Everyone was delivering final blows – it was obvious as Ultimecia coughed hacking down cries of pain. She was proud and stubborn.

"I will not let you scum beat me!" She choked out.

Suddenly I was reminded of Seifer's words on all the occasions we had fought him. Squall's gunblade came across Ultimecia's arm, blood spilling down – she was weakened and she hissed a half-choked cry of pain. It was sad. Ultimecia was now staggering slightly – and our surroundings were shifting slightly. It appeared as if everything was moving unnaturally.

"Keep focused everyone!" Squall yelled at everyone.

Looking over, there was Selphie – staggering backwards, was it a spell? No, time was beginning to compress – it was weakening. Quistis threw magic at her; Ultimecia poorly deflected it and counter attacked with her talon like fingers. I cast Curaga on Quistis' wounds and she smiled weakly at me as Squall jumped forward again, cutting through Ultimecia's shoulder. She staggered back, falling to the ground. From where I stood hunched over I saw her look towards something none of us saw, saying something none of heard.

The castle walls changed, shifted – they swirled. I knew Laguna's words, and tried to do what he said – but one unconscious thought trailed its way across my mind – what about Seifer? Time compression hit with all its force and I felt nauseous and then nothing.

I could feel myself falling and instead of being alarmed there was comforting warmth. A kind of calmness that I have never experienced before was all around me, it felt like home, Ma, Balamb Beach all wrapped up together. Absently I could feel something brush against my cheek so lightly. Skin? A hand? – It made me want to reach out, but it seemed my limbs were not responding, like bales of heavy cotton. Faint sounds reached my ear – like I was just a little way off from the sea.

There was the touch of a warm hand against my cheek – with unnaturally long fingers. My eyes flew open, and above me leaned a strange woman. She wasn't human – it was plainly obvious just at a glance. The oddness of her hands, the long fingers and the wide swirling eyes that were shifting from a pink blush to that of a red wine – it all was all unnatural, inhuman and downright strange. Her skin was pale, her hair a very dull blonde, almost white, it was as though her very being was a dull light.

"Poor child," her voice whispered. A GF – I could recognise it anywhere. That strange magical edge of power that sparked in your head when they spoke, like the light after-crackle of some spell. "She has been so cruel to you, both of you."

Her hand retreated and she withdrew from me, I took in the sight of her full height – tall and overshadowing. If there were shadows? I noted absently – looking around there was a faint light falling down on hazy surroundings, soft colours and warmth. My hands pushed into grains of sand to get up and look at her. Her dress was flitting in a wind I couldn't feel. Made of long tendrils, faint like silk – its colour was also slightly changing in front of my eyes – yellow, maybe. Strips of ribbons circled down from her shoulders to dance around her. The long curling earrings shifted, sparkled as her face tilted regarding me.

"Who are you?" I asked quickly, a smile graced her bloody red lips, her eyes darkened with – humour?

"We are Leaheora."

"A-are you a GF?" I stammered it out slightly – feeling as though I was asking too personal a question. She shifted – unnaturally so, as thought extremely quickly but I barely saw it – laugher, rich and full like a man, but she sounded like a woman – looked like a woman.

"We are of no consequence. We watch this place – time, what you may call fate or destiny, perhaps we judge," I took a step back, a moment of blind panic raced through the pit of my stomach. Was I to be judged? I was responsible for killing Galbadian soldiers, for hurting Matron, for hurting Seifer, for killing Ultimecia and Adel. "Do not fear us child."

"Why – where am I?" I asked looking around, she still towered above me.

"You are all here, even if only for a few moments. Those who are stuck remain." I baulked – not sure what to say – was I stuck? "You will go back – you are not to remain here," a sad solemn expression changed her face, and she reached her hand out again, touching my cheek – like that of a concerned mother. "You could have been so happy."

"What?" Her eyes swirled to a sandy yellow, her faced etched with worry. Why? My heart swelled with worry in my chest – what did she mean?

"Time is altered. Shifted, it is so small – but all is different. Paths that once lay before you are now gone. Ultimecia has torn the way – it is different now. We could not stop her. You, all of you, have brought balance, but it is still all changed. It will never be as it once was, your paths are gone."

"But what did you mean about me not being happy?"

"You walk along a path child, all of you do – and that path has been wiped from under your feet. Happiness lay along that path, it is no more. You may never know – never see. We apologise with all our hearts, the sadness destined for both of you is the path that is now laid before you."

"Both of who? Us? Who are you? What do you mean? I don't understand," My voice felt like a hollow echo. I was destined for sadness? This was my reward for trying to save the world from Ultimecia? My eyes burnt with pain – I blinked rapidly trying to clear it. This was untrue - surely. Her hand moved away from my face, and she turned away from me.

"Let us show you," she raised her arm and a flurry of ribbons, her dress swirled around us.

"Please – I don't…" But before I could continue the dress fell down and our surroundings had changed, not like moving through time compression – we were somewhere else.

