Lucka studied the man intensely. He wore a dark, classy-cut opulent suit made of velvety cashmere. The two top buttons of his black silk dress shirt were undone. His middle-length hair was a rich raven, with a painstakingly messy look of lock shadowing his sharp amber eyes.

She noticed how attractive he was. The combination of a pointed nose, thin rosy lips, and high cheekbones. They instantly reminded her of the General face's features. Though he seemed more mature than him. He looked like a guy in his early thirty, perhaps the same age as Ryuu—she cringed inwardly from the thought. Why am I always surrounded by the fast rotting oldster anyway?

"Ilona, please meet my friend, Orion Lannighan," Robert said.

["I've heard about this man,"] Genesis said through the earpiece.

Lucka took a mental note of Genesis' remark. She extended her hand and smiled at the man. "Ilona. It's a pleasure to meet you, ," she said.

They shook hands briefly, then Robert talked to him in a low voice that she couldn't hear. Orion eyed her while listening to him, then he smiled. Lucka shuddered. He was charismatic and all, but somehow something was off. Although she still kept her face neutral and stayed as relaxed as possible under his scrutiny gaze.

"Ilona, we may talk in private," Orion said after Robert finished talking.

"Oh, sure thing," she said.

"We should hang out next time," Robert said and handed her his name card, then he waltzed away, leaving them alone.

Orion escorted her to walk outside the ballroom. They entered one of the rooms down the hallway, behind a massive double door on the far end of the corner. Lucka browsed around silently. It was like a waiting room; the interior matched the classical theme inside the theater. A colossal painting was hung on the wall's center, and an elegant maroon couch was placed underneath it.

Orion pulled out a PHS and called someone to come there. Another moment passed. He opened the door slightly when the sound of a knock tore the silence. Lucka saw a brief movement of the hand that gave him a small black velvet box. He shut the door, then strolled across the room, sitting on the couch and swiping his hand to instruct her to sit beside him.

Lucka nodded and sat at the end of the couch, keeping him at arm's length. "What do you do, Mr. Orion?"

"Just call me Orion," he said and opened the box, pulling out a pack of silver patches. "I'm an Art curator."

Lucka nodded. "Is it your main job, Orion?" she asked, playing with her hair as casually as possible.

He looked up from his hand, staring at her directly in the eyes. "Yes."

Does he suspect my question? Lucka stared back at him, resting her shoulder on the couch cushion to loosen up her nervousness. "Where could I find you?"

He smiled. "I work at Wallrose Art museum," he said, "do you want to see me again?"

"Perhaps," she said.

His smile widened. "Come here, Ilona."

["No. Don't get closer to him."] Genesis warned her.

Lucka didn't react for a second. Why would he want me to get closer? Despite her uneasy feeling, she complied. Lucka knew from the start that she should act cool around him. Any hesitancy would be seen. Because of the look he gave her, she caught how sharp he was. She should be more careful with her reaction from now on.

"How long have you been clean?" he asked.

["Why did he just sound like he's talking straight to me? Didn't I tell you not to get closer?!"] Genesis protested.

Lucka Ignored his rant. "It's almost seven months," she said and eyed Orion's hand movement.

Orion pulled out a folding knife and cut the edge of the patch. "Then this will hit right away, even if you just try a little," he said while extending his hand that held the patch, with a tiny gooey glob of shining green fluid on top of it.

Lucka held her breath. Zeus. Shit. No fucking way.

["Lucka, reject it!"] Genesis said urgently.

"No, thanks. I'm good. I'll use it later," Lucka said.

"It's a treat for our first meeting," he said, tilting his head, "Are you scared? Don't worry. This tiny bit won't harm you. Trust me."

["There are two henchmen outside the room. Don't trust him."] Genesis said adamantly.

Her finger twitched. A dread made her blood cold. "No, it's not that I'm scared," she said, "I just thought it's inappropriate to use it here."

"It's alright. You need it now," Orion said, leaning forward, "you look tense. This will help you relax."

"Oh. Really?" Lucka said with a loud heartbeat, slamming against her lungs until it forced her to draw a deep breath. "What's in there? Is it that good?" She locked her gaze at his eyes, trying to buy time.

"Why do you ask?" he asked, running his knuckles on the side of her head.

Lucka shivered. "I'm not familiar with fillers."

Orion chuckled. "I only used main substances," he said, "try, and you'll know."

She blinked and said, "Would you tell me what's in there after I try it?"

["The hell are you saying?! Don't try it!"] Genesis was basically yelling at her. She restrained herself not to wince.

"It depends. If you like it, perhaps, I'll tell you," Orion said, "here."

["Lucka, don't."]

"I… " Lucka trailed off.

She turned her gaze away while her palms were sweating a lot. She was the one who should earn his trust. Will he trust me if I obey him?

"Hm?" Orion narrowed his eyes, his hands hovering right in front of her lips. "Are you doubting me, Ilona?"

"No… it's just… " Lucka whispered.

Fuck me. What should I do?

Lucka glanced at him and went back to the patch. Her heartbeat was pounding fast until it felt insanely hurt. She drew a sharp breath while her eyes fixed on him. There, she almost thought she saw something malicious in his eyes the second her mouth opened slowly.

Zeus, please, please, please, if I should do this, just don't kill me tonight. I know I'm a total wretch for Ryuu, and if he ever finds out I'm relapsed, Zeus, I'm done.

She licked and swallowed.

It didn't take too long to hit. Lucka's head rolled back to the couch's backseat. Her eyelids were shut, her tensed jaw slacked, and her lips parted away. It was the feeling she always missed. The desire, craving for the pleasure she should have held back a long time ago.

Euphoria.

It rushed into her entire body, embracing her with a warm and thick layer of a safe cocoon. But it was different from what she used to have. It was greater. A hazy mist of green sank her in. All of her senses become sharper. Is it Mako in there? Her back slightly arched while she detached from reality. She immersed herself in her own world. Where there was no pain. No tears, only joy. Oh, oh. I feel it again—the precious seconds of getting high.

["Hey! Are you with me?!"]

Lucka couldn't hear Genesis's voice clearly. It was far, far away from her reach.

"Do you like it?" Orion asked.

She couldn't answer for a while and stayed still for several minutes. Then, slowly, Lucka opened her cloudy eyes. She inhaled a long deep breath and rested her cheeks to the side, staring at him. "Yeah," she mumbled.

["Lucka! I'm getting you now!"]

"No," she whispered.

"No?" Orion asked and raised his eyebrows.

Shit. Lucka was confused. "I mean, yes. I like it," she murmured, "Tell me what's in there?"

["Fuck it, Lucka!"] Genesis yelled, followed by a loud thud in the background.

She winced.

"Come to think of it. It's a secret," Orion playfully smirked.

Lucka frowned. "You said you'll tell me," she drawled, "please?" She pouted and was half-aware that her fingers stroked his chest.

Orion glanced at her hand, then said with a smile, "It's morphine and Mako."

Morphine. But why does it crash my nerves faster?

"How much will you charge me?" she asked, fiddling with his collar that suddenly looked inviting and his musk that smelled weirdly compelling.

"Seven thousand Gil for one patch," he said, "but… " he trailed off and continued while shifting closer. "If you become my friend, you'll get a lower price," he purred to her ear, trailing his hand up her inner thigh.

["Gaia! Why does he sound so gross?"] Genesis yelled again.

Lucka ignored him. Her eyes followed Orion's hand movement while goosebumps spread on her skin. Her breath turned heavy with sudden heat rising on her stomach. What kind of friend does he want me to be?

Suddenly a loud sound of ringing phones cut through the high sexual tension between them. She poorly opened the purse with her jelly hands to find the General was calling. FUCK. She glanced at Orion, but he said nothing. He leaned casually on his side, his hand still caressing her thigh lightly. Shouldn't I stop him? But Lucka found herself cast adrift. Her brain was messed up. And her body was unsynchronized between the overwhelming fear and an uninvited lust. The ringtone died down. Then, it rang again in a second. Lucka glanced again at him. Without any single thought, she swiped the answer button.

"Hello?" she said.

["Lucka, what are you doing with your body?"] The General's voice sounded implacably icy.

Lucka's heart almost stopped. Zeus, he knows. She murmured, "Can we talk tomorrow?"

["Who's talking to you? Just get out of there already. Give me the damn sign!"] Genesis roared with a higher tone.

["What are you doing?"] The General insisted. His tone was fierce and even colder than before.

Orion's hands trailed higher. Lucka gasped. "Please, later," she mumbled with a shallow breath and didn't recognize her words.

["No. You tell me now."] The General said.

Lucka glanced down. Orion's fingers rubbed between her crotch which was covered by the panties. She moaned.

["WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING THERE?!"] Genesis's rant cut

through her foggy mind like cold water smashing her face.

Lucka turned off the phone and stood abruptly. "Orion, I have to go," she said with a strained tone and pulled out a pack of Gil from her purse.

Orion seemed a bit surprised. He asked, "Why are you leaving so early?"

"I've really got to go," Lucka persisted.

Orion raised and said, "You know where to find me." He handed the box, whispering in her ear, "I look forward to your next fix."

Lucka didn't respond back. She bolted to the door and slammed it shut behind her spine. She didn't care about the two henchmen that blatantly stared at her. She just ran clumsily through the hallway. A rainfall drenched her cheeks.

Liebestraume no.3 Nocturne - Franz Liszt

Lucka stopped at one of the hallways on the building, far away from the room where she'd done the filthy business with Orion. Both of her palms and forehead rested on the wall. It took her a while to let out the fuming emotion in her chest while she felt her world spin, which indicated she was still under the drug influence.

Then, a thunderous and enraged step fell right behind her. Lucka wiped off her tears and faced the flaming mad Commander that crushed her upper arm with his iron grip.

"What he did to you?"

"No, it's nothing," she said, flinching away.

"Lucka, what has he done?!" he asked, squeezing her arms harder.

Lucka yelped. "Genesis! It hurts!"

Genesis looked perplexed. "Sorry…" he said and released her, turning away while massaging his temple.

Lucka crossed her arms and rubbed them slowly. Her eyes locked at the tip of her shoes. "Thanks for helping me, Genesis. We're done here. Let's head back."

"You're not going to tell me what happened there?!" He faced her in a sharp turn, throwing his hand in the air forcefully.

"No."

"I'm not taking you home until you talk," he said between his gritted teeth.

Lucka rested her eyes on him with a leftover of glazing pain. "I'll take the cab," she said, hurled past him, exiting the theatre.

"Lucka, wait!" Genesis grabbed her hand. She almost stumbled by the sudden force that made her stop.

She slapped his hand away. "Genesis, please. It's already hard for me!"

Genesis settled his fiery eyes at hers. Then, in a flash, they softened while he pulled her into a tight hug. "I was wrong," he said.

Lucka's eyes rounded big. Her still-messy brain stopped at a grinding halt. How can you hug me after all that shit happens? Do you think it's the thing I'll need? She wished his warm embrace could lighten the despair that stuffed her chest. But it didn't. They couldn't stay like that because she shouldn't exploit his feelings.

Her body was shaken by the thought of the earlier event. Orion's warm hand still lingered on her skin. It was her fault for letting him drug her. Lucka didn't expect how things would escalate quickly. She used to get high alone. She never knew if the drugs could cause her the same effect as alcohol. But now she knew. How easily she'd turned into a slutty bitch when getting intoxicated.

I'm too dirty for Genesis. I should cut him off, or he'll be left in vain; loveless.

Because I'm loveless.

Lucka pushed him away. Genesis winced in pain, crouching and grasping tightly at his left shoulder. Her lips parted in shock. Had she injured him? But she didn't shove him roughly.

"Genesis? Have I hurt you?" she said and touched his shoulder with wavered fingertips.

He grimaced and held her hand. "No, no. It's not you."

"What happened to you?"

"Just a scrape, yesterday I had a little incident."

"Incident?" Her breath quivered as she anticipated his next reply.

"Angeal, Sephiroth, and I had a spar. But we got too excited, and Angeal's blade broke when he intervened in our duel."

"You're injured…" she said slowly when the cold dread seized her.

Genesis sigh. "It's not a big deal."

The realization hit her. No. It was.

Lucka opened her mouth. Her heart raced faster. "Has it healed… ?"

He froze. And that was answer enough.

Her heart nearly busted.

No, no, no. Genesis would degrade.

His injury would lead to the worst nightmare of Gaia history because of the flawed genetics of the Jenova cell in him—

Jenova… The calamity!

Oh... Zeus… no. He's her son. Angeal too. The three of them!

How can I miss it? Why do I only focus on Sephiroth?

She was too late now. The predestine had been set. She didn't even have the chance to change it. How cruel was it? She only became a useless spectator, like with Shelke, like with her parents.

Lucka choked.

With vigorously wobbled feet, her body skied to the ground. Both of her eyes blasted open. She was entirely horrified. Her ear blocked out Genesis's calling—suddenly, she became deaf. The lash of dire possessed her, grasped her into the obscure barrier, tore her off from his presence. She became mute instantly. Her eyes found nothing while a hot stream fell to her cheeks.

Lucka grasped her chest tightly. It hurt so much until she thought her heart would burst. Her back landed on the dusty pavement. She stared up at the dark sky as her breath ragged uncontrollably.

