Chapter 12 Some Answers
Quistis's mouth dropped open in disbelief "you what?"
Seifer turned back to the man and frowned. "Do you have any proof of this?" he asked.
Ian looked up "I think not killing you when I had the chance is…"
Seifer cut him off with a short laugh "Yeah, I'm gonna believe that. Not likely pal. Care to try again because until I'm satisfied that you're who you say you are, I'm not letting you go."
Ian spoke up " I cant give you proof of who I was sent by. Being soldiers yourself you know I would never carry anything incriminating on my person but I may be able to give you proof of another kind." A brief look passed between Seifer and Quistis before Seifer gestured for Ian to continue.
Ian took a ragged breath "First I should tell you I'm not the only one the president sent."
Seifer looked up sharply swinging his gun to aim at the talking man. "Where are the others," he asked harshly, looking into the trees.
"They aren't with me. I'm here alone."
"Then where are they?" Seifer looked back at his prisoner.
Ian sighed. "I'll answer that in a minute. First I better start at the beginning. President Loire has been aware of Warden Perry's, well, less than honest dealings for some time. He sent several people, including myself, to infiltrate the prison some months ago. It seems Warden Perry has been offering the services of his prison to anyone willing to pay. Kind of like your own personal bounty hunter. Then when Headmaster Kramer called asking for his help, President Loire knew it was time to take Perry down."
At this point Seifer interrupted the other man. "You mean all this time they knew what was going on at that prison and no one stopped it," he asked bitterly.
"I know how you must feel, Mr. Almasy" Ian replied looking at the battered man. He'd obviously seen first hand what Perry's men could do, thought Ian.
"Do you?" Seifer said sarcastically "do you know what it's like to be ripped away from your home by a troop of soldiers who wont answer any of your questions. Do you know what it's like to be tortured day after day for crimes that you thought you'd been pardoned from. DO YOU know what it's like to wake up every day wondering if today is the day you'll die, then almost hoping it is if it'll bring an end to the hell you're in?" He turned away abruptly.
Quistis, who had been standing off to the side listening to the men talk, moved over to Seifer. He stood rigidly with his head bent and eyes closed. Quistis could almost see his inner turmoil. She reached out to gently run her hand down his bruised face. "Seifer?"
Seifer felt her fingertips stroke his cheek and heard her call his name. He opened his eyes and she saw the pain and anger he was trying so hard to hold inside himself.
Ian watched as Quistis leaned in close, talking softly to Seifer. It was obvious she cared about him.
She ran her hand up and down his arm in a soothing gesture. "Seifer, you have every right to be angry. But you can't take it out on him. I believe what he's telling us." She looked up into his eyes "It's time to free him." Seifer stood there looking at her and for a moment she wasn't sure he'd even heard her, then he nodded slightly.
Ian observed Seifer nod at something the woman said and watched as she started to move in his direction. He didn't have long to wonder what they had decided when she moved around behind him and released his arms. He sat there for a minute rubbing his wrists then looked up at her.
"Mr….?" She gave him a smile "I'm sorry, but we haven't been introduced. I'm Quistis Trepe." She knelt down to his level and stuck out her uninjured hand.
Ian took the offered hand, shaking it . "Ian Anders. Special Agent, Esther."
Quistis saw him looking at Seifer. "And apparently you already know that is Seifer Almasy" she added. Seifer stood looking at them in stony silence.
Quistis saw the closed expression he wore. 'Oh Hyne Seifer, don't start anything' she thought. She decided the best thing to do was ignore him and to find out what else Ian had to say.
"So after we traded prisoners and left, what happened?" she prompted Ian to continue.
Ian cleared his throat and started speaking "Perry never had any intention of letting you go. He already had a squad in position to ambush you in the forest. But he didn't count on the fact that you would have your own firepower and be able to counter the attack. He was extremely unhappy at that turn of events. Fortunately my commander was put in charge of the back up squad sent out to retrieve you when the Warden learned that several of you had escaped into the forest."
Quistis frowned, asking "How did Perry think he could get away with killing SeeD's?"
Ian shook his head "As Warden Perry is fond of saying 'Accidents happen'. I don't know for sure but I imagine he had a plan. Probably some type of accident. There are still land mines out here from the Galbadian war. At least that's what I'd do if I were trying to cover this up."
"Well thank Hyne you're on our side" Quistis said with a short laugh.
