Vignette 4: Interlude (Xu)

Xu is with a sleeping Quistis and a scowling Seifer as her only companions.

What was supposed to have been a relaxing dinner with her best friend has turned into a harried trip to Winhill Community Hospital. The only thing that the medical staff has communicated to her—and the only thing that really matters at this point—is that there's nothing obviously wrong with Quistis according to her initial test results.

Seifer breaks the silence first. "You knew to call me."

"You're the first person I thought of." Xu's response sounds grouchier than intended.

A heart battle is spindrifting inside of her. Expressing it would sound something like this:

Break her heart and I'll break your neck.

But it's about more than protecting Quistis.

Xu hates to admit to any inkling of jealousy, but the truth is that she's feeling left out.

Seifer is intimately familiar with Quistis' recent medical history and even knows what prescription she's been taking for the past month.

Most of this is news to Xu.

This must be what it feels like to lose your best friend to a lover…

Seifer will become the best friend, and Xu will get demoted to the second best friend.

Wait a minute! Are Quistis and Seifer even going out? She's actually not sure of their official status.

Xu shuts off her inner monologue. "Anyway, thanks for getting here so quickly."

Before Seifer can respond, a doctor swoops in from the hallway wearing crocs in a violent shade of orange.

"Junctioning Fatigue Syndrome," states the doctor without preamble. "As its name suggests, the malady results from repeated and long-term use of para-magic and Guardian Forces. Even innocuous activities like stocking up on spells from Draw Points can be a risk factor."

Xu raises a brow.

Seifer stares at the doctor. "That's a real diagnosis?"

The doctor snorts haughtily. "Of course it is! Trust me, young man. I know the symptoms when I see them."

Xu hesitates. "I assume it's not…"

"It's by no means a terminal illness. However, the condition is bound to worsen if your friend here doesn't take care of herself properly!" She wags a supercilious finger in Quistis' direction.

Seifer's scowl returns. "Quistis takes care of herself just fine. Don't make it sound like it's her damn fault for being sick!"

Xu doesn't bother to hide her satisfied grin, grateful for Seifer's characteristic bluntness. Now this is more like it. She would have retorted in a similar way were it not for her deference to medical professionals.

The doctor is unfazed by his heated defense. "Well, that's a mercenary's life for you. You can't keep going forever! Sooner or later, your body will break down even if your mind remains intact—though it's hard to get away without damaging that too."

This woman's callous attitude is seriously getting on Xu's nerves. She resists the urge to snap back. "Doctor, can you please tell us the prognosis?"

"No junctioning for a while," the doctor replies tersely.

"Our resident physician has already advised Quistis to do that."

"Or even permanently," the doctor amends.

Seifer narrows his eyes at the doctor. "Surely you know that junctioning is the foundation for most SeeD field work."

"It is what it is." The doctor shrugs indifferently. "I'm not saying your friend has to quit SeeD altogether, but you should know that she's one of the more severe cases that I've seen in my career."

"Are there any treatments other than bedrest and unjunctioning?" says Xu impatiently.

"And this," adds Seifer, holding up Quistis' vial of pills.

The doctor glances briefly at the meds. "Hm, yes. An anti-inflammatory."

Xu frowns. "Is Junctioning Fatigue Syndrome autoimmune in nature?"

"Essentially, yes. Nowadays, there's an experimental drug on the market for JFS. I can prescribe this for your friend but keep in mind that it's classified as Schedule III. That means there's a low to moderate potential for physical and psychological dependence."

"We'll discuss this with our resident physician first," says Xu by way of ending the conversation. "Thank you for the information."

The doctor gives her and Seifer a simpering nod. "If you don't have any other questions I'll be off now." She points at Quistis' IV bag. "Just make sure that she finishes her fluids before discharge."

The doctor clops out of the room in her crocs.

"Overbearing and bitchy," declares Seifer.

Xu barks with laughter that effectively liquefies the tension between them. "Tell me about it! I guess I've gotten so used to Dr. K that I expect every doctor in the world to be like her."

"I've had some nice ones patch me up in the ER before," says Seifer with a grin. "But I gotta agree. Nobody tops Dr. K!"

Quistis stirs awake.

Xu settles into the chair next to the bed.

"Quis! How are you feeling?"

"Xu," croaks Quistis. "Xu, why am I—?"

"You're fine," Xu assures her. "You fainted at the restaurant but you just need some rest."

Quistis then notices her other visitor. Her cheeks pinken and she sits up in a hurry. "Seifer…?"

"Hey!" He smiles at her. "Glad you're okay."

"Um…" Quistis reclines onto the bed, woozy with eyes slightly unfocused. "Sorry, I don't feel quite like myself right now."

"It's alright," says Seifer soothingly. "We're not in a hurry to get outta here. Take all the time you need."

Quistis nods off to sleep again. She looks pale and spent.

All of this hospital drama is making Xu crave a nighttime snack. "I'll be right back," she whispers to Seifer. "Do you want anything from the vending machine?"

He shakes his head. "I'm good, thanks."

When Xu returns to their corridor with a newly acquired bag of yogurt-covered pretzels, her intuition nudges her to stay outside for a minute or two.

But curiosity gets the better of her and she peeks inside of the hospital room.

Quistis has awoken once more. Seifer is leaning in for a private conversation. He says something that makes her giggle. She is holding onto his hand.

This is not the kind of scene that conveys casual romance. In fact, Xu feels like she's just witnessed a special moment.

She is surprised to admit that Seifer Almasy may just be an incredible match for Quistis Trepe.

And for the first time, Xu feels okay with becoming the second best friend.

Authors' Notes: A little bit of exposition. A little bit of bittersweet. A little bit of Xu.

…And now, on to more action and adventure! ;)