The silence was so deafening, that Kadaj wondered at first, whether or not Rufus had actually heard him. Rufus's icy glare seemed to confirm that he had indeed heard Kadaj's admission. But I told the truth, Kadaj reasoned, feeling slightly relieved. I hope…that Rufus can forgive me. He was beginning to panic again, however, and started to second guess how wise it was to confess - as Rufus still remained silent. And continued glaring angrily at Kadaj.
"Rufus," Kadaj said softly, touching his arm gently. The president shrugged it off, and glared at Kadaj. "Don't," he hissed. Rufus got up from the bed, and located Kadaj's clothes, which were folded and in a neat pile on the nearby settee. He grabbed the clothes, and practically threw them at Kadaj. "Get dressed," he ordered. "I am going to shower. Alone," he stressed. "After lunch today, we are meeting with my Turks. You will tell them everything you told me."
"Okay," Kadaj said softly, trying his damnedest not to cry as Rufus left the room. I deserve this, he told himself. I did lie, after all. Glancing at the clock, Kadaj suddenly noticed it was late afternoon. They'd lazed in bed most of the day – earlier, Rufus had even sent out for the maple-glazed donuts Kadaj had been craving; which Kadaj had unfortunately thrown up almost immediately, when the first bout of morning sickness had hit him. Things had been so… normal between us, Kadaj thought sadly. Until I opened my damned mouth. Slowly, he began to get dressed, dreading what was to come, but knowing he had no alternative but to face the music.
Kadaj felt the bile rising in his throat again, and groaned. This is getting old, this morning sickness, he thought bitterly. He finished dressing himself, and padded toward the bathroom off of the hallway. Mid-stride, Kadaj's vision went white and starry, and he became dizzy. Oh no, he thought helplessly, as he sank onto the tiled floor, and fainted. What's...happening to me?
"Help," Kadaj croaked weakly, to nobody in particular.
Rufus got into the shower in his master suite, and turned the water on full blast, to a scorchingly hot temperature. It was almost as if he was trying to wash away the past few days. Or, at the very least, the past few hours. I should have known something was up, he mused, as he lathered shampoo into his hair. I knew damned well Kadaj had some sort of connection to Jenova…and Sephiroth…even before he told me he was Sephiroth's clone. And I was fool enough to fall in love with him. Damn my luck.
No other choice, Rufus thought, as he formulated a plan, except to involve my Turks. They…will need to monitor Kadaj, until the baby is born. House arrest…that's what Kadaj will get, for deceiving me, he thought grimly. It vaguely occurred to Rufus, suddenly, that he too, had not been completely honest with Kadaj. He'd never told Kadaj that Jenova had been located; of course, the president had kept that information to himself, unsure of Kadaj's exact connection to Jenova at the time.
And it was a damned good thing I said nothing, Rufus thought, determinedly. He toweled himself off, shaved, and quickly dressed himself. Rufus entered the bedroom, expecting to see Kadaj on the bed, and frowned when he saw it was unoccupied. I hope he wasn't foolish enough to run off, Rufus thought. As angry as I am at Kadaj for lying...still, I must see that he's protected, while he's carrying my child.
Rufus rounded the corner, and stopped cold, when he saw the unnmoving form of Kadaj, laying in the doorway of the bathroom where he had collapsed. He rushed over to Kadaj, and, kneeling over him, tried to gently rouse him. "Oh gods, Kadaj," Rufus muttered, worriedly. "I hope you didn't do anything stupid to yourself...Kadaj, please. Wake up." Rufus quickly fished for his cell phone, and dialed Tseng's number. "Tseng," he said hoarsely. "Please get over here right away. Bring medics with you...and the Turks..."
"Rude and Reno are off the clock," Tseng replied, "but I will call them back in, sir, absolutely. What's wrong, are you ill?"
"Just...get over here," Tseng. "It's not me, something's wrong with Kadaj. There's quite a bit I need to tell you, Tseng, when you get here. Please hurry."
"On my way," Tseng replied briefly, as he hung up the phone. What on earth is that about? he wondered. Guess I'll find out soon enough.
