A/N - All right, this time the AN will come first. As expected, the reactions to the former chapters varied. There were some revolted with the supposed pairing, but everyone seemed disappointed with Sephiroth's hobbies. All of you are right, indeed. I made that scene alive only to show how not perfect he is. Despite all his superiority he is a man with distorted values, most of them taught by Hojo. With Elie, Sephiroth will find out the meaning of so many things he thought never existed. They'll both grow and collide - a journey that I hope you'll enjoy :) Thanks for reading and commenting* And enjoy the chapter! Have a nice week*

Chapter 38. Guestroom myth… confirmed.

Sephiroth's POV

The journey to Wutai turned out to be very productive.

Tseng and I had gathered with the President and, after careful consideration he had given us permission to travel to Wutai asap, anticipating in months the attack on AVALANCHE's HQ.

Veld had been put aside of the mission, and I sensed the impending 'dismissal' Stevens had referred to. Plus, if we managed to capture his supposed daughter, the situation would become tricky. Truth was, Veld's expulsion from the Turks was at hand and there was nothing he could do about it.

Working with Tseng and his finest men had proved very gratifying. Turks were indeed competent and they were ruthless on field. Tactics and strategy were different from SOLDIER, but they had their own merit.

We prepared the invasion carefully, every angle, every possibility, and the result had been rewarding. The HQ had been assaulted with efficacy and most of the rebels had been locked away.

Except for the remaining 2 leaders, Elfé and Shears. Since Fuhito was now dead, the remaining two had eventually hidden somewhere. So, it was actually kind of easy to predict Rufus would manage to meet them to plan his own father assassination.

The President had been informed of this suspicion as well, but he gave it minor importance. The man talked about Rufus like a stranger, someone as indifferent as a ruminant.

"It all went along like planned," Tseng declared, as we both stood in front of the President. "Everybody's in custody, but sadly the leaders were not inside the HQ."

The President sighed and rested against his massive chair.

"So they knew." He concluded. "Someone informed them. Someone from Shinra."

The bitter taste of treason contaminated the air and my thoughts went immediately to Veld. And Rufus.

"We have our suspicions, Sir, but-"

"Find the traitor at any cost." He interrupted, with a hard face. "And bring him to me."

Tseng and I glanced briefly at each other and I dared to speak again.

"Of course, Sir."

He nodded.

"You're both dismissed. Take some days off, you and your men." He stated, eyeing Tseng. "The Mission was successful, another AVALANCHE's HQ is destroyed, that's a reason to be happy about. One thing at a time and I trust we'll be able to resume them to a bunch of rebels without a cause."

The President was optimist, thing was I didn't think it was that simple. If Stevens hadn't provided intel we would still be in the dark and things wouldn't have such nice ending. On our side.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Thank you."

"Permission to leave." I asked, with a nod.

"Permission granted."

Me and Tseng left the President's office with a strange sense of reward. Worry still lingered on us and I could tell Tseng's pensive mood was that exactly.

"Let me guess, you're considering going after Elfé and Shears."

Tseng snorted, as we walked along those long halls, crossing ways to change building.

"We have to, or Veld will."

My walk stood to a halt.

"You think?" I asked. I knew Veld very well, but I didn't see him as a man able of treason. "How, if he does not have the same information we do?"

Tseng's eyes met mine and what I saw in there worried me.

"I think he's been sneaking in Steven's reports." Tseng admitted. "I have no proof, he knows the system very well. My guess is… he found out Elfé is his daughter and wants to get to conversation with her, if he hasn't already."

I remained in silence.

"How do you explain the leaders being absent the exact day we invaded the HQ? They had to be alerted."

I dared to speak loud my suspicions as well.

"Veld… and, or Rufus." I admitted. "He has the motivation and who knows, they maybe be both involved in this."

A compressive silence followed, and only the sound of our footsteps scored in that empty hall. "Let's be careful and do things the way we were doing." I stated. "If we don't make waves, it will be easy to catch Veld. And Rufus… it's only a matter of time."

"Why do you say that?"

"He will try to murder his father." I affirmed. "And sooner than we might think. The Launching Ceremony… is a very likely scenario, even if he knows we are aware of it nonetheless."

Tseng massaged his forehead, and I sensed the man was tired. No wonder, I felt a little consumed myself. The mission had been peaceful, without casualties, but the adrenaline had been immense.

As usual.

"We'll meet next week, if you consider adequate." Tseng suggested. "All these strategies need thorough discussion and planning."

