Chapter Two: Save a Friend
The blinding-white door to the labs opened. Hollander looked up from his work—and frowned. Genesis stood there, eyes blank and face empty as always. Genesis was like a son to Hollander; he hated to see the hollow shell the SOLDIER had become. Nonetheless, he put on his best smile and welcomed the commander in.
"Good evening, Genesis! It's nice to see you again!"
Genesis stepped down the three steps and the white door slid shut behind him, "You saw me just two weeks ago, Doctor."
"Well, my boy, you should know I'm always happy to see you." Hollander held an arm to usher Genesis to the lab tables, but Genesis shrugged passed him before he could be touched.
"Can we just get the tests over with, Doctor?" Hollander let his pleasant expression drop for another frown; this one deeper than the last. This would never get easy.
Genesis hoisted himself up onto the edge of the nearest table—crossing his legs rather tightly—and began taking off his signature red coat. Hollander readied an I.V. and needle. The SOLDIER avoided eye contact as per usual, staring at virtually nothing save for the incredibly bright tile floor. Hollander briefly wondered if doing so hurt the commander's mako-enhanced eyes.
"So, um, Genesis," Hollander haltingly began, yet failing to receive the commander's full attention. "I see you didn't accompany Angeal and Sephiroth on their little trip."
"Obviously."
The scientist inaudibly sighed and reached for one of Genesis' crossed arms. The SOLDIER violently flinched as soon as his rubber-gloved fingertips made contact with the bare skin. Hollander even noted the almost-silent intake of breath as Genesis eyed him warily for a split second before sinking back into his impassive self. The scientist held his hands up to show he didn't mean any harm, "I apologize; I should have warned you. I just need to borrow one of your arms for a moment." Slowly, Genesis held it out, though still kept the rest of himself folded in. Hollander breathed evenly again, "Why didn't you wish to go with them? The three of you used to take short trips together all the time when you were teenagers."
"I couldn't miss my tests, Doctor."
"Oh, now Genesis, you know it does no harm to postpone them a few days. Just as long as they get done every other week, that's what matters." Hollander proceeded to help Genesis lay back against the slightly reclined table after the I.V. had been administered. The SOLDIER complied, albeit tentatively. Though he could no longer close in on himself so tightly, he still kept his ankles locked. Hollander tried to ignore it and began to take a blood sample. "I just wish you'd have fun together like you used to."
"That was a long time ago, Doctor."
"Oh, not so long after all. Why, I hear Angeal even brought his new apprentice along. I'm sure the extra company would have been quite the trip. I've administered the youngster's mako treatments, you know. Bouncy young man, but he reminds me a lot of you when you were his age; cunning, mischievous, but he's a little louder." Hollander attempted to laugh, but Genesis still remained indifferent. Hollander might as well have been doing enough talking for the both of them. He gave up on the feigned buoyancy, "Well, I'm sure he'll grow out of it in due time. Um, Genesis, I need you to unclench a little," if anything, Genesis tensed even more. "My boy, the antibiotic will not pass through your body properly if you do not allow it free passage." Genesis still didn't move. Hollander's voice softened into one that was more paternal. "Genesis, I can imagine it's still hard for you, but you know I won't hurt you. I'm just trying to make sure you stay healthy. Your body is still healing, you know." And so is your heart, he added silently to himself.
Genesis bit his lip, much akin to a scared child, and turned his head to stare at the door leading out of the labs, "The…the doors are locked, right?" he quietly asked. He sounded a might frightened, now.
Hollander followed the SOLDIER's gaze for a second; he knew why Genesis was asking, "Don't worry, my boy. No one is allowed in—no one. It's just you and me until we're done." Genesis let out a breath he'd been unconsciously holding and turned away from the door, relaxing as best as he could and giving Hollander his okay. The scientist nodded in relief. Getting to work, he gently unbuckled the straps criss-crossing over Genesis' chest and lifted the sleeveless turtleneck as gently as he could. The commander clenched his fists and had shut his eyes as tightly as he could manage, trying not to cringe at the doctor's hands.
