Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.

A/N: Just a quick reminder that the italicized parts are flashbacks. I am really excited about this chapter and I hope you enjoy it. Sorry it took so long, I had a few things happen and I didn't even go over the chapter for awhile after I got it back from my wonderful and patient beta. Getting the kids ready for school, school clothes, school supplies and helping to clean up their rooms, kept me so busy that I didn't even get on the computer. I just read some stories on my phone at bedtime and that was the closest to the internet that I got.

I am biting my nails and am very nervous to know how you all will take this chapter. Please let me know what you think.

Thank you to my fantastic beta SubZeroChimera!

"Nothing of character is really permanent but virtue and personal worth." –Daniel Webster

To You I Give My Heart

Chapter 14

~First Impressions~

Releasing the door, the exuberant brunette caught up to the blond as her eyebrows rose, fearfully surprised, "Dancing?"

"Yeah, you know…" Moving his hips and swinging his arms, he almost slung her bag of goodies across the grassy garden that sat outside the store. However, his clumsy interpretation of a dance got a short giggle from her, "…Dancing, it's where two people get together and move to the beat of good music."

Pushing his arm, she sounded annoyed suddenly, "I know what dancing is. What I meant was that I don't really dance and besides, I'm still in uniform because I just got off duty."

"Hey, no worries, we can meet back here in one hour. I gotta run a quick errand anyway and I'll be right back here. Okay?" Without noticing that he crossed his fingers, he waited for her answer.

One sigh and an eye roll later, she answered, "...Fine." Taking her bag back, she left and as soon as she was out of sight, he broke out in a dead run.

When he got back to his apartment, his roommate, Dean, yelled, "Hey!"

Ignoring him, Zack jumped in the shower. Digging through the small assortment of the old tiny leftover bars of soap that stuck to the shelf, and each other, he found the best smelling ones. Not able to get two of the different kinds of soap apart, he just washed with it and hoped for the best.

Wiping the steam off the mirror, he worked on his hair until it was just right. Slipping on his nicest civilian button up shirt, Dean sat up on the side of his bed, "What's your rush?"

"I've got less than an hour and I'm taking out the most beautiful girl ever!"

"You mean that fiiiine blond chick?"

Slapping on a little cologne, he growled, "Yes and her name is Cloud."

Lying back on his bed, he put his hands behind his head, "Finally. Maybe now you'll stop calling out her name when you jack off."

"Shut up Dean. I will have you know that she is a great girl," Pausing and turning to the other man, Zack was embarrassed and appalled, "What the hell? Why are you listening when I'm… umm... showering?"

A huge mischievous grin crossed the dirty blonde's face, "You aren't exactly the quietest person," Sitting up, Dean jerked his hand in mock masturbation and moaned, "Cloud, Oh, oh, oh yeah…ahh Cloud!"

Horrified, Zack stood there for a moment until a smile crept across his lips and he opened his mouth, "I figured you would be okay with me calling out Cloud's name because before her it was your sister!" Jumping toward the slightly taller man, Dean grabbed him in a headlock and Zack yelled out in annoyance, "Dude, my hair! I just got it fixed!"

With a shove and a smile, Dean plopped back on his bed, "Get out of here and leave me alone."

"Wish me luck!"

Flipping Zack the finger and a smile, "Fuck off," was Dean's departing words.

Running down the hall, he heard a deep and familiar voice, "Zackary Fair!"

Freezing in place, he snapped to attention with a perfect salute, "Sir!"

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Sephiroth's eyes scrutinized the younger man's appearance.

"Sir, I have a date sir," Checking his internal watch, the young Second Class only had a few minutes and he still had to get all the way on the other side of the complex.

Genuinely intrigued, the General narrowed his unique eyes, "This person is very special if you are willing to break the safety rules in a heavy foot-traffic area."

"Sir, yes she is sir," Wishing that his superior would return his salute so that he could relax, Zack held his back straight, waiting impatiently. When a quick fantasy of him engaged in a passionate kiss with Cloud suddenly popped to mind, he began to feel his neck and head heat up with a deep blush.

"At ease," Finally Zack relaxed his stance. Sephiroth rarely smiled, but there was a hint of one on the corner of his mouth, "What time are you supposed to meet this... special girl?"

"In about five minutes over at the quad, sir," Internally he was hopping in place, itching to move and get to the meeting with the petite blond.

Turning the corner, Angeal questioned, "Sephiroth, let the boy go, can't you see he's breaking out in a sweat?"

Zack didn't think he would ever be so happy to see his mentor. Quietly moving around him, the feel of Sephiroth's opposing presence loomed over him and he fought the urge to take off running.

"Angeal, I was just going to ask what the girl's name was. Remember last time, he didn't know," Making it back in front of the younger man, Sephiroth stood proudly, "I just want to know that if any impropriety is going to happen between them, he at least know her name."

