~*~Chapter 2~*~

"Quistis," the man said with surprise and confusion in this voice. "What are you doing here?"

            "You're alive," Quistis said without thinking.  "We thought you were…"

            "Dead?" he finished for her. "Of course you would have. It's what you guys wanted isn't it?  Seifer Almasy dead.  That would bring a smile onto anyone's face.  Sorry to burst your bubbles. Trepe," he said bitterly.

            "No!" she cried, "that's not true.  You just disappeared, and no one heard from you again, not even Raajin and Fuujin.  For the past six years, there is been no word or news of you."

            "There was no word, because you SeeDs weren't looking hard enough for me, but now that you've found me I'm not going to let you take me in so easily.  You'll have to fight me," he yelled as he stepped back and pulled Hyperion out ready to attack. 

            "Seifer I'm not here to take you back to SeeD," she said desperately trying to calm him down.

            "Oh, so you're just going to kill me and take my corpse back?" he sneered.

            "No! Damn it Seifer!" she said her voice becoming frustrated. "I'm not here to kill you, fight you, or argue with you.  Hell! I didn't even know you were here! As a matter of fact I don't care!"

            "Oh so SeeD finally gave the instructor a vacation?" he said sarcastically.

            With her hands clenched at her sides she coolly said, "I'm not part of SeeD anymore."

            Seifer noticed the struggle in her voice when she spoke her last line, for the first time he noticed the luggage next to her, and noticed the casual attire of the sun-dress she wore.  She was obviously not on a man-hunt.  He relaxed and brought Hyperion down.

"If you want me to leave, I'll go," she stooped down to pick up her sandals and luggage and started to head up towards the ruins of the orphanage.

"Wait Trepe," Seifer said struggling to keep his footing in the sand as he rushed towards her. 

"What? If you're afraid that I'll tell anyone about your hiding place, don't worry I won't be around long enough to let your little secret out," she said irritably.

"No, damn it!  Even after all these years…that's beside the point," he said suppressing his frustration.  "Where are you staying?"

"What?"

"Well, it is getting late and it's quite a walk before you reach the next town.  Why don't you come and stay at my place for the night?" He waited for her respond. "I don't mind," he quickly added. 

            "Why?"

            "Why not?"

            She just stood there in confusion, while he took her luggage from her hand and started towards his home.  Quistis still in confusion could only follow.

            "So why did you leave SeeD, or did they kick you out for having an affair with a student?" he teased.  Sensing his comment was out of line and near rude he apologized.  "Sorry, I know how much SeeD means to you.  It's just odd why you would leave it and end up here."

            "It's a long story," she finally said.

            "I have time."

            "Well I don't."

            They both continued walking in silence, until they came to a small cabin.

            "Here we are this is my home, and I welcome you to my humble abode," he said with a smirk, and opened the door leading her in.

            The cabin was small; it had a kitchen, living room, and a small dining room next to the kitchen. Also in the back there was a single bedroom and a bathroom.  The cabin was a comfortable size for one or maybe even two occupants.

            "I don't remember a cabin being around here," she said as she observed the living room.

            "It wasn't.  I made it a couple years ago," he said matter-of-factly.

            "How? When? No offense, where did you get the money?"

            "It's called getting a job, my dear," he noted a slight embarrassment cross her face.

            "What kind of job?" She asked as she settled into one of the chairs at the dining table as Seifer headed into the kitchen.

            "Do you want anything to drink?" He called out from the kitchen.

            "No, thank you water is fine."   

            He reemerged from the kitchen with a glass of water, and a can of beer.  He placed the glass in front of Quistis and sat down drinking his beer across from her. 

            "What kind of job?" he repeated her question and gave her a sly smile. "Take a wild guess, what kind of job would I be the best at?"

            Quistis raised her eyebrows in question, "well you're best qualifications are at irritating your instructors, not obeying orders, terrorizing people, but doesn't aren't the conventional qualities useful for normal job.  I would have to say you got a job in fighting or picking fights."

           He grinned, "Even after not seeing you after six years you still know me so well." He took another drink from the can. 

            "Some things never change," she smiled.

            "Some things do," Seifer finished.  "You've changed." Quistis raised and eyebrow at his comment.  "You are so openly melancholic now.  You always use to be good at keeping that icy shield appearance.  Something is wrong, but knowing you, I'm sure you wouldn't want to take about it with anyone especially me.  Besides I like to talk about myself more then listen to other people jabber on," he said with a wink.

            Quistis thanked him with a small smile for not pursing her internal demons. 

            "So how did you use your brash fighting skills to land your irresponsible self a job?" she asked to change the subject again.

            "I became a security guard for some companies by day, and at night I would work at clubs intimidating more people."

            "So you worked both day and night, seven days a week? Don't you sleep?"

            "Well, do you think someone as irresponsible as me would be responsible enough to sleep?" He laughed at his own joke.  Quistis just shook her head.  "After about three or four years later, I saved up enough money to buy this small plot of land near the orphanage, and I decided to build my little home sweet home."

            "It's nice and definitely sweet," she complimented. "You look like you're living a comfortable life. I'm proud of you."

            "Thank you Trepe.  You don't know how long I've waited to hear those exact words coming from your lips."

            She furrowed he eyebrows, "I'm not kidding."

            "Neither am I," he said with all seriousness.

            "Are you still working as a security guard?"

            "No, I train people now."

            "Oh, Instructor Almasy?" she chuckled.  "I like the sound of that."

            "Fortunately, I don't have any students like me."

            "If you did you'd probably bash their heads in," she laughed.

            "Is that what you wanted to do to me?" he feigned hurt and shock.

            "Who would have thought you would turn out so well, while I've become homeless and end up beach combing," she said through her sad smile.

            "You know, I think some one up there screwed up and got our fates switched," he said to cheer her up.

            She shook her head.  "Maybe it's about time things started looking up for you." Emotions of sadness started to overcome her entire body, and she could feel tears slowly climbing up through her body forming a lump in her throat and slowly creeping towards her eyes.

            Seifer immediately sense her melancholy, and quickly changed the subject.

            "Since you're here, why don't you stay for a while?" He waited for her to answer and received only silence. "Well if you don't have any plans of going anywhere. I don't mind you staying here.  This place can keep two people comfortably.  Besides I'll have to admit it does get boring living here alone."

              She squeezed her hands together tightly, and stared into the half filled glass of water before her.  She watched the liquid in the cup move with every slight nudge of the table.

            "I…," she trailed off.

            "You won't be bothering me.  You can stay in my room, and I can sleep on the sofa." Just as she was about to protest, he continued, "Don't worry it's very comfortable.  I usually end up sleeping on it more then in my bed anyway."  He got up and carried her luggage into the single room in the back of the cabin.

            The bed room was very neat and clean.  The sun shined through a crack between the curtains of the single window in the room.  There was a closet, a large bed, and on each side of the bed were two night stands.  One had a lamp and an alarm clock. The other side had a couple of loose change and half a bottle of water.

            Quistis looked about the room it was quite large and comfortable.  This place would be perfect for her to spend the rest of her life.  She walked over to the window and looked out into the blue horizon.  She closed her eyes and started listening to the muffled sounds of the waves crashing along the surf and shore.  She closed her eyes and drifted off into memories from long ago. 

            "I see you like it," Seifer's voice interrupted her as he laid her suitcase on the bed.

            "Yes, I do. It's very beautiful.  You've done a wonderful job, Seifer." Her voice was calm.

            "So you'll stay?"  She nodded.  "Good you can stay as long as you like."

            She blushed at his kindness.  He turned and walked out of the room, and left her alone to be acquainted with her new surroundings.

            After a month of traveling alone, she was ready to find a place just to live out her life.  Now here she was on the shores of Centra staying with Seifer Almasy off all people.  She almost felt at ease with her present situation.  At least she wouldn't have to spend her last days in loneliness.

            She opened the closet door and found some of Seifer's clothes hung sparsely in the closet.  There were many extra hangers there for her to use.  She smiled to herself.  She never thought Seifer would have been so neat and organized with his things.  She moved her stuff into the corner of the large room, and proceeded to walk out into the living room.  Seifer was apparently not in the cabin.  She decided to take the liberty of giving herself a tour of the place.

            She ventured into the kitchen and found it was relatively clean.  The sink had a couple plates and utensils from a previous meal.  Next to the sink was the refrigerator.  She opened it and found it quite sparse, like a typically single man's fridge.  There were cans of beer, soda, some cold cuts of ham and turkey, juice, milk, and a couple fruits and carrots.

            "Are you hungry?" The sudden male voice startled and instantly caused her to bring her hand over her heart and closed the refrigerator door.

            "Seifer you scared me, where did you go?"

