Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related things belong to SquareSoft.

Author's note: I fixed the formatting problems in both this and the next chapter. Sorry about that :)




Chapter 6: Old Friends
Scene: Passenger Train En Route to Balamb
The Next Day, Mid-Morning


Squall sat on the plush sofa of the SeeD drawing room, Rinoa lying with her head in his lap, asleep. It was nice of Cid to let us use this room, since they didn't need it right now, he thought. Squall had dimmed the lights so Rinoa could sleep, but he could still clearly see her face. He put down his book and stroked her black, silky hair with his left hand, playing with a few of the gold-highlighted strands. He gazed down at her closed eyes. He could see them moving under her eyelids, telling him she was dreaming. His right hand lay on her stomach, and, though she slept, both her hands had found their way onto his.

They both wore their normal outfits for their homecoming: Squall wore his black leather pants, white shirt, and boots, and Rinoa had on her black bodysuit and long blue jacket with matching forearm warmers. Squall's fur-collared leather jacket was lying on top of their luggage in the far corner.

The intercom chimes sounded, and the conductor's voice came over the speakers, "Ten minutes to Balamb station. Ten minutes to Balamb station. All passengers disembarking at Balamb please ensure you have all your belongings."

The chimes woke up Rinoa. She opened her eyes slightly and saw her husband looking down at her. She smiled and said, sleepily, "Hey there, love. How are you?"

"Being alone with you, could I be anything but great?" he said, smiling. Rinoa took his left hand from her hair and pressed it to her cheek. He loved the feel of her soft skin against his. "We're ten minutes from Balamb."

Rinoa grumbled and pursed her lips. "Ten minutes until we have to go back to the real world, and I have to go back into hiding. I guess nothing lasts forever."

"I can think of one thing that does." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Then, he kissed her lips. She tenderly returned the kiss.

Rinoa sat up on the couch, and then stood up on the vibrating floor. She headed over to the bags. "You know," said Squall, "you don't have to hide if you don't want to. Quisty, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, they all love you. They won't hate you or be afraid of you if they know."

Rinoa lowered her head slightly, but didn't look back to Squall. "I know. I'm not worried about them hating me." That's a lie, she thought. All the pain and suffering they endured at Ultimecia's hands, I just don't want them to be afraid I might do that to them someday. "I'm more worried about protecting them. There's a lot of people out there that hate even the idea of a Sorceress. Only you, our close friends, and those yoyos in Odine's secret lab even know that I ever had the powers. But if it somehow gets out that I'm still a Sorceress, I want to be able to say they didn't know, so they wouldn't be in danger."

Squall stood up, walked over, and embraced her from behind. "Do you regret telling me?"

Rinoa squeezed his hands in her own. God, he's so soothing. "No. Yes. I...sometimes, I don't know. I mean, when we make love, I let my powers flow out and around us, because it's who I am and I know you love me for it. But, sometimes I do worry that you'll have to give up everything that means anything to you, because of me. Or worse, your life."

"Hey," said Squall, turning her around. He lowered his head until he was looking into her eyes. "The only thing that truly means anything to me is you. If it came to that, I'd walk away from SeeD and take you far away where no one would ever hurt you. I swore I'd be your knight, and I vowed to be your husband. And I'll honor those, not just because I promised I would, but because I love you more than life itself."

Rinoa gave him a slightly sad smile. Squall pulled her into his chest, where she snuggled her head. "I love you so much, Squall. Sometimes you're the only thing that keeps me from going insane with worry."

Squall rubbed her back. "I promise that I'll never leave your side. I'll keep you safe, even from your own worry-wart self."

Rinoa laughed and shoved one of his arms away. "Well, then," she said, her mood noticeably lighter, "is everything still packed?"

"It was a couple hours ago that we put it all there, and it hasn't moved an inch."

Rinoa took Squall's jacket off their luggage and examined the various bags and suitcases on the floor. They had Squall's one and her three suitcases, and two bags full of souvenirs and mementos from their trip around the world. "Looks like it's all ready to go. Just hope someone's there to pick us up."

Squall absent-mindedly played with her hair from behind her. "When I called Selphie before we left Deling, she said someone would be there. But if they're not we can just rent a car. No big deal."

"Ah, always the problem solver, Mister Leonhart?"

Squall bent over and kissed the nape of her neck. "Always, Missus Leonhart." Rinoa turned around, stood on her toes, and kissed Squall, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

The intercom chimes sounded again. "Five minutes to Balamb station. Five minutes to Balamb station. All passengers debarking at Balamb please be ready."

