Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or its characters. This is AU.

Homecomings

Something in Quistis' heart lifted when her home appeared on the horizon. They were still a good twenty minutes away from the ranch house, but it was a familiar and comforting sight. It was good to be home. There had been some moments that Quistis had wondered if she would ever make it back here. She couldn't help the smile on her face as they approached.

She had not expected her ranch hands to come boiling out of the back door, armed to the teeth. Nor did she expect Squall to immediately aim for Seifer's head. Quistis had thrown her weight against Seifer, knocking him out of the saddle. What she hadn't realized was that would put her in the line of fire. The shot didn't catch her in the chest though, like it would have if Seifer had been still in the saddle. Instead, it hit her should, and promptly knocked Quistis out of the saddle herself.

"Are you a moron, Leonhart?" Seifer scooped her up off the ground. "Put that gun away before you do more damage than you already have. Fuu, I need the medical kit."

"Get the hell away from Miss Quistis, Almasy."

Quistis whimpered slightly as Seifer pressed one of her bandanas against her wound. "Can we move this inside please? Seifer and his posse are helping me with the Edea a problem."

Seifer glared at Squall. "Like the lady said, and I want Quistis inside where Fuujin can take a good look at her shoulder."

Squall didn't move. Quistis frowned. He seemed to know Seifer, and this wasn't a problem she wanted to be dealing with at the moment. She turned her head into Seifer's shoulder for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, Quistis lifted her head and started barking out orders.

"Boys, inside now! Raijin, stable the horses, please. Fuujin, you're with us. Now."

Quistis winced as Seifer carried her inside. He was careful, but every step jostled her shoulder. She just closed her eyes and tried to hang on to consciousness. Even with her eyes closed though, she recognized where Seifer set her down. It was the big leather chair in her father's study. Seifer was standing on her left side while Squall was on her right, and they both seemed to be glaring at one another. Fuujin was kneeling on the floor, opening up the first aid kit.

The other woman frowned as she undid Quistis shirt and got a good look at the injury. "Sorry. This is going to hurt."

Quistis sighed. "Just get it dealt with please."

The young woman turned her attention to the two men. She couldn't afford to have them at odds with one another right now. She needed everyone on her side working together right now.

"Squall, I don't know what you've heard, but Seifer is on our side. He has been protecting me and helping me since my father was murdered. I would be dead or worse right now without him." She hissed slightly as Fuujin wiped her wound with antiseptic. "I don't care how you two know one another or what your problems with one another are, but it can wait until we don't have Adel breathing down our necks. Understood?"

Seifer sighed. "Yes, Quisty."

She turned her gaze on Squall. "Squall?"

There was a pause before he replied. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good." The adrenaline was beginning to wear off, and Quistis was acutely aware of the pain from her injury. "Who else is still here?"

"Selphie and Rinoa have been practically living here since your father was killed. Irvine and Zell are both still here."

Quistis nodded. "Good. We need to get everyone together and hold a council of war."

"After we've gotten you some painkillers," Seifer said. "Otherwise, you aren't going to do us any good. I assume you have medical supplies somewhere around here, Leonhart?"

Squall nodded. "I'll have Rinoa bring them in here along with a change of clothes for Miss Quistis. I'll get everyone else rounded up in the meantime."

She let out a soft sigh as he left the room. They had made it this far. She was home. Now she just had to find a way to defend it.