~*~
I showed up the next morning just as Sally locked up. I slung her bag over my other shoulder and then took her hand as we headed out to the main corridor. "You got the names and addresses of these people you're supposed to interview?"
"Uh-huh. It's with my handheld."
I intertwined my fingers with hers. Do you have any idea how cool it feels? "So, like, how come Seifer's all suspicious about these people anyway? He know them from somewhere?" 'Course, Seifer's suspicious of everybody.
Sally shook her head. "He said their records just didn't look right. Something about being too perfect."
"But what've they got to do with a Garden being built there?"
"Well, we want to use local builders."
"Ohhh. They're the local builders."
Sally nodded. "And that's why we have to be extra careful."
Yeah. Look what happened with Deling. The thing wasn’t only ugly as sin, it didn’t exactly have the best reputation. Scum built up there like it did in the corners of my shower. My lips slightly twitched. I couldn't wait to see how Quis and Zack got in and got busy. "Gotcha."
We turned and headed toward the parking lot.
"Zell?"
I moved my gaze to Sally with a "Yeah." and then noticed her uncertain--or maybe it was confused--expression with a punch of concern. Sally softly gnawed her lower lip, and it looked as if a lot of questions wouldn't let her go.
"Hey." I stopped and faced her. "What's the matter, kitten?"
"I'm thinking about putting in for a transfer to Winhill, if it's built," she confessed with occasional glances toward me.
My jaw dropped. A transfer? "Really?" She'd be farther from her folks.
Sally slightly nodded her head, still not really meeting my gaze. "I've been thinking about it a lot since reading the security report, and I remembered what you'd said about wanting to start a Garden there." She sent me another sidelong glance. "I recommended us to Seifer as the Security Team."
I took a step backward, eyes wide. "No way!" Then I grinned and swept Sally up in my arms with a shout of "Ohhh Yeeeaahhh" as she squealed in surprise. "Girl! You rock the house!" I exulted, arms still tightly wrapped around her as her feet dangled.
Sally giggled as her own arms adjusted themselves around me.
I set her back on her feet and held her arms as I grinned down at her. Sally flushed a bright red as she smiled up at me, and the twinkle in her eyes just begged--I kissed her. Booya!! "Thank you." And again. "Thank you." And again. Sooofft.
Sally actually stepped closer, and when her arms wrapped around my neck any thoughts but kissing her vanished--Until a throat cleared behind me. We separated so fast I nearly stumbled back into Quistis. I cleared my throat and noticed Sally had turned a brighter red than I'd ever seen. I brushed my hand through my hair. Dincht!!
Quistis smiled. "I'm sorry, you two. I only wanted to ask if I could ride with you to Balamb."
Wha? How am I gonna talk about. "Sure," I acknowledged after another clearing of my throat.
I sent Sally a look that said 'Sorry.' I knew how she felt about public displays like that. Sally softly smiled at me, further easing my mind by lacing her fingers with mine. She knew how much I loved that.
She focused on Quistis. "Do you want to sit in front?"
"That's all right. The back is fine."
We struck out toward the parking out again. "So what's in Balamb?" I asked. "You and Zack gonna party at the hotel?"
Quistis smirked. "Something like that. He's taking me out to breakfast as a 'thank you' for help with the résumés."
"Cool. Then he's picked one?" And she'll say it right about now--
"Not really."
Sally and I looked at Quistis with ‘confused’ expressions, mine not as convincing as Sally’s. "Huh?" I asked.
Quistis didn't even glance our direction when she said "I've decided to lighten my load and work part-time at the station."
Sure you did. Sally blinked in shock, again not noticing that my expression of surprise wasn't as 'enthusiastic' as it should have been. "What?" she asked.
I nodded. "No doubt. You're dropping classes at Garden to go civvy?"
Quistis looked over at us. "It's only temporary, until I--until Zack finds someone suitable. Then I can train them, leaving Zack free to run the station, and pick up my case load here once they're ready to step in fully there. It's just like any training mission."
"'Cept it's a 'civvy' one," Zell pointed out. Man. She's good. She even had the 'until I' plugged in there.
Quistis' lips twitched. "It won't seem so different. He's worse than Seifer. Remember?" She climbed into the back seat of the two-door car.
"Go figure," I mumbled, just to keep up appearances.
Sally wordlessly nodded before climbing into the car. I closed the door and went around to the driver's side. Hey. Pretty smooth, Quis. But did you come up with it? Or Zack? I got in and started the car, pulling out of the lot to head out toward Balamb. It had probably been Quis' idea. The only guy she'd ever let have a thought of his own was Squall. And look what that got her? I snickered.
Sally sent me a sidelong glance as if to ask 'What's so funny?'
I sent her a 'I'll tell ya later' look.
She smiled and over to rest a hand on my knee when she looked back outside. I sent her a lopsided smile and covered her hand with mine. Ma, you weren't kiddin'.
Life's Lessons on Stress Page 21
