A/N1: The soundtrack for this chapter is 'Burn With You' by Lea Michele. It doesn't particularly go with any part, but I felt it went really well with Kris and Genesis' relationship. Enjoy!

Chapter 33

All sound in the room stopped, and Kris heard a rushing sound in her ears as she sat up and looked to Genesis in shock. He looked just as flabbergasted as she felt, though he recovered faster. It was only a moment later that he turned to Hollander with a glare. "That is impossible. Even if she were- if she is with child, then it could only be eight weeks at most."

Hollander looked between the two of them, and Kris felt her cheeks heating. Her attention was briefly drawn to the doorway where Angeal had pushed a fuming Zack out the door and was trying to talk him out of doing something stupid. She was still too shocked to even consider reprimanding him for it. Her mind was whirling as she tried to remember if her period had come since her first time with Genesis. She hadn't been thinking of it at the time with everything else that had been going on, but as she looked back, she realized she couldn't remember it happening.

Her gaze went back to Hollander as she tried to speak. "My cycle, it hasn't- I didn't-"

She couldn't bring herself to say the rest, but her point must have come across anyway. Genesis sat down hard on the bed next to her. He gave her a lost look. "Pregnant? You're pregnant?"

Kris had no idea how to answer him. She felt as lost as he looked. Thankfully she didn't need to. Hollander spoke up again to get their attention. "It would make sense, even if it has only been eight weeks. Both you and Angeal were born full-term at only six months. I imagine it has something to do with your genetic make-up."

Genesis stood with a growl and took a threatening step toward Hollander. The man must have realized that he said something wrong as he jumped up and took a few steps back. He held up his hands to ward off the oncoming Soldier. "Think about it, and you'll know I'm right. This should be fascinating. Between your genes and whatever she is now, I'm sure that child will be extraordinary."

It was obvious the man had no idea the hole he kept digging for himself. He figured it out quickly when Genesis grabbed him and nearly lifted him from his feet. His voice was a low growl when he spoke. "My child will not be a plaything for you or anyone else. The only reason you were brought here was because there is no other doctor close by. Trust me, I will take her back to Midgar, and you will not have to worry any longer. You should focus more on what your last wishes will be."

While Genesis was threatening Hollander, Kris was watching with wide eyes. She could hear them, but only part of her mind was on what they said. Even when Genesis so passionately claimed their child, it only made her heart clench. She was still too overwhelmed. Pregnant. She couldn't be, not now, not yet. They had too much to finish, and that was not counting everything else once they left Banora.

Her attention was jerked back to the moment when Genesis shoved a sputtering Hollander back toward Sephiroth with a snarl. "Get him out of my sight before I kill him here and now."

Sephiroth caught him with a frown. Kris wasn't sure who it was for until he spoke. "Genesis, you need to calm down. Do not fear that we will allow anything to happen to Kris or the baby. You are not alone."

Genesis looked torn for a moment. Kris could tell that he was very close to blowing up at Sephiroth as well, but he turned with a disgusted noise and walked back to the bed. The General shook his head but didn't hesitate to take Hollander back downstairs.

Kris' vision was suddenly filled with Genesis. He sat beside her and pulled her close, even though her body was stiff. He spoke to her gently. "Do not worry, love. This was unexpected, but we will figure it out together."

The shock that had taken hold of Kris finally broke, and she pushed back. "Get through it? How? We still have so much left to do. I can't afford to be pregnant right now! How is this going to affect us when I have to purify Angeal?"

A flash of something like pain passed through Genesis' eyes when she started talking, but by the time she was through, his voice joined two others. She didn't need to hear them all to understand they were all telling her that it wasn't going to happen. She glared over at Angeal since he was one of the ones telling her no.

"This isn't something that we were just doing for the hell of it! There is a very real possibility that a hostile alien could use the connection she has with you to facilitate the end of the world. This isn't optional."

Despite her words, Angeal just shook her head. "I'll be fine. We can't know if your illness is because you are carrying a child or whether it is something related to what happened earlier. Besides, I've seen it twice, and there is no way I could allow you to put yourself through that much pain now that we know your condition."

Kris rubbed her hands down her face. This was too much all at once. She could barely handle herself. Hell, it had taken her nearly losing her mind again and Genesis helping her to keep it together for her to realize it was okay to want to marry Genesis even though she was still essentially broken. She was drawn from her fractured thoughts when Zack sat down on her other side. He gave her a tentative look that nearly broke her heart, but she didn't hesitate to wrap him in a hug.

