"I am convinced that we have a degree of delight, and that no small one, in the real misfortunes and pains of others." – Edmund Burke.

Flexible

Drink can alter you
Girls can have strange effect too               

I ask myself, is it a sin
To be flexible when the boat comes in
Open the window and out go ideals

We all know boats don't last
We all know cars are fast
(Depeche Mode)

Downshifting, she steered the car around the corner of the old warehouse. Given their need for discretion she was forced to keep the headlights dim, which made manoeuvring in the old section of the city difficult. The road was wide but rocky and electricity had long since been cut off from the lamps that bordered the way. Few citizens traversed this area since the Galbadian occupation. Fewer still fifteen minutes to midnight.

As quietly as possible given the poor conditions, Mrs. Banagher brought the rumbling wagon to a halt at the curb of the brick building. She leaned forward to switch off the ignition and cut the lights. Other than the dying engine, the only palpable sound was their soft breathing.

Next to her, the other woman shifted, unbuckling her seat belt and reaching into the carryall at her feet. The interior of the vehicle lit somewhat when Quistis was able to find a flashlight. Setting the cylinder between herself and the driver so that its glare beamed off the floor, she sat back.

"Okay. We have a bit of time so before we do anything we should make sure we've all got the plan straight." Quistis turned a little so she could address both Mrs. Banagher and the passenger in the backseat.

Removing her own restraint, the older woman looked at her and smiled. Excitement sparkled in her eyes. This was her first covert mission in over ten years and she was anxious to get moving again. For so long she had been the one in the background, planning but never participating in the actions of the resistance movement. It was thrilling to be involved once more. It made her feel alive to be doing something for a cause she believed in. Strong.

"All right. Watts and I will enter the building first. We shouldn't have too much difficulty, I'm thinking. I'm to pretend interest in joining them, which they'll have no choice but to believe. No one turns me down." She wiggled her eyebrows and grinned.

Quistis chuckled and smiled back, glancing to her left at the nervous fellow behind them. She was not as confident about their scheme as the resistance leader. For starters, she was ethically opposed to involving civilians in a SeeD operation. Though the woman was clearly sure of herself and of their success, Quistis could not help but feel guilty. If something were to go awry, she would be held accountable. Furthermore, while the woman might have experience with this sort of thing from her younger days, her partner did not. Nor did he appear eager to begin his training. If anything, he looked as though he was prepared to bolt at the sign of trouble. Not good. It was suddenly plain to her why the Forest Owls had needed to call in SeeD to carry out their plans.

"Right. Watts, you are to stay with her at all times, backing up what she tells them. It'll be less suspicious than if she were to go in alone."

"Got it, sir." The male nodded, fidgeting against the soft material of the seat. He shot a look out the window and Quistis caught the apprehensive way he rubbed his hands against his jeans.

"Brilliant. I'll be listening from in here." Hefting her bag up from the floor, Quistis began unloading the surveillance equipment, complete with headphones and a mini-recorder. They had set up the system back at the house and both individuals were fully wired. "I doubt they will check to see if you are bugged but if so I want you both to—."

"I know, I know." Mrs. Banagher broke in with a laugh. "Give them our full cooperation until you can get inside." Shaking her head, she reached over and patted Quistis' hand. "You worry too much, love. Everything is going to be fine."

"I hope so. But we have to be prepared for any mishap." Quistis cursed herself for not having any Guardian Forces with her. She hated using them at the best of times but even she had to admit their powers were often very useful in tight situations. They were one of the reasons SeeD was so feared. Without them, she felt almost helpless. Very much on her own. While she had wanted a chance to prove her theories to the scoffing board of directors, this was not the situation she had originally envisioned.

"Once you're in do your best to find out as much as you can about Almasy's location. Find out what they are doing with him if you can. Every piece of information you can get will be helpful."

"Roger that, chief." Granting her a brisk salute, Mrs. Banagher winked. "Like getting a confession of one of my boys. My husband always said I would have made a great lawyer."

"But don't make it too obvious," warned Quistis. "We don't want to alert them before we're ready to move in."

That was another hitch in their heinously flawed strategy. If something were to go wrong, if the Wolves were at all distrusting, they had no backup. Unarmed, the two would be left vulnerable. It would be up to her to arrive in time.

Fully aware of the nature of the state of affairs and the danger she was putting herself in, the other woman just gave the younger female's hand one last pat. She understood the ramifications of the job she was about to do and the consequences if their strategy failed. But she was ready to face them. After all, her only daughter was inside.

"Are there any questions?" Quistis tugged back the sleeve of her borrowed sweater to check her watch. Five to midnight.

"None. Let's move out." Grabbing a hold on the door handle, Mrs. Banagher went to pop it open. "Take care of my baby, will you? She may be old but she's of fine Timber stock. The last model before the factory was shut down." She gave the steering wheel a fond stroke before moving to rise out of the car.

One final bout of conscience screaming at her, Quistis shot out a hand and touched the other woman's shoulder. Their eyes locked. "You don't have to do this, you know. There's still time."

"Don't be silly. In for a penny, in for a pound, right?" With a quiet laugh, she sent Quistis a warm smile. Her eyes softened. "You could not stop me now even if you used one of them sleeping spells. This is our fight as much as it is yours. Trust me, dear, and stop worrying! You'll have more wrinkles than me in a couple years." Swivelling her gaze to the male, her expression became hard. "Move it, Watts."

