Disclaimer: look in previous chapter, tis the same thing. I don't own any of the squaresoft characters. Just the Sullivans/Benitas. ENJOY!
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Chapter 17-A Matter of Parents
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"Woah! There's a heck of a lot of Sullivan's in this world."
"Squall, Gilroy was Iona's younger brother in law, her husbands brother and her sister's husband."
"What the? Do the Sullivans and Benitas have some sort of alliance or something?"
Laguna shook his head. "You don't understand-"
"Looks like I don't understand a lot of things."
"That's not what I meant, and it isn't the point either. Gilroy Sullivan, he was very different from his older brother Stephen, the man who took you in, Squall. Gilroy was…eccentric-mad, even. Very smart, very successful…very manipulative. It all makes sense."
"You know him then?" Caraway queried nervously.
"I know him, not very well though. He's my cousin in law…twice," he laughed dryly. "Never did like him that much. Probably 'cause he didn't like me! He absolutely detested me-my position as President, rather-thought I was unworthy. It all fits."
"What does?"
"The threats. He wasn't really after Squall…he's was trying to get revenge on me."
"Always about you isn't it, Laguna."
"Squall," Rinoa whispered in a warning tone. "Is this Gilroy Sullivan Brendan's uncle?" she asked in a louder tone.
Laguna shook his head, "No, my dear. He's Brendan's father."
"Wait, I just thought of something. If you're related to Mrs Sullivan, and you're…well," he hesitated," My father…that would make her my aunt. Which would make Brendan…my cousin?!"
"That is correct."
"Shit no! I'm related to that moron?! You've got to be kidding me."
"Nope, it all very true. Sad that your uncle, even if not blood related, was responsible for your blindness."
I swear I'll kill him! Squall's head shouted furiously.
"Why don't we bring Brendan in here," Cid suggested warily.
"Great! Make this family reunion all the more better."
"Brendan goes to school here?"
"Unfortunately."
"How long has he been attending, Cid?"
"About two years now I think."
"I was sure he used to work for his father, training in the business I suppose."
"I'll page him over the system." Pressing a button on the telephone he stated, "Xu? I need you to page Brendan Sullivan right now. He is to come to my office immediately."
"Yes, sir."
Cid released the button and turned to them. "Shouldn't be too long now."
They all remained in silence. Cid sitting in his chair observing those in front of him. Squall's head hung, while Rinoa mirrored him, staring into her lap, ignoring her father's gaze. Laguna's eyes rested on the couple, observing their closeness. Suddenly the door burst open revealing a student dressed in the school uniform, jacket draped over his arm.
"Good morning, Sir-" he saw the group gathered before him. "Oh, sorry to barge in on you all, Xu told me to go straight in…"
"Not at all, you're meant to be here. Please sit down."
He cautiously glanced at the members present, placing the jacket over the back of the seat ahead of him before slowly lowering himself down to sit. "Er…what is it you wanted Headmaster?"
"Just a few questions, nothing to worry about."
"Ok, sure." He nervously glanced at Rinoa and Squall to his left.
"Firstly, who is you father and mother?"
He swallowed slowly, "Um, Gilroy and Adeline Sullivan. Sir, with all due respect, if that's all you wanted to know, wouldn't you have just looked in my file?"
"Yes I could have, but I need your presence here, there are some questions I need to ask which a file cannot answer. Right, your father, what was his job?"
He frowned at the question. "He owned a small weapon company…"
"Did he want you to continue the company after him?"
"Yes."
"Why did you decide to become a SeeD?"
He was in the middle of thinking up a lie when he shook out his reverie and breathed a sigh. Closing his eyes, he answered, "Truthfully, I wanted-well, needed-to get away from my father. He was a maniac! I swear he was. He made me do all sorts of things for him, if I refused, he'd hit me heaps. I just got sick of it all, after my mother died I just had to get away."
"What kind of things did he make you do?"
"Well, he made me negotiate with clients, do his work and once he made me go and bomb a carrier. He said the carrier had a few clients that had failed to pay him…I don't know."
"So it was you! You little moron!" Squall got up from where he sat, not daring to take a step forward.
"What are you talking about? I'm what? What did I do?"
"Squall sit down and calm down. Now Brendan, when exactly did you father make you bomb a carrier?"
"About three years ago…"
"And we have a culprit," Squall let out quickly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Three years ago I was sent on a mission, three years ago you were sent to bomb a carrier. Three years ago I was blinded because of someone bombing the carrier that I was on. You're the bloody dickhead who made me blind!" Squall hit his fist against the chair's armrest.
"Holy shit. Sweet Hyne! I swear I had no idea, I was only doing what my father wanted me to do…"
"Yeh, great excuse, daddy told me to do this, daddy told me to do that, 'Oh no daddy, I'll do whatever you say, please don't hit me!'" Squall mimicked. The little bastard, I swear if I knew where he sat I'd beat him senseless before Zell could say "Booyah".
"Squall, calm down."
"Don't you tell me to calm down, Laguna. You wouldn't be calm if you just found out who was responsible for making you blind, would you?"
