Chapter 27: Heir to the Throne

"Wait a minute," Sephiroth said to Medea as he stood in Reidmar's temporary living quarters, "I thought you were planning to take Aeris through the gateway to be treated. Why is she still upstairs?"

Everybody had reconvened in the city of the Ancients while they waited for word regarding the other WEAPONs. They all sat on the sofas behind Sephiroth.

"The doctor on the other side insisted on coming here himself to check Aeris out," Medea explained to him, "He didn't think it was safe to move her. But as it turns out, Aeris' condition may not be as grave as we thought."

Sephiroth sighed inwardly, feeling a ton of bricks being lifted off his shoulders.

"So long as she gets enough rest and enough of the medicine he left us, there's no reason why Aeris can't be on her feet again in say…six weeks?"

The others began murmuring, all relieved.

"And the gateway is fixed?" Sephiroth asked.

Reidmar nodded and picked up a vial. "The doctor also left us with a vaccine for you to use. Once we administer it, you'll be all set to see Aeris in a couple of hours."

"What about the rest of us?" Jessie asked, "Doesn't Vincent have Jenova cells too?"

"Not enough to matter," Medea answered.

"You're free to visit her, no more than two at a time," Reidmar addressed the others, "She's due to take her medicine though, so she might be just a little out of it."

Vincent stood up and strode up the stairs, Medea following behind him.

"What a relief, huh?" Jessie sighed as she walked over to where Sephiroth stood.

You have no idea…Sephiroth thought.

"Come on," Jessie said to him, "Relax. Aeris isn't gonna wanna see you all uptight."

"I should go get that vaccination," Sephiroth said as he walked away.

Jessie sighed and shook her head before heading toward the stairs to wait her turn.

"The Planet is afraid," Aeris said as Vincent and Medea stood near the bed. "Two of its guardians have been killed. I've tried to explain the situation, but it doesn't seem to understand. It's like a scared child."

"Reidmar tries to reason with it as well," Medea said to Vincent, "But the Planet still can't completely trust Reidmar, since he's involved with the people destroying it's guardians."

"It's speaking to me less and less," Aeris said sadly, "It thinks I've betrayed it as well. I don't know what to do. Half the battle is in keeping it calm."

Vincent shook his head. "Try not to worry about that. How are you feeling?"

Aeris made a face. "The medicine they give me makes me act all goofy, and it tastes even worse than a hyper drink. Also, they won't even let me get out of bed. I'm not even clammy anymore!"

"That's because you've been doing exactly as the doctor said for the past few days," Medea told her, "You'll be fine so long as you keep up treatment. So unfortunately, you have to stay in this city, in this room, in this bed, and take your medicine."

Aeris sighed. "So no sightings of the other WEAPONs?"

"Nothing yet," Vincent explained, "They've probably found good hiding spots and are waiting to strike, just like with Wutai. But several other fighters of Avalanche are scattered all over, and everyone is on standby."

"And Meteor?"

Medea looked grim. "It still looms over us, though it hasn't moved much."

Vincent nodded. "The people everywhere are all holding their breath. Aeris, what exactly was your summoning supposed to do?"

"I think it's too far away for anything to work now," Aeris replied.

"Isn't that rather risky?" Vincent asked.

Aeris looked frustrated. "I don't know what else to do."

"Try not to worry about it," Medea reassured her as she poured a glowing blue substance into a tablespoon.

Aeris' expression turned sulky as soon she saw the medicine.

"You know the drill," Medea said in a no-nonsense tone, "Open up…"

"Er…how are you feeling?" Tifa asked about five minutes later as she and Jessie stood in the room.

Aeris stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry. "Dizzy," she slurred, "Feel dizzy. Always feel that way when they drug me. They always said to us in school that drugs're bad...school was right! School's alwayzz right...I shouldn'a dropped out...but I fell behind all those times I moved, and the kids in Condor Village were always mean. Everyone in Avalanche izz nicer. I like you guys the best, y'know?"

"We like you too, Aeris," Tifa said patiently.

"They gave us T-shirts about drugs too," Aeris remembered, "I never wore it 'cause I don't like T-shirts. But maybe I should have someone get it for me…I think I still have it. It was like, ten sizes too large, 'cause they give it to us so we grow into 'em and always remember not to do drugs. I might as well send for it, since my other shirts keep getting ripped. First Sephy, then that Jenova tentacle thingy. I hate tentacles...didn't know they were so sharp! Glad it didn't go through my gut! Hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em! If Sephiroth grows tentacles, I'll…be really…really mad!"

