"Doctor Kadowaki?" the petit blond called, "You sent for me?"
"Yes I did Quistis," The doctor came out of the back room in her white coat, "Did Squall give you the message?"
"Yes, he did," Quistis said setting her stack of papers down on the desk and leaned on them, "and I am still confused? What is this about a special student that has arrived? I told him I wasn't coming back to teach."
"He is indeed a special student," the doctor said smiling, "You could say he's back for a continued learning course?"
"What?" Quistis asked even more confused and the doctor pointed towards the bed where Seifer lay.
Seifer had been pretending he was sleeping even though he was listening intently to the conversation. Quistis looked cautiously in the direction in which the doctor was pointing. Then, she saw him lying there, his eyes closed as if he was sleeping. His face looked like it had seen better days, but she was sure it was him.
"Seifer?" she breathed. Quistis took a shaky step forward, then another until she was now moving to the mans side and stood staring. Scared to blink, for fear it was an illusion and it all might disappear. The man stirred and Quistis inhaled quickly, slowly his eyes opened staring straight up at the ceiling, blinking, and he looked in her direction. So many emotions showed in his face, and Quistis sat on the edge of the bed and her eyes welled up with tears then overflowed.
"Quis," Seifer said quietly, "You know I don't like it when you cry."
Quistis quickly wiped the tears from her crystal blue eyes and regained her composure before she tried to form words.
"How?....Where?......Why?" Quistis said quietly, all the questions that been unanswered for so many years came into her head all at once. She fell silent when she felt him place a finger lightly on her lips, he dropped his hand back down on the bed.
"Shh," Seifer said softly and he grimaced with pain as he moved to sit up, "I wanna tell you and him what happened. Is in Garden right now?"
"Uh, I ," Quistis was interrupted by the infirmary door opening and a confused Collin blew in.
"Doctor Kadowaki, do you know where my mom is?" Collin asked quickly.
"She's right there dear," the doctor said nodding to the infirmaries one bed.
Collin eyes followed in the direction of the doctors nod. He slowly turned and brought himself to his full height and didn't let any emotion show on his face. Looking back at Collin was his mother and someone he hadn't seen in years, his father. Inside Collin was full of so many emotions it was all he could do to keep his face from showing them. He took a cautious step forward, an announcement echoed over the intercom, "All SeeD Candidates who participated in today's exam please report to the second floor by the classroom"
"I gotta go," Collin said quietly before he turned and left his gray trench coat billowing behind him.
"First time taking the test?" Seifer asked looking over to Quistis who nodded smiling with pride, "Maybe he'll break my record?" Seifer said jokingly trying to lift his spirits.
"He'd better not!" Quistis said laughing quietly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Collin quickly exited the elevator as its doors slid open to the second floor. Why didn't I say anything? Collin walked down to where the SeeD candidates were gathered waiting to hear who passed. Collin found Cal, Aldice, Crean and Kiana were waiting silently by the corner. He received a few nods from his friends as he approached them. Everyone around was nervous and when a SeeD came out of the classroom carrying a sheet of paper they all tensed.
The SeeD stopped and read over the paper in his hands as he made his way through the parting crowd to where the corridors met, then he read off the names, "Allays, Rick." A tall brown haired teen stepped forward and went to wait near the elevator. "Almasy, Collin." Collin kept his face emotionless as he went and stood by the elevator. "Dincht, Aldice." Aldice smiled as she went to join Rick by the elevator. "Kinneas, Cal." Cal who had been holding his breath finally inhaled as he heard his name ands went to join the others. "Leonhart, Crean." Crean stepped forward confidently, Kiana was left. "Matthews, Kiana." Kiana let her breath out in a loud 'whoosh' as she too joined the others. "Palement, Jace." The teen who went with Collin on the exam had passed as well. "Riordan, Bradhadair." A tall brunette stepped forward and walked past Collin whose eyes followed her she walked gracefully towards the elevator, Wow.
"That is all," The SeeD said folding up the paper and headed towards the elevator, "You may go up now, the headmaster is waiting."
The elevator doors slid open and the new SeeDs boarded it and it took them to the third floor. The doors slid open again and the group piled out and was met by the instructors and headmaster. Each was given their grading sheet and were congratulated by the headmaster. Collin read over his sheet, level 5 SeeD. Collin went down stairs to his dorm, his spirits lifted. He got to his room and just looked around, need some music. Collin went over to his stereo and set the paper down next to it. His eyes skimmed over his collection of CDs, he stopped at his new Sum 41 cd and pulled it and popped it into his cd player then pressed play. Collin was reading over his grading sheet again when there was a knock at his door. Collin set the paper down on his bed and answered the door, his mom was there.
"Hey mom!" Collin said stepping aside to allow her in, "Guess what! I passed! You are now looking at this semesters best rookie SeeD."
"Congratulations!" Quistis said giving her son a quick hug.
