Easing the Pain

Chapter 4

The laboratory looked like a slaughterhouse to Seifer as they were led inside to look at the damage. Blood, bones and flesh seemed to cover almost every surface of the large room like a twisted paint job. Even with his strong constitution he felt his gorge rise a little with the sight. Yet, even with the gory mess, the most eerie sight had to be Odine, who was completely burned and hanging from the ceiling by a cable that was wrapped tightly around his neck. His body swung slightly, the motion making a creaking noise as he and Squall looked in disbelief. The guard gagged and waved at them as he left quickly so they could survey the mess on their own.

"Guess he couldn't take it," Seifer said just above a whisper as his eyes roamed over the lab. Neither of them attempted to step completely inside the death-room, unless they wanted to be covered with the mess while blood dripped like slow raindrops from the ceiling.

"A sorceress did this?" Squall said softly, eyes going back to Odine's swinging form.

"You're not surprised are you? You know how powerful they can become."

Squall looked at him, and Seifer could see what he was thinking before he said it. "You think Rinoa did this? Not possible."

Seifer looked back toward the carnage of the lab to avoid the contempt filled gaze of his lover. Maybe he had been wrong, but then again, he knew how cold a sorceress was after being under the power of Ultimecia. He had witnessed first hand her cruelty. At one time in her life, Ultimecia had probably been just as innocent as Rinoa seemed to be, but in the end they would always turn. It was inevitable. He knew Squall wouldn't listen if he tried to explain that fact.

"Let's not get into that discussion again right now, Squall."

"Whatever. Just know I won't believe it."

"I figured as much."

Squall frowned and looked back at the slaughter with a soft sigh. His eyes scoped the area closely, and he could see several scorch marks throughout the room. Melted glass that had once been beakers, jars and tubes covered the counters, but the whole room was not burned. It had obviously been a powerfully controlled blast of heat, and Odine had been the target. Squall could imagine it must have been an incredibly painful death. Even Odine's mouth was twisted and frozen in an expression of intense suffering.

"It was a sorceress, I admit," he said with a soft head shake, "but it wasn't Rinoa."

Seifer said nothing and just nodded his head, arms folded as he looked away from the room. "So, what next?"

"We try to get the witness to come out of his shock and tell us something," Squall answered. "That and wait for another attack."

Seifer sighed. "Shit, I hate waiting."

"Come on," he said and began to walk away. "Not much else we can do here."

Seifer looked one last time at the body that was still swaying ominously. Quietly he turned and followed his lover out. He took a side glance at him and could see he was deep in thought. Seifer didn't have to guess what, but he wouldn't bring it up again, not until Squall wanted to listen. Knowing his lover, that could be forever. He really did enjoy Squall's stubborn side, but right now he found it to be a nuisance.

Seifer followed him back to the car that would take them to the Presidential Palace. The driver opened the door for them, his smile looking a bit too overdone. Perhaps the man thought he had to try for a good impression since Squall was the son of the President. To Seifer, it just all seemed too fake and rehearsed really. Squall didn't even give the man a sliver of attention as the slide in the car. Seifer got in behind him and sat in silence. There were things he wanted to say, but none would help the situation so he stayed quiet.

Seifer looked ahead, seeing nothing but the tinted glass that separate them from the driver. He tried to think of options that didn't involve Rinoa, but he just couldn't come up with any. It was too suspicious. She leaves Squall out of the blue, not one word since she's been gone, then this attack. And she was the only sorceress that they knew existed right now. He was already making plans to call her father to see if he had been in contact with her. For now he thought it best to keep his own little investigation to himself.

Squall was looking through the tinted window as the car moved along the city street. Seifer watched the back of his head, wondering what he was thinking. He hoped it wasn't about her. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt a twinge of jealously about the firm stand Squall had about Rinoa's innocence. He almost seemed passionate about it. Seifer opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. He wasn't sure what to say that wouldn't engage another argument, and he didn't want to endure another today if he could help it. With reservation, he sat back for the rest of the ride.

When they went into Laguna's office, it was quiet except for the hushed whispers between Kiros and Laguna. The two had their heads together for some attempt of privacy. The two guards in the room were on either side of the office, looking straight ahead and alert. Kiros straightened and stood upright when he saw them enter, giving them a soft nod. Laguna looked and waved them over to the desk, managing a slight smile in greeting.

"Horrible way to have a visit. Wouldn't you agree, son?"

"Call me Squall. I'm still not completely comfortable with the 'son' thing."

"Of course." Seifer visibly saw Laguna's face fall a fraction with Squall's words, but he mustered a smile that shattered his disappointment. "Formality aside, what do you both think happened in that laboratory? Is it the work of a sorceress?"

Squall nodded. "There is no doubt of that, unfortunately."

"I see," Laguna said with a soft sigh. "I had hoped my guards were exaggerating."

"You haven't been to the murder scene?" Seifer asked.

