"Zack Fair you open this door right now or so help me kami I will bust it down!" Ninniachel's threat drifted through the closed door and silence followed. The 1st Class SOLDIER sighed and rubbed her forehead in frustration. Today was the day Zack was supposed to take the test to enter the ranks of 1st Class and he was late. What kind of idiot was late to this type of exam?

When there was no answer, Ninniachel took a deep breath and pulled out a key. She would rather bust down the door as she had threatened but the last time she had did that an irate Lazard had taken the repair money from her coffers.

Within a few minutes the door swung open and Ninniachel was surprised to see the inside of Zack's quarters were dark. Frowning she stepped inside to see the small apartment in disarray. Dishes filled the sink, the trash over flowed, two hampers with clothing haphazardly spilling out them were in the living room...it was a typical scene out of a movie. Sighing, Ninniachel began heading in the direction of Zack's room.

"Zack are you in here? Why the hell does your apartment look like a junk.....yard...." The last part of the word came out slightly breathy . Zack lay on his bed flushed with fever. His limbs were sprawled and Ninniachel could see with faint embarrassment that the younger man was naked beneath his sheet. Walking over to him she placed a hand on his neck and nearly winced at the heat.

Zack stirred and his eyes opened. His blue eyes were glazed with fever. They latched onto Ninniachel and a smile spread across his face. "Commander...How can I help you on this fine day?" His hand found her's and gave it a squeeze; a weak one.

Ninniachel pulled her hand from his and placed her hands on her hips. "Zack why didn't you call to let us know you were sick? Your exam was today!"

"Exam?" Zack's brow creased. After a moment his blue eyes widened and he sat up.

"Dammit the Exam! Don't worry Commander, I'll be ready--" The cool touch of the Commander's fingers to his mouth shut him up.

Ninniachel pulled her hand away from his mouth and said sternly, "Zack, there's no way you can take the exam in the condition you're in right now. I want you to lie back down and just let me take care of things." When it appeared he might argue Ninniachel narrowed her eyes and snapped, "That's an order Soldier!"

Zack nodded and sank back into his bed. His eyes fluttered closed and he drifted off into unconsciousness.

---

A few hours later Zack woke up with a start. Sitting up with a yawn he recalled the dream he had of the Commander showing up. He smiled slightly. If getting sick meant he had dreams of the Commander maybe he should do it more often. Blinking he noticed that next to him on the night stand was a glass of water and 2 pills. Zack frowned. He didn't remember leaving medicine there. Shrugging he took the pills and decided now would be a good time to eat. Slipping out of bed he tipped forward slightly. He grabbed the edge of the night stand and stood there for several minutes breathing heavily. Good dreams aside, being sick sucked. He let go of the night stand and took a few experimental steps towards the room door. If he recalled correctly all his clothes were in the living room.

Zack pulled the door open and found himself staring at the Commander.

For several moments they just stared at each other. Zack blinked and abruptly shut the door in her face. Sweet kami was he hallucinating now? That had to be it. His fever must have been more serious than he thought. Pleased that he knew what was going on he pulled the door open again. Zack's expression dropped when he saw the fever induced apparition of the Commander was still there. Only now instead of looking surprised she looked pissed. That might have told the young man she was real but he stubbornly clung to his fever theory when he saw how she was dressed. Instead of her 1st class uniform, the Commander wore a blue dirndl and an apron over it..

Zack could have wept. It was as if his greatest dream had been realized. Commander Ninniachel his house maid...or wife. It had to be a dream for him to be seeing this glorious sight. A smile lit his face and the scowl on his dream lover's face smoothed.

"Zack you're naked." Dream Ninniachel kept her eyes on his face but Zack could see her cheeks were red. His smile grew and he took a step forward. Of course she took a step back.

"I know."

A few more steps and Zack had Dream Ninniachel backed against the wall.

Her green eyes narrowed and placing a hand on his chest to keep him from moving any closer Dream Ninniachel hissed, "What the hell do you think you're doing Fair?"

Zack laughed at how much this dream apparition was like the real Ninniachel. He covered her hand with his and replied truthfully, "I'm enjoying this dream while it lasts."

A look of understanding came over the dream girl's face. "Zack you idi--mmph!"

Zack's mouth covered hers.

---

Ninniachel felt anger well up in her as Zack's mouth touched hers. This idiot! First he kisses her in a barn for no apparent reason and now he was kissing her because he thought he was in a dream. She pressed her hands against his shoulders and shoved him backwards.

"Are you insane Zack?! As if I would kiss you willingly... even in a dream. The very thought makes me laugh." Rolling her eyes Ninniachel picked up some clothes from the floor. She had dropped them in her surprise of Zack opening the door. "Here." she shoved the clothes at Zack and he took them in silence. "Go cover your nakedness. I'll be in the kitchen."

