~Chapter One~

Back Like Bad Luck



"Yo! Comin' through! Move it! I'm on call!!" acting Doctor Zell shouted as he dashed through the jammed Garden hallways. He ran to the infirmary.

"Man I wish Doctor Kadowaki would hurry up on that trip of hers." Zell muttered as he swung the doors open. He skidded into the infirmary. "Patient's stats?" He asked grabbing a clipboard.

"He's got Red Taraibian fever." An attendant said. Zell glanced up to see-

"Seifer!?" he gasped. He couldn't believe his eyes. There he was. Lying stretched on the infirmary cot, his golden-blonde hair plastered to his forehead from the cold sweat he had broken into and dried blood speckled his lips, which his breath was barely issuing from. Zell pulled Seifer's eyelid up.

"His eyes are rolled in the back of his head." Zell commented. "We've got to stabilize his fever. We need something to cool his head. Did you try casting a Cure on him?" the attendants stared at Zell blankly. "Well, did you?" The doctor in training demanded. The attendants shook their heads.

"No sir." A particularly brave attendant spoke up.

"Well, ready an injection then. Get me a Curaga." Zell snapped, trying not to loose his patience.

"Injection readied!" The Attendant said. Zell grabbed the syringe and hastily rolled up Seifer's shirtsleeve and plunged the needle into his burning skin.



*Zell's POV*

Well, he stable now, I think. His fever went down a little while ago and he's sleeping peacefully now. I think. Every now and then he gives a little low moan. I reach over and smooth his brow and he stops. Funny. If he was awake and caught me touching him he'd probably throw a fit. Sometimes I ask myself why I'm even treating him. He was our enemy wasn't he? He was a bad guy. What is a bad guy anyway? There is no clear right and wrong, I think. One man's hero and savior could be another man's worst nightmare. That's what I believe, to treat my patients I must remain neutral. No matter who it is, Seifer Almasy or no, I can't choose sides. Yeah, here's Zell Dincht getting all deep. I'm a lot smarter than anyone ever gives me credit for. I may lack common sense sometimes, but hell, I ain't stupid.

Oh, Seifer's waking up. I lean over him to check and see how well he's registering images and sound.

"Seifer?" I ask. "Can you see me?"

"Matron?" he murmured hazily as his eyes focused.

"Damn are you way off!" His eyes widen as he recognizes my voice.

"Chickenwuss?" Hyne, I was glad to hear him call me that. I was worried that the fever was rocketing to its most serious symptoms: blindness and hearing loss.

"Don't call me that." I say for show. It's a routine between us now. A strange one, but hey, who's to say we're normal? He reaches up and touches the side of my face. "Uh... you *can* see me right?" I question, just to make sure.

"Yeah," the hand slides away. "What are you doin' here?" I smirk.

"Funny, I was just about to ask you that. Truth is, I'm studying to be a doctor an' Doctor Kadowaki is my mentor... though the good doctor is out on a trip to Esthstar right at this moment and won't be back 'till Hyne knows when." Seifer nods and tries to sit up. He cries out and lies back down. "It might be a good idea if you lie still." I suggest. Seifer glares at me. "I'm the expert. Take it easy or you risk a slight chance of not ever recovering. Meaning, you die." That got his attention.

"Why are you bein' so nice?" he demanded.

"What?"

"I tried to kill you remember?" He asked cocking an eyebrow.

"Well, yeah," I said and then launched into my 'I have to remain neutral' speech.

He was silent for a little while. I couldn't really read the expression on his face. Were those green eyes filled with tears...? Or are they darker than the green I remembered them to be?

"How is everyone?" He finally asked.

"Oh, great I guess, Quistis got her instructing position back, Selphie and Irvy are doin' great. Selphie's band has demos out now. She's become quite popular with the guys." I chuckled here. "Funny thing is, Irvine's jealous of 'em." I said sitting back in my chair and propping my foot on my knee. He looked up at me with those icy green eyes of his.

"What about Squall and Rinoa?" I knew he'd ask about them. It still hurts to think of them. Gone like they are. I hardly ever get a chance to see them anymore. I shrugged dismissively.

"Feh, they went crazy and eloped in Timber. They live there now." I shrugged. Going to their house is hell for me. Rinoa's always all 'So Zell, how is everybody back home?' here she winks 'You have a girlfriend yet?' here I always give her a polite 'No. Not yet.' Instead of throwing my head back and shouting the truth as loud as my little lungs would let me. "What about your posse?" Seifer laughed when I asked.

"Well Fuu and Rai decided that fishing was boring and screwing each other was even more fun, so they got married too... I coulda stayed with 'em they wanted me to, but newlyweds need their space." he smirked, " Ya know." He added smugly.

"The hell..." I sunk into my chair and took all of this information in. "You should get some sleep now. I think you would be better by tomorrow if ya get enough rest." I said abruptly. I stood up. "I'm gonna go get somethin' to eat. Want me to bring ya back anything?" Seifer grinned.

"A hot dog would be nice. That is if there's anything left by the time you get there. Better hurry, Chickenwuss." A hand flew to my head.

"Aw man! You're right! Lunch started like ten minutes ago!" I cried dashing out the door. I forgot to tell him to stop calling me Chickenwuss.

