They hustled together, not too far from the office doors – out of sight, but close enough to hear what was being said. Alena and Nida were asked to check on Zell and keep an eye on the locker to make sure no one accidentally opened the door to find any shocking surprises. Selphie suddenly squeaked as Rush stepped on her toe. Rush swiftly nudged her and grinned widely, "Shh! I want to hear what that spineless idiot of yours is saying."
"He's not spineless! He's just..."
"Soft! A bloody jellyfish!"
"Rush! Shh!" Selphie followed up with a giggle and elbowed Rush. "And he isn't mine as you were saying."
"Well, you didn't have to include me in your devilish scheme." Rush muttered.
* * *
"Permission to speak with the Headmaster. The matter is urgent." Joe saluted with a voice that was a pitch too high to hold any truth.
The secretary looked down her nose and past her black – rimmed glasses perched upon them. The mud on his shoes! The dirt streaked uniform, and a training one at that. And the smell of dried up sweat was horrendous. She daintily pinched the tip of her nose while her other hand fumbled her pockets for a delicately embroidered handkerchief which she then placed upon it.
"Cadet 112754, your appearance is a disgrace. Please go away until you are properly bathed and attired." She said it as if she said it often and waved her hand in dismissal.
"Ma'am, err..." Joe began again, "Miss, please." After seeing her give him a withering stare he began to back up.
* * *
Rush sighed. Selphie obviously hadn't picked the right person for a dramatic introduction that had been playing in her head. "Looks like we'll have to take this matter into out own hands."
Selphie grinned.
"How's my hair?" Rush asked, trying to smooth it down.
"Terrible."
"And my clothes? Do I look like someone who's desperate to hire SeeD right this moment?"
"Rush, you look like you've been to hell and back."
There was suddenly a gleam in Selphie's eye. "The most we could do... is convince that snobby secretary that... that we've been mugged! And... we need someone who can take us safely under their protection with a paid contract back to Deling Heights." Selphie said, naming an exclusive Deling City suburb, where blue bloods and high ranking officials and their families often resided.
"Good
fabrication." Rush said approvingly. "Now start crying."
* * *
Joe stood there miserably, wondering what story to come up with to make this marble stature of a lady understand that if he absolutely needed to see the headmaster. It was the only chance of his life to take out two beautiful girls, both of them, and on one date! How the other guys would fawn over them and burn with jealousy. The one dressed in yellow had even promised him something special afterwards! Just the thought of it and her made him break out in a sweat.
He stood there grumpily and stupidly, trying to squeeze ideas from his head the way someone would try to milk a turnip. He was, however, totally unprepared for the disheveled 'Dolly' that was approaching him; weeping as if her heart would break. Diana was behind her, pale and shaky.
The secretary looked up suspiciously.
Selphie gulped and spoke in a trembling voice. "Please, we'd do anything for your help. We just want to go home! Daddy will be so angry with me, and so will yours, Diana."
Rush looked on the verge of tears, her eyes brightening with unshed liquid. Joe looked totally shocked at the two of them, where was the spunky and sexy Dolly and the leather tough but beautifully elegant Diana?
"We've been robbed and kidnapped!" Selphie cried out, sobbing her words out. Rush put a comforting shoulder around her. "Shh now, we're safe here. Joe here said he could take us to someone who could help us for a price. I'm sure Daddy won't hesitate to pay anything to have me back safe. Yours would too." She looked meaningfully at the secretary who was beginning to look from sympathetic to disgusted with the two bimbos who obviously were the pride and joy of their rich fathers. She looked sharply at the stunned cadet.
"So this was your emergency, Cadet 112754?" She asked coldly. Joe looked ready to faint, "Y – yes!" He managed to blurt it out and nodded his head vigorously.
"Tell me." She demanded in a clipped voice. "Short and sweet, honeys."
* * *
Selphie dabbed her eyes with the backs of her hand, holding Rush's hand tightly with the other as she related her story; cleverly choking on her words.
"And they began to get angry with us because we didn't have any cash! They took our shopping bags and threw them out the window." Selphie shuddered, "While the car was moving!"
Rush began to cry softly and sniffed, "Then... they stole our credit cards." Selphie barely stifled a laugh, Rush sounded so mournful. "And just pushed us out of their car in a forest about half a mile from here. We walked, can you imagine that? The heel of my stilettos broke."