"Elena," Tseng called over to the only other Turk still on duty, as she sat at her desk. "We're needed at Rufus's penthouse. Get a hold of Reno and Rude, please. I'll get a medical team ready."
Elena's eyes widened, as she reached for her phone, already dialing Rude's number. "What's wrong, Tseng? Is the president sick?"
"No," Tseng replied, as he dialed an emergency code. "Dispatch, I need a team sent to President ShinRa's penthouse, immediately," he barked into the phone. "Meet you there." Looking up at Elena, Tseng set his jaw and asked, "Did you get in touch with Reno and Rude?"
Elena nodded, as she got up from her chair. "Reno and Rude are in the area already, they'll meet us there."
"Good," Tseng replied, as he and Elena exited the office, and he locked the door behind him. "Let's go."
As soon as Rude got the call from Elena, he and Reno settled their tab, and headed over to Rufus's penthouse. "What's this about, yo?" Reno inquired, as he fell in step with Rude. His partner shrugged. "Elena didn't give too many details. Just that she and Tseng were heading there with a medical team, something's wrong with Kadaj."
"Huh," Reno muttered. He wondered exactly what was wrong with Kadaj, given the strange circumstances surrounding his pregnancy. "Rude?" Reno began. "You think...the baby...something's wrong with Kadaj's baby?"
"Who knows," Rude replied shortly. "Elena didn't say. That'd be my guess, though. He's the first guy I've known to get pregnant," Rude remarked dryly.
Reno shuddered briefly. "Dude. I would never want to be pregnant, yo," he remarked.
Rude chuckled. "I don't think you have to worry about that, Reno," he replied. "Plus, you would be a bigger pain in the ass than you already are, if you were pregnant."
The redhead raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "Rude, I'm hurt!" he exclaimed. "That cut me to the bone, yo. I'm not a pain in the ass!" Reno protested.
"Sure you're not, Reno," Rude replied, smirking. They'd reached the president's building, and entered the foyer, nodding briefly at the doorman, who waved them through.
"Well, this ought to be interesting," Reno muttered, as they got on the elevator, and he pushed the button for the penthouse floor. "Especially with what Strife told me earlier, about Kadaj." He wondered if he'd have time to debrief Tseng on these findings before telling the president.
Elena, Tseng, and the medics arrived just behind Reno and Rude, who were about to knock on the door, when it was suddenly opened by Rufus. He appeared pale and haggard, Tseng thought. Rufus opened the door wider, and ushered everyone in. "Thank you for responding so quickly," he said quietly, nodding at the Turks. "Medics...Kadaj is in here. He passed out in the bathroom, while I was in the shower. I don't know how long he's been out, but he will not wake up." Tseng and Reno were the only ones to hear the slight catch in Rufus's voice; they exchanged a glance, as Reno muttered, "Need to talk to you, boss, when we have a minute."
"Understood," Tseng replied, as he directed the medics down the hallway to where Kadaj was laying.
"I didn't want to move him," Rufus explained, as he knelt over Kadaj, and carefully repositioned a pillow underneath his head. "Given his...condition. Which I assume, my Turks are already aware of, given that my premises are constantly monitored by you all?" he inquired, glancing at Reno and Tseng.
"Yes sir," Reno replied quickly. "We are aware of this." Tseng added, "I filled in the medics while we were en route to you, sir."
Rufus stared tiredly at his Turks for a moment, and sighed. "Well, good," he replied. "I need to discuss other matters with all of you...let's do that while Kadaj is attended to, please." He ushered everyone down toward his office, and, after ushering everyone in, shut the double doors behind him.
"So," Rufus began, as he sat in the large leather chair behind his desk. "Obviously, you are all aware that Kadaj is pregnant. And obviously, this came as quite a surprise to me."
Reno nodded, and said, "Sir? I have some...possible intel regarding Kadaj. I haven't had time to brief Tseng on it, as yet, but Rude and I were just at Seventh Heaven, I was questioning Cloud Strife-"
"If it has to do with Kadaj's connection to Jenova," Rufus said, interrupting, "you can save your breath, Reno. He told me already. First of all...Kadaj is a failed clone of Sephiroth. So, he's most definitely connected with Jenova. However...I did want Kadaj to sit with you and tell you everything he does know. That was before he collapsed, though. When he is better, I plan on having the Turks question him."
