Chapter 8

Almost to the ship, not a word was spoken between them. Alex was still shaken from the experience Cloud did not want to upset her more by talking about it so he stayed quiet. She didn't even look at Cloud as much as she does when he was around she kept her eyes out just in front of her. The planes propellers can now be heard Alex was glad to be going she did not want to stay here any longer. Cloud gazed at her from time to time he wondered what was going threw her mind what she was saying in her head and not saying to him. He hoped that when they got back she would be fine. The ship now in sight Yuffie, Tifa and Barret stood outside talking. Yuffie sees Alex and cloud "there they are!" she shouts pointing to them. At the ramp Tifa notices Alex doesn't look right "What's wrong you ok Alex?" she says to her placing her hand just at the end of her shoulder. Alex didn't want to be touched "Ya" she says rushing up the ramp Tifa looks at Cloud "What happened?" she asks concerned. He did not want to speak about it "Don't worry lets go" he says going up the ramp into the bridge. The three of them follow him the ramp closing behind. "Don't tell me not to worry because you know I will any ways what happened!" she shouts at him cloud stands at the window cid is at the controls putting the ship in flight. Barret and Yuffie stand behind her "Its nothing" he says looking out the window Tifa walks closer to him "how can you say that?" she yells louder Cid watching lights a cigerette holding the helm. Cloud doesn't answer Tifa moves standing a few feet behind him "She is obviously upset about something! What about the rule of not keeping secrets!" she says angrily. Cloud is now mad that Tifa is being so persistent he zips around glaring he screams over her "You wanna know? 2 guys jumped her if I hadn't found her!..." he cuts him self off closing his eyes not wanting to continue he didn't want to think of what could of went down. He turns back to the window, Tifa puts one hand over her mouth in her mind she was thinking Cloud had done something to make her act that way she never thought it could of been anything like that "Is she ok?" she asks him he lets out a sigh "I don't know" he answers.

Alex just wanted her bed entering her room she doesn't shut the door leaving it open slightly. Shoes and griffins still on she crawls under her covers. Nothing like that had ever happened to her before she didn't get the kind of attention she gets here at home she was always invisible. Really all she did was coast by and she was used to that but now here it's a whole new ball game. Here when it came to that it was backwards suddenly she now is desired she doesn't know how to handle it. Yuffie and Tifa step in they both sit on Yuffie's bed facing her "Cloud told us what happened you alright?" Tifa asks Alex sits up "Ya I'm fine" she says fixing her blanket. "You wanna talk about it?" Yuffie asks "Not really" she says looking at the foot of her bed. Yuffie falls on her back her legs hanging over the side. "He said he fought 2 men off of u?" Tifa states Alex rolls her eyes a lil "So much for not talking about it Tifa" she says in her head. But then she thinks about it "Ha yeah it was pretty cool I thought they were gonna wet themselves" she chuckles laughing along with her they both stand up and go to the door. "Well no more going off on your own bring at least one of us with you ok?" Tifa asks Alex nods her head they leave. She sinks back into her bed she remembers Byron at the reactor how he almost killed him and when she saw him shoving that man on the wall. She didn't think he was that aggressive he always seemed so calm still she was thankful that he came to her aid when it was needed. "Heh it was cool" she says to herself thinking about him more and more made her feel better. She started to not care about the whole incident its self she focused more on how he acted when he showed up they way he had hold of that man they way his eyes looked just his presence she reverted to story books and movies when she was a kid he was like the white knight riding in to save the damsel in distress. She giggled at the thought of it a big smile rows from cheek to cheek she gets into a comfy spot and closes her eyes the smile lingered for sometime.

Half under the front of the engine Alex shines a light on every wire, pipe, and anything else that fell in between. The shower didn't keep her clean for long her hair wasn't bad but her hands, face, and neck were almost completely black. While she did this she heard footsteps come in "Hey Alex?" its Cid "ya?" she says she hears him going threw boxes "Were are the pliers?" he asks. She shakes her head "All tools are on the bench Cid" she tells him he grabs them and walks out .Alex shifts her body, her back was starting to hurt. she hears the boxes being rummaged threw again thinking its Cid not understanding what 'tools are on the bench' ment she crawls out. "Cid I told you the pliers are on the bench" she says walking over to her surprise it was Cloud. "Oh hey sorry" she apologizes holding a small box he looks to her "Its ok" he says sticking his hand in he pulls out something she thought was odd for him to want. "Spark plugs? You tuning up a car?" she asks him he puts the box back "Motorcycle" he answers looking at them. "Oh?" she says her stomach felt like it had butterflies. Alex always liked motorcycles and learning Cloud has one made her knees weak. "Can I see it?" she asks politely. He glances at her "Come on" he invites motioning with is head to follow. He leads her to the cargo room. Inside he flips a switch the lights flicker once before turning on. All around her were bags and boxes all strapped down she assumed to keep them from moving in flight. He walks ahead and stops on the other side of a rack she meets him. He stands at the end of something large with a tarp over it. He reaches down and pulls the tarp off. Alex's eyes widen her mouth drops "Whoa" she lets out. It was twice the size of any bike she has ever seen. It was black with gold trim huge double exhaust pipes stuck out the back. The tires were big and bulky making the bike stand high off the ground its body was sleek its style was like a street bike. He puts the tarp off to the side "This is yours?" she asks almost drooling he nods walking to the front of it holding the spark plugs. She gets closer to it her eyes run along the body she squats down to get a better look at the engine "This thing is sick " she says smiling. He leans one arm on a rack confused "Sick?" he says she looks over at him "Oh its another way of saying awesome" she says standing up still looking at it. "Were did u get this?" she asks checking out the back. He walks over stopping at the front tire "It was a trade" He answers watching her. She looks up and goes over to the seat "That was a sweet deal" she states touching it. He says nothing he keeps watching her. A ringing sound then fills the room Alex jerks her head around. Cloud reaches into his pack and pulls out a phone Alex seeing this is shocked "They have cell phones here to?" she thinks he answers it "Ya?" he says into it the voice on the other side was a woman's it sounded like Tifa. Alex went back to the bike him talking in the background. Now on the side of it she touched the handle bars witch sat low. She sees divots that matched on either side of the body she ran her fingers over it "Hmm" she thought. He shuts his phone and goes back to the bike "What's up?" she asks him "Were going back to Corel tomorrow" he informs. Her eyebrows move down "Corel? again?" she says confused