Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7, neither the story nor anything else (exept my OCs) and I don't make any profit by writing this.
Author's note I hate this shitty summer heat wich makes my comp break down every thirty minutes!
Warnings: There's a short lemon and much of trauma, caused by old man ShinRa and Reno's nasty mother. (Poor Reno. *Hugs him*)
Chapter 5: About embarassment, hope and pain from the past After he shut off the shower, Cloud huffed with annoyance when he watched the very last bits of his body hair flowing down the drain. Of course he had to belong to the
other fifty percent.
Declan had talked to him about the side effects of the J-cell and Mako treatments and he knew that it was very improbable that he'd ever grew any facial hair. Angeal was one of the very rare exeptions to this. And after he asked Declan about the body hair-issue, he loughed, raised an arm and and pointed to his very smooth armpit. Ok. The armpits wouldn't have been so bad.
But did he really belong to the fifty percents of Soldiers who lost their pubic hair? Sighing, Cloud grabbed a sheet and dried himself. Everything had been normal until yesterday when he had his third Mako-shower (which he passed without sickness or any other kind of unwellness). Then, in the evening when he changed in his pajamas, he noticed the first hairs in his underwear.
And today,now, after his 20:00 shower, there was nothing left. When Cloud put on his underwear he frowned.
'Damn, if it wearen't for the muscles I gained in the last few weeks, I'd look again like a twelve year old.' He dressed in his Third Class uniform and left the showers - only to find Genesis waiting for him in the hall.
"Oh, cranky today, are we?" mocked the First Class Commander.
"Aaah, Gen!", snarled Cloud.
"Ha, you don't need to tell me," Genesis replied cheerfully,"You've had one of your Mako showers yesterday and now - they're falling out."
Cloud sighed. "Did Declan told you about this?", Genesis asked.
"Yeeess!, " Cloud sighed, " Was this really necessary? I mean... I could have belonged to the other fifty percent. Or not?"
The redhead laughed. "In a few months, when it's time for you to find a lover, you'll notice that there are lots of guys who love this , umh, hairstyle. I know men who even shave or wax their bodys." While saying the last part of the phrase, Genesis shuddered.
"Waxing?", wondered Cloud, "In Niebelheim we wax skis or the skids of a sledge. How, in the name of Gaia, can somebody wax his body ?"
"You smear hot fluid wax on your skin, put a piece of textile over it - and then rip it off. And with the wax, the hair are gone," the First Class smirked.
"Ouch! You can't be serious, Gen. How can someone do such a thing to himself?", Cloud exclaimed with a shocked look, which seemed to amuse Genesis even more.
"Oh, there are so many things you still have to learn, little one."
"Ok, ok. Are you just here to embarrass me ?" , the blond sighed.
"Hmmm, depends on how you look on it. You know that we, me and Sephiroth, Angeal and Zack are trying to help out Declan with your training and we discuss your progress on a regular base?" When Cloud nodded, Genesis continued: " So we decided that it would improve your fighting style definitely if you'd take some classes in classical ballet and Declan approved immediatly."
When Cloud looked as he had to face a dozen dragons at once, Genesis appeased him: "Sh sh. I had these classes too and found them very useful. And I managed to engage my old trainer, Madame Natasha, for your training. You'll meet her on tuesday evening at eighthundred in her small studio in sector five over the plate. I'll drive you there, especially as I'm going to have my own lesson at ninethirty, if this is any kind of comfort to you. Don't be annoyed. It's only for your own good! When you're watching me, you'll see how much your moves will go smoother and your balance will be enhanced."
"So you're still taking lessons?", Cloud queried.
"From time to time. I don't want to get rusty. And every morning I'm going through a series of exercises before I start my sword training."
"But, please tell me that I don't have to wear any ridiculous clothes with frills?" sighed Cloud.
"This, my dear, would be truly a sight to behold, " the redhead snickered, " But no, you'll wear your ususal training clothes. Exept the shoes. I will get some special ballet slippers for you until then."
'And I'll try to get some ballett slippers in baby blue for Cloud!', he thought, smirking inwardly.
