Notes: Last chapter at the orphanage/school place. And what? Who's that? Gaspeth! And yes. Sorry for the lack of updates. I suck. Could give you excuses. But who cares anyways? No one ever reads the author notes anyways.

In Life and Death
Chapter 25: Farewell

"Veera! Put a move on it. We have a small window of time to get in and get out before we are affected."

Veera sighed heavily as she pulled her shirt over her head. She smoothed down the few lines and wrinkles that popped up. Then she turned towards the mirror and ran a hand through her hair. An adjustment came to her glasses next. She wasn't in any hurry to please Zing's demands anyways. Let him wait on her for once. So she continued the needless primping.

Absentmindedly, her mind drifted as she got ready. She still didn't understand Zing's plan. She didn't understand how it worked and when she asked for him to explain it again, he said, "It just does. That's all you have to know!" And that was basically true. It did work. She had sat for hours over the monitors, watching as the kids grew. It was weird to watch, for sure. The days were shorter for them, the weeks and years as well. The minutes ticked by at an accelerated rate. Watching usually gave her a headache after a while, but she ignored it. She didn't want to miss a beat. Someone needed to watch over them, even if she couldn't offer them any help when they needed it. The twins literally grew up before her eyes in no time at all. Zing paid no attention to the monitors, other than occasionally stopping by to make sure things were still on track.

"Veera!"

And apparently things were. She sighed as she turned and followed the sound of his angry voice. "Okay Zing. Exactly how do we get in?"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Gah! I'm sooo bored!"

Zoey let out a sigh as she glanced over at her brother. Both were lounging on the couch in the game room. "Stop complaining!"

He rolled over, righted himself, and sent her a glare. "Don't tell me what to do, snothead."

"Snothead?" Roxas rolled his eyes as he rolled the dice and moved his pawn along the colored path on the game board. He and Namine were sitting on either sides of the game board on the floor. "Both of you. Shut up. All you do anymore is fight. Over stupid stuff that doesn't matter."

"We do not!" The twins shouted in unison.

"Ever since Lar left." Namine said quietly as she moved her own pawn past Roxas'.

Zander slid off the couch and plopped down between the slightly younger blondes. "My turn."

Roxas watched his friend move his pawn before he laughed.

"What?"

"Nam's right." Roxas said with a nod. "You two have been fighting and getting in trouble more than you ever have."

Zoey smiled as she followed his train of thought. "So I'm Lar now, huh?"

Zander rolled his eyes. "Fuck. That makes me Axel!"

Namine giggled loudly as she picked up the dice and turned to Zoey. "It's your turn, Lar."

"Lar's too good to roll. She moves by herself." She slid off the couch to join them. "Lar wins!" She said as she set her pawn at the end of the game path.

"I thought Axel was the cheat." Roxas said with a smile as he looked at Zander. They all laughed and the game was resumed after Zoey returned her pawn to its previous place. After Nam was proclaimed the winner, the group ventured outside. Winter still lingered in the air but all traces of the snow were gone.

"Man! I can't wait until summer!" Zander said as he bent down and picked up a stick.

"Yeah." Zoey said with an excited nod. "We'll have to convince the counts to let us go to the beach when the water's not so freezing."

Roxas perked up and threw an arm around her. "Yeah! As long as we can get everyone."

"Aw! Roxy just wants to see Axel in his swimsuit."

Roxas' face turned redder than their older male friend's hair. "Shut the fuck up Zander." His arm dropped from Zoey as he hissed it.

"It's true!"

"It's not!" Roxas knocked Zander on the ground and jumped on him. The girls moved back and soon were both on the ground beside them, laughing.

"What're you guys up to now?" All eyes turned on the older counselor as he stepped closer to the group. "Do I want to know?" He asked as he cocked an eyebrow at them.

"Zander's just being an ass." Roxas said as he climbed off his roommate and helped him up.

"Mouth, Roxas." Despite trying to sound stern as he said it, Xemnas smiled slightly. Axel was definitely rubbing off on the boy.

"Sorry sir." Both boys said at once.

