Chapter 6

Somehow that snore sounded a bit too mocking. It reverberated all through out the blasted cockpit. Oh, the man is asleep alright. Quistis made certain of it, even if it seemed rather callous when she jabbed a finger where his shoulder and arm met and banged on a few hollow metallic objects she could find. There was no way a person with a nervous system can sleep through that, but amazingly Seifer did. And he just snored even louder.

Dear God! Was she crazy for pulling such a stunt, and here she thought she was sober. Maybe there was something in the champagne that triggered a malfunction in her brain as a side effect, but try as she might, Quistis forced herself to stop thinking, because her thoughts just seem to simply betray her.

Quistis made a mental note that as soon as she returned to Balamb she'll have to check into Dr. Kadowaki's clinic and undergo a psycho-analysis to make sure she hadn't gone completely deranged. Because what she had just done earlier must certainly be an evident symptom of insanity.

She had just kissed Seifer, in all his sweaty and foul-smelling glory! Of all people. Where has all her common sense gone?

Quistis had to get away from there. She needed a diversion to busy herself with while she waited for their ride to arrive instead of glaring at the golden haired frustration in front of her. She thought of heading down outside, inhale a pack of air that would somehow flush the alcohol out of her system and while out there, she might as well retrieve Seifer's things, which he had dropped upon the accident.

The lift carried Quistis down smoothly to the hangar. But as soon as her foot touched the floor, she suddenly realized the metal beneath her bare feet. She wasn't wearing any shoes the whole time she attended to Seifer. Why hadn't she noticed that before? Quistis thought that maybe the hangar is just a rather cool spot in the Ragnarok. Not cool, exactly, but a lot less warmer than where she had been.

Extremely hot, where Seifer is.

Quistis willed herself from smacking her face. This has got to be some surreal dream. Why must her every thoughts go back to that blasted man? And the most disturbing part was, that not one of them were the least bit unappealing. Even if this was a dream, then that would mean her subconscious is her worst enemy.

She couldn't have been more than happy to step outside, because the farther away she got herself from the cockpit, the more Seifer's snore seemed to fade. The Ragnarok practically shook with the noise that Quistis was afraid it might lift off on its own. She welcomed the afternoon breeze even if it was somewhat of a balmy draft, but it was definitely a lot less warmer than inside.

Quistis managed to get his things, which were not much; a duffel bag and his gun-blade, inside. Why he still carried the weapon, didn't bother her to the least, but she had a keen curiosity regarding Seifer's attachment to it. Although she felt a strong compulsion to browse through his things, she didn't much want to discover anything else about him. In fact, she didn't want anything to do with him. As much as she hates to admit it, he's a disturbance she can't afford to endure at the moment.

It won't be long before the cab arrives and Seifer's finally long gone, and then she can at last take on the day as if nothing has happened. Quistis treated herself to the idea of cool sheets sliding between her limbs, stretched out on a soft bed and a pile of plush pillows and the image looked so very inviting and promising indeed, that she might hole up in her room for days.

Suddenly, her head snapped up at the distinct sound of an approaching engine.

Relief almost crept up from her stomach when she spotted a vehicle moving towards her.

It has to be the hired cab Selphie promised to send.

It drew closer.

The clear sound of an engine was loud and it practically roared. Wait a minute! Cabs do not roar! If this one did, then the driver must be highly reckless and she'll certainly not pay for her fare.

Then, as it became apparent to her, the vehicle, a shiny, red sports car, finally halted at the front of the entrance, from where she stood, still barefoot. Quistis' mouth gaped open at the sight before her. There, sitting at the driver's seat was Irvine with Selphie on his right, while Rinoa sat in the backseat who was flanked between Squall and Zell on either side. Complete astonishment displayed across her face and nobody seems to give a damn.

The car door released and Irvine emerged as the others followed suit. "So? What do you think?" he inquired with a playful smile. The forceful sound of the door connecting back to the latch bit into her ears.

