Chapter 1: Drowning Again
Why is it that some people are always happy while others toil in their sad, lonely lives? This is a question that Quistis Trepe asked herself often. People say she looked sad even when she was with all her friends. She had good reason, of course. Squall, the man she had once loved, had Rinoa, Selphie and Irvine were always together, and Zell, well, he was just himself. They were all very optimistic and happy, even Squall. Quistis felt very left out when she was with her friends. Were they really even friends? She pondered this as well as she watched an outraged Zell chase a guffawing Irvine around the quad. Selphie giggled at them and joined the chase. Squall and Rinoa were too busy staring into each other's eyes to notice anything that was happening around them. Quistis shook herself from her miserable thoughts to glare at the loving couple. They were always staring lovingly at each other or whispering, "I love you". It made the blonde ex-instructor sick. A wave of jealous anger flooded through her suddenly, drawing the urge to smack the back of Rinoa's head for ever requesting SeeD's help all those months ago. She stood abruptly and rushed out of the quad. Unbeknownst to her, Squall saw her leave and flashed a curious look at her retreating back.
Angry with herself for not accepting her rejection, Quistis stormed down the hall towards the Training Center. 'Maybe some battles will help clear my mind. Its been awhile.' Pulling out her flail and snapping it experimentally against the wall just inside the center, she glared at the indoor jungle. After a moment of silent meditation, she rushed through the metal door to the right. The whoosh of the door closing behind made her jump. "Calm down, Quistis. It was just the door." Calming herself, she scanned her surroundings. Things were scarily quiet around her, not even a grat scuttling around in the trees. Quistis sighed. "Even this place has changed." She whispered moodily into the thick air. Suddenly, a quick movement in the water caught her eye. She moved stealthily across the bridge and leaned closer to the water. A shadow was squirming below the surface. Quistis was very curious. As far as she knew, there weren't any water monsters in the Training Center. Raising an eyebrow, she reached her hand out to touch the water, trying to see if it really was a monster. A slimy green tentacle flashed out of the water quicker than she could blink. It wrapped itself around her arm tighter than a metal vice. "What the-AHHH!" The ten other tentacles that wrapped themselves around her cut off her surprised exclamation. They pulled her thrashing, screaming form into the water. Her abandoned flail lay helplessly on the ground where she had just been standing.
He really didn't know why he had come back. He knew no one wanted him there, so why had he bothered? Fuijin and Raijin were already enrolled in Galbadia Garden so he was pretty much alone. He had tried to get a job in Balamb Town, but everyone knew his reputation. He was the evil sorceress's knight, Seifer Almasy. No one wanted such an angry, violent young man working for them. Bearing that in mind, he had no other option than to go back. Technically, he was still a SeeD trainee and a student so he had free access to his former home. Well, it really was his home again, wasn't it? Seifer strode into the Garden, past the gaping door guard, past the jumble of students in the halls, and straight into the Training Center. He had left a spare gunblade in the secret area and he planned on having that with him when he met up with Squall again. "This place hasn't changed a bit." He said after he found his hidden weapon. He stood marveling at how the same the place when he heard the screams. Someone was in trouble on the other side of the center. "Probably an over confident under classmen. Loser." He muttered as he ran to the rescue.
When he reached the place he thought the screams came from, he gasped quietly. A very familiar flail lay on the ground in front of a turbulent looking area in the water. Memories rushed back into his mind of a caring little girl who had taken care of him when Sis was gone, of a diplomatic teen who had broken up many the fight he had tried to pick with Squall, of a woman who wanted to make him be the best he could be. "Quistis…" Seifer muttered. Then his face hardened and without a second thought he dove, gunblade first, at the thrashing shadow.
Quistis fought against the iron grip of the monster as best she could, but she was running out of air. Her lungs started burning and she starting feeling numb. It was almost peaceful, drowning in the arms of a hungry monster. Just as she closed her eyes one last time another figure entered the fray. Quistis jolted when she saw that this person was trying to save her. Why? She didn't care. All she knew was that she wanted to get away from that monster and to who ever it was who was trying to save her. A semi-familiar blade slashed at the tentacles holding her until the monster made a shrill noise and slid away. The figure reached for her and she pushed herself with the last of her strength towards it. An amazingly strong arm caught her and held her close. Quistis felt the numbness returning, her lungs were on fire. A spastic burst of air escaped from her and she fell into darkness.
