Chapter 30. A new Life.
Sephiroth's POV
I slept like the dead for twelve hours straight.
After my conversation with Stevens, I felt so consumed and tired I just had to - simply - rest and restore mind and body, be energized for what would follow.
Arrangements were needed, namely concerning Stevens' new life. I had considered all the details - flat, job type, daily routine at work.
That would provide her a healthy occupation and she wouldn't have time to mind with silly self-guilt theories. It was bad and sad enough that Zack wasn't among us anymore, but to think obsessively over the matter wasn't solution.
Not for her anyway. That was a job for scientists and those who studied the Planet's dynamics. The mysteries of the lifestream were still to be discovered and we wouldn't retrieve Zack until we didn't have a way to safely bring him without Jenova as well.
There had to be a way to separate the two.
It was a worry and a goal I had explained thoroughly to those who researched on that area. Me, Tseng and Medina had become a team of leaders who knew it all, supervised several areas in the company - all allowed and certified by the President.
I had to admit Steven's information had been precious to gain extra trust. The moment I had disclosed the traitor's identity, the President ordered immediately his arrest.
His own son's arrest.
That man had nerves of steel. Not for a moment he flinched and when his son was finally inside the cells of our HD, he politely informed me I had his total -and complete trust. If I needed, wanted something, all I had to do was name it.
That was the kind of power I'd ever dreamed of.
Having it all, within my reach.
Rufus Shinra had refused questioning, but I would be willing to try. After all, I needed to know, or, better said, confirm if he had actually been the responsible for the attempts we've witnessed.
Namely, the attempt on Stevens' life.
But that could wait. There were other priorities now and there was much to do, namely-
A vibration next to my thigh took me out of my reverie. My mobile rang, and I wondered who might be at this time of the day.
"General."
It was Medina. I narrowed my eyes a little, wondering if something out of the ordinary had happened. Stevens was still with him and I didn't hear from her since… well, since the day before yesterday.
"Yes."
"She would like to talk to you." His tone sounded a little painful, and I wondered why. The attachment he had over her was definitely making Medina behave a little ridiculously. "She called me asking for you."
Somehow, the thought of Stevens calling John asking for me felt strangely gratifying. In a sick way.
"Did she?"
I heard John sigh at my provocation. I snorted, smiling a wicked smile.
"You know where she is, you can go there anytime."
"Can I?"
And I was willing to bet John would insult me if I went on.
"She's waiting."
The line went suddenly dead and I closed the mobile with a quick movement, satisfied with my little provocation. I knew it was childish, to a point, but it was funny to test John's limits, knowing he was so protective of Stevens.
Really, I had the feeling he would put her in a bullet-proof dome if he could. But then again, I was the one she had called for.
I sensed the talk about my past would take place. She was finally ready to tell me everything - to add the details I needed to know so bad to finally understand who I was.
I closed the folders on my desk and decided to call it a day.
It was time to finally know it all about myself and my past.
-/-
I knocked at Medina's apartment door with three decisive strikes. I figured Stevens would imagine I would be the one interrupting whatever she was doing at three p.m. but when I heard her hesitating steps on the inside of the apartment, I flinched.
"It's me, Stevens." I said, with a low tone.
The noise of the locks scored the moment and the door finally opened. Stevens showed partially but I could see she was properly dressed. Jeans and a white shirt that looked very Turk-like, her brown hair falling off her shoulders.
I got inside and she closed the door, her stare avoiding me. Her face looked tired but I saw improvement in her. So, she was trying to get over the misfortune.
It would be an hard task but she would eventually accept things as they were.
"You asked for me."
My tone was neutral, as always.
"I did." She declared, and urged me towards the sofa. "Please sit."
I did as she said. I was so curious about what she was about to tell me I didn't say a word, I just stayed there and waited for her to begin.
She sat as well, half-facing me, and took a deep breath.
Elie's POV
I told him everything.
Not that it mattered to hide things from the General anymore. Jenova wasn't among us, and he was very avid for information.
I had begun with his parents, Hojo and Lucrecia, their relationship, their investigations before they had met and how things had developed from there.
Sephiroth listened to me attentively. It was like I was telling a story. When I finally stopped, he stood up and walked towards the window - the one by John's living room.
I watched him, not knowing what on Earth was he going to do or say, what was going through his mind right now.
Sephiroth spoke after a couple of minutes of complete silence.
"Now I can understand some things I didn't."
"Such as?"
