Uh oh, Squall's getting a little edgy around Marianne. How will this affect her? Well, read on to find out!

Lyrics used: Most of them are from "GOD" by Smashing Pumpkins. The rest are snippets from "The Reason" by Hoobastank and "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence, in which I'll be using again later.

Chapter 8: Stress has Taken its Toll

God knows I'm helpless to speak on my own behalf
God is as helpless as me, caught in the negatives…

From up above, God sighed. "This is just getting worse and worse…" Hyne began to shed a tear, causing it to slightly drizzle on the world, Gala. "This angers me," God added, angry of Edea indeed. What the sorceress was doing was deliberately unholy. Evil. He knew the reasons why Satan's children were like this. They took pleasure out of seeing others suffer. And Marianne was suffering very much. His poor child. She was helpless to do anything, but hold onto herself… Her own sanity. Rinoa felt just as worried, knowing how much of a good person Marianne is.

We all just do as we please, false transmissions
I hope God forgives me for my transgressions…

Ultimecia will suffer greatly in return. I shall see to it. Hyne promised herself, also angry of what was happening to this innocent young woman. She felt like she had to do something, but what? She couldn't just interfere! What would her guardian children say?! She depended upon her other children to protect and comfort her through the madness. And thus she wept for her, causing the light rain to continue…

The group noticed the rain from out of the lobby window, as they proceeded to the lounge. The bar in the Deling hotel was only open from noon to eleven thirty at night. Breakfast was always to be served in the lounge. Rules were rules.

Marianne felt as if she were dragging herself downstairs, her head still aching and feeling heavy almost to that of an anvil. Seifer placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as he lead her to the lounge.

She felt like crying some more, but her eyes felt too dry. So dry that they slightly burned in irritation. She needed another ice bag to soothe the pain in her head again. Looking to Quistis, Marianne forced the question out of her mouth. "Could I…get another ice bag?" "When we get there, I'll get you one," Trepe gently replied and lightly patted her shoulder.

When they arrived at the lounge, the group lined up at the buffet table by the door. Marianne just grabbed a banana, and as Squall had observed her. "I'm not real hungry." she said to him, as their eyes locked again. Marianne didn't keep the eye contact for long, because just looking at him reminded herself of Rinoa. In meeting her through last night's dream...and of her death. She blinked out the mental images that tried to appear, or at least tried to.

The others helped each other out in filling their plates with eggs, bacon, cereal, pancakes, and toast. They cooperated in silence, every now and then muttering small comments of thanks to one another. The air around them seemed gloomy, as if Marianne's own sorrow had caused a dark cloud to hang over their heads, blocking out the sunrays of happiness.

Seifer remained walking beside her as they picked their table. One of the center round tables with chairs. Before the two managed to sit down, two others greeted them. One was dark tan skinned and muscular. He smiled a dopey grin. The other was slender and short. Her hair was platinum colored. An eye patch over her right eye. The other one exposed was red, that seemed to want to burn a hole into everyone all the time. Marianne instantly recognized them as none other than Fujin and Rajin. "Seifer. Welcome." Fujin said, her words coming out direct and to the point. She spoke of little words, but was otherwise normal, for a tomboy. "Hey man, we've been looking for you, ya know?!" Rajin cheered, goofy grin plastered on his face. He was relieved to see the leader of Balamb's Discipline Committee was alive and well. Seifer did a small wave, and sat at the table with Squall, Marianne and the others next to Fujin and Rajin's table. He had pushed his posse to the side, for once not considering himself as priority number one.

I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be
A reason to start over new, and the reason is you…

He noticed that he was a changed person now. Damn, all in one night too. Seifer Almasy had drastically changed. He wasn't much of a troublemaker anymore. All because of one person. One girl, in times of need. Seifer didn't care. He wanted to help this girl. He saw the panic from within her, and could not just push that to the side, like he used to do with others when they were in need. No, this situation was different. For Hyne's sake, she's from another world, and a bitchy sorceress had once took over his mind! Was he going to let Edea get away with it? Hell no. This would be his own way to get back at Edea.

