(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .author's note. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
I really am back for good. The holidays and everything that came from them (AKA video games, books, new art supplies) killed my muse. But now she's back. And giving me hell, this fic has taken a drastic turn towards . . . sappy mush.
Not that there's anything wrong with sappy mush, but it bugs me. I like bittersweet endings. The original ending involved . . . well, much angst and unrequited love on both ends. Both ended up to scared of rejection to take a chance at real love, and dismissed it to the other as mere lust, and the epilogue involved Quistis confessing her love at Laguna's funeral some thirty years in the future. Luckily for you, I've switched things a bit.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. quistis .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
I scowled as much as my blank face would allow in the direction of the three people who had planned my little . . . rendezvous in the closet. "I really can't think of why . . . they, of all people, would conspire against us."
Laguna peeked around the corner with me, over my shoulder. "Neither can I. But hey, they probably thought they were working for us, not against."
"So, detainment against one's will has been legalized?" I shot back.
Just . . . look at them. I tried my best not to look utterly disgusted. So . . . innocent. Squall was drinking his coffee, listening morosely with Irvine while Kiros told a joke . . . most likely a dirty one.
"I would have never imagined those three; I'd have pinned Selphie and Rinoa," I mused aloud, for Laguna's benefit. I felt Laguna shift awkwardly. . .
"HEY!" Selphie's shrill voice rang in my ear. I winced, and rapidly checked to make sure our victims-to-be hadn't heard – or at least hadn't cared – before turning around to face her.
"What," Rinoa grinned in a mock demanding voice, "would you have pinned on us?"
Laguna, of course, having a complete and utter lack of tact, bluntly spoke before I could silence him "They," he thumbed over his shoulder, "locked us in a closet." I resisted the urge to slap my forehead.
I tried desperately to keep the look of profound horror off my face as Rinoa gawped conspicuously and Selphie gave me some excruciatingly obvious winks. Laguna scratched the back of his neck for a moment before his cheeks colored, and he winced by way of apology.
"I," I said somewhat harshly, "Don't see the humor in the situation."
Selphie giggled. "Don't be stupid! Squall's too uptight to actually order people to be locked in closets!"
Rinoa nodded. "I don't know Kiros, and Irvine I can picture, but Squall?"
Laguna shrugged. "It was the reinstatement task for these two people . . ." he frowned. "I suck at names, geez . . . some pale chick, and a burly guy . . ."
Selphie bounced backwards. "Raijin and Fujin?"
"But Squall . . . said their task was going to be impossible!" Rinoa blurted out. "He . . . he said they'd never be able to pull it off!"
Laguna flinched visibly, and I remembered – with no small amount of annoyance – exactly how easy it had been to get us in that wonderful, horrible situation. Bristling, I stated curtly, "We were caught off guard."
Selphie looked about ready to burst an artery, which I hoped would happen very soon, if only to drain the mad flushing from her face. "Oh, wow . . . Squall's gonna be ticked . . ."
I snapped. "Enough!" I demanded, and grabbed Laguna's upper arm. "We're going to have a little . . . CHAT with those three."
As I hauled him unceremoniously across the cafeteria, he asked bewilderedly, "But . . . wasn't it just Squall? Why are we blaming all of them?"
"Do you really think," I said sharply, "that Squall could have come up with that on his own? It'd take at least two perverse and overactive minds to think that up."
"Is that Irvine guy really that, uh . . ." Laguna swallowed. "Is he as bad as Kiros?"
"Worse."
"Shit."
"Laguna Loire, vulgar language is a sign of unintelligence."
"But Kiros doesn't care."
"Kiros is also past trying to think of you as intelligent. Come ON."
I stomped up next to the table, where Squall and Irvine had noticed our approach. Kiros, however, was still engrossed with his own weaving of what seemed to be a long list of pick-up lines. I waited a moment, but he didn't seem to notice me, so I helped him out a bit. . . . well, a lot.
I cuffed him across the shoulder. With my whip arm, so yes, I made it hurt. As much as possible, considering the many, many pressure points in one's shoulder. Kiros swore briefly, and wincing, glared up at me. "Hey! What was that for?"
I ignored him, and slammed my palm onto the table, glaring at all three of them before focusing on Squall. "Squall . . . What exactly was the requirement," I seethed, "for Raijin and Fujin getting reinstated?"
Squall absorbed my apparent bad mood, the slightly sheepish look on Laguna's face, and the entire portents of my question most admirably. And then choked on his coffee in an equally miserable fashion. Yes, I can have this effect on people. Being heartless – literally – can have its virtues.
"Don't tell me they actually managed it . . ." he rasped out after his coughing fit. I leaned forward.
