HISTORY NEVER REPEATS
A Final Fantasy VIII Second Generation Fan Fiction




"...I will sleep no more but arise
You oceans that have been calm within me!
How I feel you, fathomless, stirring,
preparing unprecedented waves and storms..."
~From
Starting from Paumanok (18), Walt Whitman


CHAPTER FIVE

It was the moment of truth. Squad B was about to find out their fate, and Tempest couldn't have been more nervous. Her anxiety was further compounded by the new method of delivering scores. Instead of making a group announcement, the teams had been called into the classroom, team by team, to meet with the headmaster, and Commander Trepe. So far only one candidate had emerged victorious. The rest had left quietly, their heads hung in shame. Tempest wondered, which category would she fall into? The odds were, it would be the second.

She'd heard from some of the other candidates that, for the most part, the mission had been a failure. It was mostly due to the confusion of the Gabadians heading into the TV station versus the supposed assault on the city. In that confusion, the Squads had strayed from patrol routes, misunderstood orders and it had to lead to some confrontation among team members. It sounded awfully familiar, and it didn't bode well for Tempest or her squad.

Word had spread quickly about what had happened, particularly what had happened with Squad B. Tempest had felt their stares and tried valiantly to ignore the whispers. She was certain that, by now, the stories going around were wildly exaggerated and twisted out of proportion. She could only imagine the kind of tales circulating, giving the student body en masse another reason to avoid her. After all, who wanted to be involved with someone who had potentially been possessed by a Sorceress?

Tempest glanced at Syrus across the hallway, watching him pace back and forth in his own anxiety. This was the end of the line for him and he knew it. Tempest could live with her fate. She still had a couple of chances left, but Syrus would be finished at Garden if he failed. He was too good a fighter to lose, but if he failed, Tempest told herself it was his own fault. Part of her hoped he did pass, but she realized it would be some kind of miracle if he made it.

Rescue Squad C emerged from the classroom, all but Cedra Almasy looking forlorn.

"I'm a SeeD, baby!" Cedra cried as she stepped out into the corridor.

Cedra spotted Syrus and threw her arms around her older brother's neck. Syrus gave her a brotherly hug and a congratulations.

Tempest couldn't help but notice the look on his face as he embraced his sister. He was smiling but his eyes betrayed him. He was proud of Cedra, certainly, but he also looked defeated, and it almost broke Tempest's heart. In spite of everything, Syrus had truly wanted to be a SeeD, and not only to make his parents proud. He wanted it for himself, too.

Tempest had known that all along.

"Squad B," Cid said from the doorway, "Come in. Have a seat."

They filed in and sat as instructed, each waiting anxiously for their respective fates. Benji looked as if he was about to cry, and Syrus looked like someone had just sucker punched him in the gut. Tempest was the only calm one.

Whatever the news was, Tempest could handle it. They would get what they deserved.

"Thank you for waiting," Commander Trepe said. "As you know, this has not be an easy decision for us. The headmaster and I debated for a good part of the night about how to handle this, being that this mission was an absolute failure on all levels."

The Commander might as well have stuck a knife in Tempest's chest. She didn't need any more reminders that she'd failed the girl. She was still feeling horribly guilty that she hadn't been able to catch up with the bastard who took her. Part of her knew that wasn't what the Commander meant, but it didn't change the way she felt.

"With any mission, however, there are times when the lines aren't so clear," the Commander said. "Sometimes instinct is all you have to go on, and sometimes, merely following orders isn't enough. It's very difficult to assign grades when everything goes wrong, like it did yesterday. We thought this was a run of the mill situation and it turned out to be something very different.

"I'm not going to lecture," the Commander continued. "The three of you know that these are unusual circumstances and that we had to adjust our typical method of scoring to suit the situation. Had this been a typical mission, Benji would have been the only one of your group to pass. However, there was nothing typical about it, so we've been forced to ignore certain actions and decisions in order to assess your scores."

"On the whole," Cid said, "the three of you did well, if we don't factor in both Syrus and Tempest's failure to obey orders. In fact, of all our candidates, the three of you scored the highest, Tempest in particular, based on leadership and overall skill, and we did take that into consideration when we made our decision," Cid said. "And we do understand that whether or not the initial orders were followed, the end result would have been the same because of the girl's power over Tempest."

