Chapter 6 - Diplomas, Plans, and Sally Regal

I adjusted my SeeD candidate uniform-jacket with a clearing of my throat. Oh my gosh. I felt like crying. I grabbed my brush as I sniffed and cleared my throat, running it through my shoulder-length brunette hair before clipping in the barrettes to keep it out of my face. If I had been in denial before, the minute I had that paper in my hand everything would come into clear focus.

I was graduating.

I was going to be a full-fledged SeeD.

I sent my reflection a wavering smile. Good girl. You stuck to it and passed. You asked for help and got it. You grew a spine and have a best friend - speaking of Zell, of course. I sighed, looking away from the mirror while shaking my head. I moved to my bed and pulled my dress shoes out of the box - I was wearing a skirt again!! - and slipped into them just as there was a knock.

"It’s open!"

And it opened to reveal Seifer Almasy. My smile faded as I quickly stood to attention. I nearly twisted my ankle, too.

Seifer smirked, as usual. "Regal. Relax."

"Y-Yes, sir." I relaxed my posture as much as possible with as nervous as he made me. I clenched my hands behind my back to hide how much they shook. "What c-can I do for you, sir?"

Seifer pulled my desk chair out, twirling it around to straddle it. He crossed his arms along the back and stared up at me with that continual smirk and intense expression that made me feel about an inch tall. "Good work."

I swallowed hard as I felt the flush rise to dangerous levels. "Th-thank you, sir."

"I’m recommending you be put on security detail for the Network."

I blinked. "B-But I..." I cleared my throat. "I wanted t-to work in the library, sir."

Seifer scoffed. "Regal, you’re damn good on a computer. From what the ass at the ISP said, you hacked his computer to death, nearly forcing your way in so many times that he sweat clear through his shirt." He made a rough gesture toward me. "You think I’m going to let Headmaster Cid keep you in the library?" He scoffed again.

Desperation rose, sending me into a near panic. "But I-I want to work in the library!" I cleared my throat and lowered my gaze. "I like it."

"Are you saying you didn’t like beating the bastard at his own game?" Seifer asked, incredulous. "You didn’t like smearing it in his face that you used his own damn tunnel against him? You didn’t like the feeling of twisting his computer to hell so that he couldn’t do that to Garden again?"

I kicked at the rug in the middle of the floor of my room. "I did," I whispered.

"Damn right you did! You’re ruthless behind that computer, and you’re just what Garden’s security team needs. I want you on my team, Regal."

"I... I don’t know," I whispered. And I didn’t. My mind wasn’t giving me any kind of clue as to what I should do. It just sat there like a rock, not thinking anything.

"But I do, Regal. You’re with me. Period." He stood.

I looked up as Seifer made his way to the still open door. "B-But..."

Seifer turned at the door with that same intense expression. He pointed at me, shooting any other words clear out of my brain. "Report to my office tomorrow morning at eight. Don’t be late."

Then he turned and disappeared, leaving the door wide open. I slumped onto my bed with a blank expression, barely thinking can he do that? before my brain shut down again.

tap tap tap

I looked up. Zell cautiously peered inside. "Sally?" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "I saw Seifer stompin’ away. You okay?"

I nodded as Zell sat beside me on the bed. "I-I think so," I whispered.

"What’s up? What’d he say?"

"He..." I blinked up at Zell, dazed. "He told me I’m on the security team for the Network."

Zell’s face screwed up in confusion. "What? I thought you were gonna be Network Admin for the library."

I nodded, wide-eyed. "So did I, but he said he wouldn’t let that happen. He said I was going to be on his team. I have to be in his office tomorrow at eight."

Zell reached up to scratch his scalp. "Damn. I never saw this coming." He looked over at me. "What d’ya think? You okay with it?"

"I... I don’t know." I moved my gaze to stare at the wall across from me. "I don’t know."

"You want that I should talk to him?"

I absently shook my head, thinking all the while of what Seifer had said. Of how good it did feel to know I had pounded the guy’s computer into the ground. Of how awesome it did feel to know had helped keep the Garden safe. Of how spectacular it felt to know Seifer wanted me on his team to keep Garden even safer.

I looked back over at Zell with a wide-eyed expression. "I think I want to do it, Zell. I really do."

