Chapter Four
Random Encounters
"Nope. You're dropping your left." Zell adjusted my left elbow and arm. "If you don't keep it tight when you do the flip, you'll be open when you land it. Try it again. Remember. Keep it tight."
I nodded and set my stance, balancing my weight and power as Zell kept close watch. Our morning work‑out routines were the best way to start the day. Zell always met me outside my room with either a muffin, a coffee, or just a smile. Either was awesome. All were accepted. After a rigorous hour of work‑out, which consisted of a couple laps around Garden and a moderate stretching routine, we worked on the basics and then the newest joint‑effort submission to Combat King. Then we cooled down, stretched, massaged each other's extremely sore spots--I always made mine up, and sometimes I think Zell did too--and then parted ways until either lunch or dinner.
"There. Now ya got it," Zell encouraged. "Good thing, too. You've got a visitor."
I straightened and looked over my shoulder. My eyes widened. "Zack!"
The security person whom had escorted my brother to the Training Center saluted Zell and me and then left to his other duties. I walked up to Zack, Zell following behind, and gave him a hug. It was like hugging a tree. I don't know where he got it, but Zack stood nearly six feet tall with a more athletic and muscular build than even Zell. As usual, Zack had dressed in jeans and a casual short‑sleeved knit shirt. It was a wonder anyone took him seriously. He never dressed the part of a T.V. executive.
I pulled back. "What are you doing here?"
Zack answered while reaching out to shake Zell's hand. "Believe it or not, Sal, I've got a favor to ask." He looked back at me.
"A favor? Like what?"
"Get me an interview with your boss."
I blinked, eyes wide. "What?"
"I can't say much, don't want to break the story, but something's brewing that's liable to be big. I want the story as it breaks, which means I need to talk to Seifer Almasy."
"Dude," Zell interjected, drawing Zack's attention, "good luck. Seifer doesn't talk to the press."
Zack nodded and ran a hand through his close-cut dark brown waves. "I know. That's why I'm coming to you, Sal."
"Zack," I began carefully with a sidelong glance to Zell, "he's not going to change policy just for my brother."
"Come on, Sal. All you have to do is ask. I'll owe you big. Just name your price."
I giggled. "That's a dangerous thing to say, Zee. You know I want your car."
Zell sniggered. Zack sent me a lopsided smile. "Okay. Fine. Anything but the car."
I took in a deep breath and released it slow. "All right. You want me to ask now?"
Zack smiled wider. I'd never seen his hazel eyes so bright. "If you could, that would be great. That way I can have the answer before I go."
Zell looked over at me. "Need moral support?"
"Yes, but then Seifer would know something was up and wouldn't even give me a chance." I sighed. "I better do it myself." I shook my head. "Zack, the things I do for you."
"Sal, I really appreciate this."
I motioned him to follow. Zack and Zell fell into step on each side of me. "Yeah, you better. Asking Seifer for anything is like taking your life into your hands."
"Hey, Meg. You think I should go ask Squall, too? Maybe he'll make Seifer cooperate?"
I sent Zell a dubious expression. "I guess. I just don't like the thought of going over his head."
Zell grinned. "But I do. Make him squirm."
"Zell," I scolded.
Zack laughed. "Hey, whatever gets me my story."
I sent my brother a slight scowl. "You know, there's something wrong with that philosophy."
"Not for a journalist."
I raised an eyebrow. "You better watch it, Zee. One of these days that's going to bite you in the butt."
"Doubt if I'll feel it. Sandra's parting words were 'Hard ass'."
"Sandra?" Zell asked. "Who's that? Secretary?"
"I wish. Ex."
Zell blinked. "Ex? You have an Ex?"
"Yeah. Lucky me. I've got two of 'em."
"Damn. The hell you thinking?"
Zack glanced toward me.
I met his glance. "Tiffany or Sandra?"
"Tiffany."
"Tiffany what?" Zell asked, expression twisted with confusion.
