Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Silence ❯ The Final Silence ( Chapter 14 )

Epilogue : The Final Silence

A few minutes later Squall came rushing into the room with Balamb officers following just like I had planned. Get Seifer riled up enough to cause some real damage and get caught, then have him arrested. It all went so smoothly except for one thing... I wasn't supposed to shoot the guy and definitely not in front of Zell but I had no choice. Now Zell's being mute and only Hyne knows how long he'll stay that way.

Squall knelt down checking Seifer for signs of life. "He's still alive.' He announced. "But barely. Where's the damn paramedics?" He stood and one of the officers went out probably back to the front gate to wait for the ambulance. Squall came over to me glancing at Zell, who still had his eyes glued on Seifer. Then he pulled me aside a bit and whispered. "What happened?"

I glanced at Zell myself befoe answering in the same low tone. "He was gonna kill him Squall I had to do it." The officer came back then with the paramedic on his heels.

"Watch out please." The doctor said and we stepped aside so they could get Seifer onto the stretcher. We watched them hall his living but motionless body away. Then another guy came and escorted Zell into the hall while the police and Squall surveyed the room. Zell remained quiet the entire time he was looked at, just nodding barely to any questions the paramedic asked. "We should take him to the hospital as well for better examining." One of the medics says to me and I nodded.

Squall came out shortly after that and touched my shoulder. "You did good, messy but good." The faintest smile showed on his face. Then he moved to Zell. " Its over you're safe now." I don't know if Zell heard or not but there was no reaction and I cursed myself silently. I don't know if I could handle him being traumatized and it being my fault.

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Zell stared after the paramedics taking Seifer away. He remembered the almost peaceful look on the mans face while he was wheeled by on the stretcher. It really was over now, Seifer gone, the person that hurt him in so many ways was gone. So why did Zell still feel like someone was beating him from the inside out? He looked around seeing doors cracked and other cadets peeking out from the commotion that you'd have to be deaf to not have heard. He didn't care about them though at least not at that moment. He was just praying that Seifer survived. The medics had long since disappeared down the hall with his troubled lover. In their place a horrified Selphie and Quistis stood.

The two girls came over, Selphie running right to Zell hugging him fiercely. He unconsciously hugged her back still staring blankly ahead. Quistis talked ot Irvine and Squall then she left with Squall and the officers. Touching Zell's arm warmly on her way by. Selphie finally let go of the boy when Irvine approached them. The little teen smiled at him then backed away turning around to leave the two alone. Irvine stood in front of Zell not sure what to say, his vision was anywhere but on the blue irises before him. He didn't want to see the look of pain or anger Zell might have towards him. To his surprise it was Zell who broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Thanks." It was said quietly and almost emotionless but Irvine looked at him none the less with a smile.

"Just glad you're all right." Then Zell hugged him and Irvine without any hesitation hugged him back tighter. Whether it was from relief or sadness Zell began to cry again, seems like he'd been doing nothing but shedding tears the past few weeks. Irvine was seconds away from doing the same himself but he held it back. It wasn't his place to cry, not now not when Zell needed him more than ever. Even though he did save him from Seifer it wasn't over not for Zell or himself. They had deeper issues to get through now. * * *  

Later that night Zell was taken to the hospital, Selphie and I went with him of course. Squall had gone to Ma Dincht and told her everything they arrived there not too long after us. Ms. Dincht thanked me, hugged me, smacked me on the cheek for not having come to her sooner and I apologized. I was just glad she kept a good head about the whole thing. She spent alot of time in the hospital room with Zell and was eventually convinced to go home after the doctor told her that her son would be fine. I heard from Quistis and Selphie that she wanted Zell to take therapy when he was ready. I didn't think that was necessary, personally I don't trust those so called therapist but if it would help Zell in the end I'd deal. Hell I'd even go with him if he wanted.

For most of the night I stayed in the hallway, still unsure of how he felt about me now. Does he blame me for Seifer's condition? Is he gonna be uncomfortable around me now that he knows how I feel about him? They weren't exactly things you asked someone that just went through a traumatic experience hours ago.

Squall stayed with me most of the night after having talked to Zell himself. We sat in the small cushioned chairs outside Zell's room. "If and when Seifer recovers they're going to transfer him to Deling for treatment, physical and mental." He told me and offered me some of his coffee even though he knew I didn't touch the stuff.

"No thanks... As long as Seifer's away from Zell, dead or alive.. I'm happy." I may have said it out loud but deep down I knew it'd be best if the bastard did live for Zell's own mental sake. We soon found out that answer when one of the doctors approached us.

"Mr. Almasy will live. Thankfully the bullet just missed a vital point." Everyone glanced at me for a second.

"Thank you." Quistis said and she went with him into the room to tell Zell the news. Through the door I could see the relief register on that pretty face of his, finding out that the man that almost killed him wasn't dead himself. I didn't understand why Zell needed that to be o.k., did he actually feel guilty for what happened to Seifer? The guy deserved it but I wasn't ever gonna question him about it. Guess its just one of the things you have to experience to truly understand.

Shortly after that everyone left back to Garden. There were records to be made, reports to file, things to explain to the headmaster. I was just glad I wouldn't have to deal with any of it until later. Once everyone had said there final goodbyes and left I stood at Zell's doorway. He looked asleep but I could tell he wasn't. My suspicion was confirmed when he shifted and sat up in the bad.

"You can come in you know, that open doors causing a draft."

I stepped all the way in closing the door and went over to the bed. My eyes wandered around the room and I sighed. "I didn't mean to hurt Seifer that badly not at all really." I blurted out as some kind of apology.

"I know... you did what you had to. I'm kinda grateful I guess. You did save me and Seifer's not gonna die so..."

I sat on the bed in front of him. "I know it hurts and its confusing but I'm here Zell just like I always was and always will be for whatever you need." He kept his head down and the room was quiet. Lifting his chin I leaned forward and kissed him. I probably shouldn't have but I did. Then I backed off and stood to leave but his voice stopped me from reaching the door.

"You think.... maybe someday if you're still available that.... maybe we could give it a try?" He asked so sweetly and so shy it reminded me of the Zell he used to be before all this happened. That same irresistible blush showed on his face.

"Well I don't know, I might be taken by then bein' a big hero and all." I joked and he laughed for the first time in a month. It was short and quiet but that was enough for me. "Partner I've been waitin' to hear that sound for a long time." I went back over to the bed and sat down. He moved over a little so I could sit beside him.

We lied back leaning on each other comfortably. Both of us listening to the silence in the room but it wasn't a quiet eerie frightening silence like times before. This one was loud, full of unsaid words and questions, which was ok with me for now. We'll ask questions later as long as we both know how the other feels right now. We could also hear each others peaceful breathing like the night before when we were in bed together.

For this moment at least things were just the way they should be. I'd wait as long as it took for Zell to come around and be ready to have a real relationship an honest and painless one... with me. Then we'd be that perfect couple of Balamb Garden just like the illusion he and Seifer gave off before but the real thing and with no hidden secrets.

The End

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A/N: I know the story wasn’t all it could have been but thanks for the reviews and to everyone who stuck with it. “I appreciate, love and enjoy ya!” Linkin