"Don't be too cocky now, you hear?" a voice said from the door
Collin was momentarily confused, then he looked back at the door and saw Seifer, "So you're SeeD now?" fatherly pride was showing his green eyes.
"Yea," Collin replied, "Level 5!"
"That's pretty good," Seifer said leaning against the door frame, "Pretty damn good."
"Are you gonna come in or are just plannin' on standin' there?" Collin asked after a moment of awkward silence.
Seifer walked in and stepped off to the side so the door could be closed. He must hate me, who could blame him? What kind of father breaks promises to his son? Seifer's eyes glanced over the small room quickly.
"You planning on going to the SeeD ball tonight?" Seifer asked.
"I was plannin' on at least making a showing," Collin said, "Aldice would have a fit if I didn't."
"Aldice?" Seifer said puzzled for a minute, Oh yeah Zell and Selphie's girl, "Did she make SeeD?"
"Yeah," Collin said turning the stereo off. I wonder if Bradhadair is going to the ball? "I gotta go pick up my SeeD uniform soon."
"Ok," Seifer said slightly disappointed, He obviously doesn't want to talk, "We can talk later,"
"Yea sure," Collin said putting on his trench coat.
"I can't believe you still have that," Seifer said looking his son over, "That coat has been through a lot."
"It was the only thing besides Hyperion that was left behind," Collin said. I am still trying to figure out why.
Seifer nodded as Collin walked out the door. Seifer looked over at Quistis who was standing by the bed.
"We can talk later," Seifer looking down to the floor.
Quistis nodded, "Yes you can." She smiled as he moved his gaze towards her. "Come one let's go get something to eat."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Collin had just gotten back to his dorm when a knock came his door. It was Aldice, Probably wondering why I'm not ready...it's only two hours away.
"What Aldice?" Collin said letting the hyper girl into his room.
"Come on Collin get dressed!" Aldice said handing him his uniform that was hanging on the hook.
"Still got two hours before it even starts," Collin said hanging the uniform up again, "Why aren't you helping set up?"
"I have other matters to attend to," Aldice said trying to sound smart, "Get dressed, I have someone I think you should meet."
"You do, do you?" Collin said chuckling, "Better not be like the last girl you tried to set me up with."
"That's not funny!" Aldice said crossing her arms pretending to be offended, "I didn't know she was really guy! Honest!"
"It's not that hard to tell," Collin said dodging a punch from Aldice, "Ok, Ok! Truce. I'll check this one out, hopefully it's a girl."
"Hurry up and meet me in the parking lot," Aldice said going over to the door, "We're all gonna head into Balamb for dinner before the ball."
"Ok, See you in a few," Collin said pulling off his shirt and throwing it into the basket.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Collin get in we're ready to go!" Crean called out to Collin.
Collin jogged over to the car and climbed in. Collin looked around and saw all familiar faces and was confused, wasn't Aldice setting me up someone? I'll find out soon enough. The drive to the Ocean View restaurant in Balamb was short, but everyone was starving by the time they arrived. Collin climbed out and was pulled aside by Aldice.
"Look," Aldice whispered to Collin, "You've already met the girl, it's Kiana....."
"Kiana?!" Collin whispered in surprise pulling away quickly, "No! Not a chance!"
"Collin please?" Aldice said pleading, "She really likes you!"
Collin stared at Aldice giving him her puppy dog eyes and knew that the whining would come next so he relented. "Fine," Collin said not wanting to listen to her whine, "but you owe me!"
"You'll like her if you give her a chance," Aldice said beckoning Kiana over, "Trust me"
Collin snorted but kept his comments to himself, he plastered a smile on his face. Just for dinner. Collin silently walked into the restaurant and Kiana followed silently. The hostess seated them and gave them the menu. Collin didn't pay any attention to Kiana, who sat on his right side Aldice was on his left, as he read the menu. After a few moments Collin felt a sharp kick in his shin and gave Aldice an angry glare as she mouthed 'talk to her!' and she gestured to Kiana. Collin rolled his eyes as he moved his gaze to Kiana.
"So," Collin said trying to think of something to talk about, "You passed the field exam?"
"Uh yeah," Kiana said her face slightly puzzled, "Level 2. What level did you make?"
"Level 5," Collin grinning, he liked the idea that he beat her.
"I figured you'd make higher than me," Kiana said, "You are the top student."
Collin blushed slightly at the compliment and let his mind wander until he felt a tickling sensation in his head. He quickly looked back at Kiana whose features were dazed, then she shook her head and she looked normal.
"Is something wrong Collin?" Kiana asked noticing his confused look.
"Nothing," Collin muttered, "It's nothing, my heads just been a little funny lately."
"Hmm," Kiana replied, He can tell when someone tries to enter his thoughts, this is going to take longer than I thought.
The waitress came back and took orders. The conversation flowed freely among everyone, most expressed their relief about passing the field exam.
"I was so surprised to pass and get such a high level," Cal said.
"What level?" Collin asked.
"5," Cal said grinning.
"Hey, same here," Collin said, "What level did you guys make?"
