The Seventh Month

Friends & Foes

I was still trying to collect my bearings on the situation when Seifer runs back out of the Ragnarok. What is he up to now? He's unarmed so I sheath Lionheart and wait for him to make his move. He looks upset about something. More so then earlier. "Leonhart, get your butt in gear! You're wanted on the radio!" He emphasizes his point by waving his arms and going back into the ship with a look behind him to make sure I'm following quickly. I push all other thoughts out of my head to analyze later. Duty first, so I rush into the Ragnarok.

As I enter the cockpit I see Seifer already lounged out on his chair. I notice that the messages light is blinking meaning that they had probably been trying to contact me for a while. I sat down in my seat and grabbed for the head set. Seifer looked a bit sad that I didn't trust him enough to listen in. It wasn't really a trust thing, it was that I had no clue what this could be about. Although I sort of offered Seifer commander position he has neither accepted nor declined and I also do not have approval of the Garden board members. High level SeeD or not I can't let him listen in...sorry Seifer. You'll just have to suffer. I turn my back to him and punch in some codes on the dial. With in moments I'm connected to Xu who takes care of any urgent matters while I'm unavailable.

"Headmaster Leonhart here, go ahead Xu." I half listen as she goes through the formalities. She would seem composed to any outside listener but to me she sounds anxious and nervous. She also sounds as if she would rather be shoveling Grat guts in the Training Center then telling me this. Most people probably wouldn't think I could read emotions so well, but with years of covering up my own I can spot when someone less skilled tries to do the same. It also come is handy when negotiating or interrogating someone. I tune back in as she come to a point.

"... You know how President Loire was coming on an unofficial visit to the Garden?" Of course I know. I'm the reason he's visiting. I nod my head but realize that she can't see me so am forced to verbally reply. I can hear Seifer try to hold in a snort at my stupidity.

"I know. What is this about?" As I talk to Xu I throw a death glare over my shoulder. He stops smirking so broadly but seems unphased.

"Well he never arrived at Balamb. When he failed to show on time I contacted the SeeDs you had in his security... I only go in touch with them about an hour ago...." Her voice drifted off and I can tell she was trying to compose herself. She was starting to make me a bit nervous. Ok, I'm not an idiot I can put two and two together. There must have been a fight of some sorts, but I don't see why she's so upset. Laguna was a soldier after all.

"And..." I say in hopes to prompt her into more speech.

"I'm so sorry Squall. They got him.... They killed almost his whole security detail. Our guys only lived because they were junctioned.... We immediately sent teams over there. One of the SeeDs is in a coma the other is being debriefed as we speak...." She trailed off waiting for me to reply. My mind tried to sort out this new information. The President of Esthar was taken hostage. Somebody has stopped Laguna Loire and his escort from visiting the headmaster in Balamb. Some Bastard has fucked with my Father!

I was beyond angered. Nobody screwed around with me and lived to tell about it. With the exception perhaps of one arrogant asshole blond. I tried to compose myself and my thoughts. "Kiros?" He was with my father what happened to him. I noticed that Seifer was leaning forward in his chair studying me. His smirk no longer in place. I spared him a glance that told him not to say a word. And for once in his life Almasy followed orders.

"He was not taken sir. He was a bit banged up, but has been treated and is being questioned as well."

"Where in Timber are they?"

"I'll send you the co-ordinates right away sir. Would you like anyone to meet you there?"

"Not yet. Have my team briefed on the situation. I'm heading to Timber with Seifer Almasy." I saw Seifer look a bit startled at being dragged on a mission before protocol truly allowed. He looked at me curiously again, but I just glared back daring him to question me.

"Alright Sir. Good luck to you. Also everybody would want me to remind you not to go do something stupid."

"When have I ever done something stupid? I ask in disbelief. Seifer is snickering beside me probably remembering all the stupid things I did for Rinoa without any thought of the consequences. Xu however seemed to have more common sense.

"Just some friendly advice Sir. I have to go to the briefings. Talk to you soon." With that she hung up. I yanked the com piece from my ear seeing red. Shiva stirred in my head because of my anger. The Ragnarok's air temperature seemed to cool forcing the automatic heating system on to level out the climate control. Seifer looked at me worriedly. I ignore him and yank at the controls instead. The result is to send us speeding into the air and Seifer, who wasn't in his seat properly flying across the cockpit. Him thudding against the wall and yelling obscenities broke me out of my anger trance. The air warmed and the heating went off.

