- 9 -

The Killer Replacement

I heard Seifer come off the elevator swearing words I'd never heard before. I looked to my left-- I gasped and stood to rush forward. "S-Sir? What happened?"

"Mistaken right-of-way. Tunnel vision. Hell if I know," Seifer growled.

And his coffee was all over his black-silk shirt and slacks, even staining the report in his hand. He roughly handed it to me before stalking toward his office.

"Get me a change of clothes!" he barked.

I nodded, tossing the report onto my desk and hurrying down the hall to the closet opposite Fujin's office. I didn't know why Seifer had extra clothes down here, but it was a good thing. I grabbed another shirt, this one dark blue, and another pair of black slacks. Then I hurried back to his office feeling more like a wife than a Special Security Officer.

"Here, sir."

Seifer grabbed them from me and then roughly motioned out to the security office. "See what you can do with that report. Re-type it if you have to."

"Yes, sir."

And I scurried out to do just that, flinching when the door slammed closed behind me. I gnawed my lower lip as I sat at my desk. It was times like these that made me wish I wasn't quite so sensitive. I mean, I knew Seifer wasn't mad at me, but I couldn't help but feel stressed and anxious. Of course, now that I knew Seifer was in a bad mood, the rest of the day probably wouldn't go so great.

I rubbed at my forehead and sighed. Zell... help! Then I straightened and pressed my lips together. Come on, Sally. You don't have to let the day go horrible! You and Zell had a great morning; talking, laughing, sharing breakfast in the Training Center after a work-out... I smiled. See? Just remember that. You'll be fine.

I picked up the report and set it up on my report stand to the left of my monitor.

"Regal."

I twitched and looked to my left. Fujin-- I blinked. She didn't have her eye-patch on. "Yes, ma'am?"

She presented a stack of transcripts. "Organize by date and time. ASAP."

I took the transcripts with a sinking feeling. "Yes, ma'am."

I set them to the right as I looked again to the report Seifer needed. It was stained pretty bad, so I would need to type it up. If only it was a report done here. Then I could just reprint it... Hey. Wait. We're on a Network. I smiled and logged on, looking at the name and byline of the report before going in search of the master.

» § «

"Here's the report, sir." I set it on his desk. He looked to be in a slightly better mood, but I noticed his coffee mug was still missing. "I found the master at Trabia Garden and just pulled it from there to reprint it here. That way you could have it faster."

Seifer took the report with a lopsided smirk. "Finally. Someone who sees the easy road."

I wasn't sure whether to smile or feel insulted, so I just saluted and left with a mumbled "Yes, sir."

Then I picked up the transcripts and headed to Fujin's office. The door was shut, and I could hear voices. I gnawed my lower lip, debating whether to knock and interrupt or wait until whoever she talked to left - or hung-up - so that I could give her this project she wanted as soon as possible.

I groaned and did a series of body hops without leaving the ground. What do I do? It wasn't fair.

I rolled my eyes and knocked.

"Enter."

And I heard her say "Bye, Marshal. See you tonight, and thank you for the necklace" in a low tone as I opened the door. They must have been talking via secure web-cam, because I heard Marshal respond "You're welcome, chicklit. See you later." I felt giddy all over, but I did my best to act like I hadn't heard anything as I stepped fully in and approached her desk.

Fujin faced forward, pushing her monitor to the side as she reached a hand out for the transcripts. "Done?"

I nodded. "I would have been done sooner, but I had to..." No excuses! "Well... I'm sorry it took so long."

Fujin's eyebrow twitched, but I didn't want to risk staying and saying something that would irritate her. So I saluted and left her office. Chicklet? How cute is that? I smiled and pulled her door closed, giving a slight shake of my head as I turned and headed back for my desk. I have to remember to invite Marshal to dinner again. And this time I would make him bring her.

