Disclaimer: you know the drill…I own only the Sullivans/Benitas…everyone else is the property of Square, though they should really (and will) belong to me! Muahaha! I have a glorious plan for world domination! Anyone interested? No…yeah…it was pretty lame anyway…

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Chapter 18-Protect the Innocent

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"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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"Brendan, where does your father live?"

"Well, before I ran away we lived in Timber…he might've moved. I don't know. I hate him so much." He returned to his seat, elbows on knees, head on hands.

"He couldn't have made it there so fast…I'll go there tomorrow and guard Iona," Laguna nervously stated, trying to think as rationally as possible.

"I hafta get out of here, I'll be in my room if anyone wants me." He stood up, eyes downcast, slowly walking to the exit. The door shut behind him, the remaining people staying in silence. Rinoa's glance alternated between the men present before her.

"Umm, Laguna, sir. This might not seem appropriate to ask right now, but I need to know. I mightn't get the chance to ask again."

"Yes Rinoa."

"Rinoa, what are you-"Squall whispered curiously, unable to finish for Rinoa insisted on continuing.

"Is there some way that we can get Squall's vision back?"

"Well Iona and I have been discussing the possibility of-"

"You've been talking to Mrs Sullivan about my blindness?"

"She is my cousin, I have every reason to talk to her."

"Yeah, but about me?"

"Yes."

"So she knew I was her nephew but she never said anything?"

"I thought it would be better if we kept that from you. It's evident that you don't like me, so you would've turned cold against her."

"Ok, so what did you guys come up with?" Squall frowned.

"Well, eye surgery, obviously. Esthar has the facilities and since you are…my son…arrangements can be made very easily, that is if you want."

Squall's glance remained downcast as he replied, " Alright. How soon can it be done?" I can't believe I'm accepting favours from Laguna. Laguna!

"Within the fortnight, hopefully. But you must understand Squall, there are no guarantees that it will work."

"Yeah I know." He felt Rinoa tighten her hold of his hand. "I'll do it. I've got nothing to lose. Umm…," he swallowed nervously, expecting the worst. "How much will this cost?"

The President unexpectedly laughed. "Squall, you don't understand do you! You're the son of the President of Esthar! Everything will be taken care of. You don't need to worry about a thing."

Cid had watched the exchange with amusement but spoke up, "Is there anything else to be discussed while we are all here?"

"Yes," General Caraway unexpectedly started. "I'd like to discuss the issue of your wedding, Rinoa. Just when were you planning on telling me?"

"Well, actually never. I just figured you'd find out from someone eventually," Rinoa said with a smirk.

"I'm being serious, Rinoa, the least you could do is cooperate with me."

I was being serious. She rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. I'm serious."

"How long have you two been engaged?"

She glanced sideways at Squall, head down, thinking about something. Probably the shock and taste of swallowing his pride...finally. "Well, officially, less than a day."

"But Laguna said…" Caraway turned his head to President Loire, "…he found out two years ago or something."

"Three years ago I gave Rinoa an engagement ring. Last night I proposed. Do you understand now, General?" Squall spoke up, lifting his head, not facing anywhere in particular.

"So when is the wedding? Do you have a date?" Laguna asked with a smile.

I can so see where Squall got his smile from, Rinoa reflected. "Well, not yet. Not anytime soon though. We're just going to take one thing at a time, right?"

Squall turned in her direction and nodded with a small smile, almost the image of Laguna at that moment.

Cid continued to just listen, when he realised that silence had settled in, he stood, buttoning his jacket. "Well then, this meeting is now adjourned. Thankyou for your time today." Those present stood as well, making their way to the entrance.

"Laguna," Squall started quietly. "Thankyou." The older man merely smiled as he nervously stepped forward and then boldly hugged his son. Unexpectedly, Squall returned the gesture.

"Congratulations, Squall."

"Thanks," he hesitated, "…dad." Rinoa watched the seen in front of her, tears almost in her eyes. So long they had been estranged. Now after 23 years they were finally father and son. She was brought out of her trance by Cid's voice.

"Oh Rinoa," the Headmaster called. "Brendan forgot his jacket, could you return it to him please?"

"Oh sure," she broke her gaze from the image off Squall and Laguna walking back the chair upon which the jacket lay. She picked it up and returned to where Squall stood. "I'll take you back to your room then I'll give it to him, ok?"

"Alright…you sure you don't want me to come?" he asked as they slowly walked through the corridors.

"I'll be fine. Besides, you look a little tired."

"Yeah I am."