            "Sorry, I was just outside.  I usually just sit outside and listen to the ocean. It seems to clear the mind.  It seems to almost sweep away your worries with each receding wave." Quistis nodded. "So if you're hunger I guess we can go out to town to eat or something.  Since you saw there isn't much in there." He pointed to the refrigerator.

            For the first time that day, she truly smiled. "Sure where shall we go?"

            "Seifer's eyes lit up, "I know exactly where to go, the food there is great," he said excitedly.  "And it's not to far away.  We can walk there."

            "Walk?" She raised an eyebrow in question.

            "Sure, over the past years the smaller towns have grown and developed. It's less then a mile away."

            "Well isn't it a bit late to go out at night alone?"  She asked still unsure.

            "You're not alone.  You got me.  Besides any monster that crosses us is very unfortunate," he said lifting up his right hand that held Hyperion and made a slash in the empty air.  "Come on it's a nice warm summer evening, and the sun doesn't set till late.  Savor the moment Trepe."

            She nodded in agreement with her whip in hand they headed out.

~~~

            The restaurant they went into was small, but had a very homely and inviting aura surrounding it.  It was a small family owned Indian restaurant, there were tables neatly placed in the room covered with beautiful colored table clothes.  The hostess of the restaurant was a small woman with dark skin, thick long black hair tied back into a thick braid that fell below her waist.  She large brown eyes brightened at the arrival of Seifer.

            "Hello, long time no see," she greeted him with a wide smile as she led them to a table. "Finally you've brought your girlfriend to our restaurant," she said almost sounding like a question.

            Seifer smiled, "Oh this is Quistis. She is a friend I grew up with.  She is just staying with me for a while."

            The older woman nodded in understanding and handed them the menu.  "Just let me know when you are ready to order."

            After a couple minutes of deciding the woman came back and took their orders.  Dinner came, and they chatted about the past and pleasant and some unpleasant memories from their youth.  Through their catching up their dinners were quickly finished and it was almost time for them to leave.

            By the time they departed from the restaurant, the sun had settled behind the mountains.  The darkness was slowly over taking the reddish dusk.  The full moon was large and round hovering over the mountains slowly climbing up to the pinnacle of the vast darkness.

            They both walked along the shores of the beach heading back towards the orphanage.  Behind them the bustling and lights of the town were becoming smaller. 

            "Sounds like you were happy in Garden, why leave?" Seifer asked has he kicked at the soft white sand.

            Quistis's smile faded. "It's a long story," she said with a pause.  "Maybe I'll tell you one day."

            "Maybe, maybe not.  We all have our secrets.  Secrets keep a shroud of mystery around us.  Makes life interesting cause no one ever knows what you are thinking."

            Quistis nodded as she slipped out of her sandals and stepped onto the wet sand leaving light footprints as she followed the receding tides.  The tides roared at her as if challenging her to not come closer.  It foamed as a small tied crashed around her legs and consumed her legs under the swirling water around her long slender legs.

            The cold salt water caressing her legs soothed her thoughts. She took another step into the now receding tide again making a new set of footprints in the smooth wet sand.  For a moment she wondered what it would be like to be swallowed up and join the depths of the deep black ocean away from the misery to come.  Maybe it was better to die now when she was happy and all seemed well.

            Splashing came up from behind her.  She looked at Seifer's concerned face that quickly changed into a menacing smile.  "Didn't know you were up for a swim," before she could answer. He easily lifted her up and carried her in his arms and started to wade deeper into the flowing tides.  Quistis tried to struggle in his arms, but it was futile.

            Seconds later cold water engulfed her body.  Salt water filled her mouth and stung her eyes.  She stumbled and finally felt her feet touch the sand.  She stood up coughing and wiped her eyes, as Seifer still held onto her to keep the waves from pushing her over.  Even though she was still coughing up the salty liquid, Seifer laughed.

            "You look like shit," he said through his laughing.

            Quistis glared at him, but started to laugh at the soaking state of them both.  She coughed again ridding her throat the last remnants of the salty sea.

            Their laugher mingled with the tides as they waded back towards the dry shore.  When they reached dry land, Seifer picked up her sandals, and ran towards the cabin leaving a barefoot Quistis to chase after him.

            He held her sandals high up in the hair as he taunted her, dangling it over her head. "Want your pretty little slippers, Trepe? Come and get it!" 

            The drenched blond woman feigned anger and chased after him laughing. "You are toast, Seifer!"

            "No, I'm soaked," he laughed and continued running.

            "Doesn't matter you're toast any way."

            "That's if you can catch me," he said and stuck his tongue out.

            As she ran the sand clung to her wet legs and her dress stuck to her body as her long blond hair plastered onto her face and neck.

            When they reached the cabin both hunched over panting and trying to catch their breaths.  Seifer straightened himself up and observed the wild appearance of the usually prim and proper Instructor of his past.  He never recalled ever seeing her so wild and free.  Maybe leaving SeeD would do her good.  But he remembered her state earlier.  She seemed lost and lone. 

            Quistis finally stood up straight and raised her eyebrows as she wrapped her arms across her chest to keep the breeze from biting her skin.

            Seifer smirked, "I believe the lady is cold."
            "And you're not?"

            "Maybe, but I'm a man and I must keep on a strong façade for the weaker sex," he teased as he pushed the door into the warm cozy cabin.

            Quistis made a face and walked into the cabin.

            "You can go and shower first.  Don't want you getting sick now because of me," he said walking into the bathroom to get himself a towel to dry off.

            "Then what about you?"

            "What? You want me to shower with you?" Quistis expression didn't change at his joke. "I can wait.  Besides while you shower I can prepare the sofa as my bed."

            "Sofa?"

            "Yeah, you don't think I'm cold-hearted enough to make my beloved instructor…"

            "Former instructor," she corrected.
            "Former instructor, to sleep on the sofa when she is a guest in my house?"

            "No, I just don't want to…"

            "Don't worry about it," he interrupted.  "This sofa is pretty damn comfortable.  I told you already.  I usually end up sleeping here anyway.

            Quistis furrowed her eyebrows not believing him.  "Well, I won't be staying long anyway, so I guess you'll have to bed less for a couple days."

            "Damn it Trepe.  I told you don't worry about it already.  We've already had this conversation earlier.  You can stay as long as you want.  Now go and shower or take a bath or what ever you women do." He said with annoyance while grabbing his spare pillows and blankets from his linen closet.

            Quistis gathered her stuff and went into take a warm shower.  The salt water was drying on her skin and leaving an uncomfortable dry sticky feeling all over her body.  A bath sounded very appealing at the moment, but she didn't want to make Seifer wait to long.  She felt bad enough for forcing him to sleep on the sofa when she should be out there. 

            As the needles of warm water landed on her skin and cleaned off the salt, she thought to herself.  Seifer has changed.  He seemed to have control over his life now.  His temper was still there, but more contained.  While her own life was falling apart, her once well hidden emotions were now spilling out from her like an overflowing pot. She brought her face under the rain of water and let the water wash away her thoughts along with the salt.

