A/N: Hey y'all! I've decided to change my pen name, finally. The previous one was only temporary, because I couldn't use another one I wanted. So until I came up with something else, I used the old one. And what really pissed me off is this: I was going to use yet another one, but the damn fanfiction.net keep telling me it's already used. Being as it is that it was rather unusual, I did a search for it and guess what? NO-ONE'S USING IT! Either way, I'm keeping this one; it was my No2 choice right after the one I originally wanted.
I'm really excited to tell you that I've reached a verdict concerning the two new fics. I'd like to thank ALL of you who voted and were so nice about my new ideas. And the winner is…. *Drums* Story No2, 'A Second Chance'! 'Pirates' came pretty close though… Lost by two votes only. Those of you who voted for 'Pirates', don't worry; I'll write that story too, but later on in the future. So, just be a little patient…
Anywayz… it's time for you to learn all about Seifer's nightmares… I'm pretty much certain you all got an idea what it was about though. Either way, enjoy the new chappy!
Chapter 26: Return of the SeeD
About a month later…
- "And that's it for today class. Those of you who have a lesson with Instructor Kinneas this morning, keep in mind that it will be cancelled." said Quistis to her students. Some cries of joy and delight were heard, but a few girls approached Quistis.
- "Why will the lesson be cancelled Instructor Trepe?" asked one of them sadly.
- "Instructor Kinneas has been feeling a little under the weather these days. Nothing to worry about though. Tomorrow, you'll get a substitute teacher for about a week or so, until your Instructor fully recovers." said Quistis, gathering her things from her desk.
- "Oh… Well wish him a quick recovery from Courtney!" said another girl.
- "And Samantha!"
- "And Julia!"
- "Alright, I will…" said Quistis smiling.
- "Have a nice day Instructor Trepe!" said the three girls cheerfully, leaving the classroom.
- "You too girls…" replied Quistis.
- "Instructor?" said a shy boy, who had just walked over to Quistis' desk.
- "How can I help you Trevor?" Quistis asked, smiling at the red-haired boy standing in front of her.
- "Could I… ask you a question?" Trevor asked.
- "That's why I'm here, isn't it?"
- "How… How old are you?" he asked blushing. Quistis looked at him a bit puzzled.
- "Eighteen. I'll be nineteen in a few months. Why?"
- "Oh, no reason… Just asking… Are you going to lunch now?" he asked looking down at his feet.
- "Yes. As a matter of fact…" she said glancing at her watch "…I have to go now, or I'll be late."
- "Could I… Escort you?" he asked getting even redder.
- "That's really sweet of you Trevor, but I have to meet someone for lunch."
- "Oh… Your… Your boyfriend?" he asked looking a bit hurt.
- "*Sigh* Although it really isn't your business… No." she replied closing her briefcase.
- "So you're single?!" he asked in delight.
- "If you must know… Yes, I am." she replied "I really have to go now Trevor."
- "Sure, sure… See you tomorrow. Bye!" he said waving at her as she exited the classroom, waving at him as well.
Quistis walked over to the elevator, pushing the button to the 1st floor. When she got there, she swiftly walked down the stairs and then over to the Parking Lot. She made her way through swarms of Trepies who rushed over to her, bombarding her with questions and compliments. Quistis walked over to the SeeD cars and chose a blue one to borrow for the day. She got inside and slid her ID card through a special slot next to the ignition. The machine quickly read her card.
