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C:\nomad\fanfic\1388651 chapter2.rtf

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(A)bort, (R)etry, (F)ail? R_


I'm fine, Rinoa insisted as she attempted to get up from her resting place in the Infirmary.

Oh, I don't think so, said Doctor Kadowaki. People who are fine don't experience sudden loss of consciousness. And that was only half an hour ago, while I still don't know what caused it. You're staying here for now. She shone a light into Rinoa's eyes. Looks like your pupils are dilating. Say your name for me.

grumbled Rinoa. And really, there's no need to keep me here. I'm fine!

Didn't you hear what I just said? scolded Kadowaki. You're staying where I can keep an eye on you. She walked away to see about having Zell's stomach pumped.

How are you, Rinoa? asked Squall, who had waited until Kadowaki left to ask Rinoa instead of simply asking the doctor for some reason.

I'm fine, repeated Rinoa. Squall, can you please get me out of here? There's no need to keep me stuck in this place.

I'll see what I can do, Squall promised. He then paused uncomfortably.

Squall, please don't say anything, Rinoa said. I can't bear to think about all the things that happened back then. I know I shouldn't have run away from you, but I didn't want to risk harm to others. I missed you, but it was something I had to do. And I was sad when you didn't come after me, but I suppose it was all for the best, really. But eventually, I just couldn't take it on my own, and I just had to come back. So please, let's just not say anything about it.

Squall assented, and furthermore opted for the kind of not saying anything that actually involved not saying anything.

Rinoa said at length. I came back...because I think something terrible is going to happen. Something really really bad. And it'll happen soon, I think. To us. And we aren't going to like it at all. Having clearly established that something bad was going to happen, she hesitated. It's Ultimecia, Squall. She's trying to take over my mind again. And...I think she might succeed.


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asked Quistis. My god! This is certainly unexpected!

Although Nida was indeed standing nearby, he for once refrained from comment.

Squall and Quistis were walking aimlessly along the Garden's main hall, which was largely deserted on account of it being nighttime. Squall was very preoccupied.

Rinoa thinks that Ultimecia might try to use her to take over the world again, said Squall.

But how is that possible? asked Quistis. You saw her die.

said Nida, since Ultimecia's whole plan involved sending her consciousness back in time, this could be an Ultimecia from before the time when you fought her who's doing this now. That doesn't make too much sense, because that implies she had some foreknowledge of her defeat, which would add a lot of futility to her efforts. Or maybe the sorceress powers she passed to Edea and then to Rinoa contained her own consciousness somehow, so Ultimecia's mind is actually existing inside Rinoa's brain. Of course, that's scientifically impossible, but who knows what someone from the future might be capable of?

I don't know, said Squall, failing to register any of what Nida had just said. All I know is we have to stop her.

Oh, how insightful, quipped Seifer from behind them. You come up with that all by yourself, Mr. Leader?

I don't have time for this, Seifer, said Squall, turning around to glare at him.

Yeah, I can see how much trouble I'm causing you, interrupting your very important walking, Seifer shot back.

declared Fujin, who was accompanying Seifer.

exclaimed Raijin, who was also there. Hey Squall, he sure got you good, ya know!

Shut up, said Squall.

Hey, I'm here to do you a favor, said Seifer. I'm gonna tell you a story. Who do you think took care of Rinoa after you cast her out into the wilderness?

I didn't do anything of the sort! Squall said, defensively.

Don't you remember? asked Seifer. He fixed his gaze on Quistis, who was looking very uncomfortable. I'll bet she remembers, though. How about it, Instructor? Gonna let your boyfriend in on the secret, or should I?

Are you talking about me? asked Rinoa, who approached at just that moment. Doctor Kadowaki agreed to release me under your supervision, Squall.

Raijin laughed. Yeah, I'll bet Squall's gonna be doing some supervising' tonight, if ya know what I mean, ya know! He nearly doubled over at his own joke.

Fujin evaluated, and emphasized her disapproval with a boot to Raijin's shin that did cause him to double over.

began Rinoa. I know we've made mistakes in the past, but...I'm willing to forgive if you are.

Squall frowned. ...Forgive what?

You don't remember? demanded Rinoa. Squall, I can't believe you! How can you — She cut off in midsentence, and collapsed to her knees. No! It's her! She's back again! No!

And she collapsed unconscious to the floor.