"4," Aldice said blushing slightly.
"I got 4 too," Crean said.
"Good job," Collin said nodding.
"What level did you make Kiana?" Cal asked.
"Level 2," Kiana muttered, staring hard down at the table embarrassed.
"Hey it's no big deal," Cal said seeing her embarrassment, "You don't have to start off at higher level to be considered skilled."
"Yea," Aldice agreed, "There are probably several other SeeDs who are at the same level and they've been SeeDs for years."
Kiana looked up tentatively at the friendly faces surrounding the table, a slight smile crept across her face. "You're right," Kiana said, "I'll prolly have the same SeeD rank as you guys. Maybe even higher." She gave a shrug as she took a sip of her water. The others around the table seemed pleased that they had comforted her and started talking about other things.
Collin stared at the menu not reading it until he felt another tickling sensation, this time near the base of his skull. He immediately stood up, I gotta get outta here, he thought instantly. The others at the table and surrounding tables stared in his direction because of his sudden outburst.
"Excuse me," Collin said feeling the back of his neck reddening, "I got something to do, I'll meet up with you guys at the dance."
No one could say anything before Collin turned and left, once outside he ran his hand through his hair and started off towards the car rental. He didn't have Hyperion with him and he didn't want to get attacked by a monster unarmed, even though he could very easily defend himself.
Collin was lost in his thoughts as he drove back to Garden. What is it about Kiana that makes me so uncomfortable? And Why have I been getting the tickling sensation in my head lately? Collin concentrated on the winding road while thought about this. He thought about all the times its happened. It started the first time I met Kiana, when I was showing her around. But it wasn't that noticeable. Collin rubbed his chin as drove still thinking, he had to dodge some bite bugs that flew across the road at that time. "Damn bugs." I felt it again when I ran into that guy in the cafeteria, it was a lot stronger then......I don't know, maybe Kiana just makes me feel uneasy and my brain is trying to tell me something bad with come from them. Great now I'm getting paranoid. Collin drove the car straight into the parking lot when he arrived at Garden. He sat in the car a few minutes before getting out and went into the circular center of the Garden.
Collin looked around, not very many people were around they were either setting up the ballroom or in town at a restaurant. He checked his watch and decided to head to the library, the only place where he could think and not ruin his uniform.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Collin arrived late to the SeeD Ball like he planned to do, better late than never. He quickly searched the sea of heads and saw the brunette he was looking for. She was surrounded by a group of her friends on the edge of the dance floor. Collin smirked as he wove through the couples towards Bradhadair. She looked up and her eyes met Collins as he made his way to her, his smirk transformed into a charming smile as he came up to her.
"Wanna dance?" Collin asked offering her his arm.
Bradhadair glanced around quickly before answering, "Yes," she answered smiling taking his arm. Collin led her to the middle of the dance floor and pulled Bradhadair close and moved slowly in time with the music.
"So uh, Bradhadair," Collin started, "That's an interesting name."
Bradhadair nodded, "Yea, it means 'fire starter'" Bradhadair said, "most of my friends call me Brad for short."
Collin nodded, "A girl named Brad," Collin commented, "Cool." Collin started to feel uncomfortable and glanced around.
"Something the matter?" Brad asked noticing his uneasiness.
"Uh no, nothing's wrong," Collin said still searching for the source of his uneasiness. The music stopped and Collin knew he had to get out of there, " Thanks for the dance," Collin said looking her in the eyes and slowly backing away, "I'll see ya around." He then quickly turned and practically ran to the nearest exit.
"What's up with blondie?" came a voice behind Bradhadair, her friend Diarmuid.
Bradhadair just shrugged, "He seemed totally freaked."
"Was it something you did?" Diarmuid asked.
"I didn't do anything too weird, we were just talking and all of a sudden he started getting all nervous. He doesn't have a girlfriend does he?" Bradhadair said her green eyes turned to Diarmuid.
"How should I know?" Diarmuid said disgusted, "People like him don't bother with people like us unless they need something."
"Will stop that crap!" Bradhadair said controlling her voice, "This is practically different world from home."
"That's 'cuz it is," Diarmuid said quietly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Damn him! Kiana was right when she said he is able to tell when she tries to enter his thoughts. I thought it was because she was too slow when she did it, so I tried to get in quickly and he immediately knew. No matter, there are other ways to get the information we need. It may be a risk but the risk does not outweigh the urgency of the situation.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Collin quickly shut the door to his dorm and leaned against the wall pressing his palms against his head as if it were about to explode. What is going on in my head? I've never felt that before, it was like a siren going off in my head. Maybe a good nights rest will help, yea things will be better in the morning. Collin got in bed without changing or even locking his door and fell asleep immediately.
A few seconds, later a darkly dressed man entered the room and stood over Collin's sleeping form. Let's see what your fate is. The man lightly touched Collin's temple and closed his eyes and concentrated, if he invaded the teen's mind for too long he could wake and that could be fatal to both men.