Chapter Six: Contradiction

"Richard?" she gasped in confusion, still holding her tender side.

"Who the hell else would I be, Renee?" Grabbing her arm, he spat back, "Let me put it this way, I don't care. I don't honestly care what happens to you. Personally, I don't even care what happens to Allison, but I need her. I can't look like the good family man without my dear, sweet little girl. The people of this town, and of course the council, are going to feel sorry for the poor single father after his wife dies. Oh, that's right, you've had your little illness for too long now, seems like it's going to take a turn for the worse."

"Illness…dies?" she questioned.

"Do you honestly think that I could have made it this far without some kind of cover story? What you want me to tell the public that my wife is a psychotic murderer? You don't think you can just seduce me one night, get pregnant, and take me for a fool, do you? I'm not like the others living in this god-forsaken town. I actually can read the newspaper. I had to tell those people some reason they never saw you. So you mysteriously became very ill after the wedding. Now they all pity my situation and will do anything I ask. That's the irony of this little situation, my dear wife…you thought you were playing me, when I was the one playing you."

She said nothing, just watched the man in front of her. Man, this was no man. He was just a beast like the rest of them. If ever she had wanted to kill someone in cold-blood, this would be it.

"Cute Renee, very cute – then again you always have been, right Renee? As I see it, after I find Ally I'll have all the power I could possibly want. Because you'll do anything to keep her from harm…even if that means using your power."

He grabbed her free arm and threw her down onto the bed.

"You turned yourself into a little whore that first night, one more fuck for old time sake," Richard Bennett spat. He managed to grab her, holding both arms in one hand, while the other ripped at the buttons on her shirt.

For some time the will to fight within her was gone, before it was the safety of Ally in the next room. She remembered that first night with Richard way too well, and the guilt that still tormented her soul to this day. Yes, she had indeed been calculating that night. The one thing she hadn't thought in all her planning was a name. Of course that was the first thing Richard asked the 'shy girl' outside the restaurant. She had started speaking, "Rin…Renee, Renee Davidson." Sad, the last name she came up with was actually from the billboard advertising the nightly news anchors. She had been running for almost a week at that time, needed food, and shelter badly…badly enough to sell her soul and her body.

Allison, her little Ally, she had to find her before Richard or his men did. Even if that meant risking herself out there, in a world, she hadn't been a part of for two years, but anything would be better than in here. Everything, every emotion was coming back to her now. She for the first time in so long, remembered who she really was. The cloudiness in her mind was slowly clearing. Richard's attention had now turned, attempting to undo her jeans. Looking at him, she smiled almost callously. He stopped at her sudden change of attitude, fearing the look on her face, and his now sudden loss of control of the situation.

A blinding white light filled the room. Richard felt a sudden tightening in his chest. Releasing the tight grip he held her, he rolled to his back, holding his hand over his heart. She got up and started buttoning her shirt. Looking over the man on the bed, she reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, stuffing the contents into her pants.

She looked him straight in the eye, "I don't think we have been properly introduced…my name is Rinoa Heartilly. Guess what, I'm a sorceress, but don't worry I'm not going to kill you. You'll just be out of commission for a few days. But if you ever think of touching Allison or me again, you won't be so lucky. Nice meeting you, thanks for the room and board for the past two years."

Rinoa took a deep breath and walked to the door. SeeD was still downstairs, and being caught really wouldn't help the situation right now…


Four hours had past since his return, Squall sat leaning back in his desk chair. For the first time in ages, even work could not keep him out of his secluded world. His mind kept racing with events, circumstances, and individuals. Some of which he had tried desperately to forget. Earlier actions from the day still plagued his mind; he had never wanted to hurt Quistis, but it was a decision made long ago and one he tried not to reflect upon. Hell, if he had it his way, he would have never been married, or touched another woman again. But some decisions were not his to make. Other lives were at stake.

It had happened modestly enough, working in his office one afternoon. Cid had been staying in Deling helping with the establishment of the World Council. Something in Squall's personal opinion only created to destroy Rinoa. Cid ventured to Garden one day and told of Mitchell's run for president, and his unfounded desire to chair the council. According to polls, there would no way Mitchell could lose. People loved how he had risen past the control of a sorceress and his intense commitment to locate her. His only other competition would have been General Caraway, and circumstances had taken Caraway quickly out of the race.

One of Mitchell's greatest concerns, according to Cid, was Squall being commander of the strongest and most well trained Garden. Squall had a personal stake in finding the sorceress, as it was public knowledge they had been involved. Cid suggested, more like ordered, Squall to find someone to ease the conscious of the community, mainly Mitchell. Doing so would imply that he had moved on, leaving his commission intact. Thus, it allowed him to oversee any or all attempts made to find the sorceress.

Looking back on the situation, Squall came to the realization he would have done about anything to ensure his position as commander, moreover, to ensure the locating of the sorceress. Even after two years, Rinoa still lay first on his mind, her safety and her well-being. Even though he knew, that she may never have returned those feelings.

