Alright, I'm really sorry i havent updated this in a while, but i really didnt know if i was going to make any changes with the other chapters that would affect this one.
And it did :p I have chapters 19 and 20 done too, so yeah depending on how fast i write and how many reviews i get, i'll soon have the others posted too.
Thanks for all the reviews i've been getting, its really motivating and i love reading them! :) You guys are awesome!
Btw - isnt my avatar just so cool? I made it myself ^.^
Chapter 18 - Deep Sea Research
All week Rinoa and Squall were escorted to school by Ward Zabac and Kiros Segul. Everyday it was the same routine: getting into Ward's Chevrolet and driving to school, having both men wait outside their classrooms while they were studying, they even accompanied both teenagers to lunch and toilet breaks. Once school was over, it was the drive back to the Loire's home and straight into their rooms.
It was like living in a prison; always being watched, always being monitored, always being protected. Though the protection against what or whom was still unknown.
Now Rinoa was in the guest room of the Loire's house packing her belongs again for the fourth time that month. It was such a mundane task she couldn't be bothered to properly perform and soon started stuffing clothes and necessities without a care.
Someone knocked on her door and she called them to come in. Squall entered her room with a can of drink and snacks.
"Thought you could use a snack while you pack." He said offering her the drink.
"Thanks." She replied and placed the chilled drink on her dresser. "This is so annoying; I've never packed so many time in my life! I might as well just live out of my suitcase!" She complained and slumped to the floor pulling her legs up and hugging her knees.
Squall just smiled and remained silent. He could tell what she probably really wanted was to be in her own room back in Deling City, living the peaceful life she had before she moved to Balamb. Neither could even predict that her life would have been thrown into such turmoil in the current weeks.
"Laguna got a call from the Shumi Mayor." He said getting an interested glance from Rinoa. "Skippy is being deported back to Shumi."
"Well, that's something." She said relieved. "But it still doesn't get rid of my other problems."
"Don't worry, with time things will settle." He replied looking around the guest room. It was nicely decorated with cream coloured walls and lilac boarders complete with a set of furniture. Two chests of draws, a writing desk and a bed side table were positioned around the room. The same cream colour and lilac rimmed panelling matching with the overall colour of the room. His mother had designed the layout and colour of the room, after her death Laguna saw no reason to change anything within the house leaving Raine's last touches lingering with them.
"How do you know? All I can see is things are getting worse by the day." She sulked, getting up and opening the cookie packet, offering one to Squall before taking one herself.
"Just have some patience and hope." Squall replied not knowing how to answer her question. It was true, everything was just a series of problems one after the other. Although one was solved, another would soon start. During the week the Mayor had officially released all drug charges on Rinoa, citing an intentional defamation of the girl by Skippy and Ultimecia. But that still hadn't solved the problems in Galbadia, and things weren't changing. What guarantee did Squall have that things would settle?
"Squall!" Laguna's voice shouted from the stair way.
Squall turned and opened Rinoa's bedroom door following his father's command. Rinoa followed pursuit following the brunette into the living room and looking at Laguna who was smiling into the phone.
"Ok… no, no she's always welcome here… yeah I'll still have Kiros and Ward escort them to Centra… no can't take any chances… well she's here now, do you want to talk to her?… Ok, you too, Bye." Laguna said and hung up the cordless phone.
"Good news." He grinned at the two folding his arms as Ellone came into the room with Laguna's tea. "Mecia has been caught."
Rinoa put a hand to her mouth in disbelief. "Really?" She muffled through her hand. "But what about the rest…"
"Don't worry about the rest. They found her in Odin's Tower, it seems that was one of their hideouts. Anyways, she and her minions have been arrested, so I'd say you're pretty safe now." Laguna smiled comfortingly at her.
"Pretty safe?" She repeated uncertain.
"Well, we don't want to take any chances. We don't know if she knows of other people who will still carry out her plans." Laguna continued and sipped his tea. "Besides, although she has been caught and the charges have been put on her, we will have to wait and see what reaction we get from Galbadia."
"So for now?" Squall asked.
"Now Rinoa will continue to stay with us, we'll look after her," he smiled at her, "Kiros and Ward will escort you both to Centra and I know some people who can keep an eye on you while you're there."
"I really don't want to be gallivanting the world when there could be people still after me." The raven haired honestly confessed.
"It's ok Rinoa, if you'd rather stay here we can speak to your professor." Laguna comforted the girl. He could see she was still scared and apprehensive. It was a lot for her to take in, for such a futile attempt to gain power, somehow it had thrust her into the line of fire and was ultimately jeopardising her life. It was surreal. It was crazy the lengths people would go to change their circumstances, initially hurting innocent civilians along the way.
