Chapter 32. Friendship

Sephiroth's POV

I gave Rufus and his questioning considerate thought.

Truth was, it worried me more than it should. I couldn't believe he wasn't lying but thing was, I knew he wasn't. I had learnt to figure people out, profile them in a way… and I knew Rufus had been true to me. He was smug and idiot and a complete spoiled boy, but he was telling me the truth. Sadly.

He had spoken the truth about his father and about Stevens.

Shit.

I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. Dawn still hadn't greeted us and I remain in my bed, wide awake, seriously deprived of sleep.

I couldn't sleep, couldn't rest properly. Thing was, if Rufus hadn't ordered Stevens' murder… chances were my next suspect had been the responsible for that. Hojo.

Which was terrible and constricting because I knew that if he wanted to do so, I had absolutely no doubt he would do that in a way to safeguard himself. He would have alibis, he would have everything we needed not to charge him.

So… accuse him out of nothing would do no good. He would mock SOLDIER and Turks, and that way he would know we suspected of him… and after all this time, that would be a nice excuse for him to do and demand whatever he wanted of the Company.

I knew him well enough. After all, he had raised me. I knew the limits of that man. There were none.

After so much thinking and, even after rationalizing again and again, I concluded there was nothing we could do but… to wait. Patiently, no such thing as making waves.

Stevens would be in constant peril but… what could we do?

There was nothing I could do, nothing I could hold on to get that walking mass of complexes out of our way, behind bars for the rest of his natural life.

It felt frustrating, and I decided to get up.

Shower, refresh the ideas.

How I hated feeling this impotent.

The apartment was dead silent, as always. My eyes met the clock by the kitchen wall: 4:50am.

"Shit."

Right, I couldn't refrain myself from swearing. I drank a glass of water before going straight to the bathroom. I put the shower running and stripped, removing the only piece of underwear I had on.

The water was warm and comforting, and it felt nice to be under that blessing spray of water after two days of stress and constant thinking.

It was time to talk with John about this.

John's POV

It was early.

Like, way early, and I knew someone was waiting for me in my office.

I had learnt to read the presence of Turk and/or SOLDIER when they were around. They had their sneaky ways of getting inside someone else's office or room, and they were pretty efficient too.

I closed the main door of my new department. The door was steel, coded and safe - one of the best in the market.

And it was the look on the guard's face that had confirmed me someone was already inside - waiting for me, of course.

I walked towards my office, the door half-open.

"General."

The face of the man standing with his arms behind his back perspired worry and tiredness. Which was new - I had never seen the General tired. Physically or mentally. He remained in silence as I put my stuff on my desk. I decided I should go straight to the point.

"What is it?"

He took his time saying something.

"How's it going?"

I blinked at him, feeling a little off. What the-?

"Recruiting?" I figured, "Hard. I was used to the same persons for years… and now having to replace them… it's not easy."

It was small talk but there was all I had to offer. Come on, he had been the one haunting my office since Gaia knew when.

"I bet it isn't."

Enough.

"Why are you here?"

I saw the General avert his stare from mine, massage his forehead with his fingers and let go a heavy sigh - which was strange. Why was he so… bothered?

"I am frankly worried."

His eyes met mine again.

"Over what?"

"Rufus didn't try to kill Stevens." I heard him say, and felt a pang in my chest. Wait, what? "Things are way more serious. He's out there. The person who tried to murder her is… free. To try again."

Oh, for the Planet sake, that was so not good news. My mouth fell open and I felt my knees weaken. Shit.

"How did you-"

"The attempt on the President was still on his mind, Rufus didn't mention it to anybody, which means… I've got nothing on him but a charge of thinking about murdering his father in the future. "

Argh, this was frustrating.

"How about the information he disclosed to AVALANCHE?"

"I have no way to prove it." The General answered. "He's going to walk away, with minor charges I'm sure."

There was a pause, and I sensed something even more serious was coming up.

"And then there's… Stevens." The man declared, with a deep breath. "I have my suspicions, Medina. But I actually need your total cooperation with this."

My eyes were wide open and I sensed he was about to drop a bomb.

"Who?" I asked.

"This has to be secretive." Sephiroth declared. "If I'm right… well, it will be very hard to catch him no matter how."

And I didn't have to think much to grasp on who 'him' was.

"You think… Hojo?"

There was a heavy silence, and the General's frown answered me. He was displeased and disturbed, it was pretty obvious.

"He won't confess. He won't take unnecessary risks." The General declared, a sample of irony imbibing his speech. "It will be very difficult, if not impossible to charge him."

He was right, I knew it. Hojo wasn't amateur and he was cold-blooded enough to order Stevens' execution the way we had witnessed. He was man enough to do that, and more.

"What should we do?" I eventually asked, a little out of breath. This was stressing me out.

"To wait." The General declared, resting against the wall. "Until the day he'll slip."

I blinked at him and made a face. I didn't like that option - at all.

"I don't like having Elie as a decoy."

"We have no other choice but to guard her unnoticeably until we sort this out."

Well, Hell. What that supposed to make me feel better? No way.

"Yeah." I eventually agreed, completely out of ideas.

I saw the General leave the support of the wall and walk towards my desk. He paused there, is stare hard on mine, informed me he was about to order me around.

"Stevens… must not know of this for now." He stated. "Or… you know she'll put herself in danger. Considering what happened with Zack and how guilty she feels, she is willed enough to do something about it."

I stood there, amazed, trying to make sense of all the man was informing me. Come on, Elie was willed and all, but she was not stupid or reckless.

"Would she put herself in danger?"

"To attain for her guilt? Absolutely."

Man, he sounded so sure of that. But, who was I to say against? It was a fact ignorance was far better than knowing about all this, but I had my reservations. Eleanor Stevens being kept out of all this for a long time was something that didn't sound nice. Or probable, viable in a way.

After all, she knew it all. All and enough about everybody to draw her own conclusions.

But, then again, I decided to acquiesce to the General's request. For now.

"All right." I said, with a decisive tone. "Let's keep this from her, then."

The General narrowed his eyes at my last sentence. He didn't like it.

"It's for her own sake, Medina."

"I know."

My answer had been a little abrupt but the General didn't insist. I had a feeling he wanted to strike back with a sarcastic 'Do you?', but he didn't do such a thing.

"Thank you."

His thanks were fast and I saw him leave, moment in which I finally had time to sit.

Elie's POV

Days passed by and I couldn't feel more displeased.

Working at Shinra wasn't only terrible - it was oppressive, actually. And the General? Oh, the General had a horrible humor. I didn't know why, but all of him looked somber.

Everytime I made a question or a simply asked him about something… he turned to me with that I-don't-have-time-or-patience-for-your-shit face.

I sighed, a little despaired.

What could I do to change this? He was simply impossible to deal with, the only think making the office bearable was the rest of the staff, who were nice and very supportive, thankfully, and, of course, Reno.

He was my daily savior. When I thought I wouldn't take any more, he showed up or called me to have lunch or to simply blabber about something trivial, usually ending up in a joke or funny gossip about someone in the company.

Thankfully, today wasn't exception. I sat on my desk, my eyes on the monitor, shifting nervously towards the clock by the wall.

11.59 a.m.

"Hey!"

A voice sounded, making me jump. Reno. With that smug face and wide eyes, he looked like very much himself.

"Finally! I'm starving." I said, as I gathered the things by the desk, walking towards him.

"We'll take care of that." He smiled, as we walked side by side, reaching the hall that would get us towards the elevators and from there, to the cafeteria.

"So, how it's been with, you know."

Reno made the question and I looked at him, seriously considering what to say.

"The usual." I retorted, and Reno didn't miss my somber tone. It was a fact I wasn't exactly happy with my new post, but it was better than nothing.

"You don't seem very thrilled."

I took a deep breath and considered what to answer Reno. My eyes met his and we stopped by the lobby, waiting for the elevator to arrive. I discreetly scanned the empty hallway and decided I would tell him how I really felt.

"He's dry and unpleasant most of the times." I declared, with a hushed tone. "Not that I'm complaining… much. And today I met Scarlet, who apparently considers herself very important."

Reno snorted at my comment.

"She's pretty efficient."

And there was something about his comment that made me narrow my eyes and smile wickedly at him.

"In which way, Reno?"

He smiled, as the elevator door opened and we got inside that empty metal box.

"Okay, you got me."

I laughed and shook my head.

"For God's sake."

"It was a long time ago."

"I don't want to know."

"Man. It's a shame." He declared, his tone ironic. "I thought I would get to share all the sordid details with you, and now you tell me you don't want to know."

I closed my eyes and smiled again, and decided a different approach. Okay, it was enough of Reno's personal life for today.

"What's for lunch?"

"Changing subject - nicely done." He laughed. "It's something with spaguetti on."

And with laughter we left the elevator, and walked straight to the cafeteria. The line was scarce given the hour and we didn't take much time choosing what to eat and picking a table.

Reno preferred the seats next to the window.

We ate in silence for a couple of minutes, my mind still busied with the General's bad humor of late. I didn't understand the reason beneath his behavior and it kind of bothered me. Why was he being like this, a total jerk? I guess there were no limits to someone's stupidity - and he, the all-mighty Sephiroth, sir, wasn't exception.

