Locked In

CHAPTER 3

Family

# Quistis #

I wait for Seifer outside the small room Squall currently occupies. For a long time the older gunblader just looks at Squall. Then slowly, gently Seifer strokes his hair as to calm him and make him comfortable.

I wonder why Seifer showed up. No. In fact I wonder why he showed up that quickly and why he seems to be really concerned. I never saw Seifer like that. Really worried and caring for someone else but himself. On the other hand nobody else ever was closer to Squall than Seifer, even if it was rivalry what's connecting them. Because, you know, it was rivalry, right? Right!

When the guard told me Seifer was here my first reaction of course was to tell him to leave, but when I saw his reaction to Squall’s life threatening condition, I wasn’t able to send him away. Hyne, we know each other for like...well forever. He has the same right to be here that anybody else of the gang has. Still, something seems odd.

I watch him caressing Squall in a way I never thought Seifer would be able to. A strong suspicion enters my mind, but I don't get the chance to spin it further, because the nurse, Sue I remind myself, is entering the sickroom. She talks to Seifer quietly, so I can't understand her, but I presume it's time for us to leave. Seifer nods. Then he leans forward near to Squalls face. For a moment it seems like he was kissing him, but then I can hear his low, deep voice whispering something in the Commander's ear. Then he leaves.

"See something you like Trepe?" he asks when he sees me watching him.
I just shrug.
"Let's go!" I tell him.
He follows without protest. Just when we reach the exit an alarming cry for help makes us stop.
"I need help in room 4. Hey, guys I need someone here!"

That was Sue, the nurse, no doubt. Seifer seems to realise that too. He turns on his heels and starts running back to Squall's room. I follow him, of course. When we reach our destination we see five people working skilled around and on top of Squall. I get only snatches of the conversation inside the room, but what I hear makes me gasp.
"..... cardiac arrest, starting CPR....."
It seems like Seifer wants to enter the room. I grab him at his sleeve.
"Don't. Let them do their work..."
"...still no pulse. Atropine, NOW. Go on with the cardiac massage...."

We watch the medical staff fighting desperately for Squalls live. Tears running down my cheeks, but I don't care.
After an eternity a quiet beeping of the monitor indicates a slow but regular pulse. It's too much. When my legs give away I try to prepare myself for the impact of meeting the hard floor, but it never happened. I break down in Seifer's arms crying without holding back anymore.
When I have the heart to look into Squalls room again, I see most of the doctors and nurses leaving but Sue. She types something in some kind of computer and before she also leaves the room she runs her hand over Squalls cheek. "It's okay..." she tells him.
That makes me feel better in some way. To know there is someone who cares for Squall as a person not only a medical problem.

Seifer, still holding me, seems to have a similar line of thoughts, cause on his face I see a faint smile. I sigh and don't protest when he drags me with him towards the exit. Squall seems to be okay for the moment and there's nothing more we can do for him right now but to wait for the test results and hope he stays as stubborn as ever to stay alive.


The next few hours pass without any word from the doctors or nurses. Our little group is sitting together in the lounge waiting more or less patiently.
I guess I fell asleep at some point, 'cause when I open my eyes again a young woman dressed in the dark blue clothes of the ICU stands in the middle of our group.
"Hello everyone, " she starts with a serious voice "I'm Dr. Price the attending physician of Commander Leonhart. I know you all are concerned but I'm only allowed to provide information to direct relatives."
Everyone's eyes focus on Laguna. When he realises he says "I'm his father."
Dr. Price nods and attempts to escort Laguna out of the lounge, when he hastily says
"But these people are his family. They have the right to know everything."
For a moment everyone stares at Laguna open mouthed. I never had thought he would characterise us as family. For a brief moment I want to hug him but I only look him in the eyes, thankfully.

"Well, that's your decision, Mr....."
"Loire!"
PRESIDENT Loire I think, but neither Laguna nor me correct her.
"Mr. Loire. The situation is pretty serious but I presume you know that already. With our tests finished now there are good news and bad news..."
Everyone looks at the young physician, not daring to ask questions.

