Wrongfully Accused

Chapter Fifteen

"She can't be far, maybe we could go look for her?" Rinoa wailed to the group. They had been called to Squall's room when Selphie had discovered an hour ago that Quistis was not in her room.

"Calm down Rin, don't call out the search party yet. She hasn't been gone long, it's only 9:30." Irvine yawned. "She's probably just gone out for a walk."

"Normally I'd agree with Irvine but it just isn't like Quistis to walk off without telling anyone, especially during a mission." Squall stated. "However, let's wait for Zell to get back before we jump to any conclusions."

Squall had sent Zell down earlier to ask the receptionist is she had seen Quistis. He returned a moment later, his expression serious. "Quistis left here around midnight. No one has seen her since."

"I knew it! Something's wrong!" Rinoa said, jumping out of her seat. Squall stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Calm down Rinoa. Zell, did the receptionist talk to her, did she say where Quistis was going?"

"No, in fact Quistis had waited for the receptionist to leave the room before she left. It was a customer trying to check in that saw her."

"Why on earth was someone checking in at midnight?" Selphie asked.

"Businessman probably." Squall replied. "Trains get in at odd hours."

"Ok, the question is, what do we do now? We can't just look for her around town." Irvine said. "It'd draw too much attention."

"Screw that! Nobody knows why we're really here." Rinoa cried out. "We can keep it discreet. People go missing all the time?"

"It's too risky." Squall said calmly. "And besides, somebody might all ready be on to us."

"WHAT!?" Zell yelled. "Are you saying our covers blown already?!"

"Not quite. There was a reporter sneaking around here yesterday. Around our rooms."

"How did you know she was a reporter? Did she talk to you?" Selphie asked.

"Not exactly. She'd left her bag behind in the lobby."

"So? That doesn't mean anything." Irvine stated, walking to the center of the room. "Journalists stalk us all the time. What's so sus about this one?"

"She's a political journalist, she doesn't, or rather shouldn't, care about celebrities."

"This could be bad." Zell collapsed onto an armchair near the door.

Squall sighed as he placed his head in his hands. "All right, for now we'll split into teams. Irvine and I will continue with the mission. Selphie and Rinoa, you start looking for Quistis, but keep it discreet. And Zell..."

"Yeah?" Zell jumped out of his chair, excited at being singled out.

"Track down the journalist. You'll find her details in here." Squall threw the bag at Zell. "Find an excuse to get close to her. Find out who she works for and what she knows."

Zell started rummaging through the bag. "Well that's easy; she works for the Galbadian Times, it says so right here...."

"I mean her direct boss. I need names. Now, are there any questions?" No one answered. "All right, meet me back here at 11pm, regardless of whether you've found anything or not. And if you can't make it, contact me. We don't want anybody else disappearing. Dismissed."

Everyone started moving out of the room, soon only Irvine and Squall were left.

"Squall, do you have anything else on the murders?"

"Not a damn thing."

"Well, I think Quistis was on to something."

"....? What?!"

"Yesterday she called me and asked for background information on David Osmand."

"And?"

"Well I did what she asked and found out some pretty interesting things. For one, Osmand has been accused of grand larceny three times, but was never convicted."

"How is that possible?"

"Certain evidence turned up at the last minute, but on the last trial.... well, let's just say a key witness found herself in a tight situation."

"Tight situation?" Squall asked, beginning to get annoyed.

"Yeah, between a gun and a hard place."

Squall rolled his eyes at Irvine's comment. "So she was killed?"

"That's what I said. And it gets better. Where Osmand got the financing for the club still remains a mystery, but I've managed to trace the funds he got for the repairs." Irvine pulled out a few papers and handed them to Squall. "That's the details for a Mr Jacob Chant. He's a major loan shark in these parts."

"So? Lending money to people isn't a crime Irvine."

"I know, but check this out, three months ago Benson & Sons nearly went bankrupt. The bank wouldn't lend them any money so they went to Chant."

"Ok, you've got my attention. Benson & Sons is a multimillion dollar law firm, how on earth could a local loan shark cough up enough cash to save such a corporation?"

"That's my point; Chant's obviously 'dealing' in something else. No pun intended."

"What other information do you have on him?"

"Not much, although I do know he has been making several 'business' trips to Dollet recently."

"Do you know why?"

"No, I only got this information this morning at the train station. But I do know that he never travels alone. He's always accompanied by a woman; the same one every time."

"What do you know about her."

"Only her name, Tasmin Quen."

"Anything else?"

"No, that's it."

"All right, I'll locate Chant and try to find more information about his business, you find out everything you can about the woman."

"Will do." Irvine picked up his hat and walked out the door. "Seeya at 11."

