"Director Lazard?" Tseng answered the phone soon as he read the caller ID.

"How is that investigation going? I'm at my wit's end over here. Everyone wants me to suspend Strife."

"The results should be in any day, now. Explain the situation on your end a little more clearly, please. Who wants to suspend him, and why."

"Heidegger. He claims Strife is too wild. Saying he is a walking time bomb. Thing is, soon as I bring it up I get General Sephiroth, Commanders Hewley and Rhapsodos on my throat. In more colorful terms." In other words there were threats made.

Now that was a surprise to the Turk. He had suspicions Sephiroth and Cloud started a relationship, but no proof. Tseng wasn't surprised with Angeal's stance. What did catch him off guard was the fact Genesis offered his own support as well.

Then again both Zack and Cloud claimed the commander had been there when a gang of six Second Class SOLDIERs cornered them. Tseng didn't fully believe them for Genesis has never been known to save people. He was better off for the front lines, leaving the saving people to Angeal. Perhaps their claim wasn't so far fetched now.

"Does Heidegger know that Strife has their backing?" Tseng offered.

"Not yet. However I want to present a stronger case other than just giving Strife a free cookie for somehow gaining the trust and support of the three strongest men in Shinra."

There lies the real problem the director was having. And thus he was reaching out to the Turks. Strange turn of events. Usually Director Lazard came to the Turks as a last resort. And yet somehow a case revolved around Cloud Strife spiraled a bigger ripple effect of changes. And the young man in the center of it all had no idea.

Well, there was one idea Tseng can think of.

"Make the offer of him being assessed. Physically, psychologically, all the works to determine if he is a ticking time bomb. Insist that Professor Hojo will be the one to assess Strife. Whatever he says of Strife will determine the final decision."

"And if Professor Hojo won't take the job? We all know how Heidegger feels towards Hollander." Director Lazard knew how finicky Hojo could be. Very rarely he will set aside his current work for something the company needed of him. It only worked best if it benefited Hojo.

"With the rumors flying for the past month? I imagine Hojo is itching to have a look at Strife." Tseng wished it didn't have to come down to this. However, he knew without a doubt the professor will abide.

"All right. I'll make the presentation to the board. And Tseng?"

"Yes, Director?"

"Thank you." What's this? Director Lazard showing gratitude?

"Anytime, Director." Tseng knew he wasn't hiding the smile in his voice. When he hung up he didn't have to turn to know Reno was eavesdropping.

"Must you always eavesdrop?"

"Can't help it, yo. So which director was that? Why does Cloudy boy need to be assessed?" The redhead had no shame.

"That was Director Lazard. Heidegger is pressuring him to suspend Cloud. Claiming he's a ticking time bomb."

"That harmless chocobo? Pffft. Yeah, right." Reno laughed.

"That harmless chocobo took down half of Brandt's gang on his own." Rude reminded them.

"Probably would have kept going if Genesis hadn't stepped in." Tseng added.

"But you thought it wasn't him who set the other three on fire." Reno did a double take.

"I do now that he's joining Angeal and Sephiroth to back up Cloud's defense."

The redhead whistled. "Oh, boy. He special."

"Do you really think Hojo will agree?"

"I am certain that he will. There's been enough words circulating about Cloud that have reached Hojo's ears by now. I'm sure he's even noticed the changes within Sephiroth to gain some curiosity."

"What do you think those results will be like?"

"We will have to wait and see."

"Tseng? I just received the results." Cissinei handed him the file. She didn't have to clarify whose results or what case she referred to.

Tseng accepted the folder and opened it up. In an instant Reno was reading over his shoulder. After a moment Rude joined in on the other side. When they finished reading Cissinei, who had already glanced over the file before handing it over, asked them all one question.

"What do we do about this?"

"We withhold this information until after Hojo's assessment. Then when those results are in, we present this to the board at the same meeting."

xXx

Professor Hojo was having a rather eccentric day. His assistants could all sense it. It was the way he mumbled angrily. The constant pacing. And the inability to focus on one thing at a time.

He moved from one project to the next, never feeling quite satisfied. This has been going on for quite a while, now. It was no secret on the cause.

Rumors. Rumors of someone giving Sephiroth a run for his money. A Third Class SOLDIER, to boot. One who has yet to receive any mako injections.

Of course they could just be rumors. However, now there were a few distinct details that surfaced recently. One of them is the fact Sephiroth is actually giving his time to attend to the boy's needs. Those claims could easily be dismissed as well.

Then the incident of Second Class Brandt Jackson. Hospitalized from being brutally attacked by Sephiroth. Attacked. Not killed, attacked. When questioned if he did it the general admitted without hesitation. No remorse in the way he spoke. Even went so far as to say he will do it again if Brandt ever gave him a reason.

And most recently? Six Second Class SOLDIERs joined their friend. The details get a little fishy here. But the consistent variable is that they cornered Third Class SOLDIER Cloud Strife. The same person from the rumors. It is uncertain if he hurt all six men who attacked him, he did agree that he had help at one point.

Whoever that was isn't made clear.