"We'll start out small, alright? I'm just going to feel around your abdomen—see if there's any change or problems," after receiving a nod, Hollander lightly pressed down on Genesis' stomach, drawing a quiet whimper from the SOLDIER's throat. The scientist gave him a sympathetic look and moved his hands to the sides, feeling around Genesis' ribs and inner organs. He pulled back as soon as he could, lest he cause his patient any more distress. However, it was always the second part of the examination he hated to give because it was the one Genesis hated to receive the most. A few years ago, none of this would have bothered said commander. Unfortunately, that all changed due to terrible circumstances. But Hollander hated to dwell on that.
Genesis sat up as soon as Hollander pulled his hands away, "Are you done, Doctor?" Gaia! Obviously, Genesis always wished Hollander would forget to conduct the rest of the examination and Hollander knew it.
"Almost, Genesis." He gently answered, moving down to the foot of the table and changing to a fresh pair of gloves. "I just need to examine a little further downstairs and then we'll be through." It hurt Hollander to see the distraught look in the light blue eyes before they shut again—tighter than before—but he knew it had to be done.
"Y-Yes, Doctor.
"Alright, now I need you to drape this sheet over your lap—yes, just like that—and unbuckle your belts for me. And prop your legs up a little. I'll get this over with as quickly as possible." Genesis, though his expression still remained blank, complied with somewhat shaky hands. "Good, now if you'll just take those down at least to the knees, that would do just fine." But Genesis hesitated once he'd begun to free himself of his belts. His red-gloved hands shook more so than before and his eyes stared blankly into space in what appeared to be terror. Hollander noticed this and hurried to the commander's side again with worry. "Genesis? Is everything alright?"
"I-I just…I can't."
"Genesis, this is no different than any other time we--"
"Yes it is!"
The scientist tried not to jump at the sudden outburst, but couldn't see why Genesis wasn't cooperating in the least, "Why is it?"
Genesis was quiet for a moment. He pulled his knees up to his chest in a childlike manner and squeezed them as tight as possible, closing in once again, "…Sephiroth isn't here…" of course. The general had always accompanied his friend to these examinations, no matter how busy the day was for him. Angeal even often came as well. The point is that now that Hollander thought about it, he'd never once performed these tests without Genesis having one or both of his dearest friends with him. Apparently, Genesis had only just realized it, too.
This was getting harder and harder…
"Genesis, it's okay. This is all procedure; we've been doing this for--"
"I can't…do it. I want Sephiroth here."
Hollander rubbed the back of his neck in weariness. Genesis was always a stubborn child, but not like this—not until that day… "He won't be returning for a few days."
"Then I'll wait. You said it wouldn't hurt to delay a few days."
"I know, but we've already begun the tests and--" but Genesis already tore the I.V. from his arm and threw off the sheet to jump off the table. "Genesis, please. It wouldn't hurt to just go through with it without Sephiroth for once. He's not your parent—it's as if you're becoming too dependant on--"
That was the wrong thing to say. Genesis spun around to him, having halfway shrugged into his red overcoat. "No, he's my close friend who seemed to be the only one to really have cared. He was the only one who at least tried to keep from hurting me."
"You know I had no idea that Hojo--"
"You should have known. You should have specifically notified Angeal and I before you left or none of this would have happened." Genesis wasn't raising his voice; his emotionless voice hurt Hollander more than the former ever could. And such showed on the scientist's face.
"Genesis, please. I've watched the three of you grow up. You know the last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you boys."
"Then you should have taken better care of us." That was the last thing said for Genesis strode out of the labs—a little shakily.
Hollander shook his head. His mistake would haunt him forever, evidently. Even if Genesis and/or Sephiroth ever by some miracle forgave him, he found it impossible to forgive himself.
