Author's Note: Next chapter. At this rate, I am thinking that this will be a short one, but we will see what happens as I keep writing. :) I hope to have a couple more chapters of Long Shadows up by the end of this week and maybe another chapter of this fic. Stay tuned...

I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or any of its characters.

Thank you to everyone who is reading/following/favoriting/reviewing this. It is always appreciated.

Tuvile: Thank you for the review. I have the original soundtrack on CD and on my computer (and often listen to it while I write), but I hadn't heard the orchestral version of Fragments of Memories before. I managed to track it down today, and you are right about it being a good mood piece for the first chapter...I'm with you in wishing that there had been more moments with Raine than what we got in the game (and more with Laguna for that matter), so it's fun to write some more of them in my fics. I am pleased that you like how I handle her character, and yes, I have often thought that perhaps Squall inherited more than just his looks from her. :) I also agree though that she would have been a wonderful wife and mother to Laguna and Squall and it truly is a tragedy that she died when she did...Yes, things are not going to be easy for Laguna in this fic, and there will be other times like this when he will be close to an edge...hopefully I can still keep him in character. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this update as well and good luck on your chicken casserole craving. ;)

Chapter Two

Kiros Seagill stared at his desk, his hands folded on top of the polished surface. He knew that Laguna had left the Palace again late last night, and he was starting to wonder how much longer he should remain silent about it.

It had started four days ago. He had dropped by Laguna's living quarters in the Palace late one evening to remind him of a meeting later that week and to invite Laguna to dinner with him and his wife, Mara. He rang the bell a couple of times and was surprised to receive no answer, knowing that Laguna had already gone to his rooms with no mention of any other plans. Concerned, he used his security card to override the locks and was even more surprised to discover that no one was there.

Kiros had been worried, but did not react right away. He knew that Laguna sometimes liked to sneak out of the Palace so he could spend time alone, and that the ex-soldier was generally cautious enough to stay out of any trouble. Instead he secretly monitored Laguna's living quarters and about seven hours later, Laguna returned quietly to his rooms. Kiros had been relieved and had chalked it up to Laguna simply wanting some time to himself.

It became worrisome again, however, when it became part of a new pattern.

In the past, Laguna would usually spend most of his evenings with Ellone, Kiros and Mara, Ward and his wife Temira or with some other combination thereof. During the day, he would have lunch with his friends or their wives or would talk to Squall if his son was in his office at Garden and could spare the time. Rarely did he spent his entire day outside of work alone, and Laguna often talked about how much he looked forward to spending time with his son and adopted daughter, his friends and their families.

Nowadays though, Laguna would work late and then use the excuse that he was tired to go back to his rooms alone supposedly to sleep. He only met with Kiros and Ward to discuss official matters and hadn't even tried to contact Squall the entire time.

Kiros leaned back in his chair and drew his hands into his lap. He had suspected that there had been some changes in his old friend about three weeks ago when he noticed that Laguna would often duck out of the Palace for lunch under the pretense that he wanted to get out and spend some time in the city. After a week of this, curiosity got the better of Kiros. He secretly followed Laguna and was shocked to discover that Laguna was meeting a woman at one of the local cafes and from the look of it; this was not the first time for either of them.

Once he got over the initial shock, Kiros had been delighted. He knew that Laguna had suffered a devastating loss when Raine died, and Kiros was often worried that he was lonely despite having his friends close by him at all times. After spending years as a widower, Laguna appeared no closer to being able to move on…that is until now.

Kiros ended up telling Ward about what he had found out, and Ward had also reacted positively. Both of them then started to wonder when Laguna was going to tell them about his new friend and were surprised when days and then weeks passed without a single word from Laguna about her.

The happiness Kiros had felt eventually turned into unease, and he became increasingly suspicious of why Laguna chose to keep this to himself. These suspicious soon drove him to discreetly investigate Laguna's lunch companion and run a background check on her. Kiros was not entirely comfortable with his decision to do this, but his deep-seated drive to protect Laguna won out in the end and he rationalized that it was his job to ensure the president's security.

Kiros learned that the woman's name was Alleen Ellas and that she used to be a model and was now a fashion designer. She was in her late thirties, had been born and raised in Esthar and had lived a fast-paced, but straightforward life thus far with nothing in her history that suggested any kind of threat to the president of Esthar. On the surface, it looked like an innocent enough affair, but Kiros could not get rid of the nagging question of why Laguna continued to hide her from him and Ward.

