~*~ When Did This Happen? ~*~

:: Seiftis. Squffie hints. (Quistis x Seifer, Squall x Selphie hints) ::

Chapter Three: Opportunity Knocks.

Note: I usually go into detail with things, but I'm in university now, I have a midterms and essays staring me in the face. This is a quick and casual read. We think. Reviews are more than a little appreciated.

~Silverium~

Disclaimer: Squaresoft. Not Silver.

Zell and Irvine laughed quietly as the tray of food they had rigged clattered to the ground. One of the helpers in to the cafeteria looked at it and then bent over to pick it up. Zell's eyes widened and he leaned back, looking overwhelmed.

"Whoa."

"Told you." Irvine winked,

"I can't believe it though, I mean…that's so…whoa…"

"I know. A black thong under a white miniskirt. She's a nice girl though, I can try and hook you up-"

"From playboy to pimp, you've really covered all the bases." Selphie rolled her eyes as she pulled up a chair,

"Sefie!" Irvine ruffled her hair and grinned at her squeal, "Where's Quistis?"

"Hurt herself and had to get stitches." Squall supplied, "Seifer's taking care of her."

"Sei-"

"-fer?"

Zell and Irvine both froze and looked from Selphie to Squall in unison. Squall nodded shortly and sat down, waving his hand for a cup of coffee to be brought over. The woman who had just picked up the tray nodded and then hustled one up for him. When she brought it over Zell turned cherry.

Irvine twirled his straw in his coke and then at last breached the subject that was on everyone's minds at the moment.

"Why'd he come back?"

"He wants to start again, I think it'll be good I mean-"

"I know." Irvine gently cut off the smaller brunette, "I'm just surprised."

"He's changed." Squall said quietly,

"I don't…" Zell trailed off and then let his head sink down to the table,

"I think he has." Selphie responded defensively, "C'mon Zell, the Orphanage Crew is back together!"

"Yeah," Irvine flashed a smile in Selphie's direction, "You should plan a party."

Selphie's eyes went very wide and her mouth turned into a little 'o'. Her hands began to shake as they rose and a look of pure delight crossed her face. Irvine burst into laughter as she jumped out of her seat and raced off, leaving the three men to the table.

"You realize we are going to have to help her." Zell said with a sigh, "Geeze, Irvine, you've condemned us,"

"It makes her happy, so let her do it," Squall shrugged,

Two pairs of blue eyes, one more violet, one more cerulean, turned and looked at Squall in surprise. He shied away from the looks as if they were accusations but said nothing. Irvine had a tiny smirk creeping up on his lips and Zell was just looking at Squall silently.

"What?" Squall finally asked, looking into his coffee,

"You like Sefie," Irvine poked Squall's elbow,

"You're turnin' red!" Zell grinned,

"Shut up."

The two howled with laughter as Squall raised the collar of his jacket and tried to drown in the fur-lined leather.

~*~

"I'm fine. Really," Quistis looked embarrassed as a cup of tea was placed on the table in front of her,

"Lighten up Trepe. Doctor's instructions that I take care of you,"

"I know, but, I'm fine, it was just a scrape!" Quistis turned pink and looked down into the cup.

It was beyond humiliating. Being taken care of Seifer of all people! Not only that, but having her head split open on her desk right in front of him. Oh yes, she was a calm and collected ex-instructor.

"Well, I guess I don't have to be sophisticated, it's not like I'm a role-model anymore." She said aloud unintentionally,

"It was an act?" Seifer's lazy gaze penetrated her making Quistis squeak in surprise,

"I…um…no," Quistis looked confused, then she burst into tears. Seifer was at a loss.

--

"Ah…Trepe…please don't do that." Now it was Seifer who was uncomfortable.

Her golden hair was falling around her as Quistis covered her face with her hands. Sobs racked her slender body and tears leaked through the cracks in her fingers. Hesitantly Seifer curled his arm around her, letting her lean into him as he gently stroked her cheek.

"Quistis, it's not that bad, not being a teacher and all," He started,

"It's all I had," was the whispered reply,

"But you can have…new…stuff…" Hyne, he sounded like Zell!

"I'm just a regular SeeD now! What can I do with that? That's nothing!" Quistis gasped and choked on a sob,

"Ah, no, you're more, I mean, Quistis." Seifer became more firm, "Everyone respects you, they all know what a good person you are. Suck it up Princess, geeze."

Quistis' head snapped up at him and her red-rimmed blue eyes turned fiery,

"Suck it up princess?" She repeated,

"You're the one who is always okay, act more like…like yourself. We have enough crybabies, look at Zell, Rinoa and Selphie,"

The woman bristled, "Those are my friends. Seifer. Don't insult them,"

"There's the Ice Queen I'm used to," He said it in a fond fashion, ruffling her hair.

Quistis punched him in the stomach, her knuckles hitting hard muscle but still causing him to feel a little pain. Eyes widening as he held his stomach Seifer dropped his other arm away from her.

"What was that for?" He asked incredulously,

"Insulting them," Quistis stood up and raked her hair back behind her ears, taking out the clip behind and fixing the strands back up, "Have you changed at all?"

"I'm here, aren't I?" Seifer's lazy grin returned, "Don't tell me I need to prove it,"

"Possibly."

"You're a cold one, Trepe," He called as she stalked into her bathroom, "A real Ice Queen." He whispered.

It couldn't be denied that she was part of the reason he had come back. It was his character; he was drawn to Quistis like a moth to flame. He had annoyed her to no end when he was her student and now he had returned and fallen prey to her crystal eyes and creamy skin. The Ice Goddess, how appropriately junctioned to Shiva.

Seifer wanted her approval, he wanted her trust and to make it up to her for everything he had done. Squall wouldn't care about the past, he was cold like Quistis but more detached where she was worked up into everything. Nothing happened in Garden without somehow being connected to her, even though she wasn't an instructor anymore. He had always been closer to her, he respected her for all the work she did, the struggles she fought through. Rinoa was stubborn not to give up, but Quistis was the real fighter.

"You're still here,"

"Did I miss my cue to leave?" Seifer looked up in mock-horror, "Well then. Better late than never."

He stood up, performed a bow and then tipped an imaginary hat to her. Quistis watched him with the barest of quirks on her lips.

"Drink you tea, have some warm soup, get lots of rest-"

"Leave me alone mother!" Quistis threw a pillow at him.

He caught it, kissed it, cuddled it, and then smirked, lightly tossing it back at her. Swinging the door open the Hyperion Knight strode off whistling. Quistis sank to her couch and regretted making him leave. She was embarrassed still, and now a breakdown in front of him would be added to her list. The thought of sitting in a SeeD classroom just like her former students made Quistis sick. Nothing separated her from them now.