I'm sorry this has taken so long. Please read my note at the bottom for some 'important' news.
Chapter Nine
The next day passed in a fantastic blur; between packing, cleaning, paperwork, administration, arguments, goodbyes, red tape, and horrible amounts of general confusion there wasn't a second for Irvine to do anything remotely productive.
Productive being the relative term, obviously.
He had packed up all of his things; the clothes he had which were less associated with the "Galbadian Cowboy" image were to come to Deling City; the rest were going into Garden storage. All of his belongings had been sorted in a similar fashion (save both Exeters, which he refused to leave behind). He had completed the Garden-mandated paperwork and transferred the mission funding into his personal bank account for easy access. Cid had finalized all of the remaining authorization. It had been an exhausting day.
He ran into Selphie in the hallway; they were both carrying similar stacks of paperwork with similar exasperated looks on their faces.
"Irvine!" she called, and then said curiously as he approached: "But I guess I have to stop calling you that."
He shrugged. "We do have pretty unique names. I hadn't thought of that." He struck a pose. "So what do I look like?"
"Silly." She slugged him, laughing. "Well, we can't call you Irvine, we can't call you Irvy..." She thought for a second and then said triumphantly, "I've got it!"
Irvine looked at her quizzically. "I already call you Vinny, and Vin," she explained, "so we'll just say your name is Vincent!"
Irvine laughed. "Vincent, eh? A little too serious for me ...but what about you?"
He looked her over, his eyes scrutinizing. "Selphie's out. Can't call you Sefie. Or Seff. You don't have any good..."
"Hey, Fee!"
Quistis was coming down the hall. Irvine and Selphie exchanged glances and grinned.
"Fee. Fiona it is," Irvine said.
"Fiona?" Selphie made a face. "Fiona?"
"Vincent?" Irvine said, laughing.
Quistis approached, looking back and forth between the two of them. "What's so funny?"
"We have horrible names," Irvine said casually, and then left with a tip of his hat.
"What's so bad about his name?" Quistis asked, confused. Selphie stifled a giggle as she turned to walk in step with her roommate.
The rest of the day continued as usual. Irvine got his physical condition papers signed by Doctor Kadowaki - "Physical condition papers shouldn't be necessary," the doctor groaned - and then grabbed lunch on his way back up to headmaster Cid for what seemed to be the six-hundredth time that day. Then back to the dorm to finish packing his stuff. Then down to reserve the transport and sign the papers for his storage space.
If he'd known mission-prep was this much of a pain, he would've thought twice before taking that certification.
Quick dinner with Zell - "Hey, hot dogs are quick!" - and then off to check on his storage boxes and finish gathering all his belongings. Two suitcases full of everything precious to him - and that was pushing it. Irvine wasn't much for belongings, physical possessions; he put all of his meaning in intangible things. Always had.
Night finally came and he lost himself for a few precious hours - the last night in his own bed.
Bright and early came the knock on his door. Irvine debated tossing a boot at it and going back to bed; but then Quistis let herself in.
"I don't know why I had to be the wake-up committee, but Xu talked me into it," she grumbled pleasantly. "So wake up."
"I'm awake." Irvine rolled over.
She tutted at him from the door. "I have to go make sure Selphie is moving," she said; "She had the same response you did. I'll be back and you'd better be dressed or else."
"Is that a threat or a promise?" Irvine asked sleepily.
Quistis narrowed her eyes and shut the door.
He dragged himself out of bed, showered, dressed, and packed the remains of his things in the top of the nearer suitcase. The knock came again, and he grunted; Quistis and Selphie appeared, both dragging heavy suitcases with them.
"Well, who is going to help me carry these?" Irvine asked sarcastically when he saw the girls both had their hands full."
"I was hoping you'd be a gentleman and carry mine," Selphie quipped, groaning as she yanked at hers with both hands, almost toppling over onto her rear.
"Don't worry," Quistis said. "I know Zell's coming to see you off. We'll make him do it."
"No you won't." Zell appeared around the corner, grinning like a maniac. "I heard that."
"I'll buy you a hot dog," Quistis teased.
Zell deliberate. "Okay, fine," he said finally, and grabbed Irvine's largest suitcase.
"Why are they more awake than we are?" Irvine said under his breath.
"Quistis likes coffee," Selphie whispered. "And Zell is always like that."
Together they made their way down to the garage and loaded the suitcases in the car. Selphie embraced Quistis, squealing something unintelligible, and Zell awkwardly shook Irvine's hand. Then Selphie detached herself and attacked Zell with a monster hug.
Quistis approached Irvine. "Look," she said softly. "You be careful. With both of you." Her eyes looked directly into Irvine's. "And I don't just mean with the mission."
Irvine nodded. "I won't let a thing happen to her," he promised.
"Or you." Quistis, surprisingly, gave him a quick hug. "You still owe me stories, cowboy."
He and Selphie got in the car; Seff waved out the window as he gunned it toward Balamb.
"I'm nervous, Vinny," Selphie whined as they pulled into the rental station and parked. Irvine grabbed one of the hand-carts and loaded their luggage onto it; they each had two suitcases, surprisingly, though Selphie's were bigger.
"About what?"
She looked at him. "About the mission, dummy," she said, slugging him on the arm.
"What mission?"
Her eyes widened. "Are you retarded?"
He shrugged nonchalantly. "I thought we were running away together to live in Deling City," he said, and then emphasized: "My darling Fiona."
She gasped, and then slugged him harder, giggling. "You're teasing me, Vin," she said. "Stop it!"
"C'mon," he said. "Train time. You love the train."
"Yeah, but we can't take the SeeD car," she moped as he loaded their suitcases under the first car where their tickets were.
Irvine winked at her. "We could sneak in - at least until we pass Timber," he said.
"Goody!" Selphie clapped her hands. "SeeD car, SeeD car," she warbled as she helped Irvine with the last suitcase.
He guided her onto the train, the small of his hand resting comfortably on her back - when did we start acting like this? - and then swiped his ID to open the private SeeD compartment. Selphie danced around, checking on all the usual amenities, and then perching herself next to the window, gazing at the land and sea as they passed through.
Irvine sat on the couch, smirking. But her silhouette against the rushing backdrop reminded him of something. She was wearing the same dress - her cute little yellow jumper, hugging every curve, allowing her to move with freedom both in and out of battle. So enchanting.
She was standing by that same window, looking out, singing some silly song. Her eyes were entranced - she was so beautiful, and I had realized that she was the same Selphie I remembered. I was so excited - these were my friends from long ago. I didn't know why they didn't recognize me; but we'd all changed. And I wanted to tell her first! I thought she'd remember...
"Selphie, it's fate! We're destined to be together!"
Throwing myself at her with open arms. Welcoming her back.
But she looked up at me, thinking I was teasing, flirting. Trying to hit on her. Being my charming self. She didn't understand.
"Yeah, right," she stammered, and turned back to the window. Turned away. She had no idea who I was or what I was talking about; she didn't know just how serious I was...
She broke my heart in that instant .
And then, before I could explain anything about the orphanage, about our past, find out what really happened - Squall came in to 'check' on her, and I lost all of my courage...
He looked back at her, framed in shimmering sunlight against the windowpane. Giggling as she softly ran her fingers along the glass, eyes fixated on the world outside.
We're meant to be together.
Fate. Could someone like Irvine believe in fate? He had to, now. The sorceress - time compression - destiny had a completely new meaning. But ...
She looked back at him, giving him a dazzling smile. His heart stopped.
Now that she finally remembered ...if he were to go back up to her, say those words ...what would she say in response? Would she just laugh at him again? Think he was teasing?
It wasn't worth the risk.
They stayed in the SeeD compartment all morning; Selphie played around while Irvine took a quick nap on those comfortable couches. Then they gathered their things and stole discreetly into the first car after the speaker-phone announced the train was approaching the Galbadia garden stop.
They squeezed into a small seat and watched as a handful of people in SeeD uniforms got on the train.
"Glad we left," Irvine whispered.
"Wonder if any of those people are the suspects?" Selphie whispered back.
Irvine looked them over, pondering the thought. A tall, black-haired man, looking arrogant. A woman with pale blond hair cut shorter than Fujin's, looking around the train with narrowed eyes. A stunning red-head, waves pouring over her shoulders, grinning at the man behind her, a tall lanky guy with sandy hair. They all headed for the SeeD compartment; the familiar door shut behind them.
"You can't really tell," Irvine said. "But wouldn't that be odd?"
"Hope they don't recognize us." Selphie burrowed her face into Irvine's shoulder. "I'm not here," she sang softly.
Irvine poked her. "Cause that'll help," he said. She grunted.
Eventually Selphie fell asleep as well, her head bobbing with the train until it came to a safe rest on Irvine's shoulder. Smiling, he put his arm around her, allowing her to curl up and use him for a pillow. Irvine himself stared out the window until he dozed off as well.
A kind voice woke them. "Excuse me, but your tickets say Deling City."