*??? POV (It's a mystery! READ IT VEEEERY CAREFULLY! If ya can guess who it is ya get a BIG ol' hug from Seifer or uhm... how 'bout I write a fic for ya, ya know!)*



I see him now. He doesn't know but I'm always watching him. He doesn't know it. He'll never know it. Right now he's hopping from foot to foot waiting in line. For hotdogs. What did you expect? It's his all time favorite food. Everyone at the Garden knows that. But I knew it before they did. I did watch him grow up after all. He reaches the front of the line. I smile as I read his lips.

"Ya got any hotdogs?" I always thought he looked a bit like me. But oddly, though he is very strong he looks more...delicate than I. The cafeteria lady nods. He whoops for joy and jumps in the air. Huh. That's odd. He has five instead of the usual four. He must be eating lunch with somebody. Either that or his studies are giving him a larger than usual appetite. I'm so proud of my little blond shadow boxer. He's studying to be a doctor you know. He's smart enough to do it too. His need to care for people he got from his mother. He is one of the people in this world that I admire the most. He has so much *character* and he's so full of *life*. He never hides his feelings. (Even though I once told him it might be a good idea if he learned to control them. Shows how much he listens to me, right?) He always lets you know what he's thinking, what he wants, what he needs. Was there ever a time that he admitted to needing me when he was a child? When he was alone and crying, did he call for me? I sit and wonder that sometimes. It makes me very upset. To know that I couldn't be there for him. That I wasn't there to laugh and give him a hug when he first rode a bike on two wheels. To congratulate him when he won his first boxing tournament. To dry his tears when he was upset. Even to tell him off when he did something naughty. I missed it all. I was very surprised when a wiry thirteen-year old boy with flaxen blonde hair, a 'tattoo' and an unstoppable charming smile showed up at the front of the Garden shadow- boxing around and saying about how he was going to be a SeeD and fight like his grandfather. Grandfather? So he didn't know yet then did he? I suppose it's for the best. It would be hard for him if he found out who and what he really was. He would be hated by so many. But as I feared, he will discover one day. And to add to those fears, that day is on the horizon.





*Seifer's POV*



When I opened my eyes this time, night had fallen. And it had fallen hard. It was almost pitch black outside. I lay on my back and listened to the quiet humming of the Garden as it glided trough the waters. Chickenwuss had brought me a hot dog. I had forgotten how good properly cooked food had tasted until now. I yawned quietly. Speaking of Chickenwuss, where was the little guy anyway? I looked around the room to the best of my ability. The little dumb ass was sitting in a chair by my bedside with a jacket around his shoulders and a book in his lap, nodding off.

"Why the hell are ya stayin' up all night for me?" I wondered aloud. His turquoise eyes snapped open.

"Oh crap, was I asleep?" He asked looking around wildly.

"Well?" I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Are ya gonna answer my question or not?" I propped myself up on an elbow to look at him squarely. He furrowed his brow and pursed his lips.

"Huh?" Chickenwuss asked, combing a hand trough his spiky no-more hair. Geez, that crest he puts his hair up in makes him look a lot older. He looks like a kid now. (Actually, I think I like his mop top better.)

"I *said* 'Why the hell are ya stayin' up all night for me?'" I repeated slowly. Chickenwuss made a face.

"Okay, okay, I'm not dumb ya know." He answered closing his book. "To answer that question I was staying awake to make sure you remained stable." Ooh so he was getting scientific on me eh?

"Ya know where we're headed?" I asked gazing out the window.

"Naah." Chickenwuss replied tipping back in his chair a little. He eyed the ceiling fan as it swung around lazily. "I would guess FH or somethin' like that. I wouldn't mind goin' to the Shumi Village though there's somethin' I've been meaning to get there."

"What?" I asked. Chickenwuss gave me a fanged grin and winked.

"Secret." He replied putting a finger to his lips. Whatever.

"Well if we're goin' to FH we can all visit Fujin and Raijin." I cheered up a little at the prospect of seeing my friends. It had been almost a year and a half.

"That'd be cool. But eh, I never thought they liked me." Zell said.

"They'll warm up to ya. You can bring Selphie an' Irvine if ya wanna." I said. Hell, let's make it a party. Chickenwuss thought about it for a moment.

"Yeah, okay." He said at last. There was a long pause, as I was almost asleep he whispered:

"Seifer, are you awake?" Like he used to when we were in the orphanage.

"Yeah Chickenwuss, what is it?" I asked sleepily.

"Why'd you come back Seifer?" he asked. I smiled faintly.

"Haven't you figured it out Chickenwuss? I'm like bad luck. I *always* comeback." I returned as I dozed off into a dreamless sleep.



TBC

Grinning Reaper: Oooh! It's getting suspenseful!!!

Seifer: Why was my part so short?

Zell: Quit complaining! You have a whole PROLOUGE to yourself!

Fujin: AFFIRMATIVE.

Raijin: We're only mentioned in this chapter ya know.

Grinning Reaper: Dun you worry! You guys are in the next chapter!!!

Raijin: Could ya give me a dramatic part ya know? I wanna use my good acting skills ya know. Can I die ya know.

Fujin: *Kicks Raijin in shin* NO. YOU. PAY. BILLS.

Zell: 'Sides, she wuvs ya! Right Fuji??

Fujin: *blush* AFFERMATIVE.

Seifer: An if I'm not mistaken Fujin has a surprise for every body, right?

Fujin: SHUTUP. IDIOT.

Grinning Reaper: So tune in next time!! I gotta go rollerbladein' ya know! Aw man! Raijin!

Raijin: What is it ya know?