Ninniachel was just finishing putting away the last of the clean dishes when Zack entered looking slightly abashed. She ignored him for a few minutes and when she finally looked at him he was sitting on a chair staring at her sullenly. His face was no longer flushed with fever.

When the sullen look remained on his face Ninniachel frowned and asked in annoyance, "Why the hell are you looking at me that way?"

Zack frowned back at her before replying, "I don't get why every time I try to kiss you you push me away. I'm not that horrible looking am I?"

"Are you serious Zack? You get sick and miss your exam and the only thing you can worry about is me not kissing you? You are impossible." Ninniachel finished the statement with a shake of her head and began untying the apron. "Anyways I'm done here. Lazard has already been informed of the circumstances and has agreed to postpone your exam for another 2 days. Get better Zack." She patted his cheek gently before leaving the apartment.

---

Sephiroth's eyes opened at the sound of pounding on the door. He waited a moment to see if Genesis or Angeal would open the door. The three of them had decided that it would be convenient for them to share an apartment. When the pounding continued he remembered that his roommates were both gone on separate missions. With a groan he got out of bed and glanced at the clock near him. 3 a.m. Only one person was foolish enough to be here at such an outrageous hour.

Schooling his features into a look of displeasure he opened his front door. "It's 3 a.m. Nia. What the hell do you want?"

Ninniachel aka Nia blinked innocently at him. "3 a.m.? I could have sworn it was earlier. Let me in. I came to return the strange one's clothing." She waved around a plastic bag and Sephiroth could see a blob of blue inside.

Rolling his eyes he stepped aside and admitted her in. Nia went straight to Genesis' room and put the blue dirndl and apron back where she had found them. Satisfied that he wouldn't figure out they had been missing for a few hours she left his room and went to Sephiroth's room. He was back in bed with his eyes closed. His silver hair, the pride and joy of his life, was caught in a pony tail. He wore a pair of dark sweatpants and nothing else. For several moments Ninniachel could only stare at him. Next to Zack, Sephiroth was one of the most handsome men she had ever met.

After several long minutes of silence Sephiroth asked irritably, "Ok what is it? Spit it out so you can leave and I can sleep."

"Well since you asked..." Nia was suddenly beside him on the bed making herself comfortable. Startled, Sephiroth sat up and snapped, "What the hell are you doing?!"

"Eh? What does it look like I'm doing?" Nia stared at him in confusion but then nodded in understanding. "Ahh, You don't want me on your bed in these clothes. Hold on." She flounced off of the bed, disappeared into his closet and came out wearing one of his shirts. "Better?"

Sephiroth's scowl was answer enough. "No it's not better. Take my shirt off and leave. I'm tired, I don---!!! THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT BY TAKE THE SHIRT OFF." He stared at the stripping girl in exasperation. "What is wrong with you? Are you on drugs?"

Ninniachel sighed dramatically and finished pulling the shirt back down around her. Before answering she got back onto the bed. Once she was comfortable she turned to the glowering Sephiroth and said seriously, "Of course I'm not on drugs. I just like annoying you."

"Oh really? Get off my bed. I want to sleep." Sephiroth reached out to push her off the bed. In a perfect world Nia would have gotten off the bed and left him in peace. But the world wasn't perfect. Nia avoided his push easily and said in a huff, "Oh relax! I'll leave in a few minutes." she paused and continued on dramatically, "I just had a terrible day; my one thought the entire time was 'Once I see my dear friend Sephiroth everything will be alright.'"

"Honestly, I don't see how you can find the Puppy annoying. You're just as bad as him."

"How dare you compare me to that imbecile?!" Ninniachel's features twisted into a scowl. "He is the single most annoying person to ever roam this planet. I don't even know why I'm discussing this with you. I'm going to sleep."

It shouldn't have shocked Sephiroth to see Nia pull the blanket over her and snuggle against the pillows but it did.

"GET OFF MY BED!!!"

"No! I'm sleepy and it's too far to go back to my quarters. Go sleep on the couch or something."

"This is MY apartment; you go sleep on the couch."

"I'm comfortable right here thank you. Goodnight Sephiroth."

"Goodnight Sephiroth?! I will throw you out of here myself."

"That's nice. If you're going to stay in here I suggest keeping your hands to yourself."

"As if I would lower myself to do such a thing. You keep your hands to yourself."

"You're much to feminine for me Sephiroth. Now seriously, if you can't keep quiet then leave."

There was a long silence.

"Goodnight Sephiroth."

"...Goodnight Nia."

---

lol!! i really enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope you all enjoy reading it :)