"Angeal why didn't you tell us?" asked Sephiroth as he and Genesis were told this revelation.
"'Cause I didn't want you guys to know, simple as that," said Zack seeing how Angeal seemed to not want to speak at the moment.
"Still that was a tedious affair that was bound to end horribly," said Genesis.
"You are right Genesis . . . Sephiroth . . ." said Angeal out of the silence. "I shouldn't have done what I did—what was I thinking?"
"Palease," said Zack flapping her hand. "You know you enjoyed it."
"Zack!" said Angeal turning to her.
Sephiroth and Genesis couldn't help but begin to laugh. Zack began to go into prep mode and she wasn't stopping—or at least getting the common sense to stop.
"What?" she asked rolling her shoulders. "You know it was true."
"I'm sorry, but this is to strange," said Genesis with a few chuckles.
"Oh it was strange at first, but by the 100th time we lost track of strange," she said placing her fists on her hips and standing straight.
Angeal just heaved out an aggravated sigh and rolled his eyes just looking away. Zack was going off and was just going to embarrass him.
"You've done it—a hundred times?" asked Genesis poking his head out a bit.
"Oh no—we've done it more than that," said Zack shaking her head. "And any way you can imagine."
"Wait, what?" asked Sephiroth just now catching the last phrase.
"I didn't know Angeal was the type to 'experiment'," said Genesis with a smirk as he looked at Angeal whom he knew just wanted to crawl under a rock at the moment.
"Oh you can be surprised by the power of a woman," said Zack holding up her hand and checking its delicate shape. "Let's just say he was the passive one."
"Oh really," said Genesis chuckling.
"Yeah," said Zack with a sigh. "I guess now that I'm pregnant—and caught I can't enjoy the fine sex anymore."
"Fine sex—ha," laughed Genesis.
By now Angeal was red at the face. He couldn't believe Zack would go off on their sex life. Oh it just couldn't get any worse—but then again . . . it was just about to.
"So tell me Zack," said Genesis finding a seat and sitting in it. "How did you make your affair with Angeal last? I mean we both got to be honest—that man just doesn't seem imaginary, much less a bad boy."
"Zack that is enough!" said Angeal turning to them again not looking so happy. "Just because the world has found out doesn't mean you have to tell them every little detail!"
"But they want to know," said Zack looking so innocent.
"Uh! Zack!" groaned Angeal just wanting to throw her in a closet and gag her.
"Anyways, like I was saying," said Zack with a smile as she took her attention back to Genesis. "You'd be surprised what I could make Angeal do."
"Please—go on," said Genesis with a smirk glancing an evil glare at Angeal then turning his attention back to Zack.
"Uh!" growled Angeal gripping his face tightly.
"Sorry you have to deal with her Angeal," said Sephiroth coming up beside him. "But you were the one that let her get to you."
"I know," said Angeal giving out a heavy sigh as he looked at Zack rambling off. "And now I'm paying the price for it."
That day Genesis got so much dirt on Angeal that Angeal knew he'd never be able to win anything with him again. He had to admit though—Sephiroth and Genesis took his and Zack's affair well. They only laughed at him for so long and then stopped—and then laughed again. Zack thought it was too cute to see Angeal's whole face turn red. Thought she had to admit he stayed with them through the day as they went to see Lazard for something.
Once Zack and Angeal went to Lazard's office the last thing they thought they'd have to deal with that day bombarded them.
"AHHA!" came Hojo's high voice just as soon as the two entered.
Both their eyes widened as they saw the mad man run up to them. He held up his index finger and smiled saying—
"What did I tell you? She needed to be bread. It was the ultimate test to see if my change on her worked and indeed it has! Though I must say so myself I did expect the child within the month to be conceived."
"You—you had this planned?!!" said Angeal stepping forward to the mad scientist.
"Why yes," said Hojo with a smile as he pushed his glasses back. "Once I saw you come from Zack's room too late at night I could only speculate one thing—so later the next day, when Zack was gone, I put hidden cameras in her room and low and behold I found the two of you return once again to continue your—affair."
