A/N: I DID IT!!! I am finally caught up to the hand written pages, so things will A) flow more smoothly and B) move a lot faster, lol. I don't even want to remind myself of how long this took O.o -bows deeply- My humblest apologies…although it's SLIGHTLY better when I remind myself that I have updated my two other fan fictions in this time, so at least I haven't been utterly MIA. Anyways all, please enjoy, read and review! I'm still here, and I'm still writing! Take care all!

The ride to Galbadia was significantly more subdued than the one to Trabia, their experiences there had left Selphie in a much more pensive state then normal and Irvine simply let her be, one hand gently toying with the fringed edges of her hair as she piloted. Quistis was quiet too, but for a different reason: She had a strategy to plan. Trabia had been a bit of a wake up call in some unpleasant ways- they couldn't just waltz in and expect everything to be as simple as it seemed. Three months ago that would have been the case, yes, but things had changed in more ways then they had realized; information which would be just as crucial to Balamb Garden's Headmistress and Commander as knowing the operating plans of the other Gardens....No, more so. After all, motivation was always a key factor in the art of war. Trabia Garden, however seemingly justified, was now running on the overwhelming and raging power of revenge. The only difficulty with that was revenge was a blind strength, much more likely to lead its adherents off a never ending cliff -or to a particularly bloodstained beach- then it was to victory and survival. It was understandable in its own way, because it was human...but that didn't mean it wasn't right. The question now remained, if Trabia was following such a path, which way would Galbadia lead?

If Trabia was the victim of the war, many saw Galbadia as its instigator. Whereas Garden was supposed to be a force against the sorceress, Galbadia Garden had harbored her, shielded her, been her base and her stronghold. Quistis was now greatly regretting not finding some way to learn of Trabia Garden's intentions regarding Galbadia...were they only casting their gazes towards the far distant future, or were they still not content with the casualties the desert-based Garden had suffered? Oh Hyne, it could lead to a whole new civil war.…Determined to discuss this epiphany with Squall the moment they had returned the already short trip passed by in an instantaneous blur; an overly smooth landing hardly enough to jar her from her thoughts. It was Selphie and Irvine that did it, instantly creating a ruckus as they went to disembark, only this time the tables were reversed: At Trabia, it had been nigh on impossible to hold Selphie back- now Irvine was the one chomping at the bit.

"Seph, you've got to make an exception for me here, I've got friends I haven't seen in ages! Let me talk to them, please?"

"You can talk to anyone you like Irvy, as long as they are guys, that's all."

"But they're girl friends Sephie, that's the point."

Had the Ragnorak only been intended for earthly use, and not space travel as well, the resounding shriek probably would have cracked the windshield. "NO GIRLFRIENDS!" Quists groaned and waited for the ringing to stop as Irvine chased Selphie down the ramp, stumbling over himself trying to correct the alleged misconception. "They're not 'girlfriends' Selphie, they are just friends who happen to be girls! It's hardly the same thing!"

"With you it is!"

The elder SeeD sighed and followed, annoyed even if she could recognize the humour of the situation. She wished the two of them would just start dating officially -and exclusively- and thereby free the rest of the world from the round robin quarrels. It was obvious to anyone within hearing range what the two of them meant to each other, and yet for whatever unknown Hyne forsaken reason Irvine still didn't seem ready to settle down with one woman just yet. Quistis supposed she ought to give the man some credit for remaining as controlled as he did, considering that his sheer number of fan girls outweighed her Trepies in determination, if not devotion. On Selphie's Hyne forsaken end, for whatever reason she waited for him (albiet jealously and impatiently), but still she waited. Quistis wouldn't have been able to stand it, but that was Selphie for you…perhaps it was the fact that they had been best friends since they were four which allowed the other to overlook their differences (like the fact that Seph had a wedding magazine hidden under her pillow while Irvine probably had the latest 'Weapons Monthly' magazine under his). Either way, the tiff seemed short lived as Selphie once again claimed Irvine's cowboy hat as hers and raced off with it, the man himself chasing after her with a yell. Despite herself, Quistis laughed when Selphie tripped and fell, tumbling head over heels before Irvine bent to scoop her up mid-run and instead tumbled as well, the two of them lying sprawled on the ground, laughing.

