Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1

Rescue

Chapter Three

Squall sat alone at the bar, the bar on the east side of Dollet served as the SeeDs base as well. Squall had never liked the taste of alcohol, Zell and Irvine did, they often went out with a couple other guys to the local pub down in Timber, Squall had never joined them, due to the fact they most often came back drunk, Zell had came back carried by Irvine and another guy, singing, also due to that Squall hated that kind of company. Squall was alone today though because he had a lot on his mind. Dollet, Rinoa and his recent rejection

She didn't actually say no though did she? She said...she didn't know...that means that she was unsure. Unsure whether she wanted to stay with him for the rest of her life; Unsure that she loved him that much. Maybe she'll know when he returns? But if she really does love him, she wouldn't have to think about it. She would know. She would know that she wanted to be with him. Thinking wouldn't't be necessary, would it? Squall buried his head in his palms. When the barman asked if Squall would like anything, Squall replied that he wanted a beer.

Quistis noticed Squall sipping from the huge pint of beer, it was then when she knew something was very wrong. Xu looked over Quistis's shoulder to Squall. "That boy alright?" she asked, she too had noticed that Squall was behaving oddly. Quistis shrugged looking back to Xu.

"I don't know, Xu. I can seriously say that I really don't know. I wish I did, but then who knows. I don't think I could help him, the only person who has ever really got through to him....was Rinoa. I failed where she succeeded, to be able to see deeper into Squall's heart," Quistis replied and put her lips to her glass, tasting the sherry. Xu sighed to herself, Squall was still as much as a mystery as ever and he hadn't really changed too much after two years at all. Then again, she had never really known him, maybe he had changed, but she couldn't see the change. He was one of Gardens most valued SeeDs, the best, maybe and yet, they knew so very little about him. Quistis decided not to disturb him, it looked like Squall wanted to be alone, to be alone and think. Maybe she should go up to him and interfere with those thoughts, but she decided not to. Squall had to help himself with his thoughts for they were his private thoughts. They were things he had to deal with himself. Squall sat alone thinking, dreaming. Dreaming of Rinoa and what their next night would be like. Whether it would be celebrating their engagement or alone with more rejection. Squall didn't notice one of the younger SeeDs sit down by him, one who was part of his group of SeeDs to head in the Dollet mission.

"Hey," he said, a stupid grin across his face. Squall looked at him and didn't even give the smallest hint of a smile or welcome. "Sup?" he asked, not taking Squalls cold hint that he wanted to be alone. "I'm Mischa by the way, glad to meet ya!" the young SeeD said and held out of his hand for Squall to shake it. The older SeeD didn't take it. Mischa put his hand back down on his thigh, not looking put-off by Squalls unfriendly and cold rejection. Squall took a sip of his beer, tasting the cold and strongly brewed liquid as it slid down his throat. Good stuff…

Mischa watched Squall and called the barman over, ordering himself a pint. Squall continued to ignore him, hoping that the young interference would go away, but he didn't. Mischa sipped his own drink, finding that it tasted good, he gulped it down. "Are you old enough to drink that stuff?" Squall asked sourly. Mischa grimaced.

"Not really, but I suppose when they saw us together..the barman thought we were of the same age," Mischa said quietly. Squall didn't say anything, it wasn't as if he really cared. " So wassup Squall? How's Rinoa," he smiled and winked. Squall found his left hand slide down to his gunblade and grip the hilt; he didn't pull it out though. Instead he gripped it tight, moving his fingers down the side of his blade, feeling the coolness caress his fingers.

Who is this guy? Can't he see that I want to be alone? Squall didn't reply, hoping that the kid would get bored and move on. Mischa stayed. "How old are you?" Squall asked. Mischa grinned. "Seventeen! I became a SeeD at the age of sixteen ya know," Mischa said proudly. Squall didn't like the young teenager, he reminded him of someone else. "So how is she? Rinoa? I've seen you guys around Garden; I think it's really sweet! It'd be awesome if you two got married or something, you ever thought of it, huh? Asking her to marry you. I'm sure she'll say yes," Mischa said, oblivious to Squalls current position.

