Author's Note: My new alternative from Days To Come, since not many people are reviewing it. Anyway, this is a whole new different story, set in a the time when the ff8 should be. This is a Quiefer story... well, sort of.


The Path From Which We Choose



He paced around the room, trying to figure out what to do. He pushed his glasses up at the bridge of his nose with his stubby fingers and stared at the figure sitting on a chair in front of his desk. He only wished it didn't have to be this way.But there were rules.

"Quistis.... there are rules in Garden that must be followed," Cid started, leaning forward to take a glimpse of her form. He could tell she was uncomfortable, seeing she was fidgeting with her fingers and adjusting her glasses so many times.

Quistis took a quiet deep breath. She had a feeling he would find out sooner or later. 'Damn him!' he thought. 'Why didn't he stop if he knew what was coming? Why didn't she stop it? Did he do it so she could be kicked out of Garden?'

After a couple of seconds, Cid continued.

"These rules that you have done successfully to follow for the years you have been here. I really hate to say this, but...." Cid stood up and placed a stubby hand on the young woman's limp shoulder. "You have not been accepted back as an Instructor. I know you worked so hard to renew your lisence, but now this happens."

Quistis shook her head, not really wanting to hear more. She stood up, gently removing the man's hand from her shoulder, which sagged slowly. "How- How did you know?"

Cid sighed, feeling uncomfortable. "I'm afraid I can not tell you who told me. It's not that important. You are also cut from SeeD."

She couldn't breath. For years she has been working hard to please Garden, now this! Her knees weakened, but she managed to containe her composure. Quistis looked up and gave Cid a calm, cool look, before the Headmaster added something that made Quistis even more uneasy.

"Does he know?"

Surprised by his question, Quistis sat back down on the chair and crossed her legs. She placed a hand on her nose and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "No, he doesn't," she replied. Reluctantly, she glanced at the walls around her, not wanting to meet Cid's eyes. She was too ashamed and he was too disappointed. "I... I don't know what to tell him."

The door in the room swung open. "Then let me," a woman's voice interrupted.

Quistis turned her head at the source of the voice and frowned at Matron. "Matron... I'm sorry. I didn't know what I was thinking. It just happened. I was lonely and...." The young woman paused, feeling Matron's hand on her shoulder.

Matron shook her head. "Do not apologize, my child. I know what feeling lonely was like. I will tell him for you."

"No.... Don't tell him. I think it's best that you don't." Quistis turned her head towards Cid. "When do you want me to leave?"

Cid didn't get a chance to explain as Matron cut in. "You are not leaving this Garden. Not when you have a child coming into the world."

Quistis looked at Cid, a look of hope pleaded in her eyes. Feeling ashamed for herself, she hung her head and said, "No, it's best that I don't stay here. My reputation here in Garden would be ruined if I stay. Everyone still hates Seifer for what he's done and they will hate me too for doing what I should never have done." A tear escaped her left eye. She wiped it quickly and forced herself to stand up from her chair. She wanted to salut Cid for a good bye, but decided against it, since she wasn't an Instructor or a SeeD anymore. She was ashamed... too ashamed to face her friends now. "I'll pack my bags and I'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning."

Matron felt a rush of sadness within her. She wrapped her arms around her taller 'daughter.' "I want you to tell him now, before you leave."

Quistis shook her head. "I can't, Matron. I'm not ready. I'll tell him when I have the courage to.... Good bye," she said, choking the last word.

Matron closed her eyes. She realized this would be the last for her to hug her 'daughter.' She would have asked her to stay and live at the orphanage.... Matron fluttered her eyes open and pulled herself away from the girl, to look at her straight in the eyes. "How about you stay at the orphanage? We can have it rebuilt and you can keep it as your own home for you and your new baby. Other orphaned kids will play with your child."

The blond woman looked at her. Her face fell into a forwn. "No. It brings too much memory for me. I don't want that."

"Come on, Quistis," Matron urged her. "You can't stay in a city full of dangerous people. The orphanage is much more secluded and is away from any danger."

Quistis surely couldn't object to her suggestion. She was right. The orphanage was a quiet and secluded place. Like Matron said, the orphanage would keep going, until the buiding couldn't take it anhmore. She would still bring more orphans and her baby can grow up to be friends with them. 'What about Seifer?' she thought to herself.

"You can tell him when you're ready... like you said," Matron replied.

Quistis wasn't surprised that Matron knew what she was thinking. After all, she was a Sorceress and could read people's minds. Without a second thought, she wrapped her pale arms around her 'mother' and Quistis, for the first time, broke down and cried.














Author's Note: There! This is just a very short starting, but I think I did a pretty good job on it. Anyway, PLEASE R/R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANX!!!!!!!!!!!





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