Disclaimer: I in no way, shape or form, claim to be the artist behind the genius that Final Fantasy VIII.

Author's Notes – I know it's been more than a little while since I last updated. For that I apologize to anyone still reading this. Things have been insanely chaotic since my husband returned home from his deployment. It also doesn't help that I've been sick for the past two weeks. I've spent what little free time – that I actually felt good – working on this chapter. I have to say I'm actually quite happy with it…for once. That doesn't happen often, so I figure everyone will either love it….or hate it. Seems it's usually the things you're sure about that always fall through.

Relations

Detective Rick Leonti grimaced as he watched President Caraway's security chief argue with President Loire's defense chief. Sometimes it was hard to tell what was going on – apparently the enormous Estharian was mute or something. Rick leaned forward in his seat and peered down the hall. He couldn't quite make out what was being said, but the security chief was ranting on about something and flailing his arms around like a wounded grat.

Not that Rick had ever seen a grat in real life…he'd just heard stories. The spat came to an unceremoniously abrupt end when the seven foot Estharian flung his arm out in defiance and stared the smaller man down. Then, as if they'd sensed him watching them, they both turned and stared at him. Rick shrank back in his seat as they slowly approached him.

"It would seem Mr. Leonti, that you have become a pawn...of sorts, in international relations," the Galbadian stated harshly. Rick stared at him and then at the monster of a man behind him.

Rick stared at them dumbly as he tugged at the wrist restraint that held him to his chair. "That's funny. The last thing I remember I was working a homicide case in the East Region. I don't believe we've met but you seem to know who I am. I also hope you have a legitimate reason for detaining me," Rick frowned and tugged against his restraint again.

The Galbadian frowned. "Mr. Leonti, the past twenty years of your employment has been suspicious to say the least. It's been brought to my attention that you've been working for Esthar, feeding spies into Audley's work network." Rick raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "We've been watching you for twenty years Mr. Leonti. You've been loyal to Audley for at least twenty years, I'd gamble thirty."

Detective Leonti broke into a wide grin. "Do you honestly believe that I've been dealing with that man? He's a murderer. I spent fifteen years trying to find him-"

Rick's argument was cut off when a pair of large calloused hands took hold of his shirt and lifted him from his seat. He cried out in alarm and then pain as the weight of the seat pulled his wrist restraint down into his skin. Unperturbed by his cries, the monstrous Estharian, Rick now recognized as Ward Zaback, raised him higher. Rick grimaced as the full weight of the chair now hung in the air by the bruised flesh of his wrist. Ward stared at him fiercely.

"He is a murderer," the nameless Galbadian continued. "And it was your goof that landed him in Bedevil Asylum. Once he finds out it was you who leaked the location of that goods transfer, I doubt he'll hold you in high regard." He played with the medals on his dress coat for a moment. "I would imagine that's why you agreed to meet the Estharian contact outside of Timber. That's why you've agreed to help them get their people on the inside. People talk, and once Audley finds out it was you who locked him away, your days will be numbered….or rather, they already are."

Rick frowned. "Are you threatening me?"

The Galbadian smiled. "Yes Mr. Leonti, I am. Audley has an intelligence network. If any of the Estharian spies are revealed, I'll personally see to it that the details of your involvement in the heist are leaked out." Rick paled and then cried out when Ward released his hold and let him fall on top of his sideways chair. "Mr. Zaback," the Galbadian paused and gave Rick one last disgusted glance. "This man is yours to do with what you need to insure the menace that is Audley is no longer a threat." Ward nodded and then stared coldly down at Rick. "Remember Rick, Audley's scores are always personal and drawn out. He's malicious like that….and you have two teenage daughters." With his last threat, the Galbadian left the terrified Rick with Ward.

The normally bright and unusually neat presidential office of Laguna Loire sat uncharacteristically cluttered and uninviting. Slouched sideways in the chair behind Laguna's desk, Kiros swiveled around so that he was staring out at the nightlights of the city. The colored light that radiated up from the bustling city below cast out a glow that could be seen for miles out into the surrounding plains. Sometimes it was a bit annoying to live in a place that never slept, but then he always managed to find himself missing it when he traveled with Laguna to other parts of the world. It was an odd feeling. But even odder was the feeling of being threatened by a faceless name when you were so isolated from the rest of the world. Esthar had managed to keep itself hidden for so many years, the citizens themselves had grown a little too comfortable in the sense of security it's isolation held. Swiveling back around, Kiros slowly pushed himself up out of his seat and crossed his arms thoughtfully.

"So what do you think the chances are that this guy is going to just stroll into Esthar, plant a few bombs and then just disappear without anyone getting suspicious?" Laguna asked from his place stretched out on the couch along the far wall.

"What's the chance that six obviously armed teenagers could just walk right in?" Kiros quirked an eyebrow. "I mean let's face it. Unlike Squall and his team, this guy is going to be discreet about it. We're going to have to rely on our team to find out when and where these bombs are going off."

