Chapter Ten: Phoenix

They drove for another hour until Squall turned off from the highway and into Fisherman's Horizon. Squall listened to Quistis' directions and pulled off into the city area, pulling into the hotel. He stepped out, seeing as he was the only one that wasn't caked in blood aside from Quistis, but he still smelled.

Emma looked up at Seifer, who began to snore. She stroked his cheek and he stopped.

He opened his eyes and lifted his head, looking around. "How long was I out?" He said groggily, yawning.

"Since we stopped for gas a few hours back." Quistis said.

"F.H. huh?" He asked, stretching his arms. He watched Squall walk out and open the doors. He turned and walked into the Hotel Horizon.

"Zell honey…" Selphie woke Zell up, who looked around, startled.

"F.H?" He asked, rubbing his bloodshot eyes. He groaned, smelling the food from the restaurant next door. "I'm hungry."

"Ok everyone…" Squall walked out with a set of keys. "Listen, I rented out a room for the time being. It's got three beds, but I need to—"

"BED!" Zell exclaimed, not really listening to Squall.

"Zell! I need you to listen. Anyway…I need some help from everyone. I will be cleaning out the car, Seifer, I need you to do laundry, and Zell, you need to come with me and get food and water. We're going to be leaving in four hours. I want to be back before Monday."

"What day is it?" Selphie asked.

"Friday." Seifer muttered.

"Girls, get up there and clean up. They have shampoo and everything all set up." Squall got in the front seat and started up the car. Everyone else scattered out, stretching and yawning. "I'll be back in a while. I'm going to go see if there's a car wash or something." He handed Emma the keys and drove off.

When they made their ways to the room. Quistis was first to walk in, opening the door only once to toss her clothes on the floor outside the bathroom. Seifer picked them up and tossed them in the corner.

Selphie collapsed on the bed closer to the window, she curled up in a ball and sighed. "I'll go last…you can go next, Emma."

"Are you sure?" Emma said. Selphie didn't respond. Seifer pulled his bloody shirt off and tossed it with Quistis' clothes. He unbuckled his belt and flinging it off the pants, tossing it as well. He unbuttoned his pants and threw himself on the bed, throwing an arm over his eyes. He could feel a migraine coming along. He pulled his shoes off with his feet and sighed.

He felt a shadow creep over him and he outstretched his arm, offering the open space beside him. Emma crawled over and rested on top of him. He sighed and wrapped his arm around her once again. She sat up, dragging her fingers up and down his chest. He moved his arm down and closed his eyes, thankful that Emma's shadow was protecting him from the window. She cupped his cheek and studied his face some more, looking at the scar across his face that faded. He opened his eyes and smiled at her, his eyes not as bright as they used to be. He looked tired and weary, like he did at the hospital. Emma covered his eyes with her hand and he closed them again, finally relaxing completely.

Quistis stepped out in a towel, not really caring whoever was in the room. She walked to the middle bed and sat down, combing her hair.

"Is she asleep?" Quistis asked, pointing her comb at Selphie. Emma nodded and looked back at Seifer.

"I'm going to take a shower." She stated and crawled out of bed. She closed the door behind her. Seifer looked over at Quistis and sighed.

"I'm going to take one with her… to save time…"

Quistis smirked and nodded. "Don't take too long. I left the robe for you so you could go down and wash your clothes too." Seifer smiled and walked in the bathroom with Emma. Quistis kicked her feet up on the bed and turned on the television.

"Hey." He said to her. Emma was staring at herself in the foggy mirror. She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. Seifer ran his fingers across her back and walked to the shower, turning on the faucets. Emma didn't move. "Come on, baby." He reached under the bottom of her shirt and unclasped her bra. Emma only blinked.

"I'm going to be ugly." She sighed.

Seifer stopped. "What do you mean?"

"The bullet holes." Her lip quivered. "I haven't looked yet, but I know they're going to be ugly." Seifer snorted and smiled.

"I have a scar," He said, pointing to his face. "Does that make me ugly?" Emma shook her head and smiled.

