Chapter 13: A Dark And Silent World Gets Lightened
When the Seeds got back to Garden, Miaka quickly called Carole's home to tell her friend would be staying in Garden with her for a while. This should buy them some time.
During the nights, Carole was sleeping in Miaka's room and during the day, she was with Squall. He was always coming to Miaka's room early to be sure she wouldn't need anything. Carole could speak but Miaka could't answer so things were pretty hard.
Squall could spend whole days with Carole, neglecting his training and duties. Their relationship soon became public for they were always walking together close to each other around Garden.
Time past slowly. Carole was always going to sleep, hoping to find the nest morning that everything was just a bad dream... but it was all so real...
Another SeeD exam occured and Rachel and Audrey took it and became SeeDs high handedly. The blind girl regreted she couldn't se her sister in the SeeD uniform so Rachel promised she wouldn't put it on until she would get her sight back. Most of her friends were optimistic unlike her who was ready for the worst. Maybe it was the SeeD's instinct.
One night, Squall was going to his room after a snack. It was almost the time for curfew so he had to go to bed. He was feeling pretty sleepy.
Making his way through Garden, he realized he was thinking about Carole again. Not surprising: he was always with her and when he was, he was always talking to her. Automatically when he was not with her, his thoughts were drifting to her.
A strange memory made its way in his mind and made him stop, recalling the very first time he saw Carole. It wasn't in class as he first thought. It wasn't a big event so he eventually forgot about it but remembering that now made him smile.
He was going to the SeeDs showers a morning. The room was for both boys and girls, each side separated by a line of lockers. He could hear a single shower running on the girls's side. On the guys's, no one. He undressed and wrapped a towel around his waist until he realized he forgot his shampoo. He didn't want to dress up and go back to get it. He hesitated a moment before risking himself on the girls's side. He knocked at the door of the occupied shower and apologized. A voice asked who it was. He asked if she could lend him some shampoo. She asked him to wait a moment. The water stopped and the door half-opened, freeing some steam. A girl's face with hair sticking on her face smiled at him and handed him the shampoo with a smile.
"I'll wait for you to be done then you'll give it back to me, Squall," she said.
"You know me?"
"Everyone knows you."
Although she was friendly, she seemed shy back then. But maybe it was just from the steam.
Squall thanked her and she smiled again, getting back in the shower, closing the door.
Squall suddenly recalled she was a little careless when she closed the door and caused him to see a little more than he wanted too. He had blushed with shame. Back then, he still was with Rinoa.
Squall shook his head with shame. He was recalling the very first time he saw Carole and he had to remember she was undressed... But then again, he found strange to remember that just now. He was actually thinking a lot about that kind of thing lately. It happened a few times when he entered Miaka's room, to find her dressing up. He couldn't knock, she couldn't hear! But when it happened, he would just walk away and wait ten minutes or more with fire on his cheeks, depending what she already had on.
The SeeD shook his head once more, frowning. He slapped himself for thinking about that.
He was facing the door to his room and opened it with a sigh, knowing what he would dream about would be out of his control.
He stepped in and froze. The light was off, but the shade was opened. The moon was spreading its light on the girl sitting on Squall's bed, facing him her back. She appearently had her head down and brought it up. The girl was just wearing pants with a top.
"Squall?" she asked.
Squall closed the door and made a step in.
"How did you know?"
"It's your room... but recognized vibrations from your steps. Unique."
"I see. Can you recognize everyone like that as well?"
"Yes."
Squall sat down behind her, his legs hanging out the bed.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "You should be sleeping."
"Couldn't. Called but Mia didn't respond."
When Carole would call her, Miaka would place her hand on her arm or shoulder to tell she heard.
"Wanted to talk you."
"Alright, go ahead."
Lucky he didn't turn the light on. Without her jacket, Carole was pretty sexy and now was not the time to see sexy things. But the lights from the moon was playing on her. Luckily she was showing him her back.
Carole took a deep breath and lowered her head again.
"Can't keep going, Squall, You have Garden to run, training, studies... You can't take care of me forever..."
It was the first time in two months she was making a full sentence. It was always easier to say just a few words and she could still be understood.
