THE ZELL DINCHT COLLECTION

WARNINGS

1) I do not own Zell, Squall, Rinoa, Irvine, Seifer, Selphie, Irvine, Quistis, or any other character I may mention from the FF8 series. I may add some more characters, which are mine. If you steal them, I probably won't find out about it. I also do not own most of the towns, monsters, etc… used in this story.

2) This was written cause Zell is the coolest character ever to be created in the FF series. It's rated NC-17 for mostly sex, but it also contains some language and violence.

3) This is a yaoi story. If you are offended by yaoi or don't know what it is, I suggest you leave. You have been warned.

Ok think I got everything. Just read it and leave me some feedback. If you flame me I'll find it funny, so do whatever the hell makes you feel good.

CHAPTER 23: Briefing and Timber

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"You said 1:00!" Zell exclaimed, looking at Squall's displeased face.

"I was expecting better then 12:58."

"But…"

"Don't do it again." General Carringway was yet to arrive, but Squall had higher standards of Zell. Everyone was in Carringway's mansion, leaning on a wall or sitting on the ground. With the exception of Zell and Puma, the group had been waiting for fifteen minutes now.

"Where the hell is this guy?" Seifer grumbled, tapping his fingers on the wooden floor beneath him. Leaning on the opposite wall, Squall gave no response. The large blonde really didn't expect one, but was just frustrated. You don't keep SeeD waiting. They weren't girl scouts selling cookies. Their objectives dealt with life and death and the safety of millions of people. Frustration didn't lure the General however, as they waited for an additional fifteen minutes.

"This shit-head better show up here soon," Zell thought, yawning. They hadn't gotten much sleep last night, which was most of the reason they almost missed the meeting this morning. The blonde took a seat next to Puma against the right wall, and he watched Seifer pace back and forth in the center of the room.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen," a voice boomed, as the door flew open. In full uniform, General Carringway brought the room to attention. He didn't make any apologies, and cut straight to the chase. "Now, knowing your mission let me get you started."

"Where the hell were you?" Seifer growled, unable to control his thoughts.

"Seifer!" Squall snapped, immediately after he said it.

"Let me tell you something," the General stated, looking directly into Seifer's eyes. "You don't work for me, so I can easily remove you from my office and city. I am giving you this information as a favor because we have common goals right now. I have other means of accomplishing these goals, so I'd suggest you leave the SeeD cockiness at the door."

That shut Seifer up, and Squall put his hand over his face.

"Now, as I was saying," Carringway continued, still glaring at Seifer. "Through reliable sources, I have found that these 'Forrest Spiders' have strong ties in the Galbadian Garden and Timber. I do not have specific contacts for you to meet, but being SeeD, I would hope you would have the skill of gathering information."

Selphie and Zell nodded, knowing they could easily pull it off.

"You are to split into two teams, one to Timber, and one to the Galbadian Garden. I have notified Martin, the Garden Master of Galbadia, and he will treat you as transfer students. As for Timber, you're on your own. Blend in, make friends, and accomplish your mission. Cid seemed to want this done quickly and with little bloodshed. As SeeDs, I expect you will fulfill his wishes. Any questions?"

"Transportation wise…?" Squall questioned.

"Ah…I will provide you with two automobiles for the journey. Any others?"

Nobody else asked, and satisfied, Carringway started to make his way towards the door.

"Don't screw up," he shot, stopping at the door. "I'm expecting results." The General slammed the door behind him.

"So…?" Seifer asked after a brief pause.

"Parties will be the following," Squall muttered, still leaning against the wall. "Puma, Zell, and Seifer will go to Timber, and Selphie and myself will go to the Galbadian Garden.

"Aww…I'm with Chicken Wuss?" Seifer complained, looking over to the blonde.

"Shut Up Seifer!" Zell shot back.

"I'll lead our party," Squall ignored them both. "And Zell you're in charge of your party."

"What?!?" Seifer cried almost immediately.

"Get going immediately," Squall continued. "Pack and go. I'll call you at nine tonight." With that, Squall turned to leave Carringway's mansion, Selphie at his heels. Dusting themselves off, Zell and Puma regained their feet, and followed Squall out.

"We're going back to the hotel to pick up our stuff," Zell commanded, taking control of his squad. "Then we'll head out to Timber." Seifer scoffed at the order, but continued to follow the smaller blonde.

"Let me tell you something," he sneered, putting his hand on Zell's shoulder. "I don't know why Squall put you in charge, but stay out of my way. Don't think you have any control over me."

"Let me tell you something," Zell shot back. "If you hope to get anywhere in SeeD, learn some respect. You made an ass of yourself in Carringway's Mansion, don't do it again."

"I don't respect you Chicken Wuss." The big blonde pushed past Zell and Puma, and took the lead towards the hotel. Shaking his head at Puma, Zell followed him to the hotel.

"He's gonna make the job interesting," Puma joked, once they were inside their room.

"What are you going to do," Zell shrugged, reorganizing his suitcase. "We're stuck."

"I thought you'd be more upset."

"Eh…being with Seifer has its pros and cons."

"What pros?"

"He'll save our asses once someone starts something. You saw him fight the Brothers."

"True."

"We just gotta put up with him until he becomes useful," Zell sighed, slamming his suitcase shut. Checking out of the room, the two met Seifer, and made their way to the city gates.

"Yeah, Carringway said to give you whatever, so ya can just pick out what you want," the rental car owner nodded. Taking a quick look around, Zell made up his mind.

"We'll take this red one."

"Nah, we'll take the black one over there," Seifer interrupted.

"Shut up."

"I got three words for you Chicken Wuss: Ugly, Assed, Car."

"I got three words for you: Follow, Orders, Dammit." The large blonde growled, but Zell got his red car.

"I'm driving then," Seifer mumbled, grabbing the car keys. In an effort to stop another argument, Zell let it go, and crawled in the back with Puma. The interior was black, with comfortable leather seats. Zell sank into the seat, and closed his eyes as Seifer pulled out onto the road. It was going to be a long drive, as it was a couple of hours by train. Putting his head against the window, Zell fell asleep for most of the trip. Puma did much the same, which caused for a quiet car-ride. They finally arrived in Timber around 5:00, as the sun was beginning to set. Zell woke Puma up when they pulled in front of the hotel, and everyone stretched their legs.

"You're free to do whatever the hell you want," Zell yawned to Seifer. "Just report to me in the morning."

"Get me a room," Seifer muttered, throwing his suitcase at the blonde. "I'm going to go mingle."

"Tch…fine." Just glad to be away from Seifer, Zell and Puma made their way into the small Timber Inn. They got two rooms, and hired the receptionist to give the other key to an odd, trench coat wearing man named Seifer Almasy. She looked at them strangely, but kept her mouth shut. Unlike Deling City, this hotel had only one floor, which had maybe 40 rooms. It wasn't as nice as their former stay, but it would have to do for now.

"What's up for tonight?" Puma asked, as they walked into their room.

"Eh…we'll just take it easy," Zell replied, throwing his suitcase on the floor. "Squall'll call later, so I say we just lay low in the hotel for the night.

"What about Seifer?"

"He can handle himself."

"What if he gets in trouble?"

"We can only hope," Zell laughed. He took a look around the cramped room. It had a decent sized bed in the center of the room, a circular table, a TV, and a small bathroom. Zell's dorm was about four times the size though. "This is going to take some getting used to."

"We'll survive," Puma replied, walking over to the window. He looked out into the streets of town. "We really need to get some new clothes or something cause we really stick out."

"True," Zell nodded, walking next to the redhead. "We'll handle that later."

"And what now?"

"I don't know. We could get something to eat. We haven't since breakfast."

"Yeah, I'm a little hungry."

"Let's go exploring then," Zell nodded, and led Puma out of their room. Taking the short walk back out onto the main street, they began their search for a small café. The townspeople gave them some odd stares, and an uneasy feeling came over Zell. Luckily, they found a restaurant quickly, and hid themselves in a booth. "We really gotta make some friends or something."

"Yeah, they're not exactly tourist friendly," Puma replied with a hint of anger, as he watched a person give him the evil eye from another table.

"It'll get better once we make some contacts," Zell reassured. "Seifer might have already made a friend or two."

"That's a stretch."

"Yeah, he's probably made an enemy or two," the blonde laughed.

"Can I help you?" a waitress muttered, devoid of emotion. Zell and Puma jumped, as they were unaware of her approach.

"Yeah um…let me just get two hotdogs," Zell nodded, still a bit shocked.

"Uh…I'll have the shrimp basket," Puma muttered. Writing it down, the waitress left as soon as she came. "That was awkward," Puma said as soon as she left.

"Yeah this is the weirdest town I've ever been in."

"What's up here?"

"I don't know. They've been under imperialist control for a while, and they're a small town. They probably know everyone in town, so it makes sense they're unwelcome to outsiders."

"I guess."

"It's gonna be harder to get info here then in the Galbadian Garden."

"So this could take a while?"

"Yeah, we'll see how it goes though," Zell yawned, stretching his arms. "Could be over in a few months, could be over by tomorrow. Depends on how we do and how Squall does."

"I wish we got a dorm up in the Galbadia Garden."

"Yeah, but Squall knows best. He had a reason for making the teams the way he did."

"I suppose."

"Here," the waitress returned throwing their meals down in front of them. She pivoted and left, saying nothing more.

"Thanks!" Zell called, but she paid no attention. "Bitch," he muttered under his breath. Puma laughed, and started to devour his meal. They ate silently and quickly. Zell paid for the food, and they walked back to the hotel. The sun was pretty much down, as only small rays of light could be visible, and the streetlights had just sprung on. Less townspeople were out, so it was a much better walk back.

"So these are the great SeeD missions," Puma muttered, once they reached their room.

"It'll get more interesting." Zell nodded. "I promise."

"It's a change from the final exam. Now that was a SeeD mission."

"Yeah, but battles are only half of the job. Ya gotta have people skills too."

"True. I need to work on that," the redhead yawned, lying down on the bed.

"That's why I took you, cause this is the perfect way to work on it," Zell mumbled, sitting next to him.

"You got to choose who take along?" Puma asked, looking up at the blonde in confusion.

"Well yeah, somewhat."

"…why didn't you take Zoe?"

"Tch…well…we…well…you know the whole story behind it." Zell looked to ground, his voice getting softer. "Things would be…awkward…and I'd be distracted."

Puma sat up and wrapped his arm around the blonde. "You're tense man. Got a lot on your mind?"

Zell just nodded, slumping his head even further to the floor.

"You gotta get in touch with her or something to vent here soon."

"I will, just not now," Zell muttered, dropping his body back, and in turn on top of Puma. "I just gotta get shit straightened out."

"Zell, you're crushing my chest," Puma laughed, pushing the blonde's head off of him. Zell sat up again on the edge of the bed, and Puma crawled over and sat next to him. "Just try not to explode on anyone."

"Kay…" Zell nodded.

The phone rang, interrupting the conversation. Zell pretty much knew who it was, and ran over to pick it up. "Hello?" he answered.

"Zell?" Squall asked.

"Yeah what's up?"

"Nothing…I see you've arrived alright."

"Yeah, we jut got the hotel room tonight."

"You didn't find anything did you?"

"Nah…we're leaving that up to Seifer tonight."

"You let him out alone?"

"Yeah…he should be alright."

"Just make sure he doesn't kill anyone."

"Will do sir!" Zell joked.

"Listen…it's not smart for me to call the hotel, so find yourself a good payphone or something, and call me at 542-1463."

"What? Every night?"

"No just if you find something or every once in a while."

"Kay will do."

"Good luck Dincht."

"Thanks sir." The blonde hung up the phone, and sat back down on the bed.

"He's not much for small talk," Puma noted.

"Not really," Zell agreed.

"So what's up for the rest of the night?"

"I can think of a few things," the blonde smiled mischievously, wrapping his arm around Puma.

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