The Seventh Month
Paperwork & Play
Ah the blessed silence and solitude of my office. I've been in here for a few hours and still haven't thought of anything brilliant about my father or Seifer. I make myself a pot of tea. Yes tea, coffee is disgusting and tea has quite a bit of caffeine in it. I have a feeling I won't be getting anymore sleep for a while. After my tea is finished I grab the cup and sit in my comfy office chair. I punch some keys on my computer that should bring up the contract file so I can fill out a new one for retrieving Laguna. While it loads I recline back in the chair, prop my feet on the desk and think about the ride back from Timber.....
~~
"If you think you're flying you've been hit by confuse." I snarl as I sit down in the main pilot's seat.
"Come on Leonhart...You know you're tired and that this would be a great opportunity to rest. And while you do so you need someone to watch over the controls." He tried to give me this convincing look that he knew what he was talking about. Yeah right.
"I know what you're doing and don't. I need you to support me not coddle me." I glare at him but I am silently thankful that he's matured enough to be concerned about my well being.
"Coddle you? Psht I have respect for my life, thank you. I just don't want to see you burn out. Come on unjunction and relax. It's not like you can do anything 'til we get back."
Sigh. He's right. I hate when he's right. I let my junctions go and feel the exhaustion wash over me. Once we're in the air I put the auto pilot on and lean back in my seat. The next thing I know we're over Balamb. If I didn't think he respected his life I would swear that Seifer cast a Sleep spell on me. I didn't think I would sleep so soundly for so long. Although it would have been nicer to wake up not doing spirals in the air. I can't believe that Seifer decided to test fly the 'Rok while I was sleeping. Just as I think this the whole ship does a loop de loop and I'm just thankful I'm securely buckled to the seat or I would have been pretty banged up. As he does another my belts dig into me. "Ooppphhh"
"Oh hey, You're awake. We're just heading in for the landing now..." He gives me this big grin. I glare "You know you look cute when you sleep. Almost innocent. I say almost because we both know you're not.." Another grin. I blink...WTF did he just say I was cute? Wait what does he know about me not being innocent? I glare. "he he he.. Leonhart, your priceless."
"Don't think I'm not gonna hurt you for driving my ship."
"It's not like I did anything bad to it. It's in perfect condition." As he says this the ship lands with a THUMP. "Well, almost perfect...." Glare. "...I'm sure it's fine..." Death glare. "... Don't we have other stuff to worry about anyway." He's getting desperate so I ease up and make my way out of the ship stretching tired limbs. I feel eyes on me so I turn around.
"What?"
"Nothing." I shrug and walk back with Seifer silently following. I need to get away from him. I need to think and I really need to kill something.... well can't do that, have to stay in the Garden and can't go to the Training Center. two out of three isn't bad. "What are we going to do?" He asks as we board the elevator. Ok so ditching Almasy might be tough.
"I'm going to fill out necessary paperwork. You are going to go and do whatever it is you do when you're not following me around." So it was somewhat mean, but I really had to escape him for a bit. I can't concentrate with him looking at me. He also keeps having these good ideas that wreck my plans for revenge.
"You could always find out what I do with my free time." I look at him. He has a point. I really should get to know what the hell he does when he's not pestering me. Maybe I'll do that once I make sure that Laguna is safely tucked back into his palace in Esthar.
"Maybe one day. Now if you'll excuse me." With that I quickly sneak into my office and shut the door. The last thing I see as the door closes is his baffled expression....
~~
Beep Beep Beep... I'm startled out of my thoughts by my computer going haywire. Ooops my foot must have hit some keys. I look at the screen and see that it is rapidly loading several screens. When it finally finishes I get ready to close about fifty unwanted windows. As I go to close the first one I notice it is the promotion paperwork. hmmm I should fill this out to promote my Commander. While the rest of the Garden board should be present for the signing not to mention agree to the candidate it's not necessary. I have 51% of the votes so I can just explain to them later it was a matter of urgency and that they should have no reason for concern. Besides this way Almasy should be kept busy with Commander duties and it will free up some of my time too. I'm liking this idea more and more.
I fill out the necessary spots and print off a copy. After filling out a new contract for Esthar to sign I decide I should give Esthar a call. Some cheery voiced secretary picks up.
"Hello, this is Leonhart is Kiros available?" I ask in my monotone voice.
"Please hold." While I he should still be resting in the hospital I'm not surprised he's up an about already. Only death could keep me away from finding Laguna.
"Squall?" Comes a tired voice on the other end.
"Yes. I have the new contract for you to sign. I'll save you the trouble of reading it. It says that you will pay a lump sum of 50 000 gil for any equipment and SeeD needed to retrieve the president. It also gives orders to destroy the base and all personnel involved with the kidnapping as well. We will then return the president to Esthar. Is that ok?" I hadn't wanted to charge them that much but for all the resources we are using it would look too much like I was granting favours if I did. As it stands it just looks like I feel horribly responsible for this scenario since the SeeDs on duty could not protect Loire.
