Disclaimer- Do you guys really think I own Final Fantasy VIII? Didn't think so.

Author's Notes-This is where I'm supposed to say something useful about this chapter isn't it. Sorry. I got nothing to share except for the fact that you guys missed one pretty big hint that refers to one of my other stories. I was almost let down that no one commented on it but oh well. Maybe I was a bit too sneaky with it. shrugs There's another big hint/reference in this chapter.

Unexpected

"Your performance was less than satisfactory," The shadow spoke as he leaned back in his chair and kicked his feet up on the desk. "Nevertheless I cannot hold you solely responsible for the mission's failure."

"Loire was hit twice and looked to be fatally injured Sir."

"Not good enough. I wanted them both dead!" The shadow took on a face as he abruptly jolted from his chair and stepped into the light. The younger man before him fought the urge to step back as he looked into his Boss's ice blue eyes. Instead of the stone faced mercenary that he'd trained he was staring at what looked like a startled young recruit. "What's the matter with you boy?"

"Nothing of any relevance to my failed mission Sir. Its just that you look a lot like someone I once fought."

"Dincht. Yes I know. He is irrelevant in this matter. Focus on your missions. You will not fail me again."

"Yes Sir," The mercenary before him answered.

"Seifer," Squall muttered the name below his breath and then looked Ellone square in the eyes. "He didn't..." Squall quieted at Elle's finger on his lips.

"No," She pulled back her finger and rested her hand in her lap. "Don't even think that. He's not as bad as you try to make him out to be." Squall looked away, causing his now longer hair to fall into his face. At Ellone's giggles he turned to face her. His questioning look made her laugh some more.

"What?" He asked.

She shook her head. "You look so much like Laguna." Squall cast her an almost hurt look. She shook her head again and smiled. Running her hand up past his elbow she pulled him into a sloppy hug. "I'm glad you're starting to remember everything." Under her arms she could feel him tense up.

"How do you know about..."

"Rin and I talk. Besides, if I really wanted to know what you were dreaming I could go back and see for myself. My powers aren't only limited to the conscious world." Squall was silent as he held onto her. He wasn't sure why he couldn't let go. "Don't be afraid."

At that statement, Squall pulled back from her and looked at her curiously. His face carried upon it a look of thought and frustration.

"I know you were worried when Rin was pregnant with Tempest. We all were, more for you than for her, but we were worried to."

"What do you mean worried for me?" He asked as he stood by her bedside with arms crossed.

Ellone smiled at his gesture. "Don't worry about it. I ramble sometimes." Squall narrowed his eyes but sat down and let the comment slide.

'What did she mean by that? Worry for me...whatever,' He thought.

"You need Rin," He looked up at her unexpected explanation. "Just like Seifer needs me." Squall tried to hide his annoyance ineffectively. "Don't be like that. You don't even know what I'm talking about anymore."

"I've only understood half of what you've talked about in this discussion," Squall said evenly. "What I do know is that Seifer's been a menace and an instigator for...as long as I can remember and that the fact that he's gotten you pregnant doesn't raise my opinion of him."

"Squall Leonhart Loire!" Ellone swatted Squall on the back of his head. He narrowed his eyes at her and stood to leave. "You do realize it takes two."

He stopped halfway across the room and crossed his arms. "Two to do what?"

Ellone propped herself up on her pillow as she prepared to answer him. "Well for starters; it takes two to play tag, to become jealous, to bully or be bullied, and it takes two to be intimidated." Squall glanced over at her.

"What are you talking about?"

"You and Seifer. After I left. You do remember that you two used to be best of friends?" At Squall's disgusted face she continued. "You honestly don't remember that." She smiled. "You will." Squall shook his head as he turned back to the door. "It takes two to make babies. Don't you go start a fight with him." At her words Squall looked to the ground and then in her eyes.

"Elle, he's trouble."

"Do you honestly think he'd have had the courage to go back to Balamb Garden on his own? After everything that he'd done? Someone had to be supporting and encouraging him. Who do you think pulled him out of D- District? It sure wasn't you! It was me!" She shouted. "I rescued him and helped him seize his second chance because he was entitled to it and too good to live out the rest of his life rotting in some cell! You might think he's trouble but I can assure you there's more to him than you realize! In all honesty, you used to know him. So much better than anyone else but you forgot. You let your anger that I had been taken away consume your life Squall! You pushed everyone away and caused things to become bitter between you and Seifer!" A few tears ran down her cheeks. "So before you decide to look down on him just remember you created him. And you also remember that the Seifer you know is nothing but a shield to keep you out! Everyone else has let him back in. He and Zell are friends for crying out loud and you and Seifer always picked on him! Its really funny how he became branded the bad guy. He of all people. Especially considering how he acted compared to the rest of you when he first came to the orphanage."

