Author's Resurrection Speech (fal'Cie Recall-age): Heeey. Guess that was a lot quicker than I thought. Okay, so not really. As I've said in the past, I die between updates. And when you're dead, you can't update, ya know? Except this time, that almost came to fruition-at least in my opinion. Not really that bad but... I'm traumatized.

Moving on! Here's a little something I whipped up because I have commitment issues.

Chapter XX – (Reality of Zack)
A Snake in the Grass

I've been awake since four-thirty this morning. After the conversation with Aerith, I ended up falling back asleep pretty darn easily after making preparations, only to wake up yet again but this time with no ability to drift off like previously. So, seeing that I couldn't sleep, I decided to make good use of my time.

I rechecked through my packed belongings for the return trip to Midgar, planned out my entire schedule for today, hunted my room for any forms of food as a snack, since the mess hall isn't open at this hour, and now it's almost six in the morning—and I'm doing my usual routine of exercises. I decided not to head down to the training area and would just work out in my room.

My schedule was all mapped out.

At about eight, after a nice shower, I would go out and find a place to have breakfast because Junon Base has a terrible meal line-up. There was this diner I'd heard about that was located across town…and yeah, that was where I was going in due time.

I decided I'd go see Cloud at about ten-thirty or so. Didn't want to wake him up so early when he needed his rest. I would stay there at the Hospital for a little while and be out just before noon.

Midday, when the storm was supposed to have already disappeared, I would take my leave via a helicopter that was heading back to Midgar. Apparently there were a few Shin-Ra employees heading back and they still had room for one more passenger, so long as I got their early. If there was a delay, then I would just find something to do in the meantime.

I was in the middle of my one handed, finger tips only push-up workout routine when there was a loud crackle as the intercom by the door squealed to life, a man's croaky voice bellowing into my room. "SOLDIER Zack Fair, are you awake?" Well this was right around time for some people to be starting their day, some earlier than others.

I pushed off the floor and nimbly jumped to my feet, going to the overly loud speaker and adjusting the volume to a more comfortable setting. Even if I there were separate rooms in the barracks, and there weren't as many people in the building due to the holidays, the walls were pretty much paper-thin.

It was someone I'd just spoken to yesterday, if memory served: the new, talkative scientist-doctor. I didn't know what to call him, but he used my name. I don't recall him ever introducing himself.

Or maybe I tuned him out…all the times I've met him.

If I can't remember, then perhaps I can make up for it somehow. What's one word a person can use that's common to all people, the stand-in label?

I hit the blue button on the intercom and the switch lit up bright red, signifying that I could now talk to him over the channel. "Yo, dude! Mornin'." So simple that it borders brilliant. 'Dude'. Universal term for a guy and name substitute. "I didn't expect to hear from you again so soon, man. What are you calling for?"

"Why don't you ever use my name? Do you even know it?"

"Was it that easy to tell?"

"I told you around five times now. And you hesitate way too long before acknowledging me, but that can be written off on another reason so I guess that doesn't count…" He was accepting my failure to even remember his existence half the time. "And you haven't called me by my name once," he added.

"Well…" I stood for a moment in thought. "I was gonna call you Doctor Dude."

"Doctor Dude?"

"Yeah. It's something, you know? Doctor Dude or Double-D or Mister D." Doctor Death, but I wasn't going to suggest that one.

He laughed at my list of nicknames, seemingly finding amusement in it. Perhaps he was just in a good mood. I don't usually make friends with any of the scientists, but this guy seemed pretty cool. "I like that—Doctor Dude. I'll let you call me that."

"All right, then." I can remember a name I made. "So what's up?"

"I need you to come to the lab," he informed, keeping a lighthearted tone. I sighed at his revelation. I didn't want to go back there. I didn't recall how long I had been there yesterday and didn't want a repeat of that. It's all just…unclear. "I received your test results from yesterday's visit and there's a slight unbalance in your system. I'll need a few minutes of your time in order to correct it. Are you free?"

Aren't I always ironically unoccupied with anything when he's involved? Still, I'd better get this out of the way now. The sooner this was done, the sooner I could get back to my duties. "Yeah, sure. I just have to shower first—"

"Don't worry about it," he affirmed, "Just come on in. This'll be quick."

I sighed. "All right. I'll be right there."

Without another word I hit the red button and it reverted back to a dormant indigo hue.

Great…

"Rumor has it that you're a candidate for 'rookie of the year' in the SOLDIER division," the black haired scientist reported as I slid onto the cold metal table, the once straight and unruffled paper crinkling as I made the motion. I always hated when I ripped and tore the paper…

He had his back to me, fiddling with the contents within a cabinet on the wall while holding this casual conversation.

