Cloud went back into the lounge room. Cid was already there, working on his laptop at the sofa. Cloud sat down on the chair in front of him, still thinking about the last few minutes. Cid looked up from his work.

"How is she?" he asked. Cloud didn't look at him, his head still spinning. He shook his head slowly.

"She's completely strained," he muttered. Cid sighed deeply and closed his laptop. He leaned back onto the sofa.

"I've looked out for that girl since the moment I held her in my arms, and not once have I ever seen her this way."

Cloud closed his eyes.

"She misses Leon," he said quietly. "She's completely torn without him."

Cid sat up, frowning.

"Listen," he said. "I know she's upset after what Leon did to her at the station, but—"

"I heard her myself," Cloud said bitterly, looking over at him. "She misses him." He closed his eyes again. Cid shook his head, the lines on his forehead deepened in concern.

"This is all one hell of a misunderstanding," he told him. "One thing I know is that you kids will be able to work this out. You just need time." Cloud sighed and leaned back on his chair. He stared at the ceiling.

"I've been thinking," he said after a while. "Aerith's been doing so much for the Restoration Committee lately, helping people and doing work all the time. She needs a break." He took the ring out of his pocket and held it between his fingers. "From all of it."

Cid sensed something in his tone.

"What are you saying, Cloud?"

The younger man held the ring in his fist.

"She needs to get out of the town," he said. "Out of Hollow Bastion. It's too much for her to cope with."

"You want to send her away?"

Cloud nodded.

"Maybe somewhere peaceful for a while." He sighed softly. "Peace is something she misses a lot." It wasn't the only thing he knew she missed.

Cid wasn't fooled.

"Yeah," he said. "She does miss the peace." He leaned forward and rubbed his hands together. "I know you want what's best for Aerith, but you have to stop listening to those crazy thoughts. They're strained and all mixed up at a time like this—"

"I'm not listening to my head, Cid," Cloud said suddenly. He placed the fist over his chest. "I'm doing what Aerith's always telling me to do, what she's always telling all of us to do. I want to do the right thing for once, and that's to make her happy. My heart tells me there's only one way to do it." Cid shook his head, defeated.

"Cid!"

Yuffie was standing in the doorway, looking frightened. Cid immediately stood up and went over to her.

"I… I don't know what happened," she muttered, shaking her head. "One minute she's hysterical, the next she start to cough really hard and passes out. She has a fever, and I just gave her a second elixir but it doesn't seem to help at all." Cid rubbed his forehead and shook his head grimly.

"Sweet Jesus…"

Yuffie grabbed his arm as he turned to go into Aerith's room.

"Cid, you remember that time when she got really sick last year in Traverse Town?" She exhaled deeply. "Well, I think it's back."

Cloud knew something was seriously wrong from Cid's expression.

"Get another bottle of elixir," he told Yuffie. "Quickly." She nodded and ran out while Cid rushed into Aerith's room.

Aerith was lying on the bed, the covers up and only her head showing. Her hair and face were damp from sweat, her eyes were closed, and she was shivering. Cid kneeled down next to her and placed his hand on her forehead. It was burning.

Yuffie came in, holding an elixir bottle. Cloud was behind her, but she forced him to stay outside. Aerith opened her eyes at Cid's touch. She smiled feebly as she saw him.

"Hey, Uncle Cid," she said softly. She started coughing again. Yuffie crawled onto the bed, holding out the elixir over Aerith.

"Here," she told her. "Drink this." Aerith obeyed. Cid stood up from the bed, a grave look on his face. He picked up the phone.

"I'm calling a doctor," he said, dialing. "We need to get you to a hospital."

"No," Aerith breathed. She sat up, pushing Cid's hand gently away from the phone. "I'm fine. Just a little hazy, that's all." She groaned in pain and collapsed back onto her pillow. Cid dropped the phone, bending down to her. Aerith smiled at him with half-opened eyes. She held his hand tightly.

"The elixir's slow," she said. "Talk to me so I can stay awake." Yuffie crossed her legs over and straightened Aerith's pillow for her. Cid smiled weakly.

"You really should get some sleep," he said. Aerith shook her head.

"I'm fine." Cid sighed. Aerith smiled again and looked up at the ceiling.

"What a day, huh? Everything was so messed up." She giggled. Cid and Yuffie knew she was still hurting. "But none of it really matters anymore. What's done is done." Cid wanted her to stop; the elixir was taking her over.

"Aerith…"

"You know, we talked about having children," she said, looking at Cid. "Cloud and me. Yeah, kids of our own." She giggled again. "Cloud came up with Celeste for a girl. It was the cutest thing, he was so adorable." Cid tried to keep a straight face, but he clearly could feel her pain. "That's only for a daughter, we haven't decided what to call our baby if it's a boy yet." Aerith smiled. "But I thought the name Lucas was special. I'd name my baby for you." Tears ran down Cid's face subconsciously. He tightened his hand around hers, brushing the hair out of her face. He forced a smile.

"Just… just get some sleep, Aerith," he said hoarsely. Aerith was slightly surprised. She glanced at Yuffie behind her. She was crying too.

"What's wrong?" she asked naively. "Why are you crying? It's only a cold. You're both acting like I'm dying or something."

Cloud watched from the door, knowing exactly why they were crying. Aerith was in denial of everything that had happened, trying to forget about Leon and forcing the reality that everything was okay. He knew Cid and Yuffie could see right through all that and they could feel the pain she was in forcing herself that way.

She wasn't dying now, but it was clear to see she was very soon going to die of a broken heart.

Aerith slowly closed her eyes.

"Cid?" she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Cloud's mad at me?" she asked.

Cid exchanged a glance with Yuffie.

Aerith sighed, going under. Cloud turned away from the door, unable to hold on any longer.

"Because if he is… tell him… that… I'm sorry…" Cloud closed his eyes and struggled to hold back. "… and that… I promise to make everything right… so… so I can make him happy…"

"Shh…" Cid said, standing up. He straightened her blanket. He motioned Yuffie to get off the bed. Yuffie stared sadly at Aerith and stood up, walking to Cid's side. Aerith sighed again.

"Please tell him for me…" she muttered with on last breath, and she was finally still.

Cid bent down and kissed her forehead, stroking her hair gently. Yuffie went outside, where Cloud was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed and his eyes closed. She sighed deeply.

"I don't want to see Aerith like this," she said sadly. Cid came out, closing the door quietly.

"The elixir knocked her out," he said to Cloud. "She's asleep now."

The young man didn't react whatsoever. Cid sighed and he went back to the lounge room. Yuffie watched Cloud for a moment, then followed.

Usually it was easy for Cloud to hide how he was feeling from the world, but it was getting harder. He went to the door and opened it a little, just enough to see inside. Aerith was sleeping peacefully.

Cloud looked away, biting into his lower lip. His heart was pounding with hurt for the woman he loved. He couldn't stand seeing her like this, but he didn't know what to do.

Her happiness, her laughter, her heart, her life. What could he do to give it all back to her?

The days passed and Aerith's health returned. The colour in her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes, but her spirit did not. Leon had stopped coming back to Hollow Bastion, and everyone knew why.

He had kept his word.

But as it seemed, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Aerith became more and more depressed, her laughter wasn't heard as often anymore. She still kept a brave face, for everyone's sake, but that couldn't hide the fact that she wanted to see Leon again.

On the tenth day, she was still hopeful for some news from him. She was still in bed and Cloud was there to help her eat her soup.

He carefully spooned some and held it to his lips. He blew gently at the hot soup and cautiously moved it in front of Aerith, his hand under in case it spilt onto the sheets. Aerith smirked.

"You don't have to treat me like a baby, you know," she commented. She sipped the spoonful, licking her lips. "The doctor says I'm better." Cloud smiled, spooning some more soup.

"I can't pamper you once in a while?" he teased as she sipped the soup. Aerith just smiled.

