Chapter 14. Disclosure Part 2.

John's POV

I didn't push the whole where-do-you-come-from and how-do-you-know-the-General issue while I dialogued with Eleanor for the rest of the week.

Apart from her daily psychological readings, she was improving somehow. The anxiety was way better, as well as the breathing difficulties.

After I narrowed the access to her premises, Hojo seemed a lot more aggressive than lately. He, of all persons, was strictly prohibited of walking into our sector, mostly because of the General's exposition to the Scientific committee. Hojo tried to justify himself but the General's word sounded implacable. Truth was, thanks to the General, we all felt safer now. No prying eyes, no intrusions. Eleanor was safe.

As time went by, I was starting to realize her physical integrity was not to worry anymore. She was just fine, her levels good, her long wavy hair healthy. Her eyes were very expressive, and they held a shine difficult to overlook.

I recalled every damned day the moment she had opened up all she knew to me.

After confirming the sound recording system was safely off, we had talked the whole night long. We even had had a little picnic at 3 a.m.

I had to admit it had been my first blank night since college.

Nerdy, I know. But I enjoyed my 8 hours of sleep very much.

I just heard Elie. I didn't retrieve any notes, nothing at all. It had been a long, serious conversation with sensitive content - content she made me swear on my deceased parents I wouldn't disclose it to anybody.

What choice did I have but to do that exactly.

So now I knew everything, mostly like she did. The following year was going to be catastrophic. Things would go out of hand and the Planet… well, the Planet would be at risk.

"What do you think if we disclose information softly?" I eventually suggested. "That might change the outcome and avoid casualties."

Elie's eyes were serious on mine. All this knowing-what's-about-to-come was not easy to manage. I never thought that having knowledge of the future would be like this. I mean, now that I thought about it, it never had crossed my mind.

"It has to be done with tact." Elie answered. "It can be preventive, mostly, but… we must be careful."

Her tone was wary.

"Why is that?"

"There are things that will be unleashed - things that may turn against us and ruin every possibility of… peace."

For the Planet! Her words were scaring me. What did she mean with that?

"Like what?"

Elie took her time answering.

"Jenova."

I widened my eyes. I was not expecting that answer.

"The Jenova? Wasn't that a myth?"

I didn't know much about Jenova. The whole file was secretive but I knew Hojo and his team used to work on the subject. I didn't enjoy paranormal - I was a earthly scientist, I worked with graspable things, facts. Not… entities. Whatever.

So, deep down inside I wondered what Elie meant with Jenova.

"I wish. She's very freaking real, John. And She… is closer than you think."

"Oh."

This wasn't good. It wasn't good at all. I suspected the whole Jenova issue was going to give us trouble. Like, lots of it. Elie was the one speaking again.

"She will hurt most of us. Get many killed. That is the main thing we must prevent." Elie's eyes were now sad, which made me flinch. This wasn't being easy on her as well. "The way I see it, I believe you can use the information I gave you not to prevent all things from happening, but to prepare them - SOLDIER and Turks - for what will be coming. Gradually and secretly."

She was right, we both knew it. But curiosity ate me on the inside and I knew there were things she hadn't disclosed completely. Most of the information I possessed now was about Shinra, the Turks. Elie had purposely avoided most of the SOLDIER facts, giving me scarce details about what would happen. Namely, I only knew Cloud Strife would reveal himself an excellent member - but that was pretty much it. She hadn't mentioned Zack, the General and many others - for now.

My mind remained trapped on the 'Jenova' and 'getting many killed'. So, I just had to ask.

"Who will be killed?"

Eleanor took a deep breath and considered her words. It was a difficult question, I knew it.

"Oh, John… I think it's better if we postpone that particular information. We still have time to work on preventing any death from happening."

I blinked at her, feeling a little tossed away. What, was this a matter of trust?

"You know you can trust me."

She eyed me, making a sad face. Elie remained sat on her bed, her arms holding her knees. A bomb was about to be dropped, I felt it. That or she wouldn't say a thing. No matter what, I had to deal with it. Respect her need for space and time do disclose-

"Zack Fair."

The words came out like a whisper and I felt a pang on my chest. Gulping dry, I couldn't say a word in return. My God. Zack. Fair. How could that be?

Surely, my complexion must have given away my astonishment and Elie was the one talking again.

"Yeah."

Man. This was too much of a bomb just to be left at that.

"How?"

Eleanor blinked two times at me, gathering her thoughts. Oh man. Another bomb was about to be dropped...

"The General will snap and take him out."

I sighed.

"Oh, boy."

"Right."

And that was enough for today. Now I knew why she hadn't said a word about SOLDIER and whatever would happen to them. It was too much. All of it, was always too much.

"I don't think I want to know more of that. It makes me sick."

Elie snorted, a sample of a smile showing.

"I told you!"

"Will it be soon? Can it be… preventable?"

"There's nothing I want more, John. I don't want a freaked out Sephiroth with a Masamune on and a deceased Zack on my hands. I will try and do everything I can to stop that reality from happening."

Her words were strong and honest, and I realized that she, Elie, was totally aware of the facts. Everything. From the very beginning to the end.