"Really? I haven't heard about that," I replied.

"Well you'll be mentioned in the magazine."

"What magazine?"

"The yearly magazine that the Shin-Ra Corporation publishes," he said in a deprecatingly manner, as if I was supposed to be aware of this fact. "It's a compilation of a year's worth of information on the company."

"We have one of those?"

"There are lots of articles—like the recent discoveries or creations, achievements in battle, progress on the war, interviews with the executives and noteworthy employees—you know. The works." Well obviously I didn't know. The only tabloid I'd heard of that was Shin-Ra affiliated was simply called: 'SOLDIER'; not to be confused with 'SOLDIER Elite' which was mainly for the more popular members, and it was pretty self-explanatory what it dealt with. If someone from SOLDIER was going to be recognized, it would be in that magazine.

"So…I'm a candidate?" Before I ignored him because he didn't seem to have anything interesting to say. I shouldn't have done that. Evidently, he's the most informed person I've ever known.

"Well, yeah. That's why you were called to Junon, wasn't it? There should have been some sort of notification."

"Uh…What?" I had been coming to Junon for Cloud, not for an award. Maybe I'd missed the call in all my excitement or it got lost at sea—as far as phone calls go.

Wait. If that was the case, did someone know I would be coming and just not send the invitation? Then again, that just sounded like paranoia.

"You were never summoned, were you? I thought you were a finalist; you might have even won. But if you're not here for that, then why show up here in Junon?"

"I'm here to see my friend in the hospital," I replied.

"Ah. So you're friends with Cloud Strife, huh?"

"Wait." Now this was strange. "You know Cloud?"

"I've seen you two together back in Midgar. You could say that I know him as well as any other doctor to a patient."

"I see."

"Yeah, well I was partly responsible for treating mako cases within the Infantrymen during the Wutai infiltration operation with his squad a few months back so I met him, although he probably doesn't remember me being inflicted an all. Even so, I wanted to check in on him, even though he technically isn't my patient anymore." I knew what he was talking about and it helped ease that suspiciousness against him from a moment ago. A couple months back, Cloud's squad disappeared in Wutai while out patrolling the area only to reappear a week later, all showing slight signs of Mako Poisoning. It was nothing major enough to warrant worry, according to what I was told. I was busy with my own missions so I didn't find out what happened till a while later.

Still, one thing he said bothered me.

"I thought you were new to the company. From what you stated, you sound like you've been around for a while—at least five months if I'm correct."

Now that might have caught him off guard, seeing that he hesitated momentarily. "I was an intern back then."

"Oh. Here on internship…" It made sense, I couldn't deny it. Maybe I was just paranoid and wanted to find something wrong with him.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that something about this guy didn't seem right.

He finally turned back to me, holding something that no one ever wanted to see in the hand of a physician.

"There's a slight unbalance but this should help even it out." He thumped a syringe holding violet liquid and smiled at me tenderly, stereotypical of all scary doctors when they're about to induce pain.

This couldn't be right… I felt fine, perfect even. Why did I need a 'dose' of anything? He could have gotten my charts mixed up with someone else's. Then again, blunders like those were rare in the perfectionist society the Science Department lived in. Still… "Don't you have something in pill form?" I dread the prick of a needle, though I was well beyond accustomed to the feeling. They were a regular part of a SOLDIER Operative's life.

"No, unfortunately."

"How about using a method a little less sharp?" I stuck out my arm, frowning all the while.

"Aren't you a SOLDIER?" He questioned sarcastically as he positioned the point over a vein. That was quite the low blow I have to say, commenting on my uneasiness and all. The black haired tyrant drove the pointer through my flesh, pushing out whatever liquid. It didn't hurt so much, since I was used to needles by now, but I could still feel the sensation of the puncture. "By the way, you may feel a little drowsy later on. This side effect won't take effect immediately."

He retracted the syringe and instantly crossed the room to access a computer.

"How soon can I expect to feel tired?" I shot him a glare when he turned his back, typing something on the workstation in the corner. I had stuff to do today. I can't be getting sluggish. This would get me off track, I knew it.

But maybe it wasn't so bad. Maybe I could work through it.

I hopped off the table and gave him a passing salute, which he returned halfheartedly, more absorbed in the words on the monitor than me.

I shrugged and returned to my room to shower and gather my things.

But everything that took place after I returned is a bit of a blur.

Ophidia in Herba (Author's Speakage): So yeah…

So yeah, and stuff. I don't have much to say.

Uh…I've returned from crystal stasis to complete yet another Focus of updating this story.

- Vincentre