Rescue Me

Ooc: What? No reviews? Stingy readers. Heh, I see the number of hits there are but I dunno how many of those people take a first look at the fic and then disappear again, so if you are reading this and even if you don't like it and wanna give me some tips, please do so. Please? I'm always looking for ways to improve my writing, and reader feedback is the best way to get helpful hints and tips. So please, if you're reading, spare a minute of your time and drop me a review?

Rescue Me
Chapter 2
Dire situations

“Has anyone seen Squall recently? He’s due to file some important SeeD reports before he sees to the official induction of the new SeeDs. And he’s got to attend the inauguration party later tonight.” A feminine voice tentatively asked her companions, before picking idly at a chip from the plate before her, though she frowned distastefully to find her chosen chip cold.

The slender, blonde haired, blue eyed female was in fact Quistis, reinstated instructor at the famous military installation, Balamb Garden. She was accompanied by her friends; Zell, Selphie and Irvine, all of whom had solemn looks etched onto their features with regard to the one person who would normally be sat with them, their friend and Commander, Squall Leonhart, who had been successfully avoiding his friends by hiding behind his work. And though the gathering had to agree that with him being the Commander, he did have a lot of work, most people would make time to see their friends regardless of their work. They do say, ‘All work and no play, makes a dull man’. Or something to that extent.

“Haven’t seen him for days. You know what he’s like, probably buried underneath a mountain of paperwork that he’d rather do himself than trust anyone to do for him.” The male voice replied bitterly. Said voice belonged to one Irvine Kinneas, the suave, auburn haired Galbadian sharpshooter who looked less than pleased at the antisocial brunette’s ignorance of his friends.

The group of four friends were sat around a table in the cafeteria, sharing a plate of chips between themselves, but after the rude dismissal by the brunette Commander a few days prior to his complete disappearance from his office and his usual ‘favourite’ places, such as the training centre and balcony on the second floor, none of them had felt particularly hungry, worried by their friend’s withdrawal from them and everyone else in Garden and so the plate was only slowly diminishing, the food gradually getting cold, as Quistis had already discovered.

“He’s never been much of one for social events Quistis, you know that. We’ll probably see him look over the crowd for a few minutes to check that everything’s in order before he retreats back to his office, or wherever it is he’s hiding these days.” Zell, the normally optimistic and energetic blonde SeeD commented quietly, though not without a hint of worry for the male in question.

Selphie was silently listening to the conversation, which was rather uncharacteristic of her, seeing as her usual cheerful and carefree demeanour was somewhat dulled. She was resting in a one-armed hug from Irvine and was obviously thankful for his comfort; Squall’s rejection of the group had hit her as hard as it had everyone else, but it was just more noticeable in the usually perky brunette female.

“We can’t just let him stay immersed in his own little world, Hyne knows what he’s putting himself through, he works himself too hard.” Quistis informed the gang worriedly, twirling a strand of perfect blonde hair around her index finger, a nervous habit she had developed in light of her concern for the Commander, though they all knew that what she spoke was the truth without her voicing their concerns.

Zell stood abruptly, almost knocking his chair over in the process, but seemed to care little about the minor commotion his action had caused, how the gazes of the other occupants were drawn to the small gathering of high ranking SeeDs, and all other conversation that buzzed around them ceased immediately to observe and listen to the vigorous proclamation.

“We should go see him again.” He announced, beginning his all too familiar shadow boxing routine so commonly seen when he was either annoyed or restless, but it was more annoying than ever for the group who were already nearing the ends of their patience with their absent companion, and with Quistis still the ever-patient ‘mothering’ type, if she was reaching the end of her tether, it meant that the situation was indeed serious, and Commander or not, Squall would be getting a long lecture on the importance of not blanking friends when they were trying to help from the blonde female instructor.

“I know he’s been avoiding us for days, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to invade his privacy. He must have his reasons for staying away from us; it wouldn’t be fair to just barge in on him.” Selphie squeaked from Irvine’s embrace, her eyes having lost their sparkle and betraying her weariness of their situation even though she was voicing an opinion against going after Squall.

The spiky haired blonde male shook his head, momentarily ceasing his erratic movement. “I know but...” He started, but trailed off when he realised that if he wanted Squall to face them, he’d be the messenger. It was rather ironic if one took the time to think back to their SeeD field exam when it had been Selphie who had been sent after the stubborn brunette, even if the circumstances were slightly different, though the fact that Squall wasn’t where he was supposed to be was largely reminiscent of their first real mission, exam though it was.

“I agree with Zell.” Quistis murmered, though she sounded far from happy. “We have to go and find out what’s made him feel like this, I can’t just sit here anymore.”

A small, reluctant mumble of agreement arose and together the group slowly trudged towards Squall’s private room, each feeling the tension in the air, the gloom that hung over them like a stubborn storm-cloud that refused to allow the light to penetrate it. They stopped outside his room and there was a tense silence as each individual looked at everyone else in the hopes that someone other than themselves had the nerve to interrupt their stoic leader.

“This is ridiculous.” Irvine muttered and stepped courageously towards the door, his right hand snaking slowly out to the innocent looking panel that no-one dared touch lest they remove the one barrier that remained between them and the inevitable wrath of the brunette contained within.

A few numbers were punched into the keypad beside the swipe card reader and the Galbadian cowboy took a tentative step into the darkness of the previously forbidden territory. “Squall?” He called quietly, beckoning for his friends to enter the room with him.

Seeing as there was only stillness, the atmosphere was more oppressive than it probably would have been had the brunette been there to ‘greet’ them, and none of the Orphanage gang looked particularly comfortable with invading the Commander’s personal space. However, albeit reluctantly, Quistis, Zell and Selphie hesitantly stepped into the room behind Irvine and the door hissed softly closed behind them.

The room itself was open plan kitchen, dining room, lounge, with the basic amenities such as couch, table, chairs, and TV, though the final item was gathering dust in its neglect. Obviously the silent leader wasn’t one for the mind-numbing programs that were usually on, such as the news, comedians or documentaries, most of which were centred on the defeat of the world-wide threat of the sorceress. The entire place was immaculately clean, looking as though no-one had stayed here for some time, which wasn’t far from the truth as Squall spent all his time in his office or in his bedroom.

“Squall?” Selphie tried a little louder than her boyfriend but the response was the same, tense silence which was shattered with each worry-filled call of the group as they fanned out around the room, checking for signs of use to signify that Squall was actually in his dorm somewhere.

No signs of life in the main section of the dorm. Everything was in perfect order, looking as untouched as it would if nobody lived there.

This time, Zell took the initiative and headed to the Commander’s bedroom door, swallowing nervously. They were all in serious trouble if their companion was only sleeping and found the group of four snooping around his room.

However, the sight that the blonde martial artist beheld after opening the door was certainly not what any of the group had expected, and Zell was frozen to the spot, his mind trying in vain to deny what he could so plainly see.

“What is it Zell? Is he in there? Is he asleep?” Irvine asked quietly, but he received no answer, the blonde staring dumbstruck at the scene before him. “Zell?” The cowboy asked a second time, his features clouded with worry in the dim light of the dorm.

Quistis cautiously went to stand beside the blonde male in the doorway, and as she too looked upon the sight, she raised a delicate hand to her mouth and hurried over to the brunette Commander’s bedside. “Hyne...Squall...what have you done...?” She whispered, shocked by the appearance of their friend and leader. “Quick, someone get Dr Kadowaki!” She ordered urgently, knowing that moving the weakened male could be potentially life threatening in his current condition, and she turned pleading eyes to the blonde in the doorway.

Zell snapped out of his stupor to disappear from the entrance and leave the dorm entirely, running as fast as his legs could carry him through the halls. He leapt nimbly aside as visitors, cadets, SeeDs, junior classmen and instructors alike swarmed the corridors like ants, going about their business and completely unaware of anything but their own little worlds, oblivious to the tragedy that was unfolding before the eyes of the elite SeeDs.

Meanwhile, back in Squall’s bedroom, Selphie was sobbing into the auburn haired cowboy’s chest as the male tried to comfort her, whispering soothing words into her ear and softly petting her hair while Quistis did what she could to stop the flow of blood from the broken brunette’s wrists using a small hand-towel to pressure the lesions.

There was crimson everywhere, on the sheets, on the floor, on the Commander’s clothes as he lay perfectly still on the bloodied covers, his skin paler than ever and his chest barely rising in response to his light breathing. His heartbeat was weak and despite everything, he actually looked peaceful, not even a hint of pain from the deep wounds that scored his wrists.

Tears welled up in the strong SeeD’s eyes as she hoped to Hyne that the Commander hadn’t gone too far to be helped, but with the obvious neglect to himself, he’d obviously been planning this for some time and although is wasn’t good that they hadn’t known earlier, it was lucky that they’d gotten to him when they had, because even now, the likelihood of their companion pulling through was slim to none.

Soon, but in the companions’ eyes, not soon enough, Garden’s physician bustled into the room, knowing that if the description Zell had given her of the brunette SeeD’s condition was half as bad as he’d said it was, already every second counted.

Quistis moved from the bedside, making space for the friendly doctor whose lips were drawn in a thin line as she assessed the situation while checking the bloodied wrists. Placing a bag of medical supplies beside herself, she proceeded to carefully remove Squall’s treasured black leather jacket, the feathered ruff of which had been stained with blood along with most of his other articles of clothing, and the white shirt he so often wore beneath it, though it was no longer as form-fitting as it used to be, now merely hung limp on his slender frame.

Obstructing clothes discarded to be cleaned, the physician properly bandaged the gashed wrists, gazing concernedly over the bed-ridden brunette and shaking her head. “He should have talked to someone before he tried to find a way out. He should have taken a vacation...” Dr Kadowaki said quietly, standing and packing her supplies back into her bag. “He needs to be taken to the infirmary right away.” She informed the small group gathered.

Zell stepped forward from where he was comforting Quistis and the doctor moved aside to allow the blonde male to carefully gather Squall into his arms, though the blonde’s face fell at how light the Commander was as he carried their companion out of the room and down the halls, Irvine and Selphie at the front clearing the way, and Quistis and Dr Kadowaki bringing up the rear.

As they breezed through the halls, the animated chatting ceased and crowds line the halls to see what had gotten the elite SeeDs so upset and when the small group passes through, there are many gasps and pale faces as the Commander is transferred to the Infirmary. Once Squall and the others had disappeared from sight into the medical wing of the facility, whispering broke out amongst the onlookers as they discussed the sight that was just presented to them.

Squall was set on one of the sickbeds and hooked up to an IV and against the white sheets of the bed, the brightness of the room from sunlight that streamed in through the curtains; Squall looked even paler than he had in the dimness of his own room, he looked like a ghost, and tucked beneath the light coloured bed sheets, the only part of him that was any healthy colour was his hair, but even then, his chocolate brown locks were limp and lifeless.

“You should all get some sleep yourselves...” The doctor murmered, though her gaze rested on Squall as she spoke. “You’ve run yourselves ragged with worry about him, and now we can only wait and see if he has the strength to pull through.”

“But if he wanted to commit suicide in the first place, even if he had the strength to do so, would he really want to pull through?” Irvine asked quietly, looking at the floor before the physician began ushering everyone out of Squall’s recovery room.

“We can only wait and see, but with the amount of blood he’s lost, if he really doesn’t want his life to continue, there’s a good chance that he won’t make it through. His life is in his hands and there’s nothing we can do to influence his decision.” Dr Kadowaki informed the small group once they’d huddled around her desk in the Infirmary foyer. “But please, you need food and sleep too, get some rest and you can visit him later. I‘ll inform you if there are any changes at all with his condition.” She said helpfully, though her voice too was laced with worry, he could pull through as everybody clearly wanted him to, but he could just as easily slip away from them, and with ‘Life’ magic one of the rarest forms of magic that could be obtained, if they did lose Squall, there was little chance of getting him back.

Reluctantly, the four friends shuffled forlornly out of the Infirmary to become surrounded by whispers of their companion’s condition, and each of them was disgusted as they heard the more troublesome students placing wagers on whether or not the Commander would survive.

Shaking her head, Quistis headed to the lifts, closely followed by Zell as Selphie and Irvine returned to their dorms to try and do as their physician ordered and rest up, but Zell and Quistis both knew that no sleep would come for them while Squall was in such a critical condition. The blonde female instructor entered into Squall’s office upon reaching it, and moved over to the microphone for the intercom system.

“This is instructor Trepe making an urgent announcement. What most of you have already beheld is that of the situation of our Commander. Whether or not he will survive is unknown, I want everyone prepared for the worst which, Hyne forbid, could happen. It would be appreciated if everyone kept talk of his condition to a minimum and did not speak of it at all outside of this establishment. Thank you...”

When Quistis released the button for the microphone, she turned her tear filled eyes to her blonde friend and Zell embraced her in a tight hug. “It’s okay Quis. I’m sure he’ll make it through this, don’t worry too much about it, don’t forget that we can’t neglect our duties, there’ll be more to do for us while Squall’s out of action for a while.” He murmered, gently stroking her hair in soothing motions.

“What if he doesn’t make it though? You heard Dr Kadowaki, if he doesn’t want to live anymore, then he probably won’t...” She whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears as she buried her face in the optimistic male’s neck.

Even after Squall chose Rinoa over her, and he continued to ignore her, still she couldn’t just dismiss her feelings for the stubborn brunette Commander, no matter how much she tried to convince herself that her feelings would never be returned. And now, in light of these tragic events, it was unlikely that her affection for him would ever stand a chance of being returned, if not because of his passing away, then because of his paranoia, which was not apparently misplaced with regard to Rinoa, when it came to betrayal.

“Dr Kadowaki will do everything she can to keep Squall with us. So we should concentrate on what we /can/ do, not what is now beyond our control.” He informed her and held her at arms length to get a good look at the female he was comforting. Wiping a few tears away with his thumb, he nodded towards the door. “Let’s at least try and get some sleep. It’s already been a long day and you look wasted.” He joked lightly and beckoned for her to lead them off and back to the dorm section of Garden.

Sighing softly, the two blonde friends exited the office and traipsed back to their respective dorms, their hearts heavy with worry and regret at not having seen the slow and steady deterioration that was Squall Leonhart’s health. The halls were laden with an anxious hush that had engulfed the entire complex, no-one daring to speak, as if afraid that the very action of voicing their thoughts would push their Commander over the edge, as if talking of the SeeD leader’s situation would make it worse.

That day, a blanket of silence fell over Balamb Garden. The enormity of their friend and Commander’s situation sinking in and becoming the cause of the suspension of classes as other instructors and cadets alike spared the time to keep the Commander in their thoughts and pray to Hyne that they didn’t lose someone so close to their hearts and an integral part of Balamb Garden.