Ripples in a Pond

Chapter 2
Rating: G for now, ratings will go up in the next chapters.
Warning: None, maybe violence if you stretch it. Yaoi in future chapters.

Summary: All bearings are lost when SeeDs experience an unfortunate crash that sends them on a planet where technology is at its beginning and monarchs still rule. The only thing they can do is try and keep their heads over the water and go with the flow, less they drown.ff8-ff9
Notes: Ok, I'd planned the actual crossover to start in this chapter but...it didn't. Squall spoke way too much to me, and took up a whole chapter for himself, the little selfish prick. I'm very sorry, and I promise the next chapter will see the two worlds collide. Really! Or I'll get bored myself.

"And you accepted? Are you sure about this?" Rinoa hadn't had the expected reaction. She'd actually strongly disapproved of his taking the party in space. "Who's going to stay here to help? Esthar needs all the extra arms it can get!"

Squall held back a sigh and tried to keep his voice as neutral as possible. Now he understood why Rinoa didn't have any trouble with fighting monsters: she saw it as a sort of humanitarian gesture. She'd taken a small liking to Laguna, and so he could see why she'd feel closer to this particular case than any other. The difference lay there, where she would do it for free while the only reason SeeDs were here was because it was written on paper with gils backing it up. With the world threat over and Garden expenses to consider, they unfortunately couldn't afford any free help, especially not from their strongest party, so Esthar had to pay like any others. He was once again forced to see how different she was in that aspect from the SeeDs, and it wasn't something that would ever change.

"Laguna's hiring our skills. He's the one who chooses where to use them, not us," he answered with a slight shake of his head. It wasn't that simple, he knew, but at the base it really was basically that. If the man thought they'd be more useful babysitting technicians in a closed spaceship, it was fine by him. Good money, and a distraction for the group.

"It's all just about the contract again." Rinoa's voice had dropped as she looked down in a clear show of disappointment. He didn't know what she'd expected to hear, but it wasn't what he'd just said.

"What else can it be about?" Laguna was an important employer, true, but if not him, then they'd be looking elsewhere. SeeDs were in high demand, especially after the ordeal with Ultimecia that had mutated into publicity for Garden, and they couldn't afford to ignore the other offers to give free help to Esthar, not with everything the Garden cost.

"Many things!" she cried back, face a mix of exasperation and anger at his stubbornness. "You could have refused, and then we'd have stayed here where we're needed more. Sending everyone in space is just a waste of talent."

Sending Irvine and Selphie in Galbadia is a bigger waste. Doing monster duty all the time is driving Zell insane. It's driving me insane. Everyone's tired and bored and someone's going to crack at one point. They have to be able to do something different for once before it happens. Why can't you understand that?

"Whatever."

Rinoa glared at him. She hated that answer, hated how it shut her out of his mind. She knew there was more, that his thoughts encompassed something larger than 'whatever'. Still, some things weren't worth fighting over, and he believed this was such a case. He wouldn't change his mind, and Quistis had already been contacted back in Garden so that she could start organizing things with Xu for their absence. And after he'd seen how Zell was thrilled at the idea, he was sure that Selphie would be twice as happy, and he couldn't deny them that.

"Is that all you have to say?" she challenged, to which he simply shrugged.

"You're not a SeeD. If you don't want to go, just stay," he answered, and it sounded wrong even to his ears. Bringing up that fundamental difference between her and them, setting her apart, was something he despised doing and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. It was true, she wasn't under any obligations to come, as were the others per contract, but he still wanted her with him. He wanted her at his side while they were in space for the second time, and this time they'd enjoy it without the threat of death overshadowing the mood.

But he couldn't say those words.

"Fine! Have a nice trip then," she spat, and he could see tears brimming her eyes at his words. She'd always been touchy on that subject, as she still often felt that she didn't belong in their mercenary world. They were the best words to drive her out, and they did. The door slammed noisily as she bolted out of the room.

Squall watched the blank, even door, and only old habits prevented him from doing violence to the furniture.

He was acutely conscious that he'd screwed everything. He'd challenged her with something she held dear and attacked her on a weak spot, so he didn't expect to see her in space anymore. She might still surprise him though, deciding to come through some logic of hers, but he didn't put any hopes in that possibility. He'd learned his lesson long ago, and he had no intention of getting foolish hopes crushed. It was better not to bother.

