Redheaded Stranger

Chapter 18
Revelations

Squall exited the Ragnarok with Henry and Quistis following behind him. A group of Esthar Soldiers waited for them as they entered Dollet, prepared to take them to Odine's hidden lab, which turned out to be in the abandoned tower. The tower had been blocked off long ago to prevent anyone from getting inside, but it hadn't kept Odine out.

The lab was small, but very well equipped with computers, examination tables and several cabinets filled with bottles that looked very similar to what they had seen in Odine's lab in Esthar. It was dreary, menacing, and from what Squall could see, he suspected this was where the sick bastard kept all his more deviant experiments. He found himself getting angry, knowing Odine had experimented on Ellone all those years ago. Even Rinoa had been under his observation for a short time and the thought made him want to rip the mans heart out.

Looking around at all the equipment the scientist had gave Squall a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. How could he have set all this up on his own. Just sneaking the equipment up here would be a huge chore to do by himself. He looked suspiciously toward the guards, wondering if any in the group had helped the evil son of a bitch. There wasn't much he could do about his worry now, not until he could speak to his father without prying ears anyway. These men may be free of guilt, but he wanted to be sure beforehand.

"Who found this?" Squall asked one of the soldiers nonchalantly as he looked around the makeshift lab with cold interest.

"A couple of kids messing around up here. It was a twist of luck really," he answered gruffly.

"I see," he said with a slow nod then put his attention elsewhere. "Finding anything useful, Henry?" he asked the scientist who was sitting at a desk and looking through some files he'd found locked in a cabinet. He looked sheepishly at him, seeming embarrassed and a little frightened. "What is it?" Squall asked sharply, making the small man jump.

"Well, from what I'm reading in these files....Odine had a little knowledge about the wall in the Cavern before Reno even came through it. I'll have to read further before I'm sure, but I think there may be other....gateways."

"Gateways?" Quistis asked, joining the two of them.

"Portals to other worlds like Reno's," he said simply with a shrug of his shoulders. "I feel rather foolish," he added with a sigh.

"Why? It's not like you could have known about all this," she said. Squall only watched him, waiting patiently for him to continue.

"Reno could have gone home this entire time. He simply needed to touch the wall and he would have been transported back to the exact location he had come from. So simple, but I was too stupid to see it. I don't deserve to be head scientist of Esthar," he said bitterly, throwing the files down on the desk.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself," Squall snapped.

"Squall," Quistis started to protest.

"My father wouldn't have given you the job if he didn't think you were the right man for it. Now don't disappoint him by giving up!" Henry paled under the assault, but managed to look Squall in the eyes. "Now, get as much information as you can from the files."

"I will," he answered, his voice shaking slightly.

"Good," Squall said, then turned his attention back on the soldiers. "Break this stuff down and bring it to the Ragnarok. We're taking this all to Esthar. I'm sure the President will want to know the extent of what was found here."

On the way back to the Ragnarok, Quistis watched Squall's profile as they walked, seeing that he was deep in thought, which wasn't out of the ordinary. She would think that what was found would be somewhat of a relief to him, but he seemed almost disappointed about something. She kept her thoughts to herself as they continued their trek.

"I'm sure Reno will be happy to hear the news," he said, surprisingly breaking the acute silence.

"I would imagine," she agreed with a soft smile. "I have to say I'll miss him a little," she added. "He has a way of growing on you."

"Well, I think he's an annoying pest," Squall quipped. Quistis tried to stifle a laugh and he gave her one of his signature cold glares.

"What's so funny?"

"I think you like him more then you're letting on."

"Humph, whatever!" She snickered, grinning like a fool and he was a little disturbed that she had easily seen through his facade. To get out of this uncomfortable topic, Squall got serious and decided he should speak of his suspicions. "Do you think it seems unrealistic that Odine could have set that lab up alone?"

"I'd have to say yes. It does seem rather odd. Do you think someone is helping him?" she asked, her amusement disappearing quickly.

"Yes, I do. It could be Esthar soldiers, scientists, or even someone right here in Dollet. There's no way of knowing for sure. Don't mention this to anyone. I want to speak to my father first and see what he wants to do," he said quietly as they boarded the Ragnarok.

"Of course," she agreed.

"Get a few cadets to help load the equipment on board. I want to get to Esthar as soon as possible." Quistis nodded and walked off to do as ordered. As he watched her retreat, he wondered if he should contact Garden and tell Reno the good news. He knew the redhead was eager to get home, but in the end, he decided to wait. 'A few more hours won't kill him,' he thought with a smirk. Besides, he wanted a chance to say goodbye.

XXXXX

Reno slipped out of the bed as gently as he could, trying not to wake the vixen that had worked him into exhaustion. He picked his pants up off the floor and was pulling them on when he heard her stir and chuckle in that sexy way of hers. He turned as he fastened his pants to see her watching him.

"Where are you going?" she asked softly as she stretched like a cat.

"I think I should go. If Squall catches me with you like this, I think he'd castrate me." He finished dressing quickly, glancing at her to see she was watching him intently. "I hope you don't think I'm bailing on you, it's just..."

"I understand, you don't have to explain yourself," she said, rising from the bed. He didn't hide his smile while he watched her body move as she grabbed a silk bathrobe to pull on. He again was amazed that this woman's husband never wanted to touch her. She walked over to him with a few long strides and kissed him so urgently that he was tempted to take his clothes back off, but he didn't want to push it.

"I gotta go," he said with extreme disappointment.

"I know. Thank you, Reno. You made me feel like a woman for the first time in a long while."

"It was definitely my pleasure," he said, giving her another kiss for good measure. He pulled away from her with a wink and a grin and quickly took his leave. She smiled as she watched him go, silently thanking him again, because with his help she made the decision to divorce her worthless husband. 'You'll have a big surprise in store for you when you get back, Cid Kramer,' she thought with a soft laugh as she headed for the shower.

Reno exited Edea's place with a caution that was probably unnecessary, but he was just a little nervous. He definitely didn't want Squall to find out about this, or anybody else for that matter. He walked down the hall in a hurry, heading for his room to shower. If anybody got close enough they'd be able to smell the sex coming off him.

He noticed Seifer and Fujin in what appeared to be a deep conversation on his way to his room. He hurried by so they wouldn't see him, not wanting to be engaged in conversation at the moment. They way it looked though, neither would have noticed him anyway. He chuckled a little when he saw Seifer kiss the silver haired woman, pressing his body against hers in a obvious display of sexual need. Love was spreading through this Garden like a wildfire.

He sighed when he made it back without running into anyone and went straight to the bathroom for that shower. As he washed, his thoughts drifted to the reason Squall left earlier. That little lab rats hidy-hole had been found and he was going to insist on seeing it when he saw Squall again. After getting a few good kisses in first. He chuckled lightly, pleased with himself for finally breaking through the Commander's defenses.

"You're one slick mother fucker, Reno," he praised himself with a laugh.

XXXXX

Squall and Henry watched Laguna sit at his desk in quiet contemplation. He wasn't really surprised with Squall's suspicions and even seemed to already have his own on the matter about Odine having help. He didn't believe it was one of his own soldiers involved, but he did have his doubts about some of Odine's ex-fellow scientists.

"Has anyone in your group been acting strangely that you've noticed, Henry?" he asked.

"No, Sir. Though I haven't been here in Esthar, so anyone left behind to work in the labs.....I don't know, I'm pretty friendly with all my associates and don't think that any of them would be helping Dr. Odine."

"This would be so much easier if we could find the son of a bitch," Laguna said, tapping his fingers on is desk.

"Now that we know how to get to Reno's world, we may be able to find him. He still hasn't reappeared yet and the wall is being constantly guarded around the clock," Squall said. "I just hope he hasn't done any damage while he's been there."

"You and me both. I just feel responsible for this. I should have had the sense to dismiss him long ago. But what's done is done," he said with regret. "Find him son, the man needs to pay for his crimes."

"I'll find him, don't worry."

"Do you need me to come back to Balamb with you?" Henry asked.

"No, stay here and keep looking through all of Odine's files. I want to know as much as you can tell us about these gateways." He left the office in a hurry to meet Quistis back at the Ragnarok. He didn't feel too comfortable with the thought of traveling to another world, but it was unavoidable. Odine needed to be found at any cost. He knew Reno would be more than willing to help. He had an ax to grind with the scientist and Squall was willing to let him do it, after they got the information they needed.

"Are we ready to depart?" she asked when he boarded a short time later.

"Yes, let get back home. Reno and I have a rat to hunt," he said with a small smirk.

XXXXX

Reno couldn't think of a time when he had been as bored as he was at that moment. He stared at the ceiling as he lay on the couch, counting the small cracks there for what seemed like the hundredth time. His patience was wearing thin as he waited for any news from Squall. He even contemplated going to the Cavern to stir up trouble, just to get a kick.

His boredom left in a rush when a knock on the door broke him from his counting game. "Come in," he said, without bothering to get up. Squall walked in looking hot as always and Reno's mood improved at the sight of him. "Hey there, sexy," he said with a slow smile. "I missed you."

"I got some good news for you, Reno," he said, ignoring Reno's relaxed and seductive manner.

"Really, why don't you come and sit down with me. I'd like to hear all about it," he said, sitting up and patting the cushion next to him. Squall chuckled lightly, remembering how he had done the same thing not so long ago when he had first let his attraction for him become known. This time Squall took the offered seat without pause. He didn't fight when Reno leaned in close and pressed his face against his neck, breathing in deeply with a soft growl. "Damn, you smell good," he purred then nibbled on his earlobe.

"Reno, we really don't have time for this," he said softly, but didn't try to push the man away.

"There's always time," he mumbled before kissing and nipping at his neck. Squall gave in with a sigh, allowing Reno to straddle his lap. "I want you," Reno panted breathlessly. He traced his tongue over Squall's chin to his lips, teasing them apart for entry.

"Reno," Squall tried to speak around his invading tongue, making it sound muffled.

"Squall, do we really need to talk right now,?" Reno sounded exasperated and tried to work his tongue back into the warmth of Squall's mouth.

"I think you need to hear this," he said, turning his face away slightly so he could speak.

"Fine. Talk," he growled, yanking up Squall's shirt to get at his fine looking chest. He leaned his head down, ravaging one of his nipples. 'Let's see how well he can talk while I'm doing this,'

"Damn, Reno," he said in pleasure, gripping his soft red hair. It took a few tries before he could make himself speak as he was tempted to let Reno have his way, but this needed to get done. "They found out how to get you home," he forced out and had to bite back the sigh of disappointment when Reno stopped what he was doing to look up at him.

"Really? How?" he said, seeming to lose his interest in sex for the time being, yet he didn't move from his spot on Squall's lap.

"Some files they found of Odine's told us everything we needed to know. All you have to do is touch the wall and you'll be transported back to your world."

"Are you shitting me?! This whole fucking time and that's all I had to do?!"

"Afraid so," he answered with a light shrug.

"Humph, that's fucking hilarious," the redhead chuckled and it slowly turned into full blown laughter.

"You gonna be alright," Squall asked with a slight raise of his eyebrows. Reno ground his lips against his to show him he was going to be more than alright. He returned the bruising kiss, not fighting Reno's probing tongue this time. The man seemed to explore every surface of his mouth as if trying to take his very essence and he was willing to let him do so. His hands were all over him, unhurried, yet desperately wanting in his exploration. As much as Squall was enjoying the attention, they still had a job to do and he pushed Reno away with a gentle nudge.

"Don't tease me again, please," Reno almost whined in his desperation to have this adonis of a man beneath him.

"There's more that needs to be done," Squall said, trying to calm his panting breath as he spoke. "We need to travel to your world and find Odine. And we need to go now."

"Why the urgency?" he asked, leaning in for another kiss, this one light and brief.

"I'll explain on the way. Besides, I thought you wanted to catch him," Squall reminded him with a slight chuckle.

"I do," he said with a sneer, remembering what the rat had done to him.

"Then let's go get him."

"One more kiss first?" Reno asked with a crooked grin. Squall pulled him down and their lips locked. It took a lot of will power to break it after a few passionate filled minutes, but they managed.