Ch. 6
Time
Squall and Seifer arrived at Cid's office at the same time. Quistis and Zell were already there.
Cid was sitting at his desk his expression dry and unreadable.
"Squall, Seifer, Zell and Quistis," the headmaster addressed them "I'm sure your all aware of the circumstances going on in Timber. Well as of today General Caraway has hired us to assist Timber against the Galbaldian forces, but not under his command. We are to send many of our forces directly to Galbadia to join his troops, but he wants a few SeeD's to go immediately to Timber to discuss escalating importance of what's going on with the Timber rebel leader."
Before the headmaster could say anything else Seifer steps forward. "I'll go."
"I was planning on sending all of you Mr. Almansy." The Headmaster said in a matter of fact way. Seifer nodded his face turning a light shade of red for speaking too soon.
While all this was going on Squall stood there thinking to himself. This was what Rinoa wanted so badly just two years ago. This was once her goal that Squall now brought upon himself and made his own. He steps forward to address headmaster Cid.
"Headmaster, if I have your permission I would like to go to Timber alone."
"But,"- Seifer was going to protest, but Squall turned to him.
"This is something I have to do alone. Please if you don't respect my decision as your commanding officer at least respect it as my friend."
Seifer studied Squall then pats him on the shoulder. "If that's what you want I won't interfere any further."
Squall nods gratefully at Seifer then turns back to the headmaster.
"Very well," Cid told him then turns to the rest of the group. "You're all dismissed while I fill in Mr. Leonhart on the particulars."
Everyone leaves Seifer a little more reluctantly then the rest. Once they were all gone Headmaster Cid fills him in on what he was suppose to do.
Squall was to take a train to Timber where 'he' will be found. The stranger or strangers that pick up Squall will bring him to the rebel leaders' headquarters and once there he will be told the rest.
Squall left Cid's office and headed directly to his room to prepare for his departure early the next morning. Approaching his room Squall saw a figure waiting at his door. It wasn't long before he realized who that figure was.
"Seifer, what are you doing her? You said you wouldn't interfere with my decision."
"I'm sticking by what I said," Seifer told him firmly "I only came here to ask you not to do anything stupid. Watch yourself and know that were only a phone call away."
Squall looks at Seifer peculiarly "I appreciate the sentiments Seifer, but honestly why are you telling me this?"
"Because I know why you're going. You think you owe it to Rinoa and I'll respect that, but keep in mind your not the only one that owes Rinoa something. I.I guess if Rinoa was right here in front of me and I asked her what I could possible do for her. I'm pretty positive her answer would be 'watch over Squall.' So that's what I'm trying to do not only because that's what Rinoa would have wanted, but what I want to."
He looks at Seifer his face honest and genuine. The two men had their hard times, but when it came down to it Squall saw Seifer as a brother and it was nice to know the feeling was returned.
Patting Seifer on the shoulder Squall only said one word "Thanks." He knew Seifer would know the meaning behind the simple word.
The next morning came fast, but Squall was up and ready. He left the garden for the Balamb train station at dusk. Amazingly his friends were also awake waiting for him at the Garden's entrance. They were going to walk with him to the train station.
As they stepped outside as the morning dew crept to their noses. It was the smell of freshness that kind of boosts your spirits. Squall was feeling better then he had in a long, long time.
They arrived in Balamb and his train was ready to depart. Everyone gave him a hug and wished him good luck. Squall was always caught off guard by the love and friendship that was given to him by his friends. He felt as if he didn't deserve them.
He waved one last time at Quistis, Zell and Seifer before he boarded the train.
The ride over to Timber was extremely odd. He felt like he had done this before. In many regards he had it was only two years ago that Squall, Zell and Selphie where sent on their first mission. Only then he was arrogant and snobbish about the mission. Now he was thirsty for it, he needed in a way that was almost beyond reason except to him.and maybe Seifer.
Several hours later the train arrives in Timber. All Squall knew was he was to be found. Casually he walked over to the back wall of the train station and waited. It wasn't long before he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Squall, sir?"
