Chapter 31. Adjustments.

Elie's POV

The next morning I got up earlier than usual, even if I had slept miserably.

Last night I had taken my time exploring the apartment. It had two bed rooms, a huge living room with a fashionable communication with the kitchen.

All of it was black and white, and I was giving it a serious thought… about adding a little of color - or the environment at home would become depressing. But that would happen later, after the wage was in.

The main bedroom - mine, I assumed, or whovever had assumed that would be my bedroom, had a closet filled with clothing. All of it similar to the suit females Turks used, it was a mix between that and what I had seen in those women back at the President's floor.

Black and white, grey in some areas. And the shoes were strangely feminine and comfy. I hadn't ever seen anything like it, no design like this.

Well, they fit my feet all right and I knew I had my problem solved for the weeks to come. There were some drawers with classy underwear, pajamas, everything very neutral and guess what color. Black. And white.

The kitchen, on the other hand, had everything I needed. Food included, even the fridge had some essentials inside.

Well. Whoever prepared the apartment obviously considered everything, every detail.

I had gone to bed late and my sleep had been shallow. The bed was huge, clearly too much for a woman like me but I guessed that would be the standard here.

In the middle of my breakfast - hot chocolate milk and a toast with ham and cheese, I heard a strange noise - a noise I didn't recognize. I took my time figuring out someone was at the door.

I stopped chewing and I looked at the handle. The door had no place for me to peek… had it? I looked around the structure, hoping I would find an answer… but the moment my hand touched the door, a little screen by the left came to life and showed a very familiar face.

Reno.

He was smiling a very funny smile, posing for the camera - clearly. I snorted, opening the door at once.

"Good morning!"

I laughed at his tone, and let him inside.

"I was having door problems, this is too much technology for me."

He widened his eyes and scanned the door.

"The safest in the market." He declared. "The General does not play around."

I nodded, not wanting to go that way. Talking about the General with other persons was something very strange. It felt I was invading his privacy or something.

"Well, have you had breakfast?" I asked, but before he could answer me I made another question. "To what I owe this early visit?"

His face changed a little.

"About that. Yeah, I'm supposed to escort you to the company."

What?

"You're kidding me."

"No."

I blinked at him, a little taken aback.

"Whose orders are those?"

Reno gulped and he didn't have to say a word for me to know who had ordered such thing.

"Right." I sighed, and I walked towards the kitchen to finish my breakfast. Reno followed me. "So the General thinks I'm retarded or something? I know my way to HD."

Reno rested against the counter as I drank my chocolate milk.

"Not really, Elie." He said, crossing his arms. "He has a point. Things aren't secure and Rufus was not questioned yet. So he wants to be sure you're okay."

I took my time answering him, and a sample of smile grew in my face.

"And he sent you to do the job? Really, Reno, isn't that a little stressful for you?"

He reacted at once, recognizing my joker tone.

"Ha! That's funny. I'm the best choice for the job, miss Stevens."

I laughed.

"I'm sure you are!"

"You don't take me seriously?"

Reno was suddenly solemn, and I knew I had to reassure you. With the truth.

"Reno, of course I take you seriously. You're more than capable. And efficient." I declared, our stares meeting. "You're brave enough even if you're playing around most of the times."

He took a deep breath and smiled at me. So, now I had inflated his ego.

"Thank you."

I rested the glass and took care of the breakfast mess I had created quickly. I had to get going.

"Let's go. I cannot afford to be late in my first day of work."

"We'll go on tour first." Reno informed. "I'll show you the HD and there are some bureaucracies you have to take care of before starting officially."

The thought amused me. Being with Reno the whole morning would be cool. He was always in a good mood, it was contagious actually.

"All right then." I said, as I checked my pockets. "Let's go."

Sephiroth's POV.

Today was the day.

I was going to question that traitor.

I took my time preparing the questioning, only to find out there were gaps I needed to fill in. I needed some information before going there, throw at him threats or any type of negotiation. So Stevens had told me Rufus Shinra was the traitor but that was it. I knew little of him and his plans for the future - and those were precious elements for me to work from.

