Authors Note: Yes, this is what you think it is. I've finally finished Chapter 4. Okay, so, to explain, one of the biggest reasons it took fucking... dear Minerva... two years, was because when I first wrote chapter 4 it was complete shit compared to this. Aside from that the whole thing of my comp being infested with viruses made it worse and kept me from uploading this until now. I hope that for everyone who had favorited/put this story on alert this makes up for it at least somewhat. Next on my rewrite list is A Chance Encounter, which I've already begun revising.

I want to give the credit of inspiration to my Aeris, my Angel, Ethereal Maiden. Who without I fear I'd never write another thing... romantic or not. I love you and hope to see more of YOUR writing published.

If you haven't read any of it yet she's got 1 Resident Evil and 1 Final Fantasy VII fic up. They're good, check them out.

Now, on with the fic...

As Hollander spoke he motioned fervently towards the observation table nearby, his dark eyes glued to the pair "I will need to examine the wound momentarily before placing her inside the chamber to judge just how much is required for the healing process- quickly though.". The last part was added after he caught a glimpse at the blood soaking through the pink fabric she was garbed in; yet Cloud took pause in his uncertainy in the old scientist. However his concerns for the flower girl in his arms won out against caution and he stepped forward, depositing her onto the table as gently as he could. As he glanced down at her face he could see a paled tint to it - most likely from blood loss and any pain she felt - yet as she noticed his hypnotizing orbs gazing into hers with such blatant worry she gave him one of her dazzling smiles. It floored him to this day the power in a single smile from her- she could almost stop a war simply by smiling at the soldiers, probably; it never failed to make his heart stop. With a quick glance to the only help he could find now, he saw the white gloves reach over and begin unbuttoning her dress at her stomach; it seemed the other man was afraid Cloud could hit him at any moment. It wouldn't be too hard with how close he remained by the girl, eyes like that of a wolf's, making sure to stick close for both his own comfort and hers. Noticing her bodyguards hard stare she reached over and traced her fingers across his knuckles against the table before gently working her hand into his and lacing fingers with him. The two of them looked down at thier joined hands, his large gloved one engulfing her small and almost fragile looking hand;

With regret he gently disentangled his fingers from his flower girl's and all the tenderness in his body lifted her, as if she were a porcelian doll, and walked the few brisk steps to the Mako Chamber. After Hollander pressed the button he was able to place her inside it and with all the numbness he could muster to mask his fear, helped hook her up to the monitors before stepping back reluctantly to allow the chamber to close. As the metallic click was heard he felt a chink in his emotional armor but dared not show it, simply glancing over at the controls as the scientist began operating them. As his gaze turned back towards the tank it met the most beautiful emralds he had ever seen, and in those jems he saw a gentle reassurance but even he could see the fear and uncertainy in them. It made him wonder if this was the best option- too late now though, as he spoke the lights turned on in the tank, casting a glow across her soft features. With a tilt of her head she gave him a teasing expression to try and make him feel better... she knew he was second guessing his disicion and decided he needed a little teasing. Seeing the familiar expression on her face caused a faint quirk of his lips, the smallest smile but it was meant for her; it lit her world up to see it and as a whirring sound started her palm pressed flat up against the glass. Slowly his own gloved one came up and pressed against it, directly where hers was, and he swore he could feel her warmth through the cold glass. Soon the tank began to fill up with the green substance known as Mako, pouring in from the floor at her feet; despite it's texture and cold sting she never once looked away from his haunting blue eyes. She felt silly about it... but... sometimes she had found herself getting lost in their depths; simply trying to see beyond the mask he fronted for everyone. Her other hand came up briefly to 'trace' the outline of his jaw, and as he saw this he found himself sorely tempted to lean against the glass... just to see if he could feel it. It wasn't until the Mako had reached her chin that he realized it was pouring in, so distracted with her was he that it had taken that long to notice it.

And soon enough the Mako had reached past her chin and eyes, creating a world around her, almost like a grain of film stretched across her face colored green. As she saw how distorted her vision was becoming she began to struggle around the tank she now floated in, thrashing gently about to try and catch a glimpse at Cloud. This caused the equippment monitoring her to go a tad haywire, reading out that her heart rate was increasing in tempo along with her pulse. Hearing the shrill little beeps from the equippment the blonde looked over with concern and more than a little menace "What's wrong? Is it the Mako?" his demand was met with a second of silence. A second being keyword for Hollander soon turned to him with a nasty look on his aged face "No, fool, you are the problem! As long as you're in the room she'll struggle to see you and make sure you're okay!". This caused the Mercenary to blink for a moment, but it was long enough for the other man to storm over and begin shoving him roughly towards the door; "GO. She's going to end up hurting herself and that wound if you don't get out right now! Then my work will have been for naught!". Backing up and nearly stumbling from the surprise he found himself in the hall outside the lab, and the door slammed in his face loudly, causing a echoing clang about the room. It didn't take long for the events to register and his eyes flashed with anger, a scowl breaking across his normally blank features "Hollander! You'd better watch over her!" he called throuh the thick metal. For several minutes he stood an inch away from the door, his body rigid like a statue with the whir of emotions and tension in his body; it wasn't until he gave up the battle that his body was able to finally lax.