Zell grinned. "Sure! Pound crackers and hackers into the ground with a computer the same as with your fists and feet? Why the hell not?"

I smiled, my eyes crinkling as I slouched down and ‘hugged’ my hands between my knees. "It felt really cool to have him say all that nice stuff," I confessed. "I feel about seven feet tall."

Zell laughed as he stood to his feet. "Come on, Meg," he chuckled. "Let’s scoot, or you’re gonna be late."

"Okay," I said softly.

I stood, falling into step beside Zell as he left my room and turned down the hall toward the main corridor.

Zell took hold of my hand. "I heard you’re gonna be rank 8."

I blinked over at him. "Really? Oh my gosh."

"No doubt. That’s higher than me when I graduated. I only got a 6."

I giggled. "Zell, you’re more than rank 20 now."

Zell grinned down at me, his blue eyes twinkling. "So? I can still be jealous."

I giggled again with a shake of my head. "You’re so silly."

Zell chuckled. "You’re still up for swimming and stuff at Balamb, right? I figured we could go fishing, too."

I looked up at him, wide-eyed. "Are you kidding? Of course! I got coverage and everything."

"Sweet." Zell’s expression went somewhat serious with a sudden idea. "Say! Maybe we can get Quis and Zone to come? You want that I should send an e-mail and have him get his butt over here?"

I nodded. "That’s a good idea. Maybe you and Quistis could rent a car and go pick him up?"

Zell snapped and pointed at me. "Hell ya! That’s a great idea."

I smiled and giggled. "This’ going to be fun."

"Damn straight. Quis hasn’t taken a day off since... Geez! Since forever!"

I poked Zell in the side. "You should have done this before. Instead of doing that whole fake e-mail thing."

Zell rubbed the back of his neck with a guilty expression as he glanced toward me. "Yup." Zell suddenly smacked his forehead. "Geez! I totally forgot!" He stopped and faced me. I stared at him with wide eyes. "We can't hang out with Quistis and Zone because your ma and pa are coming to Balamb today."

My eyes brightened. "Really?" I asked with a wide smile. "When?"

"We’re all gonna have lunch together."

I gave a couple small bounces of excitement before giving Zell a hug, still bouncing somewhat. "Oh my gosh! This is so cool! They haven’t visited me at Garden since I first enrolled!"

Zell laughed as his arms went around me. "They were really pumped about it, too."

"Thank you thank you thank you," I rejoiced. I pulled back and smiled up at him with twinkling eyes crinkled at the corners. "You’re so sweet!"

Zell’s ears pinked as he gave me a gentle cuff on the chin. "Hey. You deserve it."

I flushed molten, but I didn’t care. I hugged him again. "Thank you thank you, sweetie!"

Zell chuckled, pulling back to take firm and gentle hold of my hand and lead me toward the elevator. "Come on, beach bunny. I’m really gonna catch it if I don’t get you up to his office on time."

I giggled and did my best to keep up with him. It wasn’t too hard. After all, he was only three inches taller than me.

*

I stepped back from my computer desk, staring at the diploma newly framed and hung on the wall. Sally Regal; SeeD; Rank 8; Martial Arts Specialist; Instructor Selphie Tilmett. Both Commander Squall Leonhart and Headmaster Cid had signed the bottom. I sniffed and felt Zell’s arm go around my shoulders to give me a squeeze.

"This is so cool," I whispered, knowing that I would cry if I said it any louder.

"Congrats, Sally. You worked your butt off for that."

I looked over at Zell with a soft smile. "I couldn’t have done it without you." My heart choked off the words as he looked down at me with twinkles in his eyes. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a tight squeeze. "Thank you, Zell," I whispered. "Thank you so much."

"No prob, Sally," he said quietly. "I’m glad I could help."

I sighed and closed my eyes, my arms still around him and his still around me. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else in the world... but I knew my folks were waiting in Balamb. I sighed and pushed back, looking up to meet his gaze. "I guess we better grab our stuff and go."

Zell wiggled his eyebrows at me. "I know what I wanna grab."

I flushed and gently pushed at him. "Zell Dincht," I giggled with a mock frown. "You always want to grab or pinch or... or something."

Zell’s face grew serious as he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "You gotta problem with that?"