"Tiffany always said Zack thinks with his little head." Zell laughed. I sighed and shook my head. "I never liked her, Zee. She only married you to get on T.V."
"Yeah, well, she seemed earnest enough."
I wrinkled my nose at him. "See? That's your problem. You do think with your little head."
Zell laughed harder.
"I'm a bachelor. You expect me to be an angel like you? I have needs."
My jaw dropped. "Zackary Bryan," I scolded with a frown, "you could practice some self-discipline at least." I motioned to Zell. "Like him. If she's the one, it works out in the end."
Zell straightened tall and grinned. "Damn straight."
Zack rolled his eyes. "Tuck your soap box away, Sal. Not interested in hearing--Say. Who's the blonde?"
Zell and I followed Zack's gaze. The ‘blonde’ in question was passing by the information booth to the corridor that led outside. Zell and I exchanged a glance.
"That's Quistis Trepe. She's an instructor here," I said carefully. "She teaches Battle Theory and General Studies."
"Hm." Zack looked over at me as we came to stand outside the elevator. "So, you want me to wait down here, in the cafeteria, or what?"
Zell caught my eye and gave me a meaningful expression with a glance toward Quistis' last known position. I focused on Zack. "Zell could give you a tour of the place while I talk to Seifer?"
Zack nodded. "Sounds good." He glanced again toward the exit. He cleared his throat. "I need a smoke. Could we go outside for a bit?"
Zell smirked. "No prob." He gave me a kiss on the cheek, a wink and a "See ya later, kitten", and then gestured for Zack to follow.
I watched the two with a smile. Quistis, I had nothing to do with it.
The elevator dinged its arrival. I turned and entered, pressing the button for the basement level while gathering my courage and shoring up my backbone for the task at hand. But I couldn’t get over the whole thing that had happened just outside. It was bad enough about what had happened with Zone those few days before, but Zack?
What kind of luck is that, seeing Quistis and immediately showing interest? I wasn’t so sure how open Quistis would be to the attentions, what with her past bad experiences with Squall and Zone, but--She wouldn’t shoot him down before he even has a chance to take her out, would she? The fact that I had a chance to introduce the subject to her the previous week would probably make it easier for her to say ‘yes’, but a week wasn’t a very long time to get over a burned relationship. And Zack isn’t all that charming. He’s kind of blunt. Of course, Quistis was too.
I shook my head and stepped off the elevator. Just don’t worry about it. If Zack makes a move, then he makes a move. It’s Quistis’ problem, not yours.
"Regal. You’re out of uniform."
I looked up to catch Seifer checking his watch. He wore his new usual black silk shirt and black slacks. "Yes, sir. I know."
"You’re early." He met my gaze and sipped coffee from his infamous 'Death is answering ‘no’ mug. "Reason?"
I worried the cuffs of my sweatshirt with my fingertips. "Can I talk to you in your office?"
Seifer raised an eyebrow and then motioned toward his office with his mug. He followed behind me. "Complaint?"
"No, sir. I would just rather not be yelled at in public."
He chuckled. We stepped into his office. "Have a seat." I did so as he closed the door and the blinds on his office windows. He came around and leaned against his desk, arms crossed once he set his mug down. "And what will I yell at you about?"
I cleared my throat. "You may or may not know that my brother is a manager at the T.V. stat
ion in Timber."
"Zackary Bryan Regal. Took over as manager after a certain incident there. Married and divorced twice. Has a particular interest in broadcasting sports and exposé journalism."
My jaw dropped. Then I smiled. "Okay, so you know my brother."
"What does he want?"
I cleared my throat again and lowered my gaze to my clasped hands. "He wants an interview with you."
"Regarding?"
I raised my gaze. "He wouldn’t give details, sir. He only said it was something big, and he wants to cover it as it broke."
Seifer adjusted his crossed arms as his brow lowered into a slight frown aimed at his black loafers. I’d expected an instantaneous and ‘die if you ask me again’ no. When I got thoughtful silence--Wow, Zack. You’re lucky.
