Chapter 48. Sulking.

Medina's POV

I woke up to different sounds, different smells.

It took me a while to realize I wasn't home. I had overslept, but that was actually okay because I was on vacation.

Elie's place was cozy and she was a good host- nothing surprising. The faint aroma of coffee and burned wood reminded me of the day before, when we talked, talked for hours and she gave me a book plus some prints. After she left to sleep I minded myself - merely paginated the book, and it actually shocked me, to see the degree of precision certain persons of our reality imprinted. It was something very out of the ordinary, these… 'official guides'.

I got out of the bed , daring to walk towards the smell. I was very hungry. Once I opened the bedrooms' door, my eyes found Elie's form, busy with something in her new kitchen. The fireplace was on, for a change, and the environment warm, inviting. I couldn't help but to think it would be oh so comfortable to just stay in here with her, learn everything from this place.

I sure needed a break.

"So you're awake." She said, as she turned and her eyes met mine, smiling softly… a very sad smile. "Breakfast's ready. Have a sit, I'll make you company."

I nodded and walked towards the island, we both sitting silently. Elie went for the coffee pot and poured a huge cup for her. I nodded in agreement.

"This is so different." I said, speaking my mind. "It all smells different. The sounds, the way the sky looks like."

She smirked.

"It is."

There was silence as we spoke, and I sensed Elie was deep in thought.

"I'm glad you came by for a visit." She eventually said, and our eyes met again. "I missed you, our long talks and…"

I nodded in agreement, and took the chance.

"Well, we can always change that." I declared, with a bite on the toast. "You can visit me as well. You know that, right?"

Her subtle smile vanished and I sensed I had hit a sensible theme. My thoughts went immediately to Sephiroth and I made a face. Good grief, what had that idiot done to her?

"Well…" She started, with a deep breath. "…put yourself some comfy clothing, I'm taking you in a tour."

I decided not to insist. If she wanted to talk about it, she would, eventually, but I could tell she was hurt. Still, very hurt with whatever had happened between her and the General.

Honestly, I only wanted her to get over that idiot anyway she could, and put one of those smiles in her face. I missed the old Elie, the one that laughed her heart out, bugged her eyes in shock when Reno blabbered something inadequate, the Elie that seemed so happy over everything.

She was a shadow of that woman now, trying to hide her grief… but it was there, like a disease, consuming her.

We finished breakfast talking casually, over matters totally aside the reality I lived in.

Elie's POV

I showed everything I could to John, considering the scarce timing schedule we had available. I focused on the city and the area I lived in, it all had rendered John speechless.

He was actually very surprised with Earth and he concluded he had a lot of investigating to do to understand its dynamics. He had been marveled at the Internet and the way it worked, what actually made me laugh. Considering the place John was from, I had never considered something as trivial as the world wide web would take his breath away. He even googled some stuff and I had to laugh when I saw his face when he saw the results Google retrieved.

I tried to show him as much as possible, knowing in advance John's time here was finite. I even took some time off whenever possible and instigated him walk around, explore and do whatever he liked, safe and sound.

By the third day I took John for a personal walk. It was time for him to know more stuff about me, stuff that we talked about so many times, places and persons he had heard about. Namely, the place that put food on my table and paid my basic needs monthly.

"That's where I work." I said, and John took his time scanning the place. We both sat in my car.

"You work in a bar?"

I giggled.

"Yes, I'm a waitress here. Still was before three wackos decided to chase me off to the industrial area you're familiar with and well, you know what happened next."

He nodded, his eyes still on Larry's Bar, his eyes finding mine seconds later.

"Well you landed in our Training Area."

"You got that right."

"When I was informed you had been found there, I thought it was a junkie of some sort. Or a crime victim."

I had to laugh at his statement.

"Good grief, Medina."

"Honest! But then, you turned out to be something else entirely."

"One hell of an Alien, right?"

"It is amazing, how this place is a mirror of our own." He said, and his tone perspired interest, curiosity. "Even the geography is similar but has its own particularities. No lifestream, no… energy, like Mako."

I started the car engine again, now headed to the next place I wanted to show him.

"Well here on Earth there are many forms of energy, but it's… different. When people die, they rot. There's no such thing as souls wandering around the Planet. That's why Jenova is successfully trapped here, inside Zack's dead body. There is no vessel for her, no way out."

I parked the car and urged him to get out. John seemed a little lost of what to deduce, and his eyes were busy all around us.

"What is this place?"

I blinked at him, and gulped dry before speaking.

