"Quistis Trepe to Headmaster Kramer's office…" The announcement following the tones made Quistis leap from her desk and leave the room without even stopping to check her hair. Her spirits lifted; Cid had to be calling her to his office for a new assignment. Maybe she wouldn't have to hang around as long as she thought…especially after that conversation with Xu.

As she made her way to the Headmaster's office, there was more of a purpose in her step, and she found herself enjoying the greetings she received on the way – even one from a young cadet that was no doubt done on a dare. Quistis, confident that she would be sent away soon, found herself enjoying Garden – just as she did before the events of six months ago.

A few minutes later, Quistis exited the elevator outside Cid's office. Hilda looked up and smiled at the visitor. "Ah, Ms. Trepe. Prompt as usual. You can go on in; Headmaster Cid is waiting for you." The young woman nodded a thank you before opening the door to the large office.

"Good afternoon, Cid," Quistis said, flashing her brightest smile across the room. "You wanted to see me? I assume you have a new assignment?"

"Good afternoon to you as well, Quistis." Cid took off his glasses to focus better on the blonde before him. "Take a seat," he gestured to a chair in front of his desk. Quistis sat down, somewhat annoyed. She wanted to get down to business, but Cid wanted to take his time. He folded his hands on the desk before continuing. "Your missions are the exact reason I asked you here."

"Have they not gone well? Is there a problem?"

"Oh, heavens no, Quistis! They have all been up to your own high standards. I'm very proud of the work you've done." Cid paused to return the smile coming from across the desk. But it was there only a moment. "However, I believe there is a slight problem."

Quistis raised an eyebrow. "Really? What's that?"

"Xu has brought to my attention that you have effectively been working the last six months straight. It is high time you had a vacation, my dear girl."

"Oh, pish-posh, Cid. I haven't been working that long," Quistis responded, with a wave of her hand, dismissing the statement. "I've been coming back to Garden for at least one night between each mission, and most of the missions have been standard ones, as well." She did her best to keep her nose from twitching. Xu…that traitor… "Besides, I quite enjoy taking rookie SeeDs out. I've been thriving on their energy and excitement. And like you've said yourself, the missions are all going very well, and it's good for them to have a role model."

Cid sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I can't argue with that, Quistis. But this isn't an issue of how you're performing. Xu, Squall, and myself all believe you're burning yourself out. We're concerned you're working yourself too hard."


Squall…? "But Cid…" she interjected.

"Quistis, I've made my decision. You must either take an honorable vacation or I will place you a leave of absence." He paused for a moment before adding, more sympathetically, "…It is for your own good."

"I know. I understand." Quistis dropped her gaze from Cid's, looking now at her hands. She knew it wasn't worth arguing with him over. He was only doing what he thought was best for her. Instead, she stood and raised her hand in a salute.

"Then I would like to officially announce to you that I will be taking a vacation, starting immediately. I humbly await for your next instructions."

"Thank you, Quistis, for understanding," Cid said, a touch of relief in his tone. "Dismissed."

Quistis lowered her hand and exited the office. It was not exactly the meeting she was expecting. She had Xu and Squall to thank for that.

---

Quistis walked into the crowded hall, skimming the tables for Selphie and Irvine. She cursed herself for accepting their invitation; dinnertime in the cafeteria was not the place to be if you wanted to keep a low profile. Trying to appear as calm as possible, even while it seemed every eye in the place was on her, Quistis slowly walked around the perimeter of the dining area.

"Quisty! Over here!" Selphie was waving her arms above her head, trying to gain Quistis' attention.

Unfortunately, she attracted the attention of more than her intended.

Raising her hand to her forehead in an attempt to not draw any more attention to herself, Quistis made her way to the table occupied by her most conspicuous friend. However, she was greeted by more than just Selphie and Irvine when she arrived there.

"Zell! Rinoa! Squall! I didn't know you were coming as well…" she trailed off as she took a seat. "Selphie, you didn't tell me you were inviting everyone else…"

"I know! It was supposed to be a surprise! And it was a great one, too, wasn't it?" Selphie flashed one of her trademark grins. "We just all missed you so much!"

"Well, you certainly did surprise me," Quistis responded, with a chuckle that had only the slightest touch of frustration. She was definitely not prepared to be faced with everyone all at the same time. It was hard enough to get excited about seeing just Selphie and Irvine. "But I highly doubt you all even noticed I was away."

"I did!" Zell exclaimed, talking through the bites of his hot dog. "I don't think I've seen you around here for months, Instr – Quistis!"

