"Finding a Place"

By "Irvy'sLilCowgirl"

Enjoy!

Note all characters are Copyright Square, except the ones made up by me. 

Please R & R!!!!

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A lone figure stood on the balcony of the floating Balamb Garden.  His tall lean form silhouetted by the setting sun.  His blue-violet eyes scanned the vast horizon, not looking for anything in particular.  He had been standing there alone enjoying the silence.  Suddenly a thought came to him. "Irvine Kinneas, what are you doing in Balamb Garden, you don't belong here." It had been over half a year since the fateful victory over the evil Ultimecia, and Irvine had decided to stay at Balamb permanently.  He wanted to stay close to his friends.  Everything was going fine there, except for one thing.  He was having a hard time finding a place to belong in his new home.  His friends, though, did not have this problem.  Squall was the commander of SeeD. Quistis had decided to return to instructing.  Rinoa had the arduous task of being Squall's girlfriend, and she was helping in the library.  Selphie was extremely busy with the upcoming garden festival, and Zell had started working in the cafeteria, so he could get all the free hot dogs he wanted.  Irvine had tried over and over to find something that could help him fit in.  He had considered becoming a SeeD, but later decided not to.  "Too much commitment", he had said.  He was also a little too old, now that he was eighteen.  He had also considered becoming an instructor, but after watching Quistis, he decided that teaching was not for him.  He had even been so desperate as to ask Zell for a job in the cafeteria.  That had ended suddenly when Irvine sent a tray of Zell's precious hot dogs flying into the middle of Headmaster Cid's lunch meeting. 

Irvine let the cool autumn breeze blow through his long auburn hair.  As he felt the gentle breeze, he thought to himself again, "Irvine what are you doing here, when will you find a place to belong?" After trying out so many different things, Irvine had come to the conclusion that he wanted to stay with his first passion-sharpshooting.  He had been the best marksman at Galbadia Garden, but since he moved to Balamb, a young man named Seth had overthrown his position.  Seth.  Just the thought of that man made Irvine shudder with anger. Ever since he had decided to live at Balamb Seth had been there to try and make his life miserable.  Maybe he was jealous?  Or maybe he was just mean.  Irvine chuckled to himself.  "I hope he's jealous", he thought.  Though that was probably not the case.  Seth was the best marksman in the garden, and he was sure to remind Irvine of this fact every day.  Suddenly Irvine's thoughts were interrupted by a loud voice.

"Yo Irvine!  What's up!"  Suddenly Irvine's black cowboy hat was pushed down over his eyes, and he felt a heavy body jump on his back.  Irvine knew without looking who it was.

"Zell! Get off me!  You're going to break my back!" 

Irvine could hear Zell's high-pitched laugh above him.  Suddenly Irvine took off his hat, bent forward, and sent Zell flying over his head and BAM! into the pavement. 

"Jeez Man! You didn't have to do that", Zell yelled.  He was lying upside down against the wall, his body bent in an awkward shape.  Irvine put his hat back on and let out a good-hearted laugh. "Zell you look like such a dork! Come on get up man".  Irvine pulled Zell to his feet.

"Zell Dincht, what have I told you about playing in the dirt, it's not very becoming of a SeeD cadet" said Quistis.  She and Irvine's closest friends came walking up.

"Irvine did it!" said Zell in a whiny voice, while he brushed the dirt from his jeans. 

"So Irvine", interrupted Squall, "What are you doing up here?" 

"Just thinking," said Irvine with a quiet sigh that was carried away with the cool breeze. 

"Well", said Selphie cheerfully "Why don't you do your thinking someplace where your friends can find you, we've been looking for you for almost an hour!" 

Just seeing Selphie smile made Irvine's heart ache a little.  He had been trying so hard to get her to like him, and go out with him, but with no luck.  Selphie just wasn't interested. "I need to get over her", Irvine thought gloomily.  "You look sad Irvine", said Rinoa "Are you OK?" 

"Rinoa-always worrying about others, like an angel.  Squall doesn't know how lucky he really is", thought Irvine.

 "No, No, I'm fine", Irvine said.  He flashed a big smile revealing perfect white teeth.  He was never one to let his true feelings show.  "So why were you guys trying to find me?"

"So that you can help us arrange the music for the Garden Festival", said Selphie. "I need all the help I can get!"

"Oh well in that case, we'd better get going", said Irvine, "I'd hate to see you get stressed Selphie".

 "All right let's go!" said Selphie enthusiastically.  They all walked off, with the tall cowboy slightly behind.  He turned one last time to see the sunset.

*****Later that night*****

Irvine sat up suddenly in bed. "Damn! Why am I having such a hard time sleeping?  I think I'll go for a little walk; hopefully it will tire me out."  He strolled slowly through the quiet halls of the garden.  Every once in a while he would hear a cricket chirp, but other than that, all was quiet. As he was passing the library he heard soft footsteps.

