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The Longest Road.

"Love me, need me, want me and I'll be yours forever."
NJ again.


Chapter thirteen; Wounded Lions and Broken Hearts.




The dragon airship named Ragnarok was eerily quiet inside. So quiet that Zell Dincht was able to hear his own heart beat. He swallowed nervously and continued to the secondary cargo hold that had been transformed into a temporary infirmary.

He poked his head round the door looking for the commander but to no avail. Asking the field nurses about him, they said "One of the SeeDs took him back to his quarters for our safety."

"That bad?"

"He doesn't take kindly to help."

"Bye!" Zell called as he turned to run to their quarters. He outside them for a moment to collect his thoughts before jabbing the button to open the door.

The room was pitch black.

He was about to move on when he heard a murmur from within. "Squall, are you in there?"

"Yeah." His answer was quiet, even for him.

"How come you're sittin' here in the dark?" He asked as he moved inside reaching out in the darkness to make sure he didn't fall over. He dropped down on his own bunk and reached up to flick on the light switch.

"I didn't know it was off." Squall said a split second before the harsh unnatural white light flooded the room.

Squall didn't even flinch. He didn't even know the light was on.

A thick, heavy bandage covered his eyes. Twenty or so cuts and small abrasions glittered with dried crimson blood, a stark contrast against the paleness of his skin. "Squall!" Zell gasped involuntarily.

"They can't help me here. They told me to get to a hospital or to see Doctor Kadowaki as soon as possible. They said the flash blinded me, it could be permanent. It's strange Zell. I'm a little scared."

"Strange? A little?" Zell found that he had stood without realising it. He reached forward and cupped Squall's cheek in his hand. "Squall, if I were in your shoes, I'd be scared shitless right about now..." To see the lion's face without having those stormy orbs gazing back was somewhat disconcerting. "I'll go and find Rinoa for you..." He said as he opened the door again. "I saw you before the fight, together...."

"Huh?" Squall shook his head in confusion. He didn't, no, he couldn't see the tears on the blonde's cheek, the pain in his eyes and the defeated slump of his shoulders. "What...?"

"You two were kissing. Ayden needs you so you should go back with her...... I hope the two of you will be very happy together." He dashed out the door before Squall could hear him sob. He wished to retain some respect.

Squall suddenly remembered. 'Oh shit. He must have seen her..... And he thought I was... Oh shit!' He thought.

"ZELL!" He called. "No Zell!" Halfway down the corridor the martial artist stopped. "ZELL! No! Come back, please." He started back towards the owner of the voice. "You don't understand!" Squall tried to rise from the bed only to tumble and crash to the floor. "She made a move on me and I turned her down because I love you!"

Squall's body shook with the energy of the suppressed tears.

"I don't want her!" He punched the metal plating of the floor. "I want you."

Zell stood in the doorway. "Do you mean that? You ain't leadin' me on here are you?"

Squall shook his head. "No Zell..." His voice trembled. "I need you. Please."

Zell dropped to his knees and embraced Squall. "I'm here baby. You can't get rid of me now." And he placed a gentle kiss on Squall's lips. "I need you too."

The brunette leant against Zell, nuzzling his head against the blonde's neck. "What if I get stuck like this? What if I lose my sight?"

"It'll be okay baby." He whispered as he stroked Squall's hair, his words to reassure himself as much as Squall. "It'll be okay. You stay here while I go and find out how the others are getting on."




Selphie was jumping up and down and singing at the base of the ramp leading into the Ragnarok. She stopped and looked around. "Where's Squall? Can we go home yet?"

"Squall was injured. He pushed Zell out of the way of a flash grenade and took the hit himself." Hiro informed her. Zell walked down the ramp behind him.

"It's right. He needs to see Doc Kadowaki as soon as possible. The nurses here aren't capable enough."

Rinoa jogged over. "Thank you, all of you. Zell, give my regards to Squall. I'll be in contact with you soon."

"Sure, sure." He nodded; "now can we get on the ship and get back to Garden?"

Selphie was already halfway up the ramp.

"Everyone back inside." Quistis ordered. "Zell, wait up!"

"Yeah?"

"What's wrong with him?"

"Trust me Quisty, you don't wanna know." He shook his head. "I'll leave it to him to tell you guys, okay?"

"Is it that bad?" She asked.

"It may be." Zell closed his eyes and sighed. "It just may be."






Author's notes.

Better? Have you forgiven me for chapter eleven now? You've got something else to hate me for too, Squall. Thanks for the reviews so far, They are very much appreciated. If it takes me a while to get the next few chapters out, don't despair! IT'S because I have two exams to revise for, two interviews for jobs and a thirty eight and a half hour week at work, cuz the boss is on holiday.

Surprisingly enough, I'm not stressed in the least. (Makes a change). Oh well, I'm gonna make a start on the next chapter before going back to my revising. Cya!!!

Luv NJ WILCOX

DARKSQUALL