With an intake of air that expanded his chest he closed the eyes that had drawn him so much attention before, reaching up with his right hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. Releasing the breath with just barely a sound he resisted the urge to punch the steel door in from of him to try and vent some of the frustration he felt at being pushed any length away from his Flower Girl. The ex-SOLDIER turned on his heel and pressed his back up against the door before sliding down the surface; the only sound in the hall being his holster making a slight squeaking noise from dragging down the steel. Once he was firmly planted on the ground he released the bridge of his nose and drew his left leg up until the knee was parellel with his shoulder and drapped his arm over it. With his temple pressed against his forearm he clenched his eyes until he was sure it would give him a headache, hoping to oppress the tears that pricked at his eyelids. Crying... he didn't cry dammit! She was safe now, she was back... he didn't have to cry... but he knew it was because he didn't want to lose her again. Losing her again was absolutely not an option, not after he had failed her the first time... and... dear Goddess it would be because of Sephiroth yet again! All because her wound from the Masamune had never closed up after her death almost three years ago... did he expect it to though, for it to be that easy? Even when he had gone through everything he had gone through, those sacrifices and pains didn't mean much to whatever force had brought her back to him. There had been no guarentee that she'd come back with the wound sealed and her body in peak condition as before the violent disruption.

But she was back, she was breathing and smiling... she was even teasing him despite how horrible she must have been feeling with that damn hole in her body. Just like she promised him... "I'll come back when it's all over." she gave him a small reassuring smile as she turned around and began towards the Forgotten City, her chestnut brown hair in it's braid swaying slightly as she hurried away, his hand outstretched as he called out to her and tried to reach her... he could still picture that dream as if he had just woken up from it... as if it had only been a few moments ago, and his heart was still intact. Turning his face more into his leg he reached over with his right hand and grasped it almost hugging the leg like a lifeline while trying to dispell the tears still threatening to fall. Even if he was a broken man his pride was still intact and he would not allow himself to cry with... Hollander... so close by... and Aeris, who he never wanted to show weakness to ever again. The leather of his gloves protested against his palms as he tightened his grip around his limb, the muscles of his arms hiding the true strength that he held, which could crush the largest of men in the blink of an eye. No... he couldn't break down here, not with that poor excuse for a human being in the next room, he had to stay strong and keep himself together at least for now. With that he began thinking over the task of explaining this entire thing to the others, who, he hoped, he'd never have to reveal much to... the only person he might admit what he'd done being Vincent, who knew what it was like to lose the person you loved because of a madman.

As for Aeris and Professor Hollander, after he had thrown the young Mercenary out of the lab he had gone over to the Mako Chamber and caught the young Cetras attention "Quit squirming or you'll hinder your healing!". After which he went over to the control console and monitored the readings of her vitals as she took his words to heart and forced her body to relax. Heart rate returning to normal, but her emotions ran with the pain of being separated so soon, causing a few tears to slip free of her tear ducts. The clear salty fluids floated into the thicker liquid of the chamer, mixing and disappearing in it as if they had never been; the Angel of the Slums closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down. Yes, Cloud had been thrown from the room by the man who was now offering his help to save her life... but she understood it was because she had panicked. ... Okay... so he wasn't really offering his services... but he didn't necessarily have to do any of this, and she was grateful for it, so the least she could do was comply and focus on trying to help the healing process. So with slower movements hindered by the Mako she lifted her arms and clasped her hands in front of her and kept her hands closed as she began praying to the Lifestream, asking if it would humbly help the process so that she would continue with her second chance. In this suspended and much quieter place she was able to hear the Planet better than she would outside of it in the lab; this, she supposed, was because of not only it being in an enclosed space. But also because this was the lifeblood of the Planet floating around her, encasing her with it's raw being; still, though, it was toxic and she hoped it wouldn't effect her negatively.

The voices flowed into her mind, whispering softly with words of comfort and support, letting her know that it would protect her from the poison in the lifeblood. This eased her fears but allowed her the time to begin pondering a few things, including how on Gaia this was possible...

Authors Note: Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoyed this, any feedback is welcome, constructive criticism appreciated. Flames go to keeping my gay friends warm.