Seifer had been listening to Quistis and Ian talk from where he was standing and decided to join them. He knelt down next to Quistis then asked in a clipped tone "you said something about your squad? Where are they now?"
Ian looked over at the other man. "My squad…yes. There are three of us, then there are two of Perry's men. My commander, Lt. Forbes, a soldier named Griggs and myself are Loire's men. Lt. Forbes sent Griggs and I out as scouts when we found your team had split into two groups. That way he could keep Perry's men away and it wouldn't look suspicious. Although we were prepared to take them out if necessary."
"So where does that leave us now?" Seifer impatiently asked.
"Well, now I contact my commander and report in. Then we can arrange to get the two of you home," Ian stated.
"Not so fast. I still don't know if we can trust you" Seifer said angrily, pulling himself slowly to his feet, he then offered his hand to Quistis and pulled her up.
Ian stood slowly, watching the other man. "We can contact your own people if that is what you'd prefer. I understand it 's difficult to trust me with so little proof."
Quistis noticed Seifer scowling at Ian so she handed him the belt she had been holding to distract his attention away from the other man. He looked at it stupidly for a second, still lost in his angry thoughts, before remembering he'd used it to tie Ian up.
"I think in this situation it would be better to contact our people" she looked over at Ian "right away." He nodded his agreement and reached into his pocket pulling out a small black phone.
Seifer watched as Ian punched in some numbers and started talking, apparently to an operator. He then handed the phone over to Quistis, who in turn started speaking into the phone.
Seifer moved over to stand beside Quistis, listening to her side of the conversation. "This is SeeD #45318-4, reporting in. We need a transport sent to the following coordinates…"
Seifer's mind wandered off as he watched her. 'Home… Not for me. I wonder what the hell their gonna do when they see me. The old gang together again. They'll be so happy to see me,' he thought sarcastically, a smirk settling over his face 'I stay just long enough to get back on my feet then head out.'
He looked over at Quistis talking on the phone. She looked so happy. 'I'll never see her anymore.' A stab of regret went through him as he gazed at her.
Memories of the last few days came to him. 'I didn't realize how much she's changed. It's like some of the icy barrier has melted. She's been so…so caring and brave. She's the only thing that got me here alive. Kept me going when I thought I couldn't go on. I…damn it…love…no…oh shit…I love her.' He turned away startled.
He'd been attracted to her, even desired her for a long time, but love. Seifer's heart thumped loudly in his ears 'If I leave garden I'll never see her again.' He let out a shaky breath and ran his hand across his face.
Seifer jumped when he felt a hand on his arm. "Are you ok?" Quistis asked.
He turned with a blank look on his face "Yeah great. What did you find out?"
She grinned up at him " They're coming. We're rescued. Isn't that great? They'll be here as soon…."
'Yeah great' he thought ' we'll get out of this damn forest and back to Balamb. Where I'll never wake up with you in my arms again. We can go back to being polite, well sometimes, strangers.'
He felt her shake his arm "I said isn't that great?"
"Sure…great," he mumbled.
Quistis was so happy to be going home she didn't notice his less than enthusiastic reply. She turned and moved over to where Ian was waiting. She handed him back his phone. "Thanks. I guess I owe you an apology."
"Apology for what? Not trusting me when I told you I was on your side? Because I would have acted the same way." Ian said.
"No. For hitting you." Quistis answered.
Ian gave her a dumbfounded look "You. You're the one who punched me."
"Sorry." She gave him an apologetic smile and shrugged.
"I thought he" Ian gestured to Seifer "must have done it. Wow. You've got one hell of an arm."
She smiled at the compliment then asked, "So what are you going to do now?"
"I need to check in with my commander. If you don't mind." He held up his phone but looked at her.
"Sure, I'll just go check on Seifer." She stepped away from Ian. He was already focused on the call he was making.
She could see Seifer, his back to them, looking off into the forest. 'Wonder what he's thinking about.'
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Seifer stepped over to where Quistis stood watching the setting sun. They watched in silence for a few minutes before he spoke "How's the hand?" He could see she was holding it stiffly at her side.
Quistis looked up at him "Hurts. But I'll manage." He took her injured hand, cradling it in his larger ones.
She looked back at the sunset. "Thanks."
He didn't get the chance to ask her what she was thanking him for because at that moment they spotted the Ragnorak in the distance.
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Author's notes: Next: They're going home. What will Seifer's reception from 'the old gang' be? Will Quistis realize she cant live without him? Bwahaha!
*****as always thanks for the reviews*****
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Quistis's mouth dropped open in disbelief "you what?"
Seifer turned back to the man and frowned. "Do you have any proof of this?" he asked.
Ian looked up "I think not killing you when I had the chance is…"
Seifer cut him off with a short laugh "Yeah, I'm gonna believe that. Not likely pal. Care to try again because until I'm satisfied that you're who you say you are, I'm not letting you go."
Ian spoke up " I cant give you proof of who I was sent by. Being soldiers yourself you know I would never carry anything incriminating on my person but I may be able to give you proof of another kind." A brief look passed between Seifer and Quistis before Seifer gestured for Ian to continue.
Ian took a ragged breath "First I should tell you I'm not the only one the president sent."
Seifer looked up sharply swinging his gun to aim at the talking man. "Where are the others," he asked harshly, looking into the trees.
"They aren't with me. I'm here alone."
"Then where are they?" Seifer looked back at his prisoner.
Ian sighed. "I'll answer that in a minute. First I better start at the beginning. President Loire has been aware of Warden Perry's, well, less than honest dealings for some time. He sent several people, including myself, to infiltrate the prison some months ago. It seems Warden Perry has been offering the services of his prison to anyone willing to pay. Kind of like your own personal bounty hunter. Then when Headmaster Kramer called asking for his help, President Loire knew it was time to take Perry down."
At this point Seifer interrupted the other man. "You mean all this time they knew what was going on at that prison and no one stopped it," he asked bitterly.
"I know how you must feel, Mr. Almasy" Ian replied looking at the battered man. He'd obviously seen first hand what Perry's men could do, thought Ian.
"Do you?" Seifer said sarcastically "do you know what it's like to be ripped away from your home by a troop of soldiers who wont answer any of your questions. Do you know what it's like to be tortured day after day for crimes that you thought you'd been pardoned from. DO YOU know what it's like to wake up every day wondering if today is the day you'll die, then almost hoping it is if it'll bring an end to the hell you're in?" He turned away abruptly.
Quistis, who had been standing off to the side listening to the men talk, moved over to Seifer. He stood rigidly with his head bent and eyes closed. Quistis could almost see his inner turmoil. She reached out to gently run her hand down his bruised face. "Seifer?"
Seifer felt her fingertips stroke his cheek and heard her call his name. He opened his eyes and she saw the pain and anger he was trying so hard to hold inside himself.
Ian watched as Quistis leaned in close, talking softly to Seifer. It was obvious she cared about him.
She ran her hand up and down his arm in a soothing gesture. "Seifer, you have every right to be angry. But you can't take it out on him. I believe what he's telling us." She looked up into his eyes "It's time to free him." Seifer stood there looking at her and for a moment she wasn't sure he'd even heard her, then he nodded slightly.
Ian observed Seifer nod at something the woman said and watched as she started to move in his direction. He didn't have long to wonder what they had decided when she moved around behind him and released his arms. He sat there for a minute rubbing his wrists then looked up at her.
"Mr….?" She gave him a smile "I'm sorry, but we haven't been introduced. I'm Quistis Trepe." She knelt down to his level and stuck out her uninjured hand.
Ian took the offered hand, shaking it . "Ian Anders. Special Agent, Esther."
Quistis saw him looking at Seifer. "And apparently you already know that is Seifer Almasy" she added. Seifer stood looking at them in stony silence.
Quistis saw the closed expression he wore. 'Oh Hyne Seifer, don't start anything' she thought. She decided the best thing to do was ignore him and to find out what else Ian had to say.
"So after we traded prisoners and left, what happened?" she prompted Ian to continue.
Ian cleared his throat and started speaking "Perry never had any intention of letting you go. He already had a squad in position to ambush you in the forest. But he didn't count on the fact that you would have your own firepower and be able to counter the attack. He was extremely unhappy at that turn of events. Fortunately my commander was put in charge of the back up squad sent out to retrieve you when the Warden learned that several of you had escaped into the forest."
Quistis frowned, asking "How did Perry think he could get away with killing SeeD's?"
Ian shook his head "As Warden Perry is fond of saying 'Accidents happen'. I don't know for sure but I imagine he had a plan. Probably some type of accident. There are still land mines out here from the Galbadian war. At least that's what I'd do if I were trying to cover this up."
"Well thank Hyne you're on our side" Quistis said with a short laugh.