"No"
"So shut the hell up!"
"Squall," Cid interjected. "Brendan has explained that he thought he was going to bomb a carrier with clients who had debts."
"The intention was still bad, even if I wasn't on the carrier, but I was."
"My father lied to me, okay. I didn't know…"
"But you hate me anyway, so even if he had told you the truth you would've still done it."
"That's bullshit!"
"You're not denying it though, are you?"
"Listen, I don't hate you, I don't know you well enough to hate you."
Rinoa was watching the exchange with anxious interest and decided to raise her voice in suggestion, "Why don't we get Brendan's dad in here, let's make this meeting complete, every child with a father present, then we can settle this once and for all."
Brendan finally got a chance to look around the room while Cid took to the phone. "Who's who here?" he asked, confused.
"I'm General Caraway of Galbadia," he looked warily at Rinoa before continuing. "Rinoa is my daughter."
"I'm Laguna Loire, President of Esthar," he too glanced at Squall before continuing, "I'm Squall's father."
Squall frowned at the phrase. "Give him a chance".
"I've gotten Xu to look at Brendan's contact details, and asked her to get in touch with Brendan's father. He'll be on the intercom shortly."
"Then we can all have a perfect family reunion," Rinoa stated sarcastically.
"Rinoa, I'm sick of your sarcasm."
"And I'm sick of your constant criticism, father. Or should I say complaining?"
"That's enough from you, young lady."
"Sweet Hyne, don't you get it? I'm not your daughter anymore, I haven't been for more than five years. I'm 23 years old, I'm independent, I'm going to be married soon-"
"You what?"
"Oh, sorry. Newsflash, I'm engaged."
"To who?!" Caraway asked vehemently.
"Who do you think?" Squall added.
"But-" he looked at both of them in front of him, then at Laguna. "Laguna! Aren't you even going to stop this?!"
"Why stop the inevitable? Are you only finding out about this now?"
"Why of course!"
"Since when did you know?" Squall asked agitated.
"Since Iona told me…that was a couple of years ago now."
"My life is an open book, I see."
"Only to those who really care."
"And you do?"
"Wait, President Loire, sir. Did you say Iona?"
"Yes I did Brendan, what of it"
"Iona Sullivan…how do you know her?"
"She's my cousin."
"That can't be."
"And why not?"
"Because I'm her nephew-my father is her husband's brother and my mother her sister. If you're my aunt's cousin…then that would make you my uncle. And if you're Squall's father then that-"
"Makes me," Squall cut in, "Your cousin. Great to know isn't it, that you made your cousin blind."
"I said I was sorry-"
"That doesn't change anything…sorry…it's just a word. Overused if you ask me."
"What do you want me to say? That I'm not sorry for it?"
"There you go again, using that word. Even if you really were, it wouldn't change the fact that even if you weren't out to get me killed, or blind, seeing as you weren't very successful, then you were going to kill someone else."
Brendan sat in silence, defeated. Nothing he said could erase that fact.
"Not even going to deny it are you."
"Well there's nothing to deny…it's all so true," he murmured as he hung his head in shame. "You already said there was no meaning in saying 'sorry', so I stopped, now I'd like it if you'd shuttup as well."
Rinoa tightened her grip on his hand as if encouraging him to stop. "How much longer do we-"
"Sir, we have Mr Sullivan on the line," Xu's voice interrupted.
"-have to wait," she finished.
"Thank you Xu, put him on the line." Cid cleared his voice before continuing, "Good day, Mr Sullivan."
"Good morning to you, Headmaster. Why is it that I am called? I've never had anything to do with SeeD."
"I'd just like to ask a few questions, if that isn't too much trouble."
"No, not at all."
"Alright then. I believe you have a son."
"Yes I do, Brendan…ungrateful wretch ran away after his mother died."
"I'm not an ungrateful wretch, how'd you expect me to live after the hell you put me through!"
"Brendan? You're going to school at Garden?!"
"Yeah I am, dad. I figured I may as well make something of my life."
"You ran away to become a SeeD?"
"No shit, Sherlock."
"After everything I ever taught you, after all I've done for you-"
"You mean all the shit you put me through."
"Umm, Brendan, Mr Sullivan. Could we please keep this strictly professional-"
"Oh don't worry, my dad is always professional."
"Quiet, my boy. Tell me, how do you pay for such schooling?"
"I dunno."
"Tell me!" the voice echoed from the speaker.
"Ugh! Uncle Stephen left me some money in his will, Aunt Iona sends me some money on birthdays as well."
"Iona? Is that bitch still alive?"
"She's not a bitch! Don't you ever call her that!"
"I'll call her what I bloody well like, it's a surprise she didn't die with her husband."
"Her husband was your brother."
"Oh yes…tell me when did your uncle die?"
"Two years ago, why?"
"He was meant to die three years ago, did I ever tell you that you half failed that part of the mission?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I suppose you don't know yet. You remember that mission I sent you on? That wasn't to kill any clients. It was kill your uncle and that Squall Leonhart."
