There was something wrong with Elfé. Genesis had picked up on it before, but hadn't bothered with it. Stuck on the same ship traveling across the ocean, however, the way the proud leader of AVALANCHE kept faltering was too much to ignore.

Genesis knew a great deal about pride, and dealing with prideful people. It wasn't something he had always handled gracefully, true, but when he had to it was doable. Fortunately for him, there was a better answer than confronting Elfé herself, found in cornering Shears. "What's wrong with her?"

Shears didn't try asking "wrong with who" - it was obvious. So was his distrust of the SOLDIER, unfortunately. "What's it matter to you?"

"She's an ally. I want to know who and what I'm dealing with, and what I can count on." When that wasn't enough, Genesis added, "And I don't think either of us trusts Fuhito enough to bother asking him."

Shears' eyes narrowed slightly. "If you don't trust him, why are you working with us? Why stay at all, now that you've gotten your doctor back?"

"Because my doctor is the same idiot who messed me up to begin with," Genesis explained with what he considered admirable patience. "He is also the only one who is going to be able to help me, unfortunately, but if he can make use of Fuhito that's fine by me. He has resources, and the good grace of someone inside ShinRa. For now, it's in my interest to work with him and with you."

Shears huffed quietly. "At least you're honest about it all. I don't know what's wrong with her, though. She ignores it, pushes through it like everything else. Fuhito doesn't seem to care, so long as nobody tries to find anything out about it."

"So you assume he knows what's going on, minimum, if he's not actually the source of the issue?" Genesis made a thoughtful sound, glancing in the direction she'd settled. "You know, I'm quite curious myself. I can sense her in a way that isn't consistent with the average human."

"You suggestin' she's been messed up like you?" Shears asked. "Because she doesn't have mako eyes."

"No, but she does have strength to match SOLDIER," Genesis said. "That's not something easily passed off as 'normal' Shears. She's stronger than Fuhito's Ravens, stronger than the SOLDIERs you've encountered, and they've gone up through Second Class. That kind of strength is a big deal. And it usually comes with a big price tag."

Shears rubbed a hand along the back of his neck, frowning. "I guess you'd know. What're you thinkin' you'd even do if you knew what was wrong with her? You're not a scientist, or you'd've fixed yourself."

"No, what's wrong with me does require a certain level of scientific and medical expertise; specifically in the field of bioengineering," Genesis said. "My expertise as a SOLDIER lay with the fact that I am the greatest swordmage they've ever produced. In my experience, I have yet to find anyone with enough skill, stamina and sheer power to match me as a mage alone. So while I'm no scientist, that doesn't mean I have no value as a medic."

Shears stared at him a moment, thinking that over. "It's not just an injury you'd get in battle. If it was, I would have taken care of it for her."

"I understand that, you're very loyal to her." Genesis met his stare evenly. "In fact, I think you're loyal to her above everyone and everything. Aren't you?"

Shears' frown bordered on a glare. "Is that a problem for you, SOLDIER boy?"

"Not at all. I find it rather refreshing." Genesis shook his head. "I've got no quarrel with you, or with any of the others. Ideally, we'll part on peaceful terms when we're done using each other to our own ends."

Shears nodded slowly. "Alright, that's fair. Live and let live, right? We don't stop you, you don't stop us?"

"I'm loyal to myself before your cause, but you're loyal to your cause before me - or to Elfé, in your specific case," Genesis said. "I think it's as even ground as we can get. It's an alliance of convenience, I don't think anyone is under any delusions of anything more between us."

"Right." Shears' frown didn't fade, but he relaxed slightly. "You think you might be able to help her somehow?"

"Or figure out what's wrong, at the least," Genesis said. "I don't think what's wrong with her is related directly to what's wrong with me, but I'm interested in finding out what gave her that strength, and what's sapping it. It may be useful information to me, but it will definitely be useful to you."

"Alright." Shears nodded. "I'll see if I can get her to talk to you, just keep me in the loop. And Fuhito out of it, for now. He hasn't acted like he wants us to take time for that."

"Fuhito is a particular breed of ugly intellectual that I know unfortunately well," Genesis said. "Believe me, I'm not eager to give him anything that isn't to my advantage."

The pair shared a quick smile, one thing they both agreed on, before Shears left to see what could be done.

Genesis stayed put, aware he wasn't alone. "Something on your mind, doctor?"

Hollander stepped properly into the hall behind him, frowning. "Do you honestly intend to help her?"

"That's of no concern to you, Hollander." Genesis glanced back at him, arching a brow. "Have you determined what supplies you're going to need, and how long staying with AVALANCHE is to our advantage?"

