Normally I won't actually answer questions posed in reviews, but for once, I'll make an exception because I'm sure others of you are wondering too. Everyone else, thank you so much for your reviews and encouragement.

shatteredjade – Unfortunately, I can't write from this Seifer's point of view. I'd love to, but he isn't actually mine, and strange as it may sound, I don't know him. He's within iliyana's head and he's very annoying about telling me things (although, granted, that my Squall can read his mind is helping). As for your other questions – this chapter should help. Fingers crossed, anyway. It wouldn't be fair if I admitted everything I/we have in mind all at once, would it? ;)

Just to remind you all; this story is converted from a roleplay. I play Squall and Quistis, so far, and iliyana has so far played as Seifer and Rinoa.

Squall POV

I hope he's not in a bad mood.

I hear the thought before she knocks, knowing who it is instantly, and I look up from my work, wondering if, when I'm in a bad mood, SeeDs really dread reporting to me. "Come in."

Quistis opens the door and steps in, shutting it behind her and saluting briefly. If I couldn't read her mind I'd miss the way she looks at me, up and down, and at the state of my desk, evaluating. As it is, her thought gives her away. At least he doesn't look moody. "I've done what I could and collected the information from the others, too. Do you want our reports now?"

I nod, waving her towards a seat. I hate all this stupid formality in situations like this. We're friends, not just a military leader and one of his troops.

It's a pity we haven't got much. He looks kind of optimistic about this – if Squall ever is optimistic – will he be the same when he finds out that we've not really found out anything"Well... I've found out very little. I do know that the threat definitely origininates within Garden, which means it could all mean nothing, just some kid's boasting..." Or it could mean a shift in the power balance here.

"Cid, Xu and I, the most important leaders in this Garden have been threatened. An attack from within would at least be easier..." I trail off, and Quistis picks up my thread of thought with a nod.

"But then why would they warn us?"

"A change of heart? Or perhaps it's one or two people and one of them backed out... Carry on with your report."

Selphie, Zell, Irvine and I, the only SeeDs he could trust with this, all assigned with this mission to find information... and all coming back with nothing. He isn't going to be happy, is he? "I'm afraid that's it."

I sigh softly, but with Rinoa's spell helping me now, the information isn't as crucial as it might have been. I smile a little at her and nod, wanting to reassure her somewhat. "Thank you anyway."

"It's not a problem," she says, returning the smile. I couldn't stand the thought of someone killing Squall. Don't they realise he's the only one who has their best interests at heart? Cid is sweet, but he's caught up in the ideals. Xu is my friend, but she's so... practical. Squall... Squall cares for people. Squall knows what it's like to be one of the common soldiers, so to speak.

I look away from her a little, not very surprised at what she thinks of me, but still a little embarrassed to 'hear' it thought so clearly. I'm getting used to this, though – I don't blush anymore, at least not most of the time.

"Is there anything else I can do?" she asks, frowning slightly. She wonders for a moment about what I've been doing while she's been gone, hoping I have done something, and then narrows her eyes slightly at me when I don't answer. He has something up his sleeve, I'm sure of it.

"There's no need. I have another plan to find out information."

She frowns a little more. I'd almost think that there's only one person doing this, from how little information there is to be found... certainly not a big faction. How could Squall find one person acting alone?

"You forget we have a sorceress on our side. Rinoa offered her help and so far, while I haven't had many results, I believe this is the key to finding out the culprit."

She nods for me to continue with a little thoughtful frown, trying to figure me out. What is he talking about?

"Rinoa has temporarily given me the power to read minds."

He can read my mind?

I nod slightly at the incredulous thought. "Yes. And the minds of everyone in Garden, including the culprit."

"Have you found anyone yet?"

"No," I shake my head, "but I think this way will bring some results, soon." It has to.

She frowns a little more, biting her lip, her thoughts now more frustrated than ever.That means... basically, we're useless. Only Squall can sort this out. Damn it! I wanted to help!

"You have helped," I say, somewhat gently. I'm not used to doing this, normally I wouldn't, but with her thoughts so clear... I can't help but try and reassure her, as much as I would do if she spoke out loud. "Thank you."

She gets up, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Thanks, but I wish I could help a little more. May I go now?"

I nod, remembering how much work I have to do before I can eat. Tonight, I won't be working late. Tonight I have something else planned. Seifer and I arranged to have a duel tonight. That's going to be good, and around him... I can let my guard down. I know he won't want to kill me, at least.

Damn, that was so weird... she thinks, as she walks out, and I smile a little. Perhaps more perceptive than others, she thinks, with more embarrassment colouring the thoughts, Squall! Are you still listening to my thoughts?

I just laugh quietly in answer, and she laughs a little nervously, fleeing the room.

----

I stretch a little as I follow Seifer away from the training center, feeling muscles that will no doubt be sore tomorrow from a work out I haven't done in far too long. Fighting monsters in one thing, fighting Seifer, without the use of Guardian Forces or Sorceresses backing us up, is nothing short of the best work out I could possibly do.

Seifer turns a little to see if I'm following him and I smile slightly, catching up to him, Lionheart still in my hand, watching him. For a big man – taller than six feet, at least, and fairly muscley in proportion to that – Seifer moves incredibly fluidly. Most tall men slouch, but Seifer doesn't at all, carrying his head high. Arrogant prick. Good looking prick, too, but arrogant in every single part of him.

