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At an Arm's Length. . .
A Final Fantasy VIII Story

Chapter 10: Arrival in Esthar

The trip to Esthar normally takes a couple of days, but thanks to the Ragnarok, and Selphie's piloting skills, we should be at the presidential residence in four more hours.

Irvine looked over the waters passing below. He had been banished from the cockpit – too much of a distraction to Selphie, he grimaced – and Quistis had gone to take a nap. She needs one. He was trying to think of something to do, besides obsess over what he saw in Quistis' room, when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Matron.

"Hel-lo, ma'am," he said, turning to her. "I thought you were keeping Selphie company?"

Her eyes crinkled up as she smiled in amusement, "Actually, Selphie requested – very politely – that I leave, too."

At this he couldn't help but half-chuckle. "Well, at least I know it isn't just me."

"Oh, no. She is rather serious about her pilot duties. She seems to have a lot on her mind, and so do you. . ."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," he inhaled deeply. "I've been wondering. . . well, I know you and Selphie said the reason for this trip is to check out the orphanage building. See if it can be used for something else, but," he exhaled and inhaled, again, quickly, "that isn't the whole reason, is it?"

Edea's eyes opened wide, in shock. She knew that eventually one of the children would question her motives, but she didn't expect it to be easygoing Irvine. But then again, he always has been intuitive, and he is closer to the possible situation than he realizes. I guess it's best to remain truthful. . . maybe just not the whole truth. She looked into his forthright eyes. He's just concerned about his girlfriend and his other best friend.

"Irvine, between you and me," Matron started, "we're a little concerned about the side-effects of using the Guardian Forces. Specifically, the memory-loss aspect."

The lanky young man exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Well, since I've never really used GFs, and Selphie is on her way to remembering, I'm assuming this is mostly about Quistis?"

"Yes," the older woman answered quietly. "I'm hoping to jog her memory a bit. Gently. Can I count on you to keep your eyes open and let me know if you see anything unusual?"

He nodded, solemnly. Only if it doesn't betray your best interests, Q.

Edea smiled, gently, and took her leave. I may no longer have the powers of a sorceress, but I can still tell when my children are holding out. He'll come around. . . when he needs to.

*****

Quistis woke from her nap, feeling more refreshed than she had in days. I guess I really just needed to get out of Garden.

She splashed some water on her face and walked to join the others in the airship's control room. They think they're so sly. As if I don't know what at least part of this trip is about. It's about memory loss. Specifically, *my* memory loss. It's not like I haven't been trying. I just wish I knew what it is that they want me to remember.

"Quistis, you're just in time," Irvine shouted. "We're about land."

Characteristically, Selphie was already bouncing in her seat. "And it looks as if they've sent cars for us!"

The blonde peeked out the window. It took a second for her eyes to adjust to the contrast between the lighted airstrip and afternoon's dying rays of sunlight. Just past the terminal, she saw two black limousines waiting, each displaying the Estharian national flag. I guess there are some perks to knowing the president. "Cool."

"You betcha!" Selphie chirped, as she expertly guided the transport in its final approach.

After the shutdown operations had been completed, the group exited the ship to be greeted by an unusually boisterous Ellone, who rushed past her step-father and his party and crashed into Matron's arms.

"Hyne! I'm so glad to finally see all of you again. It's been so long. . ." She pulled away from the embrace to look each of them over with a critical eye.

"Selphie, you look amazing. I love the new yellow sun dress. That is new right?" The petite brunette bobbed her head and smiled broadly.

Irvine bowed deeply and kissed Ellone's hand in greeting. "Irvy, always the ladies' man, you've gotten even taller, haven't you?"

"Yes, miss. I just passed 6'1"."

"Don't 'miss' me, cowboy. I'm still your older sis," she grinned teasingly.

In turn, she now stood in front her favorite childhood helper. "Quistis." And she crushed the blonde in a hug.

Bewilderment shone is Quistis' brilliant blue eyes, as she slowly moved her arms to return Ellone's embrace. "Sis?"

Finally, Ellone pulled back, jerking Quistis into step with her, past President Loire, his advisors and the security detail, and toward the second of the waiting cars. "Come on, kid sis! Uncle Laguna has a casual dinner planned for us, and then we've got to set a gameplan for tomorrow!" She turned, and the corners of her mouth turned up into a smile at her other two childhood playmates, who were firmly planted where they had been met.

"Irvy! Selphie! Chop chop!"

Irvine linked his arm with Selphie's. "She's bossier than I remember."

"I think she's just happy to see us," Selphie whispered, as she softly punched him in his side. "Besides, she remembers us as little kids."

Irvine's mouth settled into a thin line. "Yes, she does." And I think Quistis may be her and Matron's project for the next few days.

Edea smiled at her foster daughter's behavior, and then turned her attention to the forty-ish gentlemen doing the same.

"Mrs. Kramer, it's a pleasure to finally talk with you in person," the man smiled and offered his hand in greeting.

"No, it's Edea, President Loire –"

"Then, please call me Laguna. No one who knows me personally can actually say that with a straight face," he interrupted. "Besides, we don't want to give these two," he motioned to Kiros and Ward, "fits during your stay."

She had to grin back, as he and his right-hand men escorted her to the first car. Next project: get Squall off of his high horse and get him to visit his father more often.

Now settled in the car and out of the earshot of the "children," Laguna was able to speak more freely. "You don't know how glad I was to hear that all of you were to visit. Elle doesn't have the opportunity to be around people her own age as much as I would like... just old farts like us."

Ward snorted, and Kiros turned around to face his former commanding officer. "Hey, speak for yourself!" He continued, half-muttering to himself, "Besides, if you'd encourage her to come to my squadron's parties, we could do something about that."

"I heard that."

Edea just chuckled. Elle was definitely somewhere where she was loved. Now if only I can get my other former charges into gear.

Laguna poked the back of Kiros' seat with his walking stick. "Ow!"

"That'll teach ya," he returned, with a goofy smile, to Edea. "So the plan is to hit the orphanage in Centra?"

"Why yes, we'd like to give it the once over and see if its building is suitable for the Gardens' future use."

One dark, masculine eyebrow quirked suspiciously, "Well, you know if you're concerned about that, we can just send one of my architectural engineers down there with you and –"

"Oh, no thank you, this is just a preliminary, informal inquiry," Edea started, a tone of alarm barely perceptible in her voice, before she realized the president was having some fun at her expense.

"I knew it was something along the lines of that," he replied triumphantly. "Just be sure to let me know if there is any way – besides staying here – that we can be of service. Now, fill me in about my son's latest exploits and about what these kids have been up to since I saw them last. . ."

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Next week: Where Ships Come In
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Author's Notes: Eek! Bad ff.net, for going offline like that. If you've read this chapter, please review… I need to know that someone is still reading this, because there weren't any reviews for the last chapter. :-(

BTW: the latest situation with Fanfiction.net has prompted me to move forward on my own fanfiction site: www.projectsurlygirl.com . I'll be opening it in late August/early September, so if you'd like me to send you a "grand opening" notice when it goes online, drop me an e-mail.

I'll continue to post here, but if there are ever outages, etc., again, those of you who have been so kind to keep up with my little yarn won't have to wait for ages to get an update.

A plug for my web site: Between chapters, feel free to check out: http://www.absolute-0.com !