Disclaimer -- I do not now nor have I ever owned Final Fantasy or any of its characters except for in my dreams...wishful thinking never hurt anyone after all xD.

Family Connections – Chapter 1 – Uncomfortable Truths

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Irvine leaned on the balcony's railing and gazed at the clear blue sky. He wondered how he got to where he was at that very moment. So much had happened in the last year that it simply boggled the mind. He went from being a simple student/ladies man to being a "savior" of the world. Rather frightening a thought when you stop and think about it. Not, mind you, that he hadn't enjoyed some of the perks of that auspicious title...at least at first. It had never been easier to catch a fine lady to play with. But there was a real downside...he really had no privacy anymore and the ladies weren't coming to him just because of his good looks and charm. No sir, it was the notoriety...and that sucked ass. He wanted to be wanted for himself..not because of some hype. Is that possible anymore....t' be loved just for me. Not 'cause of some so called "lucky" chain of events. "Hyne....how ah wish things would go back to normal again." he drawled softly, not realizing that he said it out loud.

"Whats wrong, Irvy? Why so sad?" said a sweet, cheerful voice from behind him. "And what do you mean by normal anyways?" He looks so sad again...I wonder what's bothering him.

"Oh hi ya, Sephy. And ah don't know really. Ah'm just feeling kinda...outta sorts ah guess. As too what is normal, hell if ah know. Just know that this ain't normal." he said gesturing in an offhand manner toward the giggling fan girls lurking nearby. He grimaced and said in an undertone, "Ah truly wish they would go away and leave me alone." Come on Sephy baby...help me out girl.

"Ugh...how annoying." she muttered, then turning to glare at the girls suddenly yelled, "HEY YOU....GET AWAY FROM HERE!! OR ELSE!" Why won't they take a hint and leave my Irvy alone?

"Or else what?" one of the girls said nastily, leaning forward slightly with her hands on her hips. The other girls looked a little nervous and waited to see what the infamous Selphie would make them do.

"I will assign the lot of you to the Balamb Garden Party Squad, which I am in charge of." Selphie softly threatened, a sickeningly sweet smile curving her lips. "Or have you forgotten that Commander Leonhart gave me carte blanche to "recruit" any students that aren't "busy" whenever I feel the need to." Selphie laughed happily to herself in her head. I bet that'll make 'em run.

"Ahhh.....w-we were just on our way to st-study.....um....r-right girls?" the girl quickly said, her eyes going round with horror.

"RIGHT!!" the other girls said quite loudly. Irvine and Selphie watched in amusement as they quickly scampered away.

Irvine couldn't help the laughter that rang out from him. Gotta love the way she works. "Ya know? You are too cruel, my Darlin'." he said with a grin when he finally caught his breath and gave her a quick hug.

"You know it" she said with a self-satisfied smile. I'm so glad he's in a better mood...I hate to see him so blue..its just not like him. Heck, he doesn't even flirt anymore which is totally out of character. She couldn't help but worry...Irvine was special to her. Darn it, I almost forgot.... "Um....Irvy?"

"Yes, Darlin'?"

"Headmaster Cid sent me to find you. He wishes to speak to both of us."

"About?" Maybe its a mission...ah could really use a break from this place. A good fight might be just what ah need.

"I don't know...but....his voice sounded kinda odd." Selphie said, sounding worried. "He mentioned that it was important, so maybe we should hurry?" I really hope whatever it is is good. Irvy's already a little down in the dumps and bad news is the last thing he needs. Oh well, no point in getting worried about it. Cheer up, girlfriend, smiling makes bad things seem better. She plastered a cheerful expression onto her face and felt her spirits rise. Everything would be fine. She just knew it.

"Okay...lets hit the pavement then and get this show on the road. With any luck it'll be a mission. Gawd only knows ah could use some time away from my stalkers." he said, smiling when Selphie laughed.

Cid paced in front of them...obviously upset about something. "Irvine...Selphie as you know we have been doing research into the backgrounds of all the children from my wife's orphanage." he finally said.

They both nodded, suddenly intrigued. Maybe some information had been found about their families.

"Unfortunately, we have not found any evidence that your parents are still alive. We did, however, discover something that I need to talk to you about." he seemed extremely worried and hesitant, as if maybe what he had to tell them was or could be bad.

Irvine glanced at Selphie worriedly wondering what it could possibly be. "Just spit it out, Cid." Irvine said.

"Well...first I need to ask what your relationship is...or what it was."

"Whats that gotta do with anything man?" Irvine demanded, his irritation mounting. Where the hell does he get the idea that's his business?

"Just tell me. Believe me its important."

Selphie fidgeted. She was uncomfortable and more than a bit embarrassed. "Well," she began, "we are friends. Really good friends, but thats all. We aren't dating or anything. Nor have we ever done so." Not my choice. I wish he'd ask me out. I've waited for months. She inwardly groused. "Why do you ask?"

"Well...its just that I have discovered that the two of you are related by blood and seeing as I knew you were...very close I just wanted to...to be sure that you know......" his voice trailed off as if he couldn't bear to continue.

"WHAT???" they shouted in shock. Selphie then asked, barely suppressing the need to whimper. "H-how closely related are we?" Hyne, don't let him be really closely related....