Syrus sent a sidelong glance at Tempest but said nothing. Tempest hadn't told him the girl would have contacted her regardless. Was he now realizing that perhaps Tempest might have broken rank first if he had held back a little longer? Was he now kicking himself for being too impulsive? Tempest was betting so. Had he not chosen the path he did, she would be the only one on the hot seat right now. He would have passed with the highest of marks.

"Instinct and the ability to think on one's feet is something we encourage here," Cid continued. "If not for your actions, we would not have known about Galbadia's real intent until it was too late. The three of you are to be commended for being able to change direction at a moment's notice and for following through with a course of action, even if it wasn't a Garden issued directive. Therefore, I'm am pleased to say that the three of you have passed."

"Just barely," Commander Trepe added.

Tempest glanced at Syrus. The surprise on his face was plain to see. He hadn't thought they'd show him any mercy.

"Congratulations. The three of you are now SeeDs."


Syrus couldn't believe that he'd passed the exam. He'd gone into that room expecting to be told to pack his things and leave before sundown. In fact, he'd spent much of his time today preparing for that eventuality. He'd even started boxing up his belongings This development was as unexpected as Tempest's sudden talent for bizarre and powerful magic. He almost wanted to question it, but he kept his mouth shut and accepted his final score. He didn't even care that he'd only been ranked at level three. He was a SeeD, and that was good enough for him.

"Yeah, baby!" Benji cried as they left the classroom. "We made it!"

Syrus was fairly certain they all should have been thrown in the brig, but Cid must have had his reasons for passing them. Perhaps it had been Tempest's admission that the girl would have taken control sooner or later, regardless of where they were.

Syrus had to wonder about that. If he'd hesitated in the alley, if he'd gone along with the orders he'd been given, would Tempest have suddenly, inexplicably taken off? If she had, there was no doubt in his mind that he would have followed her, even if he hadn't understood what was going on.

If he'd waited just a few more moments, things might be much, much different.

Syrus refused to dwell on that fact. What was done was done and he was a SeeD. For Syrus, that was enough.

Still, it bothered him to know that the girl would have had power over Tempest either way. That bothered him more than anything. It meant that no matter where she was, the girl might be able to control Tempest, just like his own father had been controlled by Ultimecia. He had a feeling that this would not be the last time they heard from the girl, and that bothered him too. What if Tempest was wrong about her? What if she wasn't just an innocent victim? The idea that Tempest could be lured in scared him because he knew that wherever Tempest went, regardless of orders, Syrus was going too. That's just the way it was.

Now was no time to ponder all this. Let the people who were paid to worry be the ones to worry about it. After all, Syrus had some celebrating to do.

He put his hand on Tempest's shoulder and gave it a squeeze as they left the classroom. As he expected, she brushed it away, but instead of looking angry, she looked troubled. Syrus picked up on her tension, and he wasn't sure where it came from.

"Why aren't you happy?" Syrus asked.

"I am. I'm just surprised."

"Me too," he said honestly. "I thought for sure they'd tell me to not let the door hit me."

That coaxed a half smile out of her, but she said nothing.

Hyne, he missed her smile.

"Go to the Ball with me," he blurted out.

"I'm not going."

"What?" Benji cut in before Syrus could. "You have to go! It's gonna be great. Hotdogs, champagne, a band. You don't really want to miss all that, do you?"

"Hyne knows, the hotdogs make it all worth it," Tempest said drily.

Benji looked hurt, and Syrus almost felt bad for him. After all, Benji meant well. Even if he was a chicken-wuss.

"We're just trying to get you to relax a little. Have a good time, you know?" Syrus said. "You used to know how to do that."

"You used to know how to be decent," Tempest fired back.

Syrus took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Why did everything have to be an argument with her? Why did she have to turn everything around on him? He'd said he was sorry. What more could she want from him?

In the end, Syrus knew that she wouldn't stay angry forever. Eventually, she would forgive him. He had enough faith in their love to be certain that they weren't doomed, even if Tempest denied him now. She just needed time, that was all. And if that was what she needed, he'd give it to her.

"It would be really cool if you came," Benji said carefully. "It wouldn't be the same without you."

"We'll see," Tempest said.

That was the best they were going to get out of her. She'd either be there or not, and there was nothing Syrus or Benji could say or do to convince her

"Come on, Dincht," Syrus said. "Let's go see if Kinneas can get us some celebratory booze."

