A/N1: For the last part of the chapter, the soundtrack is 'Shut Out of Paradise' by Slo
Chapter 31
Kris had no idea how long it was that Genesis sat there and held her. She had seen Zack come closer, but despite her smile in his direction, he stopped a short distance away. She hoped they would both find a way to get past this soon. She needed her brother now more than ever, she just had to learn to keep the past in the past.
When both Sephiroth and Angeal finally returned, Kris stood to face them. She had no doubt that they had questions, and she wasn't wrong. Sephiroth gave Angeal a quick pat on the shoulder before the Commander sighed and turned to face Kris. He was frowning when he finally spoke. "I only have one question for you."
She raised a brow at him. He nodded when he noticed it and continued. "I know this might be hard, so just tell me if you can't answer."
Genesis growled next to her, but she put a hand on his arm. She looked up with a smile before she wrapped her arm around his and turned back to Angeal. She had no doubt that this was going to be hard, but as long as Genesis was by her side as a reminder of the present and future, she felt she could face it. She swallowed before she could answer. "I understand. What did you need to ask?"
Angeal still looked uncomfortable, but he spoke anyway. "Earlier, when Genesis was talking to Tseng in the dining room. You stopped him and said you didn't want him to act. Were you talking about- well, I mean, was that about what you just told us?"
Kris was still emotionally raw, and his question sent off sparks again, but Genesis' arm was already around her waist, and his voice in her ear helped her to focus. She managed to nod. "Why do you want to know?"
The brunette commander looked as though he was thinking about walking away, but Sephiroth caught his eye, and he sighed before he continued. "You also said that even if he could find-" He paused again, but forced himself to finish. "You made it sound as though you did not want the person responsible to pay. I only bring this up because I am trying to understand how you could feel that way."
Kris' eyes widened as his questions finally made sense. Her eyes closed against a fresh wave of tears, and she had to swallow several times before her voice would work. It was still barely above a whisper. "The boy that-" She couldn't bring herself to say it again. Not now. Instead, she tried to change her focus. "It isn't that I don't want Brandt to face justice, but I cannot bring myself to hate him enough to want him dead. That's just revenge. Besides, his mother was my nanny from the time I was two until I was seventeen. She never tried to replace my mother, but she was the closest thing I ever had to one. I could never wish that pain on her. It was bad enough that they had to face losing me."
It was several awkward moments before anyone spoke again. Finally, Angeal nodded. "I think I understand. Thank you for sharing."
He had barely turned to look at Sephiroth before Zack came closer to get her attention. "Uh, sis, did you say nanny? Like she lived with you and took care of you? As in your dad was rich enough for that?"
His question caused all the eyes in the room to turn to Kris. She found she still had it in her to chuckle at the look her brother was giving her. "Yes I did. My father always said he was too busy to raise a child alone, so he hired Marie. I think he would have been fine, but I'm glad I got to meet her. It wasn't as though he didn't start taking me with him as soon as he was able. Can you imagine a thirteen-year-old girl in a boardroom full of stuffy old men? It was both terrifying and hilarious."
Zack looked like his eyes might pop out, but it was Angeal that held up a hand and spoke. "Wait. Are you saying your father is an executive of some kind?"
Kris' eyes turned a little sad again, but she didn't lose her soft smile. "No. My father was the president of his own corporate conglomeration. That was how he got away with bringing me. He started grooming me to take over for him from a young age."
Kris laughed again when she caught sight of Zack bouncing on the balls of his feet. The display made her chest tighten at the familiarity, but it also made relief flood through her. Some things never changed, and right now, she needed that. It helped when his voice came out just as excited.
"Woah! Does that mean you were like a female Rufus Shinra!?"
Kris frowned at the comparison but finally nodded. "While my father did not preside over a company that held most of the world, yes Rufus and I had similar upbringings. The biggest difference was the fact that my father gave a shit."
Sephiroth frowned as he interjected. "If your father was such a powerful man, would he not have people still looking for you? Certainly, he would not have given up."
Kris sighed and ran her hand down her face as though the motion could wipe away the shadows that threatened to consume her still. She finally looked up. "That life, my family and position, all of it, it is gone beyond my reach. I am sure he never gave up searching for me, but that doesn't mean I can go back. There is no going back."
Sephiroth looked like he had more questions, but Kris was grateful when Genesis stepped in. "Enough. We have spent enough time speaking about things that cannot be changed. We should instead focus on things we can. For example, what is the decision about Hollander?"