When he stepped outside to meet Zell, who'd been waiting on him while he asked Rinoa to come along to FH through the Great Salt Lake, he was suddenly happy at the prospect of slaughtering monsters. Normally, he'd simply use Diablos' ability to avoid trouble, but he needed to get some frustration out of his system before it built up and he destroyed something more valuable and less expendable than furniture. Leaving the Ragnarok behind for its modifications was suddenly a very good idea.

The first Torama that crossed his path was clearly overkill. Zell wisely hung back, letting him do the heavy fighting for once, as the martial artist more often than not claimed that role with his fists. He felt the cold sensation of an Esuna once, though he couldn't tell what he'd been hit with. Frankly, he couldn't tell the difference between being Berserk state and normal right now.

The next monsters were luckier, in a way, though it was only a small margin over mindless hacking and slashing. Thoughts of Rinoa and their short fight were behind every hit and powered every slice, though he didn't think farther, losing himself in the heat of the fight. He wanted to beat all of his pent-up frustration out, and in the long run he ended up throwing in everything he'd accumulated over the months, so that it took until they reached the eastern borders of the Salt Lake before he could think straight again without getting sudden violent urges.

"I've been meaning to ask, but why didn't Rinoa come with us?" Zell asked when they stopped for a short breath and a junction re-arrangement. His voice was perfectly even and normal, as if he hadn't just seen him on a butcher-y killing spree.

"She wanted to stay there to help," he answered just as casually. It was perfectly true, though not the whole story.

"So you guys had a fight, hey," he said with laughter in his voice, only to wave a dismissive hand when he saw Squall's expression. "I'm not askin'! I was just thinking out loud, I guess," he quickly amended, though his smile was wide and knowing.

Squall let the slip go, seeing no point in bringing up his argument with Rinoa. Zell hadn't asked for precisions, so he didn't see why he'd volunteer any. He was grateful for that and for how Zell sometimes knew exactly how to deal with his moods and reactions. He didn't consider him his best friend for nothing, after all.

"Come on, let's go kick some monster butt," Zell offered with a cheeky grin and didn't even wait for Squall before starting down into the Great Salt Lake.

Squall followed, changing Diablos' junction as he went. He'd believed that they could take it easy from here now that Zell didn't have to endure his urge to randomly kill monsters, but just keeping a low encounter rate would do as well, especially when Zell made it sound like it was the highlight of his day.

---

"Seifer, what are you doing here?" Squall asked neutrally, but his hand was hovering over the hilt of the Lionheart. It wasn't exactly intentional, but it wasn't only instincts, either. Especially not when the man had his own Hyperion buckled.

Squall had talked to Quistis and Xu as soon as he'd arrived, and they'd cleared the first details of their prolonged absence. It had gone smoothly enough, with Quistis being as professional as always, but then she'd just hesitated when the important problems had been dealt with. The news of Seifer's barging in Garden had caught him by surprise, as he hadn't thought he'd ever put a single toe back here, and he'd hurried to see what he could possibly want, hating that he'd been here for almost a whole day before he arrived himself.

"Come on, Squally-boy, aren't you happy to see me?" The taller man smirked, trusting his hands to the side in his usual fashion.

"What do you want?" He wouldn't rise to the bait, as he had no definite answer to give in any case. Was he happy to see Seifer? Certainly not, but he couldn't say he was completely unhappy, either. Just wary. They'd been rivals longer than enemies, and that left a mark that would never be erased.

"As boring as ever, I see." Seifer shook his head with a pitying smile that made Squall's hand itch around his weapon's hilt. "But if you want to know so bad, I came here because I heard you were going on a little trip in space," he finally answered, and his voice held something that Squall couldn't qualify, though he decided not to dwell on it. It was always better not to, with Seifer.

"That's got nothing to do with you," Squall deadpanned, wishing to put an end to this useless conversation as quickly as he could. He still had many things to organize in Garden before he could go back to Esthar and deal with things there.

"You'd be surprised," Seifer countered, and now Squall was definitively wary of the light in the blond man's eyes, and he dreaded that smirk that usually meant nothing good. "It wouldn't do for you to get a vacation like this without sharing."

