A/N: Okay this chapter is one of the shortest and we know it. Once I'd finished it and Grace checked it over we decided to finish it where we did instead of continuing. So there you are.

Pookyilicous, Kisdota-The Freak Gamer, MinnieMouse8990, ken08002, Nobody-XV, busard, vLuna, celticskyedancer, Vanilla Raindrops, and absolutedisaster13 thanks guys for reviewing the last chapter.

E S C A P E

Chapter Twenty Five:

Doubt

Everyone was being torn apart. Their small group was being made smaller and smaller and none of them could do anything to stop it. They'd lost Jessie, Biggs and Wedge, Aerith had been snatched away from them the previous day and now Zack was ready to leave and head to Midgar to find and save her. It felt like a gaping hole was growing and growing threatening to pull each one of them down into it. How long would it be until another of them had to be torn away?

Tifa Lockheart stared as she watched Zack tie his boots a final time before brushing down his baggy dark blue pants down. "You can't go alone!" She turned and watched as Cloud grabbed onto his arm and tugged Zack round to face him. The two men stared at one another long and hard, both mako eyes flaring and holding unspoken words as each one of them held their gaze. "I'm coming with you!" Cloud roared, his eyes narrowing as he kept his grip around his friend's arm.

Tifa had never seen a pair so close as them. They practically depended on each other. Even though they are complete opposites, they seemed to complement one another. With Zack's bright and happy personality and his ability to make anyone smile and to forget all the terrible things in the world he was indeed a complete opposite of his blonde companion. It was hard to describe Cloud without sounding negative, but he was the one who kept everyone grounded, the silent one who brought up the rear. But the two men shared many things in common, one being that they wouldn't hesitate for a second to throw themselves into something head first for the sake of their friends.

And this where the problem arrived. Neither one of them wanted the other to leave the small group and head for Midgar alone, both of them felt it was their duty to save Aerith and they were practically fighting for the job.

Tifa had heard Cloud and Zack argue throughout the night, mainly Zack saying it was his duty to Aerith, which he'd promised to keep her safe. Whilst Cloud argued that if something happened to him Aerith would never forgive herself and she'd be alone. Tifa had felt a pang of hurt at that comment, didn't Cloud realise that if something happened to him, then she'd be alone?

Tifa had no idea what was happening between herself and Cloud. The first night they arrived she'd never felt so close, yet now something had happened. Like how he'd forced the reality into their faces. None of them were running away from it, they knew about it but chose not to speak about it. Tifa had wondered if he felt like everyone was sweeping the truth underneath a carpet like a speck of dirt and that's why he said what he said.

But what Aerith had said struck her the most, which he said it because he was worried and didn't mean it in a harsh way. Tifa hoped that was true. Even then when she could hear him shouting back at his closest friend had surprised her, but then again maybe he was desperate to keep his friends safe? It was a vicious circle that was spiralling downwards and even further with each of Tifa's thoughts.

Barret had come to her room that night with a smile on his face saying it would be far too awkward for him to sit there whilst the two Soldiers argue. He'd even joked to say he didn't want to be the one having to tear two mako pumped SOLDIER off of one another. Tifa knew Barret was trying to keep her spirits up and she'd returned his joke with a beaming smile and a laugh.

She could understand, if she'd been in there with them she would have been tempted to come between the two men. But she and Barret understood that this was between them and them alone. That right now Tifa and Barret's places was away from them to come up with a decision.

Tifa wasn't sure who she'd prefer to leave to save Aerith. If she had it her way she would go and find her friend herself, but knew that idea had never crossed Zack's or Cloud's minds and most likely never would. When she knew Cloud had been caught a week ago, she'd felt a fire burn inside, screaming at her to go and save him and Tifa guessed Zack was going through the same thing. So Tifa had sat in silence, besides Barret in her room listening to Cloud and Zack decide who should go.

She couldn't bear to allow either of them to leave, it seemed a bit of a suicide mission but none of them would leave Aerith in Shinra's clutches.

"I should go." Tifa suddenly said. The two arguing SOLDIERS fell silent and Barret's dark eyes were fixed on her. "It's my fault she's there, I should go." Maybe Tifa would have more of a chance of rescuing Aerith, Shinra wouldn't expect a young woman to turn up to rescue the Ancient. She knew she would be afraid if she did go, but she was willing to quash her fears to save her friend, that was the one important thing at the moment.