Man. How I hated he messed with my nerves like that. Eventually, I ended up verbalizing my own thinking.

"I wonder if he eats at all."

Reno lifted his stare from his plate and focused on mine. His eyebrows were up.

"Who?"

I sighed.

"The all-mighty Sephiroth, sir."

Reno blinked a couple of times, and impaled the spaghetti with his fork again, turning it until he had a decent roll of pasta to devour.

"Of course he does." He said, as he prepared to eat that humongous roll. "A lot, may I add."

I stared at him, visibly curious if he could actually eat that without making a mess and without looking like a starved troll on the loose. But Reno ate that thing elegantly, and I nodded my head in approval. When he was done with it, he went on speaking.

"Once I saw him eat when we were on mission." He declared, preparing another spaguetti roll. "Man, his manners are flawless, even when he's starving."

"That does not surprise me." I said, genuinely, and I decided I should give it a try with constructing a spaghetti roll to devour in seconds, but Reno interrupted my concentration.

"We should go out."

And that one surprised me.

"Uh…"

He smiled and paused his meal, the gesture earning my attention.

"Don't need to get all uncomfortable with me. I don't have that kind of interest on you, Elie."

Phew. What a relief.

"That's comforting, because I like you Reno and if you mixed up things, it would be very sad." I was being as honest as I could be.

"Don't worry over that." He declared, grabbing his fork again."I meant going out and having fun, we do that sometimes."

I nodded, and decided to go further on this. I didn't know much of the socializing part of this society.

"You, you mean the Turks?"

"Yeah. And SOLDIER as well."

Well I wasn't expecting that one. Namely because involving SOLDIER would inevitably involve that certain person as well.

"Hum."

Reno caught my discomfort rather quickly.

"No, the General's not included if that's what you're thinking."

"That's a relief." I think.

"So, are you up to it?"

"When?"

"Next week. Thursday."

Oh the possibilities. It was something new and unexpected and I couldn't wait to leave the walls of Shinra and explore the planet. Gaia, come on!

"Seems okay to me. I'm in." I said, with a wide smile.

"Yes!"

Reno seemed genuinely happy, which felt very gratifying to watch.

"Okay now back to the office soap."

-/-

Later that day, I went to the labs.

I missed John and our neverending talks, that complicity I enjoyed so much and that allowed us to build a strong friendship. I hoped he could see me like that as well, because I actually considered him a huge, amazing friend.

John's new lab was located in a different area of the Science Division. The floor we had been at was being reconstructed for all we knew and John resumed to other level. I didn't see John in a week, and I genuinely wondered how things were going - from the recruiting, to the restoring, the projects on hold, etc.

By the door, there was security - thankfully, they weren't picky about me visiting John. Deep down inside I suspected Sephiroth might have ordered my prohibition in here but, to my surprise, I was allowed in this place.

Which was a plus.

"Hi." I said, as I rested against the door, my eyes finding John's - who got up from his seat at once. He smiled at me with that huge smile of him and walked towards me to hug me.

"Elie!"

I smiled, and we left the hug prolong for almost a minute.

"How are you doing?" He asked, finally allowing some space between us. "Have a sit."

"Okay, I guess." I said, as I took a chair in front of his desk. "I miss the labs. You and the staff."

John's smile faded a little when I brought up the subject. I knew it was sensitive territory to him but hell, I had to speak my mind to someone.

"Yeah." He declared, our stares locked. "Me too."

There was an uncomfortable pause and John took the cue to rest against his comfy chair.

"So, how's working close to the General?"

His question made me quiver. It was personal and uncomfortable and I didn't want to talk about it, but at the same time… I had to say I wasn't exactly content.

"Well, how should I put it…" I took my time choosing the words. "It's different. He's not like you."

John nodded at me, seemingly bothered with my answer.

"No he's not."

And since we were at it, I decided to go on.

"I don't know why he keeps me from the labs." I said, my eyes on John's. "Reno says it's because of Hojo. I just think he enjoys torturing me."

The tone had changed from steady to ironic as I ended the sentence, and John didn't miss it.

"Well… He has a point."

And that one caught me absolutely off guard.

"What do you mean?"

"Hojo is… under the General's eye."

I beg your pardon?

"Why?"

"Oh, you know."

John made it sound so simple and obvious, but I was completely in the dark about it. What did he mean with that?

"No, I don't."

John's expression changed as this conversation progressed, which couldn't be a good thing. I sensed something was wrong, there was something he wasn't telling me! I knew that face!

"Listen-"

"Okay, now I'm worried." I interrupted him. "What is going on?"

John left the comfort of his chair and walked towards me, sitting right next to me, with that spooky face he sometimes put on, and that was driving my pulse insane with worry.

