Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Mekina.

As you opened your eyes, you felt something rolling down a cheek. Lifting your head out of your arms, you reached a hand up, lightly touching the spot with your fingertips. Tears. You were actually crying. Releasing an irritated sigh, you rested your foread against your arm. Why was this even happening to you? Why did your minds eye have to keep replaying what was long past? Being so close to others when this happened made you ashamed and embarrassed. If this continued, you feared you would begin to dread falling asleep. On the bright side, those few hours you had seemed to be doing you well for the time being.

In thirty or so minutes, HQ was in sight.

Leaving the helicopter the three of you then headed for the Director's office to let him know how the mission went. After staying awake for three days with only about four hours of sleep, Zack was rather energetic. Eagerly, he began running ahead and into the massive building. Seeing your expression, Angeal chuckled.

"This is why he has the nickname Zack the puppy."

Zack the puppy? You watched said SOLDIER run to the doors and stop before motioning for you both to hurry up. When neither of you went fast enough, he started doing squats in place. "Huh. That is pretty fitting," you snickered.

"Come on you guys, the Director's waiting!"

Exchanging a brief look of amusement with Angeal, you both finally went over to him. When close enough, he ran into the building, and you decided to quicken your pace to a run too, now tailing behind him up the stairs. When you eventually caught up, a look was shared with him, signalling the start of a race to the Director's office, though this would truly begin when you reached the SOLDIER floor. Now waiting in the elevator you were trying to give each other intimidating looks. With Angeal leaning against the wall between you, he glanced from one to the other before shaking his head, though a corner of his lip had curved in a slight smirk.

When the SOLDIER floor was reached with a ding, you held Zack's gaze until the doors opened wide enough, and then you two made a break for it. Darting through the halls, weaving past the occasional people in the way, you made for the Director. You would not lose this. Maneuvering around another person, you both managed to stay together. As you turned a corner, you ran past a red and black figure going in the same direction, but failed to take notice of who they were since you were going by too fast.

"What in the-"

Although hearing the voice gave you slight pause, you didn't completely stop. The office was there after the next corner, and you were still were at a tie with Zack. You both were running at the same speed next to each other and bursted into Director's office, making the poor man jump, clearly startled by the sudden appearance. He placed a hand on his chest, and tried to calm his heart rate down.

"I win!" You both said at the same time. "No, I did!" Once again, this was said at the same time. Still mirroring each other, you stared at Zack a while longer, then let your eyes travel to the Director's face and instantly laughed. One of the man's eyebrow seemed to twitch as he watched the two of you. Angeal and the two figures that almost distracted you soon entered the room. Glancing over at them, you realized it was Genesis and Sephiroth.

"So who won?" Genesis asked, unable to hold back the amused expression he had from what you did to the Director.

"I did!" Again, you both spoke.

"Director, which one of us came in first?" Zack asked as you looked back over to the man behind the desk. You had to bite your lip to stop laughing since he was looking at you both like you were insane.

Sitting back in his chair, he shook his head before calmly pushing his glasses up with a finger. "You two came in as a tie."

Zack and you stared at him for a few moments before shifting your gaze back to each other and shrugged. When the whispering of the SOLDIER trio near the door came to your ears, you glanced over to them as Genesis and Angeal handed Sephiroth gil. Despite seeing the transaction between the three powerful SOLDIERs, you managed to hold in a laugh. Angeal probably told them what we were up to.

"You made bets?"

"It was Genesis' idea," Angeal replied, sticking a gloved thumb at said 1st. Genesis merely shrugged, scoffing slightly as Sephiroth counted the gil before putting it in his pocket, smirking all the while.

"Sephiroth, Genesis, Angeal," the trio immediately gave attention to the man as he turned to type on his computer. "There have been attacks on a few of our facilities that hold Shinra secrets. Someone is taking information that we cannot risk anyone knowing. We suspect it's either AVALANCHE or Wutai," he explained as the information on the mission took to the screen behind him. Glancing at Zack, you wondered if you should just leave, but stepped back with your friend, fading in the back to quietly observe. This was too cool for either of you to miss. But what was AVALANCHE?

"It's not just happening in one location, but two. One is in the desert, and the other is near the mountain region. I've already sent a couple of 1sts class to both facilities, but we've lost contact from the ones in the desert. You will be assigned to there... and it's safe to assume the worst. " Closing his eyes to mull over a thought, he spoke. "This is an urgent matter, and the President said to get as much help as we can." Soon opening his, he looked to Zack and you. "I understand you just came from a mission, but if you feel up for the task, know that the help would be appreciated."

Echanging a look with the 2nd, you nodded.

"Alright! Another mission!" Zack cheered as you smirked.

"Now, I understand that you are a 3rd and 2nd class going on a 1st class mission. Know that if you perform well, it might even be possible for either of you to become a 2nd and 1st class within a few months, or if you're lucky enough, even in weeks. I will be keeping an eye on you both."

"Oh yeah!"

"You can count on us, sir," you calmly told him. On the outside, you tried to display a professional demeanor, but inside, you were bubbling up with joy, and were ecstatic just as Zack was.

The Director then regarded everyone. "Once you get all of the belongings you'll need, you will leave immediately. You will be dropped off at the nearest town to your given facility, and have to make the rest of the way to it on foot."

Slipping out the door nodding to the blond, Zack and you came to a stop outside the Directors door. "Well, at least we're good with the supplies part," Zack said, waiting for the three 1sts to come out. Eventually, your eyes locked, silently initiating another race.

"...When they finally get out?" You asked.

"You know it."

When other members of the party left the office, Zack and you sprung from position in sync before making a dash for the helicopter in yet another race.

"I'll win this!" Zack grinned.

"No, I will!"

As the three SOLDIERs stared after your quickly departing figures, Genesis spoke. "The wandering soul knows no rest..."

Sephiroth smirked as he turned to his comrades. "Shall we give it another go?"

"Of course," Genesis shared a similar expression.

"I don't see why not," Angeal agreed as they began to make bets once more, and at this point, you two were almost to the helicopters already.