"Yes, chief." Gulping audibly, he fumbled for the door handle and stumbled out into the night. The sky was moonless and black, it took him a moment to adjust to the difference in light. Something streaked past his foot and he jumped, nearly shrieking. If his mentor's hand had not landed firm on his shoulder he would have been back in the vehicle. He was more frightened of her than anything or anyone else he would ever face.

"Just a rat," she assured him. He was not so positive there was such a thing as "just" a rat but he kept his mouth shut and nodded.

"Good luck," leaning her head out the window, Quistis whispered to them. "Remember, the order to evacuate takes priority."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." With a cavalier wave of her hand, Mrs. Banagher turned to head toward the front of the building.

"And Watts?" Quistis added, causing him to hesitate. She gave him an encouraging smile. "Rinoa told me once you were the best when it came to reconnaissance. Thanks for helping me out. I know you can do it." She watched as he blushed and scratched the back of his neck.

"It's, uh, no problem, sir. I mean, ma'am." He backed away in the direction of the woman. "Just doing my best. I'll see you later."

When he disappeared around the side of the building she rolled up the window and arranged the recording materials on the passenger seat. Slipping the headphones over her hair and making sure the speakers directly covered her ears, she leaned back against the driver's seat and set up to wait.

Squall looked up from the monitor when the door to his office opened, not a little abruptly. Catching sight of Xu with a furrowed brow and a frown twisting her lips, he quickly minimized the asteroids game he had been absorbed in so that the mission briefing returned to the screen.

"Can I help you? I'm a little busy."

Rolling her eyes, Xu closed the door at her back. The air had been tense between them since the previous afternoon, not all of it on her part. She felt she was justified in her bitter feelings and was not about to make peace anytime soon. Especially since it did not seem as though he was willing to apologize for his comments. In all actuality, his opinion of her position mattered little; he held little authority over her standing. But she was not one to pass up an opportunity to rankle his ever-unshakable nerves.

"As a matter of fact, you can." Striding over to the desk, she placed both of her hands on the surface. "Evidently, the case file on Almasy, which is stringently classified under the penalty of death, has gone missing from my collection."

"I see." Meeting her accusing gaze head-on, he pursed his lips. "Do you want me to put a task force on it?"

"Oh, I don't think that will be necessary." Whipping back her hair, she straightened up and folded her arms, eyes narrowed in a scowl. "Hand it over, Leonhart. Not only did you not sign it out, but you went through my personal records to get it. Your assignment as Commander does not render you above the rules."

"What makes you think I took it?" Bored with the conversation, he averted his eyes back to the computer screen, scrolling down with the mouse.

"Let me think." Xu shifted her weight onto one foot and cocked her head. "Your irritation yesterday when I informed you it could only be removed at one hour intervals. The tantrum you would have had in the middle of the front office had Cid not been standing there. Your complete ignorance of all the rules as they apply to yourself. I don't know, Squall. Pick one."

He did not respond for a solid two minutes. Continued to stare at the screen while she stood in front of him, tapping an impatient foot against the carpet. He nearly grinned at each soft thud her boot made against the runner. If she thought she was the only one around the executive office adept at practical jokes she would find herself to be very mistaken. He had learned a lot from his friends over the past few months.

"Well? Cough it up."

Slowly, he angled his head back in her direction. "I don't have it," he answered at length. "Maybe you filed it wrong."

"My ass." Seething but knowing she would get no further with him at the moment, Xu jerked back around and rammed the button for the automatic door. "If I find out you have it, shit's going down."

When the door slithered shut, Squall's expression broke out in a self-satisfied smirk. Mood improved greatly, he went back to pelting enemy ships with digital rocks. The more he got used to it, the more he appreciated his job.

Inside the warehouse, Mrs. Banagher and Watts were led down a narrow upstairs corridor by a stocky youth, attired casually in jeans and a sweatshirt. She had explained her motives to him upon their arrival and he had been more than willing to lead them to the organization's secretary. He had not even blinked when she had insisted Watts join them.

Stopping at a random doorway, the man knocked twice before tugging on the rusted handle and stepping inside. "Wait here." His tone was affable and he sent her a smile to show she was welcome.

Once they were alone, she spoke in a low voice, directing her statements toward Quistis who was connected in the car. "We're on the third floor. Fifth door on the left. I think we are going to be meeting with some kind of admission officer. Everything seems to be cautious and systematical. Like they are concerned about some kind of breech. The security check at the door was grand. I think they are both armed."

"What I expected." Quistis' voice filtered through both of the pieces in their respective ears. "They'd have to be on alert for Galbadian forces. Keep me posted."

They looked up when the door reopened and they were directed inside by the same fellow. Out of the corner of her eye, she could detect the noticeable bulge in his loose jumper. Apparently every member of the movement was ready for violence. Back in the old days of the Owls and Foxes, they had not required such heavy protection. However, to be fair, that was before the war.

"Please, come in."

The new voice was familiar. So familiar, in fact, that it had her jaw almost plummeting to her knees in disbelief. Behind her, Watts saw the overt rigidity of her shoulders and back muscles. He looked beyond to the female seated on a low sofa, a book open in her lap.

The room was spartanly furnished but immaculate. The single table space was void of the wrappers and magazines that covered his own furniture and the chairs were patched but clean. He imagined it was the woman's personal quarters as a refrigerator and several cooking utensils resided in the far corner. A dish rack sat next to the sink, half full of spotless plastic plates. He had never been invited to this section of the building before. The few times he had visited the headquarters his access had been restricted to the main floor meeting hall. Right away he recognized the sole occupant as Athair's second in command. They had never formally met but she had chaired the last general assembly. Of course, there was another reason he immediately identified the woman.

