Chapter 59. Meeting the new President. (M rated)

Elie's POV.

I didn't recall Sephiroth having a car.

Fact was, I hopped in a very stylish vehicle – black, for a change – and he drove outside the Science Division. We passed by some deserted areas, the black road welcoming us and leaving the building behind.

I saw the shades and the buildings of Midgar taking shape ahead of me, and in silence I took my time taking in the landscape. Some of it was familiar, some of it… totally unknown.

"You okay?"

The voice of Sephiroth somehow surprised me and I turned to face the man, offering him a mild but frank smile.

"I am." I admitted, "Just admiring the view outside."

He snorted.

"It's all very arid."

"It is indeed." I agreed, and took the chance to change subject. "So, where are we going?"

His stare met mine, a little incredulous I dared to say.

"Home, Stevens. Where else would we be going?"

I raised my eyebrows at him.

"I figured but, which home? Yours?"

He took his time answering me.

"Ours."

I gulped dry at his word. Our home? Did we even have a home for Christ's sake? Since when?

"Oh."

There was silence before we finally reached the habitational area I knew very well. I had lived there, Sephiroth lived there, as well as most of the Shinra military staff. There was a garage where several vehicles were parked as well.

I smiled, nodding, concluding the obvious.

"So you meant your apartment."

Sephiroth stopped the car took his time staring at me. It was a long, hard stare. The kind of stare what made me tremble, wondering.

"Are you going to attack me?" I whispered, a little lost of what to say. He looked like a predator studying the prey's movements.

"Do you want me to?" He said, unbiased.

"N-no." I said, my voice failing.

"It would be very uncomfortable for you if I did that, considering the amount of clothes you have on." He stated, measuring me.

"We are in a parking garage, for Christ's sake." I declared, a little surprised.

I saw him smile genuinely and the sight was simply mesmerizing. Sephiroth smiling, right there in front of me, actually amused with how his little provocation affected me.

"Don't!" I said, laughing as well. "You're terrible."

He shook his head.

"Come on, let's get going."

We left the garage in high spirits, talking about trivial things as we caught the elevator up, which left us in some floor I didn't recall the number. I was too excited with the presence of the man right next to me. The talking faded as we walked along the corridor, finally stopping at a door.

A door I knew very well.

"I remember." I said, taking in the whole area, even the texture of the door was familiar.

A 'beep' sounded and Sephiroth made a sign for me to get in. And, as I got inside, I was overwhelmed with the sight, with the power that memories had in my body functions.

The apartment was exactly as I recalled. Smelled of him. I remembered the night we had that terrible date where all the wrong words had been said, ending up with me crying and doing the dishes in his kitchen; I remembered the chocolate mousse that followed and that spontaneous kiss by his door. That kiss.

Our first kiss. So intense. The touch of the skin of his hands in my face, the warmth of his breathing touching my lips before closing in completely; his body, so superior to mine in every and single way, warming the skin beneath my white shirt as his arms enveloped me, as our chests made contact, as our bodies figured out each other anatomy.

It was a moist breath next to my right hear that took me out of my reverie.

"What keeps you in such deep thinking?"

His voice was pure silk.

"I was remembering our first kiss." I admitted, facing him. Our eyes met. "Right next to the door."

There was silence for a couple of seconds.

"I never thought I would have a chance to kiss you. And specially not that night."

I made a face.

"General-"

"It's true." He interrupted. "I never considered you might get involved with me romantically."

I felt truly astonished with his declaration.

"You don't imagine how many times I wondered if you liked me." I admitted, shaking my head, recalling so many episodes, from when I lived in the Science Division. "There were moments I…"

Sephiroth stared at me, intensely and clearly waiting for me to continue. So I took a deep breath and spoke my heart out.

"I was so scared to lose you to Jenova. It was all about not getting you into the places where you'd snap and become that terrible person and… die." I gulped dry. "And you were always insisting, wanting me to say everything, deep down inside knowing it had something about you… but yet, all those arguments and discussions we had... only transformed what I thought it was admiration… into something very different instead."

