Disclaimer: Square Enix owns the Final Fantasy franchises and I make no gains (at least the kinds that matter) from this writing.

A/N: I'm procrastinating writing a paper. Don't judge me. Just read the chapter I wrote instead of a critical examination of Dracula. Go.

Cass had seemed a little agitated when she had dropped him off that morning. Sephiroth was not concerned in the least. Sometimes she was stressed from work, it never affected them at home. She left it at work no matter what. She'd be better when she came to pick him up. He just focused on the kata, which was becoming far too easy.

Except she still seemed...off when that time came. She still bit back at Hojo's barely muttered remark, still smiled and looked happy for him, but something was wrong.

Had he done something wrong? It was one of his worst fears, doing something Cass didn't like; it was second only to the thought of being taken away. From the look on her face, he knew better than to ask near Hojo. He waited until they started home.

"Mom?" he asked, "Are you...okay?"

"Hmm?" she asked looking at him.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked. She gave a snort.

"No Sephiroth," she said, "It's not you. You'd actually have to make a conscious effort to make me upset with you. We've have this conversation already, yes?" He relaxed visibly and nodded.

"You just look upset," he said. Cass nodded.

"Sephiroth," she said softly, so only he would hear it, "I need you not to react to what I tell you." Sephiroth almost turned to look at her, but stopped himself in time.

"We're going to make a detour, before we go home," she said, "You cannot tell anyone where we go." Sephiroth felt worried again. What was going on?

"I can't say where I'm taking you," she said, "but you have to promise me that you will never talk about it to anyone else but me, and only when I say you can. Promise me."

"I promise, Mom," Sephiroth whispered.

"See that you keep it," she said. Her voice was stern and serious, as if she would be kneeling next to him. She led him down a series of unfamiliar alleys and streets, doubling back several times. He lost track of where they were before long. However, Cass knew where they were going.

She looked around one more time before approaching a door. She had a key and unlocked it, making sure to lock it behind her. Sephiroth reached for her hand.

"It's okay," she said, "I just don't want to get us in trouble."

"Why are we here?" Sephiroth asked.

"To see an old friend," she said, "He's missed us a lot."

"Cass?" an achingly familiar voice called, "Is that you?" Sephiroth's eyes widened as he looked at Cass. She gave him a smile and led him forward.

There was a woman, a very pretty one, though not as pretty as Cass, looking their way. She was rocking a small bundle and smiling towards them. A man smiled as they entered the room. He was beaming excitedly.

"Sephiroth," Professor Gast said, "You've gotten so big."

"It's an outrage!" Hojo said. ShinRa rubbed his temples. He really didn't want this conversation to happen, but Hojo had to be chastised.

"I was under the impression that this was one of the expected results of such an operation," ShinRa grumbled.

"This is taking that too far," Hojo said, "She's gotten him into believing that he's his mother!"

"Her story was that is was Sephiroth's initiative and not hers," ShinRa said, "and that she attempted to talk him out of it."

"And you believe that!" Hojo spat.

"Yes," ShinRa said firmly, "I do." He stood up.

"Your opposition of this...Durmont? Right? Is becoming childish," he said, "She's proving useful to me. Her idea of a plate design in Midgar is ingenious and entirely possible. Like it or not, she is staying until that project is complete."

"Project S-"

"Is progressing as planned," ShinRa objected, "If anything it is running more smoothly than ever. Sephiroth has nearly ceased all of his rebellious behaviors, at least according to your reports, since he has moved out of the laboratory setting. A change of scenery has done him good, it seems."

"That's not the problem!" Hojo said, "It's that bitch he's living with!"

"She's done nothing irresponsible," ShinRa said, "She submitted to the background check and home visits without a fuss. She even agreed to the Turk surveillance that you insisted on. I see no reason to separate them at this point."

"He's gotten attached-"

"So he's decided to pick himself another mother," ShinRa said, "Good for him. It doesn't affect the project though so I'm not going to put a stop to it. I could care less if Sephiroth thinks she's a goddess incarnate. He can stay with her so long as he cooperates."

"You've grown so much," Gast said, "I just can't believe it." Cass and Sephiroth were being ushered to a couch by the woman.

"Let him get over his surprise," she scolded Gast, lightheartedly, "It's been almost two years after all."

"Are you going to introduce them?" Cass asked, "Or will I have to?"

"My goodness, yes," Gast said and got down on one knee. "Sephiroth, this is Ifalna." Sephiroth glanced back at Cass before murmuring a hello.

"I've heard quite a bit about you," Ifalna said with a sweet smile, "Though I don't think you've heard of me yet." Sephiroth shook his head and squeezed Cass's hand.

"You wanna sit?" Cass asked. He nodded. He was practically on her lap once on the couch. She gave a soft laugh and pulled him on all the way.

"I'm afraid I'm the one who stole Gast away from you," Ifalna said, sitting next to them, still smiling nicely. She certainly sounded very nice.

"I married her, Sephiroth," Gast said, "I love her very much, but that doesn't mean that I didn't miss you and Cass." Sephiroth nodded. Ifalna scooted closer.

"And this," Ifalna said, "is our daughter."

"Aeris," Gast said. Sephiroth looked over with great interest.

"Is she..." Sephiroth swallowed, "Is she really yours?" Gast laughed.

"She's ours," Gast said. Sephiroth leaned closer, amazed by the small person bundled in Ifalna's arms.

