I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol

I do own my own character – Jalyne

Chapter 23 – The Re-Emergence

Tseng had barely left Elena's side, not just worried about his fellow Turk, but worried for the woman he had grown to know, cherish and wanted to learn more about. She laid there in the bed, wrapped in bandages, hanging on by a thread to life. Tseng had no idea what to think or even do to help heal her. He was drained himself and kept nodding off because he needed rest.

Rude had come in to check on him, closing the door slowly. Reno stayed with the President in the office, awaiting Jalyne's return of which they all hoped would be soon.

"Are you holding up, Sir?" Rude asked quietly.

"As well as I can."

"Rest."

"You know I can't." Tseng smiled lightly and looked down at Elena. "It should have been me." He lamented.

"She did what she thought was right."

"I know. But still…"

"You wish it was you on that bed instead of her." Rude stated.

"Yes."

Rude placed a hand on the Director's shoulder in silent comfort. "If you need anything, let us know." And turned to leave.

"Did Jalyne return?" Tseng asked though he knew the answer. The strange woman would immediately be there to visit Elena. They were friends.

"No."

"Let me know if she does."

"I will." And the normally silent Turk turned to return to the President.

The morning dragged on and Reno paced the President's office. If you asked him, he would have said it was noon when in actuality it was just after eight. Rude was waiting stoically in one of the chairs after returning from seeing Tseng. Rufus was behind his desk, attempting to work, though his mind drifted to the woman they were waiting to return.

Reno continued to pace and after about thirty minutes, Rufus finally set his pen down and stared at him.

"What?"

"Sit down, Reno." Rufus instructed. "You're fidgeting is distraction."

Reno stared blankly at him, not realizing he was disturbing the president by walking around. "When do you think she'll return?"

"Hopefully soon."

"I want to go after her. It's been too long." Reno stated. Rude looked at him suddenly interested in what he had to say.

"No." Rufus replied calmly.

"Are you not even worried?" the Second questioned.

"Yes and no." Rufus looked pointedly at Reno, bearing his crystal blue eyes at him and then returned to his work. "Yes because she's been through a lot lately and no because I know she can take care of herself."

"It's still been too long." Reno sulked. "She should have been back by now. Do you think she got the Black Materia?"

Again, Rufus put the pen down and looked at his Turk, exasperated. "I don't know."

"Sephiroth was there." Rude pointed out. "Perhaps she was delayed."

"Or injured or killed."

"Reno," Rufus stated. "We can't go after her. Tseng is indisposed and Elena hangs on by a thread. We just can't go searching." The president returned to his work. "At least not yet."

Reno walked to the windows, gazing at the helicopter on the helipad. He looked out to Midgar, wondering if she would return. They had lots to speak of and true, they weren't formally together, but…Reno shook his head to clear his mind and returned to the couch to sprawl across it and try to rest.

Tseng no longer knew if Elena would make it through. He watched the monitors closing and it appeared that she was worsening by the minute. The medical personnel had appeared several times and he allowed them to work diligently but in the back of his mind he felt something was wrong. He sat back in the chair at her bedside in contemplation.

There are many unexplainable things in the universe and his newest Turk was no exception. There were many things that Jalyne could do that far exceeded his expectations. Tseng had glanced at her through the Gate, power flowing throughout her and it was a sight he had never expected to see in his life.

He gazed at the petite woman wrapped in bandages laying next to him. Elena protected him and the memory of the event will never leave his mind's eye. The look of pain that crossed her face as Masamune protruded from her body. The way Sephiroth whisked her aside to keep moving forward toward Cloud's group without a care in the world.

Elena broke through to him when he least expected it. It happened the night before Rufus tested Jalyne when they were at the nightclub. He had observed her throughout the night, not only with Jalyne but his other Turks. They way she was relaxed with them, even if the alcohol was the reasoning, Tseng realized that Elena held many layers.

She was an excellent Turk, of course, performing her duties expertly, but it was the girlishness, expressions and emotions Elena held that broke through his barrier. He had finally gotten up the nerve to ask her out and now this occurred.

Tseng sat there, her hands within his, and contemplated the next move. For now, they would hope she would recover. He spaced out, tired from the materia casting, for what seemed like an eternity. Tseng was brought out of his reverie by the moans that emanated from the Turk lying in bed. Elena was in pain and started to sweat, though still unconscious, and her breathing became labored. The monitors suddenly when haywire with alarms starting to blare in rapid succession.

The nurses rushed into the room, checking instruments and equipment. Dr. Wynan followed shortly after and checked Elena thoroughly.