Finding he had suffered enough embarassment for this day (although he really looked forward to watch one of the world's most powerful fighters... dancing!), Cloud decided to turn the tables and ask Genesis the question he had on his mind for weeks now. " Genesis...?"
"Hmmm? What is it, my dear?"
"Do you still think sometimes of that abused cadet you told me about on the evening after I've got my basic treatment? Snyder was his name, I guess..."
" Look, I have a lot on my mind. Believe it or not, but I'm a Commander, I'm in charge for the whole Second Class..."
"I know Gen. I just thought on the talk we had after you told me about Snyder. And what you said later, when we were in the living-room and Zack bantered you about having your own puppy. I think you'd make a good mentor. You are a good listener and you really give some good advice. So, why did you tell later that you were lacking the fatherly or brotherly attitude of Declan and Angeal ?"
"Look Cloud, there are personal reasons for that..."
Cloud looked in the face of the famous fighter und suddenly the scales fell from his eyes: " You...you were abused too, weren't you?"
"Listen, Cloud...," Genesis made a long pause. Until now, only Angeal and Seph knew about this. But maybe...It popped up in his mind that Cloud might actually be able to understand him. Angeal, raised by loving parents, had always been compassionate, Seph couldn't understand at all what happened, grewing up in a lab. And Zack didn't even really know the meaning of being despised by one's parents. But Cloud...
"Ok, Cloud, let's have a seat here!," Genesis said and pointed to the low banks at the side of the hall. "I'll tell you the truth about my parents. I wasn't abused, but they didn't really like me." He took a deep breath. "Usually my father ignored me. He just called me the lab-rat. THE lab-rat, referring to me as 'it'. After his opinion I wasn't his natural son because I was sired - or made, to use his own words - in a lab. True, they used parts of his seed and my mother's egg-cell, yes, but with the addition of foreign cells of a woman who died two thousand years ago. Of course my mother noticed the behaviour of my father, but she didn't mind when he called me these names as she's much too preoccupied with visiting beauty salons and partys to care for other things. But my father...,"
Genesis harrumphed, " Aristoteles Rhapsodos loves money more than anything else. ShinRa payed them heaps of Gil for raising me and maintaining that I was their adopted son to veil my true origin, but this seemingly wasn't enough for him. When I was ten, I invented for the science fair of my school a method for producing and preserving the juice of Banora white apples. The texture of them is different, so this isn't as easy as with normal apples. And I've got the first prize: a trophy, a certificate of victory and a cheque covering three-hundred Gils. I was so happy. Finally I could buy the the books I always wanted... My father smiled during the award ceremony. As soon as we left the school building, he snatched away the cheque. He told me that I could keep the pot and the worthless scrap of paper, but the money was his. And he demanded that I gave him all my papers concerning the project.
In two years's time my parents made a giant fortune with Banora Apple juice, but I've never seen a single Gil of it. I even had to pay for Rapier myself. It is true that my father bought it, but he let me sign a paper which confirmed that it was his property until I had repayed the full price for it. For five years time I had to spent 500 Gil per month.
Until now I keep the sixty account statements as a prove that I paid for my sword. But Angeals stepfather - he never demanded anything but gave everything to him. He literally worked himself to death to get the money together to buy the Buster Sword for his step-son. So, I don't know what a father should be like. Aside from Angeal and Sephiroth, I'd never had a real family. Angeal, and I think Declan too - their parents weren't rich, but they had a protected, happy childhood. They know much better than me what a father or brother should be like."
Suddenly he felt relieved. There. It was out. Genesis was slightly shocked when he felt two slim (but not longer thin) arms around him and he suddenly had to fight back tears. "Oh Gen, I can understand you so well. But you weren't just despised. This was abuse. Please believe me. I know everything about this."
A moment later and Genesis had regained control again. "This stays our secret. One word from you about it and I promise, I'll force you to wear a tutu during your ballet class."
"Okay Gen. Your secret is safe. I won't ever tell a word.", Cloud smiled hesitantly, "And I don't want to wear a tutu, whatever that is."