She was wordless.

Quistis' eyes flashed on Selphie, who was grinning quite widely.

They weren't supposed to be here! She needed a hired cab! A paid insignificant somebody, who can help her pull out that ogre, sleeping rather soundly in the cockpit, so she can move about with her day and the rest of it, and hopefully, days after that, with no one the wiser and no further questions or explanations to throw back to someone who'd dare ask her the details. This has got to be some cruel joke the deities are playing on her. It has to be. There's no other reason behind it.

Well, she's not laughing. If she were, she'd want to die from it.

Selphie began to approach her. "Surprise," she said.

Quistis' eyes were still on the car. Zell and Squall unloaded their baggage while Rinoa held the trunk open for them when it dawned on her what exactly is happening. The comprehension had hit her full force that her eyes might suddenly pop out of their sockets. They were going home.

Irvine removed his hat and stopped short in front of her when he noticed that she was troubled by the idea of an exceptionally expensive car before her. "Quistis, are you alright?"

When she made no response, Irvine laid a hand on her shoulder as if it might bring her back to the present. "Hey, relax," he cooed. "We didn't blow off our life savings on the car, if that's what you're worried about."

Clearly, Irvine mistook her surprise of their presence with that of the car's. Finally, Selphie decided to clarify her about it. "It's Squall's."

"Squall's?" she echoed, although Quistis desperately wanted to learn why she's looking at a sports car and not at a hired cab. "That's Squall's?"

Squall winced at the mention of his name. Obviously, he didn't want to speak about the issue, or he would've joined their little tryst already, but instead, he continued to unload their bags. It was mind-boggling how their baggages fit in the compartment.

"Yeah. It's another one of Laguna's gifts." Irvine continued, putting more emphasis in the word, 'gifts', as he made quotation marks with his fingers. It came as no surprise to anyone when a package or some sort of stipend was forwarded to Squall from Esthar, but this time, a car was something beyond overboard. A SeeD's monthly salary couldn't even begin a down payment for something exclusive as an Esthar manufactured sports car.

Quistis had to raise the question, "Isn't Ellone the one who got married?"

"Believe me when I say that her presents, mind the plural form, are nothing compared to that." Selphie's head jerked in the direction of the car. Then she leaned in closer and whispered in a low tone, "But Squall doesn't want it. You know how anal he can get when it comes to Laguna. We practically had to threaten him with another festival to let us drive it."

"Hell, he won't even let us take it without him coming along, making sure it's in good condition when he gives it back. Ha! And like a good friend that I am, offered to have it to save him the trouble, but he said he'd rather return it to Laguna." Irvine grumbled. He looked back towards the trio standing behind the car and said, "They're making the trip back to Deling."

Quistis' eyes darted towards the aforementioned vehicle as the light of optimism decided to shed a light on her. Squall had to return the car! And they're probably coming back with a cab. Brilliant! The situation wasn't hopeless after all. At the moment of Irvine's complaint, she didn't know whether to kiss the fool for his announcement or quickly grab Seifer and make a run for the car.

She had to think quickly. "I uh…Let me get my shoes first. Can you wait out here?"

Selphie made a disgruntled snort. "You've got to be kidding. It's a hundred degrees out here."

"Then it's got to be twice as hot inside." Irvine intervened; who was fanning himself with his hat. "You must have had some party that you lost your shoes."

"I did not lose them, thank you very much. I know exactly where they are." Quistis lied.

"Oh good. You were about to give Selphie here a fit of apoplexy from losing three hundred gils."

Quistis' eyes bulged and turned them on to Selphie.

"Irvine!" Selphie screeched. "Did you have to be so crass? You alone are enough to drive me to murder!"

"Surely, a pair of shoes wouldn't cost that much. Does it?" Quistis held on to the chance that Irvine could have been joking.

"Of course not!" Selphie insisted.

Quistis turned to Irvine, realizing that he probably knows more and would likely reveal something.