Seifer swam with all his might. She had been down there a few minutes and she could already be dead. 'Come on! Don't die on me!' He thought, pushing himself harder when he felt her go limp against his body. He surfaced with a loud gasp. Quistis' limp body pressed against him by his free arm. "Damnit! Don't die!" He yelled as he basically tossed her onto the pathway. As he clambered out of the water, he prayed to Hyne that she was still alive. Kneeling next to her, Seifer checked her pulse. "Its faint…." He murmured quickly listening to see if she was breathing. "Fuck!" He cried. Seifer could here his heart pounding in his ears and he knew hers wouldn't be beating at all if he didn't work fast. Recalling that first aid class he had been forced to take, Seifer began to do CPR on his ex-instructor. After a while he heard her cough slightly and spit up a bunch of water. His face split into a huge grin filled with relief. Quistis' blue eyes flashed open and she struggled to sit. She paled and slumped down. Then she tried again and failed. "Whoa! Settle down." He said, gently wrapping a supportive arm around her waist. For the first time, she looked directly at him. Something between fear and hatred washed into those beautiful eyes. "Seifer." She spat venomously. He flinched at the way she said his name. But he said nothing. He just sat there with his arm wrapped defensively around Quistis. She seemed to notice that he was holding her so and moved as if to stand again. "Geez, Quistis! Do you want to die? You almost drowned just now and you're too weak to stand. " Quistis glared defiantly at him. "What do you suggest, Seifer?" Again she spat his name and he flinched. "This." He swept her up into his arms and stood in one fluid motion. "Hey! Put me down!" She cried, squirming uselessly. Seifer shook his head. "Nope. I'm bringing you to the infirmary so the good doctor can take a look at ya." Quistis struggled in vain for a moment then stopped. He nodded and started towards the exit.
Quistis felt suddenly warm against Seifer's chest. He was holding her amazingly gently for someone so strong. They were both soaking wet and yet, she wasn't shivering or anything. She felt safe and warm in his arms. So comfortable that she started to doze off just as they left the Training Center.
She woke up to the sound of two voices talking quietly above her. Without opening her eyes, she knew it was Dr. Kadowaki and Seifer. "And you don't know how long she was underwater, Seifer?" "Not really. I just know she was under for at least a minute. It takes about that long to cross the whole Training Center." The sound of a pen scratching on paper followed by a short pause. "Well, I'll do a full check up and let you know alright? Meanwhile, you should go change and report to the headmaster. He'll want to talk to you, since you're back and all." Light, clicking footsteps and then she heard Seifer move closer to her. "Hey, uh, if you can hear me I'll be back later, k? Don't go anywhere." He chuckled at his own joke before the sounds of his heavy footsteps sounded his exit. Quistis opened her eyes then. A million things rushed into her throbbing head all at once, making it throb louder and harder. She clasped both her hands on either side of her head trying to stop it.
"Ah! You're awake! That's a relief." Dr. Kadowaki's motherly voice made the miserable woman look up. "I'm glad to see you conscience, Quistis. How are you feeling?" Quistis sat up slightly and gasped at the sharp pain that movement like that made. The doctor frowned and moved to examine her patient. "Hmmmm…Just a bad bruise. Nothing too serious." She said after checking Quistis' mid section thoroughly. The blond sighed. "I guess you'll keep me here over night then?" The doctor laughed. "You know me too well, Quistis. And no, you're free to go." Confused, Quistis tilted her still wet head to the side. "But you told Seifer-" "I told Seifer I was running some more tests so he'd leave you alone. Otherwise he'd still be in here. He was very worried." Quistis felt herself blush under the doctor's keen stare. "He didn't have to worry. I was fine. I could've handled that-whatever it was." Quistis turned her head away to glare at the white wall beside her. Dr. Kadowaki shrugged. "All I want you to do is go to your dorm and sleep, alright? You had quite the shock." She motioned for Quistis to follow her and left the room. Quistis sucked in a sharp breath and sat up all the way. "Hyne! That hurts!" She whispered, touching her darkened belly. Putting her feet on the ground next to the bed, she braced herself to stand.
