Title: Our Hearts Call Out - 4

Author: Kryssi Louise

Rating: PG-13 blood, violence, very mild swearing.

Description: Psychotic love triangle that consists of Squall, Rinoa, and Seifer. The outcome is a Rinoa/ Seifer pairing.

Archive: If anyone is willing to take this story and post it on a web page, let me know first, please!

Disclaimer: Yeah, so I'm just a crazy fan fiction writer who owns nothing of these characters, Square Soft, Final Fantasy...blah blah blah, we all know the drill. I have no material gain from doing this, only the wonderful satisfaction of knowing that I'm torturing innocent people with my writing!!! *evil laughter inserted here*

Feedback: Please get back to me!! I love to hear from people! But could we have some constructive criticism please? The "I hate Seifer and Rinoa together" messages are just a bit annoying.

Authors Note: something new that is being elaborated on is Selphie/Zell. I know I hinted at it earlier and well now I'm not hinting anymore. So here we go.


* * *

He was not sure which hurt more. The bullet to his chest or her terrified scream ringing in his ears. She was by his side in a matter of seconds, holding him up in her small arms. "She's stronger than I thought." There were tears in her spirited green eyes as she tried to speak words of comfort to him. Or so he assumed. Why couldn't he hear what she was saying? His hand reached to his chest where his fingers felt a warm sticky moisture. As he lifted his fingers before his eyes he could see the dark red of his blood. Everything had turned so slow. Squall, Instructor Trepe and Rinoa were walking back into the room where he had fallen pry to Seifer's gunblade. Squall was leaning over him saying something. His leader's lips moved but he could not hear what was being said. "Squall, I told you I was strong. You have to believe in me now." Everything around him was being consumed by a thickening haze and he struggled to keep his eyes open as Selphie's thin lips kept moving; words coming out that would not be heard. Damn it! Why couldn't he hear her? Finally he could no longer keep his eye lids from their heavy decent and he gave into the urge to let them stay closed.

* * *

"ZELL! Stay awake! Please, keep your eyes open. Its going to be alright. We'll get you back to Garden." Selphie was begging him to stay with her. Her small hand had moved to cover the wound that would not stop pouring out blood. Zell's life was literally slipping through her fingers. Tears streaked her cheeks, "I have to keep him awake." She remembered something she had read long ago. Or was that for a concussion? "Doesn't matter. Keep him with you."

She kept glancing at the door way where Squall had last disappeared to, followed by Quistis Trepe, the both of them after Seifer who had apparently gone crazy. "Please come back soon. Please. I can't do this on my own."

A hand landed softly on her shoulder and began to pull her away from the body she held close to her. "What are you doing? Why are you taking me away from him? I have to keep him awake." Her mind only screamed louder to her that she had to stay with him. Without looking up she yanked her shoulder back in protest and sternly said, "No."

"Zell. Zell can you hear me?" She heard Squall's voice.

"He can hear you, I know he can. Why are the voices so loud?" Everything around her felt so strange.

"Stay with us, ok? You can't go to sleep."

"I've told him that. But he doesn't listen. Zell never listens to me. He thinks he is better than me."

Selphie could vaguely hear instructions being told to others. Something about Forest Owls. Garden. Home. Zell.

Gentle hands took her shoulders and guided her away from Zell's now limp body. She did not resist. She did not speak. "Hang on, you can't leave me now. You're stronger than that. Please, please stay with me." The spirit in her eyes had clouded over as though a strong storm had blown through her, leaving nothing but destruction.

* * *

Squall paced the floor, something that was out of his character. Why was he so worried about Zell? He was the weak link, the one that would be the ruin of them all. The only reason he got hurt in the first place was because he decided to become all heroic on them. "Seifer has turned on us though, he probably would have shot any one of us, given the chance." he thought.

He stood still as Rinoa walked into the room, "Any word when the next train out of Timber is?" His voice was even, leadership coming above everything else.

