Vagaries of Fate

Important Decision

A/N: This is the sequel to Life Finds a Way. I have been working on it for some time, but I got a little stuck. I recently found my inspiration again, so I thought I would go ahead and share. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading.

Chapter 1 

It had been a month since Jenova's destruction, and still, life had not managed to settle into any kind of pattern for the Soldiers. That didn't mean everything was terrible, but it was hectic. Once they all got back from Banora, they had to deal with a dozen small problems that had cropped up since they were all gone at once. None of it was significant, thankfully, but it did keep them all busy. Veld had been able to prevent anything significant from developing.

Once they returned, Sephiroth insisted that Clarissa take at least a week to recover fully. She had gone through several significant trials back to back and had not managed to shake off her fatigue with the way things happened. For the first time, she didn't object. She took the time to spend as much time as she could in the Sector 5 slums before she got so busy she wouldn't be able to go often. Either Zack or Cloud would usually accompany her. She was happy to find that the shy blonde was getting along well with Zack, too, as she knew it wouldn't be long until he would be joining their ranks, and he was doing well with the military training.

Aerith had been thankful to see her when she first went to visit, but she wasn't as worried as she had been the first time the planet called out to her. Clarissa was not surprised to find that the interference at the reactor had been Holy after all. She was only upset that Aerith had been worried. She was happy to find out that the ordeal had been a catalyst for Aerith to open up further to Zack. Every time she saw the two of them making googly eyes at each other, she had to repress a squeal of joy. It was nice to see something so innocently happy after everything they had to deal with recently. Not that it was terrible, but it had been hard. She was just thankful that Jenova was mostly gone for good. She tried not to let the thought that there was still more to tackle, worry her too much, at least not while she was supposed to be resting.

She ended up needing to take a week and a half to fully recover, mostly at Genesis' insistence, but she still didn't complain. Once she was back officially, Sephiroth finally asked that she let them know what her choice was. She had thought long and hard about it as it had not been an easy decision. All three of the Firsts were in Sephiroth's office when he called her in to give him her answer. She looked at all of them with a crooked smile. She couldn't believe they had all come so far together, but she wouldn't have changed it. She turned back to Sephiroth with a growing smile. "It wasn't an easy decision, and my answer may not be what you are looking for, but I have decided to take the position of First."

Angeal and Sephiroth both gave her a look of surprise. She held up a hand to let them know she wasn't finished. "I know the three of you can handle pretty much anything, but I wouldn't feel right leaving everything on your shoulders. I would like to request permission to be a consultant on whatever team gets built for the alternate energy, though. I can assist with that whenever I am here at headquarters."

Once she finished speaking, Sephiroth chuckled. "I shouldn't be surprised. You haven't yet not tried to handle everything." He paused and gave her a smile. "Congratulations, Soldier First Class Clarissa Williamson." He stood and shook her hand before Angeal moved to do the same. Genesis was the only one that didn't look happy about her decision, but he still gave her hand a squeeze before Sephiroth spoke up again. "As for the rest of your request, I think that would be a good idea, but expect to be spending more time at headquarters. Unless it is important, I will not be sending you on any away missions. Most of us will be staying here for now anyway, so make the most of it while you can."