I am a mere high school student who doesn't own the computer I am typing on. You cannot possibly expect me to own Final Fantasy.

Chapter Four: Summer Ball

Zell had recently returned from patrolling his section of Deling City. Right now, he was sitting on the couch in a room Caraway had provided them. Gary cursed violently in several different languages, making Zell jump.

"What the matter?" asked Zell.

"Nothing that I can't handle. A government site almost figured out I was hacking their files," said Gary, typing furiously, his fingers flying over the keys. He hissed something, probably instructions, to himself under his breath.

"And why are you hacking a government computer?"

"To find out about the Dollet raid, of course. That is our job, you know," Gary breathed a sign of relief.

"There, bypassed the flag," Zell went back to reading the paper he had been scanning before the interruption. Presidential Candidates to Appear at Summer Ball announced the bold title of the Deling Times. He scanned the article. Apparently, the candidates weren't just meeting the public together tonight. They were also going to be participating in a political debate. Great, he hated those.

A bell chimed somewhere from within the room. 3:00. Maybe I should call Melissa soon, he thought. After all, he had promised to whenever he had time, and right now he had nothing to do. Might as well. Well, of course he wanted to.

Zell jumped off the couch, and walked out of their temporary base of operations, toward the room that had been assigned to him last night. He briefly remembered seeing a phone in there, before he had fallen into the oblivion known as sleep. I really should call before I get too tired or busy. Yesterday had been exhausting, and today was probably going to be worse. After all, Seifer was here, and that was bad enough.

And speak of the devil. Quite literally, too, thought Zell as he watched Seifer coming back into the house. For some reason, Quistis was with him too, although she looked like she had been crying, because her eyes were all red. He stopped.

"Quistis, what's the matter?" asked Zell, concerned. He had never seen Quistis visibly upset about anything. Even the time she had broken her leg in the Training Center she hadn't screamed or cried.

"I've just been upset, because I didn't get to command the mission and prove to the Instructor board that I can become an Instructor again," said Quistis, sighing. "And Squall won't back me on my Instructing skills and experience, and Cid thinks I'm not ready."

"WHAT! That's stupid. You're a great Instructor!" said Zell, shocked.

"I know. That's what Seifer said too," said Quistis. Zell frowned. Why would Seifer be nice? he wondered. "But still, I wanted to prove this to finally get my credentials reinstated," she said, sighing and tucking a stray strand of blonde hair out of her face. Now she was starting to act more like a normal Quistis.

"Hey, maybe if Gary becomes ill or wounded you'll get your chance!" Zell said brightly. "Or you could poison him! Or, we can find proof he's working for the other side!"

"Don't say things like that. They aren't nice, and it's not right to frame an innocent person. Besides, didn't your mother ever tell you that if you say bad things they become true?" Quistis said warningly.

"Yeah, but it won't happen. Who's ever heard of a evil member of SeeD? Well, I need to go."

"And do what? Call your girlfriend?" asked Seifer, smirking as Zell turned bright red. Quistis sighed. He would never give up taunting Zell. This would most likely go on until one of them died.

"Let it go, Seifer." she said.

"Yes my dear Instructor," he said, mock saluting, and strutted away. Zell muttered something very rude under his breath, then walked toward his room in Caraway's mansion.

Quistis walked through a couple hallways, and into the room that Zell had just exited a few minutes before. Gary was sitting in front of the computer, completely oblivious to the world around him.

"What's the matter?" she asked. Gary spun around, shocked.

"Where did you come from?" he demanded. "Oh god, you gave me a heart attack." He exited the file on his computer, quit the internet, and turned back to her.

"What are you here for?" Quistis blinked, confused.

"I just got back." Well, okay, that wasn't the whole truth, but he didn't need to know that. "I came to give you my report." Gary looked at her blankly. "My report on the city?" she prompted. Gary nodded, suddenly understanding.

"Oh, yes. What is it?"

"There is quite a bit of talk going on in Deling, mostly rumors, about the candidates, and I even saw people betting on the winner. Nothing physical seems to have changed since I last came here, and there was nothing concrete."

