The wheels of the bike kicked up dust on the hills of the wasteland surrounding Midgar. Cloud killed the engine as he approached the sword stuck in the ground. It wasn't the memorial Zack deserved, but it had been the best he could do. He climbed off Fenrir and stood beside the rusting buster sword, a quiet sigh escaping his lips as he righted it in the ground.

"I know what you would do," he murmured, stroking the hilt. "I just don't know if I can."

Asking for advice with the ladies, Sunshine?

"Zack," Cloud whispered, blinking as the world around him dissolved into fields of white and a tall, muscular presence materialized against his back. He squeezed his eyes shut, wanting so much to turn around but knowing he couldn't or the scene would fade. "Zack … where's Aerith?"

"We decided maybe I should handle this one." Zack shifted against him. "It's been a long time, kid."

"Yeah," Cloud agreed, opening his eyes at last. "I've missed you."

"You've grown up. Gave us quite a show last night."

Cloud gaped a little in astonishment. "You were watching?"

"I'm always watching you, Cloud." Zack's gloved hand found his own, folding their fingers together. "We're friends, right?"

Cloud nodded a little at the familiar question and sighed again. "I don't know what to do, Zack."

"That's my Sunshine, always so nervous when it comes to the girls." Cloud could feel Zack's chuckle vibrate through his back. "She's a pretty one."

"And a Turk."

"Does that matter anymore? I know how you feel about ShinRa … hell, I feel the same way. But it isn't the same. You're not fighting her."

"I have in the past."

"It didn't stop you last night."

"We were drunk."

"And you were both so lonely." Zack's fingers squeezed reassuringly. "There's nothing wrong with this, Sunshine. You're still human. You can't live your life alone."

"Zack, this isn't the right time for a relationship…"

"Just give it one more chance. That's what you want to do anyway, isn't it? And don't worry about me." Zack's fingers squeezed once more. "I'm the past. Maybe it's time to let me go."

"I can't let you go, Zack. I can't…"

"Don't let me ruin another relationship for you, Cloud." Zack's voice sounded a little sad, and Cloud could feel his presence start to fade away. "I'll always be watching you, Sunshine…"

"Zack…" Cloud whispered again, but the wastelands had returned around him, and he was standing alone beside the sword and his bike. He looked down at his hand where Zack had touched him, still feeling his gentle presence. He missed Zack, missed him so much it hurt. He could never forgive himself for letting his best friend die. He had lost half of his heart that day. Aerith's death had only made it worse. The guilt weighed down, crushing him, stretching his days into long sequences of torture.

Still, Zack was right. The previous night he had gone to the bar, seeking to escape the guilt, and when he was with Elena he wasn't as preoccupied about his past … mostly because he was preoccupied with the fact that she was a Turk. What could one try hurt? They would probably go out, find out they hated each other, and separate completely. Because, as Cloud knew, he was not good company, and he was definitely not Elena's type.

That afternoon, he knocked on Elena's apartment door. He had spent a few hours wondering what to say, how to say it, how to best follow Zack's advice. He could never understand how Zack was so good with women … it had always seemed so natural, the way they flocked around him like he was some kind of novelty, and he had always been so friendly with them. Maybe Cloud's method of sulking in the corner hadn't been the best idea.

The peephole darkened, and Elena opened the door with a surprised look on her face. "Cloud?" she asked. "Did you forget something?"

"I want to see you again," he said, wanting to get to the point quickly. "Don't shut the door. Please, let me take you out, just once."

"Why?" she asked, leaning in the doorjamb and still looking skeptical. "Cloud, we can't –"

"No, I know," Cloud said, frowning a little. "I told you earlier that I just can't let it go without some closure. So give me one more chance, and let us find out we hate each other before slamming the door, okay? Just one date."

Elena sighed and brushed her hair out of her eyes. "I still don't know why, Cloud. And I am pretty busy."

"I know. Just once."

She watched him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Okay. One date. But that's it. And don't take me anywhere fancy, okay? I'll be fine with burgers or something. I'll be free after seven tomorrow. Meet me back here."

Cloud nodded and smiled a little. "Tomorrow it is. I'll pick you up at seven thirty. Don't dress up."