Disclaimer: If you haven't figured out who owns Final Fantasy by this point, then you have problems. It's Square Enix.

A/N: Oh my God, I can say it. I'M DONE. Finished classes for the semester and it feels soo good. I'll try to update often, but inspiration comes and goes and I have, you know, Christmas and stuff. And if Santa brings me what I put on my wish list and emailed to him (from Amazon no less) then I'll have some new video games to play as well. Happy Holidays to you all.

Cass sighed as she watched the transport leave. Sephiroth was now officially in the army and no longer a mere trainee. About goddamn time. He'd been held back because no one could believe he was...well, as good as he was. It was one thing she and Hojo reluctantly agreed upon. Military brass was full of morons.

Still, it was with a heavy heart that she watched Sephiroth ship off to war again. She became 'mopey' (as Reno dubbed it) and pined for the day when he would come back, if only for the assurance that he was alive. It didn't matter how many times it happened. She wanted her Sephiroth back. The sun didn't shine properly if there wasn't a black rain cloud for comparison.

She buried herself in work, as usual, but it lacked its usual luster. Rufus had been quieted for the moment with his little shotgun. Reports were written signed and delivered. Everything was fairly quiet for the Turk floor, which just didn't do for a Cass missing her rainy day. Tseng was watching for the warning signs. Reno knew them by heart. Cass was disappointed when he managed to avoid her all day. She didn't even get one snap of the goggles. He made such a nice shriek when she did it right. She couldn't bear to torture Rude. Crush or not, he was still nice and would probably lie down and take the abuse from her. That wouldn't do, she needed that little shriek or a hit back. Everyone knew what to expect now, though. There was nothing to amuse her.

Tseng decided to intervene at his usual point of her designing paper airplanes as she worked out which department she would have her way with that particular morning. Her current model was quite adept at loop-de-loops, but Reno had already called dibs on it. Reno called dibs on all the good ones and promptly wrecked them two hours later.

"Please tell me this isn't how you'll be distracting yourself for the next few months," Tseng said. She looked up with a frown.

"I don't know," she said and turned back to the project. Tseng was reluctant to use his newfound power on his partner, but she was kind of asking for it.

"I don't have that many distractions anymore," she said, "Next week is injections, so I'll have that. You'll have to assign someone to accompany me. Hojo wants to observe for some reason." Tseng nodded, having already worked it out.

"I'm trying to find hobbies," she said, "but if Reno would stop being a little bitch-"

"Hey," Reno said, but didn't move from the safety of his desk.

"My apologies," Cass said, "If Reno would stop being a major pussy-"

"That ain't funny Rude," Reno said, "She ain't that cute, yo."

"I'm open to suggestions," Cass finished. Tseng suddenly realized that he had no suggestions for her. Oddly enough, paper airplanes were the best that anyone had ever come up with.

"Thanks for helping with this," Lazard said as he shifted his box to call the elevator.

"No, thank you," Cass replied, "I needed the distraction."

"That's usually not the response when I ask someone to help me move," Lazard said.

"You're moving offices," Cass said, "that's, what? Ten boxes maximum? Not a big deal. Congrats on the promotion, by the way."

"I should probably thank you for that as well," Lazard noted, "Or ask you to pass it on to Sephiroth. He's the one that pushed for me."

"You did it yourself," Cass said, "and Sephiroth really would prefer not to work for an asshole."

"...Was that a compliment?" Lazard asked.

"For this company, yes," Cass said, "I heard Heidegger wanted the job. I think Sephiroth would have considered seppuku before living the rest of his life under that asshat's dictatorship. I would have."

"I hope I don't disappoint then," Lazard said.

"Keep thinking that and you won't," Cass said, "As I continue to remind Professor Hojo, these boys are not toys and have feelings. Just nudge 'em in the right direction and they'll follow. Most of them liked you after the military experience of Heidegger anyway."

"May I ask why Hojo and Heidegger have it out for you?" Lazard asked.

"Heidegger is a pussy," Cass said, "and I told him that to his face. In public. Twice. He just wants a spot of revenge. Hojo...I think Hojo qualifies as my mortal enemy. We hate each other unconditionally. We can't be in the same room without one trying to kill the other."

"What?" Lazard asked. What sort of job had he just received? "Why?"

"Hojo was in charge of Sephiroth then I took him away," Cass said, "Then he tried to kill me off and failed. Then I broke his arm and nose. It just spiraled downwards as soon as Sephiroth left the labs. You won't have to deal with that though. The Turks have a system down for when we have to meet. And if I do happen to kill Hojo one of these days it will be all for the better. He is a horrible person."

"But...yeah, he seems a little..." Lazard trailed off.

"Batshit insane," Cass finished, "You'll get to see that part, but only at meetings. He doesn't leave the labs just in case he comes across me. Or that's what I tell myself."

"I'm beginning to think I need a new occupation," Lazard said.

"This isn't the most moral company in the world," Cass said, "far from it. But it can be better. Just focus on you men and do what you think is best for them and they'll repay you for it."

"You make it sound so easy," Lazard said.

