Chapter XX

"Let's fly," Cloud replied.

"That's the spirit, kid!" Cid said as he jogged over to the ship's wheel. The man got himself situated and routinely began switching on the surrounding computer consoles that controlled and started the mammoth airship. His light eyes squinted as they browsed over the busy, flickering monitors that were displaying the ship's information to him. It took him a second before he hummed in satisfaction at the information presented to him. Everything looked good, and the ship was ready to go.

"She looks like she's ready to take flight! Let's start her up!" He said as smoke escaped his talking mouth.

He fiddled with the computer keyboard before pushing the starting button next to the wheel. Cloud could feel the floors rumble at his feet as the engines started up.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

"Oh what the hell…" Cid muttered as he drew his face in close to one of the monitors.

"What's wrong?" Tifa asked looking over her shoulder from the window view.

"The damn main deck is open! WHAT THE HELL! I thought I closed that damn door!"

A scratching noise suddenly echoed over the cockpit and a familiar voice came on the intercom.

"Hi, Cid! I'm coming up to make sure all the engines are good."

"SHERA? Goddammit, woman, I told you to stay back at the DAMN HOUSE!"

"I know, but I couldn't help myself. I just wanted to make sure that everything was all good before you left. And I brought some more tea, crumpets, and cigarettes for you and the guests."

Tifa quietly chuckled a little before whispering to Cloud. "She's one hell of a wife! She must really love him."

Cloud shrugged. "I'm just amazed on how she can live with the man."

"I bet he's got a soft side…he probably just doesn't show it when guests are around," She said. "Like someone I know…"

Cid pinched his nose as a blood vein popped out from the side of his forehead. "That's why we have these DAMN COMPUTERS to make sure the engines are good!"

"Ohh I'll only be a minute! Besides, you just never know with those computers…"

"Ohh gods…for the love of Gaia…I'm takin' off!" Cid protested. He took hold of the wheel and pulled up to get the ship into the air.

The airship struggled as it lifted off the ground, causing Cloud and Tifa to hold on to the rails for balance and support. The whole ship shook violently and started to tilt to its side. Cid broke out into a sweat as he adjusted the wheel forcefully. He managed to get the ship back into its upright position and steady it into the air.

"Haven't you flown this thing before?" Cloud grumbled. His stomach started to twist and turn from all of the unstable motion.

"Hell yeah I have! Look, she's an old veteran…so cut her some slack! I've been improving her and shit since I've been livin' in that dump town. When I got her, she was just all bolts and metal. But now look at her! She's a flyin' beauty! Have some faith, kid, damn," Cid replied.

"Have you had any crashes?" Tifa asked as she gazed down at the close mountains below them. Fenrir stood next to her with his head wedged out between the rail openings and his wet nose against the glass, gazing down with her.

"Uhhhhh...errrrrr…well…I mean not lately…"

"Not lately? What's lately?" Cloud frowned.

"Ya'll ask too many damn questions! Jus' shuddup and enjoy the fucking ride!"

About an hour had passed since Cloud and everyone boarded the airship. They were moving at a surprisingly fast rate for the wasteland had already been long gone. They were flying above the ocean, and Fort Condor was yet to be in their sites. Tifa and Shera were glued to the open window in the cockpit, enjoying the sites as they gaze down at the blue waters. Every once in a while, Tifa would point out to the occasional wreaked warship or some kind of destroyed machine that would be floating around. Fenrir languidly accompanied Cid, who was sitting down on his chair behind the wheel and scratching the dog's neck and smoking. Cloud had pulled up a chair and sat next to the old man to relax as he awaited the thriving city.

"He's a good dog," Cid said as he smiled down at the animal.

"Yeah, he is," Cloud sighed.

"Did you find him out in the wasteland?"

"No. Reeve gave him to me when I was young."

"Ahhhh…I see. So who's all at Fort Condor, eh? Your uncle, obviously…but is your momma there or somethin'? And your dad?" Cid asked as smoke escaped through his teeth.

