Timber Princess

Zell stood at the edge of the town of Timber and breathed deeply of the woodland air. It felt good to have finally closed his first SeeD assignment.

He wasn't sure what had happened to Rinoa, but Zone and Watts, Rinoa's friends and fellow Forest Owls, were still celebrating in the pub. They were positively giddy with excitement and self-congratulations. Although he knew, as a mercenary SeeD, Zell shouldn't expect accolades for just doing his job, Zone and Watts's pride at the completion of a mission that they'd contributed almost zero to had worn at Zell's patience. He was pleased to see the town liberated, but now he was ready to go home.

Zell heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Quistis approaching. "Zell, I need to talk to you."

Uh-oh. Quistis was no longer his instructor, but Zell was pretty sure she could still get him in trouble. He racked his brain trying to think of what he'd done wrong.

"There's something you haven't told me." Quistis was holding her whip, the handle in one hand, the lash coiled in the other.

Oh no. Zell couldn't think of anything he was hiding. He rarely had any secrets of his own and most people knew better than to give him theirs.

Quistis's stern expression cracked a little as she said, "You never told me Zone and Watts call Rinoa 'princess.' "

Zell sighed with relief that he hadn't actually done anything wrong. Then he smiled. "Yeah, Selphie and I had a bet going on what Rinoa would do if one of us called her that."

Quistis laughed. "Did you ever try it?"

"No way."

"Cowards."

"We thought about asking Squall to do it, but we'd figured he'd just give us his best deathglare and not do it. And even if he did do it, it wouldn't really give us an answer. Even then, she treated him a little differently."

Zell straightened and crossed his arms. "And we're not cowards. It's not professional to taunt your employer."

"Well, she's not your employer any more. There's nothing stopping you now." Quistis tightened the coil of her whip.

Zell lowered his arms and took half a step back. "Why don't you try it?"

"Not a chance. She already hates me."

"She doesn't hate you…"

Quistis released the coiled end of her whip and shook out the loops. "If you do it, I'll do your laundry for a month." Zell shook his head. Quistis was going to have to do a lot better than that. "…And get in the cafeteria line early every Thursday to save some hot dogs for you."

Zell wanted to say no. He knew he should say no. But Quistis knew his weakness and he was helpless to fight it. She smiled coyly as she recoiled her whip and attached it to her belt.

Half an hour later, Zell, Quistis, and Rinoa were heading back to the Ragnarok with Rinoa in the lead. Quistis nudged Zell and gestured to Rinoa.

Zell took a deep breath, suddenly remembering how Irvine had complained for weeks after Rinoa scratched him. He shook his head to clear it. The prize in mind, he pressed on, trotting to catch up to Rinoa.

"Hey, Prin—" He stopped short as she turned sharply toward him. She'd been spending too much time with Squall. Squall's deathglare had nothing on hers.

Zell choked, coughed. "Rince—"

Sputtered, stammered. "—Cess. Prin... Rin. Rinoa."

Her glare faded to a friendly smile when he said her name correctly. "Yes, Zell?"

"—Coward—" Quistis coughed behind them.

Zell could feel his whole face flushing. "I, um…I was, uh… How are you, Rinoa?"

"I'm very well, Zell. How are you?"

"I….I'm, uh…"

Quistis stepped up and placed a hand on Zell's shoulder. "I think he's just eager to get back to Garden and get started on his laundry."

Author Note: This story is a deleted scene from Love Don't Die. That story explains why Zell, Quistis, and Rinoa are in Timber without Squall.