Author's Note: Nope! Still not dead! I will finish this story! I am motivated once more and am working my butt off on Chapter 53! I just want to thank all the readers who are still sticking by this story and being patient with me as I slowly update. You guys are awesome! I want to thank everyone who has added this story to their favourites or put it on watch - either from the beginning of this story or even recently - it really pokes me in the butt to finish it!
Also-my beta's not dead either! Yay! But she has a new name for a new beginning! So, thank you very much Dream Seeker 13 for your beta work! I've missed you and I'm happy to have my fangirling buddy back! :D As always, any mistakes in the finished chapter are all mine!
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: Square Enix owns Final Fantasy VII and all its characters (damn). I just play with them every now and then! :D
Chapter 52: Paths Begin to Merge
Tifa walked into the room where the Clones were staying and smiled slightly. Since they were all considered under quarantine, Zack and Cloud were with them. It looked like the Clones were happy to see other familiar faces while being isolated from the world. Zack and Loz were arm wrestling, grinning and egging each other on. Cloud sat on the sofa with Yazoo teaching him how to play Nibelheim Speed. Kadaj was staring out the window, away from the others.
"Tifa!"
She turned and smiled at Zack. "Hey guys. I have good news: Sephiroth woke up."
"Oh, fuckin' sweet!" Zack got to his feet and hurried over to her, pulling her into a tight hug. "I was getting worried."
"Is he going to be okay?" Cloud flushed slightly. "I think it's time he and I talked, well, when he's ready."
"The Professor's checking him out now." Tifa smiled at Cloud. "You'll get your chance because he'll probably have to stay with the five of you until we're sure you're all okay."
"Will brother want to see us?" Kadaj looked at his brothers before looking at Tifa again. "He probably hates us."
"He doesn't hate you, he just…needs to get to know you." Tifa smiled warmly. "The real you, not the Jenova versions of you."
Yazoo stared at her for a moment. "No wonder our brother chose you."
Sephiroth smiled slightly when Genesis walked in with Angeal and Vincent.
"It's good to see you again, Seph." Angeal smiled. "Especially so docile and not pointing Masamune in my face."
Sephiroth shook his head. "So inappropriate, Angeal. Too much time around Genesis."
Genesis grinned. "All improvements, I assure you!"
"It's good to see you looking like yourself again, son." Vincent sat beside Sephiroth. "Though Chaos enjoyed facing off against you."
"I've corrupted your father as well, Seph!" Genesis sat at the foot of Sephiroth's bed.
"I can see that." Sephiroth was quiet, unsure how to say what he wanted to say.
"Something's on your mind." Vincent shrugged when Sephiroth looked at him. "A father's intuition."
Sephiroth remained hesitant for moment. "During my coma, I saw something very surreal."
Genesis frowned and tilted his head slightly. "What did you see?"
"I was in a place between Gaia and the Lifestream. This is going to sound crazy, but…I met our mothers." Sephiroth raised his glance to Angeal and Genesis.
"So. Lucrecia is dead." Vincent looked down slightly. "I had hoped…but she's in a better place."
Sephiroth looked at Vincent. "She told me to have Tifa guide me and you down the southern path leading from Nibelheim. Her final resting place is in a cave of Mako crystal. She said it might give you the closure you need."
"You saw our mothers?" Angeal looked sad. "I miss her."
Sephiroth smiled slightly. "Your mother is proud of you, Angeal. I spoke with her only for a few minutes, but I can see a lot her in you."
"How my bitch of mother ever earned the right to be near an incredible woman like Gillian Hewley – "
Sephiroth shook his head. "Not her, Gen, your biological mother."
Genesis paled slightly. "My real mother?"
"I have a name so you can find her. Anything you can't find, I'm sure Cissnei can." Sephiroth paused. "She seemed kind. And I can see where you get a lot of your personality from."
Genesis smiled sadly. "I – thank you, Sephiroth."
oOo
Sephiroth patiently waited while Professor Strahm ran a few more tests.
"Is there really anyway to know if the Jenova cells are inactive, Professor?"
Strahm looked at him and sighed, shaking his head. "No. I mean, they show inactive, as they did before Reunion was activated, but as you know, they were revived with the Reunion instinct. I think the most I can tell you is that your cells are inactive and so are the cells within your Clones."
Sephiroth arched a brow. "No false promises? No…reassurances the monster inside is dead?