Still, Kiros had also noticed that Laguna seemed happy and more vibrant than usual, and he could not deny that he was pleased at the possibility that Laguna had found someone special. Over time, he resigned himself to the idea that Laguna would reveal everything when he was ready.

His elation shifted back to concern, however, earlier this week when Laguna's demeanor suddenly became far more subdued and he started to shut out the people around him unless it was related to work. Kiros wondered if it had something to do with Alleen and wanted to ask Laguna about it, but asking that would mean admitting that he had spied on his friend, and Kiros wasn't sure how Laguna would react to that.

The sound of familiar heavy footfalls interrupted Kiros' reverie and he looked up to see Ward walking toward him.

"…."

"No, I already asked him," Kiros said. "He said that he was too busy working on the agricultural trade agreements between Esthar and Dollet to join us for lunch."

"…."

"Yeah I know," Kiros sighed. "It isn't like him at all to choose to work on something as boring and tedious as that over getting lunch at his favorite pizza place. And even though he's trying to hide it from me, I know for a fact that he went on another one of his secret trips last night."

"…."

"Honestly? I don't know what to do at this point," Kiros said. "I thought about asking Ellone to talk to him, but she's vacationing with her fiancé in Trabia and won't be back for another two weeks."

"…."

"Squall?" Kiros said. "Maybe, but that is a gamble. You're right in saying that if anyone could get Laguna to talk at this point, it's him, but you know as well as I do that Squall is not always available and he's often not exactly eager to discuss feelings or personal stuff."

Kiros closed his eyes rubbed them with his fingertips while letting out a deep breath.

"Still, Squall has been willing to help Laguna out before, and it's probably the best option we have at this point," he continued. "I imagine that if I explain the situation to him, he'll be willing to come out here and find out what is going on. Laguna might be avoiding us, but he never turns down an opportunity to spend time with Squall. I'll try calling him this afternoon."

Ward was about to say more, but then they heard the sound of women laughing and looked up to see Mara and Temira walking by them, waving as they passed by.

Mara was a couple inches shorter than Laguna and had long black hair that fell in waves down to her waist along with light, almost purple colored eyes. A scholar who was an expert on Centra's history and had written several books on the subject, Mara was usually quiet and studious, but she could also be social and outgoing in the right settings and she shared her husband's sharp wit and caring personality.

Temira, on the other hand, was always extroverted and lively. An artist who sometimes wrote and illustrated children's books, Ward's wife was about half a foot taller than Laguna with hazel eyes, a pug nose and short curly brown hair. Temira loved to entertain and was often arranging get-togethers and outings for her and Ward and for their friends, especially Laguna who she said always made her laugh.

Kiros and Ward saw that their wives were heading for Laguna's office, and they decided to follow them. They then watched as Mara and Temira nodded at the guards and carefully opened the door, silently creeping up to Laguna who was in his chair behind his desk, facing the other way. Both women smiled as they continued to sneak up on him before Temira dashed forward and put her hands over Laguna's eyes from behind. Laguna yelped and almost fell out of his chair, causing all of them to laugh. Laguna swiveled around to face them and Mara and Temira stood in front of him, their arms crossed over their chests.

"Laguna Loire, what is going on?" Temira said, tapping her fingers against her forearm. Laguna smiled and stood up while scratching the side of his head.

"What do you mean?" he said nervously.

"You know what I mean," Temira said with a mock frown. "You haven't had dinner with us once this week. And here I went and made one of your favorite desserts yesterday."

"Balamb Bon-Bon Cake?" Laguna asked.

"Exactly," Temira said. "I made sure to make plenty so that you could have a few slices and, how do you repay me? By avoiding us."

"I'm sorry," Laguna said. "It's just, I've been so busy this week and…."

"Don't give me that," Temira said. "Lame excuses like that might work on the rest of your staff around here, but you aren't fooling us. Last week, you said that you would stop by and let me show you some of my latest paintings."

"Actually, what she's wanting to do is have you read the book she just finished," Mara said with a smirk and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "She knows that you are a perfect stand-in for her usual audience seeing as how you are essentially a big kid."

"Well yeah, there's that too," Temira laughed. "So come on, Loire, spill. Why haven't you come by to see us?"

"Honest Temira, it's just work, I swear," Laguna said, his eyes flicking over to the side. The gesture only lasted a second, but it was enough to let Kiros know that he was lying. Normally, Laguna was a terrible liar, and the fact that he put so much effort into hiding the truth this time worried Kiros even more.

