Disclaimer: FF8 is property of Squaresoft. I just write because I'm bored at work.

Chapter 5

Quistis stepped out of her dorm in her dressed blue SeeD uniform. As she walked down the halls, she was more cautious then usual. She was afraid that Seifer would find and confront her about their one night again. She spent most of yesterday trying to convince herself that it had meant nothing, but she kept feeling guilty for thinking that.

Before she persuaded him to come to her bed, he was a gentleman, to an extent. He knew she was in pain and he tried to comfort and watch out for her. On the day of the wedding, that was exactly what he did. This was a side of Seifer she had never seen before. She never doubted that it existed, but she never expected him to show it to anyone, especially her.

Quistis made her way into the elevator just as its doors were closing. Two other SeeDs were chatting as they waited.

"Aren't you going to the Galbadia mission?" One of the SeeDs asked the other.

"Yeah, I'm leaving after today's lesson. They already sent Almasy's team out this morning."

"Seifer Almasy?" The other inquired.

The first SeeD sighed, "What did I do to be on a mission with Almasy for two weeks. I'm still surprised he's even back as a SeeD."

"Well, he is the…" As soon as the elevator doors opened, Quistis stepped out and quickly walked towards her classroom. She was relieved that Seifer was gone for two weeks. At least now she had some more time to sort out her feelings.

She entered class finding all her students waiting patiently for her to begin. She inserted her disk into her computer and started to lecture about the finer points of junctioning and choosing the correct Guardian Force for specific combat situations.

The lecture helped keep her mind off Seifer until she found an envelope with her named written on top in Selphie's handwriting. The envelopes contained pictures from Squall and Rinoa's wedding. There were pictures of the whole gang dressed to the nines posing, pictures of the bride and groom, pictures of other couples, pictures of Quistis with various people. She kept flipping through the pictures until she came to one picture of her and Seifer standing together in the balcony. The picture immediately brought back her memory of that night, and she started to feel her cheeks fluster.

She quickly stuffed the pictures back into its envelope and continued on with her class, but her mind kept returning to Seifer.

As soon as her lecture ended, Quistis gathered all her things and rushed out the door. She planned to go back to her room and hide for the rest of the day, but instead she nearly ran into Xu.

"Quistis, I was about to go and see you," Xu said.

"Hello Xu, why are you looking for me?" Quistis asked.

"Well, the headmaster wants to see you."

Quistis nodded, "Thanks Xu, I'll head up there right now." Xu smiled and walked away.

Quistis stepped into the elevator and sighed as she pushed the level three button. In a moment, she walked out of the elevator and through the double doors into the headmaster's office.

"Headmaster, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes. Quistis, is something wrong?"

Quistis tensed, "Nothing is wrong, sir."

"That's good. I've been hearing people saying you've been a bit out of focus. I'm guessing the reason has to do with Selphie keeping you busy with the wedding preparations."

Quistis relaxed, "Yes sir, weddings can be stressful especially when they aren't your own."

"Yes, yes they can," agreed the older gentlemen. "So how are you coping?"

"Excuse me, sir?" Quistis was surprised by his question.

"Nothing I guess." The man waved the subject aside. "Well how is your instructing coming along?"

"It's coming along just fine, sir." Quistis was starting to wonder if she was still dreaming and needed wake herself up.

"Good. Good."

"Sir, is there a reason for my being here?"

"Yes, there is. I have just received a request for a team of SeeDs to accompany a research group to the Shumi village area. They found some ruins there and want some SeeDs there to help."

Quistis gave the headmaster a questioning look. "Are we supposed to protect them from snow?"

The headmaster chuckled. "Very funny, Quistis, you've been hanging around Seifer too much. He's starting to rub off on you." Quistis blushed.

"Well without any wars at peacetime the only services a mercenary school can provide is security and labor. Remember mercenaries are basically hired help," he explained.

"Yes, sir."

"So I was wondering if you could lead the Shumi team. The team will consist of ten people. I have yet to select your team members, but you won't leave until two weeks from today. So you'll have a chance to acquire some winter gear. I hear there is a bad storm brewing this time of year."

"If the weather is so bad this time of year, why won't the research team wait for better weather?" Quistis asked.

"Well, the Shumi residents aren't too fond of people digging in their lands, so they are only allowing the scientist to work on their lands, during the time they aren't needing it."

"Which is during the winter," Quistis nodded understandingly.

"I'll provide you the list of your team members and your departure date as soon as I get all the details. You're excused."

"Thank you, sir," Quistis said and left.

Quistis was still confused at the exchange she had with the headmaster, before he gave her next assignment. The questions he asked threw her off completely. She thought she did a relatively good job at hiding her feelings, but lately everyone seemed to be reading her like an open book.

Quistis sighed. At least she would be on a long mission way from everyone. She could use a break. She sighed again. Hopefully when this mission was over people would stop caring about her personal life.