~*~ When Did This Happen? ~*~

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

Chapter Eight: A Change in the Ice Queen.

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.

Had Quistis known what had happened between Squall and Selphie she might not have felt so embarrassed with what happened between her and Seifer. In the supply room they lapsed back into their silence. Quistis marveled inside at how well they worked together. Standing side by side they sorted the materials and carefully packed them away, arms crisscrossing but never touching, words never exchanged as they passed different pieces of ornaments to each other and threw them in the right bins. Before they had finished she had a smile on her face. It was a silly grin. Seifer noticed it and frowned, but she looked so happy he didn't comment. Soon he was grinning too.

"We're doing it again," He said after awhile,

"I know," Quistis laughed a little, "We're good at this, we should work together more often,"

"We should," He nodded, putting one of the finished bins up on the shelf it belonged.

He turned around slowly and looked at Quistis who had momentarily stopped working. They shared a long look before Seifer walked up and took her in his arms. Quistis instinctively met his lips and they shared a soft kiss. An electric shock coursed through the woman's body and she jumped back, startled. Even Seifer looked surprised at the undercurrent of fire he had felt.

"Ah…we're…we're not done!" Quistis said, completely unraveled,

"Yeah, right, you're right." Seifer muttered and the two did a rushed job of cleaning up.

When they finished Quistis was intent upon running back to her dorm, but Seifer stopped her, confusion on his face.

"Quistis…you know me better than anyone," He said, sounding pained,

She turned, sapphire eyes regarding him carefully, "Do I?"

"Why did I come back?" He whispered, pleading her softly,

Quistis trembled as she felt a pain lance up her torso and settle coldly in her heart. Almost as if she were breaking, as if her ice heart had shattered and fire had melted out, "You came back to find yourself."

She turned and made her escape, leaving Seifer to think on her words. He sat down on the empty chair and breathed out.

"Yeah, I'm going to find myself. I'm going to make things right. Between us all."

~*~

When Seifer was ambling towards his room, feeling way to awake to ever want to sleep, he passed by Quistis' dorm. Reluctantly he stopped, staring at her door. A frown grew on his face, he could hear the barest of sounds in there, but it sounded like she was crying. Knowing he no right to intrude, the ex-SeeD moved on. He was worrying though, deep in his stomach.

Morning came to the students and the seniors were all bleary-eyed but with memories of the party dancing amid their thoughts. Gossip rang high in the early classes and Seifer ignored it all, sitting at the back with his feet up. The attendance was called, and he was always at the top.

"Almasy?"

"Unfortunately," He called back, making a few students giggle.

The instructor sighed but moved on, "…Michaels? Norington? Robson? Richards? Smith? Trepe? …Trepe? …Quistis Trepe?"

Seifer sat up straighter. Where was Trepe? He looked around and didn't see the familiar crown of golden hair, the straight-backed student paying attention to every word being said.

"Uh, I think I know where she is, I'll...uh…go get her," Seifer jumped up and began to stride away,

"Mr. Almasy, that's quite…all right…then," the instructor blinked as Seifer darted out of the classroom.

He raced to Quistis' dorm and rapped on the doorway. No answer, but he was expecting this. Twisting the knob he was shocked to find it open. Inside the immaculate room was spread out before him. Nothing had been careless left on the floor…except Quistis herself.

In a ball, still dressed for bed in loose cotton pink pants and a white tank top, Quistis was curled in a ball against the side of her couch. Her knees were brought up to her chest, arms wrapped around them, and she had buried her face down. Seifer gently shut the door and then crept closer to her,

"Quistis? Yo, Trepe?" He nudged her with a crooked finger and then edged closer still, "Quistis, we've got class babe,"

"I know." Came the tiny reply,

"Okay. Then…why aren't you there?" Seifer sounded perturbed and he poked her gently,

Quistis hiccupped and looked up. Her eyes were red-rimmed and glassy, tears still streaked down her face. Seifer closed his eyes and sighed. He knelt down and collected the blonde into his arms and stroked her hair.

"Quistis, is this about you not being an instructor?"

"I can't go in there and sit with everyone!" Quistis wailed, "I can't be one of them!"

"You are one of us," Seifer growled, "Come on Trepe, it's not that bad,"

"Yes, it is,"

"We're in advanced classes, not your typical class," Seifer soothed,

"I used to teach it!" Quistis shrieked, her head snapping up, "It's humiliating to be in there!"

"You've never tried it," Seifer laughed openly at her.

The laugh snapped weepy Quistis out of her mood. She went from watery to hard ice in seconds and stood up with determination.

"Fine. I'll go."