"A graveyard, John." My tone was serious and sad. "That's where we keep our dead."

John seemed aghast. I could see in his face the surprise and, at the same time, the shock of being in a place of this nature. Which was only normal, I guessed.

"Come. I have something to show you."

My words were merely whispers, and John didn't say a word as he followed me, in silence, our footsteps echoing in the cemetery's sidewalk. The day was cloudy and it weighted on my head, a virtual heaviness that would give me headache - I knew it. The cold breeze blowing didn't do wonders to my mood, it was a fact.

"There's so many of them…"

John's tone seemed incredulous.

"These are called graves." I said, and John followed my stare. He seemed immersed in thought as we approached the area I intended to show him.

"This way."

I stopped, and John paused right there next to me. He looked at me first, then towards the grave that rested exactly in front of us. He took his time processing the information there, but eventually he decided to say something. Or, better said, read it out loud.

"Zack. Fair."

I nodded, feeling my throat constrict. It was always like this, every damn moment I spent right there next to Zack's grave felt terrible.

"Who brought those?" John asked, his eyes on the flowers right there on Zack's grave. I took a deep breath before answering.

"I did." I whispered, and stepped closer, arranging the flowers I had put there not 24 hours ago. "Every day."

-/-

When we got home it was nighttime already. John was quiet, very much in silence since we had returned from the cemetery. I had to explain him what we did with our dead people, that it was different from what it happened in his world.

Until now, it had been the toughest thing for him to accept. But, I guessed it was only normal for someone used to the Lifestream concept.

"So, would you mind telling me now?"

I turned, my stare meeting John's by the fireplace. He stood there, his face solemn and serious, wearing that monochromatic clothing I had been so used to. I knew exactly what he wanted, and what he meant with that questioning, but it was too soon for me. I still hadn't the guts to talk decently about what had made me leave that damned day.

"About what, John?"

I was trying to buy some time, which was actually ridiculous but… what else could I do? John pretended not to see the obvious discomfort in my face.

"The day you left."

I took a deep breath and considered what to tell him. He was my friend, he deserved to know the truth… well at least I could give him something. I didn't have to give him all the sordid details, right?

"I had a… misunderstanding with Sephiroth and he was very…" I paused, gulping dry as I considered what to say. How to say it so it didn't sound as bad as it felt. "V-very rude. To a point of no return."

My stare ran away from John's and I minded myself with some unimportant things by the lobby. I was clearly avoiding the big subject and didn't want John to push it… but he was a very clever man.

"Do you still like him?"

His sudden questioning, right there so close to me made me jump in surprise. It had been too much, the question and his deliberate proximity that I, clearly, didn't welcome as he would want to.

"John-"

"You still like him."

I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. I felt a little despaired, not knowing what to say, how to react at something like this.

Really, sometimes I hated that John could read me that easily. I didn't know what irritated me the most, if coming to terms that I still cared about Sephiroth, or realizing that I was transparent to the point of John seeing it that clearly.

"It does not fade away like that." I said, as I walked towards the kitchen. "I wish it did, I wish I didn't have to work until exhaustion so that I fall asleep in a click and didn't have time to think about it."

I felt unstoppable, and had this sudden need to justify myself.

"I wish I could forget his words, what he said to me that day." My voice caught and I felt an oppressive knot in my throat. "Except I can't. Sadly, I remember those every damn day, and-"

"It's okay."

John's interruption was blessing, as the tears that fell along my face gave me some temporary relief.

"No, it's not okay." I said, wiping off the stubborn tears with my right hand. "I want to let go of this but I can't."

John stood right there, next to me, and I feared his actions. Feared what he might do, or tried to do, because I really considered him an amazing friend - but it would never go beyond that.

Because Sephiroth was on the way. Sadly, he would be always on the way.

"It'll pass, Elie. You have to believe it will." He said, and my eyes found his, only to see there… support. "It's still too recent I mean… it's been what, a couple of months?"

"Yeah."

And another deep breath.

"Give it time." He said, with a hopeful tone. "How have you been feeling, physically?"

I considered his question.

"I'm as normal as it gets."

John smiled at me.

"Well that's comforting." His hand found my arm and the warmth of his skin felt welcoming. "Would you let me draw you blood again so I'd check on your Mako levels?"

I nodded, smiling. It was so like John to fret over me in this unusual way.

"Good." He smiled back. "I'll be leaving tomorrow, would you mind if I do some googling before heading back home?"

I giggled at him and shook my head.

"Knock yourself out."

-/-

Today I felt strangely off.