"Managed what?" Kiros and Irvine piped.
I glared at them. "You helped him, do you really need to ask?"
They were successful at looking innocent and confused, but I merely scowled.
Squall look horribly amused. "I was . . ." He coughed. "Raijin and Fujin came to me hoping for a reinstatement. I gave them a choice in missions . . . they had to either find Odin –"
"Seifer killed Odin!" Irvine squawked.
"They didn't know that." Squall sipped his coffee. "Either they had to do that, or manage to shove these two into a closet." He gestured at Laguna and I before shaking his head. "I was sure they'd never manage it, too . . ."
"My guard was down . . ." I hissed disconcertedly.
Irvine and Kiros looked at me, and then Laguna. Then at Squall, then at the pair of us. Then they looked at eachother. And broke into laughter, which wasn't as spontaneous as it might have been if I wasn't expecting it.
"What. . ." Irvine struggled to hold down his laughter long enough to gasp out a sentence. ". . .what gave you . . . that . . . brilliant idea?"
I turned on Squall viciously . . . which he didn't notice. Squall had the audacity to shrug nonchalantly. "I was in a weird mood, and Selphie was shouting in my ear."
An almost malicious leer appeared on Kiros's face. "So . . . Laguna . . ."
Laguna let out a small, noncommittal sound and muttered, "Uh, Quistis . . . maybe we should, uh . . .go."
"Aww . . ." Irvine waved his straw at us condescendingly. "Whispering sweet nothings in her ear?"
I suppressed a yelp as Laguna grabbed my wrist. "No," he said firmly. "Kiros, we'll meet you in the conference room."
Kiros winked. "I'll wait . . . say . . . is twenty minute long enough, Laguna?"
Squall waved with an almost exact replica of Seifer's smirk on his face as I was dragged off by my employer. I sped up slightly so I wouldn't exactly be dragged, but the fact that he was still latched onto my wrist was really bugging me, especially since his hand was very warm, and sending my body false signals.
"Laguna," I said calmly. "You can let go now."
"Are you sure you won't, you know, run back in there and try to lop of Squall's –"
I cut him off. "Rinoa wouldn't be too happy if I did." But it was still an extremely enticing idea . . .
Laguna looked vaguely worried for a moment, but let go. I rubbed my wrist unconsciously as we continued toward Garden's private conference rooms.
SeeD mission are always kept in utmost confidentiality, and this is helped mostly by our housing. Garden has so many wave scramblers and decoders surrounding it that a radio listener couldn't hear what the lowest rookie is ordering for lunch, never-the-less what's in our padded conference rooms where we discuss battles to come.
Normally, I'm grateful for the privacy these rooms convey. However . . . I winced as I remembered Kiros comment. Yes, these rooms were very private . . . and I was going to have twenty minutes in one, alone with Laguna.
I sighed aloud. Well, it seemed I was once more in a pretty little problem. Hmm. . . I thought briefly perhaps I should take a REAL vacation, and attempt to get over my obsession with Laguna's body.
I peered over at him as he opened the door and held it for me, grinning.
Perhaps not.
"Thank you," I acknowledged gratefully.
I headed in, and Laguna peered around the room before flopping onto a chair.
I sat primly opposite of him.
We had about 17 minutes before Kiros came. Not that I was counting, mind you. I glanced up and inspected the ceiling, upon noticing Laguna meticulously scouring the floor. I suppose it was stupid, trying to politely ignore eachother so hard it was blatantly obvious.
I frowned. Laguna hadn't brought it up. Things like this couldn't be awkward between us all the time, not if I had to spend practically 24/7 with the man.
I cleared my throat, and Laguna's head jerked up to look at me. "You know," I said mildly, "I seem to recall a similar situation. Two exact opposites, being shoved together against their wills by well meaning friends. . ." I trailed off.
"So . . ." Laguna egged me on to finish. "What happened to 'em?"
"Well . . ." I winced as I thought of Squall and Rinoa making out on the balcony not long after that.
"That bad?" Laguna asked eagerly.
"Not quite . . ." I said carefully. "I'm expecting the engagement announcement any day now . . ." I winced once more. "I was one of the 'well- meaning friends,' too."
"Oh." Laguna's voice could not have been more neutral.
"Yes, oh." I agreed numbly. "Not the best example . . ."
"No shit, Sherlock."
I didn't bother reprimanding his word choice. "Dig deeper, Watson," I rebounded almost wearily.
Laguna blinked, and then grinned. "Good one. Never heard that before."
"Damn . . ." I looked up at the door that Kiros had just entered. He pretended enthusiastically to be disappointed. "So I guess I'm not interrupting anything?"