Squall turned around and faced Watts and Zone. Once Timber's outcast, once Rinoa's trusted friends.
He didn't know quite what to say to the duo. He was sure they must have heard about Rinoa, but what if they hadn't? Would he have to break it to them?
Squall stared into their sad, hurt eyes.they knew. Squall was at a lost of words the three just stared at each other. He paid careful attention to Zone, who Squall always had a sneaking suspicion had a thing for Rinoa, in case he did something like hit Squall. Instead to Squall's surprise he took Squall by the shoulders and said.
"I know you did all you could for her."
Squall remained quiet for awhile, but at least the tension had past. Once he was ready Squall spoke.
"What are you two doing here?"
They look at each other then back to Squall.
"We came to pick you up sir." Watts told him.
"I'm being picked up by a particular group of rebels." Squall told them knowing it was safe to divulge some of the information to these two miscreants.
"That's us," Zone said as if it was obviously.
"You guys are the main rebel group here?"
"Yes sir," Watts said proudly. "Our leader told us to come here and pick you up She had received a call from Headmaster Cid earlier this morning."
"Your new leader then." Squall started then faded off. It was ridiculous for him even to ask, nevertheless, Zone answered his unfinished question.
'She's no princess, but she's a good leader and more importantly a good person."
That's all that needed to be said.
"Come on sir let us take you to our new hideout."
Squall followed the rebels through the city of Timber. Squall had not been here in quite some time it all reminded him of when he first became a SeeD and of course therefore, Rinoa.
Zone and Watts walked into the pets' store which Squall found odd, but choose not to say anything and just followed. They walked past the actual store part and went directly to the back room. It was an extremely small room; the three of them were all less then an arm's length apart.
"Step aside," Zone told Squall who obeyed. Grabbing a latch that had been blended with the ground Zone pulled. A secret door now hung open and a staircase was shown.
"After you sir," Watts said gesturing towards the stairs.
Squall looked from Zone to Watts who nodded encouragingly. So after taking a deep breath Squall began to descend down to the dark unknown. Step by step he went until he reached the concrete bottom.
The basement was dark and freezing. A lone light was shining at the end of the room. Gingerly Squall walked over there soon discovering under the tall lamp were two dusty old couches. Lying on one of the couches was a woman fast asleep. He continued his way to the couch until a stood only a few feet from it. A shock washed over his body as he recognized who was lying there. It was no other then Emma Winston.
A bit startled Squall let out a noise that sounded something like a gasp. Emma suddenly sat up from her position on the couch and stared at Squall. He suddenly recalled Seifer mentioning that Emma was part of Timber's liberation but he never figured she was THIS much apart of it.
"Hi Squall." She said groggily, yet pleasantly from the couch as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.
"Hi." Was all he said in return. She was the last person he expected to find laying on the couch, but then again he never thought Rinoa would be the 'princess' that Zone asked him to awaken two years ago. It was weird how some things worked out.
"Truth be told Mr. Leonhart when General Caraway said he had sent some SeeD's to our aid I didn't think he send.well you."
"Many more SeeD's are being sent directly to Galbadia. I came directly here because I wanted to and please, just call me Squall."
"Okay 'Squall' why did you want to come here alone?"
"That's my business." Squall told her flatly.
"I don't want to interfere with your business but if it has something to do with Timber then it's my business too."
"It's a promise I made to someone I cared about." He told her making ever word distinct.
"Fair enough. I guess we should probably get started on the plans." Emma gets up from the couch and starts heading towards the stairs. Suddenly she stops and turns back towards Squall.
"Did.did Seifer say anything about me or I guess anything to you before you came?" Her voice was sad, but hopeful. Squall didn't know exactly what to say.
"He really wanted to come, but I wouldn't let him." Emma nods letting on to Squall that his answer was all she needed to hear.
The two of them walked back upstairs to the pet shop. As they were leaving the store Squall felt as if they were being too suspicious, but as always he choose not to say anything knowing that if he did it probably wouldn't even matter.
Emma continued to lead Squall through town until, to his surprise; she stopped outside a small house. It was the same house that Squall, Rinoa and the others hid in while they were on the run from the Galbadian soldiers.