"IV compound antibiotics and fluids." She told the nurse, hurriedly. "I was hoping against hope on this." She muttered to herself. "The first round failed."

"What's going on?" Tseng asked quietly.

"She has a systemic infection." Meredith answered him. "The first round of antibiotics didn't work."

"And what's next?"

"A compound dose." She answered. "But if it doesn't come under control, we could lose her." Meredith turned and checked her bandages for any signs of infection in the wounds. "I'll order some scans to make sure the liver and colon aren't leaking fluids."

Tseng ran a hand through his hair in worry. "I'll stay with her."

Meredith leveled a steady gaze at him. "Good thing we're advanced." She commented. "Everything's portable. I don't have to take her anywhere." Tseng nodded at her. "Any word from the other Turk?"

"No."

"Hm." Meredith grunted. "That one could probably help."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because that one carries special abilities that I've never seen before. And I mean on a cellular level."

Tseng quirked an eyebrow at her but did not say a word. He reached for his phone to apprise the President of current events while Dr. Wynan attended to Elena. He watched as all the personnel worked diligently and when it was all done, he resumed his seat at her side. Dr. Wynan placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You need rest, Tseng." She compassionately stated. "Go home." Tseng just nodded at her in agreement.

They heard the buzz of energy, long before they saw it. Each of them looked around the office in apprehension of what was occurring, and Reno stood impatiently. Rufus swiveled his chair around to face the windows, hearing the sound behind him. Rude stood ready in the event that this was an attack. The whoosh that followed took them off guard and the Turks standing took a step backwards. Blue and silver energy crackled and flew outward in a radial arch with darkness in the middle.

Jalyne calmly stepped through, swords in reverse stance with a look that neither of them could place. As she re-emerged and closed the Gate, she looked around and furrowed her brows lightly. She smiled lightly when her eyes landed on the Turks and the President. She made it home. Jalyne jogged hurriedly down the steps as they all rushed forward. She walked into the arms of all three of them, turning to each and gave them a hug.

"You made it back." Rufus whispered.

"I did." She smiled and broke from him. "Elena?"

They stepped back to give her space and Reno's face fell. "She's in grave condition."

"Infection." Rude commented quietly.

"Jalyne," Rufus said. "She's in the medical ward. We're not sure what will happen."

"Tseng is there?"

"Yes, he's awake."

Jalyne rushed to the door. "I have to see her." She commented. "I'll return in a bit."

As the door closed, Reno turned to the President. "So, we wait some more?"

"…"

"I suppose we do." The President commented.

"I hate waiting."

Jalyne took the steps two at a time, descending as rapidly as she could. She could feel Elena's life force fading and she wasn't about to let that happen. She entered the medical ward in a hurry only pausing to question a nurse on where Elena would be. Jalyne opened the door to her room and quietly stepped in, turning to close the door quietly.

Tseng was still seated next to her and turned around when he heard the door click closed. He rose and rushed towards his Turk and in rare emotion, grabbed her in a grateful hug. "You made it back."

"I should have been here earlier." Jalyne whispered. "Ran into complications with Sephiroth."

"I figured." He stated. "How'd that go?"

"I have something to do first." She paused. "If you are willing to leave Elena when I'm done, I'll give a full report."

"What are you going do?" he asked incredulously, glancing at Elena.

"What I do best." Walking over to sit in the seat that Tseng had occupied.

Jalyne lifted the blanket from Elena's body, letting it drape on her legs. She looked at the bandages that were wrapped around her mid-section and she gingerly removed them, inspecting the wound that Sephiroth gave. She reached out and placed her right hand over the wound and closed her eyes in concentration. Jalyne's blue whisps penetrated Elena's wound and she moved her fingers gingerly.

The door opened and Dr. Wynan walked through in a huff, ready to reprimand the Turk who was currently in deep concentration. "Now, you listen…" she began.

Tseng raised a hand to silence her and placed a finger to his lips for quiet. He was enthralled in watching Jalyne work her magic as he never witnessed it himself outside of the Gate. Meredith came up beside him in a huff, placing her hands on her hips.

"We've already done all that there is." She commented indignantly.

"But she can do more." Tseng quietly said. "You said so yourself that she was special."

"I know," the doctor replied, "I'm just irritated with her at the moment."

"Let it go, doctor." Tseng stated still looking at Elena lying there.

"I still want to check her over." She muttered but otherwise remained silent.

Jalyne concentrated, pulling from the Lifestream, and much like she did with Reno, started healing the wound. She could feel something off within Elena's entire body, something foreign that was circulation. This must be the infection Rude stated. Jalyne surmised but continued to heal the sword strike.