» § «

I smelled the strong coffee moments before I heard the footsteps. When I looked up, I watched in mild surprise as a tall woman with short, spiked black hair and a coffee-stained uniform strode down the hall toward the main security office holding Seifer's mug. She didn't stop to ask for directions. She just turned right, continuing past my desk and down the aisle toward Seifer's office, brown eyes looking very determined.

I turned in my chair and watched. I think everyone else did, too.

CLUNK

Seifer looked up and then leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. Then he gestured to his mug with a slight lift of his chin. "Forget something?"

"No." She leaned slightly forward. "Will it be painful?" Seifer remained silent. "Death," she prompted. "Now that I've said 'no', will it be painful?"

I covered my mouth, knowing full well that she quoted his favorite saying from his coffee mug, and I heard a few whispers around the office. Oh my goodness.

"Pain is the life of a SeeD," Seifer responded. "If you can't take it, run home to mommy."

"Oh brother," she scoffed. "'Pain is the life--' Hell. Even my baby brother could come up with something better than that."

My eyes widened. She reminded me of Fujin the way she stood up to him.

Seifer stood and picked up the mug. He presented it to her again. "Great. Bring him in. In the meantime... I like it hot."

"You probably like it wet, too." She turned and walked casually out.

There was a wave of rustling and shuffling as people went back to work. A few moments later, I heard the woman walk past followed quickly by Seifer. I peeked at them from the corner of my vision.

He caught up to her in the hall outside Fujin's office, catching the black-haired SeeD by the arm to turn her to face him.

"Name. Rank. Position," he ordered stiffly.

She was obviously unimpressed. "Janine Larabie. Rank 18. Instructor of Battle Theory." She pulled her arm free. "Female. Human... Anything else?"

My jaw dropped. Oh my gosh.

"Disrespectful. Smart-ass."

'Janine' crossed her arms. "You really shouldn't talk about yourself that way. It's not healthy."

I covered my mouth again, but this time I didn't know if I was trying to keep back the laughter or the gasp of shock.

Seifer minutely scoffed. "I.D."

"That's your job, not mine." Janine presented him what looked like a Trabia I.D.. "Quistis just hired me to fill in for her. I need an I.D., a passcode, and quarters."

So that's who she is. And Seifer seemed to think the same thing as he slowly took the I.D., tapping it lightly against the palm of his hand as he continued to regard her with his usual hard stare. She held it without a problem. Wow. I wish I could do that.

Then he turned back for his office. "This way."

Janine followed.

Seifer waited by his office door for her to pass. Then he ordered her to "Sit" and closed the door.

Everyone in the office must have released a deep breath as the door clicked shut, me included. Wow. A new Instructor that takes on Seifer? I shook my head and turned back to my desk. I had to tell Zell.

Only I didn't get the chance. Because Janine Larabie was new, it was my job to finalize the set-up of her passcode onto the Network, to prepare her new Balamb Garden I.D., and to make sure that her Trabia information was transferred correctly to Balamb. There was a lot of more intricate things I had to do, too, so it took me longer than I wanted.

Then Seifer ordered me to deliver the packet of new information to her dorm room; secure delivery of things like this was a must. I was nervous and anxious at meeting her, because what if she was as scary as Fujin? But there was also something about her that made me not as scared as I usually was at meeting new people.

But hanging out with Zell the past 5 months had made it easier.

Zell... I crinkled my eyes at the corners and slightly smiled. Warm fuzzies!-- Sally! Job!

I cleared my throat and knocked, and I had to look up once Janine Larabie opened the door. She smiled, and her brown eyes twinkled. Relief made my world much brighter.

"Let me guess: passcode and I.D. delivery?"

I smiled and offered forward the sealed package. "You might want to check it. I'll change it if it's wrong." I hope it's not wrong. I mean, sheesh, I had all morning to work on it! And what kind of first impression would that be?

"Sure." Janine took the package and presented her other hand. "Janine Larabie."