"What are we doing here?" He asked.
"We always hold our meetings at Chief Fox's home," Emma told him as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. Without another word the two walked in.
Everything about the little home was just as Squall remembered even the smell seemed familiar. Chief Fox was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner; it was like Squall had stepped into the house two years ago.
Chief Fox stopped whatever she was doing to look at the two new visitors. She greeted Emma cheerfully.
"Hello Emma everyone's waiting for you upstairs." She then turns to Squall "And who is this strapping young buck? Has he replaced that other blond boy toy of yours Emma?"
Emma blushes "No, this is Squall he's a friend of Seifer's."
"Well it's still nice to meet you dear, although you do look strikingly familiar. Have we met before?"
"Not really."
Before she could ask him what he meant Emma briskly leads him away. "I'm sorry, but they have been waiting for us."
Squall grateful to get away from the chief follows on Emma's heels to the upstairs room.
This was the only part of the house that Squall noticed a major difference. It was no longer the child's bedroom that it was two years ago. The room was now plane with only a small wooden table in the middle of it with six wooden stools circling it.
Waiting for them was Zone and Watts, but they weren't alone. Also at the table were a man and woman who Squall had no idea who they were. The man was medium built with dark blond hair that looked like it hadn't been cut in weeks. Meanwhile the woman stood straight up. She had wide shoulders and a confident stare. She had real short hair that was a blend between blond and white. The two looked like quite the pair.
Emma took a seat around the table, Squall sat down in the last remaining stool. Once everyone was settled Emma introduced everybody to him.
"The two who picked you up are Zone and Watts I believe you're already acquainted with them. These two," Emma points to the two people who Squall didn't know. "Are Vincent Ralland and Kira Sadelle they are our underground sources to what's going on with the Galbadian rebels."
Squall didn't like anything underground, but he choose not to say anything and let Emma precede.
"General Caraway has finally requested for SeeD help for our cause of protecting Timber form the rebels. Commander Squall Leonhart of Balamb garden being here with us is living proof of that. Now troops are gathering in Galbadia and are preparing to strike the Galbadian rebellions." Emma turns abruptly to Vincent and Kira. "Vince, Kira is there any news from the other side of the line?"
"Nothing that you don't already know," Vincent tells her. "Timber and Galbadian's preparation for war has been known for awhile and Balamb's assistance is of no surprise. Like you aware of Emma the Galbadian rebels are well prepared."
"Well I guess now that were on the same page there's not much we can talk about at the moment. We'll leave for Caraway's first thing in the morning. Everyone should get some rest while you can because I have a feeling in the next couple of days you'll be needing it."
Zone, Watts, Vincent and Kira piled out of the attic. Now only Emma and Squall remained.
"You'll be staying here," she told him as they stood there awkwardly. "Chief will bring you up a cot and some blankets in a bit."
"Thanks." Was all Squall said.
Emma started to go down stairs when she stopped and turned around so they were face to face. Squall looked at her curiously it was the second time she had done that today. Just like before she asked him a question.
"Squall, has Seifer been acting." She pauses for a moment to carefully choose her words. "Has he been acting any different to you?"
Squall takes a moment to consider. "Not really," he answered.
"Oh." She said sadly then going silent. She didn't leave after that she only stood there. Squall was never good in these situations, but there wasn't much he could do. He finally decided to say something or else she might stand there all night.
"He likes you." It was a stupid thing to say, but it was all he could come up with.
Emma looks at him and chuckles. "That's good all this time I thought he was just pretending," she said sarcastically.
Squall let's out his own chuckle. "You know what I mean."
"I do and thanks. It's just that he can be so hard to read sometimes. One day he's as sweat as can be and the other he can be so distant. Lately he's been really distant like he's confused or unsure."
Squall knew he probably was, but he didn't want to say that to Emma.
"You know when I first met Seifer he would weep over Raijin and Fujin. We would talk for hours about it."
"Hold up," Squall interrupted her. "What about Raijin and Fujin." Squall watches Emma's eye's go big.