"You wanted me to kill uncle Stephen?!"
"That was just an aside thing. You managed to kill Squall Leonhart, that's the point. Tell me, have you become Miss Heartily's knight?"
Squall's mind was working diabolically. So that's it. Brendan's father wanted to kill me so that Brendan could be Rinoa's knight.
"No he hasn't Mr Sullivan, I am Squall Leonhart. I am very much alive and still Rinoa's knight."
"Shit, no. Brendan…you told me your mission was successful."
"What was I meant to do? Tell you someone was waiting for me when I attacked and become the subject of more violence?"
"You lied to me."
"And you didn't?"
"That isn't the point. You'll regret ever saying that to me…" the sound of the dial tone followed.
"You freakin' bullshit artist! Come back!" Brendan shouted vehemently before getting up and pacing the room, hands furiously messing his hair.
"What is it? What did he mean?" Laguna asked fearfully.
"He's gonna hit where it hurts." Brendan's voice was monotonous and angry, his hands now covering his eyes in frustration.
"And that would be where?"
Brendan let his hands fall to his sides as he glanced around the room at each of the people around him, tears almost in his eyes.
"If I know him, and I do…" he started slowly in nervousness, "He's going to hurt my Aunty…Hyne, he's going to go kill her!"
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A/N-ah!!! Sorry it took me almost three weeks (I think) to update. School was really hectic and then I went on holidays and had terrible writer's block. I mean, this chapter was written, but because I'm weird I never post a chapter until I've written at least two chapters after. Weird eh? Hehehe tell me about it. anyways, how did you all like it? I'm sorry if any of you were disappointed, this fic gets harder and harder to write every time I sit down to it. I stare at my computer screen and sometimes nothing comes! Now that I've told you all of my woes, I'd like to say thankyou to everyone who has reviewed and given me ever so much support. It is really appreciated. Thankyou in particular:
The Wise: it was unexpected wasn't it? for me as well! Hahaha. Sorry my update took a little *cough* longer than a week, but at least I updated right? Thanks for the review and I hope I'll get over 200 too!
Silver Rune: thankyou for all your encouragement, I'm glad that I can still surprise people. It makes me happy that my story isn't as predictable as I think it is. Thanks again for the review
The Ever Smiling: hehehe you know all those reasons actually came to my mind when I was thinking about why Squall was wanted dead. Of course, none of them made the *final* cut, so yeh. I knew of your name because I saw that you had a joint account with someone and in that bio you had signed your name. I'm sure you did fine in your exams! I have faith in you. Anyhoo, an assessment in Australia can either be a test or assignment that is worth a certain percentage on you grade mark. If that made sense…but yes, assessments are nasty lil buggers and I have 14 next term!!! ARGH! Anyhoo, thankyou for your reviews! They make me oh so happy! XD
Angelprinczess29: XD! You make me smile so much! Which is a rather rare sight hehehe. Nah, I feel really proud of my work for once! I've never gotten so much praise for a creative writing piece. You know, you are one of my inspirations! I read my favourite fics when I'm in writers block and that gets the wheels turning again. :D you rock! Thanks for your support.
Sefran: a little action eh? ;) hehehe I can't tell you anything…there will be a fight, but I won't tell you between who, but no. the weapons factory doesn't get involved, as far as I know. But you never know…thanks for the review!
Mariko: Yeah, you weren't ever forbidden to like Brendan, I must admit that I liked him once, but I knew what he was going to do, so I had quite bad opinions of him. But yes, bickering is fun, isn't it? I like writing it hehehe. Hope this update was soon enough and that you enjoyed it. thanks for the review!
Nuaro: hehehe I was just working on that chapter!! The part when…hehehe not gonna tell. But thankyou for reviewing. Did this chapter reveal anything to you? Prolly did. anyhoo, hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Shadow: hope this chapter satisfied your taste. Thanks for the review!!!
JerseyGirl03: firstly, in answer to your questions. *ahem* 1) not telling 2) eventually 3) because he has a conscience. Hehehe. You know it feel weird that you keep insisting my fic is the…er…best. I'm sorry, but I must say this. Well ask. Have you read "Crimson Lies" by Ashbear? Omg! Now *that* is the best fic ever! I swear on the life of Squaresoft that it is, imho anyway. Thanks for the review!!
Ima hopeless romantic: AH!!!!!~ I just saw your ghost warning me to update last night. It has been *so* long since I updated! I felt so bad that I was leaving your ghost to wait so long. Many apologies, but hopefully this chapter made everything betterer. How was it? what ya think? Thanks for reviewing! You made me really happy…well not the fact that I killed you with the long wait, but that you actually want to find out what happens…thanks again.
Digininga: How are you in FF8??? Did you find that cord? Hope you did! I'd die if I couldn't play. I couldn't really offer you any tips because, well, I really fluked most of my battles. But yeah, best of luck to you, hope you enjoyed this chapter and thankyou ever so much for reviewing!
THANKYOU EVERYONE! NOW DON'T FOR GET TO REVIEW! If that isn't asking too much. You guys rock my socks!