"That was during the Sorceress parade, correct?" said Gary. Quistis nodded. "Good, I was here after that, which means my information is still accurate. Excellent," he grinned, rubbing his hands together. Quistis watched this for a few minutes, then coughed politely. Gary looked up.

"Oh yeah, you're dismissed," Quistis nodded, and walked out of the room, toward the room Selphie had vacated this morning, after she had arrived. Great, I would've remembered that. Come on Quistis, give the kid a chance. He's probably just nervous about being in command. And, after all, he is in a group with us, and we only saved the world or try to destroy humankind and freedom as we know it, nothing much. But I'm sure Seifer's sorry about that. At least, he seems to be sorry about it. He just has problems admitting to good emotions, not unlike someone else we all know. She knew of several students, both ones in her class and in other classes, who had been frightened of her, because of her 'hero' status. I just wish the Trepies were scared of me, she thought, knowing it was merely a fool's dream.

"Seifer to Quistis. Come in, Quistis. Please respond from your sector of space." Quistis blinked, then glared at Seifer.

"Is that how you talk to everyone?"

"Generally," he said dismissively. "Hungry? They have lunch ready." Quistis blinked once again. Seifer sure is having quick personality changes, she thought. Oh well, I guess working for Ultimecia can change a person drastically.

"Sure," she said. "What does it taste like?"

"I personally sampled it, and it tastes worst than the cafeteria surprise soup."

"Ugh," Quistis wrinkled her nose at the mere mention of the foul, reproccessed abominations. "Is that even possible?"

"I am positive, Instructor, after having this food."

"Stop calling me that."

"When you stop being an Instructor."

"That may happen sooner than you think."

"You're just delusional," Seifer scoffed, then started toward the dining room, with Quistis following him. Kind of sad that that's the nicest thing he's ever said to me, she thought.

"What's for lunch?" she asked.

"Something that may have once been asparagus, although I'm not sure. It might just have been mold." Quistis looked over at him. He appeared serious.

"You're joking, right?" she said.

"Wish I was. You'd think a general could get better food. I'm starting to miss the cafeteria food of Balamb Garden."

"What is that smell!" she said, shocked at the scent that filled the air.

"Lunch," Seifer said, grinning, as he lead the way into a room with a bowl of a green substance sitting on the table. "Feel free to throw up now."

"I just might," Quistis said, hurrying out of the room. Seifer followed her all the way to the garden, where she took deep breaths of air.

"Better now?" he asked.

"Yeah," Quistis said, leaning against the side of the mansion. "Did you actually eat that stuff?" she asked.

"Most certainly not. I only had a bite, then spit it out. Unfortunately, the taste lingers in your mouth, even after you have four glasses of milk."

"Maybe we should just order out."

"Do you know any pizza services in Deling?"

"Well, no, but surely we can find a phonebook."

"We?"

"Yes, Seifer, you're helping me." They scoured the house but couldn't find the phonebook, even with Zell's help, which they had acquired when he had run out of the dining room, nearly knocking them over. When asked about one the maid looked blankly at them, then walked away.

"Now what?" asked an exhausted Zell as they lounged in the living room, which happened to be the room farthest from the offending smell. He was stretched out on the only couch, which left Seifer and Quistis two hardback chairs. I'm sure these were used as torture devices once, thought Quistis.

"We could always go out into town, and get something there," suggested Quistis.

"I don't want to be seen in public with the chicken-wuss. I want to protect what little reputation I have left," muttered Seifer. Quistis noticed a flash of regret in his eyes as soon as he said it, as she jumped up to barely restrain Zell, who was trying to hit Seifer. Seifer quickly rushed out of the room, at least as quickly as his trademark swagger would allow, and Quistis let Zell go.

"Just let it go, Zell," she said. Zell released a breath, and nodded. "Let's go into town, and get some take-out."

Seifer awoke with a sharp, high-pitched gasp, and lay there, panting, as he recalled his nightmare. He had been wandering somewhere. The place was dark and cold, making him shiver, even under the warmth of his trenchcoat. He had turned a corner after walking down a long corridor, and seen something. He couldn't remember what it was that he had seen, but it had been so terrible, so frightening, that he had awoken. At least, he thought he had. All he could remember was seeing his ceiling, but he was paralyzed, unable to move even his eyes. Then, suddenly, he was back in his room in Caraway's mansion.

Seifer looked at the clock. Only 1:00 p.m.? I don't remember falling asleep after arguing with Zell. Oh well. I wonder what that dream was about? He was about to lay back down when he heard voices in the corridor. He opened the door a crack, and listened.

"What are you doing! Why do you keep defending Seifer? He hasn't done anything nice or helpful for us, ever. All he's done is nearly get us killed!"

"Look, I know what he's done, and I don't like it, but you he was with us all in the orphanage, and every human deserves the chance to prove themselves."

"But he's still the same. He hasn't changed a bit."

"Yes, he has. I can tell he's trying not to murder you where you stand, and for Seifer that is quite a challenge."

"Look, I really don't understand this. What makes you so sure?"

"My reasons are my own, but it is mainly because he does try to make an effort, you just keep focusing on the bad."

"Tch, fine. All I'm saying is he can't change, just like a Gayla can't change it's stripes," Zell said. "I'm getting some food. Coming?"

"Right after I give Seifer this tray," Quistis said, and he heard her heels clicking as she walked down the hall, toward him. He quickly replaced the door, then sat down on the bed. Just then, the phone rang. Great, Seifer thought, here we go again.

"Hello, this is Seifer." He listened to the voice for a moment, anger in his eyes. "Yes, I know. You can check with Gary. But please, you don't need to call every hour! Enough is enough! What happened to once a day!" He listened some more. "Of course, understood. No, that won't be necessary." He slammed the phone down, just as a knock on his door resounded around the room, although it did not startle him.

"Go away!" he called to the person in the hall. He was still upset about the phone call, and didn't want to talk to anyone.

"Zell and I got some take-out, and thought you might want some," Quistis said from the other side of the door.

"No. Go away." Ignoring his pleas she walked in, and placed a tray on his bedside table.

"Just incase you decide you want it," she said, and started to walk away. Suddenly, Seifer became angry.

"I said I don't want it!" he shouted, and threw the tray at her. She turned around slowly, a few of the spaghetti noodles dripping from her outfit, although most were in her hair. She walked over to him, and slapped him with her glove, which was covered in sauce. He grasped his jaw, slightly stunned by the reaction.

"Don't you ever do that again." she snapped, and walked away. Seifer just walked into the bathroom, wiped the gravy off with a towel, and flopped back on his bed.

What the hell do I think I'm doing? I thought I was trying to make matters better, not worse! Great, maybe Zell was right. Maybe I can't change, he thought, frowning. I wonder why Quistis keeps thinking I deserve another chance. What reasons could she have for thinking I deserve another change? He made a mental note to ask her about it later, after berating her for helping him. He wasn't weak, and it was time he showed them that hadn't changed about him. I kind of wish I hadn't thrown that food now, he thought as his stomach rumbled.

After twenty minutes, Seifer couldn't stand it anymore. He poked his head out the door, made sure the coast was clear, then walked to the kitchen, where the heavenly scent of take-out spaghetti filled the air. Seifer grabbed a paper plate, loaded food onto it, and turned around. He was surprised to see Quistis was standing there. Her hair was damp, as though she had recently washed it, and she wasn't in her normal outfit. It probably had to be washed, he reasoned.

"Well, we just keep bumping into each other, don't we?" Quistis said, no humor in her voice. "You shouldn't throw things at people. I didn't appreciate that."

"What do you think you're doing?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, confused yet defensive.

"Defending me. I can stand up for myself. I don't need a weakling like you to defend me!" he snapped. Quistis glared at him.

"I told Zell what I believe. But I'm not so sure now, if you won't even say thank you! Just accept that I am worried about your wellbeing, and I was just trying to be nice! You didn't need to throw that food at me earlier!"

"Maybe," he muttered, and walked out of the kitchen, plate in his hand.

Quistis sat on a bench in the garden, trying not to go and kill Seifer. What is with him! He keeps trying to help me, then turns around and yells. I just can't believe this. I thought I knew him before the Sorceress War, then he joins Ultimecia. Then he comes back, crying and sincerely acting sorry, then he throws things at me and yells! It's like he's a schizophrenic, or has a split personality, or something.

"Oh, there you are." said Zell as he walked out. He looked toward the setting sun. "Pretty out here."

"It is. And mildly calming."

"Want to tell me why you have a streak of sauce on your cheek?" asked Zell, a slight smile hidden behind his hand. Quistis quickly raised a hand to her face. Sure enough, there was a slight dampness, and when she pulled her hand away, it revealed a pale red stain.

"Damn that Seifer." she hissed under her breath as she wiped the sauce off.

"What's he do?" Zell asked.

"Threw food at me."

"Told you. I told you! But no one ever takes me seriously! 'Oh, Zell said something? It must be a joke.' But they're all wrong! I do to know what I'm talking about."

"Zell, calm down. You soud like a little child. And I am starting to believe you. It's just...he really seemed upset about his actions before, and yet now?" She trailed off, and left the sentence hanging.

"Look, I know you want your Instructor license back, and I know the Review Board is using Seifer as a reflection on your skills. But really, you have to know you can't win all your battles."

"I know, but they think so little of me, because I became an Instructor so young, and I want to prove to them I can handle this. You understand, don't you?"

"Sure I do. I just don't think you should count on Seifer when it comes to your credentials. Remember, he was the one who made you lose them."

"How could I forget?" she muttered. "Trust me, I remember quite well why my credentials were revoked."

Zell sighed. "It's getting late. Let's just go inside. Gary said he has all the necessary information to formulate a plan, and the Summer Ball is this evening.."

"Yeah..." she murmured. After a moment's hesitation, she followed Zell into the mansion.

Everyone said this was the best Summer Ball ever. Personally, Quistis didn't think it was that great. Just happy couples parading around, and all the politics that was the main topic of discussion. She'd rather be at the SeeD Inaugurations than this place. At least there she knew people. Well, she knew Zell and Seifer, but Zell had found a table of hotdogs, and she wasn't exactly thrilled with Seifer right now.

"Mind if I take a seat?" asked a quiet voice. Quistis didn't even look at Seifer.

"Yes, I do mind."

"Would it help if I apologized?"

"No. Words are only good if your actions prove them."

"I can't think of any way I can prove I'm sorry about throwing food at you, and costing you your license, and anything else I have done. But I can begin to make amends." He held out a wineglass. Quistis looked at it dubiously. "I didn't poison it." Seifer assured her.

"Mm-hmm." she murmured, not entirely convinced.

"Want me to taste it first, just incase?" he asked.

"No way. Give me the glass." she said, holding out her hand. He passed her the glass, then stood there for a moment a she took a sip.

"What?" she asked, his silence slightly unnerving.

"You could say thank you." he suggested. Not spitefully, not angrily, just in a solemn voice, as though speaking in a church.

"Thank you." she said.

"You're welcome. May I?" he asked, gesturing toward the empty chair. She nodded her assent, and he sat down.

"The real reason I came over here was to apologize. You see, I've been trying to regain what little reputation I can. But it's been so frustrating. I had to argue for hours with Cid for this mission, and even then he was hesitant. I'm being monitored, and after they call checking on me every hour, even at night. I've been feeling frustrated, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry, I know that isn't an excuse, but I just want you to understand why I've been so...odd recently."

"Seifer, it's okay. I'm being pressured right now myself, with the Review Board. I understand, I really do. But please, never do that again."

"Sure." he agreed. The sat there for a while, just watching the dancers waltz by.

"You know, Seifer, you...nevermind."

"No, what?" he asked.

"I just...you don't...have to..keep pretending to be strong," she said after a moment. He looked at her blankly. "I saw how sorry you were that you yelled at Zell. I remember those remarks you made when you saw me again. You think that by saying things like that, that by acting like that and never apologizing no matter how sorry you are, you're showing you're strong. But you don't have to."

Seifer stared at her a moment. "Don't think you have me figured out. Because you don't," he said finally, averting her gaze. Quistis shook her head, her ocean-colored eyes still following the dancers.

"I'm not saying I have you figured out. I'm just saying, no one can be strong all the time. If you want to be forgiven someday, you need to show that you want it."

"...You...might...be right..." he whispered so quietly she wasn't sure she heard them.

