Triangle

FF8

Chapter 1: Saviors and Curiosity

Pain was all he felt. Intense pain. He slowly opened his eyes, and tried to figure out where he was, and who he had wrapped in his arms.

Flashback

Zell wandered around Balamb, looking for Squall, Selphie, hell even Seifer. He just wanted to let them know he was going to head back to the Garden. Having seen his ma, he was ready to go home.

'Maybe Squall's out on the cliffs,' he said to himself, 'That's a romantic spot. Maybe I'll get up the nerve to say something,' he thought and started down. He was almost to the cliffs, when he saw her. Long red hair swirled in the wind, her short dress blowing all around her. He didn't see her attackers at first. There were three of them closing in on her. Her clear blue eyes held fear, as tears ran down her ivory cheeks. She seemed to be pleading with them. One of the men laughed, and lunged, barely missing her. The movement had caused her to move closer to the edge of the cliff.

"Hey!" Zell yelled, as he ran over to her. Standing in front of her, he glared at the three men, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"The bitch has it coming. She was walking all alone on our turf. We simply wanted to show her a good time," the middle one said, sneering at her.

"Somehow I don't think she's enjoying herself. Now, why don't you guys just leave?"

"Oh, and just who do you think is gonna make us? You?"

Zell was about to respond, when the guys where hit with blasts of ice.

"Zell, you ok?"

Turning to the sound of his best friend, and dream's voice, he replied, "I am now. They were trying to get this girl."

Squall started to walk over, "Well, careful, I don't know how long the ice will..."

CRACK! The ice hadn't held one of the guys, and he jumped forward.

Zell felt himself pushed, along with the girl, off the cliff. Falling, he grabbed the girl and held her close, hoping to protect her when they landed. He heard his name called, but missed the despair it held. The two hit the water, and he felt the first wave of pain rush through him, shooting up his right leg.

end flashback

That was the last thing he remembered. The body, wrapped in his arms must have gotten them back to shore somehow. He felt her stirring and looked down at her. Even soaking wet, she looked beautiful. The dress she was wearing was thin, short, and ripped. He could see every curve of her body. Her shapely legs. Her hips. The flat stomach. The swell of her breast. Her ivory neck. Her soft pink lips, that seemed to beckon him to kiss them. Her eyes opened, confused for a moment, then scared as she went through the events that had led her here, and finally relieved as she looked up at him. Only one other set of eyes made him feel this way. It didn't make any sense. He loved Squall. He was sure of it. But, then why did this wet young woman spark the same feelings in him. She shivered and he realized she must be freezing. Pulling her closer in his arms, hoping to warm her some, he found his voice.

"Are you ok? I mean... I know you're cold, and probably scared, but... um... ya know... physically. I mean..."

"I think my arm is broken," she whispered, "Aside from that."

Zell smiled down at her, "Well... I guess that goes as well with my leg. I'm not sure, but I think it's broken."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, sadly "If not for me, you wouldn't have been hurt."

"Hey," he said, tilting her face up to his, "I'd rather be hurt, than have had you raped. Or worse. Those guys are obviously willing to kill. I think a broken bone or two, is much better than a life."

"But... you were meeting someone up there. The other one... He was... I mean..."

"No... It would have been nice if he was, but... He sees me only as a friend, nothing more. Besides, saving a life is more important than anything." Seeing her relax a bit, he smiled again. "Now... how about we introduce ourselves, I like to know the names of the women I hold in my arms. And have saved my life."

She blushed, and looked down, "I didn't save your life."

"You got us to shore. That counts, seeing as I was unconscious."

The blush deepened, and she whispered her name to him, "Minuet."

Zell's grin widened and he replied, "Nice to meet you Minuet, I'm Zell, the handsome knight. I dash off and rescue maidens. Although, I'm not very good at it. I might need to work harder at not getting hurt... Or into worse situations." He stopped, as he felt her giggle. She looked up into his eyes. Staring at her smiling face, he dipped his head, and captured her lips in a fiery kiss.

Her response was slow in coming, and Zell had almost regretted his action, when he felt her lean into him. His tongue pressed against her lips and gained entrance to her mouth. He danced with her and marveled at how sweet she tasted. He was surprised by his actions and even more by his body's reaction. It might have been a while since he'd gone that far but ,in one kiss, he was ready to... to... to what? Jump her? Take what he'd just saved? He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. She winced and pulled back. He saw pain in her eyes, and remembered her arm. He was about to apologize when he heard a voice calling his name.

"Zell!"

"Zell! Yo, where are ya?"

Zell called out, "Over here. We're over here."

A tall man with long red hair under a cowboy hat, came running over, "Man... what are you doing? Taking a nap?"

"Yeah Irvine... well... thought I had one coming, seeing as how I just saved Minuet here, was pushed off a cliff, and broke my leg... Yeah... A nap sounded like a good idea."

