FF7FF8 - Triple Triad

by talinsquall

Rufus and the First Classes visit Esthar City. Conscious coupling Babies! Rufus/Laguna, Sephiroth/Squall, Zack/Cloud, Cid/Vincent, Angeal/Irvine/Selphie, Reno/Seifer, Rude/Tifa/Zell, Genesis/Nida, Mentioned Tseng/Aerith, Ward/Ondine, Sonon/Yuffie. AU, OOC, Non-Canon, Homosexuality, Heterosexuality, Violence, Sexual Situations, Polyandry, Swearing, Mpreg, Rinoa is a Villain

A/N: FF7 Remake reminded me how devastating individual First Classes and Turks can be compared to the average civilian/soldier. Not to mention Tifa. Feathered Gloves FTW!

Fandom: Final Fantasy 7/Final Fantasy 8

Summary: Rufus and the First Classes visit Esthar City. Conscious coupling = Babies!

Pairings: Rufus/Laguna, Sephiroth/Squall, Zack/Cloud, Cid/Vincent, Angeal/Irvine/Selphie, Reno/Seifer, Rude/Tifa/Zell, Genesis/Nida, Mentioned Tseng/Aerith

Warnings: AU, OOC, Non-Canon, Homosexuality, Heterosexuality, Violence, Sexual Situations, Polyandry, Swearing, Mpreg, Rinoa is a Villain, (Vincent is Sephiroth's parent in my head canon.)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this fan fiction. In certain cases incidents, characters and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes. Certain characters may be composites, or entirely fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

XXX

FF7/FF8 - Triple Triad

XXX

(Presidential Office - Shinra, Inc. Headquarters)

Rufus Shinra ran the side of a finger along his lower lip as his entranced eyes followed the stuttering man's actions on the viewer before him.

The pony-tailed brunet, with imploring deep green eyes, attempted his best to fashion his entreaty to be more of a personal invitation to visit his glowing city than a soul-deep cry for help. "As the elected President of Esthar, I, Laguna Loire, assure you that Shinra, Inc. will not be disappointed with what Esthar City has to offer. My son, Commander Squall Leonhart of SeeD, is also eagerly awaiting General Sephiroth's reply to his request for SOLDIER help with the monsters left over from the Lunar Cry incident."

Rufus tilted his head as his gaze followed the bead of sweat which unknowingly ran down the curve of Laguna's cheekbone. "President Loire, while I am sure SOLDIER could rid Esthar City quite quickly of the monster infestation, I see no reason why our communications cannot continue as they are. The President of Galbadia has reassured me you have his full military support if the infestation worsens next Spring during breeding season."

The Shinra inwardly giggled as the Estharian President's expression went from distressed to fiery in millisecond. "I bet he did. Lying, molesting sack of sh-."

"Dad!"

Rufus perked up as he heard the SeeD Commander admonish his father from behind the camera. The Shinra whispered under his breath. "Yes, Laguna. Stay on script. I can not enter until you invite me in."

Laguna seemed to gather strength from his son's presence before continuing on. "The President of Galbadia has not and will not ever help Esthar except for his own gain. Please accept my invitation to visit our fair city. I swear you will not regret it."

Rufus let the seconds tick by until he could almost hear the frustrated scream inside Laguna's head. "Hmm. I do happen to have some free space in my calendar in two weeks. Does this give you enough time to make ready preparations for our arrival?"

Once he realized Rufus was saying yes, Laguna's expression brightened like the sun. "More than enough time. Will your party include General Sephiroth?"

Rufus idly waved his hand. "The General has been due for a working vacation. He would never accept if there was nothing to gain from the perceived down time. A tour of Balamb Garden and an in depth rundown of the SeeDs military force should be right up his alley. I hope Commander Leonhart can keep Sephiroth and a group of fellow SOLDIERs entertained for a few days."

Laguna's eyes sparkled as a pretty smile lit up his face. Rufus knew he was looking at Squall as he spoke. "Don't worry, President Shinra. The Commander will be ready for any challenge General Sephiroth and SOLDIER brings."

Once Rufus ended the call with all the proper etiquette accorded a government dignitary, the magnate leaned back in his leather chair and spoke to the air. "Did you ever see such a delicious, delightful dish of desperation in all your days, Tseng?"

The long-haired Turk appeared to the right of the Shinra. "Alliteration does not suit you, Sir."

Rufus peered out his huge office window. "Allow me to muse further and I may wax poetic."

Tseng's face cracked with a half-smile. "The horror. Granted you've been planning this excursion since you first viewed Laguna's face last year, General Sephiroth has refused to leave his father, since he was retrieved from Shinra Manor. If you wish the General to go, Vincent Valentine goes with him."

Rufus picked up his phone as a text message pinged to him. "The more the merrier. It appears Vincent would have to travel with us anyway. Our chosen pilot refuses to leave his barstool until we can rustle up a being as beautiful as a fallen angel. More beautiful than Sephiroth."

Tseng glanced over Rufus's shoulder. "Literally a tall order. I wouldn't say Vincent was more beautiful. If anything, they have the same face."

Rufus typed a quick message to his Turk father figure, Veld, and set his phone down. "Close enough to seal the deal. Vincent may proclaim he's retired, but he's still a Turk. He'll get the job done."

XXX

(Rocket Town Bar)

Veld nodded towards the swinging bar door as another drunk was thrown out of the establishment. "Therein rests the finest pilot on the Planet. May the Gods have mercy on his soul."

Vincent's forward motion was halted by a tight grip to his upper arm. "I know what I'm doing, Sephiroth. This is not the first dive your father has walked into."

The General kissed Vincent's temple. "I know. Be careful. I sense a hint of danger and everyone around you dies."

Vincent kissed Sephiroth's cheek. "Comforting as always, my son."

As the older man flitted through the entrance, Veld bumped Sephiroth's arm. "Relax. Thirty years ago, Vincent could clear out that bar on his own without any fancy-shmancy enhancements. He's got this in the bag."

Sephiroth brushed Veld's hand off. "For the next, however, amount of minutes, I am going to worry until my father exits the bar. Safe and sound. Do not bother me until then or I might accidentally cut off your arm. Please don't take offense. You know I think of you as a second father."

Veld rocked on his heels with a low whistle. "Yeah. Love you too. Still… Thanks for the warning. I get forgetful in my old age."

xxx

Cid Highwind managed to raise his heavy head from the bar as he felt someone tap sharply on his shoulder. His sky-blue eyes focused on a shiny golden gauntlet, then ran slowly up the long arm to rest on the most beautiful face he'd ever seen. "Hoooooly shiiiiiiit. Shinra came through fer the Captain. Yessiree."

The golden gauntlet turned over to show its palm.

The tall man blinked ruby-red eyes. "My name is Vincent Valentine. Come with me if you want to live."

Cid blinked back, then slumped back onto the bar. "Nah. No sex on the first date or, in this case, the first meeting. Ah made that rule when Ah got mah Master's degree. Figured Ah'd better work on mah self-respect if Ah was gonna be Midgar's first astronaut. Whut makes you think Ah'm dyin' anyway? Ah got four more beers befer the alcohol poisoning kicks in."

The lanky vision in red leaned forward. His nostrils flared as a perfect lip curled in disgust. "More like two. I can smell your poor liver wasting away. Oh, well. Stay here, if you want. Die in a puddle of your own vomit. I'll find someone else to fly me where I want to go. I'm sure they'll be very accommodating if I ask more nicely."

Vincent turned with a flourish of his cape to exit and was stopped by a scarred hand grabbing his wrist. "You won't give me what I want. Let me go."

Cid's work boots found the floor and the soused pilot staggered up to glare in Vincent's direction. "Ah'm the only one who's gonna give you what you want. How 'bout you ask ME more nicely?"

Vincent ignored the suddenly hushed room, stepped into Cid's shadow, and breathed his request against the Captain's whiskey-scented lips. "I was trapped in a nightmare for nearly thirty years. Finally, to be freed by my son's steadfast love and devotion. I yearn to travel and see the Planet as he has. The first location I wish to go to is a wondrous place called Esthar City. Please take me there."

Cid's forehead wrinkled as his strong body wavered in place. "Esthar? That's plumb on the other side of the Planet. Even if there was a ship up to it, this ain't the time to fly. The storms are runnin' fierce along every possible route."

Vincent ran a golden, clawed finger from the middle of Cid's broad chest down to an interested crotch. "You can make it. You're the best."

Cid grinned as the praise filtered through his alcohol-soaked brain. "Damned right Ah am. Ah could fly that route over twice in one day, while blitzed outta mah mind. Oh wait. Ah did. Gotta stop takin' them triple dog dares. They'll get me killed one day."

Vincent caressed Cid's grizzled face with his soft human hand. His lips left feather kisses along Cid's as he spoke. "Not today. Please fly me to Esthar City, Cid. Please."

Cid sighed and held Vincent's hand against his cheek. His eyelids sliding shut made Vincent miss the sky. "Ah'll fly ya, but not tonight. Ah'm tired, Vince. Ah got a house, but no home to go to. Where's mah home?"

Vincent wrapped his arm and concealing cape around the lagging pilot and half-carried the sad man out the door. "Right here with me, Captain. Me and the sky."

The former astronaut sobbed as he fell asleep against Vincent's chest. "You dream pretty, Vince. Real pretty."

Sephiroth appeared by Vincent's side. "The Captain had an exemplary record until the Space Program's demise. He's only a few years older than me. I refuse to call him Dad when you two marry."

Vincent walked towards the waiting car, while easily holding up Cid with his enhanced strength. "Marry? I didn't think you were so old-fashioned, Sephiroth. A couple doesn't have to marry to have a happy relationship these days."

Sephiroth grumbled to Veld as Vincent gently placed Cid in the back seat. "Hmph. They'll be married within the year."

Veld chuckled as Vincent purred when Cid nuzzled against him in his sleep. "They'll probably be married before we get to Esthar City."

XXX

(Esthar City- Presidential Residence)

Laguna Loire squirmed in place as his son, Squall, rebuttoned the buttons on his official military uniform. "Hot as hell and I've only had this costume on for five friggin' minutes. Why are these things never comfortable?"

His daughter, Ellone, made her father flinch by freeing his long hair with a yank of his hair tie. "Stop complaining. It'll help keep you awake. Don't put your hair back up, Daddy. Rufus Shinra loves long hair. He talks about it in every article I've read."

Laguna looked to his feet and blushed crimson. "Long hair and women. Never men and never male bearers."

Squall relaxed in a chair next to the long dressing mirror. "Not that you know of. Male Bearers are practically extinct in Midgar thanks to the rampant Mako contamination. Shinra probably couldn't find one if he wanted over there. It's most likely another reason that side of the Planet finally reached out to ours."

Laguna fretted in the mirror's reflection. "I thought it was the seventeen year radio silence. They probably believed we killed each other off during the Sorceress War and there was no one left to communicate with."

Ellone lazed back on the bed with her arms over her head. "Or they just didn't care and were too busy screwing over their own people and destroying their side of the planet. Now they're moving on to ours."

Squall frowned at his sister. "It's freaky hearing Selphie words coming out of your mouth. Stop it."

Ellone giggled and stuck her tongue out. "No."

Laguna paused with his hairbrushing and stared at himself in the mirror. "She's not wrong. Rufus Shinra is a manipulative, cold-blooded killer, who's head of a corporation of manipulative, cold-blooded killers. He's never lied about who he was or what he's done to stay President. I'm the liar here. What the hell am I doing? I invited them into our home. Squall, I made a horrible mistake. We have to stop this."

Squall quieted his frantic father's babbling with a tight hug. "Hush. You shouldered the burden for months, with Kiros and Ward, before telling me what was going on."

Laguna shuddered in Squall's comforting embrace. "Technically, Ellone told you what was going on, after I had a massive panic attack and passed out."

Squall sighed as Ellone delightedly waved her hand from the bed. "You promised you would talk to me before it ever happened again. Are you going to break your promise today or at all during Shinra's visit?"

Laguna shook his head against Squall's shoulder. "If it's for Esthar, or my babies, I can do it. Luckily, this time it's for both. I'll be fine."

The true working President of Esthar, Kiros, entered the bedroom with a tired smile. "The show must go on. The Highwind has entered Estharian air space and will be landing at the Airstation in about ten minutes. All set?"

Squall held on to Laguna's hand as Ellone clasped the other . "We good, Dad?"

Laguna felt his children's love and smiled. "We're unbeatable."

XXX

(Esthar City - Airstation)

On the Highwind, Captain Cid Highwind was patiently attempting to land his pride and joy on the gleaming pillar in the middle of a metropolis. The cacophony of voices around him rose the closer he got to the landing pad. "Shut it or walk the fuck home!"

Of course, no one paid him any attention except for Vincent, who placed a calming hand on Cid's tense back. "An exhilarating trip, Captain. You flew wonderfully, in spite of all the havoc the Gods threw at you. I am so happy you agreed to stay with me."

Cid felt all the blood in his body run south as he set the airship safely on the landing pad. Vincent's smoky voice made every utterance sound like a sultry declaration of love. "Ah'm the happy one, Vince. It's been awhile since Ah outran Death with the Highwind. It's jest what this pilot needed."

Rufus Shinra peered out the vast side window and swore at what he observed outside. "Is my future family being attacked?"

Tseng glanced over his boss's shoulder as he handed his little sister, Yuffie, another barf bag. "It appears so. The SeeDs and Presidential guard are holding their own at the moment. Nice headshot. Your future stepson is quite the vicious beast when his father's life is endangered."

Rufus readied his various guns as his electric-blue eyes landed on a harried Laguna shielding and arguing with a young woman. "More like his sister's. Why don't they allow her to fight? The girl could stop Time and single handedly kill these monsters at her leisure."

The Turk's Second-in-Command, Reno, snickered from the chair across the way, as he fired up his Electromagnetic Rod. "The citizens tend to lock up and kill those freethinking gals."

