Chapter 4: " ...You're joking.... right?"

After the ride on the Ragnarok to Esthar, the group took a car to the presidential residence. Seifer the whole time whined and complained about how weird the people dressed, and Zell implied he might have been gay with his fashion comments, and was then smacked upside the head. Yes, it was a bumpy ride, Irvine and Squall were forced to pull Seifer and Zell away from killing each other a few times, and Quistis had to scold Seifer for trying to shave Zell's head with his gunblade on the way to Esthar. But, they finally made it there, and everyone was okay, exception of Zell's few missing chunks of hair, and Seifer's swollen nose. But they'll heal.

" So we're going to the President's place, huh?" Seifer sniffled a bit, and looked around, and up at the huge buildings.

" Yes, to meet President Laguna. Seifer mind your manners, or you'll regret it dearly," Quistis crossed her arms taking the authority tone of voice.

" Yeah yeah," Seifer blew her off.

Squall looked around a little, it didn't look much different from before, only a little more chaotic.

" Let's go," Squall didn't really wait he just started right towards the Presidential Palace.

" This place is just so big!!" Selphie spun around looking up as she walked.

" Uhh, Selphie, maybe you shouldn't do that," Irvine ketp his hands up ready to catch her when she fell.

" Hey, Squall," Rinoa had to walk a bit faster to keep up with him. " It's been a while since we came here, huh?"

" Yeah...," Squall just gave the one word answers.

"... I wonder how President Laguna is doing," Rinoa looked at his face to see if he was even paying attention, which he wasn't.

"..."

" Is something on your mind, Squall?"

" No"

" Oh c'mon, it's easy to tell."

" Whatever."

" Why can't you ever share what you think?"

Squall shrugged. Rinoa shook her head and decided to try later, they were almost to the Presidential Palace. The group arrived at the front gate, the guards approached them.

" Can we help you?" Said the first soldier.

" We're from Balamb, the SeeD President Laguna sent for..," Squall stepped forward and did the SeeD salute.

" Who?" The soldier sounded a bit confused, as he looked to the other.

" Ah! Good, the President has been awaiting you!" this soldier seemed to be a bit more awake. He led them to the transport.

" It'll hold three of you at a time," he said motioning to it.

" Selphie, Irvine, and Zell, you three go first," Squall ordered. And the threee obeyed. The transparent bubble locked around then transport as it zipped away into a tunnel.

" So, who's next, Mr. Leader?" Seifer looked over at Squall.

" Quistis, Rinoa, and you," Squall replied.

" You're going alone?" Rinoa asked.

" Yeah..,"

" I'll come with you," she offered smiling.

"...," Normally Squall would turn this down... but.., " Thanks."

The transporter came back empty, ready for the next pair. Quistis and Seifer sat down, and the bubble locked over them, as it zipped away. Rinoa and Squall were left alone.

" It's been a while.. since we've been here, huh?" Rinoa put her hands behind her back.

" Only a month," Squall said simply.

" Yeah, it's still kind of a long time."

" I guess."

" Hey! After we're done here, let's go have fun!" Rinoa suddenly jumped up delighted with the idea.

" Have fun?" Squall turned his head to look at her.

" Yeah! There's gotta be some stuff to do around here! I mean the city's so big and all," Rinoa's eyes lit up, Squall nodded.

" Alright....," I need a break anyway. " It sounds good to me," and for the first time in a month, a small smile spread across Squall's face. Rinoa's eyes practically popped out of her head.

" You're smiling!!"

" It's not a big deal...."

" It is!! It's a very big deal to me."

" I'm glad it means something to someone," Squall's smile faded.

" I think it means a lot to everyone, it's a rare event. And you look so cute when you smile, Squall," Rinoa giggled. Squall fidgeted a bit. " Squall... are you blushing?!! You are!"

" No I'm not," Squall shook his head. The transporter came back ready for them. " Come on, let's go."

" You can't get away from me, Squall, we still have the whole ride to the palace," Rinoa grinned and grabbed his hand.

"...," Squall sat down and stared at the ground.

" This place is huge, I swear I'm gonna get lost," Zell spun around rubbing the back of his head.

"...Of course you're going to get lost, Chicken Wuss, you're just st-," Seifer started, but was cut off by Quistis.

" Don't start Seifer, remember you're here to redeem yourself, so I suggest behaving," Quistis raised her brows and crossed her arms.

" I'm terribly sorry Instructor Trepe," Seifer said sarcastically.