"At the moment we can definitely say that Mr. Leonhart's brain stem is damaged but working."
When she sees the questioning looks on our faces she adds "He's not brain dead. "

A wave of relive washes over all of us. I can tell that by their reactions. Zell grinning stupidly, Selphie hugging Irvine so close he can't even breathe but still smiling. Laguna, Rinoa and Seifer, wearing an unreadable expression on their faces.

"But..." Dr. Price continues "...the other parts of his brain and his spinal cord are also affected, more ore less severe."
Again we look at her, not understanding.
"Of course it's too early to say anything certain, but it's possible he is in a, what we like to call it, persistent vegetative state.... It's not sure he ever regains consciousness again and even if he wakes up eventually he might be paralysed ... completely...permanently."
Nobody of us is able to speak.
"At the moment his condition is stable, but he might be a nursing case for the rest of his life. I'm sorry..."
For a long time nobody of us is able to speak because of the shock. In the end Selphie is the first one to recover.
“So, what are we supposed to do now? How can we help?” she points out.
“Well, there’s not much you can do for him at the moment but to wait....but....it might help us to decide on his further treatment if we know what caused the injury in the first place. As far as we know it must have been some pretty hard hit on the head or the back to cause the current condition. So if someone of you knows something, don’t hesitate to tell the medical staff.”
I notice the slightly guilty look on Rinoa’s face but decide to keep quiet for the moment. Note to self: ‘ask Rinoa about today’.



# Seifer #

We were told to get a little rest, considering it's about 11 p.m., and check on Leonhart the next day. Hyne, do they really thing someone of us is able to sleep now? When the rest of the gang agrees I want to protest, but Trepe shoots me a look to remain silent. So I close my mouth but swear to myself not leaving the stubborn lion alone right now.

One after another we exit the lounge silently me leaving last. But when the others walk for the elevator I turn around heading for the door opener again. Just when I stretch my hand to push the button I feel someone standing behind me. Trepe, of course. I turn around to argue, but the expression on her face makes me swallow the words of protest. She just looks at me for a long time and finally she speaks.
"I'll be here around eight to take turns with you, alright?"
I never expected that statement coming out of her mouth and it takes me a moment to realise that she doesn't try to stop me. So I nod.
“Seifer, I just wondered what....” When she doesn’t continue I lift my eyebrow.
“Never mind.” She takes a last look at me, then turns on her heels and follows her friends.
I wonder what makes her act like that. Why does Trepe trust me of all people to watch over Leonhart? I can't figure it out right now. On the other hand I'm not the brooding kind of men, so I drop that line of thoughts and push the button to enter the ICU the second time this day.

Nothing happens. What the fuck. I try again but the door remains closed. Well, seems like they lock the door during the night but I wont give up that easily. So I knock and wait. Knock again and wait.
"For Hynes sake open the fucking door you stup...." I don't get the chance to finish my sentence. Suddenly the door opens and an annoyed looking elderly women, a nurse I presume, eyes me suspiciously.

"We have strict visiting hours and they are long over young man. Our patients need rest so I would ask you to leave right now and come back tomorrow afternoon."
For the moment I am dumbstruck. The nurse of course uses this brief moment to shut the door into my face and leaves me standing outside again. What the fuck does she think she's doing? Nobody has the right to talk to me like that. Does she even know who I am? Sorceress knight, remember? Well, actually Ex-Sorceress Knight but...whatever. Seifer Almasy is not thrown out anywhere and I'm sure as hell not waiting till tomorrow afternoon to see Leonhart. So I knock, again.

Immediately it opens and the nurse starts to lecture me AGAIN.
"What do you try to accomplish here. I'm not gonna let you in so...."
I cut her off.
"I TRY to get to Leonhart cause I don't want him to be here ALONE and I sure as hell won't let YOU stop me!"
I try to push past her when the voice of another woman reaches us.
"What's going on Helen? What's all that noise?"
The young nurse I saw earlier that day walks around the corner to check on her co-worker.
"This young man refuses to leave..." Helen tells the other women and talking to me "If you are not cooperating I'm forced to call up the security."
"You may try!" I say with one of my typical smirks and try to get in once more.
"Hey.... HEY GUYS! Calm down," the young nurse says. "Helen, let me handle this, okay. I think Sam needs you in room two!"
Without saying another word but throwing daggers at me with her eyes the older woman leaves us.

