And here's the second delayed chapter! No worries though. Chapter five will definitely be posted this coming Saturday!

.04.

The moment her Uncle and his friends had returned, Layla had told them about Saturday's plans. "...I think it'd be excellent press for the world to see us being more involved with Garden. They've just announced a Headmistress of Galbadia and I've arranged for us to go to Balamb to congratulate her personally."

"While conveniently giving us a tour of the facilities?" Ward asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes, but consider how good it looks that the President of Esthar personally congratulates the first woman to be promoted to head of a Garden. Women everywhere will be so happy. Plus, we have this image of being snobs because we're so withdrawn from everyone else. Not to mention I have been told Squall will in fact be on the property and has no plans for lunch. It might be a nice time for Laguna to speak with him. I mean, he happens to be in the area and naturally greets his son. Maybe has lunch with him. That's not forcing anything. Don't you agree Mr. President?"

He was clearly nervous about the idea.

"Also, I'm sure Mrs. Kramer will be so relieved that you're making an attempt. I know she's been very worried about this whole mess."

"It would be appropriate to visit the new Headmistress. Showing our support for the SeeD program does have positive political implications," Kiros advised.

"As long as you stay home," Ward said, giving Layla a pointed look.

"Not fair. I planned everything out and made all the calls. I worked really hard."

"Worked really hard to get us to give you a chance to try and talk us into letting you join SeeD."

"Are you worried I would be able to convince you? Is your resolve so weak?"

"No. I will not be swayed on this matter."

"Than what harm would it do for me to get to come along? Would it really be so awful for me to see the world outside of Esthar?"

"I think she has you Ward," Laguna told him as he patted his back.

"As stubborn as her mother..." the muscled man sighed, "You can come, but I don't want to hear anything from you about joining the SeeD program. You can talk all you want about politics, but you aren't going to join SeeD."

"Thank you! I can't wait. I hear they have the most awesome restaurant that grills the fish right in front of you!" She threw her arms around her Uncle. "I'm going to go book our rental car!"

As soon as she was out of the room, she called Squall.

As they walked out, Rinoa decided to ask Squall how he felt about his father's visit. "Hey..."

He didn't answer and instead opened his phone. "Hello?"

She looked around. Anyone who would be calling him was right here and she knew right away it was Layla. She walked just back from him to listen.

"You're coming too?"

There was silence while Layla spoke. Rinoa desperately wanted to know what she was saying.

"I'll try," Squall replied after a long pause. "No problem."

More silence.

"I'll see you then."

He hung up and she stomped past him angrily. "Selphie!" She called, needing to talk to someone.

Irvinne sighed when Selphie who was just about to accompany him on a trip to the woods to hunt fiends was pulled away by Rinoa. He half wondered if she had any consideration for other people's feelings at all.

Ignoring it and giving them a tip of his hat, he slowed to fall into step with Squall. "Interestin' day."

Squall didn't respond.

"Somethin' on your mind?"

Nothing.

"You know. I don't think anyone is at all excited about the possibility of Seifer comin' back, but it might actually be the worst for you. I heard about how things were for the two of you before the war even began. I also know he used to date Rinoa. I'm sure it's gonna be rough on the two of you, but just try and remember that even though this is dramatic, you've technically been through worse. More than once."

Squall turned a glare on him and he gave up.

"I was just trying to be supportive."

Seifer was sitting on a stiff and clearly not well used sofa in a living room that was obsessively tidy. He wondered if that was the real reason Rinoa couldn't get along with her father, because she was a slob and he was apparently a neat freak.

He could see a short bookcase and to his surprise, it was lined with actual novels as opposed to war manuals and the military histories. He got closer. Apparently the General was a fan of Terry Goodkind. The shelf held at least a dozen books with the man's name printed in raised gold-coloured print.

"She'll be here shortly, sir," said a maid from the door, "Please make your way to the dining room."

He stood and slowly walked toward the dining table even though he had the urge to ignore the maid. It had sounded suspiciously like an order and he wasn't so good with taking orders.

Fury was already at the table and Seifer took a seat just down from him. "Kind of a big table for a man who eats alone," he observed.

"Kind of a big mouth for a child who is alone."

There was commotion at the front door. Seifer felt a prickle of alarm travel over his skin. Something was wrong. He made to stand, but the general stopped him.

"I don't have guests often that aren't military officials. The staffs are easily excited by changes in routine."

Seifer returned to sitting, but listened. He heard the tell-tale click of Matron's shoes as she was led down the hallway by a servant. He got up again, eager to greet her.

When she walked in, she smiled at him and spread her arms. He embraced her and noticed how frail she seemed. So delicate in comparison to the Matron who hugged him in his memories. He had been smaller than of course.

"Seifer," she murmured into his cheek as she kissed it and ran a hand over his hair to smooth it into place. "Have you thanked Mr. Caraway for inviting you in?"

Feeling foolish, Seifer turned his head to face the general. "Thank you."

Fury nodded and waved his hand. "Let's sit. The food will be brought out shortly."

Seated at the table, Seifer felt elated. It had been so long since people had sat and had a meal with him. To have Matron there was a dream and Caraway was no Cid, but he'd do.

"Fury, I must thank you again. I've been looking for months and nobody was able to find him."

"It was my pleasure to be able to help you. I must admit I hadn't been looking for him. He sort of just turned up."

