Part 3
A year before Squall's death things within SeeD began to change. The young mercenaries were no longer happy with spending their whole lives as faithful soldiers to finally retire, once they were too old, to nothing. Some of the SeeD wanted to get married and have families but still continue their mercenary work. It was Selphie headmistress of Trabia who led the way with the revolution. On her request a SeeD village was built nearby by to Trabia's base on the northern continent, here SeeD could live with their families when they weren't away on a mission. It turned out with this arrangement in place the SeeD worked much more effectively and it didn't affect their will to go on missions like was first feared. Squall was next to see obvious pros of a SeeD village and after a very short discussion with Headmaster Cid, Balamb's SeeD village was given the go ahead.
It was a couple of days after Squall's funeral that Zell escorted Rinoa to the Galbadian SeeD village. Seeing that she obviously needed a break from Balamb, Seifer had invited Rinoa to stay with him for a while. Rinoa had become ill due to her depression and he had decided to stay at home in the SeeD village to care for her. Apart from going on missions most of his work as Commander could be conducted from his home. Anything that needed his presence was carried out by his faithful friends Fujin and Raijin. Rinoa didn't really understand completely why it was she felt anxious about going to live with him temporarily, he had changed but she was worried it was all an act to get her there. Zell had hold of her hand as they left the train station and headed to the village. On the train Rinoa had confided in Zell about her baby, he had reacted very maturely and offered her help if she ever needed it. Politely she had thanked him for his concern but he had shocked her by a further vow to protect her no matter what. His avowal had caused her to break down and it seemed to clear her head a little, Zell knew everything now and he understood her pain. Having finally had the courage to tell him about the baby and her reasons for leaving Balamb her burden felt lighter. The SeeD village wasn't far now and Zell gave her hand a gentle and reassuring squeeze. They could see Seifer by the gates waiting for them.
"Everything's going to be alright Rinoa, I'm just a call away if you ever need me. If you change your mind about living here and want to come back at any time I will come and get you. Don't' be afraid to ask for anything… I hate to admit it but… I think Seifer will take real good care of you Rinoa. Better than I can right now… Balamb is in a state and everything needs pulling back together and it won't be easy."
"I understand."
"I'm gonna miss having you around you know… You were always there to give me a smile when I needed it."
"Stop…" Rinoa giggled
"I mean it as funny as it might be. We're all lucky that you're in our lives… I just hope next time I see you, you'll have that smile of yours back."
They had finally reached their destination and Seifer approached them, Rinoa squeezed Zell's hand as he did so.
"How are you feeling?" Seifer asked her as he came to a stop
"Not much different from before"
"I see… You do a little pale." He sighed turning to Zell "Thanks for bringing her here."
"It's not a problem… I know it's for the best"
"Aren't you married to that little librarian girl now? I saw you together while I was in Balamb."
"No but we're engaged"
"Congratulations."
"Thanks but less about me… I gotta get going Rinoa."
"Already? Can't you stay a while?"
"You have come a long way Zell"
"Nida and Quistis need my help back at Balamb. Plus Lilia would hurt me a lot if I get back too late." Rinoa didn't reply she was a little reluctant to let him leave her here. Sure the past was behind them but she still felt wary. "You take care of yourself ok? The baby too… I'll come and see you soon and see how you're doing… Keep on smiling, I know it's hard, it's hard for all of us." He touched her face affectionately and handed Seifer Rinoa's bag. "Seifer take care of her." He shook Seifer's hand turned and walked off, he got a little way before waving back at them. Rinoa didn't move until Zell was finally out of sight.
"I want to be here for you Rinoa and I want you to trust me despite what's happened between us in the past."
"Thank you Seifer… Believe me I do trust you… I wouldn't be here if I didn't"
Seifer smiled and held his hand out to her, she stepped toward him and put her hand in his. He swung her bag over his shoulder and together they entered the village, having seen Zell shake Seifer's hand without hesitation and seeing Seifer's actions she felt a little easier. Seifer had really changed in four years and she felt secure and safe now in his care.
Meanwhile in Balamb's SeeD village Selphie sat staring out of the window of the room which was serving as hers while she stayed with Quistis. Quistis had taken time off Garden for the time being to take on the 24 hour care that Selphie needed. The bouncy young Headmistress had fallen quite ill and there were great concerns for the well being of the baby she was carrying. The baby was due to arrive in 3 weeks and with Selphie ill delivering the baby was going to be a risky affair. Irvine knew about the situation but with Selphie away from Garden he couldn't afford to be absent also. But the fact that he wasn't by her side didn't make Selphie feel any better about her situation.
"Do you think I'll die Quisty?"
Totally stunned by the question Quistis turned to Selphie in the window and stared before putting her hands on her hips.