The blonde warrior shook his head.

"Reeve is the only one left."

"Oh…" Cid grunted. He shifted awkwardly in his chair and decided to maybe change the subject. His light eyes flickered over towards the dark haired woman out at the window. "Yeahhh…But…" He inhaled his cigarette. "You also got her too."

Cloud played a small grin on his face as his gaze fell over the brunette.

"Yeah."

"Does she make good tea?"

"Tea?"

"Damn, son…YES, TEA! What? Do I have to spell it out for ya'? Gods!" Cid yelled. The cigarette wedged between his teeth practically fell out.

How the hell am I supposed to know?

"Why the hell do you think I married Shera, eh? Her tea and crumpets are fucking amazin'!" Cid ripped the burnt cigarette from his gritting teeth and pointed it in Cloud's face. "If she got fucking good tea, I'm tellin' ya', put a ring on her damn finger."

Cloud slumped forward to rest his elbows on his knees. His thumb and index finger swept over his eyes before pinching the bridge of his nose. He was growing weary of this conversation…and tea.

"Look, kid…I'm jus' givin' you the best advice possible, you know, as an 'elder' and shit. It's tea and cigs that keep this fucking world goin'. Mmmhmm."

"Okay…" Cloud said flatly. "Tea and cigs. Got it."

Cid gave a heartfelt wink and sat back in his chair. "Now you're gettin' it, Hahaha! But don't worry about it, son. You're still a youngster. Ya'll lovebirds still got alllll the damn time in the world and shit, especially since you'll be at Fort Condor. So don't hurry nothin'."

The warrior simply nodded and tried to give the impression that he was not in the mood to dive further in the discussion. But as Cid was about to open his big mouth once again, the floors began to rumble and shake. Cloud didn't know if that was a good thing, since it shut Cid up, or if karma was going to be a real bitch again…which he suspected was. And he was right.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Immediately Cid got on his feet and grabbed the steering wheel.

"Shera! Check them computers! What in fucking hell is goin' on?"

The woman was quick on her feet and hurried towards one of the alerting computers. Her eyes darted around the screen until she found the problem.

"It's one of the engines…there's something wrong…"

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?" Cid roared as his cigarette flew in the air and landed somewhere.

"Damn it, Cid! I told you!" Shera cursed as she shook her head. "I'm goin' down to check it out…keep this thing in the air!"

"Get goin', woman! I got this shit! We're jus' about there anyways…it's just…gonna be a little rough!"

"I see it!" Tifa suddenly shouted. "I see Fort Condor! It's just right there!"

Finally!

Cloud ran over to see for himself. He had never seen such a place in his whole entire life. High above Fort Condor sat an old statue of a huge Condor, a gigantic raptor that once dominated the skies. Its grand wings were spread wide open around the fort, like it was holding the surviving base in its shielding embrace. Fort Condor was much larger compared to North Corel, and had less of a military look to it. Lights came from the countless and modernized buildings, and he could see tiny soldiers out guarding the gates.

There it was. Everything he had worked so hard to get to was right there before his eyes. His uncle was down there somewhere within the massive walls of Fort Condor, and he would soon he down there to meet him. But first, he needed to survive the ride.

"SHERAAA! Report on that engine, please!" Cid impatiently shouted.

"I'm still working on this engine, but I think it'll manage until we get to Fort Condor. Press on!"

"What?" Tifa exclaimed.

"Roger! Get ready for land, hon!"

"No recent crashes, eh?" Cloud rumbled as he grabbed his stomach…sensing some motion sickness from the rough swaying.

This will probably be my first and hopefully my last flight.

"Everybody jus' shuddup!" Cid snapped. The blood vein at his temple was showing again. "Get your asses ready…it's gonna be a bumpy landin'!"

Fort Condor was coming close dangerously fast. Suddenly those soldiers weren't so tiny anymore.

"Okay! Everyone grab a landin' partner!"