His partner, Rude, tightened his gloves and glared under his shades as his new wife slipped her armored ones on. "You won't need those, Tifa. It's our honeymoon. I'm working. Not you."

The bar owner kissed the Turk's smooth cheek. "I can already tell I'm a better fighter than most of the people out there. I'll stay nearby. Don't make me beat you up in front of Reno again."

The bald man hugged the badass woman who finally accepted his marriage proposal. "You win."

First Class SOLDIER, Zack Fair, booty-bounced in his seat as his excited eyes followed the action. "All right! Fight! Fight! Fight! Give the order, General! This country boy needs some action."

The diminutive blond infantryman seated next to him shrank in his chair. "I shouldn't have come. I don't even have a gun. I was never trained like Tifa. I'm useless."

Zack nearly smothered his best friend with a strangling body hug. "Negativity be gone! No regrets, Cloud Strife. You wanted an adventure and now you've landed in one. The SOLDIER grade knife I gave you for your birthday is clipped to your belt and your hand-to-hand skills are on par with a SECOND Class. Keep near Tifa and guard her back. You'll do great."

Cloud managed a shaky smile as his childhood friend, Tifa, reached across the aisle to hold his hand. "Yeah. We'll do great."

First Class SOLDIER, Angeal Hewley, nodded to General Sephiroth and retrieved his sword from its traveling case. "Never a dull day with Shinra."

His fellow First Class, and half-brother, Genesis Rhapsodos, barely registered Angeal's words as he dabbed the blood starting to flow from his nine-year-old daughter's small nose. "Shelke, stop. You've notified the military for more reinforcements. There is nothing left to do but wait."

The child winced as she mentally corrected another communication disturbance only she could sense. "Their so-called advanced technology stopped advancing many years ago. Magic can only patch so much. The widespread disorder the scientists have brought to the natural environment is most disturbing. If we ever meet in person, I would be most happy to kill them."

Genesis kissed his little girl's head as her nose continued to bleed. "No more talk of mass killing, Darling. Remember what we agreed on. Education first."

General Sephiroth whispered in his father's ear. "I'm off to clean up another mess. I'm assuming you won't be leaving Cid's side. I love you."

Vincent whispered back. "I love you, Sephiroth. Stay safe."

The General disappeared from Vincent's side, only to reappear next to Squall's. Nearly thirty monsters disintegrated in front of the SeeD Commander's astonished eyes with one swipe of Sephiroth's sword. "Poor little SeeD. All alone without a SOLDIER by his side."

The Commander gritted his teeth as he blew a hole through another monster. "Hello to you too, General. Can you make fun of me later after killing the rest of these fuckers? They're making my father cry."

Sephiroth made Squall stumble as he warmly kissed his cheek prior to flying off and easily massacring the enemy the Turks and the other First Classes weren't taking care of.

The SeeD felt his father tug his uniform jacket. "What, Dad?"

Laguna sniffled as Ellone wiped his face with a handkerchief. "The General seemed pretty smitten. If he asks for your hand, he has my blessing."

Squall surveyed the First Classes and Turks showing all of Esthar City what the might of Shinra could do. The angelic General Sephiroth flew above, while releasing a Meteor-sized ball of energy where the monsters were possibly emerging. "I really don't think he needs it, Dad."

xxx

Rufus Shinra looked exceedingly dashing, with blond hair askew, and holding a smoking shotgun in each hand. A welcoming smile lit up his handsome face as Laguna nervously made his way through the mass of monster corpses. "Careful there. It would be tragic if you fell down in this mire with your nice uniform on. So pretty for me in the morning."

Laguna felt the heat run up his face as Rufus's looming shadow blanketed his figure. "My apologies, President Shinra. Your arrival was meant to be more stately, with a big brass band and everything. Who knew the big brass band would awaken every monster for miles around?"

"Any idiot with half a brain." Sephiroth stalked to Rufus's side with the other First Classes milling around with the waiting Turks. "The security was spotty at best. They've come to rely too much on mechanized soldiers. The SeeDs stood their ground well, but the comms were taken out with one monster's swipe. If not for our timely arrival, all here would be dead. We should return to Midgar, President Shinra. There is nothing of worth here for the company or SOLDIER."

The General halted his diatribe once he sensed the world had frozen in place. "Keep alert, President Shinra. I will keep you safe."

Rufus beckoned around Sephiroth's arm. "Speak your peace, Ellone Loire. I'm listening."

The young woman hesitantly stepped forward, while dragging a reluctant Laguna in her wake. "The General doesn't know what he's talking about. He only sees all the wrong, but there is so much right about our city and our people. Yes, Esthar City isn't as advanced as it used to be, compared to what Shinra can do. Our generators won't last another winter. It's why my father sent the first missive to you. He never dreamed you would answer back. When you did, it meant everything to him."

Rufus maneuvered around both Sephiroth and Ellone to shadow Laguna once more. "Everything? What does your daughter mean about everything, Laguna? What price did the Galbadian President extract for those shoddy emergency batteries he 'gifted' to you? How many of his fingers and ribs must I break for the fool believing he can own what will never truly be his?"

Laguna rested his forehead against Rufus's firm chest. "We've just met, President Shinra. This is meant to be a friendly meeting between two governing entities. My personal life is my own."

In a blink, Rufus had grabbed the length of Laguna's hair and yanked his surprised head back. Fiery electric blue eyes met frightened meadow green. "You needed Shinra? I am here. You pleaded for my help. What shall be my reward for giving it to you? You requested far more than a few emergency batteries."

Laguna's lips trembled as he spoke. "All that I am. All I can be is yours. Just help my people survive. Please help my people…"

Rufus sighed as the Estharian President dissolved into tears. The pent up stress of the situation made the smaller man shake in his arms. "A good thing I plan fifty moves ahead, Laguna. I'll help your people, since you'll be helping mine."

Laguna stiffened in the magnate's hold. "What do you…"

"Give my father to me and back off. He's cried enough today."

Rufus Shinra beamed at a stone-faced Squall Leonhart. "Hello, Son. Turn that frown upside down. Daddy Shinra brought the big, bad First Classes to make all the bad monsters go away."

Ellone peeked uncertainly from Rufus to an amused Sephiroth. "I cloaked Squall before you noticed Time had stopped. How did the President know where he was?"

Sephiroth shrugged as Squall sloppily grabbed a limp Laguna from Rufus. "The President is an enigma to us all. As for me, please ask prior to using your Time powers around First Classes again. It feels like our brains are being stabbed. We will freeze like the rest of the crowd for a few moments, but be extremely irritated once we power past the hold. You have been warned."

Ellone sheepishly dropped her head. "Good to know. Sorry."

Genesis sauntered up while holding a woozy Shelke in his arms. "Don't apologize. The lag gave my baby a mental break from all the magical crap hovering around this Goddess forsaken land. Thank you."

Angeal landed next to Sephiroth and sheathed his sword. "The streets are crawling with beasts. And it worsens when the sun goes down? We'll be all day with this."

The General patted his friend's broad shoulder. "You thought you would be bored. Be careful what you wish for."

Zack jogged up with a passed-out Cloud slung over his shoulder. "Where are we staying? I should drop off Spiky before jumping back into the fray. He's all tuckered out."

Rude followed while holding his wife's hand. "I should get Tifa settled too. She'll watch over Shelke while we clear the streets with the SeeDs."

Reno galloped up with a jubilant Yuffie riding his back. "Rally-ho! Let's get back to the monster killing! It's fuckin' boring staying in one place!"

Ellone stamped her foot in frustration. "Do my Time powers work on any of you Shinra people?!"

The group answered en masse. "No."

Sephiroth placed a comforting hand on Ellone's head. "It's better this way. We can protect your father when no one else can. And we will. I promise you."

To the General's surprise, Ellone strangled his long waist with a warm hug. "Thank you."

Laguna wavered in Squall's arms. "For this visit, my home is now your home. You will all be staying at the Presidential Residence. A private tram shall transport us there. Welcome to Esthar City."

Squall reaffirmed his hold around his father's body. "You better restart Time, Ellie. The SeeDs and the rest of the military are still frozen."

Ellone's eyes rounded and she waved her arms in the air. "Hyne, I forgot! Thanks, Squallie."

Laguna murmured as his son helped him to the transport. "This is awful, Squall. The General thinks our military's a joke. He has respect for the SeeDs, but not much. He wants to leave now. How can we convince him to stay?"

Squall thought back over Sephiroth's flashy arrival and how he whispered low in his ear. "Leave General Sephiroth to me, Dad. I'll make sure he stays. One way or the other."

XXX

(Balamb Garden)

A day or so later, Squall stood confident in the vast front lobby as the Shinra Party collected itself in front of him. "Welcome to our school and training facility. I hope you find our home to your liking, especially you, General Sephiroth."

The tall man strode forward with his curious lookalike father in tow. "Education is all well and good. I am more interested in the residing SeeDs and their battle capabilities. Many were severely injured in the previous skirmish. Yes?"

Squall bristled at the older man's lightly condescending tone. "My fellow SeeDs are well and battle ready, General. SeeDs heal fast."

The Commander stiffened as the redhead standing next to Rufus Shinra sniggered under his breath. "Not fuckin' fast enough. Lightweights."

The Shinra made a sharp gesture to the other black suits around him as they agreed. The trio snapped to attention. "I beg your pardon, Commander Leonhart. My Turks were somewhat unimpressed with the military's performance. They're hoping your SeeDs will prove more of a challenge."

Squall's stormy eyes darted over to meet Laguna's. "This was scheduled to be only…"

The whole building could probably hear the silent plea Laguna's eyes telegraphed to his irritated son. "Please… For me, Squall…"

Squall exhaled as a beautiful long-haired lady stepped away from the bald Turk and smiled at him. "Yes, ma'am. How may I help you?"

The woman placed a hand on her impressive chest. "Call me Tifa. I heard there are also orphaned children and future recruits taken in as young as the age of five. I would be interested in touring their area, if possible."

Squall allowed a rare genuine smile to grace his fair features and motioned to a fellow SeeD jogging by. "More than possible, Tifa. The children love visitors. I'll have Zell bring you to their play area. Will the young child be accompanying you?"

Shelke pouted next to Genesis. "Play is boring, Mama."

The First Class knelt down to kiss his little girl's cheek. "Think of it as a mission. Study the children's actions and reactions. If you wish to blend in better with society, you must act as one of them to be accepted. Understand, my treasure?"

Shelke returned Genesis's kiss before taking Tifa's hand. "Yes, Mama."

Angeal griped as Genesis straightened up. "You're raising a proper psychopath."

Genesis sing-songed to his disturbed half-brother. "Not with Uncle Angeal to set her right."

Sephiroth flicked his hair behind his shoulder. "And the rest of us, Commander. Are we left to stand here in the entranceway?"

To Laguna's relief, Squall's second-in-command, Quistis Trepe, hurried in to stand gasping next to Squall's incensed figure. "My apologies for running late. The SeeDs are gathering in the Training Center in groups of three. Ready to spar or be evaluated at Shinra's leisure. If you're all ready, please follow me."

Rufus rested a warm hand on Laguna's back. "While my Turks are otherwise occupied, I was hoping you could give me a tour of the Library, President Loire."

Laguna's legs nearly locked with confusion as Rufus drag-walked them to the wooden doors. "It's a room filled with books. You haven't seen books before?''

Once Tseng opened the door, Rufus waved his intended on through. "Not with you, Laguna."

Vincent paused with Sephiroth near the elevator. "Cid cannot wait to study the inner workings of this flying fortress. The main engineer has already inquired whether he could help with some of the mechanical problems they keep having. Will you be calm while we are separated?"

Sephiroth tightened his leather gloves. "Insolent brat. Squall seduces everyone he meets. Smiling to Tifa in such a manner in front of her husband. His backside would have met the flat of my hand if not for you holding me back, Father."

Vincent shook his head. "Patience, Sephiroth. The boy is like his father. Their beauty is evident to everyone but themselves. It will be up to you and Rufus to protect them in the future from the vultures of this Planet."

Sephiroth stretched his fingers and smirked when Masamune appeared in his hand. "A good thing I am more than ready for the job."

xxx

(Play Area)

As the seated children oohed and aahed, Shelke used her depowered battle wands to juggle a ball in the air, making it spin and twirl with fantastic speed.

Sitting cross-legged next to the children, Tifa placed her hand on the shy blond SeeD's arm. "If it's not too personal, does your facial tattoo have a meaning behind it?"

Zell grinned at the pretty lady. "Nah. I'm an open book. There's no special meaning behind my tattoo. I just drew it during class one day and thought it was cool. Is it not cool?"

Tifa beamed back at him. "It's wonderful. It brings out the blue in your eyes. I noticed your fighting gloves. Are you a boxer like me?"

As Tifa pulled out her own sparring gloves, Zell deflated with relief, once he knew he was talking to a fellow martial artist. "Yep. My mom was the female regional champion and my father won the male division the same year. She started teaching me right after they adopted me."

Tifa sidled closer to the young man. "My husband, Rude, is a boxer as well. He's one of the visiting Turks. Don't worry. He'd put you through the paces, but he wouldn't maim or kill you. He's been ordered to play nice this trip."

Zell stuttered as he edged away. "H-h-husband? Turk? Lady, I think you're sitting way too close for my physical well-being."

With a pull and yank, a smug Tifa had silenced a choking Zell with his own hoodie strings. "Shelke, will you be okay until your Mama comes and gets you?"

The little girl paused while teaching the youngsters how to tear an enemy's throat out with their bare hands. "I have control of the situation, Aunt Tifa. Carry on."

Tifa began to sing softly as she dragged a struggling SeeD out the door. "I can't wait for Rude to meet you, Zell. You're just what we've been looking for."

xxx

(Training Center)

Zack laughed with joy as he easily tossed six SeeDs across the room to land in a heap in some bouncy bushes. "Nice try, Guys! I tell ya, this trip's just getting better and better, Spiky. You good?"