"Chew, Zell. Chew." Quistis sighed before replying to his statement. "They've been keeping me busy," she lied between her teeth. Maybe this time it wouldn't be so obvious.

Everyone seemed to be satisfied with this answer…except Squall. He met her eyes and raised an eyebrow slightly. Quistis looked down at her food, feeling her ears get slightly pink. She was embarrassed not only because he knew she was lying, but also because she couldn't remember the last time he had looked her in the eye. But instead of dwelling on it, Quistis raised her head to return the expression to Squall before joining in on the conversation that had started around the table.

---

The dinner wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as Quistis had expected it to be, especially after Selphie's wonderful "surprise." But, nonetheless, she ate as quickly as possible and excused herself as soon as it seemed polite. Just because it had started out well didn't mean she should push her luck.

As it was still dinnertime, the hallways were very close to empty. So when she heard footsteps behind her in the hallway as she was heading for her room, Quistis turned her head to see who was following, mentally hoping it wasn't a Trepie.

It wasn't.

"Squall!" Quistis exclaimed, not bothering to slow her pace. "What are you doing? I thought you would still be eating dinner."

"I wanted to ask you something."

She stopped. "What?" The question was asked without turning around to face her pursuer.

Squall put his hands on Quistis' shoulders, turning her around to face him. "Why did you lie to everyone about the reason you've been away so long?"

The blonde's jaw dropped for a moment before she regained her composure. She brushed one of her long bangs from her face before answering the inquiry.

"What was I supposed to say?"

"I don't know. …How about the truth?"

Quistis narrowed her eyes. "Do you even know what the truth is?"

Squall's gaze mimicked Quistis'. "I know it isn't what you said at dinner." His eyes softened almost imperceptibly. "So why are you avoiding the Garden?"

"Oh, come off it, Squall. Since when did you care about my feelings? Last I remember, feelings and emotions didn't matter much to you. They just got in the way." She was aware that her words were needlessly harsh. But she wasn't going to allow this chance for revenge slip by. Not when the pain of that evening, so many months ago, was still so fresh in her mind.

"Quistis, look. I care, alright?" The tone of his voice seemed to be caught between frustration and sincerity, his hand going to his forehead. "I had noticed your absence even before Xu came and told me about it. I was going to confront you about it myself…"

"But you didn't, did you? You were just going to let someone else pick up the pieces. You didn't care quite enough to take it upon yourself to find out why." But the suspicion in her eyes melted away, and her voice became softer. "I don't want to talk about it right now, Squall. If you really did care, you'd let me talk about it when I felt ready to."

With that final comment, Quistis turned around to continue walking to her room. After a few steps, she turned her head to take one last glance at Squall. He was leaning against the wall, running one hand through his hair while the other was at his hip. Part of her wanted to go back to him, apologize for being so cold, and tell him everything that was on her mind.

But what good would that do? How was she to know that he really cared about her feelings now? If he gave her the cold shoulder again, walked away without seeming to truly care…well, a girl can't take many blows like that. Especially when he was leading her on like that. There was a time she would have given anything to be able to have an opportunity like this, but when presented with it – it was so much easier thinking about it rather than doing it.

These thoughts carried Quistis back to her room. They may have taken up residence in her mind for the rest of the evening if the message light on her phone wasn't blinking. Sitting at her desk, she picked up the receiver and punched in her password.

"Ah, yes – Quistis. This is Cid. I know I just told you this afternoon that you had to take a vacation, but… There have been some strange occurrences near Winhill. President Loire of Esthar put in the request to send SeeDs there, and specifically asked for you, as well as Squall, Zell, and Rinoa. I couldn't say no to him, so you'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon. Squall will be the commander on this mission; please report to him at 1600 hours. Thank you, Quistis. Oh, and you will be back on vacation after this is completed."

Quistis' heart soared, and then dropped, all within one of Cid's sentences. She was going away again, which was wonderful news…but with Squall and Rinoa. And Zell. That part wasn't quite as wonderful. But there wasn't anything she could do about it, was there? Laguna had asked for them specially; there was no backing out.

But why in the world was Laguna requesting SeeDs to go to Winhill? And why would he request Squall, Rinoa, Zell, and herself, but not Selphie and Irvine? And why would Cid approve of this? Especially when it would mean so many high-ranking SeeDs out at the same time, on a seemingly simple mission checking into "strange occurrences?"

A dull ache was creeping into the back of her head. Why did things have to get so complicated all of a sudden?

Then again…had it ever returned to normal?