The Mountains Win Again

A/N: Eighteenth chapter! We're getting closer and closer to the end. I'm aiming for somewhere around 25 chapters.

I'd like to thank That-FF13-girl, Verdanii (I can't say I remember anyone else calling me "babes" though), Daniel Wesley Rydell, and everyone else who's stuck with and continued to support this fic in my year-long absence. You guys really motivate me.

Also, I've got another unrelated fic already planned after this one is done. For more information, view my profile, as it should say a little about it under my "Upcoming fics" section.

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Seifer's eyes fixed upon the white wall before him. It was late… Almost daylight. He sighed lightly, looking over at the clock. 5:15, it read.

As the hours slowly passed, he didn't make a sound. He hadn't seen Quistis since he woke up, as Cid had her weighed down with tons of work, and extra classes, Zell had been moved to another room, and of course there was no sign of the little messenger girl.

For the first time since his suicide attempt, he felt lonely. Not lonely on the surface, but deeply lonely. His time at Garden was waning. Unless he became a Seed, he would be gone in less than a month.

Over the past week in the hospital, he had undergone intensive therapy, and radical healing procedures. He had regained partial control over his arm, but still experienced intense pain if he was too rough. The doctors had him pumped up on steroids and protein supplements, speeding up the healing process.

Despite everything, He felt as if he was becoming more of a hassle to Quistis than an asset. He had no doubts that she cared for him, but it was a horrible feeling.

How had things come to this again? He quickly pushed the thoughts from his mind, attributing them to the medication, and his situation.

As the week progressed, he was told by one of the nurses that Quistis had come to see him, but he was asleep at the time, and she didn't want to wake him. "Great." He thought.

With each passing day, and no Quistis, no Zell, no messenger girl, he began to wonder. Maybe he was asking for it. Maybe they were right in hating him. Maybe he was asking too much.

Finally, the day came. The day he was to be released from the hospital. Slowly, He walked up to the front desk, dropping his bags.

"Information, please." The attendant said, in a male voice, followed by a heavy sigh.

"Here you go." Seifer said, handing over his ID. "Is something wrong?" He asked casually.

"Everything's wrong." The attendant replied. "This job doesn't pay well, my parents are saying I'm too old to still live at home, and my mom took away my pot."

"Well, how old are you?" Seifer asked.

"35." The attendant replied.

Shortly after, he noticed the attendant sounded and looked familiar. Upon looking closer, he recognized him. "Wedge?" He asked.

"Almasy?" Wedge gasped. "Get out of my hospital!" He yelled, handing Seifer back his ID and shooing him away.

He promptly grabbed a train, then a boat, and slowly made his way back to Balamb. The moon hung high over him, and the light from Balamb Garden's rings gleamed off of his expressionless face, as he stood before the gates of the massive structure. It seemed like it had been ages since he had last been here, and he wasn't too eager to ever set foot on the elevator again, even though it had been repaired and was probably even stronger than before.

He experienced a strange sense of déjà vu as he walked the dimly illuminated halls of the Garden. Finally, he found himself before Quistis' door.

Almost with a breath of nervousness, he inserted his key card, and with a beep, the door quietly opened.

He stepped in silently, setting his bags in the corner, next to the couch. He wasn't to see Quistis sleeping peacefully in her bed, being that it was after midnight.

Casually, he removed his shoes and jacket, changing into more comfortable clothes. He stepped out of the bathroom, with an almost abscent smile on his face. Striding over to the bed, he knelt down slowly, his left hand moving to brush a few stray strands of hair from her angelic face. She looked so peaceful when she slept. He simply knelt, admiring for a time, occasionally reaching out his hand to caress the soft skin of her cheeks.

She began to stir, opening her eyes slowly; to see the tall blonde she missed having around. "Hi." She smiled sleepily.

"Hi." He replied.

"When did you get back?" She yawned.

"Not too long ago.." He blinked.

"I was going to pick you up tomorrow." She informed.

"I know." He smiled. "But I wanted to come home early."

Quistis scooted over, pulling back the covers to make way for him. He stretched his upper body, before carefully climbing into bed, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Good night." He whispered.

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A/N: Oy vey! This chapter really took it out of me. Review, biotches : p