she guessed they were going to help out again. "Just the outskirts were meeting another one of our contacts" he says Alex wondered if they were anything like Morgana. She looks back to the divots in the bike "What's this?" she asks him he walks over to her and sees what she's looking at. He goes to the other side and sticks his arm under part of the handle bar "I'd step back" he warns her she backs up. Both sides of the body fly open Alex's eyes grow wider they were compartments in them were swords including the one she always sees Cloud with "Wow" she loudly says slowly going over to them. "You have more than one?" she asks even though it was stating the obvious. "Yeah" he says folding his arms looking at them. One sword the handle was part of the blade it was hollow inside in certain angles it had a gold shimmer. Another looked like it had teethe is was also hollowed out next to that was another blade exactly like it. The last 2 swords were duplicates too they were smaller, not small enough to be a knife but not big enough to really be called a sword. The one he carries around sat on the end. "You use all of these?" she asks touching one of the toothed ones handles. "Yeah" he says staring at her "How do you use them all?" she asks remembering his holster only had so many places to put them. He gets the one Alex is familiar with and takes it out. Holding it the blade then separates in his hand "There fusion swords they lock together and make one blade" he says. This peeks Alex's interest "Show me" she says looking at him with a half smile. Looking to her he stands in the same spot for a minute then walks over and grabs the gold blade first. The hollow side slips on to the end making a new edge. The toothed blades snapped on to both sides covering the slit in the first sword. The smaller swords also sat on the sides but since they were a lot smaller they didn't make a difference on the appearance they were more of a decoration. He holds the blade out the side facing her making her jump. It was enormous, if this was held out tip pointing down Yuffie could hide behind it. In 5 seconds they all went from 6 separate swords into one big one she could see her reflection in it. She holds her hand out touching it with just the tip of her fingers. "This is badass" she compliments he doesn't say anything "This must weight a ton how are you holding this with one hand?" she questions still touching the blade. He takes it away and disassembles it put them all back in there places in the compartments. "Practice" he jokes putting in the smaller ones. Then the sword he started with goes in. He reaches under the same handle as before the compartments close. She chuckles and folds her arms she looks under the bike. A good sized wet mark lay on the floor she bends down and touches the spot she puts her fingers to her nose and smells it "Hmm" she lets out. He sees this and goes to her "What?" he asks "Looks like you've got a leak it doesn't have a smell so its not engine fluid it could be the breaks or the transmission" she tells him. He kneels down with her and examines the spot "Great" he sighs standing back up he goes to the tarp picks it up and starts to put it back on the bike. Staring at the wet spot she felt bad he seemed disappointed when he saw it "Hey...I could fix it for you" she offers. He props his head up at her "Really?" he says continuing covering it. When done he steps over to her and stops at her side. Alex rubs her lower right arm "Yea its what I do" she says to him. He turns to the bike then back to her awkward silence now sets in she waited for him to answer "When we land in Corel you can do it then" he says Alex glances at him and stares right into his eyes she was very excited that he was letting work on it but the feeling didn't last long he was almost smiling at her she felt her body get hot her face started to flush "Right...well uh...just let me know and put it outside I gotta get back" she nervously says scratching her neck he nods she heads for the door takes a breath and leaves.

The next morning everyone was up at dawn the same time Alex usually wakes up. It was still a bit dark around the ship but enough light shown threw to be able to see were your going. Alex was of course in the engine room. She was reading a section in a book about how to fix the core witch is the equivalent of an engine block in a car. Cid had the ship on auto pilot all night while they slept they would be entering Corel soon. She didn't want to get started on something before hand she said to Cloud she would fix his bike her priority was he came first so she read on. Sitting on a stool she put her legs up on the bench crossing them. She doesn't hear Nanaki come in "Ello Alex" he greets she peeks around the side of the pages. "Oh hey Nanaki what are you up to?" she asks she lays the book flat on her chest. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened at the reactor" he says walking closer he sits just were the bench began ."Oh? What about it?" she asks placing her feet on the floor. "Well it was very interesting I remember you saying the images would happen at random but then you touched that mans head and you saw what you wanted to see it leads me to believe your powers are growing" he says sitting. Alex pondered his statement "Ha ha I don't have powers" she laughs tossing the book onto the bench he didn't think it was funny. " you have the ability to see things other can not I've never known any one else who could do that what would you call it?" he asks moving one ear. Alex makes a face at him she thought this was outrageous at home mythical things such as what he was implying only existed in stories, countless movies, and shows that were the end result of peoples wild imaginations. But she let what he said sink in this wasn't home things here were real not dreamed up the episodes she was having were also real. "I don't know " answering him still in thought. A rumble comes threw the ship "We must be here" he says walking out. She follows.

It was warm out Cid had the ship on a slab of flat rock with its ridge just yards away "Smart Cid" she remarks stretching her arms up over her head. The sun was reflecting off the rock she had to go back into the ship for her sunglasses in order to see. The group wasn't outside yet she took this time to look around to the left in the distance Corel sat smoke could be seen coming up from buildings the saucer wasn't to far away. To the right it was just land outstretched to the sea. She hears a sound that also vibrated under her. Turning to the plane, everyone was at the entrance she walks over standing next to Barret. They were talking about the contact when Alex saw a shadow on the side of the ship. Curious she investigates, Cloud had taken his bike out like she had asked the excited feeling returned. He sees her standing there "Hey" he says to her dropping the kickstand. She bites her lips "hi" she says back he goes to her "How long do you think it will take?" he asks looking to the group watching them. She heard what he said but she was eye level with part of his body. His shirt had a zipper it was partially undone she could see his collar bone and some of his chest along with his broad shoulders. Since she didn't answer him he turns his head to her at the same time she realizes what she was doing clearing her throat "Ehem...uh hour...3 tops" she says moving to the bike "Alright then" he says still staring at her she nods and smiles he then goes to the group. Palm to her face she takes a short cut threw the cargo area for her tools and gets to work.