The secretary looked at them impatiently, their 'short' story had already eaten up half and hour.
"So what is it, specifically, that you want? A squad? A team? How long and how much can you pay? SeeDs don't come cheap, sweet – things."
At that, Selphie burst into tears. "We want to go home, you bumpkin! And we want to arrange for a contract with the headmaster! Not his secretary." She finished angrily, realizing this haughty bitch wasn't going to give in easily.
"Yes. We want to meet him now, please." Rush said quietly, her eyes now losing the ding – dong look and being replaced by a darker, dangerous glow. She sighed, "Selphie, knife please."
Selphie began to laugh a little bit hysterically. "I knew it was going to end up something like that." With that she reached to her boot and drew out a long, curved blade; brandishing it about to the secretary who began to pale.
They all were more than a little stunned when the 'ding' to the elevator rang. Rush didn't seemed bothered by it and was already heading to the large double doors that led to the headmaster's office. "Whoops?" Selphie said to the secretary.
"Joe, go see to that. Put your training to some use." Rush barked back, slipping him a wink while giving him a thumbs – up. Without any dilly – dallying, she unceremoniously pushed the door open and stepped inside; behind her the doors banged shut.
* * *
"Gimme yer gun, Johnny!" Selphie sarcastically ordered. "We'll have to make sure someone isn't sorry they saw something they never should have."
"B – But, it's Joe!" He blurted out, still shocked at the turn of events.
Selphie sighed, battered her eyes at him and pouted, "Yes, I know darling; but will you please hand over your gun?" Joe reluctantly placed his trainee's shock – wave stun gun into Selphie's waiting hand.
The elevator doors slid open, and a shocked Ellone was just in time to see a slip of a girl in a very revealing yellow sundress brandishing a menacing looking blade in one hand and a stun gun in the other. Ellone closed her gaping mouth and took a step back into the elevator, hoping no one had seen her, her hand fumbled for the close button, but her mind was captivated. That girl! She was an image, the same image of innocence and affection that was lodged deep in Irvine's mind. His incarnation of hope.
She blinked just in time to hear a short scream and to see a blur of yellow and darkness.
* * *
Martine, Headmaster of Galbadia Garden threw back his head and laughed. "You could have just told the truth you know. She wouldn't have bitten."
"Sir. It's not just that you need a change of secretaries." Rush stated blandly.
"Tell me everything then, Cadet Olsen; everything that has happened since you left the shores of Balamb Island. I am listening. You have thirty minutes of my time; I have another important appointment with an importance personage from Esthar."
His mouth quirked in amusement at the collected cadet and her outrageous story that she had told him minutes before – something about being mugged and kidnapped, but he had to give it to her, the story and the teller were believable, from her refined spoilt speech to her pose. However, he was not appointed the title 'headmaster' by being stupid and he could tell that something big was behind this cadet. With hair that curled charmingly around her face and eyes that almost looked at him with disdain – as if she thought he was not too bright, she was intriguing and like a breath of fresh air from the stagnant SeeD uniformity.
Rush related everything she deemed relevant. She did not think it was necessary to tell him that she was singled out, or that an instructor from Balamb Garden might be involved in the massacre and failure of the SeeD final examination. She flatly stated what she needed: to be sent back to Balamb Garden to give her report and the see that the rest of her team was safe. She demanded that whatever operation took place be with utmost secrecy.
Martine had listened to the story with growing concern. The Countess had been hiring SeeDs? Why Balamb SeeDs and not Galbadian ones? There was something fishy going on. Seifer Almasy's group had illegal operations running around Deling City for the last four years. They had brought along with them a nice sum of profit that had kept the President looking the other way. What their operative status and goals were unknown, but it was rumoured that Almasy was once a SeeD cadet. But the thought still tickled him, why did the Countess suddenly want him dead?
* * *
Selphie looked in surprise at the woman she had stunned. She looked strangely familiar to her and Selphie tipped her chin to get a better look at her face. Her features were delicate, a straight nose with a pretty dusting of freckles over it, nicely curving eyebrows, high cheekbones... the stubborn chin, the lips – the resemblance was incredible! She gave a gasp before letting the head drop. This was not the time to let ghosts of the past haunt her.
"Huh? What's she doing here?" Joe asked.
"Miss Loire! Look what you've done, young lady. Do you know; know who she is?" The secretary screeched. "She is the heir to the Estharian presidency!"
"What did you say her name was?"
"Loire! Ellone Loire! Where have you been these past few decades? No radio or TV where you come from?" The annoyed secretary rolled her eyes, forgetting the blade that was close to her neck – but not for long since Selphie waved it in front of her face again.
"Ouch, the cat has claws. I do believe, however, that she gave a lecture at our hall a few days ago." Selphie said. "Tell me about her..."
"I only know what everybody else knows." The secretary trembled; and Selphie suddenly felt very harassed – she had been without sleep for the past night, pursued through the muck in sewers of Deling City and had felt like her heart had been yanked out and rudely put back in with what happened to Zell; no, Selphie was in no mood for anything else. Pressing the knife hard harder, almost hard enough to draw blood she repeated, "Tell me everything."
* * *
Martine felt that he had heard enough. He did strangely agree with one thing though, something that he had never really noticed – he really did need a new secretary. Pushing the unimportant thought from his head, he held up his hand to stall her persuasive speech. "You have it."
"I beg your pardon, Sir. What do I have?" Rush asked, puzzled.
"You have my permission to organize whatever you need to. A train pass, or a rented car if you prefer, anything that my name and rank can do to help you, considering you speak well of me to your superiors." He smiled charmingly at her. At least this way he could keep tracks on her, she was too smart for her own good... and not telling him everything.
"I will sign a document that you may carry and show to any SeeD who may question you. I'm sure you've seen some during your time of learning."
Rush looked at the large grandfather clock at a far corner of the room, half – an – hour was almost up. She did not like this man, and he looked like he thought he was so very pleased with himself for handling her well. Still, she had to give him some credit since he was still suspicious of her and her story. She had diluted and mixed it with something her imagination had conjured, and it did sound pretty believable but she wasn't sure if this 'Martine' was easily fooled and had gone along with her tale for any sort of secrecy's sake.
"Permission to begin organization of operation at once, Sir."
Martine looked up in surprise; he had thought that she would want to discuss it with him. Apparently she was quick and determined to keep something to herself. "Before you begin, would you care for any lodging for the night before you start anything? We could lend you the use of some dormitories for the night."
Rush's eyes narrowed, he was trying to keep her here. "Sir, it would be best if we left soonest."
A quick blink of the eyes showed Martine's surprise. "Yes, of course. The document will take just a minute; please wait outside. I will have my secretary write it up."
Rush doubled over with laughter. "I don't think she's in any state to write up anything."
* * *
"Rush! Thank goodness! How did it..." Selphie's words trailed off as she saw a man walk steadily behind her. Headmaster Martine! She quickly dropped her blade and lowered the gun; but not before the headmaster had assessed the situation in one quick glance over. Joe began to sweat profusely.
Martine turned to Rush and gave her a stern look as if to say, 'what have you done?!' Rush had the humility to look downwards under his glare. But his voice came out exasperated and was not directed to her. "Miss Bromleigh! Get out from behind the desk and attend to me."
Selphie managed not the giggle at the sight of the obviously scared secretary patting her hair and arranging her skirt as she came out from her hiding place. "She saw a spider." Selphie clarified, only to receive a withering stare from the secretary and a frown from the headmaster. Rush just grinned broadly and winked at her.
* * *
Had to get out, had to escape. He had never felt like this before and now it was claustrophobic. Plans had spiraled through his head, questions over things he had never thought of before. But he knew one thing for sure – the next time he was sent on a mission, would be the last and he would find his answers his own way.
Bathed and attired in Galbadia Garden's standard cadet uniform Rush stretched out her hands above her head, "Only an hour till our rented car comes! I won't be as glad when it comes than when I reach my room. Why don't we take a tour of Galbadia Garden? I'll be your guide for the day." Rush joked. "Or if you'd really rather, I'll ask Joe if he'd do the honors."
Selphie had been rather quiet since the confrontation with Headmaster Martine and his secretary, she was wrestling with whether she should tell Rush of her, Zell and Quistis' pact about searching for Squall. After all, Rush would find a druggy looking Ellone in the backseat of their car when she got in. This was probably the first time she had made plans and not shared it with her, but she felt that although Rush deserved an explanation, she would also think Selphie had gone too far as to abduct someone just for answers.
Rush sensed her agitation. "Selphie, what's wrong?"
"Huh? Nothing's wrong, just enjoying the peace and quiet." Selphie lied.
"Now something is definitely wrong," Rush said half – jokingly. "Enjoying the peace and quiet," she mocked, "Yeah, right!"
"Rush..."
"Okay, okay... lighten up, man." Rush had no idea what was going on, but felt like Selphie was just tired of everything and just wanted to go home. "Why don't we take a walk? It could be fun..."
Selphie gave a watery smile, "Yes, I'd like that. Where to?" Rush laughed, oblivious to the lack of response, "The cafeteria, of course, I'm starved! I wonder if hotdogs are always sold out over here."
"Here we are," Rush said, glancing around at her surroundings. The cafeteria here was almost identical to the one at Balamb – almost, the ambiance was different though; there was no laughter, and talks at tables were very subdued and quiet. "Can I get you anything?"
"Sex on the beach..." Selphie trailed off.
"Wh – aat? Say again. I don't believe they've ever sold any type of alcoholic drink in Garden cafeterias; choose again, Selph. We'll go to a bar first thing when we get back." Rush said, following Selphie's gaze. Interestingly, the look was centered on an attractive male sitting alone at a table. He had long brown hair, a few shades darker than Selphie's, which he tied in a ponytail that went down his back and he seemed like he was impatient to meet with someone, his fingers tapping the table while his foot tapped the floor. His face was partly obstructed by a creamish – yellow coloured cowboy hat upon his head, and was slightly turned away from them; Rush decided he looked like he could have just ridden out of a rodeo and was good for laughs. "Go say hi."
Selphie jumped, "Oh... hmm, well. He is good looking, huh?" Rush grinned, "Yeah, from here anyway. What's stopping you?"
"He... would it sound strange to say that he looks familiar? And I've been thinking that everyone's beginning to look familiar or bear resemblance to someone a lot."
Rush gave her head a shake. What is she saying? "Just go for it. You've probably never met him before in your life." But... he does seem familiar. Why is that?
"Oh, Hyne...!" They both said simultaneously, looking at each other. Answers! Rush thought, but she'd probably have to kill him to get them, remembering where they last met. How could she have not remembered him? It was dark in the cell, but not so dark that she hadn't been able to see him.
Selphie was having more or less the same kind of thoughts. And to think she had been attracted to him! For sure, he was good looking. She had thought that even as she knocked him out cold back then. She quietly took the newly acquired stun gun, concealed in the underside of her dress and slid in the empty chair next to him. He looked at her in surprise at first, then in shock. Rush stood beside the table between them. "There are two guns aimed at your crotch." She stated in a matter – of – fact tone.
Irvine almost laughed if he wasn't feeling so vulnerable. He had been eyeing them since they had entered the café, but had sensed something odd about them. Now he knew why. The dark – haired one was Rinoa Caraway alias Rush Olsen, while the second was an image of the stuff his dreams were made out of – the same dream that had almost smashed his brains back in the old warehouse.
"We want answers." Rush quietly demanded "Who are you and who do you work for?"
Irvine gave a chuckle. "Deep questions. Do you understand deep answers?" Rush narrowed her eyes at his arrogance; Selphie slapped his knee with the gun. He immediately went rigid. "I don't know anything. I'm a paid mercenary, a SeeD. I do what I'm told to do."
"And what were you told to do? What was it you told me to listen to? Who was it that was monitoring our conversation?" Rush asked none – stop, unable to stop the rush of questions that were now crashing through her mind. "Most importantly, who told you to do it?"
"Martine, of course."
Rush's head snapped up. Selphie's eyes looked as big as saucers. "Martine!" Irvine grinned, at least they weren't asking about him. Maybe he was premature in thinking so, because Selphie was already shaking her head. "Wait up, who are you? Quit dancing around." Selphie said.
"Irvine, darling." Rush mocked, suddenly remembering.
