Disclaimer: Everyone except for Lt. Anton Tempest, Lt. General Colt Winchester, Sargeant Ozzie Hendrix, and Dr. Brett Harley, belong to Square Enix. I just brought them out to play.

000

Genesis wept until the rivers finally ran dry. With the sorrow gone and the happiness slapped literally out of his head, there was only anger left. Well not really anger, more frustration. Frustration at Sephiroth for not understanding, for asking Genesis to open his heart as he would with Angeal and then turning his back on him when Genesis finally did so.

The Red General grumbled to himself. He needed to work his frustration out before he could even think about facing Sephiroth again. His frustration and his feelings, how much did he love Sephiroth vs. Angeal? Had he always felt this way about Angeal but just denied in favor of his want of Sephiroth? Or was this all the result of the trauma seeing Angeal nearly die?

It was all so confusing.

More than ever he wanted someone's arms to comfort his frustrations away, but with both Sephiroth and Angeal being the relative sources of the frustration, he would have to find it elsewhere. Nothing serious, just a little harmless flirting to boost his ego enough to put some form of happiness back in his heart so he could think more clearly.

Old habits died hard…

He spotted a possible candidate, as he passed through an alleyway between two buildings, one of which had been designated as the makeshift mess hall for the time being, the other acting as temporary barracks.

The young man at the end of the of the alley was one Genesis recognized, as the young SOLDIER 1st Class who had saved Zack and helped the Red General back to the med unit.

Lieutenant Anton Tempest. Of course, the young man's looks paled in comparison to the likes of Sephiroth, Angeal and of course, himself, but the younger SOLDIER was not exactly hard on the eyes either.

The lieutenant seemed completely focused on whatever text was on his cell phone, and failed to notice the officer in front of him, although Genesis was being unusually quiet, until now.

"Well, well we seem to keep running into each other in the oddest of places lieutenant –What was your name again?"

Tempest's head snapped up and the rest of his body snapped to attention. "Tempest, sir. Lieutenant Anton Tempest."

"At ease." Genesis drawled relaxing his own body, so it moved more like water than a SOLDIER march as he closed the distance between them and partly circled the younger man so as to block all paths of escape. "Ah, Winchester's newest Lieutenant."

Tempest seemed to relax just for a moment until Genesis' eyes locked with his and he tensed up again, but this time it seemed more out of apprehension than respect for a superior officer.

"Yes sir." He answered politely but began slowly maneuvering his body to put some distance between himself and the Red general.

Genesis sighed inwardly, no doubt Winchester or Angeal had warned this young man about him ahead of time. Oh well, nothing like a little challenge to get one's mind off the day's stress.

He subtly placed his hand on the wall behind Tempest, effectively blocking the Lieutenant's escape, and leaned in a little closer. "Let me get a good look at you."

Tempest gulped noticeably and his shoulders tensed up a half an inch more, his face remained firm and unreadable as if he were still standing at attention, still trying to hang on to control of his rising fear. Some how he managed to keep his voice stoic. "May I ask why sir?"

Genesis quirked an eyebrow at this. Genesis meant no harm, a few tossed compliments, a few touches, perhaps a chaste kiss if the boy was willing, but nothing more. Most young men were excited albeit a little nervous to be receiving such attention from one such as himself. But this lieutenant seemed genuinely afraid, no matter how much he was trying to hide it. How was it that a young 1st Class SOLDIER who had so readily taken on an Ifrit and come out of the fight relatively unphased, could be afraid of him?

"It is a duty of a general to observe the up and coming talent, that may soon be under his direct command." Genesis said keeping his voice casual, hoping it would put the other man more at ease. Perhaps it was time for a compliment. "You know you have rather beautiful eyes."

Instead of calm the younger man down, Anton took in a sharp breath and his eyes widened ever so slightly, breaking the stoic mask. Apparently, he himself could feel it cracking and looked away, keeping his voice low but firm. "Please, don't sir."

"Don't what?" Genesis prompted softly, raising his other eyebrow.