Squall suddenly wrapped his arms around her, one around her shoulders and the other around her waist. He closed his eyes and rested his cheek on her head.
"I would throw everything away in a heartbeat if it could give you back your sight and hearing. Even my life..."
She turned around between his arms to place her hands on his back. She opened her eyes and 'looked' at him. Even though those eyes were blind, they were shining like a million stars.
"Really?"
"Anytime... I'll never let you down..."
He lowered his head and reached for the back of her head with his hand before kissing her. She kissed him back, her eyes closed. Her hands on his back, she dragged him down onto the bed where he rested her, kissing her again.
Warmth, she was enwrapped with warmth when she woke up. From the sheets over her and from the bared arms wrapped tightly around her body. Those arms were of her lover. She could stil recall the warmth of Squall's lips all over her body, the gentle touch of his hands. Carole smiled and pressed herself a little more against Squall's chest. His heart beating regularily in his sleep, his warm breath on her head brought her to look up. His face was peaceful in his sleep. He was really handsome. Then Carole knew there was something wrong, or maybe it was good: she good: she could actually see his face! She moved with excitement and Squall woke up.
"What is it?" he asked with a sleepy voice.
"Squall, I...!"
She placed her hands over her mouth and sat up, the sheet held over her bare chest. She looked at him with wide opened eyes. Squall narrowed his when he looked at her pupils: they were focusing on him.
"Carole, your eyes!"
She lifted a hand to his face.
"I can see you! And I hear my voice, the noises! I can hear the birds outside and people walking in Garden!"
Squall couldn't help his joy and relief. He took Carole in his arms and hugged her tight against him.
"I can't believe it! You're healed!"
"It's a miracle..."
She looked at him.
"Do you think it's because of... last night?"
"I don't know and I don't care..."
He hugged her again.
"I'm so glad," he whispered.
"It's so good to hear your voice for real..."
When they broke apart, they got up to dress up but neither of them put their jacket on. The room was kept in the dark, light faintly coming from behind the shade because too much light was making Carole's eyes sore for being blind all that time. She could hear the smallest noise with her new recovered hearing.
She reached for an eagle shaped necklace on Squall's desk. She received it from her sister while she was 'sick'. Her parents ended up learning the truth from Squall who went at their house personnaly to tell what happened. He took full responsibility for what has happened to Carole, apologizing for failing to protect her. Carole's parents replied that being her boyfriend was not a reason to feel guilty. Squall was surprised because he never mentionned anything about it. Parents aren't blind, he guessed.
She brought the two ends of the necklace behind her neck and two hands reached it, putting it in place for her. Then those hands were wrapped around her shoulders, dragging her to rest her back on Squall's chest. He kissed the top of her head and she looked up to him with a smile.
"That necklace is now really appropriate," he said. "Your ears beacme as sharp as an eagle's."
"At first, it was supposed to help me recover."
"...whatever..."
Carole turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"It's been a long time since the last time you said that."
"You missed it?"
"Kinda. After all it's your trademark."
"Really?"
He lowered his head and kissed her gently. She broke away and focused on something.
"Someone's coming. It's Zell."
"How do you know?"
"The vibrations on the ground. And I think I developped a sicth sense about this."
The door was knocked.
"Come in," Squall answered.
"Hey, Squall have you seen..." Zell started opening the door.
He froze when he saw the couple.
"There she is! Miaka's gonna be so relieved! She was worried sick when she saw she wasn't there this morning."
"She was?" Carole asked.
"You bet! Wait a minute..."
He looked at the girl then at Squall. Both were smiling happily.
"Carole... did you... hear?"
She nodded.
"And I see you can't believe it, Zell."
"You can see?!"
Squall nodded along with her.
"Wow! Incredible! We have to tell the others! Come on, they're all waiting in the cafeteria."
He left the room while Squall and Carole were putting their jacket on. When they went out after Zell, he suddenly turned to them.
"Wait a sec... What the hell were you doing with Squall this morning? Miaka said she thought you left during night."
"I did. I wanted to stay with Squall tonight, that's all."
"Come on, Carole," Squall said. "You don't have to say it, it's embarassing."
Zell got the message and didn't say any more.