" Seifer, remember I am here to supervise you. Anything you do wrong I mark down, so show some respect towards others," Quistis's voice became authority-like.

" Yeah yeah," Seifer rolled his eyes.

" Don't make me treat you like a child, Seifer," Quistis shook her head.

"....," Seifer didn't like being called a child at all, this he found was very annoying. He didn't like Quistis being able to tell him what to do, hell, he didn't like Squall being able to tell him what to do either.

" Heheh, you got told...," Zell snickered.

" Zell, the same goes for you," Quistis shot him a look.

" Me?!!"

" Yes, you."

" Hey!! They're here!!" Selphie pointed to the transport carrying Squall and Rinoa. The transport came to a stop and the bubble turned off. Rinoa got up first and joined the group, Squall followed.

" So where do we go now?" Seifer said a bit anxious.

" Follow me," Squall lead them down the hall and to the President's room. A few guards stopped the bunch.

" Can we help you?"

" We're the SeeDs President Laguna sent for," he saluted the SeeD salute.

" He sent for SeeD?" the two guards looked at each other and mumbled something.

"... That's right, sorry, yes. You may go in. Squall thought Not very organized...

" Thankyou," Squall pushed the doors open and walked into the transparent floored room. " President Laguna, you sent for us?"

" Ah ha!! You're here! Wow you sure are quick!" Laguna walked over and shook Squall's hand. Squall shook it but pulled away quickly.

" What is the mission briefing?" Squall got right down to business, the others giggled a bit at his seriousness.

" Well uhh...," Laguna scratched the back of his head. " How 'bout we discuss this later? I'm sure your friends would like to explore the city, just don't get lost eheheh," Laguna laughed nervously.

"...Whatever," Squall didn't find it funny at all. " Alright disperse for now."

" WHOO HOO! C'mon Irvy!! " Selphie grabbed Irvine's arm and was gone in a flash saying something about shopping. Seifer walked out after them, Quistis kept an eye and him and Zell as they walked out. Rinoa waited for Squall.

" Squall!... Heh, Umm, do ya think I could talk to you a second, it won't take long," Laguna again scratched the back of his head.

" I'll go wait outside," Rinoa waved at Squall and walked out.

" What is it?" Squall turned to Laguna hand on his hip.

" Well, I've been meaning to talk to you about this for a while, I guess I just never got around to it, heh," Laguna began to pace a little. Squall watched a bit annoyed.

" Ah," Squall said in a monotone.

" So uhh.. Hey, did you want a candy?" Laguna held out a bowl full of candy from his desk.

" No thanks... What is it you needed to talk to me about?"

" Heh," Laguna set the bowl down and rubbed his hands together. " Well, umm... let's see, how do I put this..?"

Squall grew impatient and began to shift. " I don't know..."

" Alright, I guess I should just be blunt, huh?"

" Okay."

" Well, Squall.... You have your mother's eyes, did you know that?" Laguna again nervous.

" So I'm told...," Squall crossed his arms. " Is that what you were going to tell me?"

" Do you know who your mother is?" Laguna blinked a few times.

" No."

" Don't you care?"

" No."

" Well, why not?"

Squall shrugged. " I never knew her, I guess I just don't care."

" Well I knew your mother," Laguna smiled.

" That's nice."

" Squall... you're mother died," Laguna looked down a bit sad.

" So I figured."

" She got very sick when you were little," Laguna shook his head.

" Look, if you're going to talk to me about my mother I'd rather not, I never knew her and I don't really care," Of course this was a lie, deep down he did care, he wanted to know everything about her and his father.

" No... no that's not it," Laguna looked back up at Squall. " Squall....," he smiled. " She chose that name very well, your eyes look like a squall."

" Whatever," Squall was really annoyed now. " Look I'm just going to leave now," he headed towards the door.

" Wait, Squall!" Laguna gathered all his courage and spoke. " Raine was your mother!"

Squall stopped in his tracks, but kept his back to Laguna. Right then a bomb dropped on his head, thoughts swarmed everywhere, he couldn't keep track. Raine?!! My mother?!!! But...... but.... she.... Raine.... Ellone..... Laguna....

" And... Squall... that's make me your dad," Laguna looked at Squall's back.

"...........," Squall was speechless... All this time, Laguna was his father... After all he'd said about him, and what he thought of him.... and now this?

So.. Ellone chose well.... Laguna...... my father?.... This can't be.... This has to be a joke.... a joke, that's what it is....

Squall turned around looking right into Laguna's eyes.

" You're joking...... right?"