I could hear him breathing.

"Falling for you was not part of the plan, Sephiroth. And it took me by surprise. Overwhelmed me, completely."

I sensed he wanted to talk too.

"I guess… I didn't expect to grow such dependence on you, either. Emotionally speaking." He paused, and stared away for some time. "It was very difficult for me to admit I was actually infatuated over you, Stevens. Admit that I wanted you, desired you in every possible way and not be sure if you could… stand me."

I smiled at him, searching for his eyes and dared to speak again.

"I honestly feared… I wouldn't be up to your standards." The words came out, as one of my hands traveled to his face. He covered my hand with his own, and stared at me intently.

"As you can see, you proved yourself wrong, Stevens.

I smiled at him, not hiding how happy I felt.

"I guess I did." A childish giggle came out and I felt his arms around my back, while mine rested on his shoulders.

"Not it's time for you to uphold to your promise, Stevens." Sephiroth said, and I made a face.

What was he talking about?

"What promise?"

"You said, and I quote… that you couldn't say no to me."

Oh-uh. I widened my eyes at him.

"Remember?"

His voice was rasp, sensual and I easily guessed up what he was on about. Right, how could I forget our last adventure inside that shower? There were no words to describe the verve he had had, holding me still with his arms against the tiles, positioning me, completely exposed for him to have me completely. I didn't know how he had the strength of arms to hold me there, sprawled and at his mercy, with that pace only he could control, deepening the contact at his will. His hardness felt like silk, coated with my own fluids as well. I remembered feeling my muscles weak, about to give in, but he didn't let me. The warm water fell upon us, in between kisses and naughty words he whispered, words that fed my excitement as he shifted and changed rhythm. The contact, every time his pelvis met mine, was electrifying, contrasting with all the humidity around us. The more I recalled it, the more intense and vivid the memory became. Could it be possible he was considering having sex again?

"I do, but-"

"No but's." He declared, imprisoning me in his arms.

I felt a little despaired, I had to admit.

"But I'm all sore from… last night."

It had been last night, hadn't it?

"I'll be gentle." He whispered.

It all happened very fast. Before I could do or say something, we were in his room, door closed, a mild luminosity coming from somewhere behind the walls – oh, from his closet. The mood was just right and I knew what would follow.

I could only laugh in anticipation.

John's POV

After that terrible night I decided to give it a break – give myself a break and just disappear. Costa del Sol seemed the right place to renew my head, sure thing I needed some fresh air, the sea breeze and something that might evade that image of Elie and the General having sex like that. Those images, flashing now and then, made my heart skip a beat once in a while.

Speaking of which, I wasn't feeling right. As a medical doctor I tended to underestimate any physical complaint I might have, but I somehow knew something organic was actually going on inside me.

There was that general feeling of 'not being okay', physically, but I blamed it all on my emotional status. It was a fact, my emotions were down, I was in love with someone that didn't like me that way and it was very difficult to bear.

I took a deep breath, wondering if that way the discomfort would go away, if it eventually faded. I had no such luck.

As I walked slowly, lazily along the sand, I wondered what could I do to… just surpass this. It was horrible, this sensation of loving someone – yes, because I did love Elie. Just the mere thought of her, her smile and all the moments we innocently had spent together filled my heart in a way I couldn't describe. But her eyes – her eyes, so expressive and bright, were like a mirror of her soul. So pure, so kind and… so shiny every time the General was around.

I shook my head, trying to get back to reality. Truth was she was all that and more but she was in love with someone else. It was someone I couldn't compete with. The great General Sephiroth was simply in the top of the food chain. And she loved him. Adored him.

I snorted, somehow amused with my silly thought. Really, how could I even ever considered conquering Eleanor Stevens? I could have insisted, I had had millions of opportunities to insist and be persistent and maybe even try to deepen our contact but I was, in fact, too shy and respectful to do such thing. I was still attached to the romantic view of love growing between two persons, out of the blue, without any outside pressure.

And, if I got to think about it carefully, that was exactly what had happened with Elie and the General. There was no pushing… there had been a time she was very afraid of him. Then… I didn't know how but curiosity had done the deed.

