"Another mission?" asked Zell in surprise. "But, Seifer's almost better! Can't we have an assignment in Balamb or something?"

"Trabia isn't that far, I'm sure we could get a hold of you if anything happens to Seifer." Squall had become like ice. Maybe it was because no one was bullying him to open up anymore. Seifer had become the type of person that everyone had wanted Squall to be. No one felt like putting up with Squall anymore.

"Irvine and Quistis too? What is this mission?"

Squall frowned. He had cut his hair short recently. It made his eyes even more profound. They looked sad. "Pretty routine actually. Edea just needs to check up on conditions there. Unfortunately, the Forest Owls have gotten wind of a terrorist organization hell bent on getting revenge on the Sorceress."

Zell let out a yelpish "Woah!"

Squall shook his head. "Yeah, I know. It's crazy. Anyway, they are supposed to be located in FH, but I can't seem to find them anywhere. It's not like it's that big."

"So, we are bodyguards?" asked Zell. He didn't like the idea of his matron being threatened. It made his fists ball just out of reflex. "I hope they show their faces. I could smash them into bits."

Squall nodded. He understood. They shared the same adopted mother and he loved her just as much. There were only three people that Squall cared about in the world and Edea was one of them. Ellone was safe in Esthar and Rinoa was safe under his wing. "But, this trip to Trabia is top secret. The group is supposedly based in FH, but that's not to say they aren't capable of movement. Still, I suspect that nothing will go wrong. It's merely a precaution."

Zell could see his point. It did feel to him that Matron should have an army surrounding her, but he knew that was just his personal feelings. Besides, who better to protect her than her children?

Squall sat down at his desk. "You leave tomorrow. I suggest you rest up tonight. I want you alert."

Zell nodded a brisk, professional nod and left Squall to his own thoughts. They were uncomfortable ones. He was afraid for Edea, which was creating a headache, but he was more worried about Rinoa. She was keeping something from him. Ha! Rinoa, the constant nagging "be more open with me" girlfriend. He hoped for both their sakes that it had nothing to do with her "slip-up" in bed.

"I won't do it 'til you guys get back."

"You do realize that only primitive cavemen literally fight for a woman, don't you?" asked Irvine. He found the idea of Seifer ready to battle Squall amusing. He saw Rinoa in a frilly dress just waiting to see who would survive to claim her as a prize.

"Maybe I should find another caveman instead?" asked Seifer snootily.

"Damn straight!" agreed Zell, slapping Irvine's butt. The two had now become an official couple.

Irvine blushed. Zell would never have believed it, but The legendary Irvine Kinneas was shy about public displays. He thought it was one of the most endearing things about Irvine, getting him to blush. So slapping his ass in the cafeteria brought a brilliant grin to Zell's face.

Seifer shook his head in mock disgust. He was so used to their antics that he could tell they were going to do something before they did. It had been nearly a year since the "Best damn time Seifer died." He even agreed that it had been the turning point in his life. Sure, he would still be an instructor at Garden, but he didn't know if he would ever have been able to spend time with Rinoa. The two of them had been sneaking visits to each other. They NEVER even touched, but he could see the tremendous guilt she bore. She loved Squall and now her attention from him was divided.

It had also given Seifer a personality makeover. Okay, the death hadn't done that. It was his sweeties, Irvy and Zell. They had shown him love when he had needed it the most. Now that his life was showing some promise, he was fully determined to life it the best that he could. Seifer Almasy got waved to when he walked down hallways now.

"But, I'll be fine with you guys gone! I mean, I'm even back to fighting again. Granted, I'm not as good, but I'll be a master Gunblader again. Just wait." He smiled up at a happy figure that was floating to him. "Besides, I have Selphie to protect me!"

"Or to push you into the danger!" she squealed. "Apparently, you'd make a good shield."

Seifer stuck his tongue out at her.

Irvine felt like it was the last time he'd ever see that. There was something about this trip that he didn't like. Why a routine checkup on Trabia right now with the threat of this rebel group? Shouldn't Cid just go? He tried to shake off the negative thoughts. Everything would be fine, he had Zell with him.

"Hold the elevator!" shouted a commanding voice from outside the lift. Seifer stuck his hand against the doors with the speed of a trained killer. Which he was. He grinned down at the new passenger, then frowned. It was Squall.

The air was thick with tension and anger. It was strange the instantaneous transformation that hit Seifer. He felt like he could battle Squall right here on the elevator.

"Zell and Irvy just left," he said casually. He didn't actually think that he could prod any information about the "top secret" mission, but it would be fun to give him the impression that that was what he was trying to do. "Strange crew… Irvy, Zell, and Quistis. Sure, Irvy has diplomatic skills, but for the most part the team is all power. Three fighters."

"We train fighters here Seifer that can't be a surprise to you," Squall's voice was part annoyance and part interest. It seemed that he was amused by Seifer's comments.

"It's a time of peace though. I wouldn't want to think that Garden is doing anything sneaky."

"It's not Garden I'm worried about doing things behind my back." Squall's voice was utterly evil. Pure and unbridled evil.

Seifer's stomach dropped. He had told his friends that he wouldn't duel Squall yet, but now seemed like the perfect time to confess his plans to take back Rinoa. "If you've got an accusation to make Squall, you should make it or shut the hell up."

"I don't have to make an accusation. It's my garden and if anyone is doing things behind my back, I can have them thrown out of it." Squall stepped out of the recently opened lift doors. He didn't look back at Seifer. His body was the perfect statue of composure. Inside, he was shaking. 'Please, don't let me be right about Rinoa,' his inside voice cried. But now wasn't the time. He had to wait, to be in top form when he asked Seifer about Rinoa. And about Seifer's gloves that were in Rinoa's underwear drawer.

Seifer had problems sleeping. Squall had pissed him off so much. They both wanted Rinoa but in the end only one of them would have her. He would see to it that Squall tasted the dust beneath his boots. He was going to be cranky in the morning, he could already tell.