~*~*~*~ IV – Farewells ~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~

Seven weeks after the arrival of the AU-Garden

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Qualla, Squall, this was to be expected." Remarked Quisto, "People that paired up have already requested to either stay here or leave with us."

"We should have forbidden fraternization," said Qualla, "This is going to make things harder."

Rinoa offered, "What if we allowed an equal number of people to go and stay? That would balance things."

"Unfortunately," stated the blond instructor, "We don't know what the consequences will be. There have been reported cases of trans-universe traveling, but never on such an important scale as this."

Quistis had remained silent, but now spoke, "From what the scientist from Esthar can deduce, a few people shouldn't produce a misbalance."

"Shouldn't… that's speculation," intervened Squall, "What we need are certainties."

Reno added, "Rinoa and I haven't felt anything unusual, except about our Garden, but we think that since it's such as massive structure it's pull to get back to our Universe is stronger."

Turning to Quistis, Squall asked, "What have you found out about those portals?"

"Well, we have evidence that they're echoes of the ones Ultimecia and Ultros created to travel through time and space," lectured the blonde woman, "Our Universes are not exactly 'in tune', and that it's why they only appear as energy bursts."

"Correct," continued Quisto, "But when one of those bursts happens simultaneously in both our Universes, and in compatible locations, a portal opens."

"And you think that you can predict and open one of those passages." Inquired Qualla.

"Yes," replied Quistis, "If Rinoa and Reno channel their powers at the right time, it might distort reality enough to do so. And guys?

"What?" said both sorcerers at the same time.

"According to the calculations sent to us by Esthar, the optimum moment will be tomorrow at 08h16 AM."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Do you really have to go?" asked Selphie.

"AFFIRMATIVE"

"Then I'll go with you, Fujo."

The muscular albino gently held the tiny brunette, willing these few last moments together to last forever. They had been informed that morning that a way had been found to send them back home, but he wasn't so sure about where 'home' was anymore.

"Selphie… your life… your f-friends"

"He, don't forget those speech exercises, mister!" she said in what she wanted a cheerful tone, but missed the mark.

Fujo breathed deeply before stating, "It was made clear… we all have to go… back."

"Home is where your heart is," continued Selphie, "And I know we've just been really dating for a month or so, but I want to be with you…"

"Me too…"

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Stephen?"

"Yes, Zell…"

"I… huh, I heard that you guys are leaving tomorrow."

The young man lowered his emerald eyes, "We have been asked to be back at our Garden by curfew tonight. I just have a few hours left here."

"I wish I could go with you." Said Zell, gently touching his boyfriend's arm.

"Listen, Zell, I would love to stay, but I don't think it's an option. The important thing is for you never to forget who you are, and just live your life."

"You know, I met Zelda this morning," continued the blond guy, "I am going to miss her, she was like the sister I never had."

"I feel the same about Selphie."

"Say, you wanna go shoot the Frisbee around?" asked the martial artist, showing a disk in his hands. On it was written 'property of S.A. – don't touch!'

Stephen looked and laughed, "That's no Frisbee! That's Seifer Almasy's favorite CD!"

"Should fly pretty well." Replied a grinning Zell

"Yes it should…" agreed Stephen and they ran towards the field.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Fujin, try to understand." Pleaded Sofie.

"ALONE WILL BE" cried the smaller woman.

"I can't just disobey my Commander's orders, I have responsibilities."

"SEIFER WOULD"

"I… this sucks big time!"

"IT DOES"

The tall blonde had never felt so torn apart in her life. There was a time when she would have just followed her heart, and damn the consequences, but now there were too many things to consider. She told the fair woman so, "Fuu, there's just too many things hanging in the balance… I… I'm sorry."

"UNFAIR"

"Can't we just make the most of these last few hours?" asked Sofie in a soothing voice, "I'll never forget you, and maybe someday we'll meet again."

"OR NOT!" yelled Fujin, and then ran away with tears flowing freely from her eyes.

"Fuji!" called the blonde woman, but was unable to catch up with the heartbroken girl.

Fujin hid her weeping among some boulders, not far from Balamb Garden. She felt all the self-control - she had worked so hard at attaining - shattering in thousand of tiny pieces… just like her heart.

She then heard voices and remained as silent as she could; she really didn't want anyone to see her like this. Taking a peek, she spotted Selphie with Fujo walking hand in hand. The pair, unaware that they had an audience, stopped and kissed each other tenderly. It was then that, remembering Sofie's earlier words, a sudden idea blossomed in Fujin's mind.

'Things hanging in the balance.' She thought, 'Balance…'

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day, Rinoa was on a boat that positioned itself about 500 meters from the expected energy burst. Reno was on the front balcony of his Garden, and as the great ship made it's way towards the sorceress, the signal was given to start. It was a sight to behold as they unleashed their powers at each other, and their wings unfurled in all their glory.

The beams of magic energy met, and at their point of contact a growing pool of shimmering forces appeared. Magnificent twirling colors expanded, suspended above the ocean as the majestic bulk of the AU-Garden floated towards it. Suddenly, the portal appeared and both sorceress and sorcerer called back their powers in perfect synchronicity.

Sofie Almasy looked back towards the beach, where a crowd of waving SeeDs had gathered. A tear ran down her face when she couldn't make the form of Fujin among them. And then swirling lights surrounded her, as they traveled between dimensions. It took but a few moments before they were back into their own world, and she noticed that it was early morning here. The sun was rising in the West, as it should be – she had never gotten used to that oddity in Fujin's Universe.