"Hey Squall, everyone." Rajin greeted, oblivious to Seifer's mood. Fujin seemed to be the only one out of the two to notice. "Seifer. Sad." she said, noticing it through Almasy's eyes. She was concerned. This wasn't like him. He'd normally be in a good mood around them, or a cranky mood. But sad…?

Ignoring them, Seifer focused on Marianne, who slowly unpeeled her banana. She took one last gaze upon Rajin and Fujin, and then focused on eating. It was important that she stayed alive in order to save her own home world. Save her parents. Save her friends. All she ever cared about over there.

Quistis placed her tray down on the table and sat across from Marianne, Irvine, and Seifer. She handed Marianne the ice bag as she immediately placed it on the side of her head. On the other side of the table, she was sitting there with Zell and Squall. Marianne had shortly glanced upon the three. When it was only just a game, she used those three in battles very often. My favorite party, she recalled in her mind, and then just pushed that aside. No, it wasn't right to think like that. She mentally sighed and focused on eating.

Irvine was holding his rifle in one hand, and used the other to eat. Zell was busy stuffing his face. No matter what the situation was, Dincht was a fast eater. On occasion, he's been known to talk with his mouth full, or choke.

How can you see into my eyes, like open doors?

Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb…

Squall, in eating his breakfast had took a glance at her every now and then. Marianne ate pretty slowly, as in trying to soothe herself by using her sense of taste. Holding the ice bag to her sore head with one hand, and eating with the other, almost nothing was working for her. It was like her own taste buds were failing away and were to affected by last night's horrors. The cold slightly made the pain shrink a little less.

She wasn't looking at Leonhart, but she could just…feel him watching her. Ever since she walked out of the hotel room, there were some uneasy feelings squirming in her veins. There was stress of being far from home. Worry of those she loved. Squall sitting across from her and observing her like a bird of prey wasn't helping at all. The two could see through each other like looking through glass.

One of her hands trembled as Seifer had noticed. He also noticed what Squall was doing. Quezacotl couldn't stand to take this much longer. "Squall, stop intimidating her," the Thunder Guardian Force said in disapproval. Almasy was sitting to her right. He could see why her hand on the table was trembling. In the next instant after Quezacotl was telling Squall to leave Marianne be, Almasy lifted his hand up into a fist and quickly banged it down on the table's smooth surface. The loud noise caused Marianne to jerk in surprise. This was unexpected of Seifer. Was he standing up for her? "What the hell are you lookin' at?!" Almasy growled to Leonhart, who said nothing and just kept on eating. "Seifer…" Quistis warned him. The tension in her voice had told Seifer that if he were to act up again, he would be in serious trouble. "Yeah, don't talk back to our leader like that, you-" Zell tried to insult, but Trepe used the same tone of voice with Seifer to call Dincht by name.

See, Seifer knew what it felt like to be an outsider. An outcast from everyone else. He was sure that Marianne felt like she could trust him, and that was good. He wanted to form an alliance with her, mainly as his benefit as vengeance against Sorceress Edea. The problem was on how to get back to Marianne's world. Shit, how the hell are we gonna do that?

Rajin and Fujin at the table next to them noticed the new person. "Hey yo, Seifer! Who's that girl sittin' next to ya?" Rajin spoke out, not helping wonder what was going on. "I've never seen her before man." Seifer turned to him with a dirty look. Oh God, not now, Marianne moaned within herself as Bahamut felt likewise. "Rajin, shut up." Almasy answered him flatly. He just couldn't be bothered by naïve Rajin this morning. Maybe he would tell some of Marianne's story later, but not all of it to his posse. Fujin punched the dark tanned one hard in the shoulder. She felt like Rajin needed to be told twice, as always. "Ow!" Rajin reacted. "SHUT UP." the tomboy repeated in a much louder, and aggressive voice. In Seifer's trio, Fujin had been titled as second in command. She was much smarter than Rajin, so Almasy appointed her the job in the Disciplinary Committee of Balamb Garden without any hesitation. Rajin's not much for brains, but he's still got a heart of gold.