"What the hell is going on Leonhart?!" He yells agitatedly as he pulls himself off the floor. With the Ragnarok on autopilot I turn my chair to face him. I decide I need to brief him if he's going to be any help to me.

"Sit down." I watch him as he makes his way back to his seat and buckles in. I notice his lip bleeding from the impact with the floor and wall. I feel guilty. I should have warned him that I was going to take off, or maybe that I was going to use the high thrusters when I didn't have to. Anyway to appease my guilt I leaned over to him and whispered "cure". His face to on a look of serenity as the healing light washed over him and healed his minor wounds.

"Thanks." he mumbles as he brings a hand up to touch his now healed lip. "But you're not off the hook. What in Hyne's name did Xu tell you?"

"Laguna and Kiros were coming to visit me tonight. Laguna doesn't understand the need for more security even when I offer him SeeDs for next to nothing. Kiros on the other hand sees the problem. Esthar is now part of the world and that means that it now has political enemies. We talked privately and we set it up so that the President will always be guarded by SeeDs. We both agreed it will be added protection and that it would be great experience for new SeeDs so that's who was on duty today. A level 4 and a level 8 SeeD. They were ambushed in Timber. Why did he have to take the train instead of one of his private Jets I will never understand. Anyway there was some fighting the security detail was wiped out. One SeeD is out cold the other is being debriefed. Kiros was also injured but is able to answer questions. Laguna was taken from them. I don't know where, I don't know by whom... We are heading to Timber as we speak to ask questions find some answers and start the hunt. I don't care if I have to use every SeeD at my disposal and pull every string I have. At this point I don't even care who I have to kill. I will not lose someone else." The cold hard steel in my voice must have startled Seifer he looked at a loss for words. He had heard me angry before, and I'd even shouted at him, but this time my voice was level and flat. A promise of pain and torture for those responsible and I think it scared him. I didn't kill people easily, but I'm willing to make exceptions to the rule.

"First things first. Let's just get to Timber and find out what really happened. See if they left a note, or find out what they are after. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm sure your father is ok Squall. He's a fighter." Damn it. When did Seifer become the sensible one. And why does my name sound so much better when he says it then when anyone else does?

I nod my head in agreement with him and he relaxes a bit. "Are you going to be okay through this?" If he was anyone else I would have brought Lionheart to his throat and asked him what right he has to question his superior. Thankfully for him he was about my only equal when it came to skill and so I could almost find it in me to answer truthfully. Almost.

"When have I not been ok." If either of us were thinking of the little lost boy who would do anything for a family neither of us spoke about it. "Besides with the two of us together were unstoppable." How come I liked the sound of us being together a little too much? And why was I thinking about this when my father was in mortal danger?

"Alright Leonhart, I'll trust you. Just as long as we work as a team. Got it?" I frowned a bit at him calling me Leonhart again, but nodded consent to work as a team with him. We then fell into a silence. With me staring past Seifer into nothing but my thoughts and Seifer staring back at me probably calculating how long he had until I snapped and went on a killing rampage to find my father.

"Five minutes until landing. Landing in Timber in Five minutes." The Ragnarok's autopilot broke the silence and brought us back to reality. As the ship landed I descended from the cockpit and looked over at Seifer.

"Ready?" I asked as we stepped off the ship and started walking towards the site that SeeD had set up.

~~~~~ Author's Notes ~~~~~

This chapter actually turned out ok I don't really have anything to whine and complain about except maybe for the fact it was a bit shorter than I thought it would be. So I decided to go through all my reviews and maybe answer some people's comments. Like Redrum who always seems to be asking questions and the like. Why can't Squall be commander? He was expected to become Headmaster so his duty for SeeD won't let him say no, so that means he needs to find a commander since he is forced to take on the headmaster role. Although he was an excellent Commander too. And for the fight Squall didn't lose because he is weaker then Seifer. Actually he is probably just a tad stronger. It's just that Seifer was smart enough to let Squall wear himself out a bit by fighting a monster before hand. Also have no fear no matter what may be implied this has and always will be a Seifer and Squall. I did notice that it sort of looked like it could turn into a Seifer and Irvine or a Squall with almost anyone back there for a bit, but I assure you Seifer and Squall have eyes for only each other... as cheesy as that may sound. Oh also apologies to anyone who loves Laguna. I didn't want to kidnap him but I had to do it. Don't worry though Squall and Seifer should be able to save him... right?