Benji looked surprised to be included, but he gave an eager nod.

"See you around, Tempest."


Tempest ended up going to the ball anyway. Cedra had showed up an hour before the party started and had badgered Tempest into it, even though Tempest insisted that she didn't want to go. Cedra was unrepentant and relentless.

"Maybe you're just trying to avoid running into my brother."

"That too."

"I know you took the break up pretty hard, but don't let my stupid brother screw up what might be the best night of our lives!" Cedra said. "I mean, you never know. Your knight in shining armor might be there, just like that story about how your parents met. Except, if you don't go, you'll never meet him, and there would be no happy ending."

The mention of Tempest's parents and how they met was like a dagger to the heart. She didn't like thinking about that story, no matter how romantic others might consider it.

"Their story didn't have a happy ending, either," Tempest pointed out.

Cedra rolled her eyes, and it was clear to Tempest that Cedra felt she'd missed the point.

"You are the least romantic person I've ever met in my life, Tempest Leonhart," Cedra said.

Tempest had sighed and slumped over into her pillow. What she really wanted was to curl up and go back to sleep and forget all about the last two days. Maybe even the last few months. She closed her eyes and hoped Cedra would get the hint, but she didn't.

"Get up and get dressed," Cedra commanded.

"I'm not going."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes you are!"

"This is one of those things where you're not going to leave me alone until I give in, isn't it?"

"Yep."

"You're just like your brother, you know that?"

Cedra scowled. "Don't compare me to him. Now get up. I'll do your hair and make up."

Now Tempest was standing against a pillar in the ball room, watching everyone have a good time as she sipped her second glass of champagne. She hated everything about this. Her uniform skirt was too short and she'd had to try to ignore comments about her legs and figure from drunken young men who should have known better. She felt self conscious and silly and it was hard to repress the urge to maim each young man that dared eye her with interest.

Cedra bringing up Tempest's parents had conjured up their ghosts. Tempest couldn't stop thinking about them. It was in this very ball room that they had met for the first time. Edea had told her the story when she was little and it seemed too much like a fairy tale to be believed. Even now Tempest could scarcely believe that it had really happened like that. Edea had called it fate. Destiny.

Tempest had a hard time believing in fate and destiny. It seemed so impractical and silly to believe in something that sounded so out of control. Tempest didn't like the idea of not being in control of herself. She believed that she alone made her luck and she was in charge of her own destiny no matter what was happening around her. She prided herself on being a realist, and she knew better than to indulge herself in fantasies about things that would never happen to her.

There was no handsome knight in shining armor waiting to sweep her off her feet.

Not tonight. Not ever.

Still, she couldn't help trying to picture her parents in this very ball room, trying to picture that chance meeting that had changed the world.

She imagined her father standing where she stood now, watching silently, as she did, the goings on around him while he sipped a glass of celebratory champagne. He'd been handsome and lean, and he'd cut a striking figure in uniform. Tempest knew that much from old photos. There was no question he'd been the best looking boy in the room. It was no wonder her mother had asked him to dance.

And her mother. She'd been slender and leggy, and arguably the prettiest girl there. No doubt, she'd charmed him so much that there had never been the option of turning back. He belonged to her the moment their eyes met across the dance floor.

Or so the story went.

But, maybe it was just a story. Maybe what actually happened was far less romantic than all that.. Maybe the truth had been exaggerated into something that it wasn't, told a certain way to make it seem more touching and more beautiful than it really was.

Or maybe it really had happened that way. She supposed she'd never know.

Tempest accepted another glass of champagne from the waiter that passed by, though she knew she'd already had too much. She was supposed to be celebrating, and was trying to look the part, but her mood was turning sour. Even if her prince was here tonight, the dark expression on her face was enough to scare him away for good.

She was about to leave the ball when a large hand closed over hers and dragged her to the dance floor.

"Quit holding up the wall, Leonhart. You're supposed to be having a good time," Syrus said.

"What are you doing?!" Tempest demanded as she tried to pull away.

"I'm here to celebrate our good fortune and to dance with my girl."

"I'm not your girl."

"You've always been my girl," Syrus said. "Always will be."

"What, are you drunk? I'm not your girl anymore. We broke up, remember?"

"Shut up and dance with me."