"Uh!" squealed Zack. "You put hidden cameras in my room?!!"
Angeal was about to go for his blade when Lazard came and saw them.
"What is going on here?" he asked.
"Hojo's known all along!" she spat pointing at the doctor.
"So you just can't keep your greedy hands away from her like you're supposed to huh Hojo?" said Lazard crossing his arms. "Shin-Ra will here about this."
"Go ahead and tell them," said Hojo. "I'm allowed my experiments if they are successful. They said that it is better to dispose and forget them if they fail—but she hasn't has she?"
"You don't truly know yet Hojo," came another voice.
Soon all turned to see Hollander enter the seen, another mad doctor. It seemed Shin-Ra was full of them.
"Hollander!" spat Angeal wrinkling his brow not liking his presence there at all.
"Hollander?" said Hojo looking at the chubby man. "What are you doing here?"
"Coming to prevent your failure and make it my success," he said.
"Your success!" scoffed Hojo. "I MADE her!"
"But the child came from my experiment," protested Hollander. "So I can claim her just as much as you can."
"Uh!" gasped Hojo. "How dare you try and take her from me! She's mine! And so is the child—no matter if the father is your experiment."
"This is madness!" growled Angeal hating the both of them.
"You're telling me," said Zack grasping Angeal's arm like in instinct. "You get pregnant here and you're fresh meat to all the mad scientists."
Lazard just got more and more of a migraine from the two madmen as they argued over rights.
"The child could be lost later on in the pregnancy," pointed out Hollander. "Then she'll be counted as failed."
Hojo just gasped and thought about it. He was right, but how could he prevent this from happening? What if she did lose the child?
"Wait, what?!" asked Lazard looking at Hollander.
"Hojo claims she's perfect now that she has conceived a child, but can she carry it?" asked Hollander.
"What do you mean Hollander?" asked Lazard. "Are you saying she has a chance of losing it?"
"Every woman does, but Zack more than others since she was once a he in life," said Hollander. "If you are in any concern for the child you'll give her to me and I shall give her all she needs to carry this pregnancy through."
"And what makes you think I can't?" asked Hojo placing his fists on his hips. "Just like I said she is MY experiment. I have never shared and never will."
"Not even for the good of the child?" asked Lazard.
At that all were silent. Zack just wanted to turn invisible. She didn't like being fought over—ever. Especially for being a test subject.
She was afraid of the two scientists. If Hojo could do this to her in one night what could the two do to her in the remaining six months she had left to carry the child?
"Look this is my top priority at the moment and Hojo—yours should be the reverse of this which I see you decide to not work on! Apparently the reason behind all your 'accidents' was that you were waiting for Zack to get pregnant."
"Oh how'd you guess?" he asked with a smirk.
Zack gave off a growl that all heard. They all turned to see her angered face and that she clung tightly onto Angeal's strong arm.
"Why Lazard—I thought you didn't want to get her attached to anyone?" said Hollander with a smile. "Now I wonder how you're going to pull the two of them apart."
Zack looked and saw how tightly she clung to Angeal and so let go. She clasp her hands together and just looked down. She felt Angeal's eyes on her for a moment as his fell to the ground with hers. All looked at them and Hojo just chuckled.
"Yes it appears they've grown quite attached to each other. Too bad Lazard—you should have stopped them while they were ahead. Not that it would have mattered by the way," said Hojo.
"I would if I would have known!" said Lazard through his teeth. "You apparently forgot to tell me."
"Must have slipped my mind," said Hojo pointing to his head with a smile.
"For now though," said Lazard looking at the two doctors. "I want the two of you to stay away from Zack. Hojo—work on the reverse! I wan this mess cleaned up as much as possible!"
"But you don't know the possibilities we could accomplish with—!" started Hollander.
"I don't want to hear anything," said Lazard. "Now please—just go!"
The doctors took their leave and once they had left Lazard plopped in his chair and cupped his face with his hands and gave out a long and tired sigh. Zack came up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder saying—
"I'm sorry for all this."