I accepted the hand with a deeper feeling of relief. "Sally Regal. Welcome to Balamb."

"Thank you." Janine stepped back and motioned into the room. "Come on in. I'll check everything and activate it now. That way you don't have to come back."

Wow. She's nice. And yet she stood up to Seifer? It almost seemed a contradiction. "It's not a problem," I assured her as I stepped in. "If you're busy..."

Janine made her way to her computer and sat as I looked around. She hadn't had a chance to set up much of her personal effects, most of the boxes were barely opened, but I could see pictures of her with her friends from Trabia set on top of boxes that had been opened. She was popular, just like Zell.

"Just getting se--"

My eyes widened as they focused on a case open on her bed. "You use a gunblade?"

Janine swivelled around in her chair. "Nice, huh?"

The gunblade wasn't as big as Commander Squall's that I had seen displayed in his office. But wow! Etched into the frosted charcoal metal were flames climbing from the base of the blade near the pommel to the tip. "It's gorgeous," I exclaimed.

I looked at her with slack jaw and wide eyes.

"Took a year. Built it, too. Now that was a damn fun thing to do." Janine pulled the gunblade from the case. "I've upgraded it here and there, but I'm really hooked on the style. I've seen pictures of all Commander Squall's... But I think I like the idea of sticking with one. Why change if it works?"

Janine put the blade away and shut the case, sending me a sidelong examination as she asked "What's your specialty?"

I flushed and looked back down at the case. "Duel." It still sounded so... unreal. I mean, little me was a scrapper!

"Huh. Never woulda thought. No offense."

I shook my head and sent Janine a smile. "No offense. I didn't even know until Zell told me." And I still remembered the thrill at having the same ability as my hero and sweetie. Warm fuzzies!

"Dincht? Damn. He's the best--" Her eyes widened a bit as she stared at me and said "Sally Regal?" Then she pointed. "'Quicksilver' and 'Hell Strike'! Of course!" Janine smiled wide, laughing as she reached out and gave my hand another shake. "Damn! Those moves in Combat King were righteous!"

I flushed red. Zell would have grinned and said 'Meg kicks ass all the way around.' "Thanks."

Janine released my hand and gestured at me as she picked up the package again. Her gaze never seemed to leave my face, which I thought was a little odd.

"You think you and Dincht could help me come up with a sweet move for my gunblade?" she asked. "I've been wanting to learn another Limit Break but can't come up with anything. It's annoying the hell out of me." Janine retrieved the I.D. from the package and continued to send me occasional glances.

All I could think about, though, was the fact she wanted me to help her design a Limit Break. Wow. "I could ask, but you should probably talk to Commander Squall or Sub-Lt. Commander Seifer for that. Shouldn't you?" I mean, I hadn't ever done anything like that for someone other than myself.

Janine shrugged. "They're probably busy." She finished checking the information on the I.D. and then looked fully up. "Thanks, Sally. This looks fine. I'll try the passcode, activate it, and let you know if I have problems."

"Okay." And while I hoped she didn't have any problems, I really wanted an excuse to talk to her again. She was fun, like Zell. You know? Out-going-- I paused at the door when I noticed a piece of technology affixed to the outside of it. I pointed. "Isn't that a motion detector?"

Janine nodded as she came to stand beside me. "Sure is. Damn. You know your stuff."

I looked over at her. "Was that approved?" I did not want to report unapproved surveillance equipment to Fujin or Seifer. And I nearly shuddered at the prospect.

Janine nodded. "Sure was. Commander Squall. I brought it with me from Trabia. Modified it myself."

I released a long and silent breath of relief. Thank goodness... Commander Squall? But... How come? And my mind worked hard. "Additional security?"

Janine chuckled. "Nah. Security in the Network is tighter than my favorite leather skirt. This is so I know someone's knocking."

I am so confused, and I gave her what must have been a blank look as I asked "I don't understand."

"Oh. Right."