~~~

            Quistis emerged from the shower with her hair wrapped in her towel like a turban; she called out to Seifer to tell him the bathroom was free now and headed into the bed room.  She pulled the suitcase out and put it onto the bed.

            She stood looking at the opened suitcase, unable to decide if she wanted to unpack her things or not.  She wanted to stay, but she was afraid of intruding on Seifer's new life.  His life was stable and satisfying, while hers was tumbling down.  She didn't want anyone to suffer her own pains of death.  She never wanted to ask for anyone's help or pity again.  She did that once nearly ten years ago, and the one person she cared for and confided in told her to talk to a wall.  Thinking about that moment still brought a pang of sadness through her whole body.  That memory only reminded her of how alone she had always felt. 

            She let out a deep breath and closed the suitcase again.  She would worry about it later.  Right now she was ready to lie down and lose herself in a couple hours of deep sleep.

~~~

            Seifer came out of the shower, and found Quistis had already fallen asleep, with the lights still on.

            "Good night Trepe," he whispered has he flicked off the lights and closed the door and headed towards his make shift bed.

            He had to admit he was surprised to see Quistis here alone and homeless.  He had never thought of Quistis as the nomadic traveler.  She was always the stable responsible one, and now for the past two months, she had been traveling from place to place with just a suitcase of clothes.  He never thought that after ten years their lifestyles would have been twisted around.  He concluded that there must be something wrong, but he didn't think she would ever confide with him.  What ever the problem was he didn't like seeing what it was doing to her.  It almost reminded him of himself the first couple of years after the Sorceress wars.  When he didn't know where he would go, or what he could do.

            He stretched his blanket over his body and settled into the sofa, and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.  See ya in the next one!