Disclaimer: I don't own FF8...
Author's Note: Thank you so much for your reviews! I just finished reading this book called Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith. I highly suggest that all of you go out and read it! It is my new favorite book and it is simply amazing! If you enjoy a good fantasy novel that has action and romance, then you should definitely read it!
Never Free
Chapter 9- Close Call
What am I going to do with that boy? Cid asked himself. He's one of our top agents, but he's letting his personal feelings interfere with his job... Cid's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Sorry for interrupting, Sir, but you said that you wanted to see me?" Seifer asked.
"Ah, Seifer...thank you for coming. I called you here because of Squall."
"Squall? What about him, Sir?"
"Do you know anything about his relationship with Rinoa Heartilly?"
"I haven't really talked to him that much, Sir, but when I do, he never mentions her."
"Personally, Seifer, do you think that something is going on between Squall and Rinoa?"
"Well...I don't know, Sir."
"Honestly, Seifer..."
He sighed. "Well, honestly, yes. Squall's been acting weird lately. I'm only telling you because he's my friend, and I don't want to see him get hurt."
"By getting emotionally attached to Rinoa, he is putting both of their lives in danger. We are sending Rinoa on a mission today. We'll see how Squall handles it. This is his final chance..."
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"We have in our possession a man by the name of Steven Cristow. We believe that he has been working for Galbadia. Today, we are sending you off to Galbadia Garden to steal some important files they have in their basement. Cristow should be able to supply us with the codes that we need." Squall explained.
"Okay. Who am I going to be this time?" Rinoa asked.
"Your name is Serena Valentine. You are making sure that Galbadia Garden fits the hygiene rules."
"Hygiene?"
"You know, bathrooms. You're an inspector for the Galbadian government." She just stared at him. "What? Don't look at me like that."
"That's the best cover you could come up with?" She laughed.
"I didn't come up with it. You can thank Seifer for that one." Squall smiled slightly.
"Alright, when do I leave?"
"The train leaves in forty-five minutes."
"One more question. Am I going alone?"
"Yes, but you'll be in contact with Seifer and myself through your earpiece. Good luck."
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Rinoa sat at the bench outside of the Balamb Train station. The train was expected to arrive in five minutes. To fit Rinoa's new personality as Serena Valentine, she had lightened her hair to brown. She had on a yellow sweater and a black knee-length skirt. To finish off her outfit, she had on black leather boots and a black
bag hung on her arm.
Rinoa looked up as she heard the sound of the train pull in. She got up from the bench and boarded the train. Will we ever really bring down Galbadia? The only thing that gets me up in the morning is knowing that someday Galbadia and Billows will be defeated...
Rinoa stared out the window and sighed. What about Squall? No matter how hard I try to conceal it, I can't deny my feelings for him. I wonder if he feels the same way...?
"Oh, Squall..." Rinoa whispered.
"Rinoa, is there a problem?" A voice asked.
Rinoa looked around her, but didn't see anyone. I could have sworn that was Squall speaking just now...
"Rinoa, are you there?" Suddenly, Rinoa remembered that Squall was on the other line and could hear anything that she said. She felt her face getting hot.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She replied.
Finally, the train came to a stop and Rinoa disembarked swiftly. She entered Galbadia Garden, where she was met by a woman at the front gate.
"Excuse me, Miss, may I help you?" The woman asked.
"Actually, yes." Rinoa replied, making her voice higher than usual. "My name is Serena Valentine. I work for the Galbadian government and I am here to make sure that the hygiene in this facility passes Galbadia's codes of law."
"Hygiene, Ms. Valentine? May I see some proof that you are really who you say you are?"
"Of course." Rinoa opened her bag and took out some fake papers. "Here you are."
The woman looked them over carefully. "Alright Ms. Valentine, I will allow you to proceed." She handed Rinoa a pin. "Put this on and no one will bother you."