The red head grinned: "I bet you'd look cute in a little tulle skirt." "No way!," gasped Cloud and Genesis laughed. "Very well. Then I've got another secret for you:, " the First Class said, " I gave order to Kunsel to keep an eye on Snyder. And he's doing well. No bullies, he's keeping up with the curriculum quite well and he even found a friend."
After saying Goodbye to Cloud, Genesis hurried to his quarters, where, hopefully, Sephiroth and Lazard were already waiting for him. He needed sex now. The rough sort of sex.
XXXXX
When Cloud approached Declan's apartment, he revelled in pleasant anticipation of what was awaiting him. Akio spent more and more time at Declan's, and their little flat share had developed into something that came very close to a real family. Not that they were behaving like parents, but it was like growing up with two older brothers who would do anything to keep him well and safe. For the first time in his life he had a home he could look forward to return to. No longer a mother who deemed him as a burden. No longer lukewarm meals, hastily prepared. Declan was a good cook and Akio added some Wutaian cooking to the mix.
And the most important thing: no longer he was greeted with a frown and a short nod, but he was welcomed home with heartfelt hugs and questions which showed real interest.
Home. Cloud smiled. When Cloud entered the apartment, Declan got up from the couch where he was watching tv. "Hello there! And, how was your materia class? "
"It was ok, Nah, for a fact, it was quite funny...Keller nearly managed to fry instructor Thompson with a second level fire. But after that, in the shower..."
"What happened in the shower ? Tell me!" Declan looked alarmed in an instant.
"No, nothing of that...You know, I don't have problems with bullies anymore. It's just...," and then looked Cloud down at himself.
"Oh, that! Yeah, I noticed already what was happening when I did the laundry. Hey, believe me, it's not the end of the world!" , Declan smiled and gave Cloud a big hug.
"But I'm looking again like a kid.", Cloud complained, "And Genesis told me that I'm going to have lessons in classical ballet." Meanwhile Akio came out of the small kitchen and clapped Cloud on the back: " Like Declan said, it's not the end of the world!"
"You can talk!, " said Cloud and pointed to Akio's armpits, where a small but visible bush of hair grew. "Yes, but Declan is one of the other fifty percents too. Do you think, I love him any lesser because of that?", the tall Wutaian said and kissed Declan on the forehead. Cloud shook his head sheepishly.
Declan said, smirking: " And you're having sufficient pollutions, so there's absolutely no reason to worry." Now the young blond blushed deeply.
Maybe he should do his laundry by himself in the future. Both of the Firsts snickered. "Hey, it just means that you're a healthy young man and the loss of your body hair won't have any negative effects on you," Declan said," And about the ballet... I think, it was a great idea of Genesis."
When the Wutaian SOLDIER sniffed and decided it was high time to return to the kitchen and look after the spare-ribs in the oven, Cloud's mentor stated: " Ok, let's have a seat."
"You know, that some of the SOLDIERS, especially the Firsts, develop very original fighting styles?" When Cloud nodded, Declan continued: " Well Akio and me don't belong to them. Our sword-work is a mostly typical SOLDIER style. Angeal and Zack, though, are relying mostly on their speed and strength. And Sephiroth and Genesis are even much more stronger, but at the same time they're extremely mobile and elegant. They're using more often materia during their fights than other fighters. When they're fighting, it nearly looks like a deadly dance. So, for this style, learning classical dance has definitely some benefits."
"You think, I am developing a style like Genesis?"
'Or even Sephiroth?' Cloud's eyes grew big.
"No, right at the moment we're thinking that your style will be a combination of all of us. And that's why I think these lessons will be helpful to you."
'And if Sephroth is right and in a few months time you'll experience your first limit break, you won't need any lessons in standard swordfight anymore. Gaia knows of what use I'll be as your mentor then.' Just in this moment the doorbell rang and the young Third got up and answered the door - and just a second later he was glomped and practically smashed on the floor by a black-haired whirlwind.
