Helix n. an object having a three-dimensional shape like that of a wire wound uniformly in a single layer around a cylinder or cone, as in a corkscrew or spiral staircase.—a curve on a conical or cylindrical surface that would become a straight line if the surface were unrolled into a plane.—an extended spiral chain of atoms in a protein, nucleic acid, or other polymeric molecule.—a spiral

"I hate ShinRa…I hate SOLDIER…and I hate you. I hate it all!"

Zack paused on the steps and swallowed tightly. When his hand clenched, he felt his ShinRa Alpha armlet, drawing his attention to his Materia. Spinning around, he ran back down the steps and knelt once more beside Tifa.

"Tifa, I can heal you. Please, let me."

Her body shuddered on a sob, but he caught the barest bob of her head. As gently as he could, he rolled her over and supported her shoulders. His stomach churned upon seeing the horrific wound and her tear stained cheeks.

"I'm sorry," he whispered hoarsely. "I'm so sorry."

Placing his hand carefully over the slash, he cast Cure3. Tifa's ragged breathing eased and she reached up to clutch at him, sobbing. Zack hugged her back and carried her out of the way of the main path.

"He killed Daddy," she cried. "What do I do, Zack?"

Pulling back, he brushed her hair out of her face and wiped away her tears. "Stay here. I'll handle Sephiroth."

Panicked, she grabbed his hand before he could leave. "He'll kill you! He's not the man he was when you came to Nibelheim!"

He carefully pried her fingers off and gave her a tight smile. "Maybe. But, I helped bring him here. I'm the only one who has a chance at stopping him."

Tifa's face contorted in determination as she stood shakily. "Then, I'm coming with you."

"No," Zack opposed vehemently, hands flying to her shoulders. "Stay here, Tifa, until help arrives. Don't worry about me."

Lurching forward, she wrapped him in a tight hug. "I don't hate you, Zack. Please, please don't die."

He held her close and then stepped back. His grin was cocky and bright. "Hey, I've got two hot chicks counting on me; I can't die. You and Aerith'll get along, I think."

"Zack," she whispered as he jogged away, waving over his shoulder, "be careful."

His time with Tifa had cost him some, but Sephiroth didn't seem to be in any hurry. In fact, he seemed to be talking to the thing in the tank. Zack knew he wouldn't have left Tifa like that even if he'd lost his chance to confront the general. Seeing him, betrayal slammed into the younger man. Here was the man he'd looked up to, had idolized and respected and befriended. With that betrayal came fury and guilt.

"Sephiroth! Why did you kill the townspeople? Why did you hurt Tifa?" He felt his tongue trip over her name. The silver haired man had nearly cut her in two.

"Answer me!"

Sephiroth continued to ignore him and talk to Jenova's body. When he did finally engage him, however, Zack realized with dawning horror that Tifa was right. The Sephiroth he'd known was gone. In his place was a madman bent on world subjugation.

He cut Zack down and sent him skidding across the room only to slam against the large pipes. The prolonged battle didn't even faze the general. Uncaring of his former friend's condition, he turned back to Jenova.

Zack groaned and tried to rise, only to have small hands press him down. Tifa's concerned face filled his vision as she hefted his Buster Sword. He had a moment of disconnection to be impressed that she could even lift the sword before he realized what she was doing. His MP was gone, leaving him unable to use his Restore. He was only able to watch in helpless defeat as Tifa smiled sadly. Hoisting the weapon, she ran on silent feet up the giant pipe to pin Sephiroth to the tank he was adoring.

"For Daddy, Zack, and Nibelheim, you bastard," she cried, ripping the sword from his body.

Sephiroth's eyes were huge as he grasped Jenova's head. Turning unsteadily, he severed it from the body. Before Tifa could blink, he'd raised Masumune and once more let it ravage Tifa. She screamed, but somehow managed to grab the blade and hurl it from her body, knocking Sephiroth back into the Lifestream. Weakly, she grasped the Buster Sword and crawled back to Zack.

"Here," she said, blood beginning to trickle out of her mouth.

He forced his hand to open and accepted the hilt of his sword. "You are a scary, scary girl, Tifa Lockhart," he gasped out. "But you're hot as Hell."

Her laugh was more of a rattle as she collapsed beside him. It was the last thing he knew before unconsciousness.