"You lived that reality already, didn't you?"

"Thousands of times." She admitted. "And believe me… what the General will become… won't be nice. In any possible way."

Her words worried me.

"That creeps me out."

Elie drew a deep breath and made a serious face again. Oh-uh.

"The way he is now?" She snorted, with a soft laugh. It was obvious she was talking about the General. "He's candy, John, compared to the Sephiroth I knew."

Sephiroth's POV

By the end of the week Fair and the Turks returned from mission.

Modeoheim had been tough - I read it on Fair's face the minute I laid eyes on him. He was spent. At all levels - physically, emotionally.

The encounter with Angeal had done the deed.

I knew he was dead. I had been informed at once by members of the team - as well as Zack had had a conversation with Angeal before the whole thing was over.

As always, the reports would be crucial in this. I needed the description of the facts - because I would test that woman with those later.

Unlike John, I wasn't as easily convinced.

I considered John's suggestion of joining Fair and the woman to see how it went - what she would say, if she actually felt a little more at ease with him, since to her I was like a boogeyman of sorts.

The thought made me laugh at myself.

Stupid woman.

I got up from the chair towards the windows. It was late evening, the sunset was close. My eyes narrowed as I focused a specific point in the horizon line.

That place.

My mind spoke louder when I thought of it. It was like an invitation without words, a calling in an alien language.

What do you want from me?

I had to ask, even if I knew there would be no answer. Places didn't give me answers. I locked my jaw reflexively and started doing the math. I would have to find me some time to explore that place decently.

Something was there awaiting me. I knew it - felt it.

The woman had been a sign. It had to be. The whole company had suffered a 180 degree turn since she appeared. Our daily living had changed - mine and everybody's.

I sighed, worried with the sensations I felt.

My intuition warned me to be careful. Extremely careful.

As always.

With a sudden gesture a made a call to the science Division. Medina's office. Gladly, the man picked up the phone rather fast.

"Hello?"

"Fair is on his way." I informed.

"Very well."

And he hung up. I stared at the phone, dialing a new number. Fair's. I would give him the right instructions to ask the woman. He had to behave with tact and intelligence - just like a SOLDIER 1st class should behave.

It was his call now. But I would be there supervising him.

Elie's POV.

I sat on my bed reading a book. Thankfully, John had gotten me something for entertainment. I couldn't stand staring at nothing the whole day - I had had a lot of staring since I arrived to this place.

The natural light that came out of my window soothed me and, in a way, pushed me to reality. I had had a hard time adjusting to this whole world-traveling thing but I had to accept I was really here.

They were all real. The good, the bad… and the worst.

I felt better since I had talked the whole thing out with John. I had told him so many things - about me, about what I knew and eventually, about what was going to happen, but… Uh, but courage had slipped the moment I considered talking about the main plot. Right. That was the hard part. I had let him know some details, here and there, even Zack's death… but that was it for now. I wasn't mentally prepared to tell him what would happen to Sephiroth with all the necessary detail. If I did… I knew the guard would hold him on custody. And that could not happen.

I knew he had his part to play before the Neibelheim incident.

So, for now, I would keep my mouth shut.

And, speaking of which, I needed to know what day was this. Month, year. I lost track of time in this secluded bedroom.

A metallic noise took me out of my reverie. The door was open - and Zack stood there, smiling softly at me. I recognized that smile, that pose. It was so typically… Zack.

Just like the game…, I thought.

"Hey."

He got inside and the door closed shut with a muffled sound. I got up the chair and walked towards him. Man, he was huge. Tall and handsome as hell.

I giggled mentally at my silly thought. Now that he was flesh and bone right here in front of me, looking all manly and all, I realized why Aerith had fallen for him.

It was actually very easy to like Zack. He had a heart of gold. And I trusted him - because I knew him inside out.

"Zack." I greeted, with a smile on my face. My eyes met his blue ones, only to find nervousness and sadness inside it.

So, it had happened. Angeal was dead and he was devastated. The thought hurt me as well.

"How are you?"

Zack's tone was soft and nice. He was making an effort.

"I'm okay."

"You're smiling." He stated, smiling as well. "That's something."

Man, I would give anything to chit-chat with Zack Fair for hours and hours. He was so cool and well, so unlike the General - always grumpy and suspicious of everything and everybody.

"How have you been?" I asked, in high spirits. "What day is this?"

"May, the 3rd."

It was all I needed to know.

"How did the mission go?"

"The mission?" I could tell Zack had been caught by surprise. He didn't expect me to ask him such things. "Fine."

Riiight. So defensive. I was willing to bet the General had told him not to show weakness and for him not to reveal crucial things to me. I narrowed my eyes at my own logic.

But of course.

I was willing to bet The General was right outside, recording and seeing this conversation. The man was impressive - stubborn, wary and… good God, insufferable. He wanted to confirm his own theories, hence he sent Zack to do that for him - since he can't do it himself.

I took a deep breath and tried to think of brighter things. After all, Zack Fair was right there in front of me and I was - what, thinking about how idiotic the General behaved? No way.

So, I started speaking as if I hadn't noticed Sephiroth had sent Zack to snitch information for him - and the company.

