Tiny Miracle

Tiny Miracle3

By: Tori Singer

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy and I don't make any profits.

Notes: Er, being snowed in has it's advantages, but it's still boring as hell. Oh well, I'm gonna try to get most of this written before I have to go to work. Or, attempt at going to work.


Chapter Three: Brutal Honesty


(Zell)


"Ma, you'll be safe in Winhil, I promise." Trying to convince my ma to come home with me was harder than I thought. She insisted that she should stay in Balamb. But, after last night's incident, I didn't want to leave her alone.

"I don't want to get in the way." She didn't move to stop me from packing her clothes, though. I was afraid of leaving her here alone. At least in Winhil she could be safe. I hoped that Squall wouldn't mind. Even if he did, she wasn't going back to Balamb. He'd have to get over it.

"Ma, I'm not leaving you here alone. Grab whatever you're taking." I told her, shutting the suitcase full of clothes. She hesitated before getting another suitcase from the closet. She left the bedroom before going downstairs. I followed her, lugging the heavy case with me. She throwed odds and ends into her case before picking up the house keys.

"OK, I'm ready." She informed me. I followed her out the front door. She locked it behind us. We walked to the train station in silence. My thoughts returned yet again to the woman in the picture. I didn't know her, but why was the Mafia after her? I knew that's who had 'visited' us last night. At least, I was almost completely sure.

I paid for our train ticket to Winhil, and we boarded the long vehicle. I wondered if I should get SeeD involved. Maybe they could investigate the woman in the picture. She seemed nice enough; she couldn't have done something horrible, anyway. The Mafia liked to pick on weak targets, but I wasn't gonna let them near Ma again.

"I'm almost glad to be leaving. It's a little lonely around Balamb, since you've grown up." I was embarrassed by her words as we took a seat in the back. I didn't know what to say, so I just crossed my leg over my knee. She didn't say anything else, she just gazed out the window. There were a couple of other people on the train, but they seemed to be the aloof type.

I started to get bored as an uneventful hour goes by. Suddenly I was longing for David's annoying singing. That surprised me, usually I wanted to pull my hair out when he belted out one of his tunes. But now, I was looking for a little noise.

"Zell, will you be going back to Garden soon? To tell them about what happened?" I looked over at my Ma, but she wasn't looking at me.

". . .Yeah. They'll want a report, anyway. Boring." I griped, scratching at my neck. I hated giving reports, they were dull and took forever. I'd have to call Quistis when I got home. I had to find out where Garden was at, first, before I did any traveling. I hoped that they weren't far, I didn't feel like having to cross an ocean just to get there.

The rest of the train ride was slow and uninteresting. I wanted to scream in relief when Winhil finally came into view. The familiar desert scenery was all around us, and I found myself clenching my fists. I was worried about what Squall was gonna say. He'd want to find out about the Mafia as soon as he heard what happened in Balamb.

More danger. . .it was a little exciting, to be honest. I'd wanted to go on a mission for some time, but with the Sorceress Wars and the Esthar War over, there wasn't much SeeD could do anywhere. Instructing a martial arts class was alright, but I wanted something bigger for my life. I didn't really have a plan for the future, and that wasn't too comforting.

"Oh, we're here." Ma commentd, looking over at me. The train came to a slow stop, and we got out of our seat. I grabbed both of Ma's suitcases before leading the way off the train. Dust billowed across the ground, the rare weed bent over with the burden of the sun. I headed toward the small house on the hill, looking over my shoulder.

"Ellone's pub is over there. Katy's store is that big building there. Other houses are on down the road that way. Not much to do, really." I told her, the gravel on the driveway crunching under our feet.

"Oh, OK." Was all she said. I briefly noted that the truck wasn't in the driveway. Squall must have went somewhere. To Timber, probably. That's the only place I could think of anyway. I sat her suitcases down long enough to unlock the house. I held the front door open while Ma came inside.

Our noses were assaulted by the smell of something burnt.

"What's that odor?" Ma asked me while I sat the cases down by the sofa.

"I dunno." I shrugged, heading into the kitchen. I glanced at the oven before gasping.

"Damn!" I peeked into the trash can, and sure enough, my chicken was in there. Well, it looked more like a huge piece of charcoal.

"Zell! Watch your language. . . ." Ma came up next to me. I scratched the back of my head.

"Sorry. I just realized that I. . .never mind, let's get you into the guest room." I quickly lead her out of the kitchen. She would have never let me near fire again if she knew what I'd done. I settled her into the guest room, leaving her to put her clothes away. I decided to get rid of the chicken evidence right away.

