Reluctant Knight, The

  Zell grinned. "Don't see anyone else's ass in the chair, so it's mine."

  Janine pushed her papers away as she leaned back in her chair. "What do you need?"

  He motioned toward her. "Wanted to see how it's going. Fitting in okay?"

  Oh yeah, she purred, and her toes nearly curled. Making out just to the brink with Seifer the night before had set her skin aflame, and it still tingled with the promise of a soon-coming sharing. She stretched and rested her hands on top of her head. "I wouldn't give a damn if I wasn't." But it was a non-issue.

  "Made any friends?" Zell pressed, laughing.

  Janine's lips twitched. "One or two."

  "Yeah. Sally doesn't stop talking about ya. Damn. I think she sees you as a long-lost sister or something."

  Chuckling, Janine gave a shake of her head. "That girl of yours is a doll, Dincht. You twist her up and I'll hand you your ass."

  "Tch! You think I'm gonna screw with the best thing I've got? Hell no!"

  Janine chuckled again and then briefly motioned at him. "So how in the hell did you get involved with someone like her anyway?"

  Zell absently twisted a ring on his right hand, moving his gaze to it. "I helped her get ready for her Field Exam qualifier; the Fire Cavern?" He shook his head, chuckling. "She'd failed three times already, poor thing. Probably thought she was going to be forced out of Garden. Even I could see it."

  When Zell looked up, his expression was so serious Janine nearly died laughing.

  "Only thing was," he continued, "she'd trained on the quarterstaff; totally wrong for her body style. You should've seen her face when I told her. I felt like an ass. I mean, she'd been training hard for years. She was pretty good, too. Just not great." Zell shrugged. "So I taught her some of the basic Duel moves. She caught on really quick. 'Course, I could tell she would. Just in the way she moved. Total and complete control over her body."

  "I bet," she mumbled, smirking. "I've got a question that'll likely piss you off. Why'd you go after her? Sal gal doesn't seem your type."

  Zell grinned. "Don't I know it? But it was one thing after another. Hell if I know how it happened. First I was helping her study for the Fire Cavern, then we spent the day together to celebrate when she passed and I took her to meet Ma and I met her parents and saw where she grew up..." He shrugged. "Then she was telling me she liked me as a 'boyfriend'. Shocked me off my ass. I mean, I was going to ask her out, I just needed to think about stuff Ma had told me the day before."

  "What was there to think about? You liked hanging out with her, didn't you?"

  "Sure! She's a riot, and she actually laughs at my jokes. Hell. She understands my jokes!"

  "So what was there to think about? You thought she was cute. You liked hanging out with her." She motioned to him. "Why didn't you just--"

  "Make out and not worry about it?"

  Janine's smirk widened. "Basically."

  Zell adjusted his crossed arms along the back of the chair and gave a one-shouldered shrug. "I would've, but hanging around with Sally, well, she's not like that. You know how she is. I just felt better taking it at her pace. Finding out about her and hanging out with her family. Just laying back and letting her push me along."

  Janine examined Zell's face. "You like being her friend, huh?"

  Zell smiled. "Being friends with Sally is a rush. I mean, dude, we talk about everything. She pushes me to do stuff, too. Things I usually just yak about. You know? All talk and no action?"

  Janine thoughtfully nodded.

  "She makes me want to show off and do things. And I know she won't laugh if I screw up. I guess you could say I trust her, but it's more than that." He shrugged. "Can't explain."

  Janine smirked. "I think I understand."

  "So how're things with you and Seifer?"

  Shit. "Me and Seifer?"

  "Oh. You're not telling anyone?"

  "Telling anyone what?"

  Zell laughed and stood. "Okay. I get the hint. See you around, Janine. And feel free to show up at the Training Center for Meg and my sparring sessions. I'm sure we can figure out a Break for you."

  "Thanks, Dincht."

  "No prob. Gotta jet. Gonna surprise my girl down in the security office."

  Janine sat forward. "Have fun." She watched him exit the cafeteria, absently taking up a pen and tapping the paper. 'You and Seifer.' But how the hell did someone like Zell pick up on that? She knew for damn sure no one saw them last night. She tossed the pen away and leaned back--She sat up as her eyes focused on Ahndra Kelley approaching.

  The silver-haired woman pulled out a chair and sat. "A moment."

  "Sure." Janine relaxed into the chair and crossed her arms. "What can I do for you?"

  "Explain a pursuit."

  "Okay. Which one? Galbadian? Radical? Black-market? I've been involved in a lot of high-profile pursuits in my career as a SeeD. It's all in my file, which I'm sure you have clearance to read what with being Sei--"

  "That pursuit."

  "And what business is that of yours?"

  "What is your goal?" Ahndra pressed.

  Frowning, Janine grabbed hold of her rising temper. "That isn't any of your damned business." A thrill? A rush? A distraction and a bit of fun? She didn't remember anymore. "And even if it was, you can blow it out your ass. Anything that happens there is between him and me. Period."

  Ahndra inclined her head. "Yes, but as second in command it is my duty to report change in job performance; to Seifer and to Commander Squall."

  Janine's gut twisted. Change in job performance-- She pressed her lips together. She refused to believe it. Seifer wasn't the kind. Janine leaned slightly forward. "The day that man lets personal relationships effect his duty is the day I get my hearing back. If you've got a problem, take it up with him. Because I sure as hell won't stop anything without hearing it from him first."

  Ahndra held Janine's gaze, thoughtful consideration within the hard stare. Seifer's job was the one thing about him she hadn't wanted to touch. That's why she never asked about his responsibilities. She knew how closely Seifer had to keep the information to himself. She also knew how important his duty was to him. She felt the same about her duty as Instructor and SeeD.

  Finally, Ahndra slowly stood, still holding Janine's gaze. "I am his second in command, but I am his friend. Tread carefully. I will react accordingly."

  Janine's frown deepened. "Bring it."

  Ahndra smirked and then turned to exit the cafeteria. Janine followed her with narrowed eyes. Now why in the hell do I feel like I was measured up?

  ~*~

  Seifer tossed a stack of completed reports into his outbox and grabbed another handful, a frown of concentration hardening his expression. His office door opened and closed. "Yeah."

  "Seifer," greeted a male voice.

  He looked up, smirking as the Chief of Security at Galbadia Garden sauntered into the office. "Beita."

  LC Marshal Beita sat back in one of the chairs opposite Seifer's desk. "Just waiting for chicklit." He motioned to Seifer. "How's life?"

  Watching Ahndra try and handle a relationship with you? Life is damned amusing! "No complaints."

  "That's good." Marshal crossed his arms. "You going to Sally's birthday party next month?"

  "Haven't decided yet." Seifer regarded the man across from him with a suspicious examination. "You?"

  "Yeah. Me and Ahndra are going together. You should see the dress." Marshal whistled. "Hot. I'll likely get slapped half a dozen times on the way to the party."

  Seifer chuckled. "Watch for her right."

  "Heard about that." Marshal's silver-eyes hardened. "Almasy, you should have told her about me. Hell. You should have told me about her. Why do you have to be a dickhead all the days of your life?"

  Seifer laughed. "And miss the fun? Hell no."

  "Only fun to you. Damn sick bastard."

  "Look, the mission had to be done, and Ahndra needed to fight her way back. It was the only thing left I could think of
to make that happen."

  Marshal scoffed. "I guess the reasons don't matter anymore. I've got my second chance." He released a fast breath. "Thanks for looking out for her, Seif, when I couldn't. I appreciate it."

  Seifer met Marshal's gaze. "You leave her again and I'll beat your ass."

  "I don't plan on it. You know how Ahndra and I clicked back then. We could talk about everything. We did, too. Letters and emails every damn day talking about shit we never told anyone else. It's like that all over again. Sure, she's more withdrawn and controlled than she was before, but it's still Ahndra. I can still trust her."

  Seifer frowned at his desktop. Trust. Talking. A click.

  "I hope you click with a woman like that someday, Seif." Marshal chuckled. "I'd love to see the fur fly when you get in her face to try and push her around. 'Course, knowing you, she'd probably think it was damned hot and come at you wanting more." Marshal laughed. "When you find a woman like that, Seif, grab her. There's no more out there. Believe me, I looked." Marshal laughed harder. "You know what's really funny? I thought you had the hots for Sally a while back, before I knew about Squall ordering you to take it easy on her. I swear Dincht must've thought the same thing."

  Seifer scoffed. "Regal? Like hell. Sure. She has a nice bit of ass and fills the uniform in just the right way, but--Regal?" He scoffed again.

  "Hey. There's nothing wrong with Sally. She's a sweetheart."

  Seifer leaned forward. "Do you see me with someone like Sally Regal? I scare her shitless."

  Marshal pointed at him. "But she comes to work anyway." He couldn't help but acknowledge that with a grunt. Marshal stood. "Nice yakking at you, Seif. Take it easy. And try having a little down time. Take a vacation. Kiss a girl. Hell, jump into bed with one! It's great fun."

  Seifer smirked and motioned toward the door. "Your woman's calling."

  Marshal chuckled. "See you later, dickhead."

  He shut the door. Seifer's smirk smoothed into a smile. 'When you find a woman like that, Seif, grab her. Hell, jump into bed with one.' It sounded the best advice he'd heard all day, and his fingers tingled at the prospect.

  ~*~

  Janine set aside another corrected essay paper and breathed deep. She closed her eyes and rubbed at her neck. 'Being friends with Sally is a rush. I mean, dude, we talk about everything. She pushes me to do stuff, too.' Janine slowly opened her eyes, still absently massaging her neck as she stared down at the next essay paper. 'I guess you could say I trust her, but it's more than that.' Janine pinched the bridge of her nose as she took in and released another deep breath. You're addicted to the thrill, Dincht. Admit it. Some people call it love, but it's all the same. A thrill that can fade if you don't work at keeping it new.

  Opening her eyes, Janine drew in her focus to the essay paper as she pulled it closer--Seifer sat in the chair to her right and leaned back, kicking his feet up onto the table with a hard clump that rattled everything at least ten feet outward.

  Janine cast him a promising smile--'Change in job performance--'her expression blanked and she looked away.

  "Problem?" Seifer asked after a moment's silence.

  Frowning, Janine slammed down her pen. "Yeah, I have a problem: People getting in my face about my business."

  A blond eyebrow twitched upward.

  Janine swore and sat back heavily in her chair.

  "Larab--"

  Janine leaned forward. "Just what's your story with Ahndra 'Ice Queen' Kelley?"

  Seifer regarded her a moment before pulling his legs from the table and leaning forward, arms resting against his legs. "Problem?"

  "Hell yes there's a problem." Her hackles rose. "I've got bitches coming out of my ass telling me to back off or watch my step where you're concerned. What the hell kind of place is this? Can't even trust a fellow SeeD--"

  "Larabie," and his tone felt like a slap. "Cool off."

  "Like hell." Janine pointed at him. "If one more person gets in my face about my chase with you, I swear I'll go up one side of their ass and down the other. And that includes you and your 'friend' Ahndra Kelley. She wants me to tread carefully? I'll 'tread carefully'. All over her ass!"

  Seifer's green eyes flashed a warning. "You step off from Ahndra, Janine. She and I go back, and she's the only one with any right to get in your face. Trepe. Dincht. Regal. Any other SeeD in this damned Network I don't have a problem with, but you keep off from Ahndra."

  "You want me to--" Something within Janine flashed so hot that she practically saw red. "Fine. I'll keep off." She stood and gathered her papers and pens and schedule book. When she made a move to turn away, Seifer stood in her path. "Get the hell out of my way."

  "No."

  Janine's eyes sparked. "If you don't get out of my--"

  Seifer grabbed her papers and slammed them onto the table. Pens scattered like rats. He faced her again. "You'll what?"

  The 'something' popped and Janine struck him hard in the face. Seifer actually staggered backwards. His shocked expression did nothing to quell the rage, even as he rubbed at his jaw. She snatched up her papers and books yet again. He blocked her path just as before.

  Janine could feel her muscles trembling, the rage building until there would be nothing but a hell-bent release--"Back off."

  "Why are you so pissed, Janine?"

  She scoffed and attempted to shove past. He pushed back with tight grips on her arms. Temper boiled, each seething moment closer to breaking. Janine wrenched her arms free from his grasp and slammed her armload back onto the table.

  "At ease, Larabie," he warned.

  "Fuck you," she snarled. "You ruffled my feathers, sir, and now you've got one pissed chic on your ass!" Seifer smirked down at her. Janine grabbed his shirtfront with one hand and drew back the other. "You want me to wipe that smirk off your face, sir?"

  Seifer jerked her hand from his shirt and had her turned with her arm held up tightly between her shoulder blades before she could even gasp with surprise. A wave of curses exploded, tables kicked over and chairs careening across the hard floor as Seifer barked orders for everyone to clear out.

  Everyone moved for the exit, clearing out the cafeteria in less than 30 seconds. Once everyone was gone, Seifer released his hold and blocked the immediate right-hook.

  Janine's temper went solar. "You ever pull shit like that again--"

  "Why are you pissed, Janine?" he asked again.

  "You want to know why the hell I'm pissed, Seifer Almasy?" She jabbed a finger into his chest so hard her finger threatened to break. "Because you want me to step off from someone I want to mess with; I don't like that. It makes me see red. You want to know why? Because she's the only person you've told me to step off from. Why do I give a damn? Because that makes me think you're banging her right alongside giving me the 'no'. Why do I give a damn about that? Because I don't want to share you!"

  He stepped close, hands on her hips to pull her up against him. "And why the hell doesn't Janine Larabie want to share?" he asked gruffly.

  Janine's anger flat-lined as she stared up at him and that sexy smirk. "What."

  Seifer's lips twitched higher. "You heard me, Larabie." He adjusted his hold and drew her closer, his lips teasing the skin of her throat.

  Janine's eyes nearly rolled back in her head. "Shit--" Her arms snaked around his neck--Change in performance--She dragged her focus back, fighting against the thrill and the warmth, that damn cologne and his sultry chuckle--She shoved him away.

  Seifer regarded her with narrowed eyes. "What the hell was that, Janine?"

  But she didn't know how to explain the problem without blowing up in his face. But if she just walked out, he would think she walked out on him. Damn you, Ice Bitch.

  He crossed his arms with deliberation. "Larabie."

  "Forget it." She looked away, and her frown darkened.

  "Larabie," he pressed, harder.

  Janine could hear the irritation and annoyance.

  Then Seifer reached out and grabbed a fir
m hold of her arm, his thumb lightly stroking her through the material of her shirt. "Janine. Problem?"

  She swore under her breath and faced him, arms hanging her sides. "Seifer, you'd drop my ass if there was a problem, right?"

  His eyebrow twitched. "Such as?"

  "With you. Garden. The job. The whole damn nine yards."

  "Who reported a problem?" he asked, calmness itself.

  Janine pressed her lips together. "Later," she said sharply, snatching her stuff up from its chaotic tumble onto the floor before making her way to the exit of the cafeteria.

  "Like hell." He grabbed her by the arm and roughly turned her to face him.

  Janine held his gaze, but this time she couldn't hold the anger. There was such a turmoil inside that she actually felt sick.

  "If there's a problem with my performance, Ahndra would let me know. She hasn't, so who's been talking to you?"

  No. There wasn't a problem now, but what if the pushing and the thrill and the telling of secrets brought up a problem later. Seifer Almasy was all about his job. His duty. That was one of the sexiest things about him. Janine didn't want to screw with that.

  She pulled her arm free. "Don't ask. We'll talk later." And she turned and strode away, pushing through the doors of the cafeteria to the side-hall beyond. Again she felt the reverb of Seifer's steps following. "Shit." She didn't know how much longer she could put him off.

  He stepped in front of her, his face like granite. "You better report what the goddamned problem is, or you'll spend a night in lock-up."

  Janine could only stare at the top button of his black-silk shirt.

  "Damn it, Janine--" Seifer grabbed her arms and shook her, freeing her gaze to his face. "What the hell is the problem?"

  And the odd look of desperation cracked her hold on the words. "Why does everyone think I'm going to screw with your job here?" She wrenched her arms from his grasp. "I'm SeeD, not some damn waif off the street who doesn't know her ass from her finger. Security check panned out. Psych test, fine. I'm in better physical condition than most of the higher ranked officers in the Network! So why are they coming after me just because I want to do the H.O.S.?"

  "Because no one ever has." A statement, and just as cold and harsh as the Trabia landscape.

  "What are you talking about?"

  Seifer scoffed. "Janine, I'm an ass. An arrogant bastard who loves screwing with people's minds. You think women want to do me on a regular basis?"