A/N: Responding to some guest (unfortunately none of them even gave themselves a moniker to separate them) reviews, anyway there is a consistent theme, my decision to kill off Cloud at the start of the story, I've changed my mind, how is irrelevant to these author notes, because spoilers, sos guys ;)
Secondly, I do not hate Cloud, I like all the characters and don't have a particular OTP. One of the guest reviewers stated that I should use Aerith/Zack and Cloud/Tifa, well first off good work Captain F. Obvious, that one is in the summary, secondly don't dictate which ships I should use. I can't give any guarantees that things might happen between other characters and Tifa or between any other characters for that matter. I also don't mark ships because spoilers.
And thirdly I'd like to thank the first reviewer I heard from for inspiring the new direction this story is taking, if you have an account please sign in and PM me, I'd like to hear from you :)
Read, Review, PM if ya want, I'll answer
Chapter 2: Old Friends, New Beginnings
Zack awoke the next day to find the sun creeping through the windows, he looks at clock on he his bedside table, "Seven-o'clock," he mutters to himself. "I was burned out."
Though he admits in his head that his sleep was restless, it was still significantly better than having to brave the elements every night while on the run, with the army harassing the pair every step of the way.
He throws off his duvet and grabs a towel, where he makes for the shower. He stays in there for quite a while to let the water work out the tension in his body, gradually lowering the temperature of the water until it's freezing cold. He then stands there for a minute until he begins to raise it again. He sighs and begins to shampoo his hair.
He leaves the shower soon after, dries off and pulls on a t-shirt, pants and boots.
He walks down to the living room where he finds Cissnei reading, unfortunately, no TV out in these parts. Something that Zack sorely misses. "Morning Cissnei," Zack calls as he enters.
"Morning, Zack," Cissnei responds, looking up from her book.
"How's Cloud doing?"
"No change since yesterday, his fever is still the same, and I've already fed him."
Zack nods and continues onto the kitchen. He throws some bread in the toaster and starts making some oatmeal. Once the oatmeal is done, and the toast has popped and been dolloped with butter, which is something Zack is very thankful Cissnei has. He sets them down on the table and eats in silence. Mulling over thoughts, like seeing Aerith again, which brings a pleasant grin to his face. He also tried to think of what he was going to do after he got out of Midgar. Fighting is all he's really known, since thirteen… it gives him pause, and makes him realise just how much Shinra actually cared about its people. We're all just cogs in their machine, he reflects slightly bitterly. He sighs and shakes his head.
He continues eating, and when he finishes, he brings the dishes to the sink and washes them. Zack looks over his shoulder when he hears Cissnei entering the kitchen. "Hey," he says slightly despondently.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I've just been thinking about things, ya know, where I was, where I am… Aerith…" he paid particular attention to Cissnei's reaction… and sighs when he gets nothing but concerned eyes.
"Zack, if you want to talk-"
"Nah, it's fine, I don't want to burden you with my problems."
"What are you so worried about?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't mean to pry, but the way your voice dropped when you said Aerith."
Zack sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, "It's been four years since I last saw her. Four years is a long time to wait… what if she's moved on, changed, found someone else… I mean, I haven't changed, how can I, the hope of seeing her was the only thing that kept me going, kept me sane, through the pain, the agony… and now, well," he sighs, "I dunno, reality is kicking in. I can't help but feel selfish, ya know?"
"I don't think it's selfish to hope, Zack."
"I guess not," says Zack
Just then there's a knock on the door.
Cissnei goes to a wall and presses it, a section slides back and she takes out a pistol. "Hold on."
She heads into the front hall, goes up to the door and peeps through the spyglass.
"Cissnei, it's Kunsel and Luxiere," one of the two SOLDIERS outside.
She opens the door upon recognising them. "Hey, guys," Cissnei says when they come in. Kunsel is holding a large envelope.
"Hello, how've ya been?" Luxiere asks.
"Not bad."
The three hear heavy footfalls coming from the direction Cissnei came, and Zack emerges from the corridor. Kunsel and Luxiere each exchange with Zack
"Ah, Zack, long time, no see," Kunsel says before embracing him. "Ya don't look to bad for a man who's been on the run for a couple of months."
"Amazing what a shower and good night's sleep will do." The three chuckle. "Did anyone follow you here?"
"We sent them on a merry goose chase to Gold Saucer," Luxiere says proudly.