"You call yourself SOLDIER?" A harsh voice broke through the haze of his mind.

It took all of his willpower, but he was finally able to pry his eyes open. He was in some kind of tank and Angeal was standing before him.

"Angeal!"

His mentor scoffed. "You tarnish the SOLDIER name," he spat before leaping into the air and flying away.

"Angeal!" he screamed again, desperately pounding his hands against the glass of the tank.

In a crescendo of sound, the glass shattered and flew outwards. Mako poured from the tank, leaving Zack sprawled weakly on the floor. Footsteps came from his right and a man in a lab coat appeared. 'Too bad for you,' Zack thought as he shoved himself up and rammed his fist into the guy's face.

Shaking himself, Zack slammed a wall down on the memories threatening to overwhelm him. They wouldn't take him again he vowed, and strode over to the other tank.

Tifa floated in the green liquid, her cowgirl outfit replaced with scrubs. They wouldn't take her, either. Examining the area, Zack found a lever and pulled. Immediately, the Mako drained and then the door slid open pitching Tifa forward. Reflexes had him catching her before she could hit the ground.

"Tifa," he said gently, hugging her and pulling her the rest of the way out of the tank.

Her eyes blearily drifted open, making Zack flinch. They were a telling Mako blue.

"Zack?" she slurred. "Feel sick."

"Yeah, I know. We have to get out of here, first, though. Can you walk?"

She didn't look like she could even keep her eyes open. Mako dripped from her hair and she was shuddering. Her head bobbed sloppily in agreement, however; and she did manage after two attempts. Zack kept hold of her arm as he led them through the lab. Tifa followed along listlessly, but seemed to be making an effort to hurry. They passed several doors before he felt a tug on his arm.

"Sword," she mumbled.

Glancing inside the room she'd stopped beside, Zack spotted his Buster Sword. A genuine smile lifted his lips as he retrieved it. Digging around the storage room, he found a small uniform and a pair of boots for Tifa.

"Here. The Mako's soaked your clothes and you don't have shoes. Change into this."

She accepted the bundle as he turned around. It took her longer to change that it should have, but she was so disoriented she nearly had to have help. One hand flew to the wall as the all the movement sickened her. Bending over, she vomited heavily. Zack spun around in concern and pulled her hair out of her face while rubbing her back.

"It's probably a good thing you get that shit out of your system. Ready?"

Wiping her mouth, she nodded and took his hand as they renewed their trek. It was unnervingly easy to get out of the Manor. Zack figured Hojo mostly just wanted to keep people from getting in. Still, they needed to cover as much ground as possible before anyone noticed they were gone. Hojo would be pissed when he found his toys missing.

"We need to get some wheels and find out what the date is," he told a groggy Tifa.

She was leaning heavily on him by the time they got down the mountain. "Tired," she slurred. "Sorry."

Heart aching, Zack smiled at her. "Don't worry about it. I get to have a luscious babe hanging all over me."

Tifa's eyes opened partly when she heard the stream they'd found. "West."

"Shelter?"

"Yes."

Gripping her more securely, he turned from the water and walked another half mile. A low hanging rock with vegetation covering it jutted out of the side of a cliff. Zack would have walked by it had Tifa not pointed to it. Behind the vegetation was a good size cavern. When they entered, Zack saw that it had hot springs inside.

"Sweet," he grinned, helping Tifa to sit before making sure the entrance was hidden again.

Returning, he flopped down beside her. "Are those springs safe? We could use a bath and I'm parched."

Rolling her head on her shoulder, she weakly looked at him. "Used to be."

"Alright. That one looks the shallowest. I'll go first if you promise to close your eyes," he smirked.

That drew a small smile. "Trade?"

Zack canted his head to the side and pondered that before standing and waving it off. "Nah, on second thought, enjoy the show."

Her giggle was a thin thing, but it lightened his heart. She did look away, he noticed, as he stripped and dove into the water. His muscles clenched and then relaxed in the hot water. There was no soap or any substitute around, but the minerals in the water helped. He scrubbed the dried Mako off of his body and yanked at his longer hair to clean it. He just had to keep moving and focusing on the job at hand. Thinking about everything else overwhelmed him and threatened to drive him mad.

