A/N:

Kit Thespian: I'm so glad that this story was able to get you to review again. I hope the rest of the story will live up to your expectations. Thanks!

I just want to thank everyone for the nice reviews. Now I bring you rest of this fic.

Chapter 9

Quistis woke up the next morning refreshed and glad to finally have a full night of rest in a comfortable bed. The last couple weeks were tiring and took a lot out of her. She stretched her arms high over her head. For once, she felt free, and she was hungry. She knew there was probably nothing in the house. After all, she had only moved into her new home only sixteen hours before.

She pushed herself out of the bed and peered out of the window of her room. The sun was already out and brightening the new day. She picked out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and pulled her long blond hair into a ponytail. With one last glance at herself in the mirror, she hooked her purse over her shoulder and smiled to herself as she picked up her new house keys.

She stepped out of the house and onto the same path that led back to the Winhill Town Square. She remembered yesterday that she had passed by a small quaint restaurant that sold gourmet sandwiches and salads. Just the thought of the possible items the restaurant might serve was making Quistis even hungrier.

Shortly, Quistis arrived at the town and found the small restaurant she remembered. After being seated by the waiter, she flipped through the menu and found that everything on the menu looked delicious and she couldn't decide on what to eat. She wasn't sure if it was because she was starving or the fact that she was pregnant made her hunger insatiable at the moment.

As she tried to narrow down her choices for lunch, the waiter came by and patiently waited for Quistis to decide. She finally settled for the Winhill Melt Sandwich. The description of the grilled sourdough with roast beef on melted cheese and lettuce made her mouth water. The waiter nodded and excused himself after he took her order.

When the waiter departed, Quistis sat back into the chair and watched the people strolling along outside in the square. She remembered the first time she came to Winhill, it was rather quiet then, and few people walked the streets. Over the years Winhill became a popular place for people to come and relax. Winhill had become the perfect place to get away from the busy life of the bustling cities.

After she finished her meal, Quistis decided it was best to get acquainted with the town. She started to wander into a couple stores before she came across a small bookstore. Posted on the bottom corner of the display window was a sign that stated a job opening.

Quistis peered into the window of the store and saw a young man, probably a couple years younger than her, stacking some books, and a middle-aged woman with red hair sitting at the counter by the cash register flipping through a magazine. Quistis glanced back down at the sign.

When she finally chose Winhill as her new home, she knew she would eventually need a new source of income. Being a clerk in a bookstore was nothing like being a mercenary or teaching, but it would be a nice change. For once she wouldn't have to worry about getting injured in a fight, or worry about being sent on a potentially life threatening mission. Now that she thought about it, there seemed to be more advantages to applying for this job than opposing it, she thought.

Quistis gave herself a shrug and pulled the brass handle of the door open and entered, as the little bell on the top corner of the door rang to announce her entrance.

The woman at the counter looked up at Quistis smiled a hello, while the young man only glanced in Quistis's direction and continued shelving the remaining books on the book cart next to him.

Quistis returned the woman's greeting with a small smile and started to browse around the store. She decided that it was probably better if she looked around to see if she liked the atmosphere of the store before she requested an application for a job here. So she started by walking through the aisle of books and glanced at the different titles and assorted colors of book spines. Every now and then a book would catch her eye and she would pull it from its resting spot and casually flip through it.

She continued browsing and walked passed a display of books stacked in a form of a circle and in the center two books were propped up to catch a passerbyer's attention. She absent-mindedly picked up a book, flipped it to the back, and started to read the blurb. Her mind wandered as she read the blurb. It finally struck Quistis that she now had the time to do the things she had always wanted to do, such as, reading a novel, instead of worrying about the next day's lesson plan and grading tests and papers.

She replaced the book back on the display and headed for the front counter.

"Hi," Quistis greeted the middle-aged woman. "My name is Kristy Trent. I believe I saw you have an opening for a job here."

The woman sat up straighter on the stool and closed the magazine she was reading. "Nice to meet you, Kristy," the red-headed woman said holding out her hand. "My name is Lynnette."

Quistis returned Lynn's handshake with a smile.

"Let me guess. You're new here and need a job," Lynnette said. Quistis blushed slightly. "Don't be embarrassed. Winhill is a small town. Everyone knows everyone else's business. When did you get here?"

"Yesterday," Quistis replied.

