Zack Fair.

The name hung in her consciousness for a long time, pulling at something she was sure she ought to remember. But she couldn't bring it to mind. She gritted her teeth in frustration and concentration, trying to remember.

Genesis had left her here with him, to 'make sure he didn't run off like a puppy when he woke up.' She sighed and placed her chin against her knees, which were folded up to her chest. He didn't seem like he was going to wake up any time soon.

Marlene looked once again at the calm face. Unsure of what to do, she felt his forehead, and his eyes flashed open once again, revealing the blue she had found so beautiful. He smiled up at her. "Hi," A sweet, teenage voice said, and she realized it had been his. She smiled back, an involuntary action. "Hi."

He moved one of his arms to take her hand off of his forehead. Then he sat up from the makeshift cot she had awkwardly made for him. He looked around the room briefly, but focused most of his attention on her.

He stood up, and so did she, remembering her duty. "What's your name?" He asked abruptly. She looked up at the taller boy; he was at least three inches taller than her. How was she supposed to keep him here again?

"Marlene Wallace." She answered. He stretched his arms out for a moment, then turned back to her. "Hi Marlene, my name is Zack Fair." She nodded. "I know." His lips pursed, and he turned to look again at the still dusty stasis tube.

"So I came outta this, huh?" He asked quietly. She nodded. He walked up and leaned against it. "So that's really what I am," He said, almost too quietly for her to hear. Then he turned away from the tube and smiled at her. "So what are you doing here?" She shrugged and looked down at her slightly bruised feet.

Wait, those weren't bruises, her skin was starting to blotch. Great. She looked back up and answered his question. "Not too much." There was an awkward moment of silence. "What are you doing here?" She finally asked. He half smiled at her. "Not too much."

He stepped around her to check out the exit, but she grabbed one of his surprisingly muscular arms. She ignored the muscles to the best of her abilities, and attempted to pull him back. As though she hadn't done a thing, he kept walking. And somehow, he pulled her along with him. "Hey!" She finally snapped.

Zack casually turned and lifted her off of his side. "What is it?" She marveled for a split second at how effortless that had been for him. "You're . . . You're not supposed to leave yet."

"Really? Why not?" He leaned his head to one side, his spiky black hair finally starting to dry. And then, he took one of her hands into his own, and started to pout.

She almost laughed. But she took a deep breath and shook her head. "I don't know. You just aren't." He made a face, and let down her hand. "Who says?" Marlene accidentally made a face of her own. "Genesis." His eyes widened. "Genesis Rhapsodos?" She nodded, and a strange look came into his eyes. "I see."

He took a gentle hold of her hands and started pulling her with him again. "Stop it!" She demanded, but he wouldn't listen. He continued pulling her along. Her feet started throbbing. "Wait, stop!" She demanded again. The pulsing pain amplified, and it was all she could do to not fall over. "Stop, you're hurting me!" She yelled.

Zack stopped immediately and let go of her hand. "Sorry," She sat down on a rock, and rubbed her ankles. He watched her with concerned eyes. "Are you ok?" He finally asked, and squatted down to see her face. She glanced up at him, and shook her head, turning back to her ankles. "Not really,"

"Where does it hurt?" He asked quietly. She looked up at him, and attempted to hide a blush that resulted from his continued gaze on her face. "Look, it's really considerate of you to ask, but I really don't think you can help me." He frowned, something that seemed out of character for him. "Alright."

He scooped her up in his sturdy arms and smiled at her. "I'll just have to carry you then." She gasped for air and looked up at his close face. "You will not!" He simply adjusted her within his grasp, and continued walking up toward the cavern.

Marlene was taken aback. She had thought that he would be strong, considering his muscular arms, but she had not expected him to actually be able to carry her. He seemed almost as strong as Genesis was. She sighed in despair, thinking of how Genesis would react when he saw that she had failed to keep Zack contained.

But, when they finally reached the open area, Genesis was nowhere to be found. Zack gently set her down next to the tree, and took an apple for himself. Then he sat down next to her. "So do you know of any way out of here?" She turned to look at him. "Aside from flying, not that I know of." He paused munching on his apple to face her. "Flying?"

Marlene closed her eyes and leaned her head back. Of course he was surprised by that, not everyone had wings. She nodded. "Genesis has a wing he uses to fly with." Zack set his legs out in front of him. "Just one wing?" She opened her eyes and nodded. He pursed his lips. "But that's not even possible," He muttered, and resumed eating his apple.

As if on cue, a dark shadow covered the opening of the cave, and Genesis landed, seeing the two teenagers sitting close to the tree. "I see that the puppy is awake," He commented. Zack took in the black wing, and winked at Marlene. "I still say it's impossible."

Denzel jumped off of the Shera's ladder, and onto the streets of Edge. The trip back to Edge with Sephiroth had been, at the very least, interesting. The silver haired man was pacing the deck the entire way there, seeming impatient. And strangely enough, Cloud had fallen instep beside him, conversing with him almost casually.

Denzel had once again been stuck with Yuffie for the ride, but this time, she had been unusually quiet, tensed because of Sephiroth's presence. Denzel was just thankful for the peace; he could hear his own thoughts for once.

"Denzel?" Mai's voice called. He turned to see her running toward him. "Oh my god, Denzel!" She screamed, and slammed into him. After they had both recovered from the impact, she hugged him. "I heard about what happened." He hugged her back. "Of course you did, Reeve's your dad."

"Is, is it really Sephiroth?" She asked, still holding her head against his chest. "It seems that way." He answered. She pulled back and saw the others climbing down the ladder. He followed her gaze to the silver hair lightly flowing in the breeze.

"Come on," He said, and grabbed her hand, pulling her away.

"Where are we going?" She asked, walking beside him. He shrugged. "Where do you want to go?" She thought for a little while. "You want any ice cream?" Denzel turned and smiled wryly at her. "Ice cream again?" She nodded enthusiastically. He smiled and adjusted the route they were taking.

"So have the past few days been?" Mai asked. "Hectic," He answered. She nodded. "It sounds like it." Denzel grimaced. "The worst part is that we didn't get a chance to even start looking for Marlene." Mai put her head on his shoulder. "You'll find her." He rested his head on hers for a split second.

"I hope you're right."

She pulled free and turned around to put her hands on her hips. "I know I am." Her phone momentarily buzzed. She took it out of her pocket and flipped it open, reading the text. "Reeve says we have forty minutes to do something, we'll have to head back after that." Denzel nodded and started walking again.

She twisted her fingers through his again, and they walked off to get their frozen treats.