It was a short time later that Sephiroth and Angeal returned with the status of Hollander's temporary prison. Tseng had come back in with them as well. It only took them a few minutes to catch the Turk up with what was planned. He did not look happy about the delay, but he did agree that it was necessary. Especially since it had been decided Kris would try to heal Genesis the next day. Not that she hadn't argued for taking care of it immediately. Everyone else insisted that she rest for at least one more day.
It wasn't until they were getting ready to walk out that Tseng noticed the new addition to Kris' jewelry. He stopped them all and turned to her with a raised brow. "I leave the room for less than an hour, and you are now engaged?"
Despite the snark in her boss' tone, she still smiled brightly. Even when Zack had to add his opinion. "Yeah, tell me about it. Apparently, he asked her this morning, and she just now got around to saying yes. Gah, can you imagine him being part of our family? Mom's gonna have a fit when she finds out."
Kris gave her brother a dirty look that he responded to with a grin, but neither of them got to speak. Angeal had stopped to stare at Genesis in shock. "You're getting married!?"
Genesis rolled his eyes at the disbelief, but it was Sephiroth that interrupted next. "I suppose that means congratulations are in order. It is a pleasant surprise to find out news such as this during these dark times."
Kris and Genesis looked at each other with a wry smile. They hadn't even been allowed to add their own thoughts. Still, though neither of them had thought of it, Sephiroth was correct. It was a pleasant note to contrast what they had been dealing with. They spent the rest of the walk back upstairs trying to field questions about the date and other plans. None of which had an answer yet.
It was before dawn the next morning when Kris woke with a strangled scream. This time was not as bad as the previous night. At least she recognized the room and made it to the bathroom with ease. She didn't scream when Genesis joined her, but she couldn't hold back her tears when he tried to soothe her. It wasn't until she shakily got back to her feet that he handed her a glass of water with a worried look.
She sighed and tried to head off the questions she could see in his eyes. "It's the nightmares. They are worse now."
She didn't need to say anything else. He cursed under his breath before he took the cup from her to set aside before he picked her up. Usually, she might have complained at his high-handed treatment, but she curled into him and allowed him to put her back to bed.
It was some time before she was able to get back to sleep. Thankfully she had not seen Genesis' worried gaze. He was not shocked that her nightmares had gotten worse, but he hoped that for her health, they could find some way to reduce them. He doubted waking to be sick every night was a good precedent to set. Those were his last thoughts as he finally drifted back to sleep as well.
The next morning found an exhausted couple finishing their breakfast in silence. Genesis was not thrilled with Kristobel's decision to go through with healing him, but he knew they were racing a clock. This would be something that she would have to do, whether he liked seeing it or not.
Zack had thought about making a joke at his sister's expense about the circles under her eyes, but he then remembered the day before and decided he would rather keep it to himself than find out for sure why she had been up. He shuddered as he tried to strangle that mental image before it could infect his thoughts. He was grateful when everyone finally stood to head into the drawing-room again.
Zack was not any more thrilled than Genesis was to see Kris go through something like she had in the cave again. However, when he even thought to bring it up, she had quietly, but firmly, told him to stick a sock in it. None of them had the luxury of time, so the best they would be able to do was be there when it was over to make sure both Kris and Genesis were alright.
Once they were all in the room, Genesis turned to his fiancé, still wearing a slight frown. "What do we need to do?"
Kris took a deep breath. "Don't forget that this is new for me too. I think I have an idea of what I need to do, but it might be best if we can sit somewhere we will be comfortable. I do know that I will have to keep constant contact with your skin."
Genesis raised a brow at the last part, and despite the situation, Kris felt a flash of heat at the suggestion in his eyes. She still rolled her eyes before she looked around. She finally settled with pointing to a loveseat. "We can sit there. I'm sure we can figure out the rest."
He took her hand and led her over before he sat down. He then pulled her down into his lap. He was wearing a slight smirk when he whispered. "I believe it will be no issue for us to stay close like this. However, know that this is only acceptable this time with me."
Kris chuckled at his improved mood. It was a nice boost before she had to try and scramble her lover's brain. She grinned at him as she straddled his legs and turned to face him. She then cupped both his cheeks. It was only a few seconds later that she released him and shook her head. "It would be better if I could grab your arms. This will not be pleasant."
He did not look thrilled with her suggestion, but he still shifted so he could take his duster off. Once his arms were bared, she grabbed his forearms. "Hold on to me too." He followed her instructions and gently wrapped his fingers around her arms as well. He then leaned his head down to touch his forehead to hers. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Ready?"
He looked deep in her eyes for just a moment before he responded in kind. "For our future? For a life I can proudly live by your side? Yes."
She gave him a nod with a half-smile before she swallowed and closed her eyes. She wasn't sure what it would be like without the goddess in the room, but she doubted it would be any better than the cave. She sent up a silent prayer. 'Minerva, I agreed to be a conduit for your power. Please use me to cleanse Genesis of this taint.'