Five minutes of kissing later, the train ground to a halt. They opened the door for the porter, who loaded their bags onto his cart and wheeled them onto the train platform. There to greet them was none other than Irvine Kinneas.

"Irvy!" said Rinoa, running up to him and giving him a hug, "How are you?"

"Doin' just fine," said Irvine. "No conquests recently though. Slow time for the ol' cowboy."

Squall gave Irvine a skeptical look. Aren't you supposed to have proposed to Selphie? Irvine caught his eye and winked.

"Well, let's get your stuff into the car and get you both home. Garden just hasn't been the same without you." Irvine grabbed two of the suitcases, grunting under the weight. He hauled them up to the Garden car and tossed them in the large passenger compartment. Squall carried two more of the bags into the car, and then seated himself and Rinoa inside.

Irvine placed the last two bags in the car, commenting, "Jeez, did you guys buy the whole damn planet?"

"No, but if we'd known it'd be you carrying the bags, we'd have gotten more rocks." Squall gave a sly half-smile to the cowboy.

"I'm surprised Zell let you pick us up. I figured he'd have been here since first thing this morning," said Rinoa.

"Well, ah, that's something I, uh," stammered Irvine, "Oh, hell. I didn't want to tell you until we got back to Garden, but Zell wrecked two cars last week. One that he was driving, and the other that he hit, parked in the lot at Garden."

Squall's head dropped into his hand. I can guarantee you'll never get to fly the Ragnarok now, Zell, he thought.

As Irvine drove them back home, he filled them in on the events of the past two weeks, leaving out everything having to do with Seifer. Quistis had told them all not to say anything to them about Sefier returning to Garden; Headmaster Cid had told her he wanted to break the news.

When they arrived at the Garden Parking area, they saw their friends all waiting for them, and a banner across the wall that said: "WELCOME HOME SQUALL AND RINNY!"

Squall and Rinoa got out of the car, and were greeted by the fiercely excited form of Selphie rushing up at them. She gave them both hugs and kisses. "How are you two? We missed you sooooooo much!"

"Hey, Sefie!" said Rinoa.

"Guess what?" Selphie said, hiding her left hand behind her back.

"What?"

She whipped her hand out and showed them her new ring. It was a golden dolphin holding a diamond with its snout. "We're getting married!"

"Oooohhh! I'm so happy for you Sefie!" Rinoa hugged her tightly.

"So you finally asked her, huh?" Squall asked Irvine.

"Yeah, I just couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to see her jump up and down for joy. 'Course, I could have just given her a balloon and she'd have been bouncing off the walls, but the ring was more fun," Irvine quipped. "She's shown it to just about everyone in Garden, except for S..." he stopped his mouth dead in its tracks.

Squall gave him a questioning look, but was distracted by Zell's slap on his shoulder. "Hey, man! How was the trip?"

"It was good," said Squall, not really wanting to go into details.

"'It was good,' he says. You're too much, man!" he put an arm around Squall's shoulder, which Squall tried desperately not to shake off. As much as he'd opened up, he still wasn't too keen on interpersonal contact. With anyone but his wife, that is. "C'mon, let's get your stuff to your new room! You guys'll love it! It's huge compared to the dorms, and you even get your own kitchen!"

"Hold on, Zell," said Quistis. "Sorry to come to you with this so soon after you get back, Squall, but Headmaster Cid needs to see you right away."

Squall's face suddenly went serious (more than it was, anyway). "Do you know what about?"

Quistis shook her head. "All I know is that he wanted to see you as soon as you got back."

Squall nodded. He put an arm around Rinoa's waist and kissed her cheek. "Like you said, back to the real world."

She smiled at him. "I'll see you when you get out."

As Squall headed toward Garden proper and the elevator to Cid's office, everyone else gave Rinoa a hand in taking the bags out of the car. As they carried them through the corridor toward the elevator, Selphie was gushing. "You're gonna loooove what we did to your apartment! It's the perfect little love nest for SeeD's favorite lovebirds! Well, after Irvy and me, that is."

Everyone else avoided commenting on that. She'll find out soon enough, thought Quistis.

When they reached the second floor, they took an immediate right, off the bridge leading out from the elevator. This led to an inner circular corridor that was lined with relatively large suites. They stopped at the third door down.