"Listen, everything's going to be alright. Don't worry."

"It's just that…I feel kind of weird still."

"About what?" she asked, knowing full well what the answer was going to be.

"Laguna going through all the trouble for me, despite all the shit I've given him." Rinoa rolled her eyes at the comment. They remained silent the rest of the way. Opening the door she led him to the couch.

"Squall, sweetie, he's your father. I say its about time you two reconciled," she smiled before kissing him tenderly. "I'm really proud of you, you know."

"Why?" he asked as he sunk down into the couch's back rest.

"Well for once, you finally swallowed your pride and forgave him. Doesn't it feel good?" she lay down on the couch, her head resting in his lap while his hand ran through her hair.

"Kind of. Now its your turn."

"No way. We have one father's blessing, that's enough for me."

"Rinoa, please, do it for me?" he mimicked her. "What did he do wrong anyway?"

"He shut me out when I needed him there the most. He didn't even hold my hand at the funeral. I guess I just figured that if he wasn't going to be there that I should start getting used to doing things on my own. So that's what I did. I left home so I could prove to him, and myself, that I could. Hyne knows I've succeeded." Looking up at him, she sighed at the sight of him. "Besides, he went along with Brendan's father and tried to kill you."

"But if he hadn't, then you would've died."

"I guess we'll never know." She tightened her arms slightly, noticing she was still holding something she sat up. "Hey listen, I have to go give Brendan back his jacket. I'll be five minutes ok?" she got the phone from the kitchenette bench and put it beside him. "There's the phone if anyone calls."

"Alright." With a final kiss she was back in the corridor. What room is Brendan in? She frowned. Had anyone told her? Zell probably knows, and he's probably in the cafeteria. Making her way there she spotted Zell at a table reading a book. Zell with a book? "Hey Zell, what ya reading?"

"Oh something Julie wanted me to read?"

"Julie? Are you two still 'courting'?" she asked with a smirk, referring to the librarian trainee.

"Yeah. She really knows her books. This is really good."

"What book?"

Zell blushed. "Nothing that would interest you. So what's up?"

Rinoa laughed at his attempt at a subtle subject change. "Well Brendan left his jacket in the meeting. Cid asked me to give it back to him. Any ideas on which room he's in?"

"Oh, you won't find him in his room," he replied, his eyes still on the pages before him.

"Why not?"

"Oh he borrowed my car. Said he needed to pick up some things. Why?"

Her eyes widened as she went to lean on the table. Looking up she asked slowly, "Did he say where he was going?"

"To his aunt's house in Dollet," he looked up to find her running out the door. "Rin?"

She was grabbed by the arm. "Rinoa, we need to talk."

"Dad-Caraway-can it wait? Brendan's gone."

"Gone where?"

"To protect Mrs Sullivan." That said she retracted her arm from his hold, running back to Cid's office. Laguna who had been roaming the corridors saw the distressed look upon her face and ran to catch with her.

"Rinoa, what's happened?"

"Brendan's gone into Dollet. We have to tell Cid."

They reached his office and hurried through the door. "Headmaster, Brendan's gone."

"Where?"

"To Dollet."

The Headmaster thought for a few minutes. "He isn't a fully trained SeeD yet. Right, Laguna, looks like you'll be going into Dollet earlier than planned. Rinoa, get Xu to page Seifer and have him report here immediately. We may not have much time.

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This is my problem. I have to deal with it.

A lone figure walked the empty corridors from the Headmaster's office. Thoughts racing through his mind.

I have to do something...

Brendan had arrived at the cafeteria. Instantly he paced the distance to Zell. He was about to open his mouth when he was interrupted.

"You've got a lot of nerve to act that way to my friends and show your face to me."

"What do you mean?"

Zell closed the book in front of him and raised an eyebrow. "What you did to Rinoa. She'd been through enough yesterday, you didn't have to be an asshole."

"I told her I was sorry, I was just really frustrated at the time. Still am, actually. My whole life is screwed," he said as he brought a hand up to his face, rubbing his eyes in bewilderment.

"That still isn't any reason to take it out on Rinoa. So what's up?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could borrow your car."

"Sure, what for though?"

"Umm, my aunty forgot to give me something yesterday. She wanted me to come by to pick it up."

"Your Aunty?"

"Yeah, you met her…Mrs Sullivan?"

Zell's eyes widened at the name. "Oh, Iona Sullivan? Gee, I dunno why I didn't make the connection before. Of course! Tell her thanks for the hotdogs," he exclaimed as he handed Brendan the car keys.

"Thanks Zell, I'll probably be back tonight," I hope.

"No problem. See you then," he responded as he reopened his book to continue reading.

Brendan hastily walked out of the cafeteria and then ran to the garage area. Not knowing which car was Zell's he pressed the 'alarm' button, instantly letting the siren of a black corvette off. Getting into the car and starting the engine, he backed out of the parking space without too much caution, heading quickly down to Garden's exit.

As he sped down the road leading into Dollet his thoughts were on one thing alone.

No more innocent lives should suffer...

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A/N-ahh!!! Chapter 18 up!!! Omgoshness!! Okiedokie…sorry, really happy. Now tell me…was that ending a cliffy? I mean, I know one when I read one, but its so different when you're the actual writer. Anyhoo…yeah, so what ya all think? Please review and tell me, feedback is always appreciated…you know…the *good* type (constructive criticism). I couldn't be bothered editing *shock* so any errors, tell me and I'll fix it up ^.^ .Thankyou to everyone who's been reading and reviewing especially:

Silver Rune: I'm glad to hear that you found last chapter humourous, I got that comment a lot, and it seriously wasn't intended. Oh well, s'all good. Glad you liked it nonetheless…did you like this chapter?? Hope you did. thanks for reviewing! ^.^

Angelprinczess29: hehehe nah Brendan never was meant to be liked in the way we all love Squall hahaha. Yeah, its getting easier to write now, I'm up to writing the second last chapter…*tear* yes…this fic will be coming to an end soon…don't worry…there's still about 4 more, so yeh. I don't think I got around to reviewing your last chapter, but it was great!! I remember *that* much ;) hehehe thanks for reviewing!

Shadow: Mr S dead? We'll see hahaha…hope this update was soon enough and thanks for reviewing! ^.^

GrieverHeartilly: yeah, I had a feeling some people would get all confuzzled. There is an aside story as to how Gilroy and Adeline met which I never got around to adding in as an extra little explainer. They met at Iona and Stephen's wedding, so their…erm…relationship bloomed from there. Yes…thanks for reviewing!!! Was this update soon enough?

Brion: thanks for the review, but I can't tell you anything…don't wanna spoil future chapters do I? Anyhoo, hope this chapter was ok…what you think?

Jade: sorry, but cliffies are usually essential in fanfics hehehe. Anyhoo, thanks for the review!!

The Ever Smiling/Erica: heehee, I love getting your reviews!! Anyhoo, nay…I haven't read the fic…yet…I am yet to read it and review. And no, no one has died from assessments but yes…stress is not always liked…oh! I like apples!! Hahaha thanks for reviewing as usualy, greatly appreciated. Hope ya liked this chapter!!

Digininga: look at my commet to GrieverHeartilly if you're still a little confuzzled. ^.^ thanks for reviewing! I know what you mean about nervousness…I get nervous everytime I update! But once you start getting reviews and stuff, its fine! Really, you should write something! I'd be glad to R&R! was there enough fluff in this chappy? Nay? Possibly next chappy then hehehe…or the one after…but yes…thanks again and good luck again with FF8.

Sammy-Chan: m'dear, don't look like a codfish hehehe omg!!! You can't believe how high I was when I got your review, I think I've said it before, but you really made my day! Ah!! I honest to goodness love your stories and the fact that you said you liked mine was like…a really big accomplishment for me!! Thankyou ever so much for taking the time to read *and* review my fic.!!! Hope this chapter was sufficient, was it?

ZzandDK lover: thanks for the review! But I can't tell you anything that will spoil the sotry, unfortunately…I'll update within the week though!

Mariedel/Maria24-hah! Dude! Year 8?! That's 2 years…whoa! I think b2 finally returned ff8 to his friend…I was looking for it the other day and I couldn't find it…so I played FFX instead hehehe…the last chapter was funny? Wow! I didn't even intend that…then again a lot of what I never intend to be funny ends up being funny (the warning in chapter 12 I tink it was) anyhoo…tnx for reviewing dude! Oh and I think

Buttered Angie: Goldi! Hahaha I'm still really surprised you decided to read my fic. So you've decided to play ff8 eh? Good choice…oh and yeah, I'll start reading hp sometime next week hehehe potato throwing contests…I am yet to introduce that to *my* family…HIPPO-CRIT! Sorry…had to be done…thanks for reviewing!!! How was this chapter?

Thanks again everyone…I should be updating within the week, next Saturday (Aussie time) at the latest. Please review! ^.^