Chapter 7 Jumping a Ravine
Author's note: than you so much to everyone who reviewed, I love you all!!! I was afraid this fic might be too heavy, but I just can't leave it. Anyway, for those who are looking for a glimpse of Squall, please wait for the next chap; it will be entirely his, hohoho. Enjoy, and please say something when you've finished, even if it's a single word!
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Rikku breathed a sigh of relief. Talking to Quistis, though uninformative was a stress reliever in some way. Now that Quistis had something, she could get more info, and find out the real plot...
A plot, Rikku mused. She wasn't the smart one, but she could figure out that General Caraway was keeping Storm alive, and Seifer had something to do with it. Wasn't Seifer Storm's subordinate before the assassin was executed? Seifer said something about fleecing money... was he paying the general to keep Storm alive?
Her eyes drifted to the elderly couple sitting on the bed, face wreathed in apprehension. Rikku smiled inwardly. You too would have a heart attack if you suddenly saw a girl jumping in through your window and brandishing a gun at you. There really was no other choice. It was too risky to wander in the corridors in this uniform, and the girl that she knocked out might have been found and told everything. Terra's identity can no longer be used.
Now to get past the guards, Rikku furrowed her brow as she got up and looked out of the window. The entrances to Trabia Grand Continental was guarded by Seifer's men. By now they would be knocking on doors, finding the 'girl'. Well, they're not looking for a blonde, are they? Not one with green eyes, and, she looked at the elderly couple again, an idea forming in her mind; surely not one who's sending two elderly people to the hospital.
She approached the woman, who shrank back in fright. "I'm sorry for intruding, but I'm not going to hurt you," She said softly. "I just need to get out of here. Can you please help me?"
"Room 9176 is calling 911!" A receptionist cried suddenly, picking up the call. "A woman had a heart attack!!"
Within minutes an ambulance was screeching up the front, sirens blaring. Seifer frowned in anger. "What's happening?!"
"Some old hag's got a heart arrest," One of his men said gruffly. Three paramedics leapt from the ambulance and sprinted towards the elevators. "Watch the ambulance, don't let anyone sneak in," Seifer ordered while he went back inside. That girl who tried to kill him was pretty good, he thought derisively. The hotel management found a girl unconscious in the locker room, and she had later given a description of her attacker – and it fitted the girl whom he saw with Irvine the other day. What was her name... Meira? Deira?
"Terra's gone," Irvine came up to him, sighing heavily. "We found her room empty." He looked at his employer and gulped. "Look, man, I didn't know – "
"Neither did I," Seifer said grimly. "But we have to find her, no matter what. She overheard me talking to General Carway."
"Did you discuss anything big?"
"Nothing she might be interested in," Seifer answered harshly. "Any idea who sent her?"
"Not really," Irvine scratched his head. "You're not exactly popular, y'know. She could be acting on her own."
'Where did that chick say she was from?"
"Um... Esthar."
Esthar, Seifer felt a ripple of anger. Quistis Trepe might have sent her as a warning. And id she overheard the conversation and reported it to Quistis, then she has extra ammunition on him. Great. I'll have to call a truce with that woman.
"God, Mother!!" The paramedics rushed by them, pushing a stretcher. The lady sure looked sick, Seifer observed as she was wheeled inside, followed by her husband and daughter. The husband was shaking, and the daughter was horribly distressed. Isn't it great to have a family, a small voice inside him asked. To have people who love you, and care for you, to be by your side always?
"I don't need this shit," Seifer growled and turned heel.
The hotel guests and staff looked on as the ambulance pulled away. "The poor lady," A receptionist sighed. "Well, at least she had her husband and daughter with her."
"Funny," Her friend remarked thoughtfully. "I swear she checked in with her husband only, and there are no records of them having visitors."
"Who knows?" Her friend shrugged. "Lucky she was there to make the call though. The husband looked like he was gonna have a heart attack himself."
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Quistis stood on the airfield, lost in her own thoughts. Rikku's flight would be arriving in a quarter of an hour, and Quistis had the private jet ready to take off when Rikku lands.
Her jet, she thought as she looked up at the magnificent airship. After ten years, she had come a long way from the girl who struggled in the gutters...
So much has changed, she thought. But it's strange that everything seemed to center around him. Rikku, Yuna, her. Her wealth. Her empire.
It should have been his.
He's alive. Part of her wanted to weep, the other was trembling in terror. But she was sure of one thing – if he's truly alive, then she must find him. At least meet him, just once more...
"Quistis, Rikku's flight is here," Kiros pointed to an aeroplane landing on a nearby runaway.
Quistis watched as the passengers alighted from the small plane. "Kiros, handle her luggage. I need to speak to her."
Rikku breathed a sigh of relief as her feet touched solid ground. The seven hour flight had been nothing short of tiring. The stress of the past few days was now taking its toll on her, add jet lag and flight discomfort to it and she was ready to curl in bed and sleep. No chance of that, she thought dryly as she looked up and saw a familiar figure coming towards her. The field was brightly lit, and there was no mistake. 'Sis," Rikku greeted her tiredly and hugged the older woman. As usual, Quistis briefly touched her shoulder before pulling back. "Let's go."
Rikku trudged behind her, her legs feeling like blocks of lead. She didn't trust herself to speak, for she didn't know what Quistis was thinking. Perhaps composing a five hour long reprimand on her failure, Rikku thought.
"Rikku!" Kiros' greeting was much more friendly; the man gave her a hearty hug before making her sit down on the couch. A few seconds later she felt the plane leave the ground, and she sank into the cushions, wishing she could just sleep. Nope, her eyes drifted to Quistis, who was sitting next to her, reading a sheaf of papers. Get ready, she thought as Quistis looked up and met her gaze. Here it comes...
"Get some rest," Quistis said quietly. "It's been difficult for you."
Rikku blinked in surprise. "Wha...? You're not going to lecture me?"
Quistis frowned slightly. "It wasn't your mistake," She finally answered. Getting up, she placed the papers into a black folder that she always carried around. "We'll discuss your mission tomorrow."
The trip back to the mansion was short and uneventful. Staring out of the window, Rikku watched as the jet landed on the short airstrip behind the compounds. The house was magnificent, almost rivaling Esthar's Presidential Palace. Seven floors of Neo-Estharian architecture sprawled amid a maze of gardens and lawns in the outskirts of the city. Nobody could guess that this building houses some of the deadliest women in the continent, Rikku thought. People knew the building to belong to the patron and founder of Esthar Arts Institution. Indeed, Rikku mused as she walked out of the jet. Quistis may look cold, but she was generous enough. She gave anonymous contributions to charities, and Rikku knew her Sis supported several orphanages around the world. Pretty big stuff for someone who doesn't show affection, Rikku grinned inwardly.
Quistis frowned slightly when Martine approached her and whispered something to her. "...Has Yuna returned?" She inquired and Martine shook his head.
"No madam."
Quistis pondered this for a while. "Alright, I'll see him."
Rikku cocked her head. "What is it? Where's Yuna?"
"Working," Quistis said shortly. "Get some sleep now, I'll see you in the morning."
Tidus had been admiring the volumes of old books lining the bookshelves when the door slid open and a tall blonde entered. He backed away from the shelf, unsure of how to greet the woman. A handshake? A bow?
Quistis gave him a brief glance before motioning for him to sit. Amazing how she always sees to be in control, Tidus thought as he seated himself on a leather chair. "A drink?" Quistis asked quietly and he politely declined. He looked around rather nervously. "Look, I was just passing by – "
"Our Front Guard said he saw you passing by quite a number of times," Quistis said amiably. "So much that he decided that you actually wanted to come in. That brings us here."
"I was..." he seemed to go red. "I thought... I could see her..."
"Unfortunately she's out," Quistis said simply. "Even if you did see her, what do you intend to do then?"
"Out, huh?" A note of confusion crept into his voice. "Kill- I mean, doing what she does?"
"You are straight," Quistis smiled slightly. "I understand why she likes you."
This time he did turn red. "No, I just... It's just kindda difficult to accept. You know, having a girlfriend who has an unusual job..."
"Even harder when one is a celebrity?" Quistis asked, observing his reaction. Tidus clenched his hands. "I don't care about that! It's just... maybe I overreacted."
Quistis nodded. Her features softened and she leant back into her chair. "Tidus, I have been honest with you. I wouldn't have told you if I didn't think you deserve to know. Now just tell me... do you really love her?"
He gave a weak laugh. "I say I do, but look at me. I ran away from her... maybe I should just let it be. She must hate me for being such an ass."
Quistis adjusted her glasses. "Excellent match by the way," She got up. "Interesting move, the last one. A well executed back flip."
"Oh," Tidus brightened up but almost immediately fell sad again. "...That was Yuna's favorite move. She'd always laugh and ask me to do it again."
"Yes," Quistis nodded and something dawned on her. "That's where she got that move from."
Tidus looked at her quizzically. "What move?"
"She and Rikku were training. Rikku is especially skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and normally Yuna would have to play dirty to defeat her. But on one occasion, she managed to defeat Rikku – using that back flip. She wouldn't tell me where she learnt it though." A small smile crossed her features. "Tidus, I'll ask you to think about it. She loves you more than you think. Besides, it's getting depressing." She sighed. "If this goes on, her performance will drop and I'll have to replace her."
He gawked at her. "You can't be serious."
She nodded at him. "Have you seen me jest?"
He shook his head in disbelief and got to his feet. "Sorry for brothering you."
"Shall I tell Yuna you dropped by?"
He pondered for a moment. A huge grip made its way to his face. "Yeah. And tell her, if she doesn't want to see me... then I'll hunt her down!" he laughed at his own declaration.
Quistis sat alone after Tidus left. The house was silent as all its inhabitants had settled down for the night. Only she remained in her study, trying to recuperate after a day's work.
Things have never been better, she thought as she turned to her desk piled high with correspondence. Her drug venture was very successful, partly because she delivered only the best stuff, not mixed and diluted. Even pharmacies and laboratories took orders from her for their supply of drugs. Having some legitimate business made her feel much better. Contrary to popular belief, she wasn't totally immoral. If that's the only way to survive, then she doesn't mind doing it. Actually, Quistis mused, she could do without the drug business altogether, but she still had to look after him...
What a lark, she sighed as she walked up and headed to the safe across the room, cleverly hidden behind a sliding bookshelf. The safe was iris-protected, and only she could open it.
"ID confirmed." The metallic voice beeped and the door clicked open. Inside lay not money, nor jewels, but a sheaf of worn paper. Her real wealth. She studied the paper with a mixture of trepidation and sadness. She had held on to these when she had given up hope, but now things are different. There was a slim chance... if she could get to him before Seifer does, she'll find out if it's true...
A/N: Anything to say? I accept everything; flames, praise, rotten cookies...