"I agree."

"I'll contact you when the time comes."

"Fine." I said, excusing myself. "Rest, Tseng."

"You too."

I smiled and started walking towards my office. The path was clear and there was no one around. The workers had left, it was 6 p.m. and I still had stuff to do, reports to fulfill, all that boring bureaucracy post-mission.

But, when I reached the door - I sensed something was wrong.

I was not alone.

I blinked, aware and defensive, and grasped the door handle with excessive grip. I didn't sense anything in particular, which worried me. Who was inside my office, clearly off visiting time, waiting?

All this screamed irregular.

The door opened and my eyes met the gaze of the most unexpected person.

Stevens?

Elie's POV.

The whole thing about the General having 'visitors' bothered me.

Really, it did, and in a way that consumed my thought completely. Reno was more absent lately - for good reasons.

He had begun an intensive rehabilitation program and I couldn't accompany him all the time. There were exercises and intensive physical therapy, and even if I went down to the gym with the team that put those - almost impossible - goals Reno had to achieve by the end of the week, eventually I realized my presence wasn't essential there.

Of course, I was there to support that red-haired jerk that almost made me laugh when I caught him staring that the therapist's butts.

Such was Reno.

But my mind - oh, my mind roamed. I couldn't simply believe all the stuff Reno had told me about the General.

First it had disgusted me to the point of… nausea. Come on, how could he do something like that!? Worse, did he need that?

He was a piece of handsome man very able and very much attractive to have his colorful girlfriends whenever he wanted to. But… whores? Specifically to…

Geez, the thought of the F word actually made my mind swirl.

But then again, all this was speculation. I knew things about the General, more than I wanted to, but his private life, his taste on women or whatever he enjoyed doing was a mystery and it remained like that until now.

I wasn't naïve to the point of considering he didn't have someone, much less be a virgin - duh!, but come on, there were things that were clearly unacceptable for man like him.

Fucking whores was exactly one of those.

I never mentioned my worries with Reno, not these specifically. Reno was an okay guy and I liked him with all my heart, but this was something I had to keep to myself.

And I knew that… if I had a doubt, if I wanted to go to the bottom of this stupid, nonsense gossip, I would have to face him.

Sephiroth, the same man that had been behaving so bipolar-like for the last couple of weeks.

So, one day I left Reno go for his evening training. Stretching, bicycle and an uncountable number of physical exercises would follow for two hours, and I had time to go and see the General.

And I was going to know if all this was actually true or not.

Sephiroth's POV

Our stare remained locked as I closed the door behind me. Stevens stood up in a move, and I sensed she had been sitting on the couch - for a while. Which made me wonder on the how's and why's.

"Why is there no escort with you?" I asked, my tone hard, as I remained by the door. First things first.

"They didn't want to bring me here when I asked." She declared, her tone strangely neutral. "So I took a shortcut."

I narrowed my eyes, not liking the way this conversation was going.

"That shortcut you mention is not for civilians Stevens. You might have found distressful surprises while you were there."

Indeed. I knew Hojo used that specific shortcut sometimes - it was an underground passage between buildings, mainly used for maintenance.

"What kind of surprises?" Her tone was wary and genuinely curious.

"Bad ones." I stated, averting my stare from hers and walking towards my desk.

"Why don't you tell me exactly who or what is going on? I'm sure I'm old enough to understand."

I blinked as I processed her irony. My face turned and our stare met again. Stevens stood, all dressed in black like a crow, only her brownish eyes shining, matching so exquisitely the color of her hair. Wavy, long, tucked behind her right ear, and a frown of anxiety I was used to see in her already. Stevens was here, had invaded my office to inquire me - about something that bothered her to the point of taking stupid risks.

"Hojo." I said, and she took a deep breath. "And several other situations I'm certain you wouldn't handle that well."

"Okay, I got it." She said, raising a hand, and I smiled in scorn.

Oh, Stevens, Stevens. So eager to know it all but then… when the time came, she closed her eyes. Like a frightened child afraid of a scary story.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, going straight to the point.

She took her time gathering strength and courage, I suppose, to ask me.

"I need to ask you something."

"And what would that something be?" My words were slow, as I positioned myself behind my desk. I popped the lights on, adding light to the shadowy office. Stevens was pale and stressed, and I sensed the theme caused her discomfort.

"You have a guest room, right?"