I got up as well and approached him. He half-turned so his stare met mine again.
"Hojo's attitudes."
I nodded, considering his declaration. What was there to say? Nothing. It was a lot of information to process and I knew he was chewing up all of it and that his hate over Hojo would only increase.
"What about her?"
His sudden question surprised me.
"Who?"
"My…"
Mother?
"Lucrecia." I dared to complete the sentence and guess up what he was trying to ask me. "You mean what happened with her after…"
He nodded at me, a little taken aback. It was pretty obvious he was curious about her whereabouts, namely because after his birth I hadn't mentioned much of her. Which was only logical.
"She's… Uh…"
"Is that hideous?"
"No, it isn't, I mean…" It was just hard to tell him the truth. Too much information could be harming sometimes - and this was clearly one of those times. "…is it really necessary for you to know where-"
"Is she dead?"
So that was his worry?
"Not…exactly."
His facial expression softened up a little. So yeah, that was his worry - his real mother being dead or thrown in a common graveyard, undignified or something.
"One day, perhaps."
I smiled, glad he had been the one refraining from knowing more about it - for now. There was time and when he would feel ready the talk about where Lucrecia was resting would take place. Later.
"Yeah." I agreed. "Well, one day, I guess."
With his stoic face and stiff posture I watched how the man in front of me turned completely, taking slow steps towards me. I waited, wondering when he would stop - at which distance from me he would consider adequate and how… oh, how I missed his comfort. Like the other night, when he came to visit me.
When he finally stopped I was still entranced in my daydreaming, and I resumed watching him just standing there, so distant and serious.
"Thank you, Stevens." He finally said, his eyes on mine. The green in it was so shiny and beautiful, it felt unique, even if I had seen it so many times. His face didn't show any weakness, and I wondered how he would be feeling. Would he be okay? Had I ruined it all with so much information? I didn't know. All I knew was he was right there, staring at me, and I couldn't say shit.
"It was very enlightening." His tone changed a little, going from thankful to introspective. He was actually speaking out his soul to me.
And I absolutely loved it. Having Sephiroth being sentimental with me felt very rewarding. It was like he was sharing something with me.
Something he never did with no one else.
It made me feel unique… and special.
"I thought you'd like to know the President demanded your presence." He suddenly said, and I blinked a few times, hardly processing his words. "When you're ready."
"Oh."
His sudden statement had surprised me. I wasn't expecting the President … well, summoning me to a reunion with him. It felt so weird.
"And, I thought you'd like to know Rufus is under custody now." Sephiroth informed me with his usual calm and gathered self, and all I could think was how he had done so much in so little time. What, it had been a couple of days after we had returned from my world. Didn't he sleep? Didn't he need to rest, like any regular person?
"So, when you feel prepared, let John know and we'll arrange the meeting."
I took a deep breath, realizing I wasn't in the least prepared for whatever the President wanted to say to me.
"Oh, boy."
Sephiroth snorted, and made a face, smiling oh so discreetly. He sure looked different when he… smiled. Kind of.
"It'll be fine." I declared, with a nod. "It's just a meeting. He would like to talk to you."
I couldn't say a word. I was too flabbergasted to even elaborate a coherent sentence.
"See you later, Stevens."
And with that he left.
His smell lingered around me and I felt a shiver all over my body, both of excitement and nervousness.
-/-
I was contacted 2 days after.
Shinra contacted me personally to schedule a meeting with the President. As the General had told me, it was going to happen.
I was going to meet the man in charge. And the thought alone innerved me a little. I wasn't one for these… formalities.
I just wanted to go by unnoticed, I didn't need any… recognition. When Sephiroth mentioned the reunion I sensed that was the point. As he had said, the President wanted to 'talk'. The last thing I needed was someone acknowledging me of what I had done. It was a fact my action had gotten Zack killed… and a whole bunch of people at Shinra, all of John's team.
It felt frustrating - and that was a particular feeling I couldn't just wipe away, not even when I tried really hard to see the bright side of this reality.
Aerith was alive, the General was more than okay and Strife, well… he would continue his path of ascension to become a SOLDIER, but of course.
The price to pay had been very demanding, it was a fact.
But, what could I do now? In the last two days I tried to reach Aerith, even called her at her home but her 'mom' told me she wasn't prepared to talk to me yet.
It hurt like hell.
I sighed, as I adjusted my clothing by the mirror John had on the closet door. Black and white, wasn't I monochromatic? I looked like a Turk-ish agent or something. The dark jeans, the boots and the white shirt gave me a very serious look.
How I missed normal clothing.
I arranged my hair, giving it an extra care today. The President deserved my best, even if I looked a little… down, to put it nicely. I still had problems sleeping the whole night without waking up two or three times in tears. Having Zack haunting me in my dreams was terrible… but I hoped it would fade with time.
All I did in those dreams was apologizing. And, when I was wide awake, I did the same. My mental voice was always saying 'I'm so sorry, Zack.'
I checked the hours, realizing I still had time to reach Shinra HD by foot. John lived in the area, in a compound of flats nearby, which actually belonged to the company.
The walk would take five to ten minutes and then - I thought, once inside, I would ask for guidance. Which wasn't necessary at all.
The day was sunny and a soft wind blew, late September summer mornings bringing the scent of pine coming from… wherever it came from. I didn't know the geography of this place that well.
A Turk was waiting for me by the main entrance of Shinra HD. Impossible to miss, with all that flashy hair, Reno smiled softly at me, greeting me with a nod.
"Good morning."
"Good morning." He imitated me, and made a sign for me to enter. "Let's go. Everybody's there already."
My smile vanished for a moment.
"But… am I late?" I asked, worried. I had checked the hours, was it possible to be late?
"No." He said, reassuring me. "But everybody got here sooner. President included."
I raised my eyebrows at him and sighed. Well. Wasn't everybody anxious to meet me. The thought made me restless, and I traveled next to Reno completely immersed in thinking.
The elevator ride was fast and in minutes we were reaching the President's office. The hall was long and there was a path we had to walk to get there.
The elevator door closed and Reno eyed me with reassurance.
"It's going to be fine. The man won't bite."
The joke made me laugh nervously, and we both walked along that hall, monochromatic and with several desks. Women dressed in a very fashionable but professional way - most likely assistants -, got up as we passed by, nodding at me with a smile on their faces.
'What are they thinking?', I thought, as we went along.
But the moment arrived sooner than I expected.
"We're here."
Reno's low tone made me breathe a little faster and I prayed for control, for being able of saying the right thing, in the right time. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself.
I saw him reach the door handle and open the door.
My eyes gradually processed the information as we got inside, Reno urging me to take a couple of steps forward.
The President's office was wide, huge, with the most gigantic desk I had seen in life. He sat, his face wrinkled, so… exactly the way I had known him to be. Not that I had bothered to check on the President's virtual image much.
I gulped as I processed the rest of the picture. By my left side, six persons stood - seven, with Reno now gathering the line they made.
John, two Turk girls, Elena and Cissnei, Tseng and Strife… and finally, the last but not the least, Sephiroth.
My eyes lingered on his, searching for support - but he was on his professional mode, which meant I wasn't going to get anything from him now. No reassuring stare, no nothing of such weaknesses. His eyes met swiftly mine, but they were cold and fast.
I knew he had a post, an image to keep and he didn't want to go soft with me around. Because God forbid if someone might actually think he had some kind of heart or… feelings, how about that?
I took a deep breath and shoved that thought from my mind. It wasn't time to recall moments of random tenderness with the General, the hug and such. I suspected that had been some kind of spur-of-the-moment weakness, and that had been pretty much it.
My eyes met, one by one, all of them. They all welcomed me in silence.
"Finally," A strange voice sounded, and I sensed it was the President speaking. His voice was very distinctive. My eyes met his and I tried to smile at the man. "I have the honor of meeting you."
Honor. That word sting, made my heart hurt and erased the smile from my face.
"The woman that saved one of my precious elements, the most valuable, head of SOLDIER."
I blinked at him, knowing he meant Sephiroth. The President's face was serious and proud, and I had to refrain the will of saying something against. He was right. Sephiroth was valuable and his life was worthy of many things. But Zack's life had been too. And now he was dead.
Because of me.
"You are officially one of us." The President declared, taking me out of my reverie. One of them? "You're most welcome to live here, amongst us, in peace. Ask for what you like." The man declared, his face sincere. "Name it."
His words took some time to process. I sensed everybody's eyes on me, as they waited for my answer. And since I couldn't say 'time machine' or something like that, I just went for the obvious one.
"Uh… a normal life?"
I was behaving strangely shy, namely because of him - Sephiroth. He caused me some discomfort. He knew how I felt, what I wanted - kind of -, and which would be my 'requests'.
The President smiled at me and after changing a knowing glance with the General, his eyes met mine.
"If that's what you want, then… We'll provide you an apartment, a job, all the commodities you wish for."
WHAT?
"Oh." Come on, was this so fast to just simply decide? "I…"
"Any preference?"
The President's question took me a little by surprise.
"On what?"
"Job."
And that was a damn good question. I had no freaking idea.
"Well, maybe…" The indecision eventually disappeared as John blinked at me and I recalled how I had enjoyed being in the place he worked. "…the labs."
A silence followed - and a voice I recognized very well destroyed my little wish right there and then.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible."
All eyes, except John's, turned to meet Sephiroth. I wondered why.
"Why?" I asked, my eyes now directly on his. "The President said-"
"Not the labs, dear." The President said, and my stare traveled to meet him, the one speaking. "I'm sorry. Everything but that."
It was a strange demand, that one. It wasn't news I liked the labs, and I didn't know any other reality in here. Which left me a little out of options here.
"I… actually I don't know, I mean… I was a waitress back in my world, but… I always wanted to do something bigger with my life-"
"Which is understandable." The President interrupted me, and eyed me with a paternal stare. "So, I'll tell you what, why don't you start by working at Shinra, in a less… conflicting environment?"
"Such as?" I just had to ask.
"We need people in the admin." He declared. "You'd be a valuable element there."
Oh, all right. I got it now.
"And I'd be under surveillance the whole time."
Me and my big mouth. I knew I had said more than I should when Sephiroth's stare met suddenly mine. It felt like a silent whiplash in my back. I saw how he walked slowly to remain exactly by the President right side, his hands on his back and that smoldering figure taking my mental coherence away.
"You must understand, Eleanor Stevens…" Sephiroth was the one speaking, his tone reprehensive. "…That you're too important to remain unguarded. Discreetly, we'll guard your back. You'll have your privacy and your life, just like any other citizen."
I didn't know what to think of his words. It felt like a compliment but, at the same time, I felt I was being treated like a five-year-old. Okay, was I 'that important to remain unguarded' or was that just gibberish for him to have his way?
Well, no matter what, it felt nice to hear something like that.
"Okay." I eventually agreed. "Let's give it a try."
Everybody nodded - except John -, smiled at me - and eyed the General, as if acknowledging he had done a great job convincing me to do what they thought I was supposed to do for my 'safety'. But I wasn't over yet.
"May I visit the labs?"
My question brought Sephiroth's green stare to mine again. He felt defied when I did this - it was clear as water. He didn't enjoy I insisted in that, and by the corner of my eye I saw John making a face and staring at the General as well, clearly waiting for his reaction.
"Of course." He declared, his tone hard and slow. Scornful. "With the adequate escort." He added, his facial expression making me feel a little dumb. He sure was nasty when he wanted to. But I decided to play along.
"Of course."
I mimicked his tone and he didn't miss it.
"It's for your own sake."
Okay, so he was making this a personal thing - it was all about me, my safety. Not to mess up with John's nerves or anything like that.
Of course.
"I know."I declared, with a sincere nod. "Thank you."
The environment un-tensed, thankfully, after Reno walked towards me and hug me softly. His playing face was something worthy of seeing. I smiled at him and walked towards the line by my right side.
"Welcome aboard." He said, "I'm Reno, as you must know."
Yeah, I know.
"Hi." I smiled, as my eyes now traveled to-
"Cissnei."
And,
"Elena."
And after that,
"Tseng."
"Hey." I said, a little out of words. Man, they were so alike… themselves. This felt overwhelming, really.
"It has been a pleasure, Stevens."
Tseng's words were one of reassurance and I made a face at him, trying to keep my smile on. They were being so nice and I felt truly happy in this moment.
"Strife."
The spiky haired man looked at me, saying his own name with sadness in his eyes. Grief - just like mine, for having lost a friend. Zack.
"How are things going? How's the training?" I had to ask, even if it was small-talk, so Fair could leave our thoughts. I knew he was thinking about him and… it hurt.
"Going well, thankfully."
I laughed at him.
"You'll be an amazing 1st Class." I declared, with a sincere tone. "I'm so sure of that."
The President interrupted us, asking for my right hand.
"Thank you for everything."
I didn't know what to answer to that. My thought rambled through several options. What should I say? What was… adequate?
I felt nothing 'adequate'. My heart was heavy and guilt still consumed me. But the need eventually won over.
"It was nothing."
