A Past Long Forgotten

Chapter 17: Finding Peace

Disclaimer: I don't own FF7 or anything else affiliated… (shucks!)

Aeris smiled at Sephiroth as she knelt down and urged him to join her. Sephiroth felt a sense of déjà vu as he saw what she was going to do; she was going to pray.

Without questioning her, he knelt down as well. The pose felt awkward and unsure to him, but he was too far gone to give it too much thought- he needed to end everything. He didn't even flinch when Aeris closed one of her hands around his. He could still see the dull glow of the material between her fingers.

She bowed her head, and Sephiroth remembered the last time he had seen her like this. He inwardly cringed. How could he have been so completely willing to comply with Jenova's wishes? How could he have hurt such a beautiful and wonderful woman- one willing to risk everything for his own happiness and well being?

All at once, the white material began to glow- now a pale green not unlike healing materia… Sephiroth felt a warm sensation as the glow engulfed him. Suddenly all of Jenova's resolve seemed to melt away. Slowly but surely her voice faded into nothingness. It could have been minutes, or it could have been hours…

For the first time in years- perhaps in his entire life, Sephiroth felt free.

And as soon as it was over, he looked up in time to see Aeris opening her eyes weakly and forcing a smile. She them promptly fell forward. Sephiroth caught her easily and frantically checked to make sure she was alright. He was relieved to find a pulse.

The white materia hit the floor with a soft ping. All at once it glowed very brightly, and then was gone.

After the display between Sephiroth and Aeris, Tifa and Cloud both felt speechless and detached. Even more so as they watched Sephiroth fuss over Aeris. There were few words exchanged as the small group made their way out of the shinRA building and back towards Aeris' home.

Sephiroth carried Aeris and his facial expression indicated he was focused only on her. He walked a fair distance away from Tifa, Cloud, and Vincent. He was not eager to talk to them. He was also fairly surprised that none of them had pointed fingers and demanded to take Aeris from him. He wasn't sure he could handle that.

"I never thought he could… care," Tifa began quietly, "But maybe Aeris was right… maybe we blamed him too much… and didn't attribute enough to Jenova…"

Cloud looked unsure, "I still don't trust him… what if-"

"He won't." Vincent interrupted. Cloud and Tifa both jumped.

"We need to leave them alone." Vincent began. "They have some things to work out- and it is none of our business."

"But Aeris-" Cloud was not eager to leave the girl he thought of as a younger sister alone with her killer.

"Will come to us when she's ready, Cloud… I want to catch up with her too… but I can sense that the two of them have to work this out first." Tifa's voice surprised Cloud.

Vincent nodded. Cloud still didn't want to agree- but saw that he had lost.

"I'll stay and watch over the house." Vincent promised. Tifa and Cloud looked at one another, feeling a little better knowing that Vincent would be there. The two of them prepared for the journey home, but not without reminding Vincent to tell Aeris to come and see them as soon as she was able.

Vincent stood stoically outside of the house well into the night. He didn't want to disturb them- and he certainly didn't want anyone else to either. He squinted a bit when he saw a figure approaching in the distance. When he saw who it was, he frowned.

Sandy Lamont walked quickly and deliberately towards Aeris' home and was not really surprised to see Vincent standing outside.

"Are… are they home?" Sandy asked cautiously.

"Yes, and they're fine. No thanks to you." There was a venom in Vincent's voice that he couldn't quite mask. "Aeris stopped Sephiroth from sucuumbing to Jenova's whims again."

Sandra frowned. "Look, Mr. Valentine… I know what I did was wrong… but they would have found out sooner or later. I just wanted to talk to them for a moment-"

"About another ridiculous story you're planning on printing? The last thing that they need is more attention. All they need is peace and quiet." Vincent was fairly certain that Aeris hadn't even awoken yet. "Anything you need to say to them- you can say to me

Sandra shifted her weight from one foot to the other, "I wanted to apologize. And to let them know they won't find any more stories about the two of them. I've opted for a change of career. Journalism doesn't suit me."

Vincent raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised. "I see. I'm certain they'll be glad to hear that… and I will let them know that you stopped by."

"There's no way I could tell them myself?" She asked.

"Come back in a few days. The two of them need some time to themselves." Sandy could see that Vincent wouldn't change his mind, and nodded. She resolved to visit them again soon. She had to show them that she was sorry- and that she was changing for the better. She turned and walked away from the house.

Vincent watched her go. Though he couldn't say that he liked her, he was glad that she had come by. He knew he wouldn't have to worry about Aeris and Sephiroth getting too much unwanted attention, at least not for awhile…

Sephiroth sat restlessly next to Aeris' sleeping form. She was sleeping soundly and looked very at peace. She had been that way for hours.

Sephiroth held one of her hands in both of his, staring down at her and mentally willing her to wake. Since they had returned to her house he had been mulling through his more recent memories. He loved Aeris; he knew that now. Even more so now that she had saved him. He didn't care about his past or hers. He wanted to start over, to set things right. He had to know how she felt.

Aeris sighed softly in her sleep, and her eyes fluttered open. "Where… where am I?"

"Aeris!" Sephiroth looked relieved, "Home. Are you alright? Do you feel okay?"

"Sephiroth," She blinked, then smiled, "Just a little tired. How are you? Do you feel okay?"

He couldn't help but smile, "Yes, thanks to you… Aeris… I…."

"I know," She began, "You're welcome Sephiroth. I care about you. I don't care about the past. You weren't yourself. Now I've gotten to know you and-"

Sephiroth interrupted her, "Aeris, I need to say something."

Aeris slowly sat up and faced him, taking both of his hands in hers. She nodded in encouragement.

"I love you. I understand if you don't feel the same way but… but I've thought about it- I don't know if I can ever feel okay about what happened before… I don't understand how I ever could have done that to you but I…" He stumbled over his words then. He'd never felt this way about anyone. This case was even more complex.

"It's okay Seph," She nodded in encouragement, "I love you too. I know now… the planet wanted us to be together… we never got a chance before. It's not your fault about what happened- you deserve a second chance. I want to be there to help you all the while." She gave his hands a squeeze and smiled. She meant every word.

"Thank you Aeris, for everything… I'm sorry I couldn't control myself…" He frowned.

"You're forgiven." She smiled, then leaned up and gently kissed him. He hesitated for only a moment before kissing her back.

Those words meant more to him than anything. He felt like he finally had a chance to set things right. He had Aeris and her forgiveness. He loved her- and he was fairly certain she loved him in return.

This time, he would set things right.

Author's Notes:

That's it- the end! Finally! I must say I just wanted to get this finished  Lately I've been more inspired by other things- I may be writing another fic soon. Stay tuned- and a very big thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Very nice of you :D

Take care- and thanks for sticking with me through the years (literally) it took to finish this fic. Hooray! I'm finished!