Disclaimer: I own not the Characters of Zack, Aerith, Genesis, Angeal or Sephiroth. I am merely an otaku who adores them. ^^

Chapter 1: Stolen Life


The weak beams of predawn were just beginning, and Zack Fair was like most of the world asleep with another warm body nestled up against him in his luxuriously warm and comfy bed. Of course he was programmed by years of SOLDIER to get up at dawn but he had a least one more glorious hour of sleep-

The force of jack hammer landed on his stomach, prompting him to jerk up and stare sleepily into a pair of green eyes shining, offset by black spikes.

Hewley, his three-year-old.

"DADDY!" Came the happy squeal. Zack immediately flumped down onto his pillow with a groan. Two little hands began attempting to shake him, calling out. He could feel the body next to him, stir.

"Our son is awake." Aerith whispered, unable to keep the grin off her face.

"Before sunrise he's your son." Zack grumbled. Not two seconds later he found himself unceremoniously shoved out of bed and in a heap on the floor. Aerith of course burst into laughter while their son glared down at his father.

"Hew-!"

"Promised!" came the not-just-a-bit reproachful answer. Zack blinked for a moment or two, then it clicked in his tired mind. Gaia... he'd forgotten promising that Hewley could see himself and Genesis off. He had only agreed because the adults were all leaving. Him and Genesis off to North Corel to deal with a monster problem, Aerith to see the completion of a garden commissioned to her while Sephiroth and Angeal went to the silver-haired general's house in Costa de Sol, as Hojo's latest experiments had left him in unusually bad shape and thus required a rest with someone to make sure he was taken care of.

"Okay, okay, I'm up you little slave-driver!" a fond rub of the black-spiked hair.

"Yeah!" Came the high-pitch cry as his mother leaned over and pulled him into a cuddle

"Only have yourself to blame you know. He gets it from you." Aerith informed her husband, offering the child a kiss to the cheek.

"Hah, you wish! Talk to my parents, Hew gets the early rising gene from you!" Zack returned, swinging his legs out so he was sitting on the edge of their bed, smothering a yawn in his hands.

"But he gets the 'hold onto any promise made and demand it be kept' gene from you, my love." Zack stuck his tongue out at Aerith, while Hewley decided to make a break for it, clamoring over his parents and unfortunately miss-stepping as he did so with Zack, resulting in a sudden jolt and cry of "D'OH!" from the man while ill-concealed laughter came from Aerith. When she finally was able to get herself under control all she could manage was, "Morning honey!"

Slowly Zack opened up his eyes, grinning. That had basically been his send off ten days ago. They'd planned to be back within a few days, however a blizzard held him and Genesis up. Luckily though they'd managed to make it back to the town just in time. Now, finally... finally he could come home and hug Sprout (as the little boy had been lovingly dubbed, because he was such a tiny thing when he was born), and kiss his Aerith.

Zack was about ready to explode out of the chopper when it was announced they were in Midgar air space, and he could tell by the way Genesis, though tired, immediately straightened and watched their descent out the window that the Scarlet General was eager as he to get home. Angeal and Seph wouldn't be back for another day or two. However, Hew would keep him buoyed by enjoying Loveless and, despite his name, being horribly, unapologetically blatant about which of the three generals/surrogate uncles was his favorite.

And Genesis would love every minute of it.

Finally, FINALLY the copter touched down on the ShinRa compound Launchpad. Genesis, albeit laughing, actually had to pull Zack back from just hopping out while the blades were still whirling. To their shock, Director Lazard is there to greet them, his expression grim.

"General Rhapsodos, Lieutenant-Colonel Fair I need to see you immediately in my office."

"Oh no, not another mission we just got back." moaned Zack, not caring that he was being insubordinate, and Genesis' expression echoed those sentiments. Lazard though, shook his head, booking no argument.

"Let's discuss this in private." There was nothing to be done. Without looking at each other they begrudgingly followed him into the director's office, his secretary firmly shutting the door behind them. The director signaled them to sit the plush chairs. "While you were trapped by the storm, there was an attack-"

"Are they okay? Angeal and General Sephiroth?" Zack asked, as Genesis tensed, worried for his lovers, but just then the two in questioned entered the office, obviously just off the helicopter themselves.

"As you can see, they're fine." Lazard said, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice while the two newcomers were given chairs by the Director's secretary who then promptly left them, "Generals, thank you for cutting you trip short in and on such short notice."

"Would you just get to the point Lazard we are all very tired." Genesis snapped, at the end of his rope now. A warning look was shot to the General.

"At fifteen-hundred hours yesterday," the Director began, his tone as always deep and soothing, "I received a phone call from Lieutenant Kovalovich arranging for an emergency medical transport. It seems GUARDIAN," naming a mysterious group of apparent rebels Aerith had brought to ShinRa's attention after they had approached her, "finally had the audacity to launch an attack involving 2 SOLDIERs and 2 civilians."

"Who was hurt?" General Sephiroth immediately demanded. His concern for the SOLDIER's under his charge was well known, though respectfully never mentioned.

"3rd class Walston and Debois were killed." Lazard stopped, and immediately the four froze. The two SOLDIER's assigned to Aerith and Hewley for something like this! But that could only mean...

"As that implies... the civilians in the attack were your wife and son, Lieutenant Fair." Zack blinked, feeling a fizzling sensation start in his stomach, not fully registering what was being said, "Aerith...? Hewley?"