"I think you know sir," Tempest replied evasively, not wanting to outright accuse such a high-ranking officer of inappropriate behavior, in case he was mistaken.

"Fear not Lieutenant, I would never hurt one of my fellow officers. I am merely appreciating what I see." In an effort to be gentle, he took one of Anton's hands and pressed the inside of the wrist just below the glove against his face.

Suddenly Anton jerked his hand away and flattened himself against the wall as if trying to distance himself as much as he could in the small space.

Now it was Genesis's turn to be caught off guard. The young man who had fearlessly driven under the legs of an ifrit was now flattened against the wall looking like frightened animal, ready to bite and claw his way out of the situation

"Lieutenant—" Genesis began, figuring that returning to formality might be the better course of action, but he was cut off by another loud voice at the other end of the alley.

"Hands off Rhapsodos!"

Both Genesis and Anton turned to see the large figure of Colt Winchester stalking speedily toward them. Without a word spoken, he got between Genesis and his lieutenant, as if trying to shield the younger man from Genesis all together. The scene strangely reminded Genesis of Angeal doing the same thing for Zack many times. However, Tempest was much bigger than Zack was and couldn't quite be hidden by Winchester's broad shoulders

Tempest let out a breath and finally relaxed, looking almost relieved. "General Winchester…"

Colt nodded in Tempest's direction, and said evenly. "Return to your duties Lieutenant, if General Rhapsodos has no objections." He said leveling Genesis with a stern look.

Genesis shook his head. "No objections."

Tempest took a breath to calm himself before hurrying off to do as he was told. Winchester and Genesis watched him go before speaking again.

Winchester crossed his arms over his chest, keeping the stern look from before. "Rhapsodos, if you're gonna to have a little tiff with General Sephiroth, don't take it out on my gunners. Especially Tempest."

"Important to you is he? I didn't know you were so inclined." Genesis purred, quirking an eyebrow, which earned him a venomous glare from Winchester, a rare sight on the usually jovial man's face. "Perhaps not. My mistake."

Genesis cleared his throat and straightened his coat, trying to maintain some dignity even as he felt a little bit guilty. Not so much for the flirting itself, but that he had offended Winchester. "I meant him no harm, you know that Colt."

Colt sighed and softened a little bit. "I know…I know you're harmless at heart, but he doesn't and it might be seen as threatenin'. 'specially to Tempest."

Genesis's eyebrow shot up again, Colt was confirming his suspicions. "Care to elaborate Colt? For someone willing to drive under the legs and blow the skull off an infrit, he seemed unable to cope with my flirting."

Winchester shrugged. "It's simple. An Ifrit he can fight, you he can't. Bein' one of the bloody trinity you've got the power over him. If you wanted to you could order him, make him, and force him to do what you wanted."

Genesis made a face looking more then just a tad insulted that Colt would even suggest he could do such a thing, considering their history together. "I would NEVER...!"

Colt put his empty palms up defensively, "I said I know! But you comin' on to him like that, trapping him in that vulnerable spot, took him back to a bad place. Okay?"

Genesis' face went blank with surprise, and he lowered his voice." He's been...?"

Now it was Winchester's turn to raise and eyebrow. "You don't know?"

Genesis shook his head.

"Oh right, you were in Wutai during Lieutenant General Teveil's trial." Colt said, absently rubbing the back of his head. "Do you at least know what the charges were?"

Genesis remembered Sephiroth talking about it briefly when he returned home. "Sexual assault of a minor and abuse of power. Multiple counts." Then it clicked. "Tempest was?"

Colt nodded, his eyes cast downward gravely. "Yeah. The main victim and the star witness."

Genesis shut his eyes and swallowed hard before opening them again, guilt gnawing at him that he had just hit on an abuse victim, whether he knew it or not. "I… I didn't know…"

"Well ya' didn't bother to find out now did ya? And no doubt he gave you some sort of indication he was nervous."

Genesis said nothing and looked away.

"I know you just got carried away," Colt said patting Genesis on the back, his voice a bit more cheerful than before. "I remember well when I was a lieutenant without the "general" attached to it and you were a colonel and you felt me up the first time at the New Years party."

Genesis looked back at him with a sultry grin, knowing the other officer was trying to change the subject. "I believe we had an agreement on that as well..."

A full grin spread across Winchester's face. "And I wasn't protesting too much."

The Red General's grin turned a little wicked. "It was enjoyable. You had some surprises which I enjoyed immensely."

"That little old redneck Winchester turned out to be a closet Thespian," Colt chuckled.

"Indeed.... very wise though to keep it to yourself. Though your accent with Loveless was delicious." Genesis purred.

Winchester laughed. "Thanks. And I promise to keep the secret that Rhapsodos, gentleman of SOLDIER, Mr. Sophisticate, thespian, poet, conesiuer of fine food and fashion, can chug beer and belch with the best of them."

"Or lose your tongue," Genesis added running a finger down Colt's nose.

Colt shook his head. "Nah I don't think you'd do that, my tongue has too many talents."

The sultry grin returned to Genesis' face. "I would agree. Perhaps after awhile you will match mine." After a pause, he snapped his fingers. "Damn, I don't have that many years."

Colt frowned and laughed sardonically, then suddenly grabbed Genesis by the front of his coat and pushed him up against the nearest wall. A surprised gasp the only protest Genesis gave.

"Maybe, you'd like to see how much I've improved." He said lightly brushing his lips over Genesis' ruby red ones. It was then he noticed the blue and purple borders of bruising edging out from behind the red-head's hair. "What happened to your face?"

Genesis automatically turned away.

"Did… he do that to you?" Colt's voice was barely above a whisper, intoned with both concern and disbelief.

For once Genesis scrambled to come up with some good excuse, the old " I ran into a door" line would not work with Colt. The lieutenant general knew him too well. To frazzled and tired to come up with something to fool his past lover, Genesis settled for the truth and slowly nodded.

Colt's face went absolutely blank for a few moments, then suddenly it contorted with anger. He pulled out both guns from each holster and began storming out of the alley. Though his face was the picture of rage, his voice was eerily calm. "I'm gonna go kick his ass!"

For a moment Genesis watched him walk away stunned, but a rising panic brought him back to his senses. Colt was a fine SOLDIER, a top of the line first class, but he would not live through a real fight with Sephiroth. His personal troubles with Sephiroth were not worth risking Colt's life. With a few giant steps, he caught up to the gunner and took his arm, firmly but gently. "No! Leave it be!"

Colt rounded on him, shouting though it was clear by the hurt in Winchester's eyes that none of the anger in his voice was intended for Genesis. "I don't care who the fuck he is, he has no right to do that to you. And if you're afraid to stand up for yourself against him, I'll do it for you!"

"Listen to me!" Genesis shook his head, tugging on Colt's arm. "If it were anyone else but Sephiroth, I would have hit them back and left them without a second thought. But Sephiroth is different, it's not all his fault you know?"

"Not his fault?" Winchester looked at him as if he had two heads.

"His feelings I mean. A lot of them he's never felt before, aching for another person, hurt at thinking he's been betrayed by them, jealousy after all what does the mighty Sephiroth have to be jealous of?" Genesis let out a weary sigh and leaned against Colt a little. "He certainly has never experienced, much less been taught how to use those feelings in the labs. He's an inexperienced child in that respect. He doesn't know how to channel them properly. And what does a child do when they get frustrated?"

"Throw a tantrum," Colt nodded still not completely convinced that it excused Sephiroth's actions, but at least it was a reason. He sighed in defeat and put his guns back in their holsters. "All right all right, but if he does that to you again, I'm gonna lay him out. Or try to anyway."

Genesis couldn't help but smile, flattered that Colt would be willing to put his profession even his life on the line in defense of Genesis' honor. Of course, he could not let Colt do that. But he felt he should show some appreciation. He leaned forward and gave his former lover a chaste kiss on the lips. "I do appreciate your chivalry Sir Tristan, but this is my own battle to fight. But I assure you, if it happens again I'll sell the tickets.