"Secondly," Rufus continued, rubbing his eyes, "Kadaj was apparently well aware he could have children...prior to us sleeping together. Jenova's plan was to have me get Kadaj with child, and then...use that child in whatever insane scheme she's dreamed up now, to destroy the planet."
"What do you want us to do, sir?" Reno inquired quietly. "Should we...take care of Kadaj?"
Rufus glared at Reno; he knew damned well what the Turk was implying. "No!" he shouted angrily. "That is not an option. Not now, not ever. Am I understood?"
"Sorry, sir," Reno murmured apologetically. Damn, Reno thought. Rufus has got it bad for this Kadaj character. Chicks with dicks...
"What do you wish us to do, Rufus?" Tseng asked quietly.
Rufus chuckled bitterly. "Well," he said, standing up from his chair, and staring out the window for a moment. He then turned back to face the group of Turks, and addressed them. "Kadaj will be under house arrest - unofficially - until such time as this child is born. I want a nurse on duty 24/7, a doctor on call, and I want at least one Turk stationed here guarding him. Kadaj's brothers have implied threats against him, and I fear for the safety of my child."
"Understood, sir," Tseng agreed. "Reno, you take first watch, followed by myself, Elena, and Rude, we'll rotate."
"Got it," Reno replied, standing up. "Sir?" he began, addressing Rufus. "I'm going to begin by securing the perimeter, and all exits. I need to know if you gave Kadaj a keycard?"
"I did," Rufus admitted, sighing. "Obviously, that was a bad idea." So was falling in love with the lying little bitch.
"Then I'll re-key all the entry doors for you," Reno replied. "Rude, walk with me, we'll do our sweep now." Nodding, Rude silently followed Reno out the door.
"I guess that will be all for now. Thank you for responding so promptly," Rufus said, dismissing Elena and Tseng, who bowed slightly, as Rufus flew past them, heading toward Kadaj.
Rufus walked quickly down the hallway, headed toward the master suite. Entering the room, he saw Kadaj - appearing weak, yet conscious, sitting up in bed, a nest of pillows supporting him. The medics both looked up as Rufus entered. "So," Rufus began, as he sat on the edge of the bed next to Kadaj. "How is he?"
"Kadaj is doing fine, now," the assistant replied. "The fainting spell was likely due to dehydration, malnutrition, and stress."
"Malnutrition?" echoed Rufus. "But...we ate donuts earlier," he argued, realizing how ridiculous he sounded, once the words had left his mouth. "I mean...we ate that, and then...Kadaj got sick. But Kadaj ate something again after that, didn't you?" he asked Kadaj.
"I did," Kadaj replied, nodding. "But I got sick again after eating. I can't keep anything down," he said fretfully.
"And that's exactly the problem," the paramedic interjected. "These pills here," she said, handing the bottle to Kadaj, "will help with your nausea. Take them as directed on the instruction sheet. Mr. President? It's our understanding, that you want all medical care performed here?"
"That is correct," Rufus replied. "Unless there is something that requires hospitalization, of course."
"We do need to perform an ultrasound on the patient," the physician's assistant stated. "Given the rapid acceleration of this pregnancy. So, we'll come back tomorrow with the portable machine, to perform that test. Kadaj, all you need to do, is to eat more, get some rest, avoid any stress - and don't forget to take those pills," he finished, smiling kindly at Kadaj.
"I'll do that," Kadaj replied gratefully. "Thank you so much, you've been wonderful..."
"Yes, thank you both," Rufus said absently, waving as the medics left the room. "Please shut the door behind you? Thank you."
"Rufus, you came back," Kadaj said, smiling as he sat up a bit, reaching his hand out to touch Rufus's face. The president glared at Kadaj, and grabbed his wrist, forcing it down. "Save it," he hissed angrily. "Fucking liar."
"Please," Kadaj begged tearfully. Composing himself, he went on. "Look, Rufus. I know I lied, it was wrong. But I am telling you the truth now, when I tell you I am in love with you, and I have severed all ties with Jenova! Damn it, I will even take a lie detector test if you want!"
