Chapter 2: Leaving

"You okay?" Squall asked as he settled down beside Quistis in the SeeD cabin.

She smiled. "Yeah, bit tired that's all…and a bit reluctant to leave Seifer"

Squall nodded and then noticed the necklace hanging around the blonde's neck. "A gift from Seifer?" he asked and let his fingers trail down the pendant that rested just above her breasts.

"Uh-huh" Quistis beamed. "Isn't it beautiful? He gave it to me last night"

He chuckled and let his hand fall back into his lap. "He sure has changed since he was readmitted to the Garden…you have changed him Quisty, I think you were what he needed all along"

Quistis looked at Squall and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, you've changed too you know"

"Heh" Squall smiled. "Guess I have"

"Oh, look at that, you're smiling" Quistis giggled and playfully pushed him in the ribs. "You NEVER did that before Rinoa came along"

He pushed her back. "Who are you to talk? You're a different person too"

Quistis leaned back into the seat with a distant look upon her face. "Yeah, I think we've all changed. The battle with Ultemecia really made you think about what was important. Anyway, how long until we reach our destination?"

"A little over three hours" he answered with a yawn but then before he could say anything the cabin doors opened and Selphie and Irvine stepped inside. "What are you two doing here?"

"The fast train to Esthar was cancelled so we had to take this" Selphie answered with a smile. "But it'll just take about an hour longer so it's really no biggie"

Squall gave them a quick nod. "I don't know about you guys, but I think I'm gonna get some sleep before we arrive"

Irvine sighed. "Best idea I've heard all morning, don't think I've ever been this tired, I mean, the sun's barely up yet"

"Actually I think I'm going to join you" Quistis announced and rose from the couch. "Sleep might be a very good idea before starting our missions"

Quistis took the lower part of the bunk bed while Squall took the couch so that Irvine and Selphie could share the upper part. In less than ten minutes silence had settled through out the cabin and all that could be heard were Irvine's peaceful snores and Selphie who'd occasionally mumble something in her sleep.

***************

"Oh come on Rinoa" Zell smiled. "I promise you that these weeks will fly away and you'll be back in no time"

Rinoa sighed. "I suppose, but the worst thing I know is to say good bye and I can't shake this weird feeling…I don't know but it just feels like something's gonna happen"

Zell laughed and slid his arm around her shoulders. "Squall and Quistis are the highest ranked SeeD's in the entire Garden; I assure you that they can take care of themselves. You worry too much"

"Maybe I do" Rinoa smiled and relaxed a little bit. "Guess it's just my nerves"

"Now that's understandable" Zell nodded and jumped to his feet. "Your first real mission as a SeeD is a pretty big deal"

"Hyne" Rinoa groaned and hid her face in her hands. "I'm nervous as hell now that you reminded me"

Zell rolled his eyes and began shadow boxing. "Ain't anything to it, you go in and do your job and then go home"

"Right" she snorted. "Like it's really that simple"

"Okay, so it's not ALWAYS that easy but the bottom line is that, that's what we do. Sure things happen along the way but it's still our job" the martial artist said, never once stopping his boxing. "You'll go on hundreds of more missions, you'll get used to it"

Rinoa tossed a magazine at his head. "Stop being so calm, you're annoying me"

Zell rubbed his head and then smirked. "Touchy today, aren't we?"

"Bite me"

***************

"Good luck on your mission" Quistis smiled as she and Squall were about to get off the train.

Selphie smiled back. "You too, and we'll tell President Laguna you said hi"

Squall grimaced. "Pretty sure you will"

"The man is your father Squall" Irvine pointed out. "We others are orphans but you at least have a father, don't take it for granted"

Squall sighed and shook his head. "Whatever"

Quistis, Selphie and Irvine all groaned in unison and shot their commander a glare. "Thought we'd heard enough of that phrase to last an entire life time" Quistis pointed out.

"Can we just go before the train decides to start moving again?" Squall asked.

Selphie hugged them both and Irvine gave them a small nod with his hat and then the two SeeD's walked off the train and began their mission.