I bounded down the stairs, briefly remembering the first time I'd stayed in this house. I remembered running up the stairs, away from a demonic bear. I shivered at the memory, goosebumps breaking out on my arms. I re entered the kitchen, noticing a piece of paper on the table. I picked it up, and I immediately recognized it as Squall's handwriting.

'Zell, I have to report to Balamb Garden immediately. There was a black out and the T-Rexaur got loose from the Training Center. I will be back as soon as I am able. P.S. Don't worry about the chicken, I got it out before anything caught on fire. P.P.S. Did you remember to fill the truck up with gas? I hope, because I'm driving it to Deling.'

". . .Damn damn!" I 'hadn't' filled it up, I'd forgotten. Oh crap. . .I hoped Squall was OK, he probably ran out of gas somewhere between here and Deling. I needed to head toward Garden right away. He said he was going to Deling, so I bet Garden is there, too.

"Ma! I've gotta go! I gotta head to Garden!" She appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Alright, dear, but be careful. Come back safely." She waved at me as I left the house. I got halfway down the drive way before remembering the chicken. I snuck around into the back yard of the house. I peeked through the kitchen door, but I couldn't see her inside. I crept into the kitchen before grabbing the burnt chicken out of the trash.

I scrambled back out of the house before tossing the chicken in the burn pile out back. There, now I didn't have to hear her lecture me on the dangers of cooking. But. . .I did need to learn to be a little more responsible. I decided to ask Katy if she'd lend me her Jeep, I didn't wanna have to ride the train again today.

I strolled along the familiar dirt road, coming up on the store. The awing shaded my hot hair from the sun. The planks creaked under my sneakers. The bell over the door jingled as I entered the warm building. Katy looked up from her magazine.

"Zell! Hi!" She greeted, immediately focusing all her attention on me. I wondered how she could stand being in this store twenty four seven. I mean, she only took Sundays off. That's gotta be a boring life. Maybe. . .maybe I should invite her over more often.

"Sup' Katy!" I waved at her before walking up to the counter.

"Not much, not much. How's Squall? Is he back yet?" I supposed, with this being a small town, that everyone pretty much knew everyone else's business.

"Nah, but I do need a favor, Katy." I started, and she grinned.

"Really? What can I do for you?" Even her short, blonde pigtails seemed to perk up in excitement. I leaned on the counter, trying to give her my coolest expression.

"I, uh, need to borrow the Jeep." Yeah, that sounded cool. . . .

"Why? Is something wrong?" She asked, a worried expression on her face. I shook my head.

"I just need to get to Garden. . .and I think Squall may have ran out of gas. So I'm headed over to Deling." I explained. She thought a minute before digging into her purse. She went to hand the keys to me before hesitating.

"I'll let you take the jeep, on one condition." I cocked my head to the side. I wondered what she could want? Knowing Katy, it wasn't anything too dramatic. . . .

Boy, how wrong was I. The desert scenery changed outside as I drove past the fork in the road leading to Galbadia Garden. I heard Katy shift in the passenger seat. She was gazing out the window. Her 'luggage' was in the back seat. She had wanted to tag along. I couldn't figure out why, though.

"I was bored at the store, I wanted to do something different." She looked over at me, as if she could read my thoughts. I offered her a grin, leaning one of my elbows on the windowsill.

"It's OK, baby. Not that you're gonna find much excitement." I tried to put her off, but it didn't work. She gave me a childish raspberry, her pigtails blowing around her face in the wind.

"Zell, your life is hardly boring. I'm sure if I stick around I'll find something. . .or someone." I perked up, so she was looking for company?

"Why? Ya lonely?" Duh, that was a stupid question.

"I mean, you wanna find a boyfriend?" I quickly changed my question. She sighed and crossed her slender arms over her chest.

"Yeah. . .it's pretty lonely. I wouldn't mind finding a nice guy to run the store with." I bit my lip. I felt sorry for the small blonde. I believe that I would go crazy without Squall around. Squall. . .he was gonna kill me when he seen me. Oh well, I'd just give him a big pout and hope that he melted in his shoes. Yeah. . .right.

"Just as long as you don't get any ideas of closing down the store, then we're cool." I playfully threatened her, and she laughed.

"Never! That was my dad's store; he built it with my grandpa. I kind of took over when he passed away." She didn't say anything else, but continued to look outside. We finally passed Galbadia Garden. I didn't see anyone outside, which was unusual for this time of day. It was late in the afternoon, and the road was surprisingly empty.