So much promise for those two, so much tender teasing and laughter. A wave of loneliness and jealousy stole over her then, and Quistis fought it, willing to not be drug under. It seemed like everyone had someone, and she didn't. She wanted to know what it was like to be loved, just once in her entire life, was that too much to ask? Matron had loved her yes, but had given her up so easily to the first couple that came along...and that had been terrible. Not even the GF's had helped her forget the beatings she had received, not yet. Some of her Trepies meanwhile might be deeply infatuated, but that too was not love. What did it mean to be loved? There were days she thought she might never know. "Some people just aren't lucky enough to find out, I guess." she told herself, trying to calm down. "And I just happen to be one of them."

~ * ~ * ~ *

Several yards away, Irvine sat up suddenly and shaded his blue eyes with his hand, gazing into the distance. "Hey Sef," he said, poking her, "what's that look like?"

"Huh?" Selphie sat up, still holding Irvine's black (and very dusty) hat. "Um, it looks like..." She stood up. "Monsters! A-yup, monsters, and a lot too! Irvine, how many are there?"

"One...three, four...seven...seven! Boy...Selphie, have you ever heard of seven monsters grouped together like that?"

"No, not that many. Can we fight them Irvy, pleeeeeeeeeease?"

"Are you junctioned?"

"Um…." Selphie looked ready to argue the necessity of this fact, but the incident with the mersmerize was still fresh, and she hung her head. "No."

"Let's go back to Quistis. She only has two GF's junctioned, but she's carrying a few extras. Come on!" They raced back to Quistis, Irvine winning with his longer stride though he nearly crashed into her in his haste. She waited as they rambled, annoyed once more and hoping they would stop running over each other's sentences, practically tapping her foot in impatience. "What's the hurry?" She asked finally, giving up. "You're going the wrong way anyways, Galbadia Garden is in that direction."

"Quisty, we need GF's!" Selphie managed excitedly. "What for?" Quistis asked in response, although she was already transferring Carbuncle to Selphie, and Siren to Irvine. "Cause there are seven monsters just sitting over there, waiting for us to smash them to bits! Blow their brains to smithereens! Gut them like fishies! Peel their sorry hides and-"

"SELPHIE!" Shouted Irvine and Quistis in unison, snapping the girl out of her energetic tirade. Quistis contemplated this information for a moment, her brow furrowed. "Seven, together? Seven? That's unusual...I wonder why...well, either way, I say we do the area a favour and clean up this little mess, shall we?" They jogged towards the monsters, shading their eyes against the brightness of the sun to determine the species- jellyeyes, all of them. Not particularly strong, but tricky nonetheless due to the fact that they could change their elemental alignments mid-battle, an important factor since most of their attacks were magic based. It didn't take long for the jellyeyes to notice them as well, floating their way and evidently preparing to attack. Immediately Selphie summoned Carbuncle, the cute little GF poking its head out of its burrow and glancing side to side nervously, wondering what its handlers were up against this time. Quistis nodded her approval, ever the teacher, as it leapt into the air and bathed them all in the warm glow of Ruby Light before dropping and disappearing once more, a nervous if useful creature. Always eager to protect itself and its handlers from harm, the magic on which the jellyeyes relied would now bounce back and attack themselves, leaving the party vulnerable to only physical attacks, quite a relief. Irvine's hair smelled wretched after it had been singed by Fira.