"Testing needs done before anything else, to determine how your illness has progressed these past months," Hollander said. "I can compare it against what I've studied from Angeal and Sephiroth, but there is only so much of each of their samples to use for anything after that. We have to be careful."

"I suppose I should be pleased you thought to grab anything at all," Genesis admitted. "Pity Fuhito didn't convince Hojo to come, but I wasn't really surprised."

"He tried to convince Hojo to leave?" Hollander snorted. "Did you tell him it was a fool's effort? Hojo may not particularly care about ShinRa, but they fund his projects. He's not particularly eager to leave without a better offer. Certainly not just for someone's moral crusade."

"Fuhito's morality is skewed enough he'd have fit in decently." Genesis shrugged. "I don't know what he wants, but he doesn't seem actually concerned for people."

"Really? He's always going on and on about the good of the Planet," Hollander said.

"Yes, but the Planet is not the people on it," Genesis said. "I don't know what that means, exactly, but it's certainly not the same thing. And I think it's something to keep an eye on, as we do happen to live here."

Hollander huffed, unimpressed. "You're suddenly concerned with the good of others?"

Genesis turned to face him properly, giving him a cold glare. "Don't pretend you don't understand my motivation, Hollander. As of now, I'm dying, and it's the direct fault of the ShinRa-sanctioned mess you made playing god with me before I was ever born. If I am able to recover, your 'thanks' will be walking out of here with your life. The company will not be so fortunate."

"The company was ready to give you a chance before you teamed up with AVALANCHE!" Hollander said. "You dug your own grave there, Genesis. We were working on a cure, Angeal told you that."

"And I'm sure he believed it. He always did try to believe the best of people." Genesis smiled fondly, shaking his head before returning his gaze to Hollander. His expression twisted to an ugly sneer, anger brightening his eyes. "And you would tell him anything to save your skin, don't think I don't know how you operate. I will never forgive you for turning him against me."

"You say things like that and expect me to believe you'll really let me go once I've cured you?" Hollander asked.

Genesis laughed, his smile edged and cruel. "It doesn't really matter, does it, Hollander? You're not brave enough to cross me. Right now, that chance that I'm telling the truth is all that's keeping you sane. And if you do save me, you'll have done something Hojo couldn't. You can't resist the chance to one-up him, can you? After all these years in the shadows, always playing second fiddle, never getting the recognition you desperately crave… no, you'll do as I say. Your own fears and ambitions allow for nothing less."

Hollander swallowed hard against a sick feeling, staring back into those cold blue eyes. The worst part wasn't even how quickly Genesis' moods were swinging, how dangerous he was, how much more unstable he must have become despite being able to act otherwise. The worst part of it all was that he was right. "I… should get back to my inventory. It won't be long before we reach Costa del Sol."

Genesis chuckled, waving him off dismissively. "You do that."

Hollander didn't run away, he still had too much pride for that. But he badly wanted to.


Costa del Sol was considered a fantastic vacation spot by most people, even in SOLDIER. Genesis was not one of them, and couldn't remember if he ever had been. The light sands and clear, brilliant waters were certainly lovely, he'd give it that. But there was a particular unpleasantness to the scorching dry heat that had only gotten worse as his heightened senses sharpened to a painful point. His skin already felt like paper, it didn't need to feel like it was about to burst into flames.

If anything was going to be on fire, damn it, it would be his choice. Like tourists. Or Hollander's stupid shirt.

"For someone known for their affinity for fire, you really don't like hot things, do you?" The blonde coming over was with AVALANCHE, Genesis knew that much, but her name escaped him. She wasn't a fighter, though; so far it seemed she was the one they used to go in places they couldn't, replenishing supplies and checking the news. She had his full attention when she set down a bottle of green gel with a friendly smile. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but aloe helps sunburns and healing damaged skin. It should at least give you a little relief."

Genesis couldn't help a small smile back, baffled by the random kindness. "Thank you, Miss…?"

"Chelsea." She didn't try to make him shake her hand when he didn't offer, looking around the sheltered spot he'd settled into. "Do you mind if I stay here for a bit? It's nice to just get some peace, and shade is a bonus."

Genesis arched a brow, bemused, but waved towards the other bench. "By all means. I take it you're not a fan of the city?"

She shrugged with a small, awkward smile. "I'm a Midgar girl, it's a big change. But mostly there was a guy I was seeing, and he was from here. I keep worrying I'm going to look around and see someone who looks like him. They have big families out here, right?"

