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The Longest Road.

"You have to love your child with the whole of your heart, because if you don't then you don't love the future. Without our love and our children, there is no future."
- N J Wilcox.



Chapter nine: Revelations and Receivers.



"Hi there little one." Zell whispered as he took Ayden into his arms. The baby was so light, he barely felt the weight of him. The child wrapped one strong little hand around Zell's index finger. "You're going to be just like your dad, you know that? And that's a good thing, even if the scar isn't. You're a little lion cub. Right?" The baby giggled. "Okay then little guy."

Selphie's voice crackled across the radio: "Pull out. Mission accomplished. Return to the Ragnarok."

Naki offered to take Ayden and Zell reluctantly accepted. Watching this, Squall smiled as the blonde sighed dramatically and shrugged his shoulders.

"Girls, we'll be right behind you." Zell said pulling a small piece of plastic explosive from his pocket. They started for the Ragnarok as Squall pulled a timed detonator from his pocket and pushed it into the plastic blob in Zell's hand for him to throw into the shaft.

Zell caught him in a quick embrace. Squall squeezed him back: "We got him Zell! We got Ayden back..." He smiled happily and Zell returned the gesture with a grin and a kiss.

"I know baby. Come on, lets get back."




A few minutes later they were in the hold of the Ragnarok as it took to the air. "Where to Commander?" Nida's voice echoed in his ear.

"Irvine will give you the co-ordinates." Squall replied, his voice wavering with both exhaustion and excitement. He felt Zell push him gently towards their allocated quarters.

As they neared the door, Quistis rounded the corner of the corridor with a tiny bundle in her arms and Selphie at her side. "Squall? Is there something you'd like to tell us?" She asked in a no-nonsense tone.

Such as?" He questioned wearily.

"Such as why this sweetie looks just like you?" Selphie asked as she bounced up and down.

Squall swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling as dry as the Galbadian Desert. He was of two minds, did he want to jeopardise his position and reputation as well as his son's life or should he just tell them the truth.

Fuck it all.

"He doesn't look just like me....... He's got my eyes and Rinoa's hair. He's my son."

Quistis barely showed a reaction, just stumbling backwards a little.

Selphie promptly hit the floor.

"Is it that unbelievable Selphie?" Squall asked as he offered her a hand.

When she was back on her feet she said; "You. Rinoa. Baby? Him?" She looked down at the sleeping child in Quistis' arms.

"I guess you should look after him then." The strawberry blonde handed the child to his father.

"You. Rinoa. Baby? Him?" Selphie repeated and fainted. Zell laughed and picked her up to return her to her quarters as Squall keyed in the code to release the door locks.

Quistis followed him inside as he with one hand he spread his favourite fur lined leather jacket on his bunk. Resting the tiny body on the soft fur, he kissed his ungloved fingertip and placed it softly on the baby's forehead. "Sleep well Ayden."

"I never thought I'd see the day.... That you'd be playing 'daddy'."

"Why is it so unbelievable?" Exasperation and strain were apparent in his voice.

"If I catch whoever hurt him they won't live to see the next dawn... Why didn't you tell us sooner Squall?" She wondered aloud.

"I didn't even know for myself until two days ago! Now, Quisty. Will you watch him for five minutes for me while I go and tell Rinoa what has happened to her son?" She nodded. "Thank you."



He stalked up to the war-room and sent the scrambled code through to Rinoa's personal vid-screen. A moment later her father's face appeared. "What is it Squall? She's only just got to sleep. She hasn't had a wink of sleep since this whole thing started."

"Please sir. I can guarantee that your daughter will sleep soundly later."

"Oh, can you indeed?"

"It's okay daddy." Someone yawned. "I couldn't sleep properly anyway." A bleary eyed Rinoa appeared. "Hi Squall."

"There are some sick bastards around Rinny." He whispered. "One of them hurt Ayden. It's not serious...."

"Someone hurt him? WHO? WHAT? HOW?"

"I don't know how but some sick fucker has cut him, just a little one across his forehead like mine. Someone's used curaga on him, probably trying to heal it. I can sense the magic on him.... It'll heal Rinoa, given time."

"I'll kill whichever bastard hurt my baby."

"Join the club Rinoa. I've been thinking it since I saw him, Quistis and Zell are about ready to kill the guy too."

"Do you know who did it? Was it Seifer?"

"No Rinoa. I honestly don't think that he's the sort of person who'd do a thing like that." He shrugged. "He'll torture you..., he'll beat the crap out of you, but he just wouldn't hurt a child that way." For a moment, he paused before continuing. "We're gonna be with you in about two hours. Okay?"

Tears made her eyes shimmer in the dim light. She nodded her head and whispered: "Thank you Squall."

Before he cut off the video feed, he smiled to reassure her and replied; "You'll never lose him again, okay? I promise that."

"I'm sorry Squall. I should have told you sooner."

"It's okay. I can make up for the time I've lost. I'll see you soon okay?"

"Okay."



And he returned to his child's side.


Authors notes.

Well, this chapter's quite short because in the next I have some major work to do. What do you think so far? How's Squall doing as a father? Was Selphie's reaction okay? *Runs around the room in a hyperactive alcohol induced daze* REVIEW AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thankyou in advance.

Anyway, it'll take a few days to finish the next chapter in this tale, so please be patient. I wish to thank Starlette Blue for her reviews and encouragement. Keep in touch okay?

Happy writing babes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Starts humming to "have a nice day" for the 8,098,234 time that day as she's been to work for 8 hours and is thoroughly down*

Luv Nikki "Darksquall ^_\^" Wilcox
nicola.wilcox@talk21.com.