I blinked in silent, our stares fixed on each other. Her nervousness perspired in a way I could understand, actually. Because I already knew where this was headed.

"Yes."

She took a deep breath and avoided my stare. So, the hard part was about to come.

"What kind of usage do you have for that room?"

A thick silence followed and I couldn't say a thing for moments. What a bold and very, very uncomfortable thing to ask.

"I beg your pardon?" I had to say it, it would buy me more time.

"The guest room. Why do you h-have a guest room?"

"For guests."

The answers were immediate, and Stevens heartbeat peaked. She was so nervous, remaining quiet for a while, carefully choosing her next words.

"Guest of what gender?"

I sighed and decided that was enough. This was enough.

"Go straight to the point, Stevens." I ordered, my tone harsh. I remained behind the desk, Stevens in front of me staring like an abandoned rodent.

"Women? Is that it? Do you… take women there?"

Her bluntness had been impressive. But, then again, I had ordered to go straight to the point, which she did.

"Oh, I see."

My tone had been ironic and she seemed to panic a little.

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to." I accused. "Do I look like the kind of guy that does that? Why, is it the leather? Because I'm fond of leather?"

I knew I was being cruel, giving her false hints. I wondered if she would trust me blindly or if she would see accurately through me and find me out.

"That is a disappointing revelation of yourself, Stevens. Buying gossip just like that... shame on you."

My wicked smiling wasn't helping. She never corresponded to my irony and I sensed she was actually very serious about it. She believe it… she really did.

"It's not me." She declared, now with a sad tone. "Everybody knows I stayed at your place the night Reno was shot and they started making assumptions about the 'guest room'. What did you want me to think?"

The end of the sentence had been slightly accusing, and I had to turn the odds in my favor.

"Your experience in my apartment was quite innocent." I said, as I recalled Stevens' sleeping form. I had put her on my bedroom on purpose… because I knew in there she would be safe. Kind of.

"Yes, but people… claim you…"

Faced with her hesitation, I had to laugh. She didn't miss my tone.

"Please, go on. I am very interested in that particular disclosure of my private life."

"It's… a myth. That you have, and I quote, 'very demanding needs'."

I widened my eyes at her.

"I'm flattered." I admitted, actually amused with the situation. "Do you believe all that?"

"No…"

Oh, and what a feeble answer, Stevens.

"You know there is no need to lie to me, Stevens."

She gulped dry, blushing madly.

"I guess there's always room to… wonder. Anyway, I… really, honestly I don't care. I don't want to know."

I had the impression the theme embarrassed her. Made her feel uncomfortable. Which was funny and interesting to watch. I left the comfort of the desk and walked towards a very shy Stevens. How different she behaved now - so timid, almost frightened. Of me.

"Are you sure?" I insisted, urging her stare to meet mine. "Don't you want to know?"

"No." Her negation was feeble, as she shook her head.

I dared to bend a little towards her, the move making her take a step back. In a way, her reaction felt sour - it was like my proximity made her feel sick. Which was understandable. After all, we had been talking about me having whores at home. It had to make her feel disgusted. My eyes searched hers but she kept avoiding me.

"You're lying again."

"That's none of my business."

"Which doesn't mean you aren't curious about it."

Her face suddenly angled up, her eyes meeting mine. Our proximity was endangering, and in that moment I understood Hojo's insistence in keeping me away from connecting with women; in a way, feelings blinded one's rationality. I felt it right now - how urges and impulses could lead a man to do very unwise things, how a woman's essence could spark interest, how a simple female figure, just like Stevens's, had the power of making my knees weaken.

"Fine." She admitted, and her brownish eyes were tainted with sorrow. "If it's true, I think it's disgusting and unnecessary. Why would you need that kind of women when you are who you are, the way you are?"

Her honesty was appalling.

"Does it shock you?" I asked, genuinely. "Thinking that I might do that? Does it disappoint you?" Her stare melted on mine, and I sensed her gulping dry. It did - it was all true. It shocked her and it disappointed her, it was clear as water. So I decided to be honest with her.

"It's something I'm not specifically proud of doing. But Hojo raised me with strict habits."

I saw Elie's mouth open in awe.

"You're kidding me."

"No, I am not kidding you."

I wish I was.

"He…" Stevens gulped as she made the reasoning. "He made you…" She paused, following another uncomfortable silence. "And why didn't you stop it? Why didn't you find a-a girlfriend?"

I took a deep breath.

"He didn't allow. He claimed it would weaken me."