"Wait- are you saying it was Sephiroth who ripped your shirt that first time?" Jessie interrupted.

Aeris nodded. "Yep! Took his sword, and whoosh! I was practically nekkid!" She dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Jessie and Tifa both stared at the floor uncomfortably.

"Awww…why do you two look so sad?" Aeris whined, "Don't be sad! I'm not! I used the famous White Materia! Now my name will be in history books everywhere, even after hundreds of years! Just…they'd better spell my name right, y'know?"

Tifa tried to smile. "Sure…"

"People are always spelling my name wrong!" Aeris exploded without warning, "Sometimes they mix the I and the E, and it ends up sounding like a drink from Costa Del Sol or something! Or even better yet- they spell it A-R-I-E-S! Like I'm a ram or something! Do you see any horns coming out of my head?"

She burst into tears suddenly.

"Maybe we should go," Jessie said as she stood up and headed for the door. Tifa looked back at Aeris helplessly, and followed the computer guru out of the room.

"I'm not a goat!" Aeris was still sobbing, "Not a goat! Why can't they ever get it right?! Why'd Papa have to be a meanie and give me a name no one can ever spell right? Why'd Medea have to be a meanie and give me this stupid goof tonic?! ...What-? Where'd you go?! Tifaaaa...? Jessssiiiiiie...!"

She then sniffed and wiped her eyes before continuing to yell after them:

"MEAN, MEAN, MEAN…!"

"God, that was horrible," Tifa mumbled as she and Jessie sat near the lake.

Jessie nodded in agreement.

"That other Cetra said that it would cure her though," Tifa went on, "So I guess putting up with that is okay if it means she'll be fine. I mean, she's only a couple years older than me. She can't die."

"Sephiroth ripped her shirt…" Jessie said suddenly.

"Huh?"

"She said it was Sephiroth who cut her shirt at the temple," Jessie explained, "But when I first asked her, she said she ripped it trying to get away from Jenova when she stole the Black Materia."

"So she lied?"

"I…I don't know," Jessie admitted, "But why would Sephiroth rip her shirt? And right where it was?"

"Where was it ripped?"

"Right across the front," Jessie said while motioning across her chest, "The kind of thing guys might do in those cheesy bodice-ripper novels my sister used to read before she got married."

"Jessie…don't you think you're reading too much into this? Come on- that guy ran off and chased after Aeris for hundreds of miles trying to track her down. You saw how upset he was when Aeris first got sick. I don't think I like the conclusion you're trying to draw here."

"You think I like it anymore than you do?" Jessie snapped, "I've known Sephiroth since I first joined Avalanche…you think I like seeing what's been happening to him these past several days? It's like everything is spiraling out of control, and the solution is taking so freaking long I could almost laugh!"

"We're all on edge," Tifa agreed, trying to calm her friend down, "I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't had Cloud to talk to all this time."

"Lucky," Jessie mumbled.

Tifa smirked. "Why don't you talk to Rufus about it?"

"Huh?"

"Well, you two sure have gotten close," Tifa said with a smirk, "It's weird, but whatever- it's not my place to say anything."

"Glad you're that understanding," Jessie said as she lay back on the ground, spreading her arms lazily, "I don't think the other members of Avalanche will agree. Even Aeris doesn't like him, and she gets along with practically everybody. But she bites his head off every time they're stuck in the same space. I guess he's a convenient target given everything his father is responsible for. But Rufus is different...and I know how that sounds, but..."

Tifa shrugged. "Well, what can I say? You're both pompous smart-alecks who like video games. That's a start."

"Hmm. Pompous, am I? Big word coming from the youngest member of the group, don't you think?"

Tifa turned around to see Rufus emerging from the small opening through the trees.

"Should I get lost?" Tifa joked.

"For a kid, you're pretty reasonable," Rufus remarked, "And reasonable enough not to say anything to the others until Jenova's dead, right?"

Tifa put her hands on her hips. "What- are you ashamed of Jessie or something? She not like the rich bimbos you always got photographed with?"

Rufus glared at the young martial artist. "I shouldn't have to answer to anyone else but Jessie, but if you insist, no I'm not ashamed. But do you think we'll stay unified if the rest of Avalanche finds out that their beloved techie bomber has fallen prey to the 'big bad Shinra prince'? God, how many acts of good will do I have to perform in order for you all to stop assuming the worst about me?"

Tifa lowered her head. "Sorry," she sighed, "Just that when one person wants to keep a thing like that secret, that's usually the reason."