Taking a deep breath the young nurse says "Look Mr......"
"Almasy....Seifer!" I fill in. If she recognizes my name she doesn't show it.
"Mr. Almasy. I know you are worried about Mr. Leonhart but at the moment there's nothing you can do for him but let him get some rest."
"Listen," I answer "I'm not going to disturb him, or you doing your work. I know you take care of him and I'm sure you are doing everything you can, but I don't want him to be alone right now " and quietly enough for her not to hear I add "...his greatest fear is to be left ... alone..."

She looks at me for a long moment, then she nods "I understand!"
She seems to be thinking over the whole situation, and then she states "Okay. I'm gonna let you in BUT I want you to be quiet and not agitate him. Also I expect you to listen to the staffs directions whenever it's necessary. Understand?"
I nod.
"Good," she says and with that I'm allowed to enter the ICU.
The young nurse, Sue as I discover later, leads me once again into Leonhart's single room.

The “little lion”... I never found out why they call him “little”. Lean, muscular, fragile, beautiful...perfect okay but “little”? However. He looks exactly the same like earlier that evening. Pale and thin, with closed eyes and different kinds of things attached to his lithe body. His delicate hands resting on top of the light blue sheets.
For the first time I realise that I've never seen him without his black leather gloves in ages. At least I don't remember.

Gently I touch his right hand, let my finger caress the tender skin. I never thought his hands would be so soft, fighting with the blade and things. For a moment I get a weird prickling feeling in my stomach. Hyne, Seifer put yourself together, that's SO not the right moment to have romantic feelings.
I draw back my hand but lean down to his face and whisper in his ear "Hey, Leonhart. I don't care what they say, I know you can hear me and I know it annoys the hell out of you but let me tell you one thing, I'm not going to leave until you open that damn grey eyes of you and tell me to."
Of course he shows no reaction, I knew he wouldn't but deep inside I'm a bit disappointed. Well, it'll take time but I know he won't give up, stubborn “little” lion. So I make myself comfortable on a nearby chair and prepare myself for a long night.



# Rinoa #

Quistis knows something. I can tell it from the looks she gives me the whole drive back to Garden. How can she know?? I’m sure Squall didn’t talk to her, so why is she able to.....Hyne. What did I do to arouse suspicion? Am I that obvious? Must be. `Don’t look suspicious, don’t look susp....`

“Rinoa!” Shit.
“Hnn..?” Just look innocent, just look....
“Care to spend a little time in my dorm? I guess we have to talk!” I nod and follow her into her quarters. It’s useless to disagree I guess. But, I can’t tell her. Everybody will hate me. I can’t...
“Rinoa!”

I give her my most innocent look. It doesn’t work. Damn.
“Tell me what happened!”
“I don’t know, really.” She frowns. Must have been in Squall’s company a lot lately? That thought makes me grin.
“Don’t play dumb on me now, Rinoa! I know something happened and I also know you have something to do with it, so quit grinning and TALK!”
Oh yeah, now I’m scared Miss Head Instructor. I suppress another grin.
“It was an accident. It’s not my fault.”
Hey, I’m not even lying here. It had been an accident.
“Spit it out already.”

Why is she so angry with me? She acts like I had hit Squall on the head myself. Which is so not true. It HAD been an accident. Really. Well, I guess it’s pointless to deny that I know what happened.
Once again I look in Quistis’ eyes. Taking a deep breath I prepare myself to tell her everything.

TBC...

Author’s note: Well, yeah I admit it took longer than I wanted it to but finally, here is Chapter 3. So what could it be bad, bad Rinoa did? Any guesses? You will find out, promised. Also you will get a little bit more insight on Squall’s “real” condition. Though I don’t make any promises WHEN Chapter 4 will be up. Sadly work is keeping me pretty busy. Until then, enjoy...