"Hello, Mother." Rising off the couch, the thin female inclined her head in greeting. "I knew you would eventually find me here."

"You dyed your hair," was Mrs. Banagher's short reply. Her arms crossed over her chest.

"Yes. Do you like it?" Reaching up a hand, she fingered the pale wispy locks that smoothed around her heart-shaped face. "I think it suits my new image."

"I wasn't aware there was anything wrong with the old one."

Watts looked back and forth between the two women, irresolute about how to progress. Wondering if he should just slip out the door and leave them to catch up. Quistis' anxious instructions buzzed in his ear.

Letting out a harsh laugh, the young girl tipped back her head. "No, I guess you wouldn't have been. So old-fashioned you are. I had once thought I could get you to understand. But your rejection of my new life, my new happiness, day after day, made me realize it's impossible. You don't care about me. Not unless I'm following your orders. Cooking in the kitchen and behaving like a proper little lady."

"That's nonsense!" Mrs. Banagher felt her temper begin to climb. "I've only ever wanted you to be happy."

"Then you would have supported my decision from the beginning. You would have supported us." The timbre of her words turned up a notch. "Admit it, Mother. The only reason you are so against our group is because it wasn't your idea. Because we actually have a chance while you've done nothing but fail the past eighteen years."

"Watch your mouth, young lady! I've half a mind to drag you out by your hair. You may be an adult but you are still my child."

"I'm not going anywhere, least of all home with you." Blue eyes flickered over their shoulders to the man standing guard in the doorway. She lifted her wrist and crooked a finger to beckon him forward.

"What about your brothers? They miss you dreadfully. Don't you care about them?"

Feeling the tiny hairs prick on his neck, something inside him told Watts to turn around. Following instinct he was met nose to nose with the barrel of a shiny semi-automatic. He made a slight sound.

"Of course I do. I'm trying to give them a future and a childhood I never had. Tell me, where are they now? Home alone?"

"Don't be daft. Your father's with them. Remember him? He's worried sick about you as well."

"Good." Ignoring her last remark, the younger woman stepped around the nicked coffee table and sauntered over to where they stood. "Then it won't be a problem if you are detained."

It was only then Mrs. Banagher perceived the change of mood. Frowning she spun on her heel. Her eyes widened when they spotted the revolver currently trained on her head. Horrified, she looked back at her daughter, heart dropping to her stomach.

"You would threaten your own mother." Her words were soft, filled with anger and something else more frightening. She picked up the silence from Quistis' end at her statement. "You would have me killed if I stood in your way."

"Don't be so dramatic. It's not personal. It's for Timber. Petty relationships don't matter at a time like this." Continuing her way to the door, she paused at the frame and slanted a look backward. "I'd advise you to be as cooperative as possible. It doesn't have to end this way."

Expression hard and unsmiling, she directed her next instructions to Watts. "Come with me. I should like to thank you for bringing her in."

"Change of plans! Go with her." Quistis barked through the line. "You might be able to get something out of her. Go!"

He was about to, had even taken a step forward, but his loyalty ripped him in half. His mind pulled him in various directions. A quick glance at Mrs. Banagher told him she was seconding the SeeD's urgings. But he found he could not leave her alone. Call him weak, call him a sucker, but he could not do it.

"No. I-I'll stay with her, ma'am." Thrusting back his shoulders, he stood his ground. "She's right."

A single brow arched on the girl's forehead. "Well, that was unexpected. Fine, do as you please." She addressed the guard. "Hold them. He'll want to know of their arrival."

Keeping the gun focussed on them, he watched as she moved down the hall before facing back into the room. The second the door creaked shut at his back, Mrs. Banagher bounced into action. Caught in a moment's distraction, he was unable to prevent her from grabbing the shell of his ear between two of her fingernails. When she gave a mighty yank he howled, his neck flexing back in response. His opposite arm reached over to try to get her to release him but his efforts were fruitless.

"Watts! Grab the gun!"

There was a brief struggle as he quickly moved to obey. When the man refused to loosen his grip on the weapon, she simply twisted harder. "Drop it!" Watts bent back the other man's arm, causing him to tumble onto his knees. He wrenched his wrist and the male cried out once more. Mrs. Banagher was growing more and more frustrated as the tussle continued.

"Hey! Is everything all right in there?" Her fears came to culmination as the man's shouts of pain attracted an inquisitor to the door. Their victim grunted and would have called for help had she not clasped her hand over his mouth.

"Watts, hurry!"

"I'm trying, chief," he whispered back, a little breathless. "But he won't let go!"

The reverberation of a bullet ricocheting off a stone wall put their skirmish to a concluding arrest.

"What happened?" Inside the car on the street, Quistis turned up the level of her headset. The volume of the bullet's release had blown through her eardrums until all she could pick up was the drone of the cable line. When she still detected nothing, she turned the machine off the on again.

"Hello? What's going on? Can anyone hear me?"

Distressed, but ordering herself to maintain her composure, she removed the headphones, snatched up her whip and secured it through the belt loop of her slacks. She broke out of the vehicle at a run, heart pounding in her throat. If anything had happened to either of them she would never forgive herself.

The metal entrance had no outside knob so she was forced to thump with a fist and wait. "Think, Quistis, think." She repeated over and over to herself.