She sighed, "Another hour. Then that will be the last train. It seems that Seifer's little episode has caused such a stir that the trains are going to be shut down."

"'Little Episode', is she crazy?"

"We can't miss it then." His eyes bore into hers like stone.

She glared at him, "What?"

There was a long silence. Both stood defensive with their arms crossed. Tension was thick and the smallest comment was the spark that could explode everything, but Squall would not let that happen, there wasn't time. Without a word he strode past her into the room where Zell was laying.

He saw Selphie was still sitting beside the cot that held Zell, her back was to the door way. Her tiny frame looked smaller than ever as she sat clutching Zell's arm. The blood still stained her clothing and there were still traces of it up and down her arms. She had not spoken since it all happened. Why did he not recognize her feelings for the martial artist before? He was a leader, he was suppose to notice everything. "I wish she'd say something." He had to look away a moment, the pain of seeing bubbly Selphie so silent was too much. The look in her sea green eyes was more than her world falling to pieces, it had been destroyed. Squall could only assume that she had convinced herself that Zell was going to die.

"We're going to leave soon." Squall paused, hoping maybe she would respond. No such luck, "Zell will get the best care back at home." She still did not move so after a moment he turned and left.

He found Quistis sitting on a wooden box that was considered a chair in the small, obscure hide out. "Typical for the Forest Owls" Her posture was elegant as always. He could feel her unyielding gaze on him as he walked to the corner of the room, folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall.

The question that had been burning in his mind could finally be asked, "What happened?"

True to herself she wasted no time in her response, "He was in the disciplinary room for his behavior the other day. He was being his regular cocky self when before I knew it he was crumpled on the floor. Next I knew I had been flung into the desks and he was storming out of Balamb." She stopped and folded her hands in her lap as to signify the end of her story.

"Why?" Squall wanted details, "Why did he come to Timber? And who was the woman?"

She shook her head, "Not a clue why he came to Timber, other than perhaps he wanted to be sure Rinoa was alright."

"Or maybe he couldn't stand the thought of me being there to save his girlfriend."

"However, I do know who the woman was. She is a Sorceress. The most powerful of this day. Her name is Edea and from what I hear is going to be taking over Galbadia Garden soon, among other things."

Squall wondered what she meant by this but the answer was not important at the moment. This sorceress was their best lead as to why Seifer was acting the way he was and they needed to know more, "She," he hesitated, "Edea, spoke of 'her knight'. What does she want Seifer for?"

"Perhaps she wants a body guard. I really do not know." Quistis shrugged her shoulders.

Squall leaned the back of his head against the wall. Body guard? Maybe. Edea might have heard of Seifer's strength, but why would he act that way he did. He never liked Instructor Trepe, but he's never hurt her. And Zell. Why would Seifer shoot him? "Whatever she wants him for it can't be good." There was no more time to think of these things anymore. They had to get Zell back to Garden as soon as possible.

"We'll have to come up with a plan when we get back home." He pushed himself away from the wall and walked across the floor, "right now we have a train to catch. You get Selphie. I'll get Zone to help me carry Zell to the station."

* * *



The lights were dim and gave off a soft hum in the sterile infirmary room. Crisp baby blue bed sheets covered Zell's sleeping body up to his chest. An IV was attached to his left arm and a heart monitor blipped away at every beat. Soft moon light streamed through an opening in the window curtains making small pools of white light on the floor. Still faithfully sitting at his side was Selphie, still in her yellow dress. Everyone had told her she should take a shower and get some sleep but she would not move and still would not speak. The blood on her dress had dried and now left dark splotches all over it. Amazingly she was still awake, to tired to even sleep.

"I have to stay with him. He has to wake up." Her mind kept repeating the same things over and over again, "Stay with me. Don't leave me. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up."

"Selphie you need to sleep," her body would tell her.

"But he might wake up any minute now," her heart would answer.

"You saw his eyes. You know the truth. He's going to die. His eyes told you so. Everyone else is lying." her mind would chime in, wanting her to think logically.