"Don't be," he said leaning back in his seat. "You were just the victim—at least that's what I keep telling myself. You were a victim too Angeal. If Hojo wouldn't have—"
"We know," said Angeal. "I just . . . will the child be alright—as Hollander said?"
"That's one thing he got me thinking about," said Lazard placing his thumbs on his lips. "I don't really know, but I tell you I'll get our best doctors on it right away."
"Just don't get the mad ones," said Zack with a smile.
"Well that sums out most of them," said Lazard with a sigh and chuckle. "I can tell this is going to be a long six months. I still have yet to get everything in order again. You know it hasn't been in order since you were turned into a woman."
"Yeah, sorry about that," she said with a shrug.
"Just—right now—go home and get some sleep—alone!" he said pointing Angeal.
"Hm, I will," said Zack with a smile.
"Why am I the one to blame?" asked Angeal with a smile. "She was the one dragging me into the bedroom."
"I wouldn't be surprised," said Lazard rubbing his forehead. "Just get some sleep—the both of you. We'll work on the pregnancy later. I'll need the both of you in tiptop shape."
"All right—good-bye director, and thank-you," said Angeal.
"For what?" asked Lazard.
"For protecting Zack from those madmen," said Angeal with a smile.
Lazard gave off a weary smile, but it was a smile. Zack just watched Angeal leave with a smile. Once Lazard decided to speak again he said—
"I'm glad you chose to see him Zack."
"Huh, what do you mean director?" asked Zack turning to him.
"He's a man of honor—a good man. I can't imagine if the child was someone else's," said Lazard closing his eyes trying not to think of such a horrible thing.
"Well," shrugged Zack. "His number was first on my phone when I called him to my place to ask him."
Lazard let out a chuckle and then inhaled. He rubbed his neck and then bid Zack goodnight. She bid him too and left. Right when she had though she felt a sudden stir inside her.
She looked down at her belly and realized it was the child. This was her first time feeling it and well . . . she didn't know whether to freak out or just remain calm. She thought this could never happen to her. She was about to turn and head back to Lazard, but halted—he had enough on his mind right at the moment and so she sucked it up and went back to her apartment to hopefully get some sleep, but she was so paranoid she swore she felt it the whole night.
The next day Zack went to have more tests done on her. She must admit that this was worse than guys getting 'checked'. She never thought woman had to go through so many things just because they carried the next generation inside them. Most of the time she was scared and wanted to crawl under a rock, but always Angeal was there to help her—she was glad for that.
Even though he looked as if he frowned all the time Zack could tell care was shown on his face. She was right—he had grown attached to her and it was so nice that he decided to stick with her through this hard time. She didn't know what she'd do if he wasn't there to cling onto. Like Lazard said . . . there couldn't have been a more honorable and better man than Angeal Hewly.
Zack could actually smile again and feel safe. Angeal always did this to her—even when she was a man. He always made her feel safe. Her guardian angel he was—all he was missing was wings.
She couldn't help but giggle at that. Angeal—with wings? That would be a sight. Indeed it would, but she didn't think it'd be all-to-bad.
Though the thought of wings sent trills down her spine. She remembered when she was little she always wanted to fly, many a time being the cause of wings. She wanted to be an angel. Perhaps she could be someone' angel like Angeal was to her.
The happy thoughts and comforting feelings soon left once Hojo decided to visit her and see how she was progressing. Most of the time it was when Lazard wasn't around. This got on Zack's nerves so much she would have exploded if Angeal didn't hold her back. They had to listen to him ramble on how HIS experiment was going along perfectly and just how he planned.
"I'm a genius I am, a genius," boasted Hojo. "You should find yourself honored Zack Fair as to be a part of one of my successful experiments."
"Yeah—I'm so thrilled," sighed Zack just wishing him to go away as she waited to find out what the rest of her tests were for the day.
"If I wouldn't have followed my plan out in breeding you then I might have never known if you were a failure or not," said Hojo. "Though I would have breeded you with someone more important like Sephiroth—"
"That's it!" spat Zack slamming her hands on the table she sat at with Angeal. "I am sick and tired of you insulting me and my friends. I can't stand your very presence so if you don't shut up in one second I will just have to inform Shin-Ra to find a new mad scientist!"