"I'll let it slide because I have some… good news for Zander and Zoey."

Zander caught the odd way Xemnas had said good. "Good?" He repeated doubtfully.

Xemnas shrugged as he motioned for them to follow. "Interesting, at least." He waited until the twins bid a quick bye to their friends and then the three of them were back inside before he turned around. "You've been adopted."

"What?" They both exclaimed at once.

He shrugged as he turned and continued down the hall at a slower pace. "Yeah. Surprised me too when I was asked to find you two. Usually by your age, we've already accepted that we're stuck with you until we can ship you off to college."

"Wait…" Zoey caught up with him and grabbed his hand, pulling him to a stop again. "Back up. Adopted? Like adopted-adopted?" She released his hand as he turned around.

"Afraid so."

"Paperwork?" Zander said quickly. "Doesn't that take like… forever?"

Xemnas shrugged again. "I guess not."

Zander threw up his arms. "But we haven't even met these people!"

"Have we?" Zoey added quickly.

Xemnas shook his head.

"But… I… how…" Zoey stumbled over the words for a moment. "How can we be adopted without our knowledge by people we don't know?"

"Honestly…" He folded his arms and shook his head. "I have no clue what's going on or how it was done." He said quietly. "All I know is that it was and you belong to them now."

"Belong?" Zoey snapped, appalled.

Xemnas held up his hands. "I know. Believe me, I know. I tried to ask questions when I was told but… they wouldn't give me anything."

They were silent for a moment before Zoey sighed. "Really? This isn't some weird Count joke, is it?"

"Afraid not."

"How much time do we have?" Zander asked with a sigh.

"They're on their way now."

"Now?" He exclaimed.

Xemnas nodded.

"This is so wrong!"

Zoey bit her lip as she tried to think of some way out of it. "Can't we protest or something?"

"Right now… no. Give it a couple months. If you don't hit it off… maybe." Xemnas shrugged for like the millionth time and sighed. He really did feel sorry for them. "You never know. These guys could be your perfect match. Could have a real family."

"We have a real family." Zander mumbled, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.

"I know, kiddo."

"Can we say goodbye?"

"If you hurry up and get packed."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"This is so not fair!" Zander exclaimed as he flopped down on the floor beside his friends. All four sat in the girl's quieter than normal room. Roxas and Namine had been just as surprised and upset.

"But we're supposed to stay together!" Roxas whined. "All of us! Axel and the others are coming this weekend."

"Well… we won't be here." Zander snapped as he crossed his arms and glared at the floor.

"Xem says we have to stick it out a couple months… but I'm sure… if these people want to be… our parents… they'll have to let us see our friends." Zoey tried to reason in a desperate voice. "I mean… we've all been together our whole lives! They can't just come in and change everything, can they?"

"I'm going to miss you, Zoey." Namine said softly, hugging her knees to her chest. "They'll make me move in with Quistis and Nida"

"Oh shit…" Roxas said as he bolted up. "Wonder where they'll stick me…"

"Stop with the doom and gloom guys." Zoey said with a slight smile. "It'll all work out."

"Your optimism annoys the shit out of me." Zander said with a glare.

She stuck out her tongue.

"I would lecture you about watching your mouth… but it won't do any good anymore."

"Aw Xem!" Zoey whined as she turned to look at the silver haired man in the doorway. "Can't you come back later?"

"Afraid not. You guys need to come with me now. They're here."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Stop fidgeting or you'll blow our cover."

She turned and glared at the older man.

"And stop that glaring. We're married. You love me." There was an overly smug tone to his voice as he said it.

She made a gagging motion and covered her mouth as she looked away. "I think I just threw up in my mouth."

He rolled his eyes as he stepped closer. "Don't be so overdramatic Veera."