Well, it was no use to remember all this. Facts were facts and it was an unmistakable fact my feelings for Eleanor Stevens wouldn't ever be reciprocal. It was a lost war, period.

The sun was setting and I decided it would be better to go back to the hotel, where I would have to consider what to do with my life from now on.

Starting now.

Elie's POV

I woke up to a warm, soft touch on my right forearm.

That something, that I realized it was Sephiroth's hand, met mine easily, finding the way to intertwine our fingers, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Good morning." He whispered, with a tone that gave me the shivers. So damn sexy.

I smiled, lazily, my eyes still adapting to the process of waking up.

"Good morning, General." I answered, amused.

"You don't have to call me that." He said, "We're in bed, you're not my subordinate."

I shook my head and turned to face the man right behind me. The sight of Sephiroth so relaxed, his head on his pillow and that abundant hair of his spread all over, only sparing the face. His eyes met mine and I cuddled next to him again. My face rested along the line of his neck and my nose touched his jaw.

"I didn't mean it that way." I declared, realizing we were both naked. Our skin touched and his warmth felt very welcoming. It wasn't very easy to position my arms, but I tried to be in contact, soothing him.

"Can I get a morning kiss?" I asked, with a smile on my face. I didn't know what he would say or do, but I sensed him moving.

He adjusted himself and, partially above my form, he stared at me. His eyes emanated such power I didn't know how to deal with it. The way his pupils changed shape was something that made my heart flutter. His hair bangs touched me and I adjusted them, right behind his ears. His perfect face was a paradisiac sight, and I wondered how silly my thought was. My left hand had a mind of its own and I touched his face, his skin, as if contemplating a work of art.

"You really are perfect…" I whispered, speaking my real thoughts, lost in him. Totally and completely… devoted to the man.

He blinked a couple of times, silence enveloping us.

"You ask me to kiss you, then say I'm perfect…" His face approached mine, his lips lingering along my jaw line, as he said the words. "… that way you make it very difficult not to comply."

His last words had been said with his mouth on mine already. His lips felt like silk, warm and humid, teasing my own.

But sadly, he did not deepen the contact.

"We should stop here or I don't project us leaving this bed soon."

I smiled, lifting one of my eyebrows.

"You're funny. What if I'm in the mood to have you right now?" I teased. "Would you say no to me?"

His complexion changed a little and he half-closed his eyes, as if studying me. I had the impression he thought I was bluffing. And, with his eyes still on mine, he decided to check for himself if what I was saying was actually truth. He slowly shifted above me and his right arm slowly disappeared beneath the sheets. Our stare remained locked as I felt his touch. Slow, patient and thorough. I trembled a little as he explored me, considering I was still very sensitive from last night.

"Oh, Elie…" He whispered, and I sensed his restraint. "How can I resist you when you're…"

I smiled against his mouth.

"I told you." The words came out like a pained whisper and before I knew it he was already shifting and angling my pelvis to his. The touch of him, hard and erect, made me close my eyes. I knew what would follow. My body reacted at once, all I wanted was to give him access to me, to make me feel that way I wanted so much.

He entered me slowly and I took my time adapting to him. By now the sheets, the blanket, were already off the bed. We were both on fire, feeling hot all over.

The movements were slow, long, with a pace that made our velvety fluids merge, facilitating and creating a friction that threatened my sanity.

His eyes met mine as we moved together. There was something flowing there, in the middle of all those amazing feelings. It felt whole, warm and caring. I didn't know what it was, I didn't know how to name it. That flow was somehow interrupted as the sensations took over. It was all getting very intense and I sensed his impatience as the pace quickened… and the contact changed nature.

Our bodies were glued, sweaty and everything felt so amazing. I was so close, so tense beneath him and all I wanted was for the moment to endure as long as possible.

It arrived sooner than I wanted but I had to admit I enjoyed the look of gratification on his face while I was at it and how he groaned when his moment arrived.

Still reeling in the aftershocks of his slowing motion and soft kisses, here and there, we both took our time to recover.