Squall stood unsure as to how to react. "I don't remember or even understand what you're talking about at the orphanage. But you were the one to bail him out of D-District and encourage him to rejoin Garden?"

"Yes."

Squall let his hands fall limply at his sides. "I haven't got the same memories you have of him Sis. All I remember is the fights and competitions and the bullying. I can't see him like you do. You'll just have to get used to that." He cast her a glance but she looked away from him. "What do you want me to say? I can't even trust him!" He flung his arm out much in the same way Seifer had earlier.

Ellone watched him through watery eyes. "Well you should."

"I don't understand," Squall said as he sat down in a chair by the door. "He's the kind of person that goes looking for fights. He's irresponsible and instigating. I just can't understand why all of a sudden he's your knight in shining armor." Ellone watched as Squall rested his head in his hands.

"Because I love him Squall," Her answer startled him and he looked up at her. "He was capable of so much more destruction than he caused when Ultimecia had a hold of him. I may not be a powerful sorceress, but I am influential. There were times that he looked at me with disgust and treated me like his prisoner but more often were the times that Ultimecia's power wavered. It was in those times that I got through to him. And he listened. I saw deeper into his soul than anyone else ever has."

Squall sat searching for words to respond to her but found none. The door to his left swung open abruptly as a sandy haired doctor entered.
The medical staff stood in awe of the raven haired girl before them. With mouths agape, the aides looked to the lead surgeon for answers. It took a moment before he could piece together what had just transpired before his eyes.

"I'm supposed to say that you're presence here is prohibited," He looked at the girl gently rubbing the unconscious president's forehead. She nodded as she kept her gaze on the man under her shaky palms. "How did you do that ma'am. He should be dead."

She smiled as she looked up at him. "I have powers." She slowly pulled away from Laguna and let the aides check his status. "He can't die."
The tension was so dense it could be sliced with a knife. Irvine and Zell watched as Tempest sat silently in Seifer's lap and played with the chain around Seifer's neck. Neither one of them dared to say anything. Even the normally jovial Selphie, now wide eyed in worry about Sir Laguna, remained quiet.

Seifer had originally tried to ignore the boy but somehow ended up with him in his lap. 'Must be his mother's charm,' Seifer thought to himself. He felt his chain pull against the back of his neck and he looked down at the small fist that clenched his chain tightly. Across the room Seifer noticed Irvine shooting him a small grin. Seifer narrowed his eyes and turned away. 'Last thing I need is Cowboy getting involved.' He was jolted from his thoughts as Tempest let his head fall against Seifer's chest. He looked down at the boy in annoyance but made no effort to move him.

Squall paced down the hall. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved at the doctor's diagnosis for Ellone or to be worried by it. He rounded the corner to shorten the gap between him and the waiting room. He had felt Rinoa get upset and it'd taken everything he'd had to refrain from showing his concern. He hadn't even told Elle about Laguna. It hadn't completely slipped his mind. He was just too busy worrying about her. Yeah sure, that was it.

The image that greeted him as he entered the waiting room shocked him. He stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at the situation. He had assured Elle he'd be somewhat accepting to Seifer. In reality he'd promised her he'd try and ignore the blonde's cocky comments and brash actions. Too bad he hadn't counted on finding his son sitting on his rival's lap.

"Loire," Seifer said as Squall walked towards him.

"Daddy," Tempest outstretched his arms and was quickly lifted from Seifer's lap. Squall stared at Seifer for a moment and then turned from him.

"Where's Rinoa?" His tone held a hint of panic.

"I'm right here," She answered.



Ameli - You know you love me. But you hyperactive superspastic sweat drop I'm suddenly glad we live on opposite sides of the country. I wasn't going for a horribly cruel cliffie. Although I do rather like it...

Dark Topaz - :) Here you go.

Aratcorien- lol Do I want to see you cry? No! Cause then I'll cry and feel really bad. You've read my other stuff...you know what'll happen with Guna. I love your prediction of how Seifer would act towards the twins. Yeah, he'll be something like that just as soon as I get past him past his surprise. And as for the Seifer and Zell and Fujin think...that's gonna be a whole bunch of fun found in Unveiled Consternation.

element 6 - hahaha Squall did forget to tell her.