Laguna frowned. "But what if they're wrong? Or, what if they don't find out in time? A lot of people could die….Can't we just close down-"

"The ship yards? The train depots? The foreign embassies?" Kiros shook his head. "The moment we do that is the moment that we let Audley know we're onto him. It could jeoprodize the team and all of Balamb Garden."

"Yeah, but the team didn't leak the information, that kid did. Audley'd have no reason to go after the team," Laguna suggested.

"They're Estharian. There's no covering up their accents and mannerisms. Our contact sent them to Audley as Estharians, he already knows. Besides, say he overlooks them, then where does he look? You and I both know this guy is insanely vengeful. Remember back after we first enlisted? He was a terror on the streets back then. I don't want to see what years of experience have taught him. And if he ignores our spies, he's going to go to the obvious source of the leak - he's going to go to Piper. That kid's the key that'll lock him to the execution table. He's going to be out for blood. Right now we have the element of surprise, if Audley doesn't think we know, he might be a little sloppy in his bomb placement. He might make a mistake."

Laguna shook his head. "I just don't know that that really matters. I mean Piper's being held at Balamb Garden. It's a military facility. You'd have to be crazy to attack a place like that."

"It's a small military facility, and it's happened before," Kiros corrected him. "It's not as large or hardcore as Galbadia Garden. And it doesn't stay hidden up north behind the natural shielding of the Trabian mountains. It's small, open, and is the main police force for Balamb City. It's publicly accessible Laguna! Not to mention about a quarter of the people living there aren't even trained SeeDs. Sure they have tight security and all, but security can be breached, especially if they aren't expecting an attack. Do you even want to imagine what would happen should Audley get mad and launch an attack on Balamb Garden?"

"Tempest's there," Laguna stated as he stared up at the ceiling. "He's a baby...if they were overrun, he'd be helpless."

Kiros knelt down beside the couch. "And so would every other infant, child, maintenance worker and cadet yet to make SeeD."

"What do you think the chances are that I could convince Squall to take the Garden mobile again?"

Kiros shrugged. "I'm really not sure. I was thinking it was going to be docked outside Balamb for the entire winter duration. It's not that well insulated, it was built in a tropical harbor town, it didn't need to be. If they pull up now they're limited as to where they can travel without updating the entire facility. That'll take a small fortune and a few months of continuous work. Time they don't have."

"It'll be summer in a month or so in Centra," Laguna frowned. "But with the constant wars going on between the territories there it's probably no safer."

"I think we're going to have to rely on our men to get their job done," Kiros said as he looked back out to the city's bright lights.

"Yeah," Laguna replied gloomly as he walked to his desk and picked up his phone.

"What're you doing?"

Laguna shrugged. "I think I'm going to call Ward…have him bring Elle home before things start to get messy. I'm also going to call Squall."

"What are you going to tell him?"

"I don't know."

The candles on the dresser illuminated the dark room and added a sweet, enticing spice to the salty night air. Zell fell back against the side of her bed and stretched his legs out across her dorm room floor. With a gentle hand, he brushed her hair out of her face and behind her ears. She squinted at him, her powder light platinum hair falling into her ruby eyes. He held her there, his palms on her cheeks, his eyes staring into her soul.

"Fujin I love you. Nothing is ever going to change that," Zell vowed. She stared at him with an equally intense gaze. It was Zell's turn to squint – the deeper he stared into the candle's reflection in her eyes, the more he realized her crimson eyes were more an odd hue of rich purple. "I-I don't care if you don't marry me -" his gaze fell to her lips before going back up to her eyes. "You're never gonna get me to stop lovin' you." With a slightly crooked mega-watt smile, he pulled her into a kiss.

Her fingers raked through the short hairs on the back of his head in and effort to hold him closer. His arms fell to her waist as she climbed up on his lap to straddle him. In the candle light, the wrought iron bed slid under their weight – sending them tumbling to the floor. The kiss continued until Zell had to push Fujin away so he could breathe. He stared up at her, wide-eyed, flushed, and panting. With a mischievous smirk, Fujin raised to her knees and came to sitting position on his hips – waiting for him to catch his breath.

"Fuu….you're not helpin' me right now," he panted.

She only grinned as she pulled her jacket off to reveal her under shirt. "I've got baggage," she stated as she gently eased herself down until she was lying against his chest. Zell attempted to shrug under her weight and settled for wrapping his arms around her and placing his palms on her back. "I spoke to Dak today," she frowned. "He was always the kindest…the most innocent…but even at that, we're not close. Zell, I don't believe in goodbye. I don't want to get us into something that we can't handle. But I love you…and you're the only person I've ever felt this much for. If things get bad-"

"Don't be afraid," Zell reassured her with a kiss on the forehead. "Its life, we're supposed to take chances if we want to live…At least that's what Ma always said. I love you Fuu. What more do you want to hear?"

"I do."

He stared up at her, momentarily confused and then began smiling like an idiot. Fujin sat up and watched as he put everything together.

"So," she spoke as she examined her fingers. "Where's my ring?"