20 minutes into the job, the warmth from the sun on the rock was making Alex sweat it didn't help she was in her heavy coverall. She takes the top half off tying the sleeves around her waist in front of her. Luckily the shirt she was wearing underneath was ment for warm weather. It was a black tank the straps were thin it clung to her skin and cut off just below her breasts showing her stomach. Sitting down she continues the fix. It turns out one of the break lines had a small slit in it all that was needed was to remove the faulty line and install the new one. A loud sound now echoes the sky a helicopter lands on the other end of the rock. As it shuts down 2 men jump out running to the group. Were Alex was working she could see part of the front ramp, Yuffie, Tifa and cid. One of the men was big, tall, and bald jet black glasses covered his eyes he was in a black suit and wore gloves. The other man was short and skinny with bright red spiky hair. It wasn't cool looking like clouds it made Alex think of a porcupine. At the neck line it flowed down his back in a pony tail he had clear glasses that sat on his forehead. His outfit wasn't professional like the other man he wore the same jacket and pants but his shirt was a green button up. "There the contacts?" she thinks reaching for wire cutters. The helicopter being off she could hear the conversation going on Cloud asked them if they heard about someone named Carnak she also learned Reno and Rude were there names. "Yeah we've heard that name" Reno says tightening his pony tail Rude walks up next to him "He's been trying to collect materia and mako from the reactors" Rude adds adjusting his glasses. Cloud and Vincent fold their arms "What for?" Vincent asks "Not sure all we know is that he is based somewhere out in the marshlands were keeping an ear out for anything he's planning" he answers. Yuffie runs up to them "Reno when are ya gonna dye your hair back you look ridiculous!" she insults Reno glares at her "Would you stop with that! It's staying this way ok! Deal with it!" he snaps they continued to argue Barret, Cid, and Nanaki roll there eyes and walk away. Vincent annoyed enters into the ship Tifa laughs and accompanies him Cloud stayed. While that was going on Alex finished repairing the bike she gets up and rounds the corner of the ship looking at them. The argument between Yuffie and Reno escalated they shouted back and forth. The face Cloud was making made Alex laugh he looked so irritated. One arm up, hand touching the ship she watched. Cloud finally steps is "Enough! Yuffie go!" he yells pointing away from them she sticks her tongue out at Reno and leaves. Reno raises his arm like he was going to hit her Rude grabs him "I hate when she does that Cloud" he says angry Rude lets go of him "It's the way Yuffie is just ignore it" Cloud tells him hands now at his sides. "How do you travel with her? I Would of booted her ass out over the ocean a long time ago" He jokes kicking his foot up Cloud shakes his head "That I'd like see" Rude says touching his collar. Alex puts her other hand on her hip "Hey!" she yells over to Cloud they all jerk there heads Rude tips his glasses looking at her. Reno's mouth drops his tongue could of been wagging if hung any lower. Cloud just stares at her "Your all set I'm gonna check out the propellers" She informs. Cloud nods his head she turns and disappears behind the ship. Reno whips around facing Cloud "Who was that?" he asks looking back were he saw her Cloud begins to walk to were she stood Reno went with him rude stayed behind "That's Alex" Cloud answers "Alex huh?" Reno says he jumps ahead of Cloud . He stops and looks to Reno "What?" Cloud asks Reno tries to catch another glimpse of her. "What is she doing with you guys?" Reno asks still trying to find her "She's our mechanic" Cloud answers he walks more almost to the same spot Alex was. Reno follows " She your mechanic!" he says loudly Cloud stops again "Yea why?" he asks one eyebrow up. "Why! if she was my mechanic I would make sure something was broken everyday!" Reno yells throwing his arms up. Cloud shakes his head walking to his bike he looks it over and sits on it "What you don't think so?" Reno asks standing next to him Cloud gives him the death glare "Come on Cloud your a guy you haven't noticed?" he says Cloud gripes the handle bars "Noticed what?" Cloud asks Reno's eye twitches "Noticed what? How about that your mechanic is a total hottie?" he screams Cloud puts his fingers on his nose aggravated "I wonder about you sometimes" Reno says shaking his head Cloud fingers still on his nose glares at him again. "Ehem hate to interrupt" Rude says next to them Reno and Cloud bounce there heads up Rude looks at Reno "We have to go sir is waiting for us" he tells him. They turn around and walk together Reno cocks his head back to Cloud "If we get any more info on Carnak well call ya and say bye to the hottie for me" he says smiling. They run to the helicopter Cloud rolls his eyes and lets out a loud sigh "Yeah" he says to himself turning the bike on.

Alex didn't hear what Reno had said about her to Cloud she was looking for info on the propellers she wanted to make sure a mistake didn't happen they were a vital element in flight. She finds a section about them in a book and takes it outside with tools. At the rear of the plane the small propellers were low easy to reach the bigger ones were up high Alex would have to climb in order to inspect them. The smaller ones all needed to be greased they were closer to the ground dirt that flung around when they spun could get jammed locking them up. This is going to have to be done every few weeks these were used mostly when 'auto hover' is turned on if just one doesn't work right it could spell disaster. She takes out a few cans of greaser and goes down the line. The hub witch was what the blades were attached to was the only thing she needed to focus on so the bottom ones didn't take long. The big ones however were going to be a challenge she grazed over the area trying to find the easiest and safest way of getting to them. "I guess I just have to go for it" she says to herself she tucks the book in her coverall and stuffs greaser along with a few tools in her pockets. Reaching up and grabbing the plane she pushes off her feet the muscles in her arms pop out as she pulls herself on to it. She stands up and looks at the ground "There that was easy" she says proudly. She walks over to the big propellers and checks them over they weren't bad like the smaller ones but she greased them any ways. This job didn't take as long she thought it would she jumps down gathers her things puts them away then goes to find everyone.