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Hello, Kiros," I said airily. Laguna glared at him, causing me to deign to raise an eyebrow.
"Gee, Laguna, don't look so happy to see me," Kiros tossed his braids as he plopped into a chair in a similar fashion as Laguna. Laguna glared even harder. I eyed him. Was he going to be like that all day?
"Laguna," I ordered in my best teacher's voice, "Stop being so childish, we have buisiness to discuss."
I winced, unable to hide it. Had I really just ordered the President of Esthar, and my employer, to stop 'being childish?' However, to my lingering shock, Laguna merely grumbled slightly before mumbling, ". . .fine."
"Fine." I allowed myself to feel relieved as I passed the stage on to Kiros.
"Alright." Kiros coughed slightly before adopting a serious tone I hadn't heard him use before, and I saw Laguna lean forward with an alertness that caused my head to tilt questioningly.
"Laguna, you already know this," Kiros began, "But there's a formal convention coming up in a few days."
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .laguna. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
I hesitated, trying to remember what he was talking about. "Yeah, it's . . ." I shot Kiros an incredulous look. What was he thinking? "It's hosted by Galbadia this year!"
"Bingo." Kiros confirmed. I groaned, and really wanted to go hit my head on the wall. But that wouldn't be a good idea, Quistis would drag me away and call me 'childish again . . . I am sooooo NOT childish!
Kiros went on. "You were invited, of course, but now they aren't exactly expecting you to come. . . .being, well . . . dead."
Heh . . . I grinned. Yup, right. I nodded. "So, we're going to hit a lot of birds with the proverbial rock by going . . ."
"It's a stone, not a rock, Laguna," Quistis corrected me gently before turning back to Kiros, "But how are you hitting more than one bird?"
Hey, I know just as much as Kiros, she doesn't have to go to HIM for all the answers. I leaned back, trying to look thoughtful. I ticked the reasons on my fingers. "They won't have a place set up for me, so I can rip on them all night for it . . . Makes them look bad. . . . for one . . ."
"And it's really just insulting." Kiros said, stealing my limelight. I scowled, but then listened. "All their efforts to kill the guy," He grinned widely and leaned back crossing his arms. "And he's still rubbing his balls in their face."
"Kiros . . ." Quistis warned at his language. I grinned. "Yeah, Kiros, vulgar language is a sign of unintelligence." He looked over at me incredulously. Hah, take that.
"Right, right, sorry Quistis." Kiros waved it away shamelessly. "Anyway, it's the perfect place to show everyone he's alive." He sat back up triumphantly, making a fist. "Newsies and reporters around every corner."
Quistis's eyes gave the tiniest flicker; her version of a frown. "That makes my job harder."
"Um . . ." Kiros shifted uncomfortably . . . I realized why, and cringed. Better let Kiros tell her this. "Yeah . . .See, these guys don't like surprises . . ." Kiros faltered, trying to think of a soft way to tell her.
He gave up. "Laguna's only allowed one bodyguard," he said flatly, "Which I was registered as before you came along."
I cringed. Three, two, one . . ."WHAT?!"
Yeah, Kiros . . . what? You know Quistis won't take this standing. Eh. I looked up at the ceiling a tried to look guiltless. And actually, I was, for once. I'd had nothing to do with the paperwork.
"Relax," Kiros said in an eerily soothing way. "Laguna here," he explained, gesturing to me widely, "is also allowed to bring his wife and/or dancing partner."
I froze. No. Kiros wasn't really going to do that to her, was he? Didn't he know what happened to . . . well . . .
It wasn't that I minded being her dancing partner. Yeah, no way in hell would I mind, but . . . what was Kiros THINKING?
He was continuing blithely to Quistis. "I can hold your whip and if you need it –"
I leaned forward, and put my fist on the table. "No."
Quistis tilted her head slightly. "Laguna?"
I was kind of tempted to explain it to her softly, like I usually do to her, but . . . that wouldn't help my situation any. I glanced over at her, but then shook my head determinedly. No, Laguna, don't listen to Quistis, she'll do the whole 'I'm-Quistis-Trepe-and-I'm-so-sexy-without-knowing-it' and totally distract you. "Kiros," I went on, "You really willing to risk her reputation like that?"
"Reputation?" Quistis questioned. Kiros tried to say something, but I cut him off.
"Yeah." I said as coldly as I could make my voice. "When they say dancing partner, it's just a polite way of say 'Hello, one and all, bring your latest whore for show and tell.'"
Her eyes widened. Shock, maybe anger. Both, probably at my crudeness and, ahem, spiffy word choice. I didn't glare at her, but I did keep eye contact. Yes, Quistis, be angry at me. Please, pretty please, this once be really, really angry. Don't come with me; don't go.
