A Door Between Worlds

"You did what!?"

Seifer sighed.

'There goes the honeymoon'

"I had to. There was no other way."

"You had to, Seifer? What, exactly, did you have to do? Go into a locked, off limits storage area? Draw from a vial of my blood, MY BLOOD, and inject it into yourself? Explain to me the part that couldn't be done any other way, because I'm confused, Seifer."

"Quistis..."

"NO! Don't...just don't Seifer. Don't lie to me again."

They were all gathered in Cid's office. Cid and Edea, joined by Squall, Irvine, Selphie, Xu, Zell, and Aerith. Fujin, freshly released by Dr. Kadowaki, was sitting, with Rajin next to her. And Kiros, whom Laguna had sent in his place with Ragnarok, was leaning against the wall. They had been discussing a strategy for the coming fight, having Aerith tell all she could about her abduction, and what she could discern from her father's actions. This had led to everyone who wasn't in the discussion with Archibald needing to be brought up to speed on non-sorceresses injecting their blood in order to travel. When Quistis, quite naturally, had asked if this was how Seifer had gone, she had assumed it was with Squall's blessing.

And Rinoa's blood.

If Seifer had gone into her room while she was sleeping, and had proceeded to anal rape her, she couldn't imagine how she could have felt more violated.

"I havent' lied to you, Quistis. I've withheld some things, which I shouldn't have, but everything I've told you has been true, as far as I knew it at the time."

"As far as you knew it? You should have been a lawyer, Seifer. This isn't about what you said, it's about what you did. No, I take it back. It's not even about what you did. It's about how you did it. From the day you got here, it's always had to be your way. You have never considered the consequences of your actions, because you seldom have to pay for them. Someone else does."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? Go get Fujin's opinion on that, will you. You tried to draw me to that cave, and she paid the price for it."

"I was trying to keep them out of it."

"Yes, you were. Because it had to be your way. You had to know that they would do everything they could to find you, including going to us. You were counting on it."

"For the love of Hyne, it worked, didn't it?"

"That's just it, Seifer. "It worked" isn't good enough for the rest of us. The end doesn't justify the means. There's a reason we plan things out first. It's not because we're scared, or uptight, or that we just don't get it. We take responsibility for what we do, who we lead. We consider if the end result is what we risk losing. Squall asked Irvine to go, giving him all of the information first. Irvine said yes, which was incredibly brave. What you did was reckless, and stupid. The fact that it worked means you were lucky, and only the a fool counts on fortune to save him. Eventually the odds turn against you."

"Are we planning, or lecturing? We don't have time for this."

"Then make time, because if you don't get your head on right, I don't want you there. I actually give a damn about what happens to you, Seifer, though I feel like killing you myself right now. Your luck is going to run out, and I don't want to be there to see it."

Seifer fought down the anger. He had thought that things had changed. He had gone after her, like a knight should.

Squall hadn't

He had fought off a small army for her.

Squall hadn't

And now he was being held up as the bastion of how it should be done. From the look on his face coming in, he had already gotten a thank you from Rinoa that was a hell of a lot more appreciative than what Seifer was getting.

Why was he always the bad guy? What could Irvine have done in that fight, except get his ass kicked. Quistis would have died. Why didn't she get that.

"So does saving your life matter, instructor, or did I screw that up to?"

It had been a slap in the face, as he knew it would be. Quistis closed her eyes, and shook her head. Why was he doing this? She had thought that he was finally beginning to get it.

His hand on her face in the cavern had been so un-him. No victory stance, no smug grin, just a touch, and a question about her well being. But it had still been him. Jumping in to save her without thinking it through.

And then the argument started inside of her. What if he had done it the right way? Assuming it had even been him, which it wouldn't have, he would have been to late. She and Vincent wouldn't have been able to fight them off much longer. For better or worse, he had saved her.

Again.

"No, Seifer, that's about all you got right."

Seifer turned to look at Squall, who had added this last dig.

"I'm sorry, Commander, I didn't catch that. I was to busy DOING YOUR FUCKING JOB! When you have the balls to do the right thing just once, you might have the right to say something. Until then, go find your girlfriend, and have another round. Or does that take to much planning for ya, to?"

Squall hadn't finished taking his first step toward Seifer when Cid raised out of his seat.

"ENOUGH!", then, looking at Seifer, he added, "You disappoint me, Seifer. I had hoped that this could be a new beginning for you. But you refuse to change. We are, of course, grateful for your saving Quistis. But this is getting out of hand. The situation is getting more urgent by the moment, as you, yourself, just pointed out."

When Seifer spoke again, it was with an icy calm.

"Putting aside, for the moment, that only myself, Aerith, and Quistis truly get the urgency of the situation, I have only one question, Headmaster. Do you believe in keeping your word?"

"Of course I do, Seifer. It's a key principle of all we teach here."

"Then chew on this. I promised Quistis that I would be there for her. Squall promised Rinoa he would be there for her. Who kept their promise?"

A tense silence followed. Cid sighed, and looked over at Squall, but said nothing. Then he turned to Aerith.

"We should move on. Miss Gainsborough, you have the floor.", and he sat down again.

Aerith continued staring at Seifer. She was about to say something to him, then thought better of it. Finally, she did say something, directed to him.

"Seifer, what happened leading up to you going to the cave? I've been told a little about Aria and Pangea, but was there more to it? And what, exactly, did you see in the cave?"

"Aria told me about the cave. Or whoever she was. She said that it was where the door opened. I started looking for it, and somewhere along the way, I ditched Fujin and Rajin. I am sorry for that, guys. It wasn't personal. I just didn't know what I was getting in to, and I didn't want you to get hurt. Contrary to popular bullshit", with a glare at Squall, "I do give a damn. I always have. You guys have been with me through it all, and I haven't forgotten that."

Fujin, still looking a little pale, smiled at him.

"LEADER!", she shouted, followed, more quietly, by, "Friend."

"Yea, man", added Rajin, "we're your backup, ya know. You lead, and we follow, ya know. That's how it's always been. But when you left, it was like, ya know, like it was our fault, like we let ya down. That hurt, man. But we're still here, ya know. We got your back. He may be the Commander, but your still our Captain, ya know."

"Yea, Rajin, I do know. Thanks. Both of you. And you've never let me down yet. Don't ever think you did. Anyway", he said, turning back to Aerith, "I found out where the cave was, and headed for it. Getting into Esther wasn't much fun," with a grin thrown at Kiros, who returned it, "but I made it after a while. Like I said before, I don't know why I got up on the table, I just did. When I did, I suddenly saw the cave, but things were different. There was smoke in the air, the kind that fire magic leaves after it's cast, there was electricity in the air, to. Someone had been slinging magic around in there. And then I saw him. He was a sorcerer, and he was strong. When I looked back, I saw myself along with the group. The "saviors" of the world. They were all there. Fujin and Rajin were there to. And then someone grabbed me, the me that was fighting, that is, from behind. And I felt it, like being hit by lightening, but 100 times worse. I heard myself screaming. And someone was calling my name. I didn't know who it was at first, but it got louder and, with all due respect, Instructor, I would know your voice anywhere. Then you were there holding me, and the lights went out. Next thing I know, I'm in the Infirmary."

Quistis was still upset, but asked simply, "Is that everything you saw, Seifer? No holding back this time?"

"No, Quistis, that's not everything. But if I told you the rest of it, it would only make things worse."

He glared again at Squall, telling him without words not to repeat what he had told him earlier. By no small miracle, he didn't, though he didn't look happy about it.

Cid spoke up. "So there's going to be a fight then. It sounds as though it is unavoidable. I had hoped that all of you would be spared any more fighting, but that is, in the end, what you were trained for. We will consult with Aerith, and devise a battle plan. A plan that will be followed to the letter. Do you understand, Seifer."

"More than you know."

"That's not what I..."

"I'll be ready."

"I hope so. I hope we all will."

-----

Vincent didn't look over when the knock at the door came. He had been expecting it, after all. Honestly, he wondered why it had taken her this long.

"Come in, Yuffie."

The door creaked open, and Yuffie stuck her head in. It didn't really matter if he was decent, so to speak, 'cause she wasn't leaving, but she checked anyway. Modesty wasn't one of his strong suits, and he had been known to take an audience in the buff. Or so Cid had told her once, as reliable as he was.

"Sorry to bother you. I need to talk."

"I know."

"Yea, well, then you probably know what I'm going to ask, but I'm gonna ask it anyway. Why are you avoiding me, Vincent?"

Vincent had been considering how he was going to answer that question for a while now. He had considered telling her about the dream, but decided that he understood so little of it himself, that it would only confuse her. He knew he couldn't lie to her. She deserved better than that.

"I have had a dream. It isn't my intention to hurt you, Yuffie, but there is so much at stake now. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's all I can give you. With all that is happening with Tifa, Sephiroth and Cloud, things are going to be that much harder to accomplish. When the time is right, we will discuss what we both feel. But to do so now would just make things more difficult."

"More difficult.", She mumbled out loud.

So that was it then. Her feelings made things more difficult.

Yuffie wanted to be mature about it. She wanted to say it was okay, when it wasn't, or that she understood, when she didn't. She wanted to assure him that she would tough it out, and do what she had to for the planet. But she couldn't. It would be a lie. Not that he would mind, but she would.

"I can't fight like this, Vincent. I can barely even live like this. When you almost died back there, I almost died with you. I can't eat or sleep. I have to be able to talk to you, Vincent. I have to. It's just what I do. I have to sound tough when I'm scared, and confident when I'm thinking it's all over. I have to say it, or I don't believe it. And not that it's the right time or place, but I've been horny as hell for days, and that's your fault to, pal. You might be okay with a screw every couple of decades or so, but some of us have a shorter time frame here."

She had wanted it to sound funny, but it didn't, even to her.

"Seriously, Vinny, I've never had to deal with any of this before. I don't have the answers. I know you don't either, but askin me to put it aside for the planets sake is a lot easier in theory than in practice. And I'm not okay with what's happening with those three, by the way. It might not be my business, but it's still fucked up."

"It is...complicated, that I will agree with. But it is not, in fact, our business. They will have to come to an understanding in time."

"An understanding? Are you really that dense? Cloud's screwed. What's there to understand? He blew it. And I'm hoping that served as a lesson for you on how not to do things. Normal people talk to each other. They work things out. Hell, they give a little now and then. Even the old pervert in there has managed not to get his ass thrown out of the house. He knows when to bend, Vincent. Cloud can't. He won't. And it cost him everything. So bend a little. That's all I'm asking. Yes, it's going to suck, but listen to me when I need to blow steam, and tell it like it is, don't sugar coat it. It's not to much to ask, is it?"

"I suppose not. I will do my best, Yuffie."

"Good.", followed by a grin, "Any chance on doing something about the being horny problem?"

His look was all she needed. She left the room, laughing, just ahead of a pillow thrown at the door.

'That's more like it', she thought.

Now she could try to get some sleep. After some extra curricular activities, of course. She had some steam to blow off.

-----

Selphie paced around her room. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but she hadn't gotten it. She really had wanted Seifer to get his act together. He really did love Quistis. But he still didn't love her more than himself, it seemed. It was noble of him to go after her, and he had a point about keeping his word. Irvine had said that he wouldn't always be there but he would try. While it was more pragmatic, and more realistic, it wasn't as romantic, and Selphie was still a big fan of a good love story.

"Hey, beautiful, what's on your mind?"

Irvine knew when to turn the charm on, she thought, as he came through the door.

"You're supposed to knock first. What if I had been indecent?"

"A man can hope, can't he."

"Cad.", she said, throwing a pillow at him. But she was smiling. He still did that to her. The butterflies, the light headedness. He was just do damn good looking. Why he had chosen her, she'd never know. But no matter where he strayed, he always came back.

"So if I go out, and come back, what are the odds of this wonderful indecency we're talking about?"

"Oh, you're already there, buddy. I don't know how I live up to the fantasy."

"You always do, babe."

Irvine would probably never know where she got her yellow dress, or who had made it. But the man was a genius. With a single stroke, he moved the zipper down the front, letting the dress drop to the floor. He was a fan of easy access.

Knowing that, she made sure that most of her bra's, including the one she was standing in, were front open, and her panties were tied on both sides. They had, on a number of occasions, been out in the open, in a town, on a quiet afternoon, and had stripped down for a quickie right then and there. The thought of getting caught had been exhilarating, and made it that much better.

Getting their sexual habits to agree had been a bit hard, at first. He was more of a traditionalist. Not that he was against learning something new, but he tended to like the classics, so to speak. She, on the other hand, was an experimentalist. Anything was fair game. Except, to his quiet annoyance, a threesome. He had even tried getting her excited by the thought of him and another guy, thinking she'd return the favor down the road. But it was the one area she wouldn't wander into. She had been the one to suggest anal, which hadn't really been all that earth shattering for ether of them. And she had the blow job down to an art form. His oral was getting better, but it was still a work in progress.

Kicking her dress aside, Selphie, giggling, pulled his shirt up, running her hand along his chest. She had insisted that they both stay in shape. She still thought she had a few extra pounds, which he said made it much better anyway, but he was built like a brick house.

Tossing his hat aside, she pulled his shirt over his head, and appreciating the view, came down to her knees, and started working on the buckle. If he was a fan of easy access, she was the type that liked opening her presents on Christmas morning more than actually having them. She liked the suspense and delayed gratification of seeing each layer come off.

Not that she wasn't a magician at this anyway.

The belt was gone, and the pants with it, in no time. His was an ass you could bounce a quarter off of, and she took the full tour. She never did understand his insistence on wearing his tight briefs, but she didn't argue the point with him.

Irvine didn't try to move as she pulled his briefs down. He knew that, for what ever reason, she liked to have him naked before she would be. It was just one of her little quirks that made him love her that much more. And watching her move around in the matched set was almost better than what was under them anyway.

Almost

She had tried a number of positions for him in doing this, but him standing, and her on her knees, was still the best for both of them. She didn't have to worry about waking up his manhood, because he was at attention when he came out to play, as always. Knowing that she did that to him was an incredible feeling for her. And what she did next was an incredible feeling for him. She loved how he shuddered when she took him into her mouth. She loved how he immediately started moaning every time. At first, she had thought he was doing it for her benefit. But he really was that sensitive.

Rinoa had once questioned her about her giving her man blow jobs. It had been hard for Rinoa to understand why she did it. It went against her idea of give and take, as it seemed to be all take for him. But Selphie had explained that it was more than that. She genuinely enjoyed his reactions, and she loved knowing that she could do to him what she could. The sex felt better for her, definitely, but this meant more. And with a little coaching from her, he was getting pretty good at returning the sentiment.

After only a few minutes, his breathing quickened. This was her que to speed up. With a grunt, and a cry, he exploded into her mouth. The taste of his seed was an acquired one, but she loved it, cleaning him up with her tongue after taking it all in.

Now it was his turn to play.

The deal was, after pulling her up, he would then remove the offending garments, which he promptly did, doing the panties with his teeth. He spent a few moments admiring her from his knee, then stood up and turned her around, placing her hands against the wall in classic, "frisk me" position. He always got to choose the first position, and this was one of her favorites. it gave him a lot a leverage to pump in with. Making sure she was already wet, which she always was, he moved in, put his hands on either side of her waist, and slowly entered her from behind. She squealed as he filled her. He wasn't the biggest in the world, but he was enough to fill her, and that's what mattered. He began a slow pistoning, with the speed increasing more and more quickly. Rather than move to full speed, he elected for power, and slowing just a bit, began thrusting with more emphasis. With each thrust, her perfect sized breasts pushed up against the wall, her body pressed under his. Most of the time he preferred a position that gave him a better view of the twins, but he preferred to choose a position that she liked, knowing she would do the same for him. It just felt better being given something as opposed to taking it.

Being in a euphoric state, Selphie began pushing back with each thrust, giving that much more force to each. She didn't want to be able to walk after they were done. She preferred the battering ram to the groin feeling.

Before either of them peeked, he slowed to a stop, with a few more thrusts for good measure, and she knew this meant it was her turn. She had a new one for him this time.

Without even letting him pull out, she brought one leg up almost straight up, swung it over her pleasantly surprised boyfriend, and let it down so that he was facing her. Taking the clue, he moved his hands under her rear, holding her up as she wrapped her legs around him, laying back against the wall, giving him enough room to start pumping in and out of her again.

Grunting, and smiling, his approval, he got back up to speed. Since his hands were occupied, he lowered his head and, while still thrusting, licked each nipple into a firm stand. Her cries gained in pitch. When Hyne, himself, had designed this pair, he had thrown away the mold. They were a perfect match, and just the right size. He wasn't a fan of large tits because of what time did to them. But her chest would stand out proudly for a lifetime to come. And he expected to be there for it all.

It wasn't long before, under his barrage, she went rigid, and, screaming his name, went over the edge. He wasn't done, though, and he knew she wouldn't want to stop. Waiting for her to come down, he moved her over to the bed, dropping her onto it.

This was the part she always insisted on, no matter what else came before it.

She had to ride the cowboy.

Laying back on the bed, he put his hands behind his head, letting her move into position. Soon enough, she was bouncing up and down, her cries bouncing off of the walls. She never lasted very long this way, but he didn't have that much farther to go, either. It wasn't often they got to end together, as it was much harder to time than most people thought. But fate smiled on them this time, and they both felt release almost simultaneously. With ragged breath, she plopped down on him, as she always did.

He let her lay for a few minutes, as he basked in it all, before nudging her, a reminder that they had to clean up. There was still much to do that day to get ready.

Besides, he was pretty sure she would be up for one more round in the shower. He privately blessed Squall for the idea of group cleanup. He wouldn't have expected it out of him.

"Irvine?"

"Um, hmm."

"Thank you."

"Always a pleasure to serve, Ma'am"

"No", she put her arms under her and raised herself up to look down at him, "I mean it. Thank you. For always being there. For...well, for us."

"You're welcome. So how 'bout makin it official."

Selphie's mouth dropped open.

"Did you just..."

"Yes, Ma'am, I did."

He sat up, laying back against the headboard, and pulled her up in front of him.

"You are my everything. Selphie Tilmitt, will you be my wife?"

With a startled cry, she threw herself into his arms, laying her head against his chest. As the tears started to fall, she listened to his heart beat.

"Oh yes, yes. Gods, YES!"

He started to laugh. She listened to the sound as it rolled out of his chest, and up his throat.

Pulling her head up to his, he gave her their first kiss of the day. Pulling back, he wiped a tear from her eye, then pulled her up for another kiss.

-

Quistis stood outside the open door, using it as cover. She had heard what had just happened, and she didn't want to spoil it for them. She allowed herself a moment of pride, knowing that Selphie would pick her to be bridesmaid. Irvine, on the other hand, would almost certainly pick Zell for the best man, if only to get a good bachelor party out of it.

Quistis closed her eyes, and smiled. With everything that had been happening, this was a welcome relief. She worried about the coming storm, and if they would both make it through, but she cast the thought out. They had survived Ultimecia, and they would carry through now. They both deserved it

And then, of all the people to be thinking of in that moment, Quistis thought of Seifer. It shouldn't have surprised her, but it did. She thought back on Dr. Kadowaki's comments before, as she watched him lay there. She had been so upset at the time, but now she asked herself the same question.

What future did she want for him? He had broken the rules. He had risked everything. And he had saved her. He had waded into a sea of death and swept it away.

For her.

She couldn't get around what he had said. He had kept his promise. He had been her knight, fearless and fierce.

The question wasn't so much of whether she loved him or not. She knew she did. It was just how she loved him.

As a student?

As a friend?

Or as a man. Her man.

He wanted the job, she could see that. How fiercely he wanted it was almost troubling. If he proposed in that moment, what would she say? Her rational mind would come up with a million reasons why she shouldn't even consider it. But what about her heart? What did she really want? To not be alone was obvious, but didn't seem like a good enough answer.

She thought about the only wedding she had ever gone to. The words still came to mind.

To honor and protect

To love and cherish

In sickness and health

Forsaking all others

As long as you both shall live.

He would not only promise to do all of these, he was already doing them.

"Could I venture a word?"

Quistis nearly jumped out of her skin. She recognized the voice inside of her mind.

"What was that? It's Alexander, right?"

"Indeed it is, my lady. I do not know your thoughts, yet I can feel what you feel. Your mind in filled with doubt, and questions. It will need to be clear, for you to survive the coming war. Whatever troubles you, child, you must make peace with it, and soon."

Quistis considered this. Idly, she recalled that the voice she had heard from the darkness that declared their doom had called her child. She felt young, just now. But Alexander was right. She had to settle this, one way or another.

"You are right. I will go do that. Thank You."

"The light will prevail, My lady. But you must have faith."

"Faith? In what?"

"In your cause. In your friends. In your heart. And in yourself."

Quistis heard a shower going, and Selphie giggling. They had found their answer. Now it was time for her to find hers.

-----

"Enter"

Tifa hadn't realized until that moment that she was starting to talk like him now, to.

Sephiroth poked his head into the room.

"Is this not a good time?"

"It's as good as it's going to get."

"I recall a similar sentiment the last time I visited."

Tifa smiled. "Yea, well, it was true then to."

Sephiroth entered the room. She was standing beside the window, looking out over the sweeping plains that passed along.

"We will be arriving at the Canyon within the hour."

"Thanks. I'll just stay here 'till then."

"Would you mind some company?"

"Actually, I was hoping you'd say that."

He moved to her side. She put an arm around his waist, and lay against his shoulder. He moved his arm around her shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"What is there left to say?"

"Tifa, what I must say to you will be hard, but it must be said. I ask that you let me finish before answering."

"Fair enough."

"I love you. Yours is an extraordinary heart. Your capacity to love is so far beyond any I have ever seen. Which is why I know you will always find a place in it for Cloud."

"I..."

"Silence, my dear. I'm not done yet. I don't know that you judge him fairly. Yes, he is oblivious, though not as much as you believe him to be. And he is stubborn. But his love for you is not only stronger than you fear, it is stronger than his love for Aerith. He will always choose you in the end. Not because he has to, or he needs to. Because he chooses to. He protects her because he can give her something that he feels he can no longer give you. But now, with your family, he can. You didn't see what happened to his eyes when you told him of your father. They lit up with a hope he doesn't even understand. Even if he can't bring them back to you, he can bring you closure. I think you will find him just as obsessed with this task as he was in his care over her. And I don't require his forgiveness or trust. I seek only for his begrudging acceptance of my offer to help. And in time he will, for your sake. Don't give up on him."

"Are you done?"

A sigh, "Yes, I suppose so."

"I've been standing here for hours, wondering what to think. I can't not love him. I wouldn't know how. I can't not care about what happens to him, or to her, for that matter. But I just can't believe I'm more important to him. And I can't give him that much trust or forgiveness until he shows me that I am. I don't even know how he would. But he has to show it. I can't go on faith anymore. And in case your wondering, I didn't choose you to spite him, or because you're the anti-him. I truly love you."

"I know you do. And it warms my heart to know you are capable of such forgiveness. It speaks to your character. Just don't give up on him yet. He has a habit of rising to the occasion. We just have to get him to try harder in between."

"So you're saying you don't think there's a future for us?"

"I don't know that I have any right to expect a future from this planet. I fear I am here merely on loan."

"We're all on loan, Sephiroth. None of us should have survived what happened. I've felt like I was on borrowed time for the last 3 years."

"Perhaps so."

"So what happens now? We have to find Gast."

"He's no longer in this world. At least not in spirit."

"What do you mean?"

"If Aerith has gone with them, it can only be to chase after him."

"So his body is on this planet somewhere, zoned out like hers?"

"I would image so, yes."

"Why wasn't it in the crater?"

"He would have been expecting our arrival. He would have chosen a more secure location, one we would not associate with him."

"Great. So now we're waiting."

"Not entirely."

Tifa smiled, and, looking up at him, lifted her free hand to move a hair that had fallen across his face.

"Not all of us anyway."

-----