"And why should I believe you?" Rufus asked bitterly. "Anyway. Here is how things stand. You are to remain here until such time as the child is born. I will have a guard stationed here to watch over you; I feel it's necessary, since your brothers and Jenova pose a threat, while you are carrying my child. After the child is born, you may do what you will. I have no use for you after you've given birth to my heir."
Kadaj's eyes narrowed into slits, as rage filled his heart. How fucking dare he, the cocky bastard! "Rufus," he began quietly. "You...are unbelievable. This is my child too! What kind of a monster are you, holding me prisoner here against my will?"
"And what kind of a monster are you, you lying little bitch!" Rufus snarled. "You intentionally deceived me! How am I ever to trust you again?"
"You," Kadaj spat angrily, "are no better than Jenova. Just like she, all you want is the contents of my womb, like our baby is some sort of 'thing' to be traded or bartered with. Well, FUCK YOU!" Kadaj turned over and began weeping into his pillow.
Rufus sighed. Kadaj did have a point - but really, how was he supposed to ever trust Kadaj again? Besides, keeping him confined to the penthouse was only for his own safety, Rufus reasoned.
"Kadaj," Rufus said apologetically. "I...I am sorry. I guess I'm not helping you avoid stress, am I?"
"No, you're not," came a muffled cry from the pillow. Kadaj turned his head, and regarded Rufus, rubbing his tear-stained eyes. "And I do not wish to be held here against my will, until I give birth, just so you can kill me, after I deliver your precious heir to you."
Rufus gaped at Kadaj, incredulous. "How can you possibly think that, Kadaj? Kill you? Are you insane?"
"You yourself said it, Rufus," Kadaj replied, sounding surprised. "You said, after the child is born, that you have no use for me."
"I didn't mean I was going to kill you, for Gaia's sake!" Rufus snapped. "I would never consider that! I...gah! I can' t trust you, but damned if I don't still love you."
"I knew it," Kadaj murmured, weeping. "Rufus...I love you too." He pulled the president toward him, embracing him; Rufus stiffened, and quickly pushed Kadaj away.
"Not now, Kadaj," Rufus said quietly. "Yes. Even I will admit it now...the love between us, it's still there. But...the damage has already been done. I cannot get past your lie."
"Please," Kadaj pleaded. "I told you, I will take a lie detector test! Call your Turks, have them do it! Then you'll see...that my feelings for you, are not a lie. Look, Rufus...think about it. I could have never told you the truth; I could have continued on, letting us live a lie. But I did not. I did the braver thing, I told you the truth. I did it for us, and for our child...so that we could have a future together, with no secrets between us. Please...just think about that."
Rufus sighed. As much as he wanted to move on and forget, he didn't know if he could, or if he should, for that matter.
"And," Kadaj continued. "There is the matter of our child. Our child, Rufus. I do not intend to be cast aside after giving birth; this is my child as well as yours. We will raise our child together."
"Wouldn't that be ideal," Rufus said bitterly. "I just don't see how it will happen." Rufus glanced over at Kadaj, and suddenly did a double take. "Kadaj? Have you gotten even...bigger?" he asked, incredulous. Indeed, Kadaj's abdomen seemed slightly bigger than it had been earlier that day.
"Yes," Kadaj replied, yawning. "Gods, I'm fat. I think the baby is growing even faster than Jenova had said it would. I mean, I've only been pregnant for two days...and I'm already popping out."
"You are not fat, Kadaj. You're...beautiful," Rufus blurted. His face reddened slightly; Rufus suddenly felt self-conscious, and also realized his resolve to stay angry at Kadaj was slipping. Gaia, what is wrong with me? I cannot trust him...yet, I want to. I want to be able to trust him again...someday.
"Can we get something to eat?" Kadaj asked, almost timidly. "I'm so hungry..."
"Oh gods, I'm sorry, Kadaj!" Rufus exclaimed, reaching for the telephone. "I do need to keep you fed, don't I," he remarked, smiling. "I'll order some takeout for us. What would you like?"
"Everything!" Kadaj replied, giggling. "I want...crab rangoon, a pu pu platter, pork lo mein, chicken fried rice..."
"Okay, okay," Rufus interrupted, laughing in spite of himself. "Let me write this down, damn it, you're going too fast."
