Wow, thanks for all the reviews guys! I was very impressed with all your comments on the previous chapter! I hope you like this chapter just as much! Please let me know if you think it's at all over-dramatic. Enjoy!!!

Chapter 17

***So cold… She slowly opened her eyes. White… everything is white… What happened? Mother? Is that you? That song… No… She's dead… Seifer? Where am I? Seifer? Help me. Can you hear me? Silence? Seifer? Zone? Watts? Father? Can anyone hear me?!! Please help me, I don't wanna die!!!***

"Can you save her?!!! Do something!"

"General, listen to me very carefully. I need to know if you have any Megalixirs or X-potions in your possession."

"Megalixirs?! No… I never have any need for them. Best I have is a flask of healing water in the locked drawer in my office."

"Give me the keys."

"I can't let you go roam around my office! There's classif…papers there. Stay here and I'll go get it myself. " Seifer looked at him in utter disgust barely able to hold himself back from lashing out at the man but fortunately the general didn't seem to take notice.

"General," he said, his voice colder than ice, "Look carefully at your daughter. She's bleeding to death as we speak. Now you tell me if her life is worth less to you than some papers!"

"How dare you?! Her life means everything to me!"

"Then give me the keys, General. Arm yourself and stay here until I get back. It's not safe for you to go roaming about the house by yourself!"

"Ok, take them! Just save her!" Quickly grabbing the keys out of his hand, Seifer made it across the room in one giant leap, nearly knocking down Nailah who came running into the dining room with the look of bewilderment in her gray eyes.

"Mr. Almasy! Mr. Almasy! You have to do something! There's armed men in the house! Please! Do something! Ahhh!!! Ms. Rinoa!!!" She stopped as if she hit a brick wall, her eyes as wide as saucers. "Dear Hyne! No.. No.. Oh, dear Hyne!" Grabbing the hysterical girl, Seifer gave her a rough shake.

"Nailah, listen to me. Where did you see the armed men?"

"In the upstairs hallway! They had guns! Oh, I thought I was gonna die! Oh, please, Mr. Almasy, I beg you, do something!"

"Listen to me. I need you to be brave for me, Nailah. I need you to go find something to apply pressure with to Rinoa's wound to keep her from losing any more blood. Can you do that for me, Nailah? Yell if you get in trouble. You'll be ok. "

"I'm so scared! We all gonna die!"

"Everything will be fine. I promise!" He cupped the girl's chin with his hands and looked into her eyes. "Now go."

"Stop yapping, Nailah and go do what he said! We're running out of time." Sobered by the general's voice Nailah ran out of the room allowing Seifer to finally reach the stairs. He held his Hyperion out in front of him as he ascended the long staircase while mentally going through his junctions. Sleep, Firaga, Esuna... Ugh, why doesn't this goddam city have any Curaga draw points?! Suddenly a masked figure holding a long silver sword jumped out in front of him, blocking his way. With incredible speed the stranger swung the lethal weapon aiming directly at Seifer's head causing him to lose his balance as he fell a few steps backwards.

"Get out of my way or be killed!" Ignoring the burning pain in the back of his neck Seifer got to his feet lifting his Hyperion high into the air.

"Firaga!" he yelled as the tip of his gunblade began to emanate a deep orange glow. Like lightning, the fiery current ripped through his entire body raising his temperature as he extended out the palm of his hand aiming it at his opponent. Within mere seconds the man's body was consumed into a giant fireball as the stench of burning flesh filled the air around them. The flame dissipated as fast as it had appeared allowing Seifer to continue to go up the stairs. Not looking back to check on the man's condition, Seifer rounded the corner and entered Caraway's office. Now which drawer was he talking about? Quickly he made his way across the room to the general's desk, putting the key in the top drawer. Shoving the other things out of the way, he grabbed the flask of glowing water and ran out of the room.

"Someone help me!!!!! Don't hurt me, please!" Dammit! Nailah! His Hyperion ready to attack, Seifer ran toward the voice that seemed to be coming from downstairs. Kicking open the door he prepared to strike. He found Nailah sitting on the floor, tightly clutching a silver revolver which was still smoking at the tip.

"Oh hyne! He's dead! I killed him." A large puddle of blood was forming at her feet, it's owner lying in a motionless heap two feet away. Raising her to her feet, Seifer took the smoking gun out of her hands.

"Did you get what I asked you?"

"Yes! Mr. Caraway is trying to stop the blood flow now. He sent me to get his gun out of the gun display case in the den. Oh, hyne! I really killed him!"

"Relax, he can't hurt you now. Now, c'mon! Rinoa needs help." Running as fast as they could, they made their way back to the dining room.

***Seifer? I'm so cold. It's getting dark in here. I can't see the light anymore. That voice… Sei…***

"Ok, step aside! I got it!" Seifer knelt in front of Rinoa, gently lifting up her head and bringing the liquid to her lips. Something's wrong. He felt her pulse.

"Dammit! She isn't breathing! How long has she been like that?!"

"I don't know… No.. this can't be…. Not Rinoa… Not now…"

"HOW LONG?!" Rising to his feet he smashed the flask hard against the floor, the liquid bubbling as it made contact with air. No, she can't be dead. I have to save her! What can I do?!" He swirled around, searching the room with his eyes. Nothing… I am powerless… NO! If only I had any life magic junctioned onto me! She would've at least had a chance then! Out of the corner of his eye he noticed movement causing him to turn his attention to the door. One of the attackers whose nose he had broken earlier slowly stumbled into the room, swaying from side to side as he held out a gun. What if?

"It's not over yet, Caraway," he mumbled before the gun suddenly flew out of his hand as Seifer discharged a bolt of magic from the tip of his gunblade.

"Draw Life!" Seifer yelled at the top of his lungs. The man stopped, then stumbled as spherical balls of magic floated from his body over to Seifer. Not even waiting to fully absorb the magic, Seifer called out another spell. Time to say goodnight, you bastard. Immediately the man sank to the ground afflicted with a powerful sleep spell. This has to work! I won't let her die! Quickly, he once again knelt down in front of Rinoa's lifeless form, carefully extending his hand and placing it over her heart.

"Life!" he cried out as bright red wisps of magic flowed out from the tip of his fingers and penetrated her flesh. He grabbed her wrist, desperately searching for a sign that she was alive. Nothing… He turned away, his normally emerald eyes now turned dark green--the color of ocean waves amidst the fury of a storm. She's dead. Then suddenly he felt it-felt her hand clasp around his wrist.

"Tell me. Is she dead?" asked the general with a shaky voice, but Seifer could no longer hear him, his eyes transfixed on Rinoa's face.

***Seifer? Seifer?! Where are you?***

"Rinoa, can you hear me? Stay with me, angel," he whispered under his breath. She slowly opened her eyes, blinded by the lights.

"Seifer? What happened? Is everyone ok?"

"Yeh, everything's fine. Relax. You've had quite an adventure."

"I remember white light… I heard my mother's voice… she was singing that song she always used to sing when I was a little girl. Seifer? Was I dead?" She suddenly looked very frightened.

"Shh… don't try to speak anymore. Conserve your strength. " Her eyes fell on her father who was standing a few feet away from her with an unsure expression on his tired face. He turned away, unable to maintain eye contact with her. Nailah was sobbing softly in the corner, strength finally abandoning her. Suddenly two men rushed into the room wearing guard uniforms.

"Mr. Caraway! Are you alright?! A group of intruders armed with guns and swords got passed security, infiltrating the house. Many of our men were killed in the ambush. We got here as fast as we could, but those bastards activated some kind of a force field around the place. Thank Hyne, you are alive! I take it this is one of them," he said pointing at the sleeping form.

"Arrest him immediately and comb the house for any other intruders. If you find any more, don't kill them. I'll have a few questions to ask them."

"Yes, sir!"

"I'll go call the doctor to have him look at Rinoa." Giving his daughter another long look, he hurried out of the room. Gently as if she was made of glass, Seifer picked her up and carried her into the living room, placing her on the couch. Why did you do it, Rinoa? Why did you risk your life to save a man who seems to care so little about you? He simply couldn't comprehend it. I'll ask her. Maybe later. She needs her rest. Taking off his trenchcoat, he carefully covered her body with it, trying not to wake her.

TO BE CONTINUED

There are times when I doubt if I'll ever be able to write another chapter. But then I read the encouraging comments from all you guys and I am inspired to write once again! Thanks a lot everyone!!! You guys rock!