Even Demons Can Be Saved

Regrets and Worries

The next time Eve woke, she had an aching head, and her mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. She couldn't remember having gotten drunk, but it sure felt like a hangover from hell. She sat up with a groan. When she did, she noticed that there were several people in the room that all sat up at her movement.

The first two people were standing next to each other, and right by her bed. At the sight of Sephiroth's worried look, everything came rushing back, and she laid back with another groan. It was Shelke that spoke up at the noise. "Evie, are you alright?"

Eve smiled over at the girl. It had been so long since anyone had called her that. She wasn't sure why she had shared that diminutive with the girl, but it was nice. She patted Shelke's hand. "Better now. How are you feeling?"

Shelke was giving her an awed look, but she still managed to smile. "You got me out. You got me away from... from that place."

Eve was still so tired, but she was happy to see the girl was already brighter than she had been when they were in captivity. She also noticed the girl was holding Sephiroth's hand. She raised a brow at the sight before she looked up and caught his eye, even though she was talking to Shelke. "I see you and Sephiroth seem to be getting along well."

The girl giggled and looked up at him before she smiled at Eve. "When I first woke up, I was really scared. I didn't know anyone or where I was or what happened, but he told me that you got us out. He said that if I calmed down I could come see you, but you were hurt and needed rest. He's brought me here every day."

Eve froze at that last part. "Every day?"

Sephiroth's eyes were stormy when he finally spoke. "You have been asleep for three days. You exhausted your reserves, and you lost a significant amount of blood. When we went to investigate, we found a trail all the way back to your cell. The doctors said you would be fine with rest."

Eve laid her head back and closed her eyes. No wonder she felt like shit. At the time, her only focus had been on getting them out. Her head had been too foggy to take in much else. She remembered being injured, but being injured was far more preferable than being in Hojo's clutches. At that thought, her eyes shot open and she gave Sephiroth a worried look. "What about-" She cut herself off as she didn't want to say the madman's name in front of Shelke, so she tried again. "How did you get me out of there? The last bit is still foggy."

She saw his jaw clench, but the worry was evident in his eyes. She felt her heart stutter at how upset he had probably been. She smiled when he knelt so he could face Shelke. "Would you mind giving us a few minutes to talk? Cissnei can take you to your room."

The girl smiled and nodded to him, but before she turned, she threw her arms around Eve in a tight hug. Eve patted her back as the girl's voice started to tremble. "Thank you."

When Shelke let her go, Eve grabbed her hand and gave her a smile. "You're welcome."

Shelke nearly grinned as she turned to Cissnei, who had been waiting by the door. Before they left, the Turk gave her a nod. "I'm glad you're feeling better. I'll let Tseng know."

Eve groaned as the duo left. Just the thought of having to deal with her boss gave her a headache. There was so much already going through her head. She was pulled from her torment when Sephiroth sat on the side of the bed. He tentatively took her hand, like she might break. It felt nice that he was so gentle, but the reason behind it had her pulling herself up and wrapping her arms around his neck. Her voice was barely over a whisper. "I don't remember everything, but I do remember that you were there for me when I needed you. Thank you."

He stiffened in her embrace and pushed back, although he was still gentle when he did it. "No, I was not. I let him take you. I knew he was not beyond being underhanded, and I left you alone. He had you for nearly a day before I even knew it. You got yourself out. I was only there at the end."