"If not counting the taxes of course, it would be much higher " he managed to say.

"Irvine! How could you? I don't see why you want Quistis in such discomfort," Selphie scolded.

"Quisty isn't the least bit uncomfortable." He looked in Quistis' direction. "Are you?"

Quistis shook her head. "Um, no." She didn't want to add on to Selphie's distress although the thought of having to pay her back did cross her mind.

"See? Besides, it isn't her I'm trying to annoy," he said, giving Selphie one of his trademark winks.

"Oooooh!!! You, Mr. Kinneas, are digging an early and shallow grave!" Selphie exclaimed and with that, she turned on her heels and walked away.

"Where are you going?" Irvine called out.

Selphie swung her head in their direction and said, "I'm going to check if Zell damaged anything vital to the ship." Trust Selphie to regain her composure and work on something else when highly irritated.

When Selphie disappeared under the Ragnarok, Quistis put her best reprimanding-instructor-look and glared at Irvine. "You mister, are an idiot."

"If you want to talk to Zell, he's right over there." Irvine pointed over his shoulder and donned one of his charming smiles, the one that can't make a person stay mad at him for very long.

"I heard that!" Zell roared from the car, but both Irvine and Quistis ignored him since Zell won't likely say anything more on the subject, but rather continue with what he's doing.

"How could you mention something about the cost of women's shoes? Now I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable going to the shops with Selphie. I doubt she'd even let me talk to her about paying her back." Quistis crossed her arms and waited for his reply.

"I thought you said you weren't uncomfortable," he muttered.

"That is going to the shops with her," she fumed. Quistis didn't have time for this. Somehow she needs Irvine off the Ragnarok even if she has to kick his sorry hide out of there. Maybe she can pick at his guilt, if he had any, and make him apologize to Selphie.

"It would probably take me a week to forgive you, but I suggest you start your crusade of earning Selphie's clemency."

"Aaah…Quisty, how little you know. I'd hardly call it a crusade, you know. Then again, the sweetness of all arguments is the making-up part," he said breathlessly.

"Hey guys! We'll be back in a few minutes!" Zell boomed from the backseat of the sports car while Squall started the engine as Rinoa waved from the right hand passenger's side. They drove off, leaving dust in their trail and four baggages resting on the ground.

Quistis waved back and prayed that they would take their sweet time.

"Well, now. Took them long enough. Aren't you supposed to look for your shoes?" Irvine reminded her.

"Aren't you supposed to talk to Selphie?" she shot back. Heck, she was only making sure that everyone was somewhere else when she dislodge Seifer out of the cockpit before it becomes occupied by her friends.

Finally, Irvine left her with a salute and began his quest of earning Selphie's forgiveness. As relationships go, she'll never understand those two even if she was given another lifetime.

Quistis retraced her steps back anxiously and turned towards the lift.

Why must every turn of events let her down at every inopportune moment? There has to be some way to stall their departure. Maybe if she intentionally break one of the ship controls they would be forced to stay and make the repairs. But the idea had a downside. Quistis will be perforated by a thousand needles of guilt, notwithstanding the whole ordeal of causing her friends the awful event of staying at Deling for another day. Not that the place was terrible, it was the fact that they were forced to socialize with the city's most sophisticated and utterly unpleasant company of elite society. Their host being that is, after all, General Caraway. It wasn't any wonder that they decided, and wanted, to leave the next day.

Quistis found Seifer still, undoubtedly, unconscious on the seat where she left him. She looked him over and estimated that in all probability, he weighs more than he looks. It would take all the intensity of her muscles to haul Seifer out of the cockpit and into somewhere inconspicuous, and where his snore could not possibly be heard! Quistis thought of stuffing his nostrils with cotton balls and taping his mouth shut, but that would only kill him faster. And she absolutely didn't want him to look like some kidnapped victim.

Quistis silently hoped that Seifer wouldn't release another ground shaking snore just in case Irvine and Selphie are within audible range. Squall and the others probably won't return while she's in the middle of dragging Seifer out of earshot. And if they do, they wouldn't likely hear his snore if they were inside a car with the engine on.

A lit bulb almost appeared over her head.

That's it!

The engine room!

The idea bubbled up in her mind and solidified faster than it could pop. Quistis raced to Seifer's side and pulled him the same way she had earlier and placed him on the lift. In all her life as a SeeD, babysitting a giant wasn't really one of the task she was prepared to endure. But Quistis was trained for patience, and she had to hold on to what good sense and reason she still have left in this situation. And her good sense is telling her that she can still buy some time to get Seifer out of there before he's discovered.

When they reached the lower level, Quistis pulled Seifer, as her strength would allow her, across the hangar and towards the nearing engine room. It was an amazing feat to have reach the room while walking backwards with Seifer, his duffel bag and gun-blade, hanging over her capable arms. Maybe it was sheer panic that prompted her muscles to produce ample force to accomplish such a rigorous labor.

The engine room was quiet, of course, given that none of the motors are in full operation, but it would hardly be suspicious if anyone happens to hear a slight grating sound coming from there.

Quistis carefully placed him clandestinely away from an on-entrance-view. In a final attempt to make him more unnoticeable, she folded his arms across his chest and her head tilted slightly in inspection.

Now that certainly made him look dead, she thought. Quistis didn't know why she had the incredible urge to make his position a bit more comfortable for him, but she reached down anyway and crossed his legs at the ankles. God! Even his feet alone are heavy.

She decided that it was finally time for her to actually "look" for her shoes, since whatever position she puts Seifer in would doubtless satisfy her anyway. Quistis took a final glance at him before she closed the engine room door and wait for the one last chance of getting him out of her agenda. There was not anything she could have wanted more at the moment, but return to her usual schedule.

On her way back to the hangar, she went over her plan as to how exactly she was going to move Seifer out and put him into the cab once it arrives. Quistis would play as if her shoes, the unimaginably expensive ones, were left in their hotel room, making that as an excuse to ride back to Deling, now that everyone knows how dearly it costs. Thankfully, she was still in her bridesmaid's dress, giving her a chance to change clothing while her friends, no doubt would move into the cockpit, where the chairs and a radio are, to amuse themselves, while they wait for her return. By the time she finished changing, the coast will be clear to finally draw Seifer out and, of course, the cab will be waiting as her plan unfolds. Perfect!

The only difficult part of everything is lying through her teeth. Especially from Selphie. Oh sure, the rest can speculate dishonesty if they spot a liar, but it was Selphie that she was afraid of that won't fall for a remarkably fabricated story. That woman can practically dress down a fraud with just a look and leave her feeling like a trapped bird. But nonetheless, Quistis believed that her pretense had the security of a sound excuse and even if Selphie suspects a thing, she wouldn't likely be obtrusive.

Irvine and Selphie quickly brought whatever it was they were doing to an end once they saw Quistis approaching. She found them sitting on their luggage they just carried halfway inside. Fortunately, she recognized her suitcase that Irvine is so conveniently putting pressure with his butt.

"Selphie, I need to go back to the hotel," she managed to say in a huff.

"What?"

"Why?"

Both inquiries came from two different mouths in unison, she just didn't know which came from who.

"You're not going to like it, but it would really make me feel a lot better if I tell you now so –"

Irvine quickly cut her short when he raised a hand with the palm facing her. "You left your shoes at the hotel, yes, yes, I know."

"You do?" Now both Selphie and Quistis exclaimed together.

Quistis was absolutely sure that Irvine had no way of knowing about her plan and she refused to believe that he's some sort of clairvoyant, but somehow his statement caused her to be alarmed. Perhaps Irvine must mean an altogether different version of the misplaced pair of shoes.

"Ha!" Selphie surged onto her feet with hands on hips and glared at Irvine. "So you knew she'd left her shoes at the hotel, that's why you were so smug about poking fun at us earlier."

"Nope. Actually, I didn't know it's still at the hotel until Quistis mentioned it," Irvine stated with a casual shrug.

Now that finally made Quistis silently panic. Could it be possible that Irvine had acquired the talent of determining deception from Selphie? Or was it the other way around? No matter what, she'll not let herself strike to his bait. It was staggering to think that she still managed to appear composed as she folded her arms and tilted her head to the side and asked, "How do you know that my shoes are really there then?"

"I don't. You're still barefoot. You did say you were looking for your shoes earlier." Drat! He was right.

She was so busy conjuring up her plan that she mindlessly overlooked what excuse she had used a while ago. It only made her look like an idiot. "Well, aren't you smart," she muttered.

"Of course I am. I happen to pride myself on it," Irvine countered, as it seems that he had heard her.

"You're up to something, I'm sure of it," Selphie declared and watched Quistis intently.

"What do you mean?" Quistis braced herself for Selphie's onslaught. There was no doubt in her mind that Selphie's strategy to bait her won't be easy to avert, but she was confident enough since their exchange earlier over the radio had taught her a valuable lesson. There was no way she'll let Selphie make her dance to her tune.

"You're not just going back to make a cash withdrawal or buy me something to pay me back, are you?" Selphie's eyes narrowed into little green slits, as she looked at her in sideways glance.

"Whaaaat?" That was when she realized that no matter how Selphie needled her way to prove a guilty liar, she'd most likely come up with a suspicion, and her success lies under the likelihood that the person in question would admit to something entirely different.

Selphie threw her hand into the air in frustration and cried, "Ooh! Forget the damn shoes! We'll buy you another pair when we get home."

"Note, the keyword was 'we'. That means she won't pay for it alone," Irvine said with a wolfish grin.

Quistis chose to ignore his remark and said, "Selphie, I can't just forget about something like that. You obviously don't know how I hate myself right now for being so careless." You lying putz, she kicked herself mentally. Well, at least she wasn't really lying about the 'careless' part. "I treasure the gifts my friends give me. It would really make me feel a lot better to get the shoes back."

Selphie still didn't look convinced, although they both knew that the topic was embarrassing for them, minus Irvine from the conversation, she could almost swear that Selphie was unable to doubt her. But between those five and a half seconds, the two women reached a mutual understanding that only the closest of friends could muster in silence. Quistis reached for Selphie's hand while Irvine, confused and out of place, looked back and forth from the two women with an amused expression on his face.

Finally, Selphie appeared to have given in when Quistis squeezed her hand and gave her a warm smile. "Fine, have it your way. But I still can't believe you came here last night with no shoes on." It was a clever maneuver on Selphie's part from changing the topic into going sappy.

Then Irvine, who hated being left from the discussion, jokingly asked, "You were that drunk, huh?"

"Probably," Quistis replied with a smile. "Thank goodness, I was at least sober enough to get a cab to take me here." Then she released a hearty laugh, and realized how it felt good. Somehow, she felt that her day is just going to turn out right and she looked forward to it, now that she's positive that Seifer will be safely tucked away, back to Deling where she'll make sure that he's taken care of by someone else. God only knows how much she's already got on her hands.

"Well, well, well…look who's back." Irvine grinned, as he looked in the direction of Deling's city walls. "Can't believe he came too."

The two women were forced to follow his gaze.

Quistis blanched and choked on air.

Oh, no! No, no, no! What the devil is going on?

Over the horizon was the same red sports car approaching them. And although it returned with the same people that it carried earlier, it appears that Laguna was the one in control of the wheels. Quistis had the feeling that the car doesn't have a chance of ever getting returned.

And so was Seifer.

And she had the sinking feeling that her fate had just been sealed.

A/N: Chapter 7 will follow very shortly. Thank you for your usual kind patience.