"Don't touch me." She hissed as the door opened. She forced a smile on her face and stepped closer to Zing. She played her part well. "Hello!" She said warmly. It was weird, to say the least, when she saw the three of them walk through the door. She knew nothing about the tall, silver haired man, besides the bits and pieces Zing has reluctantly told her. His name was Xemnas. He was a nobody and he was the leader of Organization XIII. Beyond that, she had learned more about this version of him through the monitors. He was cocky and brash and used to getting his way. He had a strong, almost parental connection with the kids, especially with the organization reborns and the twins, even if he wouldn't admit it. She knew none of them had any knowledge or memories of who they were or their past lives. But clearly, deep inside, something had stuck.

She turned her attention to the two kids that stepped out from behind him. The last time she had physically seen them, they were tiny pink things, barely a week old. And it had only been a matter of months since then. She prayed they never found out. "My name is Veera and this is my husband Zing." She had worried about using their real names. But Zing had assured her this world was fake and no one knew they even existed. She had her doubts about the last part. There was a small group back on Destiny Islands that knew of them.

Playing the dutiful husband, Zing put his arm around her waist, hugging her closer, and smiled. "We'd like to be your new parents."

The twins exchanged a glance before looking at Xem. When he shrugged, Zoey sighed and looked at her feet. "I'm Zoey. This is Zander." She elbowed her brother when he said nothing and he mumbled a hi in answer.

"How cute! They're shy."

"Yeah." Xemnas said as he stepped towards them and held out his hand. "I'm Xemnas, one of the counselors here. I've… worked closely… with the twins pretty much since they came here."

Zing released his grip on Veera's waist and shook the other man's hand. "You got a good grip there. Nice to meet you son."

"So are you two ready?" Veera said quickly, feeling nervous. The way Zing was acting sickened her a bit.

Zoey nodded and Zander said nothing.

"Wait… they left something important back in my office. We'll be right back." He turned quickly and steered them out before they could argue.

Zander waited until they were well out of earshot and turned around. "Xem… you don't have an office."

He shrugged. "First thing that came to my mind."

"So… are you going to kidnap us now?" Zoey asked with a smile. She knew the answer already but couldn't hide the hope in her voice.

"You know I'd love to." Xemnas said with a smile. "But I don't think it would work out very well."

Zander couldn't help but smile slightly. "Are you going to tell us what you really think of them?"

"Honestly, Xem." Zoey urged.

"I… I think something shady is going on." He admitted with a sigh. "You guys still have my cell phone number, right?"

Both nodded and said, "For emergencies only."

His smile deepened. "Well… give me a couple days and then give me a call. Something is off and I'm going to find out what."

Zoey smiled brightly and let out a giggle.

Xemnas crossed his arms and cocked his head at her. "What?"

"You care about us."

Xemnas rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Get going before mommy and daddy get worried."

Zander wrinkled his nose at that and looked at Zoey. "You don't think they'll make us call them that, do you?"

Xemnas turned them around before she could answer and steered them back towards the door. "Go!"

"Wait…" Zander planted his feet and looked up at the counselor. "What'd we forget?"

"Uh…" Xemnas had forgotten the excuse. He dug around in his pocket and pulled out his keys. He pulled one of the rings off and handed it to Zander. "Lucky keychain?"

"Dude! It's from the Struggle Tournament!"

"Don't lose it. Go."

Hand in hand, they left Xemnas standing in the hall and rejoined their new adopted parents, with Zander waving the 'lucky keychain' around.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Hey you two. Time to wake up."

Zoey was the first to open her eyes with a stifled yawn. She eyed the two adoptive parents as they smiled back at them from the front seat of a small car. She glanced around quickly, not remembering getting in said car. Zander sat passed out on the seat beside her. After wrinkling her nose at his snoring, she looked back at the eyes on her. "Uh… what happened?"

"You both feel asleep as soon as we got you in here." Zing said with a smile as he turned around and opened his door.

She turned slightly and poked her brother. "Zander… wake up…"

He yawned widely and swatted her hand away. "Jusa few more mins Zo." He mumbled incoherently.

Veera let out a soft laugh as she turned towards her own door, following Zing out. "Come on, you two." She moved around the car towards the trunk, leaving them alone momentarily.

A look of complete bewilderment and panic spread across Zander's face as he slowly regain consciousness and leaned forward. "Zoey?"

