As soon as the word got out that Eloise woke up, her room became smaller at the amount of people visiting. And of course, Sephiroth was always there, in the room or just outside.

"I can't believe he is here," Tifa said sitting on the side of the bed next to Eloise. Cloud was on the couch, grumpy and unsure of their future. "What if he decides to kill you and go back to his plans?"

"He can't. I'm his only family and I'm the only remnant he has of a happier life he once believed in. I'm safe."

"What about the rest of the world? It wasn't just one time when he tried to destroy it," Cloud said narrowing his eyes at his former trainer.

"He can't do any real damage. He can fight but if he wounds someone enough to put their life in danger, he will suffer just as much. The life stream wouldn't have allowed his return if I didn't make sure he will not be a dangerous element." She explained and decided to show it to them. Eloise opened her palm and energy rose like little chains. "If he overreacts, then-" she said and the chains intensified. "Everyone is safe."

"What about afterwards? Will he be around for ever or for a limited amount of time?" Cloud asked still unhappy.

"Well, the last something like this happened I was head deep in a tube for a while. Maybe I will need him for...a year, or so? I have enough time to decide..." she said with nonchalance.

"I trust you Eloise, but I don't trust and will not trust that Sephiroth will play nice for a year. He won't want to return to the life stream,"

But Eloise didn't answer because the door opened and the scientist entered.

"I need to check some things," Aya said already writing on her pad.

Cloud and Tifa nodded and they walked out. Eloise could see Cloud glaring at Sephiroth in passing and she was sure that Sephiroth greatly enjoyed the animosity.

"Aren't you the biggest villain the world has seen," Genesis commented when he saw Cloud's glare. "From the biggest hero, nonetheless."

"I never wanted to be a hero. I just followed orders." Sephiroth muttered leaning his back on the wall. He seemed incredibly relaxed.

"Well, Shinra definitely changed. I can't believe that that scrumpy skinny little boy took control of the company,"

Sephiroth chuckled when he remembered something even more amusing.

"The same skinny little boy who danced with Eloise before you left. Ah, wasn't that the same night you figured your feelings out?" He teased the redhead whose eyes widened slightly.

"Why are you remembering such petty events," Genesis muttered.

"If I remember correctly, Eloise didn't return to her room that night alone," Sephiroth added seeing Genesis' ears grow red. "Weren't you rather lively that night,"

"Stop. I don't want to hear more, especially not from you." Genesis said covering Sephiroth's mouth with his hands. "Let's not talk about the past anymore."

Sephiroth chuckled bemusedly, a sound that he hadn't heard himself make in a long time. Not with such honesty.

"What can we talk if not the past?" Sephiroth asked with a raised eyebrow.

Genesis smirked, having an idea of how he could annoy his friend.

"Shall I recite a few verses for you, then? Wouldn't that be nostalgic?" Genesis asked but Sephiroth didn't answer. "There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the goddess...and she returned you to life." Genesis joked.

"Nothing shall forestall my return," Sephiroth quoted which surprised Genesis before he started to laugh. Sephiroth couldn't help but chuckle as well, it really felt like he was back in SOLDIER.

On the other side of the door, Eloise could hear everything from the bed. She could also feel and hear Aya do her check-ups but her focus was on the two men outside. Eloise couldn't help smile softly at their banter.

"You look happy," Aya noted while verifying Eloise' temperature.

"Do I?"

"I guess those two are very important to you. Most people would be very scared to even see Sephiroth."

"I don't blame them. But many years ago, people were relieved when they saw him. He was a hero, the unbeatable soldier. And he also has a pretty face," Eloise said with a brief laugh. "I remember the women who worked in the building always took glances at him."

"You do know you two look alike. It's impressive that you didn't fully transform into a copy of his. It's also surprising that he didn't kill you."

"We didn't look alike back then, it happened later on. The Fair DNA is strong, Zack wouldn't have allowed me to go crazy. But you know, Sephiroth wasn't a lunatic from the get go. I was there when he found out his origins, I saw him go through the process of losing his identity."

"Is that why all records about you two disappeared?"

"No. I went back after my brother died and destroyed every document about the Jenova Project I could find. I don't exist, neither do the others."