Irvine tipped his hat toward her. "Nice that you remembered. Kinneas, Irvine Kinneas, ladies." Rush snorted in disgust, remembering the circumstances in which they met. "Whatever." She muttered.
Rush blew non – existent strands of hair from her face in exasperation. "And what, may we inquire, is your purpose here, Miseur Kinneas?"
"I thought the question is more suited to me since this is my garden."
Rush frowned, "Why don't we just blow off his balls, Selph?"
"Aye – aye, Capt'n!" Selphie cheerfully said and Irvine visibly paled. Rush almost laughed, but kept her expression hard.
"I'm waiting for someone. A client." Irvine said wistfully, thinking of Ellone and her quiet beautiful face. So touched by sadness but gentle and kind at the same time to others. To him especially...
"A woman." Rush said quickly.
"How'd you guess?"
"That look on your face." Rush replied, Selphie murmured an agreement.
"What look on my face?" Irvine asked, stung.
"The dreamy, mushy, ridiculous one, of course."
Irvine laughed; he was actually enjoying their conversation. "I actually feel like telling you the truth." She was so darned serious, with those brown eyes and liquid hair that he felt like asking her out or to loosen up; but there was a dangerous air about her that made him keep his distance – for the meantime anyway. The other one was... he was sure she could break his heart with a smile or acknowledgement but she was doing neither. There was something so familiar about her but he couldn't pinpoint what it was, or even where that feeling came from. But Irvine was not one to spend time thinking on those things; he could sense the attraction between them – and to him that was what mattered. It helped some that she had an interesting friend.
"So why don't you spare us the trouble and do it?" Rush said irritably. Not liking the way his gaze lingered on Selphie.
Selphie felt his gaze on her and lifted her eyes to his. "If I did, that would be no guarantee that I would meet you again."
Rush let out a really loud sigh. "Guys, do it later."
Irvine laughed out loud. "For some reason, I really like you two." Rush rolled her eyes.
"Good. So start talking, we have –" Rush paled as she glanced at the café's digital watch that hung across the entrance. "No time! Quick!" Rush slammed her fist down on the table, quivering with anger, "Damn you!" And with that she took off, not waiting for Selphie.
Selphie stood uncertainly. "I have to go." Irvine took a hold of her hand, but she pulled it away, disappointed with him and his no – go answers. What was I expecting anyway?
"Wait –" Irvine started. "What is your name? Can I see you again?"
"It would probably be better if we didn't. We'd probably meet on the opposite sides of a battlefield." Selphie said with a smile she didn't feel. She turned and walked away, running after she exited the café. "Rush! Wait for me!"
Irvine watched her leave. "Damn!" He said softly under his breath.
* * *
In her quarters, Quistis paced with anger and frustration. Her plan had not worked out – Seifer obviously had his own reasons for agreeing with her in the first place and she had not even thought that he could. How careless of her, and because of her mistake and his betrayal, more than half of the initial number of cadets had not returned alive. And those that did were sorely changed, stripped of any confidence in SeeD they might have had.
She needed to contact him again – and she would kill him. Out of the whole disciplinary committee and faculties of Garden, she had not lost faith in him. She had never believed that he had had any part of being involved with Squall's disappearance and later proclaimed murder. Her voice was not loud enough, however she spoke to defend him; he was immediately dismissed from SeeD and bound for the Desert Prison for a decade long sentence.
"Damn that man!" She cursed. Was that his idea of a diversion? She sat down heavily upon the large armchair, mostly used to accommodate concerned parents, disciplinary cases and other staff members who came for a chat. Wisps of blond hair fluttered around her face as she rubbed her temples.
"Why was Rush's unit singled out? And where was she during the fighting when the back – up teams came?" Quistis asked herself, then shuddered. "And died...." The fleeing SeeDs had said something about a kidnapping that they had witnessed, and others had said that the fighting was specifically for her. Quistis closed her eyes and leaned her head back; how could she have known that the band of rogues terrorizing Deling City was Seifer's band of thugs?
A/N: Apologies to those who expected a Squinoa straight into the story, I know right now it looks as if the whole story is centered on Rinoa but bear with me. This is turning out to be longer than I expected. And for anyone who's reading this one shot, please inform me if some bits of information clash along the chapters – I update irregularly, so the storyline gets juggled in my head. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!