Janine reached up to the area behind her right ear. She loosened something and then held it out. It was a piece of technology smaller than her smallest fingernail. I hadn't ever seen anything like it before. Majorly high-tech.

"This helps, too."

I looked up at her as she said "I'm deaf."

I blinked. "Deaf? Really?"

Janine smirked and re-affixed the equipment.

I felt like an idiot. Of course 'really', Sally! "Sorry. That was stupid."

Janine waved it aside. "Hey. Don't worry about it. Believe it or not I've had really moronic questions thrown at me. Don't ask. Wouldn't want to embarrass the human race."

I smiled. "I've probably helped."

Janine laughed. "Not any more than the rest of us. We all have our moments of less-than-greatness. Just this morning I had my head so far up my ass I couldn't see straight."

I giggled.

"It was a bit of fun to see the Head of Network Security disheveled and rumpled, though. Damn. Wish I'd had a camera. Could've sold that picture and retired early."

I covered my mouth to stifle the giggle. "That's mean," I said through my hand.

Janine shrugged. "Nah. He probably would've done the same damn thing."

And she was right. He probably would have.

Janine motioned to me, brown eyes still twinkling with laughter. "Nice meeting you, Sally, but I have a feeling you better get back before good 'ole HOS" - and she pronounced it 'hoss' - "busts your ass for slacking."

I nodded, still smiling - I couldn't help it - as I started backing more out the door. "Nice meeting you, Janine, and I hope everything works for you. Just call me if it doesn't. I'll fix it."

"Thanks." She leaned against the doorjamb and crossed her arms. "Maybe I'll come down and bother you so you get in trouble?"

I halted and my eyes widened. Then she laughed and I relaxed. She was an intriguing twist of Zell, Fujin, and Quistis. "Can you warn me first, so I can make up a good excuse?"

Janine laughed a little harder as she nodded. "Sure, sure."

I smiled. "Okay, then sure." I turned and walked back toward the main corridor. I had a feeling Janine Larabie was going to be the hand that rocked the cradle. I silently giggled. Hold on to your butt, Garden. We're going for a ride!

» § «

"Zell, you will never believe who I just met!"

Zell looked up from grading the quiz papers and grinned. "Hey, kitten." He stood and met me halfway into the office to give me a tight hug. "Perfect timing. I needed a break." He kissed me on the cheek and then pulled back to lean against his desk, still holding my hands in his.

I smiled at him. Since our 'vacation' in Winhill we made a stronger effort to keep things a little more... calm? We still soaked in the tub together, but usually with Selphie or Val or one of Zell's friends. We went out to dinner, but always at a public restaurant or with Ma. We occasionally walked on the beach, but not as long as we used to. I mean, the beach held a lot of special memories for us, and that usually made the hormones run a little higher than usual.

We tried not to kiss with a lot of... passion, either. We kept it as simple as possible. And you know what? The "backing off" actually made me love Zell even more. Why? Because we had to find different ways to show the other how much we cared. Doing special things like a flower delivered to the office, a poem sent via e-mail, a simple 'hi, I love you' sent over IMs on break... Things like that.

It was mushy and romantic and I loved it.

Zell gave my hands a squeeze. "So, who'd you meet?"

"Remember Quistis said she was going to start part-time at the T.V. station?"

"Yeah. Doesn't that start this coming Monday?"

I nodded. "I met her."

"The replacement?"

I nodded again. "Her name's Janine Larabie-- She stood up to Seifer!"

Zell blinked with a "Wha?"

"I know! She had his mug and came in to the office with it empty - I guess he told her to bring him more coffee after dumping it on him - and said 'no' and then gave him a hard time--"

Zell laughed. "Slow down, slow down! I can't understand you!"

I giggled. "Sorry."

"Okay, so, she dumped coffee on him? On purpose?"

I shook my head. "No. I guess they collided in the hall somewhere. She got him good, too. He had to change his shirt and his slacks."