Squall gripped the hilt to his blade tighter, imagining pulling it out and slicing off the annoying teenagers head from his neck. Squall though maintained his cool. Mischa carried on talking and talking. Squall tried not to listen. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Do you want to die?? You're asking for it! Squall thought madly, almost pulling his gunblade out. Instead though, Squall said nothing, he just fingered the trigger to his gunblade, leaving the death of this annoying kid to his imagination.

Mischa seemed to have a never-ending bank of chatter; Squall consumed another pint of the strong beer, making him slightly drowsy. Mischa nudged Squall as he closed his eyes to rest. Squall awoke, partly thankful to the SeeD that he had woken him. "I think you're real lucky Squall, I mean...you have Rinoa...I wish I had a girl. I know who I want, she's one of the other SeeDs coming with us, you know. Reene, but she doesn't know that I like her. So I'm gonna show her what I feel for her here in Dollet. You know, prove myself to her, to show her that I am the man of her dreams! I'll never be like you though, a hero. Cause that's what you are, a hero, least you're my hero, maybe if I was like you Reene would notice me more," Mischa said dozily.

Squall finally snapped. "What? You think, that if you become some hero that she'll notice you? The only thing she'll notice is what YOU are not who. You fool! And do you seriously think that I found love in Rinoa because I was her hero? If then, why didn't she fall for Zell or Irvine? I wasn't the only one fighting you know! I am not the only 'hero'! You talk as if it was only me! It wasn't, I had my friends, my friends are the real heros, not me. Get out of my way you little fool," Squall spat and stalked away to his quarters.

Mischa sat down, feeling totally humiliated at Squalls load outburst. Everybody stared at him a while longer and turned back, the only one to get up was Quistis. She followed Squall to his quarters.

"Quistis," Xu called before the blonde woman went to Squall. Quistis turned to listen to her friend. "I have to go out, I need to secure a few things," Xu said.

"What things? Are you going alone?" Quistis asked. Xu shook her head.

"No, I'm going with that Mischa, Reene and Javri. Don't worry, I just need to secure a few positions, I won't take long Quistis, you really do worry too much," Xu replied. Quistis gave Xu an uncertain look, but presumed it would be all right if Mischa, Reene and Javri were accompanying her. Xu left with the three young SeeDs, leaving Quistis to see to Squall. Squall was sitting on his bed, deep in thought. Quistis looked at him a while, Rinoa was a lucky young woman. "Squall, what it is?" she asked softly. Squall didn't look up, but stayed silent. Quistis sat down beside him. Still Squall did not say anything.

"Squall… Tell me," she tried to persuade him. Squall though remained silent. Gently Quistis placed a hand on Squalls shoulder. "Squall, don't you trust me?" she asked. Squall turned to look at her, he smiled a little.

"I'm fine," he replied. Quistis sighed. "Quistis I'm Okay, I just want to be alone," Squall almost snapped at her. Quistis hid her hurt; she had thought he trusted her more with his feelings now then this. Squall stared at the chest of drawers. "I am fine"

Yet Squall knew he wasn't, ever since he had left Garden after Rinoa rejection, his emotions were in turmoil. Squall tried to grasp his sanity, how was he supposed to act like a responsible SeeD, which everyone looked up to, if was struggling with a fight with his heart? Squall sometimes enjoyed Quistis's big sisterly care, she was indeed like his big sister and her support comforted him. Yet this time, he knew he had to support himself, by himself. Rinoa's rejection was something he had to deal with, it wasn't something he felt he could share. I have to do this by myself.... don't I...I'll be alright...by myself...for myself.. Squall began to frown again. Quistis smothered a laugh.

"What?" he asked irritably.

"Why do you frown when you think Squall?" Quistis asked. Squall looked annoyed. He didn't reply. I just do… no big deal he thought to himself. Quistis laughed again, she felt in good humor today, even if Squall wasn't. "How is Rinoa Squall, you haven't fallen out have you," the thought of this turned Quistis's tone into something of concern. Squall looked away.

"No," it wasn't a lie.We haven't fallen out....she just...doesn't love me in the way I thought she did. Quistis sighed, she knew there was something more then he was letting on. She didn't pressure him into saying it though. Squall had to tell her in his own time and if he wanted to. Let him do things his own way. Maybe that would be for the best.