Logic was required now, not emotion. Get in, make sure Mrs. Banagher and Watts were safe, find Seifer, get out. If she kept it simple, just concentrated on each step as it came, she might actually be able to get through the next hour unscathed.

The heavy metal heaved open to a slit, not enough for her to force it the rest of the way given its daunting weight.

"A cold night to be wandering around."

The voice was firm but not harsh, masculine. The words were almost phrased as a question. Straight away she figured it must be some kind of code. She was to answer with the appropriate response and she would be allowed inside. Unfortunately, Watts had omitted this little fact from his divulged information.

Instead of simply guessing out of her ass, Quistis decided upon a more creative option. "But I bet you'll keep me warm."

"Huh?" Confused by the flirtatious lilt in her tone, he nudged the door a bit wider. Hesitating just enough so she could stick her hand between it and the frame and haul it open all the way.

"Hi there! You don't mind if I just have a little look round do you?" A sinister light glinted in her eyes. Immediately he went for his weapon.

However, her hand was already pulling her own into action. The tail of the whip snapped around his wrist and caught him off guard. Yanking his body forward and against her own, she moved her free hand to the waistband of his pants, lifted up his shirt and pulled out his gun. The cold comfort of the firearm rested perfectly in her hand before she released him.

Cocking the barrel, she set it on him. "I assume this is fully loaded. So I doubt you'll be having issues with me taking a self-guided tour of the facilities."

Shaking his head, he raised his arms in surrender. She practically reeked of SeeD and he'd had enough experience in the field to recognize the scent. "No, ma'am."

"Good." Smiling, she walked into the building, forcing him to step backwards. Fully inside, Quistis' pleasant expression faded and her eyes grew cold. "But for some extra insurance."

Fast as summer lightning her hand was in the air and cracking the end of the gun against his skull. She looked down at his slumped frame. "Can't have him alerting his little cronies."

The main floor was nothing more than a loading bay, as far as she could tell. She raced across the open concrete to the far exit. Mrs. Banagher's directions rushed through her mind. Third floor, fifth door. At top speed she yanked on the lever and lugged it open, not caring about how much noise she made. All too soon everyone in the vicinity was going to be aware of her presence if something had happened to either one of her charges.

Her sneakered feet pounded out a wild tattoo as she ran up the stairs, two at a time. They were borrowed along with the rest of her clothes from the Banagher household and they rubbed her heels and pinched her toes in a most uncomfortable manner.

Emerging at the top, she dragged at another door only to discover it was locked. Emitting a frustrated growl, she wasted precious seconds snatching a pin from her hair and examining the bolt. Much to her relief it was old and simple so she was able to release the catch without too much trauma. Once the door was open, she realized the obstacles were far from over. Two individuals had been put in charge of the door for added security. Obviously they had as little faith in the lock as she. Upon her arrival, they swivelled around, weapons drawn and at the ready.

"Drop the gun!" The female was barely fifteen at Quistis' best guess. "Do as we say and we won't have to kill you."

"That's right." Her male counterpart added. "Or else we'll be forced to sound the alarm."

Sighing, Quistis rolled her eyes. She really did not want to have to hurt them as they were clearly out of their league. But if they continued to stand in her way she would have no choice.

"Can you tell me where Seifer Almasy is being kept?" The two exchanged bemused glances. Taking advantage of their vacillation, she leapt forward and disarmed the young boy. This time she secured his weapon in the front waistband of her pants, directing the other solely at the girl. "Well?"

"I'm don't know." Throwing back her shoulders, the girl tightened her grip. Her brows lowered and her stance widened.

"Wrong answer." Quistis snapped out her whip and latched it around the girl's ankle. She tumbled to the floor gracelessly. Aware of the male she sent a brief glance his way. But he was already running down the hall in a clamour of pounding feet. Damn. That had not gone as planned.

Turning back to the girl, she decided to try one more time. "If you don't know maybe you can tell me who does."

The girl's eyes darted back and forth. Quistis had to admire her determination but at the same time she was all too conscious of the second hand on her watch. Too many minutes had passed.

"Or perhaps he can tell me." Taking a guess at which way the wind blew, she swung her gun to the retreating back of the male, tensed her finger over the trigger.

"No! No, he knows nothing. Please!" The girl pleaded. An idea occurred to her that lit up the depths of her frightened gaze. "Zone! He would know. He's the one who brought him here this morning."

Quistis nodded, suspicions confirmed, and eased off on the trigger. "Next time, keep your knees bent. You'll have more control." Bending down, she ensured the girl would no longer be a threat by relieving her of her weapon as well before continuing on her way.

"Two, three, four." She counted doors aloud at each running step. Halting at the fifth, she kicked it open. Aside from the single bullet hole in the left wall there was none of the carnage she had been anticipating. Her breath freed itself from its prison in her lungs in one large hiss.

Her eyes fell on Watts who stood with his feet planted and both his hands supporting the weight of yet another firearm. This time it was pointed at two men tied to an armchair with what looked to be the torn fabric of an evening dress.

"Watts! What happened?" she managed, taking in the setting with an appraising eye. "Where is Mrs. Banagher?"

"She went after her daughter, sir." His hands were steady despite the shock in his voice. Quistis was impressed with the way he had held up. He had been a constant surprise to her throughout their brief association that had begun that morning. She owed him big time.

"She told me to watch these guys didn't escape. We couldn't get in touch with you."