Seifer had been listening to Quistis and Ian talk from where he was standing and decided to join them. He knelt down next to Quistis then asked in a clipped tone "you said something about your squad? Where are they now?"
Ian looked over at the other man. "My squad…yes. There are three of us, then there are two of Perry's men. My commander, Lt. Forbes, a soldier named Griggs and myself are Loire's men. Lt. Forbes sent Griggs and I out as scouts when we found your team had split into two groups. That way he could keep Perry's men away and it wouldn't look suspicious. Although we were prepared to take them out if necessary."
"So where does that leave us now?" Seifer impatiently asked.
"Well, now I contact my commander and report in. Then we can arrange to get the two of you home," Ian stated.
"Not so fast. I still don't know if we can trust you" Seifer said angrily, pulling himself slowly to his feet, he then offered his hand to Quistis and pulled her up.
Ian stood slowly, watching the other man. "We can contact your own people if that is what you'd prefer. I understand it 's difficult to trust me with so little proof."
Quistis noticed Seifer scowling at Ian so she handed him the belt she had been holding to distract his attention away from the other man. He looked at it stupidly for a second, still lost in his angry thoughts, before remembering he'd used it to tie Ian up.
"I think in this situation it would be better to contact our people" she looked over at Ian "right away." He nodded his agreement and reached into his pocket pulling out a small black phone.
Seifer watched as Ian punched in some numbers and started talking, apparently to an operator. He then handed the phone over to Quistis, who in turn started speaking into the phone.
Seifer moved over to stand beside Quistis, listening to her side of the conversation. "This is SeeD #45318-4, reporting in. We need a transport sent to the following coordinates…"
Seifer's mind wandered off as he watched her. 'Home… Not for me. I wonder what the hell their gonna do when they see me. The old gang together again. They'll be so happy to see me,' he thought sarcastically, a smirk settling over his face 'I stay just long enough to get back on my feet then head out.'
He looked over at Quistis talking on the phone. She looked so happy. 'I'll never see her anymore.' A stab of regret went through him as he gazed at her.
Memories of the last few days came to him. 'I didn't realize how much she's changed. It's like some of the icy barrier has melted. She's been so…so caring and brave. She's the only thing that got me here alive. Kept me going when I thought I couldn't go on. I…damn it…love…no…oh shit…I love her.' He turned away startled.
He'd been attracted to her, even desired her for a long time, but love. Seifer's heart thumped loudly in his ears 'If I leave garden I'll never see her again.' He let out a shaky breath and ran his hand across his face.
Seifer jumped when he felt a hand on his arm. "Are you ok?" Quistis asked.
He turned with a blank look on his face "Yeah great. What did you find out?"
She grinned up at him " They're coming. We're rescued. Isn't that great? They'll be here as soon…."
'Yeah great' he thought ' we'll get out of this damn forest and back to Balamb. Where I'll never wake up with you in my arms again. We can go back to being polite, well sometimes, strangers.'
He felt her shake his arm "I said isn't that great?"
"Sure…great," he mumbled.
Quistis was so happy to be going home she didn't notice his less than enthusiastic reply. She turned and moved over to where Ian was waiting. She handed him back his phone. "Thanks. I guess I owe you an apology."
"Apology for what? Not trusting me when I told you I was on your side? Because I would have acted the same way." Ian said.
"No. For hitting you." Quistis answered.
Ian gave her a dumbfounded look "You. You're the one who punched me."
"Sorry." She gave him an apologetic smile and shrugged.
"I thought he" Ian gestured to Seifer "must have done it. Wow. You've got one hell of an arm."
She smiled at the compliment then asked, "So what are you going to do now?"
"I need to check in with my commander. If you don't mind." He held up his phone but looked at her.
"Sure, I'll just go check on Seifer." She stepped away from Ian. He was already focused on the call he was making.
She could see Seifer, his back to them, looking off into the forest. 'Wonder what he's thinking about.'
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Seifer stepped over to where Quistis stood watching the setting sun. They watched in silence for a few minutes before he spoke "How's the hand?" He could see she was holding it stiffly at her side.
Quistis looked up at him "Hurts. But I'll manage." He took her injured hand, cradling it in his larger ones.
She looked back at the sunset. "Thanks."
He didn't get the chance to ask her what she was thanking him for because at that moment they spotted the Ragnorak in the distance.
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Author's notes: Next: They're going home. What will Seifer's reception from 'the old gang' be? Will Quistis realize she cant live without him? Bwahaha!
*****as always thanks for the reviews*****
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