The infantryman sipped his lemonade and nibbled on a hot dog. "I'm better. Sorry for getting carsick. Aren't you supposed to be studying the SeeDs battle capabilities? All you've been doing is tossing them around."

Zack held his arms out as the giggling teens ran back to him. "They're having fun. Everyone deserves a little happiness in their day, Cloud. I'm the First Class to give it to them."

Cloud sat back as Zack unconsciously made another group of strangers fall in love with him by just being Zack. "Yeah, you are."

Across the way, a cocky Reno was lounging up a palm tree. "First, you can't catch me. Now you tell me you can't climb a friggin' tree? You kids wouldn't last half-a-day under the Plate."

The dark-haired man, carrying a big staff, named Raijin, scratched the back of his head. "Lightning magic don't work on ya and we're not allowed to destroy the palm trees. You're not really playing fair, ya know."

Next to him, the silver-haired woman with an eyepatch, named Fujin, threw her chakram weapon back-and-forth at high speed to a gleeful Yuffie. "Sneaky. Teaching sucks."

Yuffie snorted as she twirled the chakram one-handed. "She has a point, Reno. No one else can move like a tomcat. Why don't you teach them the second tier Turk stuff? It's unclassified and still great to learn."

Reno jumped from the top of the tree and landed on his feet with nary a sound. "I can do that."

Fujin held up her hand to get the Turk's attention. "First. Meet Seifer."

Reno stretched his arms up till his back cracked. "Why would I waste my time meetin' some kid I'll never see again? From what I hear, he ain't even a SeeD."

Fujin held up her phone screen with the picture of a stern handsome blond wearing a pair of cutoff jean shorts and nothing else. The tone of his eight-pack was highlighted by the water drops shimmering on his pale skin. "Meet Seifer."

Reno barely noticed as his EMR clattered to the floor. "I can definitely do that."

Nearer the small dock, Rude was taking on some SeeDs in a 3-on-1 spar. It was only his heart sensing his mate which made him block with his forearms as her steel-encased heel came down hard on his head. "Love the way you love me, Baby."

The Turk swerved fast to catch his other attacker by the neck. "You're new. Guess you wanna play too."

Zell used momentum to kick up and free himself as Tifa went for a kidney punch. "Wow. No holds barred. You two have an interesting marriage."

Rude handily caught Zell's leg, twirled him around, and threw him into Tifa. "Getting better every day. Isn't that right, honey?"

Tifa kissed Zell pink, then low-kicked to take Rude out at the knees. "You know it."

Rude slid back, signaled the end of the fight, and easily picked up the flustered SeeD like a child. "Tifa, did you tell this poor kid anything about anything?"

After bowing to the applauding SeeDs, Tifa snuggled up to the men. "I wanted him to get to know us, then we would convince him with lots of sex."

Rude frowned and brought Zell closer. "You down with that, SeeD?"

Zell couldn't meet their eyes as his feet dangled in the air, but he managed a hesitant nod. "Yeah. I'm okay with it. Just don't make fun of me if I do or say something stupid. I hate it when people make fun of me."

Tifa embraced the unsure SeeD as Rude rested Zell's head against his shoulder. "No one will ever make fun of you again, Zell. You'll have me and Rude to make sure of it."

Next to a small bamboo grove, a chortling Angeal wrestled a huge T-Rexaur into submission. The outwardly fierce animal began to cry and whine once it realized it was caught by a deadlier predator.

A bouncy-haired SeeD, called Selphie, shook her nunchakus at the First Class. "Oh stop! George was only going to take a little nibble out of you. He's really harmless as a puppy. Let him go!"

The SeeD to her left, Irvine, cradled his rifle in his arms. "That is a sorry sight. See ya in the next life, George."

Hearing that, Selphie scampered over to punch Angeal's rock-hard arm with her small fist. "Don't you dare kill George! I'll never forgive you if you kill George."

Angeal rose up enough to kiss the SeeD's cheek. "I'm only playing with George. I'll set him free in a moment. It was for his own good. He would have broken his leg in that hole if I hadn't stopped him."

Irvine moved some fern fronds over to show a deep hole in the ground floor. "Lookee here, Tilmitt. This First Class is a good guy. I'll shove this fallen log over to cover the hole."

Perched in another palm tree, Genesis waved his nail file as he filed his nails. "Might as well show them your wing, Angeal. Sorry, Kiddoes. He left his halo at home."

As George was released and quickly lumbered away, Angeal stood up and a large white wing appeared on his back. "I really shouldn't show you two so soon. Does it seem odd? You can touch it, Selphie. I don't mind."

The SeeD marveled as she ran her fingers through the wing. Finding a big loose feather, she held it to her heart. "It's amazing. Thank you."

Irvine's full attention was on the wing as ran his fingers along the down. "Damn shame keeping this hidden. Why don't you let it hang out like General Sephiroth?"

Angeal picked the young man up and made him drop his rifle by swinging him around. "The General's wing is part of his public persona. The people expect to see it wherever he goes. Genesis and I, on the other hand, only show our wings when absolutely necessary and around family."

Genesis idly kicked his feet as his own wing unfurled behind him as he continued to file his nails. "Most of Midgar have heard of our wings. Our fan club sites have verified their existence, but few have seen them and lived to tell the tale."

Irvine gulped as Angeal's brawny arms tightened around his lean form. He sensed Selphie ready her nunchakus. "Why are we the lucky ones?"

The First Class relieved the SeeD's fear with a deep, lustful kiss to soft lips. "You're going to become part of my family, Irvine. Hopefully, we'll be making it bigger in the near future."

Irvine couldn't think of a word to say as more surprise kisses plumped his lips. All he could do is return them with rapidly rising ardor.

"You can't!"

Both men turned their heads to view a teary-eyed Selphie, who had dropped her weapon, but still held the white feather to her heart.

Selphie took a few hesitant steps forward. "Irvine has my love and I have his. I admit I forgot him for a little while, but it wasn't my fault, and he forgave me. He's a scaredy-cat and I'm a ditz, but we love each other anyway. Please don't take him away from me. He's all I have."

Angeal stiffened as Irvine began to struggle in his arms. "Be still. My arms are where you belong from now on. She forgot you before, which means she'll forget you again. I never will."

Selphie vigorously shook her head as the tears flowed down. "No, I won't! I swear I won't, Irvine. I'll quit SeeD before I let it happen again. I love you. Don't leave me."

Irvine roused himself once again. "I love you, Selphie. You're my girl."

Genesis sighed from his observation perch and yelled down to Angeal. "Marry them both, you hard-headed idiot. We're First Class. We get what we want. It was the girl who caught your interest first, until her boyfriend joined her. You know just one mate won't keep you satisfied. We'll have to hire a nanny, though, for the babies. Gillian's getting on in years and Shelke needs to focus on her future career not babysitting."

Selphie yelped as she suddenly joined Irvine in the tight circle of Angeal's arms. "What's happening? What are we doing?"

Angeal nuzzled first one SeeD then the other. "Once in a blue moon, my brother has a good idea. You smell fantastic, Irvine. The both of you together, though, is absolute heaven. Genesis is right. I won't be satisfied unless you two are in my bed."

Selphie struggled a little until her small form sank into Angeal's warmth. Her head flopped onto his shoulder. "You're so comfy. Stop being comfy. I can't be angry with you when you're comfy. Touch me more there, it feels nice."

Irvine snuggled in on the other side. "Sex isn't allowed in the Training Center, not that we've gone all the way yet. We were waiting until our wedding night."

Angeal lavished the pair with hot kisses. "What a wondrous wedding night we shall have."

Meanwhile, in a somewhat secluded area of the Training Center, Squall did his best to get past Sephiroth's iron-clad defense. He whaled away for a few more moments before holding his hand up to halt the fight. "What's wrong, General?"

Sephiroth lowered Masamune and glowered at the SeeD Commander. "Whatever do you mean, Squall?"

The SeeD nearly vibrated with the irritation brought on by the subtle way Sephiroth disrespected him. "It's Commander Leonhart. Only my friends and family call me by my first name. You're neither."

The General's whole being shimmered with self-assurance as Masamune dissipated with a flick of his hand. "Not yet."

Squall rested Lionheart against his shoulder. "Not with that attitude. What's wrong, Sephiroth? If you make me ask you again, you can find your own way to the front entrance, and I'll apologize to my father later."

Sephiroth slowly circled in place while surveying the surrounding area. "What an odd pocket of privacy to find in a highly dangerous kill zone. Nearly no wild animals to bother. Exotic flowers abound. Soft moss underneath our feet. How many other poor suckers did you lure here to seduce to your cause with your beauty, Commander Leonhart?"

Overcome with fury, Squall shook his sword at the amused General like a ruler. "SeeDs are mercenaries not whores. We're paid for our military services not sex."

Sephiroth's emerald eyes narrowed in thought. "Call it what you will. Bought and paid for is bought and paid for."

Squall slashed his sword a hair's-breadth from Sephiroth's face. "We're not whores! I'm not a whore. I've only had one girlfriend and we'll be married once she gets better."

Sephiroth suddenly appeared right next to Squall. He murmured in a blushing ear. "I've read Rinoa's medical records, Squall, including the supposedly redacted ones. She's never going to get better. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can be happy with someone else. I noticed her photos eerily resemble Tifa to a T. Do you smile at Rinoa like you smiled at Tifa today?"

Squall's arms began to tremble as he registered the General's rising bloodlust as he talked about Rinoa. "I don't know any other way to smile at Rinoa. She opened my heart so I was able to love again. It's Ultimecia's fault that she is the way she is now. Please don't kill her."

Sephiroth knocked the sword out of Squall's lax hands and left the young man yearning with a deep tonguing kiss. "The madwoman does not deserve your devotion. Death would be a blessing for her now. It would be quick and painless. I promise you."

Squall left a trail of gentle butterfly kisses along Sephiroth's firm jawline. "Don't do this. Take your rage and jealousy out on me. Take what you want from my body. Leave Rinoa alone. Please."

The General brought Squall's smaller figure to the mossy floor and ravished all the bare skin he could find with kisses. "Spare me this flimsy excuse of a seduction. You're mine, Squall Leonhart. Heart and soul. Accept it."

Before Squall could refute Sephiroth's claim, the lovemaking was brought to a jarring halt by a smoky clearing of a throat.

Sephiroth lifted his head, but his eyes remained on Squall's tan belly. "Return to Cid's side, Father. My love needs more convincing."

Vincent Valentine stepped from the shadows. "Until the Sorceress relinquishes her claim, or Squall accepts you completely, you will never be the center of his heart, my son. Allow Squall to make the break on his own. The Sorceress will accept nothing less."

"If I kill her first?" Masamune reappeared in Sephiroth's hand.

Vincent's crimson eyes slid over to Squall's anguished face. "You will lose your love forever."

Sephiroth woodenly stood, while resting his gaze anywhere but Squall. "I will depart with my father. If you visit Rinoa, while I am here, I must be by your side. You wish for her to live. Do not argue with me on this matter."

Squall buttoned his dress shirt back up and stared at his shoes. "Kiss me."

Sephiroth paused at the area's entrance. "What?"

Squall fisted his hands as his shoes became more interesting. "When you leave the love of your life, you kiss them. So kiss me."

There was so much love and passion in Sephiroth's kiss, the SeeD Commander nearly fell to his knees as the General and his father left the Training Center.

Hearing the click-clack of boot heels, Squall looked up to view a concerned Second-in-Command. "I planned on Sephiroth falling for me. I never thought I would love him back. What do I do, Quistis? He's all my secret wishes come true."

Quistis helped Squall steady himself. "First, you have to figure out how to break up with Rinoa without her destroying Deling City."

Squall weaved as he walked. "Sephiroth was ready to kill her today. It took everything I learned in class to stop him. Even then he called me out on the manipulation. In the future, I'll never get anything past him."

Quistis picked up Lionheart for her friend. "Isn't that a good thing in a marriage?"

Squall took his sword and rested it on his shoulder. "From what I've seen and heard, I'd say no."

xxx

(Library)

Laguna jittered in his seat as he tried not to eavesdrop on the exotically handsome Turk making kissy noises on his phone.

Tseng smiled as the person on the other end kissed back. "No, Aerith. You have to hang up first… No, I love you… No, I love you more…"

Rufus leaned in with a leering grin. "Married for a year and still in the Honeymoon phase. Sickening, isn't it?"

Laguna kept his eyes on the wooden desk in front of him. "Sort of jealous, actually. I haven't had that since Raine. Doubt I'll ever find it again."

Rufus made Laguna emit a tiny shriek as he yanked their chairs together. They were so close the Estharian President was practically sitting in his lap. "You dare to say that to my face. I should spank you in front of all these impressionable students."

Laguna shoved back so hard he nearly landed on the floor. "Don't ever talk about hitting me again. Don't even joke about it. I won't be anyone's punching bag."

Rufus held Laguna close and hummed against his temple until the older man calmed down. "I would cut off these very hands before they brought harm to you, Laguna. Please stop comparing me to the other lowlife bastards you've met in your life. If anything, I am a one-of-a-kind Gold Star highlife bastard. Please treat me accordingly."

Laguna melted as his anger turned into laughter. "If this is your form of apology, I can't wait to hear your marriage proposal. It's gotta be a doozy."

Rufus snuggled his love closer. "It'll knock your socks off. Just you wait."

The romance was cut short by General Sephiroth and Vincent arriving in the Library.

Rufus arched an eyebrow at viewing the First Class's rare dishevelment. "Getting a little frisky I see, General. Is the tour over so soon?"

Sephiroth's voice came out brittle as he spoke. "The rest of the group has been notified and is gathering near the transports. The chosen SeeDs have collected their belongings and will be residing at the Presidential Residence until they leave with the First Classes and Turks to Midgar."