"A new beginning, a new identity,"

"No. I wanted to vanish, I wanted to disappear off the face of the world. It is really Cloud that pushed me in returning to society. And Reno, of course." Eloise explained looking down at her hands. "I am an abomination created to entertain the Jenova child. We were created to kill and protect Shinra...well, didn't go as they expected." Eloise said and chuckled darkly. "So, I ask you, is it so bad to want to be happy? I scarified too much for too long."

Aya stared at Eloise with pity and didn't answer. At the end of the day, nobody had the right to pretend to understand what these people went through.

"You'll need to spend one more week and then you're free to go. Your body is in good condition." Aya changed the subject before she took her things and left.

As soon as the scientist left, Sephiroth entered, but not Genesis. It was quite obvious she was disappointed.

"I am allowed to leave in a week." She said looking at the door. "I'll have to check for a place for us to stay. I can't take you to Cloud's house."

"Why not? It would be very amusing,"

"No. I do have my own house, we'll just go there." She said and leaned back still staring at the door. "Did he leave?"

"Does it matter?" Sephiroth asked knowingly. "Is this what I taught you, Eloise? If he is in your grasp, you should grip him tightly and not let go."

"Like you did with Jenova's body?"

"Jenova is my mother," Sephiroth said narrowing his eyes at her. "All my life I have been lied to, used and manipulated by greedy selfish people. I did what I had to."

"Good for you," Eloise said bitterly before she tried to get on her feet. She couldn't and fell in Sephiroth's arms. "Just put me in that chair."

He did and watched her as she rolled herself out the door. Sephiroth sighed and sat on the couch. If plans would have gone his way, this whole situation wouldn't have happened.

Eloise couldn't get very far but she did make it to what looked like a lounge. She stood in front of the windows and sighed heavily. Her happiness was so close and yet so far away.

"Why are you out here?"

She glanced to the side and saw him walk towards her with his usual poker face. Now that she could look at him closely in the light, he looked just as handsome as when they first met.

"I was stuck in that room for almost a month. I needed to get out,"

"Is that the real reason, or is it that maybe you fought with your mentor?" He asked leaning towards her with mischief in his eyes.

"Why would we fight?"

"Maybe because of the uncertainty of the future. He won't be allowed to stay here for long."

"Who decides that?"

"The normal course of life." Genesis said, "You also need to move on, Eloise."

"Move on? Is that why you never bothered looking for me? Because I needed to move on?"

"The past is long gone. There is nothing to hold onto anymore, not even memories. They will only wear you out."

Eloise couldn't believe his words, couldn't believe that he had the guts to speak so easily about all the pain that followed them.

"I sacrificed my youth for peace. I sacrificed my family, my friends, my love and half of my life and happiness and yet you speak of moving on? If you think forgetting about the past helps you sleep at night, good for you. It doesn't work for me." She started in the same bitter and sorrowful tone as back when he asked her if she was alright. "I'm not going to sacrifice anything else. I deserve to be happy too."

"What will you do? Keep Sephiroth under your watch?"

"I have other plans," she said turning her head to look at the city below. "I can't bring everyone back to life, but I can let go of my regrets."

"Be careful, Eloise. The life stream is not under your command."

She glanced at him and didn't reply.

"Are you going to leave now?"

"What else can I do? You seem fine,"

"So what? You will abandon me all over again?"

"It's for the best."

"Did you ever love me?" She suddenly asked.

"Does it matter now?"

"It always mattered. There was not even one day when I didn't miss you. I searched for you in Banora, in Nibelheim, anywhere I heard rumors about a redhead dramatic man. But you found me so quickly when you actually looked," she said looking straight ibto his blue eyes, making him feel shittier than he did already. "I told you back then as well. Whatever happens to you, I will always lo-"

Genesis stopped her by placing his finger on her lips.

"It is enough. What do you want me to do, Eloise? I have my own demons to fight."

"Why can't you fight them with me? Or near me?"

"Because it will only hurt you even more." He said before he sighed heavily, as if his whole soul left his body. "Don't to anything rash." He said before he turned around and left.

Eloise stood there, watching him until she couldn't anymore. She felt the tears form in her eyes and hid her face in her hands and behind her long hair. Why did it hurt so bad? And why did it have to be him? She tried to give her heart to others but it was impossible. They just weren't Genesis.

Genesis only walked until the end of the hall when he stopped and punched the wall. It was so painful letting her go. Having her love him even after all these years made him both happy and worried. He wasn't good for her, he was a monster, a failed experiment. So then why was it so hard to walk away this time? It hurt even more than before.