"As you know. the walls and door are soundproofed, so you don't have to worry about loud students in the hall waking you up, if you decide to sleep in. Or, if you don't want anyone outside to hear you, you know..." Irvine winked at her. Selphie elbowed him in the ribs, and Zell and Quistis both rolled their eyes as Quistis opened the door with Rinoa's new card key.

They stepped inside, and Rinoa stopped dead in her tracks. The walls were covered with images of teddy bears, doves, and pink hearts. There were pink and purple balloons tied to everything, including Squall's five-foot-long, Griever-adorned gunblade case.

"Whadda ya think, Rinny?" said Selphie. "Isn't it so cute?"

Rinoa looked at Quistis, who shrugged and tried to suppress a smile. "It's...it's...great, Selphie. Really. I don't know if Squall will go for it, though."

"Ah, he needs to lighten up," said Selphie, throwing herself onto the couch against the left wall.

Rinoa leaned toward Irvine and whispered, "Did she do this after you proposed to her?"

Irvine nodded. "Why do you ask?"

Rinoa pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. "No reason."

*

Moments earlier, Squall arrived at Cid's office. He opened the door and walked in. Cid was sitting at his desk, located to the right of the bridge platform.

"Squall, my boy!" said Cid, standing up excitedly. "How was the honeymoon?"

Squall scratched the back of his head. How does everyone expect me to answer this? "It was...good."

"Hah," said Cid, motioning for Squall to sit. "Sorry, I shouldn't pry into your personal affairs. Anyway, why did I bring you here, hmm?"

Is he asking me or is it a rhetorical question? Squall just kept silent.

"I have some good news for you, Squall. Because of our increasing number of students, and our projected increase in worldwide contracts, I am hereby making your position of SeeD Commander full-time. Effective immediately. I don't have the time to administer Garden and SeeD myself anymore, and I know you're up for the job. You'll be sent out on very few, if any, missions, and you have a new office just outside mine."

Squall was somewhat surprised. He'd just been promoted, but he didn't know what to feel. He'd be able to spend more time with Rinoa, when she wasn't out on missions, but he knew the amount of paperwork that Cid did on a regular basis. I should be thankful, I guess, he thought. This is a really great honor.

"I...thank you, sir," he managed.

"You've more than proven yourself, and since you've begun to open up more to people recently, I decided you would be able to handle really being the leader."

"I'll do my best," said Squall.

Cid smiled. "My boy, I don't doubt that in the slightest. Now, there's something else that I hesitate to mention to you, you having just returned from your honeymoon. But, I'd better tell you now before you find out on your own."

Squall knitted his brow. He was afraid of this. Every time things start looking up, there's always something to bring you down.

"Of our many new students here, we have one in particular that is a former...acquaintance of yours."

No, thought Squall. It can't be...

Cid took a deep breath. "Three months ago, Seifer Almasy petitioned Galbadia Garden to admit him as a student. Because he had led their entire Garden once, and because Edea testified that he was not in control of himself during the whole Ultimecia affair, he was allowed to enroll. I believe he also paid a handsome amount of gil to Headmaster Martine, but I can't confirm that.

"He then applied as a SeeD candidate. Since he had been cleared by Galbadia's court of any wrongdoing, and because he still had six months to graduate before he was...possessed, I saw no reason not to allow him to return."

Squall started to argue, but Cid waved his hand. "I know of your personal feelings in this matter, and I can't blame you. But he promised that he would not cause trouble, and that he would do his best to graduate as a SeeD within six months. If his being here is a problem for you, the best I can say is to avoid him. Let Quistis deal with him."

"Quistis?"

"Yes," said Cid. "I assigned her to be his personal mentor, to make sure he graduates, or at least stays out of trouble. And she's been doing an admirable job. Also, you may not know this, but as SeeD Commander, it is now your business: when I revoked Ms. Trepe's Instructor license a year ago, Seifer's behavioral problems were one of the main reasons. I also felt I'd made her an Instructor too early in her life, and that she hadn't had enough command experience or maturity to handle the job. She's changed much since then, and I feel that if she can turn Mister Almasy around, she is more than qualified for another chance at being an Instructor."

Squall nodded. "One of her biggest regrets that I remember was losing her Instructor position. I think she'll be a lot happier being one again. And as for me and Seifer, I can't avoid him forever, but I can promise that I won't cause any trouble between the two of us."