We were in a field, grass surrounded us and the sun was low in the cloudless pigmented sky. I covered my eyes with my arm to adjust to the sudden change in light. A man walked through the field ahead of us. I noticed a town not far off in the distance now as my eyes adjusted. A small house just a short distance away – he was heading for it. He had an odd hat on, all I could see was his back. He was carrying a bag. He was dressed plainly – grey pants and a black skivvy; it reminded me of old school militia outfits.

"Follow," she commanded and we followed the man, trailing a little way behind him. As he reached the porch of the house, he rested the bag by the front door. He moved with purpose, circling around the house – trying not to make even the least sound. He removed the hat, dropping it to the ground – revealing blonde hair. I knitted my eyebrows, I was certain that couldn't be me – he was too tall, too broad in the shoulders.

Ahead of the quiet footed man was another; blonde hair again, back turned to us, he must have been watching the sunset. That was me – the one standing there absently; even though I couldn't see his face I could feel it in my gut – shorted, smaller – it was me. I was standing there watching the sky fade and change. The sun was slowly sinking into horizon, and a sigh escaped this other me's lips.

The other unknown man moved quickly now closing in, I opened my mouth to shout out but Leaheora's hand touched my shoulder.

"Shhh," her hand on my shoulder was like a heavy clamp – freezing me to stillness.

The other man put one arm around my neck, the other around my waist, I saw myself visibly stiffen for a second. I shook her hand off me and ran to them; was I being attacked? I wouldn't stand by and watch this!

But suddenly somehow everything had shifted again and I stood in front of them. I froze; shocked. There I was standing with… with Seifer's arms around me! Seifer had an odd smile playing on his lips – I had a grin on mine. I could barely think – Seifer was smiling with… what? It wasn't mocking – or malicious, it was – something different. I'd never seen it like this. His chin went to rest on my shoulder. My hand went up to tangle in his hair and I sighed – eyes slipping shut. I watched myself in horror.

"I missed you," the words escaped my lips like a whisper. No, these were not my words; this couldn't be me – a fake, someone or something else. I would never say anything like that! Especially not to Seifer of all people! Seifer's expression was so strange, I still couldn't understand it – he tilted his head and kissed my neck.

The pit of my stomach felt as though it fell through to the floor, I was winded. Seifer had just kissed me – on the neck. No! My head screamed. This was all a lie! As I shook my head, I saw myself turning around quickly wrapping my arms around Seifer's neck and pressing my lips to his, he returned the kiss with just as much force.

Hyne no! What was this? Never, never – never ever would this ever happen. This was a lie, this was a trick – it had to be.

"What the fuck is this?!" I yelled at Leaheora.

"The path you walked upon before Ultimecia," her voice was calm – as if, as if this was normal!

"I-I I," I spluttered, shocked, angry, confused. "I hate Seifer! He hates me! This would never have happened! This is crap and you know it! I've never liked him! I'm not into guys!" I was shrill by the end of my screaming.

"There was a long road before this moment in your future."

"Not understand?! What in Hyne's name is there to understand here? This is crazy! THIS IS SEIFER!" I yelled, raging, I could feel my face hot as a flaming fire, my fists clenching and unclenching. I turned away; I couldn't have the two of us making out in front of me. Ugh – it felt like my insides were knotting into clumps of lead. "Make it go-away damnit!"

"Understand Zell. You are frozen by Ultimecia, this is not your path anymore – this future has been wiped off your course entirely. It is no longer there for you to take together."

"Well that's a relief!" I snapped back angrily.

"Zell, you are both like two faces of the same coin. Knowing the other is part of you, opposite, trying to repel, yet you are forever one." The image of Seifer kissing me with… such desire is burning in my mind. "Two sides of the same coin, without each other your lives are now to be spent in great pain and loneliness."

"I'd rather be alone than be with Seifer!" My voice was shaking, "how on earth could this ever happen?" It was a question aimed at myself. I couldn't even connect our emotions, our fights, our hate to anything like this. I had never looked at him once with any hint of amorous emotion.

"It was very slow for the both of you," another smile danced across her face, calm and serene. The exact opposite of what I was feeling right now. The shift occurred again now, her dress fluttered around and it was like a slideshow of images, Seifer and me changed – different places, different moments. I was yelling at him. Another place, he punched me. It was night, and both of us were arguing. The sea side – there were tears on my face. Somewhere in Dollet – Seifer was awkward to explain something. Ma's house – Seifer was standing at the front door, more images but they were hard to register, it was just Seifer and I in some place, without the memory, without more clarity I couldn't tell what was happening.

The sea again, Seifer reached out to touch my face, and the following images were not just us standing around, but kissing, a hand hesitantly reaching for mine, a small smile, a touch, a kiss, more, and I was staggering.

"Stop it!" I cried out hoarsely, covering my eyes. "You said none of this would ever happen!" I absently realised I was crying, angry tears running down my face, I pressed my hands into my eyes. "What's the point of this?"

"Zell," she paused. "We you will go back now, you should not recall what we have shown you. But it does not make it untrue." Somewhere in the back of my mind was a quiet 'no!'.

"Good," I took a shaky breath, wiping my face roughly. "Send me back then."

"We are so sorry Zell, you could have been so happy." I felt torn and ripped apart now.