Colt managed a faint smile, but looked down at the ground, his eyes still a little sad. "I bet you would." He shook his head. "It's just when I see someone not appreciatin' ya I can't help but get a little crazy. I know we weren't serious or nothin' just a bunch of one-night stands, but those were some good nights. I like you. Anyone would be honored to have ya' love 'em, I know I was."

Genesis was genuinely touched by Colt's sentiment, that even though there time was short, his presence had still had an impact on Colt's life. To think he and Sephiroth had been together much longer.

"Perhaps… Maybe that's why." It all clicked like the last piece of the puzzle. Sephiroth was a afraid of loosing what he had, afraid of losing Genesis. "He's scared…"

Colt blinked. "Whadja say?"

"I think he fears I will leave him for Angeal…" Genesis said quietly.

"Would ya?" Colt asked even quieter.

Genesis' shoulders lifted slightly in a soft shrug. "I haven't quit figured where Angeal fits in my heart just yet."

"That would be a good thing to get straightened out, since that's part of the problem," Colt said matter of factly.

"Speaking of Angeal, any word on his condition? Has he woken up yet?" Genesis asked hopefully.

Colt shook his head. "Don't know, they haven't given me an update yet. Guess we'll have to wait till Sephiroth gets back, he went to go see Angelface himself"

In that moment Genesis felt as if all of his blood had suddenly turned to ice. Sephiroth in a jealous, rageful stupor had gone to see Angeal… Oh GAIA!!

"I have to get to the medical camp!" Genesis said already dashing towards one of the humvees.

Colt was needless to say startled by the Red General's sudden change in demeanor and chased after him. "Hold up! What's going on?"

"No time to explain! I have to find Seph!" Genesis explained hastily getting into the humvee.

In an effort to stop Genesis from going anywhere Colt stepped in front of the humvee and slammed his hands down on the hood. "You've all gone crazy! You can't go out there alone!"

"Get out of the way Colt! I can do this!" Genesis yelled out the window.

Winchester did not budge, instead he called over two the first gunners he spotted. "Tempest! Hendrix! Get your asses over here." Two seconds later he berated himself for his momentary brain fart, forgetting what had just occurred between Rhapsodos and Tempest only ten minutes ago.

"General Winchester," Tempest said respectfully as if the past events had not occurred, with Ozzie Hendrix following suite.

"I hate to ask this of you Anton, but I'm gonna." Colt said a tiny bit of weariness creeping into his voice."I want you to have some temporary amnesia right now and escort General Rhapsodos back to the medical encampment."

Tempest shifted a wary glance to Genesis before turning back to Winchester, seeming to come to a decision that he would trust Winchester's judgment no matter what he gave a firm nod. "Yes, sir"

"This is ridiculous Winchester I don't need a chaperone!" Genesis snapped waspishly.

"You're tired, you're angry and you're panicked, that's the triple "no-no" threat." Colt growled. "Someone needs to watch over you so Wutai don't get their hands on you! Now get into the passenger's seat. Tempest is driving!"

"I am perfectly capable of driving." Genesis spat indignantly. "You're being intolerant!"

"I am bein' commander and chief right now." Colt shot back. "Technically with you on the injured list I'm in command and I order ya' to get into the passenger's seat, or ya' ain't goin' nowhere!"

Genesis let out a frustrated growl, but complied. Where it not for the time constraints Genesis would have fought the good fight 'till the end, but every second he wasted arguing was another second that Sephiroth was getting closer to Angeal. It was much more efficient to just be cooperative.

Tempest wordlessly moved into the driver's seat next him and turned on the engine, keeping his eyes averted and his face stoic.

"I apologize if I offended you earlier Lieutenant, I assure you I meant no harm only hospitality and I assure you it will not happen again." Genesis in his own stoic voice, the one he used for professionalism instead of charm. He lowered his voice and continued, his tone softer more personable. "I'm truly sorry, I did not know."