"No! Of course not! Don't say things like that!"
"But Dr. Kadowaki said it was going to be dangerous."
"I don't think she means fatal"
"It still worries me"
"Well try not to think about it you're going to be just fine. Go and get some rest"
"Yeah…" Selphie suddenly let out a cry "Quistis!"
"What?! What is it?!"
"It really hurts… I think I'm having the baby!"
"Ok! Don't move! No in fact… Uh… Come on let's get you laid down…"
Quistis struggled into the bedroom which was fortunately close at hand, lying Selphie down she rushed to call the doctor. The baby was a little premature and Selphie was in a lot of pain not to mention she was currently very weak. Irvine was called and requested to get to Balamb as soon as he could. Zell was just arriving at the SeeD village as he saw the Doctor's car outside Quistis' house. Worried that something may be wrong he ignored the fact he was late home and rushed in. Dr Kadowaki was just coming out of the house as he went in she nodded to Zell and went out. Quistis was sat outside the room on a chair looking upset.
"What's wrong?"
"Zell…" Jumping up Quistis threw her arms around him. "How much more grief do we have to suffer?"
"Is Selphie alright?"
The door opened and Irvine came out looking tired and upset, Zell let go of Quistis and the pair looked at him sympathetically.
"Her illness caused her to give birth early… She wasn't strong enough it nearly killed her… The baby didn't survive…"
"Irvine I'm so sorry…" Zell stepped forward to comfort him but Irvine turned and punched the wall in frustration.
"It's my fault! I should have been here!" A SeeD from Trabia came in carrying Irvine and Selphie's two- year-old son Nathan. As she placed him down the boy toddled over to his Father, Irvine picked him up. Holding the tiny child close he turned to his two friends. "I'm sorry but would you mind giving us some time guys?"
He smiled weakly at them as he turned and headed into the room behind him with his boy. The child was confused as to why he'd been brought to a stranger's house, he also seemed a little distressed that his Mother had been missing for a while. Quistis hugged Zell again, he wiped her eyes and smiled.
"Selphie's alright we didn't lose her too so we have to be thankful. I know what's happened is awful but we have to look at it from a positive view point. Too much has happened recently for us to get down. We have to be strong… Keep your chin up girl and things will get better."
"I can't believe how much you've changed… You're so strong and brave now Zell."
"Someone has to be Quistis and I'm not saying that no one else is trying. But this is a hard time for Garden and… Well if no one tries to stand forward and be strong then we're never going to get Garden running again. I don't want to see all Squall's hard work as Commander wasted."
"You're right"
"If you agree Quistis I want you to smile at me when you say it." He smiled and she couldn't help but smile at him when he said like that she nodded. "Well I need to get going Lilia was going to skin me alive as it was…" he grinned
"When you're done at home will you come to Garden I need to talk to you about something… Meet me on the bridge when you're ready"
"Alright, I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Come in Uniform alright?"
"Uh… Ok…"
On arriving home his fiancée Lilia was sat in their lounge reading a magazine, as he entered she didn't look up.
"Honey I'm home!" he said waiting for a giggle from her or something he swallowed and shifted on his feet. "Sorry…"
"You're late."
"Uh… I got held up… I'm sorry baby"
She put the magazine and looked up at him with her clear green eyes.
"You're in trouble."
"I am?" he said swallowing hard again.
"Oh you bet Mr." she got up and walked towards him "What have you got to say for yourself?"
"I'm really really sorry…" he was obviously upset but almost in a childish way.
Lilia couldn't come up the ruse anymore and giggled kissing him, affectionately linking her arms around his neck.
"You were having me on?"
"Yeah…" she giggled playfully
"I was genuinely afraid for my life…"
"Don't be silly Zell… I understand how much you've got to do right now and I'm not angry at you I couldn't be you do sorry so well… It's too cute and I just wanted to see that little I'm sorry face. You know I'll support you through this… Besides if I nag at you now what will be left for marriage?"
"Children?"
"Maybe… But let's leave that a while yet… I want to get the whole nagging wife thing in the bag first." She grinned
"I need my uniform"
"I know Quistis came over and said you'd be needed at Garden this evening so it's clean and pressed in the bedroom."
"Thanks baby you're the best" He kissed her on the cheek and smiled "I'll make it up to you later"
"Oh Zell stop you're terrible, but alright." She winked kissing him quickly "Get going you don't need to be late"
Having changed into his Uniform Zell went the short way to Garden as he went in the front gates people smiled and waved at him as he passed. He wasn't sure why. But he smiled back keeping on course for the bridge despite all the unusual attention he was receiving. He went up in the elevator and Quistis was there with Headmaster Cid, Nida, Xu and a few other SeeDs. As he entered the room below the bridge they all gave him a round of applause, he stood looking at them completely confused.