"Of course he hasn't. The guards refused to let the President near the place," Kiros said.

"Even at my insistence to see for myself," Laguna said.

"Believe me, it's nothing you'd want to see." Squall looked at the man like he would any other high official he'd ever dealt with, instead of the father he was.

"Well, I trust your judgment, Squall. I'll leave this in the hands of the Garden then."

"What about the witness? He talking yet?" Seifer asked.

"I'm afraid not. He was given a sedative so he could rest. He was just babbling sorceress over and over again. No change at all since the guard found him."

"Great. I was hoping to get a chance to question him." Squall frowned and folded his arm.

"Perhaps by morning he'll be calm enough for you to do so," Laguna suggested. Kiros remained silent by his side. He looked like a guard himself instead of Laguna's advisor. Seifer thought that Laguna probably trusted he and Ward more than the hundreds of guards that protected him and the city. It didn't take much to understand that.

"I really wanted to get back to Garden to inform everyone as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, I'll inform them through channels." Laguna insisted.

"Squall, maybe it would be better if we stayed a few days in case there is another attack. Don't you think?"

"Guess I can't argue with that."

"It's settled then. I'll just have rooms prepared for you."

"Rooms?" Seifer was thinking one room would suffice. He'd rather be in the same bed as his lover if they were here for a few days.

"Is that a problem? I assumed you would just stay here at the Palace," Laguna looked at Seifer.

"That's perfectly fine," Squall interrupted. "We'll stay here."

Laguna gave a slight nod to Kiros, and the advisor left the office to get it taken care of. Seifer gave no other outward objections. What else could he do? This situation was a little more important than his sleeping arrangements. He had to keep reminding himself of that when they were finally shown to their separate rooms.


*~*


Seifer looked at Squall, sipping a soda without even tasting it. He hadn't stayed in his own room long before he came knocking on his lover's door. Squall hadn't said much, but was emerged in silent thought. His face was intense and brooding. His lips were in a slight frown, and his hair was messy over his right eye. He looked so much like the Squall he'd known before the Sorceress War in that moment. He wanted to kiss the expression right off his face and make him moan, but he didn't disturb him, as much as he wanted to.

"We'll head to the tech lab tomorrow and see if they found any other clues from the death room. Hopefully by then our witness will be awake and rational enough to talk."

"And until then?"

"Maybe there will be another attack, or maybe not. Either way, all we can do is wait."

"You don't want another attack, do you, Squall?"

He shrugged. "Whatever gives us some answers."

"Rather cold of you, Commander." Seifer smirked and set his glass aside. He got a soft grunt in response, but nothing more. "So, why couldn't we ask for a single room?" Might as well get the question out of the way. He was prepared for the answer he got.

"I'd rather my father not know about our relationship yet."

"When will you tell him then?"

"I don't know. This really isn't the time for this discussion, is it, Seifer?"

"I don't know. You just said yourself we can't do anything but wait right now, so why not talk about it?"

"I just don't see the point in worrying about this right now!"

Seifer had expected the excuse, but not the anger. He watched Squall get up and move to the large window looking over the city. Squall's hands were fists by his sides, and Seifer wondered if he would punch the glass for the hell of it. He stood and moved behind him, placing a hand on a stiff shoulder. Squall didn't move or speak.

"Is it all over her, Squall?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Are you thinking about her now?"

"I just think you're wrong. That's all."

"So it is her you're getting all pissed about. Dammit, Squall!"

Squall moved away from him, shoving his hand off his shoulder as he went. Seifer grabbed for him, but got an elbow in his gut for trying. Undeterred, he wrapped his other arm around Squall's waist and he struggled to keep his grip. He yelled when Squall used his own weight against him and flipped him over on the floor. The carpet did nothing to soften his fall, and the breath was knocked from him. He kicked out with his leg and tripped up his lover, even as he gasped to catch his breath.

"Bastard," Squall grunted and tried to roll back up, but Seifer jumped over him, blocking a punch then pinned his arms down. Squall hooked Seifer's leg and rolled hard enough to throw Seifer's side against the coffee table. The blond hissed between clenched teeth, getting a handful of Squall's shirt. It ripped in his hand when Squall pushed back from his body.

"No you don't!" he growled and crawled back over him before he could get completely free of his grasp.

"Seifer, just go!" He struggled beneath him, getting a hand free. He punched, bloodying Seifer's bottom lip.

"Is that what you want?!" Hot blood ran down from his injured mouth and landed on Squall's cheek.

"For now....just go." The yelling was over as he panted for breath, half pinned by the blond.

"I see. As you wish, ice prince." Seifer staggered up, ignoring his injured side as he left the room with as much pride as he could. By the time he got back to his own room, it didn't feel like a whole lot.


AN: YES, I know, it's been forever since I updated this story. Sorry to my readers. I have a few that have been sitting in limbo for a long while.