I'm not going alone. What is he driving at..?

"You're not coming, Seifer," he stated when he finally understood what the man was meaning with all of his little snide comments. He earned himself a laugh for his words, and he responded with a cold glare.

"I'm not asking your permission, Squally-boy. FH is driving me up the walls, and I'm an outcast everywhere else, so I'll be bumming a ride whether you want to or not," he boldly affirmed, as if he really could do such a thing without the proper clearance.

That got Squall thinking, though, because despite what Seifer was saying, he'd obviously asked for permission. But since when did the man ask to do anything?

He's got no choice. He can't sneak on board with all of us on guard, not now that we know he's not in FH anymore. If he hadn't shown up in Garden, maybe...But he has, and now we know that he's aware of our plans. He doesn't have a choice but to ask.

Squall was about to say as much when something about this whole situation stopped him. He didn't want to bring Seifer, that was for sure, and his squabbling with Zell would be driving him up the walls soon enough, but suddenly he thought that it might be for the best to put his personal feelings aside and let him join the expedition. Something about how Seifer looked at him, as defiant as always but with a depth in his eyes that told of stronger feelings than he let on, and the desperation –so slight he believed he was imagining it- in his voice pushed him into relenting. Seifer still suffered from his past role as Sorceress Knight, and maybe he really was going crazy through it all. And Squall knew from experience that a crazy Seifer was better to be avoided. He didn't want to come back from space to see that the man had caused any serious damage through whatever new dream he'd created for himself to escape reality.

"Whatever," he said noncommittally. Seifer didn't need to know that he'd be dropping a word to the techs so they let him 'sneak in' if he tried. It was already assumed as much, as he needed his interference to be able to come, and that was enough.

"You'll see more of me, so don't get too eager now!" Seifer declared, tone derisive at Squall's usual 'whatever' that Rinoa hadn't quite managed to stamp out, before turning and stalking away. Even after everything, Squall had to admit that a tiny, tiny part of him still admired how Seifer could just keep that attitude of his, walking like a graceful predator on the roam, as if no one was shying away from him, closing doors in his face, singling him out. He had pride in spades, and the day Squall would see that red-crossed trench coat off his back would be for nothing less than total world destruction.

Just as he left, Zell arrived in the main entrance, and from the look of surprise and utter annoyance mixed with anger on his face, Squall knew he'd encountered Seifer on his way in. He considered himself lucky not to have heard the resulting short but powerful crash.

"Squall! Did you see Seifer? What in Ifrit's name is he doing here?" he asked loudly, clenching and unclenching his fists. The chicken wuss insult would never die, it seemed.

"Nothing you need to worry about," he answered dismissively. He didn't feel like dealing with him right now, not when he'd be asked question after question and yelled at or argued with or whatever other annoying form of communication. First Rinoa, then Seifer, and now Zell. No, he really had had enough for the day.

Zell threw a few punches into thin air, obviously visualizing a blond gunblade master on the receiving end of his powerful Ergheiz gloves.

"Anything concerning Seifer worries me!" he declared. A few imprecations later he'd calmed down and cast Squall a hopeful look before heaving a sigh. "Yeah I know, nothin' I need to worry about. Got it. I know you can deal with him anyways," he finally answered, scratching the back of his head. "He's just an annoying son of a bitch."

Squall shrugged, but he suddenly regretted not telling Zell about Seifer. He knew his temper would flare -it was unavoidable so long as it concerned Zell and Seifer-, but then again, he'd most probably be stuck in the same confined space for quite a while. It wasn't fair of him to deny him the slightest hint, so that his surprise wouldn't be total. Zell also often showed great insight on his behalf, knowing when to stop insisting, understanding his reactions and what he wanted, if not the thoughts behind them. He was a bit like Rinoa, but inside out. Maybe this time he'd also get the hint and not insist too much. After deciding to allow Seifer on the trip, it was the least he could do to repay him the hellish days the martial artist would be spending soon.

"He was just being annoying, raving about our mission in space," he said. Predictably, Zell's eyes narrowed challengingly and he snorted.

