Chapter 44

There were several beats of eerie silence after that statement. However, that was broken when Angeal looked at her with concern. "I don't want to sound like I don't trust your memory, but perhaps you were injured while in the caves and were so out of it that you forgot how you got out? A head injury would certainly explain the strange thoughts as well."

Alex took a deep breath since she didn't blame her brother. It wasn't as though she hadn't denied the whole truth many times over, even if she had followed the path laid out for her. Instead of trying to beg him to reconsider, she gave him a haunted look as she said, "Geal, I wish that were the case. However, that was how I found out about the things done to us. Mom confirmed everything when I confronted her. This is why I took so long to try and find the proof I needed. I already knew the truth, but without any evidence, would you have believed me?"

Angeal sat back stiffly. She watched as several things flitted across his face. It hurt her to see how unsettled this whole thing was making her brother. Finally, he paused and gave her an uncertain look. "I still cannot wrap my head around everything, but what we saw downstairs was not normal. If I do believe you, that raises so many questions."

She leaned back and rubbed one of her temples as she closed her eyes. She didn't bother opening them as she said, "You have every reason to be upset that I didn't say anything as soon as I got to Midgar, but I didn't want to take any chances that things would blow up in my face and we would get nowhere. I'm sorry."

There were several more seconds of silence before her eyes snapped open when Angeal put his hand on her arm. "I can't—well, I don't know what to think. What exactly happened? What did you see?"

Alex could tell her brother was still unsure, and when she dared to take a look at Sephiroth, his eyes held just as much uncertainty. Still, if she was going to tell them, it would need to be all of it. She sighed as she looked at her hands in her lap and said, "When I woke up that day, I had so much in my head that hardly any of it made sense. Not only did Minerva show me things that were, but those things that might have been. I don't know why I was chosen and not one of you before you left."

She paused and looked over at her twin—the man that had been her rock and conscience from the first memories she had. She hated seeing the look of doubt in his eyes, but there was little she could do. She dashed away a tear of frustration and tried to hold his gaze as she said, "I have pushed this down so long that I barely remember more than bits and pieces of it all. There are times that it feels like it might have been a dream. However, I can't pretend it isn't the truth. Every time I see something important, I am given a painful reminder—like downstairs. Though that was something new. I think—"

She cut off and finally looked to where Vincent was standing. He was watching them all with hooded eyes. With most of his face covered, she couldn't tell what he was thinking, but at least he hadn't moved yet. She sighed when she turned back to her brother and said, "Believe me or not, it doesn't matter. The fact that we already know that we need to find a way to mitigate what we could become has already been established. It will not change just because you found out where I first got my information. Especially since I have found proof, and you have all seen for yourselves the conundrum we are in."

Angeal sighed and ran a hand down his face, but Vincent stood and spoke before her brother could find the words. "While your explanation does partially explain why I get the sensation Chaos knows you, it does not explain why you think I should have anything to do with this."

Sephiroth stood before the man was even finished speaking. His brow was drawn, but his voice was even as he said, "What exactly is Chaos?"

Alex stood to join them. She glanced at both men before she said, "I believe I can answer you both at once."

That seemed to have gotten their attention—especially Sephiroth. He took her hand gently and looked down with that furrow between his brows as he tried to articulate what he was thinking. "I do not fully grasp what is happening, and I will admit that it bothers me. However, I have told you before that I trust your guidance. That will not change because of this."

It looked like he wanted to say more but wasn't sure what to say. Alex squeezed his fingers as she said, "I can't tell you how much that means to me, and I promise we will still talk later. For now, why don't I try to answer your questions."

At his nod, Alex held his gaze and said, "First, it is important to know that you and I are not the only ones here that have been subjected to Hojo's sick whims."

That single statement made Vincent step forward. From what she could see, he was frowning. However, she continued before he could say anything. "Vincent Valentine was the Turk in charge of security here at the mansion during the Jenova Project S days. However, there was a confrontation, and Hojo shot him. After that, he—well, I'm sure none of us need to hear the rest, but the only reason he still lives is due to your mother's actions. Professor Crescent saved his life. Chaos is one of the things that came from all of that. It is one of the weapons created by the planet eons ago, but somehow, she was able to ingrain it into his body so he wouldn't die."

Sephiroth looked as though her explanation made more questions instead of answers. While he was trying to figure out what he wanted to say, Alex glanced over at Vincent. She was sure he would not be exactly happy about having all of that brought up. However, she was shocked when he looked at Sephiroth at said, "You are Lucrecia's son?"

Sephiroth's head snapped up, and his brow was furrowed as he stared at the other man. "So I have recently found. You knew her?"

Vincent looked away with a similar expression as he said, "Yes. We were—friends."

Alex could tell that not even Sephiroth bought that answer. However, before anything could be said, Genesis walked in. "I thought I heard voices in here. What is going on?" He then paused mid-step and looked at Vincent with narrowed eyes. "Who are you?"

