Cloud didn't even think to scream. The air left his mouth with a harsh hiss as the knife was pulled out.

Why…why…

Cloud didn't understand. Why was this happening? This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Zack was supposed to come meet him. Where was Zack? Why…

The knife went in again and again, each time leaving a starburst of pain. Cloud's knees failed him and he started to fall. Why wasn't anyone stopping this?

The electric lights Mr. Fair was so proud of began to stretch and dim. Cloud was barely even aware of the dirt floor against his back.

"…Cloud….Cloud!" He inhaled one gargled gasp and the room became sharp and clear.

"What have you done…What have you done!" Cloud tried to call for Zack, reach for him.

Zack turned away, back to Cloud. Cloud saw the wine bottle being raised. He tried to pick up his hand, do something to stop it. It felt so heavy.

The lights dimmed again when Cloud heard the glass shatter. Then there was nothing to hear at all.

Tifa took a big chug of her water bottle before she skipped her way down the steps. Out of reflex, she stopped at the bottom and listened carefully.

Nothing. Tifa shook her head at herself. When they first moved in she'd hear rustling, feel eyes behind her. Once she felt a hand on her back, but she had been alone in the house.

There had been nothing since she and Aeris made their big announcement to the "other occupants" as Tifa had chosen to call them.

If she were being honest, she would admit those two weeks before the guys came where the scariest of her life. She didn't know what was worse: a real ghost, or going insane.

"You're not insane," Sephiroth had said, "We saw what you've been living with."

But now it was quiet, almost peaceful. Aeris had been happy all the time. Tifa didn't really care to learn about their ghosts. She was happy with the status quo remaining as it was.

But the painting had been really cute. Tifa didn't know why she felt attached to it, but she did. She hoped Aeris got her grade on it soon. She wanted it back in the house…or maybe it was Zack's influence.

Tifa snorted a little to herself. Aeris told her about her supposedly clairvoyant grandmother. Tifa didn't put stock into that, but Aeris seemed convinced, despite all lack of evidence, that Zack had latched on to them.

The pessimist in Tifa wondered where Cloud was then.

Tifa strolled into her room. It had been the servant's quarters once, the realtor told them. She had access to a bunch of the "secret passages" the servants were supposed to use. She had always felt safe in here, even during the worst of the activity. Nothing happened in the passageways or in here.

Nothing until today, Tifa realized as her water bottle slid from her hand.

Reflected in the mirror, she saw a man rummaging in the corner just behind her. His blonde hair swayed with every movement. Tifa felt her heart jumping in her chest as she slowly turned around.

There was no one in here. She looked back to the mirror. Nothing.

Tifa backed out slowly, before turning and making a run for it.

Zack hesitated outside his door. Through the crack, he saw him holding his note. His heart beat quickly, wondering how his message would be received. The others were all ignored, but now Zack knew they were being found.

Cloud set the note back down, and finished tidying the bed. He made his way back towards the service entrance. Father was nice about the servants using the main stairs, but most of them found the passages Zack's grandfather put in place more convenient.

Cloud had almost closed the wall, when his blue eyes found Zack's.

"…I accept," he said before letting the door click closed behind him.

"…In here?" Aeris asked.

"Yeah," Tifa said, "he was in here."

"Did he…do anything?"

"No," Tifa admitted, "It just freaked me out, alright."

"No, I understand," Aeris said, "We never saw them before." She entered the room first, scoping it out. There was nothing to find.

"Where was he?" Aeris asked.

"In that corner."

"What was he doing?"

"Just…I dunno. He was fumbling with something," Tifa said, "I didn't see what." Aeris moved over to the corner. There was nothing special about it. Tifa finally went in. The room felt normal. It still felt safe.

She moved by Aeris, not seeing anything unusual about this corner.

"Maybe he just wanted to check on you," Aeris said.

"I thought Zack was the one who checked on us," Tifa said.

"Zack stays upstairs with me," Aeris said, "Cloud…I just don't feel Cloud. God I sound crazy, don't I?"