I like Quistis, more than I should, really, but . . . I gulped. Was I really still . . . Raine, am I still afraid to have someone replace you? Am I making up this danger to Quistis as an excuse? Kiros probably thinks so . . . Raine?
Why would I think of Raine at a time like this . . .
. . .
"Laguna, it isn't that bad. . ." Kiros faltered at my glare. Why the hell was he interrupting my concentration?
"Yes it is, and you know it," I snapped.
Yeah, it seemed like I was overreacting. But I'm a writer. . . . eh, well, kinda. But the point of it is, I know the power of words . . . If I went with Quistis, it would be all over the tabloids in less than a day. She wouldn't be able to move an inch without the paparazzi crawling all over her.
So I was trying to protect her. She won't like it much, but I'm still going to.
"So. . ." Quistis began slowly. I closed my eyes. Be angry. I don't mind . . .much . . . as long as you stay home . . . "So there's no problem then?"
"Quistis?" I jerked my head up. What? "Didn't you hear –"
"I heard clearly." I blinked. Wow, she was ticked off. What'd I do, besides try and protect her again? "In case you haven't noticed," she hissed slowly, "I am now formally and fully obligated to act only for your protection."
Kiros nodded slowly. I shot a 'look' at him, but he just kept glancing between the two of us. "Laguna's right, Quistis, you SHOULD stay."
I gave him my best death glare, which I'm sorry to say, had nothing on Quistis's. Damn him, he KNEW that would just make Quistis want to go even more! He knew it, so why was he siding with HER? Didn't he care a shred about the woman's privacy for the next . . . oh, ten years?
Quistis stood, and looked at a blank spot on the wall. "Duty before honor . . . Laguna."
I didn't flinch, but . . . Kiros did. Ouch. Ok, that hurt.
Like, alot.
She didn't have to cut that deep to make a point, dammit. Did she even know what Galbadia made its soldiers DO? She's a SeeD, not a soldier; SeeD knows better than to send its people to missions that hurt civilians . . .
I really didn't have any idea whether or not Quistis knew exactly how deep that cut, but hey, this is Quistis, Miracle Woman. It's best to assume she knows everything.
She narrowed her eyes even further, and I wondered if she could still see clearly out of them. "My honor doesn't need your protection, Mr. Loire."
So it was back to Mr. Loire now, huh? That cut a little deep in its own right . . . I guess its about time to fight back . . . Quistis, you pushed too far.
"But . . . you did." She did need my protection at one point; she had to remember that, right? My voice was dead flat, not the usual for me at all.
Quistis scarcely blinked, but I could tell she was a bit surprised from my tone. But even the minor hint to her suicide attempt made her glance at Kiros to see if he noticed. "I advise caution, Mr. Loire," She said stonily. "Our debt has been paid."
"We've been even for a while now, Ms. Trepe," I said levelly. "And yet, you stayed, and are still here."
"Are you questioning my motives?" Her voice snapped back.
I shook my head morosely. "I'm questioning your reasoning."
Quistis nodded curtly, and seemed to be out of things to say . . . miracles will never cease. Giving up on me, she turned to Kiros. "When is the convention, I have work to do."
Kiros hastily began, "It's this –"
I cut in. "Thursday."
I winced as the door was shut abruptly, probably Quistis's controlled version of slamming the door. Yeah, she was pissed. . .
But she TRUSTED me . . . I really had . . . and she did . . . I winced. Was I regretting it all ready? Already? I knew I'd regret it . . . but this bad . . . and why the hell was my chest so tight?
Kiros shifted. I tried to ignore him, but I caught his words anyway. "Laguna . . . the conference isn't ON Thursday . . . it's –"
"On Wednesday." I stated hollowly.
She trusted me.
"I know."
I betrayed her trust.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .author's note. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
Laguna's lying to Quistis? Breaking the first thing that bound them together in the first place? When the string of trust is cut, will their thread of feelings for each other be enough to tie them together? Deep, ne?
WOW. Yeah, Verdanii, you reviewed every chapter at once, and I opened my inbox to see: "You have 21 new messages!" Shocker. . . .and your review was amusing as well, Lanatic Pandora1 . . . though not quite how I would have phrased it . . .
I suppose Aquarian Wind is right about the lemon (and lack of) problem . . . sniff. . . yes, you've all been so great . . . and so, I reward you with a preview (AKA Minor Spoiler). There's a major plot element coming up, which ends in Quistis FULLY realizing her . . . suppressions.
After which, she throws herself upon him, and they have mad and wild monkey sex. Bow wow chicka bow wow . . .
. . .
. . . wait, no, that's just my hormones talking . . . ignore that last part. Hee. So evil . . .