"WOHOO! We've got a mission! Finally a real mission again!," Zack shouted while ruffling Cloud's hair. "Wha... what? How ? Where?", splattered the young blond who was currently trying to get up and get sorted his limps out.
"But for months now you're going under the plate for monster hunts. So what's happening?"
"Oh, come on chocobo-head! These were just pieces of cake! Now Angeal and me are going on a real mission. In Rocket-Town. And we'll face at least one real fucking Ice dragon!," Zack sighed happily, "They finally decided that I'm recovered enough for regular service again."
"That's so good to hear!," said Cloud, " An Ice-dragon! Back in Niebelheim, I saw once from afar a Fire-dragon. But never before an Ice-dragon."
"It's probably migrated from the Icicle region, maybe because of losing a fight for hunting grounds or a female dragon. Anyway, the beast was daring enough to attack Highwind's airship. Highwind's a tough guy, he managed to pepper the beast's behind with bullets, but of course he couldn't kill it."
"Hey, that're great news, Fair!", called Declan while helping Cloud up to his feets again, " When you'll be on your way?"
"Tomorrow at six-hundred. We'll even get one of the fast helicopters of the Turks. Which means we will arrive in no time at Rocket-Town."
"Will Reno be your pilot?" asked Declan.
"Unfortunately not. He's busy with another mission," Zack replied.
The rest of the evening the four young men spend happily munching on Akio's great Wutaian spare-ribs, as well enjoying the hot fried vegetables and the exellent rice.
XXXXXX
When Genesis arrived at Sephiroth's apartment, a completely different scene was waiting for him.
Like many strong alpha-males in high positions, Sephiroth preferred to be submissive when it came to sex, claiming that it kept his mind balanced.
Seph was on his hands and knees, ball-gagged, and Lazard was stroking the blindfolded silver warrior's cleft.
"Hey! You started without me! That's against the rules!", growled the red head.
" But no! We're just warming up." The director smiled and smacked Seph's buttocks slightly.
"Here, " he said and gave Genesis the bottle with lube, "He's still tight. I didn't anything until now."
When Gen massaged and stretched the General's orifice, he listend carefully to the muffled grunts which told him how much his lover was enjoying the treatment.
Genesis gasped. His cock was hard like a rock now and he couldn't wait any longer. After Sephiroth was prepared and the red head was pounding furiously into his lover, he suddenly heard a low chuckle from behim him, followed by the feeling of a cool, slick and hard thing pressed against his own hole.
So, that was the surprise Lazard had been talking about. Genesis grinned wildly. Lazard's infamous glas toy was really a dildo from hell. Minutes later is was in a frenzy. Pushing - and his cock was milked by the thight hole in front of him, pulling back and Lazard hit his sweet spot mercilessly with the glass toy.
Genesis practically howled with pleasure when Sephiroth came, clenching his ass with a power that could have easily damaged the member of an unenhanced lover. Some time later, after he gave Lazard a taste of his own medicine, all of them laid sated and content on Sephiroth's big bed.
Truly a night to remember.
XXXXXXX
The next day Lazard and Rufus were sitting in the passenger's section of a ShinRa chopper, facing each other awkwardly. The one who had carefully arranged this meeting, Reno, was in the pilot's seat, Rude sitting aside of him.
The official reasons why the director of SOLDIER and the VP were flying together to Junon were that Lazard had to inspect the SOLDIER garrison there and Rufus would have a meeting with the board of management of Dyna-Electronics as he was one of the most important shareholders.
Rufus shifted in his seat, trying to hide how nervous he was. For weeks he was wondering now if Deusericius knew that he knew...It was a question for which even the Turks couldn't find an answer.
One thing however was sure: his father didn't know that Lazard was his son. Tseng had found out the truth one year before, but he told only Rufus about it.A late revenge for Velt and his daughter.
The VP decided to take the initiative with one single word which would hit like a bombshell: "Brother?"
Lazard opened his half-closed eyes slowly, facing his half-brother without any visible sign of surprise.