He met my gaze. "It isn’t my decision, Regal. I’ll contact him later with my answer."
"Yes, sir."
He straightened and motioned to me with one hand while retrieving his coffee mug with the other. "Anything else?"
I shook my head and stood. "No, sir. Thank you."
Seifer curtly nodded and then moved around to begin sorting through his daily to-do piles. "Get changed and then report to my office."
"Y-Yes, sir."
I turned and left the office, feeling the gazes of the other security staff as I proceeded to the elevator. No one usually lived when the blinds were drawn in Seifer’s office. But not only had I lived, there hadn’t been a single shout. And now I’m being called back into the office. It had to be about Zack’s breaking story. Thanks a lot, Zee. You’ve just given me extra stress.
I released a deep breath and pressed the elevator button for the first floor. When it arrived, I saw Zell and Zack heading in from the exit. I didn’t see Quistis. I wonder if Quistis gave him the blow-off? I stepped off the elevator and caught Zell’s gaze. He gave a slight shrug and shake of his head. Hm. I wonder where she got to?
I made my way down the stairs and met them at the information booth.
"Well?" Zack pressed.
"He said it wasn't his decision."
Zack raised an eyebrow. "An interview with him isn't his decision? Wow. This is bigger than I thought."
"He said he'll contact you later with his answer," I finished.
Zell watched my face. "Did he blast ya?"
No, which kind of freaked me out."
"No doubt," Zell agreed.
Zack chucked my shoulder. "Thanks, Sal. I appreciate it. Like I said, I owe you big." He pulled his cell phone from his hip holster and made sure it was on. Then he tucked it back away. "I guess I'll wait for his call." Zack patted Zell on the back and then turned to leave.
I watched him before looking to Zell. "She wasn't outside?"
Zell shook his head. "Couldn't see her, and we were out there the whole time talking about the T.V. station, sports, and who knows what else. She didn't come back."
"Maybe she had a Fire Cavern exam?"
"Probably, but I just can't see it taking this long." Zell motioned to me. "You better get changed. Seifer's anal about uniforms."
I looked down at my sneakers and gray sweat-shorts. "Oh yeah." Zell and I headed for the dorms. I sent him a sidelong glance. "Guess what."
Zell studied my profile as I stared at the ground at my feet. "No way. You got called into the office again?"
I nodded. "I figure it's about the story Zack wants to do. Maybe one of my investigative reports started the whole thing."
"Man."
I sighed deeply and looked over at Zell. "I love my brother; I just wish he'd leave me out of things."
Zell draped an arm around my shoulders. "Yeah. I don't blame you. But at least you're dealing with it better than you used to. That's good. Right?"
I returned his smile. "Right."
"Damn straight. Now we just need to work on--"
"Sally."
Zell and I stopped and turned and exchanged surprised expressions. "Hi, Quistis," I greeted as she approached.
"Hey, Quis. We were lookin' for ya earlier. Where'd ya go?" Zell asked, nonchalant.
"Fire Cavern," she said absently. Then Quistis gestured behind her to the exit, slightly frowning. "Who were you and Zell walking with?" she asked in a serious tone. "Civilians aren’t allowed free rein within Garden."
"That was Zack. My brother."
The frown disappeared as she blinked. "Oh. Well, that's all I needed to know." She waved while stepping past us. "See you later, Sally. Zell. I'm off to class."
We stared after her in shock.
Zell looked over at me. "Sally, we have got to set those two up."
I nodded. "But how? Zack's so busy at the T.V. station he barely goes to visit mom and dad. There's no way I could get him to come here more than once a month. If that."
"Yeah. Hm." He kissed my cheek and smiled. "I'll meet you in the cafeteria for lunch. ‘Kay?" Then he turned to head back to the elevator.
I smiled and shook my head, stepping off toward my dorm to change for work.
Life's Lessons on Stress Page 13