Of course many speculate Sephiroth. But Hojo and his entire floor of researchers can account for Sephiroth's whereabouts. He was there for a routine check up. Hojo had made inquiries, but the general remained silent on the matter of this boy. Which lead to more curiosities.

One thing was for certain is this Cloud Strife has now become an important figure in Sephiroth's life. The signs were there. Whenever someone new comes into his life he refuses to admit to anyone who asks. If it was a friend figure, he confides in only to Hojo. If it was a love interest he refuses to talk at all.

As of right now all Hojo could speculate is that this Cloud Strife has become Sephiroth's new lover. And one who may or may not be able to stand his ground in a fight. Hojo of course attempted to have a look at the video records of the fight. All he could find was a file that cut off after a certain point.

Hojo could only conclude the Turks were responsible. They must have come to some sort of agreement, some change of arrangement for Cloud Strife that they didn't want anyone else to know about. Hence why the remaining footage was removed and erased by the main system.

"Who is Cloud Strife?" Hojo asked no one in particular.

"Sir? There's a call. It's the president." One of the nameless assistants approached.

"Odd. He should still be in a board meeting." Hojo checked his watch. This meeting he wasn't required to attend.

"He is, but they want to ask you a favor." The assistant explained.

"Yes, Mr. President?" Hojo accepted the phone.

"I have Directors Lazard and Heidegger here arguing over the suspension of Third Class SOLDIER Cloud Strife. However, Director Lazard has introduced a compromise. Director, if you will explain."

Oh. How exciting. This boy has even got the board talking about him! And arguing, to boot. What has the world come to?

"Yes, well I am suggesting that Strife is to be assessed. Both physically and psychologically in order to determine whether he really is a major threat to the future of the company. I was wondering if you would do the honors of assessing Cloud Strife?"

Finally! This was the breakthrough he's been waiting for!

"Why, of course! I will be honored to make the assessment. Send him over to my department whenever he's ready." Hojo was delighted. He wasn't passing this opportunity over to Hollander.

"How long until we have the results, Professor?" Heidegger asked. Of course he would be impatient. It was within his nature to have results in the now.

"It shouldn't take more than a day or two, depending on the assessment itself. The psychological portion varies. It can be quite extensive. But I assure you I am very thorough."

"Thank you, professor. I will make the arrangements for him to be sent to you." Director Lazard was always so courteous.

"Very well. We will meet again once Professor Hojo has his results. Meeting adjourned." The president hung up the phone.

"Clean up Rooms A and B. We are going to assess a very special someone on the behalf of the president. I want the labs ready before he arrives." Hojo instructed the assistant.

"Yes, professor."

The rooms were cleaned in record time. Hojo was just going over the last minute details of the assessment when one of the assistants informed him one of the Turks was there. And with him was Cloud Strife.

"Send the Turk away and bring Strife to Room A." Hojo instructed, carefully making sure everything was in order.

When he concluded that everything was perfect Hojo bounded his way to Room A. Finally he got to see the boy who was by all means the center of attention of the entire company.

Pretty, for a male. There were hints of femininity underneath the muscular and lithe build of a SOLDIER. Hojo knew Sephiroth's preferences by now and Strife definitely fit the bill on the appearance scale.

"Interesting. So this is the face that's got the entire company talking." Hojo comments mostly to himself.

"Professor Hojo?" The boy blinks.

"The one and only. Now to start with, I will be taking a few blood samples. You haven't been examined yet for future mako injections. So I've figured might as well get that over and done with now instead of later." Hojo was already getting the vials and needle ready. His body was on autopilot.

"But I thought this was an assessment to determine if I stay or not?"

The boy has some smarts. Something Commander Rhapsodos lacked. So far Strife has remarkable points in Hojo's book. And they haven't even gotten into the good stuff.

"Yes, well. It's better to be prepared if I see no reason you shouldn't continue your SOLDIER career."

"I guess?" The boy was uncertain, but didn't argue with his logic further.

Good boy. Hojo liked it when they don't question too much. He couldn't wait to have a better look at the cellular level. He made quick work of the blood draw, undid the tourniquet and placed a cotton ball over the jab. Cloud took over to apply pressure without being told and Hojo moved to the microscope in the corner of the room.

"While I'm having a look here at your bloodwork, I will be starting the psychological portion of the assessment. It is a series of questions which you answer honestly." Hojo explained while an assistant entered the room with the answer sheet to mark down for him since he will have his hands full.

"Okay. Are these yes and no type of questions?"

"In a sense. If you are ever unsure then say so. But I will advise against it because that answer heavily muddles the results. Too much and it becomes a guessing game that may place you where you don't want to be. You're still free to use that answer, just not too often."

"So you need me to be fully honest."

"Bare your soul to me and it will be easier for all of us. I don't judge based on the answers given. I have raised Sephiroth since birth. I've seen it all with that man."

Cloud goes quiet at the mention of Sephiroth. That was all the confirmation Hojo needed. He wasn't at all surprised to see the faintest hint of S Cells invading Cloud's in the bloodwork. The proof of their coupling.

"Let's start with the assessment, shall we?" Hojo gathered his folder.