Squall sat in his office looking at the students in front of him. He had been greatly disappointed when the four had been found out. A local law enforcement had found a registered SeeD weapon at the scene of a crime. SeeD was immediately called and questioned. Of course they denied all claims, it was not SeeD's doing and the gun had been stolen from a SeeD earlier. That was enough to satisfy the law and they left.

SeeD took punishment into their own hands. The four had been escorted into his office where they now where seated in front of his desk. Damon and Sky looked a little bed-raggled, but other then that in good condition. Dex and Torrin had steam burns, making areas of their skin red and splotchy. Squall would bet anything Dex had use his GF in order to hold back the flames of the blast. All in all the four where a sorry sight.

Squall turned his glare on them. "I hope you all realize what you've done, here. The Balamb police will have to launch an investigation against us in response to the fact a SeeD weapon was found at the scene of a crime. Even the worst students at Garden know not to leave traceable evidence behind. Torrin."

Squall held out the gun to her. Her eyes immediately hit the floor and she didn't take the weapon. "I didn't mean to leave it behind, if I had been conscious…*hic*… I never would have."

Squall screwed up his face and looked down at her in disgust. "Leaving evidence behind, getting intoxicated, stealing restricted codes, leaving the Garden exposed for attack. These are all very serious crimes. I have it in my right mind to dismiss you from Garden. As it is however you will be taken from group classes, you will not be on the Esthar mission, you will have to serve four hours of practice rounds every day with the SeeDs, and report to the disciplinary committee for labor detail. If these standards are met you will be allowed to take the up coming SeeD test."

Torrin tried to jump to her feet, but lost her balance and crashed to the floor. "Taken out of group classes! I need that training! Plus dad promised I could go on that mission with him. You said it was okay!"

"Arrangements will be made for your training to continue." Squall said then turned to the others. "As for the rest of you. All of you will serve Labor detail as well, Six extra practice rounds with the instructors and if any other mysterious codes get stolen it's expulsion." He threatened looking straight at Sky. "You are all dismissed."

The four got up saluted and left. Squall put his face down on his desk. Any other students and he would have expelled him, but with these ones…it was so hard to make these calls. Why weren't things ever black and white for him. The Vid-phone rang. Squall sat up straight and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Squall…" Siefer appeared on the screen. He was in his office at the Galbadian Garden, and for once in his uniform. "What do you mean Torrin will not be on the Esthar mission? Is she hurt! I swear to God Squall if you've let something happen to my daughter I'm going to kick your…"

Squall interrupted quickly. "Siefer, Torrin's fine. She's being punished. Her and her friends have been causing some trouble, that's all."

"Oh, I need her on this mission, Squall. I want snipper in position in case Laguna's attacked. You know they're having trouble with the Sorcerers there."

"I know, honestly he is my father Siefer, but you'll be there. Unless that is you think you can't handle it on your own. I could send Zell now if your having so much trouble getting things…"

Siefer exploded. "OF COURSE I CAN HANDLE IT! I DON'T NEED NO HELP FROM NO CHICKEN-WUSS!"

"Knew I could count on you, Squall out."

"WAIT A MINUTE…" Siefer exclaimed but Squall hung up quickly. There was just no reasoning with Siefer when he was upset.

This had actually worked out for the best. Squall didn't want an inexperienced SeeD there, when it could become dangerous. Watts had brought him information yesterday night that a Sorcerer planned to strike that night and kill the president. At all costs that had to be prevented. Selphie, Siefer, Irvine, Quistis, Rinoa, Zell, and him would all be there to ensure that that didn't happen, no matter what the cost.





Torrin sat at the lunch table with her friends in the cafeteria. Dex was complaining about having to clean toilets, Skylla was having issues with the new practice hours, and Damon wanted to kill Squall. Nothing was going right for them it seemed. Torrin wasn't sure weather or not her headache was from not being able to go on the mission with her dad, worrying about not being in the group classes anymore, or just the fact she had had way to much to drink last night. All in all they were a sorry group.

"Tor? Do you remember how we got out of that building last night?" Dex asked. "I keep going over it but I can't remember ever getting out."

"I woke up in the alley with you leaning over me. Guess I just assumed you had gotten me out."

Dex ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't remember that, maybe I did though…did your cousin make it out okay?" he asked Sky.

"Yeah, she left me a message. So she's fine."

Torrin would have shook her head, but that would have caused pain. "How is she your cousin? I thought she was Ellone's daughter."

Sky shrugged. "Ellone was adopted by Laguna, even though she still calls him Uncle Lagunna. I'm his daughter so Ellone is my sister. Which technically makes Eve my niece but she's older then me so we just call each other cousins."

Damon whistled. "Boy that's complex."

"Yep, what can I say. I have a messed up family." Sky leaned back in the chair. "What's wrong Tor? You look majorly bummed out."

Torrin rested her head in her palms. "I've never been to Esthar I really wanted to go."

Sky jumped up. "Let's go then. We deserve a little fun. We'll finish all are work super fast and be there for the ball tonight. I am the presidents daughter, it wouldn't be a problem at all."

Tor smiled joining in Sky's enthusiasm. "Great! This is going to be fun. Take that Squall I'm seeing Esthar after all."

The girls turned to the guys. "Well?" They said together.

Both looked up. "What?" Damon said looking confused.

Torrin leaned over them. "Well we need dates, we can't show up to a ball alone."

Both the guys gave each other "Oh-no" looks. The girls quickly whispered to each other and had wicked looks in their eyes. Torrin swayed over to Dex and sat on his lap.

"Dex please take me, Damon never will and I so want to go." She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Um…um…I'll take you." He gave in even as he started to blush.

"Thank you." She stood up and clapped with excitement.

Damon started to laugh his head off. "Man, you caved like a wall made of butter."

Torrin looked at Damon crossly. "Damon you will be going as Sky's escort!"

"What? Why would I…"

"You will or I'll tell everyone how you…"

Damon jumped up and covered her mouth. "Okay okay! I'll do it!"

Torrin let a sly smile slip. "I don't know…you haven't asked her yet… and do it with style."

"I hate you." Damon said but then turned to Sky and knelt on one knee. "Madam it would give me great honor to escort you to Esthar's annual ball."

Skylla smiled. "Of course kind sir I would welcome your company. What lady could refuse such a handsome gentleman?"

"Yes! Girl we get to go shopping for dresses." The two left quickly making plans.

Damon had a silly grin plastered on his face. Dex started laughing.

"What!" Damon demanded.

"I caved in fast? Dude, Torrin might have black mailed you into it but you like Skylla."

"Yeah, well you like Torrin don't you, and by the look of it she likes you."

Dex's smile grew. "Really? Hey so if we both like them, why didn't we want to go with the ball with them?"

Damon smiled. "Just playing hard to get…."

Dex shook his head. "Yeah right, I bet you had the same reason I did."

Damon nodded. "Yep, I didn't want to wear a tux."