No. As much as she believed he would not make it, she also believed he would wake up. She could not lose him now. She would not lose him now. Why couldn't anyone understand that? Why couldn't they just leave her alone?

* * *

"Selphie." Rinoa knelt down on the floor and placed a hand on the other girl's lap. She looked into the eyes that were lost to the world, "Selphie, its after three in the morning. You have to get some sleep."

Silence.

"Selphie, please. We're all worried about you." The older girls brown eyes pleaded for the small warrior inside to speak.

Silence.

Rinoa sighed, taking Selphie's small hand into hers and gave it a squeeze. Usually she could make people feel better. This time it was not working. The girl was lost in herself. "We all want you to snap out of it. We aren't used to you being so quiet." For the sake of breaking the silence she started to think out loud, "I wonder where Seifer is right now. I hope he is alright. I miss him a lot."

"I don't." A male voice came from the door way.

Her head shot around to see Squall looking stern as always, "Why are you being so cold?" Her eyes narrowed as once again the tension between them thickened.

"He is responsible for this." His eyes moved to Zell a moment then back to hers, "and is now in allegiance with a power hungry sorceress. Why can't you see what is so clear? Seifer is our enemy now."

"You don't know that!" The anger burned in her from his words.

Squall glanced at Selphie, "lets not do this here." He turned and walked out of the infirmary.

She sat a moment before figuring out that he wanted her to follow him. Letting go of Selphie's hand, Rinoa got up from the floor and went out into the hall. He did not say a word to her as he kept walking, turning the corner into the only part of Garden that was open at that hour, the Training Center.

The humidity of the room hit her like a brick wall. Glancing around she noticed the tropical plants and guessed that many of the monsters in center need the topical climate to survive.

Still stalking off ahead of her was Squall, leading her deeper into the compound. Without warning he tossed a random question over his shoulder to her, "You are equipt for battle right?" He had drawn his gunblade and was swinging it back and forth to cut a patch of grass.

"Is he kidding?!"

"What do you take me for? An idiot?" Her words were thick with sarcasm as her frustration built. So cold hearted. So selfish. She took out her Blaster Edge, ready for whatever might attack them while in the training area. Maybe she could attack him and make the world a better place! "Yes Headmaster Cid, I'm sorry but Squall Leonhart had to be taken out. He was being to much of an idiot!" She imagined what that conversation would be like.

Rinoa was following Squall over a small makeshift bridge, which to her was not very sturdy, when she was about to ask where they were going. Her question was interrupted by a long rumble of thunder that shook the ground and echoed in her ears. No. Not thunder. A monster. Rinoa looked up to find herself at the feet of a giant dinosaur. Her eyes grew large at the sight. She had never seen one before, her battles had always been with soldiers or the small creatures on the planes of Timber, this creature was something she had only read about in books.

Squall was ahead of her and cursed at the sight of the monster, "Aw, damn it! A T-Rexaur! Be ready for it, these things are quicker than you think." He yelled to her before he lunged towards it, gunblade in hand, trigger at the ready.

Rinoa struggled a moment to pull the trigger on her blaster edge. It hit the monster square on its chest. It didn't seem to do much damage, only angered the stupid thing. It was surprisingly quick as it turned to lash its tail at her. Squall pushed her out of the way and just missed being hit himself, "Watch what your doing!" he yelled.

"I am!" she huffed, getting back up ready to attack again.

Squall began casting ice spells to slow down their enemy. This bought her some time to prepare her weapon once more. She released the trigger hitting it dead on again, causing the ice around the giant to shatter and damage it's thick scales. Again she loaded and pulled the trigger as Squall prepared his gunblade.

"Shit, I've got to reload!" He was pulling bullets from his strap of ammo, "its about to attack again, finish it off!" He yelled to her.

Again she aimed her weapon at the monster. Rinoa muttered to herself, "Lined up, the shot is good," her voice trailed off. Just as she was about to release the trigger the beast let out an ear piercing roar. Her finger slipped and she missed her target.