Rufus held a gentle hand over Laguna's protesting mouth as he gazed into eyes brimming with concern. "You knew there would be a price to pay. This is part of the price. From what I understand, all SeeDs, male and female, are viable bearers, due to their special Junctioning capabilities. The magically enhanced bodies of SeeDs are just what my First Classes and Turks need to carry their children."

Laguna licked his lips once Rufus removed his hand. His eyes darted up to meet Sephiroth's. "Are the formed relationships consensual? If not, I'll fight you with everything Esthar has. I doubt we'd win, but I'll still do it."

To the older man's surprise, Sephiroth knelt to one knee and held Laguna's hand with his own. "As my future father-in-law, I swear on my love for Squall that the relationships started today were agreed to by all parties. The worst way to hurt Squall, would be to hurt his friends. This I will never do."

Laguna placed his other hand on the General's shoulder guard. "I hope you know what you're getting into, Son. The last time Squall tried to break up with Rinoa, she wiped his mind clean. He didn't even recognize the woman who raised him, Edea. I had to call in a favor for some Moomba magic to get my boy back. Both Ellone and I decided to tolerate Rinoa, so we wouldn't have to go through that horror again."

Sephiroth's answering smile was sinister to the extreme. "Allay your fears, Laguna. Your son's future health and happiness will be safe with me. I assure you."

XXX

(Presidential Residence)

Late at night, Zack Fair wandered the halls searching for Cloud. He found his best friend crying in the kitchen, while eating corn flakes. The tears increased as the First Class enveloped the infantryman with his arms. "What's going on, Spiky? You've been crying every night since we got here."

The smaller man edged away from Zack's kindness and placed his cereal bowl on the table. "Don't worry. They're happy tears."

Zack peered at Cloud's blotchy face. "Happy? Hate to see what happens when you're sad. Does your face explode?"

Cloud sniggered through his tears and playfully shoved the First Class. "Stupid. It's because I have good news. Here look."

Zack's enhanced eyesight skimmed down the medical printout Cloud had handed him. He honestly couldn't make out most of the medical gobbledygook except for the bold printed word 'Fertility' and the number 100%. "Cloud, you're a viable male bearer. What made you think SOLDIER would accept you? Fertile male bearers aren't allowed to go into combat. You're considered too rare and precious."

Cloud wiped his nose on a kitchen towel. "I believed I was sterile like all the other male bearers I've met in Midgar. It didn't help that I grew up in Nibelheim right next to a Mako Reactor. When we visited Balamb Garden, I decided to take a chance and have Dr. Kadowaki test me while getting more motion sickness medication. I thought I would get the results when we left, but it only took a few minutes."

Zack placed the printout on the table and smoothed it out with his fingers. "What are you not telling me, Cloud? Why do I feel my heart breaking?"

Cloud wrung the towel in his hands. "Male bearers are treated so differently here. I wouldn't have to be constantly afraid of being kidnapped. I wouldn't be locked away for my own good. I can choose any profession I want. I can be free in ways I never dreamed of."

The printout crumpled as Zack's hands formed into fists. The heightened luminescence of his eyes reflected against the tabletop. "Free without me. You won't need old Zack guarding your back."

Cloud blinked as more tears fell. "I'll always need you, Zack. The problem is you don't need me. I allowed myself a little hope when you broke up with Aerith and she married Tseng. I thought it was my chance, but you still treated me like a friend. You had so many one-night-stands I lost count. The one time I walked in… My heart broke into pieces and you didn't seem to care."

Zack swore and shook his head. "I was so drunk I couldn't remember who I was, Cloud. I'm sorry. I've been such an idiot…"

Cloud tore the printout from under Zack's hands. "I've decided to stay here. President Laguna said I would be welcome to remain at the Presidential Residency and Squall promised to fly me wherever I wish to go. I can even stay at Balamb Garden if I want to."

Zack's fist came down on the table, leaving a harsh crack down the middle. "Cut to the chase, Cloud! I've watched you with kids. You want a family. You've always wanted the big family you didn't have growing up. Who's the daddy, Cloud?"

Cloud placed a petite hand on his love's shoulder. "Calm down, Zack. I haven't chosen anyone yet. My heart still belongs to you. Once you leave, it should be easier to let you go. I'll find someone to love me then."

Cloud silently said goodbye to the table as Zack turned it into firewood.

The First Class rose up and roared. "Someone to love you! I'll kill them all!"

In a flash, Sephiroth and Angeal appeared, swords in hand, wearing only their briefs.

Angeal picked up Zack and held on as he flailed with rage. "Nice bluff, Cloud. Next time do it during business hours."

Sephiroth nailed a cringing Cloud to the chair with a molten glare. "I won't bother asking if you love Zack, since it's been disgustingly evident for years now. You will marry First Class Fair tomorrow. If you ever raise such a disturbance again, during a Diplomatic mission, I will cut off both your heads and call it a night. Do I make myself clear, Strife?"

Cloud speedily nodded. To his relief, Masamune disappeared from Sephiroth's hand. "Yes, General. I wasn't bluffing, Commander Hewley. I'm prepared to stay here when Zack leaves."

Feeling Zack's anger rise, Angeal shook his friend until he went limp again. "Ah, young love. So dumb. So destructive. Take Zack to your room, Cloud. Make sure he gets some sleep. He won't abide being apart from you until you're married."

Cloud took Zack into his arms and was relieved the First Class had somewhat regained control of himself. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Zack. I love you. When I dream of my future children's father, I only see you."

Zack left Cloud breathless with a raw sensual kiss. "It better stay that way."

Angeal whispered to Sephiroth in the doorway. "I hope this was a wake-up call. You're becoming more erratic by the day. I understand Squall's situation is delicate, but he's causing you unnecessary mental suffering for a woman who could care less about anyone but herself. Genesis has his daughters, Shelke and Rosso, to anchor him. I was finally blessed with Irvine and Selphie. Squall should be sleeping in your bed, and keeping you stable, instead he's miles away. If the SeeD commander won't make up his mind, you need to make it for him."

Sephiroth crossed his arms against his bare chest. "I'm trying to be the kind and understanding partner the magazines always spout about."

Angeal clapped his friend on the shoulder. "You mean the doormat? The considerate chump who gets constantly cheated on and can't understand why? Don't be that guy, Sephiroth. Be the badass you were born to be. Get your man and leave the enemy cursing your name as you live happily ever after with Squall."

Sephiroth pondered his friend's sensible advice . "I believe I will."

XXX

(Balamb Garden)

Seifer Almasy huffed as another group of giggling students passed by. He wrapped his long gray coat tighter around himself. "You think they've never seen a bare chested ex-criminal before."

"Never."

Seifer turned to embrace Fujin and Raijin. "There better be a damned good reason for asking me to show up in Esthar. I've got better ways to waste my time. Warmer too."

Raijin scratched the back of his head. "Well, ya know… "

Fujin pointed to a lanky pony-tailed redhead wearing a black suit and idly swinging a metal rod. "Reno. Spouse."

Seifer took a slow look up and down the gorgeous stranger. "The fuck he is. Looks more like a hitman."

Reno slunk forward. "A hitman wishes he made as much gil as this Turk does. What's with the nipples? You allergic to shirts?"

Seifer opened his arms wide. "Who needs a shirt? What the fuck do I have to hide?"

Reno stepped right into Seifer's personal space. "A whole fuck of a lot. Your intel binders nearly broke the desk. It took me all night to read through all that shit. The video footage was just the icing on the cake. You're cute when you're brainwashed."

Seifer's arms fell to his side and his arrogant air drained away. His look of defeat was heartbreaking. "So you know everything. Why are you still here?"

Reno cradled Seifer's face so he could gaze into blue-green eyes. "I caught this horrible disease called "Love at First Sight" when Fujin showed me your picture. It's terminal for Turks if we don't marry the cause right quick."

Seifer winced as Reno's hold on his face tightened. The Turk's intensity was nearly giving off sparks. "I don't know what you saw in my picture, Reno, but I'd make a horrible spouse. I've never been faithful to any of my boyfriends or girlfriends. I was a loudmouth bully growing up and I have zero social skills. You should find someone else to be the mother of your hellions. I'm likely barren anyway. I took every drug under the sun after Ultimecia… Just forget about me."

Reno released Seifer's face enough to whip out his phone and show the former wannabe Knight the screen. "Barren? Not according to your medical records. You visited Dr. Kadowaki for that exact same fear last month. Be afraid no more, my future baby's momma!"

Seifer paled as he backed away from the gleeful Turk. "What the fuck happened to patient confidentiality? I heard President Loire made a deal with Shinra, but I didn't know it went this far. Why the hell should I care? I'm not even a SeeD. Fuck off, Turk. I'm outta here. Fujin, I'll see you and Raijin when you return to Balamb Town. Your matchmaking skills sucks balls by the way. Bye."

Seifer made it all the way to the front door when Reno suddenly appeared in front of him. "Are you fucking deaf? I don't want you. Take your psycho idea of love and shove it. Get out of my way."

The Turk's ocean-blue staredown merely became colder as he remained in place. "I will, but I'll follow you. You can fuck off to Balamb Town, or wherever else the citizens don't throw rocks at you for being brainwashed by a Sorceress bitch, but I'll follow you and stay by your side until you accept me. Wherever you walk, I'll yowl at your tight ass like the tomcat I am and kill anyone who gives you shit. I'll give you a week until you cry Uncle."

Seifer sharply turned away. "Shut up! Why won't you give up on me? I have."

Reno embraced the former warrior with his long arms and held on until Seifer stopped struggling. "You think you hit rock bottom, Baby. You ain't even close. Look way down where rock bottom really is and you'll see the ground I tap danced on for years. This Turk's tired of dancing alone. From what Fujin and Raijin have hinted, you are too."

Seifer sagged in the Turk's unbreakable hold. "Is Midgar nice?"

Reno kissed Seifer's cheek. "I'll make it as nice as you want it to be. This Turk got lowdown connections to get all the finer things. Shit you ain't even dreamed of. All you gotta do is say yes."

Seifer shook his head. "I don't care about material shit. I just want the hate to stop. I'm sick of having hate spewed at me all day every day. It's so I can't hold my head up anymore.

Reno turned Seifer around and warmed his tear-stained face with kisses. "Say yes and I'll take you to the other side of the Planet where there are no Sorceresses and no one gives a shit about what you did with what's-her-face."

Seifer caught his hopeful friends' faces out of the corner of his eye. Fujin nodded with encouragement as Raijin held his fist over his heart. "Fuck it. I say yes."

The Garden exploded with applause as the crowd around Reno and Seifer cheered along with all the students looking down from the floors above.

Squall walked up to give Seifer the marriage allotment Laguna had reserved for the chosen SeeDs. "Congratulations. You never could pass up an audience."

Seifer stared down at the thick envelope in his hands. "Nosey bastards. I don't deserve this. I never made it into SeeD."

Squall pushed the envelope back into Seifer's hands when his former rival tried to give it back. "You agreed to marry the Turk's Second-in-Command, Seifer. From what I heard, you more than deserve it."

Seifer shoved the envelope into his coat pocket and took hold of Reno's suit jacket lapels. He glared into merry pools of blue. "Second-in-Command? What kind of planet-wide shit did you do to get so high up on the ladder, Turk?"

Reno fluttered his eyelashes over pretty kitty eyes and kissed his future spouse's nose. "Don't worry your gorgeous head about it. It's all classified. Suffice to say, when this Turk broke bad, it stayed broken."

Quistis hugged an alarmed Seifer and gave him a beautiful bouquet of flowers. "Have fun in Midgar."

Reno made Seifer jump as he caressed the blond's muscles under his long jacket. "We will."

XXX

(HIghwind Airship)

Hunkered down in the engine room, Cid Highwind swore as the replacement part he was installing broke into pieces in his hand. "Piece of shit! Advanced technology, my ass! Fuckin' Esthar scientists don't know shit about aeronautical engineering."

Vincent apparated next to Cid's sitting form. With unnatural grace, the gunslinger settled next to the swearing pilot. "You missed dinner, Captain. The stress is making your heart beat at an alarming pace. Talk to me."

Cid threw his wrench to the metal floor and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Ah can get the Airship back to Midgar, but it'll be dicey. Ah fuckin' hate dicey when Ah'm flyin' alone. This time Ah got family and future mommies on board. If we manage to land in Midgar, with me having a heart attack followed by a stroke, Ah'll consider mahself blessed."

Vincent rested his head on Cid's strong shoulder and placed his hand over his man's thundering heart. "Do you know when I considered myself blessed? When you grabbed my wrist in that dive and wouldn't let go. We had only exchanged a few words, and I felt my heart would break, if you let me walk out that door. You didn't."

Cid placed his hand over Vincent's and the loving pair shared a sweet lingering kiss. "Never letting go, Vince. Ah asked Shinra fer a beautiful fallen angel and the sumbitch came through fer me. The Captain knows better than to fight Fate. Ah'm ready to put a ring on it, once you say you'll have me."

Vincent caressed Cid's face. "My answer is yes, Cid. It was yes when you first raised your head off the bar and looked at me. My demons trilled with joy when they saw the sky in your eyes."

Cid kissed along Vincent's face and neck. "The demons fine with marrying me too? Ah know it's a deal breaker if they aren't. Hope they know there's enough loving from the Captain fer all of them."

Vincent's eyes twirled from crimson to gold. Chaos's headpiece enveloped his head and fangs grazed Cid's lips, drawing blood which was rapidly lapped up by a long forked tongue. "We cannot wait to be one with you, Sky. The host made us howl with his hesitancy."

Cid grinned as Vincent retook control. "Can't blame you, Baby. I wasn't a catch when you met me. Not much better now."

Vincent wrapped his bashful man in his cape and covered the tired face with kisses. "You're perfect for me, Cid. While others would banish me back to the coffin in Shinra Manor, you welcomed me into your arms. My demons were accepted and loved when they were finally brave enough to show themselves to you. I've shown you the horror which was inflicted on my body. You've kissed and cherished every scar. I would be a fool to refuse your marriage proposal. I have not been a fool for a very long time."

