Thunderstruck

By Megan and Haiely

Chapter 1 –No Problems here

"Zell-deep breaths! Breathe in-breathe out!" Selphie exclaimed as Rinoa patted the blond fighter on the back, watching her friend move quickly and very animatedly.

"Zell- breathe with me! In-and out! In-and out!" The fighter started coughing and the piece of hotdog he was choking on was dislodged from somewhere in his throat. Selphie sighed, "Its scary how time seems to repeat itself."

Zell gukped down some water, gasping for breath, "You're telling me!"

Rinoa laughed and Selphie shook her head.

"Only ONE hotdog at a time now! No more of this 'I can cram 4 in my mouth at once' business! I don't like seeing them fly out of your mouth in reverse," Selphie shuddered slightly, "almost makes me want to never see another hotdog…Ever!" She joked. The two girls laughed, and Zell did too after giving Selphie his, 'yeah whatever, now shut up' look.

"Selphie Tilmitt, Zell Dincht, Rinoa Heartily, and Irvine Kinneas; please report to the Headmaster's office. I repeat, report to the Headmaster's 0ffice." Quistis' voice came over the P.A system.

Selphie and Rinoa got up to leave as Zell shoved his last two hotdogs in his mouth. Selphie shot him a look then turned to leave with Rinoa. Zell caught up with them when they were half way out into the atrium, his mouth still full with half of a hotdog. "Jeesh, tnuns fuh wuing fuh mu."

Selphie looked at him and giggled, while Rinoa raised her left eyebrow at him. "What?!"

"You just got done choking, then you crammed two more hotdogs down your throat? Isn't that what made you choke in the first place?" Selphie laughed although she was serious. (The last sentence was more of a statement rather than a question).

"No, that was four hotdogs! And I wasn't choking! …It just got caught in my throat a little-" He said sheepishly.

"Um, Zell? That's called choking! Haha! Its okay, we won't tell the others." Rinoa laughed as the stepped into the elevator. Selphie pressed the button for the third floor then leaned against the wall. Zell did the same with crossed arms.

"Yeah… That's all I need, for Irvine to know, then with his big mouth Seifer will find out and I might never live it down." He rolled his eyes.

"Oh I was only messing Zell!" –Rinoa

"Hey! Be nice! Zell you big meanie!" Selphie scolded him.

"What did I do?" Zell was genuinely lost. Rinoa coughed to keep herself from laughing at the look on both his and Selphie's faces.

The elevator stopped on the second floor and an auburn haired cowboy stepped on. He tipped his hat, "Mornin' ladies."

"Irvy!" Selphie exclaimed as she leapt up into his open arms. He hugged her then set her back on the ground. "How are you this mornin, Lil' Bit?"

She wrinkled her nose, "OK. Saw Zell's hotdogs in reverse.. Well part of one but that's not the point!"

Irvine screwed up his face as he looked at Zell. "You choked, again?"

"Yeah, yeah, shut up." Zell waved it off then folded his arms across his chest again. The elevator came to a stop at the third floor, at which all four people got out. They walked into Cid's office and were immediately handed briefing packets containing information about their mission by Quistis.

"Irvine, you are with Squall. Zell you and Rinoa are a team, and Selphie you are with Seifer." She said as she handed them their packets.

Irvine blew a gasket, "Shes with who?!"

Selphie's eyes got wide, "Irvine be nice! Its not a big deal." Irvine looked from the innocent Selphie, to the rugged/morbid Seifer.

"Yeah, no big deal."