They sat there, the swirling colors of the dancers floating across their vision. Zell came over after a few moments, breaking the silence.

"They have four different hotdog combinations!" he said brightly.

"At a nice ball?" Quistis asked, surprised. "I could see that at Garden, because they're so popular, but here?"

"Apparently they have people from Galbadia Garden here who specifically requested it," explained Zell. "At least, that's how Gary explained it. I should thank them sometime."

"Where is he, anyway?" Quistis asked.

"Gary? He's being the bodyguard for now, then we switch off. You get to watch Caraway second, Quistis, and Seifer last. I get the third shift. If there is more time, Gary'll watch again."

"Great. I'll be about when he'll be near the candidates for the talks. I am so lucky, because I just love politics," Seifer whinned. Quistis chuckled, and even Zell grinned as he pulled a nearby chair over and plopped into it.

"By the way, I wanted to talk to you, Zell," Seifer said. Quistis looked over, surprised. He glanced at her a moment, then looked back at Zell.

"About what?" Zell immediately became defensive, sitting up straight.

"This is difficult...but I wanted to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the times I've yelled at you, and called you names, and hit you. I've been trying not to, but...old habits die hard. So please, understand, I am trying."

"Just like that, after everything, you want to be forgiven? It doesn't work like that. You have to earn it."

"I don't want your forgiveness given on faith alone. Just give me a chance, that's all I ask for. Please." Zell turned to Quistis.

"Do you believe this?"

"Yes, I believe he'll try to become better."

"Say what! I don't believe this!" Zell looked stunned, then jumped up, annoyed. "I want nothing to do with this!" he snapped, and stormed away from the table, straight toward his one and only refuge, the hotdog table.

"That went well," murmured Seifer. He started to get up, but Quistis put a hand on his shoulder.

"Give him a few minutes to cool down, and think about this," Quistis urged, pulling him back into his seat. "You know he acts first, and thinks later. As long as you don't throw it back in his face, he'll be okay."

"Fine," he said, taking another sip of his clear drink, which may have been vodka. After about ten minutes, Zell came back, with twenty hotdogs.

"Well, I've thought about this. And I've decided that you can have another chance. Maybe," he added quickly. Some habits really do die hard, she thought.

"Thank you," Seifer said simply. Quistis breathed a sigh of relief. She had been afraid that Seifer would make a big deal of this despite what she had said, but he had taken it surprisingly well.

"Want a hotdog, Seifer?" asked Zell, holding out a couple. Seifer accepted it as a peace offering. For Zell to give up a hotdog once he had his hands on it was a great offering indeed. The three sat there in silence.

"So, want to do something?" asked Zell, obviously bored, as he had polished off all his hotdogs. Seifer finished the second one.

"Your turn, Quistis," said a voice. They turned to see Gary there.

"Already?" Quistis asked. "Are you sure it's my turn?"

"Yeah," said Gary, and walked over to the Galbadia Garden table.

"Want to trade turns?" asked Zell.

"If that's okay with you," she said.

"Sure. But you owe me a hotdog, from Balamb."

"Deal," she said, smiling.

"Excuse me," Zell said, and walked over to where General Caraway stood. Quistis looked over at Seifer.

"So, do you want to do something?" she asked.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Well, I for one haven't see this Natalie Illuna."

"You know, come to think of it, neither have I." Seifer said. "Caraway said she would be here. Shall we start searching the room for her?"

"Sure. Which side do you want?" she asked.

"As far away from those politicians as I can get," Seifer said quickly. Quistis grinned.

"Still against them?"

"Hell yeah," He looked around for a moment. "Did you just hear a click, or was it just me?" he asked. Quistis opened her mouth, to reply to Seifer's query, but another voice, full of panic, stopped whatever she was about to say.

"LOOK OUT!"

And then two shots rang out.

I know I keep changing Seifer's reactions and moods in this story, but it's supposed to be that way. Although Final Fantasy VIII never quite explained if Ultimecia had used his lifelong dream to put him under a spell or not, I think that's what happened. He was instrumental in the killing of many innocent people, and he was ordered to kill people he had literally grown up with. I think that would definitely mess up a person, and cause them to switch personalities while trying to fit back into the world.