ELEVEN - Betrayal

She was back at the Costa Del Sol, sat in the bar sipping on a large whiskey. Since leaving the gang, it had become her drink of choice and since the bottle that the innkeeper from Gongaga had given her was empty, she thought she had better actually buy a drink. On the drive back over, He had remained relatively quiet. The only words he had said was on the way out of Gongaga, The Forgotten City. She guessed that was where she would be heading next, to the forgotten city of the ancients on the northern continent. A feeling of apprehension had crept over her, she was completely unsure of how to get there. She had no airship, and had no idea to get hold of a boat. And so, she had decided to go back to the only seaside resort she knew to find a method of transportation. But so far, no one had been any help to her at all. The people of Costa Del Sol preferred to keep to themselves.

She was missing Reno a lot, missed his smile, missed his company. She missed the way his shirt was never tucked in. She missed the way he made her laugh. And she wondered how Vincent was. He had opened up to her that night before she left, and had made her feel loved in a different way to Reno. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of it all, and still wasn't sure what to do over the whole situation. The situation had been the catalyst for her leaving, but she really wished she hadn't. She could do with the company. Should she just deliberately hang on until they showed up? She didn't doubt that they would show up eventually. Someone would know where she had gone, as she had made sure she had deliberately mentioned it to a few of the people she had spoken to on the way from Gongaga. And she hoped against hope that they would show up soon.

Her phone was sat on the bar and she wondered whether she should give Reno a call. With shaking hands she picked the small thing up and dialled his number, raising it to her ear. It rang out and she sighed. It was always the case with him, even more so than Cloud. But then, the little device buzzed in her hand and his name flashed up on the screen. Biting her lip, she pressed the receive button.

"Hello?"

Lizzy? Is that you?

Just hearing his voice made her smile, "It's me…"

Where the hell are you? We've been searching everywhere for you…no one in Gongaga could tell us where you'd gone…only that you'd been to see Zack's mother…

She sighed, ""I'm…I'm trying to get to the Forgotten City…but…but I don't have a boat…or an airship. I'm kinda stuck…"

The Forgotten City? Why dyu wanna go there?

"He told me to…Reno…" her voice faltered and she felt the tears start to form, "Reno…I don't wanna do this on my own…"

Lizzy…sweetie…what's wrong?

"I can't do this on my own. But I can't be around you guys…or well…some of you…" she bit her lip, "I'll tell you why another time…but I just can't…but Reno…I'm scared he's making me do all of this. I'm scared I'm gunna end up killing someone again…maybe even the whole damn place…because jesus Christ…I feel so angry with everything right now…"

Lizzy, calm down. I'm gunna come get you. You just need to tell me where you are. And then I can take you to the Forgotten City, I promise.

She sniffed, "Reno…I don't wanna hurt you"

You're not going to hurt me. I won't take no for an answer. All you have to do is tell me where you are

"Costa Del Sol…in the bar…getting drunk…" she sniffed

Allright sweetheart…stay right where you are. We're coming to get you ok, we won't be long. I promise…

The phone went dead in her hand and she swiftly ordered another drink. Wiping her tears on her sleeve, she knocked it back in one and relished the feeling of numbness that was washing over her. She needed to feel numb and empty if she would be seeing both Reno and Vincent in such close proximity.

You shouldn't have told him where you were. You've ruined everything

She ignored Him. She pushed Him to the back of her mind and ordered another drink, this one also knocked back swiftly. She ordered drink after drink until she was slumped across the bar in floods of tears, slurring her words and smelling of booze. She spoke to the barman of a man that lived inside her head, a man who wanted to kill everyone. But she wasn't even aware she was talking to him. All she knew was that she wanted to be sick.

When Reno and Cloud walked into the bar just an hour or so later, they found her paralyteic and threatening to kill every single person in the room. Not that she could have done anything in her state anyway. As they lifted her back to the airship, she muttered something to Reno about hating what she'd done to him. And then she threw up, and fell unconscious.

***

"Where am I?" the words were thick on her tongue as she fought to sit up. Her head swam, and she felt like she was about to throw up. But it was the voice that greeted her ears that cured the hangover in an instant.

