Quistis stormed down the hall towards her dorm, unsure of why she was so frustrated and angry. It could have been a lot of things – having other people try to help her when she didn't even know how to help herself was a little annoying. And there was no longer any doubt in her mind that the charade she'd kept up for the past few months hadn't fooled any of them. There was certainly something to be said about comradeship – you couldn't fool the people who saw you at your best and your worst. She knew she should be grateful that they cared enough about her to put energy towards her well-being, but truth be known, she really just wanted to be alone to figure it out.

                "Quisty!" A voice called impatiently, and she stopped quickly, not expecting her pursuer to crash into her and nearly send them both sprawling to the floor. "It's about time you stopped, I've been chasin' you around half the damn garden!" Quistis smiled in spite of herself, and turned to see Irvine quickly adjusting his hat.

                "Sorry, I was just…"

                "Zoning?" Irvine finished for her, the annoyed tone in his voice belied by the gentility of his eyes and smile. "How're you doin' today?" Suspecting he knew EXACTLY what she was doing that day, Quistis lifted the brief, and Irvine's eyes widened. "That the specs for a mission? Hyne, what are you doin'? Goin' to the moon or something?" She leaned against the railing, shaking her head.

                "Naah…" she left off, watching the clouds blow by through the glass ceiling. Placing his arms on the railing beside her, Irvine pushed himself up until he intercepted her vision.

                "Care to elaborate?" He inquired. "I didn't even know you were on active duty."

                "Nor did I," Quistis replied, frowning. Irvine paused, tapping his foot. She looked at him questioningly.

                "WHAT IS THE MISSION?" He said slowly, drawing out each syllable.

                "Oh…" She started, flipping it open. Irvine caught a glimpse of Seifer's picture, and stuck his hand in the papers.

                "What is THIS?" He asked, loosening the photo. "Almasy? NOW? Didn't we just grant him residency in Balamb?"

                "Yes."

                "And he's screwing things up already!?" Quistis frowned at him.

                "It's not his fault," she started.

                "I find that a little hard to believe," Irvine drawled, leaning against the railing next to her.

                "Don't be so subjective," she chastised, grabbing the photo back. Irvine threw up his hands.

                "Alright, alright, guilty as charged. It's just a little hard to look at that picture and not get angry, you know?" Quistis glanced at the picture. You're the only person I trust to complete this mission as objectively as possible, Squall told her… and from Irvine's reaction, he was right.

                "We have to move him to another location," Quistis said quietly, adjusting her glasses. "Balamb didn't turn out to be quite as receptive as we'd assumed it to be." Irvine narrowed his eyes.

                "What do you mean? People threatinin' him and stuff? He's a big boy, he can take care of himself."

                "Not according to these police reports," Quistis murmured, taking a closer look at the photocopies.

                "Those are all police reports about attacks on Almasy?" Irvine asked, disbelief washing over his face. "Are they just from citizens from Balamb?" She shook her head.

                "People are coming from all over," she murmured, her jaw set. "Apparently I have to escort him to Esthar, where Laguna has a place set up for him."

                "Uhh… isn't Esthar… not the choicest of places to keep him?" Irvine queried. Quistis shrugged.

                "Squall and Laguna met this morning, so I assume they've got reasons for doing this. Maybe they're not even going to keep him in Esthar… it doesn't even say on these briefs." A musical chime split the air, and Squall's voice erupted from all around them.

                "Would Irvine Kinneas please come to my office… Irvine Kinneas to Commander Leonhart's office," he monotoned. Irvine glanced up in surprise, then shrugged.

                "Duty calls," he said. "When are you leaving?"

                "Squall said as soon as possible," Quistis replied, snapping the folder shut. He nodded.

                "Well, good luck, and I'll see you when you get back."

                "Alright," she replied shortly, starting off and stopping in surprise as Irvine grabbed her arm.

                "That's my girl," he said, grinning, as he pulled her to him and planted a kiss on her cheek. Quistis' eyebrows shot up and she stepped backwards quickly enough to stumble, and he laughed as she almost went down.

                "Selphie would KILL you," she muttered, mildly frustrated at his amusement.

                "You know I'm just kiddin', darlin'," he drawled. The musical chime split the air again.

                "Kinneas, get up here NOW." Irvine blanched for a moment.

                "I'm in trouble," he said, starting to go.

                "Rightfully so," Quistis countered, her pride getting the better of her.

                "You liked it," Irvine tossed back over his shoulder, stepping into the elevator before she could get another word in. Quistis watched the elevator rise for a moment before turning back to the hall. Talking with Irvine had seemed so natural just then, and she was confused as to why. She'd almost felt like her old self again – maybe it was the mission. Maybe this hiatus from the environment of Balamb Garden was exactly what she needed to get out of this funk. At least… she hoped it was just a funk.