"He didn't tell you about it?" She asked shocked.
"It must have slipped his mind." Squall said to her cynically.
"I don't think I should be the one to tell you." She was obviously sorry that she even said anything in the first place.
"Just tell me where they are now."
Emma looks at Squall carefully. Hesitantly she says to him. "There dead Squall."
Squall stared blankly at Emma. He was never fond of the two disciplinary committee members, but they were still part of Garden, still part of him in a way and Seifer! Squall couldn't believe he never bothered to ask what happened to Seifer's posse. The three of them were so close.
"H.how did it happen?" Squall stuttered.
"There was train crash. Seifer was waiting for them in Timber when he heard."
Squall remembered reading about the crash it happened a few months after Rinoa.
"That's actually when I first met Seifer. I was at the station as he was being told the news about the crash. I consoled him, but we went our separate ways. We met up again a few months later at the bar in Balamb."
It suddenly all made sense how Seifer ended up at Balamb beach alone with no other place to go. Squall felt awful that he hadn't cared enough to ask Seifer about what happened to his friends. He was too self-absorbed in his own damn problems.
"I really shouldn't have said anything."
"No, I'm glad you did. It puts things in perspective for me and don't worry I won't tell Seifer you said anything."
"Thanks." She said her voice still unsure. "Well I better get going I'll see you bright and early."
Emma begins to walk away when this time Squall calls after her causing Emma to turn around.
"I think he more then just likes you Emma."
She smiles at him. "I guess only time will tell."
"Sometimes that's all you need." He told her and then adds "Add I guess love."
She chuckles again. "I'll see you in the morning Squall."
"Yeah see ya."
Emma leaves the attic. Squall took a seat on one of the stools. 'Only time will tell.' Squall thought truer words were never spoken. Only time was in front of Squall and what laid ahead of him. It was only time behind what happened to him in the past. Either direction Squall knew he just had to deal with it. Because today had time, tomorrow had time; next month has it as does last year. There was no way to getaway from it the only thing Squall could do was make the most of it.
Squall and Seifer arrived at Cid's office at the same time. Quistis and Zell were already there.
Cid was sitting at his desk his expression dry and unreadable.
"Squall, Seifer, Zell and Quistis," the headmaster addressed them "I'm sure your all aware of the circumstances going on in Timber. Well as of today General Caraway has hired us to assist Timber against the Galbaldian forces, but not under his command. We are to send many of our forces directly to Galbadia to join his troops, but he wants a few SeeD's to go immediately to Timber to discuss escalating importance of what's going on with the Timber rebel leader."
Before the headmaster could say anything else Seifer steps forward. "I'll go."
"I was planning on sending all of you Mr. Almansy." The Headmaster said in a matter of fact way. Seifer nodded his face turning a light shade of red for speaking too soon.
While all this was going on Squall stood there thinking to himself. This was what Rinoa wanted so badly just two years ago. This was once her goal that Squall now brought upon himself and made his own. He steps forward to address headmaster Cid.
"Headmaster, if I have your permission I would like to go to Timber alone."
"But,"- Seifer was going to protest, but Squall turned to him.
"This is something I have to do alone. Please if you don't respect my decision as your commanding officer at least respect it as my friend."
Seifer studied Squall then pats him on the shoulder. "If that's what you want I won't interfere any further."
Squall nods gratefully at Seifer then turns back to the headmaster.
"Very well," Cid told him then turns to the rest of the group. "You're all dismissed while I fill in Mr. Leonhart on the particulars."
Everyone leaves Seifer a little more reluctantly then the rest. Once they were all gone Headmaster Cid fills him in on what he was suppose to do.
Squall was to take a train to Timber where 'he' will be found. The stranger or strangers that pick up Squall will bring him to the rebel leaders' headquarters and once there he will be told the rest.
Squall left Cid's office and headed directly to his room to prepare for his departure early the next morning. Approaching his room Squall saw a figure waiting at his door. It wasn't long before he realized who that figure was.
"Seifer, what are you doing her? You said you wouldn't interfere with my decision."