Quistis left Squall to think by himself, she returned to the pub bar and sat alone. She didn't feel much like company herself either. Today, she felt lonely, she wished Irvine Zell and Selphie were here as well, it was much better when they were all together. Right now, Quistis hated the Galbadians more then before. If it wasn't for them, this business with Dollet would have been finished and she and Squall would be backing home in Garden with their friends, having fun. Instead though, they were stuck out here and apart.

Quistis let the hours dwindle away, until she looked up at the clock to see that it read seven o' clock in the evening. Xu, you should be back by now.. Quistis felt worried, Xu wouldn't take this long to secure a few positions and she wouldn't stay outside of base longer then she had to. Quistis became worried, she glanced towards the entrance, desperately hoping, wishing that Xu and the other SeeDs would suddenly come through those doors, saying they become caught up in something or other. Quistis stared, almost willing that they came through, but they didn't, nobody did and Quistis became very worried.

Nida noticed Quistis, sitting alone with that worried gaze upon her face; he walked over and joined her. The young blonde looked up at the other young SeeD. Nida, more commonly found steering Garden, sat down opposite Quistis and smiled at her warmly. "Quistis, what's up?" he asked gently. Quistis smiled faintly "Xu isn't back yet, Nida. I'm worried, not just about her though, what about Mischa, Reene and Javri, they've been gone longer then they should of been...I suppose I should of alerted someone long ago...but..." Quistis cursed her stupidity. She had just regained her Instructors license and she didn't alert the authorities about this! Wake up woman! Nida looked reassuring. "Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be all right," he said, though he didn't seem all that sure of himself. Quistis sighed. "I'll go and tell Bjou, he'll want to know. It's not your fault Quistis, you won't get reprimanded," he said, trying to sound sure of this. Quistis knew though, she should have alerted Bjou, the second in command when she first noticed Xu missing. Nida smiled again at her and went to find Bjou, normally in his office, a bedroom which he had converted.

Quistis was just about to re-visit Squall, maybe being with the person she knew most would cheer her up, not that Squall was a cheering up person. Quistis wanted companionship though, even Squall's silent companionship would have been nice. She had a lot of things on her mind, a lot and it was all getting too much for her, she had no one to share it with, Xu was just a friend. All Quistis had been friends, nothing else, just friends. There are some guys...I know.. but. .I don't feel that...that.. thing. I don't know.. I've never felt it before...except with Squall...but that....don't torture yourself. I wish I could meet him.. that man...the one for me.. the one who feels the same as I do for him....I wonder when that will be... Quistis sighed, returning back to her little dream world, standing still and motionless, deep in thought.

Quistis broke out of it as a loud noise came...Quistis spun around, half expecting an army of G-Soldiers to come bursting through the doors, only to see her worst fear come in. Xu and Mischa, badly beaten and barely able to stand. Mischa, slightly better off then Xu, was carrying her, but he collapsed out of pure exhaustion and from his wounds as he fell into the hall. The place froze for a split second around Quistis she let out a load gasp and ran towards her friend and the young SeeD. "Xu! Xu! Mischa? What..." she asked breathlessly as she knelt down beside them, lifting Mischa off Xu and gently placing him by her side. People swarmed around, shocked and curious about what had just happened, the SeeD pushed them away, trying to give their fellow SeeDs space to breath. Nida and Bjou came, Bjou only just hearing of Xu's long absence looked slightly annoyed. Quistis ignored the presence of the second in command and rested Xu's head in her lap. "A stretcher someone they need to be attended immediately..." Bjou suddenly boomed. Quistis looked terrified, so did Xu, she tried to speak but found she couldn't. "Quistis, move aside, let me see Xu," Bjou came down beside Xu, his massive frame casting a dark shadow over her. "Sir?" Mischa spoke. It was Squall. Quistis looked up, glad for a friendly face, she had never liked Bjou. "Shhh...." Squall caught himself, not wanting to swear in front of Bjou, not that Squall really swore that much.. "What..?" he asked, looking a bit sleepy. He looked down to Mischa, which Quistis had just turned to comfort him, for he had began to cry over something. Squall went over to him, feeling bad about the mean things he had said to Mischa.

