Redheaded Stranger

Chapter 13
Searching for Answers

Squall got the whole story in bits and parts from the group of shocked people gathered in his office. Apparently Odine, who was disguised as a homeless wanderer, had approached the two guards, seemingly harmless, which made it easier for him to spray them in the face with his new invention. It had been painfully easy for the scientist after that, using his new slaves to get the other SeeD's one at a time for him. All the scientists, too intent on their work had not noticed anything amiss, until it was too late.

"It was awful," Henry said, trying to hold back tears. "My assistant tried to fight him, he even managed to break the bottle of fluid that he had used on your SeeD's. I'd never seen Odine so angry before.....He shot my assistant in the face....He didn't deserve that.."

"What happened after that?" Squall asked, understanding Henry's pain, but needing to know what happened to Odine.

"I don't know, the bastard hit me in the head with his gun. I'm not sure how long I was out," he answered, roughly wiping tears from his face. "I'm surprised he didn't shoot me as well." Squall turned to the assembled SeeD's and scientists, all shaking their heads, none with any answers.

"Where were all of you when this happened?" Squall said, trying to hold back his growing anger at the fuck up his SeeD's had let happen.

"Odine ordered us to take the other scientists outside the Cavern, Sir. We were still under his control,....we didn't see what happened," one of them spoke up, not able to look his Commander in the eyes. There was a quick knock on the door and Seifer and Reno entered at Squall's invite.

"What the fuck?! The asshole got away?!" Reno shouted, looking around the room at the assembled group.

"I'm sorry..., but I think so," Henry squeaked, still fearful of the redhead. "I'm fairy certain he found a way to get through to your world, but I was unconscious.....I don't know how he did it."

"After we were free of his control, a few of us searched the Cavern. He wasn't there and he never left, we would have seen him."

"Tell me you had the sense to leave some SeeD's to guard the wall in case he comes back," Squall said in warning.

"Yes, Sir, we did."

"Irvine, take Henry and his fellow scientists to doctor Kadowaki to be looked over."

"Sure thing, Commander," he said and they filed out of the room. Squall put his attention back on the lined up SeeD's, glaring at the lot of them. Most were visibly trembling, but all stood strong and at attention for their Commander.

"How could you, with all the warning you had been given about Odine, let him sucker you like this?" Squall growled, standing in front of the two guards who had fallen for his ruse.

"We're sorry, Sir" they said at the same time.

"Sorry, my ass!" Reno shot.

"Reno, I'm their Commander. Keep your mouth shut!" Reno's mouth twisted into a feral sneer, but he stayed quiet, sitting down on the couch, smacking his EMR in his hand like he wanted to start swinging it. Seifer stood quietly, just waiting to see what Squall would do, glancing at Reno, understanding his fury.

"Sir, we really..."

"Shut up!" Squall cut the SeeD off. "I want a report from each of you on every single detail that you remember, then report to Cid. Until further notice, you're all suspended! Now get out of my sight!" The men left with no argument, all looking pale and wounded.

"Way to go, Leonhart. Put the little fuckers in their place," Seifer said with a chuckle.

"Shut up, Seifer!" Squall said, rubbing his temples with a grimace. He looked over to see Reno staring back at him, his sneer had disappeared, but he still looked like he wanted to explode. "Do me a favor and assemble some more SeeD's. I want that wall guarded nonstop."

"Yes, Sir, Commander," Seifer said with respect and left the two men alone.

"So, what now?" Reno asked. Squall had no answer for him, none that would be acceptable anyway.

"All we can do is stand guard and have the scientists keep doing their job. After what happened, I'm not sure all of them will want to."

"Well, that's just fucking great, Squall. Maybe this next set of SeeD's won't fuck up as quickly!"

"I'm sorry, but it's not my fault you're stuck here, Reno!" Squall shouted in defense, slamming his fist on his desk. The redhead smirked, his own anger leaving for the time being.

"There's that fire of yours. You know, I got a stiffy when you were laying down the law with those SeeD's of yours."

"Reno, don't start. I'm in no mood for it! Hyne, do you ever take anything seriously for more than a few minutes?"

"Hey, there's nothing I can do about the situation right now and I'm not gonna sit here and dwell on it, not when I could be doing something pleasurable." He got up from the couch and smoothly walked over, standing behind Squall's chair. "Have you talked to Rinoa yet?" he asked softly and touched Squall's hair with his fingertips. He was honestly surprised when he didn't stop him.

"No and I'm not going to."

"Quit being so damn stubborn." He put his hands on his shoulders, massaging his stress away. Squall allowed him to, letting his head hang with tired submission.

"Damn, you're too tense. You really need to relax."

"I don't have time to." he answered with a sigh.

"You need to make time. Doesn't your woman take care of you?" Reno asked, moving his hands to the back of Squall's neck, rubbing the stiff muscles there with strong fingers.

"She was...., until the shit hit the fan tonight," he groaned, feeling his muscles slowly loosening up.

"Well, I could take care of that for you," Reno said, running his talented fingers over Squall scalp now, dragging another soft sigh from the Commander. "You want me to?" he purred.

"N...no," Squall forced out, grabbing Reno's hands to make him stop. Reno cursed inwardly, but didn't show his disappointment as he walked back around to the front of Squall's desk.

"Feel better?"

"Yes, actually. Thanks."

"No problem. It was definitely my pleasure." Squall rolled his eyes at the remark, wishing only for Reno to leave now.

"I'll keep you informed with any progress," he said.

"I guess this means you want me the fuck out of your office again. Use me, then throw me out, ya bastard," Reno said playfully and left his office. Squall stared at the door after it closed, not sure how long it was before he finally looked away.

XXXXX

Overnight, Odine still had not made another appearance and the scientists were allowed to get back to work, most of them reluctantly, but they all stayed. The body of the murdered scientist was sent back to Esthar to his family for burial. Laguna was outraged, sickened that Odine had resorted to murder now to get whatever it was that he was after. Who knew what he was getting up to in Reno's world.

"Henry said that Odine mentioned having a secret lab somewhere. I think there should be a search to find it," Squall told Laguna. "The search for Odine is pointless now that he's no longer here. I just hope he isn't causing trouble where he is now."

"You and me both. I'll change the search orders immediately."

"I'll call if anything comes up."

"Alright, son. I'm sure things will come out well."

"I hope so," Squall said, then hung up the phone with a sigh. So far it had gotten much worse instead of better. He was desperate for a way to get Reno home now. He was allowing the man to get much too close and Squall was starting to lose his resistance, more than he wanted to admit, even to himself. He'd nearly given into him and only the thought of Rinoa had given him the strength to say no. He heard a soft knock on the door and prayed it wasn't who he thought it was.

"Come in."

"Hey, sweetie," Rinoa said, closing the door softly behind her.

"Hey," he said, giving her a smile, relieved it was her. 'Reno would have just walked in, I should have known,' he thought and his smile widened without him realizing it.

"Why didn't you wake me up when you got back to our room last night? I didn't hear you leave this morning either." She came around the desk and he turned his seat so she could sit comfortably on his lap.

"Sorry, I just didn't want to wake you. And, I had to get here early this morning with everything going on."

"Irvine told me. I can't believe he killed an innocent man like that. It's horrible," she said, running her hand through his hair lovingly.

"Yeah," he said, pulling her close. She hugged him and smiled when he sighed contently. "I should have woke you up."

"I never got to help you relax last night." She slid off his lap, getting on her knees in front of him. "I can help you now," she said and worked his belt open with a seductive smile. He knew they could be caught if someone decided to just walk in, but he honestly didn't care. He needed her. She quickly worked his pants open and pulled out his semi hard cock, taking it into her mouth. He was fully erect in seconds, gripping the armrests of his chair. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, moaning softly as her hands and mouth worked his shaft.

His mind emptied of all thought as he relaxed with the pleasure. He needed this so badly, not that he and Rinoa didn't make love often enough, but lately he'd been so damn busy. He gasped when she cupped his sack, lightly squeezing as she sucked hard on his cock head, her hand stroking him faster.

"You feel so good," he praised her, softly grabbing her hair. She bobbed her head a few times and let him fall out of her mouth, but her hands didn't stop.

"Mmmmm, why did you stop?" he asked softly, thrusting up into her hands with a needy moan.

"Don't worry, I'm not done."

"Good," he panted, moving faster in her hand.

"I've been thinking about something lately, Squall. I've just been too embarrassed to talk to you about it," she said softly, flicking her tongue over his tip as she spoke.

"What?" he asked, working hard on trying to concentrate on what she was saying through the pleasure.

"That day.... on the Ragnarok..." She stroked harder.

"Yeah?" he groaned loudly at the increased friction, opening his eyes too look down at her. "Wh...what..about it? Ahhhhn....fuck," he panted.

"When I heard Reno talking to you....I started..to wonder what it would be like." She sucked hard on his head and he let out a strangled moan as he shot in her mouth. He was shocked, but Reno had told him as much. He just hadn't wanted to believe. He looked down at her, his eyes wide as she licked his shaft clean.

"Rinoa..."

"It turned me on," she admitted and looked away shyly, biting on her bottom lip nervously.

"Rinoa, has Reno talked to you?" he asked softly, gently cupping her cheek, turning her head to face him.

"Yes, earlier before I came to see you. He said he knew what I had been thinking. I was going to try and deny it, but I knew he wouldn't believe me." Squall nodded in understanding as he stuffed himself back in his pants, refastening them as he thought of what to say. 'Should I tell her he kissed me? Should I tell her I kissed him?' He wasn't sure if that was the best thing to do now.

"Did he say anything else to you?"

"No, just that I should tell you what I'd been fantasizing about. Are you mad at me?"

"No, come here," he said, pulling her up to sit back in his lap. "I'm not mad at you," he said, hugging her close. 'I'm mad at myself, because I don't have the guts to tell you what I did. Dammit, Reno. What are you getting us into?'