Later that day, Squall settled down to bed, musing on what had turned out to be an eventful chain of events. Upon returning, he immediately sent the bullet down to the munitions lab for examination (he'd have preferred Irvine's opinion, but he and Selphie had been away on holiday since the previous night). That, followed by numerous meetings with Cid, Zell (new Garden head of security), Xu and Quistis (new deputy head teachers) over the possibility of a Garden traitor, combined with his shoulder injury, had left Squall understandably shattered. Rinoa was once again away on a mission in Dollet, and wasn't expected to return until the following afternoon. This left Squall with a perfect opportunity to gather his thoughts on what had happened. Someone, possibly a Garden student or ex-student, is out to kill Seifer, he thought to himself, and is only too happy to kill me if I get in the way. Why? Squall shook his head- he knew exactly why someone would want Seifer dead- he'd felt the same way at some point, and Squall shuddered at the memory. Revenge, he assumed. That's the only answer. But who would want revenge against Seifer? Eventually, once Squall had counted all the possibilities from the senior SeeDs alone, he got depressed and fell asleep, hoping that a new day would bring a new perspective.

He was awoken at a quarter past six by his telephone ringing. Probably just Rinoa ringing to say hi, he thought to himself, slowly getting out of bed. He answered the phone.

"Hello?" He said. He was surprised to hear Zell's voice on the other end of the line.

"Squall," he said, sounding somewhat subdued, "the forensic team's finished. You'd better get down to the lab." Zell's voice was almost morbid in tone, and Squall didn't like it one bit.

"I'll be right there…" he replied, before hanging up the phone.

Squall entered the lab to find Zell and Cid standing there, looking as grim as Zell had sounded over the telephone.

"What is it?" Squall asked the two.

"The results of the forensic tests are in," Zell announced. "The bullet came from a Fox-17 sniper rifle." Squall, not being a weapons expert, was none the wiser, and wondered why Zell found it so significant.

"And?" This time, it was Cid's turn to answer.

"The Fox-17 was manufactured to be used exclusively by Garden students and SeeDs, and are very hard to get your hands on. Only three people can authorise the use of this weapon- the headmaster," Cid said, pointing at himself, "the commander," this time he pointed at Squall, "or the armoury chief."

"Who would be Irvine," Squall continued. "I still don't see where this is heading."

"Squall," Cid continued, "this Garden is meant to have a full supply of 12 Fox-17's. It has only eleven. All the other Gardens have a full stock, which means the rifle must have come from this Garden." Squall waved his hand in the air- it was early morning, he hadn't had breakfast, and he was confused.

"Cut to the chase, Cid," Squall said, his head not being able to assimilate all the information, "what are you trying to say?" Zell butted in.

"Squall, what we're trying to say is that Irvine is the assassin!" Squall blinked, and stood still for a moment, not quite believing what he'd heard.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

"Think about it man," Zell continued, "he's the only one who's accessed the rifles in the past three weeks. He suddenly goes on a trip, and the very next morning Seifer gets shot. It don't take a genius to work it out!" Squall was incredulous. How could they even think such a thing? To Squall, as it was to everyone, the thought of Irvine doing something that vindictive was simply inconceivable. Squall voiced his opinion.

"You honestly think that Irvine Kinneas is capable of cold-blooded murder?"

"Our opinion doesn't matter, Squall," Cid continued, "It's the evidence that does. I have a new mission for you two-" Cid pointed at Squall and Zell- "you're to take the Ragnarok back to Esthar and take Irvine into custody. You're free to refuse the mission if you want, I won't hold it against you, but I feel it would be best if you were the ones to do it." Squall and Zell both nodded at that sentiment. "Well?" Cid asked. "Do you accept?"

"Yes," Squall said, looking at the floor in a combination of shame for accepting the mission, and fury for even being assigned it in the first place.

"Yeah," Zell also said, biting his lip. He felt the same way as Squall, and he was close to losing his cool. Cid nodded, grimly, knowing that the two young men were not looking forward to their mission.

"You leave at once," Cid ordered. "Nida will be your pilot- the two of you will be solely responsible for the act of arresting Irvine. Will you require any back-up?" Squall shook his head.

"No, we can handle it," Squall said, grimly. "I still say we're jumping to conclusions here." Cid nodded.

