Shot in the Dark

Zell’s POV
Irvine is drinking more that usual. I guess he’s really feeling guilty. I wish he’d believe me and Selphie when we say it’s not his fault. He swallows down another gulp of Whisky, setting the cup down for a refill. At this rate we’re going to need a stomach pump and I’m almost out of Gil. Goodbye Hot dogs and June issue of Combat king. He takes another gulp and the lady behind the counter just hands him the bottle. Hyne he’s going to drink himself to death.
“Come one cowboy, don’t you think you’ve had enough?” He shakes his head lazily, his hair flopping back and forth, hat slipping and dropping to the floor and he throws his head back and takes another gulp pouring himself another glass. I pick up his hat and set it next to the glass on the table.
“Thanks Darlin’” He drawls sleepily. We’ve been here all night. We started playing drinking games, but after the 3rd round I figured that since I’m driving I shouldn’t have anymore. Whiskey bites too much for me anyways. After awhile he just stopped rambling about women and needing some fun, and just started downing it. I pill out my last 1000 Gil and try to hand it to the bartender; she shakes her head and says it’s on the house. Thank Hyne; he can be charming even when he’s drunk.
“Irvine.” He looks at me and tilts his head like a puppy listening, I big tall violet eyed puppy. What the hell am I thinking? “How about we get back home.”
“Can’t, can’t be there when Noa finds out.” Oh. He’s waiting till Rinoa finds out that Caraway’s dead. Fuck that, it could be days before she finds out and she’s still in Timber. By the time she gets back I’ll be broke and he will have coked to death on his own vomit. “Irvine, we have to go back some time.”
“You can go on home without me.” He says, sighing and letting his eyelashes fall closed. I think he’s asleep for a moment but then he speaks softly; so softly I have to lean in closer, and the smell of whiskey on his breath fills my nostrils. “I killed him, so ah can’t be there when she finds out. I can’t pretend that it’s an injustice and that I’ll kill whoever did it to make her feel better. I did it, had every reason too. Orders, protectn’ ma friends, making sure my ole Garden doesn’t get destroyed” He sighed, he was really drunk, the alcohol is finally starting to wash away his charm, but it was all true. It was either Carraway or us; we still have to deal with Martine. He did what he had to. But as much as he says it, I know he doesn’t believe it. He never believes that there’s a good reason for what he does after it’s done. He just feels guilty.
“Yeah, you did the right thing. But you can’t hide out here all night.”
“I wish Quitsy and Sis were here. They would know what to do.” He’s right, but what can I do? Everyone’s busy now. Selphie filing reports, Quitis and Laguna setting things up in Esthar, the one time I saw Squall he looked like he was about to blow away with the wind, and Mr. Feel Good over here is too drunk to be good to anybody. Damn Caraway. This is a mess.
“We’re going home.” I say firmly, hoping that he doesn’t get angry. Last time I pissed him off while he was drunk I had a black eye for a week. He could Duel if he wasn’t so into his guns.
“But—”
“Don’t worry about Rinoa, you wont have to see her tonight.”
“Kay,” He says smoothly, putting his hat on in a fluid motion, flashing a grin at the bartender as he stands. After she turns to another customer he wobbles and falls into me. Sometimes it’s hard to live with a cowboy, but he’s my best friend. I sigh as I pull his arm over my shoulder and help him walk slowly.
“Come on, let’s go.”