"That explains why there hasn't been any talk of you yet." Lynnette noted the surprise on Quistis's face. "Don't worry it's nothing bad," she assured her. "Everyone here is very nice. Because Winhill is such a small town, a new face in town is always hard to go unnoticed. Especially a lovely lass as yourself, people will be wondering if you have a beau or not," Lynnette glanced down on Quistis's hands, "and from the lack of a ring, it must mean you're not married," she winked.

Quistis stood there and started to wonder if her decision to settle at Winhill in the mean time was a good idea. From what Lynnette was telling her, the town's people loved to gossip, and in time she would be talk of the town or even the next scandal since she wouldn't be able to hide her delicate condition forever.

Lynnette noticed the anxiety that suddenly crossed Quistis's face.

"Don't worry about it Kristy. You'll fit in just find here. The town tends to pass around gossip to pass the time here, but everyone here has a good heart. But enough of this chatter. You came here asking for a job."

Quistis nodded with some relief at the subject change.

"This job is basically sitting here and watching the store, working the cash register, and helping customers if they have any questions. There would also be some shelving and rearrange books here and there. There will be times when I'll ask you to open or close the store, but nothing you can't handle." Quistis nodded as she listened to Lynnette give her the basically job overview.

"I'm just curious. What was your previous job?" Lynnette asked after she finished describing the position.

"I use to teach," Quistis replied.

"Really?" Lynnette asked with interest. "What did you teach?"

"Yes, I thought basic things…it was a training school of sorts," Quistis said vaguely. "But that was another lifetime ago, and working in a bookstore would be a nice change," she added.

Lynnette nodded and decided not to pry at Quistis's vague answer. "I'm glad to hear that. Just fill out this application," she said handing Quistis a piece of paper and a pen.

As Quistis started to fill out application, Lynnette silently observed Quistis.

"I like you," Lynnette finally said. "If you want, you can start working today."

Quistis looked up from her application surprised. "You mean I got the job?"

"If you want it, yes, you have the job," Lynnette smiled. "Do you want to start today?"

Quistis handed the completed application back to Lynnette and brushed a loose hair away from her face. "Sure, I don't' have any plans for the rest of the day. I guess I can start working today."

"Well, I don't think there will much work to be done, but you can get familiar with where the different genres of books are located." Lynette came from behind the counter to show Quistis around the small store.

Lynnette introduced Quistis to her son Rodney, who was shelving books earlier. She told Quistis about Rodney planning going to be returning to Galbadia Garden from his break, and she would need a helping hand while he was gone. Lynnette left Quistis with Rodney while she went to help a customer that had just entered the store.

Quistis picked up a book from the cart Rodney was still shelving books from started to help him out.

"When are you planning to go off to Galbadia Garden?" Quistis asked to start polite conversation with Rodney.

"Probably in a couple weeks," the young man replied. "I'm just back visiting my mom during the break."

"I see. Have you always wanted to be a mercenary?" she asked.

"Well, a SeeD isn't just any mercenary."

"No, it's not at all," Quistis agreed.

"You sound like you know some things about SeeD. Do you?" Rodney asked.

"No," Quistis quickly said. "I use to know some people who went to Galbadia Garden and they had to work very hard to become a SeeD."

Before Rodney could as Quistis another question Lynnette returned and started to continue going into more detail of what went on in the store. She showed Quistis around the store again and gave her some books to shelve to help her become familiar with the floor plan of the store. Then she instructed Quistis with the details of how to use the cash register. After Lynnette finished instructing Quistis, she left Quistis to man the counter as she headed to the back storage room to organize some shipments, while Rodney was done for the day.

Quistis was alone in the store, except for several people who entered the store to browse at the magazines. She sat at the counter watching the customers wandering around the store, as her fingers played with the jewels that hung from her earring.

An elderly man walked by the counter and smiled at Quistis with the daily newspaper in his hand and dropped a couple coins as payment for newspaper and left the store. Quistis pressed a couple keys on the register and the drawer opened for her to deposit the coins.

She sat there thinking how quickly her life had suddenly changed over the past couple weeks. As soon as she found out she was pregnant, she made a choice to start a new life, and so far her new life was starting out well. She had found a home and a decent job. She still could not believe her good fortune. As she sat there contemplating her next step to fitting in here, the bookstore door opened with the small tinkering of the bell. She looked up to see a familiar face.

"Paul?"

"Miss Trent," Paul said. "I didn't know you worked here."

Quistis smiled, "As of today, I do now."

"Wow, you surely do work fast. You just found a place to live and now you've got a job." Quistis only smiled at his comment. "Is Lynnette out?" he asked looking around the store.