"Such modesty," He declared. "If you need something you may come to me directly."
And now it was my time to be thankful.
"Thank you."
The moment was interrupted with the General's presence by my side. I felt engulfed by his presence, even if he wasn't touching me. Or not that near. I had to angle my face to meet his stare.
"Stevens."
"Yes."
He made a sign with his head and I sensed it meant he wanted to say something in private. Which was worrying and exciting at the same time.
"What, now?"
"Soon."
"Okay, let me know when you want me to go."
He nodded and allowed me some time with the Turks, Strife and John. Gladly, our conversations were joyful and funny, which was great to take my mind out of the gutter.
John told me about the new facilities where his new lab was supposed to be based on and how the recruiting thing was going. I was very sure the conversation would get to the point where John would tell me to visit him soon, but someone avoided that from happening.
The general stepped in and excused us from the group. As if guessing the discomfort, everybody made up excuses of work and things to do.
Yeah. So out of the blue everyone was very busy.
Our travel towards the west wing of Shinra HD was silent, and I saw the General insert a key on the wall - where an elevator without buttons rested.
Oh-uh. So this was serious shit.
The metallic doors opened and we got inside, in silence the whole ride down. I felt very special, considering I got to travel in the President's elevator. Wow!
When it stopped, we exited in a long, dark hall.
"What's this?"
The General didn't answer me. We just walked, in silence, and I wondered if he was angry with me or something. Hell, I hadn't done anything wrong, come on.
Or maybe he just didn't want to talk today. That was Sephiroth. Introspective and enigmatic.
After a five minute walk later, we reached another elevator shaft. Another key and this time, a ride up.
And when we went out, I faced the inside of a building where there were… apartments. Several ones.
We walked a little more and finally we stopped by one of the doors. Black and definitely made of steel, it opened with a card and… my hand.
Sephiroth had grabbed my right hand and splashed it on the i.d. - and then, the door opened with a metallic sound.
Locks. Several.
We got inside, the heavy door closing behind Sephiroth. I looked around, amazed at how spacey the place was.
"Is this for me?"
I just had to ask. Come on.
"The apartment is secure enough, the rooms are okay I think but if you had other thing in mind let me know and I'll see what I can arrange."
Was this guy serious? I didn't have anything in mind, my apartment back at home was… half of this one.
"It's perfect." I declared, amazed. "Did you arrange all this by yourself?"
Our stare met and I waited for his answer.
"Yes."
And somehow that didn't surprise me.
"Thanks. It's… very cool."
I was so positively surprised. And I didn't have words to describe what I was feeling. I smiled at him and he took a step towards me. His move made my heartbeat peak.
"You'll receive half of your salary tomorrow, so you can start with your life. The other half will be provided at the end of the month. After that you'll receive your wage mensally."
So professional. Didn't he relax, ever? Uh, I should know by now the answer to that question. Of course he didn't.
"Okay." I eventually declared. "What about the bills? Water, electricity?"
"That's on Shinra."
Oh.
"All right."
"About the daily clothing,"He added, "Working at Shinra HD demands some basic etiquette but it's… flexible. I trust you to manage that considering your clothing options."
I nodded at him.
"For work purposes, you have enough to dress in the closet. As for the rest, it's on you."
"Okay."
"See you tomorrow then. 8 a.m. sharp."
It sounded like an order, but his eyes felt a little soft as they scanned me. It felt strange, the way he communicated with me without words. It had happened a couple of times, and the feeling overwhelmed me every time. It was everything and nothing, a foreign way of… speaking through emotions.
Odd, yet so intense and… out of the ordinary.
But…
In a blink he was out of my sight, my eyes still adjusting to his absence.
I took a deep breath as I wondered… what fate would have in stall for me… for us. Would we leave the land of 'acquaintance'… ever? Be close… friends? Would that be possible?
Or would we be meant to live this way… when my heart definitely felt, yearned with curiosity for a man whose psyche was the most dangerous I had known?
Was I being childish, seeing things were they didn't exist?
I didn't know.
And, with a sigh, I decided to give that thought a rest. My eyes scanned the apartment that had been offered to me.
"Normal life, ha?" I whispered to myself, smiling at the thought.
Only in this world I could have something as surreal as this.
This was Final Fantasy 7 all right.
One hell of a nice one.
A/N: And I have to agree with that.
Elie and her 'new life', a monumental tease. See you next chapter, and welcome a new phase of 'PORTAL'. :)
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