 " I wonder who that could be?" he thought.  He slipped into the shadows, thinking it could be garden security looking for curfew violators.  Suddenly Rinoa appeared out of the library's double doors.  She paused to lock them, and then walked past Irvine.  He breathed a sigh of relief, and then he laughed quietly.  "Why not have a little fun, since I'm out and about", he thought.  He tiptoed up behind Rinoa and put his hands around her neck. "BOO!" he yelled. 

"AHHHHHH!!"  Rinoa let out a yell that could've woken the dead. 

"Shh, Shh, it's just me Irvine." 

Rinoa spun around.  "Irvine!  Oh my gosh! You scared the daylights out of me!"

Irvine smiled. "Sorry! Didn't know you were so jumpy!"

 "Well I'm not used to having hands close around my neck when I'm walking down a dim hallway", she replied sarcastically.  "Anyways, what are you doing wandering the hallways at this time of night?" she asked. 

" I just couldn't sleep."

"You sure do seem troubled lately", Rinoa said.

 "Can I tell you a secret?" Irvine asked.

 "Sure I won't tell a soul, cross my heart," Rinoa made an X over her heart and smiled.

  "Well I have been feeling kinda troubled lately. You see I'm trying to find something to do here to make me happy.  You know kind of a niche in the world".

"Oh so you're bored here?" Rinoa asked.

"No, No, not bored, I just want to find something here that will make me happy.  You all have your little things you do to contribute here, and I just feel out of place", Irvine said quietly. 

"Oh I see now", said Rinoa

"What?"

"That's why you were trying out all of those different jobs in the past few months".

"Yep that's why.  Now you know my little secret", Irvine said with a little wink.

"Well since you have tried so many other jobs, why not try working in the library with me?" asked Rinoa. 

"Well I don't know, I'm not exactly what you would call a bookworm", said Irvine.

"Oh come on! It'll be fun!  Besides, I get kinda lonely, you know.  None of my friends to talk to", she said.

"Well all right, I might as well, maybe I can find some books on guns", said Irvine perking up. "Besides, it's not like I have anything to lose".

*****2 days later*****

"Mr. Kinneas, what may I ask are you doing?"

"Well Ms. Donaldson, ummm, you see I…"

"You are doing what you were told not to do Mr. Kinneas", replied Ms. Donaldson with a frown. 

"I'm very sorry Ms. Donaldson." Irvine flashed her a smile that would normally melt any girl's heart. "I will get right on putting these books back ma'am".  Irvine pointed to a large stack of books on a cart beside him.

"Your charms may work with the young ladies, Mr. Kinneas, but they have no effect on me."  And with that Ms. Donaldson walked away.

"What a grump", Irvine said under his breath.  He had been filing books away in the library, when a book on rifles caught his eye.  He was in the middle of reading it when Ms. Donaldson had caught him.

"So, Irvine, how do you like it here so far?" Rinoa asked walking up.

"Well, I don't think Ms. Donaldson likes me very much", Irvine replied.

"Hi Irvine, lookin' good today."

Irvine turned to wave at two SeeD cadet ladies, who walked off giggling.

"On second thought Rinoa, I think I like it just fine here", Irvine said with a grin.

"Well Mr. Charms, you had better get to putting these books away, or you're going to be here all night!" laughed Rinoa. 

"Yes ma'am, right on it ma'am!" Irvine saluted Rinoa as she walked off laughing.  He grabbed a small handful of books and was walking to put them away, when a pretty girl walked past him.  He turned around and walked backwards to see if he knew her, when BAM!  He walked directly into someone and sent his and their books crashing to the floor.

"Oh my gosh!  I'm so sorry!" said a girl's soft voice. 

Irvine turned around and saw the prettiest girl he had ever seen.  She was tall; she came up to his shoulders.  She had blond straight hair, just past her shoulders.  She also had a small amount of freckles across her cheeks and nose that made her even cuter.  At that moment though, Irvine only noticed one thing.  Her eyes.  They were very big, like a newborn deer, and they were the color of the bluest lake, with small flecks of emerald green in the middle. 

"Are you OK?" she asked. "That was quite a collision!"

Irvine snapped out of his trance. "Oh jeez, I'm sorry ma'am, I should've been watching where I was going".

"No, it's fine.  I guess it will teach me to be a little more alert.  Even in the library!" she said with a laugh.

"Here let me pick those books up for you."  Irvine bent down and picked up their books.  As he was bending down his cowboy hat fell off. 

"Oh here I'll get your hat", the girl said.  She bent down to get his hat while he held their books.  "Here I'll put it back on for you."  The girl stood up on tiptoe, and put Irvine's hat back on.  "You know not everyone can wear cowboy hats, but I think it looks great on you", she said with a small blush and a smile.

Irvine thought his heart was going to beat right out of his chest. "What's happening to me?" he thought.  "Well umm, here is your books back ma'am."  He handed the girl's books back to her.