"Tifa…" Rufus said slowly, "Tell me what you think of me, after having gotten to know me these past few weeks. Don't worry- I won't shoot you if you say anything less than flattering."

Tifa looked straight at Rufus. "You're an ass," she said pointedly, "But…not the bad kind, I guess...? Maybe things will turn out okay when you take over. You still haven't said exactly how you intend to take over."

"Well, Jenova is the bigger issue right now," Rufus told her, "One step at a time."

Just then, Vincent emerged from the opening, holding his PHS.

"Junon is under attack," he said, "That was Shears just now. Biggs and Cid just arrived there as well."

"We'll never make in there in time!" Jessie exclaimed, horrified.

"You get streaming radio or whatever they call it on your laptops, correct?" Vincent asked.

Jessie scrambled to her feet. "I'll get on it right now!"

Vincent and Tifa quickly followed her back to the main city, leaving Rufus alone near the lake.

So much for time alone with Jessie…he thought. Ah well. Priorities, Rufus!

"Oh, the humanity!" the announcer wailed as everyone crowded around Jessie's computer ten minutes later. "Folks, this is terrible! SOLDIER is doing everything they can, but with that thing hiding in the water, it's nearly impossible! The docks are gone as well as the ship that was just coming in! All those lost lives…oh god, I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen...!"

"Then get someone who can!" Rufus snapped at the computer.

"I'll try another station," Jessie said, just as exasperated.

"Where the hell is Sephiroth?" Rufus asked while looking around, "Can't we just get him to zip over there and do that one-winged monster crap that Reno was telling us about?"

"Let him be," Medea said, "The vaccine drained him and he's sleeping it off."

"Guy can supposedly survive being thrown into a mountain and yet he faints from needles," Rufus muttered.

"Here's some streaming video," Jessie announced, "This might make things easier- I don't think any announcer is going to be taking things very calmly at this point."

The group waited impatiently for the video to load.

"There we go!" Tifa exclaimed as the picture came into view.

Everyone watched as the camera focused on the ocean nearby, where the tip of a sunken liner was sticking out. It then began to focus on a large shape moving beneath the water.

"This is how the situation has been for the past forty-five minutes, folks!" a less hysterical announcer said, "As of now, all of Junon has been completely evacuated, save for our defense forces!"

Reno let out a sigh of relief. "Can't let Ma and her man-of-the-month go down that easily," the redhead covered with a joke, "Plus, my brother still owes me a hundred gil."

A familiar-looking helicopter obscured the camera's view of the ocean.

"Shit!" Barrett swore, "That's the President's chopper! The hell's he doing there?"

Rufus said nothing, only smirking slightly.

Jessie didn't miss the knowing look on the young man's face, but decided to stay silent and continue watching the scene unfolding on the computer screen. No one else had seemed to notice.

"Aside from SOLDIER, one single airship has been circling the water. The people inside have been helping out using materia, and apparently, very powerful materia at that!"

"Right, on, Biggs!" Jessie couldn't help but cheer as the Highwind came into view.

"But what's this?" the announcer said as the helicopter began to descend near the shadow, "President Shinra is actually attempting to approach the monster!"

"The hell?" Reno scowled and leaned in closer.

Everyone watched as the door opened and President Shinra appeared, carrying a simple-looking machine gun.

Rufus put a hand to his mouth, trying to conceal his amusement.

Tseng noticed the young executive's expression as well, also choosing to remain silent. Rufus, what do you know that we don't…?

Everyone gasped in horror as the large green monster surfaced. With one swipe of its arm-like appendages, it sliced through the front of the helicopter, causing the front to burst into flames. The explosion threw the president out of the helicopter, where WEAPON caught the portly man and dragged him underwater. A couple seconds later, a small red spot appeared on the water.

Rufus burst out laughing. Everyone slowly looked at him.

"Hail to the new chief," Tseng remarked calmly.

"They're still going at it, huh?" Aeris asked groggily.

The celebration over President Shinra's death had extended well into the night. After getting over the initial shock, the group had continued to watch the footage. Between SOLDIER and the other members of Avalanche, WEAPON eventually sank to the bottom of the sea, never to be seen again.

"They've got a reason to celebrate," Sephiroth said with a nod as he sat by her bedside, "So do we. Rufus has no interest is using us to further his business, so I suppose that means we're finally free."

"So that means 'Joseph Lanier' is dead?" Aeris joked.

Sephiroth chuckled briefly at the mention of his old assumed name. "I suppose so."

