Author Notes: Fourth chapter up, sorry it took a bit, but it IS bigger then the previous ones _ anyway read and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Final fantasy 8, nor do I own the Square-enix! Though I am still plotting a hostile take over :P

Chapter IV: To Deling!

Touched by the warm rays of the sun on his face, he was pulled out of his reverie. Still sitting on the railing he mused to himself that today might be a wonderful day as he gazed to his left he noticed white beaches coming ever so nearer. He got off the railing, and stretched his body a bit as he enters Garden. Heading back to the elevator he glanced sight of Quistis in the corner of his eye. She was giving probably giving an early class to some eager students it seemed, as he remembered what she said last night.

-You might not like what you find- he pondered what she meant as he strolled on towards the elevator.

"Does she know more then she's letting on ? and what was with the attitude anyway..." sighing he punched the down button.

When the door opened he was about to step in as someone carrying a far to large a bundle of papers bumped into him, the person carrying tried to keep the papers straight but failed miserably as he fell backwards sprawling it all on the floor and on top of him.

"damnit, can't ya watch where your going" an angry voice sounded from underneath the pile.

"Zell ?" he said with a surprised voice mingled with laughter. "is that you under there ? can ya still breath through your big mouth ?"

"Kinneas you ass, get me the hell out of here, or I'll give ya something to worry about" came threatingly from under the pile of paper.

"Alright, alright, just a minute, I just need to get my camera"

"GET BACK HERE YOU PIECE OF SHIT"

"I was only joking you hot headed mule" he retorted "just a sec" as he started picking up stacks of paper.

"You sure are taking your sweet time, aren't ya"

"Of course, its not like I hate seeing you buried alive" as he finally uncovered Zell's face "what the hell are you doing with this load of paper anyway ?"

"eehm well, Quistis ordered me to get 5000 sheets of paper from the storage in the basement, and you know me, why walk 3 times if ya can do it 1, damn Quistis sure seemed pissed when she came across me in the hall. There isn't a rule for walking in around garden before sunrise is there ???" Zell said with a confused tone.

"Not that I'm aware of, but she was acting weird when she found me at the docking bay though"

"Huh? What were ya doing there anyway, and why didn't YOU get punished"

"How would I know, but tell you what, I'll help you carry these papers as an apology for not watching out"

"hmm alrigh, appreciate it, I think she wanted them in the classroom"

Picking up a stack of the papers he and Zell set off towards the classroom, reaching it he skilfully pressed the button with his foot and the door slided open, Permitting Zell first entry.

"Yo, INSTRUCTOR, here's the paper you ordered, where do we put them" Zell shouted from the back of his stack of papers.

He was answered with silence... meanwhile Irvine had entered the room as well, noting the empty classroom he could have sworn was filled with at least 4 people, excluding the instructor, a couple of minutes ago ...

"That's weird" he exclaimed "I could have sworn Quistis was here a couple of minutes ago, must be losing it or something"

"Ah whatever, just drop the papers on her desk" Zell said as he carefully placed foot by foot not to stumble over any tables, finally placing his stack on the desk, right next to Irvine's who had already easily dropped it there, seeming he could see above his bunch. "oh well, that was that, thanks for the help man."

"Don't mention it"

"Oh by the way, I was supposed to tell you that we're making port round 10 A.M., we'll probably be able to get to Deling shortly after, just so you know"

"Ok, thanks for the heads up, anyway I'm gonna get something to eat in the cafeteria, I doubt the hotdogs will be gone already, so you could join me if ya like"

"Thanks but no thanks, I'm going to the lib..." Realizing his mistake a bit to late he quickly tried to cover it up "I mean I got some things to do, before we make port that is, besides the cafeteria doesn't serve hotdogs this early"

"Right, ok, some other time then" as he made his way for the classroom door, he said with an as monotone voice as he could muster "You don't need to cover up if your going to the library to see your girl, I might be hurt because Selphie went away, but that doesn't mean you have to treat me like I'm fragile as glass"

"Eehm yeah sorry dude, I just thought ah never mind, thanks for helping anyway"

"No problem, see ya, and.. have fun" he said as he left the classroom

"Ya eehm, see ya" Zell spoke as the door was already closing.

.................

After having a quiet a breakfast which wasn't really enjoyable, he decided to take a quick rest before they were going out to Deling. Why did she go to Deling... he wondered, as he walked to his room in the dormitory. Swiping his key card through the slide next to his door, the door silently slided open permitting him entrance. He didn't bother taking of his clothes as he laid himself down on the bed. Glancing at the clock on his desk reading 8:30 A.M.

Lying on his bed, staring at the blank ceiling of his room he couldn't deny that he was very anxious, he couldn't stop thinking of seeing her again. But then again would she still be there, and did she even want to see him... what if this is all just a big mistake. What if she'll hate him for going after her... doubt quietly crept in his mind and heart like dark clouds on the horizon as he worried about the coming ordeal.

Pulled out of his clouded thoughts by the buzzer of the intercom followed by a familiar voice echoing through the hall "Garden will be landing in a few minutes, please prepare yourself, and Kinneas please report to the front gate at once"

Recognizing Squalls voice he looked at his desk again. 10:27 A.M.

"Damn time flies, oh well better check what the commander wants" he muttered to himself as he got off the bed. Grabbing a black leather jacket from his closet instead of the usual coat he wore.