"Maybe," he said, "but the evidence is too strong. Either way, we'll have needed him for questioning. This way, we can also formally eliminate him from the investigation."

"But what if he did do it?" Zell asked. Squall did not take kindly to that remark.

"Zell!" He barked, letting Zell know his feelings on the question he'd just asked. Cid hung his head.

"Then he will be tried and punished for his crimes," Cid simply stated. "The death penalty would not apply in these circumstances, but he could expect up to 16 years in prison." Squall and Zell both nodded grimly, before exiting the room.

Irvine and Selphie were sitting at a table outside a café in Esthar, eating lunch, totally unaware of what was about to happen. The two of them had got married six months after Squall and Rinoa had, in a ceremony held at the old orphanage. Irvine and Selphie had selected that location as it was where they first met, close to 16 years ago now, and they both felt it was appropriate that they should begin their married life there. Ever since, they'd been inseparable, spending as much time as possible together. That time had shrunk since Selphie was promoted to field commander by Squall (effectively making her one of his deputies), and while Irvine was none too happy at first about Selphie constantly bossing him around, he eventually got over it, and rarely were the two not seen sharing a smile. On this afternoon in Esthar, however, Irvine had something very serious he wanted to ask his wife.

"Sefie," he started, taking her hand in his, "there's something I've been meaning to ask you for some time..." Irvine trailed off, not knowing how to phrase his request perfectly.

"What is it, Irvy?" Selphie asked, trying to prompt the usually talkative Irvine. It worked.

"How would you like to have a baby?" Irvine blurted out. Selphie gasped- she'd been taken completely by surprise.

"Irvy?" She asked, still surprised by his question. "Are you serious?" Irvine chuckled his usual chuckle, letting Selphie know that he meant business.

"I'm as serious as you can get, Sefie," Irvine replied. "I want me and you to start a family." Selphie paused for a few seconds, not knowing what to say. "Well?" Irvine asked, trying to prompt Selphie into giving him an answer.

"Woohoo! I'm gonna be a mommy!" Selphie shouted, enthusiastically. She leaned over the table towards her husband, and they gave each other a big, long kiss.

"We start tonight," Irvine said, deadpan. Selphie giggled.

"Yes sir!" She said, still grinning broadly. They were interrupted from their celebrations by Squall and Zell approaching the table, both wearing deathly serious expressions on their faces.

"Hey guys," Irvine said, noticing his friends approach. "What're you doing in Esthar?"

"Is it about Seifer?" Selphie interjected. Squall and Zell both nodded, grimly.

"I heard what happened," Irvine said, nodding seriously, "we were gonna drop in and see him later."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Zell said, walking behind Irvine. "Stand up, please." Irvine stood up.

"What's going on?" Irvine and Selphie both asked at the same time. The answer they got was Zell handcuffing Irvine's arms behind his back.

"Irvine Kinneas," Zell began, "I am placing you under arrest for the attempted murder of Seifer Almasy and Squall Leonheart. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say may be taken as evidence." Zell marched Irvine into a waiting car.

"Sorry, Irv," Squall muttered as Irvine was marched past him. Irvine wore an angry expression on his face- as if to say "how could you think such a thing?" Squall understood well how Irvine felt. Once the car had driven off, Squall's thoughts were interrupted by Selphie behind him.

"Squall," Selphie started, with an angry, serious tone replacing her usually bubbly voice, "tell me this is some kind of joke."

"Selphie," Squall said, as he tried to place a re-assuring hand on Selphie's shoulder. Selphie was in no mood for it, however.

"Don't touch me!" She shouted, not wanting Squall's sympathy.

"If it means anything, Selphie," Squall started again, "I refuse to believe it either. However, all the evidence points to Irvine being the sniper."

"I don't care about your evidence!" Selphie said, raising her voice even further. "He didn't do it!"

"Selphie," Squall said, again trying to place a re-assuring hand on her shoulder. This time, however, Selphie reacted badly.

"I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME!" She shouted, before rearing back and slapping Squall hard across his face. Squall was surprised by the blow, taking a few seconds to regain his composure. When he did, he was greeted by the sight of Selphie storming away from him, her head hung low.

"Selphie!" He shouted after her, but she continued her march down the Esthar high street. Squall tried to follow her, but eventually lost her amongst the crowd. Sighing, he returned to the shuttle tube station, and caught the next car to the air station, where Zell was undoubtedly waiting for him.