"You shouldn't come here without Reno. It's dangerous."

I couldn't believe he had just said that.

"You've got to be kidding me." I said, my tone flabbergasted, just as my face. "Now I just can't visit you when I want to?"

"Elie-"

"Who is this about, after all?" I asked, guessing this strange talk leading to me stop visiting was the General's making. And that freaked me out completely. "Why doesn't he want me around you?"

I got up the chair and John did the same.

"It's not him." John clarified, and I wanted very hard to believe him - but… oh, but. "You know how Hojo can be."

His justification was ludicrous and I couldn't help but to snort.

"Why all the fuzz about Hojo?" I asked, genuinely. "The man's been around for years, why everybody's so paranoid about him now?"

John took a deep breath and lifted his arms, as if he wanted to calm me down with that action.

"The General has his reasons. And trust me, it's…"

The pause was terrible and I could tell John was literally out of words to offer me.

"What?" I insisted, but to no avail.

John turned and sit behind his desk, focusing on some papers.

"You should go."

My eyes widened at the nerve and the bizarre of this situation. Was he serious!?

"Like Hell! I have the right to know!" I was being very rude but I didn't care. What was this after all? A joke!? A very bad joke!? "Since when do you hide things from me, John?"

"Elie-"

"John, this is serious, come on."

"Of course it is." He said, with a harsh tone. "That's because the General is dealing with it most discretely, you know how Hojo is."

"I am very well aware of what Hojo is capable of, and-"

"Nicely done, Medina."

The pang in my chest followed immediately, as I turned to see who stood by the door of John's desk, omnipotent and superior as always.

Sephiroth. Looking like he was very displeased, arms crossed and a censure gaze on me and John.

I couldn't say a word but John stood from where he was, and eyed the General with seriousness on his face.

"I honestly think-"

"Don't think. Okay?" Sephiroth interrupted, getting inside the office at once. His stare felt mortal on John's. "It seems that, for you, 'thinking' proves to be very difficult when Stevens is around."

My mouth half-opened as I heard his words, and I felt offended. What was wrong with him… both of them, anyway!? And why were they talking like I wasn't even around? That made me furious!

"Hey! I'm standing right here!" I said, earning their attention. Finally. "And I would like to know what you're hiding from me."

Sephiroth narrowed his stare and bended a little towards me.

"I don't want Hojo around you, that's it."

There was silence for a moment, before I could actually say something.

"And why are you so stressed out about it now?" I asked. "Is there something you know I should be aware of?"

Sephiroth didn't answer and made that face. That You-won't-get-a-thing-from-me face. My eyes met John's, hoping I would find some support there.

There was nothing.

"John?" I begged him, with all my sincerity. "I can't believe you're doing this."

My words came out shaky.

It was so unfair, so… sad. It was pretty obvious they were hiding things from me and it hurt like hell to be treated like this. Namely, from John.

It felt like treason.

I breathed heavily, and decided to leave the office before my body would betray me. I wouldn't cry in front of any of them. They didn't deserve my tears, my grief.

I gulped down my tears and my pride and left.

Without looking back.

Sephiroth's POV

Thankfully, I always listened to my gut.

The moment I passed by the Science Division I had a feeling… something was happening. And I wasn't wrong.

I caught John and Stevens having the most compromising conversation, not a week after I had agreed with him secrecy about the Hojo issue. Not to mention that silly Turk. Where was he, and why wasn't he guarding her as scheduled?

I had barged in in the right moment, and it went on smoothly. Of course Stevens was pissed off about being left in the dark but, too bad. She left the office almost bursting into tears, which was, in a way, understandable, but also very dramatic.

Geez, I had no patience for that!

My eyes met John's, who had guilt imbibed in that face of his.

"Well done." I said, my tone ironic.

"Good luck undoing that." John declared, taking his seat again. I made a face at him.

"I'm not undoing anything."

He stared at me once again.

"Maybe you should. Considering you have to see her every day."

I sighed, actually considering his words.

"It'll pass." I declared, as I left his office.

Strangely, the thought of having Stevens sad over something I had done… disturbed me. And I didn't like that feeling at all.

A/N - there you go, hope you liked it :)

There's nothing normal about Elie's life and the future shall be promising, eheh!

See you next chapter and your comments, as always, are most welcome*

*And finally, the last but not the least... Thank you so much for all the reviews, some I cannot answer because when you review as 'Guest' it does not allow you to, but I do read them all and... they're a potent stimuli for me to keep writing. I absolutely adore how you readers connect with the story and I cannot get enough of your amazing support! Thanks again and... keep on Reading and enjoying the plot ! *