"Zack don't let him get to you," said Angeal with his arms crossed. "There was no way he would have gotten Sephiroth to even do such a thing with you."
"Oh contraire Mr. Hewly," pointed Hojo. "You may find later on that I can get any subject to do my will for I have my ways."
"What? Get them drunk enough to where they can't think for themselves?" asked Angeal raising a brow.
"Oh no," said Hojo with that smug smirk on his face. "I have so much more ways than that."
"Whatever, just get out of here before I have a hormone-fit on you!" growled Zack at Hojo just itching to tear him head from limb.
"I believe I have work to do anyways," said Hojo straightening. "Make sure you don't lose that child Fair, trust me—you don't want to get on my failed experiment list."
At that he turned and left. Zack just stood there with her mouth open and shoulders slumped.
"Uh . . . did he just threaten me?" she squeaked.
"I believe so," said Angeal with a chuckle.
"Does he know who I am?" she asked pointing at her chest. "I'm 2nd class Zack!"
"Hm, sounds like a gunslinger," said Angeal with a chuckle.
"Naaaw,"" waved Zack. "Guns have a limited variety of fighting, but with swords—there's an endless possibility."
"Hmm, a woman after my own heart," said Angeal with a smile as he looked at Zack.
"Oh," said Zack blushing as she twisted her hips.
Soon after a while Angeal noticed the sad look on Zack's face. Her shoulders were slumped leaving her arms to dangle at her sides. Her eyes were cast to the ground in what looked like hopeless sadness.
"Zack, what's wrong?" asked Angeal leaning forward in his seat.
"Angeal how can you . . . how can you ever grow accustomed to something?" she asked not looking at him.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"What I mean is . . . will I ever be comfortable being . . . pregnant?" she asked casting her blue eyes on the man.
"Oh," said Angeal folding his hands and placing his chin on top of them. "Well I guess when you become more maternal."
"But when?" asked Zack flapping her arms to her sides. "Just the other night I felt it . . . at least I thing I did. I'm scared Angeal, I'm scared I'll never get accustomed to this thing."
"Zack you've been carrying the child already for three months and still you acted normal—except for the drowsiness and the mood swings."
"I know that Angeal," said Zack with a sigh as she took a seat and sat in the chair backwards. "But I'm a woman right? I feel what women feel. If so why can't I feel motherly? I'm not saying that because I like the child, but because I don't want to be so afraid."
"Afraid of what?" asked Angeal.
"Everything!" spat Zack. "I'm afraid of just being pregnant! It's so unnatural and alien to me that I'm freaking out at all hours of the day and night and I can't sleep at all because my mind plays tricks on me!"
"I see," said Zack inclining his head. "Well I don't know what to tell you Zack. I've always been a man and don't know much about women pregnancies. I suppose the best thing for you would be some classes."
"I don't want classes!" said Zack shaking her head. "I want you to tell me I'm going to be alright! Because if you say so . . . I believe you, both heart and mind."
Angeal just starred at the woman in silence. He was touched with how much she trusted him and only him, but that could be a fault in her part. Angeal sighed and outstretched his hands on the table saying—
"I'm honored that you trust me so much, but I would be lying if I told you there was nothing to worry about. I will not lie to you Zack. There is so much to worry about. You were once a man changed overnight into a woman. Yes Hojo claims you are perfect, but doesn't perfection come over time?"
"Not necessarily," said Zack. "I heard the whole world was created in 6 days."
"But man though—they are not perfect in days. It takes months usually," said Angeal. "Look at Hojo—it took him months to build that machine to change you into a woman and even more to build a reverse of it! What I'm trying to say is don't through away all your fear for this pregnancy if I tell you everything's going to be fine. It might not be, especially for the child. Heaven knows what will become of him or her if they are born—or if they are miscarried."
"What's miscarried?" asked Zack afraid to ask as a gut hurt began to develop in the pit of her stomach.
"Hhh, that's when you lose the child due to complications," said Angeal.