Cid chuckled as Vincent's kisses and caresses made all his built-up stress go away. "Ah must say, Ah love the way you change the subject, Mr. Valentine-Highwind. Ah plumb fergot about whut Ah was pissed off about."

Vincent nibbled along Cid's ear. "Just as I planned during dinner. You would have hated it anyway, Cid. They were serving fish. There were more bones than fish. I had another chef cook you a steak and some potatoes before I came here."

Cid pulled up Vincent's turtleneck so he could feel skin. "Yeah. Yer perfect fer me, Vince. Shinra came through fer the Captain. Yesiree."

Vincent's hair fanned out as Cid laid him down to love him. He looped his arms around Cid's neck. "Come with me if you want to live, Captain."

Cid dexterously managed to get Vincent's pants open. "Don't have to ask me thrice, Darlin'."

Back in the kitchen, Sephiroth turned on the light to find a row of covered dishes sitting under the long warmer. "It's true. Father can read minds."

Angeal was followed by Genesis holding a grumpy Shelke. "Thank the demons. I'll never think ill of his cape again."

Shelke rubbed her eye. "The fish was nasty."

Selphie jumped onto Angeal's back as Irvine shimmied into his arms. "You got that right, Shelke. I'm still picking bones out of my teeth."

Zack scampered in with Cloud hanging on like a baby monkey. "Real food! We're saved, Spiky!"

Yuffie dropped from the ceiling, took a full plate, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Rufus prowled in with Tseng in tow. "Good. I see Reno and Rude retrieved the dishes for their mates. Though they're on assignment tonight, a Turk always provides. Don't cry, Laguna. It wasn't your fault. Although you are firing that new cook tomorrow. Serving my family such ghastliness. I would have shot him, but Shelke was there."

The little girl yawned. "I wouldn't have minded. Mama, I want ketchup with my potatoes."

Ellone tiptoed around her teary father who was peering around the kitchen door. "I'll get your plate, Daddy. You heard Rufus. Don't cry. He still loves you, in spite of the fish bones nearly choking him to death."

Laguna brushed her arm as she passed by. "Your Time powers saved the day, Honey. Thank you."

"Warn us next time!" All the First Classes said in unison.

Zack picked up two overflowing plates as Cloud kissed his cheek. "Yeah, it felt like my head was being chopped open with an ax."

Ellone grumbled as she picked up Laguna's plate. "Gosh. I said I was sorry. It's only been the second time since you First Classes have been here. Give me a break."

XXX

(Balamb Garden)

Nearing the end of the Shinra party's Esthar visit, Squall brought his convertible to a squealing stop in the school's garage. He jumped out of the car, while hurriedly yanking his leather jacket on. "Damn it, Quistis! Why didn't you tell me Sephiroth was coming by today? I had to learn from Selphie's daily text shriek."

The sedate Second-in-Command pointed in the general direction of the Guardian Forces Sanctuary located next to the Ballroom. "Commander, General Sephiroth has blessed SeeD with his presence this morning. He has refused to speak to any of us and has remained secluded with the Guardian Forces. There. You're told."

Squall rolled his eyes as he rested Lionheart on his shoulder. "Thanks, Quisty."

Squall sped past a snarky Reno and silent Rude waiting at the Sanctuary's entrance.

Seifer's irate voice rang from the redhead Turk's phone. "Who the fuck gave you permission to leave my bed!? I'm not near enough pregnant yet!"

The Turk's reply lilted lazily down the hall. "Breath easy, Baby. Turk gotta earn the gil. You want our babies to have the best. Gotta work to get it. I'll be loving you by lunchtime. Swear."

Squall found an unruffled Sephiroth having a seemingly deep mental conversation with Shiva. His heart quivered as the Guardian Force made as if she was crying and pleading to the General. "Don't you dare hurt her! Shiva's made of ice, but her heart is warmer than the sun. She did everything she could to shield my memories from the other Guardian Forces."

Whatever Sephiroth told Shiva next left the Guardian Force clapping her hands and smiling through her icy teardrops. She twirled, blew a kiss to Squall, and disappeared.

Squall took a few steps towards the silent General. "What did you say to Shiva, Sephiroth? Why are you in the Guardian Forces Sanctuary?"

Sephiroth held up Squall's Griever necklace and studied the glint of the silver in the light. "Your civilian clothes suit you much better than your SeeD uniform. I will enjoy tearing the belts off every day when I come home from work."

Squall brought his hand to his neck and cursed himself for his recent absentmindedness. He'd been so happy to have the day off. He'd dressed in a hurry and left his necklace on his bedside table. "Thank you for finding my necklace. You didn't answer my questions, General. Why are you here?"

Sephiroth closed his hand around Squall's necklace and slipped it back into his inner pocket. He ignored Squall's weak protest as he sauntered towards Griever's totem. "Shiva pleaded her case well. She truly loves you like a son, Squall. I hope you realize how rare such devotion from a summon is."

Squall felt some relief, but remained wary as Sephiroth brushed his hand along Griever's Totem. "I've cherished Shiva's love from the beginning. As for Griever, it's no use. He'll only heed me."

The General flexed his fingers around Masamune as the Guardian Force appeared with a defiant roar which shook the Garden. "Of course, Squall, he is your bloodlust and rage made manifest. However, he shall heed me or die."

Squall took cover as Sephiroth attacked Griever with a flurry of slashes the naked eye could not see. "Stop! He's part of my soul! You're killing me!"

The General's onslaught was relentless as the Guardian Force refused to yield. "No, Squall. I am freeing you."

Squall cried out as Griever was bombarded by countless orbs of darkness which exploded on contact. 'STOP! He's not fighting you anymore!"

When the haze cleared, Sephiroth was hovering over a barely breathing Guardian Force laying on its side.

The General landed on the floor and seated himself next to Griever. Gently placing the Guardian Force's head on his lap, he kissed the leonine beast's head until the creature licked him back. "The Guardian Forces Sanctuary was not part of the tour. All the Guardian Forces are listed in the official Balamb Garden files except for Griever. The beast which holds the darkest and most vicious parts of your soul. Once your fellow SeeDs confessed Griever's existence, I came here this morning to prove a vital point to you, Squall Leonhart. I love all of you, even the parts you wish to keep hidden."

Squall shakily made his way to the other part of his soul and kissed Griever until he purred with contentment. "Not hidden. Safe. The last time Rinoa erased my memory. Moomba was able to retrieve it back from Griever. If not for him, I would be an empty shell."

Sephiroth petted Griever's thick mane. "We all have a monster inside us, Squall. Some more apparent than others. When First Classes are unleashed, their inner monsters are difficult to place back into their cages. It takes an emotional anchor or anchors to help the SOLDIER keep control."

Squall fiddled with the jewels braided in Griever's hair. "Genesis's anchor is Shelke. Zack has Cloud. I guess Irvine and Selphie will be Angeal's. If the Turks are the same, Zell and Tifa are Rude's anchors. Seifer is scarily Reno's. Tseng's married, so his wife is his anchor. And you? Who's your port in a storm?"

Sephiroth continued to pet Griever until the great feline snored. "I think you know, Commander. Yet you cannot be, if your heart belongs to another. The departure date is nearly upon us, Squall. You must decide before then."

Squall leaned over to breathe a kiss onto Sephiroth's lips as a healed Griever disappeared back into his totem. "You will have your answer soon, Sephiroth. I promise you."

Sephiroth's lips did not leave Squall's until the SeeD reluctantly pulled away. "Shiva informed me her totem is an ice diamond which slots into the hilt of your sword. If you decide to be mine, Griever's totem will hold an honored place in our home. These two you may bring with you to Midgar, since they consider your memories sacred and not food. The rest can rot, for all I care."

Squall thanked his suitor with a sensuous, promising kiss. "I'll take what I can get."

When a heavy-hearted General returned to the Presidential Residence, he found Irvine, Selphie, and Shelke cavorting with a miniature emerald fox with a ruby bouncing on its head. Rude slid past him to join Tifa and Zell slow-dancing next to a flying lady playing a harp. Reno exited with a whoop as Seifer caught him by the collar and yanked him away.

Angeal rested his elbow on Sephiroth's shoulder. "Golly gee, General. Thanks for letting the Guardian Forces know they had other options. I nearly lost both my mates and my niece when Carbuncle appeared and I almost nailed the little bugger to the breakfast table."

Sephiroth patted Angeal's shoulder once more. "And you thought this trip would be boring."

Genesis held his phone up to take pictures. "Smile pretty, my darlings. Show Rosso your new pet, Shelke."

Shelke kissed the spunky fox as it made its ruby jingle. "Mama, Carbuncle is junctioned to either Irvine or Selphie. They're letting me borrow him."

Genesis sparkled with glee as Carbuncle swished its tail. "Nonsense. We're all family now, Shelke. Smile!"

Rude graced Zell's Guardian Force by removing his shades and giving the lady a small bow. "Welcome to the family, Siren. I promised Tifa and Zell I would love and care for them until I'm dead and buried. I make the same pledge to you, since you're family now too."

The Guardian Force kissed the top of Rude's head, strummed her harp, and sang an uplifting song sounding of love and happiness.

Yuffie juggled her mini shurikens in time with the music as she danced in place.

Zack and Cloud came downstairs to join the frivolity.

Rufus twirled Laguna in his arms as a coverall-wearing little lion remained improbably perched on the Estharian President's shoulders. "Are you sure Moomba is not a Guardian Force? He certainly acts like some sort of parasite."

The maned creature waved its paws in the air. "Laguna!"

Laguna kissed the mogul's chin. "Love me. Love my Moomba."

Rufus's frown deepened as Moomba produced a paper horn out of nowhere and proceeded to toot its own horn. "I'll work on that."

XXX

(Dr. Odine's Lab)

Vincent found Cid arguing with a strangely dressed tiny man with a receding hairline and goatee. "Captain, it's near dinnertime."

Cid signaled that he heard as his voice rose in volume. "And Ah say yer para-magic is para-shit! Mah airship needs tangible replacement parts not jeweled shit stuck together with theory and plain guessing. Ah managed to cobble together what Ah needed to get the Highwind fly worthy, so Ah'd appreciate it if you'd stop trying to foist yer magical hocus-pocus on me and mah flight crew. You freak them out every time you pop out of the metalwork."

The scientist waved his sleeves in indignation. "How dare you disrespect my work, you ignorant baboon! My magical genius is not hocus and the pocus! It is the beginning of all you see here in Esthar City. Without my para-magic, this would all be a wasteland. Instead it is a Utopia!"

Cid placed his hands on his hips. "Okay, genius. Tell me why this "Utopia's" generators are going tits up. Didn't you plan, with your hocus and the pocus, in case of this contingency, or were you too busy experimenting on little girl's brains?"

Dr. Odine hid behind his sleeves as Vincent menaced closer as he heard of possible child abuse. "President Loire and Ellone forgave Dr. Odine's curiosity. I have atoned for my past mistakes. I will figure out the generators. I need more time."

The little man shrieked as Shelke leaped down from the heavens and rattled his head with her battle wands. "Help! Call it off! SOS! Mayday!"

Shelke raised her wand and powered it up for a finishing blow. "You're the reason for the ache in my head. Your years and years of shoddy experiments. If I kill you, it will all go away."

The scientist covered his bleeding head as he screamed for mercy. "Don't kill me, little girl! I am a mama! My babies still suckle at my breast! You kill me and they will starve! My man will rage alone!"

Cid gulped as he swallowed back his sudden bile. "Mama? Babies? Bullshit. Gotta be bullshit."

Vincent gently cuffed his pilot as he pulled a shaken Shelke off the scientist. "Oh, stop. Male bearers come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone deserves love."

Dr. Odine finally stopped his wailing when a huge man lumbered in, picked him up, and cradled him like a baby. "My big bear. You've come to save your Dr. Odine."

Vincent sailed over to pat the mute man's arm before he went on a rampage. "All a misunderstanding, Councilor Zabac. The little girl, Shelke, has full access to the Worldwide Network. Dr. Odine's para-magic experiments through the years have vastly disrupted the electrical and magnetic connections in this area. It is causing her an unbelievable amount of pain just to stand here. Yet she stands here because she wanted to come on this trip and support her Mama. Shelke merely wanted the pain to end. Please understand."

"Shelke! Princess! It's time for dinner!" Genesis walked in with Carbuncle perched on his head.

The First Class tensed once he noticed how frazzled Shelke was. "Who does Mama get to kill, Baby?"

Shelke remembered how to smile as the gentle giant of a man softly petted her head. "It's fine, Mama. I misunderstood something, but Councilor Zabac isn't mad anymore. He forgives me."

Dr. Odine rested his head against Ward's vast chest. "Sweet girl. She smiles like our Marta, Ward. I deserved the head knock, Shelke. Go eat your dinner."

Still unsure of the situation, Genesis held Shelke's hand as they walked out. "You must remain near Carbuncle, my girl. His shield keeps the pain away."

The child petted the green fox as it floated next to her. "Yes, Mama."

Cid paused in front of the odd couple as Vincent started to lead him out. "Ah'll bite. How many baby giant scientists you got runnin' around?"

Dr. Odine sat up straight and proud in Councilor Zabac's burly arms. "Six! All hale and hearty! Non Believers tell Dr. Odine, "No babies for you." It take years of tears, but Dr. Odine proved them all wrong!. Sextuplets! My Ward filled me with so much love. I exploded with babies!"

Cid placed his hand on his stomach as Vincent pulled him from the Lab. "Exploded… Ah had to ask. Why do Ah always have to ask?"

XXX

(Presidential Palace - Ballroom)

Rufus fiddled with his fancy coat cuffs as Tseng whispered sweet nothings on his phone. "Half a Planet away, and the Cetra is still a pain in my ass. Why didn't you bring Aerith with you? Blasted evening wear! This doesn't feel right without Darkstar by my side. She keeps all the riff-raff at bay."

