Chapter 14 -- The Dam Breaks

"If we can't put names and faces to the organization, how the heck are we going to have anyone charged in the bombing?" Kylah asked, thoughtfully.

"Don't give up yet," Quistis replied. "Our friends, Zone and Watts, are still looking into things and promised that they would try to get us more info by morning. If we haven't found anything by then, we're heading back."

"If you do head this way by tomorrow, try and catch up with Irvine and Selphie in FH. You guys are all easily recognized, which could be why you're having problems digging up intelligence. I've got Cid dispatching some lesser-known SeeDs out to keep an eye out for more info. In the meantime, all of you convene here and we'll compare notes and brainstorm."

"That sounds like a good idea. Six heads are better than two." Quistis paused. "How's Squall."

Kylah replied. "He has been released. He's now in his bedroom either sleeping or sulking."

"Let's hope it's the former," Quistis chuckled. "Tell him we said hello. We'll be seeing you both soon."

"Night, Quistis," Kylah said, reaching out to disconnect the phone.

Just as she depressed the button and disconnected her conversation, she heard a muffled cry from Squall's room. Her mind immediately switched to battle mode as she reached over and grabbed her blades. She quickly sprinted through the sitting room to the door of his room and tried to turn the knob.

Locked.

Frustrated, she took a step back, threw off her slippers, slamming into the door with a powerful sidekick. It instantly popped open. She quickly entered the room, blades wielded, ready for action.

Instead of an intruder, what she found was Squall trashing wildly in his bed.

Instantly, she dropped her weapons to the floor and moved to his bedside. She sat down carefully on the edge of his bed, trying hard to avoid being hit by his rapidly moving arms and legs.

"Squall," she said, trying to wake him up from his nightmare. Her first instinct was to shake him, but she quickly vetoed that idea. She didn't want to jostle his injured shoulder and cause any more pain that he was already going to feel. She managed to grab hold of his good arm, and began gently rubbing it to try and wake him. "Squall," she tried again. "Hey, Leonhart. Squall."

His eyes flew open and he bolted upright looking wildly around the room. He instantly regretted that motion, because he had to use both arms to push himself up. He quickly leaned forward off of his arm, rested it across his stomach, and then doubled over.

He took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself, fighting off the pain in his shoulder, and struggling to push the images from the flashback from his mind. Slowly, he brought one knee up, laid his right, uninjured arm across it and rested his forehead on his forearm.

Gently, Kylah rested a hand on his shoulder. "Squall? Are you okay? What happened?"

A large lump was gradually building in his throat. He swallowed several times, but it wouldn't go away. His eyes started stinging and watering. He bit his lower lip.

"Kylah, go. I'll be fine. Just go," he managed to whisper, hoarsely.

"Not until you tell me what's going on," she replied softly, bewildered at the situation.

He brought his head up and looked at her. She was startled to see tears filling his eyes. Actual, honest tears. He was fighting it with everything he had, but she could see that it was a losing battle. One single tear escaped his eye and slid slowly down his cheek.

"Please, Kylah, go," he pleaded.

She sighed. "Squall, you are the most stubborn man that I've ever met," she whispered. Carefully, she slid closer to him and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace.

He resisted her for several moments, refusing to give in to the comfort she offered or his own tears. After several moments, he rested his chin on her shoulder, allowing himself just a small bit of comfort. At long last, he realized that he couldn't fight anymore. Burying his face in her shoulder and sliding his good arm around her tightly, Squall Leonhart allowed himself to do something that he hadn't done in nearly twenty years.

He cried.

Kylah held him tightly, soothing him and allowing him to let it all out. She knew that the emotional, mental, and physical strain of the past few days was an enormous weight for him, and he needed to let it go. He clung to her as long, hiccupping sobs escaped him, shaking his entire body. Kylah's heart nearly broke for him.

"It's okay," she whispered. "Let it out. I'm not going anywhere."

They stayed that way for several minutes. Squall felt like a dam had burst in his heart, and he let loose a flood of emotions that he had been holding back for quite some time. Finally, he seemed to have gotten it all out of his system and was quiet.