Cid smiled and nodded. "If I had any doubt about that, you wouldn't be Commander. Anyway, I know you'd like to get settled in your new apartment with your wife, so I won't keep you. Tomorrow morning I'd like to meet with you at oh-nine hundred hours to get you oriented in your new office with your new duties."

Cid stood up, and Squall followed, saluting him. Cid returned the salute, and shook Squall's hand. "Welcome home, Squall."

*

Selphie and Irvine had finally left the apartment, and Zell had gone to help teach a combat class. Zell had become somewhat of an icon at Garden, being the best hand-to-hand fighter anyone at Garden had ever known. It had given his ego a boost, but he was still bearable.

Quistis and Rinoa were left to make some attempt to clean up the apartment and make it look less sickeningly sweet. The balloons were the first things to be removed; they just had to decide what to do with them.

"You know, I feel bad about this," said Rinoa. "I mean, Selphie did go to a lot of trouble."

"Yeah, but would you be able to keep your meals down, having to look at all this every day?" asked Quistis, giving a half-smile.

"Good point," said Rinoa. "We'll just have to do something for her to make up. Hey! I have an idea. Let's have Squall decorate their apartment after they get married."

Quistis started laughing. "Yeah, sure. The walls will be plain white with assorted weapons and Griever emblems."

"And don't forget...he'll have a needlepoint just inside the door that says 'Whatever...'"

The women laughed, not noticing that Squall had just entered.

"Or, we could put up a sign on the door that says 'No Meanies Allowed'," Squall said dryly. When Rinoa gave him a hurt look, he started chuckling. Quistis laughed at his joke, and received a smack in the face with a balloon.

Squall looked around the room. Teddy bears, birds, and pink hearts. I wonder who did this? "You sure this isn't Selphie's apartment?"

"Well, she was trying to be nice," said Rinoa. "But I think we'll have to change a little bit of the decorations. Or a lot." She stood up and wrapped her arms around Squall, giving him a quick kiss. "So, how was your meeting with Cid?"

"Well, I have some good news and some bad news," Squall said. "The good news is that I've been promoted to full-time SeeD Commander, mostly I think to help Cid with paperwork. But that means I'll rarely be going away on missions."

"Really? That's great!" said Rinoa, giving him another kiss.

"Congratulations, Commander," said Quistis, standing up. She shook Squall's hand. "It's about time they permanently put you in that position. Cid's been pulling a lot of all-nighters doing paperwork and stuff."

"Great," said Squall. "Now there'll be two of us pulling all-nighters."

"But at least you won't be out on missions all of the time," said Rinoa. "And I can come see you when you're busy."

"Unless you're out on missions..." said Squall.

"Oh, stop it," said Rinoa. "You just got a big promotion, and we're going to be happy, 'k?"

Squall smiled and said, "Ok. How about lunch? My treat."

"Sure!" said Rinoa.

"Yeah, that sounds great!" said Quistis.

"And then we can come back and do something about this, uh...this," said Squall, gesturing to the apartment's decorations.

The three of them left the apartment and headed for the elevator. As they waited for the lift, Rinoa asked, "So, what's the bad news?"

Squall sighed and said, "I heard about the new student that Quistis here is watching over."

Quistis bit her lip. She wasn't looking forward to this. "Yeah, that's right. And he's doing really well, surprisingly."

Rinoa looked at Squall, confused. "Who's the new student? Quisty?" She looked at Quistis.

The elevator arrived, and after the students inside of it left, the three of them entered. Another student tried to get in with them, but Squall held up his hand. The student stopped and nodded, obeying Squall's unspoken order. He stood at attention until the lift doors closed.

"Headmaster Cid told me that Seifer was allowed back into Garden," said Squall. Rinoa looked at him, shocked.

"Seifer? But...he betrayed Garden, tried to kill us all, and then gave me to Adel as a sacrifice when we confronted her! And they let him back in?" Her feelings of distrust against Seifer were strong, but she still felt a little conflict, remembering how much she used to care for the young man. She knew that the Seifer they had confronted was not the same Seifer she'd known two summers ago. But people change, just look at Squall.

"Cid knows," said Quistis. "But Seifer was actually put on trial in Galbadia, and with Edea's testimony that he was under Ultimecia's mind control, he was acquitted. He spent time in Galbadia Garden, then transferred here to get his SeeD. And...he's changed. He still acts cocky and overconfident in himself, but having worked with him the past couple weeks, I think the whole Ultimecia affair changed him. I think he's started to finally grow up."