Kris was not given a chance to even begin to wonder if the goddess heard her. Almost as soon as the thought was finished, she suddenly felt like a bolt of raw power ran through her body and out her fingertips. It was just as earthshattering as the first time. The only difference was this time, it did not feel like she had been struck. Instead, the power seemed to be leaching from the very air around her. Her skin felt like it was absorbing every speck of energy for miles around.
She had closed her eyes, but they flew open when she heard Genesis growl. His head was thrown back, and she could see the muscles and tendons across his neck and arms as he tried to absorb the power that was coursing through them both. She realized that part of it was the fact that he was trying to keep enough presence of mind to not hurt her. His hands on her arms were already tight, though she barely felt it in comparison to everything else.
It was only a matter of moments later that Kris could no longer hold back the scream that had been building from the moment the first painful rush of power had struck her. She could no longer see anything but a blue-green haze as she threw her head back, and the sound was wrenched from her.
The rush of Minerva's power ended as abruptly as it had begun. As soon as the last of it passed through her, Kris sagged onto Genesis' chest. His arms were immediately around her and pulling her close. She still couldn't see clearly, but she could see enough to see tears on her lover's face as he cradled her close. His voice was thick when he finally managed to make it work. "Kristobel." That was all he could manage before she finally felt the darkness take her.
Kris had no idea how long she had been unconscious, but when she jerked up covered in a thin sheen of sweat, she realized that she was back in bed. She couldn't remember what had caused her to wake like that, but at least it wasn't her nightmares.
Her attention was drawn when the door opened, and Genesis walked in. He looked exhausted and worried, but he sounded relieved. "I thought I heard you."
She smiled over at him as he made his way to the bedside. Before she could say anything, a wave of nausea hit so hard, she wasn't sure she would make it. Genesis' eyes got nearly as wide as hers when she jumped up and shoved past him. He was right behind her. She didn't even have the strength to realize how worried her sudden movement had made him. At least not until the heaving had finally stopped, and she tried to stand.
He didn't give her a chance to get to her feet before he had her up in his arms. He sat with her on the bed and gave her a look like he expected answers. "You cannot tell me that was because of nightmares. What is wrong?"
Kris shivered as the sweat on her skin started to dry. She tried to ignore it as she focused back on Genesis. She sighed and shook her head. "I still feel like I've been run over. I was sick after the last time too, so maybe it is just the strain on my body. You've seen it once from both sides, surely you can understand."
He did not look entirely convinced, but his voice softened anyway. "Love, you are a miracle. My shoulder was healed."
Kris sat up at that and pushed his lapel to the side. She let her fingers run over the spot that had still been an open wound just that morning. Now it was nothing but pink skin. She looked up and cupped his cheeks. She ignored the tears that had started to fall again as she beamed up at him. "I'm glad."
Genesis pulled her close and just held her there for several minutes. When he finally pulled back, his face was concerned again. "It is almost time for dinner. If I helped you clean up, do you think you would feel up to joining us? If not, I can have something brought up. I do feel that you should eat before sleeping again. I am concerned that you have not been able to keep much down for the last two or three days."
She gave him a soft smile. "I feel sore, but otherwise, I'm fine. I'm sure it's just my body getting used to the fact that a goddess used me to push her power into the world. I doubt there are any studies out there that list what the possible side-effects of that could be."
He did not look amused by her attempt at humor. "Does that mean you would like my help?"
She patted his cheek. "Yes. I would love you forever if you could help me take a shower. I think it will depend on how I feel afterward whether I want to go down or not."
That time he did raise a brow. "I thought you would love me forever, anyway? Isn't that usually what marriage is?"
Her grin widened slightly. "Fine then, how about we settle with me making it up to you when I feel better?"
A heated look flashed through his eyes, but his only response was to stand with her still in his arms. When they got to the bathroom, he set her on her feet, and she worked to undress while he started the water. He turned with a smirk when he found she was almost finished. "I had hoped to help with that."
She chuckled as she took the last item off. Despite how sore she was, she felt heat creep into her veins at the look he was giving her. She swallowed thickly before she gestured toward the water. "I feel a lot better than I did the last time. I'm sore as hell, but not nearly as drained. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like company."
She could have sworn she heard him groan under his breath as he helped her step into the shower. He still shook his head. "If you are frisky enough to even make that suggestion, then it would be best if I decline for the moment. Is there anything you need?"
Kris had already stepped into the spray of hot water and already felt it loosening sore muscles. She barely managed to answer. "If you aren't getting in here with me, then no, I can handle this. Just don't go too far if you don't mind."
She heard him huff. "You act as though I would even consider leaving the room after what happened."
Kris started to tease him, but something in his tone stopped her. She wasn't sure what it had been like for him, but whatever he saw obviously had rattled him. "I wish it were easier. For everyone. Just know that I'll be alright. Minerva wouldn't give me a task that would kill me. Not after she brought me back once already."
Genesis made a sound that clearly meant he did not agree, but he didn't comment further. "I'll be in the room. Call out if you need me."
Kris let him know she heard before she turned her focus to washing the gross feeling from her skin. It was not long before she turned the water off and stepped out to find a towel. When she walked into the room, she found Genesis sitting at his desk in the corner. He turned as soon as he heard her footfalls. "There are clean clothes there beside you. Tseng will have to deal with you not wearing the uniform for now. You won't wear it for much longer if I have any say in the matter."
