Disclaimer: I am poor…got that? Now if I'm poor, what are the chance of me owning Square? Huh? Tell me…I'd like to know…yada yada…you get the drift, I own only the Sullivan's and Benitas. Enjoiz…

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Chapter 19-Red Herring

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"Yes, Sir," Seifer saluted as he entered the office.

"No time for that Seifer. I'm sure Laguna will fill you in on everything while you drive there."

Seifer raised an eyebrow at the rush going on around him. "Err, where exactly?"

"To Dollet."

"What for?"

"No time for explaining right now. You need to get equipped and junctioned. This could be dangerous. We don't know a lot about the enemy."

"Alright. I'll meet you all in the car park. I'll be five minutes," that said, he rushed out of the office back to his room.

Laguna and Rinoa, too, rushed out of the room. "Laguna, I'll meet you in the car park, I have to tell Squall."

"Alright, don't be too long though."

"I won't." When the elevator got to the bottom, they both departed in different directions.

Squall unexpectedly heard someone burst in.

"Squall," she gasped as she ran to where he sat.

"Rinoa, what's the matter? What's happened?" he asked anxiously.

"Brendan's gone to Dollet, unarmed as far as we know."

"I always knew he was an idiot."

"Listen, I have to go with Laguna and Seifer."

"You're going now?" I hope that didn't sound selfish

"We have to. Brendan might be in danger. He's not a fully trained SeeD and Cid's worried about him." She kissed him. "I'll be back soon, I promise."

"I just got you back," he said softly as he held her face in his hands. "I don't want to lose you again. Please take care of yourself. Shit, I feel so helpless."

"No," she shook her head, "You aren't helpless. You're my strength; you're my knight. Your being here means more to me than you'll ever know." Biting her lip her mind shouted at her to leave quickly. "I have to go." She kissed him once more and made for the door.

"Bye, Rin," he called nervously.

"I'll see you soon," she replied. She refused to say 'goodbye'. She avoided using it at all costs. 'Goodbye' usually meant something bad in her life-her mother's death and Squall's disappearance.

I'll be back...

- - -

The shadows of the trees stretched across the road. Brendan was sure to park the car about two blocks away from the Sullivan Residence, as to not make his purpose too obvious. Quickly, but carefully, making his way to the house of his Aunt he was careful to take in all of his surrounding as to not miss anything suspicious. Looking at his watch, he saw that it was 3:46. Approaching the restaurant from the read, he decided to check the restaurant first. Jumping the fence, he landed in the garbage area behind the 'Benita Banquet'. Coming up the back door, he bend down to the brick stairs, taking out a loose brick, he inserted his fingers in to grab the extra key.

Retrieving it, he got back up and opened the door slowly. The chefs weren't in the kitchen. Must be a day off for them or something. Checking every room out of caution, he slowly approached the swing door leading into the dining area. The light was off and the sign on the door was flipped to show him the 'open' side. Walking cautiously into the room, he eyed every corner carefully before coming to the main door. He opened the door slowly, releasing himself onto the footpath in front of the restaurant. Turning around, he went to close the door, the 'closed' sign clearly visible to the outside. He checked his watch again. 4:18. Shit! It took me half an hour to check an empty restaurant.

Turning his head to both sides, he crossed the road carefully, but hastily. Keeping an eye on his surroundings he mindfully took out the spare key from under the pot plant at the far end of the verandah. Quickly returning to the front door, he opened the door and quietly opened the door. Commonsense, and the fact that he'd watched too many movies, told him to check behind the door, which he did promptly. Stepping through the threshold he practically tiptoed slowly through each passing room. Finally he breathed heavily as he came upon the closed door leading into Iona's room. Gently easing the door open, he immediately saw a slumped figure upon the bed.

"No," he gasped as he rushed to the bed. He instantly held two fingers to her throat, looking anxiously for a pulse. Finding one he breathed a sigh of slight relief. Turning Iona on her back, he began searching her for an injury.

"You won't find one, you know," a voice echoed from behind him. Brendan's hands stopped searching. He straightened up, refusing to turn around and confront the man.

"What did you do to her?"

"A simple sleep spell. I knew that using her as bait would get you here. Really, I thought you, a SeeD, would know better."

"So she's alright?" he asked, not really taking in anything the voice said.

The person stepped closer behind Brendan, holding something cool and hard against his back. "Of course she is. But you're not."