Use what I gave you.

Jalyne heard the familiar voice. What?

The gift I gave you. The voice responded. When I healed you at Nibelheim.

Jalyne furrowed her brows in further concentration, searching within herself for the power that Aerith was speaking about. She concentrated harder, remembering the different feeling she had after Nibelheim. After a long moment of searching, Jalyne found what she was looking for, though it felt weaker than it should have and Jalyne felt the Black Materia in her pocket was interfering with her light.

Jalyne's left hand hovered over Elena's chest and Tseng viewed the white light beginning to spring forth from her fingertips. It penetrated her heart and before long, spread throughout her entire body, giving Elena a soft white glow. Meredith's eyes widened and she gasped lightly at seeing Jalyne do her magic.

Jalyne opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Elena would be on the mend. Dr. Wynan walked over to the Turk and inspected her thoroughly before turning to Jalyne.

"You healed her wound completely." She marveled.

"Yes." Jalyne replied suddenly weary from the exertion.

"I still want to check you over, young lady." Meredith said sternly. "But it can wait for a bit." She reached out and patted her on the shoulder. "I know you Turks have a lot going on." The doctor turned and left the room, leaving Jalyne and Tseng together with Elena.

"Elena will recover, Sir." Jalyne stated calmly. "She just needs rest now. I would think that she should wake in a day or so."

"Thank you." Tseng whole heartily replied.

Jalyne turned to stand and suddenly faltered, swaying dangerously on her feet. Tseng rushed to catch her before she fell, looping an arm over his shoulder.

"Jalyne?"

"I'll be fine." She replied, looking stumped at what was happening. She shouldn't have felt this weary. "Just suddenly tired." Jalyne let Tseng guide her out of the room. "I need to report to the President." She stated. "A lot has happened."

The doors opened to the President's office and all three occupants swiveled their heads in that direction. Reno leapt from his seat at seeing Jalyne's arm draped over Tseng.

"I'm fine." She waved him off as Tseng guided her over to the couch to sit. She took a deep breath and sat there a moment while the others gathered around and took seats. Rufus stood to her left and Reno sat down next to her. Tseng took a seat with Rude and waited patiently for Jalyne to start her explanation.

"I know all of you are wondering," she started, reaching into her left pocket, and bringing the Black Materia to hover above her palm. "So, here's your answer."

"Holy-!" Reno started. Rufus took a step backwards, not really believing he was staring at the fabled Black Materia.

"Shit." Rude finished for Reno, glancing at the Director who didn't hide his surprise.

Jalyne closed her eyes, feeling the pull of the Materia. She reached outward trying to control its call, only to sink further inward. Her mind brushed it lightly, sensing what she feared the most. In her hand, she held the other half to her Light. It whispered to her, called to her, begged her to use it. Jalyne scrunched her brows in pain, struggling to filter it out. She felt the burn on her left wrist intensify and the chuckle made her hesitate.

Mother?

Of course, daughter. It replied calmly. You won't resist for long.

You would be surprised.

Perhaps.

This is your power, contained? Jalyne questioned.

Part of it, yes.

Part?

The chuckle resounded through the hallows of Jalyne's mind. The other was stolen by Azarian. But don't worry, daughter, you'll retrieve that for me soon enough.

I wouldn't count on it.

"Jalyne?" Reno spoke softly, placing a hand lightly on her knee to bring her out of her thoughts.

"Powers forged in the Lifestream." She muttered bringing her right hand to hover over the Black Materia, weaving a barrier container to place it in. If anything, Jalyne hoped to silence the voice she did not wish to acknowledge. Once the black orb was within its casing, her mind cleared, and she looked at the others with relief, and the dawning of understanding took place. Reno was studying her, however, and noticed the minute change within her eyes, even with the haze of being blinded. They darkened just a bit.

"What happened at the Temple?" Tseng asked.

"Which part?" Jalyne replied.

"After you Gated us out would be good."

"Well," she began slowly, "He attacked…and I fended him off."

"Not with his sword?" Reno questioned. "The last I saw; he was headed right for you."

"No, Sephiroth didn't use his sword. We battled for a minute or so as the Temple collapsed." Jalyne said. "He slammed me into the wall twice. As the Temple came down around us, I used an illusion to distract him and grabbed the Black Materia."

"Illusion?" Rude commented.