The doctor had her sign some forms before sending her on her unsteady way down the hall. Quistis clutched her head with one hand and a bottle of pain pills in the other. A few students asked her if she was okay and she nodded, stating she had a bad headache. When she reached the entrance to the dorms, she leaned heavily against the wall. 'Why was he so concerned about me? Four months ago he was trying to kill me!' Her pain muddled thoughts swirled inside her throbbing head as she attempted to walk again. The world spun and stars swirled towards her, clouding her vision
Seifer changed out of his wet clothes in his dorm room. Luckily it was still his room and none of his stuff was missing. Unluckily, that had been his only trench coat. Moodily, he stared at his reflection. Without his coat he looked less gruff, but more rugged. His muscled arms were accented nicely by the vest-like thing he always wore (Good thing he had more than one!). Shrugging, Seifer pushed some of his wet hair off his forehead so it would dry in its usual spiked look. He turned from his mirror and pondered what he should do. He could go talk to Cid or he could go back to see if Quistis was okay. He chose the latter and hurried out of his dorm room just in time to see her leaning against the wall. She was still very pale, but was at least standing. She looked really out of it, though. Quistis pushed herself away from the wall and took one unsteady step, swayed, and started to fall forward. Seifer shook himself from his shocked state and ran to catch her. Thanks to all his training he caught her just before she hit the ground. He lost his balance and fell back, Quistis on top of him. He groaned at the sudden pain at the back of his head. Quistis stirred slightly, but only murmured something and snuggled closer, nuzzling into Seifer's chest. He smiled slightly and wrapped an arm around her waist again.
Students walking by would've seen two lovers lying in the hall in a loving embrace. But Squall and Rinoa saw Seifer lying on the ground with Quistis lying on top of him. And that's exactly what they saw, too, as they walked hand in hand down the hall towards Squall's room. They both froze at the same time and gasped simultaneously. Then they both took opposite reactions. Rinoa stood stock-still and stared, her mouth wide open. Squall growled and rushed to separate the two. Seifer saw him coming and rolled his eyes. 'Here we go.' He thought, leaning on his free arm so he could talk better. "Seifer! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Squall was clearly outraged. Seifer smirked. "Jealous?" Squall choked. "Wha-What? What the hell? Why…how…whatever." He seemed not able to complete a full thought so Rinoa hurried over. "Uh, Seifer? You, um, are kinda laying with Quistis Trepe on top of you in the middle of Balamb Garden." Seifer sighed silently. She always was good at stating the obvious. "Really? I hadn't noticed!" Before any more insults or stupidly obvious statements could be made, Quistis woke up. She immediately stiffened against Seifer. "…What's going on?" She murmured loud enough for all of them to hear. "You and Seifer seem to be very eager to get it on in the middle of Garden!" Squall cried, unable to believe she really didn't know what was going on. Rinoa placed a pacifying hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. Quistis lifted her eyes to meet Seifer's who squeezed her waist gently before attempting to stand.
Quistis took his meaning and stood hurriedly. Squall was speechless and Rinoa looked very uncomfortable. Seifer looked as cocky as always and Quistis tried to hide her beet red face by burying her head in her hands. "Would either of you like to explain that little scene?" Squall's voice was icy cold and rock hard, but calm now. Quistis wanted to melt into the ground. Just disappear so she wouldn't have to face Squall's wrath. Seifer cleared his throat. "Yeah, well, you obviously don't see what was really happening. Ya see, some weird water monster in the Training Center attacked Quistis over here. It tried to drown her and I just happened to be there so I saved her. I took her to the good ole doctor then came to my dorm." He stopped, waiting for Quistis to finish it off. She took a steadying breath and lifted her head. "Dr. Kadowaki told me to go back to my room and sleep. But I guess I was too unstable still and I passed out. Seifer caught me before I hurt myself more." Quistis said all this to the space between Rinoa and Squall, without looking either of them in the eyes. Seifer nodded. "Yep. So back off, hero boy. It wasn't what your horny little mind made it out to be. Now, I'll leave you two to go to his room and do whatever." He turned to face Quistis and flashed a rare warm smile and a wink at her before rushing past. Quistis slumped slightly. Rinoa hurried over to her, taking her arm gently. "Are you okay? I mean, you look really pale." Quistis almost jerked away, but stopped herself. "I'm just really tired. I'm going to go take a nap, okay?" Rinoa frowned but nodded. Squall was glaring after Seifer. Quistis looked at him sadly as she moved down the hall slowly to her room. Rinoa went over to Squall and kissed him gently. "Come on. Don't get all tense on me." Squall looked down at her and pulled her close. "You make me all tense." She giggled and nipped at his nose. They hurried to his room, kissing the whole time.