Rufus smirked inwardly. He should have known better. Lazard was too much of an excellent tactician to let himself thrown off with one single statement.
"So you do know. Which means old man Shinra knows too."
Rufus shook his head: "He doesn't. Only the Turks and me. It was Tseng who found out who you're mother was. He initiated a comparision of your DNA with our father's and the result was positive."
"And he didn't tell your father about it. Why?"
"Let's say, Tseng began to have second thoughts when my father forced him to kill his mentor. After that, when he found out that Tseng faked Velt's execution, he tested the loyality of the Turks again and again - until no loyality was left anymore. Nowadays the turks are just tools for him, good enough to do the dirty jobs."
"And you?," Lazard leaned back into his seat and crossed his arms, "Why did he told you?"
"Since the early death of my mother, I was practically raised by Tseng and the other Turks. They were assigned as my bodyguards but they did much more for me than they had too. They're the closest thing to a family I've ever got. And now the second of the Turks is my spouse."
He looked to the front section of the chopper. Then he faced his half-brother again who cooly returned the look.
"Not really a secret. In fact, it's the talk of the city."
Damn, he needed Lazards trust, he needed him as an ally. Rufus decided to bet everything on the throw of a die.
"We're going to have a child."
Lazard's jaw fell.
That had hit home! The director recovered fast from his surprise although. "As far as I know Reno is a male. Or did you engage a surrogate mother?"
"A surrogate mother of course. But her egg-cell's genetic information was removed and replaced with Reno's."
Rufus recalled that fatefull day three weeks ago.
That sterile white room in the hospital. A table with hetero porn magazines laid out. The uncomfortable stretcher in the middle of the room, where Reno sat, looking nervous and forlorn. Him, holding his lover, kissing him and stroking his hair with one hand while he hold in the other hand the plastic-cup. It took his lover a long time but he shook his had when Rufus offered his assistance. After Reno had finally filled the cup, he looked even more anxious than before. Rufus stroke his cheek and said: "You know, there's still enough time to say 'No'." His lover shook his head: "I'm true to my word. But I guess...there are nicer ways to make a baby." "I'll make it better." he had smiled, "When we're at home." This night, they made love like insanes. Late on the next day, when he was informed that the transplantation of the genetic information was a success, he drove alone to the hospital and filled his own cup. A fortnight later, a week ago from now ,they got confirmation that the woman was pregnant with their child. She was immediatly brought to one of the safe houses of the Turks, 24/7 supervised by doctors and nurses.
"So, if I may say so...You both are expecting?", Lazard broke into Rufus's revery.
"As a matter of fact, yes." "And the woman?"
"A young girl from the slums. She plans to open a beach bar in Costa del Sol with her 80 000 Gil. She doesn't know what happened to her egg-cell. She believes that she carries a child for a well-off couple from the plate and of course she doesn't know that some of the people which take care of her are Turks."
"And if she doesn't want to give away the child when it's born?", Lazard queried.
Rufus sighed: "Part of the contract was a c-section under general anesthesia, followed by a cure and a restore. When she'll come to again, there won't be hardly any signs that she ever was pregnant and the baby will be already in our apartment, if nothing goes wrong."
"From your mouth to the goddess ear! At least, if I can trust your word, you're taking better care of that woman than your father did with my mother. But, if I may ask, why are you telling me this?" Lazard said.
"Well the first part, about the woman expecting, my father knows about. It was the condition under which he accepted my relationhip with Reno: I was obligated to "produce" an heir. But that the baby will be in fact the child of Reno and me - that's a secret only Reno, me, Tseng and now you know about."
"And how does it come that you're suddenly developing brotherly feelings?", the director queried suspiciously.
Rufus handed him over the research papers concerning the future of the continent. "Read this and you'll understand why we'll have to stop my father!"
"So, you need just an ally?"
"Please read before you pass a verdict! And there's another matter... "
"Which?", Lazard asked. "As I told you I was raised by the Turks. They taught me a lot of things: I'm a decent sniper, can do some hand-to-hand fighting - and hacking."
"And?"