Rinoa pinned it to her sweater. "Thank you." She said as she hurried away. She entered one of the bathrooms and checked to make sure it was empty. Then, she entered one of the stalls and contacted Squall.
"Alright, I'm in Galbadia garden. I'm going to head to the basement now."
"Okay, Rin. Be careful..." Squall told her.
Rin? I kinda like that! She exited the bathroom and quickly made her way to the elevator. She pushed the button for the basement and cautiously left the elevator.
"Okay, Squall, where am I going?"
"Three doors to your left. There should be a triangular shape marked on the door. Do you see it?"
"Yes."
"Alright. You have to enter the code 752AD35."
Rinoa did as she was told and the door unlocked. "Alright Squall, I'm in."
"Good. All you have to do now is get the files. There should be a file cabinet to your left. Do you see it?"
"Yeah, it's right here."
"You need to get all of the files in the bottom drawer. Be on your guard."
"Got ya."
Back in Squall's office, Steven Cristow started laughing hysterically.
"What the hell is so damn funny?" Seifer snapped at him.
"You'll see..." Cristow said as he continued to laugh.
"Seifer, what the hell is going on?" Squall asked, worriedly.
"This maniac here seems to think that something's funny." Seifer replied.
"Alright you sick son of a bitch, tell me why you're laughing." Squall grabbed him by the collar. "Tell me!"
"Your little friend isn't going to be very successful in her mission." Cristow finally said.
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Squall demanded. Before Cristow could answer, Rinoa started talking.
"Squall, come in!" She shouted.
"Rinoa, what's wrong?"
"After I took the files out, the door shut behind me, and now I smell something... Oh my God, Squall, it's gas! Gas is being released into the room and I can't get out!" She said frantically.
"Hang on, Rinoa! Just stay calm, we'll get you out of there!"
"You gave us the wrong code, didn't you?!" Seifer screamed at Cristow.
"What's the right code?!" Squall yelled. "Tell me now!"
"No, not until I have a guarantee that you won't kill me!" Cristow argued.
"Fine, just give me the code!" Squall was starting to panic.
"Squall, the gas is everywhere! I can't breathe!" Rinoa shouted.
"Listen, I swear to you that I'll get you the paper, just give me the code."
"I already told you, I won't tell you anything until you give me that paper."
"Seifer, start typing. I'll go get Cid to sign it." Squall hurried out of the room in search of Cid.
"Squall, are you there?" Rinoa asked.
"He stepped out for a minute, Rinoa. Don't worry, we are going to get you out." Seifer assured her.
"I'm not going to make it, Seifer! I'm so dizzy!"
"Just hang in there, Rinoa! Don't give up...for Squall!"
Just then, Cid and Squall barged into the office just as Seifer was printing the paper. "Give that to me!" Cid demanded. Seifer obeyed and Cid signed it. "I advise you to give us the code now."
"Alright. The code is 237B113." Cristow told them.
"Rinoa, the code is 237B113. Do you have that?" Squall asked, worrying that it was too late.
"Yeah, I'm entering it now." She said weakly. She entered the last digit and the door swung open. Rinoa rushed out, she couldn't wait to get out of there. Unfortunately, she was greeted by two Galbadian soldiers. Shit!
"What do you think you're doing?!" One of them asked.
"Kicking your ass." She replied as she kicked him in the groin. With him down, she spun around and faced the other one. She punched him in the head and kneed him in the stomach. Then, she ran away from them and into the elevator. Once on the main floor, she composed herself and walked up to the woman at the front gate.
"Here's your pin. This facility has passed the hygiene test with flying colors!" She told her.
"Did you expect any less? Have a nice day, Ms. Valentine." The woman said as she shook her hand.
Rinoa walked away and out of the door. Once outside, she took in a deep breath of fresh air. God, it's good to be alive...
Author's Note: Does anyone know where that last quote was taken from? I'll read and review all of your fics if you're the first person to get it right. Don't forget to review!