Squall and Carole entered the cafeteria behind Zell, hand in hand. Looking at them, the others frowned. First because Squall was just holding Carole's hand instead of having his arm wrapped around her and second because Carole had her eyes opened. She was usually keeping her eyes closed.
Miaka hurried to Carole, causing her chair to fall on the floor. She took Carole's hands from Squall and looked at her with a really concerned face.
"Where have you been? I was so worried when I woke up and saw you were not there! I had a faint memory of you leaving the room during the night and I feared the worst!"
"It's ok, Mia-chan. Since you didn't respond last night, I just left to Squall's room," Carole explained comfortingly placing her hands on her friend's shoulders.
Miaka closed her eyes and sighed with relief.
"And I suppose you stayed with him until morning."
Carole nodded and exchanged a smile with Squall seeing Miaka didn't realize yet.
"He... Hey! How come you can answer even when Squall hasn't told you what I said?"
Carole smiled to her friend and took her hands in hers.
"Can't you see? Well I sure can see you're confused, Mia-chan."
"You... you do? You can see?"
The girl nodded with another smile.
"And you hear me too?! Carole-chan!"
She threw herself in her friends' arms with joyful tears. Her actions caused the others to get up and approach with curiosity.
"Carole-chan," Miaka called hugging her. "You're healed at last..."
"Come on, it's not like I was going to die..."
"What?" Rachel exclaimed. "You... you're healed?"
"Yes, she is," Squall answered. "She's just fine. Only a bit awkward from her long disability."
"That's..." Gackt started.
"Booyaka!" Selphie exclaimed jumping around Carole and Miaka. "It's the best news ever!"
"It's a miracle," Audrey said placing her hands together.
"Let's celebrate!" Irvine said inviting everyone to sit down.
The big gang was feeling like celebrating actually. It was a great event. Too busy saying how they were glad, most weren't thinking about anything else except for Quistis. She had a question on the tip of her tongue and she had to spit it out.
"I don't understand," she said.
Everyone stopped speaking and turned to her.
"What?" l asked.
"Well... still yesterday she wasn't even a bit better and this morning, she can hear and see everything. I say something must have happened during the night or else, I don't know what could make this happen."
"Baka!" Miaka exclaimed. "It was Squall's love, of course!"
"W... what do you mean by that?" Squall asked starting to feel hot.
Miaka turned to him.
"You left everything away to take care of her, ne? If it's not a proof of love, I don't know what it is."
"Whatever... She's okay and that's all that matters to me."
He wrapped his arm around Carole's shoulders by his side. Then they stopped asking questions and just enjoyed the moment. A moment before dinner, someone arrived.
"Sorry I'm late," the guy said.
Quistis lightened up and got up facing the guy.
"I was wondering when you'd show up," she said.
"Hi, Dave," Carole greeted.
"Hi, Ca... wait a minute!"
Here it goes for an other explanation session.
During the two past months, Dave happened to spend some time around Garden, especially around Quistis. Sometimes, she left for Timber on her own. They were officially going out for a little more than a month.
The gang enjoyed their meal between friends. They were filling most of the cafeteria by themselves: Seifer with Audrey, Raijin and Fujin; Squall with Carole, Gackt and Miaka; Zell with Rachel, Quistis and Dave; Irvine and Selphie on another table.
"Adam's gonna be so relieved," Dave said. "He apologizes for not coming more often."
"I wouldn't have been able to 'see' him anyway."
The others laughed figuring it was a joke. Their happy time was interrupted when someone ran to them.
"Squall!"
Everyone turned to the new coming.
"Nida?" Squall asked surprised.
"Come to the bridge, hurry!"
Squall got up at the tone. Nida sounded concerned and a bit scared. No one was smiling anymore.
"I'll be right back," Squall told the others.
Carole got up too, but Squall signalled her to stay there.
"I won't be long."
And Squall quickly followed Nida out of the cafeteria.
"I never saw Nida like that," Quistis stated. "It must be really important."
"Why?" Rachel asked.
"They could have called Squall in the intercom," Seifer explained with a frown of concern. "If they didn't do so, it's probably because they didn't want too much people to know anything... yet."
Note: Now hold on!!! Some great battle is coming!! Lots of action, and heoric acts that will cost a lot...