Zell laughed. "I bet he was pissed."

"Oh my gosh. I've never heard him swear like that before."

Zell guided me to lean up against the desk beside him, releasing one of my hands while still smiling over at me. "Then what?"

"Well I guess he ordered her to bring him more coffee, but she came down to the office with only his empty mug and told him 'no' and then asked if Death would be painful; you know his mug says 'Death is answering 'no''."

Zell howled. "She's not making any friends."

I shook my head, eyes wide. "But Seifer looked amused."

Zell sniggered. "Figures. Not very many people stand up to him besides Fujin and Marshal, but they've known him forever."

I smiled. "I got to give her all her new Garden information. Janine's really nice, Zell. And funny, too. You'd like her. Oh! And she's a gunblader like Commander Squall and Seifer. It's a really pretty gun, too. She made it herself."

Zell's eyes widened. "Dude! You're kidding?"

I smiled at him as I shook my head, eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm serious."

"A girl gunblader! That rocks! I'll have to tell Squall and hit her up for a sparring session. You mind?"

My eyes widened as I straightened and turned toward him. "Oh my gosh! I almost forgot! She said that she wanted you and me to help her come up with a new Limit Break."

Zell grinned. "Cool! Sounds like a killer replacement. Way to go Quis!"

I giggled. "See? Told you so."

Zell drew me close into a tight hug. "Quiet you, or I'll take steps."

I wrapped my arms around him and sighed.

"You like her, huh?"

I nodded against him. "Yep. She reminds me of you and Fujin and Quistis all rolled up into one funny person."

"That's good. You need more friends."

I would have been happy with just Zell, but it made me feel wonderful that he cared. Zell always looked out for me like that. I pulled back and smiled up at him. "I'm working on it."

Zell kissed my nose. "I know."

I giggled.

» § «

"Regal."

I looked up from the various tasks organized on my desk. Fujin stood to my left, still not wearing her eye-patch - her white eye looked really cool, actually - and it looked like she wore a little lipstick. I smiled. "Good morning, ma'am." I hope you had fun at your dinner with Marshal.

She presented me a collection of reports and a trio of CDs. "Catalog into system. Index. Cross-reference. Put CDs into system and file in safe."

I nodded along with the directions as I took them. "Is it an ASAP project? Or can I finish what I'm doing?"

"Soon, but not immediate."

I nodded again. "Okay. Did you want me to let you know when it's done? I can print you out a copy of the--"

"No," she said as she turned away.

I closed my mouth and slouched into my chair, and I could feel my lips droop. I tried so hard to impress her that I probably just made her think me to be a spazoid. My gaze lowered to the reports and CDs in my hands as I blinked back the burning.

When I heard steps approach, I looked up-- and smiled at Janine Larabie. Hair spiked and sassy. Brown eyes twinkling with laughter... And she had Seifer's mug again. How weird. "Hi. Finding everything okay?"

Janine leaned against my desk. "Basically. Finally found the Training Center. Hyne, does that look like a lot of fun." She motioned to me. "You and me need to get lost in there and beat the shit out of some things."

I eagerly nodded. "Okay. Zell's been teaching me some new moves, and I'd love the chance to show you."

"Hell yeah!" Janine sipped the coffee, and I blinked in surprise. Then her lips tilted in an almost mischievous smirk. "I would love the chance to meet him again."

Surprise returned even stronger. "Again?" I wonder why Zell didn't mention it. Of course, he had told me once that he never had been good at remembering names or faces.

"Yeah. We bumped into one another at Trabia soon after the missile attack. That was how I found out about Squall and Seifer being gunbladers--"

"Regal."

Janine and I both looked over at Fujin, who now stood to Janine's right.

Uh-oh. Janine probably wasn't supposed to be down here. "Yes, ma'am?" I asked.

And Janine didn't say anything. She only held Fujin's penetrating stare while sipping coffee from Seifer's mug. Wow. She even takes on Fujin!

