Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII or any of it's characters, Square Enix does, and that's probably a good thing.


CLOSER

Chapter Three

Headmaster Cid could feel the shadows shifting and morphing before he even turned around. Sensing her presence was something he had gotten used to, and it filled the air with a heavy cloud of dread, obscuring his thoughts. Despite this, there was something else he felt whenever he was around her, and whatever it was had the faintest glimmer of hope.

He turned when he felt the hand on his shoulder. The touch was light, but he knew the full weight of the words that would come along with it. She knew it wasn't safe to be in his office like this, but she had come anyway, appearing literally out of air and shadow. But there was more, mystery and intrigue, as well as memory.

"You handled the situation well," she said.

He hesitated a moment then replied, "Well, I did what you asked." He was nervous, although this person was no stranger to him. Inwardly he felt himself cower at the power she could choose to demonstrate whenever she wanted. This was Edea Kramer, the woman he loved; no, the woman he had once loved. She was gone now, but the Headmaster felt sometimes if he looked hard enough he could still catch a glimpse of her beneath those impenetrable eyes.

"He is stronger; stronger than the others," she said as she took a seat in one of the chairs. Her presence was so light and so majestic that it appeared as if she floated toward it. And now, as she sat, she seemed to be lightly hovering just above it.

"Oh, you mean Squall," he said. "Yes, he is quite dedicated to his training."

"Will that be a problem?"

"No, I don't imagine it will be. I will handle it I assure you."

"Yes, I believe you."

"I'll do whatever it takes to save the lives of this Garden," Cid said.

"Even if it means your precious Garden?" Edea asked, she spat out the last part of her question. Her distaste for Garden and the SeeDs quite evident. Cid couldn't help wonder at the irony of this.

"We can always rebuild the Garden," he said defiantly.

"Perhaps, and perhaps the time for Gardens is over," she said, rising.

"I don't know about that," Cid considered.

"These are new times," Edea said firmly, "as you are well aware. The need for SeeDs as they operate now will become irrelevant."

"Yes," Cid began, "They are new times, but-"

"The stage has been set," Edea interrupted "There is a part of me, that will regret when you are no longer of any use. Because then—"

"Yes. I know," Cid said grimly.

"Then there is nothing further that I need to say," she replied calmly.

"Just tell me, where is the Edea I once knew?" Cid asked, almost desparately.

"She's gone now," Edea replied, coolly waving her hand through the air as if she had just dismissed Headmaster Cid's wife from existence. "Remember that before you do anything foolish."

And with those words the figure that haunted the Headmaster, and controlled him like a marionette was gone in a wisp of violet smoke. But he didn't believe her when she said that his wife was gone. He didn't want to believe her because no matter what she had become now, he still could not bring himself to call her by any other name than Edea. He let out a heavy sigh and then went back to sitting at his desk. He stared at a pen that was given to him by one a SeeD who had graduated long ago and was now dispatched on the far side of the world.

He would do what was asked of him; to protect them, at any cost.

---

Quistis allowed herself to drop heavily to her bed. Unfortunately she didn't quite make it and half of her body was edging toward the floor. It took all of her strength to keep the other half of her body rooted on the bed. She didn't dare muster anymore to pull herself up. Why did I do that? Quistis thought lazily. A trip to the training center after today's events was not the smartest thing to do. But she had been angry, or at least annoyed, and again quite plagued with her normal feelings that she often considered quite pathetic .

Being younger than most of the other instructor's didn't exactly gain their confidence, nor their friendship. Being an instructor meant she couldn't exactly spend time with those her own age, her students. There were always the Trepies, but as much Quistis wanted attention, she couldn't bring herself to sink to that level. It annoyed her that they didn't know anything about her besides superficial things like her favorite color and her favorite food. They weren't exactly people she could have a substantial conversation. Not that she could with Squall either. A conversation with him consisted mostly of one syllable answers tinted with annoyance, and an" I rather not be bothered" tone.

Why the hell did I hope to find him in the training center then? Quistis thought angrily. Was she so desperate for a connection with someone that she would seek one out foolishly with a person that obviously wasn't interested in making one. I guess that's how far I've fallen, Quistis pondered. She closed her eyes, but the invading glow of her overhead lights offered her no chance for sleep. Groaning, she got up and flipped them off. Her muscles ached, but she didn't mind too much. It was evidence that she had accomplished something today, because obviously slaying a three headed monster wasn't that big of a deal to some people.

Quistis shrugged it off, if she did things for recognition she was probably in the wrong job. SeeD's did as they were ordered and they did so out of a sense of duty and honor. But right now Quistis didn't care much about either of those concepts. She laid back down on the bed, too tired to change out her clothes. She realized her indifference to being a SeeD officer could very well be due to her less than perfect day. She also realized that it could very much be just the start of such feelings.