Life's Lessons on Stress

  Chapter Six

  Dincht

  I rubbed at my tattoo as I stared down at the letter. Hm. I pushed my lips to one side, tapped the letter against my other hand, and then re-read it. The additional reading didn't help me decide what I wanted to do, so I gave a slight shrug and stuffed the letter into the back pocket of my blue jeans and pushed out of the classroom and into the hall.

  "Hey, Zell."

  I grinned and exchanged the unique 'handshake' that Squall and I had put together some time just before the battle with Sorceress Ultimecia. We'd been bored. What can I say? "Yo, dude. 'Sup?"

  "Nothing really," Squall said with a nonchalant shrug and adjust in stance. "Have to lecture a junior class on basic Garden policies. New recruits, you know."

  I grimaced. "Boring, you know."

  Squall smirked. "It's okay." He motioned to me. "Where you headed? Lunch with Sally?"

  "Tch! I wish. She's in a meeting with the whole Disciplinary Comm--whoops. I mean, she's in a meeting with the Security Team about something or other. Probably Zack."

  "No. It's probably about the Garden request for Winhill."

  My eyes widened and I leaned forward. "There's been a Garden request? The hell ya say!"

  Squall slightly raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

  "I've been thinkin' about setting up a Garden there; you know how they're out there in to hell and gone."

  Squall blinked. "I didn't know you wanted to do that."

  "Sure!" I grinned and chucked him on the arm. "Say, could you put me on the list for Commander? Maybe Sally for Head of Security?"

  "Sally? Do you think she'd do it?"

  I shrugged. "Maybe. I could ask. Besides, Garden won't be built for, like, two years--okay, maybe 14 months, so she'll have plenty of time to get used to the idea. And Seifer could give her pointers." Yeah. I'm sure she'll be thrilled about that.

  "I'll think about it, Zell, but I've got a lot of names on the list already. Would you be okay with Headmaster or Lieutenant Commander?"

  I waved it away with a screwed up face that screamed 'duh'. "Sure!"

  "Just remember we don't even know if the rest of the Network will approve it."

  I shrugged again. "I know that, but Winhill needs the extra help--" I blinked, and my eyes widened. "Say! Why don't Sally and I go scope the site. You know? Survey it and stuff." Alone in Winhill with Sally? Duuuude!

  Squall smirked. "Zell, they've already done it all. That's why they're having a meeting."

  Damn. "Hey. It couldn't hurt to send another team. You ever heard of a second opinion?" Yeah. That's it.

  Squall chuckled. "Like I said, I'll think about it. Right now I'm late. See you later."

  "Later."

  I looked back the way I'd originally headed and again pushed my lips to one side. I absently rubbed at my tattoo again and fingered the letter in my back pocket. Now what? Geez. Wanted to do both. I shook my head and stepped forward yet again.

  "Dude," I mumbled, and I found myself rubbing at the back of my neck with another shake of my head.

  "Hiya, Zell," came a familiar, perky voice.

  I looked up to give Selphie a smile as she disembarked the elevator. "Hey, Sephy. How's it goin'?"

  She stepped up to me wearing a smile, like usual. "Pretty awesome. I've got some great kids this go-round. How' bout you?"

  "You know it. I've got some seniors who'll be awesome instructors."

  "Really? Cool! You gonna talk to Cid about it?"

  I nodded. "I've got so many kids in my classes that I've been thinking about talking to Sally and getting her to teach some." She'd die first, though. "But she's so shy in front of people that I didn't want to make her feel bad for saying 'no'." She'd die first before doing that, too.

  Selphie nodded, expression just as serious as mine. "I know what you mean, and she'd be a great teacher. Quisty even said so."

  I shrugged. "I can handle it, though. I'm just gonna open up another day so I can split the classes up." Too bad that means less time with Sally. Crap.

  "You've already got a major load, Zell. Shouldn't you talk to Cid either way?"

  "I'm gonna." Just not about that.

  "Oh." Selphie smiled. "I've gotta go correct papers now. See ya later."

  "Later."

  I entered the elevator and headed up to the third floor, but I hesitated once I stepped off. I pulled the paper from my back pocket to read it again, and then I checked my watch. Damn meeting. A slight frown dipped my eyebrows; then I released a quick breath and stuffed the paper back away. I walked forward, frown gone.

  "Well hello, Zell," Headmaster Cid greeted as he stood from his desk. We shook hands. "What did you need to speak to me about?" he asked, prompting me to sit in the chair across from the large wooden desk.

  I sat on the edge of the seat, elbows and forearms on legs as I leaned forward in the chair. "It's about my schedule, kind of."

  "Alright then. Let's pull your file--Oh my!" Cid looked over at me from his computer screen. "Zell, why didn't you mention this before?"

  "Tch!" I scoffed as I lounged back, arms crossed. "It's nothing I can't handle. I've just got some things coming up soon." Yeah, a couple major things.

  "You need a vacation then?"

  "Well, actually." My gaze focused on my red and blue sneakers once I stretched my legs out in front of me. I adjusted my crossed arms. "I kind of wanted some advice." Hell yeah.

  "Why certainly, Zell. How can I help?"

  I looked up. "I can't really give you any details, sir, because I'm still kind of workin' it all out," and if Seifer found out he'd have a field day, "but if, well, if I got a really good offer somewhere else, for a job, should I take it?"

  "At another Garden?" Cid asked carefully.

  I cleared my throat and slightly shook my head. And how pissed will that make Gramps?

  "I see." Cid leaned slightly forward, resting his arms on the desk as he pressed the tips of his fingers together.

  Crap.

  "Zell," Cid began slowly.

  Here it comes.

  "Garden was established for a specific purpose, defeating the Sorceress."

  And didn't we do just that? Never woulda thought it'd be me.

  "Over the years, that purpose evolved to something more."

  Tell me about it. Mercs. Basically.

  "Something that gives you kids a purpose or direction for your life."

  Ain't that the truth.

  "We give you discipline, loyalty, honor, and skills you might not otherwise have received. We help you define who you are by opening up possibilities."

  Hm. Never thought of it that way.

  "What you decide to do with your life is up to you and what you feel is best."

  I grinned. "You're not helpin', sir."

  Cid chuckled and adjusted his glasses. "Zell, I can't tell you what to do. I can advise, but the final decision is always yours."

  Crap. I scrubbed at my scalp. "You think it's okay to take it, but only if I'm sure that's what I wanna do?"

  "Yes. You have such a firm position here at Garden, I would hate for you to lose it."

  Damn straight.

  "But if this other position is a targeted goal, then you should accept it."

  Targeted goal. I pushed my lips to one side as I again adjusted my crossed arms and stared at my stupid shoes. Sally. "I should probably talk to everybody affected, huh?"

  Cid raised an eyebrow. "The job doesn't involve just you?"

  Hell no! I'm doin' it for her! I met Cid's gaze and shook my head. "Nope." Well, I am doin' it for me, too. Always wanted to do it. "Okay. Mostly me, but not just me." That sounds really stupid. I grimaced. "Like I said, it's kind of hard to explain."

  "Either way, Zell, you should definitely talk to all involved."

  I nodded as I stood. "Thanks, sir. I will." And you shoulda done that first. Damn meeting.

  Cid followed me to the elevator. "We'll hate to lose you if you decide to take this other position."

&nb
sp; "Tell me about it," I agreed. "It's gonna be freakin' weird to work someplace else. But you know what, I'm kind of excited about it. Never done anything like it before, but kinda always wanted to. At least since studying here."

  Cid gripped my shoulder once we stopped in front of the elevator. I looked up. "Whatever you decide, Zell, always remember you're welcome to stay. You've made quite a name for yourself here, and you're one of the most popular instructors."

  I grinned. "I know, but I don't get why. I make 'em work."

  Cid chuckled. "Good luck to you, Zell."

  "Thanks, sir. A lot."

  I entered the elevator, giving Cid a finger-to-the-forehead salute just before the elevator returned to the main floor. I checked my watch. "Man," I muttered. I shook my head and stepped out of the elevator and down the stairs to the main corridor. Seifer, you jack-ass, this was her day off!

  Quistis approached from my left, shuffling through a fistful of papers with a scowl of concentration.

  "Hey, Quis," I greeted.

  I stopped by and leaned against the Directory. Hm. I wonder how much info I can get. Heh heh heh. It was kind of fun to talk to her about the T.V. station and Zack and her trips to Timber and see the feigned innocent expressions and hear the practiced reasons 'why'. Fun because she had no clue I knew she was on a mission.

  Quistis looked up. "Hello, Zell." She returned her focus to the papers and continued forward until she halted near my position. "Done with classes for the day?"

  "Dismissed 'em early. Quiz next time, so I figured I'd let 'em study." I motioned to her papers. "Watcha got there?"

  "Résumés." She released a disgusted breath and looked up. "For Zack."

  I raised an eyebrow. Heh heh heh. I bet. "Helping look for an Office Manager?" Even though you're gonna take the position anyway?

  "Since Sally posted the message about the position he's been inundated. Last time we met for coffee I offered to do background checks." She lifted the sheaf of papers. "Losers. Miscreants. All of them."

  I grinned. "No one's perfect, Quis. Geez. Give 'em a break." And you better come up with a good excuse to turn 'em all down.

  "Fine. Whatever." Quistis crossed her arms and examined me with a slight smile. "Bored?"

  Watchin' you play innocent? Hell no! I shrugged. "Nah. Just doing stuff and hanging out. What about you?" I asked as I motioned toward her. "You been hanging out with Zack a lot. Something going on?" It could happen, huh? 'Specially if they do what I think they're gonna do. Zee, you dog!

  Quistis refocused her attention on the papers. "We're friends, Zell. Leave it."

  "Hey. Who says I'm doing anything?" I asked, doing my best to look innocent as I raised my hands. "Just asking."

  Quistis looked up again. "Right. I've got to go. Tell Sally 'hi'."

  "Sure thing." I watched her go with a slight, lopsided smile. "Friends," I mumbled. "Yeah. Right. I-spy." I shook my head and then checked my watch. I frowned. "Geez! Time never flies when I want to have fun."

  "Yo, Dincht! How's it going?"

  I looked up and behind. A guy of average height and better-than-average build with black hair and silver eyes approached. I grinned. "Marshal! 'Sup, Dawg?"

  We shook hands, and then Marshal gestured toward the elevator. "Heading for a meeting with Seifer and the others."

  Meeting? Whoa. "Hey. I'll go down with ya." I wonder how Galbadia got involved. What did Sally find?

  We struck out toward the elevator.

  "So what's going on with you and Sally?" Marshal asked. "Everyone's yappin' about some kind of party in the spring."

  "'Everyone'? I thought she was gonna only invite--Sally." I shook my head with a slight smirk as we stepped aboard the elevator. "Yeah. She's turning the big 2‑0. We're planning a party at the Balamb Hotel. I guess she got a little carried away with it." Crap. I'm gonna have to plan a smaller one now. Just the two of us. Oo. Maybe on the beach!

  "Nah. No one's been invited yet. Everyone's just talking about it. I guess she told Selphie."

  I laughed. "That explains a lot."

  Marshal grinned. "Tell me about it."

  The elevator stopped, but Marshal kept me back with a hand on my arm as he pushed the 'door close' button. "Hey, Dincht. I've got a question about Fujin."

  "Fujin?" I asked in surprise. "She giving you problems?"

  Marshal shook his head. "Nothing I can't deal with, but is she okay? I mean, she seems a little tense lately."

  I laughed. "Dawg, she's always tense. What're you talkin' about?"

  "No, dude. It's different. She nearly took my head off the other day. Put a fist through my wall, too."

  My eyes widened. "Whoa, man. What'd you do?"

  "That's just it. I haven't a clue. I talked to Seifer about it, but he didn't tell me a thing. Just said he'd talk to her." Marshal stretched out his hands and arms. "All I did was open the door for her."

  I shrugged. "Don't know, Dawg. Sorry. I gave up tryin' to figure Fujin a long time ago. I've heard she had it pretty rough as a kid. Maybe that's it?"

  "You think I should talk to her?"

  "Fujin? You nuts?! She doesn't talk to anyone about anything!"

  "Dude, I must've done something to make her go off the deep end," Marshal pressed.

  "Who cares? If Seifer ain't talking, don't stress about it."

  "But I don't want her pissed!"

  I blinked, and then my mouth gaped. "Dawg, you've got the hots for Fujin!?

  Marshal's ears pinked slightly. "What’re you talking about?"

  "Hey, go for it. Maybe she'll go for it."

  Marshal grimaced and opened the elevator doors. "Screw off, Dincht."

  I laughed and followed Marshal out. "Okay, Dawg. Sorry."

  He scoffed. "Yeah. Sure. See ya 'round. Don't work too hard. 'Course, you never do anyway." And he stepped off toward the meeting/conference room in the northeast corner of the floor.

  I chuckled while shaking my head. "Fujin and Marshal. What a riot."

  "Hi, sweetie."

  My insides hopped as I looked up and grinned. Sally headed toward me looking as hot as ever in her SeeD uniform. "Hey, Meg. How'd it go?"

  She dropped her reports and notes off at her desk and stepped close to give me a kiss on the cheek.

  Booya!!

  "It was okay. How about--"

  "Dude. You're wearing that Vanilla stuff, huh?"

  Sally flushed and looked back over her shoulder when she heard a snicker from a co-worker. I glared at them, and they ducked their head down.

  "That smells awesome," I continued, but at a lower volume as I focused back on her with a smile just as she turned back around.

  Sally softly giggled. "That's why I bought it, Zell. You silly."

  "Regal."

  She turned, expression suddenly serious. "Yes, sir?"

  I met Seifer's gaze with a meaningful warning. Damn it, Seifer.

  "You can go," Seifer told her. "I only needed you here for the meeting."

  Yeah you better let her go.

  "Did you want me to do that research now? It's not a problem," Sally offered.

  Sally. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

  "Yes," Seifer said, pointedly ignoring me. "And take Dincht with you. Security's damn lax up there."

  What?

  "Is it all right if we take the small transport ship?" she asked.

  Transport ship? ...the hell?

  Seifer brusquely nodded and turned away. "I'll set it up."

  I raised an eyebrow as I watched Sally's face. "Sally, what'd you just get me volunteered for?" But it can't be all bad if she's going.

  Sally faced me, and the smile returned. It made me want to kiss her right there in the middle of the office. She'll kill you, Dincht.

  "You want to go away for a couple days?" she asked.

  My arms went to my sides, and so did any thoughts but "What? Where? When?" Hell yeah!

  Sally giggled and straightened her desk before taking my hand and heading toward t
he elevator. "I know you've wanted to start a Garden in Winhill--"

  Winhill! "No way! We're going to Winhill?"

  Sally nodded. "Seifer wants more information about the people in the surrounding area. So I volunteered to do interviews and background checks."

  The elevator doors closed. I stared down at her in shock. Interviews. She flushed and kept staring at the doors.

  "Sally, you hate doing interviews. They freak you out."

  "I know." She clasped her hands together and sent me sidelong glances. She finally faced me. "But it was the only way to get you to be able to go out there."

  What?

  "Now they have to cover your schedule here, and I can show you where they're thinking about putting it, and you can give me your opinion and help me with the questions of the interviews and things."

  The elevator had stopped, but when the doors began to open, I pushed the 'door close' button and wrapped Sally up in my arms.

  "I was hoping you'd do this," she admitted with a quiet giggle.

  I chuckled. "Girl, you deserve a whole helluva lot more than this." And I'm gonna give it to ya, too. Promise. I pulled back and kissed her, but only on the cheek. There were people waiting for the elevator. "Thanks, kitten. You actually remember all the crazy stuff I tell you." And who's ever done that besides Ma?

  Sally smiled her cutest, with her eyes crinkling at the corners and the bridge of her nose wrinkling. Cool it, Dincht. But, boy, was that the hardest thing to do. 'Specially when she smelled like dessert.

  "I like all the crazy stuff you tell me," she confessed.

  I laughed and pushed away, keeping tight hold of her hand as I turned to open the elevator doors and step out. "I can't believe my luck. I get a little vacation and I get to run away with you to Winhill. This's awesome!"

  "But we're not staying at the same place, Zell," Sally told me, serious. "Everybody would talk, and you know what they'd say."

  I sent her a reassuring glance. "Sure, Sally. I'm all for it." You think I want guys spoutin' that you're easy? Hell no!

  She smiled. "Thank you."

  I grinned and drew her close with an arm around her shoulders. "No sweat. The last thing I need is them mouthin' off. 'Ooo. Dincht got some fire from the Phoenix last night!'" I scoffed. "I can just hear 'em; Seifer 'specially."

  "Zell," she whispered, and it was quickly followed by a giggle.

  I smiled at her. "That was pretty good, huh?"

  She giggled again and nudged me with her shoulder.

  I drew her closer to place a kiss on her head. Couldn't help it. Had to. "So, we leaving tomorrow morning?"

  "Uh-huh. Is that enough time to talk to Headmaster Cid?"

  I'll make it enough time! "About my classes tomorrow and after? Sure. I've got a couple kids I wanted to try out as assistant instructors anyway. You've got perfect timing, as always." Timing? Who gives a damn about her timing!

  "Wow. Assistant Instructors? That's wonderful! Now you can lighten your load and focus on your submissions to C.K. like you wanted."

  "I know," I agreed eagerly, thinking again of the piece of paper in my pocket. Right. "They can take the daily classes with me just supervising. Then I can do evals and exams and maybe do some recruiting." Would be better than leaving Garden. Wouldn't it? Hm. Gotta ask.

  Sally smiled brightly up at me. Can smiles light hair on fire? I smiled back at her.

  "You'll get to travel, Zell. You love that!"

  Sure, but--"Say, you wouldn't want to come with me on some of the trips, would ya? I'm sure Seifer'd give ya lots of homework or research or whatever," I finished with a lopsided smile. Which I would do my best to lose. Heh heh heh.

  "I'd try," Sally said, seriously. "But I probably wouldn't be able to go to all of them." Sally smiled.

  Okay. I've gotta kiss that mouth--Down, boy! Down!

  "And you don't even know if that's going to happen yet," she continued.

  I grinned. It's just a matter of time. "I know. I'm just planning ahead." Heh heh heh.

  Sally stopped outside her room and faced me. I continued to grin down at her.

  "Meet me here? Or in the parking lot tomorrow?" she asked.

  "I'll come and get ya. Gotta help carry your stuff."

  "Okay."

  Sally pulled her keys free and turned to unlock her door. My lips twitched, but I resisted the urge to smack her butt. Instead, I stuffed my hands into my pockets. "Be sure to bring your hiking boots. There's some great trails." Trails. Alone. Duuuude.

  "Okay." Sally opened the door and then faced me, smiling. "I can hardly wait."

  Neither could I. Alone in Winhill with Sally. Duuuuude. "So, you stow your stuff and we'll head over to the 'teria for grub."

  "Okay. I'll be right out."

  Sally closed the door. I turned and leaned against it, arms still stuffed into pockets. Winhill. Sally. Rock. On. Dincht.