"And do you think it does?" She asked, rebellion all over her. "And aren't you a grown-up man right now, capable of drawing your own conclusions?"

"I don't know, Stevens, I never had what you seem to call a… girlfriend." I stated, before continuing. "For me to draw conclusions, I had to have something to make comparisons with - which I don't."

Stevens shook her head, squeezing the bridge of her nose with her fingers.

"For God's sake." She whispered. "Well, now that we're at this, at least tell me you take precautions."

Her statement took me completely offguard.

"Now I'm confused."I admitted. "How do you go from shocked to worried with my health, Stevens?"

She made a face, and I could see she was sad. This whole thing made her feel miserable and it affected me somehow.

"Just answer me, do you take precautions General?" She asked, her eyes teary. "Because it would be stupid and reckless of you if you didn't."

I took my time answering. Because I knew that if I told her the truth, it would confirm the whole thing, from the very beginning to the very end.

"Of course I do."

She nodded and released her stare from mine. She wanted out, wanted to leave, and I… didn't.

"Good night, General." She said, as she reached the door, with her back to me. "Am I really sorry to bring up such inadequate subject. It won't happen again."

And just stop right there.

"Stevens."

I sensed her freeze, her hand unmoving on the door handle. I approached her from behind and studied her form, so compressed and mortified.

"Stevens." I ordered. "Turn around."

She did so slowly, her eyes on the floor.

"Yes, sir?"

And I dared to grasp her chin and directed her face towards mine. I enjoyed talking to her looking at her in the eye.

"Next time, if you wonder, you only have to ask."

She remained still underneath my touch, our stare fighting. She seemed to try and gather strength and words to offer me.

"You wouldn't answer me."

Her tone was feeble and soft, and I knew better.

"You won't know until you try."

For moments, our stare remained locked, and I didn't let her go. My fingers moved softly along her skin, and I sensed her shivering - a reaction that was strangely enticing. Her lips half-opened and I, for the first time, wondered…

How would it feel to touch her mouth - with my own, with my fingers, it didn't matter. Her warm breath met the skin of my hand, and in that moment I knew I had to stop.

Or I would do something inadequate.

"You're dismissed." I said, turning, with my back to her, breathing fast but silently.

Please, leave, I begged, closing my eyes, making an important effort to get a grip on myself. All my muscles contracted, as I heard the door open and finally close… and in that moment I could finally breathe out in relief.

What a ride.

I rested the palm of my hands on the desk and took my time gathering coherence to think.

So, I was falling for Stevens.

I couldn't hide from it anymore. And I had no idea how to manage this. Feelings? Those powerful, tricky things?

From all the things Hojo had taught me… this wasn't on the list.

And I understood why - he didn't feel a thing for anybody or anything, so… he didn't considered those important.

With a deep sigh, I recalled the conversation I had had with her. For Gaia, how unique this woman was? Risking her own life coming here, to my office, to know the truth.

About me. Did she care that much?

The perspective scared me - it was new, and unknown. And so overwhelming it hurt.

Elie's POV

I couldn't believe how stupidly weak I had been.

I had purposely gone to see him with very strict and defined words and accusations to throw at him.

Right. What an epic fail.

I closed my eyes briefly and drew a deep breath as I walked towards the medical facility where Reno remained. Several SOLDIER reached me, informing me they would accompany me to Reno's room.

I nodded at them, as they surrounded me, knowing this had been arranged by him - the man that had been holding my chin that way seconds ago. Silently they escorted me, as I took my time thinking about the conversation I had had with the General.

How come I had gotten so soft?

When I reached his office I considered all my actions, what I would say to him and how hardly I would accuse him of being… a pervert, a freak and, oh, well.

But then, I didn't know why, when he arrived and entered that office, all my resolve weakened. He had that power over me, it was something I knew all along but… Gosh, how frustrating all of it had been.

In a minute all the offenses I had prepared to throw at him turned into sweet questions and worry over the man. Which had sounded ridiculous, come on.

'Do you take precautions', had I asked him. Really, Elie? I sighed at my weakness. It was a fact that I worried about his health - and much more, but come on, he didn't need to know. At least, not that openly. It was embarrassing.

Why had I been so pathetic?

The man I cared about fucked whores on a constant basis and here I was, all sweet and soft over him.

It irritated me, it really did. I didn't want to be like this but he… being around him made me be like this, tainted my will, fragilized my resolve.