She felt him tense for a moment, and that alone had her tears falling again. As soon as he heard them, he pulled her in tight and tried to reassure her. "It'll be okay, sis. We'll figure something out. You don't have to do any of this alone. Don't forget that we're in this together."

She sat back enough to look up into his eyes. His pain hurt her, and she knew at least part of it was because of her. That didn't help the tears stop. She gave him a worried look. "How? It isn't like we can cleanse Jenova's taint another way, or we would have done it. It's not like I enjoy that. What are we supposed to do?"

Zack pulled her back in and then gave Genesis a glare over her head. The Commander was less than thrilled that Kris had turned to Zack, but he somehow managed to keep it in. At least until the boy spoke. "Well, the first thing I plan to do is slaughter Genesis. After that, we can head back to Midgar and find a real doctor to make sure everything is taken care of. I promise we'll make it somehow."

Genesis growled at the boy's impertinence, but they were both cut off at the sound that came from Kris. Neither of them realized it was laughter until she looked up and grabbed Zack's face. She still had tears in her eyes, but she was smiling. "Thank you. I needed that."

"Uh, sure thing."

Zack looked even more confused than Genesis until Kris pulled back and turned to take her fiancé's hand. She looked between them both and took a deep breath. "There will be no killing today or any other day. At least not the two of you. I need you both, so figure this out."

She then looked back at Zack. He could still see the pain and confusion in her eyes, but he was buoyed by her tremulous smile. He grinned back. "I suppose you did say he is going to be family. I guess I can't kill family." He paused, and his eyes got wide before he nearly started bouncing where he sat. "You know what this means!? I'm going to be an uncle! Yes! I get my very own niece or nephew to play with and teach and, Kris, this is great!"

Kris managed a chuckle for his enthusiasm, even though her heart was still breaking. She patted his hand. "Yeah, you're going to be an uncle."

Zack's exuberance died a little when he noticed his sister wasn't as enthused. She didn't give him a chance to say anything about it before she squeezed his fingers. "Zack, would you mind giving us some time, please?"

Zack's face fell a little, but he nodded. "Sure, just make sure you get something to eat before you turn in. I'm with him on this one. You need something." Kris gave him a nod and a smile before he jumped up and headed out the door with Angeal.

Kris had nearly forgotten the fact that Tseng had been there too until he spoke up as the others were leaving. "Somehow, I feel as though I have not gotten the full extent of your potential as a Turk." He paused and raised a brow at the evil look Genesis shot his way. He ignored it as he turned to leave. "Still, I suppose congratulations are in order. Just don't forget that even if you don't heal Commander Hewely, there is still much that needs to be done. We can discuss everything tomorrow."

Genesis growled and started to go after Tseng, but Kris grabbed his hand. He huffed and sat back next to her. It was several silent moments before he finally took a deep breath and spoke. "Are you really so opposed to the idea of having a child with me?"

Kris flinched at the hard note in his voice. She didn't bother trying to mask her pain when she looked up. "No, Genesis. Children were something I wasn't even considering yet, but when I look at you, I know that if things were different, I would probably be over the moon right now. I love you, and any child we create out of love would be more than I could ask for."

She saw his shoulders drop slightly before he pulled her close. This time she melted into him and let him soothe her. "Love, I know the timing for this is not ideal, but when I think of you carrying my child, all I can feel is overwhelming happiness."

As much as Kris agreed with him, his words still tore her heart. She only let the embrace go on a little longer before she pulled back and tried to wipe away her tears. "It's not that easy, though. Have you considered the possible ramifications if I'm not allowed to finish?"

Genesis glared at her and stood. He paced to the other side of the room and gritted his teeth. It was several seconds before he spoke again. "I do not care what the consequences are. You have already endangered both of you enough without knowing. I am sure I will not be alone in saying it can wait. Nothing is worth the possibility of harming our child."

Kris felt the knife twist in her chest as she stood as well. She shook her head and swallowed to work loose the knot that had formed. She didn't want to say what was on her mind out loud, but there was no other choice. Genesis could not keep ignoring the reality they were in. "Nothing? How about the end of the world? The death of our friends and countless others? What would it be worth then? If we don't take this chance, then what kind of world will our child be born into? Is that the life you want for all of us?"

Genesis took a step toward her with a growl before he turned and slammed his fist onto the wall. Kris jumped at the sound, but didn't back down, even when he turned back with a snarl. "You do not know that will happen. Besides, both Sephiroth and I are protected. We are more than enough to subdue any challenge."

He then walked to her and grabbed both her arms in a tight grip. She could tell he was barely holding back his temper, but his voice dropped into a tone so cold she wanted to shiver. "I do not ever again want to hear you speak so lightly of harming our child. Even if it is only a possibility."