A glance at Tifa found her slumped against the wall with her eyes closed. She didn't look good, but at least she was coherent. He just wished he knew what to do now.

"Will you be alright to go in by yourself?" he asked as he crawled out and dressed.

"Think so," he heard as he began unlacing her boots and then stripped off her socks.

Hauling her up, he studied her. "Okay, I'll sit at the edge in case you need me, though," he insisted.

She poked him. "Eyes closed."

He chuckled, glad she could tease him. "Eyes closed," he agreed, settling down and doing just that.

A rustling of clothes sounded beside him before a splash alerted him that she'd entered the water. "Okay?"

"Yes," she answered from right in front of him.

Smart girl; if something happened, he could catch her quickly. She sighed and moved for a while in the water before being ready to leave. He felt her tap his knee.

"Help?"

"Do I get to open my eyes?" He grinned.

"No."

He sighed in long suffering. "Tease," he muttered leaning forward and lowering his hands. "If I brush any naughty bits, I blame you for lack of direction."

Small hands immediately latched onto his and hooked them under her arms. In one move, he stood and brought her out of the water. It seemed like a long minute before her feet touched the ground.

"Just how short are you?"

A wet smack brushed his arm as she stepped away. "5'4, you giant." Another rustling of clothes and she was calling him again. "I'm done."

His eyes popped open and focused on her. She was lowering herself against the side of the cave with her socks in hand. They had to be pulled almost to her knees before her toes reached the end of them. It was pretty cute, actually.

"You look better. A little pale and weak, but at least you're aware."

"I do feel better," she agreed, forgoing her boots for a moment. "My tongue has decided to obey me again. The springs probably helped steam me out."

Zack scooped up her boots-also too big-and plopped down in front of her. Giving into a whim, he rubbed her feet as he gathered his thoughts and then helped put on her boots.

"I would have thought you'd be more out of it with the Mako and all."

Tifa sighed as he moved beside her and let her head fall to his shoulder. "Do you remember the rope bridge that broke when I led you up to the reactor?"

"Sure."

"When I was eight, Cloud and I fell off that bridge. He was knocked out, but was otherwise fine. I, however, had landed in a Mako fountain and was in a coma for a week. When I woke up, my brown eyes had lightened to red. Maybe that has something to do with it."

Zack frowned at the story, having a notion that he was getting the bare bones of the tale. Still, if she'd been exposed to Mako before, that could explain her reaction. He told her so and got a hum in agreement. Just as exhaustion was settling into his bones, he heard her speak again.

"You don't have to stay with me."

Eyes jerking open, he looked down at her. Her head was bowed and she was resolutely looking at the other cave wall. Tension had crept into her frame.

He scoffed. "Oh, please. You're sticking with me. You kicked Sephiroth's ass. ShinRa's probably gunning for us which means I want you on my side."

She swallowed heavily and shifted to study him. "I don't have anywhere to go. I th-think Hojo had us for a long time, Zack," she whispered brokenly. "Why would he do those things to us?"

Her tearstained cheeks and desperate eyes painted a vulnerable Tifa so different from the girl she'd been before Nibelheim burned. Zack felt his memories surface at her question and he wondered if they would ever rid themselves of that haunted look. Hesitantly, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She trembled and then let him gather her to his chest. She was so small and he'd promised he'd protect her. It made him curse Sephiroth to Hell for what he'd caused.

"Hojo's a sick fuck," he spat, his swearing making her jerk her eyes to his. "I was awake sporadically and I don't know all of what they did to you, but I," here he breathed harshly, "I remember what they did to me. I'll listen if you want to talk."

A muscle ticked in his jaw as he tried to get his emotions under control. "If I ever get my hands on Hojo…" he bit the rest of the sentence off, seeing tears well again in Tifa's eyes.

She sniffed and grasped the front of his sweater. "Maybe I'll help. I can be pretty creative, you know."

Tension eased out of him at her morbid joke. "As for where we should go, well, I have a few ideas."

"Zack?"

"Yeah?"

She smiled and rested her head on his chest. "Thanks for not leaving me."

And she had a wealth of meaning in those five words.

'Thanks for not leaving me at the reactor.'

'Thanks for not leaving me in the lab.'

'Thanks for not leaving me alone when I have nothing left.'

His lips quirked in a half smile as his eyes softened. "You're welcome. You won't get rid of me that easily."