"So you're both okay, then. Thank the gods." Sparing one last look at the goons, who did not seem to be desirous of inciting Watts' wrath, she let her mind shift to the next step. Find Seifer. "Do you have any idea where Zone could be?"

"Right behind ya." Simultaneously, Quistis and Watts swung their gazes to the door. The former automatically leaping into battle stance at the intrusion. Zone stepped into the room, whistling as his eyes devoured the scene. "Jeez, buddy. What have you gotten yourself into now? Flanagan practically ran me over in the hall. Freaking about some kind of military occupation. Oh, hey Quistis."

"Hi." Regardless of the nature of the word, the greeting was anything but friendly. It was due to his reckless, and ignorant actions they were involved in the current situation. Evidently, he was swift enough to pick up on the reason for her ice-ridden glare; a flush had formed under the collar of his shirt. "I wondered when you would show up."

"Me? I'm always around." Zone turned back to his friend who was regarding him with somewhat of a less irate complexion. Well, at least Watts was not gnashing his teeth. Quistis looked like she was already licking his remains from her lips. "Man, what a mess. What're you doing here anyway? I thought I told you to stall her, ya numb nut."

"Listen up!" Slashing her whip against the ground, Quistis garnered their instant attention. She was edgy as all get out. A few more minutes and the leader of the faction would be breathing down her neck, along with his vapid force of armed teenagers. Honestly, she had no idea where they got the capital to purchase all of these weapons.

"Watts, I want you to stay here until it gets hazardous. Mrs. Banagher knows where you are and will come for you. If you can't handle it, run, hide, whatever. Zone, you are going to take me to Almasy. No arguments, no stomach cramps. Got it?" She waited a beat and when she received no protest, wrapped her fingers around Zone's forearm and propelled him out of the room. She promised herself that before this night was over, she was going to kill something.

The journey downstairs was relatively uneventful. They only ran into a few faction members brave enough to challenge her abilities. All of which were easily dispatched. By the time they landed at the ground floor Quistis reckoned she had enough lead on her to start her own militia.

"Now where?" Maintaining a tight grip on his arm, she nudged him into action.

Zone wavered. "I'm not sure." Her nails dug through his sleeve and her other hand reached for the whip tucked at her side. His eyes widened and he backed down. "Okay, okay! He's in the basement."

"Which is?" Quistis' ears picked up on the din of stomping feet, lots of them, parading down the stair well behind them. With a light shake she urged him onward. "Move!" While she'd had little difficulty eliminating the factional members one or two at a time, a host of the volatile youths was not something she was raring to face without magic.

Spurred on by fear, Zone led her across the warehouse floor toward the stairs on the other side. "Down here."

"Terrific." Way ahead of him she all but jumped off the landing. The flight was snug and would not fit more than one average sized person across. Hurrying as fast as she could without tripping and cracking her skull, Quistis made it down in half the time, leaving Zone to scamper in her wake.

She entered into yet one more hallway, watched by three men. She almost snorted when they stood up from their card game at her approach. The whole scene was so stereotypical. They reached for their weapons, rifles this time, but she beat them to it.

"For crying out loud, where do you get all this artillery from? Is there a gold mine in Timber I'm not aware of?"

"Who the hell are you?" The unshaven man spat. He was older than all of the others she'd met, considerably so. And he sported a fine looking tattoo of Timber's symbol which she recognized from the country's blue and yellow flag. Opposite the fetching image of an anacondaur on his left arm, it made an attractive package.

"My name isn't important. What I can do to you is. I'm packing more heat than all three of you combined. I believe you gentlemen have something of mine."

"Look, lady, I have orders, and I ain't about to—."

A bullet whizzed out of the revolver in Quistis' hands, millimetres past his ear, to imbed itself in the door behind him. She was fed up with playing games. Her eyes shone and her lips curled in a cold sneer. "If you think I missed you're fooling yourselves. Get out of my way."

"Hey," the man widened his eyes to she could see the whites even from her distance. "It's no skin off my nose. I'm just here for the cash. Got a wife and kid in back home I gotta feed, y'know? We're not looking for a fight."

Arching a brow, Quistis conceded and withdrew her weapon. "Fair enough." Taking the first man's lead, the three moved aside to let her pass. So this Athair hired mercenaries to do his dirty work as well as children. Interesting. She'd take time to wax theoretical on that later.

Stepping into the far room, the first thing she noticed was the immense stacks of cardboard boxes. They filled almost the entire room, sparing the right wall. Curious, she walked over to a tower at eye-level. Brows knitted, she slipped a nail underneath the plastic binding and ran it along the top, opening the two flaps. She stood on tiptoe to take a peek inside. Let out a breath.

The box was filled with light-weight handguns of the kind she had strapped against her hips. Thirty-two calibre if she got it right. Easy to wield, simple, relatively long-range, and fatal. Glancing around she could only assume each box held similar contents. The smaller ones were most likely for ammunition. Unbelievable. There had to be at least fifty to sixty boxes, if not more. She almost choked at the thought.

Quistis refocused her attention. The Wolves and their plans for world domination could take precedence later. For now she had to find Seifer. And fast.

Racing out of the room, Quistis looked for the guards to question them. But the dingy lit hall was empty. Where did Zone run off to? Detecting a noise from below the stair well she dashed over, weapon at the ready.

Her legs turned to jelly and she said a quick prayer when she finally saw the man she was looking for, laid out on a cot below the stairs. Falling to her knees, she squatted in front of him.

