Sephiroth arrived in Nibelheim with his friend Jung the morning before the scheduled executions. Despite the circumstances he was under, the former SOLDIER commander exuded his usual calm air. The two men headed for the local inn, the same one Sephiroth had stayed at some years ago, before Cloud threw him into the Lifestream.
       After checking in, they were handed an envelope with a red and blue seal stamped with the Shinra logo and escorted up to their room. Jung started unpacking, then paused to study Sephiroth, who was staring out of one of the windows in idle thought.
       "They… they aren't really going to execute you, are they?"
       Sephiroth turned from the window to face Jung. "Tomorrow's events should prove to be interesting. Hopefully, Reeve can dig up Godo and Cloud as well." He sat in a nearby armchair and opened the sealed envelope. Inside was a card, printed on the finest Wutaiese rice paper. Sephiroth read:

At the personal request of President Reeve,
You and a guest are hereby invited to a dinner party
to take place in the Shinra Mansion Ballroom.
Celebrating Blue Shinra's collaboration with the Shinra Electric Power Company
in the Reconstruction of the Gold Saucer Amusement Complex.
Reception begins at 7PM, this Saturday evening.
Formal dress required.

       Sephiroth showed the invite to Jung, then asked if he would like to see the town. Jung refused, saying that he would rather rest up after the long journey, but acknowledged that he would accompany Sephiroth to the party later that evening. Just then, a knock came at their door. Jung answered it; it was the innkeeper, who had come up to inform Sephiroth that there was someone downstairs who wished to see him. Curious, Sephiroth followed the innkeeper to the front reception desk.
       Next to the reception desk stood Cloud Strife, with a hardened look on his face.
       "What happened to your pupils? They're round."
       Sephiroth averted his eyes. "Yes… the traits I inherited from my Mother, Jenova, are gone."
       Still staring, Cloud replied, "Oh."
       This… this was something that Sephiroth didn't want to confront, especially here, in the reconstruction of a town he once destroyed in a fit of madness. Cloud, on the other hand, wanted-- no, needed-- to deal with this. Trying to keep as calm as possible, Cloud took a deep breath and said, "Listen… we need to talk…"
       Sephiroth nodded; he had no choice. He and Cloud had to get this over and done with, once and for all. Without so much as an acknowledgement, Cloud walked out of the door. After a moment, Sephiroth went after him, and found him sitting on the ledge of the water tower that overlooked the town. Cloud glanced down at him, and then back up into the midmorning sky.
       After climbing up the tower, Sephiroth gazed down at the town below. He hadn't noticed it before, but this village really was a near-perfect replica of Nibelheim. Every shingle and fencepost was as it was before. Even the air of dark secrets long forgotten was still hanging heavy, enough to give one the impression that there were many hidden truths yet to be uncovered in this town. Sephiroth flinched on that last thought; the idea that there were still secrets, dark secrets, buried here was one that disturbed him. Did Cloud see things the same way? Standing on a ledge that was perpendicular to the one Cloud was sitting on, Sephiroth asked, "What are you thinking of?"
       Without turning his gaze from the sky that lay before Nibelheim, Cloud replied, "Tifa."
       Sephiroth recalled at once the young girl who had guided him through the mountains over five years ago, the girl that the young man had rescued during their confrontation in the reactor. "Cloud…"
       "If you've got something to say then say it."
       Sephiroth stopped. What could he say? "Cloud, did Tifa survive?"
       Cloud lowered his head. "I don't know…"
       "I see."
       All of a sudden, Cloud stood up. "Sephiroth, do you remember your mother?"
       "No… unfortunately, I remember yours-- vaguely."
       Sephiroth almost regretted saying that last bit, but Cloud took no notice. Cloud's gaze narrowed and he leapt from the ledge down to the ground. "Tifa… she did so much for me."
       Sephiroth was growing just a little impatient. "Strife, what is all of this about?"
       "Follow me."
       Sephiroth sighed heavily and climbed down from the tower.