____________________________

Zell knocked impatiently on the apartment door. He'd been standing there for three minutes waiting for someone to answer. Strangely the idea that no one could be home never occurred to him. Once he heard scuffling from inside the room he ceased his attack on the front door.

Moments later Leanne flung the door open and stared directly at Zell, "What!?"

Zell's jaw flew open at what he saw. She stood in the doorway, dripping wet and wearing nothing but I towel. "Ah.... I .......think this belongs to you." He spoke quickly, covering his eyes as he held out the bag towards her.

Leanne blinked in surprised, but smiled as she saw the SeeD's blushing face. "Mr Dincht?"

"Zell"

Leanne laughed. "Thank you. Where did you find it?"

"You left it at the hotel." Zell said quickly.

Leanne thanked hyne that Zell was still covering his face. Her shocked expression would have only provoked him to ask questions.

"Umm, give me a minute will you?" Leanne disappeared into the room and returned a moment later, fully dressed.

"Better?"

"Actually I preferred you with your clothes off." Zell whispered under his breath.

"What was that?" Leanne asked.

"Argh, never mind!"

"Thanks for finding this." She said, holding up the knapsack.

"Oh, I didn't find it."

"..ok, so who did?"

"Squall, well actually the receptionist did, but Squall made me return it."

"Oh, does Squall always have you running around doing little errands like this?" Leanne asked, a sly smile forming on her face.

"Wha? No no, he was just busy. I had nothing else better to do so"

"Do you want to come in?"

"Ummm." 'Yes you do you dickhead. She's practically doing your job for you.' "Umm, sure. Why not."

"All right, come in then." Leanne's eyes widened as she saw the state of her room. Files on the SeeD's were strewn all over the lounge. Without another thought she quickly stepped outside, pushing Zell back, and shut the door. "Aaaa, on second thought. umm I'm kinda hungry. Why don't you let me buy you lunch."

'A free lunch!? Hell yes!!!' "..ok."

"All right, come on then."

"Don't you wanna lock your door or something?"

"No! It's ok, come on. If we hurrywe can get a seat at the new French restaurant down town. La something."

"La something?" Zell raised his eyebrow at her obvious attempt to cover something up. But he decided to play along and let her continue dragging him down the hall towards the stairs.

"Hey, I failed French in high school, do you know what it's called then genius?"

"Umm, well no but."

"It's settled then, La something it is."

Zell just laughed. "Ok, but don't we need reservations?"

"Nah, I can get us in. I've got the perfect plan."

_______________________________

Quistis crouched low to the ground, trying to steady her breathing. All around her was complete darkness, a nothingness that seemed to envelop her like a thick fog. Screams could be heard off in the distance, screams calling for help, calling for her. She could not tell if it was a man or a woman. It did not even sound human. Quistis shivered as the sound began to move. It came closer, so close she felt she could almost touch it. Ignoring her instincts to run, she felt along the ground, moving towards the sound. The screaming became more desperate by the second. Now Quistis could feel hands clawing at her skin and clothes. She reached for her whip but grabbed only air. She was unarmed and vulnerable, her survival instincts taking over she swung at the air with her hands. Standing to her feet she ran in the opposite direction. Her thumping heart threatened to explode out of her chest as she pushed herself forward. She knew something was behind her yet she dared not turn around for fear of what she would find.

Quistis continued to run, ignoring the burning sensation in her thighs, the painful breaths she was forced to take and the fear growing in the pit of her stomach. Straining her eyes to see beyond the darkness, she cried out with relief as the familiar glow of daylight glimmered slightly in the distance. Whatever sort of hell this was, she would soon be leaving.

Although no longer certain that she was being followed Quistis closed her eyes and focused her last ration of energy towards her legs, willing them to go faster. Opening her eyes again she saw a tall figure standing in front of the exit. Seifer's face was hidden by darkness Quistis saw the fire cross symbol on his coat as well as hyperion held possessively in his hand. She tried to call out to him but she could not speak. Her body began to freeze up as she fell to the floor, inertia carrying her to his feet. She looked up at his smirking face just in time to see the gunblade pierce her heart. Her screams drowned out by the sounds of his maniacal laughter.

______________________________

Quistis yelped as she sat up quickly in the double bed. Sweat was dripping down her forehead and back and her breathing came in quick ragged gasps. 'What the hell was that?' She had never experienced a dream like that before in her life and it was not something she had particularly enjoyed. After calming herself down the full reality of the situation hit her. 'Great, I have no idea where I am and I'm still groggy from whatever it is that prick stunned me with. This should be interesting' She thought as she pushed the blankets off and slowly got to her feet, ignoring the fact that she was wearing nothing but her underwear. Looking around the room she continued to recall the events of the previous night. "Damn you Seifer."

"Well good morning to you to."

Quistis turned around to tell him exactly were he could shove the attitude, but stopped when she saw the amused expression on his face.