"You're on the Highwind 3. We're heading to the northern continent…it's good to see you back with us…"

As her vision cleared she saw Reno sat on the chair next to the little bed she had been put in. He was wearing a clean suit by the looks of it, though his shirt was untucked and he wasn't wearing his jacket. She gave him a shy smile, "Hi…"

He didn't return the smile. If anything, he looked rather annoyed, "How you feelin'?"

She shrugged, "As expected…hungover and annoyed that I let myself phone you…"

He raised an eyebrow, "Why did you leave like that? You told Vincent where you were going, but not me?!"

She sighed, looking down and seemingly studying the bedsheets intently, "Vincent was just there…I needed someone to talk to…so I could talk myself into going. I didn't want to go Reno…and it broke my heart leaving you like that…"

He frowned, "Didn't it matter that I was worried sick about you?! You didn't seem to give a damn about anyone but yourself! Jesus Christ Lizzy! Cloud was going half mad with worry, and Tifa? She was in tears for you…"

Lizzy bit her lip, feeling her own tears coming, "I'm sorry Reno…I had to go though…I couldn't put you in danger…"

"I would have put myself in danger to keep you safe…"

The tears were falling thick and fast by now, "I'm sorry. Reno, I'm supposed to be one of the strongest people on the planet. Yet I'm finding myself worn down by this thing inside my head. And at the same time, I'm finding myself falling deeper in love with you. I know it doesn't make what I did right…"

He shook his head, "It doesn't make it right at all…"

"You're angry with me"

He shook his head again, "Not angry. Just incredibly disappointed. I was heartbroken when you left…"

"I'm sorry…"

He sighed and looked at her, "God, I can't stay mad at you…"

She bit her lip, the guilt starting to kick in. Should she tell him what had happened between herself and Vincent or should she just keep it to herself. But as she looked up at Reno and saw the tiny sparkle that came back into his eyes, she knew she couldn't tell him. There was no reason he had to know any of this. And she knew what she was doing was wrong, but she felt something with this man and it was like nothing she had ever felt before. He gently touched her hand and gave her a smile before leaning over and kissing her softly.

"But please Lizzy, don't ever do that to me again…"

She sniffed, "I'll try…"

He sat down on the bed beside her, holding her hand, "I know you have issues, we both do. But I really don't wanna let any of that get between us. Lizzy, I'm gunna help you sort out the stuff with Sephiroth. But you're a strong young woman and I know you can come through all of this…"

She shook her head, "I really don't think I will. I'd rather die than let Sephiroth out…"

He nodded, "I know you would. But it won't come to that. You match him in strength, and you outclass him in heart."

She smiled, "Who would have thought Reno of the turks would be saying stuff like this?"

"I can still be badass if you want me to be?"

She grinned, "I'm too hungover for baddassery…how much longer til we get to the Northern continent?"

He frowned, "Not long…I'm sure someone will give me a shout when we land. We're gunna have to head through Bone Village to get to the forgotten city…I don't think its far…"

She shook her head, "Just so long as we get there soon. My favourite little badguy is kicking up a stink…"

Reno frowned again, his face etched with worry, "What's he planning to do?"

"You wanna ask him yourself?"

Reno gazed in horror as her face seemed to transform before his very eyes. What he saw was sickeneing, her beautiful face switching to the cold, pale face of Sephiroth. And the grin that was flashed his way turned his stomach to ice.

I am always beneath the surface. The remnants of Shinra will be destroyed, and the planet along with it. She thinks she will be stopping me, but she is not strong enough.

Reno's hand immediately strayed to his electric rod and he drew it deftly from his pocket, pointing it at the woman that had only a moment ago been normal. Now, the evil face of Sephiroth was staring back at him, laughing maniaclly at him. And he felt his rage starting to build up. How dare this son of a bitch take over the body of the woman he loved.

"SON OF A BITCH!"

Now now Reno. Calm yourself. You wanted to know my plans? Well let me tell you. I sent Elizabeth to Gongaga to get the only remaining piece of my sword. Elizabeth has the copy of my sword, but for me to come back I need her to go to the pool in front of the forgotten city, where dear Aeris was sent back to the lifestream. There, with her sword and mine, I will be able to harness the powers of the lifesteam, and that of my dear sister, and rematerialise into the world

"you sick bastard. What will you do to her?"