Zell struggled to raise up on his elbows and fumbled with the box in his pocket. Pulling the dainty ring from its holder, he knocked the box to the floor and nervously put in on her hand. With a sharp stare, Fujin stared at the ruby and white gold and then turned her attention towards Zell. He caught another glimpse of the purple hue in her eyes and took a deep breath. Fujin grinned as she ran a finger down along his throat.

"Fuu -" his voice was airy. "

"Zell," she grinned - almost sheepishly – Zell suspected it was an act. His assumptions were confirmed when she tilted her head so that her hair fell playfully into her face. Without another thought, he took her face in his hands and claimed her mouth with his own.

Despite the early morning hour, the streets of Deling City remained as busy as ever. The headlights and street lights cast out a glow that seemed to hover about twenty feet above the ground. Anything above that was cast into a sharply contrasting sea of darkness.

Somewhere in a dark hotel room, a constant ringing rippled the night's silence with it's every repetition. Seifer groaned and rolled over under the sea of comforters that had somehow managed to engulf him in his sleep. He swatted at the alarm clock and continued his physical assault on it until it fell to the floor in surrender. The ringing stopped. In an exhausted way, he felt triumphant and smiled to himself before laying back against his pillows. The ringing started again. With a whimper, he threw the blankets off and retrieved the clock from the floor.

Through tired eyes he could read 4:22….eight minutes before the alarm was supposed to sound. It took Seifer a moment to realize that it wasn't the clock going off. When he finally noticed the phone, which coincidentally sat next to the clock, he just stared at it dumbly and listened to it ring. Taking a deep breath, he tossed the battered clock back to the floor and snatched the phone from it's holder so quickly he dropped it and had to listen to it bounce between the bed and the night-stand – all the way to the floor.

Only slightly aggravated at this point, Seifer sat silently and waited until he heard the phone stop bouncing around before he reached down and picked it up. Making a careful effort to pull the phone up to his ear without dropping it again, he fell back into his pillows and closed his eyes.

"The hotel had better be on fire. Because I didn't ask for a damned wake up call and there is going to be one hell of a SeeD relations nightmare for you to deal with if I have to get dressed and come downstairs," Seifer growled and grumbled. There was silence on the other end. For a moment, he began to wonder if his threat had been received correctly or if the desk clerk had even understood his mumbled words of exhausted annoyance. A cool hand came to rest on his chest. With a smile he moved his left arm so that Ellone could lay her head on his shoulder.

"Thank goodness you aren't a public relations officer," the voice on the other line finally answered.

"Squall?" Seifer asked. "What the hell? It's not even five o'clock. The mission won't even start for another four hours for me. Something had better be going on."

"…..Are you threatening me?"

Ellone started to speak, but Seifer quickly covered her mouth with his hand and shook his head. With a knowing grin, she pulled his hand away from her mouth and settled back against him.

Seifer sighed loudly and hugged her closer to him in an effort to collect his bearings. "No Sir," he mumbled. "I'm tired. What's going on?"

"I've talked with Dak Piper, and my father. The details I won't indulge you with so long as you're on an insecure line. I just need to find Zell."

"….." Seifer's grip on the phone automatically tightened. "You woke me up because you can't find chicken wuss?"

"….."

"I mean Balamb Garden is at Balamb. There are only so many places he can be," Seifer groaned.

"I can't reach him at his dorm or Fujin's. Neither one of them have their phones on. I woke his mom up while trying to find him…and then had to spend twenty minutes assuring her he was safe and that I had just dialed the wrong number from my organizer because I wasn't wearing my glasses."

Seifer snickered.

"It's not funny," Squall stated. "She's a very intelligent woman. She figured either something was wrong or Zell and I were up to no good. Just because he's reckless and gets into trouble doesn't mean I do," Squall's voice was beginning to sound more offended with every passing syllable that rolled off his tongue.

In his mind, Seifer had a snippet of an image of Squall and Zell running through Balamb Garden in their pajamas, pouring excessive amounts of food coloring and bubble bath into the main fountain. At his image, he broke into a weak fit of giggles.

"……. What's so funny?"

Seifer cleared his throat. "Nothing."

"……"

"Look, Commander. I have to get up and get my disguise ready. Zell knows where he has to be for his part in the mission and he'll be there when he's supposed to be. He's normally reliable like that. As for me, I have a lot of work I need to get started on for my role in this whole thing. So if you don't mind, I'm going to get off here."

There was a long silence on the other end. "Thanks," Squall mumbled and then hung up. Seifer pulled the phone away from his ear and then placed the phone back on the table.

"What's the matter?" Elle asked as she slid her arm around his waist and snuggled up closer to him.

"He hung up on me," Seifer complained as he scooted down into the covers and pulled her close.

"I'm not surprised. You two have a fabulous relationship," she yawned.

He looked down at the top of her head and smiled to himself. "Yeah, we do –"

His words were interrupted by a high shrill buzzing. Startled, Seifer jolted to a sitting position - throwing Elle back onto her side of the bed, and groped around for the offending time piece on the floor. Mornings sucked.