"After I noticed that father's behaviour was changing, I've hacked the files of his personal doctor. And I've found something what proved my suspicions to be true. His doctor wrote in his notes that he thinks that Rudolf ShinRa might be suffering from the beginnings of dementia. But father refused to undergo further examinations."
Lazard nodded: " I noticed a slight change in his behaviour too. You didn't take part in the last board meeting, where he suddenly came up with cost savings ?"
After Rufus stated that Lazard did know now the reason of his abscence, the Director continued: "Aside from that I've got the impression that he just nodded of everything what Hojo, Heidegger and Scarlet said, he seemed to miss the plot a few times while he was talking. I never noticed this before. His speeches might have been boring before, but he always managed to get to the point."
Rufus nodded: " Indeed. And I noticed these changes too. Just do me a favour and look through the papers. They emphasize how serious the situation is."
While Lazard was reading, Rufus closed his eyes for a short nap. The last night had been exhausting. Reno woke up two times with bad nightmares and it took hours to calm him down again. Since the day they were informed that the surrogate mother was pregnant, Reno had become more and more oversensitive and he rarely smiled anymore. It seemed that the bad memories of his own past were affecting him seriously now that a baby was on the way.
When they arrived at Junon, Lazard gave the file back to Rufus and stated : "I see your point now. And I'll support you. But there's more to say about your father."
"Yes. And what ?"
"The cost savings. Do you think you could meet me at the military hospital of the regulars at four o' clock?" Rufus looked at his wrist-watch. Eleven thirty. The meeting with the electronic guys would begin at twelve and it would by no means last longer than three p.m.
"Sure. But why the military hospital of the regulars? You're Director of SOLDIER ?"
"I'd like you to have a talk with the doctors there. But you'll see, " said Lazard and went in direction of the SOLDIER garrison.
XXXXXX
Punctually at four' o clock they met again at the entrance of the hospital of the big regulars garrison which was stationed in Junon. "I hope you don't mind if Reno's accompanying us," said the VP.
"Not at all. Where's your colleague?" he asked , nodding courtly to Reno. "Visiting a friend in the harbour area. Any problems to await here?", replied the Turk.
"No. Not at all. We'll just have a talk with the leading medic officer here," shrugged Lazard and went forward. After they'd passed a couple of grey floors, they heard a low whimpering from one of the rooms.
"What's happening there?", Rufus asked a nurse who was hurrying down the floor. "Circumcision, " she muttered and disappeared into the next floor. "A circumcision?", wondered the VP.
Circumcisions were standard, even obligatory procedure for cadets and regulars as they had proved to be an effective measure to contain veneral diseases , but they were performed under local anesthesia.
When Rufus looked questioningly at Lazard, the Director began: "That's what I wanted to talk about..."
But at this moment the whimpering raised suddenly to a ear-piercing agonized screaming. All of them grew pale, even Reno who had more than a few times watched "interrrogations" performed by the Turks, even took part in some of them.
But, Gods, this was a kid! They stood there, shocked and mute. About fifteen minutes later a male nurse left the room, carrying a sobbing, shaking teen who was clad in a thin paper gown.
"The cost savings your father decided include that from now on regulars and cadets have to pay for pain killers and local anesthesia. And general anesthesia is only applied at bigger surgeries. So, if they can't pay, they have to suffer. Concerning the cadets, as soon as I told the news to the General, we, that is Sephiroth, the two Commanders and myself, decided to cover the costs for pain medications and local anesthesias with our own personal assets. But there isn't really anything we can do for the regulars. Heidegger is in charge of them and he doesn't really care about if they're in pain or not," Lazard explained.
"These aren't cost savings, this is barbarism!," Rufus growled, "Let's talk to the medic!"
While his lover and the Director were talking, Reno hurried over to the nurse, calling: "Wait!"
The orderly looked around, clearly in shock when he realized that it was a Turk who was approaching him and asked very respectfully: "Sir ?" He looked relieved when he watched as Reno was rolling up the left sleeve, showing his materia bracelet.