The grin that spread over her face almost made Reno vomit

Why, I will kill her. I will have no use for her after this. Of course, it will not be easy and Cloud is likely going to try and stop me. But I will have my way. Oh and Reno?

"What?"

I think you need to ask dear Vincent what he was doing killing your girl

The face disappeared, and Elizabeth was back. But she was pale and shaking, sweat trickling down her forehead. She leant back against the headboard and tried to regain her composure, "I couldn't stop him…he just forced his way out then…"

Reno was biting his lip, his hand squeezing the electric rod, "What did he mean about Vincent?"

She raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"He said Vincent kissed you."

She hesitated for a moment, "I don't know…what? He was…probably making stuff up…he's done it before…"

"Probably?" There was venom in his voice now, "Don't lie to me…"

She shook her head, eyes welling with tears, "I don't know…Reno please…"

"He did didn't he? That fucking son of a bitch!" he grabbed her arm roughly, "You kissed him back?"

Biting her lip, she shook her head, "No…not really…"

She could see the anger in his eyes and she shrank back from him. She should have known this would happen, that he would ruin everything for her. By now Reno had stood up and was stalking away from her towards the door, shaking with anger. He pulled the door open, didn't even turn to look at her as he left.

"I'll send Vincent to you when we get to Bone Village. I'm sure you'll feel happier with him by your side"

***

Bone Village was a cold place, thanks to the cold winds of the Northern Continent. But it was even colder with Reno ignoring her very existence. She sat alone, watching as the citizens of Bone Village went about their excavations. This place was well known for its hidden treasure, though they went about finding it in a slightly unorthodox way. She had no idea where the others were. Reno was probably sat getting drunk and ranting at them about her. But in that moment she didn't really care. Maybe it was time for her to slip away unnoticed again. Maybe that would be the best thing for everyone concerned. Sighing, she pulled the tiny sherd of sephiroth's sword from her pocket. Mrs Fair had wrapped it in a piece of tissue paper for her and told her sincerely help us bring Zack home, please bring him back to us. She didn't have the heart to tell the old woman that her son would never be home. So it was this tiny piece of metal that would bring Sephiroth back? She needed to bring him back so she could stop him for good. But what if she couldn't stop him? What if he killed her as soon as he came back? It would be a release from all of this. Reno seemed to hate her and everyone else seemed to be avoiding her. She was alone.

"Maybe I should just go…" she muttered to herself, staring at the tiny sherd of sword, "They'd be better off without me anyway…"

Her head was completely clear of Him at that moment, and she wished then that He was there talking to her. At least he provided some form of company when she was feeling alone. But he had decided to take a little break from taunting her. And she didn't know what to think about it.

"I can't even rely on you right now Sephy…you've let me down in my darkest hour"

Grimacing to herself she shoved the sherd back in her pocket and stared at the excavation. The place looked a total mess thanks to the amounts of explosives being used. The men working paid her little attention, she wasn't causing them any harm.

"Elizabeth?"

The gruff voice made her stomach churn. She didn't want to talk to Vincent. He had caused enough trouble as it was, "What?"

"Can we…talk?"

She shrugged, "I'm not sure I should be seen talking to you…"

He sat next to her anyway, "I hear Reno is…looking for a fight with me…"

She nodded, "You wondering why?"

"Not at all. Cloud told me what happened…that Sephiroth told Reno…"

"Yeah, and now everything is ruined. Why did you have to do it Vincent?

He sighed, "Because I felt like I had to. I couldn't let you escape, like Lucrecia did…"

"Are you saying you're in love with me Vincent?"

He nodded, his face still hidden behind his red cloak. She wished for a moment that he would take the cloak off. He was an incredibly handsome man, and he hid away too much.

"Yes. Yes, I am in love with you Elizabeth. Seeing you with Reno, it tore me apart inside. And it has been a long time since I have felt like this…"

She sighed, "But everything is ruined…"

He shook his head and looked at her with his blood red eyes, "No. Not everything is ruined. You are on your way to stop Sephiroth, and on the way you will make choices. Choices that will be best for you."