The elevator reached the first floor, and the door opened. There, standing in front of them, was a trio of Treppies. Quistis put her palm to her forehead, waiting for them to start gushing at her.

"Hey, Ms. Trepe! How are you?"

"Will you have lunch with us, Ms. Trepe?"

"You're looking so beautiful today!"

Squall glared at the students, stepping between them and Quistis. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Uh, no, sir, we don't," said the female Treppie. "Would it be okay if we...?"

"Ms. Trepe , Mrs. Leonhart, and I are going to an important meeting. Don't disturb us and don't follow us. Is that understood?" Squall's voice sounded as cold as it ever had.

"Y-yes, sir!" said all three.

Squall then escorted Rinoa and Quistis away from the trio, watching them with a stern eye.

Once Squall, Quistis, and Rinoa were out of earshot, the female Treppie said, "You know, Commander Leonhart's really dreamy. It's too bad he's married now."

"Yeah," said one of the male Treppies. His companions gave him a surprised look. "What?"

"Boy, Quisty," said Rinoa. "Must be nice to have a fan club. I usually get glares from female students who think I stole their man from them." She cuddled Squall's arm.

"Whatever," said Squall. "I catch male students checking you out often enough."

Quistis chuckled lightly. "You want my fans? You can have them. Sometimes, they get downright creepy the way they follow my every move."

Rinoa sighed. "At least you don't have to worry about lynch mobs."

Quistis put a hand on Rinoa's shoulder. "Rinny, no one outside of a select few of us knows what you once were. And that's not even an issue now, right?"

Rinoa refused to meet her gaze, but gave a depressed smile. "Hey," continued Quistis, "you're one of us, and we all stand up for each other, right?"

"Right," said Squall.

"Thanks guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably starve," said Squall, "without your husband there to buy you lunch."

Rinoa and Quistis laughed. They both enjoyed the fact that Squall actually felt comfortable cutting jokes.

How much he's changed, thought both women at the same time. He really is an amazing man.

I love him so much, thought Rinoa.

He's a really great friend, thought Quistis. They both are.

*

"Commander, welcome to your new office." Cid escorted Squall into his new workspace the next morning, a relatively small office located to the right of Cid's office on Garden's third floor.

Squall scanned the room over. Cid had gone to some trouble to have it decorated comfortably, and to have large bay windows installed. I have a feeling he expects me to be practically living in here, thought Squall. At least the room looks tolerable. He noticed a door on the right side of the office and walked over to it. Opening it, he saw a modern, professional washroom, complete with shower, toilet, sink, and medicine cabinet. Good Lord, he does expect me to live here.

"That's just for the long nights, or in case you decide you need a quick shower to freshen up during the day," said Cid. "Just remember, it's not for...you know..." he winked. Squall's cheeks turned red as he looked back at the office.

His eyes fixed on the mahogany desk sitting parallel to the windows at the back of the office. On it were a computer terminal and several stacks of papers. He walked over to the desk, and examined the papers.

"Yes, your duties for today," said Cid, following Squall to the desk. "At first, I'll leave you things to do in the mailbox on your door, or on your desk. As you get more comfortable in the position, I expect you'll be able to keep yourself busy. One thing, though...I'd like you to check the sheet on top of the pile to your left."

Squall picked up the sheet and looked at it. It was entitled "Assistant Instructor Assignment Order". The level circled was "3", and under the "Assignee" header was written "Rinoa Leonhart", with Rinoa's Garden serial number.

Cid smiled when Squall looked back up at him. "You know she's been pestering me about wanting to get training to teach the children here at Garden. Even though she's only been a SeeD for less than a year, I've seen how she deals with children, and she reminds me an awful lot of another ex-sorceress, to whom I am closely acquainted."

Edea, thought Squall. Cid just gave Rinoa a great compliment.

"Therefore," said Cid, "I've decided to post her as an Assistant Instructor, to give her a feel for the job. If she likes it and does well, I'll send her out for official training at Trabia."

"She'll be...she'll be thrilled," said Squall. "Thank you, sir."

"Well, I just approved it," said Cid, humbly. "You, Commander, are to assign her to an Instructor."

"Do you have any recommendations?" asked Squall.

Cid shrugged. "I think you would know better than I whom she can best work with. I'm sorry to cut your orientation short, but I have to meet with the Finance Director in a few minutes. If you have anything else you need my help with, just punch up my extension, send me an e-mail, or come on in. Good to have you aboard, Commander." With a smile and a nod, Cid walked out of the office.