Irvine looked up groggily. Selphie had slid until her head was resting in his lap; his arm drooped over her shoulder. The stewardess was looking down at them, a faint smile on her face. "We'll be pulling into Deling in about two minutes. I thought I'd wake you up."
"Thank you," Irvine said sleepily with a smile. He gently shook Selphie.
They stood, gathered their luggage together (two suitcases was good packing until you had to carry it, Irvine thought nastily) and got off the train. Selphie squinted into the sun; "I wonder where we're supposed to..."
"Ah, so you made it."
The woman was dressed in some sort of uniform and wearing an odd cap; but the voice was familiar. "I'm your landlord," she said briskly. "Let me take you to where you'll be staying."
Something in her manner reminded Irvine of Quistis ...no, older, a little more strict. A voice Irvine knew he had heard around Balamb Garden. Not Quistis ...it was Xu!
"The PT is this way," she gestured, and they got on some sort of red trolley.
"PT?" Selphie couldn't help but ask.
"Public Transport," she replied, "or the trans as we refer to them. We've set up a place for you over past the shopping district." She pulled the cord for the stop and got off, helping them with a suitcase.
"The place is lovely," she said conversationally as they rode up the elevator. Irvine was still confused; why is Xu out here acting like an annoying landlady? She led them down the hall and into a room marked 203.
Click.
"Okay, let's talk real," Xu said, taking off the hat and giving her silky black hair a toss. "Glad you made it on time." Her tone was business-like, stern, as she turned and strode across the apartment, her heels clicking authoritatively.
"Xu!" Selphie had figured it out, but was no less confused. "What are you doing here?"
"Administering your mission directives," she said. "I'm command for this one; I'm in Deling on other business, so they just added you to my list." She sighed; Irvine wondered what other business was. Keeping an eye on them?
"This apartment will be your base of operations. Don't spend too much time away from it; try to have most of your meetings here. This room..." she gestured to the open living room in which they stood. "This room is full of hidden cameras and mikes," she said, "all recording to your personal computer."
"Computer?" Selphie's ears perked.
"Yes." Xu smiled slightly and headed into another room, heels echoing. "Over here is your PC. It's a pretty advanced machine. All of the audio and video from this apartment feed directly into the computer. This is also the best way for you to get in touch with any of us from the outside. Agent Tilmitt, the computer is your domain, obviously."
Selphie started. "Yes, ma'am," she said, obviously surprised.
Xu paused to smile again. "We've been watching your talents," she said, "and we're not going to let a talented programmer and hacker go to waste."
"Programmer?" Irvine suddenly remembered Selphie's online journal and web page - it had been relatively straightforward, but Irvine had never considered that Selphie had made the whole thing from scratch.
"We suggest that you think of a plausible reason for Agent Tilmitt to be spending a lot of time at this computer," Xu said. "Perhaps a correspondence course. It will be fairly obvious; this apartment requires a lot of control."
Irvine glanced around him. "What's in here?"
Xu pointed rapidly. "Hidden weapons cache there - and there - and over there is a place for you two to keep your own personal weapons. In the corner of the bedroom is a carefully Hidden Curaga Draw Point in case of emergencies. And there are a few other - surprises that we hope you'll never have the misfortune of having to discover."
She paused as if remembering something. "Oh, and here," she said. "Hold out your left hand."
Puzzled, Irvine did as she asked. Xu felt around Irvine's inner wrist until she picked up a pulse; she then pulled a small, white disc out of nowhere and pressed it firmly into the soft flesh. It tingled, leaving a slightly cold sensation as it dissolved into his skin.
"What the heck?"
Xu gestured to Selphie, who obediently extended her arm. "Tracing devices," she said as she administered the small disc to Selphie as well. "These will track your position and vital signs for up to six months. It's for emergencies only - but we'd like to be prepared. Your terminal PC will track as well." She looked at Selphie. "I suggest you teach Agent Kinneas how to do that."
Selphie gulped audibly.
Xu gave the apartment an authoritative glance and then tucked her hair back into her hat. "You will find my com number on the computer, as well as the directives for your first meeting with the SeeD agents. Are there any questions?"
Being briefed by Xu was so familiar for Selphie that she automatically shook her head and saluted. It was comical, her being in the bright yellow sundress, hair wrinkled from her impromptu nap.
Xu gave them a fresh smile unlike any they had seen yet. "Unpack. Relax. Enjoy your first night." She left as briskly as she had entered.
Irvine remained, staring at the door, a strange sense of unease overpowering him. Xu is already in Deling. What could be so important?