Surprise surprise they were all in the bridge, Vincent was on 'his' wall. Nanaki, Barret and Cid all stood in front of the controls Tifa and Yuffie were sitting in the 'meeting area'. Alex leans her shoulder on the doorway watching them all. They were tight nit and knew each other so well she felt out of place. Yuffie sees her "Alex! Come sit with us!" she yells waving her arms. Alex smiles and walks over "Were have you been all day?" Tifa asks Alex sits on a couche facing them. "Well I was fixing Clouds bike then I checked out the propellers" she says hunching over. Tifa and Yuffie look at each other stunned "You fixed Clouds bike!" Yuffie questions her mouth flopped open "Uh yeah why is that so surprising?" Alex asks putting her hands together "He never lets any one near it" Tifa answers "He must really trust you if he let you work on it!" Yuffie adds. This made Alex almost blush she felt somewhat special that he only let her out of all of them touch it. Then she notices has not around "Speaking of Cloud is he?" she asks "He went for a ride he'll be back" Barret answers Alex tries to imagine what he must look like driving it the very thought tickled her. "So Alex tell us" Yuffie says Alex looks to her "Tell what?" she asks. "You must have a lot guys lined up at home" Yuffie assumes "Uh ...heh...no not really" Alex answers scratching her head Yuffie makes a face "What? No way I don't believe that " Yuffie screams Alex hangs her head "wWll its true" she answers looking at the floor. "What's wrong with the men in your world your a knock out!" Yuffie says angrily hitting her couch cushion Alex looks back at her "Men think differently about looks were I'm from its just the way it is" she answers. Yuffie folds her arms upset "Well that's crap your beautiful their all stupid to think your not" Yuffie lets out "I agree" Tifa adds. Alex shakes her head and smiles it was nice to hear but she didn't think what Yuffie said about her was true "Eye' there he is" Cid says loudly Alex looks over and sees Cloud standing just in the room "Hey" he greets to him "Well how'd she handle?" Cid asks. Cloud walks to the window he sees Alex "You did a good job" he complimented Alex smiled "Thanks" she says he keeps on and stops just at the glass. "So have you been on dates at least?" Yuffie questions Alex zips back to her "Um well yea" she answers sitting back on the couch. "And?" Yuffie continues "And what?" Alex asks. Yuffie gets closer to her "And what happened with them?" she questions Alex hated having to think about it "Nothing" she answers looking at Tifa. Cloud was now listening but made himself look like he wasn't facing the window. "You've obviously had boyfriends" Yuffie assumes "Uh no" Alex snickers rubbing her cheek. "Have you been kissed at least?" Yuffie asks Alex now was feeling embarrassed she put her hands on her lap and smashed her feet together trying to make herself small "No" she says looking away from them. Tifa and Yuffie both made the same shocked face "No?" Tifa asks Alex shook her head confirming what she said. "Awe! You poor thing you haven't had your first kiss yet!" Yuffie shouted Alex didn't want to talk about this any more especially with men in the room. "Wait!" Yuffie yells Alex looked at her Tifa did to. "Does that mean?..." she started to say Alex was afraid of what was next "Your a virgin?" she loudly whispered. Clouds eyes widened hearing this statement Alex turns beat red and covers her face with her hands "Really Yuffie!" She screams in her head. "Yuffie?" Tifa yells she thought that was a subject for their room not with the group Yuffie turns to Tifa "What?" she asks then looks back at her. Alex wanted to crawl into a whole but she knew if she didn't answer Yuffie would keep asking "Yeah" she says squinting putting her hands back on her lap. Yuffie hears this and jumps around "You are!" she yells. Clouds lifts up one eyebrow he looks to the corner of his eyes in the direction of were they were. Alex lets out a sigh "Yeah" she says under her breathe. She glances over at Cloud he didn't move since this conversation started she hoped he wasn't paying attention. "Ok I'm going back to work" she says standing up. She didn't want to look at any body she just kept her head down and went to the engine room. She sits on the stool and slams her forehead on the bench her hands at her sides "Ow" she says but doesn't move. She couldn't believe Yuffie asked that in front of them all especially Cloud not only that but now he knew the answer. "Alex you alright?" she hears next to her. Head still on the bench she turns and sees Nanaki "Just fabulous" she says sarcastic. She moves her head back on top of the bench and closes her eyes. "I heard what was said" he tells her sitting "Oh that's just wonderful" she says the bench muffles her a bit. "It wasn't the time or place to ask such a thing but just know that were are all mature adults here with the exception of Yuffie not to worry its already been forgotten" he comforts. Alex still felt upset over this but Nanaki's words made it better. She picks her head up gets off the stool walks over and sits on the floor with him "Thanks Nanaki" she says petting his head. "He doesn't act like an animal at all he's more human than anything" she says in her head. "Of course any time" he says smiling he then licks her face Alex closes one eye and wipes her cheek "I stand corrected" she thought.

Alex spent the rest of the day hiding in the engine room she didn't want to over exert herself bye doing too much in one day so she finished reading. "Done" she says closing the propeller book she rubs her eyes and stands up to stretch. She walks out of the room and sees the deck sign on the wall. She goes to the door and opens it, it was a clear night the moon shown bright on the floor. Stepping out on to it she stops at the railing in front of her. Looking out she can see a few lights coming from Corel the saucer was completely lit up "Wow" she lets out. Turning around there was a part of the plane that was flat it made a perfect spot to sit. Backing up she puts her body against it and hoists herself up on to it sitting Indian style. Staring up into the sky there were many stars all clustered together with a few stragglers it made her remember the night at the river. "I've come so far since then" she says elbows touching her knees. She thought about everything that has happened so far and how much she missed home. Cloud leaves his room and enters the hall way. About to pass the deck entrance he sees the door is open some what. He walks over to shut it then notices a shadow casted on the side of the ship. Opening the door more he sees its Alex she doesn't realize he's watching her she keeps her eyes on the sky. He strolls over to her "hey" he greets Alex looks and sees its cloud "hi" she says back. She turns her head away from him and smiles ear to ear. "What are you doing out here?" he asks stopping were she sat. Her eyes go back at him then the horizon "Just star gazing" she says he folds his arms and leans his hip on the seat "You look at the sky a lot" he states watching with her "Its the only thing that is familiar from my world" she says with a slight chuckle. Sadness then takes over he turns to her "You miss it?" he asks "Yeah" she answers staring at him the moon light gave is eyes a glow making the blue in them stand out more. To keep herself from getting flustered she shifts her focus back to the stars. Cloud kept his on her "What if you never find the clock? What will you do then?" he asks still looking at her Alex hadn't thought that far into the future yet. She leans forward "I dunno...I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it" she says slouching a lil. He shook his head no knowing what she ment "Huh?" he asks she sees he's confused "It means I'll deal with it when it comes" she says scratching her neck "Oh" he says. Her coverall was still undone at the top showing her tattoo he examines it "Nice tattoo" he compliments she peeks over her shoulder then to him "Oh yeah you like it? I got it a few years ago on my birthday" she tells him Cloud studied it more "Does it have a meaning?" he asks moving closer his hip still on the seat. She stares at the floor and smiles "It's my name" she says cocking her head to him he stares at her curious. "Alexihona it means bright star" she informs playing with her pant leg. Cloud is surprised "That's quite a name" he says putting his hands on the edge of the seat "Why do you shorten it?" he asks. She tilts her head thinking about his question "Cuz it among other things was the reason why I was made fun of so much when I was little plus its easier to say" she says rubbing her shoulder. Cloud began to feel bad for her he couldn't understand why anyone would be cruel to her "Why did they?" he asked. Alex didn't like to reminisce that it wasn't a particularly happy time in her life "I didn't look like everyone else everything about me was different from them even when I got older I couldn't escape it" she says. Cloud then remembers his childhood how he was teased all the time when he was a kid because he was different "I know what you mean" he says his eyes on the railing Alex looks back at him shocked she didn't understand why he would know how she felt he seems like someone that didn't let stuff bother him just letting things roll off his shoulders not giving them a second thought she wondered what else she didn't know. Realizing she's looking at him he gets anxious and changes the subject "Were going to Medeohiem tomorrow make sure you dress warm" he tells her. He presses off the seat heading for the door "Medeohiem what's there?" she asks. He pivots the top half of his body to her "A reactor" he answers "Oh" she says looking out to the saucer Cloud keeps his gaze on her. "Night Alex" he says she jerks her head to him "Night Cloud" she says back he continues for the door and enters the ship. Alex let out loud giggle she was also proud of herself it was the first time she didn't blush talking to him.