"It's not quite rocket science," Cass said, "Rocket science is way more fun." He laughed feeling slightly relieved.

"You have so many things running through your head I wonder how you could possibly need a distraction," he said.

"I get...bored," Cass said, "and when I get bored, bad things happen to other people."

"Says who?" Lazard said.

"Tseng, Reno, Rod, Director Veld, Finance Department, Public Safety Department, I can go on, but let's just move you upstairs for the moment."

Cass felt her PHS buzz and immediately opened it. It was only a text, but it was a text that every Turk had been trained to learn.

IN L62

Intruder Level 62. The Presidential suite. Cass took the stairs at full speed and entered the hallway with her gun drawn. She saw Tseng exit the elevator. She cleared the hall while he opened the apartment. She was right behind him. She heard a shot fire and ran to a room to see Tseng disarming a figure in black who was clutching his shoulder. She finished the sweep after making sure Tseng had it handled. It was just the one.

"Sorry to disappoint you," she said as Tseng finished restraining the intruder, "but Mr. ShinRa is out of town along with his son." That was a lie. Rufus was ten floors down doing target practice since Daddy wasn't here to stop him. That's where Cass had left him at, at least. The man said nothing.

"He's the second this week," Tseng said.

"I call babysitting tonight," Cass said.

"You are bored," Tseng said.

Rufus waited until his clock was well past 11 o'clock before pulling on his shoes and slipping out of his room.

"Where are you going, hot shot?" he froze at the voice. He turned and saw Cass sitting at the end of the hall, her rifle resting lazily on her lap. What was she doing here? She seemed as calm as ever. He didn't answer.

"Well," Cass said, "you aren't leaving here alone." He made a face.

"Stop pouting," Cass said, "it makes you look ugly." He made a different one just to spite her.

"There's been two attempts to kill either you or your father," Cass said, "I don't give two shits about Daddy dearest, but you...I'm paid to worry about you. So get your ass back in bed or tell me where we are going." Rufus glared at her for a moment before turning back into his room, mumbling under his breath.

"I can hear you, brat," she said, "Surely you can come up with better than nosy bitch." Rufus slammed the door behind him. Cass smirked at herself.

"There's new locks on your windows," she called, "I got the key if you want it." Rufus yelled back at her.

"That's still pretty weak, Rufus," she replied. She leaned back in her chair and wondered briefly if the President had an old fashioned wooden rocker in here somewhere. It would really set the scene for her. She doubted it though. Pity.

Genesis swallowed the lump in his throat as he was led to one of the general beds. He thought Cass would be doing this from now on. He didn't want a repeat of the first time. He really, really didn't want it. Yet, the bearded man in front of him was preparing the injection anyway.

"Excuse me?" a slightly annoyed voice said. Genesis tried not to show how relieved he was.

"That's my patient, Professor Hollander," Cass said crisply.

"My apologies, miss," he replied, managing to make the title sound like an insult, "I was not told otherwise."

"Well it's on his chart," she said, pointing at it, "In bold red. Twice. My my." Genesis could hear the undertones of "you're an idiot."

"Just because I'm busy reminding Professor Hojo of my opinion of him doesn't mean I've forgotten why I'm here," she said, "I can take a break and remind you of my strong feelings. I'm sure Mr. Rhapsodos won't mind." Genesis remained silent.

"I've done nothing to you," Hollander said.

"And you're not wrong, you're just an asshole," Cass said, "I don't like any of you. At all. Mr. Rhapsodos, however, has quite the charm. Now unless you'd prefer to spend the rest of the day covered in his vomit, I recommend finding someone else." Hollander sent a glare her way, but backed off.

"Sorry to use you as ammunition," Cass said, "now how about we go to one of the back rooms before any other of the 'geniuses' try and interfere again?" Genesis nodded and moved along. He sat down with mild relief when they reached the privacy of one of the exam rooms. Genesis undid his uniform without prompting.

"Could I have a minute?" he asked when he saw her changing the needle heads again.

"Of course, Genesis," she said. She set it down. He took deep breaths, reminding himself that this was survivable.

"I think you should use Act I this time," she said. He nodded.

"Okay, I'm ready," he said.

"My wife says thank you," Reeve said to the other occupant of the elevator.

"She's quite welcome," Cass replied.

"She was curious to know how you found that number," he said.

"Trial and error," she said, "a lot of it. It took me a long time."

"She was rather afraid of that," he replied.

"I can assure you that no one in our field of specialty becomes great just by taking the easy way," Cass said, "the best are the ones that dive in and get their hands dirty and enjoy doing it at the same time. No one goes in for fame in fortune. They go in because they want to know and they want to do."

"Nice speech," Reeve said.

"You can borrow it," she said, "I gave it to Sephiroth when he asked me if it was okay that he kind of liked being in the military. He likes the whole going on missions to fight monsters."

"I can't imagine you do," Reeve said. If he gave in and gave his wife the kids she was considering they'd probably never leave the house.