Zell had finished his four hot dogs (the only ones he could find) as Selphie finally came to join them. She noticed Rajin and Fujin at the table next to them. "Hey Rajin, Fujin! What's up?!" Timlitt said in her casual, perky self. "Hiya Selphie!" greeted Rajin. "HELLO." bellowed Fujin. God damn, she's loud, Marianne agonized to herself as she was just trying to relax. But she was absorbed in herself just after Seifer had yelled at Squall to stop gawking at her. Fujin's yelling snapped her back into reality once again as she was brought out of trying to think of a way to get back to Earth. Maybe I should let them do the thinking…

"I'm just wondering, ya know? Who's the brown haired chick over there next to Seifer?" Rajin asked again. "Oh, that's Marianne…we found her abandoned outside in the streets last night." Selphie began. Squall looked to Timlitt. Careful Selphie…you don't want to tell them too much. "Iguions had attacked and the gate collapsed upon her when we found her… She has no where else to go, so she's staying with us!" Selphie said, finishing it up by manipulating the truth. Marianne silently sighed in relief of this. There were a lot of people here getting their breakfast, and if someone overheard…it would result in chaos. She didn't know what was going to happen exactly, but knew it would be stressful and chaotic.

It's all too much… God knows I'm helpless…

Marianne felt sick to her stomach. Everything was messed up. Everything. And nothing ever seemed to slow down enough for her. And still could not fully take in what she had gone through last night. It was so overwhelmingly stressful that she felt something rush up to her throat.

God knows I'm helpless!

Selphie had went off to get what she wanted to eat, so she didn't notice the look on Marianne's face as she slowly stood out of her seat. Her skin had slightly paled. Oh God, her headache would just not calm down. Squall and everyone else sitting around her witnessed frightened look on Marianne's features. Leonhart stood up the next few seconds as Almasy quickly got up and pushed his chair back so Marianne could get through. "Rest…room…" The words forced out in urgency from her lips as Seifer quickly got out of the way and said, pointing in the west direction. "All the way over there. What's the matter? Food poisoning?" Marianne didn't answer and walked briskly past the tables to go to the ladies room all the way on the east wall of the lounge…

"I never expected that to happen…" God told Hyne in surprise. "Well, what do you expect? She's gone through so much pain, physical and emotionally." Hyne said in Marianne's support. "You can't expect to know exactly everything about your creations. Every now and then, it just happens. You get a surprise." God slowly nodded in agreement. "This was indeed a bad surprise… I thou smite this devil woman that sent her here!!" Thunder broke out from God's angry voice, turning the drizzle on Gala into a light thunderstorm…

GOD knows I'm HELPLESS!!

Marianne rushed into the first stall and let whatever she ate spill back out. She just panicked and just felt like she had to get away from those people. Especially Squall who made her all jittery since she first saw him during the Deling City Parade.

At the table in the lounge, Seifer had only guessed that it could have been food poisoning. His eyes had followed Marianne as she headed for the restrooms. Well, maybe from stress is a possibility… Zell had looked clueless. "Whoa, what's she in a hurry for?" he wondered. No one answered him. Selphie had come to the table and asked the same thing. "I don't know," Quistis honestly answered. "She looked sick."

Squall had been surprised the most out of all of them. He was stunned. Whoa… Marianne really is unpredictable. He didn't have a clue as to why she suddenly felt sick then. He then looked down at his tray. The plate and glass were empty, so he went up to the wall near the restrooms to the sliding device in there. The tray and everything were to be placed on the moving lines so that it would be dragged away for the lounge staff to wash them.

GOD KNOWS I'M HELPLESS!!!

After pressing down on the metal handle to flush the toilet, she slowly moved to the sink area and started washing her hands. She let the cold water fall through her fingers for a few seconds. As she was about to reach the soap, she looked passed the mirror and saw her face changing into something else, slowly. Bahamut had emerged for her to see. Yes, in the bathroom mirror. She took a step back in surprise, wincing of her head pain again. From what she could see, the dragon seemed to jerk his head like that too. Her Guardian Force read the question in her mind and calmly spoke to her.

God knows I'm restless and weak, full of piss and vinegar
God knows we saw what we reap, in the dirt of grandeur…

"Yes, I can feel your pain, and you need to settle down," Bahamut advised as his huge head seemed to fill up the entire mirror space of the ladies room.

When the darkness comes to me and it fix its gaze on me, God knows I'm helpless!