"Arrogant bastard! I bet he'd like going out there. Too bad for him!" he declared, and Squall was infinitively grateful that Zell wasn't asking him any more on that subject. It was startling how right he was about Seifer. Actually, the man wanted to go so much that he'd come and asked if he could, though it had been in such a way that anybody else but Seifer and him wouldn't have understood either question or answer.

"Did you need something?" Squall asked before the situation got out of hand and Zell did ask for his opinion on the matter.

The martial artist stopped his mock hits, blinking in surprise as his mind was diverted back to the matter at hand.

"Oh, yeah. A message, actually. Irvine and Selphie just got back, and I told them I'd help looking for you," he said, suddenly calm again as the focus wasn't on Seifer anymore. Squall had always been surprised with how Zell could switch moods so easily, from overly happy to utterly pissed and back again. "They're up on the third floor with Quistis and Xu, I bet they got the news already," he continued.

Squall nodded his thanks and started moving towards the elevator, leaving Zell to go and pester the cafeteria ladies, keeping his pace sedate to allow himself some time to think. After those two, everyone would be warned and kept away from further contracts that could delay the launch, and he'd have more help in preparing things. It was a relief, but as he mentally listed all that still had to be done regardless of how many hands and eyes he'd have to help, Squall let out a small sigh, wishing that he could have a break from being Commander.

Would he ever be granted a break? Probably not until he died or retired, and he was frankly too young to even consider that. He could always quit, but what would he have after that? His gunblade and a hollow pit in his chest. Just like Seifer, but he had Fujin and Raijin with him most of the time. Would others come with him like that? Probably Rinoa. It was a relief to be so sure that the girl would follow him, as he doubted that he'd survive long without her at his side, but it wasn't enough, not if he were to quit. Now he knew what kind of light he'd seen in Seifer's eyes earlier, understood the tone in his voice, and he wanted none of it for himself.

I'm thinking too much...

At the elevator, Squall punched the button and waited, forcing himself to keep a blank mind and think only of thinking nothing. It worked, for the most part, though it also made him edgy. In the end, as the elevator doors slid open with a soft whoosh, he surrendered all arms and simply let his mind wander over trivialities until anything else smacked him in the face.

As Zell had said, Irvine and Selphie were standing with Quistis and Xu on deck. They turned when they saw him take the small elevator up, and Selphie called a cheerful welcome before he'd even moved fully in the smaller room.

Surprisingly, Squall felt a smile tug at his own lips when he saw the cheerful girl and her cowboy. He held it back through sheer habit, but he knew that here at least, even if there were questions and doubts, they would be happy. He didn't like admitting it, but he needed all the cheerfulness he could get right now.

---

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity on the group's part as they prepared for their departure. Once Garden was ordered and ready to run for as long as it needed without its strongest forces and Commander, they returned to Esthar to the hastily patched up space training program and the overseeing of the Ragnarok changes. Selphie was especially present in the later, as she felt it her duty to make sure the ship came out of it intact.

Squall took no real pleasure in those days. He was excited to be leaving, to an extent, but something was highly dampening his mood, and that was Rinoa's absence. He knew from one of Laguna's comments that the girl was taking an active part in the expeditions against monsters and was out most of the time if she wasn't in the medical centre helping with her considerable array of healing magic. He hadn't had any chance to talk to her and clear the conflict, if possible, and he had the distinct impression that she was avoiding him. It did a great deal to destroy the joy he should have felt at flying off in space for something that didn't include politicians or monsters.

It had been agreed that they would launch in the morning, and upon waking, Squall almost decided not to go. He would've gone through with it, but then he remembered Seifer and couldn't make up his mind. Not only did he have responsibilities that he couldn't throw away at the last minute like this, but he also had to make sure that the man didn't cause lasting damage during the trip. He hated making that decision, but he wanted to see his friends injured no more than his relationship with Rinoa, which could be patched up upon coming back. He didn't think it had been so serious a fight that it needed immediate attention. As he'd sometimes heard, maybe leaving her to her own devices for a while would help more than hanging back and hunting after her.

But what if Seifer doesn't come, and it would have been better to stay?

The thought sneaked through unwarranted and made him pause, reconsidering everything. It all changed with that simple possibility, and Squall found himself hesitating again when the decision was made for him.

Someone knocked at the door and Squall opened it to reveal one of the security supervisors. His face was blank and his eyes carefully guarded, though his hands looked sweaty.

"Security tapes have found traces of a suspicious character in the hangar area," he said immediately, and those guarded eyes darted to the side to make sure they were alone. "Seifer Almasy. Do we intercept him?"

It was a show of the man's intelligence that he'd asked before doing anything. In space, Squall would be the leading authority on security, so it figured that he was the one to decide who came and who didn't. Also, just in case it was something planned that didn't need security intervention, one always better ask said authority figure to avoid useless trouble.

Besides, it wasn't as if they'd have succeeded very well in trying to intercept him without the SeeDs' help.

"Leave him alone," he answered. The man looked surprised, his hands twitching, but it was quickly hidden as he nodded.

"Yes, sir." It was spoken in a flat tone, neutral and not questioning the higher authority's decision. It wasn't his business to think and ask. Just to watch and report.

The man left and Squall took a few minutes to check on his pack, counting for one last time the items he was bringing, going through his available magic and buckling the Lionheart. He then left and headed straight for the hangar where the Ragnarok was being done a few last quick adjustments before the launch. He'd asked that they be given some sort of quarters at the Lunar Gate so that they wouldn't waste time on making their way from Esthar.

Selphie was already there, hovering over the technicians' shoulders. She looked back and waved one arm to catch his attention, though it was a futile gesture as her voice was more than enough.

"Good morning Squall!" she called cheerfully and Squall walked to her.

"Good morning," he echoed more sedately, mood still thwarted because of Rinoa's absence.

"You're late! These guys have been at it all night!" she stated with a touch of reprimand, as though she'd expected them to wait on her before working on the ship. She'd become increasingly fond of the Ragnarok, almost to an obsessive point.

"You're the early riser, Selphie," Irvine added from the doorway he'd just stepped through. He covered a yawn and scratched the nape of his neck, his eyes scanning the room with sleep still fogging them. "And they're just crazy," he commented, pointing with his head towards the working technicians.

"Of course I'm up early, we're going in space!"

Squall could understand why Selphie was so existed; she hadn't come in space with him when they'd been running after Ellone. As he saw the two squabble gently, he decided to leave them to their own business and headed towards the head engineer, a capable man he'd come to respect highly.

"How much time?" he asked in a matter of greeting, motioning towards the ship.

"As soon as your party is assembled and ready to go. Everything has been done, we're simply triple checking," the engineer answered, nodding as a technician came to report something. A note was quickly scribbled on his pad.

"Has the technical team arrived?" he asked next. He thought back on the four men they'd be babysitting and couldn't help agreeing with Rinoa on one part: it was absolutely useless for them all to go. For that reason. He didn't particularly care about that though, and more about brining the morals back up.

"Yes. They're in the ship with the equipment," the engineer answered and Squall nodded.

"Make sure the ship is ready for departure in thirty minutes," he said as he saw Quistis step inside, her cool gaze not affected by sleep at all.

"Yes, sir."

The SeeDs were all assembled within ten minutes, prepped up and already moving in the Ragnarok, checking the seats, the small living quarters and generally being excited. Squall didn't waste too much time, simply putting away his Lionheart in the straps made to that effect in his tiny room before going on deck. It wouldn't do for the blade to fly everywhere during the launch.

Selphie was there with two technicians who actually knew how to fly the ship in space, and she was eagerly listening to their explanations as they moved the Ragnarok out of the hangar and to the launching pad. Radio calls crackled to life as commands were issued and answered in a static jumble Squall had trouble making out. Still, he could clearly see the launching rails as they curled up towards the sky and knew they were only a few minutes from flying in that endless blue.

"Flying it in space sounds almost the same as in the air! I'm going to be able to fly it myself in no time!" Selphie stated over her shoulder when she heard the elevator slid up.

"Don't get in their way for now," he said with a touch of amusement at her buoyancy. Then, turning to the pilots, his face grew heavy again. " Is everything ready?" he asked.

Something shook the Ragnarok then, the ship moving until it was steadied again, and it couldn't have been better aligned with the rails if they'd tried. The one who looked like the leading pilot and of whom he'd forgotten the name listened to some more radio calls, pressed a few commands and answered before nodding to Squall from his seat.

"We're all clear, sir. Just get your team buckled in the passenger room and we'll be off," he answered.

Squall could practically feel the surges of power under his feet as he made his way to the large passenger room where the others were already sitting and waiting with various degrees of nervousness. The engines were humming to life, and the knowledge that they would power up even more soon made his blood run fast despite his mood.

He'd been asleep on his first launch, and he intended to enjoy this one no matter what.

The buckles weren't exactly comfortable, as they bit into his shoulder and hips, and so he was tempted to fidget restlessly. He forced himself to stay calm, though the knowledge of Seifer's presence didn't help, nor the guilt he was starting to feel for allowing him on board. The blond man hadn't manifested himself yet, as he wouldn't dare move about until they were in outer space and he was safe from being kicked out, but it didn't matter. He was here, a fact only confirmed by his signalled presence, and it made Squall nervous and painfully aware of another girl's absence.

As his thoughts spiralled down to Rinoa, whatever exaltation he might have felt before leaked out of him. He hadn't expected her to show up, but it still hurt. The ship rumbled and moved forward, picking up speed, and he couldn't make himself enjoy the thrill it stirred in everyone else anymore. Seifer suddenly didn't sound like an acceptable excuse; more like the solution that would cause the least harm; less, but harm nonetheless.

When the scenery blurred by so fast that it dizzied him, when Zell's thrilled yell was buried by the roaring engines, when finally the ship lost all contact with the ground, filling the cabin with a sort of unconnected shaking, it felt as if he'd left a part of himself broken and dying on the rails of the steaming launcher.

The Ragnarok sped forward, powered by additional thrusters they'd discard after reaching space, and it steadied as it reached the higher stratums of the sky. The level of noise died down in the room, or maybe it was the blood that stopped pounding in his ears.

"Look at that! We can't see anything already!" Zell exclaimed, nearly breaking his neck as he strained to see the rapidly fading land.

"It's amazing," Quistis agreed, slightly breathless.

"It would be even better if everyone was here," Irvine put in, and there was no doubting that he wasn't talking about Selphie.

"He's right. Why didn't Rinoa come?" Quistis asked and fixed those piercing eyes of hers on him. He might have managed to escape Irvine's inquiry, and hers by a stretch, but then Zell would have picked up the torch and he wouldn't be left at peace until he gave some form of answer.

"She wanted to stay behind to help Laguna," he answered simply. It was true on the whole line but left out any part he didn't want them to know. It was satisfying enough of an answer that he thought he might escape further questions. He trusted at least Zell to pick up the hint like he'd done before.

"It doesn't exactly surprise me coming from her, but I'd thought she'd prefer coming in space, especially with you," Irvine put in, and Squall hated his insightfulness then.

"Whatever." It was none of their business.

Zell was sitting behind him, just in front of Irvine, and Squall saw their reflection on the windows as he leaned back between the seats with a knowing smile.

"They had a fight," he stage whispered, and Squall resolutely ignored any comments made in his direction after that. At least they had the sense not to bother him about it.

He tuned out the conversation springing up around him between the SeeDs and the other two technicians sitting in the passenger room. The sky became steadily darker as they neared outer space, until it grew almost as dark as night, with only the eerie spaceship lights making their skin turn a ghostly white. Time passed without him counting it too much until the ship steadied and the engines silenced to a low and gentle humming.

"We're in space, guys!" Selphie's voice shouted in the speakers. "You can get up now," she added almost as an afterthought.

Squall was already freeing himself from the uncomfortable buckles' bite and stood up, easing his legs and the knots that had formed in his neck. One look outside told him all he needed to know.

The planet was smaller than he'd thought, and it was only when he saw the moon that he understood that they'd waited until they were free of its gravitational pull before slowing the engines. Its colour had nothing to be envied, however, and he was charmed with the way blues and greens mixed and practically shone from the planet.

If only she'd been here to see it with him…

He was already pushing away from the window when he heard the door slid open, preceding Zell's outraged yell by a second.

"The hell! What are you doin' here, Seifer!"

"Surprised, chicken wuss?" came the sneering reply.

Squall pressed his palms to his eyes with a mute groan as the squabbling began, wishing to whatever deity to give him enough patience to deal with the two of them without any blood being spilled.

TBC