"Did my birthday come without my noticing?"
"No Zell you've just been promoted to Commander of Balamb Garden" smiled Quistis
"What?!"
"It took a lot of thought to make this decision and there were many candidates up for possible election." Cid explained "But during this time of sadness it is you who has truly shone through as a giver of strength in times of need. Many of those present now have told me of kind words you have said to them."
"But I don't think I can… I mean…"
"Zell come on everyone looks up to you. You'd do a great job!" Xu said
"You really think so?"
"We also considered who Squall would have chosen to take over Command." Zell fell quiet. "We feel out of everyone we looked at that Squall would have chosen you. Squall saw great qualities in you and we feel had he chosen to step down he would have elected you as his replacement."
"I… don't know what to say…"
"Do you have a problem with it Zell?"
"No I'm over the moon…but I don't think I could ever do as good a job as Squall…"
"Well the council and all the members of SeeD think you can. The students have already been told that you will take Command and that announcement was met with great enthusiasm. You're very popular among the students and the SeeD and I don't think anyone can come up with anyone better."
"Alright… Down to business then." Said Cid standing forward "Do you Zell Dincht accept Command of Balamb Garden?"
Zell lowered his eyes to think about what had been presented to him, he thought of Squall and everything he'd done for Balamb. Everyone in the room looked at him with anticipation, he took a breath and looked up at them with a look of seriousness on his face.
"I would be honoured to take command."
Cid stepped a little closer and pinned the Commander's pin to the Collar of his uniform.
"I hereby appoint Zell Dincht as Commander of Balamb Garden"
Standing back Cid gave Zell the SeeD salute and the SeeDs in the room did too, although embarrassed Zell saluted back.
"Time for an appointment speech" grinned Xu
"You've got to be kidding…"
"Come on don't be shy…"
Beckoning Zell onto the elevator up to the bridge Quistis smiled, he went and stood beside her and together they went up. Quistis fiddled with the mic before signalling Zell to come closer. He reluctantly stood there trying to stall for a time but Quistis pressed the button which put the mic on the air. All the students were waiting for either an appointment speech or news that Zell had turned down the post. On hearing the tannoy go live they all stopped what they were doing to listen.
"Hey everyone… This is Zell." There were cheers and applause all round. "I'm not sure what to say to you all but I'll start by saying thank you. Thanks for everything you've done during this difficult time. It's not been easy around here everyone knows and understands that but hopefully my appointment as Commander will signal a time where things will start to pick up. I want us to all work together to get this place running again because well I can't do it alone. I may be the Commander but that doesn't make me the most important, this Garden is where we all live and work and not just the SeeD either. The students and SeeD candidates are if anything more important because without you place this place wouldn't exist. You're all amazing and again I can't thank you enough for everything… Keep it up and keep on smiling no matter what."
Everyone was moved as Zell finished no one had ever really taken him down as a speaker. But it showed that Squall's death had marked a big change in the happy-go-lucky martial artist. Quistis turned the mic off as he stepped back and smiled.
"That was great Zell for what's going on right now it was just right. I'm just going to go see Selphie do you want to come?"
"Yeah I'd really like to see her"
Nida came up onto the bridge and smiled.
"Congratulations on your promotion Zell"
Zell shook Nida's hand but noticed a pin on his collar too.
"What's this?" he asked
"I'm your deputy and officially named as the Garden's pilot even though I have been for four years now" he laughed
"Congratulations Nida"
"Thanks Zell I'm looking forward to working towards the restoration of Balamb's spirit along with you"
"Yeah. Well I'm about to go see Selphie with Quistis so I'll see you tomorrow"
"Yes sir!" Nida smiled and saluted
Smiling Zell saluted back before turning and heading down with Quistis. They went straight to the village, Selphie had regained consciousness. Irvine was outside looking very drawn and exhausted and it turned out he looked worse off that Selphie did. Selphie looked tired but she was looking fairly bright and more like herself. Her son Nathan was sat on the edge of the bed chattering away, in the way that toddlers do, about all the things he'd been doing and allowed to do while she'd been away. He didn't understand what was happening but his childish innocence brought a smile to all their faces. As Quistis and Zell entered she looked up and smiled.
"Hiya" said Nathan with a little wave
"Hey there little guy" Zell ruffled his hair affectionately Quistis picked the boy up and sat down on the bed with him on her knee. "How you doing?"
Zell leant in and kissed Selphie on the cheek she hugged him.
"A little tired but I'm fine… congratulations Mr Commander" she smiled
The friends sat and chatted to each other and the small child in the room for a while no one mentioned the child Irvine and Selphie had just lost. They all felt the need to talk over old times, past adventures and all the stupid things Zell had done in the past. For a while at least the sorrows and heartbreaks were forgotten.