Tifa grabbed hold of Cloud, and Fenrir latched his teeth onto the side of Cid's pants.

"Once you have your landin' partner, hold on tight to your britches! And maybe the rail or somethin'! W-whoa, whoa…Tifa! Keep that kid's puke down! Damn…I mean the fucking dog is doin' better than him!"

Cloud ignored his comment and braced for landing. He took Tifa and held her under some cover and shut his eyes to wait for the airship to land. He could feel the rumbling at his feet become even more unstable as the ship descended rapidly out of the sky.

"Come on, baby! Get on that landing pad!" He could hear Cid say.

BOOM!

He felt his body jerk forward out from under one of the computer desks. He let out a small 'Oomph!' as his back slammed against the rails. His hand reflexively reached out and grabbed hold of it as the ship crashed inside of Fort Condor. The loud noise of breaking glass and metal deafened him and for a brief moment and everything was a blur.

Seconds later there was nothing but the sound of ringing in his ears. His eyes snapped open, seeing Tifa shaking him and calling out his name. It took him a moment before he could hear again.

"–oud! Cloud!"

He rubbed his head. His stomach felt insanely sick.

"Cloud…are you okay?" Tifa asked as Cloud shakily stood up. The airship was half faced into the ground, and it was swarmed with AVALANCHE soldiers. The huge glass window in the cockpit was cracked with a huge, gaping hole, from where the soldiers and medical staff immediately came rushing in. Shera was standing with a group of soldiers, explaining something about the engine.

"Yeah…yeah I'm okay…" Cloud responded.

Tifa placed her hands on her hips. "You took most of the landing impact and had glass fly in your face. Are you sure?" She asked in disbelief.

"Ahhh FUCK! How the FUCK did I miss the fucking landing pad! Shit!" Cid cursed aloud.

"Sir, this is the fifth time you've missed the landing pad…" An AVALANCHE soldier next to Cid said. "And you've, once again, failed to radio in your departure and arrival…"

"Ehhhhhhhh…" Cid scratched his temple and looked off in Cloud's direction.

The soldier held up his hand to silence the airship driver. "However, we've received word from North Corel that you were flying in Mister Tuesti's nephew an–"

"Riiiight there!" Cid pointed. "That's the kid. And this here is his dog." The soldier looked down at Fenrir, who stared inanely back and totally unharmed by the crash.

The soldier shrugged and made his way over to Cloud and Tifa.

"Mister Cloud Stife?" He asked.

The blonde nodded. "Yeah."

"Please come with me…Mister Tuesti is on his way to the crash site."

Cloud nodded. He followed the soldier out along with Tifa and Fenrir.

The sun seemed bright as the three made their way out of the rubble and into the sunlight. Cloud's eyes squinted as they adjusted to the brightness. Medical assistance came rushing to him, but he waved them off as a familiar figure came running towards him from the horizon with a group of AVALANCHE soldiers. Reeve came to him with a warm smile and welcoming open arms.

"Cloud! You made it!"

A wave of exhaustion fell over him as he played a grin on his face and embraced his uncle. He was finally reunited with the last of his family once again. After the hugs, introductions, and the telling of long happenings and events that the trio had endured throughout their journey across Gaia, Reeve got an escort ready to take the them to their awaiting new and safe home. Reeve beckoned them over as he got the vehicle ready.

Fenrir happily ran ahead, leaving the two alone. Cloud turned to Tifa and wrapped his strong arms around her waist as he looked into the depths of her brown eyes.

"We've reached salvation," He said groggily.

"We've reached home," Tifa said and smiled.

He genuinely smiled back before placing his lips against hers.

I'm home.

~ Fin.

Author's Note: Wow! It's finally complete! Thanks everyone for reading and for all of your support. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I have. I especially want to thank my fellow reviewers out there! If you have some written work posted, I will definitely take some time to read over them. I will be producing more stories in the future…so if you're interest, just check back on my profile. Thanks again, everyone! (: