Redheaded Stranger

Chapter 2
Salvation

"Come on, Selphie. I said I was sorry," Irvine said, giving her his sexy puppy dog eyes. But, unfortunately for him, it wasn't working this time.

"Leave me alone. Go back to flirting with your new prey. She'll learn how you are really quick!"

"Selphie..."

"Fuck off!" Irvine watched, mouth agape as she stormed out of the Garden. 'Shit, she's really pissed this time. Good goin, Kinneas.' He decided he wanted to keep his family jewels, so he let her leave to cool off. She would forgive him, she always did.

Selphie was near to tears by the time she made it outside, absently kicking stones in frustration. She held them back, taking a deep cleansing breath. It did nothing to cool her anger. She figured she should be used to Irvine's woman chasing ways, but it didn't help when he kept telling her she was the only one for him. To top that off, she had recently discovered his love for the male persuasion as well, which gave her even more jealousy to contend with.

'It's your own fault, Selphie. That's what you get for being gullible.' She found another stone to take her anger out on and with a growl, gave it a hard kick.

"Ouch!...Shit!"

"Oh, Hyne! I'm so sorry," Selphie said, blushing with embarrassment. She took a few hesitant steps toward the redheaded man, that at the moment was down on his knees, clutching his forehead, giving her a not so friendly glare.

"I've just been getting shit on all day," he groaned, clenching his teeth against the stinging pain.

"I'm really, really sorry. I didn't see you there."

"I'd hate to think you would have done that on purpose," he answered, his glare slowly disappearing. "It's alright. I just have a mate for the knot on the back of my head now." He gave her a wink and she giggled, her face still flushed red. He slowly stood up, brushing himself off. Selphie took the opportunity to look him over. She'd never seen him before, he wasn't a SeeD, but she could tell he was a soldier of some kind. The strange weapon he had strapped to his wrist told her that much. His hair was a color of red that she had never seen before and his skin was pale, but not unattractive. Quite the contrary, he was very attractive, even with the bleeding knot on his head.

"What is this place?" he asked, snapping her from her thoughts.

"You don't know?" He shook his head no, with a hint of annoyance. "This is Balamb Garden."

"Never heard of it."

"Then why are you here?"

"Wish I knew.....Say, you ever hear of a place called Edge?" The look on her face was answer enough.

"Sorry, but no."

"Shit! What the hell did those fuckers do?" he hissed to himself, getting a confused look from the young woman.

"What happened?"

"Some kind of accident......I'm not sure." He glanced at the huge Balamb Garden with a unsettling look. "Do you have any eggheads in this place?"

"Eggheads?"

"You know, scientists, lab rats, eggheads."

"Oh. No, the only scientists I know of are in Esthar."

"Never heard of that place either."

"Why don't you come inside. I'll take you to the Headmaster. Maybe he can help." He walked next to her, entering the strange building. "By the way, my name is Selphie."

"Reno," he answered, grabbing her hand. She blushed anew when he kissed it, giving her another wink. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at the friendly, yet intimate touch.

"Uh...., it's this way," she said, pulling her hand away, picking up the pace of her stride. Reno took an eyeful of her backside when she rushed a few feet ahead of him. 'Nice ass,' he thought, cracking a smile before catching up with her.

XXXXX

"Interesting story you have there," Cid said, tapping his fingers on his desk.

"Look, all I want is to get back home. Can you help me out, or not?"

"I could contact Esthar, see if they can send their scientists to check out the Fire Cavern." He looked over at Selphie before speaking again. "I think it would be a good idea to have some SeeD's check this out until then. Selphie, why don't you take.., Reno, was it?" The redhead gave a short nod. "Take him to Commander Leonhart and explain the situation to him. I want to know if there is anything out of the ordinary going on there."

"Yes, Sir." She saluted, and the two left the office.

"I thought that guy was in charge. Who's this Commander we're going to see?" he asked as they walked.

"He's pretty much in charge of all the SeeD's. He's a strong leader, believe me."

"Hmph," was his only reply as they continued on their way. She looked at his forehead again, feeling guilty. The blood had dried, but it looked painful. He didn't seem to notice.

"I'll take you to see Dr. Kadowaki to get that looked at, after we see the Commander."

"Oh yeah, I forgot you tried to kill me with that stone," he said with a crooked grin. "Or maybe, you were trying to get my attention. There are more pleasant ways of doin that, babe," he said, his voice dripping with sexuality. 'Oh, not another flirt. Just like Irvine.' Yet, she couldn't help but be attracted to this handsome stranger, and she answered him back.

"Really? What way might that be?" she managed. She gasped when he pulled her to a stop, pressing his lips to her ear.

"I'll tell you later," he whispered. A tingle went through her body, and she was a bit disappointed when he pulled away.

"Um.....the Commander's office is this way," she stammered.

"Lead the way, babe."

XXXXX

"Come in." Squall looked up when Selphie entered his office with someone he'd never seen before. Squall instantly notice the confident, yet cocky stride of the stranger. It didn't take much to see he was trouble.

"Hey, Squall. This is Reno." The guy put his hand out and Squall took it, giving him a firm handshake.

"New cadet?" he asked.

"Not exactly," she answered. "Reno, tell him your story." He sighed, rolling his eyes at having to go through the whole thing again. Squall listened intently, giving nothing away with his neutral expression.

Reno watched the Commander's face as he spoke, eyeing the scar on his forehead. 'Damn, that's hot,' Reno thought. 'This Commander's a sexy bastard. He looks cold as a witches tit though.' By the time he was done speaking, he decided he was going to melt that icy exterior before he went back home, and have some fun along the way.

"Selphie, go get Zell, Quistis, Irvine and Rinoa. We'll head to the Fire Cavern right away. I want to see this glowing wall. Are you sure you remember where it is?" he asked Reno.

"No problem. I remember." He gave him a half smile, putting his weapon on his shoulder.

"Good. Selphie, take him to Dr. Kadowaki first. Get that cleaned up."

"On it," she said and he watched them leave, but was taken aback when Reno winked at him as they left.

'What the hell was that about? I'm going to have to keep my eye on him,' Squall thought grimly.