Kadaj huffed impatiently, but repeated his order, slower this time. "Got it," Rufus stated, and quickly called in their order. "That's done. It'll be here in twenty minutes, they said," he told Kadaj.
"Good," Kadaj replied, curling into Rufus's side. The president stiffened, and tried to push Kadaj away.
"No," he murmured. "Kadaj, please. I cannot do this..."
I must try to seduce Rufus again, Kadaj thought. Not to get him into bed, this time...but to win him back. I have nothing left to lose...
"That's what you said just a few days ago," Kadaj purred, moving on top of Rufus, straddling him, and quickly removing his necktie. "Didn't you tell me 'no, Kadaj, this is wrong, we shouldn't do this'...and then we did. By Gaia, we did."
"That was different," Rufus snapped. He felt his cock harden, and was annoyed that his body was betraying him in this fashion. "That was before you lied to me."
"Don't be like that," Kadaj murmured. He grinned at Rufus, and quickly pinned the president's hands over his head, tying them together with the necktie, and binding it to the bed.
"What the fuck are you doing, Kadaj!" Rufus stormed, struggling against his bonds.
"Don't worry, Rufus," Kadaj replied easily. "I'm not going anywhere. Trust me...you'll enjoy this...as much as you did the first time I sucked you off." Moving down Rufus's body, Kadaj quickly unbuttoned his pants, and slid them off.
"No," Rufus hissed through clenched teeth. "I...no, Kadaj. I told you...there is no 'us' anymore, please don't do this..."
"Oh, you want it, baby," Kadaj purred, completely ignoring Rufus's protests. "Don't deny it. Gods, it's pretty fucking obvious that you want it," he said teasingly. There was no denying the fact that Rufus was fully aroused, despite all his protesting.
Oh Gaia, Rufus thought, grimacing. Damn him, that little minx. He finally stopped struggling against the ties, as he resigned himself to his fate, as Kadaj's head descended toward Rufus's cock, gently licking the length of his shaft, and then he began softly sucking the head. Rufus groaned, and thrusted against Kadaj's mouth. "Mmm," Kadaj murmured. "See? I knew you'd give in. I'm quite good at this," he said cheekily, as you know. Kadaj took Rufus in his mouth again, flicking the head against the roof of his mouth, as he hummed. Rufus groaned, as he twisted and writhed on the bed.
Suddenly, the intercom buzzer sounded, indicating someone at the door. Oh shit, Rufus thought. The delivery!
"Oh, our food!" Kadaj crowed happily. "I'll get it!" He immediately removed himself from Rufus, and ran out of the bedroom, leaving the door ajar.
"Kadaj!" Rufus screamed. "Get back here and untie me!" He began pulling on the necktie, trying to loosen the knot. Suddenly, Rufus noticed a shock of red hair in his doorway. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse...
"Something wrong, yo?" Reno inquired, poking his head in the room. "Oh shit," he muttered, upon seeing Rufus tied to the bed, with his pants pulled down to his ankles. Reno tried - and failed - to hide a grin.
"It. Is. Not. Funny!" hissed Rufus.
"No, of course not, sir," Reno replied, biting his lip. "Want me to untie you?"
"Yes, you idiot!" Rufus snapped. Reno rushed over and untied the necktie from Rufus's hands, taking care not to stare at his exposed crotch. "Where's Kadaj!" the president barked. He sprang from the bed, forgetting that his pants were around his ankles, and tripped, doing a faceplant. Reno's face was practically purple, as he tried to keep himself from laughing.
"Oh shit, Kadaj...the door!" Reno murmured, dashing out of the room toward the front door. Pausing, he sniffed the air, and asked, "Do I smell Chinese food?"
"Fuck the Chinese food!" Rufus screamed, pulling up his pants as he ran down the hallway, following Reno.
"Um, sir?" Reno said, staring at the open front door. "I don't know how to tell you this, yo...but I think he's gone."
Uh-oh...where did Kadaj go? Dine and dash? :)
Next chapter: Finding Kadaj. I guess Reno had BETTER find him, or he may end up losing his job and working for Strife Delivery Service. :
0 comments:
Post a Comment