What are you doing to me, Sephiroth?

"So, did you ask him?"

Reno's voice interrupted my thinking. My eyes met his and seated he remained, with his gym suit, looking much better.

The door closed behind me and I took a seat next to Reno. He still had his shoulder and arm wrapped.

"About what?"

"You know, about the other subject…"

He blinked at me, and I knew what he was talking about.

"You're such a gossip…" I laughed nervously.

"Come on you thought you'd leave and I wouldn't know where you were headed?"

Our stare locked and he raised his eyebrows, smiling at me with that typical smugness.

"How do you know that I've talked with him?" I dared to ask.

"I have my sources."

"Reno, come on."

Oh man, I was so not liking where this was headed.

"Spill it out."

"Fine." I breathed. "I asked him about the guest room… which is true."

"Told ya."

Reno's statement made me reconsider on what I should disclose. It was all in my hands, feed this gossip until eternity or stop it right there. And even if the General was a jerk most of the times and maybe even deserved to have his reputation spotted like this just because… I decided against.

Because I was obviously in love with the man in question and didn't want him to be known as someone recurring to whores. God, I was so stupid!

"But not for that purpose, Reno."

Reno's eyes met mine with surprise and he seemed to consider my words.

"Hum. So all the gossip is actually fake?" He asked, genuinely.

"It is."

"And how do you know he's telling you the truth?"

Oh, and what a tricky question. There was no way I could guarantee that, it was a fact. But I had to reassure Reno my words were real, that I was the one dissipating this gossip once and for all. Definitely.

"Because I know his look when he's telling the truth, Reno."

A moment of silence followed.

"Are you sure?"

"I am." I lied, feeling a little divided. Man, how terrible was this. Lying to Reno only to protect Sephiroth's reputation, knowing he could kick my ego anytime if he felt like it.

I gulped dry at the strange situation I was in, and yet again, I felt surprised at my own protective tolerance over the General.

This wasn't normal.

"Oh well…" Reno started, and I sensed an impending change of subject. "Let's have dinner then. I'm starving."

We both got up the couch and walked towards the door. The cafeteria was on the lower level and a change of environment would suit us just fine.

"So how was your training today?" I asked, smiling. "Got lucky with the therapist?"

Reno laughed, as we closed the door of the ward.

"I'm making progressions."

I smiled.

"Good to hear."

"She's though." He added. "And gives me no space to fool around."

"A challenge, Reno!" I stated, and we both laughed.

"It seems that way."

And in the middle of laughter and joy off to dinner we went.

-/-

Days passed by.

Reno was in high spirits, and in spite of him being off the ward most of the time, I took my time reading or exploring the area.

The medical building was one of the oldest, rehabilitated recently and equipped with the best of technology. They had it all here, OR and ER, trauma room, all the paraphernalia needed to cure the elite of the military.

I had had lunch alone, at the cafeteria. SOLDIER were around all the time, my escort and those who had their specific place of watch.

My mind was calmer lately. I didn't think of the General 24/7, but still… he did occupy most of my thinking. The dependence I had over him grew every day. Secretly, I sensed a need to see him - only to see his face, sense his presence, hear his voice.

All this I felt actually worried me. I knew it wasn't healthy and there was the 'whore factor' that still disgusted me to a rather nauseating point. There were moments of the day that I couldn't stand not knowing what on Earth he would be doing.

This is sick.

It actually surprised me how I could still care about a man who did what he did. Really, didn't I have self-respect?

I guess that maybe I hadn't. The feelings remained, strong as stone, only shaken with this new information. There seemed to be nothing capable of erasing this silly infatuation off me. Not even as serious as… the 'whore factor'.

Geez, Elie.

I sighed, putting aside the fork and knife.

"I'm done." I said, and someone removed my tray. I looked at the SOLDIER who remained actively talking with his own acquaintance.

Well, I needed to go to the bathroom before coffee. My bladder was in pain already.

"I'm going to the w.c.," I informed, and the man stared at me, then the wc door by the end of hall, then back to me again.

"Okay."

I smiled.

"I'll be right back."

I walked along the hall, my steps firm and fast. There were several perpendicular areas, each ones decorated with plants and statues. Some had doors. White ones, and I wondered what would that be.

Rooms? Labs?

My left hand lazily tried to open one of them, with no success. There was another one ahead, and I made a face, actually curious with the purpose of closed doors in the hall of the cafeteria.

