Completed: 01/20/2003 Last modified: 03/02/2003 C&C always appreciated! ^_^ SUMMARY: President Shinra resolves a minor domestic crisis. Title: Conflicts of Interest: A Minor Inconvenience Author: Madamhydra Email: madamhydra@aol.com Status: WIP (work-in-progress) Archive: www.madamhydra.net, fanfiction.net Type: Continuation - Alternate Reality Rating: PG-13 ********* ********* ******** WARNINGS ******** ********* ********* Spoilers for future parts of COI ********* ********* ******** ******** ******** ********* ********* Disclaimer: (Full Disclaimers at the end) Final Fantasy VII is the copyright and property of its creators and legally associated parties. Used without permission. Not for profit. ====================================================================== CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: A Minor Inconvenience A Final Fantasy VII sidestory by Madamhydra ====================================================================== [ 22 years ago.... ] "Get rid of her. I don't care how. Just do it." The beautiful blond woman folded her arms and stared grimly at her husband. "Darling, there's no need for you to...," the burly man began in soothing tones. She interrupted coldly, "I'm tired of her childish tantrums. She goes. Now." "Naturally, my dear, but please allow me to handle this my way." ------------------------------------------------- "But... but I don't want to go! I don't want to leave you!" Tears started to pour down the young, blond-haired woman's face. "My dear Bliss, I'm afraid that in light of your present condition, you simply cannot keep your present job, nor can you remain in Midgar." President Shinra watched his weeping ex-mistress -- and soon to be ex-secretary -- with a slight frown. Clutching a damp handkerchief, she said, "But... but afterward... can I come back?" "Perhaps, but not immediately. Surely, you must understand the awkwardness of the situation." "Yes, but...." "Strive for some patience, Bliss." "Patience! But you're not the one who has to sit around for eight more months, getting fatter and uglier by the day!" He gave her a cool, hard stare. "I gave you another option, but you were the one who insisted on going through with this pregnancy." "I know, but...." She hesitated, bit her lip, then whispered, "So... if I get rid of it, will you let me stay?" She stared up at him, her blue eyes full of desperate hope. "I mean, no more baby, no more problem, right?" He got up and began to stroll around the room, hands clasped behind his back. "I wish that the solution was so easy. In fact, it would've been that easy if you'd been more discrete. Unfortunately, you chose to confront your sister directly. Well, at least you didn't do it in public." She twisted and wrung her handkerchief. "It's just that I.... Oh, why can't you understand!? Felicity always acts so damn smug and superior. For once -- just once! -- I wanted to show her that I was the better woman!" "So you practically threw your pregnancy in her face. And then to make matters even worse, you boasted that I was going to divorce her and marry you," he said sternly. She flinched, then blurted, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry, okay? I just got a little carried away! I wasn't thinking straight! I was so happy and I thought that you would be, too! I thought... I thought you loved me!" "I never made you any promises of that sort, Bliss. On the contrary, YOU were the one who made promises to ME about no complications. Or have you conveniently forgotten that conversation?" With a sob, she cried, "I know, I know, but I did it because I loved you! I *knew* I could do what Felicity couldn't -- give you a son! Your heir! And it would've worked, except she had to go and ruin everything by finally getting pregnant herself!" She choked out a forced laugh. "Hah! I bet it isn't even yours!" "Oh, it's mine, just like I know the child you're carrying is mine as well. DNA paternity tests are a wonderful thing, aren't they?" Shinra gave her a cold, thin-lipped smile. "I don't leave things like this up to chance and your sister knows it. Felicity is no fool." She flushed deeply, sensing the implied criticism, and looked away. He sighed. "Well, let's put all that aside and deal with the situation at hand." In a sullen voice, she muttered, "So you're punishing me by sending me away." "It's not a matter of punishment at all. I'm just trying to do what's best for everyone. Now that Felicity's finally pregnant again... well, the doctors say that any additional emotional stress or upset could trigger on another miscarriage." Bliss stamped her high-heeled shoes against the floor like an angry child. "Felicity, Felicity! It's always about Felicity! What about ME!? Why doesn't anyone care about ME!?" "I am thinking about you. Really, it's clear this city life is too much for someone of your sensitive nature. What you need is some peace and quiet." "What I need is YOU!" she shouted, lunging at him and clutching at his suit lapels. "That's all I ever wanted!" He firmly pried her fingers loose and held her away. "Well, you can't have me, and it's all your own fault." He dropped her into a chair and said, "You'll be leaving tomorrow, so you'd better start packing. I'll make all the necessary arrangements. You'll be taken care of, whether you choose to keep the baby or not." In a brief flash of spirit, she hissed, "How could you think...!? It's YOUR son!" "So it is. And what of it?" Shinra's flat, dispassionate tone made Bliss wilt. She tried again, saying, "And what if Felicity miscarries again? What if she CAN'T give you any children? What then? This baby of mine could be the only heir you'll ever have!" He stared back at her and said with casual cruelty, "You and your sister aren't the only fish in the ocean. A powerful man always has options." She lifted her tear-streaked face and gaped at him. "You... you wouldn't!" "Wouldn't I?" He loomed over her and said, "Listen to me carefully, Bliss. I'm not going to tolerate any more trouble from you. If you cooperate and behave yourself, you can have a nice, comfortable life. If you don't, there are other ways of handling this situation. Now, have I made myself *perfectly* clear?" She gulped and nodded quickly. "Good. Now wipe your face and go pack." After a few moments, Bliss rose to her feet and stumbled out his office. She faltered when she saw the three Turks waiting for her from the reception area, but two of the dark-suited men grasped her by the elbows and briskly escorted her to the elevators. The remaining Turk waited until Bliss was out of sight, then turned to his employer. "What should we do with her, sir?" "Hmmm.... Where to put her?" Shinra tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Costa del Sol? No, that won't work. Felicity likes to take her vacations there. Can't have the two of them running into each other." He wandered over to the large map that nearly covered one wall of the reception area and studied it. After a few minutes, he chuckled and said, "That'll work. A small company town located in the mountains of the Western continent. Quiet, picturesque, and nicely isolated. It'll do." "And the name of the town, sir?" "Nibelheim." ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------- Keeper of Duo's Dark Side ~~~ Duo no Seishi Saitoh no Koibito ~~~ Corruptor Extraordinaire ------------------------------------------------- madamhydra@aol.com /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/:E http://www.madamhydra.net/ ------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The Full Disclaimer: All names, likenesses, and rights of Final Fantasy VII and its characters are trademarks, copyright, and property of Square Co., Ltd. and legally associated parties. The characters and associated materials of these works are used WITHOUT permission for the purpose of entertainment only. The author of this work claims no ownership, part or whole, of the original plot and characters. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit. All original portions of this work is considered to be the sole property and copyrighted to the author Madamhydra. No part of this work is to be reproduced, altered, or adapted in any way without the author's express permission. ======================================================================