Speaking of Irvine, Quistis half expected him to move next and summon Siren, but happily he didn't, proving his head was in the game. Yes, the alluring GF would do damage as well, but casting Silence on the jellyeyes would leave them with no other option but to attack...much better if they suffered the pain of their own spells first. Irvine leveled Exetor and took his shot at the closest jellyeye, which squirmed in pain but continued its approach regardless. An attempt at revenge was swift; before Quistis could attack a barrage of Blizzagas, Thundagas, Firagas and a rather paltry Fire from the juvenile surged towards them, causing Selphie to laugh with glee as the spells were returned to their senders. Quistis didn't give them any time to recover from the onslaught either, cracking her whip into the smallest jellyeye and ripping it open. It fluttered to the ground, dead, its blood staining the dust purple.

Enraged at the sight of their young fallen companion the six remaining jellyeyes attacked more viciously. Two bit Selphie as she rushed them with her Strange Vision nunchaku, managing a hit with her tricky weapon despite the damage. It was lucky that she attacked when she did, because all six remaining jellyeyes suddenly morphed, bodies twisting and turning in a kaleidoscope of colour. Selphie staggered and fell, hands outstretched as she tried to find her way up again. Quistis herself was reeling from the confusion of it all, and nearby Irvine was clutching at his stomach, a green tinge to his face.

Seizing their opportunity, the jellyeyes attacked. The same two went for Selphie again, while one flew at Irvine's face. The remaining three attacked Quistis, biting at her arms, legs, and neck. Irvine leveled his gun at the jellyeye just as it reached him and pulled the trigger, causing the creature to explode from the force of Dark Ammo, leaving Irvine free to rush and aid Selphie. Quistis' whip was useless against the jellyeyes now; a long range weapon in close quarters. She started to use the butt end of it as a club, hitting herself almost as often as she managed to land an attack on the monsters before her when three bright flashes of gold zipped past Quistis, narrowly missing her while striking and sinking into the soft flesh of the three jellyeyes, pinning them to a nearby rock. After a moment they stopped thrashing and lay still as blood oozed from their wounds, major organs severed.

Wavering, Quistis stared in utter shock at the bodies until a warm, bright light washed over her, her skin prickling with the sensation as her thoughts came sharply into focus. Past her she could see Irvine and Selphie, one jellyeye dead at their feet, the last being strangled by Selphie's nunchaku as she stood on it from behind- she had located her target and refused to let go, despite Irvine's calls to come down and let him finish off the thing in a much less dramatic manner. Satisfied that the two of them were no longer in any danger (and not eager to watch anymore of an enraged Selphie…she could be vicious) Quistis stepped nearer to the monster corpses on the wall, examining the shining gold which had been their final demise. They were seven pointed throwing stars, razor sharp. Not many people mastered this weapon, since what they offered in speed and efficiency they lacked in control and accuracy without intense devotional practice. "Hey Quistis!" Called a familiar female voice. "Could you bring those over to me please? I only have six left. That's the problem with throwing stars, you have to retrieve them. Maybe one day they'll return when called, like that thing Rin's got…."

Quistis moved to do as she'd been asked, working to free the stars from the rock and coating her gloves in slime and goo as she did so before turning and smiling up at the much welcomed visitors. Lily was sitting behind Zell on a daisy yellow chocobo, her arms wrapped around his waist. She let go of Zell and leapt off the chocobo's back to claim her weapons from Quistis, returning the smile. "Great aim Lily." Said Irvine admiringly as he and Selphie joined them, Selphie's bloodlust spent and replaced with that ever perky grin. "Those things must have been a half an inch from Quistis, and you didn't even knick her…and from the back of that bird beast nonetheless. Ever think of being a sniper?" Lily gave him a bit of a nasty, teasing smirk in return. "No thanks, I happen to think that hiding behind rocks and shooting at people who have no clue that you're there is the coward's way out."

