Hello readers! Thanks for stopping by to check out my story. I'm sorry if any of my characters seem OOC... I'm doing my best :) Thank you all again for taking the time to read this.

I DO NOT OWN FF VII

Chapter 4: Zack Fair

.

.

.

.

"Woah! What the hell just happened?!" Zack exclaimed as he began touching his chest with his hands, he then proceeded to pat his entire body down, check his own pulse and stare at himself in a hand mirror.

"You know, you really should be thanking Vincent for bringing you back to life." Yuffie hissed with a cross of the arms and a pop of the hip. She was trying desperately not to blush at the handsome SOLDIER who had just emerged from Vincent's magical vortex he swore up and down to be a closet.

"If you would just sit down and stop panicking, I'll explain everything to you." Vincent replied with a whoosh of his cape and a small nod of his head.

Zack obliged and sat at the small desk Vincent had gestured to, he then turned and looked Yuffie up and down. "Dear God, you've certainly grown. Yuffie still had a boyish figure, but she had developed a few curves here and there. Her hair was grown out a bit, just grazing the top of her bare shoulders. She still wore extremely short shorts and a half shirt if you could even call it that. Vincent too, had changed. Zack had done a few dealings with the turks to know who he was, and to know that he should probably be a wrinkled old man. Immediately, Zack felt as if he were under some kind of experiment, only the atmosphere was a lot less terrifying and cold. Vincent, although dark, paled in comparison of creepiness when it came to Hojo. He knew Vincent had undergone terrible experimentations of his own. His thoughts trailed off until Vincent began to explain.

"I've been researching the afterlife for some time now. There is a way to retrieve people from within the heavenly bodies, but it takes a lot of time. I created a spell, and a very potent potion in order to gain access to the very edge of the afterlife." Vincent paused for a more dramatic effect as he usually does. "Once I gain that access with the first spell" He continued," another is cast, creating a black hole. Yuffie, by accident, discovered the combination in which bringing someone back consists of, however, the one whom returns I have no control of. So far I have retrieved two. You, and Aerith."

Zack blinked a few times, scratched his head then smiled a wide and charming smile. "So she's back too?!" He said standing and approaching Vincent. "Thank you so much. I feel like this is a second chance for both of us." Zack extended his hand to Vincent, who cocked an eyebrow but then obliged and shook his hand.

"A lot to take in huh? Yeah I don't understand it all, but I think Vincent's on to something real great." Yuffie chirped happily. Vincent turned to her surprised. He knew Yuffie was infatuated with him since they worked together not too long ago. To hear her say that Vincent was doing something great sparked something within him that had been in a deep slumber, for a long, long time.

.

.

.

Zack strolled the streets of Midgar with his hands behind his head and a pep in his step. He chuckled at the fact that he was wearing the same clothes he had on when he died as he studied the setting sun. The town he saw around him looked like a hell hole. What happened here? He thought to himself. Midgar... Zack's mind trailed off, remembering the times he had there. He continued walking about, going where his feet took him. Suddenly, he came to a stop. He lifted his gaze and stared upon the familiar house he used to visit. Aerith... He thought. Zack shrugged. What the hell, right? Obviously, he had walked there out of habit, and if what Vincent Valentine had told him earlier, she too had come back from the afterlife. Although the two had died, they never really saw each other up in the heavenly realm. Once, maybe twice if he was lucky. Things were so much slower paced there, life stopped for him. It was just like a deep slumber.

Zack made his way to the door step and turned over his shoulder, he hadn't noticed the sleek looking bike parked in front of the house until now. Looked as though Aerith had another visitor. He again, shrugged and knocked on the door.

Aerith was in the kitchen working on a fresh batch of cookies when the knock came. Cloud was sitting on the counter watching her as she baked and admiring her. "Hmm... Odd to have a guest..." She mumbled as she walked to the front door. After wiping her floury hands on her apron, Aerith swung the door open and gasped at the sight before her. "Z...Zack?" She whispered as she brought a trembling hand to her mouth.