"Thank you", she said.

"So, what are you studying?"  Irvine asked. 

"Oh well, I'm finding books about the different animals of Balamb." She replied shyly. 

"Are you studying them to become a SeeD? I don't recall the SeeD exam requiring you to have knowledge about the local animals." Irvine said.

"No", she said with a giggle. "I'm actually not studying to become a SeeD, I don't think I would make a good mercenary.  I'm trying to convince headmaster Cid to allow optional classes in Balamb Garden on the study of animals.  For those that are interested that is."

"Hey!  Great idea", replied Irvine.  "So, how long have you been here?"

"Ever since I could remember," the girl replied. "You see headmaster Cid's my uncle, and he has taken care of me since my parents died"

"Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that your parents died", said Irvine. "We do have something in common, though, I don't know my parents either."

"How sad huh?  Not the greatest thing to have in common", the girl replied sadly.

"Yeah really", Irvine said.

"Oh my gosh!  What time is it?! I gotta get going!"  The girl gathered her books in her arms.

"Do you need help?" asked Irvine, not wanting her to go.

"Oh no thanks, I have to go meet Uncle Cid to discuss my ideas."  She turned and started to run off.

"Wait!  Can I at least get your name?" yelled Irvine.

She turned around.  "My name is Lauren"

"It was nice talking to you Lauren, my name is Irvine"

"I know," yelled Lauren " who doesn't know your name!"  She smiled and turned and ran off.  "Lauren", Irvine said the name out loud; it was the most beautiful name that had ever crossed his lips.  He sighed deeply.  "Better get back to work", he thought. 

Irvine definitely mis-filed some books that day, but nobody thinks straight when they fall in love.  Later that evening Irvine was walking toward his room, his head still in the clouds, when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.  He looked beside him and saw Squall. 

"Hey Irvine, Rinoa tells me you are helping out in the library."  Squall said, falling in-step beside Irvine.

"Yeah, I'm helping out, you know something to take up time," he replied. 

"Where you headed?" asked Squall.

"Back to my room.  I'm beat," replied Irvine.

"Well," said Squall with a quiet laugh, "Unless your room magically moved into the training center, you are headed the wrong way."

Irvine looked around.  "Well I guess you're right Squall, I'm so tired I can't even think."

Squall didn't realize it, but it wasn't fatigue that was occupying Irvine's mind, but a certain pretty face.  Suddenly someone bumped into Irvine's shoulder.

"WATCH IT KINNEAS," said a deep voice, "I wouldn't want to see you break anything."

Irvine turned around and stared into the yellow-green eyes of none other than Seth.

"Though it might be pretty entertaining to see a grown man cry," Seth said with a smirk.

Irvine looked over at Squall, who had his hand on his gunblade.

"Don't worry Squall," Irvine said, "I can handle this jerk."  Irvine walked up to Seth.  Squall watched the two men. Seth was about an inch taller than Irvine, but built the same.  He carried his two handguns, that were held in holsters, cowboy-style at his hips.  As Irvine walked up Seth ran a hand through his sandy blond hair, and adjusted

his guns cockily.

"So Seth, I see you have decided to crawl out from under that rock you were living under, huh?" said Irvine.

"Ouch. You know Kinneas, that hurt a little", replied Seth, "but I think I will get over it."

"Look Seth, I don't have time for you OK.  I have better things to do, like watch grass grow." Irvine said, his eyes sparkling with anger.

"So, Kinneas, I saw you talking to Lauren today.  What would make you think that a girl like that would want to give a loser like you the time of day?" Seth replied.  His eyes seemed to glow with anger.  Or jealousy?

"You're just jealous Seth, now if you don't mind, I'll be leaving."  Irvine turned around to walk away. 

"Listen up Kinneas."  Seth grabbed Irvine by the shoulder and turned him around. "Lauren's gonna be my girl, and not you, or anyone's going to stop me from getting her."

Irvine slapped Seth's hand roughly from his shoulder.

"She's not a dog Seth," he said through clenched teeth, "you can't just go and claim her for your own."

Squall decided it was time to intervene when he spotted Seth's hands on his guns. He walked up beside Irvine.  "Is there a problem here gentlemen?"  he asked as he took out his gunblade. 

"Well, if it isn't the commander of SeeD", smirked Seth. " Well, Kinneas, I guess our little conversation is over, now that your knight in shining armor has shown up."  Seth started past them smiling.  "You just remember what I said Kinneas", he said, pointing his gloved finger at Irvine. 

"Get lost Seth", replied Squall.

Irvine's eyes filled with hate as the young man walked away laughing. 

"What was that about?" asked Squall.

"Nothing", replied Irvine angrily, "he just likes to try and punch my buttons." 

Irvine turned and walked toward the dorms, his tan trench coat flowing behind him. 

"Well he did a pretty good job," thought Squall as he watched Irvine walk away.