Then, the sight changed into a blur. Lucka barely recognized Genesis moved her into the car until the sky switched into the car's dull light and became her main focus. She counted and counted silently. Sweat ran in turn from her temple. Lucka didn't know how long it would last. But somehow, the terror gradually went away. It was replaced by a sweet, cool breeze surrounding her, making her feel safe and content.

Lucka tilted up her head. She saw Genesis hovering with a deep frown. His hand rested on her shoulder, and the other grasped a green-glowing orb.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

Lucka weakly nodded. She rested her head back on his lap and drew a steady breath.

They sat in stillness until she could gain back her composure. She put aside all the evil thoughts. She'd think about it later and should calm herself now. She shouldn't make Genesis worried.

"Genesis, I'm alright. I can't thank you enough," she murmured, "Please take me home."

"Shouldn't we see a doctor?" he said with a deep frown.

Lucka shook her head and tried to sit up. "No. I just want to sleep."

Genesis helped her sit and eyed her for a while. He sighed. "Okay. Keep this. Now it's yours," he said and handed her the Materia and moved to the driver seat.

Lucka glanced down, eyeing the orb, then stared at his back. "Genesis, don't you need it too?"

"That's fine. I have another one," Genesis said.

Lucka nodded. "I really owe you one."

Genesis glimpsed at her from the rear mirror. "Don't mention it," he said and headed to the Turks' apartment.

Lucka let Genesis help her sit on the couch in the living room. Then, he gave her a glass of water from the kitchen.

"Would you be alright if I leave? Do you need something else?" he asked and sat next to her.

Lucka shook her head that rested on the backseat. "Yeah. I'm better now. And I don't need anything. Thanks, Genesis."

He nodded, although not entirely convinced. He said, "Please call me if you need any help."

"I will." Lucka sighed.

He was too kind, and it just made her even guilty. They shouldn't be confused with each other again. She should make it clear now or never. Genesis hadn't said anything yet, but he just showed everything. The hug was an expression of his feelings towards her. And she wasn't oblivious. She'd decided and hoped it was the right thing to do. So she started, "Genesis. I don't know if this's the right moment. But I can't waste any time. I need to tell you something," she said slowly, carefully.

"Yes. Please talk," Genesis said.

Lucka turned her head to him and sat straight on her seat. She inhaled deeply and said with a low, grim tone, "You can't fall in love with me."

Genesis stayed still. It took him another second to respond. "You can't control my feelings. Even I don't have any capability to do it," he said, with a weaker voice, that she'd never heard from him.

Lucka settled her gaze at his withered eyes. She didn't want to hurt him. But she didn't want to deceive herself or take advantage of him either. These bitter words were better told and would save him from the greater pain than giving him false hope, right?

"I'm not from this world, Genesis," she said.

He took a sharp breath and said, "If you're from this world, would I even stand a chance?"

It smashed her, making her speechless for a long time. No. It's an unrequited feeling. But she couldn't shove it right in front of Genesis's face. Lucka caught his eyes drooped; she had hurt him.

"I have my answer," he said and stood.

A piercing throb slammed her chest, and her voice trembled. "Genesis. Please, I'm sorry. We just can't."

Genesis locked his aching gaze at her for a moment longer. "I'm leaving. Good night," he said and walked out of the door.

Lucka rocked back and forth in her seat that no one knew for how long she'd done that. After Genesis left, only Lucka and her thought alone in the room. Her chest hurt, her body ached, and her brain cells detached. It was like many invisible knives stabbed her, stabbed, and stabbed from every direction. But she couldn't scream. She just sat there, being a lifeless puppet, not functioning.

Did I make the right decision? Genesis was already desperate from his unhealed wound. But she worsened his condition by hurting his feelings. What would he do later? Could she also save him? Had she messed up the timeline?

Lucka was scared to death.

She couldn't fail Genesis. His life, his soul, was worth being saved. He was redeemable.

Zeus, what should I do now?

The sedative leftover effect still flowed in her cell. But it didn't affect or help her calm down after the panic attack earlier. Every destructive thought continued crossing her mind. And she didn't have any energy to cast the cure spell of the Restore Materia to fix it. She let out a long sigh. Lucka should shut those wicked whispers. Overthinking would only kill her and lead to another terrible feeling and action. She should move, do something, anything.

So Lucka stood and hobbled to the kitchen. She didn't care anymore about being reckless. Hence, she chose the most effortless way to block the outpouring voice in her mind; she drank the biting alcohol again until she drifted away and embraced the colorless dream.