"If she's not going I'm not going." Squall spoke up. "I want to stay here and make sure she's ok."
Laguna hesitated looking from his son to Rinoa. "I don't know. I don't think Professor Odine will be happy about that."
"I don't care, I'm not leaving her by herself." Squall replied adamant to stay behind.
"Squall, Odine is putting a lot of effort for you to get into ECU, Rinoa will be fine here." Laguna tried assuring him, but the stoic young man wouldn't hear of it.
"I don't want to be anywhere where I can't see her."
"Squall," Rinoa spoke up walking over to him forcing him to look at her, "I'll be fine. You shouldn't worry and put your plans on hold. Trust me, I'll be better if I am here with Laguna, Kiros and Ward."
"No." Squall muttered folding his arms. No one understood him, they couldn't comprehend the need he had to make sure she was alright. He couldn't possibly go off to Centra for a week without her. If anything happened, how would he help her? How would he justify to himself that he had done all he could, when he was off in some barren land miles away from her. He had left her once before, he wasn't ready to do it again.
"Ok." She breathed and looked at Laguna. "Send Kiros and Ward with us."
"Wait. You said you didn't want to go." Squall argued.
"Yeah well that was before, I don't want to cause any problems so I'll come with you." She shrugged.
"No, we can stay here it'll be fine." Squall continued arguing.
"Squall!" She cried out in frustration and put her hand to her forehead. "Sorry. Look I don't want anyone to start changing their plans for me. The sooner this is all wrapped up, the sooner I can get on with my life." She complained.
Squall walked up to her and took her into a hug. He had been so consumed in keeping her safe he hadn't stopped to think how it was affecting her.
"Rinoa, I know some people in Centra, they can look after you." Laguna reassured her, to which she subtly smiled in appreciation.
"Guys, it's already on Galbadian news." Ellone cried turning up the TV volume.
"Welcome to the 10 o'clock News, reports just in Ultimecia of the Galbadian Defence League has been charged and arrested. The Centri woman was located in Odin's Tower, a desolate barren town very few reside in. The location was used as a hideout for the Centri to plan her attacks on Galbadia and the Caraway family…"
Rinoa sat looking out of the window as the plane flew high above the Galbadian Ocean. It was morning and the bright fluffy clouds could be seen hovering under the aircraft as the school made their way to Centra.
Squall sat next to Rinoa, engrossed in reading a book while ever now and then sipping on the apple juice given to him by the air stewardess.
Ward sat next to Squall watching a program on the 6 inch screen in front of him every so often looking back and whispering to Kiros who sitting behind him.
"Rinoa, you want some?" Quistis asked the girl in front of her, offering a bag of chocolate covered raisins.
"Nah I'm ok." Rinoa called back still staring out of the window.
They had been flying for three hours and were soon to land at the Deep Sea Research centre, an organisation situated in Centra Ruins, that worked in conjunction to schools and universities offering a independent study scheme to students who wished to pursue extra scientific education. The initiative soon developed and many universities now made it mandatory to have either a Certificate in Deep Sea Research, Tower Communications and Advanced Laboratory Sciences, the latter only applicable to Estharians. ECU happened to be one of the universities that required two certificates in either field, hence the pressure on Squall by his Professors.
"Hey," Rinoa turned to get Squall attention, "are you definitely going to ECU?" She asked hoping for an honest answer.
"I wanted to before, but now…" He trailed off thinking.
"Don't change your plans for me." She said determinedly.
"Why? Have you changed your mind about us?" He asked his eyes shining in worry.
She giggled at his cuteness. "No, I meant, if this is somewhere you've always wanted to go, don't give it up for me. Because you know, I could always join you?" She teased.
"You'd come to Esthar with me?" He asked smiling, yet needing more confirmation.
"Well, that is if Esthar will have me." She replied bitterly.
"They will, they'll have to." He said seriously, putting an arm around her and holding her tight.
"Ssshh." Ward indicated with his fingers and continued to watch his soap opera.
Rinoa and Squall just looked at each other and giggled.
On a different airline, on a different plane, on a different route was another man. He sat legs folded, arm poised with his chin resting on his open palm looking out of the window. One of the stewardesses approached and asked if he wanted a cold beverage to drink. He didn't bother answering, he just kept his position still and she soon left with a look of humiliation. Of course he didn't want a drink. He was a man of action, not a man of pleasure.
He was top ranked as the highest achieving scientist in the world. Many wanted him, mainly for the money and fame he could offer their companies. But he had said no. No to all except one.
Well, this offer was a little pay back. A favour carried out in thanks to where he was now. If they didn't help him all those years ago, he wouldn't be the person he was today. He owed it to them.
Of course the favour was somewhat peculiar given his field, but nonetheless he had to do it.
Rinoa Heartilly. He looked at the picture he was given. They found it strange he didn't know of her until today. Well, his work kept him busy, he wasn't one to read magazines and dwell on celebrities.
He leaned back on his seat, he'd be there soon, he'd be watching her soon.
The keen science students assembled in a line on the open bridge just outside the Research centre. Professor Hojo and Odine stood in front explaining the process that was to take place for the day. Since it had already gone past 4 in the afternoon they decided to let the students relax and get started on work the next day.
Three men dressed in dark blue uniforms with gold and black stripes walked up and greeted the professors, shaking their hands and eagerly welcoming them with smiles on their faces. They talked briefly and then turned their attention to the group of students also eagerly waiting to enter the building.
"Right, Balmab High please settle down." Professor Hojo barked to the crowd. "I'd like to introduce you to Edward Bahamut and Robert Tiamat the Centre Organisers and co-founders. They will outline the general duties you will take part in, as well as some guidance and safety issues."
Hojo made room for one of the men and stood aside. The man was taller than the other three and looked slightly older. He was tall and of slim build with sharp features and short spiky jet black hair.
"Good evening. I'm Edward Bahamut, you can all call me Mr Bahamut," he teased the school students, "my cousin, Robert, and I started this centre about fifteen years ago and we're very happy to see it prosper into such a high demand incentive for young scientists like yourselves…" The man went on to explain for another ten minutes the history behind the centre.
"…Lastly, and I do apologise, I'd like to introduce you to Mr Phillip Norg our accomplice who will talk to you about the safety procedures."
"Not to worry." The man said cheerfully. He looked the happiest out of all three men, and was a bit heavier looking too. "I'll be handing out safety precaution sheets to you all, which you can read over tonight, please do read them as they contain detrimental information for your safety. I'd also like to address the current volcanic level has risen, but its nothing to worry about and shouldn't cause any disruptions to your experience here."
The three men went around the group of students handing out the sheets of paper giving individual greetings and answering questions.
Rinoa had one question in mind and quickly got the attention of one of the men. "Excuse me." She popped her head in front of him while he was handing a sheet to another student.
"Yes Dear?" Norg asked awaiting her question.
"It says here that the centre has a facility for extinct species, will we get a look at them?" She asked hoping the answer would be yes. She had read in a magazine once that the DSR centre had over a thousand preserved extinct species which she wanted to check out.
"I'm afraid not, the section is off limits to everyone except personnel." The man replied apologetically.
"Oh alright, no worries." She replied disheartened.
"Tell ya what," the man whispered seeing her disappointment, "I'll have a word with old Tiamat and see if he'll make an except for you lot."
"Really?" She asked her eyes widening in hope.
"Course, they're all dead anyways, can hardly hurt you kids now is it?" He joked receiving Rinoa's heartfelt laughter before he walked off handing out more sheets to other students.
Putting the students in accommodation after having dinner, the three men sat in the control room monitoring the volcanic activity.
"Anyone for more coffee?" Norg asked from the coffee stand at the back.
"Nah, I'm alright mate." Bahamut replied viewing the small control screen.
"Black, two sugars." Tiamat ordered from his seat.
"Please." Norg joked looking over his shoulder.
Tiamat glanced at him with a look of irritation, "Please." He unwillingly replied back.
Norg was on his way to handing over the coffee when the door to the control room was heard being swiped and opened. The three men turned around to see another man dressed in blue uniform with black and blue stripes.
"Alex, is that you?" Norg asked cheerfully.
"Hey boys, good to see you again." The man replied walking up to them and receiving their hugs.
"I thought you were researching in Dollet?" Bahamut asked curiously wondering why the man was back after making a sudden disappearance two years ago.
"Yeah, I thought I'd come back and see how you guys were doing. You don't mind do you?" He asked playfully.
"Of course not." Tiamat muttered in monotone. "After all, if it wasn't for your help we'd never get this place up and running, right Bahamut?"
"No, I guess not. Nice having you back mate." He replied smiling. "This will be fun, the four of us again."
"Well, at least this time I'll get to know you better eh, Alex?" Norg asked the blond man.
"Of course." He said getting up from his leaning position and walking to the door. "I'll see you boys in the morning, you can introduce me to the school kids I saw in the dorms."
The three men said their goodbyes and Alexander made his way to his room.
Once he was safely locked in his room he took out Rinoa Heartilly's picture. Taking a lighter from his pocket he went over to the bathroom sink and burned her picture.
Don't want anyone finding out my mission, do we Rinoa?
The next morning Professor Hojo and Kefka ordered the students to get into groups of 7. Each group was given four activities they were to carry out throughout the week. Squall, Rinoa, Seifer, Quistis, Zell, Sarah and Dexter gathered into one group and started observing their itinerary.
The activity they were to carry out was of two parts. The first being the endangered species section where they had to collect information on three of the following endangered species: Malboro, Grendel and Ruby Dragon. The second activity was to measure the seismic waves of Mount Ultima and its morphology in the past 70 years.
"Let's get the species activity done first, that way we'll have more time until lunch break." Rinoa suggested which the group agreed to.
Making their way down to the third floor of the centre the group found some catalogues of endangered species. Squall and Quistis started to sift through the catalogue hoping to find any information on their chosen species.
Rinoa walked over to a glass container looking into it and noticing a preserved Fastitocalon in a predatory action. "Gross." She muttered to herself as she read the caption underneath the container citing it still had food in its gut when it was found.
"That is one mean fish." Seifer commented behind her.
"Yeah, who needs piranhas when you got this guy?" She replied back walking along with him to the book shelf at the back.
"Dexter and Sarah are using the database system to get some info on the Malboros." Seifer said handing Rinoa a book on Ruby Dragons. "We should check on the dragons."
"Alright." She complied and started reading.
Half an hour later Rinoa looked up to see two men come into the room inspecting the students and the contents of the room.
One of the men was Norg whom she had met yesterday, the other she hadn't seen before. He didn't look too friendly. Currently he was looking at Squall with a frown and completely ignoring what his colleague was saying to him. He was a man of medium height, slim with bleach blond hair and blue eyes. He wore the same blue uniform with the black and gold stripes and held a clipboard in his hand.
Norg walked over to Rinoa and introduced the man. "Alexander, these are some of the students from Balamb High." He said to the man who turned looking at Rinoa and Seifer and then glancing away rudely.
"Charmed." He said rather sarcastically.
"Nice to meet you too." Seifer couldn't help but reply back equally as cold.
"Er, Alexander funds this centre and also helps run things around here." Norg added hoping the students would realise the man was of utmost importance.
"Excuse me." Alex said walking off and inspecting a control panel at the back.
"Gosh he's rude." Rinoa whispered.
"Don't mind him; he can be like that sometimes." Norg excused the man smiling at the raven haired girl. "Oh, were you the one who asked me about the extinct species?"
"Yeah." Rinoa answered remembering her request from the day before.
"I had a word with Rob; he said you can visit but only two of you." Norg informed her getting a squeal of delight from her. "But you've got to keep quiet about it. There's a lot of species down there, they're expensive and important. Too many people go down there and you'll find things gone missing or worse… broken."
"Oh I won't tell a soul." She said holding her hands up.
"Alright, not today though. I got old Alex to show around. But you come find me when you want to go down and I'll take you." He offered kindly.
"Ok, thanks." She agreed. She couldn't wait; the extra activity would definitely look good on her university application, not to mention Squall's. She'd tell him during lunch when the other's weren't about, she didn't want everyone to start asking if they could go down and see the species for themselves. Tiamat might just say no to the whole thing.
Lunch time and the centre's food hall was buzzing with the sound of school students and centre staff. Cutlery hitting plates, chatter and the clang of shoes stomping on the metal flooring could be heard echoing around the wide glassed hall.
Squall sat with his group eating their hot meals and assessing the next activity.
"Why do we even have to collect data on volcanoes? I swear that's more Geography." Zell complained through a mouthful of hotdog.
"Yeah but remember, Geography is a social science anyways." Dexter pointed out, writing down the plan of action for each student.
"Still, they should've have just focused on one eck… agghhh." Zell started choking on his hotdog taking one too many bites at a time.
"Zell, are you ok?" Sarah cried patting his back with force. Quistis leaned over and started patting his back harder.
"Wahr." He moaned looking into his empty drinking cup.
"You're so gay." Seifer threw the boy his drinking bottle and turned away in disgust.
Zell coughed a couple of time before wheezing and replying. "It went down the wrong pipe." He croaked.
"Yeah because you're a faggot."
"Seifer!" Quistis sternly reprimanded him still comforting Zell.
"Well look at him. Everyday it's the same old routine; shoving bloody hotdogs down his throat." The blond tried to defend his insults.
"That's his business." She responded not giving ear.
Rinoa just laughed and look over at Squall to see his reaction to Zell and Seifer's fiasco. She found the brunette staring into the distance and followed his gaze.
As soon as she made eye contact with Alexander he looked away. He was sitting with Norg, Bahamut and Tiamat, who all were deep in conversation, though he looked he wasn't paying much attention. The man kept his head down the rest of the time not looking back towards them, only glancing at his colleagues and nodding along to whatever they were saying.
Rinoa looked over to Squall and nudged him to get his attention. Squall looked over at her questioning look and shook his head smiling.
"Tell me." She replied to a silent 'nothing' from Squall.
He looked around at his friends before whispering to her. "That guy looks familiar, like I've seen him before." He said to her.
"Heh." She scoffed. "That's the same thought that came to my head when I saw Skippy." She revealed to him.
Squall looked at her worriedly before looking back at the bleach blond man.
"Don't worry, he's just some big shot scientist with an attitude problem." She muttered following his gaze.
"Hm?" Squall asked, keeping his gaze on the man trying to figure out where he saw him last.
"Mr Norg introduced Seifer and I to that guy and he basically looked at us like we were flattened insects underneath his shoe." She replied still a bit sour from her encounter with the man. She couldn't help feel it had partly to do with the stuff about her on the news. Since the rumours and problems in Galbadia had come out, a lot of people were eyeing her differently. She could only be thankful that school life was at least the same. People still thought of her as Rinoa, and not listened to the ridiculous lies they made up about her.
"What are you guys staring at?" Seifer asked trying to follow their gaze from where he was sitting.
"That guy, I feel like I've seen him before." Squall told him nodding over to the four men sitting at the far table.
"Oh that moron." Seifer commented after realising who they were looking at. "Guy has a stick up his ass."
"Keep on eye on him." Squall said suddenly, sparking concern between the other two. Rinoa couldn't help her heart beating faster. She hoped this guy wouldn't turn out like Skippy and plant something even more dangerous in her bag. Seifer looked over at the guy inspecting him carefully. He didn't look like he could do a lot of harm; he was shorter and slimmer than Seifer. One punch and Seifer could have the guy rolling around on the floor. But after what happened back in Shumi Village a fortnight ago he didn't want to take his chances.
"Don't worry, ill keep more than just an eye on him." Seifer said determined.
The three men sat in the control room again sipping on hot coffee and nibbling on coconut cake. One of the chefs in the kitchen had made it specially for Alexander's return, though the man was not enjoying it with them.
"It's nice having Alexander around again." Norg was saying looking into the night landscape in front of him. Mount Ultima had calmed down since their last monitor.
"Hm." Tiamat agreed not at all bothered. He was looking at the small screens in front of him viewing the security cameras around the centre perimeter. Normally they had staff carry out these duties, but during twilight to midnight the three men liked to gather and use the high tower to get some solitude.
"Yeah, Alex is a nice guy." Bahamut agreed sipping his coffee.
Alexander sat in his room after finally unpacking all his clothes. It wasn't much, just two hand luggage's worth of pants and shirts along with three uniforms. Some basic necessities he needed like his toothbrush and shaving kit. He was hygienic man, and most of these necessities he missed during his research time. It wasn't like it was possible for him to take a trip to the local shop when he needed a bar of soap or some mouthwash. During his research time he always had to make do with whatever he had packed, using some items sparingly making it last longer than it was intended.
He lay down against his bed thinking back to Rinoa Heartilly. Norg had actually introduced them to each other, he wasn't actually expecting the man to go up to them with him in tow. They were right about her. She was always bubbly, polite and timid once intimidated. Her big doe like eyes were staring up to him when he gave her the cold shoulder.
He didn't mean it, it was strictly business that he had to act that way. Another setting, another time maybe he would have shown her some manners and taken an interest into her studies. But he had to carry out this mission, he owed it to them after where they got him.
The funny thing about the situation was that Squall was also looking at him. He ignored Squall's stares, they weren't a threat. But if the boy was smart he'd catch on fast. He hoped the boy wouldn't spoil his mission; it would cause a problem and he didn't want any interference. But if Squall did put two and two together, he would need to sort it out.
He picked up the velvet black box sitting on his bed and put it on his lap. Opening it up he took out the black gun feeling its heaviness and observing it from different angles. He took the box of bullets and started putting each one into the gun canister before placing it back into the rear of the gun and snapped it shut. He put the safety lock on and held it in his hand poising it towards the mirror in front of him.
Click.
It worked well, if need be, he'd use it.
So in case you didnt realise, the uniforms Bahamut, Tiamat and Norg were wearing is the colour scheme for Bahamut and Tiamat, the GFs. So did you like it? How suitable were the first names?
I know some of you are wondering why in the world i made them human, well 1) its an AU, 2) because you find Bahamut in the DSR centre and 3) i ran out of characters :(
Read and Review please.