"I kinda like the silver knight named Sephiroth better than 'big brother' Seph Lanier anyway," Aeris confessed shyly.

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow as Aeris weakly pushed herself up to a sitting position.

"You shouldn't try to sit up," Sephiroth told her, "You need your rest."

"Things are gonna dangerous soon," Aeris said softly, "Aren't they?"

Sephiroth only nodded.

"Then I have to do this before it's too late," Aeris said as she crawled to the edge of the bed.

Before Sephiroth could stop her, she managed to tumble into his lap.

"Aeris…" Sephiroth said uneasily, "Stop pushing yourself. You're sick- very sick. Just rest for now."

"I will in a minute," Aeris stubbornly insisted, "Just not until I get something out of my system..."

"Do you need to use the bathroom?" Sephiroth asked, "I can go get Medea to help you..."

"Not that system!" Aeris groaned.

"Aeris- what is this all about-?"

He was instantly silenced as her lips met his. Not thinking twice, he returned the kiss, reminding himself all the while to go easy on her, as she was still sick.

When she pulled away, he could see a faint blush on her pale face.

"So this is how it is now…" she giggled weakly.

"…I suppose it is," Sephiroth admitted.

Aeris stifled a yawn. "I'm kinda tired."

Sephiroth gently lifted her up and placed her back in the bed, tucking her back in.

"Stay with me until I fall asleep, okay?" she whispered with a faint smile on her face.

"Of course…"

"So what did you do?" Jessie asked as she and Rufus sat near the water altar in the heart of the city.

Everyone else had finally gone to bed a little while ago. When Jessie was sure that Tifa was fast asleep, she had snuck out, knowing from the email that Rufus had secretly sent her, that he would be waiting there for her.

Rufus smirked at her. "Do?"

"I saw the look on your face earlier today when your father's helicopter appeared," Jessie went on, "Why did you father show up and pull such a suicidal stunt like that?"

Rufus laughed. "Connecting your computer to a little PHS and that signal booster sure does take a long time, doesn't it?"

Jessie stared at him confusedly.

"Long enough for me to make a couple phone calls to a few loyal people I have from within," Rufus went on, "People who would pull the wool over my father's eyes over something so serious as WEAPON..."

"Go on…" said Jessie.

"They were able to fool my father into thinking that WEAPON was only hanging on by a thread. Perfect opportunity for him to deliver the killing blow, right? After all, it doesn't matter who did the most damage- just who is responsible for the final attack. People love a good show. So my father decided he'd take all the credit, probably more so after my own stunt at Corel. Too bad that information about WEAPON being on its last legs was such a blatant lie. Amazing what you can plan in ten minutes."

Jessie stared at Rufus in disbelief.

"I did it, Jessie..." Rufus said earnestly, "He won't hurt anybody ever again...and he hurt a lot of people who didn't deserve it."

Jessie looked away. "Like you...right?"

Rufus didn't answer.

"I didn't push the issue the other night," Jessie said slowly, "but...that nightmare you were having..."

Rufus' face hardened.

"You were begging him to stop," she went on, "Stop what? Also...when we were..." She turned away, her cheeks flushing slightly.

That managed to elicit a brief chuckle from Rufus.

"...I thought I felt scar tissue on your back," Jessie ventured, "It was so dark in there I couldn't see, but..."

Rufus un-tucked his shirt and turned around, lifting it up. "You mean this?" he asked.

Jessie stifled a gasp as she saw not one, but three small round scars on Rufus' back.

"Cigar burns, if you're wondering," Rufus said, emotionless.

"...He did that to you?" Jessie whispered, horrified.

"There was another time when I was twelve that he shoved me down the stairs," Rufus added, "Broke my arm in two places. I'm afraid my old man was a real piece of work. Technically, I'm big enough to fight back, but I can't assault the president and hope to get away with it. So I just stayed away most of the time, trying to figure out if there was a way to get rid of him. Hell...the time Avalanche failed to assassinate him, I got drunk out of complete frustration. Before that, I'd considered becoming an anonymous donor to you guys. Glad you were all able to change my mind in the end."

Jessie slowly put her arms around the new president, burying her face against his shoulder.

Rufus glanced down at her. "...Wait- are you actually crying over me?"

"Yes, you stupid idiot!" Jessie snapped, not looking up. "Why wouldn't I after hearing something so horrible happen to someone I...?!"

Someone I care about...she thought, but couldn't bring herself to admit.

"Huh..." Rufus mused as he placed a hand on her back, "No one's ever done that for me before..."