A small smile pulled the corner of his lips up at the corners. "I'm not Hojo nor Hollander. Science isn't a destination to me. It's a journey; one long, unending journey, answering life's questions along the way. It's not a race – or it shouldn't be, anyway."
Sephiroth studied Strahm's face, intent on detecting the slightest hint of deceit. Strahm's body remained relaxed, adam's apple didn't bob, fingers lax on his pen and clipboard. Then the emotion Sephiroth felt from Strahm was a selfless desire to help. When he saw nothing, a barely-there smile touched Sephiroth's lips. "No. You're most definitely not Hojo or Hollander."
Strahm chuckled softly and shook his head while noting Sephiroth's vitals in his chart. "Coming from one of the men who suffered the most in these labs, it means a lot."
Sephiroth reached out and gently gripped Strahm's wrist. "If what you say is true – and I truly hope it is – you can help me."
Strahm arched a brow. "Of course I will, but…I'm just a scientist. What can I do to help you, General?"
Sephiroth hated showing any kind of weakness, but after everything he'd been through – losing his friends, hurting Tifa, and losing himself – it was time to start acting like the one thing he'd wanted to be: a human being. Humans were vulnerable at times; it was time for him to embrace the humanity he'd only just gotten back.
"Help me keep the ones I care about safe." Sephiroth paused. "Help me and my Clones keep each other safe by making sure none of us can ever reactivate Reunion in each other ever again."
Strahm smiled and nodded. "General, I will devote my life's work to making sure no one created under Projects G or S will ever degrade or become tools of Jenova again. I paid attention to all my teachers, but unlike Hojo and Hollander, my goal isn't power or the perversion of any life form on Gaia. I want to help people, so since you're asking, I'm promising that I will work to make being a SOLDIER a safe thing to be and I'll keep you all healthy, Sir."
Sephiroth could see Strahm's ideals weren't just pretty words. It also helped that he seemed to still be able to hear the thoughts of those around him. His words were true and Sephiroth knew he could trust him.
"Sephiroth." When Strahm looked up and seemed puzzled, a slight smile graced his lips. "I would like it if you called me Sephiroth, Professor."
Strahm's smile grew and he nodded. "Only if you call me Dexter – preferably Dex, actually."
Sephiroth nodded. "Dex it is."
Strahm paused and put his pen down. "I promise, I'll do my best to keep you all safe."
oOo
Sephiroth paused outside the room that was going to be his home for the next week or so, just until Dex Strahm was able to confirm they were no longer a threat to anyone around them.
He tilted his head to the side and a small smile appeared on his lips. Tifa was sitting on one of the beds with her legs crossed, telling his clones a rather animated looking story and they were enthralled. Yazoo was lying on the bed facing Tifa on his side, occasionally nodding and saying something. Zack sometimes answered, but usually it was Tifa. Kadaj sat on the windowsill with one leg propped up and the other dangling down. He was looking out the window, but Sephiroth could tell, by the tilt of Kadaj's head, he was only pretending to not listen to the others. Cloud was sitting beside Zack on the sofa and he was smiling slightly at the conversations. And Loz…Sephiroth chuckled softly. He was lying on his back with his head in Tifa's lap, looking up at her. He looked confused and was constantly asking questions like a little kid.
Sephiroth paused for a moment, then his smile warmed. She looked like a mother, caring for and tending to her children.
"Infinite in mystery is the Gift of the Goddess indeed, Seph. A warm smile upon the serious face of mine friend?" Genesis grinned and looked at Sephiroth. "What has brought upon such a rare treat?"
Sephiroth rolled his eyes at Genesis before returning his gaze to Tifa. "How such a young girl can live through the devastation she has and still care for others – including three men who threatened the happiness she was just starting to gain – I'll never understand, Gen. But…I want to understand."
Genesis followed Sephiroth's gaze. "My Little One is a woman with heart that is as endless as the sky, my friend. It's a beautiful gift to have."
Sephiroth nodded. "It is. Gen? I'm going to marry her."
Genesis raised his eyebrows. "You are? But I thought such things were beneath the Great Silver General of ShinRa?"
"They were beneath The Great Silver General of ShinRa, Gen." Sephiroth turned and looked at Genesis. "But that man is dead. The one left is Sephiroth, General of SOLDIER, 1st Class. Not a legend or an idol…just a man."
Genesis smiled and put his hands on his hips. "Well, I'll be damned, Sephiroth! You're human after all."
"I am and it's time I started to live."