Fujin motioned very slightly to Janine. "You are?"

Janine straightened and produced a hand, which Fujin accepted. "Janine Larabie. Instructor of Battle Theory. Filling in for Quistis come Monday."

Fujin slightly raised an eyebrow, and then she said something that shocked me silent. "Ahndra Kelley. Chief Special-Ops Investigator."

I smiled and looked down at my hands. Good job, Marshal, you big softie.

"Ahndra." Janine motioned to the security offices while again sipping Seifer's coffee. "You have a nice set-up."

Fuji-- Ahndra didn't comment, she only turned and walked away.

I looked up and watched her.

"Damn. Miss Ice Queen," Janine mumbled.

But I knew that Ahndra was trying her best to change. Like me, it was hard. A challenge unlike anything she'd done before. Not because of her being shy, because she wasn't. But because she was private.

"What's up with her?" Janine asked.

"That's just who she is," I defended in a soft voice. And it was so hard to explain just who Ahndra was. "Although she used to practically shout at people all the time. Only spoke in one-word sentences, too." I looked over at Janine. "Zell says she's had a hard life. So does Marshal, the Chief of Security at Galbadia Garden. I believe them, too. But she's never let it keep her from doing her job."

Janine leaned against the desk again. "Good, is she?"

I emphatically nodded. "She's the best investigator/interrogator we have, and I'm glad I've had the chance to work for her. I've learned so much. That's why I wish..." My voice drifted as I looked down at my desk. But that probably won't ever happen. I sighed.

"What?" Janine pressed.

I looked up again. "I just wish I knew how I could get her to respect me."

Janine thoughtfully nodded while staring down into the mug. "You do your job don't you?"

"Yes." And the question had surprised me. I don't know why; I just hadn't expected her to actually try and solve the problem.

"You do your best?"

I nodded.

"Then that's all you can do. She more than likely already respects you."

I blinked and watched Janine's face. "You think so?" I asked, hesitant to believe something that would have made my life so much better.

Janine smirked and straightened. "You could always ask," she observed as she moved toward Seifer's office.

I stared after her a moment before turning back to my desk. I could ask. I could ask? How did someone ask a person like Ahndra about respect without sounding like an idiot?

I sighed.

» § «

I continued to doodle on the page of steno paper, my chin cupped in my hands. 'You could ask.' That had been bothering me since Janine had said it yesterday.

I sighed deep and crossed my arms on the desk to hide my face in them. I had enough stress. I didn't need this... But how could I get rid of the stress and the worry of impressing Ahndra if I didn't know if it was possible? In Zell and my relationship communication was really important, and I knew it would be the same in everything else. I had to do this. If I didn't, my life would never change.

I groaned and sat up, hiding my face in my hands as I remembered the fun Zell, Janine, and I had that morning working out in the Training Center. She was so open and out there. Like Zell, but not. She was more like... Seifer. Saying what she thought. Of course, she would apologize... in a round-a-bout way if she thought she had hurt my feelings. I wanted to be like her. Not exactly, but close.

My shoulders slumped and I lowered my gaze to my ring. My half of Zell's 'tattoo'. I gave it a rub while hearing his voice say 'Kitten, I hate seeing you all twisted in knots. Just go to Seifer and talk to him. I swear he won't beat your ass or laugh at you. It's his job to listen to you, and he does his job. So... please?'

I sighed deep and stood. Okay, sweetie. I will.

I turned and stepped hesitantly toward Seifer's office. I felt like I was walking to my death. And when I saw all the reports all over his desk... I felt even worse. I mean, Seifer was always so busy. Sometimes I wondered if he even left the office to sleep. I had offered once to help, but... He'd threatened to call Zell and have him drag me out.

I took in a deep breath and stammered "S-Sir?"

Seifer looked up and raised an eyebrow. "What, Regal?"