"I don't like him going off to war, no," Cass said, "but I won't lie and say that there isn't some sick satisfaction with killing off a few Zoloms and stuff. I think your fellow directors would rather have me do that then hang out here and try to distract myself."

"Were you the one that child proofed the entire thirtieth floor?" Reeve asked. It was kind of hilarious to watch the poor office zombies trying to open their desk drawers only to be thwarted by technology meant to outsmart a three-year-old.

"I never said I used my powers exclusively for good," Cass said before getting off on her floor.

Angeal was quite glad that he had obeyed Genesis's insistence that they go visit Cass. He had been wary of going without Sephiroth. Cass had welcomed them in anyway.

"I was wondering if I'd have to deliver leftovers to you," she said, "that's all that's in my fridge at the moment." She wasn't lying in the least.

"I cook when I'm bored," she said, "I find it calming."

"Have you heard from Sephiroth?" Angeal asked, guessing at the root of the problem. She shook her head.

"He said he'd call when he could," she said, "but I haven't heard anything for a week." Angeal felt the sudden need to write his mother another letter. She shook herself out of it.

"So when are you two scheduled for graduation?" she asked.

Cass reclined on her couch and read the same sentence for the third time. She was silently considering calling Veld and begging for more work time, but she'd already pulled at least seventy-two hours of overtime. It was a company record. She sighed as she tried to concentrate on fiction.

Her arm reached out automatically when her PHS started ringing.

"Durmont," she said. She heard a lot of static in reply. Then...

"Mom?" Cass closed her eyes and felt a smile cross her face.

"Sephiroth," she said. He was alive. He was safe. That's all she needed to know, though more information was dearly welcomed.

"Sorry I couldn't call earlier," his fuzzy voice said, "Captain Welms called for a radio silence. I couldn't get a connection anyway."

"Well Captains Welms can suck Odin's hairy balls," Cass said.

"...I think he might be monitoring all the calls," Sephiroth said.

"I have higher security clearance than he does," Cass said, "So Captain Welms should make sure he sucks both of Odin's hairy balls." She heard Sephiroth's near silent snicker and smiled again.

"I'm not allowed to say anything over the line," Sephiroth said, "but I will say that you have had nothing to worry about up until now."

"I will anyway," she said, "that's my job."

"...You're still okay back home though...right?" Sephiroth asked.

"Yes," Cass said, "you know me though. I've been a terror since the day you left. Angeal and Genesis have kept me company and Veld keeps some easy jobs open if I need them, though."

"Nothing bad?" Sephiroth asked.

"Nothing bad," she said, "I had to see Hojo, but Tseng and two other Turks came with me."

"Good," Sephiroth said, "I love you."

"I love you too," Cass replied.

"I don't know when I'll be allowed to call again," Sephiroth said, "so I thought I'd keep talking until the battery died. Is that okay?"

"There is nothing I would rather do," Cass said. Tonight was looking better.

"Can I ask a ridiculous question?" Sephiroth asked. Cass nearly laughed at him but held it back.

"Of course," she said, "unless you're embarrassed that Captain Welms would disapprove." She heard a snort that told her otherwise.

"Why do you let me say 'I love you' first?" Sephiroth asked.

"Because you liked to say it first," Cass said, "and because I told you once that I would always love you. Nothing can change that. Me telling you that I love you is merely a reassurance. A restatement of fact. I don't need to say it first because, in my head, I believe you know it already."

"Oh..." Sephiroth said, "Does that mean I should stop too? I can't imagine not loving you anymore." If anyone needed proof that these boys were not old enough to go to war it was right here, Cass thought.

"No," Cass said, "I like hearing you say it."

"Then I'll keep saying it. I love you." Cass laughed.

"I love you too," Cass said. She found herself laying back down wishing, not for the first or last time, that she had a little Sephiorth snuggled against her side. They kept up a gentle patter, until Sephiroth said he had run out of things to talk about. Cass put the PHS down beside her head and picked up her book again and began reading out loud. Suddenly it became so much more easy to read.

She couldn't see Sephiroth, hundreds of miles away sitting just slightly away from the rest of the camp. She couldn't see the faint smile on his face that erased weeks of trudging through jungle without one bit of progress to show for it except depleted supplies and foul moods.. She could only imagine it, but it was enough.

"Aerith? Where are you?"

"Here I am Mama Elmyra."

"Oh. I couldn't see you. Don't wander off too far."

"I won't. Your flowers are still sick."

"I know sweetheart. Nothing really grows around here anymore."

"They want to though. Maybe they just need some help."

"Maybe. Or a new home."

"What about that church. The one not far away?"

"The old one? That's falling apart."

"So it would be perfect for flowers. And it's a good place to wait."

"Who are you waiting for, Aerith?"

"The Whisper Lady."

"The Whisper Lady? I thought she was the Sad Lady?"

"She knows secrets. She knows all sorts of things. Some of them make her sad and maybe flowers will make her more happy."

"How do you know about the Whisper Lady."

"I don't know, but I'll get to meet her one day."

"How will you know it's her then?"

"She's the Whisper Lady. She'll whisper my secret name and then I'll know."