His expression was determined. There would be no argument about this, and truthfully, Tempest didn't have the energy to fight with him tonight so she let him pull her out to the middle of the dance floor.

He flashed that brilliant smile of his and Tempest forgot herself for a moment.

Why did her heart have to skip a beat every time she saw him? Why did he have to look at her like that? It made it hard to stay angry with him, even if he deserved her anger. He had earned her silence, after all, but he was making it very difficult to maintain.

"You're supposed to let me lead," he teased.

"I don't want to do this," she said flatly.

Tempest fought his embrace, but his arms stayed wrapped around her like the tentacles of a hungry ochu. She tried to wriggle her way out, but he only pulled her closer.

"Look, will you just give me this one dance? Please?"

Syrus looked defeated as he stared down at her, and there was something in his face that made Tempest stop fighting altogether. She gave a heavy sigh and relented, though she was determined to make the dance as uncomfortable for him as it was for her.

She didn't have to try very hard. The champagne had gone to her head and she felt clumsy and slow as her hand lighted on his shoulder. She let him lead, all the while resisting his attempts to pull her closer. She didn't want to be closer to him. Being close to him might break down her resistance, for whatever he had done, there was still a part of her that longed for his company and his touch, and that was dangerous. She couldn't allow herself to let him back in. She couldn't afford to be hurt again. Not by Syrus, not by anyone.

"You look beautiful tonight," Syrus whispered in her ear.

Tempest responded to his statement by stepping on his toe. On purpose.

Syrus grimaced, but didn't comment. She did it again, but this time, made sure she dug the slender heel of her shoe into his foot. Syrus made a strangled sound and gave her a warning look but kept his mouth shut.

For whatever reason, he was determined to dance with her and willing to put up with any injury she might inflict.

Tempest was annoyed enough with him to test his limits. When Syrus attempted to spin her, she resisted and he fell into her, nearly knocking her to the floor.

"Tempest, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

Tempest steadied herself and silently wished to be anywhere but where she was. This was a confrontation she didn't want to have, especially not here

"Can't you give one dance without trying to make a fool of me?"

Tempest looked up at him for a long moment. Her eyes lingered on the fresh scar between his eyes and thought of all the reasons why she couldn't let herself care anymore.

"Syrus, go find someone else to dance with. I'm not what you're looking for."

Tempest watched his face as he digested her words and what she really meant, and she could tell what she said burned him in the worst of ways.

"What can I say to make it up to you? What can I do?" he asked softly. "I said I'm sorry and I meant it. How long are you going to punish me?"

"I'm not punishing you, Sy," Tempest said gently. "I'm doing what's best for me."

With these words, Tempest turned and fled the dance floor. On her way out, she seized a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and headed for the balcony.

It was suddenly hard to breathe, as if the air in the room around her had grown too thick. If she didn't get out of there, she was going to pass out.


Julia Leonhart stood in the shadows behind the band, watching with envy as the SeeDs danced, drank and socialized with one another. What she wouldn't give to be one of them. What she wouldn't give to have friends, to laugh and celebrate and have fun like anyone else her age, but it wasn't safe for her to be around a lot of people. Her whole life, Julia had wished to be part of something, to laugh and goof off and have fun without worrying that, if she let her guard down, the worst might happen. Eventually, someone would figure out what she was and that was dangerous.

Julia had spent her whole life under the protection of others. First in Esthar, at the Palace with her Granddad Laguna and his family, and then later with the White SeeD, and now she was here in Balamb, with an entire Garden to protect her. Any other girl might feel special and important to have such a need for protection, but it only succeeded in making Julia feel weak. Had she been allowed to train here, maybe she wouldn't have needed so much protection. Maybe she'd be able to fight for herself and lessen the burden on others. Maybe she and Tempest could be together again.

But that wasn't going to happen. Not any time soon. She knew the reasons why they'd been separated, and she understood them, but it didn't lessen the absence she felt at not having her family near. Cid and Edea did their best, and she loved them for it, but it didn't quite make up for the fact that Julia was essentially alone. She had no friends, no one to talk to but an elderly couple and a pair of White SeeDs, who were not allowed to respond back no matter what she said to them.

With a sigh, she watched the dancing couples and wondered what it would be like to be one of them, to have some good looking boy twirling her around the dance floor, his eyes only on her. No boy had ever looked at her that way. In fact, she didn't know any boys. Being the fabled princess locked in the proverbial tower definitely had disadvantages. One being it severely stunted any chance for social interaction, let alone romantic encounters.