Angeal sighed as he looked at Kris and then Sephiroth before he shook his head. "I believe that is a decision that should be made by clearer heads. Whether we wait to decide or have him face charges, either way, now is not the time to deal with it. Kris was right, that isn't justice."
Genesis looked like he was about to explode, but Sephiroth smoothly stepped in. "If that is to be the decision, then we need to decide where to keep him until we head back to Midgar. I believe we will want to head back quickly, but I am sure we will be here for a few more days, at least."
The last part of his statement was almost like a question as he looked over at Kris. She gave him a nod. "It would be best to get Genesis healed as soon as I am able. We also need to protect Commander Hewley. If it is anything like the last time, then I will need some time to recuperate."
Genesis sighed next to her and gave her a slight glare before he turned back to Sephiroth. "If that is the case, then we might as well stay here. We can secure Hollander in the cellar. It can be locked, and there are only two access points. Both of which are built to withstand duress."
Sephiroth gave him a curt nod before he turned to where the scientist was still trying to get out of his bonds. As soon as the general started his way, Hollander was practically shouting. "You can't lock me up! I have experiments running that will fail if I'm not there."
That was the worst choice of words he could have used. Sephiroth shocked most of the room when he grabbed the front of the man's smock and picked him up, chair and all. His voice came out through gritted teeth. "You are being given more chance then you have thought to give others. Be thankful that your head is still attached. Have no fear, we will handle your 'experiments.'"
Hollander looked like he wished he could sink into the chair he was in as Sephiroth lowered him only far enough so that he could carry the man across the room. When the rest of the group realized he intended to leave him tied to the chair, both Angeal and Kris jumped to intercept him. Angeal was the first to speak.
"I'll agree that we probably should keep him bound, but we can retie his hands once we get him in the cellar. He's not going to get away from you."
Sephiroth took a deep breath to rein in his temper and nodded. He dropped Hollander and stepped away. Even though Kris was still glaring at him, she felt a little sorry. He looked dazed from the impact and like he might have bitten his tongue. Not that he didn't deserve it, but again, treating him that way was no better than what he had done to others.
Kris didn't wait for the rest before she kneeled so she could untie him. Almost as soon as he was loose, Hollander made the mistake of trying to grab her. He thought he could use her as a hostage to get away. He had obviously forgotten their first meeting. As soon as Kris felt him try to grab her, she jumped back and grabbed his arm. She then proceeded to push his opposite shoulder with enough force that he was twisted violently before she pulled his arm up behind his back. He was effectively pinned and yelling for her to let him go.
With a sigh, Angeal moved in front of her. As soon as she saw him, she huffed and pushed the scientist toward the Commander. "He tried to grab me. I wasn't trying to hurt him."
Angeal gave her a nod as he pinned the man's arms to his side. Sephiroth didn't hesitate to grab the rope and had the man's hands tied again. Once he was secured, they both turned to Genesis. He gritted his teeth before he gestured to where Moira was standing with his parents. "Moira can lead you down to the cellar. Just make sure he can't get to anything breakable. Not that it would do him much good to get out, but there is no point in tempting him."
Sephiroth nodded his acknowledgment then turned to the nervous maid. The girl looked to the Rhapsodos'. When they gave her a nod, she swallowed once before she gestured to the door. "Please follow me."
As they walked out, Angeal decided to follow them as well. Once they were gone, Genesis turned to his parents. He still looked uncomfortable, but he managed to speak anyway. "It would seem that we will be here for several days at the least. I am aware there is much we still need to discuss, but it will need to wait. For now, I suggest that we put our issues aside until we have a better idea of what needs to be done."
His father stepped forward and gave him a nod. "You are always welcome in this house. It is your home, never forget that." The man paused when Genesis gave him a disgusted look, but he swallowed his worry and continued. "The welcome extends to your guests as well. If there is anything we can do to assist, please let us know."
Genesis sneered at him but swallowed whatever response he had when Kris put a hand on his arm. He shook his head, and his voice was still sharp. "It is appreciated, though I do not think there is any more you can do."
Kris frowned at him but didn't say anything. It wasn't like she didn't understand why he felt the way he did. Still, there was something she had to say as well. She grabbed his arm again when he turned to leave. She gave him a nervous smile when he turned to her with a frown. She did her best to ignore it as she spoke. "Wait. Before we go find the others or back to the room, there is one thing I wanted to say. I want your parents here for it too."
Genesis paused and gave her a frown. Her attention was pulled from his questioning eyes when she saw Zack headed to the door with slumped shoulders. Her heart hurt to see him so disheartened. She tried to push it down as she called out. "Zack, wait."