Scanning ID…
Confirmed…
Quistis Trepe
Instructor No. 23
ID: 34756
Unlocking…
The steering wheel unlocked and Quistis turned the key, which was already on the ignition. She drove off the Garden, towards Balamb City. Summer was almost over, but the weather was still magnificent. August was already drawing to its end, but there were no signs of an autumn atmosphere. The sun shone brightly, the climate was still warm, although nowhere near as hot as it had been all summer. Quistis couldn't help but smile as she drove through the green Balamb plains. Things had been going really well in her life the past month. She was back in 'action', doing the thing she loved most; teaching. Zell and Irvine had also made it in becoming Instructors and were always asking for her advice, which she gladly gave. Her relationship with Seifer was still as strong and as passionate as ever, although still secret. Sure, they had their quarrels like every normal couple, but nothing too serious. They always ended up making up… Seifer was learning to cope with her friends really well, too. He'd become part of their gang and all of them had gotten used to his cocky remarks and taunts. They even found them funny now that they were too close to take them personally. Hell, Zell didn't even get annoyed by 'Chicken-wuss' anymore… Even Squall was now getting used with the idea of Seifer being around. Quistis grinned as she had a flashback of Squall's birthday party, just a few days ago:
**FLASHBACK**
All eight of them were gathered around in Squall and Rinoa's dorm cutting the cake. Rinoa kept planting kisses on Squall's cheeks and lips, making him frustrated at some point. Zell and Quistis were arguing on the next CD they were going to listen to, while Irvine and Shizuka were playing a quick game of Triple Triad. Seifer was lying down on one side of the bed rolling a cigarette for a very excited Selphie. He took a sip from his beer bottle and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear him.
- "I really think Leonheart should resume the striptease he left unfinished at Selphie's party…" he said smirking. Everyone, even Squall himself, snickered.
- "Oh you'd just love that, wouldn't you?" Squall asked raising an eyebrow.
- "You know you're the only one who gets me excited Puberty-Boy… Aw shit, I gotta stop calling you that, now that you've grown in to a man…" Seifer said mockingly "Either way, I'll never get enough of your juicy body…" he added, running his tongue over his lips.
- "Hey!" exclaimed Rinoa, putting her hands over Squall "Hands off my man!" All of them chuckled.
- "Nah, I don't mind…" said Squall shrugging.
He got up, raised his T-shirt up to his neck, ran two fingers over his wet tongue and rubbed them onto one of his nipples, sending a fit of hysterical laughter all over the room.
**END OF FLASHBACK**
It was indeed a memorable moment to see the always serious and conservative Squall pull a joke like that one. Yep… Life was peachy for the eight teenage mercenaries. The only thing that bugged Quistis, were the constant nightmares Seifer had been having, which he always refused to talk about. Quistis respected his choice, although she couldn't help but feel worried about him. And that's why she had decided to ask for Matron's opinion. She was meeting her in a while, to have lunch over at Balamb City.
Quistis arrived at the seaside town only twenty minutes after leaving Garden. She parked her car on the town Square and found her way towards the restaurant in which she would be meeting Edea. She soon reached it; it was called 'The Balamb Oyster'. It was a beautiful, picturesque restaurant, over by the sea-side. Edea was already there, sitting at a table outside.
- "Quistis dear…" said Edea getting up, as soon as Quistis approached her.
- "Hello Matron…" said the blonde Instructor, hugging the woman she always considered a mother "I hope you haven't been waiting for too long…"
- "Oh no my child…" said Edea as both of them sat down "I only came here five minutes ago."
- "May I take your order?" asked a waiter who came over to them.
- "I'll have the trout dish, with baked potatoes, please." said Edea.
- "And you Miss?" asked the waiter.
- "I'll have…" said Quistis, quickly scanning the menu "… the lobster spaghetti, please."
- "Can I bring you a salad?" asked the man.
- "Sure… We'll have the… lettuce salad?" said Edea looking at Quistis.
- "Yes, that's fine. The lettuce salad." replied Quistis.
- "And a bottle of white wine." said Edea.
- "And some water please." said Quistis.
- "Very well. Your order will be here soon." said the waiter, grabbing the two menus on his way inside the restaurant.
- "So… How are things going dear?" asked Edea holding Quistis' hand "I haven't seen you in quite a while."
- "Oh things are just great! I'm back at teaching and it feels so great!" Quistis said cheerfully.
- "Good… And how are the others?" Edea asked.
- "They're doing well. Squall had his eighteenth birthday just a few days ago, on the 23rd."
- "I know. I gave him a call. I couldn't come to Balamb though; I had some pressing business to attend to at Centra."
