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

Battle Plans

It took Squall awhile to round everyone up due to the fact that there had been some developments in the meantime. For one thing, it seemed that Irvine and Zell had caught a trespasser. While they and Squall dealt with him, Rinoa and Selphie filled the quartet (Raijin had rejoined them by then) in on what had been going on. There had yet to really be an attack on the ranch, but they were being watched, and everyone at the ranch was a little on edge.

Quistis also learned just how Seifer and Squall knew one another. Apparently, Rinoa and Seifer had met during her journey out west. In fact, it seemed that Seifer had rescued Rinoa a time or two, and that they had struck up a friendship at the very least. However, when they had parted ways that had pretty much been the end of it save for one little incident. He and Squall had run into each other after both had made Rinoa's acquaintance. Neither of the men was very free with the details of that meeting, but it had been the reason for their matching scars. Clearly, there was little love lost between the two of them.

She hoped that it wouldn't cause problems here and now. They didn't need another set of problems. They had enough to deal with in regards to Adel and her gang without internal divisions. And Quistis still had no idea how they were going to get rid of Adel for good. They could keep her off the land, but it wasn't a battle that Quistis wanted to fight for the rest of her life. They had to find some way to get rid of Adel for good, so they all could get on with their lives. Unfortunately, Quistis wasn't sure just how to do that. She was hoping that one of her allies could come up with something.

Seifer was playing with the end of her braid. "Still in pain?"

Quistis shook her head. "Just trying to figure out a battle plan."

"We'll come up with something, Quisty."

"We'd better. Otherwise we're in a lot of trouble."

Squall appeared in the doorway with Irvine and Zell trailing after him. "We've caught one of Adel's men. We're in trouble."

"We were in trouble before. What's changed?" Seifer asked.

"Adel's on her way here, and she's no planning on leaving until we're all dead or Miss Quistis gives up the land. She's bringing a full posse with her, and we'll be outnumbered and out gunned."

"What's the plan, boss lady?" Irvine asked.

Quistis sighed. "I don't know yet. How much time do we have?"

Squall shrugged. "Two days at the most. I would guess it's more like day and a half."

"What we need is a lawman who will actually act instead in regards to Adel." Quistis mused. "But all the ones I know of in the area are in her pocket."

"There's a new marshal in Esther," Rinoa spoke up. "He just arrived last week, so I doubt that Adel's got her claws into him yet. Plus I hear he's supposed to be a real straight shooter. Apparently he lost his wife to a band of outlaws and still holds a grudge. Plus he brought his own posse with him."

Quistis frowned. "That could work except someone would have to get him, and we would have to make sure Adel didn't succeed while they're gone. It will have to be either Rinoa or Selphie."

"It should be me," Rinoa said. "I'm less likely to be hassle because of Father. Even Adel has been careful not to get on his bad side. She can't afford to kill me or even hurt me badly. I'm a good rider, and I know the way."

Squall frowned. "I don't like it. Too much could go wrong."

Rinoa lifted her chin. "I'm willing to take the risk. Besides, it would be a better use of my skills. I'm not that great in a firefight."

Quistis traded a look with Seifer. Rinoa really was the best choice. However, Quistis knew that Squall tended to be rather overprotective at times, and given his recent romance with the young woman, he wasn't going to like this at all, and that could cause problems for the group. Seifer rest a hand on her uninjured shoulder. She was the one in charge. She would have to make the call. Rinoa's plan was sound, and she was the best one to do the job.

"All right, Rinoa. You'll go. But you're not leaving until we have a distraction arranged, you will be armed, and you're taking Shiva. She's the fastest horse on the ranch."

Rinoa nodded. "I won't let you down."

"Now, we need a distraction, so Rinoa can get away without too much notice and a plan for defending the ranch."

"We've been stocking up supplies since you disappeared," Irvine offered. "We should have enough food for at least two weeks."

"What about ammo and weapons?" Seifer asked.

"We stocked up on those too. I'm not sure how long they'll last us though," Irvine replied. "It will depend on just what Adel throws at us."

Quistis nodded. "Good. We should get defenses set up as soon as possible. Thankfully, we do know which way they'll be coming from. Unless you know the land, it's nearly impossible to approach the ranch from most directions."

"We can set up defensive positions tonight," Seifer said. "What about booby trapping the entrance to the ranch?"

Squall frowned. "We don't want to cause problems when our reinforcements come."

"True enough," Seifer agreed, "but it could just be something to slow them down. It doesn't have to be deadly."

Rinoa frowned at them. "Do you think you can hash out the defenses without Quistis? She needs rest before the morning comes."

Seifer glanced down at her. "You okay with that, Quisty?"

She would have preferred to stay and be apart of the planning, but even with the painkiller she had been given, Quistis was fading fast. If she was going to be of any use in the fight to come, she would need to rest and heal as much as possible.

"Yes. But you will wake me if you need me."

Seifer smiled. "I promise."

Despite Squall's glare, Seifer helped her to her room and dealt with her boots. He tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead.

"Get some rest, Quistis. We'll take care of things until you wake."