Tseng pocketed his phone and smoothed his long hair back with a sure hand. "Neither Aerith nor Darkstar would have found Esthar City to their liking. The constant electrical disturbances would have driven my wife mad in a day and Darkstar's breed was hunted to extinction on this continent. Rare beings do not fare well in Esthar."

Rufus's lip curled as the Galbadian President made his haughty entrance. "Yet the cockroaches of the Planet live on. President Rourke, how nice to finally meet you in person."

The smug man shook Rufus's hand with a clammy palm. "Just in time. I hear your group is scheduled to depart soon. President Loire will be bereft without your constant attention, President Shinra. I'm sure he's become used to it these past few weeks."

Rufus released the unpleasant man's hand with an icy smile. "It matters not whether I am here or in Midgar, President Loire will never have reason to doubt my feelings for him and his family."

President Rourke chuckled and surveyed the First Classes, Turks, and their SeeDs, enjoying the party atmosphere. "What fine specimens you brought to our side of the Planet, President Shinra. No wonder the SeeDs snapped up the chance to bear their progeny. I heard this will be Squall's duty soon. General Sephiroth will have his work cut out for him. The boy is entirely too mouthy and headstrong for a male bearer. A year or two chained to the breeding bench should break his spirit soon enough. As for the abomination Laguna calls a daughter, the sooner Ellone is entombed in the Sorceress Memorial the better."

Rufus fought the urge to pull out his shotguns and shoot the arrogant bastard in the face. "Does President Loire know your thoughts about his children?"

President Rourke sipped from his champagne glass. "Oh yes. I've brought the subject up nearly every time we've met. Laguna's first crop was a total bust, but I believe his second family will be filled with outstanding children, as long as they have a good father to guide them. Laguna is breathtakingly beautiful and, according to my reports, miraculously fertile until the day he dies. Unfortunately, he is hopeless as a parent. I would keep him cloistered away from the children and locked in the bedroom. Better for everyone, I say."

Rufus took a glass full of brandy from Tseng and drank it all down in one go. "How does President Loire react when you tell him of your thoughts about his future?"

The Galbadian President sipped more champagne and lightly swayed to the background music. "Laguna smiles. Such a pretty smile. The SeeD Commander inherited it. I hope our children inherit it as well."

Tseng's hand shot out and clutched his boss's arm with an iron hold. "I beg your pardon, President Rourke. The blinking lights signal tonight's entertainment is about to begin. We should take our seats."

As the jolly Galbadian President walked away, Rufus spoke through gritted teeth. "No quick end for President Rourke. My fourth child with Laguna will be learning to call me Papa when I will maybe think of giving him the mercy of death."

Tseng made sure Rufus was settled in his chair and subtly signaled to Rude and Reno. "A wonderful plan for the future, Sir. The Turks will make sure it comes to fruition."

Rude hung his bald head as Zell and Tifa refused to let go of his coat sleeves. "I'll be careful. I promise. You two need to get good sleep tonight. Zell's mama will be arriving tomorrow."

The pair kissed their Turk and reluctantly let Rude's coat sleeves go.

Tifa held Zell's hand tight . "We love you. Stay safe."

Zell whispered under his breath as their man walked away. "Siren, please help Rude stay well."

The answering strum of harp strings, only he and his fellow SeeDs could hear, made the boxer relax in his seat. "It's okay if Rude goes hardcore, Tifa. Siren will heal him back to full strength. He should be fine."

Tifa rested her head on Zell's shoulder. "I feel better now, since Rude doesn't know any other way to fight."

Reno took Seifer's hard shove with a grin. "I love you so much. The more you push me away. The more I love ya. Give me a kiss before I make mischief."

Seifer left his Turk hot and hard with a kiss that left the whole ballroom yearning. "You want more? Come back alive or someone else will be raising the baby growing in my belly with me."

Before Reno could remind Seifer who's the only daddy for his baby, Tseng dragged him away by his ponytail. "Work now. Romance later, Turk."

Selphie crept over and placed a small hand on Seifer's still toned belly. "Calm down, Seifer. Your blood pressure is going through the roof. Reno's doing his job. Drink some water."

The former warrior drank from the cool glass and exhaled. "I haven't had hope for a long time, Selph. I won't make it if I lose it again. I can't."

Selphie patted the stressed blond's arm, as Irvine took the water glass, and Carbuncle appeared to swish its healing tail over Seifer. "You won't."

Genesis whispered to Angeal as Shelke played with his opera glasses. "We are certainly one great big happy family."

Angeal looked on with pride as his mates cared for their childhood playmate. "There's still time for you to make an addition. So many SeeDs followed you around during the Garden tour. You could have had the pick of the bunch."

Genesis hugged Shelke close and kept his eyes on the stage. "None of the bunch stirred my heart and I already have children to love. I am content."

A few moments later, Squall snuck into the ballroom and sat down next to Sephiroth. "Sorry I'm late. You're in for a treat. Dad never sings in public."

Laguna nervously made his way to the microphone and smiled bravely at the audience. "Welcome once again, President Rourke and President Shinra, to Esthar City. Please bear with me. The pipes are a little rusty."

Genesis perked up when a pale young man with dark hair and chocolate brown eyes sat down at the grand piano and began to play beautifully. "Hello, you. Wherever have you been hiding?"

Shelke nudged her Mama as she looked through the opera glasses. Her connection to Balamb Garden's computer servers fully active. "Designation: Nida. Profession: SeeD. He is Balamb Garden's Chief Navigational Officer. Genetically sound. He is mentally ranked at the genius level. Physically… Mama, he is somewhat weak."

Genesis held his hands to his heart as Nida entranced the audience with his piano playing. "Never fear, my daughter. We shall make him stronger. Nida Rhapsodos. I like it."

Laguna gazed over the audience until his eyes met Rufus's. His song flowed out over the listeners.

Where has that old friend gone

Lost in a February song

Tell him it won't be long

Till he opens his eyes, opens his eyes

Sephiroth missed the next stanza as he whispered to Squall. "Your family is full of surprises."

Ellone giggled as Squall stood up to join his father on stage. "You ain't heard nothing yet."

When Squall's voice joined Laguna's, they blended perfectly.

And I never want to let you down

Forgive me if I slip away

When all that I've known is lost and found

I promise you I, I'll come back to you one day

Ellone held Sephiroth's arm as the duo repeated the words. "This is how we knew the Moomba magic worked. Daddy sang to Squall day-and-night. One morning, Daddy's voice gave out and Squall finished the song. It was the lullaby I used to sing him to sleep with. I learned it from our Mom."

Sephiroth stood with the rest of the audience to give the father and son a standing ovation. "I hope Raine knows how much she has to be proud of in Squall."

Ellone whistled along with her applause. "She does."

xxx

After the performance, back in the dressing room, Nida regained consciousness to find himself tied up tight to a wooden chair. His alert eyes scanned the area until they alighted on a Wutaiian teen sitting cross-legged on the couch, flicking through the night's programme, and smacking her gum. "Please tell me you're not the one who chose me. First of all, you're too young. Second of all, you're entirely not my type."

The female scrunched her face at the mere thought. "Ewww! Grossness! I'm doing a favor for Shelke. You're going to be her new Daddy, or is it Mommy? This bearer stuff's confusing. Anywhoo, forget you. I got a man!"

Nida narrowed his gaze at the teen's exuberance. "Does he know?"

The young lady jumped up and twirled in place. "He knows all right. I'm gonna win Sonon like my Mama won my Baba. I'm gonna irritate the crap out of him until he has to marry me! I can already tell it's working. He can barely stay in the same room as me."

Nida nodded to the teen's great wisdom. "A truly telling sign of his secret love. Keep reaching for the stars, Miss."

Genesis entered with a flourish of his flashy uniform jacket. "Well done, Yuffie. You will find the Mastered Materia on your nightstand."

Nida rotated his shoulders as he viewed the shimmering First Class. "Whatever you're planning, my answer is no. I have one goal in mind for my future. I plan to rule Balamb Garden. I will be far too preoccupied to raise a family, nor do I care for one."

Genesis scoffed at his chosen's stubbornness and took his seat on the couch like a prince. "Such a lofty dream, but not so out of reach. How do you know you're not the ruler of Balamb Garden?'

Nida's mind whirled with the utter stupidity of the question. "Cid is the Headmaster of Balamb Garden."

Genesis crossed his long legs and idly kicked a foot. "Headmaster not ruler."

Nida's eyes followed the line of Genesis's toned leg. "Squall is Commander and Quistis is Second-in-Command. I'm sure one of them counts as the ruler."

Shelke entered the dressing room with Nida's own phone in her hands. She pushed a button and rested it against his ear. "Why don't you ask him?"

When Squall answered, instead of screaming for help, Nida asked his Commander the question he had always wondered about. "Sir, are you the ruler of Balamb Garden?"

Seated in the reception area with Sephiroth, Squall looked incredulously at his own phone and replied to his navigator. "No, Nida. I'm not the ruler of Balamb Garden. I'm Commander, which means I protect the SeeDs and students, but I'm not their ruler. I would never want to be their ruler. Before you ask, Quistis isn't interested either. Does this answer your question?"

Nida's deep brown eyes met Genesis's amused luminescent gaze. "Yes, Commander… Would you mind if I became ruler of Balamb Garden?"

Squall barked a laugh before remembering where he was. "I wouldn't mind at all, Nida, and I'm sure Cid wouldn't either. The title holds no power, but I believe you're the best choice for SeeD. Rule well, Nida. All of Balamb Garden is counting on you."

Nida visibly relaxed in his restraints. "Thank you, Sir. Have a good rest of your evening."

Shelke hung the phone up and placed it back in Nida's jacket pocket. "I didn't steal it. Yuffie did. Sorry."

Nida sat back in the chair as Shelke sat close to Genesis. "So I'm going to have a spouse and young daughter. What else am I working with?"

Genesis kissed the top of Shelke's head. "Shelke has an older sister near your age named Rosso. She is working as a bounty hunter in Midgar. They had three older brothers Weiss, Azul, and Nero. They were killed during the Deepground Uprising. I shall make sure you have full access to all their files. Please study Shelke's files thoroughly. Her enhancements have mostly stabilized, but there are still little hiccups as she grows older."

Nida closed his eyes as he mentally thought back to all the reports he'd read on Midgar. "Deepground Uprising. These children you speak of were genetically manufactured, not birthed by another."

Genesis subtly moved so he shielded Shelke's slight body with his own. "It doesn't matter. They were all still mine. They ARE still mine. Tell me now if you cannot accept this fact."

Nida sighed in the face of Genesis's fiery defensiveness. "I could care less. Like most of the SeeDs, I was an orphan. I would have given anything to have a parent who loved me like you obviously love your children."

Genesis placed a warm hand on Nida's knee. His handsomeness could only be eclipsed by the fervor in his eyes. "Like I could love our children. If you will take the chance and allow me into your heart."

Nida looked around Genesis to a quiet Shelke. "Please tell me you don't plan to go into the military. Enhancements do not make the person. I couldn't make a living as a pianist, so I became a SeeD. A part of me died that day. I swore if I ever had children, I would do everything possible to help make their dreams come true. Tell me what you want to be when you grow up, Shelke."

Shelke glanced nervously at Genesis before answering. "I want to dance. I want to be a ballerina."

Nida nodded and stood up. The ropes falling around him. "And so you will be."

Nida smiled at an amazed Genesis. "What? I'm a SeeD. Remember?"

Genesis drew Nida onto his lap and overwhelmed the navigator with kisses until the young man was trembling. He waved to Shelke as she left the room to join Yuffie. "I will certainly never forget anything about you, Ruler of Balamb Garden. My chosen love."

XXX

(Presidential Residence)

Still buzzed from the performance, Laguna talked nervously to his reflection in the mirror above the roaring fireplace. "You can do this. Can I do this? Sure, I can do this… I can't do this."

Rufus Shinra appeared from the shadows. "What can't you do, Laguna?"

"Gaaah!" Laguna yelled and whirled around to face Rufus. "Hello. Oh, you can do that creepy Turk shadow thing too. Of course you can, you were raised by Turks."

Rufus brushed his fingertips along Laguna's blushing cheekbone. "Of course I can."

Laguna took a step back. "You're awfully serious. Something happened between here and the ballroom?"

Rufus dropped his hand as his eyes roamed up-and-down Laguna's lithe figure. "In the waiting area, actually. Laguna, I have placed the might of Shinra, Inc, and SOLDIER at your feet, along with my heart. Why am I still grouped together with vermin like President Roarke? Have all my efforts been wasted? Should I return to Midgar and find another to love and bear my heirs?"

Laguna wrung his hands as the tears blinded his eyes. "I knew it was a mistake to invite President Rourke, but your visit coincided with Esthar's annual meeting with Galbadia. Kiros said it would be a diplomatic disaster to cancel it. What did he say to make you so cold to me?"

Rufus leaned against the fireplace and gazed into the fire. "Apparently, the male bearers of your family are too mouthy and headstrong to be good parents. It would be best to chain you to a breeding bench and leave you there between uses."

Laguna covered his mouth as he fought not to throw up. "How dare he! It isn't enough I had to listen to that garbage for years, he had to inflict his 'sage' advice on you. That's it! I'll kill him. Squall wanted to kill him last time, but I wouldn't let him. It's best I do it. I'm the one he almost… Forget it."

Rufus rested his forehead on his fisted hand and continued gazing at the fire. "What did the Galbadian President almost do, President Loire? We're not leaving this room until you tell me."

Laguna felt his knees give out as he luckily landed on the couch. He sank into the cushions as he spoke. "President Roarke found out about your visit and decided to finally stake his claim on my body. I didn't let him have me. He drugged my water, but I still fought, bit, and screamed as best I could until Kiros and Wade pulled him off. After that happened, I promised Ellone and Squall I would never meet with the man alone again."

Rufus raised his head. "Tseng, make that the sixth child. More fuel has been added to my fire."