It wasn't long before I spotted Squall's truck up ahead. It was on the side of the road. I pulled up behind it and stopped. Katy looked at me with worry.

"I hope he's OK." She brought her fingers to her lips, looking forward at the parked truck. I got out of the Jeep, making my way over to the old, brown pickup. I could see nobody inside. I wondered if he hitched a ride or walked. I noticed footprints up by the road. Upon closer inspection, there were two sets of footprints. Both were boots. One was Squall's, but I couldn't tell who the other one was.

Who was riding with Squall? And why? I felt my chest tighten. Could it have been. . .a lover? I quickly dismissed that thought. He wouldn't do that. . .but then again. . . . He did seem to be less satisfied with our sex life. And, he was always so grumpy, trying to pick fights with me. And. . .he's never too disappointed whenever I go visit Ma.

It all seemed to make perfect sense. I left to visit Ma, and then he invited someone over. He was taking them back home when he ran out of gas. Hmmm. . .it made sense to me. But how could he do such a thing? That might have been why he was going to Deling, to take his lover home. . .or spend the night.

I clenched my hands into fists, my teeth grit in anger. Maybe. . .maybe I was overreacting. Or maybe I wasn't. Maybe I should just let it go. Or maybe I should confront him. Maybe I should get back in the Jeep and try to catch up with them, catch him in the act. That sounded like a better plan. Besides. . .I 'never' overreacted.

I got back in the Jeep, slamming the door harder than I intended. Katy reached over and grabbed my arm.

"Is everything OK?" She asked, concern in her tone. I gripped the steering wheel tightly. I needed to find out if Squall was having an affair. I didn't answer her, instead I started the Jeep. I slowly drove up the road, keeping my eyes on the bootprints. They seemed to be normal, both sets leading straight ahead.

But, once I drove about twenty minutes, the prints changed. I came upon an old tree stump along side the road. I pulled over and stopped. I ignored the looks of impatience I was getting from Katy. She could wait, I just had to investigate. I looked at the prints. It seemed like they stopped here to rest.

It looked like they were walking around the stump, or someone had been laying beside it. I couldn't clearly tell, but I could see a set of prints a little bit away from the stump. I bit my lip, looking at how close the prints were together. They were facing each other, no more than a few inches apart. Did they share a kiss here?

They had to. There was no other explanation for the closeness and the position of these prints. My eyes stung, but I forced the tears back. It was a sin I myself had committed, once before. But things were different now, we were married. I was done crying over him; he had a lot of explaining to do once I caught up with him.

It didn't take us long to reach Deling. The sun was starting to fade to a dull orange on the horizon. The town was dead, but then again, it never livened up until' night fell. I parked the jeep next to the car rental building. Katy looked around her while I grabbed the bags out of the back seat.

"It's so beautiful. I don't get to come here hardly at all, so I always feel excited when I do." I nodded in understanding. I figured that we could stay at the hotel, and depart for Garden in the morning. I was guessing that Garden was parked closer to Dollet, because I was sure they wasn't over by the coast.

"I'm hungry, do you want to eat something first?" Katy suggested to me once I handed her one of her lighter bags. It sounded like a great idea.

"Hell, yeah!" I matched her grin with my own. I wondered if Squall was still in town? He and his. . .companion. I was dying to know who it was and why they were together. I had second thoughts. Maybe it was nothing to overreact about. I mean, Katy and I were traveling together and were about to share a hotel room, and we weren't doing anything obscene. But, those footprints came back to my mind.

Why would they be positioned like that? I still couldn't find any other reason than to kiss. I almost walked right into Katy, who had stopped in front of me. She was looking at something in the distance. I followed her gaze, and my heart fell to my feet. There was Squall, sitting at a table outside a cafe. But my eyes were locked on his companion. Irvine. They seemed to be chatting away about something.

Why in Hell would Irvine be with Squall? And why would Irvine even be in the same truck with Squall, departing from Winhil? Did Irvine come over after I left? Did they. . .did they have a 'thing' going on? I couldn't help but feel suspicious; so I tried to hide it while I walked over toward them.

Irvine looked up at us once we approached. He tilted his hat at me. Squall looked up, meeting my eyes. I seen a flash of anger. Why was he angry? Was it because I'd caught him with his lover? I barely noticed Katy coming up beside me. Squall looked at her before raising an eyebrow. I took a deep breath, saying the only civil thing I could come up with.

"What the hell are you two doing here?!" Yeah, real civil. Squall stood from his seat, his movement quick and graceful. Irvine didn't make a move.