I really am back for good. The holidays and everything that came from them (AKA video games, books, new art supplies) killed my muse. But now she's back. And giving me hell, this fic has taken a drastic turn towards . . . sappy mush.
Not that there's anything wrong with sappy mush, but it bugs me. I like bittersweet endings. The original ending involved . . . well, much angst and unrequited love on both ends. Both ended up to scared of rejection to take a chance at real love, and dismissed it to the other as mere lust, and the epilogue involved Quistis confessing her love at Laguna's funeral some thirty years in the future. Luckily for you, I've switched things a bit.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. quistis .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
I scowled as much as my blank face would allow in the direction of the three people who had planned my little . . . rendezvous in the closet. "I really can't think of why . . . they, of all people, would conspire against us."
Laguna peeked around the corner with me, over my shoulder. "Neither can I. But hey, they probably thought they were working for us, not against."
"So, detainment against one's will has been legalized?" I shot back.
Just . . . look at them. I tried my best not to look utterly disgusted. So . . . innocent. Squall was drinking his coffee, listening morosely with Irvine while Kiros told a joke . . . most likely a dirty one.
"I would have never imagined those three; I'd have pinned Selphie and Rinoa," I mused aloud, for Laguna's benefit. I felt Laguna shift awkwardly. . .
"HEY!" Selphie's shrill voice rang in my ear. I winced, and rapidly checked to make sure our victims-to-be hadn't heard – or at least hadn't cared – before turning around to face her.
"What," Rinoa grinned in a mock demanding voice, "would you have pinned on us?"
Laguna, of course, having a complete and utter lack of tact, bluntly spoke before I could silence him "They," he thumbed over his shoulder, "locked us in a closet." I resisted the urge to slap my forehead.
I tried desperately to keep the look of profound horror off my face as Rinoa gawped conspicuously and Selphie gave me some excruciatingly obvious winks. Laguna scratched the back of his neck for a moment before his cheeks colored, and he winced by way of apology.
"I," I said somewhat harshly, "Don't see the humor in the situation."
Selphie giggled. "Don't be stupid! Squall's too uptight to actually order people to be locked in closets!"
Rinoa nodded. "I don't know Kiros, and Irvine I can picture, but Squall?"
Laguna shrugged. "It was the reinstatement task for these two people . . ." he frowned. "I suck at names, geez . . . some pale chick, and a burly guy . . ."
Selphie bounced backwards. "Raijin and Fujin?"
"But Squall . . . said their task was going to be impossible!" Rinoa blurted out. "He . . . he said they'd never be able to pull it off!"
Laguna flinched visibly, and I remembered – with no small amount of annoyance – exactly how easy it had been to get us in that wonderful, horrible situation. Bristling, I stated curtly, "We were caught off guard."
Selphie looked about ready to burst an artery, which I hoped would happen very soon, if only to drain the mad flushing from her face. "Oh, wow . . . Squall's gonna be ticked . . ."
I snapped. "Enough!" I demanded, and grabbed Laguna's upper arm. "We're going to have a little . . . CHAT with those three."
As I hauled him unceremoniously across the cafeteria, he asked bewilderedly, "But . . . wasn't it just Squall? Why are we blaming all of them?"
"Do you really think," I said sharply, "that Squall could have come up with that on his own? It'd take at least two perverse and overactive minds to think that up."
"Is that Irvine guy really that, uh . . ." Laguna swallowed. "Is he as bad as Kiros?"
"Worse."
"Shit."
"Laguna Loire, vulgar language is a sign of unintelligence."
"But Kiros doesn't care."
"Kiros is also past trying to think of you as intelligent. Come ON."
I stomped up next to the table, where Squall and Irvine had noticed our approach. Kiros, however, was still engrossed with his own weaving of what seemed to be a long list of pick-up lines. I waited a moment, but he didn't seem to notice me, so I helped him out a bit. . . . well, a lot.
I cuffed him across the shoulder. With my whip arm, so yes, I made it hurt. As much as possible, considering the many, many pressure points in one's shoulder. Kiros swore briefly, and wincing, glared up at me. "Hey! What was that for?"
I ignored him, and slammed my palm onto the table, glaring at all three of them before focusing on Squall. "Squall . . . What exactly was the requirement," I seethed, "for Raijin and Fujin getting reinstated?"
Squall absorbed my apparent bad mood, the slightly sheepish look on Laguna's face, and the entire portents of my question most admirably. And then choked on his coffee in an equally miserable fashion. Yes, I can have this effect on people. Being heartless – literally – can have its virtues.
"Don't tell me they actually managed it . . ." he rasped out after his coughing fit. I leaned forward.