"Later." She whispered, squeezing his hand. "Let's go." She said louder, opening her door.

Still confused but at least a bit more confident, Zander scrambled out and moved to join her. "Long day." He mumbled with a yawn. "Guess we were tired."

Veera nodded with a smile as Zing grabbed the bags out of the trunk. "Of course. We'll show you to your new rooms and let you get settled. We can get better acquainted tomorrow. How's that sound?"

Both nodded and they followed them inside. Zing tossed the bags into the rooms and then disappeared. Veera gave them a brief tour of the small, modest house before she, too, disappeared.

"Hey Zoey… can I come in?" Zander stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Each were given their own rooms. Neither very big but big enough for the bed and other various items of furniture each had. It was more room than either had ever had. And no roommate.

Zoey sat on the bed and nodded. "Please! I can't sleep in a room by myself!"

"I can't either." Zander said, climbing up beside her. "Not that I'm exactly tired… with sleeping in that car and all."

"Yeah. Weird. I don't think I've ever fallen asleep in a car before."

"I know!" He exclaimed loudly.

"I don't even remember getting in the car."

Zander shook his head. "Me neither. Last thing I remember was Xemnas giving us his keychain."

She looked over at him and nodded. "Me too!"

"Maybe they drugged us."

Zoey rolled her eyes and laughed. "Parents don't drug their kids."

"They aren't our parents." Zander hissed.

"They are now."

He groaned and threw himself back against the bed. "I hate this." He said quietly. "Do… do you think… they can hear us?"

"So they drugged us and bugged our rooms, huh?" She smiled and pushed against his shoulder. "What Xem said getting to you, huh? They really could be nice people."

Zander shrugged as he pouted. "I don't care if they are. I want to go home. Back with Rox and Nam. We're supposed to be together. All of us."

She rolled her eyes. "Suck it up, crybaby. We still will be."

"Maybe. Unless we get locked up and the key thrown away."

She laughed softly and pushed him again. "Drama queen."

"Am not!"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"So what now, Zing?" He sat in his office, huddled over a desk full of illegible notebooks. Veera stood behind him, attempting to draw his attention away to no avail. "What's the next move?"

He said nothing as he lifted his arm and waved her off. He didn't have time for her questions now. There were pressing matters he had to deal with before the move. Not to mention what needed to be done once they got there.

"Zing! Come on!" She pressed closer. "Fill me in. Now that you have them… what's the plan?"

"Veera… please!" He snapped, finally acknowledging her. "I have to concentrate."

She rolled her eyes. "I have a right to know."

"Have you terminated the program yet?" He asked quickly, changing the subject.

"The program?"

"The alternate Twilight Town. It needs to be erased before we leave. I want you to do it."

She sighed and shook her head. "When you want me to do something… informing me first would be nice. I can't read your mind."

"Fine Veera. I want you to go to the lab and terminate the program."

She nodded slowly. She could do that. "What will happen to all the people there?"

"What people? They're all simply computer copies. Drones I generated and concocted to help simulate a town."

That stopped her. "But… the nobodies… Organization XIII… What will happen to them?"

"They're nobodies Veera. They don't matter."

"Zing!"

"They served their purpose and are no longer of use to me. They might as well die again. They aren't real." He pushed away from his desk and stood up. "Take care of it. I have too much to worry about. We leave in a week."

Her mouth hung open, speechless, as she watched him walk out. "But… they're nobodies." She whispered once he was out of hearing distance. "I'm a nobody." After a silent moment, she sighed and leaned against his desk, careful not to disturb anything. "Six months." She whispered softly, shaking her head. Nearly six months ago, Sora had been her patient. Six months ago, she had kicked Riku out of the delivery room. Six months since she had lied about the twins' death and helped Zing kidnap them.

But now they were closer to the ages Sora and Riku were when they first encountered the heartless and used their keyblades. She let out another sigh and dipped her head. When everything started, she had hoped it would be a fast thing somehow and the baby would be returned young enough to still need to be bottle fed and diapered. When twins were confirmed, she had hoped one would remain behind with Sora. Now she knew better. She knew they'd never meet. And that would probably be for the best. Sora and Riku could grieve and move on with their lives. Gliss and Roko… Zoey and Zander could move somewhere and have their own lives when Zing was through with them. It would be a happy ending… in a way.