I stared at him, trapped in between his arms.

"You're still inside me." I whispered.

"I am." He teased, "Still… completely… inside you."

His words made me shiver. How naughty. His soft movements still stimulated me.

"Do you want more?" I asked, a little out of breath.

The man above me seemed to consider my question.

"As much as that thought entices me, there is a priority matter right now."

"Such as?" I teased.

He didn't answer right away. His face lowered to mine and his mouth searched for my left hear.

"I could fuck you all day, until you couldn't walk straight, but… "

I shivered at his words, as I felt him stroke me a little more. He was getting hard again and I felt a little fearful of what would follow. Usually, the General wasn't that graphic about sex.

"I need more." His words were a little harsh, as he started moving again. I couldn't say anything, since I was trapped in him. Within him.

I was a little taken aback with his words but truth was, I was getting very aroused again. I nodded and he started moving again. This time, it was more carnal, the man above me more focused in the act itself. I felt him emotionally a little disconnected, but the fact was he was very thorough and right on spot. He made me see stars again and moan shamelessly, as he whispered words that were aphrodisiacs to my ears.

Some time later, after the General's shower, once he returned to the bedroom, he searched for my eyes.

"The priority matter I talked you about before concerns the President. He summoned you."

And, just like that, my eyes widened.

"Rufus Shinra… summoned me?" The thought itself bothered me a little. "Does he even know who I am?"

"Oh, he does know who you are and he wants to talk some things out with you. He was very clear about that."

There was silence again for a moment, only the sound of clothing dressing up the man who stood in the middle of the bedroom. I took a deep breath before speaking out my fears to a very relaxed Sephiroth.

"That worries me." I admitted.

"You'll be fine."

"You're very confident."

His eyes met mine with determination. And a little bit of impatience.

"I trust you." He declared. "Besides, you know him, what he is capable of, maybe better than the man himself. Use that in advantage."

I took another deep breath.

"I'll be in the kitchen. Hurry up." He said, as he moved with his usual grace, his hair making a wave as he exited the bedroom.

I took my time getting ready. To say that I felt apprehensive about meeting Rufus was an understatement. It was a fact that, now in charge of the company, he could lead and do as he liked, a thought that made me feel uncomfortable. There were things I knew, it was a fact, but then again… it was going to be the first time with the man, face to face with his new position.

Well, it can't be worse than Hojo, my mind declared and I snorted.

I exited the bedroom and in silence I reached the kitchen. Sephiroth's green stare met mine and I felt a shiver in my spine. He had that ability of making me feel very fragile sometimes.

Emotionally speaking.

"What the hell is that?"

His question caught me off guard and I wondered if he had noticed my reaction to his stare.

"What, your eye-power?"

He took his time answering me.

"I guess."

"Hum, it's… you know, it has always been like that, I honestly don't know why you're asking me that."

He raised his eyebrows, as if caught in by surprise. I rolled my eyes in response.

"Come on, General." I said, laughing. "You know the power your stare has, don't you? Because I refuse to accept you do that unwillingly of the consequences your stare has in ordinary humans."

He made a face, clearly enjoying the situation. He turned to face me, clearly trying not to smile. I was the one talking again.

"You show-off."

"I have to admit… it's gratifying to provoke you and realize it works."

I laughed.

"It's difficult not to work, General."

His eyes were soft on mine and I wondered what he might be thinking. My thoughts traveled, remembered a reality that didn't exist anymore and the man in front me surely wasn't the same I feared. Images, screenshots of destruction filled my mind and, even with the worst memories of what Sephiroth could have become, I stood there… wondering how a man like him could actually exist.

"Shall we go?"

His words took me out of my reverie and I nodded.

-/-

We reached Rufus' office in the main floor in a matter of minutes. Uncertainty took over me once again. Thankfully, there weren't many people roaming around the office, which was a plus. I had the feeling everyone in the whole building could hear my heartbeat. Uh, silly me.