"Bad dream?" Kylah finally asked, nuzzling his temple.

He gave a short laugh into her shoulder. "You could say that."

"What the heck happened?"

He took a deep breath to steady himself. "Has anyone told you about Ellone's special ability?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, she can send a person's consciousness into the past, right?"

"Yeah," he managed, nodding against her shoulder. "She sent me back tonight."

"Where did she send you?" she asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

"First she sent me to Laguna, when he went back for Raine after sending Ellone back to Winhill. He had no idea that she was gone, and no one was very kind about telling him."

Kylah winced, feeling sorry for the situation that Laguna had gone home to.

"Then she sent me to the doctor who helped deliver me. On the day I was born."

Her blue eyes opened wide in shock. "You saw yourself being born?"

Slowly, he pulled himself out of her arms and stretched back out on his bed. "Yeah," he finally replied, softly. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. "I'm really not sure how to feel about all of this," he said.

Kylah considered the situation as she crawled across him and stretched out beside him. "I think that's a perfectly reasonable response," she replied. "You've been through emotional hell the past few days. I think I'd be more than a little confused if I were in your shoes, too." She paused. "Why did Ellone do that to you, anyway?"

"She wanted me to see the situation from his point of view," he snorted. "I did see his point of view. And I understand where he's coming from. But that still doesn't explain why it took him six years to tell me the truth."

Rolling over onto her stomach, Kylah pushed herself up so that she rested on her forearms, ankles crossed up in the air behind her. "While Ellone's heart was in the right place, her methods are a little…unorthodox. I think that she, and you for that matter, needs to realize that the only way that you are going to understand this situation and gain any peace about it is to sit down and talk to Laguna. No accusations, no yelling or screaming, just talk."

"That's easier said than done," he murmured. "I want to yell and scream."

"From what I've heard, you did a pretty good job of that today," she replied, gently. "Look, I know that sometimes there is a call for action. This is not one of those times. This is a time for talking, and listening, on all parts. I'm in a position to see all perspectives of this situation. All of you need to see one another's point of view if any of you are going to have any peace."

She could just make out his furrowed brow and thoughtful expression in the faint light from the other room. Hoping that she was making some progress toward getting through his thick head, she plunged on and crossed her fingers that he would not throw her out of the room.

"Okay, let's look at it from this point of view. Would your mother want to see you guys fighting like rabid ruby dragons?"

Squall winced. "That was a low blow, Deraldi," he said.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," she countered. "I could also point out that you could also be guilty of abandoning your own child to go out on SeeD missions and leaving her in the care of the Kramers or the Dinchts all the time, but that's a different conversation for a different time."

Another time under different circumstances, Squall would have been furious by her comment. Now he just rolled over to face her and sighed dejectedly. "You really know how to hit a guy below the belt," he said, frowning. "But, you're right. I do need to talk to him and at least hear what he has to say. I'm not promising that I'll like it, or that I'll be willing to forgive him, but I'll at least hear him out."

"Glad to hear it," she replied, yawning. "Can I go to bed now?"

"Actually," he hesitated. "Could you stay?"

Sitting up, she looked down at him and blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Could you, like, stay. Here, tonight I mean." He sounded almost shy with his request.

"W-Why do you want me to stay?" she asked, incredulously.

He looked up at her with pleading grey-blue eyes. "Kylah, I've never had anyone be a friend to me like you've been tonight. And I still need a friend. Please stay."

His tone and his eyes tugged at her heartstrings. "Okay," she relented. She stretched back out next to him and snuggled close. "I'll stay. As long as you need me to."

Kylah awoke late the next morning. She opened her eyes slowly and peered around the room. It took her a moment to remember where she was. Once she did, she shifted slightly and looked over at Squall, who was still sleeping peacefully beside her.

He looks so peaceful, she observed. Relaxed, vulnerable.

Gently, she slid her arm out from under him. Next, she gently lifted his left arm, which was draped across her stomach, careful not to jostle it and inflict pain. She quietly slid her legs over the side of the bed and stood up to stretch.

