Chapter 36

Kris had been correct in thinking that Rufus was not pleased by her decision to take the day and sleep. However, he also wasn't stupid. The entire team had noticed how hard the travel was for the woman, so he let it slide. Besides, they had a few days on the boat to get to the Western Continent. He would just make sure to make up the time while they were on board.

Those three days were at least tolerable for Kris. The medicine the doctor gave her worked better than the tea, and she was actually able to eat and keep the food down. That meant she was able to handle Rufus and his incessant questions. More so even. She found that the more they talked, the more their similar upbringings came to light, and the easier their conversations became. By the time the team reached land once again, the two of them almost boasted something akin to friendship, though it was a cold and distant one. At least they were no longer at odds.

Still, once they landed, Rufus pushed the whole group to get on the road quickly. That resolve was tested while the helicopter was being prepped. Much to everyone's surprise, a man seemed to come out of nowhere and called out to the two siblings. "Bless my eyes. Am I seeing things? Is it really the Fairs?"

The whole group turned to the boisterous voice. Most with frowns. However, the two Fairs wore huge smiles as they both went to great the stranger. It was Kris that spoke up first. "Mr. Anders! I wasn't sure if we would ever see you again, but I'm glad we did. We owe you a lot!"

The man laughed and pulled her in for a hug, despite the glares he got from the Soldiers behind the two. He did let her go quickly when he felt her stiffen at the action. He had a slightly worried frown as she stepped back, but it disappeared when Zack took his outstretched hand and shook it. The boy was just as enthusiastic as ever, despite the two years that it had been since they had seen the trader. "Kris is right! I made it into Soldier, but without your help, we might not have gotten to Midgar at all!"

Mr. Anders chuckled, but he shook his head. "I doubt that. The two of you had more drive than anyone I've ever met. Between your attitude and your sister's brain, it was only a matter of time."

Both siblings grinned at his praise, but he wasn't finished. He gave them both a nod. "I would say that you weren't just successful in making Soldier. That uniform tells me you're a Second already. Plus-" he paused and gave Kris a wider grin. "I suppose congratulations are in order. How far along are you? When can I expect to see a new Fair?"

Kris felt her face heat all the way to her ears. Though she wasn't really surprised. With her newfound ability to keep food down, she had started to show rapidly. Even though it had only been a few days, her slightly protruding abdomen could not be hidden. He somehow managed to keep her voice even when she answered. "Well, I believe the baby should be born in three months or so, but it won't be a Fair. I have no doubt that by that time, both my baby and myself will have my fiance's last name."

Mr. Anders' brow rose at her statement, and he let go of another deep chuckle. He patted her shoulder as he spoke. "And who might the lucky man be? I can tell you already that half my men will be sad to hear the news. They still talk about how beautiful you looked while trouncing the monsters out there."

Kris put her hand over her face to try and hide the growing blush, but she didn't get to answer. She nearly jumped when she felt Genesis' hand on her waist as he spoke for her. "That would be me."

Her gaze shot up, and she had to repress a sigh at the glare he was wearing. She gently nudged him before she turned back to the trader. "Yes, please meet-"

Mr. Anders cut her off with an evaluating look. "Commander Genesis Rhapsodos. I suppose it is a pleasure to meet the legend himself."

He then looked directly at Kris with a grin. "I suppose it's fitting that the one man to catch your eye would be someone of such renown."

Genesis looked slightly mollified by the man's words, but Kris spoke again before anything else could be said. She noticed the rest of their team had come over as well. "I apologize that we have to make this so quick, but we do need to get on the road. It was great to see you again."

By that point, the trader had seen who the rest of the team consisted of. His eyes widened in shock for the first time as he recognized most of them. The only ones he didn't know were the ones in suits, but he knew enough to guess what their role was. He looked back to the two siblings with a glint of concern for the first time since he saw them both. "I understand how that is. I may be here for the winter, but that doesn't mean I don't have work to do. Plenty to prepare so we can leave on time."

He then took a step closer to them and lowered his voice. "You two, be careful. I don't know what has you both caught up with this group, but I'll send up a prayer for the planet to keep you safe."

Kris suddenly felt tears in her eyes that she could not keep back, no matter how much she wanted to. His warning had been heartfelt, but it was too close to what was going on. The little bubble of normalcy she had been clinging to at the sight of someone from her past was burst in a heartbeat.

Genesis frowned over at the man when he caught sight of her tears, but thankfully, Zack jumped in before anything scathing could be said. He grabbed Mr. Anders by the hand and shook it once more. "Don't worry about us. We've got things under control!" He then lowered his voice a little, and his grin died down. "And don't worry about Kris. I would never let anything happen to her. You have my word."

The trader was far from reassured by the boy's statement, but given the frowns on the Soldiers' faces, and the dangerous looks from the rest of them, he knew now wasn't the time to push. He knew the siblings were able to take care of themselves, he just hoped this time was no different.

Mr. Anders then gave Zack a smile. "I still haven't seen you in the news yet, but I have no doubt that I will. I'm looking forward to it. You two take care." With that parting remark, he turned to get back to his preparations.

Once he was gone, Kris turned to see the rest of the team scowling. Genesis had an idea who the man had been, as he remembered some of Kris' stories. So did Angeal, but she tried to explain it to the rest of them before they could start asking questions. "Mr. Anders was the head man over the caravan Zack and I rode with on the way from Gongaga to Costa del Sol. We spent a couple of months helping them, and he gave us some help in return."

Rufus nodded in understanding, but his words were still sharp. "Be that as it may, if we are to delay our trip for you to stop in Gongaga for a night, we cannot afford any other delays. Please keep that in mind."