"You have a good point Sephiroth," Turning to look at Zack he asked, "So, Puppy, what is the girl's name?"

Squeezing his eyes closed, Zack hated that nickname, every time he heard it, he wanted to explode and yell at his mentor to not call him that. Quickly answering the question got him one step closer to getting out of there and making it to the quad before she left. With an audible whine, he checked with his internal clock said he had three minutes left, "Cloud, sir."

Sephiroth stood straighter and almost had a look of alarm, "Cloud? Do you mean Cloud Strife?"

"Yes sir. You know her sir?"

"Her file crossed my desk as a potential Soldier recruit. She has very high marks in all areas but sword technique and I was asked to consider allowing her to test for entry in the program when the next cycle starts in seven months."

Putting a hand on Zack's shoulder, Angeal reassured his student, "Sephiroth, let the boy go," Angeal dismissed him and Zack could hear the two of them continuing their conversation, but he didn't care. Running at full speed, he coasted down the hall and a couple who were holding hands turned a corner and he knew he wouldn't be able to stop in time. Taking a running jump, he got to the top of the trash can and flipped over them as the woman let out a scream.

As he landed behind them, the brunette yelled, "Sorry!"

Getting to the meeting place at least fifteen minutes late, he saw her across the quad, walking away. Mumbling, "No, no, no…" While breaking out in another run, he caught up to her, "Sorry, sorry I'm late!"

Pulling her arm out of his hand and wearing a stern look, her eyes burned with anger. Steeling her jaw, she narrowed her eyes, "I'm leaving. I knew this was a mistake."

"Oh no, come on! I was on my way and General Sephiroth stopped me-"

Big blue eyes grew wide in amazement, "G-General Sephiroth?"

"Yeah, so anyway he got on to me for running. That's why I'm late," Waiting for her to change her mind, her face softened.

"Well if General Sephiroth stopped me, I guess- I, well… Come on, let's just go."

Although Zack had a good idea that she had a crush on the General, it didn't stop his own desire for her. As it stood, he thought everybody had a crush on the impressive man. He had to admit, he, Zack Fair, ladies-man extraordinaire, had a man-crush on him too. Pushing that thought to the side, it was his goal right then to spend his time with this girl who made such an impression on him from the beginning.

"Sharna, as soon as he is able, send him up to me."

"Yes, Grandfather."

The quiet and cool breeze shuffled his hair and he felt… comfortable. Was he lying on a cot? It was soft, it had a few lumps, but they were evenly distributed so it wasn't too bad. The odd feeling that his feet were hanging from the end of the cot drew his attention. It wasn't too unusual; the people in this area were known that they were of a slightly smaller stature.

Too exhausted to open his eyes, he felt calm and wanted to stay right where he was. A dip in the side of the mattress shifted him a small amount and when he felt a cool wet cloth wipe at his forehead and he exhaled. Whatever happened after he collapsed, he didn't know, but he did remember that he made it to Cosmo Canyon. The trek was long but he got there.

Now Cloud could get- Wait… Cloud!

Sitting up with a loud inhale, he scared the young woman who sat at his bedside, "Where's Cl- I mean Bonnie?" Second guessing himself, using their real names would probably not be in the best interests of anyone involved.

Gathering her things, the woman bowed her head, "You mean the pretty woman who was with you?"

"Yes," Surprised that a woman as young as she appeared seemed very mature, Zack thought that she couldn't have been any older than sixteen, but her strong presence overshadowed any immaturity. She had her dark brown hair tied back with a light brown headband. With eyes dark enough, they were almost black, her darkened skin complemented them and together she was a beautiful girl who would grow up and be a stunning woman one day.

"She is in the back room. I can take you to her. My name is Sharna," Holding her hand out toward the door, he looked at her and rose silently, "Come. She's this way."

Finally looking around, he noticed that his cot was out on an enclosed balcony, surrounded by netting. That explained the cool breeze at least. The sun was rising and drenched the land in bright yellow light. Feeling rough fabric brush his skin, he looked down and he was wearing plain brown pants that tied at the waist. The burlap like material wasn't really all that comfortable, but his shirt was. The light blue was a light and very soft material that had an open collar that allowed the breeze to cool him.

Following the girl down a darkened hallway, there were all kinds of pictures of various things. Some looked like homemade posters with folk remedies listed on them while others were obviously family portraits. There were many paintings that depicted the scenery of the canyon beyond the gates of the village. Sunsets that were glorious in their intensity with reds, oranges and yellows blended to a picture of Gaia's perfection.

Strings of beads hung down making a curtain that clinked with an unusually pleasant sound. When Sharna brightened the oil lamp, seeing Cloud was breathtaking. It felt as though he had been thirsty for so long, and she was the glass of water that soothed him.