00
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"Commander!"
Tseng winced at how Genesis jumped at the sudden approach. When the SOLDIER turned to him, he approached slowly and tried to appear as non-threatening as possible. "Back from the labs early, I see."
"Do you require something from me, Commander Tseng?"
Tseng winced again. He knew Genesis didn't like to hold conversation more than necessary. "Oh, nothing, really. I just passed by and noticed you looked a little…" the Turk leader trailed off; Genesis blank, bright blue stare was boring into his own brown, unblinking. "Pale, Commander."
"I just returned from the labs, as you said." Gaia, there goes the string of short and choppy responses. Tseng pretended not to notice.
"Yes, but, pardon my inquisitiveness, Commander, but you do not look well."
Genesis blinked for the first time since the Turk approached him. He didn't move otherwise. "I assure you, I am myself."
"Pardon me again, Commander, but--"
"Why sudden concern for my wellbeing, Commander Tseng?"
Tseng dropped his wall pf pleasantness. Sighing, he rubbed the back of his neck and then resumed eye contact, "You are a dear friend of Angeal and Sephiroth. They worry about you." So do I, he added mentally. "And you seemed a bit unwell to me."
"How so?"
"You seem overly fatigued, Commander." And you're stumbling a little, as well as look a little dizzy. Tseng wished he could say these things aloud.
But as if he were hearing the Turk commander's thoughts, Genesis brought a hand up to his temple, but only briefly. "The antibiotics…have a somewhat sedative affect at times. Now, if that is all, Commander, I wish to retire to my quarters." As if on cue, the elevator behind them opened. A few Third-Class SOLDIERs stepped out. Upon spotting Commander Rhapsodos, they sidled by with rigid salutes, obviously edgy around said SOLDIER. Ignoring the casual observers, Genesis swept into the elevator and was about to press the button leading to his floor, but Tseng quickly slid passed the door at last minute.
Genesis raised his eyebrows at the Turk, but otherwise remained impassive. "The General called me this evening while you were visiting Dr. Hollander."
"Yes? Am I being babysat, now?"
"He…expressed concern." Tseng half expected Genesis to scowl, huff, rudely retort—anything! He would have preferred any of those to the lack of reaction he'd received. He even missed the cocky attitude Genesis occasionally portrayed a few years ago. "He said if you wished it, he could return sooner than planned, if you--"
"Should you speak with him again, Commander," Genesis indifferently cut off as the elevator came to a stop. "Please let my friend know that I appreciate his concern."
"Uh, he said he'd like for you to call him tonight." Genesis turned back around after stepping out of the elevator. Tseng followed, still not favoring the constant blank expression the SOLDIER wore. "He didn't like leaving you behind. And he worries for you, relentlessly."
The hallway was silent for a few moments as neither commander spoke. Genesis silently turned left and made his way to his apartment. Tseng followed. "Commander--"
"There is no need for Sephiroth's concern; I am fine," punching in the entry code, he added. "Tell him so the next time you speak with him, if you please."
"Genesis…" said SOLDIER turned to look at Tseng over his shoulder. Tseng hardly ever called him by his first name. The Turk's voice was laced with sadness and pity. "Sephiroth…insists that you talk to him. You know he still regrets what happened…with everything in his being." His last thought was incredibly quiet, as if afraid to speak of it to Genesis.
Genesis understood, but he merely looked away and quietly replied, "I'm tired. Goodnight, Commander," Before he shut the door and Tseng was left alone in the empty hallway.
A/N: Ohh! Am I terrible, or what? N e wayz, let me know whatcha think. What is Genesis so broken down about? Why is Angeal so edgy when he talks about the past? What is Sephiroth regretting so passionately? What happened a few years previously that seemingly turned the three friend's lives upside-down? Find out soon! (…but if anyone is willing to throw some guesses in, I'll gladly send metaphorical cookies to the one who guesses the most accurate! ;D) Toodles!