"No." Cloud's answer came flat and quick as he shook his head. "It's too dangerous." There was something the two SOLDIER's weren't telling her, Tifa was sure. Like they knew what would happen to Aerith and that was why they were so desperate to get her back safe and sound. The martial artist was tempted to ask, but deciding against it. Believing whatever it was it would most likely be better for Zack if he didn't hear it even if he knew it.

Tifa stared back. She was fed up of how everyone thought things would be too dangerous for her; she had equal rights to everyone else in the room. "No, you can't stop me Cloud, I'll go if I want to go!" She argued back instantly. The blame was hers and she would rectify it.

Cloud turned to look at her, taken aback from her sudden and direct reply. He licked his lips as he stared at her, his eyebrows furrowed from complete surprise. "I don't care." He replied, tearing his gaze off of her once to look to Zack. "Zack and I, even maybe Barret are the ones caught up in this. They don't know anything about you. You should go back to Nibelheim." Tifa was too taken aback by Cloud's words. She hoped he didn't mean them in a malicious way like yesterday, but Aerith wasn't here to tell her so. His eyes weren't burning with anger and Tifa was sure she could see a hint of pleading like he wanted her to leave. But after everything she wasn't going to be pushed into the dark and left to wait. She wanted Cloud to understand that that she would stand by him right until the end.

"Don't you talk to Teef like that!" Barret roared, he jumped to his feet and crossed the room glaring down at the blonde soldier. Tifa reached for the larger man, gripping onto his arm to try and pull him away. The last thing she wanted was for a fight to break out between them all just because of her. She could feel Barret's muscles twitch underneath her fingers and he turned to look at her pleading gaze before his muscles slowly began to relax as she squeezed his arm in an attempt to make him understand without her having to say it.

She knew as she looked at the blonde that he was worried for her and she offered him a small smile to show she understood.

"STOP!" Everyone fell silent as Zack's suddenly loud and ordering voice slashed through the tension and made everyone froze. His hands were held up in front of him like he was trying to defend himself and his eyes were shut tight. His true SOLDIER first class voice breaking through after so long. It was hard to believe that this carefree young man is or rather was a Lieutenant in Shinra's army, second to only General Sephiroth.

"This is stupid. They'll be expectin' us to all come in." Barret muttered waving his hand at the black haired soldier but threw a threatening glance at the other. He dropped back down onto the bed and everyone silently agreed with the large man.

"Then I'll go." Zack said suddenly, his small smile spread across his face as he beamed round at everyone.

Cloud sighed loudly and turned on the spot before leaning against the wall behind him. "They'll be expecting you to come Zack." Cloud paused. "So they won't be looking for me, so I'll go." Tifa stared at Cloud's concerned face as he folded his arms across his chest.

Tifa saw a light switch on inside Zack's face as his smile grew and grew across his features. "So then...they'll be expecting someone else to come and not me, so it'll be an even bigger surprise if I turn up!" Zack said triumphantly as he looked to Cloud and watched the blonde shake his head. Tifa let out a small laugh and rolled her eyes at Zack's reply.

"If they don't know who I am, I should go." Tifa spoke up once more. If what Cloud said is true, then surely her going would be the most logical answer!

"No, I'm going to Midgar." Zack held up his hands like he didn't want to hear anything else. Cloud made to argue when Barret quickly interrupted.

"As much as I hate to say it, it's the only way." The man paused to scratch his face before turning to everyone else, ignoring Cloud's death like stare. "I can't go, I'll be spotted too easy." He stopped once more waving his gun arm with a smile like it was a piece of evidence. He waited for a moment to see if anyone else had something to say before continuing. "An' two SOLDIER's can't go, what if ya get caught? Then there's just me and Teef left." Barret was right. Tifa watched the man's words sink into the two younger males as they looked to each other. As much as Tifa knew Barret hated to admit it, having a SOLDIER on their side would help their chances greatly, but alone it was going to be much tougher.

A heavy sigh escaped Cloud's lips as he closed his shining eyes in defeat. "Then it's decided, Zack will go to Midgar, get Aerith and meet us at Cosmo Canyon." Tifa smiled at him slightly as she could tell how desperate he was for Zack to stay and for himself to leave.

Zack nodded in agreement and stared round at everyone else. He sighed himself and placed a hand on his hip as he shook his head before laughing softly to himself. "We sure are a mixed up bunch." No one answered him as the realisation that another member of their party was about to leave. Tifa stared at the black haired soldier and hoped she'd see him again, not just for herself but knew if anything happened to him it would tear and shatter Cloud to pieces. As much as she knew he would not admit it, Tifa knew Cloud depended on the older soldier. "Am I going to get a farewell leaving do?"