"Sounds extremely reasonable. I'll sign it right away and have the money deposited immediately. Now, what can you tell me about the case?" He sounded hopeful I didn't want to crush it but I really had nothing to go on yet.
"We are still running the crest the members wore. We are hoping that they will send a note or something soon so we can trace it. As it stands we are playing a waiting game. Putting together the facts we have and hoping they'll give us more."
"As long as you're doing everything you can."
"Trust me sir, we're doing more than that. I have to go, but I'll try to keep you informed." I didn't wait for a reply and hung up instead. I look at the clock reading 7am. We had gotten back late last night and I've been working through the early morning hours. At ten I had a meeting with my team, my friends. Before that I should be getting the data recovered form the scene and hopefully a narrow field of suspects. I still had time before that. Maybe I should promote Seifer now. I hit the speaker button.
"Seifer Almasy please report to the headmaster's office. Seifer Almasy please report to the headmaster's office." I sit back expecting a long wait for him to arrive. I nearly fall off my chair by the almost immediate knock at my door. "Enter"
Seifer comes in wearing his SeeD uniform and looking slightly wrinkled. "Yes Headmaster?" He asks as he stands in front of my desk saluting.
"What, were you sitting outside my office all night?" I asked startled.
"No, When you locked yourself in your office I grabbed a shower, a change of clothes and a meal. I brought you something too." He throws a bag on my desk. Looks like a sandwich. "Then I came up here hoping you'd come out of your damn office. Guess I fell asleep on one of the chairs." That explains the wrinkles and if he was expecting the formal meeting later that would explain the uniform. I glance at myself and decide I must look a mess. Note to self. Shower before the briefing or you may just scare everybody away.
I shrug and motion for him to sit down. "Sign this." I point to the commander promotion papers and then grab the sandwich bag. I pull out the food. mmm Ham and cheddar not what I'd normally have for breakfast but it's more like my supper anyway. I take a few sniffs of it and then bite into it. As I'm chewing I notice he hasn't signed and he's watching me. "What?" I mumble with my mouth half full.
"That's real attractive Leonhart. Can't understand why you don't have anybody with table manners like that..." I glare and swallow.
"Just sign by the x." I take another bite.
"Just like that?"
Chew chew chew, swallow. "What do you mean just like that?" I stare evenly at him putting my sandwich down.
"What do I mean just like that? Hyne Leonhart. I've been back at garden barely a month and you're promoting me to Commander do you want to start a riot with the students. Also in all this time you barely say more than two words to me. What's changed all of a sudden that you want me as your second when we haven't had a decent conversation with each other in over a year?"
Wow didn't expect that, think of something good to say Squall you need this SeeD as commander and you need him to be around for you, even if you are to chicken wuss to admit it. "I've received numerous papers about your extraordinary conduct. You've helped out the disciplinary committee and helped raise school standards of deportment. You've been teaching some of the kids how to handle the training center and how to better themselves. I've never seen kids so eager to learn and try harder than when you've been helping them along. You've been courteous to other SeeD members and after the first few days when people could get a chance to know you I haven't gotten a single complaint. You can look if you want..." I slide my chair back to the filing cabinet for SeeD members. Everything is on computer, but a lot is still kept on paper, I pull out the Almasy, Seifer folder and toss it at him. "Here." He starts to flip through it. After that speech I feel I've earned a bit of a break so I take a few more bites of my sandwich.
"Fine, so I'm qualified, but what about you?" I wash down the last of my food with some tea before answering.
"I've been busy. I don't always have the time I'd like to talk to people."
"That's bullshit you and I both know it. Tell me why you've been avoiding me. Do you still hold me responsible for the war, for the torture and the deaths...Have you not forgiven me yet?" His eyes looked sad and filled with regret. Just great. All I wanted to do was promote him not go over the war. That's over and done with.
"I'll never forgive you Seifer." His face drops. "Because I don't hold you responsible, and anyone who accepts an apology from you is not worthy of you or what you have to offer." His face lifts, I see a glimmer of hope in them. "You've never left me Seifer, and I won't leave you, not again anyway." Seifer stared at me as if trying to figure something out. Why was this taking so long. This isn't rocket science Almasy pick up the damn pen and sign... I have a father to get back. I kept my face passive. "So? Are you going to sign it or what?"
"Alright, You've made your point. I'll sign it you just better stop ignoring me." He smirks as he picks up the pen and scrawls something I assume is his name. I thought I had bad writing. "Before I hand this back though I have a condition."
I scowl. Why didn't I know he would make this difficult. "What's that? You're already getting a pay raise and a bigger room
"It's nothing like that. I just think we should seal the contract." His eyes were glowing in a playful manner. I stood up to get a better look at him and hopefully to put him off this crazy idea.