Vincent immediately retreated into his shell as he stepped back and refused to answer. However, Genesis was not giving up. "You look incredibly familiar. Why are you here? Are you one of the townspeople?"

Sephiroth stepped forward to try and explain, but Alex barely heard what was being said. She was too focused on Vincent's face. Now that it had been mentioned, she couldn't help but notice how much the gunman looked nearly identical to Sephiroth when his hair had been black. The possibilities were already whirring in her mind.

However, her thoughts on what that might mean, especially given the visions she had recently seen, were all pushed back when Vincent finally focused on her with a frown and said, "I am unsure how you know all of that about me, but that aside, you still have not given any reason why I should listen further."

Alex saw both Sephiroth and Genesis frown at the gunman and felt her brother come up on her other side. However, she ignored them and squared her shoulders before she responded, "I had thought when I said our situation stems from Hojo and his machinations that you might have understood. Yes, our first priority is to find a solution to what has been done to us, but that is only the first step in a long road."

Vincent frowned at her response and did not answer right away. His delay allowed Angeal to step between them all. Ever the diplomat, he looked around at them all with a conciliatory gesture as he said, "I think this has been a long day for all of us, and we all have a lot to think about. Instead of trying to force the issue tonight, why don't we all get a little rest and pick this back up in the morning after we have had time to think it over."

Alex was glad for the suggestion because her brain felt like it was about to implode. However, she didn't think Vincent would go for it. They were still strangers, and she doubted he would walk away without answers.

Given that, she was shocked when he said, "I will agree for now. I will be back tomorrow, but I expect answers." He didn't wait for a response before he turned and walked out of the mansion.

Alex watched his retreating form for a few seconds before she turned back to the rest and said, "I guess that means Q and A is over for now?"

Angeal laid his hand on her shoulder and squeezed as he gave her a smile. "Don't worry, it is just a lot to take in. I trust you, and you weren't wrong. No matter what else, we still have clear goals, and you will need to not be distracted if you plan to achieve them."

Alex let out a long sigh and watched as Bugenhagen and Nanaki excused themselves. Genesis was watching them all with a frown, but thankfully, whatever Sephiroth had told him earlier was enough for him to hold his tongue. At least about the talk. He waved off with another quote before he turned and left as well.

Once he was gone, Angeal gave her shoulder another squeeze before he let go. His voice was pitched for her ears only when he said, "I won't tell you what to do, but try not to stay up all night. After last night and today, I'm sure you need the rest."

Alex gave her a brother a wry smile as she nodded. As soon as he was out of the room, an awkward silence descended. It was nearly a minute before Alex was able to find the words to say, "I promised that we would talk as soon as we got the chance, but I'd rather not do it here. Do you mind going up to one of the rooms?"

Sephiroth's head snapped up from where he had been looking down in introspection. His brow furrowed for a moment before it was erased, and he nodded. "Of course. The room I have been using is in the west wing, away from the others. It should provide us enough privacy."

Alex felt a bit of a blush creeping in at the thought of being alone with Sephiroth again, but it was tempered by everything that had happened that day. She gave him a smile and nodded before he led her up and to his room.

Once inside, Alex sat on the edge of the bed, and Sephiroth sat in the one chair. Silence reigned once again for several moments before the general finally said, "What we heard today brings up many questions, and I would like to speak of them some time, but not tonight. I believe that would be best discussed with the others. Not to mention, I think your brother is correct. We should take time to come to terms with the truth before we discuss anything else."

Alex twisted her hands in her lap for several seconds instead of responding. She was glad he didn't want to tackle the rest of it tonight, but that didn't mean he didn't deserve some explanation. Finally, she sighed as she said, "I want to make sure you understand that all that is separate from what I feel—from this, whatever it is. What I feel for you is only due to the time we spent together and what I got to know of you, not anything else."

Alex didn't look up from where she had her hands clasped together. At least not until she felt the bed dip beside her. She stared at Sephiroth's hands as they covered hers and only looked up when he said, "I will admit that I questioned several things after all we have heard today, but that was not one of them. I trust that you would not lie."

He paused and looked away for a moment, and Alex gave him the time to find the words. He was still looking at the spot on the floor in front of him as he said, "Honestly, I expected you to reconsider after we spoke to Genesis."

There—that was the response she had expected first. She swallowed a sigh as she brought his hand back into her lap and waited until he was looking in her eyes as she said, "If you do trust me, then you can trust this too—I will never say something that I don't mean. I told you last night that I am tired of trying to hide the fact that I care. This—I can't deny that it isn't exactly fair to Genesis, but I'm not suggesting that we flaunt anything in front of him. I don't want to hurt him, but Geal was right. I can't keep living like his opinion is the only one that matters. I know this won't be easy, but I will reiterate right now—I want you in my life. Even after all this is done and over. These circumstances are far from ideal, but that doesn't mean we can't explore this."