A couple of loud bangs on the door wake Alex right up. "Rise and shine lil missy" Cid hollers from the other side. She jumps out of bed and gets dressed she remembered what Cloud told her. She puts on 2 t- shirts, a teal v-neck long sleeve, a black jacket with padding inside, her blue pants that tied in the front, and on top of that pants that were almost the same material and color as Cloud's. 3 pairs of socks and her boots. she does her hair in a French braid her side bangs hung low on her cheek rolls on deodorant and rushes to the bathroom to brush her teethe and wash her face. "Come on Alex were waiting on you!" Yuffie calls "I'm coming!" she yells to her. She finishes and runs down the hall. Leaving the ship snow was flurrying down around her, in front of her a town sat, the group was off to the side. Walking the snow was about 6 inches deep it was cold but not to bad. She reaches everyone looking them over Yuffie now wearing pants and was holding a strange weapon. It had four blades shaped into an X the middle of it was the handle. Tifa also in pants wore gloves. Cid had is jacket on a staff with a blade at the end was clenched in one hand, Nanaki was lucky he had fur. Vincent and Barret didn't change. Cloud didn't either except he had his sword with him. "Aren't you guys cold?" she asks them "This isn't cold" Barret laughs Vincent walks over to her. "Try sleeping in a coffin now that's cold" he jokes Alex's eyes grow big "Please tell me he's kidding" she thinks. "I don't get cold I'm always warm...lets move" cloud says turning around they all walk down a street with buildings on either side everything was dark and gloomy with snow or ice piled on to it there was also no sign of life "were is everyone?" Alex asks "its been abandoned for some time" Tifa answers not far from the town a tall structure lay before them it had high peaks and large smoke stacks with icicles hanging from them. Beyond this was what looked like a cut in the land the group walks to the building Alex strays off and goes past to investigate it. She now sees they are on a cliff high up in mountains all around were snow tops a very large mountain rows above them all. To the left of her a small ledge extended around the cliff making a walkway. "Alex!" she hears behind her she turns her head and sees Barret waving her back she runs over and goes with them inside. The door shutting behind it was pitch black Alex couldn't see any of them Cloud flips a few switches. Light after light turns on revealing the reactor it looked almost the same as the one in Junon. They all gather at the materia extraction area Alex walks around hearing there conversation "what do ya think?" Cid asks cloud skims over the reactor "looks the same as before" Tifa says watching him cloud continues saying nothing "you don't think that Carnak has been here have you?" Yuffie asks throwing her hands over here head "it doesn't appear that way" Nanaki states sniffing the reactor cloud comes out from the other side of it "only one way to find out" he says they all turn to him he points to Alex. Looking at the out line of the reactor building on a wall. Alex now feels eyes on her she also notices that they've all gone quiet. Turning her head they all stood staring at her "What?" she asks not knowing what their thinking. "We need ya ta' do yer magic on this and find out if any one besides us was in 'ere" Cid says "My magic?" Alex says one brow lifted cid walks goes behind Alex and pushes her to the reactor "Wait cid!" she yells "you know your I cant breathe while seeing stuff almost die but don't... thing" Yuffie says smiling cid gets her in front of the reactor "its not magic! And like I said it comes at random it might not work this time!" she yells folding her arms "what about when you touched that mans head? Maybe it's not as random as you think" Tifa says both hands on Alex's shoulders. "Damn I forgot about that" Alex thought "You can do it" Tifa encouraged "Yeah!" Yuffie shouted followed by a jump "Yep" Cid adds. Alex stared at each of them she felt like such an outsider after joining the group her soul purpose was to only be there mechanic but its become much more now. They needed her and depended on her to collect info and memories long thought forgotten. She finally felt like part of them finding her place still she had doubts about herself. She turned to Cloud he nods his head looking right back at her it was all that was needed. She closes her eyes "Ok" she says with a loud sigh opening them. She slowly walked around the reactor touching every inch of it nothing, not even a hint. They all watched as she went around she looked over to them and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess there isn't anything to see" she says "Good try though" Tifa commends. They start to talk amongst themselves Alex turns back to the reactor "Oh well" she says. She then sees a mark next to a bolt, moving closer it was dark it looked like grease she places her fingers on it. She gets that feeling her hearing goes she gasps for air dropping to the floor her hand still on the mark. everyone hears this and surrounds her Tifa puts her hands on Alex's face "Alex!" she screams Alex is in the reactor but instead of them in front of her she sees men and women in lab coats walking all around the reactor is at high capacity. they were gathering materia and mako a man standing in the same spot as Alex had a clipboard jotting things down he bends over examining a tiny crack running his finger over it he cuts himself a small drop of blood lands making the mark. She can hear Tifa calling her name and feel air easily pour into her lungs her sight returns. she sits up "are you alright?" Tifa asks hanging her hands at her sides "yea" Alex answers "what did ya see was it Carnak?" cid questions she stands up "no he wasn't here I need a min" she answers walking out the door letting it shut on its own. She felt the snow crush under feet flakes coming down hit her face as she moved. She past a few shop windows but Alex did not view in. The episode she just had kind of knocked the wind of out her she wanted to walk it off alone. Stopping in front of a house she saw a porch swing swaying with the breeze. she goes over to it and stares but her eyes lead her into a daze. She thought about everything mom, dad, Sarah, how worried they must be about her. Who was covering for her at work? If the doctor said anything about her being missing and if he did, was it the truth? How is Fara holding up since she left? Her mind jumped to the clock "why me?" she asks herself she felt the clock made a mistake. To the left of her was a window her reflection showed her head and shoulders. She stands in front of it looking at herself she reaches out and touches the glass. Memories popped in of people that complimented her beauty or said how great she was since arriving to this world. Though years of being called ugly or freak were branded into her, countless after school beat downs, rejected by men, and not really having many friends to talk to was her life for so long. "I just don't see