"All right fine, don't tell us," Temira huffed. "But you need to stop working yourself to death. Look at you. You look like you haven't had a decent night's sleep in a week, and I doubt that you've had a real meal in all that time either."

"She's right, Laguna," Mara said, frowning. "You need to take better care of yourself than this. It looks like our husbands are not doing their job."

Mara and Temira looked over to give stern expressions to Kiros and Ward who both ducked their heads sheepishly while walking over to join them.

"You know how impossible it is to get Laguna to listen to anything we say, Mara," Kiros smiled at her. "Why do you think we got into so many scrapes as soldiers?"

"…."

"That's no excuse," Temira replied. "If he keeps acting that stubborn, you could just throw him over your shoulder and carry him to our place."

Ward rubbed the back of his head, and Laguna held his hands up.

"Ok, ok, I give," he said. "I'll make sure to drop by for dinner tonight."

"Good," Mara smiled at him. "Dinner will be at our place. I am trying out another traditional Galbadian recipe I got from Irvine Kinneas. He is actually a surprisingly good cook for being so young."

Kiros snorted, but held his tongue. It was true that the recipes Irvine gave Mara were good and were further enhanced by Mara's superior culinary skills, but he didn't feel like reminding his wife that Irvine learned to cook mainly as a way to pick up girls.

"I will make sure to bring over what's left of the Bon-Bon cake," Temira said. "And maybe if you behave I will add on something else too for dessert."

Both Mara and Temira then leaned in to give Laguna a hug and a kiss on the cheek while Kiros smiled at the sight. His and Ward's deep friendship with and sense of duty for Laguna sometimes complicated their lives, and both of them were grateful that their wives were not only patient and understanding about the situation, but were also very fond and protective of Laguna as well.

Mara and Temira then walked over to their husbands and kissed and embraced each of them as well.

"Mara and I are going out for a few things now," Temira said. "Dinner will be a six 'o clock sharp and we will expect you to be there. No excuses."

"…."

"You always say that, but I know you don't mean it," Temira grinned at Ward before arching up to kiss him again.

"Don't you dare try to come up with some excuse either," Mara said as Kiros held her close to him. Kiros frowned and looked into her eyes.

"I can't promise anything," he said. "You know how distracting Laguna can be."

"I know," she smiled at him. "But try anyway, for me." Kiros smiled back at her and bent down to kiss her forehead.

"Always for you, Mara," he murmured. "I'll see you later."

Mara gave him one last squeeze before letting him go and walking out of the room with Temira and Ward close behind them. Kiros thought about getting back to work as well, but hesitated and watched as Laguna slumped back down into his chair.

"Something on your mind?" Kiros said, hoping that he would get an answer. Laguna looked over at him and Kiros was dismayed at how tired Laguna's eyes were.

"I um…do you think there's any way we could clear my schedule this weekend?" Laguna asked him. Kiros walked back over to him and placed his hand on his chin.

"It might be a little tricky," he said. "Why?" Laguna looked away and turned his attention to the monitor in front of him.'

"I was thinking about asking Squall if he could come to Esthar and spend a couple days with me."

"Well, if that's the case, I'm sure I could arrange something," Kiros said with a warm grin. Laguna nodded and punched a few keys on his monitor.

"I'm going to go ahead and ask him now," he said. A few seconds later, Squall's face appeared on the monitor screen.

"Hello Dad," Squall said. "What is it?"

"Hey Squall," Laguna said. "Um, I know you're really busy and all, but uh…is there any way you could spare some time for me this weekend?" Squall studied his father silently over the monitor, and Kiros found himself praying that Squall would not turn Laguna down.

"I am pretty busy," Squall said. "But…Rinoa has been after me to take a break. We were thinking about spending a weekend in Deling, but I think I can convince her to come to Esthar instead."

"Great!" Laguna grinned, his eyes lighting up, much to Kiros' delight. "I'll see you this weekend. I'll make sure to have a place set up for you in the Palace, all right?"

"Whatever. I will see you then," Squall said before ending the conversation. It was abrupt, but both Laguna and Kiros were used to that by now.

"I guess I better get back to work," Laguna said. "These trade agreements aren't going to disappear any time soon."

"Sadly no," Kiros smirked at him. "I will stop by later with our agenda for tomorrow."

Laguna nodded and picked up a bundle of papers on his desk to read. Kiros watched him for a moment more before exiting. He was still uneasy about the changes he had seen in Laguna recently, but he hoped that Squall's visit would encourage Laguna to open up about whatever was eating at him.

Otherwise, Kiros was unsure if he could stop himself from taking more direct measures.