Squall looked down at the paper in his hand, sighed, and sat down at his desk. He activated his terminal, and punched in his access code. Instead of the standard "Welcome/News" screen that most students and SeeDs see when they log onto the network, he saw a plain gray screen with a function menu on the right. For curiosity's sake, he touched each menu option with his finger, and looked at the many functions that were now available to him.

SeeD Ranking. Guardian Force Assignment. Disciplinary List.

Squall punched up Disciplinary List. The menu shifted out of sight, moving the Disciplinary List title to the top of the screen. Then, a spreadsheet dropped down from the title. In the leftmost column, there were names of various SeeDs, cadets, and faculty. Other columns, further to the left, had titles such as "Referred by Headmaster", "Referred by Garden Master", "Referred by Faculty", "Referred by Instructor", "Referred by Disciplinary Committee", "Infraction", "Recommended Disciplinary Action", and "Action Taken".

So, this must be the list Seifer was always referring to, thought Squall. He scanned the names, and saw a few familiar ones.

Dincht, Zell. There was a date under "Referred by Faculty", and he recognized it to be the day after they'd all graduated as SeeDs. Under "Infraction", it said, "Using T-board on Garden grounds (Reg. 86-1A)". "Action Taken" said, "T-board confiscated by Faculty."

Poor Zell, thought Squall. They never gave that back to him.

He scanned further down the list.

He noticed his own name, with one entry. The date was a few months ago, under "Referred by Faculty". "Had a Garden student of opposite sex in his dorm room after hours (Reg. 5-2C)." Huh? That was one of the first times Rinoa spent the night in my dorm room with me, I think. "Recommended Action": "Disciplinary probation and loss of rank by three levels". "Action Taken": "Unfounded charge, per Headmaster Kramer. No further charges of this nature will be accepted for this student".

Huh, thought Squall. They knew she was spending the night with me, not that I care what they thought. Guess Cid decided to give us a little leeway. Looks like we owe him even more than we thought.

"Enough of this," said Squall to himself. "Time to find Rinoa an Instructor."

*

Later that evening...

"Well, Seifer," said Quistis, "I just want to let you know you're doing extremely well, and, at this pace, I'm confident you'll pass the field exam with flying colors."

Seifer gave her one of his trademark half-smiles. "Told you I could do it."

"Just don't get too cocky. Remember how hard a lot of people work to get their SeeD positions."

"I know, I know." Then, changing the subject, "I hear Squall and Rinoa are back, and Squall's Commander now. Wasn't that his position a year ago?"

"Yes, it was," said Quistis, "but he was scaled back to regular SeeD for most of the time because we lost so many battling...Galbadia." Led by you, she barely avoided saying.

"Hm," replied Seifer. "Guess you got a reprieve, Squall."

"What?" asked Quistis.

"If I know Squall, and I do, he hated having to worry about anyone else. He's content to take care of himself, and let everyone else handle their own problems. He only worries about protecting someone that can't fend for themselves, like children or weaklings." Seifer crossed his arms, and looked off into space. "He didn't want to be responsible for leading anyone to danger."

Quistis walked up to where Seifer was sitting, and sat down beside him. "You know him pretty well," she said. "You actually sound like you admire him. I don't understand why you two never got along."

Seifer sat silently for a minute. Then, he simply said, "You wouldn't understand."

Quistis gave a small laugh. When Seifer looked at her questioningly, she said, "In some ways, you two are exact opposites. But in a lot ways, you're just the same. Neither of you like to share your feelings with other people. You both like fighting, and others may not believe this about you personally, but you both have a sense of honor."

Huh, thought Seifer. If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was attracted to me. Like that would happen. He stayed silent.

Quistis stood up and turned away from him, realizing how she'd just sounded. Are you gushing at him, Quisty? Stop it. You can't be attracted to him. He's your student, for all intents and purposes. And he's...well...Seifer.

Finally, Seifer spoke up. "Sounds like you're starting to like me, Quistis," he said. "Who'd have thought?"

Quistis crossed her arms, still turned away from him. She felt her cheekbones grow warm. Damn, why the hell am I blushing? "Don't read too much into it, Seifer. I find you more tolerable now than you were before. Anyway, time's up for tonight. You're dismissed."

Seifer stood up, and said, "Good. It's about time I went to see our illustrious Commander, got a few things straight between us."