She nodded to herself, as if trying to convince herself that was the truth. Somehow she doubted there would be a happy ending for anyone involved. She was too wrapped up in everything to leave. She had no choice but to stick it out. Hopefully she could stop Zing from harming the kids if that was part of his plan.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The first couple days went by pretty fast for the twins. A better tour of the house was given their second day there. Zing's office was announced off limits because he had a lot of important papers and stuff for work, he had said. But besides that, they were to go as they please and to feel at home. That had been instilled in them heavily. This was their home.

They didn't have much time for introductions either. They were enrolled in the nearby school immediately. Neither had ever seen a public school before. Their classes had always been held in their other home. It was new and different and hard. There were way too many other kids sharing the halls and classrooms. They hardly had time to think.

Zander collapsed on Zoey's bed and let out a yawn. "I'm sleepy Zo." They had just finished a pleasant meal with Veera. She has asked about the school and homework, offering her advice and help.

She let out a yawn and pushed him. "Then sleep in your own bed."

"I dun wanna!" He whined and latched onto her leg. Neither had put much thought into the fact that both had been unusually tired since they arrived. The extra sleep helped to give them less time to think. Both yawned again and soon were asleep, even though it was still early in the evening.

From the doorway where she had been watching silently, unnoticed, Veera sighed and shook her head. This wasn't healthy. And as Zing had told her several times, she was in charge of their health. It was the only reason he kept her around. She knew he wouldn't listen to her. But she had to try. She'd have to be stern with him and just put her foot down. It was ridiculous!

"Zing!" She called loudly, not worrying about waking the sleeping kids. Neither would stir for nearly twelve hours. Without waiting for an answer, she turned and stalked down the hall towards his office. "Zing!" When he gave no answer, she loudly burst through his door. "This has for to stop! On my medical opinion."

He sat at his desk, huddled over papers again. No answer was given again.

"Zing! You can't keep drugging them like this."

"Why not?" He countered, looking up at her finally. "Gives them less time to question our happy little family."

"But doesn't this plan of yours depend on them being alive? You had nearly a week of testing. Aren't you through with them yet?"

"I was done two nights ago." He said flippantly.

Her eyes widened. "But… then why?"

"I hate kids." He said easily. "Have you terminated the program yet?"

Her eyes quickly narrowed. "Don't change the subject."

He turned in her chair slowly to gaze at her. "You haven't. Though I have to say that I'm not surprised. You are weak, Veera."

She stepped further in the room. "The kids, Zing."

"The program, Veera." He taunted with a sarcastic tone.

"Why does it have to be me?"

He smiled slyly. "Because I told you to. Destroy all proof."

She bit her lip and turned away. As far as he knew, all the proof was gone. He had assumed everything was taken care of. She didn't dare correct him. Truth was… all evidence that the pregnancy was real and the false evidence that the twins were dead was back on Destiny Islands, along with her work computer and other various things. It wasn't as though she meant to leave loose ends; it was that Zing said he had everything under control. She just didn't think about it until Zing made a comment about it after they had smuggled the twins off plant. There was also her own personal collection. A few papers and pictures and things.

So she let him assume she had taken care of those things. Nobody involved back on the islands had any reason to doubt what happened anyways. "Fine. Lay off the kids for a while and I'll take care of it, alright? I'll play mom and wife and take care of everything. You just continue to be the workaholic dad that you have been."

He grunted a response and waved her away as he turned his chair back around.

"No more drugs, Zing."

After a silent moment, he nodded. "For now."

There was a pleased smile on her face as she exited the office and closed the door behind her. The weekend was coming up. She'd plan something special for the kids. Give them a break from school. And from Zing's probing fingers.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

End of Chapter 25. Stay tuned for Chapter 26: Deep in the Jungle

Author's Notes: Meh. Mildly content with this chapter. Confused? Good. I usually am.