- "Are you staying here for long now?" asked Quistis.
- "Yes, I think I'll be here till Christmas and probably New Year's Eve."
- "Oh good! Then we'll get to see you every day."
- "Indeed… How's Seifer? How are you two doing?" asked Edea smiling warmly.
- "He's fine… We're still together…" said Quistis, blushing a bit.
- "That's really good to hear…"
- "He's on a mission now. I'm actually waiting for him to get back some time tomorrow. He's been studying very hard to raise his rank through the tests, so he can get better missions. He's already at 29!" said Quistis excitedly.
- "So, everything is good?" asked Edea.
- "Everything. Except…"
- "Except the thing you called me about…"
- "Right."
- "Well, what is it? Tell me…"
Quistis took a deep breath and began telling Edea about Seifer's nightmares. Edea listened to her carefully, as their lunch was served.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
- "…so he's been telling me nothing. He refused to speak about it. I mean, I respect it and all, but I'm still concerned about him. And that's why I came to you for advice…" said Quistis twirling her fork around the spaghetti inside the now half-empty plate, swallowing a forkful down.
- "Oh dear…" said Edea putting a hand on her forehead.
- "You know what this is all about?" asked Quistis eagerly, taking a sip of wine from her glass.
- "I think I do…" said Edea tracing the surface of her glass with one finger.
- "Well, what is it? Is it serious?" Quistis asked worriedly.
- "*Sigh* I feel so guilty…" said Edea.
- "What does this have to do with you?" asked Quistis puzzled.
- "Quistis… When I was… possessed… through Ultimecia… I… did things to Seifer…" Edea said with a look of sorrow on her face.
- "'Things'?" asked Quistis raising an eyebrow.
- "I… tortured him… Did things that you really don't want to know about… It's going to be very hard for him to recover mentally…Oh Hyne, what have I done?" said Edea, while tears appeared on her beautiful honey eyes.
- "Matron, you know it's not your fault…" said Quistis holding Edea's hand "It wasn't you who did those things… It was… her." she added with a disgusted expression on her face.
- "I know but… now my poor child has to suffer for it…" said Edea, as a tear ran down her cheek.
- "Will he ever… forget?" asked Quistis.
- "He will be able to cope with it in time… But he'll never forget… He's always trying to act strong, pretending it never happened… That's why he always acts like that… It's a shield for him to cover everything he hides inside. But in his dreams… it'll be haunting him for long… Until he lets it out…"
- "Can I help him? In any way?" asked Quistis.
- "Yes, of course… You can show him your love each and every passing day…" said Edea caressing Quistis' cheek "You do love him, don't you Quistis?" asked Edea smiling.
- "I… I think I do…" said Quistis lowering her head "But he doesn't."
- "What makes you say that?"
- "It's just not… him, to fall for a girl like me. Sure, he probably cares, but I don't think he loves me. I don't know if he ever will…"
- "Well then…" said Edea holding Quistis' face in her hands "…I'd like to ask you for a favor. I want to be the first one to laugh in you face when you get proven wrong…" she said smiling. Quistis let out a small giggle and smiled back at Edea.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The train arrived at Balamb Railway Station at exactly 3 o' clock. Quistis was waiting patiently outside, leaning onto a wall. Soon, the train stopped and the passengers started to disembark. Dozens and dozens of them came out, leaving the station, until the figure of a tall, blond man appeared at the exit. He was wearing a SeeD uniform and was carrying a suitcase. Quistis smiled at the sight of him. Seifer looked around at the crowd and saw her. He smiled and walked over to her. Quistis ran towards him and when she reached him, she leaped onto his arms. Seifer let his suitcase fall on the floor and hugged his lover, giving her a deep kiss.
- "Hey beautiful…" he said when they broke apart "Missed you loads…"
- "I missed you too…" Quistis said hugging him tightly "How did it go?"
- "Well…" said Seifer picking up his suitcase with one hand, putting his other arm around Quistis' shoulder "Let's just say I showed them what Seifer Almasy is all about…" he said cockily giving her a wink.