Reno looked down at the tearstreamed face of the boy who was clutching desperately his hands in his lap. He couldn't be older than maybe twelve or thirteen.
The Turk touched the arms of the boy and when the kid winced, he whispered "Hey hey. I just want to help you. Don't be afraid. Now, just take away your hands so that I can cast the cure."
When the young recruit did as demanded, cleary not really aware what was happening around him in his haze of pain, Reno slowly lifted the gown. He looked for a second at the bloodstained dressing which covered the severed penis and then he cast the cure.
The boy sighed with relief and his head lolled back, resting at the shoulder of the nurse. "Thank you very much, Sir!," the nurse muttered lowly, " I'll remove now the gauze and clean him up before the blood dries and the bandage sticks on the skin."
Reno nodded and the nurse carried the boy into one of the rooms.
'This could have been your child. This could have been your boy crying in agony. This could have been your child ...This could have been...' The thoughts circled mercylessly in his mind when he felt his stomach lurching. He reached the restroom just in time, clinging on the toilet bowl, changing between retching and sobbing.
' A quacksalver did this to him when he was eight. They didn't even let him the time to recover when the first customer came. His mother smiling and tucking away a bundle of Gil notes... And then there were only pain and blood and screams...' He only noticed that he was screaming when suddenly was a bunch of people around him. He heard Rufus voice, his arms embracing him. Then the pinching feeling of a needle in his arm before he faded into nothing.
XXXXXX
"He's traumatized, " stated Lazard while he was watching his halfbrother sitting at the side of the bed where the young sedated Turk was lying. When Rufus nodded, Lazard said: " Ever thought about councelling?"
"Until now, we managed to deal with it. But since the pregnancy was confirmed...," Rufus sighed.
"We have an exellent psychologist in the medical department of SOLDIER. A specialist for PTSD. He managed even the recovery of Fair and another young SOLDIER after the events with the Koibito last year. If you want me to, I could arrange an appointment."
"I'll have to talk with Reno first. Do you think that this specialist is reliable with keeping secrets too himself?"
"Absolutely. Dr. Martin is one of the most trustworthy persons I'ver ever known."
"Ok then. Like I said, I'll talk with Reno first. And I just hope the guys here in this hospital will keep their mouthes shut."
"You shouldn't worry about that. There's a nurse who promised to take care of this problem. Reno cured the little recruit and the nurse feels that he should do something."
"And the medic?", asked Rufus.
"He'll keep it under the carpet too. And he promised to mail you the statement of costs concerning the medications not later than tomorrow afternoon. All circumcisions and not life-saving surgeries are cancelled until then."
The VP said, still holding Reno's hand: " Very well. I'll ask the same of the leading medic of Midgar's regular military hospital. Next thing I'll do is to meet Tseng and give him order to find out where all this saved money goes to."
"My guess is that it will be added to Hojo's budget. But we can't know this for sure. You're right that the Turks should take care of that. But I'd like to suggest another measure. "
"And which would this be ?", asked Rufus, still holding his lover's hand.
"That Sephiroth, Rhapsodos and Hewley take part in this meeting too. You'll need allies - or not?"
When Rufus turned his head and looked at his halfbrother surprised, Lazard said: " Sephiroth was exploited by your father all his life. He was tortured in Hojo's lab as well. Rhapsodos and Hewley had a bit of protection from Hollander, but no-one of them would have any qualms to fight against our father because of what was done to Sephiroth and then of course - the recent changes your father induced. So, what do you think?"
"I agree," the VP shook his head : " I should have done something much more earlier."
The Director of SOLDIER tilted his head: " Maybe...yes. But I think, you did as much as you could do. You've had a lot on your mind lately." Rufus nodded. "Thank you...We should head back soon. I've called Rude. He isn't an expert pilot like Reno, but he should us bring back to Midgar safely. And I'll be the copilot. Would you mind to take care of Reno until we reach Midgar?"
"I'll keep him safe. Do you think he can return to his job after this?"
"I don't know," Rufus sighed, " I just wish, I'd waited a bit longer with the baby."
