Epilogue
On the return trip to Garden everyone swapped stories so they all got up to speed. While Irvine had dealt with the demons in the Fire Cavern, Rinoa and Nida were told what happened years ago. Matron had insisted she come along.
It seemed Zell had been right about the link between them all, but Ultimecia had nothing to do with this. He did not look forward to the 'I told you so' the brawler would likely shower him.
Irvine was relieved things had worked out for the better. Despite how everything had turned out those he did not look forward to Xu's interrogation. Not only had he left her out of the loop (again), he had purposefully broken the Lock-Down and could have made things worse. Fortunately Matron took it upon herself to field the Lieutenant-Commander's questions and requested a medical team meet them on the Second Floor Balcony to bring the unconscious youths to the Infirmary. Irvine and Rinoa were able to sneak away while Matron dealt with Xu.
But Xu wasn't the only one who wanted answers. Doctor Kadowaki threw a fit when she saw the additional injuries ("They weren't there during my watch!") not to mention an extra patient. Irvine's arm was confirmed broken from 'the game' but a combination of magic and splints helped to heal some of the damage. He was fortunate to not need a plaster cast, but had been given a proper sling for his arm. She treated the others' injuries without too much complaint.
One by one everyone came out of their coma but it was a full week before they were allowed out of the Infirmary. Selphie and Zell took it in stride. Squall and Quistis protested adamantly. The doctor ignored the latter easily. That week passed without incident.
Not even an hour after discharge, Quistis and Zell were quick to gather Rinoa, Irvine and Selphie to the third floor; Xu and Squall got into a shouting match (though of course it was grossly exaggerated; Squall rarely, if ever, shouted) over his 'carelessness'. It ended when Squall had challenged Xu to fire him from a job he'd never wanted in the first place before he'd stormed to his office and remained there for the rest of the day.
Now both Irvine and Selphie were back to cloud watching in the Quad. They'd been there since the debacle had broken up. The content silence was occasionally interrupted when Selphie giggled at the memory. Squall wasn't about to live this one down for a long time.
"Oh yeah!" Selphie sat up, reached into her pocket to retrieve a white envelope and practically slapped it on Irvine's stomach. He interpreted the scrawl as his name and recognized the handwriting as Garden Master Martine's. "I think he finally got off his ass and wrote up your transfer! It came in today and the Headmaster asked me to give it to you while we watched Xu and Squall argue."
Irvine considered it for a moment. "Ya might be right." Then he tore the envelope in half.
"What'd you do that for?!" Selphie slapped him on his good shoulder. "What if it said you could stay?!"
"I jes realized I don't need anyone's permission ta stick around." When Selphie went to argue Irvine wrapped his good arm around her and pulled her to lay on his chest. "Mah family's right here and if Martine has a problem, he can go fuck himself."
"Aw... Well I'm glad you're staying."
They stayed like that for a while as they stared at the darkening sky. But then Selphie sighed, pulled herself up and cut him with a look. "Did you just cop a feel?"
Irvine's grin was impish. "Can't blame a guy fer tryin', can ya?"
End