Authors Note: This chapter has been rewritten, after I read it over I figured it was too...I don't know, it just didn't seem like something I would write. Anyway, chapter two will be up very shortly seeing as how I've been motivated from reading some other outstanding FF8 fics--(Crimson Lies, Of Angels and Demons). Look back here sunday or monday for ch2. WIth that note, I'm just going to continue, then.

Incognito Desire-- Chapter 1: You've got mail


Squall yawned, stretching his long arms over his head. His tired eyes closed, if only for a moment. He shook his head, noticing the slight pitter-patter of feet outside of his office. He stood, opened the door, finding exactly what he had expected.


Seifer, it's late. You should get back to your office, he said, raising an eyebrow.


There's just a few things I wanted to discuss before the meeting tomorrow, said Seifer, pushing himself past Squall.


Squall sighed. Didn't he know not to barge into someone's office at 11:00 at night? The commander shrugged and slowly walked over to his chair. Seifer already sat opposite him.


First time I've ever been in your office, he said, surveying his surroundings.


It was indeed a nice office, very Squall-like. A shiny oak-wood desk sat at the far corner of the room, in front of which a maroon, leather chair held a very stressed out Squall. Seifer sat directly across from Squall, in a chair much smaller than the commanders. It was of simple oak wood, just as the desk was. Three other chairs of the same kind surrounded a rectangular coffee table. The floors were also oak wood, a majority of it was covered with a rug the same shade of maroon as Squall's chair. How very coordinated.


Not too shabby, said Seifer, nodding his head.


You aren't here to admire my office, Squall said, folding his arms and turning in his chair to face seifer.


Well, that's true. Here--take a look at this.


Seifer tossed Squall a manilla folder, which he easily caught. He opened it.


What's this? he asked, knitting his browse together.


Read it, Seifer said, pointing towards the papers which lay inside.


Rinoa Heartilly, the death of;


Rinoa Heartilly, 17, was reported dead to balamb garden at 21:47 hours on the date of May 17. The scene of the accident was first sighted by Mr. J Schroder, whom apparently saw the accident occur. Ms. Heartilly's body was not ever accounted for, but there is reasonable evidence leading to the fact she is dead. The clothes of Heartilly were found outside the car, after the explosion. The blood stains on the top were tested to reveal that it was indeed Heartilly's. It is most probable that Rinoa Heartilly's body was completely obliviated in the explosion.



Her death report, I've seen it before, said Squall.


Ever heard the name J. Schroder? Seifer asked.


No...I'll contact him in the morning. Right now I think you shou-- Squall was cut off by Seifer's impatient voice.


Keep reading.


Rinoa heartilly; contacts regarding the death of

Criminal Investigator: Allen Montgomery
Automobile investigator: Siobauhn Swift
FBI squad in charge if investigation: Squad 98B
Leader of investigation: Christoff Henley
Accident report: unknown.


Schroder isn't mentioned here... Squall said, frowning.


Yeah. Look at the next page.



Rinoa Heartilly, the death of;


Rinoa Heartilly, 17, was reported dead to balamb garden at 21:47 hours on the date of May 17. The scene of the accident was reported by [unknown]. Ms. Heartilly's body was not ever accounted for, but there is reasonable evidence leading to the fact she is dead. The clothes of Heartilly were found outside the car, after the explosion. The blood stains on the top were tested to reveal that it was indeed Heartilly's. It is most probable that Rinoa Heartilly's body was completely obliviated in the explosion.

Schroder isn't mentioned in this one, Squall asked, looking at seifer for answers.


The one you just read is the dispatched copy of the death report. The first paper is the original copy, Seifer explained.


Why isn't Schroder mentioned in some of these? Squall shook his head, trying to sort through the new line of information.


Can't say. It's just a little to coincidental. They couldn't have made a mistake on every sheet. There's something they aren't telling us. Keep reading.



To Squad 98B regarding the death of Rinoa Heartilly,

Abort investigation. Do not let CMDR Leonhart become aware. ABORT mission. Investigation is becoming more dangerous; TIDE's obligations have moved elsewhere. Do not contact TIDE. He is a threat to both the Squad and our lives. Again, ABORT OPERATION.

--Christoff Henley....July 19


What the fuck does he think he's trying to pull!?


