Hey folks, time for another update. Thanks for the reviews! I hope things are developing to your liking. For the records, the part in italics is a flash back.

Chapter 4

Another day, another argument with Rinoa. I'd say it is pointless, but it isn't. Not really.

"But if it was a serious conversation, all business, as you put it, then why did you say those things!" she demands to know.

"She was the one who got her personal emotions in a twist with her professionalism!"

The issue at hand is something I said to Quistis, which I, apparently, shouldn't have said. But if I recall the incident in my office yesterday, I feel no need to apologise. Everything I said was a rightful statement. Although I can see why Quistis would disagree…

"And this is your final word on the matter?" Quistis asks, obviously irritated.

"It is. And as Commander of this Garden, I order you to abide by it. Seifer Almasy stays in Garden and will continue to follow the SeeD training course."

She snorts. "If he ever attended the lectures! Squall, all teachers can testify they have never seen him in the classes you assigned him to," she exclaims, pointing at the time table he gave her to confirm his decision.

"I'm sure he would if he was convinced he'd be treated like a human being by both the instructors and students. But you make a fair point, and I'll take it up with him personally."

She throws her hands in the air in exasperation and then gives him a poignant stare. "You sure demonstrate a lot of confidence in the capability of someone with his status." Her eyes narrow. "Are you sure you are still fit to lead Garden?"

Taking a deep breath, I give her a cold stare in return. "So this is what it has come to, has it? I really had thought that someone of your calibre would behave in a more professional manner."

"Oh, is that so?" she sneers angrily.

"Yes, it is. Quistis, you were once my teacher, and now you are my second-in-command and my confidante. Although the latter has become questionable of late. But the fact is that I expect of you that you behave yourself as a professional, regardless of any personal issues that pass between us."

"Will you get to the point?" she demands, flooding her arms before her chest defensively.

I nod. "Very well. The point is that you wanted me, and Seifer got me. Your objections to his presence in this Garden are nothing more than petty jealousy, and as your commanding officer, I cannot condone such childish behaviour."

Her mouth opens and closes a few time under eyes the size of saucers. Obviously she hadn't expected him to throw that line of accusation at her.

"You… you seriously think that I'm just saying you should let Seifer go because…because I want you and I'm jealous of your friendship with him?"

"Yes, I am. And I'm also seriously warning you to clean up your act before I decide to place sanctions on you."

That only fuels her anger further, and she can barely talk for fury.

"I object!" she finally bellows.

"I wouldn't say another word on the subject if I were you. I'm not in the mood to tolerate any more of your emotional fits."

Back to Rinoa, who's also screaming in my face now.

"Do you realise what you said! She was crying when she came to me!"

"Don't tell me such things, Rinoa. It won't help her case if she continues to be so emotionally unstable."

"That's unfair! Quistis only wants to help you. Your well-being is the only thing she's got in mind when she tells you those things!"

I feel my eyes narrow, and my cheeks begin to burn. I am not going to end up the victim of some elaborate emotional hoax pinning all the blame for everyone's behaviour on me.

"Oh yes, I'm sure she does. But the fact remains that she's fighting a battle she can't win! I never loved her, definitely not the way she wanted me to. Hell, she couldn't even reach me when I as still her student, and she still doesn't understand me! Seifer never had any trouble reaching me, no matter how stubborn I was, or still am! And she's resorted to pretty extreme means to still get a shot at my loyalty."

Wow. Apparently voicing your thoughts is not as difficult as it seems when you've got this much adrenaline pumping through your system. Through my anger, I still manage to feel surprised. And satisfied… Even Rinoa takes a step back. Not for long, though. Can't they just leave me alone!

"Why would she, Squall? Quistis' is well aware of the fact you've got me. She sees herself as your friend, perhaps your sister! Nothing more!"

I snort in disbelieve. "So, I take it from your valiant defence of her behaviour that you actually agree with her and think Seifer should be kicked out of Garden? Or better yet, killed?"

My words make her back away again. She's nervously fidgeting with her fingers, and her eyes evade mine. I can't help but think about the 'inspired example' Seifer had been talking about the other night. What if he is right? It scares me to think of it.

"Squall, I don't like it anymore than you do. He was my friend, too, remember? But things change and there just wasn't anyway any of us could have prevented this from happening, could we? I mean, I'm sure we'd all have tried if we could have, but…

I tremble inside now. Anger, disappointment… It all washes over me all at once, and I find it difficult to talk without my voice breaking.

"But what? But what, ey! You all make it sound like he was singularly responsible for all deaths of the entire war! Perhaps it was his dream to be Sorceress Knight, but I'm sure it wasn't his dream to be called the worst mass-murderer of the last centuries!"

"Squall, that's not it!" she yells, and I look at her. There are a few moments of silence. Her voice is softer, almost kinder, when she continues. "I don't hate him, not then, not now. I never did. But what you're doing is still wrong regardless. The way we, or you, feel about him has nothing to do with the fact that you wanting to keep him here is wrong."

"So I should just let him go? Kick him out of Garden, out on his own? Out there where people do hate him? And you're telling me that that isn't wrong?" I don't understand, I truly don't understand.

And the worst of it is that she gives me one of those compassionate looks, and I can tell there are tears brimming her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Squall, but you'll have to let go," she sobs. "If you don't, I'm afraid others will turn on you, and that just wouldn't be fair. For anyone."

I keep silent in my usual stoic way as I digest this ominous warning. So Quistis' hostility is not limited to just words, and Rinoa hasn't openly said she'd support me. In fact, all evidence points towards her siding with Quistis and the others when push comes to shove.

Suddenly the probability of her, or anyone else, asking me for Seifer's head on a platter as prove of my love and loyalty to them becomes very real. And it angers me! Jealousy, it all boils down to jealousy! They hate him because I love him!

I do a double take. Love him? Do I love Seifer Almasy?

He is my friend. And in a way he's also my brother, even if we're not blood-related and even if we fought like lions at every opportunity. Still, he always has accepted me as I am and he still does, even when no one else will, not even Rinoa. And in return I stand up against others for his sake, feeling hurt on his behalf when they speak as if he's the worst man on the face of the planet.

I've never given it much thought, but I feel complete when I'm with him. Sparring, talking or playing stupid computer games… And he seems to be content when he's with me, too.

Is that love?

If it is, then yes, I love him.

Seifer and Squall are made for each other, don't you think? I know I do. Anyway, please R&R!