A/N: I must admit that this is one of the more sad stories that I see. I hate the idea of Zack not being a part of Cloud's life, but at the same time it is something that has been written about many times. I love this song and even though it often brings me to tears, I still adore listening to it.

To Where You Are by; Chloe Agnew or Josh Groban

CloudxZack

Cloud walked into his apartment, locking the door behind him and threw himself onto the bed. It had been too damn long of a day and he was not in the mood to deal with anyone. His mind was abuzz with everything that he had just tried to process.

He was now a full member of SOLIDER. Something he thought he had wanted his whole life. With higher ranks, came higher benefits. He had been moved from his small dorm room that he was sharing with several of the other cadets, and now was lying across the large mattress of his studio apartment. He kicked his boots off his feet and heard the loud thud as they hit the floor. He reached his arms around a pillow and turned to his side, not even bothering to change from his uniform.

Part of him was filled with a joy for the fact that Shinra had moved him into Zack's old quarters. It was his third night in the new room and he still felt a little uneasy. He buried his face deep into the pillowcase, inhaling the familiar scent that he knew was Zack. It had been requested to leave everything just as the way it had been. Cloud couldn't bare the thought that he'd have to still go through all of Zack's belongings and sort them out.

For Cloud, the grief was still all too overwhelming. No one had any idea of the pain that he was going through. He hid it well. He was always good at keeping his feelings hidden, except for when he was with Zack. He didn't have to. He inhaled deep into the pillow again and felt as his eyes became heavy.

He was floating, lost somewhere between heaven and earth. His body felt as though it were made of air. Cloud opened his eyes to see a swirl of dark purple mixed with reds and orange as they stretched in vibrant colors all around him. As he tried to focus more on the colors, his feet landed soft on the ground. He gazed around him in wonder, taken aback by the vast beauty that seemed to surrounded him. In the distance, their was a soft voice and it seemed to be singing, he closed his eyes and focused on the words.

Who can say for certain?

Maybe you're still here

I feel you all around my

Your memory so clear

Deep in the stillness

I can hear you speak

You're still an inspiration

Can it be?

That you are my forever love

And you are watching over me from up above?

As Cloud begin to open his eyes, he felt a warm breeze brush the side of his face and could feel as his hair moved softly around his face. The voice was beautiful, and the words were something he could understand.

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight to see you smile

If only for a while to know you're there

A breathe a way's not far to where you are

Are you gently sleeping

Here inside my dream?

And isn't faith believing

All power can't be seen?

As my heart holds you

Just one beat away

I cherish all you gave me

Every day

He felt the soft breeze wrap around his body once more, this time brushing soft on his lips. Cloud felt a flutter in his stomach as his feet began to carry him forward.

Cause you are my forever love

Watching me from up above

And I believe that angels breathe

And that love will live on and never leave

Upon stopping, Cloud felt as though he was being watched, but it wasn't a threatening feeling. He slowly began to turn around, a feeling of hope in the pit of his stomach.

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight to see you smile

If only for a while to know you're there

A breathe a way's not far to where you are

I know you're there

As Cloud turned fully around, his breathe seemed to be taken away at the sight before him. It was Zack. He was smiling with one of his arms held out, a pair of beautiful white angel wings behind him. The light from the setting sun seemed to dance off the tips of the feathers and Cloud placed his hand over his mouth.

"Zack?" he asked softly as a sob caught in his throat.

"Hello Cloud" Zack smiled and took a few steps towards him, watching Cloud continue to stare. "It's okay"

Cloud felt as a hot tear began to roll down his face. Zack wrapped his arms tight around him, and Cloud clung to him as tight as he could. He felt the softness of the feathers as they brushed away the tears from his face, Zack was stroking his hand down his hair in a soothing motion while he kissed the top of his head.

"I miss you" Cloud whispered. "I can't do this without you Zack"

Cloud felt Zack's stomach move as he chuckled softly. "I miss you too Cloud" Zack placed his hands on his face as he pulled him back to look in his eyes. "But you're stronger than you think."

Zack leaned forward and placed his lips soft on Clouds. He felt as Cloud began to melt in his arms. As he pulled his face back, he smiled soft and ran a thumb down Cloud's cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "I'll always be with you"

Cloud closed his eyes and felt as Zack's arms wrapped tight around him. The softness of his large wings seemed to enfold him, and he felt comfort in knowing that Zack was there.

When his eyes opened, he was staring at the ceiling if his apartment. He ran a hand through his hair with a loud sigh and felt a wetness on his cheeks. As he wiped the tears away, Cloud sat up to go take a shower, when he noticed a picture sitting on the bed next to him. He knew for a fact that the picture hadn't been there before. As he picked it up to take a closer look, he could smell a scent in the air that made him smile.

Looking at the photo, it was him and Zack. They were standing by a lake in Gongaga with the sun setting behind them. It had been Zack's mother that had taken the picture, and it was one of Zack's favorites. Cloud slid off the bed and walked to place the precious picture in one of the few frames around the room, when he noticed a small inscription written across the back. He turned the photo over and gasped as he recognized Zack's handwriting.

A breathe a way's not far to where you are