- "Mmm… My bunny rabbit gave the bad guys a hard time?" she asked smiling, while they walked out of the station.
- "Yeah, but let's not say that 'bunny rabbit' too out loud…" said Seifer grinning. Quistis laughed.
- "Let's go home baby…"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Quistis let Seifer drive the two of them back to the Garden. Seifer held the steering wheel with one hand, while his arm was around Quistis' shoulder. From time to time he shot her meaningful looks and kissed her, while she screamed at him to keep his eyes on the road, although on the inside she enjoyed it. They arrived shortly at Garden, where Seifer got out of the car so that no-one would see them together and walked his way inside the military academy, while Quistis drove back to the Parking Lot.
- "I'll see you inside, OK? I'll come at your room." he said giving her a peck through the window, walking inside.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seifer was lying on top of Quistis naked, kissing her. Quistis held him from the base of the neck to deepen the kiss, as his hands cascaded on her silky, bare skin.
- "Hyne…" he said huskily, between kisses "You're like a drug… I can't get enough of you…"
Quistis moaned in pleasure and smiled inwardly; she felt exactly the same. No matter how much they got together, she always wanted more. The couple went on making out on Quistis' bed, until a knock on Quistis' door was heard. Seifer's head jolted up and he turned to look towards the door.
- "Are you expecting anyone?" he whispered.
- "No." she whispered back "Who is it?" she asked loudly.
- "Quisty, it's us! Selphie and Rinoa." came Selphie's chirpy voice.
- "Holy shit!" whispered Seifer, getting off Quistis.
- "J-j-just a sec! I'm in the bathroom!" yelled Quistis and sprang up from bed as well.
- "OK…" said Selphie from outside.
Seifer quickly started gathering his scattered clothes from the floor. Quistis looked around frantically for her own and shoved them into the closet once she found them. She ran inside the bathroom and wet herself a bit, then wore a bathrobe and a towel around her hair. Seifer hurried inside the bathroom to get dressed and hide. Quistis closed the door behind him and went to open the door, when she saw his boxers lying on the floor. She grabbed them and shoved them into the bathroom where he was. She hastily made her bed and finally went to open the door. She fanned herself with her palm, took a deep breath and opened the door.
- "Finally! What took you so long?" asked Rinoa walking inside.
- "I was just showering…" said Quistis "So… In what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
- "We just thought we'd bring over some snacks and gossip!" said Selphie sitting on the bed, spreading all kinds of snacks on it 'Oh boy…' thought Quistis.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Much, much later…
- "…So I tell him: 'It's OK baby, it happens to the best!'" said Rinoa, making all three girls laugh. Quistis nervously glanced at the clock. An hour and a half had passed. Seifer must have been bored out of his brains in there…
- "Well now…" said Selphie sighing, looking at her watch "We better get goin'… You probably have to get ready for your evening classes, huh?" she asked Quistis.
- "Yeah, I start in an hour or so…" replied Quistis.
- "Hwaah!" yawned Rinoa "Yeah, we should go…"
The two girls got up and left Quistis' room. Closing the door, Quistis sighed, relieved that they'd gotten away with it. She walked over towards her bathroom door and opened it. She found Seifer fully dressed, standing up with arms crossed. He glanced at his watch and spoke.
- "One hour and… thirty-three minutes…" he said.
- "I'm sorry…" she said hugging him "We hadn't planned this…"
- "*Sigh* So much for our 'quality time'… You have to get ready for your class, don't you?" he asked. Quistis nodded "I guess I'll see you tonight then…" he said kissing her on the forehead, leaving her room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Damn, I just keep torturing these two don't I? ^_^
ON THE NEXT CHAPTER OF 'LOVE CONQUERS ALL':
Seifer and Quis go shopping together for their new battle gears (they got their old one torn after the accident in the forest, remember?)
The duet of nasty reporters keeps trying to capture the secret couple on frame. Will they make it?
Quistis gets hold of something that belongs to Seifer…