Someone bathed her and brushed her hair out and a beautiful braid, that put his to shame, shined in the dim light. Lying on her back, Cloud's hands rested on her stomach and she wore a dark blue short-sleeve one piece dress that covered her down to her knees. Her skin absolutely glowed in a radiance that he hadn't seen from her in all the years that they were in the lab.

Rushing over and kneeling on the floor at her bedside, he looked her over. Taking one of her hands, he lifted it to his lips.

"Um, excuse me, sir. My Grandfather wanted to speak with you as soon as you were feeling up to the climb," the young dark-haired girl smiled softly.

"Well actually, I brought Bonnie here to see Bugenhagen. Someone told me that he could help her."

With a giggle, she covered her mouth, "My Grandfather is Bugenhagen."

To be any more surprised at his luck than he was right then, he would have had to wake up wearing a dress and locked in the Honey Bee Inn.

Unable to hold his enthusiasm, he held the back of Cloud's hand to his forehead and whispered, "I'm gonna get you some help."

Sharna interrupted, "If you come with me, I'll take you to him. After so long, you need to get a little exercise."

"How long was I out?"

When the girl came over and adjusted the blonde's head a little, Zack noticed that her chapped lips were better now. Come to mention, so were his.

"Almost six days."

"Six days? Wow, I didn't think I could sleep that long," His body obviously needed the rest and time for recuperation.

Looking back to Cloud's face, she slept peacefully. Her eyes moved under her lids and she let out a quiet noise that almost sounded like a sigh. From all the time that they had spent in the sun, her skin was lightly tanned, but still retained its soft silky look and feel. The soaps they used to clean her made her smell like a bushel of raspberries. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek, "I'll be right back Chocobo."

Leaving with Sharna, he was half distracted by everything that the village had to offer. Realizing too late by what the girl had meant about feeling up to the climb, Zack winced at the pain his body was still in. Catching up to the girl after the third set of steep stairs, he asked, "How much further?"

"It's just up this rope ladder."

As he emerged from the hole in the ground, he could see all around. Everything was within his sights and he was in awe. With the sound of a door opening, he turned to see the strange-looking house. At the top it looked like a big telescope on one side and a satellite dish on the other.

Not paying attention, the loud thwang that resonated through the metal that made up most of the house, shocked and temporarily maimed the tall visitor. Stumbling back a few steps, Zack held his face in his hands. Realizing that he walked right into the top of the door frame, he pulled his hand back and blood covered his palm, "Oww!"

Pinching the top of his nose to close his nasal passages to stop the trickle of blood, he ducked under the frame in an exaggerated manner.

"Woo Hoo! That looked like it hurt," A laugh that sounded more like a grown up giggle got his attention.

Swinging around, he saw a tiny old man wearing blue and green. His thinning gray hair was neatly combed and his hands were in front of his chest, tucked into the sleeves of his shirt.

Peering at the man from down his cheeks, he was awkwardly hunched. With his nose pinched closed, he spoke in an embarrassingly nasal voice, "Um, yeah it did. Are you Bugenhagen?"

Hopping up and down, the animated man joyously grinned, "Yes that would be me. Please sit." Sitting/falling, Zack got as comfortable as he could in what seemed almost like miniature furniture. Taking some tissue that Sharna offered, Zack noticed a glass of water next to him on an end table. After wiping most of the blood from his face, he stuffed some of the tissue in his nostrils. Thirstier than he thought, the sight of the water got his attention quickly. Zack got a drink as the man spoke, "I am guessing that you want to know how the woman you were with is doing."

Straightening his back, the larger man leaned forward, "Yes. She has mako poisoning. Will you be able to help her?"

"I have already helped as much as I could with the mako sickness, but…"

"But what? I'll do anything, please you've got to save her," What could it be? What else did Hojo do that threatened her life?

Bouncing again, the man moved toward him, "I didn't say I couldn't help her, but I need to know something first." Pausing for a moment, the man stood directly in front of him, "What is she to you?"

'What is she to me? What kind of question was that?' Having to lean back to scoot his butt closer to the front of the couch he attempted to sit up. He tried to look as serious as a man could with a nosebleed dammed up with tissue protruding from his nostrils, a rising bruise on his forehead and his knees closer to his chest than they should have been in an uncomfortable spot on an obscenely small couch. Closing his eyes, he pictured her smiling at him with the twinkle in her eyes that lit a spark in his gut. His hand went to his chest and held it above his heart, softening his face, he answered simply, "Everything." Opening his eyes, he made eye contact with the old man.

Bouncing even more, the wise old man asked, "Woo Hoo! So does that mean you're the father?"

"No, I'm not her father! Do I look old enough to be her-" Feeling his mouth suddenly dry, his jaw dropped and the smile on the old man's face became blurry as darkness crept in from the sides of his vision. Zack watched as the floor got closer just before he blacked out.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads, favorites, subscribes and/or reviews, I appreciate your time and I dedicate all of this to you. To quote another author, "Getting reviews makes me feel all warm and squishy."

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