Two hours later, the tall blonde was performing a routine security check, when Qualla Leonhart called her to her office. And the Commander didn't sound happy, not one bit.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, Almasy?" demanded Qualla in an even voice (a sure sign of her anger), "How do you explain this?"

In the Commander's office were gathered eight other people, all from the Universe they had just left. Among them was Fujin Kazeno, and Sofie just stared wide-eyed at the assembly.

Quisto Trepe was also called to attend, and he coughed before speaking, "We are also missing a few people, as reported by their roommates or dorm-monitors. We don't know exactly how many yet."

"EIGHT" answered Fujin."

The blond instructor continued, "I suspected that much. Your little friend here seems to be the brain behind this."

"But how?" asked Sofie, "We had a head-count, and used retina-scans to identify… Oh crap!"

"Yes, that's one thing we never though would be identical," said Quisto, "I am also to blame for this, Qualla, as I assumed that retina-patterns were unique."

"Whatever." Replied the Commander, "What's done is done, but what now?"

"If I may Commander?" Intervened one of the clandestine passengers.

"Yes?"

"Well, we are all trained SeeDs and would certainly be of help here."

Qualla considered for a while, rubbing her temples. How she wished that Cydalia Kramer were there for she could use the older woman's wisdom in this situation. Finally, she decided, "All right, you will be given a chance to prove yourselves, but for the moment you'll be confined to Garden."

"Yes Sir! – er – Ma'am!" responded the eight SeeDs simultaneously.

As they were all filing out, Qualla addressed her Chief Of Security, "Sofie, you'll have custody of Fujo's counterpart, so show her around and find her a place to stay."

"Thank you, Commander." Said the blonde, and then left holding hands with a smiling Fujin.

"You did the right thing, Qualla," offered Quisto, "You know, I would have expected Stephen or Zelda to pull a stunt like that, but Fujo or his counterpart never. It's true that it's always those you suspect less."

"Whatever."

~*~*~*~*~*~

A similar scene was repeating itself at the other Garden, as Squall Leonhart was pacing his office, and trying to decide what to do with eight missing SeeDs and these new people.

"Huh, Commander?" asked Stephen Tilmitt cautiously.

"Yes, Mr.Tilmitt."

"Well, I know that sneaking aboard your Garden like this was wrong…"

"That's the understatement of the day." Said the broody guy evenly.

Stephen was rocking back and forth on his heels, and seemed to find the situation quite amusing. "Now, lets see the bright side of this situation."

"He's right, Squall," added Selphie, comfortably cradled in Fujo's powerful arms, "This is really funny when you think about it!" ~^_^~

Both spirited brunettes cowered under Squall's gaze, but Quistis intervened to dissipate the tension, "There's nothing we can do about it, and these people are trained SeeDs, so why not just enroll them?"

The Commander had always valued his former instructor's advice, and in fact Cid and himself had been seriously considering Quistis as successor to the present Head Instructor. He sat at his desk and announced, "Very well, but a disciplinary note will go into your permanent files, and you will all have to take both the written and field exams."

*coughBUMMERcough*

All present laughed, except the Commander, "What was that?"

Stephen Tilmitt looked way too innocent, but Squall didn't pursue the matter. He wouldn't admit it openly, but he was truly happy for Selphie, Zell and a few others who had established strong ties with these people from another reality. After dismissing the group, he hoped that things would finally get back to normality.

They didn't…

~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~ EPILOGUE ~*~

*URRRRRGHHH!*

"Crap, what's wrang with me?" complained Irvine before emptying his stomach again.

*URRRGAHHHHHHHH!*

Selphie and Stephen were passing by and entered the cowboy's room, "Irvine, you all right?" asked the perky woman.

The sharpshooter stepped out of his bathroom, "Aw don't know, Sephy, Aw been sick every mornin' fer the past week."

"Maybe it's that new batch of hot-dogs." Said Selphie.

"Yeah, meby." Agreed Irvine.

Stephen was hit by a thought, "Say, I heard that you and Irma were rather… close before she left."

"Yeah, what's it ta yah?"

"Hum," continued the spirited guy, "Did you guys use any… protection?"

"Aw don't know, sometimes yeah, others nope." replied Irvine, "Watcha asking?"

"Huh, man," asked Stephen, "Do you need to pee?"

About an hour later, the sharpshooter was pacing nervously back and forth in Selphie's dorm. Were also present Stephen, Zell, Fujo, Quistis, Seifer, Rinoa and Squall. The diminutive woman was intently staring at something on her dresser.

"So, Selphie, anything yet?" inquired Rinoa.

"It just needs a little longer according to the instructions on the box." Replied the brunette, "Oh! Here we go!"

Everything went still, as Selphie checked the stick from the pregnancy test against the image on the container. She finally announced, "Great news!"

"PHEW!" sighed Irvine in relief, and then asked, "Everythang's all rawght then?"

"Yes!" exclaimed the spirited girl bouncing excitedly, "I'm going to be an aunty!"

Irvine fainted.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~THE END~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And there you have it, another one of my displays of utter insanity. And that last scene, for those who recognized it, was inspired by Red Dwarf – one of, if not the, funniest show ever. And I really like Irvine, but he just seemed right for the role (and you still own me that $50 I lent you, Irv!).

Thank you to all those who took the time to review, and thus encouraged the participants. And just in case you have missed any of the entries, I made a list (if you are a contestant and your name is not on it, I apologize and please notify me in the reviews section, or send me an email, and I will correct the omission). So, by order of posting:

Sorceress Rinoa           Just Keep Dreaming                             [Guaranteed to surprise you]

Alonia Everclear           Dust of Lion, Heart of Diamonds           [Refreshing approach to the theme of forbidden love]

Vick