The Turk suddenly appeared in the firelight and gave Laguna a small bow. "Noted, Sir. The package is being procured as we speak. Transport to Midgar is ready and waiting."

Laguna stared wide-eyed at the Shinra's back. "Package? What package? Why did you send Reno and Rude away before the performance, Rufus? What did you order them to do?"

Rufus stared deeper into the fire. "You didn't answer my question, Laguna. Should I leave and find another to love?"

Laguna's body moved of its own volition. The crying man found his arms wrapped tight around Rufus's waist. His lips kissing a tense back. "Don't leave. Please don't leave. I've messed all this up and you've been nothing but understanding. The only man in my heart is you. The only man I want to have my body is you. The only father I want for my children is you. You, Rufus Shinra, and no one else."

Rufus turned and feasted on Laguna's sweet lips. He only stopped when the older man nearly fainted from lack of breath. "Wait for me in your bedroom. Be ready not to sleep tonight."

Rufus waited until Laguna stumbled his way out the door. "President Roarke never loses consciousness, Tseng. I want him to feel every second of every pain inflicted on his worthless body. The punishment for trying to take what is rightfully Shinra's."

This time Tseng bowed low as Rufus passed by. "Yes, Sir."

xxx

The next morning, a bleary-eyed Laguna awoke to Rufus using his fingers to ready his body for another round.

The exhausted man's lower lip stuck out as he frowned and weakly attempted to push the Shinra away. "Rest. Need more rest. Shame on you for inflicting yourself on an old man so early in the morning."

Rufus smirked and made Laguna moan as he pumped his way back inside the Estharian President's tight body. "Oh, yes. Shame on me. More like shame on you. Look at the mess you've made, coming all over yourself and the sheets. Hmm. Allow me to help you make the mess bigger. Just let me get the right angle."

Laguna screamed through his teeth and clutched the sheets as the invigorated Shinra pummeled his prostate. His poor flagging cock attempted to raise its weary head. "What the hell are you trying to prove!? You know what? I don't care! Just stop trying to prove it with my body! My belly's so full it's aching."

Rufus's smirk turned into a genuine smile as he ravished Laguna's lips with a heady kiss. "You don't have a belly ache, President Loire. Your womb is aching. You know what that means?"

Laguna pouted even more as he covered his lower belly with his forearms. "Yes! Which means you should be treating me more gently and letting me sleep. I can't grow a Shinra when their Papa keeps pounding me into the bed."

Rufus continued to love Laguna until the brunet yelled his completion and spurted all over his own chest. The mogul soon followed his love with a deep groan as he warmed Laguna's insides once more.

Rufus pulled away and kissed where his heir was now growing in Laguna. "Sorry for not letting you sleep, Baby. However, I'm not sorry for loving your Mama too much. I'll never be sorry for that."

Laguna smiled and brushed his man's thick blond hair from his face with his fingers. "I love you, Rufus. Thank you for my baby."

Rufus kissed the dimple curving his chosen's cheek and made his love yelp as he plunged in again. "You're welcome, Laguna."

XXX

In another wing, Sephiroth awoke to a bright-eyed SeeD Commander sitting astride his hips. His glowing gaze noted the sleeveless white v-neck t-shirt and unbuttoned leather pants barely staying on the young man. "I must truly love you, Squall. Anyone else bothering my slumber, besides my father, would have been cut in half by Masamune."

Squall bent down to warm the General's lips with soft kisses. "Speaking of your father, Vincent paid me a visit last night. He was feeling extremely talkative for once. Someone's been keeping secrets and it hasn't been me. Why didn't you tell me how much you were suffering because of our separation?"

Sephiroth ran his hands up-and-down Squall's tanned arms. "I will not have my mental troubles influence your decision, Squall. I wish to be chosen for love not pity."

Squall ground his hips against Sephiroth's in a slow rhythmic motion. "How can you talk of pity? When we're together, all I can feel is love for you."

Sephiroth caressed Squall's muscled thighs as he looked away. "And when we're apart?"

Squall pointed to a far corner, where some luggage and Lionheart's distinct weapon case were waiting to be placed on the airship to Midgar. "You'll never have to wonder again, since we're not going to be apart."

Sephiroth swiftly rolled over so Squall was trapped underneath his enhanced body. "Finally. Teasing SeeD, seducing all who cross your path. You have enjoyed the warmth of a woman's body. Have you been taught the pleasure one can receive from a man?"

Squall twisted his hips and kicked his feet until his leather pants were crumpled at the end of the bed. "Only one man will be teaching me how to please him. He's on top of me and will be the father of my children. I want to please you, Sephiroth. Teach me how."

The lovestruck General tore the t-shirt from Squall's torso. He licked and bit pert nipples as Squall suddenly shied away from him. "So brazen, now so shy. How can I teach you, if you hide your beauty from me, Squall?"

Squall shivered as Sephiroth left an obvious hickey on his neck. "I talk a good game, but I'm not a First Class. You were enhanced to be perfect. Looking like Vincent helped, but Shinra made you so much more. When we go to Midgar, everyone will want to see who the Great General Sephiroth chose. You say we're soulmates and I'm fated to be with you, but Rinoa swore the same thing. You know how that turned out."

Sephiroth kissed and caressed Squall's lean body, until the SeeD was moaning with need. "Talk no more of that wretched woman. I will not have her memory sully our love."

Squall was quick to massage the tenseness from the SOLDIER's broad shoulders. "I'm sorry. You're right. I'm overthinking things as usual. I feel lonely, Sephiroth. Love me."

Sephiroth made the SeeD yell out with joy as he speared his body with a sure thrust. "I do, Squall. Far more than you realize."

XXX

(Dining Room)

For once, all the chosen SeeDs gathered themselves together for lunchtime.

Zell's mother hugged a sheepish Seifer. "Pshaw. Quit with the apologies. Once you went to therapy, and got your head on straight, Zell forgave you and I did too. Forgive yourself, Seifer. The baby will not settle inside you until you do."

Zell nodded as he practiced some moves with Tifa. "Don't try to argue with Ma. Pregnant or not, she'll take you down."

Seated at the dining room table, Nida went over the Midgar Ballet school curriculum with a rapt Shelke. "The double townhouse we'll be buying with your Uncle Angeal is situated a few blocks away from the school. You can walk home for lunchtime."

Shelke rested her head on her new parent's shoulder. "You'll be giving piano lessons during the day. Can you play when I come home for lunch? The sound makes the buzz in my head go away."

Nida kissed Shelke's head. "It would be my pleasure."

Selphie bounced in while arguing with a jingling Carbuncle. "I know you love babies, but I'm not ready yet! Besides, you'll have Irvine's and Nida's to protect, while I'm away kicking ass."

Shelke smiled at the lightly dancing SeeD. "Were you able to get hold of Rosso?"

Selphie threw Carbuncle in the air and caught him on the way down. "Yeah. She called me back in the middle of the night. Bounty hunters have weird hours. She said she'll be happy to partner up with me, since we're family now."

Squall strode in with ruffled hair and an even more ruffled disposition. "It's lunchtime already? Why did the First Classes and Turks schedule their meeting now?"

Irvine shuffled his way in and gratefully took a seat next to Selphie. "Might have something to do with the Galbadian President gone missing."

Squall motioned to Ellone as his sister entered, along with the servers, who placed the buffet dishes on the side table. "No great loss. Right, Sis?"

Ellone sat down with a fierce look on her face. "Animal should have died a year ago. I can still make it happen."

Squall took tight hold of his sister's hand. "No, you won't. We promised, Ellie."

Ellone sulked as Laguna practically floated in. "Doesn't mean I can't still think about it. Congratulations, Daddy."

Laguna paused as he chose a plate from the stack. "For what, Honey?"

Ellone mimed with her hands. "You have two auras now. The smaller one has the same color as Rufus's."

Blushing red hot, Laguna covered his lower belly with a hand and smiled to himself. "So it does."

Squall murmured to the other SeeDs. "That answers the question about President Rourke's sudden disappearance. Good riddance."

Zell whispered to Seifer. "Rude won't talk about work. Did Reno give you a hint?"

Seifer glanced side-eyed at Zell's preoccupied mother before answering. "No, but I overheard the retrieval and first torture session were recorded for President Shinra's future enjoyment. I also happen to be the lucky non-SeeD with the magic password to be able to see it. Viewing time to be announced soon."

All the SeeDs and Ellone leaned in as one. "Booyaka!"

Tifa nuzzled Zell's cheek. "Booyaka. I can't wait to see what Rude and Reno did to that pig. I love being a SeeD spouse."

Thoroughly confused, Cloud got up to get some food. "I still don't understand a lot of this SeeD stuff. Guess I'll stay happy with my SOLDIER."

"Well, isn't this nice and cozy! The only one missing is Quistis. Although I can see why the First Classes wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole, she's more of an ice bitch than Shiva."

Squall slowly stood as his former girlfriend flounced into the room like she owned it. "Hello, Rinoa. What brings you here? I thought you were secluded at the mountain retreat."

Rinoa made everyone cringe as she cackled. "Retreat? You mean sanitarium, my love. An establishment for the insane. Not that I'm crazy, merely misunderstood. I was willing to bide my time, until a little birdie informed me you were leaving me for another. That can't be true, Squall. We're fated soulmates, destined to be together forever."

Reno sashayed in with his fiery sensuousness on full display. "I heard it was lunchtime, but it seems all that's being served is crazy bullshit. Hey, Gorgeous. Miss me? My cock sure missed you."

Seifer roughly kissed his Turk as Rude kissed Zell and Tifa. "It better have. Best thing about you."

Rinoa tittered behind her hand as Tseng perused the buffet. "Well, well, Seifer. You found the one person on this Planet willing to settle for used goods. And how used they are. Has the Turk seen the released sex videos online?"

Seifer banged his fist on the table. "Shut the fuck up, Rinoa! I was brainwashed!"

As Rinoa was about to utter another loathsome word, an electrical flash crossed the room and the Sorceress was eyeing the sparking end of an Electromagnetic Rod. Reno leaned in, so the brunette heard every word. 'Did my spouse stutter? Shut. The. Fuck. Up. Bitch."

Sephiroth entered the room with Angeal, Genesis, and Zack in tow. "Stand down, Turk. If Ms. Heartilly has a complaint, she can argue the matter with me. Good afternoon, Squall. I love you."

"I love you, Sephiroth. " Squall murmured the words to his General, but wouldn't raise his eyes from the dining room table.

The rage emanating from Rinoa's body was palpable to everyone in the room. "How dare you. How dare you speak those words to that genetic freak! Sephiroth isn't human. He's something cooked up in a lab! All these First Classes are! Your babies are going to be monsters, especially yours, Squall. I should kill it right now. Save the Planet from having to put it out of its misery later."

Rinoa rocked back as a single shot from Rufus's shotgun pierced her shoulder. She shrieked as she fell on her butt and clutched her hand over the bloody wound. "You bastard! My father will hear of this! I don't give a fuck who you are! You're going to pay!"

Rufus rested the smoking gun against his side. "Not even a Shinra by marriage yet and Squall is already being threatened. Sorry I'm late, Laguna. My city planner, Reeve, kept bothering me about Plate stuff and City things. I honestly never understand what he blathers on about. Do stop wiggling around, Girlie. You're getting blood all over the clean floor. Anyone have Heal materia? Do one of the Guardian Forces have healing capabilities? Anyone? No one is listening to me. My child isn't born yet and I'm already treated like a father. Such bliss."

Tifa poked Zell's arm with her finger. "Couldn't Siren help Rinoa?"

Zell continued to eat his pasta. "She could, but she won't. Rinoa used to love to make fun of the wings on Siren's head. The last time she made Siren cry. I'll never forgive her for that."

Irvine stole some ham from Angeal's plate. "Her dog, Angelo, bit Carbuncle once, so you won't get any help there."

Squall half-heartedly struggled in Sephiroth's arms. "Rinoa didn't mean what she said. She would never harm our baby. I just surprised her. She doesn't take to hearing reality well."

Sephiroth halted Squall's feeble protests with a lustful kiss he made sure Rinoa received a big eyeful of. "Rinoa is extremely lucky Rufus saved her life. Oh yes, Commander. He saved her life. She threatened to take away everything I love, since you would not leave our child alone in the Lifestream. I know you well, Squall."

Squall hugged his own waist. "When our baby was a mere dream, I loved the thought of it. Now I know it's real, I feel like I'm about to burst. I love this baby so much. You're not wrong. If anything happened to the baby, I would die too."

Rinoa was set to scream her anger when Yuffie swiftly gagged her mouth and tied her hands behind her back.

Once Tseng hung up his phone, a shining green light enveloped an astonished Rinoa, healing her shoulder from the inside out.

Rufus studied the healing with a discerning eye. "Aerith has become stronger. Half a planet away, the Cetra still works miracles. What did I bribe her with, Tseng, to perform this good deed?"

Tseng filled a plate with roasted chicken. "Nothing. I triple dog dared my beloved wife she couldn't heal someone from so far away."

Rufus chuckled as he relaxed next to a chowing down Laguna. "I should have known. No one can back down from a triple dog dare. I know you never have, my love."

Laguna tore through his lunch. "I never will. This Estharian President has a rep to protect. Take her to the holding cells in the basement, Boys. Standard Sorceress procedures. You know the drill."

Squall's sad eyes followed his old girlfriend as she was dragged away fighting and kicking by the Presidential Guard. "Rinoa wasn't always like this. She loved me once and I loved her. I really did. It shouldn't have ended this way."

Sephiroth's dark wing appeared and enveloped his mate in a comforting blanket of soft feathers. "This was the only way it could end, Squall. Since you're not Rinoa's fated soulmate, you're mine."

Squall smiled and hand-fed Sephiroth some chicken. "My Destiny. I'm going to make you a Daddy."

Sephiroth lowered his gaze as he slowly chewed and Squall kissed the corner of his mouth. "May I do justice to the title as my father has."