"Long time no see, huh Aerith?" Zack said, leaning on the frame of the door.

Cloud heard the voice loud and clear. He felt flooded with emotions, memories and recollections. He immediately hopped down from the counter and rushed to the front door and stood by Aerith's side. His eyes stung with tears and his heart pounded. It can't be real. This can't be real.

"Same goes for you, blondie. Ain't seen you're pretty face in some time." Zack said with a hearty chuckly. "Can I come in or am I interrupting something here?" Zack asked bluntly. He had wondered if Cloud may have swooped in on Aerith for the short time she was back, knowing Aerith was in such shock she couldn't invite him in herself, he decided to take it upon himself to go in.

"O.. Oh please..." Aerith managed to get out, she then moved to the side as to allow Zack entrance and he came inside the familiar home and closed the door behind him.

"So Vincent..." Cloud started, still unsure of what to think. Part of him was fearful of an upcoming pounding from Zack, after all he'd been staying with Aerith for weeks now, and the two had hit it off quite well.

"Yeah," Zack said with a scratch of the head. "Lucky huh?" He smiled then turned to Aerith. "It's good to see you both."

"Zack... I didn't think I'd ever see you again." She said, blinking away tears.

"Well here I am!" He said with a wink. "So do I smell cookies?"

.

.

.

.

After Aerith had served up the fresh, warm cookies, she took a seat at the table next to Cloud who was sitting across from Zack. Zack quirked an eyebrow at the two and proceeded to eat a cookie. He could tell Cloud was shaken, and quite nervous by the fact his forehead was glistening with sweat and his face was two shades paler than normal. Zack, being loud and outspoken, decided to get the questions he had inside, answered.

"So how's your girl, Cloud? The one from Nibleheim?" Zack asked, trying to pry it out of Cloud.

Cloud's demeanor changed immediately at the mention of 'His girl.' He was really unsure of what to say, because at the moment, he really had two, He felt the sting and guilt of leaving Tifa, but something kept him by Aerith's side. She was so innocent and delicate and needy. To him it felt as though Aerith may have been the perfect fit all along, only Zack was in the way then. And here he was again. He really didn't know what to do or say. "Tifa? Well... Things between us are... different." He said, looking down.

Zack propped his elbows up on the table and looked at Aerith who seemed downcast at Cloud's answer. "So you're broken up, then?" Cloud only shrugged and continued to look down. That always tended to agitate Zack, when Cloud began to mope.

"I guess we drifted apart, but it makes things a little more complicated with the kids." Cloud finally answered. With that statement, Aerith stood and looked at Cloud curiously.

"You didn't say you had kids with her, Cloud." She said, a little upset.

"No, Aerith, it's not kids with her.." He sighed. "We are caretakers for a few kids, that's all." He said, placing a hand on his head.

Zack knew, with Aerith's immediate defensive attitude, something was going on between she and Cloud. "So you two are together then?" Zack asked, pointing to the two across from him.

"W... Well Zack I didn't know you'd be back and... I.." Aerith said, twiddling her thumbs.

"Aerith," Zack said looking at her sympathetically. "I don't blame you." He smiled softly, then turned to Cloud. "But if you break her heart, Cloud, You better believe I'll tear you apart, limb by limb! She's a very special girl dammit!" He growled, then stood, looking Cloud dead in the eye. The one whom he used to call his greatest companion, his closest friend, now in a relationship with the love of his life. Cloud looked at Zack with wide, blue eyes and gulped. He knew what Zack had said was not an open threat, and he would do everything he said he would.

"Zack.. I.." Cloud started.

"Don't worry about it." Zack said turning to walk to the front door. He then looked over his shoulder and smiled. "You're well suited for each other anyway. Catch up with ya later blondie." He said with a light chuckle before exiting the home. Well Damn... guess I didn't see that coming. Nothing like a slap in the face to kick off your second chance at life.