"Actually, I like it." She said, smiling.

He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Now, what makes you think I won't like the scars on you?" He smirked, running his hands up her waist, bringing her shirt upwards with them. "Come on…I won't think any different of you." His voice was low and kind. Sympathetic, almost.

Emma lifted her arms, her joints still stiff from being still for three days. She kept her eyes closed as she felt Seifer's hand run across her chest. She could feel the vibrations in her back when he chuckled.

"Open your eyes." He said quietly.

Emma did, but wasn't able to see through the mirror due to the condensation.

He put his lips to her ear. "There's nothing there." He whispered.

Emma looked down and ran her hand across her chest as well, her skin was smooth, soft. She smiled.

"You had one eye on the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte…" Seifer gently sung to her, rocking her side to side, slowly. "…and all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner…" Emma laughed, leaning into Seifer's chest. "…They'd be your partner, and...you're so vain, you probably think this song is about you…" He kissed her neck and led her to the shower. Emma unbuttoned and slipped her pants and bottom undergarments off. Seifer gathered the clothes and tossed them out the door, along with his boxers. Emma gasped when she stepped in the shower, feeling the fresh cool water run down her body for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. Seifer stepped in behind her, reaching underneath her arms for water to wash his face. He reached for the soap, lathering it in his hands. Emma stuck her head under the faucet, feeling cleaner when she did. She heard Seifer wince when he washed his face. Soap had gotten into the cut on his forehead. Emma switched places with him and let him wash his face. He turned to her when he was done and smiled.

"You need to clean up more than me," He said. "If you only knew what you had been wading in for days…" Emma looked down and then up again.

"I don't even want to wonder." She said, pinching his stomach and trading places with him again. She grabbed the shampoo and began to wash her hair feeling her hardened hair loosen and become soft again. She felt Seifer begin washing her shoulders, her hips and back. His hands explored her soft flesh as he rested his forehead on her back. He slipped a hand in front and groped her breast for a second. She smiled and turned around, tilting her head back to rinse her hair. Seifer leaned in and kissed her neck. She pulled her head away from the showerhead and pressed her cheek to his.

"I didn't mean to let my guard down." He said absently. Emma sighed and reached for his hands, linking her fingers with his.

"I shouldn't have stranded from you." She justified. "I'm here now, Seifer. Things are fine. It's like I never…" She felt his muscles tighten and he held her closer. Something wasn't right. She could hear him making a hitching gasp, holding his breath, and then releasing it with a heaving sigh. Emma pulled away from the embrace, looking in his eyes. "Seifer?"

"I think I'm done showering." He rubbed his face. He kissed her on the cheek and stepped out. Emma quickly finished washing up and stepped out as well. She found him leaning up against the counter, wearing a towel that hung well past his navel. He was holding himself with his arms. They stood in complete silence for a moment, listening only to the occasional drip from the shower and the news from the television in the other room. He watched Emma reach for a towel and wrapped herself in it.

"Seifer…" Emma whispered, walking towards him. He reached out for her, holding her for a moment.

"Selphie still needs a shower… come on." Seifer wrapped his arm around Emma as they stepped out. Quistis nearly choked on her coffee when she saw the two walk out in towels. She smiled and winked. "You're a pervert, Quistis." Seifer joked.

"Well what am I to think when you take a half hour long shower?" She giggled. Putting her hand to her mouth, not wanting to spit coffee out.

"Selphie?" Emma called to the small brunette. Selphie made a noise and sat up, holding her head.

"You ok?" Seifer asked, bending down to grab the armful of clothes on the floor.

"Yeah…I'm going to take a shower now." Selphie stood up and weakly walked to the front door.

"Selphie." Quistis stood up. Selphie turned and realized she was heading outside. She turned and walked into the bathroom. She shut the door behind her. Moments later she tossed her clothes out at Seifer. He caught them mid-air and started heading for the door.

"I'll be right back." Seifer planted a kiss on Emma's cheek before stepping out, towel still wrapped around him and all. Quistis shook her head.