She sighed, "You know Vincent. I felt something with you, something I never felt with Reno. I don't know what to call it. But I've never felt it before. With Reno, it was like…I dunno…a cheap thrill or something. But with you, it was different. I'm not sure I like it. But even sat here now, its like there's an electric current running through me…"

"You never got that feeling with Reno?"

She shook her head, "No…it was…different somehow. When I was younger, I had such a crush on the heartless Turk reno. I don't know whether this is me reliving that crush in the flesh. I want him…but it feels…weird somehow. It feels like if something does happen, then I will live to regret it."

Vincent gazed at her, though she wasn't sure what emotion was being conveyed on his face, "Would you like to know what I think?" She nodded and he continued speaking, his gruff voice sending shivers down her spine, "I think that what you experienced with Reno is something akin to…how shall I put it? Animal Instinct. He was there when you needed someone to lean on, and a good way to keep him close would be to 'fall for him'. Yet you say with me, the feeling is different, like an electric current running through your very soul. You say that just sitting with me is making you feel that way. Looking at you now Elizabeth, you are blushing, and look very awkward. I believe, though it has been many years since I myself have experienced this, that what you are experiencing with me is what would be deemed by many to be 'true love'…"

She gazed at him with wide eyes. Was what he was saying right? He seemed to e describing the exact way she was feeling. And just feeling his eyes on her was making her stomach feel like a thousand butterflies were fighing inside her.

He sighed, "As I said to you, it has been a long time since I felt such a way for a woman. But I know the feeling when I have it. And Elizabeth, I seem to be falling for you…every day I see you those feelings get deeper. But you have to make the decision. You need to listen to what your heart is telling you…if it tells you to be with Reno then listen to it…" he stood up, gazing at her with eyes full of love and emotion, "And if you do choose him, then I will not hold it againt you. I promise."

***

Cloud felt the emotion well up inside him as they made their way through the sleeping forest. Every time he came here, he couldn't help but think of Aeris. Just walking through this place made him remember that journey, the journey that had lead to her untimely death. A death caused by the man that was haunting Lizzy's mind. He missed Aeris more than anything, and wished she was still with them. Who knows where they would have been now. Maybe they would be married with children, it was a dream he often allowed himself to think of.

Often she seemed to speak to him, her voice a ghostly echoe from the lifestream. And he knew she was still looking out for him. She had already helped him out on many occasions, the most notable being during the fight with Bahamut Sin. She had helped him fly towards the monster, and fly towards victory.

He bit back his tears now. He had cried so many times, cried over the fact that Sephiroth had cut her down in cold blood. He had blamed himself for her death, but she had forgiven him.

Elizabeth walked beside him, her head bowed in quiet contemplation. She had barely said anything since they had gotten off the airship at Bone Village, and was starting to spend more and more of her time alone. He wondered if everything was ok. He hadn't seen her talk with Reno in the past couple of days, and that worried him. Since they had first started this mission, the two of them had been inseperable.

"Everything ok Lizzy?"

"Hmm?" she looked at him blankly, "Oh…oh yeah, I guess so…"

"Things ok with you and Reno?"

A laugh of scorn escaped her lips, "Are things ok with me and Reno? Hardly…Sephiroth has been playing around with us, and now Reno hates me…"

"Because of what happened with you and Vincent?"

"You know about that?"

"You'd be surprised what I know. Vincent mentioned it to me…"

She sighed, "Yeah…its all because of that. Reno hates me…" she glanced back at the ex-turk who senta withering glare her way, "And I don't think I can fix it…"

Cloud sighed, "I'm sure you can. It's just that…well, you need to work out whether its Reno or Vincent you want. After seeing you with Reno, you two seemed so perfect together but I worried that he would break your heart. He's the type of guy who wouldn't think twice about hurting a girl like you. Vincent on the other hand, he adores you. He would treat you like a princess, would never hurt you, he would always be there for you…"

She sighed, "But he would have to watch me grow old and die…"

"That could be a problem…listen, Lizzy…you need to do what makes you happy. You've been so strong and cold all your life, I think you're finding it difficult coming to terms with how a normal human being would feel…"

She nodded, "I've never had a chance to be a normal girl…Cloud, I don't like feeling like this. Jesus Christ, I've got two guys fighting for my affections and I have no idea how to deal with it! I'm scared. And I feel so alone" she looked at him with tear filled eyes, "I want those days back where I didn't care…I don't feel strong anymore…I feel weak, like a wind could blow me away…"

She bit her lip and gazed at the entrance to the Forgotten City that was slowly approaching, "…and sometimes I just want to die…"

***

Sometimes I just want to die

Reno bit his lip as her words hit his ears. Just hearing her speak those words made him want to take her in his arms and comfort her. But he couldn't. She had betrayed him. He loved her, more than he had ever loved anyone, but she had been with Vincent. He glanced at the red cloaked vampire like man and rage boiled up from his very soul. He wanted nothing more than to tear Vincent's head off. But then her words came back to him. She wanted to die, she didn't want to feel like a normal girl anymore.

Sighing he shook his head. He would talk to her later, if she would let him anywhere near her.

***

"Cloud? What's that?"

The panic in Tifa Lockheart's voice made Cloud look up sharply, and hold his hand up to stop the others. There was something large on the road in front of them, something that seemed to darken the sky above them. An evil aura came from it, though he wasn't sure what it was. It looked like some kind of dragon, except bigger than any he had ever seen.

"That looks like a Blue Dragon…" muttered Lizzy, "Except it's stronger than one of those. And bigger, much bigger. This is a dragon of the old world…"

Tifa gazed at her with wide eyes, "Can we take it?"

Lizzy shook her head, "No…" her hand clasped the hild of her sword and she drew it with slow resolution, "But I can…"

***

"Wait! You can't take that thing down!" Reno's voice was full of worry

Lizzy gazed at him, and for the first time in a long time he saw a fire of passion in her eyes. She had turned cold, her demeanor as hard as stone. She held her sword at her side and it seemed to glow with the effect of the material held within it.

"I'm the only one here who can Reno" her voice was cold and hard, and it sent shivers down his spine.

He reached out and took her arm, "Please…don't…"

Her face held no emotion, "Why should it matter to you Reno? You've barely spoken to me in days. You don't love me, you haven't changed from your Turk days!"

He shrank back from her, shocked that such words would be coming from her mouth, "Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true!" she grinned heartlessly, "You wouldn't care if that dragon killed me…" she turned from him, her sword glinting dangerously in the light and she stalked forward, her long black overcoat swishing out behind her.

***

The power that emanated from Elizabeth's very soul astounded Vincent Valentine. He watched in awe as the magic of Shadowflare shot from her hands, and he saw the excitement in her eyes. It was as if in that moment she was herself again. She swung the sword like only a master of swordsplay could do. She delivered the blows to the dragon with incredible accuracy, giving it barely any time to get a hit in. But then all of a sudden she was engulfed in flames, had no time to escape the attack. He heard her cry out in pain, and as the flames dissipated, he saw her on her knees. She was covered in blood, her eyes blazing with anger. Yet she still stood up, leaning for a moment on her sword before her very aura shifted. A glow blue emanated from her whole body before she seemed to explode in a mizture of physical attacks and magic.

"Omnislash…" muttered Cloud from beside Vincent

"No…something more than that…" Vincent said quietly.

And then, the dragon seemed to scream, before keeling over. The ground beneath their feet seemed to vibrate and the megalithic dragon lay dead in front of them.

Cloud slowly walked towards Lizzy, who was stood gazing at the dragon. He reached her and gently touched her shoulder. She turned to him, blood coursing down her face. The dragon had broken her nose and lacerated her cheek, but she looked like the cold young woman she had been when she first met him. And she looked happy.

"Bastard dragon" she muttered, wiping her sword on her coat before resheathing it. She then used the sleeve of her coat to wipe the blood from her eyes, "Obviously sent by Sephiroth."

"Are you ok?"

She nodded, "I'm more than ok Cloud…." She grinned maniaclly, "I'm back baby".