When he turned to her with shocked eyes, she managed to give him a smile. "You are my family. You should be here too."
His eyes widened, but it was quickly lost in a grin. "You bet. What do you need?"
Kris felt her shoulders relax a little at the sight of his grin. She hated seeing the pain still in his eyes, but she knew it was only a matter of time. They could both get back to where they were. That was a trial for another time. For now, she had a mission. She then turned to see Genesis was giving her a look like he had an idea what she was planning and wasn't sure what to think about it. She grabbed his hand and squeezed.
She then turned to his parents. "This is actually something Genesis and I needed to speak about, but it will affect us all, so I felt you should at least be here."
Genesis pulled on her hand and lowered his voice. "Love, what are you doing?"
She smiled up at him, or tried to. Her cheeks felt stiff and her heart was trying to beat out of her chest. The thought of what she was about to do had part of her mind wanting to run away. She violently snuffed that part down as she turned to face her lover and took both of his hands.
She took a deep breath. "You asked me something this morning that I wasn't sure how to answer. I mean, I know my answer, but I was too scared. I can't keep running, though."
He didn't let her keep going. He pulled her hand until she was closer. He then wrapped his arms around her and looked down into her eyes with concern. "Love, I know why you gave me the answer you did. Do not feel that you need to rush your response. I can be patient. For this, at least."
Kris felt tears pricking her eyes again, but she pulled away. "I know. But you were right. You said courage is being scared and still taking that step. Some things are worth fighting for. Even if that means I have to fight my own uncertainty." She then paused and pulled the ring from inside her shirt. She tried to undo the clasp this time instead of breaking the chain, but her fingers kept fumbling. Genesis gently pushed her hands aside and had it off within seconds.
Once he had the ring in hand, he closed it in his fist before he cupped her cheek. His eyes looked into hers for several seconds. "Are you sure?"
Kris swallowed back her racing heart and nodded. "Yes. I would be honored to become your wife."
He closed his eyes and pulled her into a tight embrace. It only lasted a few seconds before he lifted her left hand and slipped the ring into place. Once it was on, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. Kris saw so much passion in his eyes at that moment that she almost forgot to breathe.
They were both brought back to the moment when they heard a feminine squeal and Zack's exclamation. The latter was loud enough for Kris to catch and laugh at as she turned to face him. He was giving her a disgusted look. "Really!? You're gonna marry him? Why?"
Kris smirked at him, but she didn't get to say anything before Genesis did. "Because we belong together, tadpole."
Zack looked like he was about to punch the man, and Kris looked over with wide eyes. She smacked her fiancé's arm. When he frowned down at her, she frowned right back. "I'm the only one that gets to call him that."
Genesis looked shocked while Zack started to snicker. Her glare then turned to him. "Look, the two of you will have to get over this. We are going to be family. He's going to be your brother-in-law."
Zack looked like she had slapped him, but it was Genesis that made an undignified noise. When she looked up at him, he was frowning. "I had not considered that. I suppose you are correct though. In order to have you by my side, I will learn to accept the Puppy as my brother-in-law."
Kris rolled her eyes at his continued prodding, but she didn't get a chance to say anything. She was once again pulled into a tight hug by a set of feminine arms. She was finally allowed to pull back and look into the shining eyes of Mrs. Rhapsodos. "I know we don't know each other yet, but I am happy to welcome you to the family. Anyone that would be willing to do so much-"
The woman cut herself off with a slight sob. Her husband put an arm around her shoulder and gave Kris a smile. "While it is clear things won't be easy for any of us, it would be a welcome opportunity to sit down with you once things are calmer. To welcome you to the family properly."
Kris felt an emotion other than dread, pain, or fear for the first time since that morning. She felt hope as she shook her future father-in-law's hand. This didn't solve anything, but it was a bright point in a dark day. As she watched her brother go on about how they needed to let their parents know and her lover take in the fact that this was about far more than just the two of them, she felt her heart begin to thaw. She knew she didn't have to face anything alone anymore.
Genesis looked down and caught her eye as Zack started talking with the Rhapsodoses about the Fairs and plans on how to get everyone together. Her lover squeezed her fingers and gave her the special smile that was hers alone. It was like a beacon in the dark as they stood there, and listened to their families making plans for a future that suddenly seemed a lot less unattainable.
A/N: The last few chapters have been so harsh. This is a nice little break before we have to face the next challenge. I hope you enjoyed it, let me know either way. Thanks for reading!