Rush and Selphie quickly found their way down the building. They had not spoken to each other since the attack. Each cocooned up in their own misery. Rush felt especially responsible since she had ordered him to stay with her. He had wanted to leave, begged with her even. And she had ignored him for her own selfish reasons, and now that she thought more and more about it – crazy ones.

Selphie hopped down first, she reached his body and to Rush's complete and utter surprise, began to laugh and cry hysterically. Rush cautiously neared her, not wanting to throw her heart bare to the pain, but not wanting to extinguish the tiniest shred of hope either.

Selphie cradled Zell's bruised body in her arms. He was asleep! Asleep and snoring with enough force to drown out a brass band at full blast. Selphie would have wept if the tears would come. Her heart swelled, she would never, ever take his presence for granted again. And... she would tell him. Truthfully, how she felt; after this was all over.

"Zell?" Rush knelt down beside them and patted his face. His head lolled to one side. Selphie gasped. A thin dart protruded from his neck. Rush let out her breath. He was hurt, yes; but alive. She pulled it out, "We'll need this, take it back to Garden's lab to analyse it." Selphie's voice came out strained, "Why would anyone want to put Zell to sleep? Doesn't he do that enough? Why not just run a real bullet through his head?"

Rush found herself too tired to be amused at Selphie's banter and placed her hand on Selphie's quivering shoulder. "Please, Selphie. This is not the time. We don't know if that's just a tranquillizer dart or more. Help me. We have to get him on the train. Now." Selphie sniffled before standing.

"I'll take the torso, you take his legs."

Alena stood trembling. Killing grats and t – rex's were not like it at all. She had killed a man, a person who had not known that his life would be limited to seconds at the most as he lighted his pipe. She would have let him go. Had he not turned around and grabbed a handgun off the table and aimed it in her face. Her survival instincts made action flow easily from there onwards. And now he was dead. His blood pooling at her feet, his vacant eyes staring eerily up at her.

Nida cast a glance her way, he hoped that she would pull together, or else his report to Rush, squad leader, on her performance would not be too decorative. He nimbly operated the trains controls, chugged it up so that it would be ready to go. They had stolen a pitiful transport train, but if it could get them out of here – any train was good enough. It was not long, however, before they appeared. He spotted Rush first, hurrying toward her so help ease the load. "Alena! Get the legs."

Rush was beat. Zell was no pile of feathers, and him being unconscious didn't help her aching back one bit. Selphie puffed, while stretching her thin frame. She nevertheless quickly entered the train and got it moving. She took a look at Zell, lying unmoving on the dirty floor and relieved a sigh. We're out of here...

* * *

"You disobeyed me."

"Yes, mistress." The answer, as automatic as they came, was tinged with mockery. She might be able to manipulate his thoughts, meddle his memory, but she could not control the present, nor his actions when it came right down to doing them. This was, however, the first time he had carried out an order his own way. She had said 'dispose', but failed to mention how.

"You disappoint me."

"Yes, mistress." He barely had time to gasp as a force gripped his body, he hung in the air, an invisible noose felt around his neck. He could hold his breath for over five minutes, but the force of gravity dragging his body downwards made it extremely hard to do so. Edea watched as his face turned a light pink to dangerously purple. She let out an aggravated sigh before, with a furious wave of her hand, sent him flying against the wall. He barely let out a grunt, a trickle of blood flowed from his lip.

She sauntered over to him as he rose. And he watched her come, warily. He mentally shut himself off. Willing himself to calmness, he just stood still as she crept closer. Closer still, until her lips were barely inches from his. She tilted her head then, and licked the blood. Squall could barely keep the bile from rushing past his throat.

"You won't disobey me again." But softly to herself, when she drew back. "The spell is weakening... why?" She trailed a finger down his chest and spoke to him. "Are you gaining strength? Or is there some other interference?" She tapped her finger thoughtfully against his chest.

"You're dismissed. Go and hide in your hole until I'm done thinking."

* * *

The train slowed down to a stop at East Academy Station.

"Walk?" The question sounded more like a exaggerated groan of anguish.

"Yup, the train only goes near it – past it. It's not a long way off, just have to go through a small forest." Rush explained.

Selphie shrugged. "OK, whatever keeps us alive."

"And him?" Rush asked, looking over at Zell.

"We'll just... err, good question." Selphie gave a little giggle, "It's not too far right? We'll just take turns at carrying him. We can dump him in Obel lake if he gets too heavy."

Rush smiled, "Okay, no time to waste."

