Angeal sighed.

He understood Zack was a teenager. Really, he did!

It's just sometimes he forgot until it got shoved right in his face.

Like with a trip to the medical wing to get a VR room injury treated.

He just –knew- it was going to be a trial if Zack's, and his, favorite doctor wasn't in or on duty.

"What happened this time?"

"VR room."

"Glitches again? Or still? Hmm, might have to threaten the technicians for that with med students if this keeps up. And undersized, drafty hospital gowns."

Dr. Shikoba was the only doctor Angeal, or any of the Generals really, actually didn't mind going to for treatment. No nonsense, minimal fussing, and she certainly wasn't cowed by a one of them despite being a fair bit smaller. She took them down the hall to her own office and settled the injured SOLDIER in one of two rather comfortable armchairs.

Besides, anyone who could get the TURKS to take their required shots and not only breathe the next day, but get –apologies- for bad behavior, had to be good. He had a feeling Seph would steal her to be his secretary if she wasn't so good at what she did.

"He got the gash when we were running one of the First Class scenarios. The computer didn't seem to adjust for the lower skill level but tested him like it would me."

"Huh, good thing you were there or I'd have to put Puppy back together first."

Zack gave her a pout, which only prompted her to give him a pat on the head and an ear scritch while pulling out some things from a cabinet. It was hard not to smile at the site of Zack leaning into the hand like his namesake.

"Ok, all the materia is out on missions and/or has been slotted for emergencies only. Two options. Option 1: Old way, stitches and scars and me chasing you out of here for whining. Or Option 2: try out this nifty new goop that should help you heal up nice and quick, minimize the scars and have you swinging like a pro, err, pro-in-training, in no time."

Angeal carefully hid a snicker behind his hand at Zack's pout.

"I'd go with the goop, Pup."

"Umm, what is it?"

Good, he was learning to ask before just accepting things.

"Lots of big technical terms that basically boil down to a potion based healing aid. Doesn't work as fast as one since there's maybe a tenth of a bottle in the whole jar, but it works better than the old fashioned antibiotic cream and stitches. You'll heal over hours instead of days or minutes. Granted you'll feel really sleepy for a few hours and napping wouldn't be a bad idea."

"All right then."

"Ok, let me get the Novocain for your arm."

"Novocain?"

"Sweetie, you really want to feel my fingers wriggling around in there to apply this stuff?"

"Err, no."

"Thought so."

In short order the wound was treated and closed as Zack nestled in under a thick blanket, rapidly losing the fight to stay awake. After handing Angeal a gardening magazine the doctor left, trusting the two SOLDIERS to lock up when Zack woke up.

It was a few hours later, as Angeal's eyes started to close that he cursed himself for relaxing so much he hadn't heard the soft hiss coming from the vents or the soft sounds of someone waiting outside the door. Once both SOLDIERS were thoroughly out the two lab techs put them on gurneys headed straight for Hojo's private laboratory.