"Then that would get rid of our problem," said Zack with a slight smile. "Just think—I'll be counted as 'failed' and Hojo will lose interest in me and so change me back quicker and then Hojo or Hollander couldn't get their greedy hands on the kid. I mean who wants a dead baby anyways?"
"I do," said Angeal softly.
"What?" asked Zack looking at him. "What do you mean?"
"When I was little I always dreamed of having a family to take care of—but that vanished when I grew and just wanted to be a hero like Sephiroth," said Angeal recalling his past. "Now that I'm getting the chance at being a father I have this feeling inside me that's telling me to do everything in my power to not lose this one."
"You want to be a father—why?" asked Zack.
"I don't know," said Angeal with a shrug. "I seem to live by my feelings and now I would be honored to be one if—you would let me."
Once Angeal's eyes met Zack's she couldn't help but feel a flush of blush burn her cheeks. Her heart leapt slightly as Angeal looked at her like that. He was serious, but did he know this wasn't the best for him? Zack bowed her head and fiddled with her fingers.
"I would . . . if circumstances were different," she admitted as she looked back at him. "But can't you see this child isn't good for either of us?"
"You can think that," said Angeal. "Hhh, I know Zack but what's wrong with dreams?"
"Nothing I guess," said Zack biting her bottom lip. "But what do you think's best for the kid?"
"I see," said Angeal casting his eyes down.
"You see this is why I'm afraid," said Zack her feelings of fear returning to her. "I'm afraid of losing the child and missing it and then of having it and dreading it! I just want someone to tell me it'll all be all right. Please . . . just tell me."
Zack looked at Angeal with just pleading eyes how could he tell her otherwise. Angeal slowly blinked and let out a sigh as he shifted in his seat. He looked at Zack for a little while before he shook his head trying to say something, but couldn't when he was even afraid himself.
Zack then came up to him and cupped his hands with hers just starring starry-eyed at Angeal. Her lips trembled slightly as she asked once again.
"Please," she begged. "Can you tell me it'll be alright?"
"I can, but I can't assure you," said Angeal placing one hand on the back of Zack's head.
"It's good enough for me," she said with a nod and smile as she closed her eyes and laid her head on Angeal's arm near his shoulder.
Angeal just watched Zack peacefully lay on his arm and just smiled. His hand trailed from the back of her head to the side of her face. He slightly pulled it up wanting to kiss her and let her know it was going to be okay, but his mind quickly halted him and warned him of the dangers. Others could be watching and even if Lazard wasn't here right now he could get into more trouble as it is.
Angeal was lucky he thought before he acted or else he could get into more trouble than he already was in, but Zack on the other hand didn't work like that so much. She felt his light pull and then hesitation. She knew his intention—being with him so long anyone would have. Zack's hand quickly flew to Angeal's hand on her face and pushed it away just enough to where her face was free from any resistance as she leaned up to meet her lips with his.
Angeal's eyes widened slightly seeing how Zack thought the exact thing he had—and that she did it in a public place such as this. Anyone could walk in right there and she decides to go on and kiss him. What a risk taker.
Though Angeal was never one to complain. He closed his eyes with Zack's and just took the kiss in. His hands cupped her face and deepened the kiss as she cupped his jaw. Soon his fingers trailed behind her head and squeezed her closer making the kiss begin to get heated.
Just as that happened Lazard had returned. When he walked in the room and found the two exchanging heated kisses to one another horror just overwhelmed him. His mouth dropped baring his pearly teeth trying to let out a sound or word, but only a slight gasp came out that nether of the two before him heard. Once enough fear filled him he got up the lung to shout—
"If you get her pregnant again Angeal Hewly—!!!"
Just as soon as he shouted that Zack pulled away from Angeal and looked at Lazard in horror.
"OH MY GOD HE CAN DO THAT?!!" he gasped in horror.
Another fault in Zack . . . she believed everything she was told. Angeal just shook his head and rolled his eyes at Lazard's bad timing and Zack's nieveness.
Hot Shot's girl: Lol, I just had to put Hollander in this story. Another scientist I don't like. Lol, he'll play a bigger part later. Till then bye :)