Kris wasn't sure if she wanted to be angry that he was making a decision for her, or glad that he was willing to stand up to the Turk. She went with the latter. Since he already knew she hadn't wanted to join, it wasn't a stretch that he had figured out she had been enlisted under duress.
She gave him a nod before she finished toweling off and got dressed. Everything was a little too large, but it fit well enough that she was able to at least make it work. She wondered briefly if these were his mother's, but in the end, it didn't really matter. She could always go back to the uniform once it was washed.
Once she was dressed, she nodded to the door. "Let's go see what's for dinner. I'm actually starving."
Genesis smiled at the fact that she at least had an appetite. That was a good sign. Plus, she was steady and did not seem to be as worn as she was after the encounter in the cave. He hoped that meant she was healing from whatever ailment had caused her to continuously be sick for three days now. He opened the door for her and gestured down the hall. "After you."
It was only a few minutes later that they made it to the dining room. Kris could hear Zack speaking exuberantly from behind the door, and she grinned. She was looking forward to having a normal conversation with her brother.
When Genesis led her into the room, all conversation stopped. Kris felt slightly apprehensive at all the concerned gazes she was getting, but before anyone could say anything, the smell of the food seemed to hit her like a ton of bricks. She hadn't lied when she told Genesis she was starving, but suddenly her stomach felt like it was trying to crawl up her throat. She slammed her hand over her mouth and dashed back out of the room. She frantically looked for anything, anywhere she could go.
It was a lost cause as her body betrayed her. She dropped to her knees where she stood. She wasn't sure if it was lucky or not that she didn't have anything in her stomach as the dry heaves that wracked her body were making her already sore muscles feel like they were ripping.
It wasn't until they finally subsided that she heard the voices all around her. She sighed as she tried to stand, but Genesis was already right there. He had her up in his arms before she could blink. His voice was tightly controlled when he spoke. "One of you go and get Hollander. Bring him to my room." He then turned to his parents. "Mother, please bring any first aid items you have."
There was an explosion of voices again, but Kris managed to get his attention. "What are you doing? I just felt a little ill. I'll be fine. Why did you ask for Hollander?"
Genesis clenched his jaw once before he started walking and talking at the same time. "Hollander is the closest thing to a physician we have here currently, and you are not alright. When was the last meal you had that you did not lose again?"
Kris opened her mouth to rebuke him but snapped it shut when she realized he had a point. She had lost count of the number of times she had been sick over the last few days. She still didn't think it was anything for him to get this worked up over.
She wasn't given a chance to provide a rebuttal as Zack was suddenly by their side. "Sis, what is he talking about? I know you got sick the other night, but has it happened since then?"
Genesis answered for her, even if his tone was clipped. "Yes. Several times since then."
By that time, they had made it back to his room, and he laid her on the bed. When it looked like she was going to get up again, he gave her a stern look. "Stay there."
Kris huffed but knew she wasn't going to get anywhere until he was satisfied that she was alright. She then noticed several other people had followed them up. She groaned at the audience and wondered why Genesis wasn't yelling for them to get out. It was at that point that she saw his mother run into the room with a basket that she handed over.
Genesis took it with a nod before he set it next to the bed. He then grabbed a chair and pulled it to sit by Kris' side. She looked around at the concerned gazes from both Angeal and Zack. The latter looked like he was ready to break down. She tried to give him a reassuring smile as she ignored Tseng and his impassive face.
She was just about ready to ask them all the leave when Sephiroth ushered Hollander into the room. The man was complaining loudly, but he shut up as soon as Genesis stood with a glare. "Something is wrong with Kristobel. She has been unable to keep food down for days. You will examine her, but do not think this means you are going free."
Hollander hesitated for just a moment, but it wasn't long before he smiled and lifted his hands. "I'd be happy to help. I'll need these off."
Kris joined her lover in glaring at the man. If he thought he was fooling anyone with his demeanor, he would find how wrong he was very quickly. That didn't keep Genesis from letting Hollander loose, though he did give another warning as the professor made himself comfortable in the seat Genesis had vacated.
He immediately started asking questions that Kris did her best to answer. As he did this, Genesis pointed out the basket near his feet. Hollander was shocked to find an extensive assortment of household medicines and a few other things that you would not expect to be in a first aid kit, but he wasn't going to complain. It would help him figure this out.
He rummaged around in the basket until he found a stethoscope. That was exactly what he needed. He then had Kris lie down so he could exam a few more things. Genesis growled when the man moved to touch her, but Kris reassured him that it needed to happen if they were going to find out anything. It wasn't like Hollander was being inappropriate.
It was several minutes later that Hollander sat back with a gleam in his eyes. It was apparent that he was trying not to grin, and that fact creeped Kris out. That only lasted until the man spoke. "I will need to complete a follow-up blood test to confirm my diagnosis, but from your symptoms and what I just heard, it seems as though you are about three months pregnant."
A/N: I know that cliffhanger should be illegal, but I promise the next chapter won't be long in coming out. Until then, I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading!