into the aisle. She taps her hand against her leg in a signal for Angelo to heel as they make their way to the exit.


"Welcome, Miss Caraway. We've been expecting you. The headmaster wanted to greet you personally but he ha-"

"Heartilly."

The older man finally looked at her instead of at her file, which she assumed he held. His eyes narrowed at the interruption and his obvious questioning glare reminded her that this was a military based school, not just another civilian center. She steeled herself and straightened her shoulders, refusing to cower and daring him to do something.

"Beg pardon?"

"Heartilly. My last name is Heartilly. I had it officially changed in Deling City two weeks ago."

He looks back at the file and then at her, an eyebrow raising before he nods. "I'll be sure to document that. As I was stating, the headmaster is elsewhere so I will be showing you to your dorm and you can familiarize yourself with the school from there. There are no classes today, but you will be expected to rise and begin the day at 0600 hours. Breakfast in the cafeteria is available from 0600 to 0700 and classes will begin at 0800. Do not be late. Tardiness is frowned upon and will be dealt with at your instructor's discretion."

Just that one glance was all he gave her before he began walking towards the front gates. His swift pace and unhurried voice made it clear he expected her to follow him so she tried to do just that. The sounds of their footsteps were muffled but the clear clicking of Angelo's nails could be heard in the small silence he'd given in his explanation. It seemed to grab the instructor's attention as he looked at the dog as though noticing her for the first time.

When Rinoa stopped again she followed his eyes and looked to her pet, Angelo now sitting at her side with her thick fur brushing against her leg. She knew what was coming and was glad that her companion was sticking so close to their training in this new place. Mentally she prepared her defenses for Angelo, ready to list her pedigree and training. A swift intake of breath and fingers clenching, only to release in surprise by his next words.

"... Pets are not welcome on Garden property unless they have prior training in military or battle situations. Regardless of training, no pets are allowed inside the classrooms and we cannot promise care if your carelessness in the training center results in their injury. I would assume you knew this before hand?" His question was obviously a way to bait her, to treat her as most people thought she was: a pampered princess. He probably expected that she had brought Angelo as a comfort and that the only training she had was normal household variances. She felt a smile tugging at her lips as she thought of the surprise they would give when people saw them fight for the first time. They may not be experts, but she doubted they would have seen anything like it.

Rinoa prided herself of her strategic mindset. If nothing else could be said for her skills, she could always find unique ways to handle a situation in order to get the results she wanted.

"Yep, she's fully trained and has some prior battling experience. Neither of us have gotten much, but she's definitely more than a pet." She's also a great listener and my best friend.

He harrumphed in response and continued his lecture on the regulations of the Garden, leading her through the gates and towards the dorm rooms. She let him drone on, enjoying this one victory. She had been expecting a fight about Angelo coming with her, but she guessed military dogs were becoming more and more common now.

When he finally left her at her dorm she stared at the small room in a state of dismay. She was always used to having space for herself and it annoyed her that she was nervous and slightly bitter about now being forced into smaller quarters and expected to share the room with at least one other person. To her delight, the roommate was currently away. This left her time to get acquainted with the room. Peeking around she saw that there was one drab room to the left with a bed and shelving, no decorations to be found. The other held some scattered books and a few personal touches, but much of everything else was in place and pristine.

It all just seemed so... dull.

This whole place seemed to lack life outside of the students going to class and practicing for missions. She was going to change that, even if it was just in her own little dorm. Besides, this wasn't permanent. She was going to leave as soon as she could. Just a small hitch in her plans. That's all.

She let her bag fall from her hands to land on the floor, her body roughly hitting the mattress as she let herself flop onto the sheets. She felt the dip of the smaller bed as Angelo jumped up next to her, her dog's breath warm as it fluffed the hair at the top of her head. She flung an arm over her eyes and blindingly patted her friend on the head. She knew that she could still email Zone and Watts... still help them in small ways, but she wanted to be there. She wanted to show she was just as dedicated and she just knew that she could do more in person than she ever could with just advice and words alone.

Zone still frequently reminded her of how little she had known about what was really going on in Timber. The shortages of wages, of business, of people feeling safe. To him, she had been a pampered princess, spoiled and unwilling to actually help those less fortunate if it meant giving up what she had. He'd told her if she was serious about liberating Timber then she wouldn't need to hide behind the Caraway name, wouldn't need her father's money or the big house in the capital city.

For months she had planned it all, spoken with Zone and Watts about how she would do it and what she would do once in Timber. She felt like most days, Zone had been humoring her. He probably hadn't fully believed she'd do it, or that if she did that she wouldn't last long. Watts had seemed more excited, but no one had been more excited (or scared) than her. She hated herself for the slight bit of relief she had felt at not leaving successfully. She didn't want to admit how much leaving had unnerved her.

How would anyone in Timber take her seriously if she didn't stand to fight with them?

She didn't necessarily want to lead the revolution, but she wanted their respect, and she felt sick knowing this meant that Timber's suffering would go on for even just a little bit longer. Caraway's words whispered in her thoughts and she tried to shrug them away. She was just one girl. But she could plan. She was the daughter of a high ranking General and she had always been able to think one step ahead... she just needed to get more information.

For now, she would bide her time and play at being a Garden cadet. Once she'd gotten what she needed then she would find a way to help Timber.