Second Chances

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8, Squaresoft does. (This disclaimer applies for the whole fic.)

Seifer Almasy squinted in thought as he stared at the test paper on his desk. His frown deepened as he pondered the question on the page. He finally made a choice about the correct answer and marked it on the sheet. He leaned back in his chair and pushed the test back on his desk. The proctor overseeing the exam walked over to Seifer's desk and collected the test. It was done. In a little over two hours Seifer's fate would be decided.

After the war Seifer and Edea and Rinoa had been tried in a court, facing a panel of judges from each of the Gardens. Squall and Cid had fought hard to get the three off on 'insanity due to sorceress possession'. It had worked and the sorceresses and ex-knight had gone free. Rinoa and Edea had gone to Garden to be with the men that they loved and Seifer had gone off to find Rajin and Fujin. The 'posse' had traveled around the world looking for a place to call home. Their search eventually led them back to the place it had all begun. Balamb Garden. Rajin and Fujin had been accepted back into the rank of SeeD with little fuss. Seifer, however, had to repeat all of the basic classes that he had failed the first time around. He passed them easily this time.

Today was the day of his final written exam. He had to pass this prerequisite before he could take the field exam and finally become a SeeD.

If he failed the exam he would be forced out of the Garden and would have to find somewhere else to live. If he passed he would get a second chance to fulfill his dreams to be a hero.

He had studied for days, memorizing procedures and codes and articles that he hadn't given a second glance his first time in the Garden.

He was desperate to prove that he belonged somewhere. If he could make it into the ranks of SeeD he could prove that he was better than a defeated sorceress' lapdog…prove that he could live up to his own prideful boasts.

Squall had been reluctant to give him a second chance but once Rinoa and Edea spoke up for him the commander had signed the readmission papers allowing Seifer to return to Garden.

For the weeks since his return Seifer had been an excellent student, paying attention and being respectful towards his instructors.

He had even humbled himself and asked Squall and his friends for forgiveness for his actions. Zell was reluctant at first but when he saw the seriousness in Seifer's green eyes he had nodded and even extended his hand to shake. Irvine, who was probably the least affected by Seifer's actions, was quick to grant forgiveness to Seifer. Selphie said that though she could not forget what he did to her home she would forgive him. Rinoa told him that she had already forgiven him and that she hoped that they could be friends again. Squall didn't directly say that he had forgiven Seifer but he did offer to train with Seifer in his time off. Quistis just gave him a small smile and nodded affirmatively.

Since the group had forgiven him they had started to hang out with him socially. They would eat together and when they went out together it was rare to not see Seifer in their midst. Seifer and Squall still fought a lot but Rinoa and Quistis were always there to get between them and calm them down.

As he took the SeeD exam the group was waiting for him in the cafeteria to learn how he had done.

After the interminable waiting had ended Seifer was handed a sealed envelope containing the results of his test.

As soon as he had it in his hand he took off out the door of the classroom and bolted to the elevator. The ride to the first floor had never seemed so long to the anxious young man. As soon as the doors were open enough for him to squeeze through he was out and down the stairs, running for the cafeteria entrance.

He ran into the room waving the envelope. Rinoa was the first to see him and she stood and waved him over. He ran over and sat down, throwing the envelope on the table.

"Well, what does it say?" she asked, a little nervous.

"I wanted y'all to be here when I opened it," he said.

"Well hurry up and open it up!" Selphie shouted.

"Give him a sec darlin'" Irvine drawled to his hyper girlfriend.

Seifer looked nervous as he reached for the manila envelope that contained his hopes and dreams.

His hand stopped short of its destination as he hesitated.

"What if I failed?" he muttered to himself.

Quistis, seated beside him, overheard the comment and, pitying her former student, asked "Seifer, do you want me to open it for you?"

He looked into her eyes and the relief that was apparent in his green orbs made his decision clear.

She smiled and squeezed his hand as her other reached for the packet. She released his hand as she opened the envelope. She pulled the test out of the folder and read the comments at the top of the page. His score was written on the top in red marker. She took his hand again as she asked him, "Are you ready?"

He nodded and she slowly turned the pages toward his face. His eyes widened as they saw the bright red circle with the numbers '89' inside. He had done it. He had passed the test. He was on his way to becoming a SeeD.

AN: Please review. Advice, tips, encouragement would be great.

Next chapter: Seifer goes on his Field Exam with Quistis as his SeeD backup.