The younger man's eyes widened a little in genuine surprise, he let out a breath, relaxing even more. And replied in the same soft voice, to though there was a touch of remorse to it. "I thought everybody did." He took in another breath before raising his voice to a more normal level. "In that case, I have no memory of it sir." He said simply.

"That's very accommodating of you," Genesis said solemnly. "No doubt he taught you that, to keep you silent."

"No, I learned it from those who did not believe me," Tempest answered cryptically.

Genesis opened his mouth to ask one more question, but was cut off by a knock on the car door on his side.

"General Rhapsodos, sir?" Ozzie gazed at the Red General with a look that Genesis would describe as the wide-eyed adoration of a new cadet at first setting eyes upon of the Trinity, usually Sephiroth. But Hendrix's look was directed at Genesis alone.

Normally the Red general liked such admiration, but now he had no time for it so he answered with a curt. "What?"

"I didn't get to say this on the way over, but you're my hero," Ozzie answered all at once grinning ear to ear, then without another word clamored up to the roof of the Humvee to stand guard on top of the vehicle just as he had done on the way over.

Genesis's gaze shifted back to Tempest. "You did not tell him?"

"I told you I have no memory of what you are talking about sir. Just that Ozzie Hendrix, he's a great admirer of yours," Tempest answered, a fond smile crossing his face. "He thinks you have much better fashion sense than Sephiroth."

The Red General nodded, understanding, but could not keep from smiling at that. "Well he is correct."

"I let Ozzie take care of the fashion worries," Tempest said then shouted up to the rooftop. "Locked in Oz?"

"Ready!" The second called back enthusiastically called.

With that, Colt stepped away from the front of the vehicle and went up the Tempest's window. "You take care now," he said giving Tempest a rough, but friendly pat on the warm.

The lieutenant nodded, and when Colt stepped away from the vehicle, took off towards the medical encampment.

Genesis idly stared out the window at the trees whizzing by. Even though he was still mad and frustrated with the silver-haired general, he could never leave Sephiroth. The very thought of being without his silver haired angel felt like an iron stake through his heart. He would never in his right mind ever give Sephiroth up, not even… not even for Angeal…

Then it all made sense, he loved Sephiroth, Sephiroth was his, and his heart belonged to Sephiroth. These new more powerful feelings he had been feeling for Angeal the past couple of days had been born from grief, and memories of a physical relationship long since given up. All confusing the love for a friend with that of a deep abiding love for a soul mate, like what he had with Sephiroth.

He finally knew for sure what he wanted, he just hoped it had not come too late…

000

Sephiroth barely said a word to anyone when he arrived at the encampment, he didn't have to. Being the general of the entire army and a hero, his reasons for being at the certain place at a certain time were rarely questioned by his SOLDIERs, even Colonel Wyndham.

Upon seeing the general enter the encampment, Wyndham had gone to greet and question him about why he was here and if there was an emergency to be attended to. However, the look on the General's face said that he was he was here for a single purpose which did not involve Wyndham, and Sephiroth would be most displeased if someone distracted him from said purpose even if only for a few seconds.

Wyndham decided that it would be better to stay out of the way and if Sephiroth did need Wyndham's consult for something he would most likely send for him when he was ready.

When Sephiroth entered the infirmary it got quite a stir from both the wounded and the medics alike. Those who were healthy enough to stand, straightened and saluted as Sephiroth passed by, with the only response a dismissive "at ease" wave from the General.

Sephiroth only had to ask once before being directed to where Angeal was being kept in the recovery room. Before moving around the curtain, he told the medics who had accompanied him and the guards that he wanted to be left alone. Though a strange request, no one was about to question it.

However, when he rounded the curtain he found he was still not alone. At Angeal's bedside sat the Puppy.

Zack stood up straight almost immediately. "Seph—er General sir!"

"You may go I will look after general Hewley," Sephiroth said coolly, trying to give off the impression that Zack meant no more to him than the average cannon fodder.