Kris jerked away. She couldn't handle it. This was already hard enough without her lover becoming territorial and unreasonable. "Lightly? You think that even the thought of anything happening doesn't rip my heart out? I feel like any choice I make is going to condemn someone. The idea that it falls to me to make that choice is terrifying. I can't-"

She was cut off as a sob worked its way out. She buried her face in her hands in the vain attempt to block out the rest of the world for a short while. She jumped when she felt Genesis' arms around her again. He was still frowning, but his voice had softened. "Love, let it go for now. We need time to absorb this, and then we can discuss everything tomorrow with the rest of the team. I have no doubt that they will agree with me, but just rest for now."

Kris felt like her head and heart were both going to explode. This should be happy news, and yet it was tearing her to pieces. Maybe he was right. Maybe she needed to rest and think about every angle before she worked herself into fits. She finally nodded. "That sounds like a plan."

She put one of her hands on his cheek as she looked up, and his eyes softened. "I'm sorry that I ruined this with worry. Zack was right, this should be a happy occasion. In a perfect world, I would have kissed you silly and not stopped laughing once I got over the news."

He covered her hand with one of his own for a moment before he twined their fingers together and kissed her forehead. His eyes were still stormy, but his voice only held love. "There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the Goddess. I must have faith that you were correct. The goddess would not give you a task you cannot complete. However, know that I will not give up looking for other options. Call me greedy, but I want it all, and I am not afraid to fight for it if I must. All I ask is that you give me time."

Kris closed her eyes against the pain in her chest but gave him a nod. "Nothing is going to happen right away. We can afford a little time. I hope."

Genesis was not given a chance to respond before they heard a knock. He glared at his door before he snapped out. "Why are you interrupting?"

They were both shocked when it was his mother that came in with a tray. She took it to the desk and set it down before she turned to them both with a hopeful smile. "I understand how hard the first few months of pregnancy can be. I may not have carried Genesis, but I did once- well, the point is that I thought this might help with your sickness. The tea should help settle your stomach, and the soup and bread are both mild. It was the least I could do."

Kris was struck dumb as she suddenly felt tears in her eyes again. She briefly wondered why she wasn't dehydrated with as much as she had been crying. She shook the thought off and gave the woman a smile. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Mrs. Rhapsodos gave her a nod before she turned to leave. She was stopped when Genesis called out. She turned back, and both women were surprised when he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mother, you have my thanks as well. For now and earlier."

They could all tell there were many things left unsaid, but it was enough. The woman's eyes were shining with unshed tears as she smiled up at her son. "Anything for you. All you need to do is ask."

Genesis looked away uncomfortably, but his mother only smiled again and nodded to them both before she excused herself. Once she was gone, Genesis turned to the tray and immediately started preparing a cup of tea. He sniffed it and chuckled before he handed it over. "That smells like chamomile and ginger. I remember drinking that any time I was sick. Hopefully, it works as well for you as it did for me."

Kris took it with a grateful nod. She tentatively sniffed it and hoped it wouldn't set off her nausea again. Thankfully it smelled as soothing as it had sounded. She took a few sips before she sat down at the desk. Genesis put his hand on the cover of the bowl before she could lift it. When she gave him a questioning look, he pointed to the cup in her hand. "Finish that first. If you can drink it all, then by the time you are done, you should be alright to eat without being sick again."

Kris looked up at him for several seconds as many different emotions passed through her. It must have shown on her face as Genesis gave her a worried look. When she saw it, she set the cup down and stood to kiss him on the cheek. He raised a brow at the motion but didn't get to ask. Kris already took his face in her hands and was smiling up at him. "I think you will be a wonderful father. I'm glad I have you here with me."

He took her hands before he bent and kissed her softly. He was wearing a smirk when he stood, but Kris could still see the pain in his eyes. "Perhaps I had better role models for the job than I once believed."

Kris gave him a reassuring smile, but he didn't allow her to respond. He instead gently pushed on her shoulders. "Finish your tea and then your soup. I will be right here to make sure you can get it all down."

Kris snickered under her breath at the stern look he was giving her but didn't argue. By that time, she was already exhausted again. She was looking forward to finishing this meal so she could go back to bed. She just hoped that things somehow looked clearer for her in the morning.

A/N: I don't know about you guys, but I feel like I've been on a rollercoaster with all these ups and downs lol. I am sure you have all figured out by now that we are heading into the homestretch. Not quite the end yet, but we are getting close. I hope you all enjoy the rest. Thanks for reading!