The President had given me freedom to do whatever I wanted with his progeny. He knew my methods, and still he didn't utter a word against when I explained him I would be questioning his son and that things could get tricky if he didn't… cooperate.

"Do what you have to do to find out everything", he had said, busy with some papers and things he had right in front of him, on his desk.

I had nodded at the man, satisfied with the vow of trust. But still, his attitude bothered me and I didn't know why.

I checked the office clock, realizing there was little time for employees start working at Shinra HD. Which meant Stevens would be here soon and that was exactly what I needed to fix my pre-dawn problem here.

She would fill in the blanks. Give me leverage.

And I would kick Rufus Shinra gloriously.

-/-

I found Stevens with Reno a couple of hours later.

He was showing her around and I knew she had been taking care of the bureaucracies needed to become a Shinra HD worker, official and all.

She had that look in her face, that frightened expression only mirrored in some details that gave away her expectation. I took it was a lot for her to take in in only two hours - but then again, this was reality.

She would have to adjust. And fast, I hoped.

"Stevens." I had said her name in a low voice, but her eyes found mine in a second.

She turned, smiling softly and waiting for me to reach her to greet me.

"Morning." She said.

"I need you."

She blinked at my words, and her cheeks reddened a little - I had no idea why. I was so focused on having feedback on Rufus intentions I didn't care to wonder why would Stevens blush like a child at my words. Reno approached us now, with a nod in my direction. Good Turk. Polite and with clear sense of hierarchy.

"She's been shown everything. She's ready to start, I've shown her the area where she is going-"

"Okay." I interrupted, and made a sign at Reno. He caught the meaning and excused himself, making a gesture at her suggesting that… he would call her?

What, did she have a mobile just now?

"Do you have a cell?"

She nodded at me.

"Yeah, the Turks provided me with one of the company."

Okay. It didn't matter. There were things that were more important right now.

"I need information." I declared, as I urged her to accompany to my office. Thankfully, it wasn't far from where we stood.

"On what?"

Her tone sounded a little weary. I let my eyes met hers again, and she sensed it concerned someone that couldn't be mentioned in a hall with people passing by.

"Oh. Okay."

We walked in silence until we reached my office. Stevens got inside and I gestured for her to sit where she wanted to. There were chairs available.

"Rufus." I said, as I positioned myself behind the desk, my hands behind my back. Stevens sat slowly and she took her time thinking. I could tell she was focusing. Recalling.

"Well… Rufus is the main AVALANCHE informer, as you know." She paused a little before continuing. "Their HD base is settled in Wutai and the Turks were making plans to bomb the area to eliminate it for good, which actually will happen. Kind of. And well, after that worry is out of the President's mind, he'll focus on the launch of the first space rocket, Shinra number 26. Right?"

I blinked at her, appalled with the accuracy of her words. How could she know this much? Totally and utterly confidential material, the most secret stuff that only a couple of persons in the company knew of.

I am constantly underestimating her, I concluded. Yes, I was right. After all this time, after so many occasions where Stevens proved me again and again she knew it all… I refused to accept it.

Obstinate - Hojo called me that several times.

Maybe he was right after all.

I tried to hide my surprise and shove all those thoughts, putting on that mask I constantly wore but hell, every time she disclosed things of the future to me… I swore I felt adrenaline pumping inside me. I didn't say a word though - I let her speak all she wanted. The more, the better.

"Rufus was supposed to meet with AVALANCHE's leaders to make up a plan to kill his father, which won't happen, obviously, but I would safeguard the President no matter what. Who knows, maybe they've mentioned the subject in the past."

"When?"

I just had to ask.

"They would plan to do it at the launch ceremony in Rocket Town." She clarified. "But… he wouldn't make it. The President would live. "

Okay, so I had plenty to work with right now. Which was very satisfying by the way. But still, something burned inside my head. A tiny doubt.