A look of confusion as well as a little shock etched its way across Zack's face as he looked into Sephiroth's eyes. The faint warmth he had seen before when they had been in the cave and searching for Angeal and Genesis was gone and now there was only ice in those jade eyes.

"But General, Sir. Angeal asked me to stay, and General Rhapsosdos did too." Zack protested quietly.

Sephiroth's expression darkened even more. He was already in a bad mood and the boy's resistance was already short fusing his temper. "General Rhapsodos, has been relieved of command for the time being and even if he were not, I outrank him and Angeal. My order supersedes both. Now get out."

Still Zack hesitated. "Sir he asked me as his friend to stay. Not a SOLDIER."

Sephiroth felt his entire body tighten and his teeth clench, suppressing a feral growl. Angeal so well loved, by both Genesis and this beautiful boy here. It wasn't fair.

"Don't make me, make you leave," Sephiroth growled through clenched teeth. "As his friend as well I want you out!"

Zack gulped but did not move, he pulled out his trump card and put on the best, most pitiful puppy eyes he could muster. "P-please let me stay with him as a friend."

However, Zack realized too late that he had overplayed his hand. Instead of softening Sephiroth like it had always done Angeal – and most other people he used it on – the General looked even angrier. When had his eyes had gone jade to almost neon green?

"Don't even try that with me!" Sephiroth snarled and grabbed Zack by his hair, pulled back the white curtain and unceremoniously tossed the young man out into the main recovery room.

A stunned Zack slowly began to collect himself up from the floor. By the time he had turned back to look at Sephiroth. The general had pulled the curtain back over, concealing himself and Angeal from view.

Zack's pounding heart and pumping adrenal glands were screaming at him to charge back in there. Something in Sephiroth eyes sent a chill through his entire body. But whatever that something was it made him fear for Angeal's life, though he could not put his finger on why. Angeal was Sephiroth's friend right?

"You all right?"

Zack's head whirled around and looked up to see Dr. Harley, the surgeon that had operated on his ankle and had saved Angeal, leaning over to offer Zack a hand up.

Zack shook his head and picked himself up off the floor, sweeping some imaginary dust off his clothes. "Yeah I'm fine... but Angeal's in there and..." Zack trailed off as he gazed back at the white curtain.

"Oh don't worry he's probably the safest one in there." Harley patted him on the shoulder reassuringly. "Sephiroth's is probably worried sick and he doesn't want you or anybody else seeing him like that. Even still I wouldn't go back in there if I were you."

Zack shifted uncertainly, he wanted to believe Harley's words but something inside was screaming that it wasn't right.... that his hero wasn't right somehow…

Sephiroth stared down at the still form of Angeal, the only movement coming from the slow rise and fall of his chest. Even in Sephiroth's current state of mind he was startled still by the pitiful form of his fellow warrior. For a moment he was an amnesiac forgetting why he was here in the first place. Automatically, his hand went out to caress the raven locks, like he had done for Genesis the last time he had ended up in the recovery room.

Angeal stirred in response, but did not wake, and quickly went back to being still, but not before he let out a breathy. "Genesis…"

Sephiroth felt as if Angeal had gotten up and ripped his heart out from his chest. Now he remembered… He feel his insides burning, his muscles twitching, aching to do something, something!

Angeal…

It wasn't fair. Angeal had everything, a kind mother, a good home to go back to, a happy childhood, and now he even had Genesis.

It. Just. Wasn't. FAIR.

Sephiroth's hand moved down to hover just above Angeal's neck. It would be so easy. In Angeal's fragile condition, it would not require a lot. He wouldn't even have to crush his larynx. With his reflexes numbed by fatigue, painkillers, and the unawareness of sleep, Angeal's body wouldn't even recognize and react to it's airway being cut off until it was too late.

One thumb wrapped in cold leather came down to caress the jugular vein of Angeal's throat.

So easy…

000

Quick somebody get the Chocobo trank gun!