Edea laughed and Seifer watched them. When had they gotten close? When had she started calling him Fury? When had he become so informal? There was something off about it, but he could only assume it was because of the twisted nature of the history the three of them shared. Hell, maybe he was just jealous that Matron was paying attention to someone other than him. Not that it lasted.

She turned her kind eyes onto him and smiled. "There's a home waiting for you back at Balamb Garden, you know."

He frowned. He couldn't really go back there and face everyone. Things were hard enough as he was now, but going back would be terrible.

"I can see he doesn't think that's a good idea," Fury told her.

"I know you're worried, but I've already discussed it with them and they all seemed well-receptive."

"Until I get there. Matron, I think it's too soon."

She leaned to the left while the maid placed a plate in front of her. Unfolding her napkin and smoothing it over her lap, she looked down at the roast duck. "I understand that feeling Seifer, but it won't change unless you confront it. I would've thought you'd jump at the chance to come home."

"It's not my home. It's theirs and maybe if everyone just had some time to relax after everything that's happened..." He trailed off. He hadn't really any way to end the sentence. It's not as though they'd forgive him. He destroyed Selphie's home and killed her friends. For sure Zell still hated him. Hyne only knows how Rinoa would react to him. And Squall... No. It couldn't be. He was never going back.

"Maybe a little time would be good for him, Edea," Fury advised.

"Then let me find you someplace to live. You can't be out on the street. How have you been eating?"

"I took money in exchange for teaching a few people to use a gunblade. It was enough to get by."

"You don't need to find him a place. He can stay here. I have more than enough room."

Seifer stared at the general. He couldn't possibly impose himself on this man any further. "I usurped your position."

"Well, Edea has apologized to me for her possession and explained the psychological warfare Ultamecia had used on you. That's really all in the past."

Seifer suddenly wanted this man to hate him. He had been a monster and he should hate him. How the hell could he forgive a guy who had been the enemy? "I slept with your daughter."

"Seifer!" Matron scolded.

"That is also in the past. I've sworn I would not hold that against Rinoa and it's only right that I not hold it against you. Young people are impulsive."

"This stops now Seifer," Edea said sternly.

He fell silent and instead took to eating his duck.

"You're welcome to stay until you're ready to go home. There are spare rooms and it would look good on you to be seen in daylight by the masses. Perhaps once Deling forgives you, you can move on and seek the forgiveness of your friends."

He opened his mouth to protest, but Edea shot him a look. "Fine. I'll stay."

Squall sat awkwardly on the bed in Zell's room, trying not to be bothered by the mess that was threatening to swallow them alive. He could see an unfinished hot dog on a plate on the desk. It had obviously been there awhile. Irvinne was beside him and they were quiet.

Zell emerged from his bathroom with a box of cloth for hand wraps. "Thanks for waiting. I couldn't remember where I put this stuff. I never use it, but the gloves are new and they have been worn in yet, so they chafe my wrists."

"As long as we get out to kill some fiends before dark, man. We've been waitin' on you for almost half an hour," Irvinne told him as both he and Squall stood quickly.

They walked in silence to the parking garage where they got into a car. Zell wrapped his hands and Irvinne loaded his rifle. Squall's gun was never not loaded and was always polished so he drove.

They reached the forest Irvinne had intended to take Selphie to and got out. With the doors locked behind them, they walked brazenly into the trees, taking no clear path.

"Did anyone draw any heals?" Zell asked.

"Only all I could carry," Irvinne replied.

"Same," Squall agreed.

"So, just me here without any magic drawn?"

"Seems that way, but we probably won't need it. Just gotta play our cards right."

Squall waved them quiet. Something was moving ahead of them. They snuck up and found a clearing.

"Sweet fucking Hyne," Zell muttered.

There was a nest. A big nest. A big nest full of big eggs.

"Are those dragon eggs?" Irvinne asked.

Squall wasn't sure. He shrugged. They looked it, but it was usually Quistis who knew about these sorts of things.

"I'm gonna call Quistis. I wouldn't wanna kill anything we shouldn't," Irvinne sighed as he pulled out his cell.

She didn't answer.

"What now? Shouldn't we break them before they hatch so the town isn't in danger?" Zell insisted.

"Let me call someone."Squall dialled Layla and she picked up after only one ring.

"What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking at some eggs."

"Prepping for breakfast?"

"Possibly dragon eggs."

"I don't know about dragons. One second." There was a click and he was sure she'd hung up on him. He heard the phone ring again and she spoke. "I transferred you to the landline Mr. Leonhart and put you on speakerphone in the office of President Loire who happens to know a lot about dragons."

"Um. Hi," came an awkward greeting no doubt the voice of his father.

"Hi."

Irvinne looked at him curiously.

"So, um... What do the eggs look like?" Laguna asked.

"Almost to my hip. Pinkish colour with weird grey freckles."

There was silence.

"Hello?"

"You should leave them. Like, leave now."

"Why?"

"Those are Ruby Dragon eggs and if they're only pink, they were recently laid. The mother can't be far and mother Ruby Dragons are insane. You should probably wait until dawn when she'll be sleeping on the nest and take her out before you even think about the eggs. She catches you hurting her eggs, she'll take you down even if it means she dies in the process."

"I hear wings..." Zell whispered.

"We're leaving," Squall told his friends.

"Good idea," Laguna told him.

"I'm hanging up now."

"Alright."

"Thanks." Squall closed the phone before his throat could close off entirely. That had been more than a little uncomfortable. How he was going to handle seeing the man in person was beyond him.