"What?"

"Interesting outfit. You pick it out yourself."

Angrily she picked up the bedside lamp and threw it at his head. To her dismay Seifer simply smiled as he dodged the airborne electrical appliance. Quickly she ripped off the bed sheet and wrapped it around her half naked body.

"Temper temper. Do you treat all your ex-students like that?"

"Where are my clothes?"

"Raijin's taking care of them. Unless you think blood stains are a good fashion statement?"

"Don't be a smartarse."

"I thought intelligence was a virtue."

"Oh blow it out your arse Almasy."

".........well that was unexpected. And here I thought you were so prim and proper."

Once again Quistis' face hardened as she prepared to retaliate, but her expression softened when she was the bruises covering his face and exposed arms.

"Hyne Seifer what happened to you?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle."

Quistis was about to apologise but, to her surprise, Seifer beat her to it.

"I'm sorry for barging in like that. I heard you scream so I came in to check on you."

Quistis blinked. Had Seifer just apologized? In all the years she'd known him never once had he given anyone an honest apology. 'He's toying with me. He's being sarcastic.' However his facial expression did nothing to support this thought. An even bigger shock came when she realised that he was blushing. Seifer Almasy was blushing. Another first. Seifer was never shy around girls, in fact his 'sexual conquests' were well known around Garden (and, in the case of men, well respected). Quistis did not know how to react to this.

A deafening silenced settled between them. Slowly she walked over and started picking up the broken shards of porcelain imbedded in the carpet. Seifer knelt down in front of her and began to do the same. Eventually Quistis broke the silence by asking the question that both of them knew was on her mind."

"Did you do it?"

"What do you think?"

"I think you have a lot to answer for?"

"Is that so?"

"Stop it!"

"Stop what?"

"These mind games. Why can't you simply tell me what I want to know?"

"Cause it's none of your fucking business!" With that he stormed out of the room slamming the door behind him. Quistis stared at the carpet, shocked to realise that she was upset. Not because he hadn't answered her question, but because he had left.

_______________________________

'How do I get myself into these situations?' Zell groaned as he tried to keep himself hidden behind an abnormally large potted plant. Leanne's bright idea of getting them in was to announce loudly that she was being 'escorted' by a prominent SeeD. The maitre d' was not impressed. Thankfully the fear of attention being drawn to the rambunctious woman outweighed the need for an extra table, so they were finally seated. Now Zell made a point of trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. The less attention he drew to himself the better.

"Lighten up will you. I got us a table didn't I?" She said, not taking her eyes off of the menu.

"You didn't tell me you were going to get half of Galbadia involved. I'm sure even the people in Winhill heard you." Zell hissed, trying hard to keep a serious look on his face, but then he got a vision of the Leanne standing in the middle of a room harassing the restaurant staff, and he started to laugh. After all it wasn't in his nature to stay upset. Leanne tilted her head to the side, studying him closely, then she to began to laugh. Once again the whole restaurant turned their attention towards the couple. At this point both were on the verge of tears and trying hard not to fall out of their chairs, it wasn't until Zell caught site of the manager approaching that he finally made an attempt to calm himself down.

"Can I help you sir?"

"I don't know? Can you?" Zell asked, grinning like an idiot. Again they burst into another fit of laughter, much to the annoyance of the manager.

"Sir, if you cannot control yourself I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Well, we can't have that now can we." A red faced Leanne mimicked.

"Are you mocking me madam?"

"I don't know? Is she?" Zell laughed as he rose to his feet. He knew what was going to happen next. He'd been thrown out of many restaurants before and knew the procedure quite well.

"Hey where are you.oh." Leanne realised what he was doing as she saw two security guards heading towards their table. "Well, my complements to the chef, the bread sticks were to die for."

"Ha, Good one." Zell said over his shoulder.

"Yea, I've been waiting to say that since we got here."

"Sad."

"Bite me!"

"Excuse me!" The manager snapped.

"Yeah yeah, keep ya toupee on pops. We're going." Zell barked. Even though he was generally good natured, he hated stiff necks who tried to act superior. That was one thing he didn't stand for.

"You all right?" Leanne asked when they were outside.

"Yeah, I probably shouldn't have done that. I'm supposed to be a representative of Garden. I hope this doesn't get back to Cid.

"It won't. I don't think they believed me when I said that you were a SeeD."

"You don't think they would've recognised me?"

"Na, you're shorter in real life." She said with a sly smile.

"Wha?!"

"Just kidding. What now."

"Anything but French food."

"Deal."

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I'm so sorry for not updating. I've been bombarded with exams and assignments (end of term, everything's due at once :S). Thankfully it's now the holidays so there will be no excuse for me not updating. I'll try and get a new chappie up every couple of days from now on.