"Managed what?" Kiros and Irvine piped.
I glared at them. "You helped him, do you really need to ask?"
They were successful at looking innocent and confused, but I merely scowled.
Squall look horribly amused. "I was . . ." He coughed. "Raijin and Fujin came to me hoping for a reinstatement. I gave them a choice in missions . . . they had to either find Odin –"
"Seifer killed Odin!" Irvine squawked.
"They didn't know that." Squall sipped his coffee. "Either they had to do that, or manage to shove these two into a closet." He gestured at Laguna and I before shaking his head. "I was sure they'd never manage it, too . . ."
"My guard was down . . ." I hissed disconcertedly.
Irvine and Kiros looked at me, and then Laguna. Then at Squall, then at the pair of us. Then they looked at eachother. And broke into laughter, which wasn't as spontaneous as it might have been if I wasn't expecting it.
"What. . ." Irvine struggled to hold down his laughter long enough to gasp out a sentence. ". . .what gave you . . . that . . . brilliant idea?"
I turned on Squall viciously . . . which he didn't notice. Squall had the audacity to shrug nonchalantly. "I was in a weird mood, and Selphie was shouting in my ear."
An almost malicious leer appeared on Kiros's face. "So . . . Laguna . . ."
Laguna let out a small, noncommittal sound and muttered, "Uh, Quistis . . . maybe we should, uh . . .go."
"Aww . . ." Irvine waved his straw at us condescendingly. "Whispering sweet nothings in her ear?"
I suppressed a yelp as Laguna grabbed my wrist. "No," he said firmly. "Kiros, we'll meet you in the conference room."
Kiros winked. "I'll wait . . . say . . . is twenty minute long enough, Laguna?"
Squall waved with an almost exact replica of Seifer's smirk on his face as I was dragged off by my employer. I sped up slightly so I wouldn't exactly be dragged, but the fact that he was still latched onto my wrist was really bugging me, especially since his hand was very warm, and sending my body false signals.
"Laguna," I said calmly. "You can let go now."
"Are you sure you won't, you know, run back in there and try to lop of Squall's –"
I cut him off. "Rinoa wouldn't be too happy if I did." But it was still an extremely enticing idea . . .
Laguna looked vaguely worried for a moment, but let go. I rubbed my wrist unconsciously as we continued toward Garden's private conference rooms.
SeeD mission are always kept in utmost confidentiality, and this is helped mostly by our housing. Garden has so many wave scramblers and decoders surrounding it that a radio listener couldn't hear what the lowest rookie is ordering for lunch, never-the-less what's in our padded conference rooms where we discuss battles to come.
Normally, I'm grateful for the privacy these rooms convey. However . . . I winced as I remembered Kiros comment. Yes, these rooms were very private . . . and I was going to have twenty minutes in one, alone with Laguna.
I sighed aloud. Well, it seemed I was once more in a pretty little problem. Hmm. . . I thought briefly perhaps I should take a REAL vacation, and attempt to get over my obsession with Laguna's body.
I peered over at him as he opened the door and held it for me, grinning.
Perhaps not.
"Thank you," I acknowledged gratefully.
I headed in, and Laguna peered around the room before flopping onto a chair.
I sat primly opposite of him.
We had about 17 minutes before Kiros came. Not that I was counting, mind you. I glanced up and inspected the ceiling, upon noticing Laguna meticulously scouring the floor. I suppose it was stupid, trying to politely ignore eachother so hard it was blatantly obvious.
I frowned. Laguna hadn't brought it up. Things like this couldn't be awkward between us all the time, not if I had to spend practically 24/7 with the man.
I cleared my throat, and Laguna's head jerked up to look at me. "You know," I said mildly, "I seem to recall a similar situation. Two exact opposites, being shoved together against their wills by well meaning friends. . ." I trailed off.
"So . . ." Laguna egged me on to finish. "What happened to 'em?"
"Well . . ." I winced as I thought of Squall and Rinoa making out on the balcony not long after that.
"That bad?" Laguna asked eagerly.
"Not quite . . ." I said carefully. "I'm expecting the engagement announcement any day now . . ." I winced once more. "I was one of the 'well- meaning friends,' too."
"Oh." Laguna's voice could not have been more neutral.
"Yes, oh." I agreed numbly. "Not the best example . . ."
"No shit, Sherlock."
I didn't bother reprimanding his word choice. "Dig deeper, Watson," I rebounded almost wearily.
Laguna blinked, and then grinned. "Good one. Never heard that before."
"Damn . . ." I looked up at the door that Kiros had just entered. He pretended enthusiastically to be disappointed. "So I guess I'm not interrupting anything?"
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Hello, Kiros," I said airily. Laguna glared at him, causing me to deign to raise an eyebrow.