"I would have been at Garden by now, but 'somebody' didn't fill the truck up with gas like he 'said' he would." His eyes were narrowed as he stared at me. I felt defensive.

"Well, if you'd fill it up once in a while!" I retorted, dropping Katy's bag on the ground. Squall took a few steps, stopping when he was a few feet from me.

"It was your responsibility! I let you borrow it under the condition that you fill the tank up when you were done!" I grit my teeth.

"Oh, well I'm sorry to have made you and your lover walk!" I immediately glared at Irvine, who's eyes widened. Squall took a step back. Then that meant. . . .

"It's true isn't it. . .tch', I guess my husbandry 'duties' weren't good enough for ya!" I raised my fist, and Squall waved his arm in rage.

"They're not duties!"

"They sure seem like it some times!" I got up right in his face, looking up into his stormy eyes.

"Well if you wouldn't act like such a zombie!" My jaw dropped, how dare he speak to me that way.

"Maybe if you would try something new!"

"I didn't hear you suggesting anything!" Squall raved. I felt Katy grab my arm.

"Zell, stop it!" She hollered, but I pulled away from her. Irvine came up next to Squall, a perplexed look on his face.

"Zell, why are you accusing me of sleeping with Squall?" He looked defensive, like he was guilty about something. I placed my hands on my hips.

"Well, maybe I found some rather interesting footprints outside town. Maybe I noticed that they were in the perfect position to indicate kissing!" I bit the inside of my lip when both men had a guilty look on their faces.

"Well?!" I tapped my foot, my anger was vibrating my very core. Squall crossed his arms over his chest.

"Tch, your silence says it all. I can't believe I was worried about you. Oh no, why should I be? You've fucked everyone in this town already, why not Irvine?" I took a step back when Squall's fist connected with my lip. I wiped the blood off with the back of my hand.

"You swore you'd never bring that up!" Squall pointed a finger at me before continuing.

"And, I've never slept with anyone besides you since we got married. How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" I glanced at Irvine, who touched Squall's arm. The brunette looked back at the cowboy before sighing.

"I kissed Squall, Zell. It was me, all my fault." So the truth was out. I knew it. I knew it! I voiced my thoughts.

"I knew it! How could you?! Why would you?! If you wanted to end our marriage you should have said so instead of sneaking around behind my back!" I shook with rage, turning and walking away before I could do something I would regret. Irvine ran up beside me.

"Please, Zell! I told you it was my fault! Not Squall's!" I rolled my eyes and raised a hand to him.

"Yeah, I'm sure you twisted his arm, Irvine. Just. . .just leave me alone. I have to decide if Squall's worth all this bullshit." I glanced back at Squall, who looked taken aback. I regretted saying it, but I turned and leave before I could say anything else to make it worse. I stalked off toward the hotel; I wasn't even worried about Katy, who I'd left behind with those two assholes.


(Squall)

Decide if I'm worth the bullshit? I watched Zell leave before slumping my shoulders. He had a right to be angry, I sinned. I kissed Irvine pretty much willingly. What do I do? Should I let him leave? I had a feeling that if I approached him now, he would leave for good. I shivered, thinking about that. Did I fuck things up so bad that Zell wanted to leave me?

"Squall, I'm sure he'll calm down soon. Then you two can talk." I looked over at Katy, just now really acknowledging her. She had a sad expression on her face. Pity? I snorted to myself. That's all I need, pity from the blonde store keeper. Wait. . . .

"What were you and Zell doing anyway?" I couldn't help asking. Irvine trudged over and flopped back in the green iron chair. He looked pissed, and I couldn't help feeling angry towards him. Katy sat on the small table, crossing her legs.

"Zell was worried about you. He said that he forgot to fill the truck with gas. I wanted to tag along; I had nothing better to do." She told me, biting the end of her thumb. I nodded before sitting in my chair.

"This has all been a misunderstanding. I need to talk to Zell, to sort things out." I was mainly talking to myself, but the others listened anyway. I thought about what Zell said, about not liking our sex life anymore. I had to admit, something was missing. . .but I thought it was something trivial, that we could work it out. It seemed that Zell was bothered by something more.

Had I really become so loathsome that Zell hated sleeping with me? I didn't want to end our marriage, far from it. I was still feeling a little angry; why would Zell throw my street life back in my face like that?! He swore he'd forget about it and never mention it again. I supposed he was just digging for ammo, but it didn't excuse it. I deserved it, though. My mind argued with it's self for a while.

I barely noticed when Katy nudged me with her shoe. I looked up at her, not really in the mood.