"You are cousins. First cousins to be exact. Your mothers were sisters."

Selphie was shocked. Her face paled as her mind drifted to all the naughty dreams she'd been having about Irvine. She felt more than a little nauseated. To think I was wanting Irvy to be my boyfriend! Oh my Hyne...Eww....I think I wanna cry.

Irvine just gaped at Cid unable to say anything. Why didn't ah remember that? Is that why ah always felt such a strong connection to Sephy? Guess it makes sense in a weird sorta way. We do have similar colorin' and all. An' tells me why the idea of datin' her always seemed so very wrong, even though ah felt so close t' her. Irvine was suddenly very glad he had followed his instincts, even though he knew Selphie had been keen to date him.

'I'm afraid there is more." Cid said after they absorbed the first bit of news. "I don't know how to tell you this, Irvine." he stopped, obviously unsure of how to continue.

"Hyne be damned, man. What more could there be? Just spit it out dammit." Irvine was suddenly feeling very nervous and more than a little angry. He barely resisted the urge to tap his foot and clench his fists. Never fails...he always does this...its always blah blah blah, long wait, then more blahs. Ah wish he'd just get on with it already. All this hemmin' and hawin' is only pissin' me off.

"Seifer....", Cid said with a sigh, "is also your cousin, Irvine, on your father's side. All three of you came from the same town, a place called Dominion. Not much is known about it, except that like Winhill, the Sorceress Adel appeared very interested in it."

Seifer's....my cousin? Damn...I have all the luck, don' I. Why's he talkin' about the town though?That's surely odd. Not like that matters. Oh Hyne...ah do hope t' hell this ain't leadin' where ah think it is. Irvine's thoughts were racing. He was torn between feelings of elation and gut wrenching despair. He had family and Seifer was a part of it. Ah'm not alone....ah've gotta family...a real family. Selphie ah adore beyond words already an' Seifer...Hyne, ah gotta help 'em..can' let no one hurt mah family!

"Why is that so important, Cid? Why drop all of this on us like this?" Selphie whispered, her shock evident. Irvy is related to Seifer?....Wow! Hyne, I'm so glad its him and not me. She felt slightly guilty for that thought. That was rather uncharitable of me...Note to self...lose that line of thinking, it isn't nice. Suddenly her mind latched onto what Cid had said about the town. Hmmm...Dominion? Now, why does that sound familiar? Oh...wait a minute...isn't there a town near Trabia Garden named that...the place that Headmaster McCain told students to avoid. I heard those people hate outsiders so much they would even chase them away using weapons.'

"Well, as you know, there is a manhunt for Seifer and we have received intelligence that leads us to believe he has gone to Dominion. The residents of that town are very suspicious of outsiders. We want the two of you to go to there and search for him while gathering intelligence. You are natives to that town and may have a better chance of getting information. With any luck, you will find him there as well."

Shit...ah had a feelin' it was goin' t' be somethin' like this. "Let me get this straight. You've just told me that Seifer's mah cousin and now you want me t' go to the town ah was born in t' help you and all the other head hunters catch him so you can force him t' go through a trumped up trial and, most likely, an execution...am ah right?" Irvine growled. Ah hope he understands that Seifer bein' family changes everythin' for me. Ah'll do all ah can t' help him, even if it means goin' against the law.

"Yes, I do wish to find him, Irvine," Cid said, clearly upset at Irvine's reaction, "but not to persecute him. I helped raise that boy and care very strongly for him. Besides, even if that wasn't true...I still wouldn't do that to Seifer. Have you forgotten who my wife is? Edea told me everything. I know he wasn't in control of his actions anymore than she was. But I can't protect him if I don't know where he is. And there's something else you need to tell Seifer if you see him. President Loire has put a generous offer on the table. He believes so strongly in Seifer's innocence that he has offered him asylum in Esthar."

"He's right, Irvy. Matron has always been adamant about Seifer's innocence. She says he was controlled by Ultimecia. And I am sure Sir Laguna wouldn't lie about helping out. He's like totally honest and all. Seifer needs help and we're the only ones that can help him at this moment. He's family. We have to help him. So what do you say?" She said looking at him with puppy dog eyes. I hope he hears me. I know how he thinks....and he's probably feeling very protective of Seifer right now. I know he's gonna help Seifer, but I'm afraid he'll do something that'll get him in trouble too and I don't want that to happen.

"Fine, but if ah find out its all a load of crap y'all will regret it. Clear?" he glared at Cid with as much feeling as he could, determined that the man understood completely. Ah hope that offer of asylum is genuine. Seifer has suffered enough already. He deserves another chance.

Cid nodded, his face solemn. "Here is a map to help you find the town. Its southwest of Trabia Garden, so you will need to dress for the cold." Cid handed over a packet. "There are also copies of both of your birth certificates. They will help you provide a cover story as to why you went there. There is no reason why you cannot also learn of your family while you are there. If you find Seifer, tell him if you wish about the connection between you or wait until I can. Its completely up to you. Also, as is outlined in the orders in this packet, I wish you to discover what was so interesting to Adel. I will expect a full report. Good luck on your mission. That is all. Dismissed."

"Sir!" They saluted and exited the room.

TBC