She cringed when she got a good look at Squall's room. When she had dropped her blades the night before, one of them had become wedged in the floor. Also, the lock on the door was hanging by a single screw, and the doorknob had broken off and flown across the room. We'll have a heck of a time explaining that to the housekeepers.

Silently, she tiptoed out of the room and shut the door as best she could. Given the emotional trauma that Squall had endured the day before, she thought it best if he slept as long as he could. Besides, he was still recovering from his injury. He needed the rest.

Barefooted, she padded across the sitting room, yawning and rubbing her eyes the whole way. She felt as if someone had thrown an entire bucket of sand into her eyes. And she needed coffee. Desperately.

She hadn't quite made it to her own bedroom door when there was a knock at the door. Quickly, she glanced down. Halfway across the room, she had slipped back into her moogle slippers. She was clad in a pale yellow tank top, and matching yellow pants with little moogles dancing all over them. Her hair, she thought, must be a fright.

Another knock came, this one more loudly. With a resigned sigh, she shuffled to the door and flung it opened. She found herself facing a very concerned-looking Ellone.

"Morning," she said tiredly, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. "You look awful."

Ellone made a face at her. "You don't look so great yourself."

"Yeah, well…rough night."

"I, uh, I wanted to check and see…" Ellone began.

"You wanted to see if Squall was okay after last night's adventures?" Kylah supplied.

Ellone flushed. "Did I overdo it?"

Kylah crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. "You certainly got your point across," she began, a touch of hostility in her voice, "but you also put him through emotional hell. That was not the way to go about things with Squall Leonhart. What neither you nor Laguna are taking into consideration is Squall's feelings right now. He's hurt, confused, and angry that this information was kept for him for six years. And then to be put through another emotional trauma last night?"

"I hated to put him through that," Ellone said, cringing. "But I didn't know how else to get through to him."

"Right now, the thing he needs most is time," Kylah replied, gently. "He's had a major blow, and he's trying to sort out how he feels about it. Give him time."

Ellone nodded, slowly. "You're right. Thanks for giving me a kick in the pants when I needed it," she replied. "I should probably let you go shower and dress. I imagine that you have stuff to do today."

"Yeah, I probably do. I'll catch you later," Kylah waved Ellone off and softly closed the door. Yawning, she turned and padded to her bedroom in search of a change of clothes, a hot shower, and that blasted cup of coffee.

"Good morning," Kylah called cheerfully as she strolled into Laguna's office an hour later. She was freshly showered and dressed, and ready to give a report on her trip to FH the day before. Upon spying Laguna, she paused.

He looked terrible.

His green eyes were blood-shot, and large bags had formed beneath them. He had also obviously overslept, and hadn't taken the time to shave that morning. To Kylah, he looked every bit his age that morning, and then some. Obviously, he had not slept well.

"Morning," he replied, looking up from the report he was reading. He reached over and picked up his coffee mug, his third cup that morning, and took a sip.

"You look like crap," she observed, moving over to perch on the edge of his desk. "What's up?"

Laguna grimaced at her observation on his appearance. Tossing the report over to her, he sat back to fill her in. "Increased activity in the Galbadian military. They're pissed off about this whole bombing incident, and ready to go to war with Esthar because they still think we did it."

Kylah sighed as she picked up the report to skim over it. "Irvine and Quistis both called last night," she replied as she looked over the pages. "They both have come up with the same name, but frankly, all four of them are too well known to be very successful at intelligence. We're sending in some undercover SeeD members to cover intelligence and bringing those guys in to help play bodyguard for you."

He frowned. "Is all that really necessary?"

"If the Galbadian army invades, it might be," she replied, mildly.

"What's the name they have?"

"Punishment Syndicate."

He played the name over again in his head. "That's kind of a stupid name."

She chuckled, amused by his assessment. "That's what I thought. We think it might be a code name of some sort, but haven't figured that out yet."

Kiros and Ward strode into the room at that moment. Both nodded in recognition at Kylah. "Morning," Kiros said. He was not known for being a morning person.

"I've been told that it is," she replied, jokingly. "I'm not sure yet if it's a good one, though."

Laguna sighed and looked out the window, brooding. "Ellone told me what she did last night," he said, softly.