Genesis bowed slightly, still smiling. "Then, by all means, get your ass in there and start your life."
"Always so colorful with your words, Genesis." Sephiroth chuckled softly when Genesis shrugged before walking away. He opened the door and walked into the room.
Loz saw him first and sat up. "Brother!"
"Are you alright?" Kadaj got to his feet and slowly approached him.
Sephiroth nodded. "I'm alright.
When Loz looked unsure, Tifa gently squeezed his bicep and smiled at him. "It's okay, Loz." Her smile was encouraging. "Do what feels right."
Sephiroth watched Loz get to his feet and cautiously approach him. He could feel the guilt and fear rolling off of him in waves. He reached out to him mentally.
Loz, I'm not mad at you.
Loz stopped and arched a brow. He had heard Sephiroth's thoughts to him. His lower lip trembled and he wrapped his arms around Sephiroth, squeezing him tightly.
"I'm sorry, Brother! I didn't mean to hurt you!"
Sephiroth pulled back slightly so Loz could look at him. "We all did things we're sorry for, Loz. Zack, Cloud, I'm sorry I pulled you into Reunion."
Zack grinned. "Meh! No apologies necessary! Just apologize to Aerith, man, or I'll have to kick your ass!"
Cloud shook his head. "I think I'm the one who owes you an apology, Sephiroth."
"Our apologies will come in due time, Cloud." Sephiroth looked at Tifa and approached her. He took her hand in his and sat beside her facing Yazoo and Kadaj. He put his arm around Tifa and kissed the top of her head. "We'll figure out our futures together."
Genesis stepped into his old office and flipped the lights on.
It was like walking into a time warp. Nothing had changed. It was almost as if the last time he closed the door behind him was also the last time a living soul had ventured into the room.
Not a thing was out of place. Everything was just as he left it.
Of course, he knew Angeal and Sephiroth had both poked around in his office, looking for clues about his disappearance, but they'd been respectful and put everything back just as they'd found it.
Genesis wandered over to his chair and sat down. It even felt the same sitting there again. But his eyes kept drifting off to the side to where the computer sat.
Thanks to Sephiroth, he had his mother's name all he had to do was…
Genesis frowned at his wishy-washy thoughts. Fuck it. I want to look at her.
He turned the computer on and waited for it to load. As soon as the option was available, he launched a browser. He did arch a brow though. When his browser launched it automatically signed into his ShinRa email account…and it was still receiving email.
"Well…shit." He smirked while he scrolled through the messages, some of which even detailed the tracking of his own movements after leaving ShinRa. "I should have just hacked into my email to keep tabs on their progress in tracking me! Fucking idiots."
He shook his head and logged out of his email. He brought up a search engine and typed in the name Sephiroth had given him: Annabelle Rhapsodos.
Genesis' hands hovered over the keyboard. All he had to do was hit enter and his search would begin. But did he want that? Did he want to find out about his mother? What if she wasn't a good person? What if he ended up more disappointed than anything?
"Gen?"
He looked up and smiled when he saw Cissnei in the doorway. "Mine eyes have sought heaven and lo! She appears."
She smiled and walked over to where he was sitting. When he pushed his chair back, she sat down in his lap and kissed his cheek. "Have you looked yet?"
Genesis shook his head. "Not yet. I'm actually nervous."
Cissnei smiled in understanding. "I'm here with you, Gen."
Genesis nodded and clicked "search" before he could change his mind. He was shocked when so many results came back. "My mother was an actress?"
He clicked on the top result and he gasped slightly when a beautiful young woman's image came up. Her vibrant red hair almost seemed like fire and her pale blue eyes showed a playfulness he would have liked to know.
"Gen, she's beautiful." Cissnei leaned in closer. "You have her eyes. Oh, and her nose, too!"
Genesis turned away when a tear fell to his cheek. "She's so beautiful. I didn't even know her, yet I miss her."
Cissnei hugged him tightly. "I know, Gen. It's awful knowing that she's gone and you'll never get to know her, but you have this. Her life was documented and it's always here for you. So, in a way, you'll get to know her."
Genesis rested his head against Cissnei's. "Thank you, Patience."
Cissnei flushed slightly when he called her Patience. "Patience?"
He chuckled softly. "It's my little nickname for you. You've shown me the patience of a saint, Love."
"I always knew your reputation of being a short-tempered, hot-head was just a front." She smiled softly. "I was prepared to wait to see the man I caught random glimpses of every once and a while."