Zell laughed as Irvine clutched at his wounded heart, giving Selphie an almost nervous flicker with his eyes…surely talking to a friend's girlfriend didn't count, though he worded it carefully to make sure. "Since you're a lady I'll let you get away with that one. Zell, what have you done to her?! She used to be such a sweet thing!" Zell grinned, a few strands of ungeled hair brushing against his tattoo. "Naw, I like 'em sweet AND spicy, like hot dogs with Dijon mustard." Almost wistfully he licked his lips, Lily whacking him on the knee since she couldn't reach any higher. "Always food on the brain." She muttered, rolling her eyes. "Well I've got a question on mine!" Called Selphie, checking the heels of her boots for jellyeye blood. "What on Gaia are you two doing out here?! We left you at Garden! Decided to make sure we did a good enough job huh? Tch, such a lack of faith!"

Zell pulled the chocobo away. "Wait Seph, no no! We've been sent out on a mission! It's just by chance that we ran into you."

"SeeD has been hired? By who? I thought no one needed us!" Quistis proclaimed, perplexed. "There's a really small village not far from here that's been attacked by monsters recently, strong ones…honestly, it's probably what's left over from the Luna Cry." Lily explained. "Even after saving they were only able to hire one SeeD. For some reason the Commander and Headmistress sent me."

"Then why did you come, Zell? They only hired one SeeD."

"Do you think I would let my Lil go off all along to fight? Nu-uh! I'm goin' to kick some monster butt with my baby at my side!" He smacked his fist into his palm, pumped and eager. "Squall gave me four days leave so I could help out without technically being a SeeD, and I'm planning to use it!"

Selphie nodded. "That's nice. You're going to do monster extermination, just like Sir Laguna!" She thrust a fist into the air as Zell furrowed his brow…he didn't seem to be listening. "Oh yeah…hey Irvine, I've got something I'd like to talk to you about."

"Oh? Well alright then partner, what is it?"

"Uh, girls? Could you excuse us for a moment?"

"You forgot to say the magic word!" Selphie cooed, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. "Oh, right…uh, please?"

"Ok!" Selphie skipped off to water some nearby plants with magic, determined to make something in this Hyne forsaken dustbowl grow. Zell now turned to Lily. "Um…please?" He repeated, sheepishly. "If you get off that chocobo and let me have it." She replied, smiling. Zell instantly leapt off and picked Lily up, setting her on the bird's back as she giggled. "Man girl, you're just too light! When we get back to Balamb it's gonna be an all you can eat buffet! I don't like you being so light, you 're going to drift away on the breeze!"

"Zell! No, I'm watching my figure!"

"Yeah, well I'm watching your figure too (Lily blushed), and it's one of the finest in all of Balamb. I don't think you need to worry."

"Zell, I'm not going to sit and stuff my face. I said no."

"Tch, fine. Well, I'm going to! C'mon Irvine, I got something to tell you." The two boys strode off twenty paces and started to talk quietly, or Zell talked…Irvine mostly nodded, for once his expression oddly serious. Quistis watched them for a moment and then mentally shrugged before looking up at Lily hopefully. "Um Lily? Do you think I could try riding?" She asked in an uncharacteristically pleading tone. Lily brightened up. "Sure! It's fun! Come on up, I'll let you steer." She helped Quistis clamber up in front of her and showed her how to grasp the feathers properly to keep from sliding off. She was about to explain how to steer when Quistis gave the chocobo a little nudge with her heel, and they were off.

"Don't worry Lily." Quistis called over her shoulder. "I already know how to ride them, mostly." Lily sounded slightly surprised. "You've been on one before?"

"No." Quistis admitted. "But I've read all about it. I've always wanted to try this! I was never with Squall when he caught one."

"Ooh, I remember you checking out that book now! That was the day Selphie ran in and told me to meet Zell at the quad. Said he had something to tell me…aww, he was so nervous!" Lily giggled for a moment before blinking and sitting up. "Oh! Quisty, that reminds me, I almost forgot!"

"What is it?" Quistis asked, steering the chocobo away from the train tracks.

"Your library book…it's overdue."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter!! Please R&R….all reviewers get to take home an Angelo puppy, surprise!