"Generally speaking, yes. But they seem all the bigger because you'll get a minimum of three generations in any one of the big houses." Genesis shook his head. "Hard to imagine it."

"I was an only child, so that's really something." She took a seat, looking at him briefly. "You should probably put some of that on. You're looking red."

"The most color I've had in months," he muttered, but he had to agree. Setting his book down, Genesis took his gloves off and read the back of the bottle. Just aloe, apparently. He'd used it before, Angeal used to have a plant -

Genesis shut that line of thought down promptly, but he did squeeze some of the gel out to spread over his skin. The sense of relief was amazing, the pain finally easing some.

"Finally a real smile. It helps, huh?" Chelsea was smiling at him again, but it was a softer look. "I'm glad. You want me to grab another bottle when I get sent out again?"

With the sheer relief it brought him, Genesis was nodding before he even thought it through. "If you get the opportunity, I would be grateful."

"Consider it on the list, then. I'm sure I'll go out at least one more time, since no one seems sure where we're going yet," she said. "Fuhito is doing some research, last I heard, so we'll see. Maybe back down to Cosmo Canyon."

"Elfé is still deferring to him?" Genesis asked. He couldn't figure out if that was because she was ill, or if she genuinely believed in the fanatic scientist. Ecoterrorist, to be honest. That wasn't even ShinRa propaganda, just the plain reality of it. What strange company he kept these days…

"It seems like it. I'm not really sure what's going on there anymore." She shrugged. "I guess it's none of my business."

"It's likely wisest not to make it so, yes." Genesis finished rubbing in the aloe carefully, the remainder going to his hands. It was amazing the difference it made, though he'd have to see how long it lasted. Even a brief respite from the constant pain was an unexpected gift. "I would steer clear of Fuhito entirely, if you have the choice. Certainly try not to come to his attention specifically."

"He doesn't really notice individuals, I think I'm fine," Chelsea said. "But thanks, I appreciate the warning."

"'Repay kindness with kindness,' as it's said." Genesis sighed, looking out towards the city. "We won't stay long, I don't think we can afford to. We're all wanted, and this is a port the military often uses. Tactically, it's a terrible idea to linger. If there's anything you really want here, I suggest you get it out of the way."

Chelsea nodded, getting up. "Right, I'll do that. There's a bakery store I'd like to stop by, actually, and I can get more aloe. I'll get that done now."

"Mm… do be careful." Genesis closed his eyes, letting himself rest while he could and only idly listening to her quiet steps leave.


Chelsea kept her pace easy walking away from Genesis, even though her heart was pounding. It had been a hard decision to stay with AVALANCHE, but it was where she needed to be. She had to do what was right, no matter how frightening it was.

Purchasing another big bottle of aloe at the general goods store, she moved further into the town and away from the tourist-flooded areas. There was a little bakery she'd been told about ages ago, and she needed to visit it before she could move on with the others. The jingle of the bell caught on her nerves, but she still came in, searching the area. It smelled wonderful, and she'd definitely grab something on her way out, but she was looking for one of the bakers.

It didn't take long to find him, built strong and solid like the rest of the family, thick dark hair and eyes the same rich brown that she'd only gotten to see a few times when she'd coaxed Rude's sunglasses off. He was probably what she missed most about Midgar, and the reason she approached the flour-dusted teenager. "Hi… are you Rafael Tapia?"

She got a raised brow and a bemused smile for the question. "I am. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yeah, hi, I'm Chelsea. I was seeing your brother, back in Midgar," she explained, trying not to be nervous. She could still back out, she should for her own sake, but she owed Rude this. "We had to split up, different job needs. Listen, I can't get a call back to Midgar right now. Could you tell him that we're going to be moving out further west?"

Rafael frowned, narrowing his eyes a little at her, and she had to wonder if maybe he knew about her, about AVALANCHE. But he kept his voice even. "Yeah, I can do that. Anything specific, in case he wants to see you?"

"Not sure. But Cosmo Canyon is always a good starting point. We'd probably cut through Corel, and down to Gongaga first for supplies. It's a long trip, even with a couple big vans." She held his eyes a moment, nodding. "So… anyway, I'd appreciate it."

"I'll make sure he hears about it," he promised. "Let me get you some empanadas… can't have people knowing you were here just to talk to your old boyfriend's kin."

He knew. Or at least enough that she could really believe he'd get the message to Rude. Feeling nervous but lighter, Chelsea nodded and went with him back to the bakery cases. "Do you have anything with Dumbapples? It's for a… friend."