       On gold Chocobos, Cloud and Sephiroth rode away from Nibelheim; all the while, the silver-haired warrior was wondering what was going on. At long last, they arrived at a waterfall tucked away in the mountains. By a small, yet very deep lake, the two men dismounted from their steeds. Cloud led the puzzled Sephiroth behind the waterfall, toward a cave illuminated by glowing blue and white crystals. When they came upon the cave, someone stood before them. It was a man in a dark suit.
       His black hair was cut short in the back, with long bangs covering half of his face in the front. In his right hand he held a rifle; his left arm was concealed by a long glove made from a mythrill-gold alloy. His eyes were red.
       "Vincent," Lucrecia called out, "please let them through."
       Vincent stepped to one side, regarding Cloud with a slight nod, and Sephiroth with only a small glance that was simultaneously suspicious and sympathetic. Cloud stared at Vincent for a moment, remembering what he had seen in the Shinra Mansion shortly after his return. So, the last one left to find is… Tifa…
       Standing by the largest of the glowing crystals was a brunette woman in an old lab coat. Sephiroth looked her over; she had a gaunt face, with narrow grey eyes. Without taking his gaze away from the woman, Sephiroth asked Cloud, "Is this why you brought me here?"
       Cloud nodded. "Yes. I don't have a mother anymore but you still do. I wasn't sure if she'd be here, if what you say is true, that the influence of Jenova is no longer with you."
       "Cloud, what do you mean?"
       "It was the Jenova cells in Lucrecia that kept her alive."
       "Lucrecia… is that then my Mother's true name?"
       Silent tears started streaming down the woman's face. "Yes, yes my son." She ran toward Sephiroth and flung her arms around him. From behind, Cloud felt a hand fall on his shoulder. It was Vincent.
       "Let's give them some time alone, shall we?"

*****

       Back in Nibelheim, preparations were underway for the great party that was to be held that very evening. The flags of Shinra and Blue Shinra were being hung side by side when Reeve entered the ballroom, making sure that everything would be ready in time. Rude was upstairs with the accountants, going over the payments that were to be made to the decorators, the caterers, and other outside help. Reno and Saber were in a room in the basement, fine-tuning the security system for the evening's events. Elena, however, was not working. Ignoring her duties for the day, she wandered out of the Mansion, to find someplace quiet where she could think.
       Having finished his work in the ballroom, Reeve headed for the front door. His next stop was the Nibelheim Inn, to check on the status of various room reservations that he had made. Reeve had recently received notice that BlueJay wouldn't be attending, and was wondering if he had to make any more cancellations. As he stepped out of the Mansion's front door, he was startled to see Elena sitting on the lawn.
       "Elena, are you all right?"
       Elena simply shook her head in silence, and continued picking at the grass.
       Reeve knew that Elena had been somewhat uncomfortable with the Huge Materia crisis ever since the crystals were stolen, but he also knew her well enough to know not to pry into her business without her permission. She was the type to not let things faze her, and he respected this. This new development, however, he could not ignore. He walked over to where she was sitting and knelt before her.
       "Elena… this… isn't about tomorrow, is it?"
       In a small voice, she whispered, "What are you going to do with him, when you get the Huge Materia back?"
       She looked up at that moment, and stared straight at Reeve. Her moist eyes showed only the slightest hint of redness. She can get through this, Reeve thought. She's had to witness Tseng's death once before. Which makes me wonder… how did Tseng return?… And why?
       His train of thought was interrupted by Elena's voice, which was a little more demanding this time. "What are you going to do with him?"
       As calmly as he could, Reeve replied, "I won't kill him, if that's what you're thinking. I give you my word on that."
       Elena paused in thought, then nodded.
       "Elena… you do… trust me, don't you?"
       "Yes… yes, I trust you."
       "Listen, if you ever need to talk about anything--"
       Elena interrupted, "It's all right, I just want to be left alone for awhile, that's all."
       Reeve smiled, a little sadly. "As you wish." For a moment, he continued to kneel there, looking at her tear-stained face. He had pushed away all contemptuous thoughts of, Is this really any way for a Turk to act?, and was instead feeling a deep sympathy toward Elena. He wished he could do more for her. There must have been something in the way he looked at her at that moment, for Elena lowered her eyes and clenched her teeth, as though she was holding something back.
       In the meantime, Reeve found himself focused on a single tear on Elena's left cheek that hadn't bothered to roll off or dry up. Transfixed by it, Reeve was slowly drawn closer to the drop. As he came near to it, he felt his breathing change, and a slight pang in his chest, as a sort of nervousness was set in. Much to his curiosity, he could sense a similar change in Elena, as composed as she was. Coming nearer still, he took Elena's quavering chin in his right hand, lowered his eyes, paused, closed his eyes, then lay his lips upon the tear, gently wishing it away. He was almost reluctant to pull back, for his lips were enticed by Elena's own, which were merely an inch or two away from where the tear had been, but he remembered where he was and what he had to do. Dropping his hand away from Elena's face, he slowly stood up, feeling very tense and secretly hoping that no one saw them.
       "Elena, I… have much to do before the sun sets. Again… if you need to talk to me about anything", then, softening his voice, "Anything at all…"
       Elena stood as well. She looked at him, biting her lower lip, a little startled by what had just transpired. "Yes… Reeve. I know. Thank you."
       Reeve gazed at her for a moment longer, then turned toward the gate. As he left the Mansion grounds, he thought, absentmindedly, if things would've gone differently if the teardrop was on her lips.