"When she came back early, she decided to take a day trip with your son and their bodyguards. After the SOLDIER's were gunned down, your wife evidently tried to escape with the boy, but the group pursued and cornered her. There was a fight." Another pause as Lazard regarded Zack more, his voice becoming soft, "You should be proud, she fought hard and definitely inflicted damage.. but unfortunately she was out numbered and outgunned. And with child to protect..." He made a vague gesture.

"No... No... Where are they, I wanna to see my son!" Zack cried. The others all tensed, their faces paling and two of them with varying expressions of horror and shock. Aerith, by virtue of being Zack's wife and a lovely, kind soul in general, had made her a rather big part of their lives. Lazard stared at him in silence something deep and almost... no that wasn't... sympathy?

"When Kovalovich and his group found her, she was conscious, a miracle considering the wounds she'd taken, and told them that apparently it was never her GUARDIAN was after, it was your son." A deep sigh and Lazard actually looked mournful, "... I regret having to be the one to tell you this. Your wife lapsed out of consciousness en route, and finally succumbed to blood-loss shortly after arriving in our medical ward."

"Dead...." Zack whispered, eyes wide and now numb, even as Angeal leaned over and squeezed his shoulder.

"Please be assured all was done to save her, and all IS being done to locate your son and return him to you. That's why I called General Hewley and General Sephiroth back early, so they may assist. And of course General Rhapsodos and yourself when you're ready."

"No... It's not possible..." Zack whispered, his stomach churning with the effort not to throw up, while the Generals drew subtly drew closer to him. The silence was the deafening kind, as everyone tried to absorb what they were being told. Aerith... dead? True the group had approached her... and she'd told the Generals, face pale, the leader was extremely upset at her refusal to join or help them... but she'd been so kind. Even though the generals all knew they frightened her, she'd always welcomed them into her home with tea and sweet cakes, plus that warm smile. That someone would actually strike her down in cold blood...

Inconceivable. And snatching Hewley.... that was unspeakable. But at least they stood a CHANCE at finding him alive.

Lazard spoke his next works, not to be cruel, but to impress the reality of the situation on the SOLDIER.

"She's in the morgue."

"You put her.... ?" Now suddenly Zack felt himself grow enraged, slamming his hands on the desk, "You put her in the where!? In that cold, dark hellhole!? I want her out of there now!"

"Lieutenant Fair, calm yourself!" Director Lazard stood to his full height, warning the boy off of what could be extremely dangerous turf as Zack was pulled back by Angeal, "She was put there per protocol. She is dead, may the Lifestream take her back in all haste for her kindness, and there was nothing else we could do for her. The coroner would've performed an autopsy immediately for clues to help us find your son but I convinced her propriety and common decency demanded loved ones be notified first. You can refuse that, go claim her for burial as soon as you make the arrangements." A few second silence as Zack sat biting his lips and shaking. The thought of Aerith being cut up, it horrified him. But... at the same time, if it would help him find their son...

"An autopsy. If it will help find Hew, then... Do it." Now his voice jaw locked and he took on a forceful tone, "But I want it done carefully, I won't have her mutilated! And if Hojo or any one of his cronies comes near her body there will be hell to pay!" Lazard looked thoughtful for a moment, while the four sets of eyes stared at him before he picked up his phone and dialed.

"Adelita," He asked addressing his secretary, "has it been a year since the science department's last audit?" the voice was in indistinguishable to the four SOLDIER's, but Lazard nodded, "Year and half is it? Good, inform the good doctor that I will be in there within the next 48 hours, not only to see their account sheets but also the facilities to make sure the expenses are being used for what they claim. And then tell the coroner to go ahead with the autopsy of Aerith Fair." Lazard then hung up, "That should keep them plenty busy while the coroner does her work."

"Thanks," Zack couldn't keep the bitterness completely out of his voice, after a pause, "I... I want to see her. Before...." He trailed off, but he didn't really need to finish it.

"Of course, just go down to the morgue, one of the assistants will take you to her. I'll debrief the generals and they can fill you in on what's being done to recover your son. Though if I may... General Hewley, in light of recent events, would you escort Fair? I think it wise to make sure he has a little extra protection for the time being."

"Will do" Angeal didn't want to leave Zack alone anyway.

"Very well, Lieutenant Colonel Fair and General Hewley you are free to go. General Rhapsodos, General Sephiroth. I'd like to have a briefing of what we have so far. And, Lieutenant Fair, I put Kovalovich in charge thus far of the investigation. Though one of the Generals may assume authority now."

"I will." Genesis immediately spoke up, his eyes hard and determined. Lazard nodded.

"I'll have Lieutenant Kovalovich informed he's to report immediately to you." With that... Angeal and Zack rose, Zack trembling so badly Angeal actually had to put a hand to his back to steady him. Lazard then turned to the remaining Generals as the door shut.

"Generals... let's get started. There's a lot of ground to cover."

Chica's Chatter: Hey dears! Angsty? Yes! If you do not want teh angst... this will be nothing compared to next chapter!! Gomen!!!! But there will be several plot points established, and after that, the angst will be less and less!

A thousands thank yous to Vega Sailor for helping. ^^ Read her fabulous FF7 fics on her profile.

Reviews=LOVE. So please give love even if it's just a couple of lines! (you might just get some back ^^)