"Quistis…is Selphie ok?" Emma sat down, hugging the pillow next to her.

"I'm sure its just trauma…" She said, offering Emma her comb.

"I –I –I –I- l-loss-t t-it…" She whispered.

Seifer looked confused, not sure of what she meant. Emma moved her hands down between her legs and pulled them up, they were covered in blood. She tilted her head and reached out for Seifer's face. Streaks of red smeared across his face.

"They killed him." She said blankly.

"Hello—She won't." She stared at the ceiling while she spoke. She spoke hastily and in a panicked tone. "This baby was a mistake…right?—Let me go—I am keeping this baby— This is Seifer Almasy's first born, yes—Answer me."

"Emma!" It was as if she had a split personality.

She turned her neck and looked straight in his eyes. He could hear her neck pop when she did so. "Is this Seifer Almasy's first born?" Seifer stared at her blankly, her eyes were bloodshot and cold. "NO!" She screamed suddenly, looking back at the ceiling.

"I'm getting you to a hospital… come on." He wrapped her in the blanket she was laying on and walked back to get his shoes from the bathroom. He could still hear Emma talking. She stopped. When he turned around she was right behind him.

"Well look at this." Emma said, her voice delicate, innocent. "The once ever powerful killer, now a sobbing mess.—Is this Seifer Almasy's first born?" Her voice still halted, she choked on her breath at times. Seifer stepped back a few times. "YES!" Emma screamed, her chest heaving.

Seifer jumped back, smacking into the wall behind him. A picture of a woman fell to the floor. "What happened to you?" He whispered, almost afraid

"Good. Well then, lets get started." Emma looked down for a moment, quiet. Breathing silently. Seifer slowly walked towards her, reaching out for her. She lifted her head and spoke darkly. "This is for your own good.—Eventually, you'll thank me for this." Emma stopped moving and relaxed her head. She turned and walked out of the room.

Seifer gently shifted Emma against his chest as he slid his keycard into the lock in his door. Her breath tickled his neck as her head fell against his shoulder. He watched as Zell walked with Selphie, holding her in his arm towards his dorm. As the door beeped and turned the border of the card slot from red to green, he opened the door and quietly walked in.

"

He walked into his bedroom and laid Emma down on his bed. He sat down beside her, turning on the light. He put a towel over the lampshade, giving it a dim glow. She shifted underneath him, making herself comfortable in his soft bed. She made a small groan when she stretched her arms out and arched her back, making her look like a cat. Seifer chuckled quietly, sighing contentedly.

"

He undressed her, being very careful not to wake her. He slipped one of his clean white shirts over her, finally leaving her to rest. She didn't have very many clothes with her, since she had been borrowing Quistis'. He brushed her hair out of her eyes and kissed her. Standing up, he felt Emma shift onto her side, breathing deeply. He turned and covered her up with his down comforter.

"Ugh." Seifer muttered when he examined his face in his mirror across the room. He pulled off his shirt, inspecting the bruises that had came from Zell. The gash on his head had scabbed and looked like it was in the process of healing, blood still clinging to his blonde roots. Underneath his eye was a streak of purple and red. The blow from Zell's hand had only broken the skin underneath. He fingered his chin for a while, making a mental note to himself to shave. He sighed and brushed his teeth quickly, not wanting to leave Emma alone.

"Seifer?" He poked his head out the door, seeing Emma had sat up, rubbing her face. "How long have we been back?"

He rinsed his mouth, spitting and walking out of the bathroom. "About an hour." He said, unbuttoning his pants and pulling his shirt off. "Are you feeling ok?" He asked and crawled into the bed next to Emma. He curled up behind her, burying his face into her hair and neck.

"I'm ok. Kind of dizzy, but I think its just from the past week." Emma could feel him inhale and then groan as he exhaled slowly. Emma rolled halfway back onto her back, nuzzling her cheek against his collarbone.

"Emma?" Seifer sat up halfway, supporting his weight on his elbow. Emma opened her eyes, looking at his face in the moonlight.

