Quistis sat at her desk and brushed her hair slowly. She had just woken up and was still fairly sleepy. The sun shone brightly through the windows, touching her hair with golden fingers and warming it pleasantly. She put the brush down, yawned, and rubbed her nose. Yes, it was peeling. Damn. She wound her hair up in the usual fashion and secured it with her clip. Then she reached for her desk drawer and brought out her eyeglass case. She hadn't worn the glasses since she had been an instructor, ages ago.

She drew the glasses out and reached for a cloth to polish the lenses with. Her fingers traced the frames. She sat there for a few moments more, rubbing the smooth frames of her glasses and not thinking of anything much.

She shook herself. She had better things to do than sit around dreaming. It was already midmorning and she had a difficult day ahead of her. She put on her glasses and her boots and sighed. There wasn't any point in avoiding this. It had to be done, and the sooner she got it over with, the better. I just want to get Seifer through training as fast as possible, so I can be done with this entirely. The thought of him in her class made her uneasy. I don't trust him. He's good at hiding what his true intentions are. I want this to be over. Yesterday. She consoled herself with the thought that he was an excellent fighter. She wouldn't have to start at square one, not with Seifer. She pushed her glasses up onto the bridge if her nose and went in search of Squall.

 

He was reading in the library. Quistis was relieved. If he had been in the Training Center, she would never have been able to speak to him privately. When Squall trained, most of the Garden somehow gravitated to the Training Center. He was a legend, and good to watch as well. She sat down next to him but didn't say anything. He wasn't the sort to appreciate excess words.

"Nice sunburn, Instructor," said Squall, and saluted casually. He didn't smile. But then, he almost never did. But she thought he was pleased to see her.

"You heard?" She was surprised. She had thought that Cid would wait on announcing her promotion until the business with Seifer was settled.

He shrugged. "Rinoa told me. I guess Cid told her."

"What else did you hear?" She asked bluntly.

"Nothing. There's obviously something though, isn't there," he stated. "Tell me."

She looked at him. Stalling would be a bad idea, I think. No need to annoy him before he even hears the news. He'll respect me more if I don't beat around the bush. Not that I would anyway. Remember, not only is he practically your brother, you rank him. Quit being so damned nervous. Squall had given up his position as Commander after Time Compression, saying that he would rather lead missions than bother with diplomacy or do paperwork. And that was exactly what he proceeded to do. He always chose the most difficult and dangerous missions, and every SeeD fought for the honor of taking his orders.  She began to speak.

"Edea received a message from Balamb a few days ago. Apparently, Seifer has survived Time Compression and wished to talk to her." Quistis watched Squall's expression become wary. "She went to see him, and they've apparently talked several times. She saw that the experience, being possessed, Time Compression, failure on a very large scale, or whatever, " she shrugged and shook her head,  "caused a change in him. It seems pretty reasonable to me. We all changed. But she thinks that the change is a good one, one that will allow him to finally succeed at being a SeeD. He wants to try, apparently. Cid asked me to talk to you and try to get your cooperation." She stopped, and glanced at him. He looked deep in thought.

 "Cooperation?" He glanced at her sharply. She smiled.

 "Cid and Edea know you won't welcome him back with hugs and kisses. But they hope that you will set a good example to the rest of Garden by giving him a fair chance."

 "I see." He smiled suddenly. "Cid is such a chicken. He sent you..." He pointed at her. "He should know me better than that. I don't shoot the messenger." He stood up, and the smile faded from his face. "Not anymore. Let's go see Cid, Instructor Trepe. I assume he's asked you to convince the Team to also set an example? I think the news should come from me. They'll take it better from a former leader." He looked down at her. "As did I, though I hate to admit it." Quistis just smiled. That wasn't nearly the confrontation I expected. Seifer isn't the only one who changed. I wonder how I've changed? Later. Too much to do to be thinking thoughts like that.

 

In the end, Edea and Squall presented the news to the Team. Quistis and the others, Rinoa, Irvine, Zell, and Selphie, gathered in room 2B to wait for the meeting. Zell shadowboxed at the back of the room.

"Man, what is this all about? I need to go to the Training Center. I wonder if it's a new mission. Cool!" He said as he danced back and forth on the balls of his feet. Selphie and Irvine ignored him. They were busy writing email to each other. Quistis looked at Rinoa, who looked back at her unhappily. Rinoa looked upset. Squall must have told her. Quistis admitted that this was probably a good idea; the petite brunette had actually been in love with Seifer at the beginning of the whole Ultimecia mess, and at the height of Seifer's insanity, he had actually fed her to Adel. Let her get more of a chance to get used to the idea. Neither of them bothered to answer Zell.

Finally, the door opened and Edea and Squall entered. Edea took a seat at the desk, and Squall stood beside her. He put his hand on his hip and frowned at the floor. Zell bounded up the aisle and dropped into a front row seat.  Edea's lips curved.

"Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, Matron," they murmured. Except for Rinoa. She looked a little pale and only offered a weak smile.

"I have some startling news for you. I hope that you will think about it carefully." And she explained the situation with Seifer. No one interrupted her. Although Irvine did start fiddling with his rifle, and Zell's expression hardened.

"I hope that you will offer him peace here, if not your friendship." She paused eloquently. "You gave me a second chance after I was possessed. This seems much the same to me. Please do not choose in haste." She rose. "I'll leave you with Squall. I have some business to attend to and he wishes to speak with you." And she glided from the room.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Zell shouted. "That psychopath tried to destroy the world!" Irvine shifted uncomfortably, then sighed.

"Zell, Matron's right. We forgave her, right? He was possessed just as much as she was. Or seduced, or whatever you want to call it. The only difference is that Seifer wasn't a kind, loving person like Matron before all this started. He was...unpleasant. But not evil." He looked around. Selphie clasped her hand around Irvine's. She obviously agreed with him completely. "I think you should go talk to Matron some more, Zell."

Zell sat down, shaking his head. But he didn't argue.

"All right," said Squall. "You know I like this less than any of you, with the possible exception of Rin. However much it appalls me, I agree that he should have another chance. Irvine, you're right. I want all of you to schedule sessions with Matron and talk this out. I'm planning on doing so myself." He looked at each of them in turn.  "Now, while you are working on this, I want you to pass the word to the other SeeDs. No molestation of underclassmen will be permitted. Not even these underclassmen." He added, "Raijin and Fujin will be returning as well. They aren't as much as a problem though. Seifer will just have to deal with any harassment from the underclassmen. Zell and I both did." Zell nodded, obviously remembering Seifer's constant taunts. "But try to discourage them from doing so if you can.  I think this will cause a stir for a few weeks, and then everyone will forget. After that," Squall shrugged. "I don't know. Matron thinks something good will come out of this. I can't say whether she's wrong or right, but I want to at least prevent a death in the Garden."

 "Another issue. Matron tells me that he acts much the same as he did before Time Compression. She says the change is subtle, but visible if you look. You all know him. Don't allow yourselves to become provoked. Just a warning. No brawling." He fixed Zell with a steely stare. "That's all. Be sure to talk with Matron, and keep your tempers."

That was quite a long speech for Squall, thought Quistis. At least I didn't have to give it. The others headed for the cafeteria after stepping off the elevator at the ground floor, but she still felt drained from her mission and waved them on without her. She needed sleep more than she needed food, and she had eaten a large lunch. She pushed up her glasses and started walking to her quarters.

Her step slowed as she saw three familiar figures carrying packs emerge from the parking lot and turn toward the dorms. One silver haired woman. One dark haired man. And the broad-shouldered young man between them whose golden head was inclined toward the young woman. Apparently, she was speaking. He threw back his head suddenly, and Quistis heard him laugh. He sounded healthy, at least. Well, he's back, she thought. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a total disaster.