"I'm sticking by what I said," Seifer told him firmly "I only came here to ask you not to do anything stupid. Watch yourself and know that were only a phone call away."
Squall looks at Seifer peculiarly "I appreciate the sentiments Seifer, but honestly why are you telling me this?"
"Because I know why you're going. You think you owe it to Rinoa and I'll respect that, but keep in mind your not the only one that owes Rinoa something. I.I guess if Rinoa was right here in front of me and I asked her what I could possible do for her. I'm pretty positive her answer would be 'watch over Squall.' So that's what I'm trying to do not only because that's what Rinoa would have wanted, but what I want to."
He looks at Seifer his face honest and genuine. The two men had their hard times, but when it came down to it Squall saw Seifer as a brother and it was nice to know the feeling was returned.
Patting Seifer on the shoulder Squall only said one word "Thanks." He knew Seifer would know the meaning behind the simple word.
The next morning came fast, but Squall was up and ready. He left the garden for the Balamb train station at dusk. Amazingly his friends were also awake waiting for him at the Garden's entrance. They were going to walk with him to the train station.
As they stepped outside as the morning dew crept to their noses. It was the smell of freshness that kind of boosts your spirits. Squall was feeling better then he had in a long, long time.
They arrived in Balamb and his train was ready to depart. Everyone gave him a hug and wished him good luck. Squall was always caught off guard by the love and friendship that was given to him by his friends. He felt as if he didn't deserve them.
He waved one last time at Quistis, Zell and Seifer before he boarded the train.
The ride over to Timber was extremely odd. He felt like he had done this before. In many regards he had it was only two years ago that Squall, Zell and Selphie where sent on their first mission. Only then he was arrogant and snobbish about the mission. Now he was thirsty for it, he needed in a way that was almost beyond reason except to him.and maybe Seifer.
Several hours later the train arrives in Timber. All Squall knew was he was to be found. Casually he walked over to the back wall of the train station and waited. It wasn't long before he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Squall, sir?"
Squall turned around and faced Watts and Zone. Once Timber's outcast, once Rinoa's trusted friends.
He didn't know quite what to say to the duo. He was sure they must have heard about Rinoa, but what if they hadn't? Would he have to break it to them?
Squall stared into their sad, hurt eyes.they knew. Squall was at a lost of words the three just stared at each other. He paid careful attention to Zone, who Squall always had a sneaking suspicion had a thing for Rinoa, in case he did something like hit Squall. Instead to Squall's surprise he took Squall by the shoulders and said.
"I know you did all you could for her."
Squall remained quiet for awhile, but at least the tension had past. Once he was ready Squall spoke.
"What are you two doing here?"
They look at each other then back to Squall.
"We came to pick you up sir." Watts told him.
"I'm being picked up by a particular group of rebels." Squall told them knowing it was safe to divulge some of the information to these two miscreants.
"That's us," Zone said as if it was obviously.
"You guys are the main rebel group here?"
"Yes sir," Watts said proudly. "Our leader told us to come here and pick you up She had received a call from Headmaster Cid earlier this morning."
"Your new leader then." Squall started then faded off. It was ridiculous for him even to ask, nevertheless, Zone answered his unfinished question.
'She's no princess, but she's a good leader and more importantly a good person."
That's all that needed to be said.
"Come on sir let us take you to our new hideout."
Squall followed the rebels through the city of Timber. Squall had not been here in quite some time it all reminded him of when he first became a SeeD and of course therefore, Rinoa.
Zone and Watts walked into the pets' store which Squall found odd, but choose not to say anything and just followed. They walked past the actual store part and went directly to the back room. It was an extremely small room; the three of them were all less then an arm's length apart.
"Step aside," Zone told Squall who obeyed. Grabbing a latch that had been blended with the ground Zone pulled. A secret door now hung open and a staircase was shown.
"After you sir," Watts said gesturing towards the stairs.
Squall looked from Zone to Watts who nodded encouragingly. So after taking a deep breath Squall began to descend down to the dark unknown. Step by step he went until he reached the concrete bottom.
The basement was dark and freezing. A lone light was shining at the end of the room. Gingerly Squall walked over there soon discovering under the tall lamp were two dusty old couches. Lying on one of the couches was a woman fast asleep. He continued his way to the couch until a stood only a few feet from it. A shock washed over his body as he recognized who was lying there. It was no other then Emma Winston.
A bit startled Squall let out a noise that sounded something like a gasp. Emma suddenly sat up from her position on the couch and stared at Squall. He suddenly recalled Seifer mentioning that Emma was part of Timber's liberation but he never figured she was THIS much apart of it.
"Hi Squall." She said groggily, yet pleasantly from the couch as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.
"Hi." Was all he said in return. She was the last person he expected to find laying on the couch, but then again he never thought Rinoa would be the 'princess' that Zone asked him to awaken two years ago. It was weird how some things worked out.
"Truth be told Mr. Leonhart when General Caraway said he had sent some SeeD's to our aid I didn't think he send.well you."
"Many more SeeD's are being sent directly to Galbadia. I came directly here because I wanted to and please, just call me Squall."
"Okay 'Squall' why did you want to come here alone?"
"That's my business." Squall told her flatly.
"I don't want to interfere with your business but if it has something to do with Timber then it's my business too."
"It's a promise I made to someone I cared about." He told her making ever word distinct.
"Fair enough. I guess we should probably get started on the plans." Emma gets up from the couch and starts heading towards the stairs. Suddenly she stops and turns back towards Squall.
"Did.did Seifer say anything about me or I guess anything to you before you came?" Her voice was sad, but hopeful. Squall didn't know exactly what to say.
"He really wanted to come, but I wouldn't let him." Emma nods letting on to Squall that his answer was all she needed to hear.
The two of them walked back upstairs to the pet shop. As they were leaving the store Squall felt as if they were being too suspicious, but as always he choose not to say anything knowing that if he did it probably wouldn't even matter.
Emma continued to lead Squall through town until, to his surprise; she stopped outside a small house. It was the same house that Squall, Rinoa and the others hid in while they were on the run from the Galbadian soldiers.
"What are we doing here?" He asked.
"We always hold our meetings at Chief Fox's home," Emma told him as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. Without another word the two walked in.
Everything about the little home was just as Squall remembered even the smell seemed familiar. Chief Fox was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner; it was like Squall had stepped into the house two years ago.
Chief Fox stopped whatever she was doing to look at the two new visitors. She greeted Emma cheerfully.
"Hello Emma everyone's waiting for you upstairs." She then turns to Squall "And who is this strapping young buck? Has he replaced that other blond boy toy of yours Emma?"
Emma blushes "No, this is Squall he's a friend of Seifer's."
"Well it's still nice to meet you dear, although you do look strikingly familiar. Have we met before?"
"Not really."
Before she could ask him what he meant Emma briskly leads him away. "I'm sorry, but they have been waiting for us."
Squall grateful to get away from the chief follows on Emma's heels to the upstairs room.
This was the only part of the house that Squall noticed a major difference. It was no longer the child's bedroom that it was two years ago. The room was now plane with only a small wooden table in the middle of it with six wooden stools circling it.
Waiting for them was Zone and Watts, but they weren't alone. Also at the table were a man and woman who Squall had no idea who they were. The man was medium built with dark blond hair that looked like it hadn't been cut in weeks. Meanwhile the woman stood straight up. She had wide shoulders and a confident stare. She had real short hair that was a blend between blond and white. The two looked like quite the pair.
Emma took a seat around the table, Squall sat down in the last remaining stool. Once everyone was settled Emma introduced everybody to him.
"The two who picked you up are Zone and Watts I believe you're already acquainted with them. These two," Emma points to the two people who Squall didn't know. "Are Vincent Ralland and Kira Sadelle they are our underground sources to what's going on with the Galbadian rebels."
Squall didn't like anything underground, but he choose not to say anything and let Emma precede.