"I'm glad. So, why are you here?"

I went straight to the point.

"I just came to see you. The last time we met it didn't work out that well."

Man, he is a good liar.

"It didn't." I quoted, a sample of smile on my face, as I prepared my next strike. "So, congratulations on your promotion by the way. You're officially a 1st class."

Zack took a second to answer me.

"News travel fast I see."

Playing hard to get, ha? You'll see.

"Hum. You know… there is something I would like to ask you."

"Say it."

"How do the flowers smell like?"

Zack gulped dry, out of words. I had surprised him with such… tender issue. Talking about Aerith to him was something invasive - because in theory, no one knew about them, except themselves.

"I heard they're rare. Is she the only one capable of growing them?"

Zack blinked in silence, measuring me before speaking.

"It's like… heaven."

And jackpot.

"Do you love her?"

I would never thought to see Zack blush at my words.

"Listen, I-"

"Don't trick her. She is an amazing person and she deserves honesty from you."

"How do you-"

"Just believe me, okay? Don't… hurt her."

Zack took his time gathering himself. He nodded at me, visibly shaken with the direction our dialogue had taken. He wasn't expecting that. And I was willing to bet the General was fuming behind that mirror. Which felt comforting, by the way.

"So… people in here think you're an alien."

Zack's words surprised me. Alien? For Christ's sake, that sounded so like… him.

"That's just the General." My voice came out weak, for I knew he was listening. And, as much as I enjoyed provoking him… I didn't want things to tumble down. He was a dormant assassin and I shouldn't play with his soon-to-be-messed up psyche.

Zack interrupted my line of thinking.

"You know, you could try and recall something… you know, when you woke up at the training area."

Man, not that issue again! My face grew sterner.

"I told you everything I know. Everything I remember. Before and after I woke up."

" if you-"

"Zack." I had to interrupt him on this one. I got it, he was here to ask me questions and all but there were questions I didn't know the answer. "I don't lie. Why would I?"

He measured me again and, after a silent pause, he acquiesced. Finally, he was starting to get it.

"Okay then."

And it was time for a change of subject.

"Where's your buster sword?"

"It's… outside."

"Oh."

It kind of disappointed me. I had never seen a buster sword live - and I really wanted to.

"Would you like to see it?"

YES!

"I-I would love to."

"I'll go get it."

Zack opened my bedroom's door and retrieved his sword, which was resting against the wall. He got inside again and, at the sight of such magnificence, my mouth half-opened in awe. What. a. huge. thing.

"Whoa." I said, touching the cold metal with my fingers. "It's… beautiful."

We both stared at the sword like two lunatics. Really, this seemed like a dream. I was touching Zack Fair's sword - the one that Angeal had given to him with his dying breath. The thought oppressed me, as my eyes met Zack's. He was thinking about him - Angeal. I knew it. The whole thing was too recent still. The wounds had been open very recently.

"Is it heavy?" I asked, just to soften the mood.

"Here."

Zack handed me the sword. I widened my eyes at him, not believing he was actually doing this. Really? Me, touching this precious piece of art? Oh, God, this was a very nice dream indeed!

I grabbed the sword with Zack guiding the movements for me - but in the moment he let it go, the impossibly heavy weight of steel bit the feeble muscles of my arms.

"Uh! Yeah. Heavy. A lot."

I felt myself blushing, knowing this was a miserable scene. Man, I wasn't used to swords, come on! There was no such thing in my reality. I mean, maybe there was, but guns were way more usual.

Zack laughed and grabbed his sword again.

"I'll do that."

I smiled at him and watched him put the sword right there behind him, resting against his back.

The image of Angeal and that terrible scene where he died… popped in my head. My stare met Zack's and I sensed the sadness in him once again.

He's mourning. In silence. He's keeping it all to himself…

"It's very special to you, isn't it?"

"It is."

And as Zack admitted that, I took a chance.

"He meant it, you know? All of it."

Zack's blue eyes grew softer by the second. He knew what I was talking about and realization hit him hard.

And most likely, our conversation would have been way more interesting if we hadn't been ruthlessly interrupted.

"Out!"

I jumped at his voice - Sephiroth's. He got inside my bedroom with the looks of an enraged feline. My heartbeat peaked and I felt my knees weaker. God, the effect this guy had on me was impressive.

Not good. Not good at all.

Zack spoke at once, his solid body shielding partially mine. I took a couple of steps back, reflexively.

"Sephiroth, it's okay, I-"

"I said, out." His hard stare was on Zack but quickly jumped to mine. A shiver of fright traveled along my spine. "And you…" He took a couple of steps towards me, his shoulder hitting Zack's. Oh-uh.

I gulped dry at the harsh sound it made. "You don't have to look at me like I'm going to skin you alive, believe me I have no intentions of touching you anytime this century."

And with that, they went away.

Both.

And when I was finally alone I realized I was still holding my breath.

A/N - I'm back :) Hope you like the chapter!

Things are heating up people. And Sephiroth is so close, so close! Read and review as you like people! You're most welcome. :)

If you're up to Reading my original fiction please check my FB or Goodreads page (check my profile).