"Gee, Laguna, don't look so happy to see me," Kiros tossed his braids as he plopped into a chair in a similar fashion as Laguna. Laguna glared even harder. I eyed him. Was he going to be like that all day?
"Laguna," I ordered in my best teacher's voice, "Stop being so childish, we have buisiness to discuss."
I winced, unable to hide it. Had I really just ordered the President of Esthar, and my employer, to stop 'being childish?' However, to my lingering shock, Laguna merely grumbled slightly before mumbling, ". . .fine."
"Fine." I allowed myself to feel relieved as I passed the stage on to Kiros.
"Alright." Kiros coughed slightly before adopting a serious tone I hadn't heard him use before, and I saw Laguna lean forward with an alertness that caused my head to tilt questioningly.
"Laguna, you already know this," Kiros began, "But there's a formal convention coming up in a few days."
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .laguna. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
I hesitated, trying to remember what he was talking about. "Yeah, it's . . ." I shot Kiros an incredulous look. What was he thinking? "It's hosted by Galbadia this year!"
"Bingo." Kiros confirmed. I groaned, and really wanted to go hit my head on the wall. But that wouldn't be a good idea, Quistis would drag me away and call me 'childish again . . . I am sooooo NOT childish!
Kiros went on. "You were invited, of course, but now they aren't exactly expecting you to come. . . .being, well . . . dead."
Heh . . . I grinned. Yup, right. I nodded. "So, we're going to hit a lot of birds with the proverbial rock by going . . ."
"It's a stone, not a rock, Laguna," Quistis corrected me gently before turning back to Kiros, "But how are you hitting more than one bird?"
Hey, I know just as much as Kiros, she doesn't have to go to HIM for all the answers. I leaned back, trying to look thoughtful. I ticked the reasons on my fingers. "They won't have a place set up for me, so I can rip on them all night for it . . . Makes them look bad. . . . for one . . ."
"And it's really just insulting." Kiros said, stealing my limelight. I scowled, but then listened. "All their efforts to kill the guy," He grinned widely and leaned back crossing his arms. "And he's still rubbing his balls in their face."
"Kiros . . ." Quistis warned at his language. I grinned. "Yeah, Kiros, vulgar language is a sign of unintelligence." He looked over at me incredulously. Hah, take that.
"Right, right, sorry Quistis." Kiros waved it away shamelessly. "Anyway, it's the perfect place to show everyone he's alive." He sat back up triumphantly, making a fist. "Newsies and reporters around every corner."
Quistis's eyes gave the tiniest flicker; her version of a frown. "That makes my job harder."
"Um . . ." Kiros shifted uncomfortably . . . I realized why, and cringed. Better let Kiros tell her this. "Yeah . . .See, these guys don't like surprises . . ." Kiros faltered, trying to think of a soft way to tell her.
He gave up. "Laguna's only allowed one bodyguard," he said flatly, "Which I was registered as before you came along."
I cringed. Three, two, one . . ."WHAT?!"
Yeah, Kiros . . . what? You know Quistis won't take this standing. Eh. I looked up at the ceiling a tried to look guiltless. And actually, I was, for once. I'd had nothing to do with the paperwork.
"Relax," Kiros said in an eerily soothing way. "Laguna here," he explained, gesturing to me widely, "is also allowed to bring his wife and/or dancing partner."
I froze. No. Kiros wasn't really going to do that to her, was he? Didn't he know what happened to . . . well . . .
It wasn't that I minded being her dancing partner. Yeah, no way in hell would I mind, but . . . what was Kiros THINKING?
He was continuing blithely to Quistis. "I can hold your whip and if you need it –"
I leaned forward, and put my fist on the table. "No."
Quistis tilted her head slightly. "Laguna?"
I was kind of tempted to explain it to her softly, like I usually do to her, but . . . that wouldn't help my situation any. I glanced over at her, but then shook my head determinedly. No, Laguna, don't listen to Quistis, she'll do the whole 'I'm-Quistis-Trepe-and-I'm-so-sexy-without-knowing-it' and totally distract you. "Kiros," I went on, "You really willing to risk her reputation like that?"
"Reputation?" Quistis questioned. Kiros tried to say something, but I cut him off.
"Yeah." I said as coldly as I could make my voice. "When they say dancing partner, it's just a polite way of say 'Hello, one and all, bring your latest whore for show and tell.'"
Her eyes widened. Shock, maybe anger. Both, probably at my crudeness and, ahem, spiffy word choice. I didn't glare at her, but I did keep eye contact. Yes, Quistis, be angry at me. Please, pretty please, this once be really, really angry. Don't come with me; don't go.