Cloud let out a low laugh and stood up straight to follow his friend to the door. Tifa looked to Barret to check he was following and she closed the door silently as they left. It felt like a funeral procession, like Zack was being led to his death and that she might not see him again. They all followed the two Soldiers into the main reception and glanced round, pleased that it was almost empty.

Zack spun round on his heels and gave them his brightest smile. It lit up his entire face and no one could help but to return it. It made his violet eyes sparkle even more and his black hair shone in the low lights of the hotel. "I'll be back before you know it, you won't even realise I've been gone." He added with a smile. "I'm not a Soldier First Class for nothing!" He laughed the last comment and they all paused to watch him. Tifa prayed he would come back, she loved Zack as much as the rest of them and she would miss his smiles and jokes every day until she saw him again.

Barret stepped forwards and gripped the younger man by his shoulder and gave it a firm shake. "You take care and make sure you bring Aerith back, you hear me?" He rumbled, his deep brown eyes staring into Zack's whilst a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Zack mock saluted, before giving the man a one arm hug. Tifa saw the surprised expression cross Barret's face and smiled as she realised how much Zack and Barret had actually bonded over the last few days, even though they were worlds apart.

Tifa glanced to Cloud and saw his mako eyes staring at the floor. She stepped in and threw her arms around Zack's neck. He carefully placed his muscular arms around her and squeezed her tight. "Please be careful." She whispered into his ear as he rubbed a gloved hand up and down her back. She heard the small snort of laughter escape him and she closed her eyes tight, she knew she'd see Zack again, but she prayed he'd be well when she did.

"Take care of him, right?" Zack whispered as quietly as possible and Tifa nodded in the man's embrace. She kissed him softly on his cheek before letting go to stare into his violet orbs.

"Please be careful." She whispered once more. He nodded once, his smile gone from his face.

Tifa slowly let go of the man and stepped away. She eyed the SOLDIER before her and he took a shaky breath. "I will." He muttered, winking once as he slowly turned to the other SOLDIER.

Tifa looked at the two, seeing the concern in Cloud's face and the frown that screamed 'it should be me leaving.' The pair stood in silence and Tifa caught Barret's arm and tugged onto it to pull him away from the two.

She knew Cloud wasn't overly emotional so when the two man practically smashed together and hugged Tifa let out a surprised small laugh. She watched Zack clutch onto Cloud's shirt as he spoke to the blonde. It was a strange sight, to see the two soldiers embracing one another in the middle of a hotel reception and Tifa realised how close the two young men actually were. She remembered Zack saying once how he'd mentored Cloud when he was a cadet and how he'd cared for the kid and the thought brought a smile to her face.

The two men took a step apart and she watched Cloud shrug his shoulders like he was embarrassed for his emotional slip. There was a deep seriousness in Cloud's face as he ran his gloved fingers through his spiky hair and Zack waved a hand before laughing. Cloud spun round to the them both and Barret and Tifa slowly walked to the man's side. "Wait!" Zack's voice tore through the emerging silence and his hand instantly latched onto Cloud's arm.

The blonde turned and stared at his friend. Zack released the blonde and instantly dug into all of his pockets, patting himself down as he searched. A look of triumph spread across his face as he held his phone in his hand and hung it in the air like it was a trophy.

Cloud stared at the small device before checking his pockets and pulling out his own phone before looking back at his friend. "We use it, only if we have to, right?" Zack mumbled, flipping his phone open to show the blank screen and then flipping it shut. Cloud nodded in understanding and couldn't help but admit he felt a little more relieved that if anything went incredibly, disastrously wrong Zack could leave at least a short message.

With a smile Zack pocketed the device as did Cloud and Tifa and Barret slowly walked back to the two men.

Tifa carefully wrapped an arm around Cloud and gripped onto his pant's belt as he snaked a hand round her waist and held her tight. "I'll be back before you know it!" Zack laughed again, once more giving the three a mock salute with his two fingers to his eyebrow before turning and heading out of the hotel.

The three remained silent as they watched the figure with his gigantic Buster sword held on his back slowly disappear from view.

"It should have been me." Cloud muttered softly, his eyes still staring through the window as if he could still see the black haired man.

"He'll be alright." Tifa replied turning and looking at her childhood friend. He turned to her and she couldn't help but think his expression read,

I doubt it.