"I want to go home…" Marianne said to the gentle beast in a wavering voice in approaching the sink in which she was using to wash her hands. "It's just too much for me to take." "I know you do, but you don't know how to get back. I don't know the way back. Not even Hyne or your own god know the way." Bahamut informed her. The girl was rubbing her hands over and over in a cleansing motion, feeling all afraid inside. Bahamut watched her and pointed out, "The soap mechanism is located to your left…" Marianne found it with ease and washed her hands with the pink liquid soap. The dragon king continued talking as she continued rubbing her hands over and over.

"If you wish to go back to Earth, you need to trust them. And you know who I'm talking about." The Guardian sighed sadly as his big bluish eyes expressed sympathy for the poor young woman. "I know it was wrong of Squall to scare you like that, but he'll learn in time. Quezacotl should straighten his act…"

Marianne had realized that she was rubbing the soap on her hands a little too long and stopped. She moved her hands under the still running cold water to rinse the pink stuff off. "I'm being… all paranoid," Marianne said with a shudder. Lady Macbeth, the name had appeared in her mind. In one scene near the end of her most favorite Shakespeare play, the character was doing the same hand motions, trying to wash away off the blood that wasn't there. Washing off her husband's blood. What Marianne had figured was she must have subconsciously tried to wash away all the blood she had seen from last night's events…

It's what you want to know no consequences.
It's what you need to fucking BLEED!!!
It's all too much…
God knows I'm helpless.
God knows I'm helpless!
GOD knows I'm HELPLESS!!
GOD KNOWS I'M HELPLESS!!!

Squall had been standing there near the restrooms hearing her voice. He didn't think it would have been a communication with her own Guardian Force, but he assumed that Marianne had been talking to herself for a bit. The door was open, so he walked over to where he was seeing her dry her hands off with a couple paper towels.

To her, Leonhart's appearance was sudden, and it startled her. "…Are you alright?" Squall asked her in a bit of concern. He asked with a blank expression, a blank voice. For a moment, she didn't answer, and had paid attention to the sound of his voice. She was too frightened to give much notice from before. She felt like she heard the voice before… Some dude with Jackie Chan in the movie, Shanghai Noon… What was his name? Owen Wilson?

"Y-yeah," she said rather uneasily as she looked to him and crumpled up the paper towels into a ball. She spotted the trash can in front of her and dropped them in. "I…I just panicked or something, I guess," Marianne attempted as an explanation. Leonhart calmly understood and acknowledged her with a nod. That's perfectly understandable, he silently thought to himself. He didn't think for himself that he partly caused her to get sick. But then again, Quezacotl was disapproving of him. Out loud, he asked, "…Ready to go?" Marianne slowly nodded in reply. She couldn't help but tense up inside whenever the guy was around. For someone who's liked Squall as a most favorite game character would react this way in his presence. She held her breath and broke off eye contact as she followed him out of the restroom.

"Marianne, you have to try and keep yourself together. Squall and the others are all you've got," said the wise Bahamut. I know. I'm dead without them… A part of her felt relieved in a way. Last night's explanation wasn't so bad as she thought it would be. Sure it was really nasty when Seifer snapped at her, but he didn't stay mad for long. She was relieved to get that out of the way, and glad they took her in okay. They had understood her from the bottom of their hearts.

As she followed Squall across the large cafeteria towards the exit, she noticed the rest of the group had left. "Uh, where'd everyone else go?" she found herself asking Leonhart nervously. He just walked on as he answered. "In the lobby. Seifer, Fujin, and Rajin are bringing your stuff downstairs." Well, at least he assumed so. "Oh," she replied and said nothing more at the moment and also thought of another male actor. In combination, Squall sounded like a mix of Owen Wilson and Nicholas Cage. And whenever he acted indifferent in front of everyone else, he'd lower the tone of his voice.

In reaching the lobby area, there they were. Irvine and Zell had stopped talking. They all stopped in what they were doing and looked upon her with pity. Well, Seifer didn't. His expression was rather grumpy looking. Great, just what Marianne needed… Pity. Would she ever feel any better?

