Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Domestic ❯ The New Recruit ( Chapter 7 )

Domestic

WARNINGS:

1) I do not own FF8, Squaresoft, or get any profit out of this story

2) Rated PG-13 for violence, language, and sexual content

Chapter 7: The New Recruit

The next few weeks were downhill. Wix was out of the infirmary the next day. Travis stayed for a week. Dr. Kadowaki had as big of a fit as Zell did. She never had to deal with stab wounds in peacetime. "It's barbarian," she said the day Azerton arrived.

Zell was pissed. He hated Wix. He hated seeing him walking around. He hated seeing him alive. Every time he saw him he felt insulted. Wix wouldn't even have to look at him, and Zell would clench his fist.

Travis recovered well physically. Dr. Kadowaki released him to his dorm with a wrapped shoulder and chest. Mentally was another story. Zell thought he was quiet before, but this tossed him further into his shell. Squall advised that he rested for three weeks before Zell tried the training again The blonde obliged. The day after the three weeks are up, Zell went to Travis's dorm. Riene refused to open the door and said that he didn't feel good. Understanding, the blonde tried again the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that. Travis didn't feel good for the next two weeks.

By far however, the worst news came on a snowy Tuesday afternoon.

"You can't be serious," Zell said in shock. "I don't care what the doctors say, he's not right."

Squall knew this reaction would come from Zell, so he looked to Selphie.

"You can't be serious," she repeated. "The Garden's going to have a field day."

"Yeah, I'm sure Cid wouldn't approve it either." Zell snapped defiantly.

"Cid already signed it," Squall muttered, pulling out a piece of paper.

"Sorry Squall," Selphie said in her saddest of voices. "I don't feel comfortable doing it. You're gonna have to find someone else."

"It's just an escort. You don't have to fight him or anything."

"I don't care. It's too much drama."

"Fine 3500G bonus."

Selphie rolled the number over in her head. "Ok…I guess. You're lucky I'm in a good mood today."

"Zell?" Squall muttered, looking up to the blonde.

"There is no amount of money you can offer me to do this!" Zell roared crossing his arms. "Ask someone else."

"You can take this mission or you can leave my Garden."

Zell knew that Squall would never expel him, but he also knew it wasn't good to get on the Commander's bad side. Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair. "7000G. No less."

"5000." Squall negotiated.

"6000."

"5000 or leave."

Letting out a deep breath, Zell reluctantly shook on it. "One foot out of line, and I'm sending him back."

"Whatever. Here's your tickets and the mission briefing. You leave at seven tonight."

Nodding, the two left the office.

"This isn't worth 5000," Zell mumbled, as they hopped in the elevator.

"It's not that bad," Selphie smiled. "His doctor says that…"

"I don't care what his doctor says!" Zell interrupted. "He's still an ass."

"Well you're on this mission whether you like it or not," Selphie stuck out her tongue. "I'll have you know, there's no rain clouds on my missions."

Zell let out a sigh and dropped his head. It was going to be a long trip.

(**********)

"Block R34," the guard mumbled, leading Zell and Selphie deep into the prison. "Prisoner Almasy."

"Hello," Seifer smiled. "This is quite a welcome party."

Zell jumped at his voice. It was one he hadn't heard in a while. Seifer hadn't changed at all since he last saw him. Still sporting his white trench coat, the giant blonde made his way over to the bars.

"You're looking…um…like yourself," Selphie tried.

"Chicken Wuss," Seifer smirked, ignoring Selphie. "Glad you could make it."

"Shut up Seifer!" Zell glared. "If you step one foot out of line I'm gonna throw you right back in here."

"I'd like to see you try," Seifer snarled.

Zell clenched his fist. To his utmost disappointment, the guard unlocked the cell and let Seifer out.

"He's all yours," the guard muttered. "Good luck." With that, the man disappeared down the hallway..

Seifer stood inches from Zell's face. Sliding his gloves out of his coat pocket, Zell glared at the larger blonde.

"There's no need for hostility Chicken Wuss," Seifer said smartly. "Do you think they give the prisoners gunblades?"

"Put them away Zell," Selphie ordered. "Let's go Seifer. Leonhart wants to see you,"

"Ah Leonhart. I can't tell you how much I missed him."

(**********)

The entire Garden was buzzing that night. The monster. The knight. Seifer was back. Older students recounted Disciplinary Committee stories. Rumors were flying. Some said he escaped from jail. Others said he had Leonhart brainwashed, and that he was taking over the Garden. With a stabbing last month, the students feared for their safety, as the most wanton criminal made his return to Balamb Garden.

"I told you this would happen," Zell whined. "This was a bad decision."

"Shut up Chicken Wuss," Seifer snapped back. "I didn't break any rules. You can't do anything."

Squall dropped his head into his hands. This was the last thing he needed. Selphie had already gone to bed. Zell decided to protest a little more, so he brought Seifer up to the office personally. "Seifer, you know you'll have no opportunity at SeeD."

"Thank Hyne," Zell shouted.

"So I'm going to offer you a teaching position."

"WHAT?!?" Zell roared.

"Teacher Almasy eh…?"

"We need a weapons teacher," Squall muttered stoically. "You can take it or leave it."

"Are you insane?" Zell roared in defense. "The kids'll be petrified of him."

"SHUT-UP Chicken Wuss," Seifer snapped again.

"Oh, and I'm sure they'll all be thrilled having him teach them how to hold a gunblade," Zell snorted. "It'll bring back the fondest of memories."

"Take it or leave it Almasy," Squall muttered, ignoring Zell.

"I'll take it."

Zell went red in the face. "I want my 5000. I want it now."

(**********)

"I mean, what the hell is he thinking," Zell complained, hopping into the passenger seat of the car. "Sometimes I wonder if Cid taking the Garden back over would be such a bad thing."

"What's he like?" McNeese asked, as he started the car.

Zell was unable to get a car rental after his fiasco with Squall, so he bummed a ride with McNeese. "I have a million and one Seifer stories," Zell muttered as they pulled out onto the road. "Every single one of them involves him being an ass."

"Did he really brainwash Leonhart?"

"Of course not. Squall's big enough of a moron without Seifer's help."

"Then what's he doing here?"

"He'll be teaching you weapons," Zell laughed.

"What?!?" McNeese coughed.

"Exactly," Zell smirked as they pulled into the town of Balamb. "This Garden's going to hell fast."

McNeese just shook his head. "Where do you want me to drop you off at?"

"Pull up in front of the Weapon Shop. I have some money to spend."

(**********)