The anger was flooding through squall at an intense rate. This whole time, a month of research, no wonder he had not heard from the Squad. No wonder no new evidence had been found. THEY HADN'T EVEN BEEN LOOKING. This whole time, he and seifer had been a two-man team. This whole time, he had been fooled by the FBI. The only agency he could fucking trust had closed the operation. But why?


Why'd they close the operation? Squall asked, calming down a little.


I dunno. What I wanna know is--who the fuck is TIDE? Seifer frowned, crossed his arms, and began to tap his foot on the floor; his classic i-want-to-know-what-the-hell-is-going-on actions.


There's a lot of things we don't know, Seifer, but..I think the first thing we need to do is contact Schroder. Look, it's pretty much up to you and me to find Rinoa; I'm sure the others will be with us all the way--but basically, it's our problem. Here's a key to my office and file cabinet. You give it to anyone I'll rip off your head.

It was funny, really. Squall had just appointed Seifer his partner in the operation. Only a year ago, Seifer had been (atleast partially) the reason Ultimecia nearly achieved time compression. Seifer had almost killed them, along with the rest of the world. And now, Squall was trusting him with the biggest thing in his life.

Yes, after the defeat of Ultimecia, Seifer returned to his arrogant self; he was allowed back at garden after three months of prison; on his second trial, he was found innocent on account of possession; and times had changed him. He was serious;


Serious about finding Rinoa. Serious about redeeming himself.


Oh, by the way, where'd you get this? Squall asked as he walked over to a painting on the wall. He removed it, and pushed a small red button on the wall where the painting hung. A low beep filled the air, and Squall put the painting back in place. He lagged over to his chair, and pulled up the arm rest. This apparently triggered a safe to open. Squall made his way over to the rug, lifted it, and placed the folder inside a small, black box which had been covered by oak wood prior to his opening it. He covered the safe with the wood and the carpet, and looked up. Seifer had a curious look on his face.


The man grinned. Broke into the FBI head-quarters, killed five guards, and stole the files out of the top secret' safe.


Squall nodded, raised his eyebrows, and--smiled.


* * *


Quistis, Irvine, and Zell sat in the instructors lobby. It was past curfew, they knew, and they really didn't care. They couldn't punish themselves, after all.


I hate this game, said a very peeved Irvine. They had been playing poker for an hour, and already he was sick of it.


Actually, I'm kinda sick of this too. Let's go get a burger, Zell said, standing.

Quistis and Irvine nodded, rising to their feet.


What's open? asked Quistis as she slid on her black boots.


Aphrodite's is, I think, Irvine said, walking out the door.


Zell and Quistis followed closely behind. Their calm exterior was only a shell; a shell which hid the disturbance each of them felt. The death of Rinoa had caused them all to second-guess a lot of things; why they were here, what they had to do. Rinoa had hid all that from them, her care free personality distracted them from reality. And the reality now was that she was dead; and because of this, she could not distract them from this cruel reality.

The group left garden, and soon, they stepped into Balamb. The night was very calm, there were few people out. A few couples walked hand-in-hand across the street, obviously coming from Aphrodite's. The restaurant belonged to a former SeeD by the name of Lhea, who had transferred from Galbadia garden. She had quickly been promoted to an instructor, she was an outstanding warrior. However, now that the sorceress war had died down, SeeD were hardly needed; therefore, 18 year old Lhea had more time to take care of the restaurant she had inherited from her deceased mother.


He's really taking that case hard.


He; That case; Everyone knew automatically what she was talking about. Squall and Rinoa's death.


We all are, Zell said. He, too, had taken it quite hard. He did tend to get emotionally attached to people quickly, and the death of Rinoa had been a big blow to him. Rinoa was, after all, one of his best friends.


There's just...so many questions that were left unanswered, you know? I wish we knew more about what's going on. And the FBI..what's going on with them? They really aren't helping much anymore, said Quistis.


There's definitely more to it than that. I just have this really weird feeling.

Irvine's calm voice broke suddenly into a scream. Quistis froze. Zell's jaw dropped, a scream wanting to sound; but it couldn't.


Someone had just let off a bomb on Aphrodite's. The book store next to it had blown up, as well...and they had caught a glimpse of who it was.


Authors Note: hmm. interesting, a little, I think. =P Hope you liked it! If you would like, I can email you whenever I update-- email me at rikku@twisted.nu with this request, or any other comments, suggestions, or whatever you would like to see happen in this story.