"No, she's in the back room doing something," Quistis said waving to the general direction of the back room.

"I see. I asked Lynnette to reserve a couple books for me. Maybe you know where they are," Paul said.

Quistis thought for a bit. She did remember Lynnette mentioning reserving books for a couple days. Then she remembered. "As a matter of fact, I do," Quistis said and looked beneath the counter and found three books bounded by a rubber band with Paul's name written on a post-it note.

"Here you go," she said placing the books on the counter for him to look at.

"Thanks." Paul pulled the rubber band off and started to look through the books to make sure they were the books he was looking for.

"How do you like working here?" he asked Quistis as he flipped open on of the books.

"It's nice so far. This is my first day."

"I'm sure you'll like it here," he said closing the first book. "Lynnette is a really sweet woman. She's always there for you if you need any help."

"Paul!" Quistis turned to see Lynnette walking towards them from the back room. "Did school just let out?" Paul nodded. "It's been a while since you've decided to come and visited me."

"It's only been a couple weeks, and I did order some books from you, so I was bound to come by and visit you…eventually," he said to Lynnette.

"Yes, whatever, I'm sure you finally decided to come by because you spotted my lovely new employee, Kristy," she teased.

"Actually, I know Kristy."

"Really?" Lynnette narrowed her eyes.

"I rented out Marilyn's place to Kristy the other day."

"Is that so?" Lynnette asked and looked at Quistis, who nodded at her question.

"It's good to know you are settled in and I'm sure Paul will take good care of you," Lynnette said patting the back of Quistis's hand. "Paul, since you're here why don't you take Kristy out on a tour of the town."

Quistis furrowed her eyebrows. "Lynnette, don't you still need me here to help you?"

"Don't worry about it, love. I'll be closing in a little bit anyway. Go and enjoy the rest of the day. Go." She shooed Quistis out from behind the counter and handed her purse to her.

"Paul, take good care of her, and make sure you don't keep her out too late. She still has to come in early tomorrow," Lynnette said with a wink.

"Yes, ma'am," Paul said with a slight nod. He opened the door for Quistis to exit and waved good-bye to Lynnette.

"I'm so sorry about that, Paul," Quistis immediately apologized when they stepped out the door. "You really don't have to give me this tour."

"You don't need to apologize for anything Kristy," he said leading Quistis away from the bookstore. "Besides I came in for a couple books, instead I leave with a beautiful lady."

"Oh, your books. We should go back and get them," Quistis suggested.

"It's all right Kristy. I can get them tomorrow. It's not like I need them right away. They've been sitting there for two weeks already. They can wait another day," he said.

Quistis looked at him puzzled. "Is it true what Lynnette said then? You came into the store today because of me?"

Quistis's question caught Paul off guard. "No...Yes…sort of…" he trailed off brushing his hand through his brown hair.

Quistis couldn't help but giggle. "Which exactly was you answer?" she teased.

"I had been meaning to go and pick up my books at the store, but when I saw you through the store window I thought I drop in and say hello and see how your were doing," Paul explained.

"That's very sweet of you."

"Now that I've have gotten you out of work early. Why don't I take you around this very small tour around the town like I promised Lynnette I would? Is there any where you were planning to go before heading home today?"

"Actually, I was looking for the market, since there isn't any food in the house."

"All right, first the tour of town, then dinner, then to the market. I think I should be able to get you home before your bed time," he said.

Quistis chuckled and let Paul led the way.

If this were not an undercover mission, Seifer would have already told everyone to fuck themselves and stalked out of the meeting. Instead he sat at another 'resistance' meeting; at least he had a bottle of beer with him. But the alcohol wasn't enough to make this useless meeting interesting. For the past week, there have been rumors of tonight being 'the night,' but each night wasn't 'the night.' Seifer wanted them to tell him what the hell their plan was already, so he would have something useful to report back to Garden and they can get him out of this dump.

He took another gulp from his beer as woman dressed in a black pant suit appeared on the stage to address the group. The woman stood on the by the podium. Her long black hair swept into a tight single braid. She was strikingly beautiful and very much out of place as she stood on the stage before to group of animals hooting and hollering at her with wolf whistles.

Seifer sat there observing the woman. She was unphased by the crude attention she received from the men. She stood there with a stern look in her eyes watching and waiting for the crowd to realize she wasn't there for eye candy. She was here to play a vital role in this resistance.