"Good," she retorted, reassured. Relaxing completely, she allowed herself to drift to sleep.

Her presence and touch was gentle and calming when all they'd known for so long was pain. Taking comfort in it, he found rest as well.

Over the next few days, they fell into a routine as they dodged ShinRa. The two would wake, try to find food, and cover as much ground as possible while trying to stay off anyone's radar. Zack had also started training Tifa. Zangan had given her an excellent foundation and she had great instincts. She just needed to hone her enhanced abilities.

The training also gave them something normal to focus on. Many nights, one or the other woke with a muffled scream, fighting memories too horrific to face in the light of day. Finally, on the seventh day, they gave up respecting personal space and simply fell asleep against each other. It did seem to keep most of the nightmares at bay. When it didn't, it was just easier to roll over and clutch onto the body beside them.

A few days after that, they came to a tiny village. Zack suggested they find odd jobs to earn some gil. Tifa hesitated, but agreed. They made plans to meet back at the signpost at noon and split up. When the prearranged time rolled around, they pooled their money and exchanged information they'd found.

"Four years," Tifa breathed. "He kept us for four years."

His jaw was tight as he nodded. "Let's put that aside for the moment, though. We both need clothes and toiletries. Here's half of the gil. I want to get in and get out before anyone starts being nosy."

Biting her lip, she agreed. She was nineteen now. Her feelings were in turmoil about that. She'd lost her home, her family, and four years of her life in one fell swoop. Her breathing shuddered, but she forced herself to focus. She just wanted to get her necessities and get going. The longer they stayed in one place, the edgier she got.

Zack smiled as he bounced in his new boots. Having a change of clothes and soap made him feel more human. Tifa caught up with him ten minutes later. She'd tied her hair back and changed into cargo pants with a white tee and leather vest. A backpack was slung over her shoulder.

"Boots that fit make a lot of difference," she noted, holding up her foot.

He chuckled. "Set?"

"Yes. I really want to bathe with actual soap. The herbs we've found work, but nothing can replace the real deal."

"I'm with you on that. Come on; I got a map of the area. We can make the river by nightfall."

Tifa kept pace easily and clapped her hands in delight when they reached the water several hours later.

"You can go first," Zack offered with an amused wave.

She fist pumped and dropped her pack to rummage in it. Finding her soap and towel, she rushed over to the edge, stripping as she went. Zack's eyes widened and full blown laughter exploded from him.

"Aren't you going to tell me to close my eyes?"

"Will you?"

He shrugged as she unzipped her vest. "Well, you're not fifteen anymore."

Laughing, she tossed her vest at his head. "Close your eyes, you perv."

Pulling the article of clothing from his face, he sighed and turned his back to her. A moment later, he heard a splash.

"I love shampoo," she moaned.

The sound sent a shot of pure want straight through him. "I could always wash your back for you," he offered.

Water sloshed as she broke water, indicating she hadn't heard his comment. Just as well, he mused. Several long minutes went by before she exited, dried off and dressed. He turned when she tapped his shoulder and found her barefoot and freshly scrubbed. Her mass of dark locks tumbled damply down her back in a disheveled waterfall. With the road and everything washed off of her, Zack finally got a good look at the woman she'd become. His breath left his body.

Meanwhile, Tifa didn't seem to notice as she reclaimed her vest from his slack hands. "Your turn."

Nothing he was thinking would be appropriate, so he simply nodded and moved toward the river.

Tifa donned her boots and then moved down the river a bit to try to catch some fish. By the time Zack was done, she'd caught three. He cleaned them and built a fire for her to cook them.

"I bought some spices," she admitted sheepishly. "I know it was a splurge."

"I think I'll let it slide," he retorted when he swallowed his bite. "This is amazing."

He couldn't be sure, but he thought a blush danced across her cheeks. It was hard to tell in the flickering firelight.

Later, they forgo training and sat together, pointing out constellations. For a moment in time, they could pretend they were normal. Tifa broke the silence that had fallen comfortably over them.

"He wanted to breed me," she said, studiously not looking at her companion.

Zack tensed as he processed that. "He didn't…I mean, they didn't…touch you, did they?"

Goosebumps erupted on her skin, despite the warm night. "Not like that, no. They were going to soon, though. Well, impregnate me, anyways."