"You will, my son. Of this, I have no doubt." Vincent sauntered in with a cranky Captain in tow.

Cid griped as Vincent placed salad on his plate without his permission. "There better be some cooked beast left or y'all can swim back to Midgar."

Laguna waved the servers over. "There is more than enough for everyone, Captain Highwind. How's your head, Squall?"

Squall shared another kiss with Sephiroth as Carbuncle reappeared sitting on his head. "Memories all intact, Dad. Rinoa tried to wipe my mind a few times, but Carbuncle's shield repelled all her magical attacks."

The Guardian Force jingled its ruby in triumph.

Seifer pushed his plate away. "What the hell was I thinking? There's no escape. Leave me here, Reno. I'll send the baby to you when they're born. They'd be better off without me. All I would bring them is shame."

Reno wrapped his arms around his improbable love and placed his phone on the table top. The whole side of that table could view the video playing on it. "Nah. That'll be their old man's job. You think you're the only one with online surprises. Check out my first job as porn star extraordinaire, Redd Rider."

Seifer ignored the graphic sexual acts being performed and focussed on his spouse's physical condition. "Oh, Babe. You're so skinny. I can see your ribs. This is breaking my heart. I wish I had been there for you."

Reno whispered to his man as Zell and Tifa looked closer. "Whenever some fucker brings up your past shit, I feel the same. Everyone's done shit they ain't proud of. It's how we live now that counts. Quit talkin' about splitting up our family. It's pissing me off and this Turk won't have it."

Rude peered around his engrossed spouses. "Your first videos were shit, Partner. Show Seifer the stuff you did right before you joined the Turks. You were healthier and the production values were great."

Reno swiped through some videos until he found one Seifer might enjoy. "Here ya go."

Seifer laughed as Video Reno removed his pirate costume piece by piece to the sultry sound of a saxophone. "There's the body I know and love. The lighting makes your skin look wonderful. My handsome husband. I love you."

Reno kissed Seifer's smiling lips. "I love you, Gorgeous. Don't ever doubt it again."

Zell ogled the video as Tifa rested her cheek against his shoulder. "Wow. This was before Reno was enhanced by Shinra? How the heck can you still walk, Seifer?

Seifer pocketed the phone, yanked Reno up by the shirt, and proceeded to drag him out of the room. "Isn't it obvious? I haven't been fucked enough yet. Come on, Redd Rider. Time for another command performance."

Laguna cuddled against Rufus's warm frame. "When I requested intel on you, I received a host of video files recorded during your Junon exile. If I may say, Reno has nothing on you. I don't know what I fell in love with first. Your arrogant smirk to the supposedly hidden camera or your glorious cock worshiped by all who met it up close."

Rufus smooched Laguna's soft lips. "You don't have to choose. They both belong to you. Thank you for complimenting my cock. It thinks you're pretty keen too."

XXX

(Departure Day - The Highwind)

Laguna hid against Rufus's body as the airship lifted off the airpad. "I feel like I'm abandoning Esthar. It's silly, since Kiros is merely taking a more public role as the acting President. I've been taking care of my people for so long. I sort of feel lost."

Rufus bussed his bemused mate. "Not for long. Soon you will be greatly preoccupied with our growing Shinra family. I must warn you, though, Baby Shinras are born naturally sneaky and angelic looking. They will warm your heart as they steal your cookies."

Laguna smiled against Rufus's shoulder. "I can't wait. Neither can Moomba."

Rufus glared at the waving little lion, seated across the aisle. "That thing is evil. It has to be. Nothing so cute and cuddly can be on the side of the Light. I'm going to wake up one night to find him sitting on my chest and sucking out my soul."

Laguna kissed along Rufus's neck. "Shucks. You found out my plan for tonight. I guess we'll have to settle for regular old vanilla sex."

Rufus made his spouse giggle as Laguna's face was covered with kisses. "A Shinra never settles for anything. Be it my soul, or my very life's essence, you can suck away to your heart's content tonight, Laguna. I will greet my little death with a smile on my face."

Ellone groaned as she looked out the window. "Are you two going to be this sickeningly gross for the whole trip?"

Rufus and Laguna gazed into each other's eyes and smiled. "Yes."

Tseng spoke in rapid Wutaiian on his phone, but paused when his sister poked his arm. "This is official business, Yuffie. Godo is still recovering from his broken leg. What is it?"

An oddly dispirited ninja waved at the phone. "It will only take a minute. Let me talk to Sonon, please."

Greatly disturbed by his little sister's disposition, Tseng handed her the phone. "You're not yourself, Yuffie. We're talking afterwards."

Yuffie sniffled as she spoke to the confused young man listening back in Wutai. "Hey, Sonon. Thanks for taking care of my cats while I was away. I had a talk with some of the SEEDs and they set me straight about a few things. You're not playing hard to get. You were only being polite when I kept bugging you. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. You don't have to hide when I pass by anymore. I'll leave you alone. I promise. I won't be around Wutai much anyway. Aerith said I could stay with her and Tseng in Midgar for as long as I want. Bye."

Tseng's eyes widened with alarm as Yuffie's voice ended in a squeak. He pushed the phone back towards his crying sister, who was attempting to hand it to him. "Sonon's trying to talk to you. Hear what he has to say."

Yuffie listened as the tears trailed down. "What? No, I'm not usually so pushy. I just wanted you to notice I'm grown now. Honestly, by the time the Esthar trip came up, I kind of knew whatever I was doing wasn't working. The person who loves you shouldn't try to dive in a well when you greet them."

The revived Great Ninja spoke a little longer to her intended before handing the hung up phone back to her curious older brother. "Sonon's going to speak to Godo about officially courting me. He's glad I stopped the obnoxious act. He was sure I was possessed by an evil spirit."

Tseng slipped his phone back in his pocket as he handed a handkerchief to Yuffie. "Sonon is a good man. Are you positive he's the one for you?"

Yuffie wiped the tears away with a small smile. "My greatest dream is to travel the Planet. Sonon is happy and willing to walk every step by my side. There's no one else for me, Tseng."

Tseng smiled to himself as his phone rang with Aerith's familiar ringtone. "I certainly know the feeling, Yuffie."

Zack sat patiently with a fist full of barf bags as Cloud did breathing exercises. "Ready and waiting, Spiky. Air sickness got nothing on this First Class! I'd even hold your hair back if it was longer."

Cloud managed a tiny smile as he breathed. "Longer? You've seen my childhood pictures. I look like my mom."

Zack's prize-winning grin lit up his face. "Claudia's beautiful, just like you."

Cloud idly tore a barf bag to bits as his stomach thankfully stopped galloping. "Would you mind if I wore my hair long again? With my official designation as a male bearer, I can no longer serve in the military. I felt sad when I joined Shinra and my hair was cut short. I was able to send the braid back to my Mom, but Tifa said she still cried when she got it. I think if I grew my hair out, I would regain some of my old self. I know it sounds silly. It's just hair."

Zack halted Cloud's dithering with a heartfelt kiss. "It's not silly. And I love the idea of it. Just to quiet all those stupid doubts, I wake up every day feeling blessed you let me breathe in the same room as you, much less marry you and give you a baby. You're my everything, Cloud."

Cloud held Zack's face with petite hands and kissed the SOLDIER's lips. "And you're mine, Zack. I love you."

The barf bags fell from Zack's hand as he clutched his love closer. "I love you, Cloud. Forever."

Once Cid signaled the airship had cleared Estharian air space, Selphie hopped up and beckoned to her fellow SeeDs. "Come on, Boys! You all lost the bet. You too, Seifer."

Squall sighed and held tighter to Sephiroth's hand. "You heard her. Keep time, Nida.

With Squall's voice leading the SeeDs, the Commander was accompanied by Seifer, Irvine, Zell, and Nida in five-part harmony.

There are stars in the southern sky

Southward as you go

There is moss and moonlight in the trees

Down the Seven Bridges Road

Selphie snuggled against Angeal's firm body. "Each Garden has their own boy band. The lineup rotates when people graduate, but the group led by Squall remains the most popular of Balamb's."

Irvine embraced the First Class on the other side. "All the students are trained in some form of popular entertainment. I couldn't stand all the practice the guys chosen for the group act had to do, so I performed as a solo act. A cowboy and his guitar."

Angeal cut off Irvine's words with a heady kiss. "I better be witness to a full performance soon."

Irvine winked to a sniggering Selphie. "Sure, Big Guy. Selphie will accompany me on my guitar with her fiddle. We'll be wearing those instruments and absolutely nothing else."

Overcome with joy, Angeal squeezed his spouses until they squealed. "I love my SeeDs so much."

Zell's mother wiped the tears from her eyes. "It's been too long, Zell. You used to sing all the time around the house. Why did you stop, Son?"

Zell cringed between Tifa and Rude. "I was too busy with school, then I found I didn't have anyone I wanted to sing to."

Rude kissed the SeeD's rosy cheek. "Me and Tifa are going to have you singing day-and-night, Zell. Count on it."

Tifa caressed Zell's muscular body. "Don't ever doubt a Turk, Zell. They take it as a challenge."

Reno fondled all the skin he could find under Seifer's long coat. "I don't have to guess who was the bad boy of the group. Bet you had all them girls screaming your name."

Seifer roughly elbowed the amorous Turk as he swiped away on his phone. "Damned right I did. This is bullshit! All these apps who show you what your baby will look like. All the after pictures look like you! I'll be walking around with our kid and people will think I stole them."

Reno pouted against his irritated man. "What's wrong with the kid looking like me? I'm not a conceited asshole. Okay, I'm an asshole, but I know I'm not downright butt-ugly."

Seifer silenced the Turk with a hard kiss. "You're hot as fuck and you know it. I just hoped our kid would have a little of me showing."

Reno covered Seifer's heart with his hand. "You'll be their Mom and anyone who tells you different can fuck the hell off. There'll be more than a little of you showing, since they'll be good kids, unlike their Old Man."

Seifer put his phone down and brushed a gentle kiss across the Turk's lips. "You're good in your own way, Reno. I'll make you believe me one day."

Reno smiled as he received more kisses. "One day."

Nida checked Shelke was snoozing, before he reciprocated Genesis's romantic advances. "Why so surprised? You would be amazed how many SeeD missions require a singing piano player. I have infiltrated bars, brothels, birthday parties, and weddings. The steak house was the best, though. Dinner was free and all I could eat. I probably gained ten pounds in the first week."

Genesis nibbled Nida's sweet lips. "Goddess! Thinking of you being chubby. Stop turning me on. I can't fuck you like we want until the airship lands in Midgar. I'll feed you steak dinners every night. When you grow round with our child, I will be taking pictures to keep me hard when I'm stuck at SOLDIER HQ."

Nida whispered in Genesis's ear. "So mean. You know I don't like being seen naked. When you take pictures of me while I'm big with your child, I'll cry. I won't be able to see because of the tears."

Genesis crunched the solid metal arm rest situated between him and Nida with his bare hand. "Acting like the cowering submissive. I know better, teasing SeeD. I heard of the 'Honey Pot' course all the potential SeeDs have to take."

Nida intermixed his whispers with kisses. "Everyone assumes Squall was the top scorer of that course, but it was actually me. I could stop if you start feeling used and manipulated. I truly do love you, Genesis."

Genesis swiftly turned his head to quiet Nida with a rough kiss. He grabbed the SeeD's soft hand and shoved it down his pants. "You're not using and manipulating me enough. Show me how much you love me, Nida. Gods, this is going to be a long flight."

Sephiroth murmured to a blushing Squall. "You weren't top of your class? Why so, little SeeD?"

Squall's blush became visibly warmer. "I'm… shy. Even though the course was a prerequisite for graduating, I couldn't make out with other people during class. I somehow knew in my heart that my special someone was out there. I wanted to save everything I am for them. For you."

Sephiroth took Squall's breath away with too many kisses to count. "This General thanks you."

Squall bit his lower lip before he confessed his deepest and darkest secret. "That's not all. Although there was no radio communication with your half of the planet, SeeD had full knowledge of Shinra, Inc. and it's renowned First Classes. We SeeDs were meant to study SOLDIER for weaknesses, but I lost my heart the first time I saw your picture. I collected all the information and every picture of you I could find and made a scrapbook. I hid it under my bed. At night, I would look through it and dream I was yours."

Sephiroth encouraged his nervous love with a lengthy kiss. "Wishes do come true. For both of us. Did you bring this scrapbook with you? I am curious to see how much your spies got correct about SOLDIER."

Squall's blue-gray eyes dropped to his fumbling hands. "Rinoa found the scrapbook when I was busy doing my daily rounds. When I finally found her, standing in the Quad, she had a big fire going. To prove my love, she had me watch as she tore each page out one-by-one and burned them in front of my face. It took everything in me not to cry. Rinoa said it was for the best, since you couldn't possibly be real. Even if you were, you wouldn't want me. You're perfect and I'm… not."

Sephiroth wrapped Squall in his arms as the SeeD hid his face against his chest. "I promised on my eternal love for you that I will not kill Rinoa. However, if she dares to show her face in Midgar, I will not treat her kindly as I throw her on the nearest transport back to Galbadia."

Squall kissed the bare skin of Sephiroth's chest. "I didn't tell you my secret to make you hate Rinoa more. I just wanted to show that even when you didn't know about me, I loved you with all my heart and soul. You're the one and only for me, Sephiroth."

Sephiroth tipped Squall's face back up to resume kissing him. "As you are for me, Squall."

Vincent kept his hand on Cid's lower back as the Captain steered them home to Midgar. "Quite a successful trip for the Highwind."

Cid squinted at the far horizon. "Trip ain't over yet, Vince. There's always calm seas befer a storm."

Once more, Vincent ran a golden clawed finger from the middle of Cid's broad chest to an extremely interested crotch. "You can do it. You're the best."

Cid grinned and thumbed his nose at all the future storms yet to come. "Damned right Ah am."