To be completely honest with myself, I guess I was only sad. John was leaving today and I couldn't change the shift so I would accompany him back.

I minded myself with stuff to do around the bar, cleaning the counter and arranging the bottles alphabetically in order next to the coffee machine.

Even Frances commented about my lack of reaction today. I didn't bother to answer her, I just wanted to be left alone with y thoughts… and memories. Hugging John goodbye this morning, knowing I wouldn't see him again soon… made my chest hurt.

My stare landed on my wrist clock, and I sighed at how early it actually was. It would take five painful hours to get and be home again.

I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to focus. Come on, I had to be optimist. Or, at least, try to be optimist and face every damn day with more of an attitude. I sighed at my thinking. And I couldn't think much more, because a presence interrupted me. Someone was sitting by the bar. Someone I didn't see for some time now.

Blue-eyed Patrick, looking as his usual self. Our eyes met and I felt a hush of uneasiness flow from him to me. I had to react to that.

"Are you what, back from the dead?"

He smiled ironically.

"No, but I know you had a visitor lately."

I was so not liking the direction this conversation was taking. I took some moments before thinking of something to answer, something that didn't involve a knife and a broken bottle.

"That's sick of you." I murmured, knowing he would listen. The music playing was lounge-like and Frances was busy somewhere far from the main counter. "And that's my private life, you have nothing to do with that."

He seemed to consider my answer.

"We should go for a walk."

I narrowed my eyes at him, abhorred with his nerve and total lack of manners. Really, who was this guy, creeping up on me from time to time, harassing my soul like this?!

"Dream on." I answered, bluntly.

"Oh, come on."

Patrick, the blue-eyed mysterious guy had the most shocked face on Earth, as if I was being totally unfair.

"Seriously, do you think I'm stupid or what? As if I didn't know that what you do in life isn't that legal."

"Come on, I am an entrepreneur."

My eyes widened at his declaration and silence scored the moment for a while. Good grief, was this real?

"You don't want to know what I am thinking right now."

Patrick smiled as I turned towards another area of the bar, and I sensed something nasty was coming up.

"You're not completely innocent." He said, and I made a face. "I know what you did when you returned..."

I gulped dry and looked at him hard in the eye. Okay, enough playing around, this was serious shit to say. And I didn't enjoy knowing someone had been sneaking around my doings since… well, since that night.

"What are you talking about?"

Patrick didn't answer me. He gulped down his drink and blinked me, leaving the bar without a word more. It frustrated me, really. All this.

I stood there, for endless seconds, watching that man go, leave the bar and just…

Really, what life was this that I was living? It felt so empty and devoid of meaning. The days were always so somber, no matter how much color I tried to input in my life.

Deep down inside I knew the exact reason of my depressive mood - the responsible of all this ruining, all this sense of 'incompleteness'.

That ass of a man. How I hated I cared for him this way, liked him… loved him in this silly way, even when he treated me like… like…

I sighed at my thinking, a knot forming in my throat. The more I tried to avoid it, the more obvious it became.

In the middle of all this, I only prayed for John to be right - that it would pass, all of this, eventually. Even if I deep inside me, something screamed that it wouldn't.

-/-

When I got home, John wasn't there. The silence in my apartment was proof enough he had left already, and he had been cute enough to leave me a note.

'Elie,

I had to go but I am strongly considering returning soon to test some devices. If in need, you know where to find me.

Be safe and take care,

John.'

I smiled as I read the note, so regular and, at the same time, so personal. John had this way of caring, this way of showing he worried. With a sigh I walked towards my bedroom, where I kept the note well guarded.

It was time for a shower and then… I would try to sleep.

Sephiroth's POV

I waited for Medina to get back.

I knew he had visited Stevens and, truth was, I felt actually anxious to know if she was okay. It felt like a shameful weakness, that I didn't want to admit to anybody.

I kept that feeling for myself, and it had taken my time admitting I actually missed her. her presence, her laughter, her shock when Reno said something inappropriate, her soft skin and Stevens in that green Mako dress that fitted her just fine.

Memories were all I had to remember her. I had nothing physical that belong to her… except for what she had left at her apartment, right there next to mine.

Everything. She left everything there, her clothes, her hair straps, her lingerie. The bed was still unmade, the kitchen untouched, with her powder chocolate by the counter that she used to put in her hot milk every morning.

Sometimes, at late hours, I visited her apartment. Just stood there, like a phantom, wondering. Just wondering on how it would be if she'd still be here. Her smell now was fading - sadly. The remodeling she had made remained the same and I stared for countless hours at her living room, missing that silly woman immensely, her childish smile when I stared upon her, the way her body flared when anticipating a simple touch. It was all so intense with Stevens.

