Disclaimer: FF7's not mine, as much as I'd like it to be :D! This story's just for fun.
She could hardly contain herself. Aeris, THE Aeris Gainsborough had opened the door for her. An excited smile on her face, Sandy Lamont pushed in front of her, through the door. She nearly dropped the stack of papers on the floor when she saw a brooding Sephiroth sitting at the table, drumming his fingers against it's top and looking murderous. Sandy bit her lip, trying to hide her excitement. It HAD to be them. the perfect likeness was just too uncanny. Perhaps her research had paid off. but how could they have possibly survived?
Aeris wrung her hands nervously. She didn't like the prospect of some woman barging into her newly found home. "Excuse me. Miss..."
"Lamont, Sandy Lamont. From the Midgar Times." She extended a hand. Aeris took it and accepted her strong shake.
"Miss Lamont. Can I help you with something?" Aeris asked, confused and a bit bewildered, she tried to maintain proper etiquette and manners.
"Oh wow! You sure can!" She began. "May I?" She asked, ushering to the table. A startled Aeris nodded unsurely, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear and sitting beside the reporter as she dropped her books and papers in a heap on the table.
Sephiroth did not look so excited, instead focusing his attention on attempting to glare at the young reporter. She smiled at him, not at all phased by his coldness. She'd read so much about the man it was difficult to not contain her excitement. Could all of the authors be right, or was there something beneath the cold exterior? She was eager to find out.
"So why'd you two come back? And what in the WORLD are you doing together? Is there something the public should know about the two of you.?" She asked, devilishly. If there was... she was in for a bonus this week.
Aeris blushed, trying to ignore the insinuating question. "I'm not sure what you're talking about... come back?" She asked. She didn't yet realize she was being interviewed.
"From the dead! Psh! Come on, I'm not going to buy that unknowing routine, I know who you are, and the world deserves to know that you're here again. how'd you come back? Legendary Cetra powers? Or maybe did it have something to do with Sephiroth?" Sandy was busily writing notes in indiscernible handwriting furiously with a pencil.
Aeris was about to open her mouth, but she was confused. Cetra? Dead? She shook her head, clearing the onslaught of thoughts and pieces of memories the two words served to bring. She didn't want to feel the pain or think about it. She just wanted to sell her flowers and live normally.
Sephiroth suddenly stood up, staring down the reporter, nearly snarling in anger. Sandy looked up and pushed her glasses farther up her nose. "Whoa, Sephiroth, don't get upset! I just want some answers!" She grinned.
Aeris watched the exchange wearily; she didn't like the way things were going.
"Who are you to barge into Aeris' home and start asking questions?" He demanded, glaring at her.
"I thought we got past this part. I'm Sandy Lamont, That's Aeris," She gestured, "And you're Sephiroth. I'm a reporter for the Midger Times, and I'm looking for answers. Don't act like you guys don't know! You're celebrities for crying out loud! People would KILL to get a look at you! Don't worry, I won't release anything yet- I just want to know the facts-"
Sephiroth cut her off angrily, "It is rude to waltz into people's homes, besides, Aeris and I are not ready to disclose any information at this time. I'm warning you not to come back anytime soon- or you'll most certainly regret it."
Sandy seemed satisfied with the demand, though not happy. She decided not to test Sephiroth, having heard the stories about his temper and the sharp, pointy end of his sword. Standing up, she gathered her things, disappointed that she wouldn't make the deadline for tomorrow's paper.
"Thanks for your time anyway. but I WILL be back, I haven't even begun!" She grinned, and let herself out. Aeris watched her go, slightly amused by the young reporter, but the encounter had left her utterly confused.
Sephiroth turned to Aeris, "Be careful who you open the door for!" he shook his head, almost disgusted, "She may have been innocent but the slums are a dangerous place."
Aeris didn't say anything. She bit her lip and looked down, knowing he was right, and accepting the shame for her foolishness.
Sephiroth sighed, "I apologize for my temper. she was saying things that made me... uncomfortable." He admitted. Aeris looked up, having almost forgotten Sephiroth's presence. She smiled warmly, "It's all right. I understand."
"What was she talking about?" Aeris questioned; "When you said you didn't want to give away any information." Aeris began.
"I don't know, I said that to make her leave. that's what I've been wanting to tell you." He began, still unsure if he could trust his secrets with Aeris. Quickly he decided he might as well, there were some strange parallels between the two of them that he simply could not explain.
"What is it, Sephiroth?" She began, curious.
"...When we met, and you said you couldn't remember anything."
"Yes? What about it?" She met his eyes, and he found himself transfixed. He couldn't hide anything from that bright emerald gaze.
"I awoke that day without memories either." She simply stared at him.
Sandy whistled as she made her way through the slums, barely containing her excitement. She'd met the two people she'd been researching since the beginning of her career. She could barely wait to tell the guys back at the office!
No. she couldn't tell them. they always had made fun of her approach, but her stories sold the paper. People knew about Aeris and Sephiroth, and the idea that they could be alive was simply fascinating to them. Most of the public probably just found her stories amusing, but they did help sell. Sandy had always aspired to meet them in person, no matter how impossible it seemed, and now she had. They would all laugh at her if she told them. she made a mental note to herself to remember to bring a camera along the next trip. That would certainly evoke some interest.
She thought once again back to the two people she had just met. she was certain she'd seen Aeris selling flowers a few days ago, that was what sparked the 'alive and in Midgar' story. But who would've guessed Sephiroth would be alive too? And they'd be living in Aeris' old house, undisturbed for superstitious reasons?
It turned out to be a lovely coincidence. Sandy could hardly wait to write a follow up. She'd have to think of a way to get them to open up first... and she'd have to keep her research top secret. If anyone else found out about them... she didn't want to think of that. Through her elation she didn't notice the book she dropped as she made her way through the slums.
Aeris smiled, "I sensed you were hiding something from me." She began. She had long gotten used to the gentle senses she felt around people. Somehow knowing the she wasn't alone made her feel safer.
Sephiroth simple stared at her, keeping his cold emotionless exterior as he watched her. Internally he felt relieved knowing that she knew, and somehow he felt drawn to her. He stood up, ready to avoid any further confrontation. Aeris was too open for him, and he felt uncomfortable in her presence.
"I suppose I'll be getting home." He began. Aeris stood up and walked him to the door.
"Come visit me again." She stated, more of a fact than a question. He nodded silently. The two stared at each other for a few moments, as if waiting for one or the other to do something. But Sephiroth cleared his throat and Aeris quietly shut the door after one final wave.
Sephiroth started home, he had a lot of thinking to do.
Author's Notes: attacked this chapter too... lots of revamping to do! I will repair any major problems ASAP... it would also be nice if I could find the originals of these chapters :) Hehe, ahh well.
Keep reading!