Genesis had been in a foul mood since they left Banora, so Rufus' words only set him off. "There is no need for you to be rude. Out of us all, your team is the one that does not grasp the enormity or significance of what we are dealing with. You could not hope to comprehend everything, as you were not there. Your words only further prove your ignorance."

Rufus raised a brow at his outburst, and Veld took a threatening step forward. Kris had to repress a sigh as she smoothly stepped in between them and looked directly at Rufus. "We are indeed in a hurry, and I believe the helicopter should be unloaded. Why don't we get this show on the road?" There was some grumbling at her words, but the Vice-President merely nodded before he turned to where the helicopter was waiting.

It ended up taking them a couple of days to get to their first stop. The helo landed several miles down the road from the tiny village the Fairs were from in a clearing large enough to accommodate it. The group had agreed that they would let the siblings stay for the night and would be back to get them midday the following day. The rest of the group would go to the next village large enough to have a respectable inn.

Genesis was, of course, going to accompany them, but they were shocked when Reno asked to go as well. Both siblings felt a little weird at the request, as they weren't sure if he was going because he was ordered or not. In the end, it didn't matter. He was still their friend. He made it a lot less awkward when he said he just wanted to see what kind of people could raise someone like Zack.

Both Sephiroth and Angeal wished to accompany them as well, which wasn't as shocking, but even more difficult. There was no telling how the villagers would react to all three Firsts coming to town at the same time. In the end, it didn't matter. They were going, if for no other reason than to ensure the safety of the group. Or mostly Kris, but none of them said it out loud. They knew she would not appreciate the gesture.

As long as they were aware that the inn wasn't large enough for them to each have a room alone. That also made Kris wonder where she was going to sleep. She knew there was no way he would agree to sleep in her bed in the same room as Zack. In the end, she didn't mention it. That was a bridge they could cross when they got to it.

When they finally made it to the village at midafternoon, everything seemed to come screeching to a halt. The children had just gotten out of classes and were heading home, while the woman had gathered to make the most of the last of the daylight since dark was coming earlier. The few men that were not at the reactor working still stopped and stared as much as anyone else.

It wasn't until one of the teenagers finally recognized Zack that the pall was broken. It was one of his friends that had never left. The boy called out a greeting, which prompted nearly everyone to gather around the small group. Within seconds the two siblings were inundated with questions. Most had to do with how they had been, where they had been, and who the rest of the group was. Not that they needed introductions per se, but the whole village seemed to want to get to shake one of the famous Soldiers' hands.

After several minutes of trying to answer everyone's questions, Kris could see Genesis starting to lose his temper. She finally called out. "Sorry, everyone, but we only have the afternoon. We need to go see mom and dad while we have the chance. Maybe we will have a little more time before we leave."

There was a large amount of grumbling, but the crowd still parted so they could walk to the tiny hut that was the Fair home. By the time they made it there, the throng had dispersed, and Genesis no longer looked like he wanted to kill someone. Kris saw his raise one brow at the tiny home and spoke up before he could. "One word from you about how small it is, and I swear you will not like what I do."

He smirked down at her threat. "Oh? And what makes you think I would let you?"

Despite the nerves that were roiling through her at the thought of what the Fairs would say about everything, Kris still managed a smirk back. "What makes you think I would do anything when you are in a position to stop me?"

For the first time in days, Genesis felt a real smile grace his lips. He had been worried about Kris ever since they found out she was pregnant, and none of the corresponding events afterward had served to lessen his worry. Especially since she seemed to be set on worrying herself sick over what was to come. Add to that, the fact that they had very little time alone when she wasn't so exhausted she was sleeping, and he had not been a very happy man. He was glad to see her teasing him once again. It made him feel a tiny bit hope that the woman he had fallen in love with was starting to peek back through the trauma she had been reminded of.

His voice was low and soft when he finally responded. "There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the Goddess. No matter what you had in mind, I can't say that I would object overmuch."

Kris felt her cheeks heat at the suggestion in his words. He had not flirted with her like that since before they left Banora, and she hadn't realized how much she missed it until that moment. She wasn't given long to worry about it before her attention was drawn by Zack. They had already arrived, and he didn't even pause before he flung the door open. "Mom, we're home!"

Kris froze as she watched her brother in all but blood disappear into the house she had come to think of as home. Both Angeal and Sephiroth had followed him. However, Kris could not make her feet move to join them, and Genesis stayed by her side. She was glad for his presence. It helped to keep her grounded as her thoughts turned tumultuous.

Would they still accept her now that she had her memory back? She knew she would tell them the truth. What would they say about her pregnancy? Would they be able to accept her still? Not that she wasn't engaged, but what would they think of Genesis? She had chastised Zack for saying they wouldn't accept her choice, but that didn't mean he was wrong. Maybe they would be disappointed.

She felt Genesis squeeze her fingers reassuringly but still didn't move. It wasn't until Zack came back out with a frown that she was pulled from her worry. Her brother came over and grabbed her other hand. "What are you doing out here? Mom is beside herself. You need to come and say hello." His voice then dropped into a whisper as he gave her a grin. "Besides, she needs to hear the news from you."

Kris felt her heart stutter, but her brother was only giving her a reassuring look, despite his grin. It was the last little bit of courage she needed to face what was beyond that door. She squeezed his fingers back before she let him go and turned to Genesis. "I've met your family, now it's your turn to meet mine. Let's go."

His smile faltered a little as he realized why she was so nervous. It also struck him for the first time what this meant for them. That didn't mean he was going to let her go alone. He gave her a slight bow before he gestured to the door. "After you." Kris ignored her brother's gagging noise as she grinned up at her fiancé and led him into her family's home.

A/N: I know, another short chapter. This was a natural stopping point though. Anyway, since we are getting closer to the end, my focus has shifted a bit. I hope you enjoy the fruits of my labor. Thanks for reading and cheers!