Then, Julia wondered if Tempest was one of those dancing couples. They all looked so happy, and she could easily picture Tempest on the arm of some handsome young man, dancing with grace and having the time of her life. Julia hoped that was the case. She hoped that Tempest hadn't plastered herself against the wall somewhere as Julia knew Tempest was apt to do. Tempest had always been the quiet one, but at least she had friends.

Because of what she was, Julia had missed all the best parts of growing up. Most of all, she missed Tempest. She missed the closeness they'd shared. Knowing that Tempest was here at Garden and that she was safe helped a little, but it didn't make it any easier to bear. Julia was still alone.

She spotted Tempest dancing with a tall young man with sandy blonde hair and Julia wished they could trade places, just for a moment, just so she could know what it felt like to dance with someone. It was obvious the boy adored Tempest, though it appeared Tempest was annoyed with him.

Julia wished it was her out there.

What would it have been like to grow up here, surrounded by kids her age? To learn how to be strong, self reliant and fearless?

Of all the things in the world, why did she have to be a Sorceress? Why did she have these powers and not someone else?

It was the last gift her mother had given her, not by choice but out of necessity. A dying woman with no other option, and now because of it, Julia was more or less on her own, alienated and feared by the rest of the world. There was no hope for any kind of a normal life for Julia and there never would be.

The most depressing part about it was that no one but the Kramers and Laguna's family knew she existed. No one else in the world knew that there had ever been a Julia Leonhart.

Not even Tempest.


In spite of everything Tempest had said in the last few days, Syrus was not prepared to leave her alone. Even after he'd vowed to give her time, he found he couldn't. She was too important to just walk away from.

But what was it that he planned to do? Follow her out and hope she didn't kill him? Have the same argument they'd had in the training center or on the dance floor? Syrus knew she wouldn't budge on this issue, but he still wanted to be near her. His world wasn't right without her in it and he needed her to understand that.

Syrus hesitated for a moment and then followed her out to the balcony, which was mostly deserted, save a couple making out in the corner. Tempest stood at the railing, her back to him, looking out at the night. He could tell by the set of her shoulders that she was not in a mood to be trifled with. Still, he went forward and leaned into the railing beside her. He half expected her to take off or scream at him, but she stayed silent as she sipped at her glass of champagne.

"Tempest, what's this really about?" Syrus asked softly. "You can't be this pissed at me just because I kissed some girl."

Tempest's expression was murderous.

"It was more than that and you know it."

So that's what it was. Tempest believed that it was more than just a kiss. Stunned, he took a step back and looked down at her angry face.

"Nothing happened," Syrus said evenly. "One kiss. That's it."

"You don't honestly expect me to believe that."

"I expected you to trust me enough to know that I'd never do that to you."

"You kissed her."

"She kissed me," Syrus corrected. "And yeah, just for a second, I liked it, but it was your face I saw in my head. It was you I wanted, not her, so I stopped it before it could go any further because I knew it would hurt you, and I don't want any part of anything that makes you suffer."

Tempest snorted and shook her head.

"Right. Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"You know damn well you're the only girl I've ever wanted," Syrus said, suddenly angry with her for refusing to listen to him. "There's no one in the world who even compares to you."

Tempest snorted again and downed the rest of her champagne.

"I overheard her," Tempest said. "Bragging in the locker room."

Syrus froze.

Whatever Maya had said, it was most certainly a lie. There had only been that one kiss, and it had been unexpected on Syrus' part. The girl had suddenly thrown her arms around him and planted her mouth on his, as if she'd been dared by a friend or something. It had come out of nowhere, without provocation, and as soon as he realized what was happening, he'd shoved her away. He'd never been fond of Maya, who had a reputation for being promiscuous, manipulative and callous. No one liked her, unless they were trying to get laid.

He'd planned on telling Tempest right after it had happened, but they'd had an argument, their first ever, outside of the Training Center, just hours before the kiss, and she was angry enough with him that she refused to answer the door. It had been a silly fight. He couldn't even remember what it was about, which made things even worse.

Now he knew how she'd found out about it.

"What did she say?" he demanded.

"That she slept with you."

Syrus suspected that Tempest had overheard a lot of details, otherwise, she would never have believed it. Details, combined with her annoyance with him, had given her a reason to believe the lie.

"She must have been talking about someone else," Syrus said. "And you should know better."

A flicker of doubt crossed Tempest's face. Then her expression hardened again.

"Should I? Why would she lie about something like that?"

"Because she'll do and say anything to get attention," Syrus said.

It was the truth. Maya routinely pulled stunts or started fights just so that people wouldn't ignore her. The same went for sleeping with random cadets and the occasional SeeD. She was one of those sad people who went to extremes to keep from feeling insignificant.

"When did I lose your trust, Tempest?" Syrus asked quietly. "I thought you knew me well enough to know that for me, there is only you. Why would I sleep with some random, desperate girl when being with you is so much better?"

"You were angry with me," Tempest accused.

"You were angry with me," Syrus corrected. "I was already over it."

Doubt played across Tempest's face again, then it was gone.

"Look, if it makes you feel better, go kiss Dincht or something to get back at me. Sleep him if you think it makes us even, just forgive me, okay?"

Tempest made a face.

"That's your solution? Sleep with Benji so you're off the hook?"

"No, that's not my solution!" Syrus cried in frustration.

He'd pulled Dincht's name out of the air. He hadn't really meant Benji specifically. Actually, the idea of Tempest with someone else, anyone else, bothered him.

"Then what are you saying?" Tempest asked.

"I'm saying...just give me the benefit of the doubt. Trust that I'm telling you the truth," he pleaded. "We both know I have nothing to gain by lying to you."

"I meant about me sleeping with Benji."

Syrus sighed, wishing that he'd never mentioned Dincht.

"All I'm trying to say is that if you ever need a get out of jail free card, then you've got it, okay? If something like this were to happen to you, I'd let it go, so long as you came back to me."

"You'd forgive me if I made out with Benji."

It was a statement, not a question. Her tone was strange and Syrus didn't quite know how to classify what he heard in her voice.

"Or someone else, yeah," Syrus said. "I'd hate it so much I might have to kill the guy, but you'd be forgiven."

"Why?"

"Because without you, there is no me."


Tempest was full of doubts about what she'd believed to be true. It was hard to ignore Syrus' sincerity, and she had to admit to herself that she knew Syrus inside and out. She knew him well enough to spot a lie, and she detected nothing false in his face or his tone. She also knew that Maya was prone to exaggeration to get attention, but what reason would she have for telling such an outrageous story that might lead to confrontation? Maya had learned her lesson about messing with Tempest two years ago, when she'd started a rumor about Tempest being into girls.

So, maybe Syrus was telling the truth.

He was starting to get to her, in spite of everything. She missed him. She missed feeling like he was a part of her. She missed the feel of his arms wrapped around her and the way her head fit perfectly against his his shoulder. She even missed his family because their home was the one place she truly felt she belonged. The Almasy's had always treated her as if she were their own and Cedra was the closest thing to a sister she had. Selphie had even included a class picture of Tempest on the mantle, right next to those of Syrus and Cedra. As if she were family.

Without you, there is no me.

The same held true for Tempest, though she wouldn't admit it out loud. Without him, she felt hollow and abandoned, but hadn't he done that to her? Wasn't he the reason she felt that way?

What was the truth? Had it been just an unwanted kiss, or was it something far less innocent? Should she give him the benefit of her trust, or cut him off for good?

What would he do if she called his bluff? Hold a grudge? Beat poor Benji to a pulp? Go kiss Maya again to get back at her?

He'd said it because he knew Benji would be the last person on earth she'd dream of making out with, and because Benji was the one person, besides Trepe, who got under Syrus' skin the most. The very idea would make him crazy with jealousy.

A slow smile spread across her face and she pushed away from the rail, determined to find out exactly where the cards lay.

"Tempest, why do you keep running away?" Syrus demanded. "Can't you just talk this out with me?"

Tempest flashed him a smile and headed into the ballroom in search of Benji. Syrus followed, looking bewildered and frustrated.

Benji stood near the buffet table surveying the spread of hot dogs with obvious glee. No surprise there. If there was one thing in the world that meant anything to Benji, it was hot dogs. Tempest was pretty sure that if it came down to the choice between a hotdog and getting laid, Benji would choose the hot dog. She was also fairly certain that if her life were on the line and there happened to be a hot dog stand within a ten mile radius, Benji would still choose hot dogs..

"Oh, Hyne, Tempest," Syrus said in exasperation when he realized what Tempest was up to, "I wasn't serious."

"Too late to take it back," Tempest murmured.

Benji grinned when he saw her and inclined his head toward the table of hot dogs.

"Quite the feast, hunh? They've got every kind! Chili dogs. Cheese dogs. Even slaw dogs!"

A nod was all Tempest could manage. She had no interest in the hotdogs. Her mind was on the challenge she'd been given. Poor, unsuspecting Benji had no idea what was about to hit him.

Could she really go through with this? Benji truly was the last person she could imagine locking lips with. The thought was repulsive, not because there was anything wrong with him, but because he was Benji. It would be like kissing her brother or something.

And why, exactly, was she so determined to do this? Why did it matter? Why did she feel the need to test Syrus this way? To get back at him? To hurt him? To find out how he'd react? Tempest wasn't sure of her own motivations, but she was compelled to act anyway. At the very least, Syrus would know how it felt. That had to be worth something, and the best part about it was that he'd provided her with the one target that would bug him the most.

Except for Trepe, that was. Had Syrus said Quenton's name, there was no way she would have taken it this far. While it would have driven Syrus insane, it would open up a whole new realm of obsession on Quenton's part, and Tempest wasn't prepared to deal with the fallout from that endeavor.

She sent one last glance at Syrus, her eyebrow raised in challenge. She half wanted him to intervene and stop her before it was too late, but he just stood there looking helpless and frustrated.

"Tempest, don't do this," he pleaded.

"Do what?" Benji asked.

Tempest stepped forward and kissed Benji, right on the lips, just as he made a grab for the nearest hot dog. His hand froze over the table, along with the rest of him, lips included.

Then, he kissed her back, with surprising skill. For an instant, she even forgot it was Benji she was kissing. Even so, it was Syrus' face she saw in her head. She thought of the first time Syrus had kissed her, about how afraid she'd been and about how much she'd liked it in the end.

She broke away and flashed Benji an apologetic look.

"Not bad," Tempest said. "You're going to make some girl very happy one of these days."

Benji stared back at her, his eyes wide and confused.

"Tempest, uh, what? I mean....why did....oh, Hyne," Benji stammered at her, his eyes flicking back and forth between her and Syrus. "Um, I gotta...you know, um...."

"Get lost, Chicken Wuss."

Benji didn't have to be told twice. He seized a hot dog in each hand and was gone in an instant, but not without taking one last confused glance back at Tempest. No doubt, things would be awkward from now on.

Tempest turned back toward Syrus and saw that he was struggling not to lose it. His fists were clenched and his eyes were pained and full of anger. It had hurt him to see her kiss someone else., and for an instant, Tempest felt like a jerk. Then she remembered why all this was happening in the first place. He didn't deserve her guilt.

"Why did you do that?" he growled.

"It was your idea."

"I didn't mean for you to take it so literally!"

"Then you shouldn't have said it."

Syrus growled in frustration.

"You have only yourself to blame," Tempest reminded him.

Syrus suddenly burst into laughter and pulled her into a rough embrace, his arms encircling her to pull her close. For an instant, Tempest felt nothing but relief, then the remembered she was still angry with him.

"You're too much, Leonhart," he guffawed. "Only you would take me seriously."

"Glad I amuse you," Tempest said dryly as she extracted herself from his arms. She felt silly. Laughter was not the reaction she'd expected from him.

"Do you forgive me now?"

Tempest heaved a sigh. "You're forgiven."

Syrus' face lit up and he moved to embrace her again. Tempest held out her hand to stop him.

"I didn't say we were getting back together, did I?"

Syrus' face fell, but there was still a little hope left in his eyes. In spite of herself, Tempest found that little glimmer endearing. She wanted to stay angry with him. It was easier that way, but she had to admit, she saw in his face all the reasons she'd fallen for him in the first place.

"Friends, then?" Syrus asked. "Can you at least give me that?"

Tempest nodded.

"Friends," she agreed, but not without reservations.

His answering smile was hard to resist. It made her want to believe he'd told her the truth about what had happened with Maya. But, she reminded herself, it was better to be wary than to be a fool and end up blindisded and hurt by betrayal again. She couldn't handle losing him a second time.


A/N:

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