The second wave of time compression hit me again, harder this time – and something else. Everything was shifting and warping, it was as though gravity was pulling me apart. I reached out my hand to grab onto something, and for a moment I felt a strong hand clasp around my arm, but then their fingers slipped away, and I was falling.

"Zell…"

I opened my eyes, I felt like I had been out drinking last night. My body felt sore and abused, my mind felt shredded and pounded with pain.

"Ugh," I rubbed my head with my left hand – and leant back on my right as my fingers dug into moist sand. The sea was in front of me – I was on the beach. The sun was setting on the horizon. I looked to my right, and I could make out Balamb – slowly lighting up for the night.

I was home. I was alive.

I didn't move, I just watched the sun sink into the sea, as the darkness of night fell over me. I felt like I had lost or forgotten something important. Memories of time compression were like shattered glass in my mind. There was a woman wasn't there? Or a woman's voice maybe, I'm sure that she had said sorry – but for what? It hadn't been Ultimecia. It felt like a smudged and shattered memory. Had I been standing in a field?

I got up, turning to look at the bright lights of Garden. Making my way over there, very few monsters attacked – and they were easy enough to handle now. I was tired and slow making my way back there. Upon reaching the front gates, I wasn't sure where to go. Not many people would be around, it was night. Should I go to my dorm room? Was it still in the same place? Why was I even here? I looked around, feeling like I didn't belong in Garden just yet – not just now. I turned and left and headed as fast as I could to Ma's house.

Jogging along the winding road home, I watched the stars above me, the monsters stayed away. Entering Balamb it was quiet – there were a few teens hanging around, laughing. Another group, heading down to the bar on the wharf to enjoy the night maybe? Everything was okay then, I supposed – the war was over. Evil had been defeated the good guys had won. People were okay to be happy again. I felt something like a hollow pit inside my stomach, I felt tired, worn and trodden on. I knocked on the door, and Ma opened it, shock crossing her features and then a wide grin.

"Zell! Oh Hyne I was praying you would be safe!" She threw her arms around me and I hugged her back. Hyne, the feel of her arms around me, the familiar warm embrace; everything was ok. It was wonderful to be home, to be with family again – real family blood or not.

"Ma," my voice was hoarse, "I'm home." I felt like crying as she ushered me inside.

"Let me look at you," she stopped me and touched my cheeks, "you look tired. Are you hungry? I was so worried Zell! Quistis came around asking for you. She said you should have returned weeks ago! She told me not everyone was back yet and not to worry. She explained to me that you all returned to different places at different times. Hyne you fool," she hugged me tightly again.

"Weeks?"

"Yes, yes – sit down," I obeyed, and sat down in the kitchen with her; she lifted a jug and poured me lemonade. "She told me the Sorceress was defeated – but that was three weeks ago, roughly. She said she didn't know how long she herself was stuck in time? Or something like that? She said that everyone was bound to come out of time in time. It didn't make a lot of sense to me – but she was worried. It made me worry more! Finally you've returned. Will you stay here for a while before going back to Garden?"

"Yeah," I tried to register it all – three weeks? It didn't feel like it – it felt like moments ago. But then again – that was time compression. "But I think I need to go to Garden to say I'm back then."

"Oh you should, Quistis was worried. I'm sure she has a lot of questions for you. I had so many for her. I knew you could handle yourself, but you're so reckless sometimes! I'm sure you did this just to have me miss you even more, didn't you?" I smiled knowing her humour.

"Ma, I'd never do anything to worry you."

"Reckless fool that you are, you're always worrying me. But I knew you'd be fine. Hyne only knows how this whole time thing really works – I was worried you'd get stuck and never see you again."

"Ma," I reached out and held her hand, reassuring her. "Did she tell you we were supposed to make it back here?"

"She told me you think of the things you love, and home," her eyes watered and she took a deep breath.

"Yeah, how could I get stuck when I've got you?" I got up and wrapped my arms around her. She laughed awkwardly as she always did when she got emotional.

"Don't mind me," she flustered around for a moment. "I'll put something on for you, you just relax. You're home and you're going to get fed and rest before going anywhere.

"Thanks Ma," I gave her a peck on the cheek. I sat up on the kitchen bench watching her busy herself in the kitchen. Familiarity – it was reassuring. I looked down at my hands, they were dirty – my clothing had blood stains… no wonder Ma had been a little freaked when inspecting me. "I'll be up in my room, gonna shower and change."

"Welcome home son."

I went upstairs to my room; I looked around, nothing had changed. I don't know why I always expected it to be different when I came back home. Had I really spent three weeks in hiatus in time compression? What had I done while I was there?

I tore my shirt off and look at it – there were small blood stains and a few burn marks. I threw my clothes in the corner – I would probably destroy them later, I got into the shower, it was warm and pleasant. I ran my hands through my hair – sometimes the smallest comforts we didn't get around to while chasing Ultimecia, this was great. So Quistis was back at Garden worrying about me… and the others? So not everyone was back yet… I wondered who could be missing. Rinoa and Squall had each other, so did Selphie and Irvine. When Laguna had talked about thinking of the people you loved I had looked at them with a pang of envy. I had never fancied either Rinoa or Selphie… nothing like that.

But I envied having someone.