disclaimer: I do Not own Final Fantasy, I do not own Cloud or Zack (sadly), but I own Sylvia

Sylvia ran out of the bar, and stopped a moment when she'd run a good half mile. It was raining, pouring around her. She was already soaked, drenched in the cold water. She began to cry, regretting everything she'd yelled at Cloud. She shouldn't have done that, but she couldn't help feeling that he was responsible. She remembered how much he blamed himself for Zack's death.

"Please come back home...Zack. I miss you so much, I'm hurting Cloud, I know I am. He saved me, and I yell in his face. I'm a horrible friend aren't I?" She felt a bit insane, standing in the middle of no where, talking to herself. She shuddered with tears. "Why did you guys have to run. Maybe if you'd left with me, you guys would still be here, like old times. You know I loved you, right Zack? You knew that, and yet you let me go anyway. You knew how Cloud felt," she whispered.

Cold rain came down in sheets, soaking her body. The wind did not blow, but somehow all the rain was falling around her. She remembered Zack saying once that her heart seemed to tame the wildest storms. She took a deep breath and slowed her heart. She found that as she did, the rain began to slow, until it was only a gentle sprinkle. She looked up at the stars and reached up. A soft breeze touched her fingers, almost like someone reaching out to her.

Cloud sat on fenrir outside the church. The rain had stopped. He slowly slipped off and sighed, running his hand through his soaked blond hair. Why did Sylvia snap at him like that? Maybe he deserved it, he shouldn't have snapped at her like that. He entered the church and took a deep breath as he walked to the small meadow of flowers and lay in the middle of it. He looked up at the stars, and closed his eyes. Everything seemed so serene around him. He wondered if she would ever forgive him. He then remembered what Zack used to say.

"She has to forgive, she can't hold grudges," he whispered. He knew that had to be true, since she cared so much for Zack and him. They were like family to him. Thinking back, he realized he'd only said her name once since he'd found her yesterday. Zack had mentioned that once about Cloud thinking her name was taboo after she left. When ever Zack said her name during their time in SOLDIER, it was usually followed by some incident, either involving Zack himself or Cloud. Eventually they had learned not to say her name at all.

"Now I've been punished," he whispered. It was true, an argument usually counted for the affects of taboo, at least in Zack's opinion. Cloud sighed and stretched his arms out above his head. "I still never told her how I felt," he whispered. It probably didn't matter. She still loved Zack. That thought had made him keep his emotions sealed up from anyone. He'd never considered telling her, but should he, when she might still be grieving?

All he could do was think that maybe she would feel the same...eventually. for now, he lay in the flowers, listening to the soft sounds of night. He took a deep breath and sat up, deciding to take Tifa's advice.

"I have to go find her," he whispered to himself.

Sylvia had collapsed long ago from exhaustion and lay tired on the gorund, letting the cool air swirl around her.

I'm so tired.

I figured as much.

Z-zack? Is that you?

No, I'm a soul stealer. Of course it's me!

I thought-

I can still talk to you, sort of like a guardian angel.

So, I have been hearing you.

More or less I suppose.

That does not make any sense Zack.

Yea it does, trust me.

I do, I always have.

Then trust what I have to say now, listen to Cloud, he knows what he's talking about. He cares about you more than you consider, and he wants you safe.

I know, I-

No, you don't know, cause otherwise you guys would've kissed already.

WHAT?

Whoops, I'm not supposed to say stuff like that...Dang, I'm in trouble.

...Zack, I miss you so much.

I miss you to Syl, more than you know.

I-

Don't say that you know, cause you don't know everything Sylvia Lark. The world is full of mysteries, and you can't solve all of them. That includes your own.

What are you trying to say Zacky?

Aww, don't pull the nickname on me!

Zacky, Wacky, Zappy.

...Wow Zack, you are just like Cloud, guys never seem to mature.

Not what I meant Syl, just go after him so he doesn't get hurt. He's been hiding his geostigma the entire time he's had it. He hasn't even told Tifa. You're the only one who can help him now.

Me?

Yea, now, please, if not for Cloud's sake, for mine. you guys need each other, now more than ever.

Alright. I love you Zack.

I know Sylvia, I love you too, always have.

With that, the voice disappeared from her mind, and she stood again with new found strength in her body. She had to find Cloud. It was then that she realized that the entire time she was talking to Zack, his dagger was held to her heart.

She began to run, holding the dagger in one hand, holding Zack's spirit as though he was holding her hand, running beside her. When she was within sight of the church, maybe a half mile or so, she heard the roar of fenrir's engine, and stopped. Pulling up in front of her was Cloud, looking as though he'd just discovered himself. His blond hair was a bit of a mess, and his eyes were...scared and frightened. As soon as the bike stopped, she ran to him and threw her arms around his mid-section, and cried.

Cloud stood in confusion for a moment, before he slowly put his arms around her. "Please stop crying, Sylvia," he said soothingly and rubbed large circles on her back.

"I don't deserve you Cloud," she sobbed. He shushed her and just tried to calm her down. They just stood there, until her sobs slowed to long breaths. she felt like she might fall asleep standing in his arms. They separated and looked into each other's eyes.

"I'm sorry," they said in sync. Sylvia laughed a little.

"You were right, Cloud. I should have listened to what you said back there. I'm really sorry. Will you forgive me?" He looked shocked.

"I guess we're even then, because I was about to say the same," he whispered and hugged her.

"Zack would be proud of you," Cloud whispered. Sylvia couldn't help but smile into his chest.

"I know."

They both could've sworn they heard Zack laughing in the distance, floating on his angel wings.

End of chapter :) Sooo, what did you think? should I end the story here as a friendship fiction? Or make it into a love story? I need more ideas, but I think I'll introduce the city if I continue, to where Cloud kills Sephiroth, and maybe Sylvia comes close to death and Zack saves her.