Sail into the Dark

Author's Note: Ok so following my one chapter fic 'A Voice in the Dark' I decided to continue that fic, and universe. Peer pressure, peer pressure, lol. I'm not going to update on that fic, because that was a submission to the 'Where I Belong' August Challenge… and this isn't.

So, I supposed what I am trying to say, is that you will most likely need to read 'A Voice in the Dark' before reading this. (It's only one chapter long and can be found on my profile.) Fingers crossed this fic doesn't get out of control… or I'll still be here fifty chapters later, lol.

Chapter One – Nothing Left to Play For

The navigation room was dark, illuminated only by the only two screens currently active. Two operatives remained working in the prospective booths, desperately trying to keep alert on the graveyard shift, whilst watching over their teams as they rested out on the 'battlefield'. They looked over at Rinoa as she stepped into the room, their tired eyes sweeping over her briefly. Being instantly recognisable, they simply nodded at her wave of a greeting, and returned to their work suspecting nothing amiss.

Invisible once again, Rinoa sat down at her own booth and felt the familiarity of her chair, wondering how much she would miss this place come tomorrow, and how much she would mourn the ending of this period of her life when it was taken away. It wasn't going to be easy, but she had promised Squall with hardly a second thought, and she just needed to remember that she'd not been afraid in that moment. No matter how many nerves threatened her resolve, she only had to think of Squall, and how his eyes had looked at her with such trust, and Rinoa knew she'd never go back on her word.

She booted up her screens for the last time, her mind recalling all the times she had looked at Squall and Selphie, dressed in their battle wear, large goggles over their eyes, oxygen masks over their nose and mouths, faces forever disguised from her. She could hear Squall's voice in her ear now, telling her his orders, his thoughts, his predictions on the situation that always had an uncanny knack of coming true. She could see him arguing with Seifer, who would reluctantly follow his orders after Quistis had threatened him with various petty punishments.

It was only now, that Rinoa had finally come to realise that Squall was Commander of Balamb, that Seifer had only ever done as Squall instructed because of his superior rank over him. She smiled slightly as she began to delete her presence from the computer's memory. Squall had not requested than she do this, but Rinoa had considered it to be prudent. Since she still had clearance, it made sense to use it.

There were plenty of things Squall had discovered on his missions that Rinoa hadn't reported to the Generals, at his suggestion, which she'd never questioned. But it didn't do to leave behind evidence to suggest that she'd always had rebel tendencies. Her father was going to pitch a fit as it was, and she didn't like to think of the trouble she'd get into if she were ever caught. But since her father had never approved of anything in her life, Rinoa didn't consider this to be too much of a loss.

As she tapped on her keyboard, Rinoa looked to her side and wondered if Quistis had been informed of her new orders yet? It seemed so strange that the soldier that she'd seen day in and day out was actually the Commander of Balamb Garden, and that Quistis would have known this from day one.

Satisfied that she'd destroyed anything that could be incriminating, Rinoa shut down for the last time, looked around the room once more, and then steeled herself to walk out of those doors. She'd probably never return.

Squall woke to find himself alone, the TV was still switched on, but it was now showing the night-screen, the programmes finished long a go, and a quick check of his watch told him that it was three in the morning. Sitting up wearily, he checked on his injuries, nothing too drastic, and nothing that wouldn't soon heal, providing he was allowed to continue resting somewhat. Lying on a hospital bed would certainly not be a viable option, but perhaps sitting at a desk might be. He certainly had a lot to do, and lying here in the near dark was helping nothing.

Gently moving to the edge of the bed, Squall stood slowly, testing his legs. He knew Selphie would be nearby, hopefully having had no difficulty in carrying out his orders. Quistis, Zell, Seifer and Nida should also be standing by, and Rinoa… well, she was probably worrying about the promise she'd given him all too freely. He couldn't think about her right now, he needed to get moving, and locating his phone, he called Selphie.

She answered after the second ring.

"Selphie, where are you?" Squall asked as he opened the door to the bathroom, and started filling the sink with cold water.

"Waiting in the corridor Sir," she answered. She sounded tired, and Squall was sure he'd probably woken her. But at least she'd been able to rest somewhat; they were unlikely to safe again until they reached Garden.

"OK, if you can, come to me now," Squall instructed before ending the call. He flung the phone out of the bathroom, and watched it bounce for a moment on the bed.

Selphie arrived, as he was busy washing his face, his vest discarded on the floor, and his attention focused solely on the task at hand. He felt Selphie's gaze on him from the doorway, in her hands the clothes he'd instructed her to bring for him. They had been planning this for a long time, but now the moment had come, it felt oddly surreal.

"That bruise looks terrible Squall, you sure you'll be alright?" Selphie observed, stepping forward and inspecting his skin, twisting him to face her.

Squall turned and allowed her to look all she wanted, being forced together twenty-four-seven had given them both an easiness with each other, that Squall had never experienced before. Selphie knew every inch of him, and although her personality often grated on his nerves, he knew he couldn't have asked for a better friend. She was non-judgemental, hardly ever argued with him, was enthusiastic about practically anything, and was one fantastic Second. Their relationship had cemented firmly into the nicely relegated 'sibling' zone, early in their partnership, and had never wavered. Squall knew Selphie wanted nothing more from him, and that was rather comforting. Especially, for the multiple times they seemed to end up naked in front of each other. Well, you couldn't have any secrets in the soldiers-mess and out on the battlefield, that just wasn't practical.

So now she was busy dressing him in his SeeD uniform, with familiarity of a sister, bushing his hair out of his eyes with a frown. She was very strict about his hair, liking it just so. Squall stood still, letting her do what she wanted with him, coming to the conclusion that she was in control of the majority of his life, just like a sister actually would.

"Seifer, Zell and Nida have left for Fisherman's Horizon already, Qusitis is going to wait for Rinoa and leave in a days time. And us?" Selphie prompted, once she was happy.

"Are leaving now," Squall informed her, straightening his jacket himself.

"The uniforms? Not the most comfortable thing for escaping in."

"It will prevent junior staff from interfering with our plans. We need to get out of here fast, our absence will not be unnoticed for long," Squall explained, looking over Selphie in her uniform, eyes resting on the cut across her cheek.

His mind drifted back to their last mission together, the navigator's voice in his earpiece telling him to fall back, Rinoa's voice. She'd warned him about the monster approaching, and still he'd allowed himself to confront it. He'd been injured before it had even appeared on the clearing, leaving Selphie to receive that cut when he'd collapsed. He'd never make that mistake again. It had been a moment of misjudgement, and it was unforgivable.

"We'll be recognised faster like this," Selphie said looking down at herself.

"Yes, but they'll only report us after we're gone. Unidentifiable clothes will cause us to be stopped and detained for ID and explanation. Those are unnecessary delays."

Selphie raised an eyebrow. Was there nothing that Squall thought about? By God she hoped not, because from the hammering of her heart she realised she was relying on him more than she should, to keep them both safe. He was the Commander, and she'd follow him anywhere, but she would be a fool to try and tell herself that she wasn't afraid right now. They were breaking their agreement and contracts by leaving without release, and if it was discovered, Squall could be detained and tried by court martial. Garden would be thrown into chaos, Headmaster Cid would be placed in an awful position of judgement, and Selphie knew for a fact nothing would end well.

They were deserters according to Galbadian law… the penalty for that was, in the very least a custodial sentence. Yes… this could all go very bad, very quickly.

TBC...