"Your leg is broken?" a voice from behind Irvine came, sounding worried.

Zell blushed slightly, at the thought of Squall seeing him here, now... weakened as he was, with her in his arms. He felt a small twinge of hope that Squall might be jealous. "Yeah... I don't think it's much. Probably would have been dead, or god knows where, if she hadn't thought enough to swim to shore. I went out as soon as we hit the water."

A tall blonde walked up and smirked at him, "Yep. That sounds like our chickenwuss."

"Shut up Seifer."

Irvine was helping Minuet and grabbed her bad arm by mistake while pulling her up. She let out a hiss of pain and stumbled in to Squall, knocking the two against the rock wall. She just stood there, gasping, as pain shot through her arm. Squall put an arm around her, and held her for a few minuets, while she calmed down. Zell looked over and meet his eyes. Zell's eyes held worry for her, and... and... something else. Squall felt his love for the bubbly blonde grow again. He also felt a deep sadness in his heart, seeing how Zell obviously cared for the woman shaking in his arms. Squall suddenly realized she was shivering, took off his leather jacket, and put it around her shoulders.

"Let's head back and get you two to the garden. You guys help Zell. Let's go." With a nod of heads, he led them back to the car, not seeing the look of longing in Zell's eyes. Or that he still had held the girl close to him. When they got to the car, they put Zell, Irvine, and her in the back. While Seifer drove, Squall called ahead to let the others know they'd found them, and to have a medical team ready when they got back.

Minuet leaned against Zell, who put his arm around her protectively. The drive back was quiet, and uneventful. No one saw, or suspected that they were being watched... and followed.

It was late by the time they got back. Dr. Kadowaki was waiting with a gurney and an aide.

"You didn't say there were two of them hurt. Wait, who is this?"

"This is Minuet. She was attacked, and Zell saved her. Then they were pushed off a cliff and she saved him. Her arm is broken and seems to hurt pretty bad. Zell's leg is broken. Seeing as she saved his life, I figured we could offer her medical attention, and someplace to rest and heal." Squall stated.

"I wasn't going to turn her away, Commander, I just wanted to know who she was."

"Oh... Sorry Doctor."

Dr. Kadowaki smiled at the youth, "Don't worry about it. Steven, lets get these two back to the hospital ward. Seifer, Irvine, if you would please help Zell up on to the gurney, we'll be off," she ordered. Then, turning to Minuet, "Come here dear, let's get that arm fixed and you into some warmer clothes," she said gently. Minuet smiled and walked with the Doctor. Squall stood where he was and watched the two walk away... He shook his head... Two! Where had that come from? One... he meant one. Had to... he didn't even know this girl... hell... he didn't even like girls... At least, he thought he didn't. Riona had never held any interest for him. Neither had any other girl. So... he had meant one... he had to... Two just didn't fit. He turned, and saw Seifer smirking at him.

"What?" he growled.

"If you're not careful, he might figure out you love him. Although, I think he's the only one who doesn't know."

"You're one to talk. Have you told Quistis how you feel?" he threw back. Seeing it strike home, he added, "Stay out of my personal life Seifer. I stay out of yours. It's been a long day, go to whoever's bed you're in this week and get some sleep."

That said, he walked towards the dorms and towards the solace of his room. There, he looked around for something to do. His book couldn't hold him and music held no appeal. He stripped and got into bed. He slept fitfully, got up early, and headed to the infirmary. Dr. Kadowaki was just leaving.

"Ah... Commander, I just sent you a message. Zell is in his own room; his leg should be fine by the end of tomorrow. Our guest is at the end of the hall. You can check in on her, but only for a few minutes. She's sleeping. The arm will be good as new tomorrow. I also sent a report in to Cid, telling him what happened and what I'd found out about her. That was also sent to you." Heading towards the door, she added, "Good night Squall"

Squall starred after her, before walking to Minuet's room. Once there, he sat and looked at her. He could see why Zell seemed to want to protect her. She was attractive. Having seen her before in that dress, or what was once a dress, he could recall, vividly, almost all her body had to offer. He could still see her in his mind's eye. Even then, she was gorgeous. Her hair, still moist, had clung to her. Almost like a shroud. He got up to leave, but turned back. Leaning over her, he gently brushed his lips across hers. Then, he left. He had another stop, before bed.

Halting just outside Zell's door, he knocked and waited. Getting no response, he entered the code and went in. It was dark and his eyes took a few minutes to adjust. 'Zell still must be asleep,' he thought and went to check on him. There, he saw what he'd always dreamed. Zell was shirtless and looked exquisite. He walked over to the bed and discovered he was also naked and unbelievably stiff. Squall's breath caught in his throat. Zell was dreaming. He called out her name. Squall felt himself get hard. He left, almost running to his office, hoping to bury his mind in work.