What the hell? Something on my face or what? He raises an eyebrow and frowns a little at my intent look. I blink, looking away, realising I was staring. Whatever, I guess. Fuck, but that felt great. Wonder if he'll care to repeat that.

I smile slightly at his thought and look up at him as I walk by his side. "We should do that again sometime soon."

"Yeah, could be nice." Maybe next time, we could follow it up with a nice joint shower, too.

"It's a lot better than just sitting around all day," I say, trying to keep the amusement at his not-so-innocent thoughts out of my voice. He doesn't notice, anyway, never one to focus on the small details. Still. I should be careful.

A shower, sex, same thing, no? "Damn right. You're still pretty good for someone who sits behind a desk most of the time."

I shrug slightly, knowing it's true. I haven't let my skills go to waste, at least. I can still keep Seifer on his toes for a good fight, though it was harder than I would have liked. "Sitting behind a desk doesn't require that much energy, I go to the training center when I can't sleep and keep in practice that way."

"I guess it works, you got me good, if only once." He smirks a little, rubbing his shoulder where I managed to get in a blow that was more luck and timing than anything else. Shoulder's probably going to be killing me, too.

"Whatever. I don't get to train as much as I'd like."

"More reason for you to let me kick your ass once in a while," he says with another of his trademark smirks. Not to mention you're hot when you're fighting. And sweaty. Next time, maybe we should just skip the fight and go straight to the sex.

That idea makes me smirk a little. Maybe I should take him up on it, though it'd definitely be a surprise for him if I did.

He turns to look at me again and raises an eyebrow at the smirk on my face. "Something funny?"

"Not really," I say, shaking my head, but I step closer to him. For a moment, I look up into his face, listening to his thoughts of how pretty I look, listening to his thoughts of desire and want and what he could do if only... I move even closer, leaning up, cursing the inches he has on me and pressing my lips hard against his, my arms wrapping around his neck.

What the f – He breaks off mid thought, his arms wrapping around me tightly and quickly, holding me closer so I can't escape and kissing back eagerly, not wanting to question the situation, just taking advantage of it while he can. I push him back a little until his back is against the wall, and he tangles a hand in my hair, using the wall to brace himself as he pushes back against me. What the fuck? What the fuck? I'm hallucinating, have to be, I'm really in the infirmary and I'm holding one of those ugly potted plants. I died in that fight and I'm in heaven. Have to be.

Tsk tsk, Seifer. Doubting your skill?

I surpress a laugh at his thoughts, deepening the kiss, silently blessing Rinoa for helping me see that Seifer really isn't as bad as rivalry and years of being teased by him painted him in my mind. He moves now, flipping us around and pushing me back against the wall, running a free hand down my side, not breaking the kiss.

Or hell, this is too good to be heaven.

I press against him and he pulls away from the kiss a little, trailing off to my jaw and throat, exploring my skin with his mouth, still not too sure if he's dreaming, dead, or if this is really happening. I bite my lip a little, tilting my head back to let him explore further, surpressing a chuckle. Explaining why I'm laughing might be a little hard.

He bites at my neck, worrying at the same spot until it's red, making his mark on me. He moves up to nuzzle just below my ear, and his voice is huskier than usual, heavy with want. "No complaint, but what brought that on?"

"Just wanted to do it?" Seifer snorts and shakes his head slightly, sucking my earlobe into his mouth and toying with it. I moan softly, leaning back against the wall properly for support. "What? Don't believe me?"

"Just doesn't sound like you," he says, pulling away and kissing me again, as subtle as a T-Rexaur trying a back attack as he pushes one of his legs between mine. I moan quietly again, kissing him again as he pins me against the wall, pushing my shirt up. Fuck, he's gorgeous like this. He runs a hand up over my ribs, nipping at my throat again. And just as tasty as I thought, too.

I smile as I let him do what he wants, but I wonder how fair this is. Will he be angry with me when he finds out -?

The thought is interrupted as he bites harder, soothing the bite with his tongue, pinching one of my nipples at the same time, making me press harder against him and groan loudly. Why the fuck didn't I jump him this way already? He asks himself, kissing me again hungrily, before pulling away, a feral smirk playing across his lips. "My room. Now." Because, fuck, it's that or up against the wall right here.

In a split second, a million thoughts go through my head.

This isn't fair. I know what he's thinking, what he's feeling, and he has no idea what I think or feel. Maybe I'm only doing this because I can 'hear' what he's feeling, because his want makes me want... Maybe he'll be angry when he finds out. This would never have happened if it wasn't for Rinoa's spell.

"No," I say, softly. I don't want to walk away from him. But this isn't fair. It just isn't fair. "I'm sorry."

I pull away from him and walk away.

"What...?" What the fuck! "Where the hell are you going?" He glares at me, not moving, raising his voice, "Should have known you'd back out, fucking asshole!"

His thoughts are hurt and confused, and I sigh. Maybe I've made the wrong choice...? But I've made it now. I'll talk to him again... when the spell has been lifted. Then it'll be fair.

"No wonder you're such a frigid bitch!" Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK! What. The. FUCK?

He turns away from me after a moment, walking off in another direction, and I stop, leaning against the wall for a minute, and take a deep breath.