"Courtesy of Jurvien." She smiled sadly. "He was an expert in illusions. Taught me a lot, though I do not like that type of diversion." She paused reflecting for a moment and Reno again studied her, noticing the sadness that crossed her face. "I had managed to Gate the others outside of the ruins, where I met them as the sun fell."

"Yesterday?" Rufus narrowed his eyes.

"Yes. It was not prudent to stay." Jalyne advised. "I sort of slipped up before I Gated out."

"What do you mean?" Tseng wearily asked.

"I told Sephiroth he would never have her full power."

"Whose power?" Rufus pushed, knowing what the answer would be. They all did.

Jalyne closed her eyes in concentration, ignoring the stares that were directed towards her. She thought of all that she had learned, and certain pieces clicked within the puzzle. "Jenova." She said quietly, resisting the pull that she held within her pocket.

"And who would wield it?" Reno questioned intently studying the woman he sat with.

"I am not sure." She lied. "Powers forged in the Lifestream."

"Materia." Rude commented, raising his hand to his chin in thought.

"They are just not Materia." Jalyne stated opening her eyes to look at all of them. "Something to be used at a whim."

Rufus narrowed his eyes at her and laid a hand on her shoulder. Jalyne gazed at him seriously before continuing.

"For lack of proper words, Materia are essences, congealed within the Lifestream so they can exhibit the power they once held on this plane of existence."

"There is only one Black Materia." Tseng surmised. "In all of recorded history."

"Because there is only one Jenova." Jalyne answered quietly. She clutched her left wrist and rubbed it, the infinity mark burning.

"What else happened?" Rufus deterred the current conversation, noting the look within Jalyne's eyes when she looked at him. She was hiding something, or she was trying to figure something out, he couldn't decide which.

"I Gated Cloud's group to the Forgotten City." Jalyne recollected. "But I couldn't leave knowing Sephiroth would try something."

"How did you know?" Reno asked.

"The Lifestream." She answered. "That's what woke me up in the medical ward. It showed me that Sephiroth would kill Aerith. It is my job to protect her."

"He killed her?" Tseng said shocked. It was no secret that Aerith was special to him.

"No." Jalyne shook her head. "I deflected his sword enough to prevent that from occurring. She's still with the group. They escaped in the forest while I occupied Sephiroth."

"He must really hate you now, yo." Reno chuckled trying to lighten the mood. "That's quite a few times you've went up against him."

Jalyne smiled wanly at the joke and continued. "He will come for me." She whispered, not suppressing the shiver that ran down her spine.

"We'll protect you, yo." Reno reassured squeezing her knee and looking into her eyes.

"But who will protect me from myself." Jalyne responded cryptically. She shook her head to clear her mind, taking the moment to stand and stretch, and failed miserably, as her legs buckled underneath her. "I must be more tired than I thought." She mumbled as she collapsed back onto the couch.

"What's the plan?" Rude asked. "We can't just ignore that we're in possession of the Black Materia."

"He can't cast Meteor without it." Tseng responded. "Keep Jalyne on the down low, move her around if we need to."

"He will come no matter where I am at." Jalyne commented. "He can feel it just the same as me. The question is when. Sephiroth will choose the moment it is least expected."

"The holidays are coming." Reno surmised. "Everyone will be in more…jovial moods. It's possible he'll wait until our guards are down."

"Then don't let them down." Rufus commanded. "We'll have to act like normal but be on alert."

"It will happen, the summoning of Meteor." Jalyne leaned her head back on the couch, suddenly tired. "There is not a way to destroy it. It has to be summoned to be destroyed." She remembered the green orb falling into the lake. "And Gaia will rise to fight it." She murmured.

"You're tired, Jalyne." Rufus looked at her closely, noticing the slight scarring still around her darkened eyes. "Time to call it a day."

"It is only after noon." She commented stifling a yawn, unconsciously leaning towards Reno on the couch, who lent her a shoulder to lean upon.

"And you've fought Sephiroth twice, opened numerous Gates, healed Elena and still managed to report. I think that's enough for now." Tseng directed, watching her slide down the couch and into Reno lap, asleep.

Reno shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands in the air. "Don't look at me, I didn't cast sleep or anything." He joked lightly. Tseng shook his head lightly and Rufus even smiled at his Turks.

"Take her home and stay with her, Reno. Rude, help him to the car with her." Rufus commanded. "Tseng, if you have a quick minute, there's something I need to discuss with you before you head out to rest." Rufus looked at them as they left and smiled to himself, while Tseng stayed behind as requested. He was lucky to have them, the president realized then, as their loyalty knew no bounds, even Jalyne proved it to him time and again.

This was family.