A squeal from behind him brought him back to earth.
He turned, went down the small hall, following the sound of giggles. Selphie - never one to be overcome with somber thoughts - was bouncing gleefully on the bed. The bedroom was enormous and cheerful, a burnt gold coverlet with hunter green flowers underneath the girl's boots.
"Look!" she squealed. "The bed is huge!"
And Irvine suddenly realized he would have to sleep with Selphie.
He dragged their suitcases into the bedroom while Selphie continued to bounce and squeal in excitement. "And look at the bathroom," she continued as if he had never left. "It's amazing - the shower doors are tinted glass. We look like we're snobs!"
Irvine couldn't help but laugh. True, the apartment was certainly larger than any SeeD dorm room.
"Get off that bed and unload your things," he insisted; Selphie gave one last bounce and kicked her feet into the air, landing on her rear.
She danced over to her suitcases. "Which drawers do you want?" she asked.
"Doesn't matter," Irvine replied.
"I'll take these then," she said, gesturing to the set beside her suitcase. Humming some foreign melody she unzipped the bag and began to unpack, cheerful clothes stacking into the tall bureau.
Irvine unpacked without the humming. His clothes were basic, casual, comfortable - he'd left the trendy cowboy gear behind, knowing it was much too recognizable. He stacked up, listening to the soft sound of Selphie singing.
Why had he thought this would be uncomfortable? Selphie obviously wasn't put out in the slightest. She was over there, serenading her fresh clothes, tucking them away gently into their drawers as if this were a fun adventure. Not even a hint of awkwardness. She was genuinely enjoying herself.
It was as if she had never - but she did. His entire face flushed as he remembered her lips - so soft - he turned his head back to the stack of clothing before him.
They finished unpacking and then wandered around Deling City, reminiscing about their many visits during the Sorceress chase. They stopped to have dinner in a charming little pasta place across the street from their apartment building. Selphie chatted nonstop during the meal - regaling Irvine with stories from her elder years in Trabia - and it was dark out when they returned to the hotel.
"I'm kind of tired," Selphie admitted as they headed up the elevator. "You sleepy?"
Irvine yawned in response. "It's been a hectic day," he said gently, "and we should probably just turn in."
They got back to the apartment and Irvine awkwardly realized what his words meant. Sharing a bed. It wasn't a big deal, right? They had slept side-by-side, all of them, throughout their travels. It didn't mean anything - did it?
"You take the bathroom first," Selphie said, rummaging in her drawers. "I've lost my pajamas!"
Wordlessly Irvine headed into the bathroom, washed his face, brushed his teeth. Stared into the mirror. How weird was this? It was going to be the end of things - the end of the casualness with which they treated their relationship...
He retreated from the bathroom to sit awkwardly on the edge of the bed. How would they even ...? One bed. I could sleep on the couch if she wanted me to.
Selphie was singing behind the door. She didn't seem to be thinking the deep, heavy thoughts Irvine was. Calm down, man. One step at a time.
We're meant to be together.
Where did that thought come from?
She opened the door with a grin, wearing a white t-shirt and minty-green pajama pants. Yawning, she stretched, and then her eyes landed on the bed.
Now comes the weird part. Where we figure out how to sleep together like a couple that we're not.
But it wasn't weird at all.
Selphie simply climbed into the bed, yawned, and curled up in a ball with a cheerful, "Goodnight, Irvine."
Shocked and bemused, Irvine stretched out on his back beside her.
"Night, Seff."
Wonders never cease.
I had the most horrible engineering assignment from hell - that's what was holding up the story. I wanted to make it up by writing a long and involved chapter, but instead ...well, you got this cutesy, angst-y, couple-y stuff. Enjoy it while it lasts ^^ However, my life is taking a turn for the busier in the next couple days ...
I'm currently in the process of reworking and relocating my website; the process is expected to finalize at the end of this week, meaning I probably will be taking a minor hiatus from this story. Don't hate me - I'll make it up to you. And by "minor" of course I only mean a few days.
What's the reward for you guys? Once I move the site, I'll have the space to keep all of my fanfiction listed on my domain - allowing you to get special previews before stuff gets set up at fantiction.net! Plus - if you've seen my site, you know that I think I'm an anime artist - I could be talked into doing story-related illustrations. Booyaka!
Hopefully that's enough of a bribe that you'll forgive me for the little break I have to take.
I certainly won't lose interest in this story. Irvine has taken over my life!( ::wants to be Selphie:: )
Thanks for all the feedback. I really do treasure it in a totally non-cheesy way.