Hey everyone... Been a while since i've updated. But here is Chapter 7 of "The Forgotten Son" Thanks for the Reviews everyone! Still, so sorry for the long update... but life happens, ya know? Well enough rambling, here's the story!

Oh... since for some reason people care about the disclaimer...

Disclaimer: Not mine... of course, you should already know that. Except for Max, totally my character.


It had been almost a week since the battle with the White SeeDs, and Balamb Garden had fought well. With Squall still unconscious and Rinoa dead, the rest of the group, including Max, began to run the Garden in his absence. However, by a majority vote, Quistis filled the position of Commander. Max continued to make his way to the infirmary every now-and-again, just to check up on Squall, much like today.

He walked in to the infirmary and waved at Dr. Kadowaki as he went into Squall's room. Max knew he was at fault for this… if he had only seen Rinoa, he would have stopped.

"Squall," He said grabbing the leather gloved hand. "I'm so sorry! If I would have known she was there..." He trailed off as tears came to his eyes.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Selphie standing there. She smiled at him and patted his shoulder.

"It'll be okay, Max. I'm sure there was nothing you could do."

Max couldn't help himself as he began to cry even harder. Selphie knew he hurt, but even her best smile could not cheer the young man up. She stood a few moments later and patted Maxs' back before leaving him, once again, alone with Squall. He stayed there a little while longer until the PA came on.

"Max Caron please report to the bridge." It called. "Repeat, Max Caron report to the bridge."

He did not have the energy, but Quistis sounded serious and he didn't need to make her wait any longer than she had to. He made his way to the elevator waving to Zell as he passed, noticing how sad and unenergetic he had become, much like everyone else in Garden. It seemed like the death of Rinoa had affected the whole Garden more than Squall's condition. Either way, Garden could never be the same. Max entered the open elevator and rode to the third floor bridge, with an impatient Quistis standing at the door. She tapped her foot as he walked over to her with the best smile he could muster.

"You needed me, Commander Quistis?"

She turned to him and frowned.

"Yes." She said with a harsh tone. "I called you here five minutes ago."

"I'm sorry, commander." He shuffled closer to her. "Why did you want me?"

She sighed a little and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know I've been a little hard on you and the others. You have been trying your best even after Squall went unconscious and you have been by his side since then. I want to give you and the others some off time. We all need it, but you need more. How about a week off?"

She moved her hand from his shoulder and smiled. Her smile had a healing affect on him and Max quickly followed with a genuine smile.

"That sounds great!" He replied.

"Good," she said still smiling. "Now I will go and check up on Squall and give you updates on his condition while you're out on break. Here." She handed him a small flip phone. "You can call me anytime at the number on the phone and have fun, okay?"

Her voice seemed sincere and Max took careful note of her sympathetic tone. He did need a break after the hectic week that had just passed, but most of all he needed to get away from Garden. A nice trip somewhere would be a good way to clear his mind of the pain and sorrow of that one day.

He saluted to Quistis and turned to walk out of the room until she placed a hand on his shoulder. She smiled at him and patted his shoulder a few times. He returned the gesture and soon walked out of the bridge feeling a bit better. On his way toward the parking lot, he found Irvine talking with Selphie and waved as he walked over to them, a smile on his face.

"I see you're feeling better, Max!" Beamed Selphie as she ran over to the young man. "You gonna be okay?"

Max nodded and walked with her back to Irvine. He tipped his hat at Max.

"How ya doin' little guy?" He asked as they approached.

"I'm good now." He said with another bright smile, it was lie, but still it worked.

Despite his efforts to seem okay, he knew that, inside, he was still grieving over not only Rinoa's death, but also the fact that he had killed her. It didn't help that they had never laid her body to rest. Squall had written down a type of will that if she died, they would keep her body in the Sorceress Memorial. That's exactly what they did, and they couldn't do much else until Squall regained consciousness.

"Hey I hear you're going on vacation for a while." Said Irvine tipping up his hat.

"Yeah, I need it." Max replied in a somewhat cheerful voice. "I was just about to leave but I had to say good bye to you guys."

"Well you'd better make sure to tell everybody!" Smile Selphie.

"Of course." He put up his fake smile once again. "I'll see you later then. I should really be heading out."

Irvine nodded and Selphie grabbed me for death-like hug.

"Can't… Breathe."

She released me from her grip and smiled a bit embarrassed. He waved to them as he made his way to the front of Garden, which now sat next to Fisherman's Horizon undergoing repairs. After saying a few quick goodbyes to a few of the students he knew, Max walked to the train tracks that connected Fisherman's Horizon to the rest of the world heading west. He didn't really know why or where he was going, but it did not matter to him as he strolled across the almost endless miles of track towards the unknown. Maybe, he thought, he could find some peace of mind by just getting away from the stress and pain he had recently associated with Balamb Garden. Maybe not. Either way, he continued down the track, unable to truly understand the confusion in his head.

"I'm so sorry Squall," He said stopping and looking to the horizon. "I wish I could even understand myself."


Hope you liked this newest edition to the story. Chapter 8 should be up soon... well i hope! Review if you liked it! Vincent Sekod