He smiled peacefully, stroking the side of her face with his thumb. Emma smiled and lightly shoved him "What?" She said quietly

Seifer sighed, pressing his forehead against hers. "…I love you." Emma looked at him for a moment, still trying to register what he said to her. He smiled, stroking her face gently. "You don't have to say it back, its ok. But I wanted to tell you that I do, very much, and I always have." Emma remained silent still, looking up into his eyes. "I was going to tell you that I did nine days ago but—"

Emma reached for the back of his head, pulling her towards him. She kissed him deeply. "Say it again." She whispered before kissing him again.

"I love you, Emma." He said, wrapping his arms around her waist

"Seifer." Emma kissed his neck, feeling Seifer's heart pound.

"I love you…" He repeated, pulling her on top of him. He kissed her passionately, sucking on her lower lip. He ran his hands up her back, the white shirt sliding up along with. Emma lifted her arms, feeling the cold air hit her naked body as the shirt came off. Seifer moaned as he felt her hand push against his groin. He kissed her harder, groping her breasts, gently squeezing them. Emma stopped, looking at him.

"Is this considered necrophilia?" She asked, pulling his pants off. Seifer looked at her, smirking.

"Legally you're considered dead, but technically you're very much alive." He kicked his pants off, sitting up. "But right now, I don't care."

"

Seifer walked into the cafeteria, noticing students hurrying to eat before their first class of the day. He reached over into the breakfast bar, grabbing a cinnamon roll and a bottle of orange juice. He found Zell and Quistis sitting at the table in the far corner next to the water fountain. Zell's face was buried in his arms. Quistis was rubbing the back of his neck.

"She miscarried last night." Came a voice behind him. It was Dr. Kadowaki's. Seifer sighed and turned to face her.

"I know. I just left Emma in the Infirmary with her." She tilted her head towards a table that was secluded from the rest of the crowd. "Come with me." She grabbed his arm, leading him. As they sat, Squall approached and sat next the two.

"We need an alibi." He said, taking a sip of his coffee. Seifer took a bite out of his cinnamon roll and sighed.

"What do you suggest we say?" Seifer looked up at Dr. Kadowaki, her eyes looked tired. She wore glasses now, which didn't help her look any younger.

"Cid was here this morning. When I spoke to him, he mentioned you could say you found recovery medicine in Dollet. It could be a small fine for taking the magic, but nothing more than a slap on the wrist." She smiled. "I find that this council is going too far with the laws. You saved lives with a recovery G.F., we could save so many more with that power."

"Cid is holding a week long conference with my father and President Vinzer II." Squall said, rolling his eyes. "They're holding an over-the-top dinner in Esthar on the last night and we're obligated to come as examples of what happened. And seeing as Zell is going to be staying here with Selphie with me for most of the time…"

Dr Kadowaki's beeper had gone off. She stood up and patted Seifer's hand.

"You're looking much healthier than you did three months ago."

"Has it been that long since I arrived?" Seifer asked, watching Dr. Kadowaki walk off.

"You and Emma will have to come with Quistis, Nida, and myself for the first few days." Squall finished. "Selphie is healthy enough to travel, but is still unfit to attend most of the conference."

Seifer was quiet for a moment, he twisted the cap off his orange juice bottle and flicked it around in his hand. "When do we leave?"

"Nida will fly us there later on this afternoon." Squall folded his arms.

"Emma doesn't have any clothes to wear…" Seifer trailed off. "What is your plan on this?"

"I plan on dragging her out with me to shop when we get to Esthar." Quistis sat down next to Squall. "I talked with her this morning, she said she'd go with me." She smiled, taking a large chunk off Seifer's cinnamon roll. He smiled and pushed his plate away towards Quistis.

"I don't have much of an appetite." He said, standing up. "I'll go get ready." He walked off, exiting the same direction Dr Kadowaki had previously. Squall and Quistis sat in silence for a while, sharing the rest of Seifer's neglected breakfast.