DISCLAIMER: Still don't own it... kudos to the people that do!

A/N: This chapter was a BEAR to write... Genesis did NOT want to get inside my head... not that I can blame him. It's dangerous in there! XD Also, I'm having some trouble writing and getting close to the end of my buffer... what this means is NOT that the story will be discontinued. I refuse to give up on AW. It means, there might be longer time between updates in order to assure quality writing. Hang in there, folks, and thank you SO MUCH for the support. It means the world to me.

Hours had passed since Sephiroth had escorted the chicobo back to his nest... he had yet to return, and as he watched the night approach, it occurred to Genesis that he wasn't coming back. In a way, he supposed this was just as well - it gave him time to think before speaking with the younger man, what with the rest of the party presumably asleep, or at least out of sight.

And he had much to think about, far too much to sleep even if he'd felt safe enough to leave Angeal unguarded. He glanced across the room, to where his old friend lay with his student curled against him, both taking full advantage of the opportunity to sleep. Zack's breathing was a soft rasp in the background, the teen still suffering from whatever malady had struck him in Modeoheim. He'd been through a lot lately, and it was a wonder he hadn't succumbed to sleep's call sooner; Genesis hadn't gone easy on him, and he knew in the very least, fighting Angeal had been terribly traumatic for the youngest of the Firsts.

A slight shudder trailed up his spine at the thought of Angeal's death. While he hadn't lied - he didn't blame Zack for defending himself - he wasn't quite sorted out on how he did feel, beyond a terrible, aching sadness. Angeal never should have gotten to that point, and when he did, Genesis should have noticed. It was a horrifically effective 'wake up call' for how self absorbed he had gotten, how deeply entangled in revenge he had become. And it made him worry... what else had he missed?

Other than Sephiroth.

Genesis scowled at his traitorous thoughts; the last thing he wanted to do was think about Sephiroth, and yet, he couldn't seem to help himself. He'd always been drawn to the younger man, ever since he'd first seen him in the newspaper, back in Banora. Things had been so simple then, his hopes and dreams seemed so clear. He'd wanted to be a hero - hell, that was why he'd joined ShinRa to begin with! Fame, fortune, and adulation of the masses had all seemed within his grasp as he'd advanced through the ranks. He'd had everything a man could want.

Almost.

Again, thoughts of Sephiroth bombarded him, that smug little smirk, the flashes of Masamune's blade - so quick and agile despite the metal monstrosity's ridiculous length - something he had seen first from a distance, and then in person, all too close. It had taken time, but he had done more than just watch the young General from afar - in the years since he had first joined SOLDIER, he had managed to slowly befriend him. It was, quite easily, one of the harder things he'd done, compared to any 'diplomatic mission,' not that they sent him on many of those with Angeal around... but he'd managed to do so, and with flair. Which made one of them - Sephiroth had no social graces at the time. Which made him wonder...

Just what had happened in his absence?

Not that Sephiroth was suddenly Prince Charming, but he was considerably better. He was picking up on things that would have normally sailed right over his silvery head, and it seemed he'd managed to make a new friend while Genesis was away. The Commander never pegged him for a dog person, let alone the kind with the patience for a puppy, but lo and behold, they were on first name basis! Fair even had Sephiroth's number - and not only did the General answer, but promptly.

The green-eyed monster pointed out that Sephiroth rarely answered him promptly. Not only that, but just how long had it taken the boy to get so close to the man-of-ice anyway? Not nearly as long as it had taken him, he'd bet! When he'd left six months ago, the man had been barely aware of Zack's existence, let alone having spoken to him; yet now Zack seemed just as close, if not closer, to Sephiroth than Genesis had been. It wasn't fair...