There were several beats of silence while Alex waited for him to reply. She knew that some of what she said couldn't have been easy to hear, especially since her past was right there in the same building with them. However, any thought of anyone other than Sephiroth was immediately extinguished when he cupped her cheek and leaned over to brush a soft kiss against her lips.

When he pulled back, there was a slight upturn to the edges of his lips as he said, "I see no reason to rush anything. We have enough to deal with, but I am glad to hear you agree once again."

Alex smiled before she leaned in for another kiss. This one was firmer than the last but still chaste. She wasn't sure where they would go from there, but at least there should be no more questions about whether they would do it together or not.

As soon as she pulled back, she almost began to worry once more. Sephiroth looked to the side, and she could feel the tension in his fingers. At least her worries were blown away when he said, "I have the last watch tonight, but I wanted to ask if you would stay until then."

Alex's eyes widened at his request. Not that she minded staying, but they had just agreed to take it a day at a time. Although, she nearly laughed at herself when he quickly clarified, "Only to sleep. Forgive me if that was too forward."

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at the awkwardness between them, but that would have only made it worse. Instead, she waited until she was sure it wouldn't come out before she stood and pulled him up with her. She then pulled the blanket down and took off her shoes before she smirked at him. "Don't feel that I was worried. Given last night, I have little reason to be. Though, I will specify that for now, it would probably be best just to sleep."

She nearly laughed again when his eyes widened for just a moment before he regained his composure. All thoughts of laughter fled when he removed his duster and armor and then pulled her down onto the bed with him. He was smirking back as he settled them both and then pulled the blanket up. Alex felt her cheeks heat as he pulled her close enough that she could feel his breath across her lips as he said, "I did agree that it would be best not to rush. I am satisfied with this for now."

He briefly kissed her once more before they both cuddled close. This time it was for more than just warmth, and she had to admit that for the first time in a long time, she actually had the hope that she could dream without nightmares.

As Alex woke the following morning, she sat up with a yawn. When she stretched, she noticed that Sephiroth was no longer in bed with her and almost pouted. Not that she hadn't expected it. She vaguely remembered him kissing her forehead when he left to take the last watch after her brother knocked on the door.

As refreshed as she felt, she almost frowned at the thought of what her brother would say about finding her in bed with Sephiroth. Knowing him, he would take her aside some time and remind her to be careful. She appreciated his care but hoped that was all he would say. She already knew better than to be lax enough to cause more trouble than they already had.

With that thought in mind, she got up to refresh herself in the nearby bathroom before she headed downstairs. She thought about grabbing something to eat, but she saw Genesis sitting at the table and looking the other way. She bit back a sigh, as he was the last person she wanted to talk to that morning. She knew Sephiroth, she, and Genesis all needed to sit down soon, but that would have to wait until at least some of the rest of the circumstances they were in was handled.

Instead of facing Genesis and the tangle of memories and emotions that went with every conversation they had these days, she decided to check and see if Sephiroth and her brother were waiting in the drawing-room. Or if Vincent had returned.

When she poked her head in, she was both relieved and not, that the only person there was her brother. She managed a smile as he looked over. He returned it, but she could see the worry in his eyes. To try and offset his coming lecture, she decided to be preemptive. "Look, Geal, you don't have to tell me to be careful. I know what's at stake, and I promise that I'm not jumping into anything willy-nilly. I promise."

He sighed as he uncrossed his arms and pulled her into a hug. "I know you are smart enough to handle what we face, but sometimes I worry that you overthink everything and forget that it's okay to feel too. At least I'm here now."

Alex smirked as she stepped back. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Angeal raised a brow as he said, "Are you sure? I haven't said anything about where you were last night."

Alex's eyes got wide for a second. She wasn't entirely sure he was joking. Instead, she took a step back and held up her hand as he said, "Actually, can I take a raincheck on that? Since Vincent isn't back and everyone else seems to be busy, I would like to get a little fresh air to clear my head."

The frown he wore at her question was soon washed away with a chuckle. Still, there was worry in his eyes when he said, "Promise you won't go far. There are monsters out there, and who knows what else. I'll save the rest for later."

Alex grinned at the last part. They both knew it would likely get pushed back, but knowing he cared enough to say anything was enough for now. She gave him a nod. "I won't even go past the curve in the trail. I just want to stretch my legs a little before we have to sit here and talk for the rest of the day. I'll be back in half an hour, tops." Angeal sighed under his breath but didn't say anything else before he waved her off.

A/N: Ok, so I actually had more for this chapter, but it was getting outrageously long. That being the case, the next couple of chapters are already well on their way to being done so I can post them tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying the ongoing fluff between our lovebirds. Make sure to enjoy it while you can. (I know, that was evil and I am slightly sorry for any anxiety, but I hope the anticipation is worth it lol) Until the rest is out, thanks for reading, and cheers!