Chapter 3

"Squall."

"Yes Nippy?"

"Its Nid-a."

"Sorry Niba."

"Ni- Sir the Winhill mission has returned."

Squall looked up absently from his coffee. "You aren't Xu."

Nida sighed, looking frustrated. "Xu has gone get some tea. I'm covering for her."

"Oh…What's wrong with coffee?"

Nida didn't like to mention that whenever somebody tried to take coffee from the third floor, Squall would magically appear with the temper of wounded Marlboro which had been poked with big long pointy sticks.

Therefore most people who worked on the third floor had quickly learned the wonderful advantages of other (non coffee) beverages.

"Nothing, nothing, she just decided some tea would be nice." Replied Nida airily.

He didn't mention that he and Xu had hatched a nefarious (and some might say downright evil) plot to cure Squall's caffeine addiction.

Nida chuckled nastily, and walked out. Squall watched him go and subconsciously laid a hand on Lionheart.

Squall took a deep breath and spun round on his desk chair, casting a doleful look at the large pile of paperwork. He scooted over to them and picked the first few up.

"Hm…File for a law suit, injuries sustained because of careless driving of a T-board by a Garden student."

Third one this week, thought Squall, surprised. He flicked over to the next one.

"Posting of indecent pictures on the Garden homepage of Squall Leonhart…WHAT??"

Squall's eyes widened, he moved over to the computer and brought up the Garden homepage. In flowery writing at the bottom was a new link, 'The Lion in Squall'.

Snatching up the phone, Squall punched in a few numbers.

"Web technician?" he barked. "Sort out the godamn website, pronto." He slammed down the phone.

He relaxed slightly, and cast a quick look round, then clicked on the link.

Squall's eyes flew open and he choked.

Since when had he owned, let alone worn, a leather thong??

Wait, thought Squall, there had been that time when he'd got really really drunk…and

Irvine had suggested…

Damn, and he thought he'd only destroyed some property that night.

Squall clicked off the link with a sigh, at least soon it would be off the website.

He needed coffee.

He pushed the button on his desk.

"Xu? Nib? Whoever it is, get me some coffee, please."

Squall sat back in his chair, at least he'd be ok soon. He sighed blissfully, the miracle of coffee. It was the light in the dark days of paperwork. A small voice in his head told him that maybe Rinoa should be his light. Squall frowned, okay, coffee is my saviour from paperwork. The little voice quietened abruptly.

Nida walked in and casually laid down the decanter of coffee. Squall smiled gratefully (which really meant a slight upturn of the lips).

He poured some out and took a sip.

Wait…

"This coffee tastes like…."

"SHITE!!"

Zell jumped as the chicobo launched herself into his lap.

Selphie twisted around in her seat at the front of Ragnorak, Seifer looked on worriedly.

"Language Zell! You have a young one to care for now!" she reprimanded him, frowning. She looked back forwards and Seifer visibly relaxed.

"I was sleeping and she jumped at me!" replied Zell defensively.

"We're almost at Garden Zell, your l'il birdie has good timing." Said Irvine with an approving look at the small bird.

"So thought of a name yet?" asked Quistis, looking up from her book.

"What about….Weiner?" Zell said, with a smile.

"No." There was a chorus of disagreement around the cockpit.

"Isn't that the Hotdog company?" asked Seifer thoughtfully.

Zell flushed "No!" he said, looking sideways.

Selphie smiled wickedly "What about Irvy?"

Irvine went pale "No, darlin', I don't think that's a good name for a girl chicobo."

Selphie gave him a sweet smile.

Seifer stood up and walked over to the chicobo. He towered over the small little bird

"What do you want to be called?" he growled.

"Peep." She whimpered.

Seifer straightened and walked back to his seat. "See? Easy."

"We can't call her that!" protested Quistis.

"Well then, it can be temporary."

Peep stood up and waddled over to the edge of Zell's knees, then promptly dropped off.

Zell half cursed and shot forward to see if Peep was in one piece.

"Peep." The mournful cry floated up from the floor.

The little bundle of feathers shuffled and got up.

"I think she's okay guys." Concluded Zell with a nod.

"Well, what do you know," cooed Seifer sarcastically "She's growing more and more like her mother every day."

Zell was too busy checking over the- if it was physically possible- purring chicobo.

Selphie had landed the Ragnorak hurriedly and ran over to the small chick. "She's okay??" she questioned anxiously.

"If I'd known adopting a chicobo would," Irvine commented to Seifer in a low voice, watching Quistis and Selphie crowd round Zell "Attract so much attention, I would have done it years ago."

Seifer smirked "Yeah, you should, and then you might get some attention."

Irvine looked indignant "They don't call me a ladies man for nothing." He said with a touch of arrogance.

Seifer looked amused "I bet they don't, Irvina." He moved away, leaving Irvine even more indignant.

"Are you suggesting I'm feminine??" shouted Irvine, a little too loudly.

The rest of the group looked around slowly. Irvine smiled slowly "Heh…" and scratched the back of his head, then directed a life-withering glare at Seifer, who contrived to look admirably innocent.

Squall awaited them at the bottom of ramp out of Ragnorak in the hangar.

"Hey guys." He waved weakly, looking vaguely nauseous.

The group came down the ramp.

"Hey Squall!" greeted Selphie enthusiastically, then paused "You look kinda green…you okay?" she asked, concerned.

He nodded weakly "I'm fine." He seemed to have haunted eyes.

Zell walked jauntily down the ramp and nodded at Squall. "Hey."

Squall nodded back, then noticed a flash of yellow. He shook his head, I need…

Squall sighed despondently.

Irvine came up behind Selphie and leaned a companionable arm on her shoulder. Quistis and Seifer stood behind them.

"Mission completed Squall." Said Quistis with a smile.

Seifer yawned "And Chicken Wuss found a friend."

Zell directed a useless glare at Seifer "You wanna come over here and say that??" he growled.

Seifer laughed, and Squall looked confused.

"A friend?" he asked, puzzled.

"Peep!"

Squall shook his head; I didn't know the withdrawal effects would be this bad.

Zell bent down and sprang up with something in his hands. "Squall, meet Peep."

There was a small thud as Squall hit the floor.

"Coffee withdrawal?"

"Yup."

Short…vaguely pointless…but then again this ain't War and Peace. Please review! I'm still deliberating about the names but for now she's called Peep. Thanks for the suggestions…I can't decide! ::sobs::

Please review!