Or maybe, the problem was that it was Fair. He'd gotten close to Angeal, too, in record time. Not that it was particularly hard to; Angeal was a good man, and the more approachable of the trio despite his stern appearance and tendency to frown a little too much. It spoke well of the teen, that he'd seen through all the lectures and scolding to the intelligence and concern beneath. Beyond that, he had overwhelming faith in his mentor, even when he had lost faith in himself - bringing him back from his self destruction with what seemed to be a genuine hope for the better. He was the sort of friend that Angeal deserved... a friend that wasn't dying, and going to leave him alone.

Oh, certainly, he planned to do all he could to live, but... what if... Rayleigh couldn't cure him? What if there was no cure for degradation?

Genesis closed his eyes, letting out a soft, tense breath, looking away from Angeal and Zack. He couldn't help but think of how horrible things could be, if he continued to degrade. It had been nine months since he had started degrading, and beyond the inconvenience of his hair whitening and his skin flaking, he was constantly in pain. And no little amount of it; his body burned and ached in ways and places it had never before. And it would only continue to get worse.

Though perhaps... it was really what he deserved for being the root of his friends' troubles.

Thinking back to the so-called spar that had gone so out-of-control, his fit of temper had been more suited to a villain than the hero he desired to be. Certainly, lashing out at those he called his friends had not been something he was proud of. And, not only was he paying for it in body... there had clearly been a fallout from it, and his eventual desertion, as well.

Yet, that had only been the beginning, and it had not been only his friends harmed by his actions. Most of the men who had deserted with him were now dead, as were many of those he had grown up knowing. Some by his own hand, some by the Turks that had been dispatched to Banora. His own parents...

Briefly, anger and grief swelled within him at the thought. The mere word. 'Parents.' Hmph. Those that bore him, wanted nothing to do with him - nor he with them! And those that had raised him... well, what did it matter now? They were gone. The story of his life - betrayed and abandoned... was it any wonder that was all he knew how to do?

"Gen?" A rough, sleepy whisper from across the room almost made the crimson clad warrior jump, looking over to meet Angeal's softly glowing eyes. "What time is it?"

"Not yet morning. Sleep." His voice was soft, soothing despite his unsettled thoughts, but Angeal merely frowned at him and shifted Zack into one arm to better look at him. "Don't give me that look, Angeal."

"You weren't going to wake me."

"You need sleep." Genesis noted. And you CAN; sleep had once been a favorite state for the Banoran swordmage, but in his current state of constant pain, he simply wasn't able to relax enough to fall to sleep. He either exhausted himself until he passed out, or, once Angeal had joined him, the younger rogue would cast Sleep on him. The materia-induced slumber was one of the few times he was able to rest peacefully and soundly. Perhaps because he knew Angeal was nearby. "You may be healed, but your body is exhausted. Rest."

"When was the last time you slept?" Angeal ignored his reasoning, frown deepening. "Really slept. Not those little catnaps you catch when you're too run down to move."

"I don't know, Angeal... is it so important?" Genesis sighed at his friend's expression, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "I can always sleep later - it's not as if we're going anywhere any time soon."

Almost as if with that proclamation, there was a sudden ringing echoing through the manor. Moments later, Reno's voice clarified the issue. "Landline's ringin' yo!"

"Do not answer it." Tseng's softer voice was still clear to the enhanced duo.

"But -"

"Turk, no one is supposed to know where we are," Genesis added impatiently, rising and leaning in the doorway, voice carrying well in the old halls of the manor. "That means, if someone is calling, it's probably a wrong number."

"It's still ringin'." Reno noted.

"Well, don't answer it." The crimson Commander snapped.

"... it's Hojo, yo!"

"Do NOT answer it, Turk!" Genesis strode down the hall, nearly breaking into a run on his way to the other room. Finding Tseng with a hand on Reno's arm was reassuring, but hearing Hojo's voice ruined any calm that he'd had.

