Squall had a headache. The past five months of his life had been nothing but arrogant policemen and angry citizens. Ever since the escape in December, the news reporter's have hounded him like he was a superstar. In fact, much to everyone at Garden's amusement, he was featured on a Bop magazine as a teen idol. Zell bought three copies, two for himself and one for his mom. Squall almost exploded when Zell read the article to him.

"The dreamboy, Squall, enjoys walking in the park and romantic dinner's when he isn't chasing after criminal masterminds. His favorite color is red because he says it's the color of true love. His sexy scar and wavy hair are beautiful, but they don't compare to his inner beauty. Fortunately, he's single and looking for a sexy lady to spice up his life. So come on readers, maybe you'll be the next Mrs. Leonheart." Zell grabbed his sides and rolled along the bed in laughter. His eyes were tearing and he was having a hard time breathing.

Squall sat with an angry, irritated expression on his face. "I never said that!" He yelled, but Zell couldn't help laughing.

That was a few weeks ago, another unsuspecting victim was on the cover now. Zell stood behind Squall at his desk and rubbed his shoulders. "Listen," Squall growled into the receiver. "I'm doing everything I can to find them but it is a little difficult. They don't want to be found and they're making damn sure that they're not! So stop calling me. You're the police chief, you look for them. This is not my affair! I am a SeeD, not a bounty hunter." Squall slammed the phone down and buried his face in his hands.

"You need a vacation, Hon." Zell said, kneading Squall's temples in little circles, "You and I need to go away for a few weeks. To a resort or something."

"You think so?" Squall asked, a hint of relief flooding his voice. He turned around and hugged Zell who was more than welcome to accept the temporary change in his otherwise moody boyfriend. The tattooed man decided to make some phone calls.



Squall stretched luxuriously near the hotel pool in a resort in Dollet. Zell was engrossed in a trashy novel beside him. "I'm going for a walk." Squall said, Zell didn't look up from his book.

Squall walked through the crowded street, remembering the mechanical spider that almost destroyed him here. That seemed like an eternity ago. He thought about Seifer, he ran ahead, leaving them behind. He hated Seifer then. But now, as much as he wanted to see Seifer again, he hoped he never would. He hoped he was happy and staying out of trouble with Sephiroth, wherever they may be.

squall's inner dialog was suddenly interrupted as a punkish looking guy ran right into his shoulder. They both stopped. Obviously, both men had been in a deep state of thought and hadn't watched where they were going. Squall reached out a finger and slowly traced the scar that ran in a crooked line between the other man's eyes. Seifer starred at him with intense green eyes, giving his old friend a lopsided smile before he disappeared into the stream of people again. Squall smiled to himself as he too slipped into the endless sea of tourist and village folk. He had some unfinished business to take care of.

Sephiroth stood by the door of the cottage awaiting Seifer's return. "Took you long enough." He scolded, "I was getting worried."

Seifer hefted the grocery bags up in his arms and walked into the abode. "Well, I met an old friend." Sephiroth gawked in horror. "No no no, nothing to worry about. We're still safe. It was a friend."

Sephiroth glared uneasily at the younger man but accepted the information. He was about to interrogate his lover for details when a knock on the door caused both men to jump. Seifer looked at Sephiroth, frightened. Sephiroth opened the door but no one was there. He looked down at a large package on the step and carried it inside.

"What is it?" Seifer asked. "It says my name."

Sephiroth handed the heavy box to Seifer who opened it, knowing what it was immediately. He delicately lifted his gunblade, Hyperion, from the box and sliced it through the air. He laughed delightedly, running his fingers along the edge, admiring it.

"There's a note." Sephiroth said, picking up a piece of paper at the bottom. "It says: 'Seifer, Here it is. Don't ask me how I found it. Think of it as a late Christmas gift. Try and stay out of trouble. Yours always, Squall'."

Seifer took the note from Sephiroth, holding it lovingly. He gripped the gunblade in his hand, flexing and un-flexing. Sephiroth ran his hand down the taught muscular arm and drug Seifer into a long kiss. Seifer smiled wistfully as the older man pulled out a set of notebooks and set them on the table. "I've been thinking." He said, an ominous look passing over his soft, feminine features, "How would you like to help tie up some loose ends."

Seifer glanced down at a notebook and it read, 'Taking over the world stage one: wiping out the military.' Seifer's smile disappeared and he felt his stomach turn.

"What's wrong?" Sephiroth demanded. "This is the reason we came out here in the first place, is it not?" the older man was clearly annoyed. "I've working on this for months to surprise you."

"I'm surprised all right." Seifer trailed off, turning his back on his lover. Sephiroth stalked over and stood in front of him, forcing Seifer to look at him. "Look out that window Sephiroth." Seifer shouted, "Do you see those people down there? They're people Seph, people!"

Sephiroth said nothing, a perfect statue, staring at Seifer with unchanged sentiment. "Look." Seifer whispered, wiping his arm across his eyes, "I know this plan took a long time, I know you really wanted this. But I'm going to have to make you choose. And as ridiculous as it may seem. It's either me, or the world." He paused for a moment, not wanting to look at Sephiroth, whom he loved with all his might. "I'll give you some time to decide.." Seifer turned away, walking towards the door of the hut, tears already spilling onto his cheeks.

"Wait." Sephiroth choked, grabbing Seifer by the elbow and turning him around. Seifer kept his eyes on the floor, reluctant to look at his lover's face. Sephiroth lifted his chin gently, and as Seifer looked upon the older man he was shocked to see a tear glistening down his cheek. "I don't NEED any time to think about it!" He said, "You are my world." With that he pulled Seifer into a hug. They both hoped the moment would never end.

And they both lived happily ever after.

The end



Well I hope you liked it. I had some writers block at the end and you can see, I probably should have ended a few chapters ago. But thank you for reading.

Dusty