"What the hell was that?!" he shrieked. He was loaded and ready to go now, so he took the shot. The T-Rexaur let out another thundering roar as it then lumbered off into the dense forest.

Rinoa leaned against a near by tree trying to catch her breath. The thick air did not help in battle. Squall bolted at her, his face inches from her own, "What was that?! You know for someone who leads a resistance you aren't a very good fighter!"

That's it. She was sick to death of his shouting at her, "For God sake, will you back off! What is your problem anyway?! You drag me off into this mess and yell at me because I'm not as good a fighter as you want me to be. Why did you bring me here anyway?" Rinoa's hands were in the air as she screamed at him.

"My problem is you." His finger was pointed in her face, "How you can defend Seifer after what he did, I'll never know. Also why you're with him I have no idea either. Maybe you are even our enemy now too since he has turned on us."

"What do you care if I'm with Seifer anyway!?" She did not get an answer so decided to press on, "You know, its really sick how you try to act like you know who Seifer is when you have never even taken the time to know him. Why else would he be at this Garden if he did not want to become SeeD." Now it was time to hit below the belt, "There is more spirit in him than you'll ever have! I suggest you grow up." She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Never before had she become so angry at one person. She felt sick to her stomach from all the screaming she had been doing. Why did she have to say those things? Oh god, she could not take them back now either. With Seifer's anger she could always ride it out, but Squall, why did he make her so furious? She liked him. It hit her like a ton of bricks. She really liked him and that was a betrayal to Seifer.

Squall let out an exasperated sigh and turned to walk away, "whatever."

She looked hurt at the single word, "Why do you always say that?" Rinoa stood with one arm wrapped around herself as the other was resting on it, her forehead in her hand. Her voice was calmer now.

He turned to look at her and ignored her questions, "We have to find Seifer, and he is going to pay for what he did." Suddenly she thought she saw disappointment flash across his face, "I am sorry that it has to be this way. You obviously care a lot about him."

"When I first met you, I wanted to care for you. You seemed really nice that night." There was a silence between them, she realized they had gotten no where but had at least let everything out. Almost everything.

"Maybe we should calm down and talk later. Its been a very long day." He glanced at a watch on his wrist, "we should get some sleep." with that she watched him turn, walk away, and she followed.

* * *

Selphie felt awful. The eggs and bacon on the plate in front of her kept dancing on her onto the table, or so she thought. She had almost been wearing them a few times since she couldn't stay awake much longer. "Thank God he woke up this morning. I feel like I've put in three weeks into two days." She thought.

The surprised looks on everyone's face was good to see. She had cleaned up that morning and was now wearing her SeeD uniform. She watched as Rinoa, Squall and Quistis sat down at the table.

"Hey, how is Zell?" Rinoa sat down beside her.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "He woke up earlier this morning." she had to laugh to herself, "First thing he wanted was a hot dog." Everyone laughed at that.

"Sounds like he will be alright." Quistis sipped a cup of coffee that she had bought.

Rinoa smiled then lowered her voice a bit, "did you get to talk to him?"

She wanted to tell Rinoa everything, but didn't want others to hear so she just smiled and replied, "yes." as she slowly nodded her head.

"I"ll get all the details later on." Rinoa giggled her girlish laugh.

Quistis leaned across the table, "Headmaster Cid wanted to be sure you were alright, Selphie. He requested that you take a day or two off and get some sleep."

Selphie sighed. Oh sleep, wonderful sleep, "I could use that." She was concerned though, "But I don't want to miss out on any missions."

"Don't worry about it." Squall spoke up, "We are heading out to Deling City in three or four days. You'll be assigned to that mission by them I'm sure."

She looked at him curiously, "What is in Deling City?"

His mood darkened a bit with his reply, "Seifer."

_____________________________________________________________

Alright so there you go! More coming. Tell me what you think.

You can just answer the review thing on here, or email me at thunder_dragon82@yahoo.ca

Kryssi :-)