Drawing her legs up, she hunched in on herself. "He was always very careful not to damage my reproductive system; even if he didn't care what he did to the rest of me."

He studied her a long moment, trying to get himself under control, but also trying to decide if she was being completely honest. If they'd impregnated her and took the baby…he slammed the door on that line of thought. He'd kill them all. Every. Single. One.

Furious, he looked to the darkened river to calm himself. He didn't remember a lot of what they'd done to her, but what he did remember made him want to do something very, very violent. Preferably to Hojo. He doubted he'd ever know all they'd put her through. He sure hoped she didn't remember some of the things they'd done to him.

"Angeal came to me in a vision," he stated to take both their minds off what could have happened. What had happened.

"Angeal?"

A small smirk slid onto his face as he forced his body to relax. "I haven't told you about my old mentor?"

She shook her head, seemingly grateful for the change of subject. "No. You've told me about Aerith and Gongaga, but nothing much about SOLDIER."

"Ah." Grasping at happier memories, Zack recounted joining SOLDIER and becoming Angeal's protégée. He had her laughing at some of the stunts he'd pulled when he'd been 3rd Class.

"Things changed when Genesis started degrading," he said with a touch of melancholy. "That sort of set this whole series of events into motion. Or, maybe it was just the beginning of the end."

"Who is Genesis?"

"A more clichéd entrance cue, I could not have written," a lilting voice called from the shadow of the trees.

On their feet in a thrice, Zack and Tifa immediately assumed defensive stances. Zack scowled when Genesis himself stepped out of the darkness. The greying man held up his hands weakly.

"I'm not here to fight."

Unconvinced, Zack held the Buster Sword ready. "What are you doing here?"

He dropped his hands. "You know my cells are degrading. I need S cells to reverse the damage. Since Sephiroth is gone, you two are the only ones with them."

Tifa lowered her fists. "What does that mean?"

Genesis glanced at her, but returned his attention to Zack when the man stepped in front of her.

"Hojo was experimenting with Jenova cells-continuing Project S-with you two. I just need a small bit. A lock of hair would do it."

Zack's brow furrowed. "You asked Sephiroth for his in the reactor."

"Yes. He refused. Soon, I'll be gone. My mind isn't…" he closed his eyes and tilted his head away. "My mind is slipping."

Zack let his sword fall to his side. "You started this whole mess, Genesis. How do I know you won't just keep killing?" He wanted to help the man, but he couldn't put innocent lives at risk.

Genesis met his eyes as his legs gave out. "I didn't cause Sephiroth's madness. I didn't cause Angeal's or my own."

He looked away again and smiled wistfully, as sane as Zack had ever seen him.

"I wanted to be a hero," he murmured. "I wanted to receive the Gift of the Goddess and save people. What did they do to me? What have I become?"

Eyes full of pity, Tifa stepped from behind Zack, avoiding his attempts to stop her. Genesis held very still as she approached and watched her kneel before him.

"If we do this, will you leave innocent lives alone? Will it give you back your mind?"

The campfire lit Tifa in an ethereal manner. For a moment, an image of Minerva was superimposed over the woman.

"Your honor and your pride as SOLDIER can be reclaimed."

A few feet away, Zack watched in confusion as a look of adoration settled on the other man's face. A look at Tifa proved nothing out of the ordinary. What the Hell was that?

"I will reclaim my honor and my pride as SOLDIER."

That seemed to be enough for Tifa, because she motioned to Zack. "Just a lock," she ordered, holding out a section of her hair.

Sighing, he carefully cut off a lock.

Genesis saw Minerva smile and fade, leaving behind the lovely Tifa offering a lock of her hair. Hesitantly, he accepted the offering and brought it to his chest to absorb. Instantly, his body rejuvenated and color flooded back into him. Giddily, he laughed, throwing his arms around Tifa and leaping to his feet to dance around.

Zack watched in stunned silence as the man who'd tried to kill him on more than one occasion acted like a child. Tifa had stiffened and pushed at Genesis to set her down. He did so, gently, and stepped back.

"Thank you!" he exclaimed, dropping into a highly formal bow. "I am forever at your service, my lady."

She blushed and shifted nervously. "Oh, there's no need for that. Zack and I are doing fine."