"-petent fool! Where is he? I told him to go through the sewer system..." There was some unintelligible mumbling and shuffling of papers. "The intelligence of Specimen L is sorely lacking compared to Specimen S... but at least he is eager to please. Perhaps too eager... if he has gone to Jenova directly and retrieved her without stopping, there is the possibility that he may escape before Specimen S arrives... yet again, we shall have to put off Reunion. Though, perhaps, we will stage it again in-"

With an anti-climatic 'click' Hojo's voice fell silent, leaving the three men to stare at the machine.

"Who's Specimen 'L'?" Zack wanted to know, leaning past Genesis and making the older man jump in surprise. Sleepy blue eyes widened a bit, just as surprised. "What?"

"You... bed..." Genesis sputtered, only to stop and collect himself. "Why aren't you in bed?"

"Cause... I'm here?" He frowned a little, as if he wasn't quite sure himself. Or perhaps, he just was confused as to why Genesis was asking.

"Thought you were sleepin',yo!" Reno complained, shrugging Tseng off in an attempt to appear better composed than Genesis. "How'd you get Commander Cuddles to let you go?"

Two pairs of bright mako blues blinked at him. "Commander... Cuddles?"

Hearing it repeated by Genesis made it that much funnier, and Zack laughed until he started coughing, a harsh, deep sound that didn't bode well, leaning into the elder SOLDIER as he swayed. Carefully, hesitantly, the Commander supported him, easing him over to sit on the large bed and resting a hand on his back until he'd stopped.

"When morning comes, someone is going to have to go into town and get some medicine for you." Angeal's deep voice startled Reno, the SOLDIER seeming to almost appear out of nowhere, much as his former student had done.

"What the hell, yo?" Reno squawked, stepping back nervously, just in case Angeal had heard him earlier. "Sneaking is Turk business!"

"I don't sneak." Angeal noted dryly. "And I don't need to."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" The flame haired Turk demanded.

"He's naturally quiet." Genesis shrugged.

"Never play hide and seek with him." Zack agreed. "You'll never find him!"

Three odd looks were sent his way - Reno with an open mouth that was slowly curling into a smirk, Tseng with an arched brow, and Genesis with an expression of sheer incredulity as he looked from the youth to his blushing mentor. "Angeal?"

"What did Hojo want?" Angeal quickly changed the topic, fixing his gaze on Tseng, who was most likely to answer him.

"I don't think he realized that he was on an answering machine." The Turk reflected. "He was talking to himself, as he has a tendency to do."

"More like ranting." Zack observed. "He was upset at some guy he called 'Specimen L' - apparently he's supposed to be here. Come up through the sewer passage that Professor Rayleigh mentioned, and it sounds like he's here to go get Jenova."

"Does he know we're here?"

"No, well, kinda. He thinks Sephiroth is on the way, and must know about everyone else on the mission log. No clue if he knows about you two." Fair gestured between the Banoran Commanders. "He does know you were last seen with Sephiroth, though."

"So sure?" Tseng arched a brow, curious; at Veld's order, they'd not let anyone see the security feed from the helipad, and he'd not heard of any misadventures in the halls...

"Yeah, Hollander squealed." The teen confirmed, laughing nervously at the sudden sharp looks received. "Heh. Sorry, forgot to mention that... got awful sleepy."

Deducing he'd found out before his nap, then, Genesis' eyes lit with understanding. Kunsel."I see. Well, what can you tell us?"

"Not much. He offered to 'spare' Hollander if he'd cooperate. Hollander told him you guys were with Sephiroth now, confirmed your uh... degradation... and then Hojo was saying how he could persuade you all to do things hisway." Zack shrugged. "We didn't hear any more."

"Would have been nice to know sooner." Angeal mused, adding quickly, at the young First's frown, "- but thank you."

"So, Hollander is working with Hojo... who's working with the unknown 'L' - who is supposedly here, in Nibelheim, retrieving Jenova." Genesis mused. "I suppose... we'll have to beat them there."

"Given that we won't know if Rayleigh needs pure J-cells until some time tomorrow..." Angeal nodded, sighing. "I'll get my sword. Pup, you stay here with Gen - I don't like the sound of that cough. You've been pushing too much."

"Angeal!" Genesis and Zack protested at once, only to receive a stern look, mako blues narrowed slightly and dark brows drawn together ominously. Zack was cowed. Genesis, however, was not. "Don't you dare give me that look, Angeal Hewley! I am not a child to be coddled."

"Heeeey." Zack protested, scowling at the implications. "I'm not-"

"You haven't slept worth anything in days, Genesis. You need rest." The Buster-wielding swordsman insisted. "Tseng, Reno, and Vincent will come with me to the reactor. I'll be fine."

"Shouldn't we call Sephiroth?" Zack asked.

Genesis arched a brow at him. "Sure. But you're waking him up."

The Gongagan paled a little at the thought. "Uhhh..."

"It will be fine." Angeal waved dismissively. "Now, back to bed with the both of you. Reno, give Zack his phone. I assume you and Tseng have at least one between you, so we'll be able to keep in touch."

"Just sit tight, yo; we'll be back before you know it." Reno handed over the phone, glancing back at his mission leader. "Want me t'get Valentine?"

"It may be best that Angeal requests him, personally. So he doesn't feel this is an attempt to bring him back into the fold." Tseng decided, gesturing to the First in question.

"That will not be necessary." Valentine's voice preceded his presence, but having to look for him simply made things even more unnerving than the sudden appearance of either SOLDIER had.

"What the hell, yo?"

"Reno." Tseng put a hand on the other Turk's shoulder. "Put the EMR down."

"But -"

"Should you attempt to hit me..." Vincent trailed off, stepping through the passageway with a flick of his mantle, revealing the massive hand-cannon he called a 'gun' strapped to his side.

Nothing else needed to be said.

Angeal met Vincent's crimson eyes, a dark brow raised. "Will you come with us?"

"You will need a guide to get to the reactor, anyway." Vincent informed him. "It isn't an easy path."

"I'll assume that's a yes and meet you outside, then." He strode over to the bed and urged Zack up, gesturing for Genesis to go ahead of them.

They barely saw the glow beneath Angeal's glove before he lifted a hand, magic surging forward like a cloud of green, descending upon Genesis in a large bubble. Immediately, the fiery Commander swayed on the spot, lurching as he attempted to turn and glower at his best friend, vibrant blue eyes already slipping shut as the Sleep spell took effect. "Y'bas... nnnn..."

Angeal grunted, catching his friend as he fell forward, limp. "About time."

There was a beat of silence. At his side, Zack stared in disbelief at the sneaky, almost underhanded maneuver. "'Geal?"

"It's the only way to get him to sleep anymore." The Commander sighed regretfully, hefting his sleeping friend into his arms and carrying him off to bed. "Come on. He should sleep most of the time we're gone, but I assume you have means to handle him if he gets up?"

"You... want me to...?" Zack looked over at where Genesis lay, sleeping peacefully. "But..."

"Zack, please?" If Zack had told anyone where he learned his puppy eyes... no one would have believed him. It was simply too hard to imagine strong, stoic Angeal Hewley looking at anyonewith 'puppy eyes' - but, sure enough, it was in trying to emulate that earnest, open expression of gentle pleading, that the teen had managed to create his infamous look.

And he was just as vulnerable to Angeal's as everyone else seemed to be to his.

"Oh, all right." He sighed, defeated, and sorted through his inventory. "Just cast Sleep?"

Angeal nodded, smiling, and reached out to ruffle his former student's hair. "Thanks, Zack. Try to rest while we're gone, and tell Seph not to worry."

"Hurry back." Was all Zack had to say, watching his mentor leave. He had the sudden, irrational urge to demand that he call when he arrived... something like foreboding coiling in his stomach as he watched him walk away.

He'll be back, the teen assured himself. Things are different now... he'll be back.