"Well, should we take a train back?" Irvine asked the group. Do I look like I care? Seifer thought grumpily, mood matching his expression. Let's just fuckin' go to Balamb Garden already. Sure he felt bad about the poor girl getting sick and was rather impatient to make sure she would get the medical treatment she needs. Squall had thought of the situation for a moment, and so did Marianne. "Uh," Marianne began as everyone's attention was upon her. Oh great, she thought sarcastically. Bahamut read over her thinking during the few seconds of hesitation. It was something on the Galbadian soldiers hounding down Edea still. "I think I get what you're thinking," he responded rather quickly. "I believe they would be standing around at the trains. So the only other way is by rental car."

Nodding to Bahamut's suggestion, she revealed the idea to everyone else. "Yeah, um, Bahamut and I were thinkin'… There's still the Galbadians to worry about, and I think they'd be standing around the trains… Possibly to ask about Edea." Squall felt rather impressed of her quick thinking. "Good point," he admitted. "Alright. Let's take a couple rental cars and drive back." "Um, excuse me?" Zell interrupted while stepping in between the two. "Drive all the way back? That's a pretty damn long trip!" "It's better than getting caught," Irvine counter pointed him. "And if we did, we'd be risking her life." Kinneas pointed to Marianne, who looked to the floor in a bit of shame. Their asses are in danger because of me. The cowboy then felt guilty in acting in such a way and walked up to her. With a hug, he sympathized, "Aw, don't be that way, Marianne." This comforted her a bit. "We're just concerned about you, that's all," Irvine added. As they released, the Galbadian sharp shooter furthermore asked, "You feelin' alright? You gave us quite a scare." Marianne nodded, "Yeah, I'm alright… I was just a little paranoid, that's all." "A little?" Irvine quirked with a smile. She slowly nodded in response, one hand moving to rest on her sore left temple.

"Well? Let's go to the Deling Station everybody!" Selphie chirped, being unnecessarily perky. She was the first to bounce along out the door. As Marianne, began to walk, Zell moved right beside her. "Hey, you okay? I heard you went to blow chunks," he said to her. "Ugh, very nicely put Zell," Quistis told him dryly as she joined them. "…I'll be alright," Marianne tried to assure them once again. Inside, she didn't know for sure. She wasn't so sure on anything at this point.

Rajin and Seifer lifted Marianne's backpack full of her CDs, carrying it by the straps. Fujin was holding her CD player in her arms and made sure the plug and cord weren't dragging along the floor because Seifer specifically told them to be careful with the luggage. And as always, the posse obeyed. Marianne looked to the three of them in moving towards the hotel's front doors.

Irvine was following them out. He looked to Marianne in noticing she was looking in his direction, and tipped his hat in a kind gesture. Marianne just did a little wave and focused forward past him. Squall was already waiting outside, waiting for everyone to catch up.

The group had pretty much walked in silence. Squall lagged in the back of the group, looking out for everyone. Marianne, Zell and Quistis walking beside her, were within his vision range. His thick, black boots gently clomped upon the street's pavement. He had his gunblade strapped to his back, and his gloved hands, for handling the weapon, were shoved into his front exterior coat pockets. Perhaps I'm just being too harsh around her, he thought to himself as in witnessing how easily it was to cause tension around the poor girl. "Wise decision Squall. She may not be from around here, but she's only human. She certainly didn't mean to arrive here." reminded Quezacotl. Yeah, I know. Shut up, snapped Leonhart, because he did knew. He just hated being treated like goddamned kid. He was definitely smart enough to think for himself. Still, we don't know how to get Marianne home… No, not right now, he told himself. Worry about that when we get to Garden.

Zell had a friendly arm around Marianne as he tried to make her feel a little more relaxed around the group. Well, what could he say to a person from another world? Ask about her world? Could that work? Well, Dincht gave it a shot. "So, what's it like on your world? I wanna know," he pondered to Marianne, as she irritably looked to him with a blank expression. With a soft moan in aggravation of her sore head, that gave a clear signal to the spiked blonde that she was in no mood to chit chat.