The flamboyant man agreed, but did protest leaving. "You've restored me, now I must restore my honor. We're all on the run from ShinRa." His face hardened. "They have much for which to answer. I will aid you and if you wish to fight them, I will further that endeavor."

Zack finally put his sword away. "Before you get too cozy, we need some answers."

Blinking, the man made an inviting motion.

"What the Hell are Project G and Project S and why have all three involved gone psycho?"

Anger and sadness echoed in Genesis' eyes. "Perhaps you should take a seat. What do you know of the creature Jenova?"

Tifa shook her head as Zack answered, "Not much."

"Jenova was a creature that crashed on Gaia two thousand years ago. The Ancients used their power to seal Jenova at the North Crater, for Jenova was a calamity. Heaven's Dark Harbinger. A few decades ago, ShinRa unearthed the body and mistook it for that of an Ancient."

Zack's brows shot together. "Aerith."

Genesis paused and nodded. "She is the last of her kind. Her father, Professor Gast, was one of the scientists that found Jenova. ShinRa began experimenting with genetics, hoping to recreate an Ancient with Jenova's cells. Professor Hollander's proposal and theories were backed and Project G came into being. He used Gillian Hewley as a test subject-injecting her with Jenova cells. He then injected my embryo with her altered cells. When Angeal was conceived, Hollander injected him as well."

Tifa's face was horrified and Zack could tell just by looking at her she was wondering if that would have happened to her. Hoping to offer some comfort, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Professor Hojo, however, continued his research in secret. He injected undiluted Jenova cells into Lucrecia Crescent's unborn child. Project S was born."

"Sephiroth," Zack realized.

Genesis bobbed his head. "Yes. My cells began degrading. Soon after, I discovered what I've just told you. My mind was breaking. Angeal's self loathing was breaking him and Sephiroth lost his mind completely."

"Angeal's dead," the younger man spat. "So is Sephiroth."

"So it seems."

"ShinRa had to know about this," Tifa pointed out with sick realization. "They knew about everything! You can't-you can't do these things to people! We're not lab rats or, or machines to be tinkered with!"

Zack tried to calm her, but she pulled away and stumbled into the trees. A moment later, the sound of retching was heard. Running a hand over his face, he turned back to a concerned looking Genesis.

"On the level-on whatever's left of your honor-why are you doing this?"

Genesis flinched. "I have much for which to atone, as well. And, the girl is important, somehow. I saw the Goddess in her. Your Aerith is significant, too. The Turks guard her even now. If you are going to Midgar, you will not find it easy to contact her."

Tifa came back after washing out her mouth. "ShinRa has to be stopped."

"There is a group attempting to do just that. They go by the moniker 'AVALANCHE'."

"Woah-wait a minute," Zack protested. "There were some messed up rumors a while back about them and their leader. I'm not trading one megalomaniac for another."

Genesis gave a small smile. "The AVALANCHE to which you're referring is destroyed. This new generation is smaller and focused on ShinRa while trying to keep innocents out of it. They're based in Midgar, Sector 7."

Tifa turned to Zack, silently asking him.

"I don't feel comfortable leading ShinRa to my parents' doorstep," he admitted. "Midgar is as good a place as any. Maybe we can find Aerith and Cloud."

"Cloud? Why would he be in Midgar?"

Zack blinked and realized she didn't know. Cursing himself, he sighed. "Cloud was one of the Infantrymen with us in Nibelheim. I ordered him to get his mom and everyone he could out of town."

Hurt filled her eyes. "Why didn't he tell me?"

"He hadn't made SOLDIER. I guess he was ashamed."

Digesting that, she filed it away for later. "So, what do you want to do?"

Rubbing his neck, he felt the muscles that were stiff with disquiet. "Midgar it is."

AN: The first chapter in all its nervous glory. I've got a pretty good idea how everything is going to play out and I'd say I'm about half way done, now. I hope that it meets everyone's expectations, but I'm open to suggestions. Our characters will follow the game for a while, but there will be deviations later. Some characters may or may not make an appearance. But, I gave you Gen and Zack-gorgeous guys with big...swords. Don't be greedy. :) Kidding. My beta isn't a FFVII fan, so let me know if you see anything that I goofed on. I love you all!

Standard disclaimers apply. And that just breaks my heart.