The group started to quiet down when they realized that something was amiss. The woman raised an eyebrow as she glanced around the room and stepped up to the podium to speak.

"My fellow comrades," she began. Her voice was strong as her demeanor. Her light brown eyes critically looked at everyone in the room. "There have been rumors for the past week about a new leader for Darkness." Murmuring rose through the crowd. "I am that leader." She paused to watch the reaction of the men.

The initial reaction of the crowd was one of silence. Then a roar of voices began. Some applauding other's booed against the new declaration.

"I don't care if you approve or disapprove. I am your new leader, and you will address me as so."

"Don't you have a name?" a voice called out from the crowd.

"That I do, but if you want to know my name. You will have to earn it. For now you can all call me Raven." More whispers dispersed through the crowd.

"I have watched this resistance group for a while, and you guys are pathetic," she said. "You guys can't even collectively kill a fly even if you wanted to, and you want to over throw a government? Your last leader was more interested in pandering and drinking instead of fighting for a cause."

A wave of angry boos arose.

"I ask you. Is this a resistance group or a band of thugs?"

The boos abruptly ended and someone yelled out. "A resistance group!"

"So you think you are a resistance group. That is a good start. With me in charge I'll make you into a resistance group, and to prove to the world that Darkness isn't just a corner of the room without light. We will signal our revival with something big. We will raise some hell in the upcoming anniversary of the Sorceress Wars."

Seifer listened to the words Raven spoke. Darkness wasn't a threat at all, but she was. With her in charge now, Darkness had raised in the ranks of dangerous resistance groups. This was the reason he was sent on this mission.

Zell looked over at Seifer. "What do we do now?" he whispered.

"We play along," Seifer whispered back and raised his hand. "So how do we plan to raise some hell?" he asked.

"How do you think we should raise hell?" she asked Seifer.

Seifer shrugged, "Kill someone important."

Raven folded her hands on the podium. "I like the way you think, Seth. We will kill the President."

"How are we going to assassinate the President? Snipe him from a roof top? Big explosion? Poison? Smother him in his sleep?" Seifer asked with a hint of sarcasm.

"You don't think we can pull this off?" she asked crossing her arms across her chest.

"To be honest, no, I don't think these guys can pull it off," Seifer said crossing his arms over his chest.

"Quite the pessimist you are, but you are right. These guys can't pull it off. That is why I want you to do it since you seem so sure of you skills. As to your question, there is no way we can get close enough to the President, with the secret service and the SeeDs as their person body guards. It is also unfortunate that we haven't been able to infiltrate the President's personal guards. At the moment—"

"Sniping him from a roof top is our best choice," Seifer interrupted.

"You are a natural at raising hell aren't you Seth," Raven said with a smile.

"If you only knew," Seifer smirked.

"I've watched you very closely this past month."

"Like what you saw?" Seifer said smugly.

"Yes, very much. That is why you will be our sniper," she said.

"Better and better," Seifer said. This was definitely better. With him being the one in charge of the mission. It was be easier for him to set up a trap for the entire resistance and still have the festival continue with out any incident. His main concern was with Raven. She was a very intelligent woman, if she had been watching him for the last month, she might suspect something. Seifer was going to have to be more careful from now on.

"For the next two weeks, before the festival, I want you and your team to survey the location. Understood? I don't accept failures."

"Don't worry boss, It don't fail," Seifer said with confidence.

In two weeks this mission would be over, and he would be free to find Quistis. At least he hoped in two weeks this mission would end. Seifer had a feeling that Raven arrival was another of Fate's way of torturing him.

The meeting adjourned and the crowd dispersed. Seifer headed back to the dodgy bar for another beer.

"Brooding over the mission?" A sultry voice asked him.

Seifer looked over to see Raven sitting at the bar next to him.

"Raven," he nodded and took a drink. "I don't brood over missions."

"Angry that you are taking orders from a mere woman?" she asked.

Seifer scoffed. This wasn't the first time he took orders from a woman. Quistis use to order him around when they were on missions. "Not at all," he smirked, "I love women who know what they want."

"Is that so?" she started to lean closer in to him. "I've watched you for a long time, Seth. You're not like the others. You're different. You seem to have a purpose. You seem like the type of man who gets what he wants."

"I can say the same for you, but I haven't been stalking you though."

"I only stalked you because every good leader should know her members, and you're still a mystery to me," she said narrowing her eyes.

"Let's keep it that way," Seifer said wink, finished his drink, and left Raven at the bar.