"Um... Well..." I felt a pain in my hand and glanced down-- I lowered my hands quickly to my side. "I, uh..." Zell... help...

Seifer frowned and waved me in. "Shut the door," he ordered.

I closed the door and hesitantly stepped forward to sit in the chair across from him. Seifer leaned back, coffee in hand as he prompted "Problem?"

I clasped my hands in my lap to keep from pulling my hair out. "Sir, I don't think Fu-- I-I mean... I don't think... she likes me."

"Regal, Ahndra only 'likes' two people. Don't take it personal."

"But..." I slowly raised my eyes from my clasped hands. "But..." 'Kitten... please?' I pushed the words out. "She doesn't even respect me."

Seifer held my gaze as he slowly set down his mug, and he actually looked thoughtful.

Maybe I was... wrong? "D-Does she?" And I couldn't help but hope.

Seifer tapped his desk a couple times before standing and making his way to his office door. He opened it, but I couldn't make myself turn around to see what he was doing. A few moments later I heard steps approach and enter. I swallowed hard. Zell... I could have really used his hand in mine right about now.

"Sit," Seifer ordered.

Ahndra made her way to the other chair. Seifer came to lean back against his desk. He crossed his arms. "Regal," he prompted.

I felt the blood rush out of my head so fast that I thought I was going to pass out. I couldn't look up from my hands. "S-Sir..." But I couldn't beg Seifer Almasy to do this for me. Then he wouldn't have respected me.

"Regal, now."

I felt the tear burn a humiliating trail down my cheek, so I quickly wiped it away. "Ma'am, do you... Can I..." I sniffed and forced myself to looked over at her. "What should I do to make you respect me?"

Ahndra blinked and then looked over at Seifer. "I don't understand."

Seifer motioned to me. "So tell her," he snapped.

I was actually able to hold Ahndra's returning gaze. "I can do this job, Fuj--... I-I mean, Ahn--... Ma'am, I can. Really." I sniffed again, desperation making the tears come faster. "I try not to make mistakes. And I try to do what you want as fast as I can, but... But..." My vision clouded, and I wiped the tears from my face and eyes. "Is it just me? Because I'm so scared of everything? Because I'm shy?"

Ahndra just stared at me, shocked... or maybe she was mortified? I couldn't tell. All I knew was that I wanted to impress her. I wanted her to like me. I wanted her to think of me as more than a librarian.

"Your work is acceptable," Ahndra finally said.

"Ahndra, damn!" Seifer snapped.

Ahndra glared at him before looking back at me.

I lowered my gaze with a choked "Oh." I was acceptable. My throat tightened. Acceptable.

"I do not.. I..." Silence. "I respect you, Regal," she confessed in a tight tone.

I looked up at Ahndra with wide eyes. "Y-You do?" I hiccuped between tears.

"You are fast. You are thorough. You don't complain. You do more than what you are assigned."

The words sunk in like butter on toast, and they felt just as warm. I smiled, tears coming faster. "Really?" I squeaked.

Ahndra adjusted her crossed arms and briefly glanced toward me before looking away again. "Yes."

I could only smile. She respected me. She thought I was fast and thorough... She respects me! And that made me feel awesome.

I calmly wiped the tears from my face as I stood. "Thank you," I whispered. Then I looked at Seifer. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."

Seifer waved it aside and gruffly ordered "Leave early, Regal. That's an order."

I giggled. I couldn't help it! "Yes, sir." And I practically floated toward the door, turning to send them another smile and another pair of "Thank you"s before closing the door behind me.

I slumped back against it and hid my face in my hands. Tears flowed, but I didn't care. Ahndra 'Fujin' Kelley, Chief Special-Ops Investigator respected me: Sally Regal, Special Security Officer.

» § «

Janine looked over as I entered her classroom on the second floor. She smiled and took her feet down from her desk, sitting up in her chair. "Hey, Sally. How's life in security?"