"That was me," Kunsel throws in. They chuckle again.
"It's great to see you guys," Zack say happily.
They almost immediately find themselves sitting in the living room chatting over hot cups of coffee. Fours years of catch up, and then things turn serious.
"So, Zack, your free, you've given President Shinra the finger and you've got your whole life ahead, what are you gonna do?" Kunsel asks. Luxiere is just about to take a sip.
"I need to get back to Midgar," Zack says solemnly.
Luxiere's coffee hits the back of his throat and he spits it out all over the floor in front of him. "Do you have Mako poisoning?" he asks with equal indignation and incredulity.
"Zack, that's Shinra Central, that is the last place you should be going," Kunsel says plainly.
"That's what I said," Cissnei says.
"Why?" Luxiere asks
"I think I know why," Kunsel says, eyeing Zack critically. "You want to see Aerith, don't you?"
Zack sighs, "Yes, how did you know that?"
"Zack, I'm that guy who has dirt on everyone, even Sephiroth. I the man behind three-quarters of their fan clubs got half their gossip from me, or did you forget about that while trapped in the lab?"
"No, I hoped my memories of the lab would overshadow the fact that you might have been spying one me for a few extra gil."
They all chuckle, Cissnei looks a little guilty and her laugh is a little forced. "Don't worry, dude, I wouldn't do that to a friend, especially not one I went through boot camp with." Kunsel claps Zack around the shoulder, and they share a friendly smile. Kunsel looks over at Cissnei, who has masked her look of guilt with one of mild amusement, Cissnei, on the other hand.
"Anyway, how are planning to get into Midgar, exactly? We'll run with this for argument's sake," Luxiere says
"I was gonna see about getting some new clothes and a couple of fake IDs in Kalm," Zack says
"Not the worst idea," Kunsel says stroking his chin. "We could take you in and then, you, I dunno, have you 'overpower' us or we 'kill' you and you go free, and we'll have the fake IDs and fresh clothes waiting for you elsewhere. Getting you into Midgar is not the problem, it's staying under the radar that is the real problem. Shinra has your face plastered all over the building, they really do not want you running free."
Zack nods, "I know, I've had to fight Shinra search parties every step of the way to get here."
"Indeed, what do you expect to do now?" Cissnei asks.
"I dunno, I suppose I was thinking of becoming a mercenary."
"That would display your Mako enhancements too much, Shinra might become suspicious, not to mention if you should ever end up working for Shinra, look, it's bad business, end of," Kunsel says. "Oh yeah got'cha these." He reaches into a pocket on his trousers and takes a small, black rectangular case. Zack catches and opens it. "Contact lenses that filter out the glow of Mako eyes."
"Thanks," Zack's responds.
"Oh yeah, and these," Kunsel says handing him the large envelope.
"What's this?" Zack asks to no on in particular.
"Letters from Aerith, Tseng left them on his desk and I 'acquired' them," Luxiere says.
That's the way it's always been, Luxiere can obtain any object and Kunsel any tidbit of information. You just needed to accept the price, Zack thinks fondly. Together, there was nothing that was out of reach.
"Really?" says Zack in sheer exultation.
"Yep, there seems to be quite a few, too."
Zack opens it very carefully before peeking inside, "No shit," is all he can say. He feels a mixture of pride, joy, hope, love and guilt swelling in his heart at the same time. "Thanks."
"Your welcome, no charge," Luxiere responds with a smile, which Zack reciprocates.
Zack sets the envelope aside for now. "Are you guys gonna help me get in, or am I doing it on my own?"
Kunsel sighs, "Since you seem so dead set on walking into the hornet's nest, the best we can do is give you the antidote, Luxiere and I will see to getting you into the city, we'll set you up with a place and some new clothes. I'd see Aerith and get the fuck out before long."
"I also want to topple Shinra," Zack says staring down at the floor darkly.
"That's no small feet, Zack," Cissnei says. "When did you decide this?"
"Just now," he responds.
Luxiere gives an amused huff, "Sounds like you to take something like that on at a moments notice."
"But don't worry, I'm not going anywhere until Cloud gets better."
A/N: Just to give some context, Cloud and Zack are near Kalm, about half a days walk the villaag, and a note on continuity, the War with Avalanche has ended already, so Veld and Felicia are 'dead' and the Player Turks have gone into hiding.