So innocent and, at the same time, lustful.

I ached for her in every possible aspect. And it weakened me, despite there were days worse than others. I sulked over her absence mainly for myself, making a consistent effort not to let anyone notice that.

Everyday I put my mask and off to work I went, swallowing the bitter taste her absence had left in my daily living.

Today wasn't different. As much as I hated it, I had to admit every day was the same, the very same monotony and… emptiness.

I sat on the couch in John's office, patiently waiting for the man. I knew he had been absent, and the idea secretly consumed me. John Medina, clearly interested in Stevens's affections, visiting her for days.

A torrent of contradicting emotions overwhelmed me every time I pictured John touching Stevens in a less innocent way. This was stupid, very stupid of me, but my insides screamed when those images invaded my mind. it was all in the land of supposition, but the odds were there.

After all, I had been the one shoving her out of my own reach.

"Hey."

I greeted John even before he noticed me. He had his gear with himself, smelled of that strange Planet and I knew he had come directly from the PORTAL floor. He blinked at me, clearly surprised.

"Oh, you're… here."

"Yes."

John paused a little before talking, making his way inside his own office. Suitcase next to his desk, and a massive gathering of paper on his hands.

"And?"

"I'd like to know how's everything going on the other side."

John narrowed his eyes at me, as if accessing me and my intentions. My real intentions.

"You could check for yourself."

Our stare remained locked, my apparent neutrality invading the area around us. John hesitated, and for a moment I thought he wasn't going to disclose a thing. Thankfully, that was not was happened.

"Stevens buried Zack." He said, speaking as he arranged the papers on the desk, in what seemed to be a specific order.

"She did what?" I had to ask. It sounded weird.

"Buried him. The Earth way."

"Oh."

"I won't tell you stuff about it." John snorted. "Wanna know, go and visit her. Man up, for a change."

There was a residual annoyance invading me, and something inside me wanted to punch John for being such a wise ass. Really, didn't he know I didn't play around? But, then again, there was the Stevens factor and, in some miraculous way I couldn't understand, he actually knew that talking about her actually bothered me. And not for the best reasons.

I got up the chair, considering what to say, how to inform John of what had happened today.

"Rufus came by the company today."

John stopped what he was doing and our stare locked again. In there I didn't see shock or surprise, which meant he already knew that. Stevens.

"In time I'll pass him leadership." I said, and the man in front of me remained in silence. "And I've taken care of things so that your position is assured. As well as Tseng's and the rest of the Turks."

He sighed and massaged his forehead for brief seconds before speaking.

"I have all the intel we need for the following years. I can take a look on that to see what we can do to shield ourselves and learn to deal with Rufus. Since he's here, obviously, to stay."

There was tension in the air and I wanted really bad to end this conversation.

"Did Stevens provide all that?"

"Yes, she did."

I nodded, not feeling a bit surprised over the confirmation John had provided. And that was all I needed to change subject, or this office would combust.

"Well, since we're at this…" I started, keeping John's attention. "About our mystery traveler… everything's set."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's give that person a false sense of freedom. Whoever might be… will try again."

John nodded, actually considering my words.

"All right."

An uncomfortable silence landed between us and I knew the conversation was over. So, in a sudden gesture, I turned to leave.

"See you around, Medina."

He didn't answer.

Cloud's POV.

I was getting fed up with all this.

Something was not right, and I felt it inside me, flowing within me. I didn't know what this feeling was, but there was a permanent agitation inside my body, as if every and each cell moved of its own accord.

I know, it felt weird. But as days went by, this feeling was getting more and more… suffocating, so I knew what I had to hurry.

I took my precautions when I approached the PORTAL's security personnel. I wanted to do this nice and clean. Thankfully, Mako was an inert element in the other… Planet, so… I had drawn a very specific plan to get Zack back.

He deserved it. Deserved to rest in peace in his Planet, meet the Lifestream and be part of it… as it should be.

I was going to be the one retrieving Zack from that dirty place… Sephiroth would be proud of me - I, his temporary replacement, doing such honorable thing!

The thought brought a smile to my lips, adding strength to my unshakable will. It was time to make things right.

A/N - sorry for the humungous delay. Got imperious stuff to do and this chapter was left unfinished since the last update (2 months ago.)

Anyways, the next chapter is halfway done… so expect another update soon

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and… prepare for the next one! it's going to be very… very nice.