*****

       "We found out where that cave came from", Vincent explained, as he watched the water cascading down into the deep lake.
       He and Cloud were standing at the entrance to the cave, directly behind the waterfall. Back inside the cave, Lucrecia and Sephiroth were having a small reunion. Cloud was puzzled. "Err… 'came from'?"
       "Yes. You remember that city of glass below the Great Citadel in the Forgotten Capital?"
       "Yeah, what about it?"
       "It was built by the Cetra, correct? Well, so was this cave."
       Cloud nodded. It did make some sense, after all. "But, how do you know this for certain?"
       Vincent sat down on a nearby boulder and looked up at Cloud. "Before the Highwind crashed, when we were all bailing out, I fell into the ocean. I thought that death was surely upon me."
       "What happened?"
       "An undercurrent swept me along, for many miles, until I came to the bottom of this very lake. A small fissure was opened on the lake's bottom, and the green ghosts of the Lifestream were seeping out. They wound around me, and I awakened. Their glowing forms illuminated the darkness… and I saw the most incredible thing."
       "What?"
       "Rune-letters. Like those that were carved into the base of that projection device in the Forgotten Capital. There were also hieroglyphic pictures that I could not decipher. I also heard… voices. Not long afterwards, the Lifestream disappeared and I was left alone in the dark again, floating up to the surface of the lake. I came inside the cave, and, upon seeing similar runes, immediately realized that the crystals in the cave had also been fashioned by the Cetra. I also saw… Lucrecia. Her strength was failing, for Jenova had been completely destroyed, and therefore, so was a part of her."
       Vincent paused, expecting a question from Cloud, but got none. He continued. "She was going to die. I came before her, knowing that there must be some way I could help her, with the living monstrous cells I carry in my own body. And I've been here ever since… sharing my very existence with her."
       Cloud shook his head. "I don't quite understand…"
       Vincent smiled his usual forlorn smile. "It is as Aeris told me… we all depend on each other for our very existence. If you have ever known love, you will know this. It is what keeps us alive, and it is what preserves our humanity."
       "Aeris?" Cloud jumped at the very mention of her name. "When did Aeris tell you this?"
       Vincent looked at Cloud with his deep red eyes. "In a dream… while I was in the ocean. I believe she also told you something while you were in the Lifestream, after your personal battle with Sephiroth."
       "Yes… yes she did… and it gives me hope, and reason to live. I suppose, in a way, she is helping me to exist."
       "She still exists. You must never forget that. Cloud, one day, you will meet her there…"
       "What makes you so sure?"
       Vincent only smiled cryptically and stared down at his metal glove. "I can't tell you… not now, anyway…"
       Cloud nodded slowly and glanced inside the cave, where Lucrecia and Sephiroth were talking silently. Following his friend's eyes, the former Turk mused, "That place must have been very important to the Cetra… perhaps even sacred. If the latter is the case, I can certainly see why."