Quistis whipped around and stuck a finger in his face. "Seifer, you will not confront Squall! I'm not going to have you throw away your only chance here at Garden so you can resume your petty squabble with him!"

"Hey, calm yourself, Quistis," Seifer said smoothly. "I told you before, I won't do anything stupid. But I still have to settle the score with Squall, and I'd rather do it sooner than later." With that, he walked out the door.

Quistis started to follow, but stopped herself. No, I can't protect him from himself. If he's determined to get himself thrown out, he'll do it one way or another. Squall can handle him.

*

When Seifer arrived at the third floor, he stepped out of the elevator and scanned the small lobby area. The large, ornate oak doors ahead of him obviously led to Cid's office. He saw another door to the right of Cid's, and decided to try it.

"Hey, y-you can't come up here without permission!" said Bowler Fisk, from behind his desk. He stood up, but decided not to confront Seifer, who was a head taller than the younger.

"I want to see Commander Leonhart," said Seifer evenly. "You going to stop me?"

For a second, Bowler looked he might try to do just that. Instead, he beeped Squall's desk phone.

Squall was filling out a duty roster sheet. His jacket hung on the back of his chair, and his hair was tousled. I've seen enough paperwork on just my first day to last me a lifetime, he thought. I need to get out of here.

Just as he finished that thought, his phone rang. Figures, he thought. He hit the speakerphone button and said, "This is Squall."

"Sir, there's a Mister..." started Bowler.

"Seifer," came another, familiar voice.

"...Seifer here to see you. He refuses to leave unless he can speak to you."

Squall put his palm to his forehead. Great, just the thing to wrap up a wonderful day.

"Bowler," he said, "Please tell Maintenance we need the elevator's third-floor lockout fixed. As for Seifer, let him in."

The door opened, and in strode Seifer, as cocky and condescending as ever. "Well, Commander Leonhart," he said, walking over to Squall's desk. Squall stood up, not sure what to expect from his one-time rival.

"Buried in paperwork, huh?" asked Seifer. "The great Squall Leonhart, world-acclaimed soldier and fighter, is stuck behind a desk. How ironic."

"Seifer, it's late, and I'm tired. Just get to the point or go away."

Seifer smirked. "You never could back down from a challenge."

Squall straightened up, adrenaline beginning to fill his veins. Don't have my gunblade or GFs with me, and doesn't look like he has his. Is he here to fight me hand-to-hand?

"I have a score to settle with you, Squall, and I've been waiting a year to do it." With that, Seifer shot out his hand, causing Squall to flinch as tried to dodge the imminent blow. Instead, he saw Seifer's hand was out, palm open. He looked at Seifer's hand, surprised.

"Well, you going to shake it, or just stare at it all night?" asked Seifer. Squall reached out and shook his hand firmly.

"Thanks," said Seifer.

Thanks? For what? "For what?" asked Squall.

"For stopping me before I did something even worse than I'd already done. And for not killing me when you had the chance."

Kill him? thought Squall. At the time, I had considered the possibility that I would have had to kill him, but I never wanted him dead. True, we thought he'd betrayed us all, and he and I were at each other's throats before that, but I never actually wanted him dead.

"I...I never wanted to kill you, Seifer," said Squall, as the handshake dissolved. "I just wanted you stopped."

"Well, whatever you wanted, you did good," said Seifer, trying not to sound too doting. "That's why I'm here now, and I'm going to earn my SeeD rank, whatever I have to do. Even act like you," he smirked again.

"You've changed, Sefier," said Squall. "You never would have talked to me like this before."

"Well, you try going through what I did, and you'd be surprised what changes inside you."

Squall thought about that for a minute. That's a good point. Could it have as easily been me taken by Ultimecia to be her knight? "It's...good to have you on board again, Seifer."

"Thanks," said Seifer. As he started walking out, he said, "But let's not start getting all chummy-chummy. I want a rematch, Leonhart. I think you'll find I've gotten quite a bit better in the past year." With that, he left Squall's office and headed for the elevator.

Squall sat down in his chair for a minute, thinking over Seifer's change, and realizing for the first time since he'd heard Seifer was back at Garden, that Seifer was dead serious about finishing his studies here.

If he's loyal to us, he could be one of our best allies, Squall thought. Hell, too late to be thinking about this. I'm going home for the evening. He got up, grabbing his jacket, and left his office, locking the door behind him.

Seifer or no Seifer, I'm going to try to enjoy my life.