I felt like I hadn't stopped smiling since yesterday. "Good. I talked to Seifer about Ahndra and found out that she really does respect me. She just didn't know that I needed to know that." I sat in the straight-back chair to the right of Janine's desk. "I mean, she thought I already knew because of all the high-priority things she assigned to me. That and she said she's really nice to me." I giggled.

"Sounds like you love your job now," Janine said, and I could hear the amusement in her voice.

"Oh I did before. I just wasn't handling the stress very well. Zell already gets on me about taking things too personal. I'm getting better, but sometimes I can't help it."

Janine chuckled. "Sal, you are too cute for words."

I flushed and then presented her the card in my hand. "I wanted to give you this before I forgot. I meant to give it to you yesterday, but then the whole thing with Ahndra came up..."

Janine accepted the card and opened it. "Birthday party? Of course I'll be there!" She looked up. "Can I hitch a ride with you and Zell? I'm not really sure where everything is yet."

I nodded. "Sure. And it's not until next month, so you have time to make sure you don't have anything else to do."

"Thanks, Sal. I appreciate the invite."

I smiled. "You're welcome. I'm just really glad you can come. I don't know how many people are really going to answer my invitation. I don't make friends very easy. Comes from being shy."

Janine looked surprised. "You're kidding, right? Sal, you're a doll! Everyone at Garden knows who you are and can't wait to find out if they're invited to your party!"

My eyes widened. "What?"

Janine laughed. "Oh my gods! You really have no idea how popular you are, do you?"

"Popular? Me?"

"Damn. That is the funniest thing I've heard all day," she howled.

I flushed red. "Hey. Stop teasing me," I protested, but I didn't even convince myself. Popular? Since when? I haven't really done anything.

Janine smiled at me. "Sorry, Sal. Really. But, yeah, I'll be there. Who else are you inviting?"

I peered up at the ceiling in concentration as I counted them off on my fingers. "Marshal, Val, Mark and his mom Francine, Ahndra, Quistis, my brother Zack, my parents, Zell's Ma, Cmdr. Squall, Headmaster Cid, Selphie, Lt. Cmdr. Xu, Sub-Lt. Cmdr. Seifer--"

Janine repeated "Seifer?"

I nodded as I focused on her. "He's my boss, Janine. Shouldn't I invite him if I'm inviting everyone else?"

Janine smirked. "Of course, Sal. I'm just wondering if a busy guy like him will go."

I lowered my gaze to my hands. "Yeah. I know. Zell already said that Seifer told him he was really busy." I sighed. "At least he said he would check his schedule."

"I'm sure he'll do his best to come. He's not all bad," Janine offered.

I lifted my eyes and giggled. "Of course not. He's just got a hard job." I wish I could give him a vacation. But he wouldn't let me take any of his work.

Janie smirked. "Tell you what, birthday girl. How about you and me make a date of going to Deling to get you a hot dress to wear to the party? Something that'll make that man of yours drop dead."

I giggled again. "That sounds like fun, only we better keep it a secret from Zell. He likes going shopping!"

Janine laughed. "That's the funniest damn thing I've heard all day."

I smiled and then motioned behind me. "I better go. I was up here anyway dropping off some reports for Quistis, so I thought I'd stop in and say 'hi'."

Janine lifted the card. "Thanks again, Sal. How about we get together next weekend to go shopping?"

I nodded as I backed toward the door. "Okay. Can we bring Selphie and Rinoa? They'll kill me if I don't at least ask." Sorry, Zell, but this is a surprise for you.

Janine chuckled. "Sure, sure. The more the merrier."

I smiled brightly and pushed the button. The door slid open. "Oh." I turned back to face her. "And Janine? You look really pretty today."

Janine softly smiled. "Thanks, Sal. I feel really pretty today."

I crinkled my eyes and nose at her before turning and exiting the classroom. Zell was right. Janine Larabie was a 'killer replacement'.

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