She turned to him, sympathy in her eyes. "She definitely got her point across," she responded.

He shifted his gaze up to meet hers. "I guess we'll see." He paused, thinking for a moment. "Do you have any plans this afternoon? Anything that you have to do?"

She shrugged, unsure of where he was going with this. "Not that I can think of right off…"

"Then do me a huge favor," his eyes were pleading.

"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

He reached back, dug out his wallet, and handed her his credit card. "Take Ellone out for a girls' day out. Do whatever it is girls do when they go out. Hair, nails, shopping… I don't care. Go all out. And it's on me. Take the afternoon off and please, cheer her up."

"Along the same lines," Kiros interrupted, "you should take the afternoon off, too, man."

"…"

"Ward says you look like crap and need to get some sleep. Go back to your apartment and take a nap. We'll cover things here if necessary."

"And leave Ellone to me," Kylah interjected, tapping his credit card against her palm. "We'll give your card a workout and come back with a whole new wardrobe." This was the easiest task she'd had for this whole assignment.

Squall awoke feeling much like Alexander had sat on his head. Or Eden. Possibly both. He groaned softly as he buried his head under the pillow, remembering the events of the night before. Needing comfort, he reached over to snuggle back against Kylah.

He was surprised to discover that she was gone. Pulling the pillow up over his head, he glanced at his bedside clock and immediately realized why she was gone. It was past noon. She had probably been gone for hours.

Somehow, he managed to haul himself out of bed and stumble to the bathroom. He blinked several times when he flipped the light on. Once his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he discovered a note stuck to the mirror. Another of Kylah's little notes, her familiar handwriting filling the page.

Squall,

I hope you're feeling much better this morning. I've been given the afternoon off, and have gone out with Ellone. If you need anything, call my cell. Should be back early evening, but will be here in Esthar in case of emergency.

Take care!

Love,

Kylah

Love Kylah? What had she meant by that? Did she mean that she really loved him, or was that just a passing comment? He quickly decided not to think too much about it, and tossed the note in the trashcan.

Leaning on the counter, he looked at himself in the mirror. He looked horrible. He felt horrible. Physically and emotionally, he had taken a horrible beating.

He closed his eyes, remembering the things that he had said to his father the day before. Hating himself for it, he recognized that he needed to go apologize. But he had no idea what he would say to Laguna.

Deciding to just wing it, he reached into the shower and turned it on as hot as he could stand it. Might as well get this over with, he thought.

"When do you think this place will return to normal?" Kiros asked Ward as they looked over reports in Laguna's office later that afternoon.

"…"

"Yeah, I know, there is not real definition of normal around here. How about, when do you think things will calm down some?"

"…"

"I hope so," Kiros agree, nodding.

The two men were so engrossed in their work, they didn't hear the door quietly slide open. They both jumped when someone cleared his throat to get their attention. Kiros narrowed his eyes slightly when he saw Squall standing in the doorway.

"Sorry for interrupting," Squall said, softly, "but I was looking for Laguna."

"Laguna has taken the afternoon off," Kiros replied stiffly. "He was tired and needed some rest."

"What's with everyone taking the day off?" Squall wondered aloud.

"…"

"Ward says that Laguna and Ellone neither one slept that well last night, 'cause they were upset about something. Laguna went to take a long nap, and Kylah took Ellone out to get her mind off of the situation."

Squall felt a pang of guilt. He had certainly caused a lot of trouble. "So, Laguna's in his apartment?"

Kiros nodded.

"Thanks," Squall replied, turning to go.

"Squall," Kiros called after him.

The younger man turned and looked at him questioningly.

"…"

"Yeah, Ward is right. If you're just going to go cause more trouble, leave Laguna alone. He's upset enough."

Squall looked at the floor and sighed. After a moment, he looked back up at Kiros. "I'm not going to cause trouble for him. I'm going to talk."

With that he turned and left the room.

Kiros and Ward stared at the door where he had stood, then at each other. "…"

Kiros shrugged. "Beats me. I dunno what changed his mind. Maybe Kylah hit him, too."