All of them were closed, and eventually I got inside the wc to pee, still thinking about those damn mysterious white doors.

Why?, my mind wondered, and after I washed my hands, I decided I would check the remaining two that were positioned right after the wc area.

The door handle didn't move and I made a face, walking towards the other one.

Which actually opened.

And I was greeted with stairs down, black walls and… dark. I narrowed my eyes and considered what I should do. Well, it was a fact this was kind of similar to the shortcut I had taken the last time - except the walls had been green and illuminated, not like… this.

I bit my lower lip and considered… that I should take a sneak peak. This was a hospital, for Heaven's sake, what harm could it do? I smiled at my reasoning, and walked inside, my feet carefully stepping on each stair. I left the door half-open, my eyes gradually getting used to the dark.

I counted fifteen stairs, until I found a large tunnel - just like the subway ones. It was still dark but it was illuminated - the lamps were feeble, neon like. All of it was tainted black - the ground, the walls, the circular ceiling. My footsteps echoed and I had a feeling I shouldn't be in this place.

It was an acidic feeling of not belonging in a specific place. So, after a couple of meters, I took some steps back and slightly turned to find the flight of stairs again.

Except someone was blocking my way up. And I couldn't help but to shiver at the presence of that… man.

"Eleanor Stevens."

Oh-uh. My breathing peaked and my heartbeat pumped in my ears. Shit. Hojo. Staring at me with that pervert stare of him, smug and overconfident as always. And those glasses, really, didn't that man had any sense of fashion!?

"I must say I enjoy seeing you."

Uh, right. Sorry to disagree on that.

"I wish I could say the same thing." I said, my voice failing.

He merely laughed at me.

"What, are you afraid I'll hurt you?" He asked, as he arranged his glasses on his face. "Don't be. Not today. I'm in a good mood."

And this was starting to freak me out, really - it was. Talking to Hojo in a tunnel which served to - uh, no, I really didn't want to go that way!

"I really need to get going-"

"I won't do anything to you. Trust me, the only way you'd allow me to experiment on you would be with you… dead."

A shiver went along my spine as I watched him approach me with bright, cold eyes. He had his hands behind his back, and studied me with the skill of a scientist.

"You changed my boy." His words were cold and annoyed. "I don't know if I should find it funny or merely… disturbing."

I gulped dry as I tried to understand what on Earth was he talking about. My eyes took a glance over the flight of stairs and I wondered if I was going to - ever - get back up there. Hojo seemed oblivious to my distress and he kept on, as if he was telling me a very interesting story.

"Do you know what happened the other day?" He asked, and paused, clearly waiting for my answer. I merely shook my head, feeling my muscles tense. "He called me. Just like every time he does when he needs to."

Shit, this is getting freaky. I didn't say a word, and Hojo continued.

"His needs are getting special." Hojo smiled, making a suggestive sign to me. "I found out… he needed to close his eyes and imagine."

For Heaven's sake. Hojo's declarations were horrible and nauseating and I knew exactly what he intended with all this. To say it shocked me was putting it nicely.

I gulped dry and tried to say something, but he didn't let me.

"Yes, when he's at it, my boy fantasizes… about you. Which is, as you can imagine, very awkward."

The distress of the declaration left me speechless. It couldn't be true. This fucker was only doing this to… torture me, to put sick images in my head. And he was actually achieving it. All this he suggested was repulsive and horrible.

"It is." I whispered, wishing I could scream to leave this place.

Honestly, what had gotten into me to check those damn white doors!? Why couldn't I remain quiet!? Fuck!

"And do you know why that is?"

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath, my eyes on the flight of stairs again.

"I don't think I want to know."

Hojo smiled wickedly at me, as if my stressed-out reaction amused him immensely. Which I believed it did. Sick as this man was, he surely got off on everybody's nightmares.

"The thing is… you do, Eleanor." He whispered, and I shivered at his tone. He narrowed his eyes before continuing. "You know you do."

Okay, all this was reaching levels I could not stand - not a second more. I took a step back and I was seriously preparing to scream if I had to, but first I was going to warn that man I was leaving this place. Right fucking now.

But, then again, my back found something. A wall - with a voice of its own.

"Stevens, it's time for you to go."

I recognized his voice at once and I couldn't help but to feel mortified with all this. The tone and the subject of Hojo's conversation - had he heard it? Had he been there, behind me, all this time?