See, this is why I didn't want her removed from the infirmary, said Kadowaki, who had followed Rinoa there from the infirmary and now picked her up to carry her back.

This is going to be a long night, I think, said Quistis.


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The next morning, Squall had returned to the Infirmary to check on Rinoa.

I'm fine! Rinoa declared. Really! There's no reason to keep me here!

The last time I let you out of here, you collapsed two minutes later, Kadowaki reminded her.

But I'm fine now! insisted Rinoa. Squall, please. I don't want to be stuck in this place any longer.

Squall began.

Kadowaki sighed. All right, Squall. But I want to see her back here for regular checkups.

Nodding, Rinoa raised herself off the bed, a moment before clutching her head and collapsing to the floor. she cried, before losing consciousness again.

Although Kadowaki did not actually say I told you so,' it was rather apparent in her body language and expression as she lifted Rinoa back onto the medical bed.

Maybe we should just let her rest, said Quistis, who had observed the scene.

I think that would be a very good idea, agreed Kadowaki.

The intercom chimed. Will the Sorceress Team please report to the Headmaster's Office. Repeat, will the team that defeated Ultimecia please report to the Headmaster's Office.

I guess we'd better go, said Quistis.

Reluctantly, Squall agreed.


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For twenty-four years, I've been tracking these aliens, narrated the harried-looking man who couldn't be older than thirty. They've always been able to elude me because of their alien technology. But not anymore! Now, I can afford to hire SeeD to track down the aliens for me! Now, they will not be able to escape! He thrust his hand into the air triumphantly, nearly dislodging the very large tinfoil hat that was balanced precariously atop his head. It took him a few seconds to set it right again.

You're hiring us to hunt down aliens? asked Squall.

That's right! the man stated. You'll proceed to the Winhill area, which has an unusually high instance of paranormal activity — he unfolded an old, worn map with a number of locations and notes marked in pencil. — so there's the highest chance of alien encounter. You'll remain in the area until you've discovered these aliens, analyzed their weaknesses, and come up with a technology to block their brain-wave readers that can protect the entire world from their menace! Once you've done this, you'll be heroes, and the saviors of this entire planet!

Kind of like we are now? Irvine asked.

The man didn't even miss a beat. Yes, but even more so! he said enthusiastically.

We're doing this mission for very little money, said Cid, so we won't be able to send you any backup equipment or personnel. You'll have to use whatever you can get from outside resources.

The question of why the five SeeDs whom had defeated Ultimecia were being contracted out for so little money in the first place went unanswered. And unasked. Much the same was true for the question of when Irvine had become a SeeD.

Are there any questions? asked Cid. He didn't wait to see if there were. Oh, and Squall, President Laguna will be arriving shortly; he wanted to speak with you before he left. Said it was something important about your past.

Doubting that a bumbling idiot like Laguna could possibly have anything important to say, Squall didn't bother to voice any acknowledgment.


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Squall, when Raine died... Laguna hesitated. I mean, when I was in Esthar and found out....No, that's not what I...er.... He scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. You were...I mean, I thought...that is, I couldn't...when the news came, I...there wasn't...things just got out of hand, you know?

Squall did not know. Indeed, he had absolutely no idea what the man was talking about; and considering he had a mission to prepare for, he was getting rather impatient.

I...more than anything, I wanted to...if I hadn't...Squall, I.... He shook his head in frustration.

What he's trying to say, Ellone translated, is that the child Raine had right before she died...was you, Squall.

Squall blinked.

I didn't know! Laguna cried. If I had, I promise I wouldn't have rested until I'd found you, but when I found out it was too late and the people in Winhill wouldn't tell me anything because they never really liked me and they thought I'd run out on Raine even though I just wanted to save Ellone but in the end I lost you both because I stayed in Esthar which I no way would have done if I'd known about you and — He was in danger of hyperventilating.

You should've found a way, Squall growled. I grew up never knowing who my parents were. Now I know, and I'll hate you forever for what you did.

said Ellone. It wasn't Laguna's fault. He loves you very much; after all the time you spent in his head, you should know how he feels about family.

Squall sighed. ...You're right. I...forgive you, Laguna.

Oh, Squall! Laguna exclaimed; and father and son embraced for the first time.

When that was done with, Squall glanced at both of them questioningly. Well, is there anything else? I've got a mission to get to.

Laguna scratched the back of his neck. ...I guess not, but —

Squall turned and left.


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