Quistis was entirely different situation. He used her love to his advantage, and for that, he felt remorse. Ever since Rinoa moved to Garden, the two girls had their differences. They were, in Squall's opinion, still acquaintances, but only when the issue didn't include him. Most of the time he believed Rinoa was very protective of their relationship, sometime to a point of aggravation to him and those nearest to them.

Now questions of her true intent entered his mind, dancing like flames on his soul. If the possessiveness of the relationship was not love, what in fact was it? Even after all the information, intelligence, and reports he had received about the sorceress and Mitchell, something didn't feel right. He had to find the truth. He needed answers. The only person with that ability, to put his conscience at ease, was Rinoa. Even if the answers she gave were not the ones he wanted to hear.

Squall again stared at the reports Seifer had given him earlier that day. The official copy to the World Council and that the Garden had received seemed identical to the human eye. Although the reports themselves were over twenty-five pages, Squall could not see any noticeable difference between the accounts.

There was also a first draft contained in the folder from Seifer, it too seemed no different from the others. Squall reached for the scanner and started to put both copies into the computer. Word for word comparisons would take only a few seconds after the data had been entered. He sat memorized at the flicker of the monitor, for a brief second his thoughts turned back to Quistis and her welfare at this moment. His feelings were interpreted by a knock on the door.

"Commander, may I come in a minute?" The tone sounded hesitant.

Squall knew the voice immediately as that of Zell, this was probably going to be one of those 'Quistis-related-issues' he couldn't even think about facing right now. Against his better judgment, he instructed the martial artist to enter. The commander sincerely hoped that whatever he had to say would be quickly over, although with Zell that would be a miracle.

The young man entered the room holding what appeared to be, at one time, a meatball sub. Zell walked over to the desk as he was finishing the remains of the sandwich, followed by the traditional wiping-of-the-hands on pants. He took a seat in the chair opposite Squall's desk and half-heartily started looking at the mess of paperwork that was sprawled over the surface.

"Do you actually want something?" Squall asked his gruff voice augmented with irritation.

Zell picked up a piece of paper from the commander's desk and started skimming it, "Yeah, I was just here to inform you that Laguna arrived by helicopter. He's being escorted to his room, but of course, he asked to see his son."

Squall glared at the paper in the young operates hand. "You do realize that is confidential, don't you? I could dismiss you from Garden for even glancing at it." Squall stood up and quickly yanked the dissertation away from Zell. "If that is all you have to say, dismissed."

Zell gave the commander an annoyed look and stood to leave. At that moment, Squall's computer sounded. It had done the cross-comparison between the original document and the second draft. Only three words were different in the entire report.

"Covered with blood?" Zell turned around and quickly faced the commander, as he had already started walking out the door.

Squall stared at him for a moment, "What the hell did you just say?"

Zell took a small step toward the commander. "Well, yeah I was technically 'reading' that piece of paper that I wasn't supposed to see. It stated Rinoa ran from Garden, covered in blood."

Squall glared at him briefly, and then turned his attention back to the computer screen, which was at an angle impossible for Zell to read. It also displayed the same three words Zell just said, covered with blood. He could only look at the younger man, unable to form a thought at how bizarre this coincidence was.

Zell started speaking when his commander didn't seem to understand the sudden outburst.

"Squall, it's just that I actually saw Rinoa as she was leaving Garden, when the Galbadian troops started chasing after her. She had this look of… Well I don't know exactly, she looked scared, horrified at the situation. I was on my way to help, when I was cut off by another group of soldiers. I wasn't that far from her, maybe three meters at best. One thing that I can tell you, she had no blood on her at all. I was looking to verify she hadn't been injured."

Squall still looked at the computer finally affirming, "That was added on the final copy. It's not on the original draft."

"Why would anyone add that on the second draft, if it wasn't true? It almost seems like that would make it look like she was hurt or had hurt somebody at close…" Zell stopped at his own comment. "Ah…sorry about that Squall, sure it's no big deal."

"Zell, I'm asking you as Commander and as a friend…are you positive Rinoa had no blood on her?" Squall demanded intently searching Zell's eyes for a response.

"Yes, Squall. I would bet my life on it. As my word as a SeeD, Rinoa had no blood on her. Why is this so important anyhow?"

Squall leaned back in his chair trying to figure it out himself, "Because it is a direct quote from a SeeD, which was apparently added later on."

Zell nodded with understanding, not pushing the subject any further. He started to leave the office yet again, and then a flash of lightening struck outside. Zell was hypnotically pulled back to his dream, which had so often plagued him. The vivid image of Rinoa standing on the lake of blood, yet mysteriously without any on her, entered his mind. The words of the report etched into his mind, covered with blood. He seemed to understand something within himself, within the confines of his dream. Before he closed the door to Squall's office, he turned back to the commander.

"Squall, don't ask me how I know anything. I'm not even sure. I feel that statement is very important, whoever said that is lying."

Squall didn't reply as Zell closed the door. He gathered up the papers in the folder and began the process to shut down the computer.