it"...she quivers closing her eyes her hand still pressed on the window forms into a fist. "I'm not special...I'm not amazing...I'm not beautiful...I'm not any of those things why does everyone say that I am" she says trying to hold her tears. "I'm not a fighter I'm not strong enough for this" she whispers putting her head down then for some reason a memory snuck threw. It was when she was at the river with that creature she knew she wouldn't stand a chance against it but she was willing to go toe to toe with it. The old Alex wouldn't have done that instead she would of ran risking being hunted down. Alex always ran away she never faced anything head on not confronting her fears. She opens her eyes in realization. she let people torment her and get into her head thinking she wasn't worth anything that they were better than her making her hate her own being. In turn it wasn't them she was running from it was her. She looks back at her reflection for the first time she could see herself not anyone else. "I can do this" she says smiling Alex wasn't going to give up she finally befriended people she could rely on that had faith in her not once did they put her down or have one ill thought towards her it was time she did the same. During this, everyone stayed at the reactor entrance they were all concerned about Alex she could be seen from were they stood. "Is she going to be ok?" Yuffie asks drawing with her foot in the snow "She's been so brave" Tifa says Cid lights a cigerette "She's a tough one" he says puffing away. Nanaki and Barret stood facing them. Cloud focused on her saying nothing. Alex leaves the porch and heads in the direction of the ship. They all still watching her Vincent was to. He then sees a shadow move from the back of the same house Alex was at he turns to Cloud. "We've got company" he warns Cloud looks with him "Look alive people!" he yells to the group. They all spring in to action "Vincent get Alex to the ship" Cloud orders. Vincent nods and flies off. Sword unsheathed Cloud runs in the opposite direction. Alex comes to a stop dead center at a cross roads. In front was the ship in back the reactor the sides of her were small ally ways made by the town. She hears a clicking sound; turning to it a tall man with brown hair and eyes was wearing a dark red suit with black trim holding a large gun pointed at her. Alex's eyes grew wider than ever she was scared stiff shots fired in coming from behind her this made the man hide. Alex felt an arm go around her stomach and is lifted away. Only moving her eyes, Vincent was the one carrying her. Gun fire now rained down it wasn't just the man they were surrounded. Vincent shot at every red suit he saw. They ended up in a different ally, bullets soaring in ricocheting off of poles, roof tops, and siding. Windows were being blown out the sound coming from that and the guns was so loud Alex covered her ears. Hiding behind Vincent she saw Yuffie and Nanaki fighting with other people in red. Jumping around she threw her weapon and it came back like a boomerang. She heard foot steps on her side, looking, a man in red had 2 guns. He shoots one at Vincent grabbing Alex he ducks out of the way keeping her on his back retaliating with his gun. She hears a click. Turning her head another man in red has a bigger gun on her. Leaving Alex on the ground Vincent jumps in the air the men follow shooting at him. Vincent's gun was louder than all of threes together "Alex run!" Vincent yells. She jumps up and dashes to the end of the ally bullets landed near her feet. Rounding the corner, she pressed her back up against the wall of the building. Men in red were scattered all around shooting everyone. Cid was using his staff, Tifa was fighting with her bare hands, Barret was shooting to but his metal hand wasn't a hand anymore it was a strange looking machine gun, and Cloud was no were in sight. Suddenly Alex felt a small jolt in her body and with it a flash of an image of a bullet flying at her face. She quickly drops down to the ground the bullet that she saw hits the very spot her head was at. shots fire in a row towards her she gets up and runs away from them they follow her to the reactor. She crouches against a small wall at the base of the entrance. Fighting four men at once, Cloud conjures up energy from his body and flings it with his sword thrusting them backwards it disarming them. He leaps on to a roof and finds the group fighting together. Jumping down landing next to Tifa he blocks a few bullets from hitting him with his sword "Get to the ship!" he yells. They slowly make themselves a path to it from were they stood. It wasn't far, Vincent rushes in to help Cloud sees him "Where's Alex?" he asks. Vincent fires off a few shots "We were ambushed I thought she would be with you" Vincent answers. They start to enter the plane Cid turns on the engine "Damn it" Cloud says under his breathe. He looks to them "Get out of here" he orders running back out dodging bullets "Cloud!" Tifa screams he turns his head "I'm gonna find her get out of here!" he screams back the ramp closes the ship starts to lift off. Not hearing as much gunfire now she peeks out. Not seeing anyone she tries to move and feels something press on the top of her head. Looking up, a man in red held a gun to her. Alex jumps back up against the wall he gets closer, she shakes in fear "How did you know?" he asks her she's to scared to answer "How did you know!" he yells pointing the gun between her eyes. She lets out a scream, he reaches for her "Hey!" is heard. Alex looks to the left of her Cloud stood sword drawn "Don't you touch her" he says glaring at him. The man moves his gun to him. "Who the hell are you?" the man asks "Heh I was just gonna ask you the same thing" Cloud snickers. The man waits and then pulls out something small and square with a red button on it "Maybe well save the introductions for next time" he says pushing it. Explosions then blast out from the hilltops above they all had snow that accumulated for many years causing it all to slide down to the town. Alex turns to the man but he disappeared "Who was that guy?" she thought. Cloud puts his sword away and rushes to Alex standing her up "We gotta move!" he says. He takes her hand and pulls her to the edge of the cliff it was a shear drop on the other side. Alex begins to panic "What do we do?" she asks .Cloud scans around and sees the ledge Alex noticed before going into the reactor. The snow was closing in on them "Come on!" he yells taking her onto the ledge the snow just misses Alex's feet. Running a bit, they stop to see. It was like a waterfall of snow bellowing out it seemed never ending. Alex lets out a sigh and puts her hand on her chest. The ground shakes they look up the snow was coming over the top Cloud jumps in front of her his chest almost on hers using his body as a shield protecting her as it flowed. Alex gets nervous but at the same time her heart was a flutter he was so close his arms were around her but not didn't touch. His palms were flat against the ridge wall he wasn't looking at her he