*****

       It was Saber who first noticed them, as they came back from Lucrecia and Vincent's cave, riding their Chocobos and engaged in idle conversation. The security guard was a little bit taken aback by the sight of these two legendary men-- once sworn enemies of the other-- riding side by side and chatting like old friends. Saber left his post near the Mansion's gates and came to the town's entrance to greet them. Sephiroth dismounted and said to Cloud, "I'll see you this evening then?"
       "Sure will. You bringing a guest?"
       "A former SOLDIER that has come with me from Mideel. No one overly special, I'm afraid. How about you?"
       Cloud cocked his head. "I'll introduce you to her tonight."
       Sephiroth raised a curious eyebrow and smirked. "Indeed. Well, tonight then." He turned his Chocobo over to a handler, then walked inside the inn.
       Cloud finally dismounted from his own Chocobo and looked at Saber, who was somewhat confused. Cloud, on the other hand, was at peace.
       Saber asked, "Umm… so where did you two go?"
       "Someplace where we could talk things over. I thought it would've been harder for me to deal with this-- I mean, after all that Sephiroth has done in the past. But I feel much… better now."

*****

       Later that night, the party was in full swing. As it turned out, more cancellations did have to be made, as Cid and Shera were apparently too busy to attend. Meanwhile, Cloud's guest was revealed to be Marlene Wallace, the adopted daughter of AVALANCHE member Barret. Cloud had originally asked Elmyra, Aeris' foster mother, to be his companion for the evening, but she backed down, on account of Sephiroth's presence at the party. It was from Elmyra that Marlene learned about the party, and when the little girl heard that Cloud needed a date, she begged Barret to let her go. She'd never been to a fancy dress party before and was eager to experience one for herself. Barret, knowing that he could trust Cloud with his daughter, gave his permission, and had her escorted to Nibelheim by Chocobo wagon.
       Cute little Marlene, dressed in a frilly frock that Elmyra had made herself, was the hit of the party. Because of this, she stuck close to Cloud for most of the evening, too shy to meet all of her admirers, including Sephiroth. The silver-haired man made a sweeping entrance, dressed elegantly in a long black vintage trench coat, and a black tuxedo with tails. His long hair was tied back with a small silk ribbon, save for two massive bangs which draped down over his narrow face. Upon hearing of his arrival, Reeve made haste to the front door and greeted the great warrior. The Blue Shinra President was not as awed as the rest of Sephiroth's onlookers were; for back at Shinra, he had to attend a few formal parties, and Sephiroth's arrivals were always a spectacle of elegance.
       In the ballroom, Sephiroth immediately went to Cloud's table to greet him… and to get a look at his mystery date. He was quite amused when Cloud introduced Marlene. The little girl curtsied politely, and Sephiroth bowed back. Blushing, Marlene ran back to Cloud's side. The young man scratched his head and laughed; "I'm afraid she's never been much of a 'people person'."
       Sephiroth nodded, then leaned in close. "Cloud, Reeve hasn't told you anything about tomorrow, has he?"
       "Not enough for me to figure out his exact plans, but enough for me to know we should be all right… I think…"
       "Hmm… probably how he wants it."
       "Probably. He's a very secretive person… when he chooses to be."
       Sephiroth nodded and left the table to mingle with the crowd.

