Disclaimer: Mine?  HONTO NI?  *Squeals with delight*  Wait. How much?  You're kidding.  I don't have that kind of money.  Fine then.  So, what? I'll buy FF8 when I'm damn right ready to!

****

"You lost the reports.  You lost the reports?" Disbelief was evident in Seifer's voice as he stared at Quistis, who was busy packing her clothes as well as toiletries inside the black, flimsy bag she had bought off the inn keeper.  She continued to ignore a very pissed off Siefer as the headache inside her head had become a migraine, determined to make itself a permanent guest within her skull. 

Add to that, she couldn't seem to see straight.

"How could you lose them?!"  Seifer continued, his voice growing louder. 

"I didn't lose them.  They were taken," Quistis replied, hurrying her steps even more so.   She wished Seifer would just shut the hell up.  "Now if you don't mind, we have to get out of here." 

Growling slightly, he glared at her before striding outside to the hallway and turning in the direction of the attic.  He returned not long after, his own bag, small and closed tightly dangling from his hand.  He didn't have the full story yet, but he would make sure he'd get it, he decided, as he continued to watch Quistis bustle around the room.  Just how much did the woman bring?

Narrowing his eyes a bit, Seifer focused on her face as if he saw it for the first time.  Had she become paler than he remembered?  Unconsciously, he took a step closer to a still distracted Quistis.  And when did she seem so tired?  He continued to observe her, trying to find all the small differences he could.

Quistis turned to find herself staring into a pair of very intent emerald orbs.  Thrown off guard, she started, and dropped the pair of gloves she was holding. 

"Damnit, Seifer.  What are you staring at?"  she asked with accusation, irritated now that the shock had wore off.  Not waiting for an answer, she shoved him away, breaking the eye contact and bent down to pick up her gloves. 

Seifer frowned as he watched her form.  Despite his immediate denial to ever being accused of such, he did care for Quistis, if not as a friend than as a mentor.  She had been his instructor once, and while he wasn't exactly the ideal student, she had been tolerant.  And he remembered once, vaguely, that he was attracted to her, her beauty and strength of character earning his respect and his admiration. Shaking his head lightly, he folded his arms across his chest, still grasping the tiny bag. 

Studying her, he found that she had changed, even if those changes were subtle.  Did she seem more fragile? 

His ever deepening thoughts were broken when he realized Quistis was done and already making her way past him and to the door. 

Muttering under his breath, he followed after.

****

She saw two of everything.  Two lamps across the hall, two chamber maids that went back and forth.  Sometimes, she saw four.  Shaking her head, Quistis continued down the inn steps, determined to make it downstairs and outside the oak door. 

"Going already?"  The innkeeper asked politely, although his ill disguised relief was evident. 

Going already…

She nodded, but found she could only perform that small action to the smallest extent- her skull threatened to burst with each shake. 

Going already…

Her steps started to become unsteady and her feet shook as if they could no longer stand.

Going…

But still, she forced herself, one foot in front of the other.  The effort used all her strength, but determined she pushed on.

Going…

The door was right within her reach.  She couldn't hear any longer, the voices faded.  Dimly, she was aware of a pair of arms reaching out, gray and gloved.  She saw darkness after that, the black expanse of it filling her, consuming her, until she knew no more. 

Gone.

****

Well, I liked this chapter.   ^^ Anyways, I've got mostly everything worked out, all the kinks and such, so everything should go smoothly from here on out.  I hope you guys don't hate me just yet. 

*Smiles nervously as she waves a white flag above her head*.

I will continue this story, but I'm thinking it might span a bit over 20 chapters or so.  Not sure if that's a good thing.  ;  So yes, Quistis has gone and fainted on Seifer and what will happen now?  Who was the mysterious young man who stole the reports and what will happen to poor Rinoa and Irvine, who by now is probably dying of thirst? 

*Rubs hands together evilly.* Soon, my dears, soon.  *Gets pelted by a tomato in the face.* 

Angry and aggravated reviewer:  Just write already, damn it! 

*Sweat drop.*