"Yeah," Tifa said, taking the elbow thrown at her with grace, "So, Cloud hangs down here with me?"

"I guess," Aeris said, "Maybe he's trying to apologize to you. Or talk to you."

"Well…I'd appreciate it if he didn't give me a heart attack while he was doing it."

"We could call the guys again," Aeris said, "I think they might come back."

"It's been…what? three months?" Tifa said.

"It's worth a call."

Cloud stepped into the family library. Zack stood up too quickly to seem casual.

"You…wished to speak with me?" Cloud said. Zack faltered for a moment.

"Yes," Zack said, "I don't really know where to begin."

"On what?" Cloud asked. He wasn't being fired, was he? He wouldn't get another job if he was.

"Just…you," Zack said. Cloud was confused.

"Me?"

"Yeah," Zack said, "I…I feel like…I feel like you know a lot about me, but I…I don't know you."

"You wanted to get to know me?" Cloud said, almost incredulously. He could be sleeping for his early start tomorrow instead of wasting his time with a spoiled rich boy.

"Yes," Zack said, with a grin.

"So you want to know how my Da died in a workhouse and my Ma died trying to support me and I scrub floors to earn my keep instead of pay?" Cloud clapped his hands over his mouth. That was insubordination, and talking back to his employer and-

"Is that…did you really?" Zack's smile faltered. Cloud didn't dare move. Zack rubbed the back of his neck.

"Then yes," Zack said, "I do want to know. You listen to my little woes every morning. It's time I return the favor."

"Full body apparition?" Angeal's voice said over the speaker.

"Yeah, sure," Tifa said, "whatever it's called."

"I mean it's been quiet most of the time," Aeris said, "but, sometimes it picks up again."

"You're sure of what you saw?" Genesis said, "I'm not saying you're making it up or you're crazy, but sometimes our minds play tricks on us."

"I'm pretty sure," Tifa said, "He was crystal clear. I really thought someone was with me."

"Are you feeling any other strange things?" Angeal continued, "hearing footsteps, voices, feeling cold spots-"

"Cold spots," Tifa said, "I thought it was the AC acting up, but…yeah. Cold spots."

"We can come out again," Sephiroth's voice said calmly, "It was a very interesting experience the first time. If you would like us to come back, I would very much be interested."

"That sounds really good," Tifa said, "I'm sorry for freaking out on you."

"It's not a problem," Sephiroth said, "We are happy to help in any way that we can. Unfortunately we are a bit busy this week, but we can come around next weekend if that works?"

"Perfect," Aeris said.

Cloud had never been kissed before. He truly doubted he would be kissed like this again.

Zack was so warm next to him. His lips were soft, coaxing Cloud's along in a clumsy yet sensual sort of dance. Cloud opened his eyes just a little. Zack's eyes were closed and he looked almost blissful. The hand cradling the back of his his head let fingers glide through blonde tresses.

You're just a phase. He's going to forget about you. Cloud pulled away as the thought entered his mind. Zack let them part with a soft popping noise. His eyes opened with a dreamy look. Zack really seemed like there was no place he'd rather be.

As their foreheads touched together, Cloud decided that being a phase wasn't such a bad thing.

Tifa had dozed off on the couch. She was mildly wary of her room still, but it was passing quickly. Cloud had stayed in his corner. It was actually pretty far from her bed overall. If he stayed way over there, she could be cool with that.

But instead, she had gotten caught up in a Lord of the Rings marathon. Damn it, why did they have to show the Director's cuts on tonight of all nights?

She felt the change in the room. It felt…charged, as if an energy rather than a person had entered. She didn't quite feel scared, per se, but she was uncomfortable.

She had nearly brushed it off as her being asleep when-

"I'm sorry." Tifa sat straight up. She had heard the voice loud and clear.

"…sorry." It said again. She looked all around the living room before laying back down.

"If you're Cloud," she said, "then I forgive you. Let me go to sleep now?"

The room settled down just in time for Tifa to watch the Treebeard crush an orc beneath his foot for the second time that evening.