"We're here, we've made it!" Selphie threw her hands in the air and jumped. Rush smiled, Galbadia Garden was indeed a sight for sore eyes. Easily the largest and gaudiest one, it couldn't beat Balamb Garden's prestige but boasted a student population of over five thousand, almost five times the number of students admitted to Balamb. SeeD's trained at Galbadia were more inclined to military attack style than when compared to the SeeD's at Balamb, who were trained to work as individuals and weapon specialists. Trabian SeeD's were known best as research and intelligence specialists, majority of them being trained as spies and scientists. The best weapons and gadgets came from Trabia, but although being more academically inclined than their counterparts in Balamb and Galbadia, Trabian SeeD's were no mean hand with their own weapons and attacks as Selphie had proven time and time again.

The lands surrounding Galbadia Garden were wide and uninhabited, which allowed gradual expansion of the main building. It was a relief to all of them to see the familiar drilling's of students outside and the yelling members of the faculty. Rush turned around to face them and nodded before entering the building.

The building was not filled with students, the interior was spacious and quiet; without the usual sounds of bustling youngsters. The steps they took echoed when they walked.

"This is too slow, why don't we dump Zell somewhere and pick him up when we're done?" Rush said. Selphie giggled, "Yeah, dragging him around everywhere is not good for speed."

Rush took a quick look at her surroundings, glancing over at some promising looking lockers, she allowed herself a mischievous smile. "Let's stuff him in one of those lockers for a while, I'm sure he wouldn't object." Nida had a hold of Zell, him and Alena holding Zell in a position which looked like they were just supporting an injured patient. Rush nodded and watched with amusement as they placed the limp Zell inside and closed the door with amused apologetic looks upon their faces.

Selphie smiled broadly, eyeing a bunch of sweaty, bruised cadets freshly come from weapon training. "Now which of these scruffs shall we bestow the pleasure of showing us around?" The cadets barely noticed Selphie as she casually walked closer, engrossed in their bawdy talk of how many grats they killed and what they could expect for dinner later in the cafeteria. A short, sturdy boy, pale of face and about fifteen was the first to eye Selphie. He licked his pudgy lips at the soft allure of the short dress and the shapely legs that flowed from them. An evil spark came into Selphie's eye.

Watching her, Rush smiled and winked at Nida, "Somebody's in for it."

Nida returned her smile and nudged Alena who was stifling her giggles. He was glad that she was showing some sort of emotion after what she had gone through. In class she always aced theory lessons, but somehow did poorly as a fighter compared to other SeeD's. Quistis had already passed her off as an intel graduate, not as a fighting SeeD.

Meanwhile, Selphie was zeroing on the kid. "Guys, hey... I'll catch up later okay?" The others glanced passingly at Selphie before meaningfully guffawing their approval. "Sure, we'll see you in the morning, sport." Selphie kept on smiling and waited for him to approach her; stomach churning in disgust.

She plastered a wide smile upon her face by the time he arrived, "Hi there," she chirped. The kid swallowed any suspicions before answering, "Hello, my name's Joe. I'm a third ranking cadet here, and you... look really hot in that dress are...?" He drifted off to let her continue his sentence.

Selphie held out her hand, slightly closer to her body than usual and innocently purred, "I am... most delighted to meet your acquaintance." Her eyes drifted to his lips and hotly whispered, "...Joe."

Rush burst out laughing at Selphie's unsubtle line. Nida just shook his head, smiling. "He'll be eating out of her hand in no time."

"He doesn't really have the type of name that suits that kind of refined language." Rush added in an exaggerated knowing voice, then laughed again. "Joe, puh – lease!" Alena sighed in relief and giggled, she treasured any light – hearted talk. She thought of Zell cramped up in the locker and felt sorry for him; she was sure he wouldn't have wanted to miss this for anything. She smiled at the scene, bathing in the good humour that came from the two beside her.

"Watch her handshake, lingering... hah! I don't want to know what he's thinking."

Rush nudged Nida, "Wait... is she going to ask now? Of course he won't know he'll be escorting more than one person, the sucker. "

Selphie then leaned in closer to the boy and spoke something in his ear, her hand resting lightly upon his chest. The boy nodded seriously, though anyone a mile away could smell his sweat and pleasured unease.

"Woo – hoo! She did it." Nida laughed. Selphie turned their way and winked, and then linking her arm through the cadets, she called them over. Rush laughed as she bounded over, Nida and Alena following behind. "Joe, meet my friends. This is Diana, Rob and Francie; they're so glad to be able to meet you at last."

Rush and Nida doubled over in laughter as Joe's face paled.