"And that, my darling, is why I shall always call you Patience." Genesis paused for a moment, looking at the picture of his mother currently on the screen, then back at Cissnei. "All my life I wanted to be someone…someone good enough that my parents could always be proud of. And when I found out the truth of my existence, I felt so lost. I had nothing, not even family. I want a family, Cissnei."
"The Turks have been the only family I've known for a long time, Gen."
Genesis reached out and gently grasped Cissnei's chin, turning her face so they were looking at each other. "Cissnei, I want a family with you. Maybe I haven't earned the right to say such a thing to you, but I love you and I'll do anything to earn the right to ask you."
Cissnei's smile grew and she hugged Genesis. "Well, you can stop that nonsense immediately! You don't need to earn the right to ask me that, Gen. You've proven the kind of man you really are countless times over the past two years."
Genesis wrapped his arms around her and smiled against her hair. "Well, if that's the case, I shall make you Mrs. Rhapsodos as soon as it can be arranged."
Angeal strolled into Sector 8 and looked around. There were a few smoldering anti-personnel robots on the ground, but the area had been cleaned up fairly well.
He could see members of AVALANCHE and Genesis' former copies helping the Infantrymen escorting civilians back into Midgar.
Angeal sat on the edge of the fountain and sighed. Even though Midgar looked the same, he knew it was a changed place. Gaia had changed. After today, the secrets of the Science Department could never be kept secret or explained away. ShinRa would have to change. SOLDIER would have to change. Everything they knew as normal had or would change…he had changed.
"Well…this a familiar sight."
Angeal looked up and smiled. "Hm…this is where we first met, isn't Gail."
She returned his smile and sat beside him. "It is! And they say men don't remember details about significant moments to women? Pish-posh! You remember our first meeting!"
Angeal chuckled and shook his head when she sat beside him. "I'll never forget that day. It was the day I met the only substitute secretary who could stand my best friend as her boss. I knew you had to be special to do that."
Gail laughed softly. "Genesis is a…unique sort of man."
Angeal looked at her profile. She was just as beautiful as he remembered…and still as kind-hearted as he always remembered. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek. "I missed you, Gail."
She turned her head; her smile was warm and soft. "I missed you terribly, Angeal. When I heard you'd been killed…well, my heart broke a little."
"Really? After only a few dates?"
Gail nodded. "Really. You have a wonderful sense of humor, and you're the kind of man a woman would be more than thrilled to bring home to meet her parents. You have classic values about love, family, and honor, loyalty to those you care about unlike any other person I've ever met. In fact…well, I hope this isn't too forward of me, but I hope we can pick up where we left off. Unless, of course, you've found a home for your heart with someone else during your time away."
Angeal smiled. Gail was the type of woman he'd pictured himself with in his early twenties. She was sweet, but always spoke her mind. Kind and caring, but never let anyone walk all over her. And she was confident, but not arrogant.
He shook his head. "My heart is still looking for a home, Gail. But…my honor is tarnished. I ran for so long when I should have stood my ground and fought. Yet, I took the coward's way out. I'm…ashamed."
Angeal tried to turn away when he felt Gail move as though she was about touch him. He really shouldn't have been surprised that his movements didn't deter her. Her soft fingers were firm enough on his jaw to turn his head.
"Angeal, any damage you did to your honor, well…you erased it with your actions throughout this war." Gail's smile was soft and warm. "No shame. You ran, but you were there…keeping your eye on Genesis; his guardian angel when he was alone. You are anything but a coward, Angeal."
"I think you're just being kind, Gail."
She laughed softly and shook her head. "Not kind. I think I see something you don't…or have maybe forgotten."
Angeal looked down for a moment. He had a choice to make. He could punish himself for the rest of his life for his past, or he could do the very thing he wanted Genesis and Sephiroth to do: forgive his previous sins and live the rest of his life proving his past wasn't who he was. They were all at a crossroad and it was time to choose his path.
He looked at Gail again and smiled. "Maybe I have forgotten."
Gail gently lowered her hand from his face and squeezed his hand. "Then we'll just have to jog your memory, huh?"
Angeal gently slipped his arm around Gail and pulled her closer to him. "I think so." He turned and kissed her temple. "I missed you, Gail. I thought…maybe you'd have found someone else."
Gail rested her head on his shoulder. "No one else, Angeal. Nobody made me smile like you did."
Angeal sighed softly. Maybe he could have the life he wanted after all.