"It doesn't matter what, right now, Squall, make sure a stretcher is coming," Bjou ordered. Squall hesitated and then left to make sure the hospital wing was ready.

"Quis..."Mischa said his voice horse. Quistis looked down at him, brushing some blooded hair from his face, a tanned face, which held deeply set blue eyes, pinkish lips with a head of fine fair hair.

"Shh, calm down…" Quistis hushed, but Mischa looked very distressed.

"Quistisss.... Reeene.... Jav..ri.." he croaked. Quistis' eyes widened in shock. Of course...how could I of forgotten...Reene and Javri...Oh.....shit! "Bjou..." she nudged the big man.

"What? Where are those God damned people....can't they see that there's an emergency out here," he growled. Quistis looked at him, trying to get his attention, but he was almost ignoring her. Quistis hated this man, he made just about everyone smaller then him feel insignificant.

"Bjou, sir, we have a bigger problem," she said, raising her voice, Bjou turned most of his attention upon Quistis. "Reene and Javri, the SeeDs who went with Xu and Mischa, haven't returned...they're not here..." Quistis explained quickly, while Bjou was still listening to her.

"What? Holy Mother of God......shit..." he almost yelled, "Quistis....full alert. I want those SeeDs found and I want them found now!" Bjou ordered. Quistis quickly got to her feet and took charge of the situation a little, soon a group of heavily armed SeeDs had been sent out to find Reene and Javri. Quistis returned to find Xu and Mischa loaded up into a couple of stretchers and rushed to the hospital wing.

Squall caught Quistis by the arm, stopping her from going any further. "What's going on?" he asked, still being in the dark of things. All Squall knew was that Xu and Mischa had been attacked. Quistis told him, she told him about the absence of Reene and Javri, about the possibility that they may have been kidnapped. Squall looked annoyed, he should have been sent to find them, he should have headed that group Quistis had just sent out. It was the first time he had ever wanted to lead anything and he didn't get to. "Reene....." he said, remembering something Mischa had told him, he had told him that he loved her. Squall felt his heart drop heavily; he would be in agony now...worrying about her...whether she was dead or alive. Squall only had to imagine Rinoa in that position and he was almost panicked and scared out of his mind. Squall squeezed his brow with his fingers, trying to calm himself and settle his thoughts in an orderly pile.

"Squall....." Quistis looked at Squall, his face had turned almost a sickly green colour, "I think you should...." she was just about to say 'rest' but Squall rushed of, presumably to see Xu or Mischa, Quistis followed him to find him by Mischa's bed.

Mischa smiled at Squall, it was a weak strained smile. "Hey, Squall," he said, "have you found Reene?" he asked. Squall silently shook his head, feeling guilty about all the things he had previously said to the young man. "Oh...oh...but you will find her...right..?" he asked, "and Javri? You'll find him too...yeah?" Mischa said, his eyes shining with all the hurt and grief that he beheld inside.

"We'll...try our best Mischa," Squall replied, knowing they would. They would try their best and fail. Squall already had the un-nerving feeling that Reene and Javri were no longer in the east side of Dollet, but held prisoner in the west.

After Xu and Mischa had fallen asleep, Quistis and Squall found time to talk. "You know what I think, Quistis, the Galbadian's have Reene and Javri," he said sadly. Quistis didn't want to believe this.

"We can't be sure of that...they may be badly hurt somewhere...unable to move," she said, knowing this would be unlikely.

"Yes, we can be sure of this Quistis," Squall said in a low voice, barley above a whisper, "the group who went out to look for them...they would have found them by now. Xu and Mischa wouldn't have left them behind; it's unlikely that they would split up from Xu and Misha during the battle. Quistis, accept it, Reene and Javri...may either be dead or held as prisoner we have a big problem on our hands a big one, two of our SeeDs they could be killed and we could prevent it I think.." Squall said, stress built up again.

Quistis sighed, giving into that plain and very obvious fact that Reene and Javri....two brave SeeDs, selected to take part in a special mission to be headed by Squall, one that would of dealt with the Dollet situation...were in dire needs of help but no one could come to their aid yet. Quistis held her head in her hands.

