Zack looked up at the small clock above the doorway. 1:37am. Almost 10 hours ago Cloud went into surgery that would save his life. Nurses had come in several times telling Zack he should get some sleep. He refused and couldn't sleep even if he tried, he was to worried about Cloud.

Zack was now accompanied by Vincent, Tifa and Marline. Tifa looked like she was about to kill herself, she hadn't stopped crying since she got there and she was really pale. Zack and Vincent agreed her breasts had shrunk as well. Little jokes like that between the men had stopped Zack from going crazy. This one incident had made so many locked up emotions rise to the surface and Zack was terrified if he fell asleep he would blurt them out as he always talked in his sleep when he was worried about something. Marline had fallen asleep on Tifas lap and no one would dare wake her up, Marline was very scary when she was woken up by someone being to loud or moving her.

The constant whispering between Zack and Vincent about how Tifas breasts indicated her mood (and that was why they were so big around Cloud) were broken by the door slowly opening and Rick appearing in the room. His hair was untidy and he looked very tired. He had worked furiously throughout the night and it was showing. His face showed no emotion, no indication of weather Cloud was okay or not.

Everyone tensed and looked at Rick as he made his way into the room.

"Zack, Vincent, could you come to my office please?" He spoke in a monotone voice. Both Vincent and Zack silently nodded and followed Rick to his office. It was a small room that was obviously a converted patient room. A thin blue carpet had been laid and he had a small wooden desk with a computer on it in the centre of the room. His chair was a large deep blue computer chair that looked really comfy. On the opposite side were 2 small wooden chairs with padding on the back and the seat.

Rick sat in his seat then gestured to Vincent and Zack to sit down. Zack was feeling a little dizzy, the stress he was suffering recently coupled with not sleeping, eating or drinking was making him feel worse. His enhancement would usually fix the hunger and sleep issue but that was busy at the moment with his Geo-stigma, he had yet to inform his friends he had the illness.

"Now" Rick broke the scarily awkward silence that had filled the room. "You both are aware of Clouds condition?" Rick asked. Both Vincent and Zack nodded. It was still unclear by Ricks tone weather Cloud was okay or not.

"And you understand Clouds suffering was immense?" Rick was still monotone. Zack had never seen Rick like this before, he was usually so happy and lively. Hopefully it was just the long night getting to him.

"Well..." Rick paused, how was he going to tell this to Clouds closest friends? "I'm afraid... Cloud didn't make it..."

Vincent felt tears in his eyes. He hadn't cried since...A small noise made Vincent look round to Zack. His face had gone white and he was looking up at the ceiling whispering Clouds name over and over. Vincent realized what the sound was, Zacks heat breaking. The small noise that happened as soon as Rick said "didn't make it".

Zack wanted to scream. The only thing he was living for, had lived for for a long time, was gone. Cloud had been taken away and nothing could bring him back. Zack still had so much to tell Cloud. So much he wanted them to do together. Who could take Zacks chocobo away from him?...Kadaj... Suddenly Zacks grief turned to blind fury. Kadaj had robbed Zack of Cloud and he had to pay for that. Kadaj. Must. Die. But until then...Zack would let out his emotions that had been pent up inside for years.

"Would you like to see him?" Rick broke Zacks thoughts.

"Y..yeah" Zacks voice was shaky and it was hard to talk through the tears. At least now Zack could properly say goodbye to Cloud. He and Vincent made their way to the morgue with Rick. Zack went strait to the bed that Cloud was laid on. He was wearing a hospital gown and he looked so peaceful. All the pain and fear had gone from his face. Zack held Clouds hand and, for the first time ever, Cloud didn't hold Zacks hand back. Even when Cloud was unconscious he would hold Zacks hand, Always. But not now, not ever again. With his free hand, Zack stroked Clouds soft hair. It wasn't as spiky as it normally was. Zack leaned down and whispered in Clouds ear. Goodbye Cloud, I love you...