was watching the snow. She could see his chest was moving up and down rapidly. He moves his eyes to her she does the same but quickly looks away. She sees the rock around and underneath them was creaking under the pressure of the snow "Cloud?" Alex says he looks "Crap go!" he screams. They run along the ledge every part they had stepped broke off the path dropped leading all the way to the ground below. Cloud jumped down first and grabbed Alex repeating this over and over. They make it off, holding her arm he tugs her away from the crumbling cliffs. As they catch there breath he holds up her arm examining her "You ok?" he questions "I'm fine Cloud" she answers "You?" she adds he nods his head. They stood in silence watching Medeohiem reduced to rubble. "We better get going the next town is four miles from here" he says walking away. She's puzzled "Town? What about everyone else?" she asks. He turns back "Don't worry there fine come on" he answers. He continues on she begins to follow. The snow here was deeper it went up to her shins making trekking threw it difficult, he of coarse wasn't having a problem. "So were are we going?" she asks hopping over the snow trying to catch up to him. "Nebeilhiem Tifa and I are from there" he replies she thinks about Tifa for a moment "You and her?" she asks "Yea" he says. Alex wondered if there was anything to that, she didn't think this was the time to ask though "So what's it like there?" she questions. Her foot then slips making her fall on her butt she lets out a yelp before impact. Cloud stops and looks at her. He shakes his head trying not to smile he goes over to and helps her up. "Step were I did" he tells her. eH walks ahead Alex heads his advice she puts one foot in the indent he left then the another. She could now walk the same pace as him she looked at him and smiled. It started to get dark Alex's feet were numb. Trees, grass, or any other forms of life weren't present it was like a snowy dessert. Cloud stops, she watched him it was as if he was searching for something "What are you looking for?" she asks he doesn't answer. he strolls on stopping every few minutes to search. He finally sees it "Other there" he says bringing her to an opening on a large hill. "What is this?" she asks he enters "It's a cave this area is riddled with them it's not much but it will keep the wind off of us" he says. Flurries now fell from the sky "And perfect timing to" he adds. Going in, it was pretty deep the light from outside only shown a certain amount. Touching the walls, she along with Cloud inspect the inside. she couldn't see her leg hits something "Ow!" she yells he bends down reaching his hands out. From the angle she was watching he was touching something that was big and looked heavy. He grabs hold and pulls making the muscles in his arms bulge. Alex tried not to look it was a loosing battle. Something releases into his hand "Just as I thought" he says holding it up to her. Even though she couldn't see it very well she could make out that it was a piece of wood. "How did that get in here?" she questions going over to him. "Someone put it here it's an old camp site there's even a fire place" he says pointing to rocks behind her. She was standing in pretty much the same spot yet she did not notice them. "Ill brake all this up you fix the rocks" he commands taking out his sword. She could hear chopping sounds while she arranged the rocks in a circle. As he went along he would drop materials next to her Alex took it a step further and set up the pit. It was almost completely dark now they had enough to burn for the night. "Ok um...how are we gonna light this?" she asks kneeling next to it. He holds out his hand, an orange reddish energy spills out. Alex watches in amazement it turns in to flames flying out igniting the pit. She stares at him stunned he sees the look on her face "Fire materia" he informs her sitting down in front of it half Indian style one leg propped up his left arm hanging off of it on his knee. "Oh" she says moving closer to him sitting with her feet out warming them. A silence comes over, he watched the fire as it popped and cracked throwing in a few new pieces to burn. Alex peered at him the light from the flames danced off his eyes she wanted so badly to know more about him but he's always so closed off. "What's it like in Nebeilhiem?" she asks he doesn't move "Its a small town at the base of Mount Nebiel not many people live there" he answers still looking at the fire. "Your family will be happy to see you" she assumes he turns his head away "The only family I had was my mother" he answers "Had?" she questioned "She died" he replies. Alex felt sorry for him plus she wanted to kick herself he looked so sad thinking about her. "I'm sorry Cloud" she apologies he turns to her he saw the sadness in her eyes and it was for him. "Don't be it was a long time ago" he tells her she decides to change the subject. "So you and Tifa are from there did you guys grow up together?" she asked "Yea" he answers. Alex wanted to dig more into this she was interested to see if there was anything going on between them. They seem very close he and her are always around each other and out of all of them her opinion he valued the most. She took a chance "So uh...are you two?" she started to say he cocks his head to her he had a feeling he knew what she was implying. "You know..." she finished scratching her ear she felt silly for asking but she really wanted to find out. "No it's not like that with me and her" he says he was somewhat flattered at her curiosity. "Oh I just figured" she says looking away smiling "YES!" she screamed in her head. The silence returns for a bit "When's your birthday?" he questions she jerks her head to him. She was happy that he was now asking questions instead of it being just her "Mine already came and went its Jan 20 Th" she answers. His eyes gleamed from the light of the flames she didn't look away. She remembered what she told herself about facing things head on and not run any more. This time he got nervous and turned to the fire. Then she started to laugh out of no were Cloud looks to her confused "What's so funny?" he asks. "This is the second time you saved my ass" she says still laughing Cloud smiles a lil and lets out a quick chuckle. "By the way Cloud ...I never thanked you...so thank you" she says "No problem" he says back. A yawn sneaks up on her "You should get some rest we have a long day ahead" he says. She lays on the cold rock floor arms under her head making a pillow her legs together knees to her stomach. The flames weren't to high she could still see Cloud "What about you?" she asks he looks at her "Don't worry about me go to sleep" he tells her. She keeps her eyes on him for a minute then closes them. Cloud fell asleep not to long after she did. A strange sound wakes him he sits up and listens. It was coming from Alex. He crawls over to her, the noise was her teethe chattering she was also shivering severely the fire was still lit and going strong he throws more in to it stands up and unbuckles his pack.