       In one corner of the ballroom, Reeve sat in a window-seat and gazed out at the stars emerging above the Nibel Mountains. This is it, he thought. The last night before the execution… the last night before I capture him. I hope more than anything that I can pull this one off…
       Over the course of the evening, he made small talk with various guests and friends, while noting the overall tension in the air, which was so thick as to be almost palatable. No one, save for Saber, the three Turks, and a handful of "assistants", knew the full extent of Reeve's plans, and it was making everyone else very nervous. Sephiroth, Cloud, and Godo, hardened warriors that they were, were calm and at ease, fully confident in whatever Reeve had in store. Or at least they seemed so on the outside.
       Reeve's gaze traveled from the glass of champagne that dangled from between his fingers to those in the ballroom. As he watched over his guests, he spotted Reno and Saber walking toward him. Reeve emptied his glass, then stood up as the two men stopped in front of him. The three men walked out into the candle lit hallway.
       "Is the basement sealed?"
       "Yes sir. Nothing or nobody is getting in or out of there until we say so."
       "Good. Feel free to enjoy yourselves, but keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
       "Yes sir."
       The meeting ended, and they walked back into the ballroom. Reeve started for Cloud and Marlene's table, but was surprised to discover that they weren't there. Scanning the ballroom, Reeve spotted Cloud at the opposite end, brushing his coattails behind him as he seated himself at the piano. Sitting beside him on the bench was Marlene, swinging her short legs back and forth.
       "Now let's see if those broken keys got fixed… 'Behind the Ivory's short of tea and ray'…"
       Cloud lightly struck middle D and then middle B. Both keys rang out their respective notes perfectly.
       "Huh! They're working! And in tune too. But then again, I should've known Reeve wouldn't leave a broken, out of tune piano sitting around."
       Cloud lightly brushed his fingers against the other keys, then paused to scratch his head. "Now, how did this go?… Ah! I remember!"
       Cloud's long, calloused fingers, toughened from so much swordfighting, easily coaxed a soft and gentle tune out of the instrument. As he did so, a hush fell over the room. Many conversations stopped so Cloud's music could travel freely through the air. Then, Sephiroth, who was at the bar, asked the Shinra emissary he had been talking to if she wished to dance. Many followed Sephiroth's lead, and soon, the ballroom floor was filled with waltzing couples.
       Reeve started to make for his spot by the window, when he saw that Lord Godo and President Shinra were there, talking about various political matters. When they saw him approach, Reeve politely nodded his head and changed course; not to pass up a rare opportunity, but he was not in the mood to talk business. It was in his change of direction that he came before Elena, seated on a couch with Yuffie, who was looking unusually regal in her ornate kimono. Elena herself was in a wine-red evening gown. The two women weren't talking to each other much, just people watching. Yuffie in particular had this ridiculously dreamy look on her face. Reeve leaned in to Elena.
       "Is Yuffie moved by the music?"
       "I'd say she was more moved by the alcohol. Her father allowed her to drink a little tonight."
       Reeve furrowed his brows in concern. "I hope she'll be all right for tomorrow."
       "I'd say so. From what I've seen of her on my last vacation to Wutai, she seems like the type who--"
       Their conversation was interrupted by the applause coming from the ballroom floor. Cloud's first number was over. Reeve and Elena both turned their heads toward the piano, where Cloud was being barraged by a number of requests from his audience. Cloud held his hands out and said, "Okay, okay. I have an idea. How about something a little more upbeat?" Cloud turned back to the keyboard and soon, fast-paced notes started to ripple out. It was a flamenco number.
       A spark lit in Reeve's eye. He knew this tune-- it was an old favorite of his. Turning back to face Elena, he held out his hand in invitation. "Would you like to dance?"
       Elena stammered, "I'm afraid I'm not very good…"
       "Come on Elena, that's no excuse. Besides you have to have fun sometime. Can't let things get you down."
       "But I--"
       Reeve said nothing; a smile was his sole response.
       "Oh, all right." She placed her hand in his and they danced out onto the ballroom floor.