"Don't be nervous, Elie." Sephiroth whispered to me. I gulped dry and eyed him, silently pleading for support. Truth was, I wasn't sure what I would find inside that office, how Rufus Shinra would behave.

"I'm trying. Really, I am." I admitted. "But it's stronger than me."

My voice broke at the end of the sentence.

"I'll be right outside." Sephiroth said, his eyes on mine. His grip tightened a bit on my right arm, and I welcomed the touch. It felt very reassuring.

"Okay." I said, and took a deep breath.

Sephiroth opened the door and I entered the President's office.

I had been here once. But this time, alone with the type of guy Rufus Shinra was… had me very defensive.

I walked until I was in the middle of the office. Rufus stood, with his back to me, facing the window. He wore that typical creamy white suit thing.

"Miss Stevens."

His voice. Just like in the game. My heartbeat peaked.

"Mr. President."

I wish I had sounded more convincing. Rufus turned slowly, his piercing blue stare meeting mine. He stood right there behind his desk, studying me.

"Your file is very… interesting. Unusual."

I gulped dry.

"Is it really true? That you know everything?"

I gathered strength to answer him. After all, if I got to think about it, I had advantage. He was actually right. I knew everything.

"You could say so."

"So you know what motivated me, all along. You know of my intentions. Past and present intentions."

His tone was a little threatening, a smug smile on his face.

"I also know what will happen if you keep behaving like an asshole."

The smile disappeared at once.

"Karma, Mr. President. Don't assume your position can give you everything."

"What do you mean?"

I tilted my head.

"Time will tell."

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"What are you implying? That something will happen to me and I won't be able to do anything about it?"

"Who knows?"

Well, this conversation surely was escalating quickly.

"I can see why he is so fond of you. You are very frisky."

I made a face, far from comfortable with the subtle mention of Rufus about the nature of my relationship with Sephiroth. He knew nothing about it. About me. So I took a deep breath and confronted him once again.

"What do you want from me? Be specific."

"Clairvoyance." He said, with a wicked smile. "I need to know who should I trust, or not."

"You mean reassurance?"

His face was serious now.

"I need to be sure you're on my side, Eleanor. I cannot admit someone like you plotting around, in my back. I realized you're a little temperamental. Somehow unstable emotionally."

"I'm human." I tried to defend myself. Memories of my travels to the other side when things were not-so-good with the General made me stutter. "E-Everything I did was totally justified."

However, Rufus wasn't interested in what I had done. The man had his priorities.

"Can you assure me you're loyal? As you are loyal to your dearest General?"

I was silent. I honestly didn't know what to answer the man.

"What you did to save the General, to prevent he'd became a monster… shows how dedicated you are to the cause."

I narrowed my eyes at him. So, that was it. What he wanted.

"You want blind trust."

"Yes."

"You already have the Turks for that."

"Is that a no?"

There was silence for a moment, as I gave considerate thinking about what I was going to say. Rufus, clearly, wasn't an easy person to dialogue.

"You plotted, repeatedly, against your father's life until you had him dead. You were lucky, it wasn't supposed to be that easy, trust me." The words were out of my mouth before I could think about it. "If you only knew what you were supposed to go through until finally you'd sit on that chair."

Piercing blue stabbed my eyes as he processed my words.

"As the main financier of Avalanche, all you wanted was your father's power. All those dirty secrets about you going in 'long term business trip', honestly. All lies to cover you up. And now, here you are. Congratulations."

He didn't miss my sarcasm.

"Wow. You really know everything."

I sighed and went straight to the point.

"Considering your history, knowing how you work, what guarantees do I have? Will you get rid of me when you consider I'm no longer necessary?"

"You'll have to trust me, dear." He snorted. "But can I trust you?"

I blinked a couple of times before answering him.

"Yes."

"Will you do what I ask you to?"

"It will depend on what you'll ask me to do."

He took my words in and nodded.

"Very well. You can leave."

I excused myself, feeling a little apprehensive. Once I was out of his office, I took a deep breath. My eyes met Sephiroth's as he approached me.

"How did it go?"

"I'm not sure."

A/N - Finally! :)