"Seal it?"
"Yeah." He stood up from his chair too, but left the contract and pen on the desk. How the hell did he want us to seal this. With like a wax seal? A handshake and drink? Before I could think further he was leaning over my desk towards me. "Seal it with a kiss." Holy Hyne in the morning. Seifer Almasy has just pulled me half over the desk and is kissing me. What am I doing? Standing there like a girl letting him take control of the situation. I don't think so. Without thinking I lean closer to him and grab his head with one hand deepening the kiss. With the other I trace the pockets on his SeeD uniform. This feels so good and I love the way he growls in the back of his throat when I try to take control. Before I can lose myself completely in this bliss I hear a knock at the door. Before I can even reply it starts to open. I push Seifer off me and back into his chair and quickly get off my desk to sit back down in my seat. My hearts racing and my cheeks must be as flushed as Seifer's. Please don't let this person be perceptive.
"Hey Squall. I was down in the tech room and they have the short list for you. If you ask me it's still quite long. Zell hands a fairly thick folder along with a disk. He then notices that I have a guest. "Oh hey Seifer, didn't even see you there! Whatcha doin up here with Squall?" I try to act natural and hope that Seifer takes the hint that I don't need Zell to know he just had me on the desk making out with him.
"What does it look like Chickenwuss. I was signing my life away to Leonhart here. I am now officially your boss." He picks up the promotion papers to quickly show Zell.
"Psht, why would I want a boss who can't even finish buttoning up his own uniform?" I must turn bright red as I notice that Seifer's shirt does indeed have several of it's buttons undone. When did I do that? "Just kidding man. Congratulations, may your work load not be so big it kills you." With that Zell gives Seifer a half hug half handshake of death and Seifer has to all but wrench Zell off of him.
"Can't breath Zell.." Zell immediately releases his hold and Seifer slumps back into his chair.
"Ohh, Sorry man. I've gotta go, but I'll see ya at the meeting. And no more chicken wuss!" He bounces to the door and leaves. Where does he get that much energy I'll never know. But I'm convinced that Selphie and him have found a secret fountain of bounciness and sugar highs somewhere and as soon as I find it. It will be destroyed. I smirk at the thought of a somber and depressed Selphie and Zell because I've destroyed there happy source.
"What are you smirking about?" I notice Seifer is still sitting across from me and he's smiling mischievously. "By the way..." He leans over the desk to whisper to me. "Your pants are undone." I look down and notice he's right, I blush as I quickly do up on of my belts and my pants. When I look up again Seifer is about to reclaim my lips. I put up a hand to ward him off. "What? Don't you want me anymore Squall?"
"No...I mean Yes...I... not right now Seifer." I never realized how hard it is to think when someone is blowing on your ear. "And stop that." I push him back to his side of the desk and put my head in my hands. "I need to find my father, have to get him back Seifer. I can't lose another person." Shiva help me, was I about to breakdown? No way. I will be the headmaster they all expect me to be. I raise my head to see that the chair Seifer was in empty. I jump slightly as I feel hands massage my back. How is he the only person that can get past my senses?
"Shhh. Nobody is going to leave you Squall. Just take it one moment at a time. We'll get him back together."
I lean into his hands a moment longer thinking on his words. Together, maybe, maybe not. I know I will get Laguna back, I just don't know if I'm willing to risk my friends to do it. I gently push his hands off me. "Later, I need to run through this."
"I understand." Before he leaves from behind me he bends down and nibbles lightly on my ear. Before I can push him off he's halfway out the door. After he leaves I process his promotion papers and try to get my mind under control. Out of all the stupid times. Why did I have to pick this moment to get involved with Seifer? I have a Garden to run a President to save and I broke up with my girlfriend of seven months less than a month ago. I leaf through the files left in front of me a couple more times before giving up and heading to my dorm to grab a quick shower. Maybe it will help clear my mind.... Damn you Seifer.
~~~~Author's Notes~~~~
Could you imagine how long the last chapter would have been if I didn't break them up... Geesh it's plenty long as it is. But hey look Squall and Seifer have finally gotten past the I think I want him but I don't think he wants me I'll just ignore him stage. Woohoo....to bad they can't enjoy it 'cause they have to hunt down Laguna. I also tried to lighten the tone of this chapter, and I think I almost succeeded until Seifer started getting all emotional and angsty oh well what ya gonna do? Not to happy with the last few paragraphs, but I was getting tired of this chapter and had an essay to write. Also apologies for the numerous grammar errors that are no doubt lurking in this chapter because I didn't have time to edit. Enough excuses, on to chapter 12.
BTW I hope I kept Seifer and Squall in character in this scene. I'm not that good with writing the whole kissing stuff so I just tried to keep it brief and sort of vague. Maybe I'll get more brave in time.
Until the next chapter... Please Review I love getting comments.