Disclaimer: I think I'm gonna stop hailing Square Enix -.-" I know I know… they're all yours… for the rest of this story -.-' humph

Chapter 3

BALAMB GARDEN – BALAMB 0800 HRS DAY 2

As Second Commander Quistis Trepe glided through the corridor, all eyes were on her. Her delicate feature, her golden hair, icy blue eyes and perfectly shaped body tempted the onlookers as much as it warned those who wish to touch. Her beauty could most definitely kill, as many hearts almost stopped beating as she passed. No matter how many years had passed since she was first reinstated in Garden, most people still find it difficult to get used to her enchantment. Quistis, oblivious to the excitements she stirred up, continued gliding through the Garden, making a turn towards the parking lot. From the entrance corridor, which is approximately 200 m long, she could see (or hear) her other two team members waiting: Zell and Selphie, chatting excitedly, probably about the upcoming Garden Festival. At least, that's what Quistis guessed make Selphie jumping up and down. The eager looks in Zell's face probably meant that his 'Hotdogs-meal negotiation' with Selphie went well. Outwardly, Quistis couldn't stop shaking her head in resignation of their ever-so-childish reactions. Inwardly, she knew that there's nobody she'd trust more than these two to accompany her to such important mission. With that thought in mind, she couldn't help but to let out a small smile, before continue walking towards her comrades.

"Quistis!" came Squall's voice from behind, stopping Quistis in her track as she turned around to greet him.

"Commander Leonhart." She put down her luggage and saluted.

"There's no need for formality, Quistis." Squall shook his head. "I have some details you need for the mission."

"Since when did you start planning my mission without me?" Quistis snapped, slightly annoyed.

"Whatever." Came Squall's infamous reply.

Quistis kept staring at him with her arms crossed, not satisfied with his answer.

"You were too busy yesterday. What's with the board meeting, Garden committees meetings and checking up on the dispatched teams and all." Squall quickly waved off her irritation and handed over to her a file.

Quistis took it, turning over to check the contents.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't supply you with the Ragnarok as it is currently stationed at Timber, transporting the injured victims to the Deiling General Hospital. So you'd have to make do with trains and cars for the time being."

"Um-hm…" Quistis nodded haphazardly while flipping through the file, "Anything else?"

"Yes." Answered Squall, crossing his arms while looking sternly at her, "Quistis, I need to know what you're planning to do, where you're starting your search, and how are you going to go about it."

"First, I guess we'll have to start from the Fisherman Horizon, I think we would need to meet Fuujin and Raijin and question them for whatever information they might have for us… Afterwards, however…" she trailed off, and sighed. "Squall, I still don't know what we will do afterwards, but I'll report back ever so often and will be telling you about my plans then, alright?"

"Alright. Safe trip." He said this a bit awkwardly.

"Aren't you coming to wish Zell and Selphie a safe trip too?" Quistis laughed.

"Whatever."

"See you later, Commander." She smiled, lifting up her luggage and started off towards Zell and Selphie.

"Oh, and Quistis, remember how Cid's order were to capture him dead or alive?"

The statement caused Quistis to stop once more. Not facing him, she answered, "Squall, I'm not going to kill Seifer, ok?"

"You won't have to. Cid changed his mind. You're not the only one who think there's still hope for Seifer, ya know?"

Quistis couldn't help but smile with relief and contentment at the same time. "Squall, you're sounding like Raijin now, ya know?" She mocked, and walked off to greet her companions as Squall walked back into Garden.

"Quistis! Quistis! Selphie finally agreed we could serve Hotdogs fore the Garden Festival!" Zell practically ran up to her in order to inform her of this news.

"Only because you agreed to play in the band!" came Selphie, grinning widely from behind.

Quistis shook her hand and laughed. "Guys, Selphie in particular, I'm sorry to say this but, I think we should put the Garden Festival planning behind us for the time being… We've got an important mission in hand."

"I know, but the festival is in only a month's time!" Selphie retorted.

"Selph, I'm sorry to say that the festival might need to be postponed for a while longer." As she said this, she had to ignore Selphie's shocked expression. "Selphie, I don't think the Headmaster is in the mood to party with all these havocs going on. But of course, once all this is over, be would probably be having more than just one festival!" At this Selphie lightened up all of a sudden as Quistis inwardly winced.

"You mean we would be holding a peace celebration party afterwards too right?" Squealed Selphie excitedly.

"With hotdogs?"

Quistis didn't dare slip any more false promises, so she decided to keep her mouth shut by an attempt at an approving smile. "Ok, guys, mission briefing…"

"M'am, if we don't hurry, I'm afraid we'd run out of time. The train is leaving at 0930 hours, however, if you wish to secure your SEEDs cabin, I was told that you'd need to be there earlier." Interrupted a SEED who'd be driving them to Balamb.

"Alright then, if you would take my luggage, then Selphie and Zell, I'd do the briefing on the train."

A/N: another chappie down -- phew sorry again about the weird grammar and wording -.-'' I'm working on it! I swear! " heheh.. what do u guys think? Review.. plz. I need them..