I withheld a laugh as I put fists on hips. "No. Why would I?"

Zell’s mouth dropped open as his arms went to his sides. Then he laughed. "I never thought you’d say that."

My ‘frown’ melted to a smile. "Well it’s true. After three years of being a watcher..." I gave a shrug as I gripped my hands behind my back and tapped at the floor with the toe of my sneaker. "It’s nice to actually have your attention. Even if it does embarrass me close to death sometimes."

Zell didn’t say anything, so I cautiously raised my eyes for a quick glance to his face. He smiled, arms crossed again.

I flushed darker and whispered, "What?"

"I never thought I gave a damn when everyone treated me like an idiot." Zell shook his head. "Dude, Sally. You treat me like I ‘get’ stuff. Do you have any idea what that feels like?"

My eyes widened. "But... Why wouldn’t I treat you like that? Zell... Zell, you’re smart."

Zell chuckled. "I don’t know about ‘smart’, Sally. I do a lot of stupid things."

I shrugged. "So? We all do. Why should you be any different?"

Zell laughed as his arms lowered to his sides. Then his laugh melted to the most glorious smile I’d ever seen. He stepped closer. "You make me feel ten feet tall, Sally. How do you do that?"

"I don’t know," I whispered.

Zell continued to stare down at me with that same boyish and lopsided smile. "Sally..." He closed his mouth and then shook his head. "Don’t even know what I want to say." So he just kept staring down at me with the same twinkling expression. I flushed molten and lowered my gaze to the floor. Zell placed a finger under my chin to gently lift my head with a, "Nuh-uh. I wanna see that face." One side of Zell’s lips twitched upward. "Man," he said quietly. "You’ve got to be the sexiest person I know."

Then he lowered his head and caressed my lips with his.

I’d never been kissed like that before. In fact, I never knew a kiss could be so gentle and tender and completely moving. But Zell’s kiss made me cry. Why? I don’t know. Maybe because it felt like a promise. Maybe because he’d said all the right things. Maybe because Zell Dincht kissed Sally Regal. It could have been all of those or none of them. All I knew was that I was falling in love with him, and his kiss made me hope he might have been falling in love with me, too.

And wouldn’t that have been a dream come true?

Zell raised his head then, and I very slowly opened my eyes. Warm fuzzies had completely overrun my life.

"Now I get why Squall risked his ass for Rinoa," he said quietly.

I choked on a sob of happiness and threw myself into Zell’s arms. The romantic in me wouldn’t let me do anything less.

Zell chuckled as his arms tightened around me. "Okay. So I ‘get’ girls. I guess ma was right; I just needed to find the right one."

The right one... I leaned back and raised my gaze to his. "Zell, could you be any more perfect?"

Zell grimaced. "Hell no I’m not perfect, Sally. I screw up all the time."

I smiled up at him. "Yeah, well so do I. I just finally got something right."

Zell smirked. "And what was that?"

"Actually talking to you," I said softly.

His lips twitched, and then he laughed and stepped back to take me by the hand. "Come on, Meg. If you keep looking at me like that I know I’m gonna do something that’ll get me slapped."

I giggled with a "Zell!" and then let him pull me from the room.

He grabbed my bag and his where they rest by the door, and then we laughed and joked and teased our way to the main corridor. The day couldn’t have gotten any better. Of course, I was still in the throes of wonder and amazement of the first week of a new relationship. Everything would be seen as perfect even if it wasn't. Hopefully reality wouldn’t hit until I was thirty and we were married with 3 kids.

I laughed.

"What?" Zell asked.

I flushed and shook my head. "Nothing."

"What d’ya mean nothing? I know that look, Meg. You gotta tell me."

I shook my head again with another laugh. "No way. This’ going to be a secret."

"Aw man," Zell whined. "And it’s probably a good one, too."

I gave his hand a squeeze as we made our way out the front gate. "It’s alright, but I’ve had better." Not recently.

"Fine. If you’re not gonna tell me that one, than you’ve gotta tell me a different one."

"A secret?" I asked with a wide-eyed glance his direction. "How come?"

"Because," Zell said, serious, "girlfriend/boyfriend have to have secrets. It’s a rule."

"It is?" I’d never heard the rule before, but I’d never had a boyfriend either.

Zell nodded. "Sure. Ask anyone. You’re not true girlfriend/boyfriend unless you have a secret. It shows trust."

"It does?" And for some reason I had an inkling Zell pulled my leg. "Oh." Oh why not? "Okay, well, um..." I wrinkled my nose, and then I smiled as I looked over at him. Then the smile disappeared. "No. That’s not a secret. Hmm."

I frowned and looked away again. A secret? Has anyone told me any secrets? I didn’t recall any. There were just the secrets that I had revolving around Zell and my ‘three year relationship’ with him.

I looked back over at him; his expression was patient expectation. "I don’t have any secrets. Well, not really."

"That’s okay," Zell said, matter-of-fact. "Just tell me something you haven’t told anyone else. That’ll be good enough."

I still had a feeling he joked with me, but it was kind of fun... I think. I smiled slightly. "Okay, well, I have a birthmark on the back of my leg," I pointed up toward my right butt cheek, "that looks kind of like a bird or bat or something."

Zell grinned and stopped. "Really? Cool! Lemme see!"

I stepped away, mouth gaping and eyes wide. "Zell, I can’t show it to you now," I protested.

"How come?"

I blinked. "’How come?’ Because I can’t pull my pant leg up that high, that’s ‘how come’!"

He pointed at my jeans. "Just pull them down."

"What?" I put my fists on my hips, fighting the laughter I felt coming. "Zell Dincht! I can’t believe you!"

Zell grinned. "Hey. It was worth a shot."

I slapped at him, ducking away from his retaliation and poking him in the side. He grabbed, but I moved away with a squeal and a laugh as I ran ahead.

Next thing I knew, I blinked up into Zell’s worried expression.

"You okay?" he asked.

Zell helped me sit up. I put a hand up to my throbbing head. "What happened?"

He gestured a couple feet behind us. "You hit a pothole and tumbled head first." He gently touched a section of my forehead with a wince. "Geez. That’s one helluva goose-egg you’ve got there." Zell met my gaze. "Are you sure you’re okay?"

"I do feel a little woozy," I admitted reluctantly.

"Damn." He released a deep breath and gestured back toward Garden. "I better take you to the infirmary."

My lips tilted downward. "Can’t we go on to Balamb? They’ve got a clinic there, don’t they?"

"Sally, you can’t walk all the way to Balamb," he said as he gathered me up in his arms. "Not with that bump on your head. We’ve got to get you to the infirmary." Zell carefully stood. "Man, it’s all my fault."

I shook my head, immediately winced and said "ouch", and then wrapped my arms around his neck. "It isn’t your fault, Zell. You didn’t put the pothole there."

Zell reluctantly smiled. "I didn’t say I did."

"Then how’s it your fault? Accidents happen." I giggled, doing my best to ignore the splitting headache. "Especially to me. I’m not always coordinated."

Zell scoffed. "Whatever. I’ve seen you move, Sally. You’re as coordinated as they come."

I smiled up at him, really loving the fact that my ‘knight in shining armor’ carried me back to Garden without complaint.

Zell glanced down at me and then smirked. "Now don’t get all mushy on me, Meg," he warned. "I can’t make-out and walk and carry you at the same time."

I flushed and giggled as I moved my gaze to the road. "Sorry."

Zell adjusted his hold. "Well, so much for today." He released a quick sigh. "This totally sucks."

I crossed my ankles. "Not from my perspective."

Zell laughed. "I guess you hit your head harder than I thought."

My smile widened as I glanced over at him. "Nuh-uh." I very carefully rested my head against him. "I just like seeing the romantic in every tragedy. That’s what comes from working in a library."

"Hm. Never thought of it that way." Zell remained quiet for a moment. "So, you’re all dreamy about me carrying you home, right?"

I giggled and carefully raised my head to meet his gaze. I pointedly ignored the spots in my vision and the throbbing in my head. "Something like that."

Zell’s eyes focused on the bump, and he winced. "Geez. It’s getting bigger. Are you sure you feel okay? You’re not nauseous or anything?"

I would have shaken my head, but I knew the pain would have blacked me out. "It throbs a little, but I’ll be okay."

He smirked. "I don’t believe you." He shook his head. "You’re one tough cookie sometimes, Meg."

I smiled and rested my head against him again. "Well what good would whining about it do? You’re taking me to Garden and the infirmary," I said, matter-of-fact. "You can’t do anything but that." I closed my eyes – and no, I didn’t feel sleepy – and released a deep breath. "But if you want me to be honest so that you know what to tell Dr. Kadowaki, I see spots in my vision, I have a splitting headache, and I’m afraid that if I shake my head I’ll black out."

I could almost hear Zell’s grimace.

"Geez," he muttered. "Okay, well just don’t go to sleep."

"I’m not sleepy."

"Good."

I snuggled myself closer, smiling the entire way through the Garden’s front gate, through the main corridor, and to the infirmary.

"Yo, doc! You in here?" Zell called as he stepped further in.

Dr. Kadowaki came out of her office. "Oh my goodness! What happened?"

"We were walking to Balamb and she tripped and hit her head."

I opened my eyes and focused on Dr. Kadowaki’s concerned expression. I still smiled. "The spots are gone, doctor, but I still have a splitting headache."

Dr. Kadowaki motioned Zell to one of the treatment rooms to his right. "Bring her in here."

I closed my eyes again, soaking up Zell’s strength and warmth. Who cares about plans being ruined? I’ve got my diploma. My parents are in Balamb and can easily drive here, and Zell Dincht is my boyfriend. I sighed.

"Stay with me, girl," Dr. Kadowaki urged as Zell laid me down on the bed.

I opened my eyes with a slight smile and wince. "I’m fine, doctor. Well, I mean I’m not sleepy. My head hurts like the dickens, but I’m not nauseous or anything."

Zell pulled a chair up beside my bed and sat, leaning forward to grip my head. "She’s a trooper, doc. A real trooper."

Dr. Kadowaki smiled as she started doing the external examination of my head and eyes. "Yes, well that’s nothing I hadn’t already known, Mr. Dincht."

"Huh? What’re you talking about?"

Dr. Kadowaki sent Zell a quick look before continuing the exam. "I can’t believe you haven’t told him, Sally."

"It wasn’t a big deal," I said. And it wasn’t. Really.

"What," Zell pressed. "Come on, Sally. You can’t do this to me."

Dr. Kadowaki met my gaze. "I need to go get the equipment ready for your scan, Sally. I suggest you tell him." She lifted her chin in a silent protest when I opened my mouth to speak. "I understand it wasn’t a big issue to you," she said. "And that is why you should tell him. You’re not looking for sympathy, and we understand that. So just tell him."

I released the words in a deep breath. Then I gave a slight nod, immediately followed by a cringe. "Okay."

"Good girl. I’ll be right back."

She left the room. I cleared my throat and looked over at Zell. His eyes were bigger than normal, and his expression was total and complete confusion. I cleared my throat again and moved my gaze to his hand holding mine. "You remember when Commander Squall and you and Rinoa hurried here from the prison to try and save Garden from the missiles?"

"Sure. That was when you gave me the MegaPhoenix. That was when we found out Garden could move."

I nodded. "Right. Well..." Again, I cleared my throat. "And you remember afterward? When Galbadia... When... When it...”

"When the soldiers attacked?" Zell prompted.

I shook my head while sending several glances toward Zell and his curious and almost wary expression. "No. I... I kinda got hurt when... Well... when... their Garden attacked us."

"What? How?"

My thumb absently began rubbing his hand. "Um... I don’t really remember. I blacked out and... well... I was here in the infirmary for a lot of months after that."

Zell stared down at me wide-eyed. "With what?" he asked quietly.

"Um... uh... broken ribs and a broken collar bone. Dislocated hip." I cleared my throat. "Collapsed lung," I added with a whisper and a glance his direction.

Zell actually paled. Then he whispered, "Damn, Sally. Why didn’t you say anything?"

I gave a careful shrug, finally raising my eyes to meet his gaze. "What was there to say? It wasn’t your fault I got hurt." I shrugged again. "Things like that happen."

He leaned forward. "Things like that don’t ‘happen’, Sally. Geez. You coulda died!"

I blinked up at him. Then I smiled. "With Dr. Kadowaki treating me? Nah."

Zell stared down at me with an expression of shock and disbelief. Then he shook his head and looked down at our clasped hands. "Damn, Sally. I mean... what the hell." Zell rubbed at his neck and then scrubbed at his scalp before looking at me again. "Is that why you started gymnastics? To get back in shape and work on your coordination and stuff? Part of your recovery?"

I wrinkled my nose. "No. I was into that before."

"So... You just... You just got better and went back to ‘life as normal’?" he asked incredulously.

I giggled. "What else was I supposed to do? Sit around feeling sorry for myself? What for? I was fine. Sure I have problems breathing sometimes, my lung isn’t 100%, but I never let it stop me doing what I need for class or whatever."

Zell shook his head again, lowering his hand from his neck with a thwump onto the bed as he looked at me. He smiled. "You’re incredible. You’re a kitten that’s as tough as nails. You’re a brain who kids around with Garden’s clown. You’re a... Damn, girl. You’re awesome."

I flushed and moved my gaze to my right hand as it picked at the sheets. "It’s not a big deal," I mumbled.

"Not a big deal? Other girls would be totally milking it!"

I looked over at him. "Nuh-uh. We’re not whiny babies, you know."

"Damn straight you’re not," he agreed with a serious expression and a curt nod. He stood and leaned over to give me a kiss on the forehead. Then he sat back down and caressed my hairline with a finger as he smiled at me. "Damn straight you’re not."

I smiled, and everything after that was a blur.

Zell heard the door to the infirmary open and stood to peek around the corner of the room where Sally slept. A man with dark hair, a mustache, and dressed in slacks and a sweater with a dress shirt and tie entered. He looked a little frantic.

Zell stepped out of the room toward the man. "Mr. Regal?"

The man nodded. "Where is she? Is she okay?"

Zell smiled. "Dude. She’s fine." He stuck out a hand. "Zell Dincht. We talked on the phone."

They shook hands. "Oh. You’re the friend that visited with Sally after she passed the Fire Cavern exam."

Zell nodded, leaned back to peek into the exam room, and then motioned to the door out of the infirmary. They exited and halted outside the double doors.

"What happened?" Mr. Regal asked.

"She took a bad tumble and hit her head. She’ll have a headache the next couple days and be a little out of sorts, but the doctor said she’ll be fine," Zell said in a serious tone.

Mr. Regal ran a hand through his hair. "Thank God."

"Is her ma okay?"

"She’s staying with your mother. In fact, she’s waiting for my call."

"Oh. Okay. If you’ve gotta jet, go ahead. Like I said, she’ll be fine." Zell gave a slight smile as he crossed his arms. "Sorry about this. She was really pumped about spending the day with you guys. So was I."

Mr. Regal regarded Zell. "Do you have a moment to talk... Zell was it?"

Zell nodded. "Sure. Let’s go check up on Sally, and then we'll jet to the cafeteria." He pushed open the doors and motioned for Mr. Regal to follow. "Come on."

Sally still slept soundly, so Mr. Regal gave her a soft kiss on the forehead before following Zell out of the infirmary to the main corridor and then left toward the cafeteria.

"I appreciate the call, Zell, although her mother and I were sure that she had another accident similar to the one when Galbadia Garden attacked." Mr. Regal scrubbed at his scalp. "Thank God it wasn't. I don't think her mother could survive another few months like that."

Zell nodded. "No doubt. I nearly shit bricks when she told me about it."

Mr. Regal examined Zell with that typical ‘who are you to my daughter’ look that most fathers acquired on instinct. "Sally’s mentioned you in her e-mails now and then."

"Really? Cool."

"You’re friends?"

Zell’s lips twitched. "Well, yes and no. We’re buds, sure, but we’re dating when we get the chance. Just had the first one a couple days ago. She probably hasn’t told you yet. Sally’s kinda quiet that way, you know? Doesn’t wanna make a big thing out of it. I keep telling her that as far as I’m concerned it’s a steady thing."

"Boyfriend?" Mr. Regal asked, and his quiet tone hinted at shock.

"Sure." Zell raised an eyebrow. "Hasn’t she ever had a boyfriend before?"

Mr. Regal smiled. "No, she hasn’t. Sally’s quite the shy little thing."

"I know, but she’s ho--" Zell cleared his throat and then smirked. "But she’s cute as all get out, Mr. Regal. And she’s a riot, too. Great sense of humor and all. I can hardly believe some guy hasn’t ever asked her out."

"She keeps to herself pretty much all the time. Books, computers, studying, writing e-mails and letters. Things of that sort."

Zell’s smile widened. "Yup. That’s Sally." His expression changed to a ‘did you know’ seriousness as he said, "She totally rules on the computer, Mr. Regal. Tracked down a cracker that hacked the Network and made it possible for us to nab him. Now Seifer has assigned her to the security section of the Network. He’s top guy when it comes to that, and he doesn’t trust just anyone."

"Sally? Security?" Mr. Regal’s shocked expression melted to a smile as he shook his head. "Good girl."

Zell laughed. "Yeah. She wasn't so hot on the idea at first, but it made her feel kinda awesome that she pounded the guy, and then that Seifer wanted her on his team? Dude, you shoulda seen her."

Mr. Regal chuckled. "I can only imagine."

"Say. You wanna tour, Mr. Regal?" Zell asked as he motioned to Mr. Regal. "Sally said you haven't been here since she enrolled, and I'm sure stuff has changed since then. I could show you around. Not a prob."

Mr. Regal nodded. "Thank you, Zell. I appreciate it. And call me Michael. I'm in denial of my age, you understand, and Mr. Regal makes me feel a tad on the mature side."

Zell laughed. "Sure thing, Mr-- I mean Mi--" Zell's expression grew serious. "Dude. I can't call you that."

"And why is that?" Michael asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You're Sally's pop!"

Michael laughed. "Alright then, call me pop, Zell. Goodness knows I've been called worse labels in my life. Mr. Regal being the worst of them."

Zell grinned. "Hey. I can call you that. Sure." Then Zell motioned to the cafeteria. "You wanna grab some grub? Or look around first?"

"I would rather like to take a 'look around'."

"Sure thing." And the two men headed again down the main corridor, Michael Regal towering over Zell a good 10 inches. "I'll take you to the Training Center first. That's where Sally and I work out in the mornings and work on spiffing up the submission we're going to make to Combat King-- Say. Did she tell you that she graduated with Rank 8?"

Michael's lips twitched upward. "Yes, she did. She was very excited about that in her e-mail. Said that it was all because of her morning work-outs and her tutor." Michael motioned to Zell. "I'm hazarding a guess the tutor would be you?"

Zell nodded, grinning. "Yup." The smile vanished. "But, dude, I hated telling her the staff was all wrong for her. I mean, man, she'd been training for so long... It must have felt like I kicked her in the gut; I know that's what it felt like for me when I saw the look on her face."

"But you were there with a suggestion for something better, and my honey girl is always looking for something better."

Zell grinned again. "Then what's her excuse for waiting around for me?

Michael laughed. "You'll need to ask her that question, Zell. Although I'm sure the answer will be different than what you'd expect."

Zell's expression went serious. "No doubt. Sally is different than what I'd expect. You know?"

Michael nodded. "Yes. I think I do. I know she wasn't what her mother and I expected."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The doctors said Beka couldn't have any more kids after Zackary was born."

"What?"

"I know," Michael agreed, nodding. "That was our reaction; we always wanted a large family. But the doctors said there was damage to the... Well, I won't go into the details, but the end result would be no more children."

"Damn. That sucks!"

The two turned into the side-hall that led toward the Training Center. "Her mother was heart-broken at the news. When Zack was about two we looked into adoption, but Beka just couldn't do it. She refused to give up hope that the doctors were wrong." Michael smiled. "As you can see, the doctors were wrong."

Zell grinned. "Major score, pop. Major."

Michael laughed. "Yes, it was..." His smile faded when he looked around at the greenery and heavy metal doors of the Training Center. "Honey girl trains here?"

Zell rested his fists on his hips as his eyes twinkled. "Yep. She kicks ass, too. Best student I've ever had."

A T-Rexaur roared at that moment, causing Michael's eyes to widen as he looked at Zell. "What was that?"

"T-Rexaur. Pain in the ass, but not so bad if you've got blind junctioned." Zell grinned wider. "Hard to hit when it can't see, huh?" He motioned to one of the doors. "You wanna go in? I can take one on by myself, if you wanna--"

Michael raised his hand with a quickly stated "That's quite all right. I'll take your word for it. And, I'd rather not know what honey girl needs to do in order to be a SeeD. I knew the experience would be good for her, and that's enough."

Zell laughed, and then his expression grew serious again. "I'll keep her safe, pop. Swear."

Michael gripped Zell's shoulder. "Thank you, Zell."

*

I yawned and stretched, and when I opened my eyes I got the shock of my life. "Dad!"

I tried to sit up, but Zell – sitting to my right – moved with his normal quickness and kept me down.

"Whoa there, girl. Chill. No sudden movements. Remember what doc said?"

So I just smiled at two of the most important men in my life, one on my left and one on my right. "Dad, I’m so glad to see you."

Dad smiled back at me as he reached out to take my hand. "I’m glad to see you too, hon, though I wish you didn’t have the knot on your head."

My eyes twinkled. "Where’s mom?"

"She’s in Balamb with Zell’s mother."

"She’s not stressing is she, dad?" I asked, and I could feel my face tighten with worry.

"No. I told her you’d be fine. So did Zell."

Zell. I looked over at Zell, and my smile returned. "You haven’t been here the entire time I’ve been sleeping have you?"

"Nah. Been talking to your pop. Gave him a tour of the place. Talked to Squall, too."

I blinked, eyes wide. "Wow." I looked over at Dad. He didn’t look as if he was going to blow an artery. I smiled. "So, what did you think?"

My dad smirked. "Of your boyfriend? Or of Garden?"

I flushed molten and cleared my throat as I lowered my gaze. "Oh. Um... I guess he told you then."

"I asked and he answered, yes."

I sent Zell a sidelong glance. He smirked at me, too, slightly shaking his head. "I was going to tell you," I told my dad softly. "Eventually."

"You just wanted to make sure it would last longer than one day?"

I reluctantly smiled as I nodded. "Yeah. I guess so."

Dad reached out and carefully tousled my hair. "You’re a nut, Sally, but I love you anyway." Then he motioned to Zell. "And Zell is welcome any time. You’re a very nice young man, Zell. A trifle unorthodox, but so was I at your age."

I smiled wider and tightened my hold on Zell’s hand. He squeezed back. "So, what are you going to do now, dad?"

"I’m going to go back to Balamb this evening, take your mother out to dinner, and then we will both come over tomorrow to see if you’re feeling up to watching Zell and I play ball on the beach while you talk and giggle with your mother."

I giggled and sent Zell a glance. He grinned.

Dad stood and placed a kiss on my forehead. "I had better go. I need to check in with the shop and make sure there aren’t any emergencies. You rest, hon." He reached out a hand to Zell, who eagerly clasped it with a just as eager smile. "It was nice meeting you, Zell, and we’ll see you tomorrow."

Zell nodded. "Likewise. Take it easy."

Dad gave me another smile and then turned and left the room. I looked over at Zell. "So? How did it go?"

Zell sat back in the chair. His grin returned. "He gave me the third degree. It was kinda cool."

I blinked. "Dad gave you the third degree? He’s usually so laid back. Now if my brother were here, I can see him giving you the third degree."

"Really?" Zell leaned back and crossed his arms as he watched me.

"Uh-huh. He works at the T.V. station in Timber as the general manager. Got the job after the whole thing with Seifer."

"Wow. Cool."

I nodded and adjusted my blankets. "Yeah. He offers to let me come and watch the live shows. Only, I haven’t had time."

"Now that you’ve got your diploma, you can go."

I raised my eyes to meet his gaze. "I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Seifer what my schedule’s going to be like. Won’t it be kind of brutal?"

Zell scoffed. "Nah. I’m sure you’ll have time to go. And if you don’t?" Zell gestured to himself. "Just talk to me. I’ll have words and take steps to see you get time off."

I smiled. "Thanks, sweetie."

"Sure thing." Zell stood as he gave my hand several squeezes. "You hungry?"

I slightly nodded.

"Okay. I’ll go grab some dinner. Be back in a sec."

I nodded again and watched him leave the room with a slowly growing smile as my eyes crinkled at the corners. I hugged the blankets to my chest and released a sigh. If I died and went to heaven that night, my life would have been totally and completely worth living.

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