The morning light was beaming into the cave it was hitting Alex directly in the face. She slowly opens her eyes for some reason she cant move "What's going on?" she thought then she realizes that she laying on something warm and something was covering her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Clouds pack draped on her since it had extra fabric that hung down to his feet it made the perfect blanket. Looking further she saw Clouds arms around her she jerks her head up she was on his chest he was sound asleep his back was against the wall she felt herself go up with every inhale and exhale. Her heart was pounding "Oh my god" she whispers "When did he?..." she pondered she didn't feel him move her at all while she slept she wasn't sure why he did this. As nerve racking as this was she didn't want it to end he was so comfortable and she felt safe with him. At this moment she didn't care about getting back to the others or even going home. Seeing the pull-tab on his zipper, she plays with it only using her index finger and thumb. Feeling this he moves Alex sits up his arms drop the pack falls down he opens one eye the sun was blinding the other. "Hey" he says to her shielding his eye from the light. "Hey" she says "Um..." she adds she can feel her self turning red she couldn't help it. He knew she wondered what this was about "You were shivering last night" he says standing he takes his pack and straps it on. "Oh" she says getting up he goes over to the fire and proceeds to put it out. Alex watched him "He was keeping me warm" she thinks. She remembered when he said he never gets cold and he used that to stop her from freezing to death. She put her sleeve to her face hiding a smile. It now extinguished, they make there exit it was very bright outside the sun was reflecting off the snow "Come on this way" he says she stays right behind him. They traveled for hours having to stop a few times cuz Alex wasn't used to the terrain or the altitude. "Please tell me were almost there" she huffs "Yea almost" he answers he could hear she was struggling he stops and turns to her. "Breath in threw your nose out your mouth it will help" he tells her. She nods and starts to do so, they head on. It was now late afternoon the weather was changing it wasn't as cold anymore. Alex was thinking they must be getting close. He rushes up a small hill and stops at the top she meets him. "There it is" he says pointing she follows his finger. A small cluster of buildings sat at the base of a large mountain just like he said. "Lets go" he says going down the other side seeing that it was wet snow she tread lightly she didn't want to fall. As they got closer it became much warmer starting to sweat Alex had to take off her jacket tying it around her waste. They reach the town entrance thick grass stretched far out to the mountain, trees were in full bloom "Alex!" Cloud calls out she turns to him she was to busy looking at the scenery. She runs over to him they stood in front of a decent sized house in back of them was a water tower. "This is Tifa's house come on" he says walking to the door. She thought it was strange that they were going into Tifa's house and not his "Why aren't we going to your house?" she asks. His hand on the knob he turns his head to her "I lived over there" he says motioning his head to the house right next to Tifa's it was much smaller. "Someone else lives there now" he adds "Oh" she says he goes into the house. Walking over she almost has her hand on the knob but a funny feeling comes over her. It wasn't the same feeling she has when an episode is about to happen this was something different and it was coming from the left of her. Looking over, a path goes past Cloud's old house. In the distance a much bigger house sat that was gated it seemed dark and ominous it just didn't sit right with her. She shrugs it of and enters the house. In the living room, it more or less resembled a log cabin inside everything was dusty and left untouched. Cloud was in the kitchen leaning on the counter. "The bathroom is upstairs on the left if you want to clean up Tifa's room is right next to it if you want to change she wont mind if you borrow some clothes" he informs her. Alex was relieved her pants and feet were soaked from the snow she also had dirt spots from making the fire pit and laying on the ground. "Ok what are you gonna do?" she asks. He takes out his phone "I'm gonna call let them know were we are" he says pushing buttons he holds it up to his ear she can hear it ringing. She climbs the stairs at the top she can hear Cloud talking and she can also hear the voice on the other side clearly it was Tifa "Hey" he says "Cloud! Are you ok? Is Alex with you!" she asks "Yea were fine" he answers "Were are you guys?" she questions "Were in Neiblhiem at your house" he says "Ok well be there soon" she tells him she heard him hang up. In the bathroom she turns on the water and undresses. The water was nice and hot it felt good on her feet seeing as they were wet for almost 2 days. The shower turns off, wrapping herself in a towel she pokes her head out the door to make sure Cloud isn't around and goes into Tifa's room. It wasn't a grown up room it was more like a lil girl lived here. Pink flowered bed sheets and toys lay out. A dresser was next to the door. She opens it, clothes sat right on top she reaches for them. Holding one up it was a white T-shirt that cut off just at the belly button under it was a black skirt putting them on the skirt sat just past her butt. "Geez Tifa" she says to herself. She lets her hair hang finding socks she slips back into her boots. Gathering her clothes from the bathroom she goes back down the stairs. Cloud is still in the kitchen his back to her, she places her clothes on the counter. "Hi" she says to him "Hey" he replies still not facing her "You make out alright?" he asks turning to her. He sees what she wearing and does a double take his eyes go straight to her legs. "Yea this was all I could find the top is a lil big" she answers pulling on it. "Uh..." he lets out walking over he stops just in front of her she rubs her arm. "You look" he started to say checking her she glances up at him "It's fine" he says. The blood starts to rush to her face, she smiles. "Uh thanks" she says biting her lips he continues his gaze "No problem" he half whispers. The front door then swings open "Alex! Cloud! Thank goodness" Tifa yells she hurries over to them. "We were worried sick about you guys you're not hurt are you?" she asks. She then realizes what Alex is wearing "Well look at you!" she says tugging on the shirt. "You should wear stuff like this more often especially skirts you have great legs" she compliments. "Uh heh...thanks" Alex says rubbing her neck embarrassed. It made Cloud uncomfortable hearing this "Ok let's get out of here" Tifa says. Alex grabs her clothes and they all run for the ship witch was grounded out side the town near the entrance with the ramp already down. She enters and heads for her room passing by Yuffie on the way "Hey!" she yells Alex stops. "Good to have ya back and wow you look amazing in that!" she says walking around her "Thanks Yuffie" Alex says laughing. Yuffie then bolts down the hall Alex shakes her head opening the door to her room. She hears a door open next to her she cocks her head, Cloud is about to enter his room. They stare at each other his eyes leave hers a few times and go to her body. She smiles, he nods his head going into his room she goes into hers shuts the door behind her and drops on to her bed "Wow" she says to herself giggling burying her face in her pillow.