* * *

Ellone walked over to a table at Galbadia Garden's cafeteria, carrying with her a cup of plain tea. Had she done the right thing to hire Irvine? Would he keep to his word? He was part of the orphanage gang, though she doubted he remembered any of that, and could be made to be loyal to her. Most of the part, his information was sufficient and accurate. And his ability to do... other things with women to get them to talk was amazing. She had relieved in her mind many of the past happenings, and within one which was untainted from outside power, yet unclear to her as it was to Irvine was the special emotions he harboured toward a girl from his past.

She would not bring up how he had come to her service. That was his shame, and he would endeavour to strive for her to redeem himself. She felt herself growing sad at the memory, yet so incredibly happy that he came into her life, even if it was by default.

She had come, all the way from Esthar to search for her brother. And she was well funded, by her father to be able to do whatever she wanted for the cause. She decided to hire a spy, she wanted a network. Where could she start? Not willing to overspend, she decided on Galbadia Garden for their SeeD's were relatively cheaper than their Balamb counterparts.

"Please, sir. You can't do this to me. Give me another chance, please!" The voice was hoarse, yet as she heard it, it was like a pleading done too many times.

"Kinneas, get up and stop grovelling! I gave you two remissions, both because of your incredible ability with the sniper. But this time... this time is it! Enough, do you understand?!" The other voice was trembling with anger, barely able to hold it back. Ellone shuddered, suddenly feeling very into the moment, then; as she stood shocked and transfixed by the shouting and sobbing on the other side. She had come for a formal visit to the headmaster, to coax him into hiring their best to her, but instead – she really shouldn't be eavesdropping, but for some reason. maybe sympathy or just plain curiosity made her stay.

The gulping subsided, "I don't have anywhere to go. This is my home! I've never wanted anything else but to become a SeeD."

Standing outside, Ellone shuddered at the new force of the next booming shout. "Then you should have thought about it before impregnating the resident doctor AND..." The voice lowered to a choked whisper of betrayal, "My wife..."

Ellone recoiled from the door in shock and disgust. The voice continued speaking, now with a calm, collected anger and somewhat more dangerous than the loud anger that he had displayed earlier.

"Galbadia Garden has no place for an amorous fool such as yourself. You have shown no self – discipline, no self – respect, and above all you cannot restrain yourself from any sort of self indulgence. What kind of SeeD would you have become? Nothing to make anybody proud." The silence stretched.

"Get out of my sight. Within the hour, if you are still within the Garden perimeters, I will give orders to have you shot. Do I make myself clear?"

She ran from the door, and casually leaned against one of the many railings a distance away from the headmaster's office. Her mind whirled and an idea that appalled her, but stuck inside her head manifested. She could heal him, she could give him the second chance that he so badly wanted, and in return; his loyalty and silence for the kind of work she had in mind. Practicality won over her the feelings that her morals had evoked, after all he was a sinner and a slut but he could also be extremely useful. She would hire him on her terms. She didn't think that Martine would have much to say since it would profit his Garden if he could put aside his feelings over his wife's sordid affair and Kinneas would be a SeeD, considering he did his job well.

Behind her, a door slammed with enough for its hinges to jump off.

Ellone jerked suddenly at the noise in her head and her tea spilled over her hands, making her hiss in pain. She had followed Rush here, using her talent to guide her here. She had yet to find out why the SeeD examination was a hoax on the part of the Countess. Many lives had been lost that night, many had not lived out to be awarded with a SeeD title and graduation. There was something very unusual about that Rush, an aura and she was doubly intriguing since she could not see her past starting from the time which Squall disappeared. They would meet again and soon, and this time Ellone was sure that "Rush" had some questions to ask.

* * *

He sat. Alone and deep in thought. Edea was up to something and was displeased with him. He never cared before. He never cared about anything before. Before... until, "I met you..." he whispered. Now the space he occupied felt confined and he felt restricted. He wanted, no, needed to feel free as he did when he looked into her eyes. It was her eyes he saw. In his dreams when he was asleep or awake it never mattered. If he had shot her as he was ordered to do, then he probably would have shot himself next.

He would live if only to see her again.

His pattern of thought began to change, slowly but determined to. He needed to get out, to get away from this hell he had called home.

Author's Note:

Okay, that bit with Irvine was never planned but it just came into my head while I was writing it. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long while, now I'm trying to think back to the original story I had planned for it. It's changed slightly but not by much, but I will try and include everybody's connection to everyone else.

And to , SoulSwhispers666@aol.com, thank you for the e – mail! It kind of woke me up. I had half the next chapter written already but just had a really bad case of writer's block. So, I hope this chapters is ok.