Then the sound of a bullet being fired echoed in the room.

- - -

Laguna furiously accelerated upon exiting Garden.

"So Rin, you mind translating Cid's cryptic statement?"

"Brendan's father, he's a lunatic, he went to kill Iona Sullivan, Brendan's Aunty. Brendan went to protect her and Cid thinks its dangerous…he isn't a fully trained SeeD, he may not be able to handle it. as far as we know, he may even be unarmed."

"Right, got ya." Faster than expected, due to Laguna's speed, they arrived in Dollet, Laguna making his way easily to the Sullivan residence, he continued past it to the next turn. Parking the car they all hastily got out, running back to the house.

Stopping in front of the building, Rinoa brushed her hair out of her face. "I saw Zell's car parked a few blocks back."

Laguna bent forward, trying to catch his breath. "The doors open, Brendan must be here."

"Yeah, no murderer, despite mental status, would leave a door open."

They stealthily made their way into the house, Seifer taking the lead.

"…A simple sleep spell…" they heard.

Seifer followed the voice coming to an open door. Seeing the scene before him, he lifted his gunblade, and aiming past the two people in front of him, he fired a single bullet. After doing so he instantaneously stepped forward holding the blade to the man's throat. They saw Brendan fall to his knees at the shock of the sound.

"Mr Sullivan I presume."

"Yes," his voice hoarsely replied.

"Nice to see you again Gilroy," Laguna said as he shuffled past Rinoa to stand in front of criminal.

"Laguna Loire, well it has been a while. Friend, do get this man to put his weapon away."

"Throw the gun away in your hands away, friend." Laguna raised an eyebrow. Gilroy promptly obeyed, dropping the gun to Laguna's feet.

"Happy?"

"Quite."

Rinoa who had been at the door stepped forward holding out her hand. Closing her eyes an aura begun to illuminate around her, then with a spark of lightning, Gilroy Sullivan was on the floor.

"You didn't kill him did you?"

"Hyne, no. My power isn't that strong. Besides, I want him to suffer. Killing him would be too easy an escape for him. I want him to writhe with his thoughts of guilt while he's behind bars. Let it eat away at him."

"Rinoa, I've never known you to be so evil," Seifer said as he brought his weapon slowly back down to his side.

"I am a sorceress you know." Turning her attention to Brendan she stated, "What were you thinking? Coming here alone and unarmed. Have you gone crazy?"

"I wanted to protect my aunty. She's the closest thing I have to a mother now…and I've already lost one." That said he rushed off his knees to the bed. Iona Sullivan was still asleep. Staring down at her form he mumbled, "It never occurred to me that he was really out to kill me. He knew exactly what I was thinking and he used it against me. He's no father of mine. My dad already died two years ago."

"Brendan, Gilroy isn't dead." Laguna put a hand on his shoulder.

"I wasn't talk about him," he scoffed as he gestured to the limp figure on the floor. "Uncle Stephen, he was my dad. Not my father, but he was my dad."

"Listen, I'll stay with your aunty tonight. You go back to Garden with Rinoa and Seifer."

"What do we do with him?" Rinoa asked, nodding to Mr Sullivan.

"I'll call the police, they'll take care of everything. You all go back to Garden."

Rinoa and Seifer began to make their way out of the room. Brendan reacted more slowly, bending down to pick up the gun his father had dropped. Standing up again he stared at it thoughtfully. I should kill him, but I want him to suffer as well. Lifting his gaze from the gun to his father laying on the ground, he aimed it at the man's arm. "I hate you, dad," he muttered as he pulled the trigger and fired.

Rinoa jumped at the unexpected sound, and turned back around, as did Seifer. Without a word, Brendan threw the gun at the feeble body laying at his feet before brushing passed them and out the house to the car. Rinoa and Seifer followed his lead as they recovered from the surprise. Without a word, Seifer opened the doors and they all stepped in. Seifer started the ignition and slowly drove out of the city. Nothing but the sound of the motor reverberated in the vehicle as they inched closer to Garden, still on the outskirts of Dollet.

When they had gotten back into the car park, they all went their separate ways, not uttering a word to each other. Brendan slowly proceeded to his room where he did nothing but sit on the edge of his bed and for the first time since his mother's death, he cried. Elbows on knees, hands supporting his forehead while the tears silently flowed down his cheeks.