"Almasy." Placing a hand on his shoulder she tried to shake him awake. When he did not respond, she cast an uneasy glance at the bottom of the steps. "Seifer, wake up," she hissed. "We don't have time for this." That was when she realized something. He looked like hell.

His forehead was covered in dried blood from an unattended cut. A nice healthy bruise had formed on the pale skin beneath his right eye. Hip bottom lip was also more than a little swollen. Concerned, she moved her hand to his forehead. It was blazing.

Quistis rallied all of her strength into rolling him onto his back. His heartbeat was slow but it was there. His breath came out in sporadic wheezes. "What the heck did they do to you?" She took hold of his shoulders and shook him.

"Seifer." Her mouth was next to his ear. "Seifer, can you hear me? We have to go. I need you to help me. Seifer!" Identifying a small moan from his throat, she pulled back and studied his face. She clasped his chin in her hand and stared at him hard. "Listen to me. You have to get up." She spoke quickly and as loud as she dared. His eyelids fluttered and he murmured something incomprehensible, shifting restlessly on the mattress. Then it hit her. He was drugged.

"Damn it!" Not willing to give up, Quistis sat next to him on the small bed and tried to force him to sit up. It took her longer than she would have liked but eventually she managed it so his arm was around her shoulders, deadweight that it was, and his body was leaning against her side. "C'mon, Almasy. Help me out a little."

Standing was going to be the hard part. Despite his five months living off a prisoner's diet, he still weighed significantly more than she. "Okay, let's go. One, two, three, up!"

She nearly crumpled back onto the cot under his mass. Her breath rasped and she was sure her rib cage was about to cave in. And they still had to get up the stairs. "Oh, God."

Half-dragging him across the floor was adventure enough and cost her valuable time. As she gazed up at the narrow passage she felt utterly helpless.

And then the door at the top squeaked and Watts' freckled face peered around the corner. She could just make out his facial features amidst the darkness. If she had not been so exhausted from lugging Seifer five feet she would have danced a jig right then and there.

"Watts, you're my hero. Can you help me get him up the steps? I'm about to collapse."

He bounded down at the sound of her distressed voice. His eyebrows lifted above his cap when he took in Seifer's condition. "What happened to him?"

"I think he's drugged. He's alive, but barely. Here, you take his legs and I'll take his shoulders. It's the only way we'll make it up."

Watts followed her implicit orders and they began the climb. On the landing, Watts lowered his friend's feet to the floor so he could open the door behind them. Continuing in the same manner they had on the stairs, together they carted him into the loading bay.

Where over a dozen armed and ready faction members were waiting. These ones were different. Instead of denim and cotton, each wore a uniform of blue and yellow. Not unlike that of the former Timber army. Their weapons were highly sophisticated as well and Quistis knew she had been caught.

Broken applause resounded from the balcony and she jerked her head up. The man was tall but due to the poor lighting she could not distinguish any other material characteristics. "Well done, Mr. Watts. You've captured yourself a SeeD. I knew we could count on you."

Quistis never moved her eyes from his face. She squinted into the darkness. "Mr. Athair, I presume?" Her words were dry. "I've heard so much about you."

"The pleasure's all mine Ms. Trepe. It's too bad our first acquaintance must be so fleeting." He lifted a hand and snapped his fingers.

The soldiers on the main floor parted to let another step to the front. It was the unshaven man from the basement. He gave her a toothy grin. Her eyes travelled to the person he held beneath one thick arm, his other, the one with the anacondaur, fixed a gun at the Zone's temple.

Fuck. How could she have been so stupid?

"Drop him, Ms. Trepe," Athair advised from above. "I really don't want to have to injure our mutual friend, but some situations call for dire consequences, no? Put Almasy down, and I let him go. This will be naught but a bad dream."

Eyes sparking and chest constricting, Quistis gestured for Watts to let go of Seifer's legs. She prepared herself to take on the entirety of his bulky frame. Trying not to show how weak she felt, she stood as straight as possible and lifted her chin. Thinking rapidly she came up with the only defence she had in her arsenal. After all, turnabout was fair play. She lifted her own gun in her other hand and placed it against Seifer's bleeding forehead.

"Now, now. Don't do anything rash. You're bound to regret an action like that in the morning. You don't want that man dead any more than I do." His words were amused, but still uttered in an almost monotonic fashion. It was unnerving.

"What makes you so sure?" Quistis tossed out. "He's a war criminal. Tried to off my friends and me in one go. Why shouldn't I want to see him dead? Heck, I'd be named an international hero."

If only she felt as confident as she sounded. She knew the ploy would not last long.

"You kill him, my men kill you and our little owls down there. It's as simple as that."

"I kill Almasy and all of your plans go to waste. My death matters little. It's as simple as that." It was a leap but one she hoped she could land from.

"Oh, please. Spare me from that sacrificial bullshit. You are a SeeD. You don't give a damn about the rest of the world." His voice had grown hard as rock. "All you care about his how much gil you can accumulate in your little bank account. You can't make any money when you're dead."

There was something familiar about his voice, the nature of it. She considered herself an excellent observer, especially when it came to accents. Came from being a world-traveller at fifteen. The man tried to hide it, but every now and then his natural enunciation would ring out. She had to keep him talking.

Quistis opened her mouth to let loose with a snide comment about his cowardice but her words were drowned out by the smashing and consequent shattering of glass mixed in with the violent cacophony of compressing metal.

The soldiers scattered out of the way as an impressive-looking truck barrelled through the glass doors of the loading bay and into the central area. Tattoo released his captive as he struggled to escape being run over. Athair disappeared from his position on the balcony.

Quistis whooped when she caught sight of the woman at the wheel. Recruiting Watts, she half-carried Seifer over to the truck, where Mrs. Banagher was jumping from the driver's seat. A mile wide grin on her round face.

"Come on, love. You have to hurry. Get him in." There was no time for thank yous as the three worked to lift the man into the cab. Quistis placed both hands on the high seat and scurried up and in after him. The fit was tight, with Quistis nearly supporting Seifer in her lap but eventually all four made it inside. Mrs. Banagher revved the engine and began to back up.

"What about Zone?" yelled Quistis. Seifer's head lolled to the side so that his hot breath scalded her cheek.

"I'll come back for him. We have to get you out first!"

Glass crunched under the wheels of the lorry as they backed up and out. The tyres spun and the woman managed to get the vehicle turned around just as the soldiers appeared at the exit.

"Go, go, go!" Quistis and Watts urged in unison. Mrs. Banagher floored the accelerator. The first few shots whizzed by the windows. Quistis tried to look back but all she could see aside from Seifer was fogged plexiglas. She heard the next few shots ping against the roof and along the back window but no bullets penetrated.

Stunned, she leaned forward to look at her rescuer. "Bullet-proof? Nice. Where did you find this thing?"

"Straight from the lord's corral." Mrs. Banagher winked. Quistis could not help but laugh.

"So basically you want us to act as double agents." Irvine shifted forward in the chair as he sorted through the information. He, Selphie, and Zell had been summoned to a briefing in the head office that morning after breakfast.

"In a way, yes." Their commander crossed his arms and leaned against the desk from where he stood to address the trio. "I've agreed to help Murphy but at the same time we have a type of agreement with Caraway. It's complicated."

"I get it!" Next to Irvine, Selphie perched on the edge of her seat. "Esthar's willing to shell out the big bucks but Galbadia's dished even more to make sure we leave them alone, right?"

"Exactly." Nodding, Squall ran a hand through his hair.

Selphie grinned. "Sounds like fun!"

On the other side of the female, Zell relaxed. While he still had not forgiven her last night, for the sake of a new mission he was willing to put all bad feelings aside. It had been awhile since he had seen any real action, body guard jobs notwithstanding. And the girl was right. This one sounded like a doozey.

"What are we supposed to do once we get to Deling?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Find out what you can about Caraway and his plans. He has been alerted to your arrival for tomorrow morning."

"But he thinks we'll be there to protect his government from intrusion." A slow grin spread over Irvine's face as finished the thought. "I must say, it's a brilliant plan."

"And this Murphy guy thinks we're going to snoop for him so his guys will let us in." Selphie's eyes met the male's and she followed up with a grin of her own. "But, really, we don't trust him so we gotta dig up as much dirt as we can on him as well. Whew! This is gonna be a toughie."

"I realize that. I would go myself but…" Squall cast a look at the desk behind him and let out a frustrated sigh.

"No problem!" Zell jumped to his feet. "You can count on us, man. Ain't nothing we can't handle." Not to mention the welcome prospect of getting away from The Psycho Twins - as he'd termed them - for an indefinite period of time.

"Remember, you can't let anything slip." Squall straightened and regarded each with a steady gaze. "As soon as your cover is blown, I want you out of there."

The three exchanged glances and nodded in unison. Zell punched a fist into his open palm as the others rose.

"Let's do it!"

Before he dismissed them, Squall stepped out of the room to retrieve the mission details he had typed up earlier from the printer. While they waited Selphie turned to measure Irvine questioningly.

"What were you two whispering about in the cafeteria this morning?"

The man's eyes widened only slightly before he recovered and rotated his shoulders in nonchalance. Sharing a confused look with Zell, he lifted his hands. "What do you mean?"

"Before we got called up! You were acting all secretive and Zell said something about his butt being grass." Hands on hips, Selphie stared him down. She hated to be left out of anything.

"No idea. Dincht?"

"Uh, nope. Not a clue." Knowing he was a terrible liar, the other man did his best to avoid her appraising gaze. His eyes focussed on the painting of a sailboat over Irvine's head. "Sorry, Selphie."

Not to be deterred, she glowered into his eyes. Upon seeing them flicker back and forth in agitation, she stomped her foot. "Tell me!" Her eyes narrowed in suspicion when she swung around to face Irvine. "Does this have anything to do with those strange girls Nida saw you with yesterday?"

"What girls?" Doing his best to appear innocent, Irvine placed his hands behind his back. He had to fight the drive to smack one against his forehead. Dang that Nida. Obviously piloting Garden did not keep him occupied enough. The guy was the biggest gossip hound in the entire academy. He had trash on everyone. But one had to pay a pretty hefty price to have access.

"You checkin' up on me Selph? Just say the word and I'm yours forever." Irvine wrapped a long arm around her slim shoulders and let loose with an exaggerated wink.

"Get real." Pushing him away and wrinkling her nose, Selphie tossed her hair. "Nida tells me everything." Selphie enunciated each syllable at they slid from her tongue. She frowned up at him, displeased with his attempt to distract her. "Out with it Kinneas!"

The door then reopened and their commander re-entered, his own brow puckered.

"Sorry, babe." Irvine gave her a cheeky smile. "Looks like it's back to business." Inwardly, he sighed in liberation. Mentally wiped his brow. That had been much too close.

Taking a peek at her out of the corner of his eye he noticed her jaw was still set. His eyes met Zell's over the top of her head. They were as worried as he assumed his were. Soon, Irvine knew, their secret would be out. No one held out against The Tilmitt for long. Least of all him. She had a knack for interrogating soft-hearted males. It was going to be a long mission.

Half two in the morning in Timber City, Mrs. Banagher pulled up alongside the old warehouse once more. Two steps from where they'd left her car. They had drove around for an hour before deciding it was safe enough to retrieve her vehicle and the supplies Quistis would need for the drive to Dollet.

Leaving the ignition purring, she emerged from the large truck and spared a second to stretch her limbs. Watts was short to follow.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

After ensuring Seifer was secured in the passenger seat, still completely unconscious, Quistis slid over to position herself behind the wheel. She adjusted her neck at the other woman's question and nodded.

"I should be. There's a town just outside the border. I'll be able to contact Balamb from there, maybe find a place to crash." She gestured to the man next to her, whose head lolled awkwardly along the back of the seat. "As long as the drugs don't wear off any time soon, it'll be a peaceful drive."

Mrs. Banagher produced an appreciative chuckle, careful to keep the sound low. "He is a handful, that one. Always had his own ideas about how things should be done. He's got pride and barrels of it. But after what I've seen of you tonight, you'll have no problems whipping the lad into shape." She winked. "And have fun doing it too."

Quistis raised a brow at the obvious innuendo. She wrinkled her nose. "He's a lot better looking knocked out than awake I assure you."

"If you say so." Laughing, the other woman decided to leave it at that. They did not have much time left.

Watts fetched Quistis' bag from the other vehicle and carried it over to the open door of the lorry. She accepted it with a grateful smile and set it between her and Seifer on the bench.

"Thanks again," Quistis said through the open window when the other woman shut the door. "If there is anything you need, ever. Just give me a call. I owe you both."

"Don't be silly." With a swift shake of her head, Mrs. Banagher waved away her gratitude. "Tonight was as much for me as it was for you." Her eyes hardened as she thought about her daughter. "It was a pleasure."

Reaching out a hand, Quistis touched her shoulder softly. Her eyes filled with compassion. "I'll keep in touch. As soon as I get Almasy back I'm going to bring up the situation to Garden. This is far from over." Her own eyes darkened when Athair's droning voice drifted through her mind. There was something she was missing, she knew. And even if she had to disobey orders to do it, she was going to find out what it was.

"You do that. I'll be glad to hear from you." Mrs. Banagher patted her hand before she pulled it back into the car. "If you ever need a place to stay."

"Absolutely." Quistis was surprised to feel a lump build in her throat. She had yet to know the resistance leader for twenty-four hours but already she felt they had formed a connection that would last a lifetime. She was ever the more determined not to let her down. Perhaps this is what Seifer had felt all those months ago in the detention room.

"You'd better get going, love. And so had I."

Quistis nodded once more then moved her hand to the key of the idling ignition. "Tell Watts I was proud of him, will you?"

"Of course." Stepping back to she could pull out, the woman gave her a wave. Lopsided dimples flashed in her cheeks as she grinned. "Drive safe. And give that boy a kiss for me! He looks like he needs it."

On a snort, Quistis rolled her eyes and eased up on the clutch, one hand on the wheel as she navigated around the curb. Almasy needed something and she was more than willing to give it to him. But it wasn't a kiss.

She drove fast and she drove hard once the truck was back on the main road network. There was little traffic given the time of night except for one or two military vehicles on routine checks. They steered clear and she met with no impediments to her exodus from the city. Five more minutes and she'd be ripping over Shenand Hill.

There was only one thing standing in her way.

Catching sight of the metal gate that blocked the only exit to the urban centre by motorway, Quistis put on a burst of speed. The two guards in charge of monitoring thoroughfare, leapt in front of the gate at her approach, waving their arms excitedly.

She only hurtled the truck forward faster. If she were to hit the bars at just the right angle with just enough momentum, the velocity would propel her through the feeble gate and onto freedom.

When the two soldiers realized she was not slowing down, they were intelligent enough to move out of the way before the truck bowled them over. Judging by its size, the impact of them hitting the fender would barely cause it to decelerate. Their bodies would be mere pebbles crushed beneath its massive tyres.

On a rush, Quistis blasted into the gates and beyond, hearing and feeling the compression of metal beneath her seat of ultimate power. Adrenaline soared through her veins and she laughed wickedly. Too bad she couldn't do that a second time. Best feeling she'd had in a long time.

The remains of the gate slid uselessly from the gleaming bonnet. Checking over her shoulder Quistis noticed the buildings of Timber were already far in the distance. It was all just a bad memory. Her hands flexed on the wheel and she adjusted her speed to a more manageable level. Never had she felt so in control before. Never had she felt so powerful. She had to say, she liked it. A lot.

Tonight had gone well. Brilliantly so. She had managed to adapt to the change in plans and follow her instinct a little more. And despite it all, her screw-ups and her indecisions, she had managed to keep it all together. To meet each challenge and surpass it. Without the aid of fellow SeeDs or Guardians. Calm and collected, she had, quite frankly, kicked ass. Athair had no idea what he was in for.

Quistis was unaccustomed to this confidence that now surged through her system. Relaxing for the first time in forty-eight hours, she sat back and geared up to enjoy the ride.