Chapter One
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It had been a hard day at the academy and Aeris Gainsbough was exhausted from all the training she had done. Tomorrow she would get her badge and partner. Aeris let lose the band that was holding her neatly even chestnut colored hair, she sighed in contentment as she laid back onto her bed and put her hands behind her head. Life was extremely boring even though she was the fiancée of Zack Highlander. Yet she still didn't feel that special something about him she thought hard of ways that made her attracted to him, maybe his eyes or the way he spoke to people in a deep hypnotic way, no not Zack he was too plain. The sun was on the horizon and the sky was filled with beautiful pinks, oranges and reds.
"Wow the sun looks beautiful." Aeris said to herself quietly
The phone on the side of her began to ring, at first Aeris was hesitant in picking up the phone but she did anyway.
"Hello?" Aeris answered
"Hey Aeris how are things?"
"Oh… it's you Zack? I'm fine." What's up?"
"Nothing, much but I'm not going to able to make it for our date tonight…I'm sorry."
"Oh Zack,…well if you have work I won't hold it against you." I'll see you later then."
"I'm glad you're not taking this the wrong way. I'll try my best to get to your place before work is over."
"Yeah ok well see you later then" Aeris placed the phone near her chest as a tear crossed her face. She then set the phone down on the base.
Aeris then rolled over on her side and sniffled to herself, she didn't want to be all alone, that was something she didn't like. She curled herself until her knees touched her face. She thought blank thoughts and the flower print on her bed begin to blur as fresh new tears filled her eyes and fell down to her mouth were she tasted the salty tears. She unfortunately wasn't worried about that she hated crying to herself especially because no one was there to comfort her in her time of need. The desire to love and to be loved was all Aeris wanted but not tonight she wouldn't experience these feelings tonight.
Zack was a good man but he wasn't what Aeris needed she needed a man who was outgoing, funny, smart and of course good looking, but being engaged closed a lot of doors and she just couldn't dump Zack right on the spot. She felt lost as the moonlight shined onto her tear-filled
face, and with an emotional filled evening she fell into a fitful slumber.
The next morning Aeris awakened by the bright morning sun. She dragged herself out of bed and began to run water in the shower and discarded her clothing and stepped in. She stood there while the warm droplet's of water fell onto her face and the rest of her body. She began washing herself off with soap and a washcloth. After her shower she went into her room and began dressing up into her work clothes, today was the day she would get promoted from basic training to Cadet and she would get her badge and her partner in training. Aeris hoped that her partner wouldn't be to mean or vise versa. After applying make-up to face she grabbed her bag and left her condominium.
Upon arriving to headquarters people passed Aeris and waved and greeted her with cheerful smiles. Aeris then stopped by Zack's office.
"Oh Aeris hi just finishing up some work from yesterday take a seat and I'll be right with you."
"You sound like a computer…so accurate." Aeris said rolling her eyes."
"Really, maybe I should stop sounding so serious."
"You don't have to, I mean you are the Commissioner after all."
"You're funny."
"Why thank you." What are filling out anyway?"
"Oh some new guy just came these are his records so he'll be getting promoted to Cadet as well."
"(Hmm) let me see."
Aeris began reading to herself…
Cloud Strife
Age: 23
Height: 6"2
Weight: 185
Blood Type: "AB
Occupations: Mercenary, MPD
Marriage Status: Single
We here send you Cloud Strife he's a great guy and I hope you guys over at Cadet can accept this fine cop indeed. Mr. Strife should be arriving at 8:00 AM sharp. Please take care of this guy.
Sincerely,
Meridian Police Department
"He sounds good" Aeris said to Zack
"You're right, I guess we've got are selves a new Cadet."
"He should be here any moment." Aeris said looking at her watch."
"He probably won't be on time." Zack said folding his arms.
"Sorry to bust your bubble commissioner." a voice lingered in the doorway
"Ahh, so you must be Cloud." Zack said standing out of his chair.
"This is my fiancée Aeris."
"Nice to meet you Aeris". Cloud said shaking her hand
"Well why don't I show you the rest of the station." Zack said leading Cloud out of the office.
Aeris remained breathless, Cloud was handsome his eyes were an azure blue with a beautiful shine to them and his hair was long and blonde, that were in cute spikes.
"He's …beautiful. Aeris whispered to herself.
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After leaving Zack's office Aeris couldn't stop thinking about Cloud, but she had to realize that she was engaged to Zack and she just couldn't run off with the next good looking guy.
"Hey! Aeris Zack wants to see you in his office", (mmm hmm…).
"What's that supposed to mean Yuffie?" Aeris said scratching her head.
"Oh you know, don't play dumb…get 'em slugger." Yuffie said chuckling to herself .
"Y-yeah whatever." Aeris said blushing slightly.
Aeris entered Zack's office quite flustered maybe Yuffie was right, Aeris had never really been intimate with Zack before, she stood still.
"What's wrong Zack?" Aeris said with her arms behind her back.
"I should ask you the same question…you're all red." Zack said flipping through some office papers.
A little hurt Aeris gained her composure.
"UH, anyway I've got your partner and badge. Zack said with fingers linked
"Well don't leave me in suspense who's my partner"?
Ah, Cloud Strife.
Hmm, him, why the new guy? Aeris questioned him
"He's pretty experienced he can keep a close eye on you.
"Oh Zack you can never let me be independent…
You're my wife-to-be I can't let anything happen to you…
Aeris gave him a sincere look.
"Well I've got a lot of work, why don't you go find Cloud and get aquatinted. Zack suggested
"Oh, ok um, where is he?
"I think he's at the bar Um…Amy's. Zack said while writing office papers.
As Aeris walked towards the door she pulled it open and Yuffie came crashing in.
"What are doing Yuffie? Aeris asked with a smile
W-Well I-I was looking…for um my glasses. Yuffie said frantically
"Yuffie you don't were glasses.
"Did I say glasses…I meant, contacts.
Aeris shook her head…
"You don't by that either…OK I was eavesdropping …well what happened? What did he say?
"Well my partner is Cloud…you know the new guy.
(gasps) I can't believe it…he's gorgeous your so lucky. Yuffie said picking her papers up from the ground.
"You know where Amy's Bar is?
"Uh, yeah I'll show you, I've got some time.
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"This is it…well I've got to head back to the academy. See ya later Aeris
"Bye, Yuffie
"Now where can he be? Aeris questioned herself.
Aeris spotted him at the front of the bar.
"One more bartender. Cloud said looking at his now empty glass.
"Um, Hello…Cloud.
Cloud turned around eyes set on Aeris.
"Oh it's you the commissioner's gal…um Aeris right?
"Yeah, glad you remembered.
"Why?
"You're my partner…Aeris said with a smile
"Oh great now I have to baby-sit the boss's honey. Cloud with annoyance his voice
"Excuse me! Where do go telling me that I'm helpless or something! Let me tell you something Mr. I may appear weak and feeble, but I've got the strength any man and especially a blowhard like you!
Cloud sat in astonishment and so did the rest of the bar.
"Past me some uh…water on the rocks please! Aeris said taking a seat next to Cloud.
"Whoa I'm sorry, didn't think you'd blow up at me like that.
"Well looks can be deceiving. Aeris said with folded arms
"Tell me about it. Cloud muttered under his breath.
"Well what are you afraid of? A helpless little girl like myself?
"Well uh…Cloud began
"Basic training begins tomorrow I challenge you to whom ever can do the obstacles course better.
Aeris said with her hand in a giving position.
"Fine it's a deal…Cloud said shaking her hand