I like Quistis, more than I should, really, but . . . I gulped. Was I really still . . . Raine, am I still afraid to have someone replace you? Am I making up this danger to Quistis as an excuse? Kiros probably thinks so . . . Raine?
Why would I think of Raine at a time like this . . .
. . .
"Laguna, it isn't that bad. . ." Kiros faltered at my glare. Why the hell was he interrupting my concentration?
"Yes it is, and you know it," I snapped.
Yeah, it seemed like I was overreacting. But I'm a writer. . . . eh, well, kinda. But the point of it is, I know the power of words . . . If I went with Quistis, it would be all over the tabloids in less than a day. She wouldn't be able to move an inch without the paparazzi crawling all over her.
So I was trying to protect her. She won't like it much, but I'm still going to.
"So. . ." Quistis began slowly. I closed my eyes. Be angry. I don't mind . . .much . . . as long as you stay home . . . "So there's no problem then?"
"Quistis?" I jerked my head up. What? "Didn't you hear –"
"I heard clearly." I blinked. Wow, she was ticked off. What'd I do, besides try and protect her again? "In case you haven't noticed," she hissed slowly, "I am now formally and fully obligated to act only for your protection."
Kiros nodded slowly. I shot a 'look' at him, but he just kept glancing between the two of us. "Laguna's right, Quistis, you SHOULD stay."
I gave him my best death glare, which I'm sorry to say, had nothing on Quistis's. Damn him, he KNEW that would just make Quistis want to go even more! He knew it, so why was he siding with HER? Didn't he care a shred about the woman's privacy for the next . . . oh, ten years?
Quistis stood, and looked at a blank spot on the wall. "Duty before honor . . . Laguna."
I didn't flinch, but . . . Kiros did. Ouch. Ok, that hurt.
Like, alot.
She didn't have to cut that deep to make a point, dammit. Did she even know what Galbadia made its soldiers DO? She's a SeeD, not a soldier; SeeD knows better than to send its people to missions that hurt civilians . . .
I really didn't have any idea whether or not Quistis knew exactly how deep that cut, but hey, this is Quistis, Miracle Woman. It's best to assume she knows everything.
She narrowed her eyes even further, and I wondered if she could still see clearly out of them. "My honor doesn't need your protection, Mr. Loire."
So it was back to Mr. Loire now, huh? That cut a little deep in its own right . . . I guess its about time to fight back . . . Quistis, you pushed too far.
"But . . . you did." She did need my protection at one point; she had to remember that, right? My voice was dead flat, not the usual for me at all.
Quistis scarcely blinked, but I could tell she was a bit surprised from my tone. But even the minor hint to her suicide attempt made her glance at Kiros to see if he noticed. "I advise caution, Mr. Loire," She said stonily. "Our debt has been paid."
"We've been even for a while now, Ms. Trepe," I said levelly. "And yet, you stayed, and are still here."
"Are you questioning my motives?" Her voice snapped back.
I shook my head morosely. "I'm questioning your reasoning."
Quistis nodded curtly, and seemed to be out of things to say . . . miracles will never cease. Giving up on me, she turned to Kiros. "When is the convention, I have work to do."
Kiros hastily began, "It's this –"
I cut in. "Thursday."
I winced as the door was shut abruptly, probably Quistis's controlled version of slamming the door. Yeah, she was pissed. . .
But she TRUSTED me . . . I really had . . . and she did . . . I winced. Was I regretting it all ready? Already? I knew I'd regret it . . . but this bad . . . and why the hell was my chest so tight?
Kiros shifted. I tried to ignore him, but I caught his words anyway. "Laguna . . . the conference isn't ON Thursday . . . it's –"
"On Wednesday." I stated hollowly.
She trusted me.
"I know."
I betrayed her trust.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .author's note. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
Laguna's lying to Quistis? Breaking the first thing that bound them together in the first place? When the string of trust is cut, will their thread of feelings for each other be enough to tie them together? Deep, ne?
WOW. Yeah, Verdanii, you reviewed every chapter at once, and I opened my inbox to see: "You have 21 new messages!" Shocker. . . .and your review was amusing as well, Lanatic Pandora1 . . . though not quite how I would have phrased it . . .
I suppose Aquarian Wind is right about the lemon (and lack of) problem . . . sniff. . . yes, you've all been so great . . . and so, I reward you with a preview (AKA Minor Spoiler). There's a major plot element coming up, which ends in Quistis FULLY realizing her . . . suppressions.
After which, she throws herself upon him, and they have mad and wild monkey sex. Bow wow chicka bow wow . . .
. . .
. . . wait, no, that's just my hormones talking . . . ignore that last part. Hee. So evil . . .