- - -

Rinoa headed back to Squall's room. Upon opening the door, she found him laying on the couch, his soft and steady breathing indicating that he was asleep. Laying face down atop of him, she rested the side of her head against his chest, noticing his breathing pattern change.

"Is Mrs Sullivan safe?"

She nodded, "Your dad's staying with her for the night."

Squall frowned slightly, "Is Brendan alright?"

Rinoa acquiesced again. "Yup," she said as she sniffed.

"What happened?"

Rinoa relayed to him what had happened. "His eyes, Squall, they were so full of…hate. I've never seen such a face, even from you, and you always said you hated Laguna."

"Brendan's dad deserves to die."

"He'll die eventually. I think Brendan just wanted the satisfaction of hurting him. Kind of like pay back. Don't worry, I think we can all be happy that he is finally behind bars where he really belongs." Turning her head to set her chin upon his chest she sighed. "I'm so glad you're back, Squall." Closing her eyes, she returned her ear to his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

Squall brought his hand up, feeling for her hair. "So am I. I missed you so much," she heard him say as he combed his fingers through her hair.

I don't ever want to be without you...

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A/N- ahh, well another chapter and good news, I have actually finished writing this fic, a great accomplishment for me and good news for all of you who are interested because that means that I'll be updating regularly ^.^ yay! Hehehe ok, I've decided that I will update on Thursdays, alrighty?? So be sure to R&R cos I'll be looking forward to your feedback. So how was that chappy?? I kinda felt really sorry for Brendan, that's a first…but yeh. Please review and to those who reviewed last chapter:

Shadow: thanks for the review, hope you liked this chapter!

Ima hopeless romantic: hehehe, yeh…Brendan's father is quite manical (not an actual word, I made it up ^.^) anyhoo, I'm glad you had a good holiday!! Hope this chapter was ok, thanks again!

Angelprinczess29: Brendan had a quite big part in this chapter…you know originally, Squall and Laguna weren't meant to get reconciled at all, but I thought they better…get's turned around further along…I have no idea if that made sense so I'll cut to the chase, thanks for the review!!

The Ever Smiling: I enjoy getting your reviews, I know they'll *always* be longish hehehe, they're usually a good laugh too. I read the 'rabid monkeys' story, very interesting, made me laugh so much that my brother who was playing ffx behind me look at me really weirdly (very weirdly, more so than usual)…but yes…thanks for the review!!! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Cloud-123: I'm gonna take a stab in the dark and say that your favourite character is Cloud…am I right? I love being right! Hehehe, sorry….i have a fairly big and weird ego..anyhoo, hope you enjoyed and thanks for the review!

Digininga: theres a lot more fluff to come, I assure you ;) hehrhe I'll be happy to help you in writing fanfic in anyway I can, editing anything (I love editing, though I don't do it a lot for my own fics hehehe) anyhoo, hope you liked this installment, thanks for the review and enjoy your CCS fanfiction! ^.^

Sammy-Chan: I just told Erica, I read your rabid monkey's fic…funny stuff that, I even reviewed! Hehehe, yes, I'm nice like that hehehe anyhoo…gee…I'm really flattered by your comments! Truly…hehehe and Brendan does deserve the asskicking doesn't he? Oh and I love your site too hehehe

Crossfire145: gee, thanks heaps!!! Thankyou for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

The Almighty Pickle: I hope you didn't lose any sleep, I know how it is to read a fic from beginning to end and I've lost many nights due to that hehehe. Anyhoo, I'm glad you enjoyed it and thankyou for taking the time to review. Tis truly appreciated. Hope you liked this chapter…a little shorter than usual

Drifting Moomba: thanks a lot for the review!! Hope this chapter was sufficient, but as to Squall's sight? I can't say anything…I don't want to spoil anything for you (even if it is obvious hehehe) thanks again.

Buttered Angie: yes, you get a little acknowledgment as well since you did review…in a different way. Hehehe I'm so happy you actually read and *like* my fic! *shock*…I can't believe I need glasses….i'll be nerdier than I already am! Hehehe all my dad's fault…tis in my genes *grrr*…oh and apparently my reading at night is at fault and so is my eating…that I don't get…anyhoo, thanks for reading! How was this chap?

Thanks everyone for reading, could ya review as well? Thanks! I'll update next Thursday again.