Marianne seemed…slightly relaxed, but not by much. She was grateful for Zell's kindness or else she'd just exhaust herself in stress and tension. She realized that she had left the ice bag in the lounge. Oh man… she inwardly groaned. And the pain was just endlessly throbbing the whole damn time. If only she hadn't been so scared stupid into backing into a rocky avalanche caused by two gigantic freaks of nature. If only…

Seifer and Selphie were in leading the way to the Deling gas station. Fujin and Rajin were just behind them. Almasy couldn't be bothered, and looked over his shoulder towards the girl he had rescued last night. Going soft, he noticed how sad and tired she looked. Also to mention, miserable. That headache must be a real pain. He turned his head around. Rajin had seen the concerned, empathetic look on his old friend's face. With his super muscular strength, he seemed to be able to carry the book bag that felt like carrying a sack of bricks. He was holding it with both arms.

"Hey Seifer!" Timlitt exclaimed, getting him to look at her. His look was blank. She smiled, trying to get him to smile back. It was an absolute failure as Seifer focused forward, a look with determination. She pouted, but in an adorable way. Through the eyes of the others, she was like everyone's baby sister. Always happy. Always smiling and seeing the good of everything.

Irvine was right in front of Marianne, Zell, and Quistis who walked together. "Y'know, I'm sure you'd be welcome to stay with us as long as ya want," Kinneas said, directing it to Marianne. "Cid's a very understanding man," Quistis agreed. Marianne thought to herself, I know. But do I have to explain it all again? "You might, unless one of the others volunteer to do so," Bahamut answered for her, persisting to keep his voice to a medium whisper. Inside of himself, he growled in the annoyance in feeling her head pain. "I suggest you get some rest during the long trip to Balamb," Marianne's Guardian advised, and said nothing more. He knew if he went on, it would just bother the mortal's head pain.

The walk to the gas station wasn't a long one, thank Hyne. Quistis was just relieved to not see a Galbadian soldier anywhere in sight as they walked. The streets looked oddly empty. No traffic. No kids playing. Not even the buses appeared to be in service. It was quiet. Too quiet. Perhaps the Galbadians had something to do with this?

Squall had wondered about the G-Army soldiers too while trailing behind. They knew. The entire group knew. Marianne was right. They must be at the trains, Quistis thought as she looked to her with a gentle grin. Marianne had caught that by the corner of her left eye. "See?" she forced to say through the agonizing pain. The long haired blonde nodded and placed a gentle hand on her left shoulder. "You shouldn't fight through the pain," she advised. "Don't try to say anything anymore, okay?" Quistis saw her head slowly nod in agreement.

Seifer was a little low on Gil, but Selphie and the others pitched in to rent a couple cars. No need to worry about fuel. They had bought plenty of it back when traveling up to the Tomb of the Unknown King.

"I could be one of the drivers," Seifer calmly suggested. His facial expression remained blank. "I'll drive the other car," suggested Squall, cooperating. "But, who's gonna ride with who?" Zell wondered. Most of everyone but Rajin and Fujin had decided to go in Squall's car. "I'm ridin' with Seifer." stated Rajin. "AFFIRMATIVE." Fujin agreed in a medium loud voice. "…There's room for one more in Seifer's," Quistis said. She looked among everyone else but Squall. Selphie smiled. "I could go!" she volunteered. Seifer looked at her in an uninviting gaze. Oh hell no, he mentally groaned. Zell looked like he definitely did not want to go with Seifer. His hands that dangled by his sides were shaking fists, prepared to connect with Seifer's smug face. Everyone could see that Dincht and Almasy never get along very well. So Zell wasn't going.

Quistis wanted to sit in the passenger seat with Squall, so she wasn't going. Lastly, she looked to Marianne. Seifer, with a shrug, offered, "I could take Marianne up with me." Oh whatever, just as long as Fujin and Rajin don't pester me. I'm sure Seifer would prevent that, Marianne figured to herself and slowly walked to one of the cars and opened the door to one of the passenger seats. Everyone else knew who would they would be riding with, so they made no hesitation to get into the vehicles.

Both cars were blue on the outside. On the inside were light tan seats that had a polyester like surface. Seifer was in the car out front, so Squall patiently waited a bit for him to form a two second passing worth of space between them, then started the engine. Inside both automobiles for a few minutes, the two groups of people and Guardian Force were silent in unison.