Disclaimer: What horrible, ghastly individual came up with the concept of disclaimers. They are nothing but mere humiliating reminders that I am nothing but a poor fan that owns nothing but the pepsi can before me!

Author's notes: Sorry about the delay. Things haven't been too good here. I promise this story will pick up some once I get everyone out of the hospital. lol It seems to be a slow process though.

Element6- lol here's your update. Sorry it took so long.

Aratcorien - a drinking contest...hmm...that's actually an idea. Tempest is two and a half and Squall was nineteen going on twenty when he was born...yeah...he's old enough to drink legally. Hmm...lol. I can't wait to wake Laguna up. I already have it planned out. :)

Tears and Fears

"I'm right here," She repeated herself as she placed a hand on Squall's arm. He turned quickly at the sound of her voice. "I just came from the operating room. On the way back I bumped into Kiros and Ward," Her voice had become a hushed whisper.

He narrowed his eyes as he stepped closer to her. "What's going on?" She looked around at the others and then gently pulled Tempest from his arms. "We'll talk out in the hall," She said as she carefully handed Tempest to Seifer and started towards the door. Squall watched her go and then quickly scooped his son up from his rival's hold and handed him to Irvine. Seifer rolled his eyes as if he'd been expecting it and leaned back in his chair.

In the hall, Kiros and Rinoa were waiting for him. "What's going on?" He asked.

"We haven't much time so I'll keep this as brief as possible," Kiros said under his breath. "I have to agree with my security department in their belief that keeping Laguna here may be too dangerous. There is someone out there that wants him dead. I haven't a clue who or why, but we need to get him to a disclosed location."

"Kiros, he just now stabilized. Won't moving him do more harm than good?" Rinoa asked in a hushed voice.

"Wait," Squall took hold of Rinoa's arm. "What's going on with him? What's his condition?" Rinoa looked at the floor as she debated what to say.

Seeing her reluctance, Kiros took the initiative. "He's stable now and is being moved to a guarded room in critical care. But he almost didn't make it. His heart stopped twice." Squall paled at his announcement.

"He's okay," Rinoa placed an arm around Squall's shoulders. "I promise you he's okay," She whispered in his ear. "I saw to it myself." He looked into her eyes for an explanation. "I'll explain it later." She rubbed his back as Kiros continued.

"I've spoken to the doctors and they seem confident that he'll be stable enough to move within the week if he continues recovering like he is," Kiros looked at Rinoa. "Thing is the doctors don't advise we try to take him back to Esthar at that time because his body may not be strong enough for such a trip."

"So where will you take him?" Squall asked.

"There is one place I know of. It's a few hours drive from here but I'm pretty sure no one knows of it. At least I'm sure that no one knows that he'd be there."

Squall shot Kiros an uncertain look. "Where exactly are we talking?" At his question, Rinoa and Kiros both feel silent.

"Its a manor. Its well kept and has many security advantages. Until Laguna is healthy enough to travel the distance to Esthar I would advise we take him here."

"There's something you're not telling me," Squall stated.

Rinoa reached up and turned his head to face her. "That's because the manor is Seifer's."

"What? No."

"Squall, come on."

"You can leave but I have to insist that you get a regular doctor to monitor all of your symptoms. It can get worse the further along you are," The sandy haired doctor insisted.

"I understand," Ellone said. "I'll contact your office whenever I need the paperwork to give to my new physician." The man in front of her nodded as she slowly stepped from the room and looked around. Unsure of which way to go, she started by checking the waiting room outside of the emergency room. Finding Seifer not there she wrapped her arms around herself and fought the urge to cry. 'He hasn't left me,' She mentally encouraged herself. 'He has to be here somewhere.'

'One seat closer cowboy,' Seifer thought as he watched Irvine scoot closer to him. "What?"

"Don't worry about it too much. It'll be one of the greatest experiences you'll ever have," Irvine encouraged him. Seifer raised an eyebrow. "Fatherhood," Irvine answered his unasked question. "Its a great thing." At his words, Seifer looked up at the clock on the wall and jumped up from his seat. He'd been in the waiting room for nearly three hours. "What'd I say?" Seifer ignored him as he hurried out the door and down the hall.

"Seifer!" Rinoa called out to him. "We need to talk to you."

He dismissed her with the wave of his hand as he continued back to where he'd left Ellone. After he rounded the corner, Squall pulled free of Rinoa.

"He's going back to Ellone's room," Rinoa was left standing in the hallway with Kiros as Squall followed the path Seifer'd taken.

He found her sitting in a vacant chair next to a pay-phone. Quietly, he walked over to the chair beside her and sat down. She cast him a glance and then tried to hide her face. He became sick at his stomach when he saw that she'd been crying. Unsure of what to do or say next he just sat there quietly. She sniffed quietly and took a deep breath.

"How are they?" He managed to ask.

She slowly turned to him as she wiped away a few tears. "I'm six months along," Her voice wavered. "They're small for their age." Another tear fell but it was he that caught it that time. She rested her hand on his. "One of the heartbeats is faint." Seifer swallowed as she leaned against him and cried. "I don't want to loose one of them." Seifer sat rigid as he listened to her. "And you never came back so when I was released I didn't know where I was supposed to go. I couldn't find you." Seifer felt his own eyes tearing up at her statement but he fought the urge to let them fall.

"I'm still here," He said as he ran his hands along her back. For a brief instant the hospital seemed to quiet and he could hear her smile.

"Where did you go? And how did Squall know I was here?" She asked.

"Well," He took a deep breath. "There was an assassination attempt." Ellone paled. "Its okay. I heard Rinoa tell Squall he was going to be okay. And I think Kiros wants to take him to my place until he recovers more."

"You don't like Kiros," She responded.

"Yeah well I kinda like the President. President's son isn't too bad either, I guess. Tell Squall and I deny everything."

Ellone laughed lightly. "Think they'll let me see him?"

"Who? Squall? Why would you want to see him?" Seifer teased.

"No," She playfully rolled her eyes. "Uncle Laguna."

"Let's go see," Seifer helped her stand.

Around the corner, Squall listened to their conversation. At the sound of their approaching footsteps he stepped into the nearest open doorway to get out of sight. A few nurses looked up at his presence.

"Sir can we help you?" One of them asked. He didn't hear them. He was too busy thinking about everything that was happening.