Quistis was pacing back and forth, rather like a caged tiger. The other two blondes in the room just watched her warily. Although she was over her crush on Squall, she still cared for him like an older sister.
Seifer sighed slightly, wondering what had possessed Rinoa to do this. She always seemed innocent and carefree, fragile china doll that needed protecting. And yet, she'd been able to freeze Irvine, and nearly kill Squall - just to have him back.
Zell tapped his foot; glad they'd been the first to arrive on the scene. Had any of the other students.... He closed his eyes for a moment.

Rinoa was cradling Squall, blood staining the front of her blue duster. She was crying. Squall looked even paler then usual, and was breathing very slowly. Irvine was hunched over; Exeter cradled in his arms. The rich wood of the handle also held a tinge of red. He wasn't screaming, instead he was rocking back and forth, saying Squall's name softly.
Because his voice was too horse for him to scream anymore.

Seifer and Zell had been the ones to get him out of there, while Selphie and Quistis had helped Rinoa. They met a large group of students, all who were in shock over Rinoa's announcement. Some of them wanted to go after Irvine, who'd been named as the attacker; the rest wished to help them. It'd been pure chaos for thirty minutes.
Now, it was two hours later, and Selphie hadn't returned from talking to Irvine yet. Damn, he wondered what Rinoa had done to break Irvine like that. Quitis suddenly stopped pacing, murder dancing in her blue eyes.
"I'm going to kill her."
Seifer was glad he'd taken her whip away. The mood she was in right now, he believed she would do it. She started to stalk towards the door, and he pushed himself off the couch, catching her arm after just a moment.
"Quisty."
"Let go of me, Seifer. You saw what she did to Squall!"
"All of us did. We have to wait." Zell piped up. Seifer shook his head slightly, as Quistis fixed her Instructor gaze on Zell. He shrunk back into the cushions, just as Selphie walked in. She blinked at the sigh before her. Seifer holding Quistis back, whom was glaring at Zell, who was wilting like a flower. Oy.
"Quistis! No scaring my boyfriend!" Selphie wagged a finger at her, and Quistis took a step back, sighing.
"Sorry, it's just..."
"Yea, I know. But don't worry! We have a plan..."
"We?" Seifer arched an eyebrow. Selphie smiled. "Yeps!"
"You remember the Odine bangle Rinoa wanted to use on Matron?"
Quistis and Zell nodded. "Well, I got instructions from Odine on how to make one. Zell, I'll need you to do that."
"But... I thought the Odine bangles needed a special type of charge in order to nullify the powers?"
"They do. Magic from another sorceress. Matron's bangle had been charged with stolen magic from Adel. See, each Sorceress has a special power that's unique to them alone."
"But... Rinoa's the only one..."
"Not really, Quisty. I asked if you would do."
Both Seifer's and Zell's jaws dropped. Quistis fidgeted. "While you are a sorceress, it's not quite strong enough to do what we need."
"I'm not a..."
"Oh, but you are, Quistis."
All four turned, as Matron strode into the room. Followed by Ellone and Laguna. "Just as Ellone is. While your magic is not the kind Rinoa and I have, it is magic - none the less." She smiled. "And boys, please... Close your mouths. It's rude to have them hanging like that."
Ellone, Selphie, and Laguna snickered as Zell and Seifer finally managed to stop catching flies.
"I've brought the stuff you need for the bangle, Selphie. Along with drawn instructions from Odine on how to fuse it together."
Zell accepted the package from Laguna. "I'll get to work on it right now." He left, Selphie hugging their three guests before following after him. "I'm going to go visit Squall." Ellone announced, leaving as well. The four that remained just looked at each other, then Quistis laughed.
"We might as well take a seat, I guess we won't be needed till later."
They all sat down, and Seifer glanced at Quistis.
"I didn't tell you, because of what had happened to you. I didn't want you to think I would do the same..."
Seifer smiled, placing his hand against her cheek, thumb tracing the curve of her upper lip. "I knew you wouldn't, and couldn't... Because I love you. And I think, you love me..."
"I do..." Quistis smiled up at him, and they kissed softly. Laguna turned to Edea, eyes thoughtful, and a bit sad.
"He loves my son like that?"
Edea nodded. "He always has. Are you okay with that? And the fact that Squall loves him back?"
"As long as my son is happy... That's all that matters to me."


-----
A/N- Okay. Up next... A visit, and a dream. Will Ellone be able to help
Squall, or is Rinoa's magic too powerful?
-they're gonna try to get the bangle on her, to see if that will break
the spell she put on Squall. It may work, it may not.-