"General Caraway has finally requested for SeeD help for our cause of protecting Timber form the rebels. Commander Squall Leonhart of Balamb garden being here with us is living proof of that. Now troops are gathering in Galbadia and are preparing to strike the Galbadian rebellions." Emma turns abruptly to Vincent and Kira. "Vince, Kira is there any news from the other side of the line?"
"Nothing that you don't already know," Vincent tells her. "Timber and Galbadian's preparation for war has been known for awhile and Balamb's assistance is of no surprise. Like you aware of Emma the Galbadian rebels are well prepared."
"Well I guess now that were on the same page there's not much we can talk about at the moment. We'll leave for Caraway's first thing in the morning. Everyone should get some rest while you can because I have a feeling in the next couple of days you'll be needing it."
Zone, Watts, Vincent and Kira piled out of the attic. Now only Emma and Squall remained.
"You'll be staying here," she told him as they stood there awkwardly. "Chief will bring you up a cot and some blankets in a bit."
"Thanks." Was all Squall said.
Emma started to go down stairs when she stopped and turned around so they were face to face. Squall looked at her curiously it was the second time she had done that today. Just like before she asked him a question.
"Squall, has Seifer been acting." She pauses for a moment to carefully choose her words. "Has he been acting any different to you?"
Squall takes a moment to consider. "Not really," he answered.
"Oh." She said sadly then going silent. She didn't leave after that she only stood there. Squall was never good in these situations, but there wasn't much he could do. He finally decided to say something or else she might stand there all night.
"He likes you." It was a stupid thing to say, but it was all he could come up with.
Emma looks at him and chuckles. "That's good all this time I thought he was just pretending," she said sarcastically.
Squall let's out his own chuckle. "You know what I mean."
"I do and thanks. It's just that he can be so hard to read sometimes. One day he's as sweat as can be and the other he can be so distant. Lately he's been really distant like he's confused or unsure."
Squall knew he probably was, but he didn't want to say that to Emma.
"You know when I first met Seifer he would weep over Raijin and Fujin. We would talk for hours about it."
"Hold up," Squall interrupted her. "What about Raijin and Fujin." Squall watches Emma's eye's go big.
"He didn't tell you about it?" She asked shocked.
"It must have slipped his mind." Squall said to her cynically.
"I don't think I should be the one to tell you." She was obviously sorry that she even said anything in the first place.
"Just tell me where they are now."
Emma looks at Squall carefully. Hesitantly she says to him. "There dead Squall."
Squall stared blankly at Emma. He was never fond of the two disciplinary committee members, but they were still part of Garden, still part of him in a way and Seifer! Squall couldn't believe he never bothered to ask what happened to Seifer's posse. The three of them were so close.
"H.how did it happen?" Squall stuttered.
"There was train crash. Seifer was waiting for them in Timber when he heard."
Squall remembered reading about the crash it happened a few months after Rinoa.
"That's actually when I first met Seifer. I was at the station as he was being told the news about the crash. I consoled him, but we went our separate ways. We met up again a few months later at the bar in Balamb."
It suddenly all made sense how Seifer ended up at Balamb beach alone with no other place to go. Squall felt awful that he hadn't cared enough to ask Seifer about what happened to his friends. He was too self-absorbed in his own damn problems.
"I really shouldn't have said anything."
"No, I'm glad you did. It puts things in perspective for me and don't worry I won't tell Seifer you said anything."
"Thanks." She said her voice still unsure. "Well I better get going I'll see you bright and early."
Emma begins to walk away when this time Squall calls after her causing Emma to turn around.
"I think he more then just likes you Emma."
She smiles at him. "I guess only time will tell."
"Sometimes that's all you need." He told her and then adds "Add I guess love."
She chuckles again. "I'll see you in the morning Squall."
"Yeah see ya."
Emma leaves the attic. Squall took a seat on one of the stools. 'Only time will tell.' Squall thought truer words were never spoken. Only time was in front of Squall and what laid ahead of him. It was only time behind what happened to him in the past. Either direction Squall knew he just had to deal with it. Because today had time, tomorrow had time; next month has it as does last year. There was no way to getaway from it the only thing Squall could do was make the most of it.