Quistis had been walking for what had seemed hours, finally ending up on the shores of Balamb. Taking her shoes off, the lonely instructor let the sand play between her naked toes. Irrevocably when she felt she could walk no longer, she collapsed to the sand below. Waves would come and hit her legs, each time seeming to rise. The foam of the water was mesmerizing, little whirlpools would form around her. She wished they were just large enough to drag her under the treacherous surf. Occasionally, she would attempt to pull her salt-covered hair out of her eyes; mostly she just let it cling to her pale face, feeling the stinging from the salty water, made the pain in her heart not as great. The tears were almost gone now, there does come a point when crying becomes impossible.

"You know, if you stay in the water like that you could catch pneumonia," a low voice declared from behind her.

She knew the voice. She had known it most of her life, although the pitch had changed over many a year.

"Seifer, not now, please."

Ignoring the request, he sat beside her, drenching himself in the ocean surf.

"I don't know why I'm here or how I got to this point, either. The last few years have been no more than a blur."

"You don't understand what I'm going through, Mr. Almasy," she acknowledged, although not telling him to leave this time.

"I bet you would be amazed at how similar our situations are, instructor. Right now, you're looking out to the endless ocean contemplating your entire existence. Although, taking your own life is not even crossing your mind. It is a scary thought to be alone, in life and in death. You are wishing right now that you could take the last two years back. I, myself, wish I could take back the last five and half."

"Least you didn't fall in love with someone who never could love you," she quietly said, never taking her eyes of the impending sunset.

"Didn't I? Seems to me that I fell in love with a concept, an idea so mind-boggling to this day…I can't believe I fell for it. I fell in love with a sorceress, or her power more like it, not even of this time. How well do you think that relationship could work out?" Seifer replied still looking at the soaking wet instructor.

"I married him. The ironic part of the situation is I knew he didn't love me. I figured if he was with me…that would be good enough."

"We always want what we can't have, it's human nature. You saw a chance to make your dreams come true, then when you got what you wanted…it was not what you had dreamed. I know."

"I just pictured us living a happy life. He would eventually forget about her and I would be there when he did."

"Quistis, I'm sorry, but he is never going to forget Rinoa. There is a bond there that cannot be broken, no matter how much time has past. Hell, it will last beyond this lifetime into the next. The best you can do is count the losses now, and show him that you are stronger than he could ever imagine."

She looked toward Seifer for the first time. "Do you think she killed Ellone?"

Seifer curved his gaze from her as if searching for answers from the vista. "No, I don't. I loved her once and don't believe she is capable. I also speak as a former knight…the power of a sorceress can only be corrupted if that was her desire. Rinoa would have nothing to gain by killing Ellone, only everything to lose."

"Where do you think she is right now, Seifer?" Quistis asked with almost a tinge of sorrow in her voice.

"I think she is scared, hiding probably. I mean even I watched Squall…on the podium as he announced the hunt for Rinoa. He showed no emotion toward her. He basically gave anyone the right to shoot on sight. She thinks there is nothing here for her."

Quistis looked down and attempted to trace circles in the sand with her index finger, only to have the surf wash all attempts away. "How do you live with what you have done, how do you face the consequences?"

Seifer returned his gaze to her, attempting to figure out exactly what she had meant by the statement. It almost seemed out of context. "I haven't yet. I believe I'm trying to redeem myself now. I just hope it is not too late. Frankly, I don't trust President Mitchell. I honestly believe Squall Leonhart might be my last hope for redemption."

Neither said another word and just continued to watch the sun set below the threatening, foreboding waves.


Quistis walked down the halls of Balamb Garden, it was well past midnight now. Hours had passed since she left Seifer sitting along the beach; without a word, she walked away from him. Not once had she actually thought of arresting him, he essentially had been a strange form of comfort. After she left the waterfront, she continued walking for some time realizing she had actually missed Garden's departure. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if Squall would wait for her, or if he even showed any concern on her disappearance. When she returned to the dock, it was empty. She had no money on her and tried calling Selphie, collect at that, to wire funds to hire transportation. After all attempts had failed, she noticed by chance an Estharian helicopter and quickly raced toward it.

At that point, she wasn't sure if it was a blessing or an omen that the helicopter was that of her father-in-law. Her transportation problems would be solved for the moment. It was an awkward trip, Laguna constantly asking about the condition of his son. Quistis just wanted the older man to be quiet. In the end, Laguna took the hint and the rest of the trip was made in silence.

Now she found herself back at her room, her and Squall's room. When she opened the door, the only light present emitted from the moonlight filtering through the curtains. Taking her jacket off, Quistis walked the span of the living room over to the light switch and flipped it on. She jumped at the sight of a man sitting serenely in a lone chair. Squall looked almost infuriated, a look she was trying to interpret given their current situation.

"Squall, I thought I told you to stay away from me," Quistis spoke not really in resentment.

He got up out of the chair, throwing a thick folder down on the table. His eyes met hers, staring intensely into her soul.

"You lied," was all he could say…