"Would Rufus ever manage to actually kill his father?"

Stevens gulped dry and she averted her stare from me, which meant something unpleasant was coming my way. I knew that reaction already. I had learnt to recognize it.

"No," She declared, her stare finding mine. "You would, in five years, if you'd…"

Stevens didn't finish the sentence. She didn't have to.

I knew what she would say. She would say I would have done it if things had happened how they were supposed to. Now, that that reality had changed… the odds were different.

I was here, alive and real, not dissolved in the lifestream conjuring against the Planet and its inhabitants.

I took my time processing the information.

"Is there anything you'd consider important about Rufus that I'd need to know?"

"You're going to question him?"

"Yes."

A tiny pause was all she needed to conclude whatever logic was working inside her mind.

"There's nothing else."

And that was her immediate answer. I took a deep breath, satisfied with this conversation. Okay then.

"That's it. You can go."

Stevens nodded, her face saddened. I didn't know why but every time we mentioned my supposed-to-be-state, she changed. Zack Fair's ghost lingered on her head, and the grief showed on her face.

She didn't say a word as she left the office.

Elie's POV

I didn't have time to actually sit behind the desk. I would work there, with a huge computer, where files and several computer-related stuff remained.

Still, I didn't know if I would be fit to this kind of job. Assistant.

Really, what did that mean?

Eventually, one of the women that worked around showed me what I was supposed to do from 9 to 5 p.m.

Basically, it consisted in a very fashionable way of arranging information inside a computer. Database Updating. Kind of.

It sounded boring, but that wasn't the worst. I would work directly with the General, answering directly to him. And, as I suspected, computers in this place didn't run with Windows or Linux. But of course not. The operative system was different and very confusing.

I took a deep breath as my eyes scanned the screen, completely lost of what to do now. Thankfully, a sound took me out of my depressive mood. The mobile phone.

"Yes?"

My voice was low, as I put the device on my ear. It was way too large and bulky for a mobile but I knew that already. I had played enough of Final Fantasy 7 to wonder about their un-elegant mobile devices in a world with such technology.

"So, how's adjusting?"

I recognized Reno's voice at once, which cheered me up. I answered him with the truth.

"Hard."

"How so?"

God, he sounded to genuinely surprised!

"Okay, I didn't know my new job would resume being the General's archive slave."

He laughed.

"It's weird." I declared, a little panicked, and I added, "I'd rather be in the labs."

I spoke my mind and it felt rather relieving.

"That cannot be, Elie." He stated, serious. "I assure you the General has very good reasons to keep you out of that building."

Oh, come on!

"Oh, really? Why is that? Because John's there?"

I was being picky and all, but hey, I had a feeling The General enjoyed having this kind of power of me and John.

"No." Reno declared. "Because Hojo's there."

I blinked, silence invading the line for a moment. Okay, that had surprised me. A little.

"Oh."

"It's a damn good reason, believe me." His tone was steady enough for me to realize he was talking seriously here. Which wouldn't last long. I hoped. "And besides, sticking to HD you get to lunch with the best-looking Turk there is."

All right. Now he had killed it all with that one. I smiled and shook my head at his statement. Really, this guy was not real.

"Such modesty, Reno."

"Oh, come on, just admit it!"

I had to laugh at that one.

"Let's eat then."

"I'll pick you up."

"Thanks."

And with a sudden gesture I closed the phone, ending the call. Lunch with Reno would be one hell of a good time.

That would be just fine to take my mind out of the gutter.

Sephiroth's POV

I remained standing next to the table that separated me from a sitting Rufus Shinra.

He was calm - might I add, too much calm considering what he'd been charged with. The look in his face was neutral and relaxed, his arms crossed as if he was having a boring time inside the cell he remained in.

Blond and arrogant, I could see the similarities with his father. His cold blue eyes disclosed parts of his personality I would like to see one day - in the battle field.

Smartass, childish boy.

He was going to get it today. There was no way he would have a chance with the leverage I had.

So, I'd better start.

"Rufus Shinra."

I said his name, as if calling him out of a dreamy state where he remained with open eyes. His stoic face and blue eyes met mine and one of his eyebrows rose.

"How did you know?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, enjoying my position here. Come on, it was cool to actually play with others like this.

"I take you are aware of the situation you are in."

Rufus snorted as he processed my words.

"So I've been conjuring against my own father." He said, smiling devilishly. "What a bad boy I am."

Idiot.

"It's serious enough to condemn you." I declared, playing along. "But that's not all."

His smile vanished and I sensed he felt sidetracked. Too bad, mister.

"You haven't answered my question."

Rufus's tone didn't please me at all. He was being smug and rude and I couldn't allow that. But of course not.

"I ask the questions here." I said, my stance serious. "Not you."

I saw Rufus gulp dry at my words, sensing his silly test on my authority here had dissolved pretty quickly. I was in charge, period.

"And it's General, to you." I added, my tone harsh. Rufus Shinra took a deep breath, clearly displeased and angered. Which suited me just freaking fine.

"So…" I started, "Do you admit you had been planning your own father's murder the day of the Rocket Launch?"

His eyes met mine, totally surprised, as I offered him more of what he thought he had on his side.

"Number 26?"

Shock would be the best word to describe Rufus Shinra's face right now. He didn't know what to do, what to say… considering I had hit the spot.

Atta girl, Stevens.

I smiled deviously, satisfied with my little demonstration of power here. I was in the podium.

"Your face confirms my suspicions." I declared, smiling ironically. "And involving AVALANCHE… would make it so comfortable for you, am I right?"

The face of the young man sitting right there, almost gave me pity. He couldn't believe I was actually speaking his mind, his ideas, his projects out loud, destroying all those silly schemes he was so fond of.

"I take it'll be only a matter of time until you admit all this… am I right, Rufus Shinra?"

He had his mouth half open and I wondered what would come out of there.

"Considering… that plan was only in my head and I hadn't spoke of it to anyone else…" He was amazed, shocked in fact. "I wonder how you could have access to that particular information."

I remained in silence, thinking of a strategy to get him admitting all he had conjured against.

"I cannot be charged of thinking something. Nothing has been done to my father, you have no proof."

Whatever.

"So you admit you considered it."

"Who hasn't?"

"That is enough."

"Enough for what? There is nothing, YOU have nothing against me but a mental consideration that I planned on murdering my father. That is ridiculous."

"We'll see."

"See what, the future?"

Exactly. The future. He was getting to the important part of our talk here.

"Speaking of which…" I said, as I took some steps towards other area of the cell. It was time to question something different now. "Stevens. Does the name ring any bell to you?"

I studied his face, hoping I would find something there - something that might give him away. After all, he had ordered her execution and I recalled very well when it happened. The memory of Stevens' face hidden, covered with her own hands, her scalp bleeding… it all felt too much itchy for me, and it only calmed when I recalled killing him. The man who had tried to murder her, cold blood.

"No. Who is that Stevens person?"

Rufus's words didn't convince me but I had to admit he was one hell of an actor. That won't work with me, mister.

"I figured you didn't."

"I'm telling you I don't know who that person is!"

His insistence annoyed me.

"You do know. You tried to kill her, sent a lackey of yours put a bullet in her head!"

Shock invaded his features.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't make a fool out of me, Rufus Shinra!" I stated, my tone louder. "My patience is wearing out. You know who she is, what she does… don't you?" I approached him, and sensed he felt intimidated. "You knew she would give you away, destroy your silly plan of revolt."

The sentence had ended with sarcasm and I searched his eyes… only to find something there I didn't particularly like.

Unawareness.

"Is Stevens a woman? I-I don't' know what are you talking about, I swear!"

Impatience got over me for a moment.

"Admit you wanted her dead so you'd be free to plan your father's murder before we'd have that information!"

He widened his eyes and stared at me genuinely.

"How could I've done what you claim I did if I only had that particular thought a week ago? I didn't even have time to even contact AVALANCHE and start planning the whole thing!"

Oh-uh. I didn't like the way this conversation was going. Not one bit.

"Not to mention… how could I get someone from AVALANCHE, armed, inside Shinra HQ without suspicion?"

Rufus Shinra's words made the hairs of my neck rise. And that didn't happen often, it was a fact.

I half-turned, trying to understand what all this meant.

Fuck.

This wasn't good news. My eyes met Rufus again, and what I saw in there worried me. Sadly, he wasn't lying. How I wish he had been - how easy would all this be if the man in front of me lied.

Thing was he wasn't. And that put Stevens in a very delicate position, considering the one that had attempted against her life was still out there.

I took a deep breath and left Rufus Shinra's cell. I would deal with him later.

"Hey!"

I didn't pay him attention as I strode towards the place where I knew she would be today.

Alive, preferably.

Elie's POV

I had had an amazing time during lunch time.

Reno had been kind enough to bring some of his Turk friends and I had to admit they were pretty funny when they loosened up a little.

Even Rude threw jokes about the General's stiffness and the excessive discipline he demanded of SOLDIER. Cissnei had joined us for dessert and we left the cafeteria around its closing time and walked me, Reno included, to the elevator that would lead me to my new working quarters.

The funny talk went along and they insisted me in having me delivered in my desk safe and sound.

I just thought they were overreacting but Reno insisted his head was on the line if he didn't do that exactly - escort me everywhere.

But when we got there, someone was already there. And he wasn't a bit happy over my being late. Way late.

As I saw him, his face - I knew something was going on. Sephiroth was way too tense and I didn't get why. I gulped dry, feeling a little guilty for being one hour late in my first day of work. Come on, it wasn't right. Was it?

The smiles vanished from our faces and his eyes - Sephiroth's -, met Reno's, who took his cue, excusing himself with a nod. Cissnei did the same and, before I knew it, I stood there, in the middle of that hall, with him - silence crushing everything around us.

"Where have you been?"

His tone sounded worried and angry. Which I didn't get. I didn't do a thing.

"Having lunch."

"For two hours?"

Oh, man.

"I'm …sorry." I admitted, and avoided his stare. "I just got caught up in the conversation and-"

"I don't care what happened." He interrupted me, his words making my heart constrict a little. Why did he have to say that, that way? "Just stick to the schedules. 1 hour of lunch. At the cafeteria."

I gulped dry again, feeling my ego beaten.

"Okay."

"Here." He urged me to walk with him to my new desk. His hands grabbed a bunch of files and his eyes met mine again. Hard green smashing brown, as always. "I need this filed inside the computer. I take you know the drill, don't you?"

"Not really." I admitted, not getting such aggressive posture. Eventually I decided to ask him directly. "What is happening, why-"

"Here."

He interrupted me, ignoring my question. He started handling the computer, showing me how things were done. His fingers on the keyboard were the only thing making noise where we stood.

"Got it?"

Why was he being such an ass out of nothing?

"Yeah. Thanks." I whispered, and he prepared to leave, stopping right next to the door that led to the hall. Suddenly he half-turned, speaking at me that way.

"See it done so it's prepared and working before you leave home. My readings are methodical and I start very early."

I just stood there, his hair the last thing I saw, fluid and soft as I recalled.

What an asshole, I thought, fighting back the tears. How I hated that he influenced me like this. I stared at the screen, considering I should do what he had told me to do.

At least I would keep my mind busy.

A/N - There you go.

Hope you liked the chapter. Things are getting stressful over time, even without Jenova around. And now that the General realized Rufus wasn't the one conspiring against Elie's life… daily routine will become difficult to handle. Not that it's difficult to wonder how actually tried to kill her but… it will be an interesting journey nonetheless :)

Well, read and review as always, I can't wait to read your comments! YAY!

See you next chapter and… enjoy your readings.