Chapter 1: Rescue Me

  "And as the tropical storm continues its assault in the Torin Sea, it makes a turn away from Galbadia and moves northeast toward the Centra islands. Luckily the storm has died down signifigantly and it should be over within a few days--Click!"
"Sounds like it's getting better.",remarked a lanky young man as he clicked off the television set.
"Irvine! We were watching that!", pouted a spirited, green-eyed girl.
"Sorry Selph. I thought it was over."
Zell jumped up and grabbed the remote from Irvine's hand.
"Hey hey! It's MY house.", he proclaimed as he aimed the remote back at the t.v. "And it's MY birthday, so I'LL decide what we watch.", he finished with a smug smirk. Irvine rolled his eyes, knowing further arguement with the spikey-headed fist-fighter would be useless.
"Wresteling?! Zell!! You know we can't watch that stuff!", Selphie whined, guesturing at Quistis and Rinoa.
"So?", he replied, swallowing a gulp of his soda. Wrapping paper and gifts littered the floor, as well as a banner that read "Happy 18th Zell!" on it. Zell had been hinting for weeks that his birthday was coming up and didn't let anyone forget it. Rinoa talked to everyone and they decided to throw him a suprise party at his house in Balamb. Zell put down his drink and picked up a small pouch filled with a few pieces of adamantine, some energy crystals, and a moon stone.
"Thanks for the stuff, Squall. It'll come in handy if I decide to upgrade my gloves.", Zell grinned. Squall nodded, returning the favor with a small smile.
"Zell? Do you and your friends want anything else?" his mother called from the doorway of the kitchen.
"No thanks Ma! We're fine!"
"Hmm...what time is it?",Rinoa asked.
"Almost time to go back to Garden," Squall stated, glancing at his watch. The moblie Garden became stationary once again after the defeat of Ultimecia, and life had pretty much returned to normal there. Groaning, Squall rubbed his face.
"I've got a bunch of kids to deal with tomorrow."
"Squall's talking to the younger students about SeeD.",Quistis informed everyone with a smile. Patting his shoulder, she teased him. "And he's got to be up bright and early to deal with the little monsters."
Squall rolled his eyes. "Thanks for filling us in Quistis."
"Well, before we go, isn't there something we're forgetting?" Irvine said with a smirk and turned in Zell's direction.
"What?" he asked, a clueless look plastered to his tatooed face. Irvine nodded at Squall and they rushed at Zell, pulling him to the floor and then hefting him up into the air by his ankles.
"H-Hey! What gives?!", Zell shouted in suprise as his t-shirt filpped up towards his face.
"Let's get this over with.",Squall said in an amused tone. "We can't hold him forever."
"Yeah. It's all those hotdogs he eats. They make him fat.",giggled Selphie as she poked Zell in the stomach, causing him to burst into laughter and squirm.
"Cuttit out! Put me down!!"
"Quisty? Got the whip?",Irvine asked.
"Whip? What are ya gonna do?!"
"Yes, I brought it. It's right here."
"Okay! Ya ready Zell?", Irvine asked.
Zell squirmed again, holding his shirt down with one hand.
"Quisty, it's really nice of you, but ya know you don't have to strip for me."
Quistis threw a nearby pillow at his stomach. "I wasn't planning on doing that Zell. Maybe when you grow some chest hair I'll reconsider."
"Hey! That was below the belt!" Zell laughed, "Go on and do what you gotta do. My head's starting to hurt."
Quistis crouched down by his head. "Well, we were going to give you a birthday beating, but I guess we can save it until next year."
"Okay! Hey, I'll have 'chest hair' by then, so maybe you could-mmff!!"
Quistis smartly shoved a balled up napkin in Zell's mouth. Standing up and crossing her arms, she nodded to Squall and Irvine. "Drop him." They did as told and Zell fell to the floor in a heap.
"Just kidding Quisty!", he laughed, standing up. Quistis smirked and shook her head. Selphie threw her arms around Zell's neck in a hug and pecked him a kiss on the cheek.
"Happy birthday Zell!!",she said in a sing-song tone.
"Yeah. Thanks you guys.",he said smiling at them. Walking them to the door, he said more thank-yous and goood-byes. "I always wanted a suprise party.",he laughed as they stepped outside.
"Aren't you coming?",Squall asked. Zell shook his head.
"Nah. I'm staying the night. Gotta help clean up and everything. I'll just see you guys tomorrow."
Squall nodded with a smile. They waved good-byes again as they drove off towards Garden. Zell sighed and turned back into the house. Pausing for a moment, he looked up at the clear, starry, night sky, wondering if Edea, their Matron, was safe. With the thought still heavy on his mind, he turned back inside and shut the door.

The next day...

 "Hey Squall! I got those files you asked for on Guardian Forces."
"Okay. Thanks Ross. Get them to Nida when you can. Or if it's easier, just drop them off in my mail box.", replied the SeeD commander as he continued to make his way through the halls of the Garden. Sunlight reflected off the pristine waters of the fountains that lined the walkways and glittered as the water gently lapped back and fourth. Running long fingers through his hair, he took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of the morning. It was just past lunch time, but somehow he still felt as if he had just woken up. Spying a familiar figure standing near a fountain, Squall quitely and quickly walked up, unnoticed, from behind. Wrapping leather clad arms around his victim, he whispered a greeting in her ear.
"Morning."
"Squall!",Rinoa jumped, laughing nervously, he having torn her from her daydream. He smiled jokingly at her and place a soft kiss on her neck. Sighing, he let her go to turn and face him. Rinoa looked at his bland expression and frowned.
"What's wrong Commander?", she asked, chuckling to herself at his disliked pet-name. Squall rubbed his face, groaning slightly.
"Guess I haven't finished waking up yet." Rinoa smiled.
"Well...how about we um,...go for a walk? That'll wake you up!"
Squall shook his head. "Maybe some other time. I've got some paperwork to look at."
"I swear Squall, that's all you ever do. Work, work, work. You should be a T-E-E-N-A-G-E-R every once in a while. It won't kill you to lighten up.",Rinoa pouted, crossing her arms and cocking her head at him. Squall chuckled.
"Sorry, sorry. I forget you tell me that I'm a work-a-holic.",he apologized, once more wrapping his arms around her. She smiled back at him.
"You need to go those support groups. WA: Work-a-holics Anonymous.",Rinoa stated with a giggle. Squall rolled his eyes and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. "Come with me then. You can watch me fill out information forms, review old combat data, and plan out the next field exams for SeeD."
"No WAY! I'd have more fun cleaning out the Chocobo stables.",Rinoa said with a laugh. Squall smiled and shrugged, walking away.
"Suit yourself. I'll see you later, okay? I...guess we could try to do something..."
"Okay. Whenever.",she replied cheerily. Squall waved as he rounded the corner and disappeared. Rinoa let out a deep sigh. Sometimes she thought the SeeD recruits got more attention from him than she did.
"I can be patient. I can wait. I'll just keep staring at the water. It'll occupy my time for...oh, say five seconds before I get tired of watching it. Gee, this is fun. Maybe I'll find Selphie or Zell. Mr. Paper-pusher can have his forms.", she firmly decided, and walked off to find someone to give her the attention Squall didn't have time for.

  "Alright. I want your term papers turned in tomorrow morning...on time. I'll see you all tomorrow. Have a nice day."
Students filed out of Quistis Trepe's classroom with somber, glaring faces. Most of them thought she had taken her newfound authority too seriously, but others were just glad to have her back in the classroom. Quistis sighed as the last student exited and moved to sit at her desk. She pulled down her wire-framed glasses and rubbed her eyes. The day wouldn't end soon enough. A subtle knock at the door brought her out of her thoughts.
"Come in.",she called, looking towards the door. It slid open with a "blip" and Squall entered. Rising from her chair, Quistis smiled.
"Squall. What a nice suprise. Did you escape from the wrath of Rinoa?"
He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, shaking his head slightly. "She was pretty upset that I told her I had other things to do."
Quistis shook her head pityingly. "You need to learn to read between the lines Squall. Women need special care and attention. They don't need to be tossed aside until it's convient for you."
Squall breathed deeply, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I'm trying, I'm trying. It's not easy with someone like Rinoa."
Quistis smiled. "I think I can relate. Anyway, I hear you've been doing a little GF research on the side."
"Yeah.",he nodded, his mood instantly changing. "I was reading somewhere that there's this theory that there are subspecies of existing Guardian Forces." Quistis' eyebrows rose in curiosity.
"If that's true," she said, "then there would be, say, an Ifrit that is stronger? I don't quite understand."
"Ross found some stuff for me. It should be in my mail box. Either that, or with Nida.",Squall stated, moving towards the door. "You can come if you want. I'm going to pick it up now."
Quistis shrugged. "Why not? I need some fresh air."
As the two made their way down the hall, they came across Zell, moping around the Training Center entrance. Upon seeing them coming in his direction, Zell quickly rubbed his face and put on his best fake smile.
"Hey guys! S'up?",he grinned brokenly, waving with a gloved hand.
"Hey Zell.", they replied. Quistis looked at him in suspicion. Zell squirmed nervously under her critical gaze.
"Is there anything wrong?", she asked gently, not wanting to pry into his personal life. Zell shrugged and tried to smile. Squall had caught on and pressed the question.
"What happened? It was Lana, right?"
Zell's face crumpled into a sour glare. Balling his fists at his side, he slumped against the column he was standing near.
"Man, it pisses me off! I don't even know what I did!!", he exclaimed, slamming a fist against the pillar. Quistis and Squall didn't have to ask any more questions; once Zell had started on a subject, it was hard to make him stop. "She said she needed 'more space'.",he said, rubbing his sore hand. "What th'hell is THAT supposed to mean? What? Am I clingly or over-protective or something? I mean, sure I was worried that one time when I thought that Bomb was about to blow her to bits and I pushed her out of the way and she nearly fell into a lava pit, but what would you have done if Rinoa was in that situation? Anwser THAT if you can."
"Maybe it's for the better.", Squall suggested. Quistis nodded.
"I agree. I don't think she was really your type anyway. She was too quiet."
"B-But she said she'd get me "Good-Bye Pururun"! Now she never will!",Zell whined, throwing his hands inside his uniform pockets. Scuffing the toe of his boot on the floor, he took a deep breath. "I guess it's over then. So I'm single once more. Hey Quistis, you free Friday night?"
"That didn't last long.",she chuckled, rolling her eyes. Zell smiled.
"Guess I've...'seen the light'. Heh."
{Attention! Would Squall Leonhart, Quistis Trepe, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmitt, Rinoa Heartilly, and Irvine Kinneas please report to the Headmaster's office immideately. Repeat, report to the office immideately! That is all!}, blared the Garden intercoms. Squall's eyebrows twisted in concern and he walked briskly towards the elevator.
"What's all that about?",called Zell from behind. He and Quistis boarded the elevator, and Squall punched the button for the third level. His calm mood had disappeared, and a stone-like look washed over his face. Quistis chewed her lip nervously. "It sounded serious.",Zell said solemly. "I wonder why they want us?" Squall looked up as the elevator jerked to a halt and the doors slid open to reveal two large wooden doors. Walking sternly out of the elevator, he reached for the brass handles and pushed the door open.
"We're about to find out."

  Cid Kramer, Headmaster of Balamb Garden, stood at the window of his office with his back to his visitors. He held his hands crossed behind him, just staring out at the landscape, a frown puckering on his forehead. Squall discreetly cleared his throat and Cid jumped a little in suprise. Chuckling nervously, he motioned at the chairs that lined the office walls.
"Please, please...sit down! I'm sorry," he said, removing his glasses to clean them, "but I'm a little under stress right now."
"It's alright, Headmaster. We were just concerned that----"
"Hey! What's the hold-up here? What's going on?", questioned Irvine in a loud voice as he barged into the office with Rinoa and Selphie at his heels. Quistis shot him a menacing glare as he took his seat. Cid cleared his throat and spoke before any words could be exchanged between the two.
"I assume you know of that bad storm that's been occuring in the Torin Sea, near Centra? Well, I've got good news....and bad news.",he stated, the forehead frown becoming apparant once more. "It seems that the storm has effected even regions on the southern-most parts of Galbadia. A few tornadoes and some severe storms came up, and many people are left without homes or businesses."
"That's terrible! Those poor people!",gasped Selphie, covering her mouth in suprise. Cid shook his head gravely.
"Yes, I agree. But we plan on assisting them the best we can. I mean, us and Galbadia Garden."
Heads whipped up at Cid's statement. Adjusting his glasses on the tip of his nose, he continued. "I and the Galbadian Headmaster have discussed it throughly and we believe that we have enough resources at our Gardens to assist a few families for a minimal amount of time. Of course, Trabia is out of the plan, since it's still being rebuilt, and wouldn't be suitable for housing many people. We have more than enough facilities here, and I don't see any better way to use them."
Squall nodded. "That sounds like a good plan, Headmaster. When will they be coming in?"
"Sometime in the next few days. I've already seen to it that preperations are being made. Everything will be ready by the time they come. We'll be housing twelve families and Galbadia Garden will be housing fifteen."
"I thought you said there was bad news. All that sounded pretty good to me.", stated Zell, leaning back in his chair. Cid pulled on the cuffs of his white shirt. Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, he cleared his throat.
"I was just about to go to that subject. It's about Edea and the orphanage." A swift intake of air could be heard echoing throughout the room. "What happened?",Squall asked gravely.
"That's what I don't know. I feel that she and the children are alright, but something keeps eating at the back of my mind, and I feel as if I should check in on her. I've tried to telephone, but something must have happened to the lines during a storm.",explained Cid as he paced around the room, finally pausing at the window. "That's why I want you Squall, and the rest of you who were brought up at the orphanage, to go to Centra and check on her. Bring her and the other children back here if need be. I just want to make sure she's safe."
"Pardon me, sir, but why don't you come with us?",Irvine asked. Selphie elbowed him in the side.
"He can't, you dummy! He's still sick!",she hissed. Cid chuckled shakily.
"I really would love to go with you. But Dr. Kadowaki said I needed to cut down on as much stress as I can. This little incident isn't helping me at all, and then there's my 'airplane problem'."
"How is your heart holding up, Headmaster?",Quistis inquired, her words tinkling with concern. Cid patted his chest.
"Dr. Kadowaki said it was only a minor cardiac arrest, but I still have to take my heart pills, watch my diet, and keep stress down until I've fully recovered. She wasn't too keen on letting me back into my office just yet.",he chuckled lightly. His laughter faded quickly though as he repeated his request. "Please, go to Centra. I just want to be absolutely sure..."
"It's alright. We're more than willing to do it.",Squall anwsered, rising from his chair. Cid shook his hand, clasping his free one on top of Squall's.
"Thank you. She'll be happy to see all of you again.",he said, his voice cracking a little. Squall nodded firmly and exited the office, followed by the others. "What could have happened there? What if someone's hurt. What is Matron is hurt? I hope everything's alright. Matron...we're coming..."

Author's Note: Okay! This chapter was kinda short. I'm gonna try to keep this fic from becoming a novel (I have the bad habit of turning most of my fics into those ^^;). Just a few notes though. Yes, Squall and Rinoa are together, yes, Zell DID date the library girl (but she dumped him...poor Zell ^_~), yes, Quistis is an instructor once more, and yes, Cid DID have a heart attack. There, I hope that cleared a few things up.E-mail me with any comments or suggestions!! Hope you like the next chapter! If you didn't like this one, it's going to get better, I promise!

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