There had been an argument back at Garden, most people there had wanted to send Squall, Zell, Irvine, Selphie and Quistis some even Rinoa, out to Dollet, seeing they were already dubbed heroes and heroines for saving the world against the evil sorceress and so sorting Dollet out for them would of been an easy task for them. Maybe it would of been better she would of been surrounded by her friends and most likely, this wouldn't of happened. However, Cid hadn't wanted this, he had that he hadn't wanted to make superstars out of them. He knew that if he did, every bit of trouble, every time the SeeDs were in need, Squall and the gang, would be wanted and Cid didn't want this and he was sure they didn't want this either.

Quistis though, right now, really wanted her friends near; she was feeling lonely, lonelier then ever before. Sinking into a deeper depression, she sat down outside of the hospital wing....once a dinning room of the hotel now converted into a medical area.

"Quistis, Xu wants you," said Bjou, coming out of the hospital wing. Quistis looked up and went without question. Xu smiled as her younger friend approached and sat down by the bed.

"Quistis.." Xu said, after being treated she had gained enough strength to talk. "You have to find...Reene and Javri...they were trying to protect us, so was Mischa, as I was weaponless," she said, but we...we wee out numbered, seven to one. Stupid, about thirty five soldiers attacked five people. Well...they won," she said hoarsely. Quistis looked reassuringly at her friend.

"They haven't won, if they had won, they would of taken you and Mischa, they haven't won the war yet, Xu" Quistis said and took Xu's' hand and squeezing it

Mischa, who lay in the bed next to Xu was crying, Quistis looked over to him, hearing his sobs for the first time. "It's Reene" Xu explained. Quistis nodded sadly, she put a hand on the young man's arm, turning to comfort him. Squall was coming up towards them at the same time, he smiled at Quistis and Xu as he came up, his face falling at the sight of Mischa, he felt so much guilt, and he had been horrible to him.

"Mischa.." he said, trying to sound comforting. Over the two years with his beloved Rinoa had taught him a lot, most of all, how to show his feelings and emotions and how to comfort people. Squall was no scholar at this though and his best efforts still seemed slightly on the cold side. "Everything.....everything will be all right. Reene'll be fine too. " he said, stuttering a bit. Quistis smiled, pleased that Squall was putting such an effort into this, then again, he had always cared about his friends always. Some things surprised Quistis about Squall. She wished he had admitted to them a long time ago that he actually cared for them all. It had taken him long enough even to call them his best friends, let alone his friends always his comrades.

"But...." Mischa started, but Squall passed a smile to him, a smile which faintly flickered across his lips and disappeared. Mischa stopped, resting his blonde head back on the pillow, his bandaged head was leaking blood again.

"Mischa I'll make sure Reene and Javri will be all right! I'll....do everything I can that I can and I'll bring Reene back to you," Squall said. Quistis glanced at Squall, giving him a silent warning not to promise too much if there was a probability he wouldn't be able to do it. Mischa smiled, his eyes glowing. "But, you have to promise me this Mischa. Tell Reene how you feel about her, yeah? Tell her." Squall said, Reene has to know about Mischa's feelings for her. Mischa nodded, smiling, wanting to tell her more then ever now.

"Squall thanks I want to help you..." he said weekly, "I have to....for Reene. The nurses say I'll be fit enough to get up in a couple of days or so..." Mischa said, the light of hope was already making him strong.

"Only if you're ready, Mischa," Squall said. Mischa grinned, his little face lighting up.

"I'm ready. I'm a lot better then I look, aren't I Xu?" he grinned. Xu smiled, she liked the young mans cheerful optimism. Squall thought about Rinoa. He would die for her...he would leave his death bed to save her if she was in trouble, he understood Mischa's determination. Squall loved Rinoa... whether or not she married him, Squall didn't care he loved her and he would never forget that, no GF would make him forget how much he loved her. Her rejection still bit down into him, his heart was still hurting, the wound was still raw, but he didn't care. Nothing would stop him from loving her, even if she stopped loving him.

"Reene's a lucky young woman, Mischa," Squall said, he was right. Reene had found someone who would love and treasure her and if she couldn't see that in Mischa...then Reene was blind.

Squall left, he had to talk to Bjou, to get a plan to rescue the captives from the Galbadians and their mysterious new leader, for as of yet, no one knew who that was.........