*****

       Marlene was slowly drifting off to sleep. As she leaned her head against Cloud, the young man decided that the time was right for a slower number, something like a lullaby, to help the little girl into pleasant dreams. Pausing for a moment after finishing his last piece, he wondered what he should play. Then he remembered a tune that Tifa liked: "Tenderness in the Air". Putting an arm around Marlene, he drew her closer to him, so that she'd be comfortable, then set his hands over the keys and let his fingers slowly dance across them.
       By this time, Reeve and Elena were no longer in the ballroom. They were upstairs, in front of the doors to the recently renovated balcony. The workmen had just completed the finishing touches that afternoon, and after the dance, Reeve invited Elena up to go see it. As they stepped out onto the balcony, they heard the opening strains of Cloud's tune coming from the ballroom below. Elena murmured, "I don't think I've heard this one before… it's quite lovely."
       Reeve went to the railing and leaned his elbows on it. "Elena, are you sure you'll be all right?"
       Elena lowered her head, and went to join Reeve by the railing. "I… don't know for certain… Again, I want to thank you for what you did today." Hurriedly, she added, "I mean-- talking to me. I really needed to talk about it. It was a great load off of my mind."
       "Yes. I know that your feelings for Tseng are--"
       Elena interrupted. "You mean 'were'."
       At that moment, Reeve felt something jump from his chest and up his throat, trying to escape. Elena didn't seem to notice, and continued.
       "I mean, I did have feelings for him, but they weren't very deep. I'm fairly certain that it was just a crush, and nothing more. But still--"
       "Still?"
       "Still… why did things have to end up this way?"
       Reeve took a step closer to Elena, and looked into her eyes. What unbelievable eyes… he thought. Brown pools of radiance… At first, Elena tried to look away, but found she could not break her gaze from Reeve's own deep, dark eyes. She felt the tears start to flow again, softly, soundlessly. Yet this time, she wasn't sure why she was crying.
       "Oh, Elena, don't do that…"
       Reeve lifted his hand to Elena's face and gently wiped away a couple of tears.
       "Reeve…"
       "Mmm?"
       "About what… happened this morning… why didn't you… go any further?…"
       "I would've needed an excuse… there were no more tears left on your face."
       A slight laugh escaped Elena's lips as a few more tears rolled down her cheek, which Reeve brushed away with a small caress of his thumb.
       "Elena…"
       Their faces came closer together; their eyelids started to droop.
       "Yes, Reeve?"
       They could feel the other's breath on their chin.
       "I don't need some lame excuse now… do I?"
       Their eyes closed. They felt the other's pulse quickening.
       "No…"
       With the hand that was already upon Elena's cheek, he led her face toward his, so that her lips would meet his own. Slowly, gently, Reeve deepened the kiss, wanting to get as close to Elena as was possible, standing here on the balcony. He moved his other hand to her waist, and Elena responded by circling her own arms around him. They were there for what seemed like an eternity, and broke their bond when the final strains of Cloud's melody had disappeared into the night air. Elena lowered her head and pressed herself against Reeve, holding on to him as tightly as she could. Reeve continued to hold onto Elena's waist with one hand, while caressing her golden hair with the other one.
       Without warning, this blissful moment was interrupted by a ringing sound. Reeve's PHS.
       Reeve and Elena separated; she sat on a nearby bench and gazed out into the stars, while he answered the phone. As soon as the call was done, Reeve, back in Presidential mode, turned to Elena.
       "That was Reno. The party is winding down, and I must go and see the departing guests off." He paused, and his voice softened again. "I'm… terribly sorry about that interruption."
       "That's all right… the call was concerning your job as host. I understand."
       "Well, it's getting late anyway. You should get some rest… we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
       "Yes sir."
       Reeve looked at her, a little sad, a little bewildered. Elena replied, "Sorry, force of habit. Besides, you are my boss, aren't you?"
       "In business and politics alone. In other areas of life, I'd like us to be equals."
       A slight smile crossed Elena's face. "I'd… like that… Reeve…"
       Reeve returned the smile. He took Elena's hand in his own and gently kissed the back of it. Then, with another brief glance into her eyes, he left the starlit balcony and headed downstairs, in order to bid his guests goodnight.

---

Completed July 2002 | Copyright 2002, The Blue Shinra Project.

Save for some stuff incorporated from posts by Seph9611 and Saber, this chapter is almost entirely original, as I felt I needed a stronger introduction for the whole Reeve/Elena thang. It's also a bit of a (don't make me say it) songfic (ick! ptooey!) referencing tracks from the FFV and FFIX Piano Collections (see the playlist for more details). Finally, this chapter is dedicated to Cyrus Dogstar; if it weren't for him, I wouldn't know that such love really exists; I wish him a very Happy Birthday, and all the best.

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