I turned my face to him and tried to search for his eyes. Sephiroth didn't pay me importance; his stare was on Hojo's, hate invading the air. Sephiroth distilled something I couldn't quite grasp, but it was powerful enough to make me feel like running.

"Oh, look at her blushing and all."Hojo laughed, and I looked at him at once, now offended. What the hell? "Interesting reaction." He added, crossing his arms.

I remained standing right there, Sephiroth behind me, not moving, not saying a word. The environment seemed ready to be set on fire, and panic started to invade me.

God, I wanted out of this so bad.

"Leave." Sephiroth's soft whisper met my right ear and his right hand squeezed my right arm - a clear hint of the way I should go.

Those goddamned stairs!

I didn't need an extra confirmation to leave. Hojo unblocked the way and up that flight of stairs I went, almost falling a couple of times.

When I got up there, the door remained half-open and the hall was empty - just like the way I had left it.

And I just ran towards SOLDIER, whishing I hadn't gone down there. What a terrible and shocking coincidence - finding Hojo and then Sephiroth in that damned place. Shit, why did I have to be so damn curious?

Tears welled up in my eyes, my body shivered as I tried to gather strength to forget what had just happened.

Or, at least, I had to try.

Sephiroth's POV

Stevens' curiosity was starting to put her life at risk.

It was a fact the hospital facility was secure, but she was not supposed to sneak into the underground tunnels. And namely not these ones.

Accesses were closed, and very few of them were active. So I assumed she had found that one out of sheer luck. Or bad luck, actually.

Hojo used to walk around sometimes, and he chose this place to meet me in secret when he deemed necessary.

Just the damn coincidence - Stevens finding the exact spot of our meeting, minutes before I got there. Definitely, there was something drawing her to my misery.

It had to be. Coincidence couldn't be this insisting.

Hojo and I remained in silence until we heard Stevens reach the door. He smiled at me the whole time, triumphant.

"Don't come close to her." I warned, irritated with the nerve of that man. "You had no right of telling her that."

Hojo widened his eyes at me and made a face.

"How protective are we."He joked, "I am sure you aren't as protective when you're imagining you're fucking her."

How can he know?, was my immediate thought, but I remained neutral, trying not to disclose my surprise and eventually confirm his theory.

"You know nothing, old man." I said, with scorn. "My mind is a world of my own. Private and-"

"I know everything about you boy." He interrupted me, with a tone that reminded me of the one he used before punishing me, when I was a child. "Your words, as simple as they can be, say everything about you."

I narrowed my eyes at him. What?

"What are you talking about?"

"You talked, boy." He laughed, amused with the situation. "Always mentioned the same name. Over and over again."

I did the math quickly. So he meant the last time he had sent me a fix. But still, I didn't remember talking. Could it be? Was it real or was he just manipulating me?

"I don't recall talking." I said, my tone leaving no doubts.

"Oh but you did. I have proof." Hojo declared, and bended his head a little, clearly happy the odds were on his favor.

I remained in silence, trying to think coherently. So. If that fucker had proof, I didn't stand a chance. So I'd better solve this incident sympathetically, or something bad might just happen. Now that he knew Stevens was my soft spot, he could use her against me - and I didn't want that.

"Let's just stick to our deal." I said, swallowing my pride. "Don't try to extrapolate what I feel and do with my free time, and most of all… don't say lies to her about me. Leave Stevens out of this."

Hojo snorted before speaking.

"You're worried about the image she has of you."

"She knows all about me. Maybe even more than the acceptable."

"In that we agree."

"She does not need you to distort me."

"Interesting choice of words."

"Stay out of her way."

Hojo laughed openly, his sick laughter echoing in that tunnel.

"Oh and why is that, because she's yours?"

I decided I should be polite about it. Or he would massacre me even more.

"Because she's definitely not yours to play with."

"How possessive. Your genes, definitely, don't lie."

Satisfaction was all over the man, and I couldn't feel more aghast.

"I wish they did. Maybe that way I would feel less disgust when I look at your face."

My words were harsh, as I turned around, leaving Hojo alone in that place.

"You'll hurt her boy." He said, his words echoing in that tunnel, as I walked away. "She's more fragile than you think."

It sounded like a damn spell.

As if it was inevitable - that my feelings for Stevens had only the power of destroying her. As if all I was able to do was hurt.

At all levels.

I closed my eyes for control, trying to convince myself it wasn't true.

There was still good in me. Stevens had made me believe so.

So, I wasn't a lost cause.

Or, at least, I tried to believe so.