Walking with a quick pace he reached the circular hall that ultimately led to his destination, the front gate, choosing to go left instead of right this time, not that it mattered much as both ways were probably of the exact same length save an inch or two. Walking past the training centre, the motor pool and the library, Zell suddenly fell in next to him appearing out of nowhere, but probably from somewhere in the direction of the library.

Not saying a word to each other they reached the front gate as Zell moaned "Damnit, I really should ask Squall if I can get my hover board back, this walking business is a bitch!"

"If the old faculty hasn't incinerated it that is" he replied.

Zell's face slowly glowing bleak at the thought "They wouldn't have done that would they ?"

"Who knows, they were a crazy bunch to begin with, well anyway Squall and Rin are standing up ahead" as he pointed in the distance.

Zell already frantically waving ran ahead to greet his friends while Irvine just walked calmly ahead.

"I wouldn't know where they stashed confiscated items, Zell, for all I know they might have burned it" Apparently Zell had already asked the Seed commander about his board as Zell reacted by punching the ground.

"Good morning, mr. Kinneas, how are we feeling today ? not still sore from the lil' slaps I gave you yesterday I hope" greeted Rinoa cheerfully.

"huh wha ? oh yeah mornin' all, eehm what slaps ?" he playfully replied.

"So are you nervous cowboy ?" Rinoa taunted.

"As a matter of fact I am, see?" as he was overly shaking his hands in a display of mock anxiety. "Anyway where's Quistis, wasn't she coming ?"

"She said she was taking care of the transportation or something, she seemed to be in a bad mood when I last spoke to her this morning" Squall plainly stated.

Hearing a screeching sound from the tires of a car, from somewhere in the vicinity of the motor pool, the party looked wondering in its direction, as a large blue humvee/car rounded the corner.

"Eehm isn't that Quistis's car ?" Zell noted with an scared tone in his voice, as the car suddenly halted to forced stop a 100 feet away from them.

"Damn she's burning rubber with that thing, are we sure its safe ?" Irvine gulped.

"Don't be such chicken-shits, I'm sure it's safe" Rinoa laughed hesitantly "Well lets go, eehm you go first Squall"

Squall just shrugged as he walked towards the blue vehicle, the rest of the party following his lead. "Well only 3 people can sit in the back.." he stated as normal as possible.

"I'm riding shotgun" Zell shouted from the back, soon realizing what he just said "Eehm did I just say that ? I meant I'm NOT riding shotgun.... Not with her anyway" Seeing everyone glaring at him "What..."

"Tough Zell, your busted" Irvine said as he patted Zell on the back.

"Awwww" Zell whined as the others opened the rear door and placed themselves in Quistis her car. "Great, hope I'll survive this day" Zell shrugged as he opened the door "Mornin' Instructor"

Barely waiting till Zell had closed his door Quistis already floored it. "Wow Quistis, whats the rush ?"

"Nothing" Quistis replied coolly. As she raced out of Garden.

..................

After a horrifying ride, for Zell at least, the car finally entered Deling city. Parking it on the side of the main square, Zell was the first to jump out of the car, as the rest followed.

"How are we going to look for her ?" Rinoa asked as she was helped out of the car by Squall.

"It's best if we split up, we cover more ground quickly and we've got most chance of finding her"

Irvine who was secluding himself from the group was still in inner turmoil as he watched the city in front of him as doubt was really nagging away at his heart. "Would she be happy to see me ? or would she hate me and scold me from coming after her... Maybe all this really was a mistake... But I have to know" he assured himself.

"But will you like what you'll find ?" a strange voice said in his head. Confused by his conscience remark. As he suddenly saw a hand waving in front of his face he snapped out of his brooding.

"Helloooo, anybody home ?" Rinoa asked worried.

"huh ?" as his mind slowly tried to make sense of what was just said to him.

"Great your back, we decided to split up to search the town, Zell's going to search the train station, and Quistis will check the shopping area, while I'll go with Squall to General Caraway to see if he knows something" by using Caraways title, she showed her disgust towards her father "That leaves the parade grounds and the park to you, and we'll meet back in the shopping area in one hour, alright ?"

"Uhm, ya sure I guess" staring in front of him he watched as the others set off to their destinations. "Oh well, better check it out" he told himself as he walked hesitantly towards the parade grounds, not sure of what to do exactly, nor what to do if he would actually find her.....

..............

After an hour of an unsuccessful search, he decided to head towards the shopping area. Arriving there he saw Zell already munching down a hotdog at one of the stands. He wondered if it was his first or his tenth hotdog as he walked over to Zell.

"Found anything ?" he asked anxiously.

"Nope, sorry dude, I just arrived back here, she's nowhere near the station, nor here apparently" as he pointed to Quistis who was leaning against a wall in the shadows, a few feet away. "Squall and Rinoa haven't returned yet either, oh wait I think that's them coming from across the street" Zell said as he started waving at the two companions that were quickly closing in on them. All of a sudden Zell froze as he stared blankly in the distance, his hand stopping midair.

"What's wrong ? you look like you've seen a ghost ?" Irvine joked as he followed Zell's gaze.

Zell finally realizing what the cowboy was doing "Uhm, dude, I wouldn't look there if I was you..."

"Why, what are ya lookin........................................................." As he to, fell silent.

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Author Notes: Gods I love a good cliffhanger, any idea on what Zell was watching at ??? ;P next chapter comin in a few days! Review please!