"Flowers and a gift are always nice." She smiled at me knowingly. She was right, I needed backup for my apology. I needed to apologize and ask for forgiveness. I had to, I broke the trust of our marriage, and now I needed to grovel. But, I decided to wait until' morning. Right now Zell probably wouldn't even look at me.

"I'm going to the hotel on the other side of town. Irvine, you can show Katy around town, or do whatever you're gonna do." I tensed at my own words. They sounded cold toward Irvine. I didn't want to blame him, he'd said he was sorry after he'd done it. He said we would forget about it. Ha, like anything could ever be hidden from Zell. Nothing should be hidden from Zell, anyway.

"Sure." He mumbled, getting up from his chair. Katy hopped down from the table before picking up her bags.

"I'll get those." Irvine told her, taking them from her. She looked up into his violet eyes. I noticed a small spark between the two. I watched them go, not taking their eyes off one another. Good, that was one less thing to distract me. I headed off toward the hotel, deciding what I should say to my husband.

'I'm sorry I kissed Irvine' sounded too common. I needed to find a way to really show him that I still loved him the same as when I first put that ring on his finger.


(Zell)

I was still too mad to do anything but pace around my room. I clenched and unclenched my fists. I was waiting. I was waiting for Squall. I knew he would be here, to 'talk' with me as he would put it. I didn't really feel like arguing anymore. But I couldn't just let him get away with what he did!

"Damn!" I shadowboxed, imagining it was Irvine's head I was beating. How could Irvine do that?! He knew what Squall meant to me, he knew that we were married! I never seen it coming, I never did. Maybe, maybe it was just a secret he had to get out. That he secretly was attracted to Squall.

I remembered the old days, when I was in the same boat. I remembered how I felt when I watched Squall and Rinoa. Maybe I was being too hard on them? No, they knew better. But didn't Irvine say it was his fault? I don't know exactly what happened, but I wanted to find out. I wanted to see it with my own eyes. I wasted no time in leaving the hotel, I wanted to get there as fast as I could.

I decided it was time to visit Ellone's Pub.

Forget waiting for Squall, I wanted to see the actual event happen. Maybe I was desperate, desperate to see if Squall had really enjoyed the kiss, or if he was. . .I don't know. I tried to clear my head as I headed for the train station. I would just head to Winhil from here, and then come back once I had the answers I was searching for. My heart was filled with pain as I recalled the first time Squall kissed me. Sure, it was muddy, but it was so. . .intense. Now, they just felt cold. . .lifeless.

"Last train from Timber arriving." I heard the announcement. Good, that meant that it would depart right away after dumping off it's passengers. I waited 'til it'd emptied out before entering the train.

I noticed that there was nobody else on the train. I was glad, I didn't feel like hearing the chatter. I glanced out the window as we departed. The night sky was filled with stars. It was rather pretty, but it did nothing to help my mood. Finding nothing better to do, I drifted to sleep.

I had awoken to daylight. The morning sun streamed through the windows of the train. I looked outside, noting that we were coming up on the town. I felt a ball of worry forming in my stomach. I suddenly had second thoughts about what I was doing. What if I seen something that I didn't want to see?

Oh well, I'd deal with it when I seen it. Was this right? Delving into Squall's past like this? I quickly got rid of that thought. He'd just have to deal with it. I wanted to know, and once I made up my mind about something, I wasn't going to leave it alone. The train pulled into the station before coming to a stop.

All became quiet, and I got up from my seat. A noise behind me caused me to jump. I heard it again; it was a thumping sound. It was coming from the other side of that door. I made my way over, pressing my ear to the door. I heard it again; it was the sound of crying. I opened the door, noting that I was on a small platform between two of the cars.

"Help me. . . ." I looked around, my gaze finally falling on a woman in the corner, leaning up against the railing. I immediately recognized her as the woman in the picture. Her long dark hair was matted around her face. She was holding something in her arms.

"Take. . .her. . . ." She held it up to me. I knelt in front of her, taking the bundle from her. Her arms dropped to her lap. I looked down at the blanket in my hand. I pulled the flap back, and gasped. It was a baby. I looked up at the woman, but her eyes were closed. I reached over and pressed my finger to her neck. She was. . .dead. The baby gurgled, shifting in my grasp.

"Oh Hell. . . ."


Notes from Tori: Hee hee, the plot just thickens, then you have to let it simmer. I wonder what Squall has in mind? What will Zell find out when he visits Ellone? And what about the little girl he is now responsible for? Well. . .just keep your pants on and wait for the next chapter. ^^

~Tori

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