"She's only a few months old," Ifalna said, "but we love her very much."

"She's perfect," he said amazed.

"Would you like to hold her?" Ifalna asked. He looked up in shock.

"It's okay," Ifalna assured him, "I trust you."

"Okay," he said. He held out his arms nervously. Ifalna handed over the baby very gently, guiding Sephiroth's arms into a proper position. Sephiroth was in awe at the little girl in his arms. Gast and Cass talked a little, but Sephiroth tuned them out entirely, unable to take his attention off of Aeris. He felt more than saw Ifalna beside him, just a sweet and gentle aura beside him. Aeris felt much the same, just smaller.

"I hope you aren't mad at me," Ifalna said quietly.

"For what?" Sephiroth asked.

"For taking Gast away," Ifalna said. Sephiroth shook his head.

"I had Mom," he said, "Professor Gast wanted to leave for a long time."

"Mom?" Ifalna asked. Sephiroth leaned back into Cass, who ruffled his hair affectionately. Ifalna nodded with a smile.

"I see," she said, "How long has she been your Mom?" Ifalna asked. Sephiroth shrugged.

"I don't know," Sephiroth said, "It took a while before I loved her." Ifalna nodded again.

"But she's your Mom now," Ifalna said, "and that's what's important." Sephiroth nodded and looked down at Aeris.

"She's lucky," Sephiroth said.

"Aeris?" Ifalna asked, "Why?"

"You and Gast are nice," Sephiroth said, "She has parents who love her and can be with her."

"You're lucky too though," Ifalna said, "Cass is very nice and she loves you." Sephiroth nodded.

"I won't tell anyone about you," Sephiroth said suddenly.

"Sephiroth?" Ifalna asked.

"I don't want Hojo to know about you," Sephiroth said. Ifalna was quiet. She put an arm on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Sephiroth," she said, "I'm sorry that he has to know about you."

"It's okay," Sephiroth said, "I have Mom." The bundle stirred and caught Sephiroth's full attention again. Aeris opened her eyes. Sephiroth gasped a little.

"She's beautiful," Sephiroth said. He felt Cass lean down to be closer.

"We think so too," Gast said.

Hojo was furious after the meeting the President. It didn't go the way he wanted at all. Cassiopia Durmont was the bane of his existence.

Yet, he couldn't argue against the President's logic. She was smart. Many of her ideas were remarkable and she could make them work. Even he had problems with that from time to time, as reluctant as he was to admit it.

Sephiroth was calmer and easier to handle, more willing to submit to the testing. He really had no problems, science-wise, since moving in with Cass. He almost looked...better. Not that Hojo would ever admit that.

It was the person herself. She incensed Hojo like no other. She had Sephiroth wrapped tightly around her finger. Sephiroth was practically affectionate with her. Even calling her...he could barely stand it.

Mom.

That was not what he imagined with his perfect specimen. Perfect in every way, but with a soft spot for something as stupid as a mother figure.

That, and Hojo had a feeling that she was still secretly working for that fool Gast somehow. He had no proof at all, but he was positive that she was helping him. She'd never admit it. She didn't even know where he was (or so she said). But Hojo was certain.

"Will you be able to visit again?" Gast asked.

"I don't know," Cass said, "I was worried about being followed this time. I'd hate to lead them right to you."

"I really missed you Cass," Gast said, "It's not quite the same without you."

"It never is. I wish that Sephiroth and I did come with you," she agreed.

"He calls you Mom now," Gast said.

"I tried to talk him out of it," she said, "No luck."

"But you don't mind one bit," Gast said with a laugh.

"Not at all," Cass agreed, "Yours is fucking precious though. The adorableness is making me nauseous."

"...Thank you?" Gast said. They both started laughing. Ifalna and Sephiroth looked at them, then back at Aeris.

"Seriously though," Cass said, "She's a cutie."

"All my doing," Ifalna said.

"I had no doubts about that," Cass said. Gast started laughing again.

"What do you think Seph?" Cass asked, "Do we like Aeris?" Sephiroth nodded trying not to shake her and wake her up again.

"I like her mother too," Sephiroth said. Ifalna smiled at him again.

"I like you too," Ifalna said, "I think Aeris might like you too." Sephiroth smiled again. He turned back at Cass.

"Did you want a turn?" he asked.

"You go ahead," Cass said, "I'm holding both of you if you think about it." Sephiroth nodded.

"Do you like living with Cass, Sephiroth?" Gast asked. Sephiroth nodded again.

"I love Mom," Sephiroth said simply.

"I love you too," Cass said. Gast looked at them with an amused look.

"It's his new thing," Cass said, "A few months ago it was cuddling. Now it's loving."

"You're brushing it off as a phase?" Gast asked.

"No," Cass said, "He just emphasizes it until it becomes normal. It will level out over time. He still cuddles and stuff, but it's not the most amazing thing ever and needs to be repeated many times."

"He's trying to catch up on years of being alone," Gast said sadly. Cass nodded as she ran her fingers through Sephiroth's hair. He never let anyone touch his head before Cass. Now he was leaning into the touch.

"You're so good for him," Gast said, "I can let you go knowing that it's for him."

"It's more than that now," Cass said, "He's good for me too."

"So I don't have to worry about you kidnapping my daughter?" Ifalna said.

"Nope," Cass said. Sephiroth looked up at her. "I just happen to have myself a little black rain cloud. You can keep your little bundle of joy."