There was a knock on the door and the couple turned around to see Yuffie. Aerith's expression changed and she glanced back at Cloud.

"Could we have a minute?" Cloud looked at her, then at Yuffie and back. He nodded and stood up, placing the spoon on the side table. He brushed past Yuffie out the door, but stayed outside where he knew they couldn't see him. He knew Aerith was hiding something.

Aerith leaned forward on the bed and checked that Cloud was gone as Yuffie walked over. Aerith leaned back and looked up at her friend.

Yuffie sat down and Aerith placed a hand on hers.

She seemed so eager, and Yuffie knew what her question would be. She had asked the same question every night. Yuffie sighed, shaking her head.

"Leon still hasn't shown up," she muttered. Aerith looked away sadly, releasing Yuffie's hand. Outside, Cloud leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling. He had listened every night and Aerith still always seemed hopeful, saying there was always tomorrow. He waited to see if the hope was still alive in her tonight.

Aerith sighed. She sat up a little, reaching under her pillow to search for something. Slowly, her hand found it and she pulled it out.

It was her ring.

She held it in her lap, playing with it with her fingers. She stared sadly at it. Yuffie placed her hand on her back and rubbed it gently. Aerith ran her finger on the jewels on the ring.

"He's really not coming back, is he?" she said softly after a long pause.

Yuffie didn't know what to say, and Cloud couldn't blame her. They both knew from the sound of her voice that she had lost hope completely. There was nothing left for her to believe in, she knew he really wasn't coming back.

That was the last straw, all that Cloud could stand. Aerith was in too much pain, she had lost all hope and faith in herself. Her heart couldn't heal itself anymore. The cut was too deep.

He went back into the dark lounge room, collapsing onto the sofa. He sat there for a moment before taking out his cell phone. He slowly opened it and dialed. Cloud leaned back on the sofa as he pressed the phone to his ear.

"Burton Real Estate. Charlie Saunders speaking."

"Cid, tell me again what's happening?"

Aerith was in Cid's Gummi ship. She had her suitcase packed beside her. Cid swallowed nervously.

"Well… a friend of mine's on vacation, so he asked me that someone should look after his house while he's gone." What he was telling her was a lie, a lie Cloud had forced him to make. It wasn't easy, since he was horrible at lying, especially to Aerith.

Of course, Aerith could sense something strange. She stared at him suspiciously.

"So," she said. "Your friend has gone on vacation for a few months, and you choose me of all people to go look after his house, which by the way is in the middle of Burton Forest, which is in Burton, and Burton as in a-whole-new-and-totally-different-world-outside-Hollow-Bastion." Cid swallowed again.

"Well, yeah. And since you're the one who deserves a break the most out of that lot."

Aerith continued to stare back, but then smiled brightly.

"Really? That's so thoughtful." She looked back at the road ahead, rubbing her gloved hands together warmly.

The ship beeped and Cid pulled it down gracefully into the middle of a green foresty area, and in the distance Aerith could see a house. That was what was cool about Gummi ships; they didn't need to take time to find a parking space. You could just land anywhere. Aerith grabbed her suitcase and trusty shoulder pouch and jumped down from the ship as it landed. She walked over to the captain's window. Cid pushed it open and stuck his arm out, holding out his hand.

"Now, I want this to be a place of solitude for you," he said. "Give me your phone." Aerith obeyed. She looked around.

It sure it sure is peaceful," she said, smiling. "It's going to be great living here." Cid dropped his gaze, sighing sadly.

"More than you know," he muttered to himself. Aerith jumped up and leaned through the window, planting a quick kiss on Cid's cheek.

"I'll see you in a couple of weeks, Uncle Cid," she said brightly. Cid smiled and nodded. Aerith jumped back down and Cid pulled the window back in, gave her a wave. Aerith stood back as Cid pulled the Gummi ship into gear, and in a spectacular thrust of the lever, the ship shot into the sky.

Aerith smiled, shielding her eyes as she tried to watch it go. She turned to the direction of the house and walked towards it until she reached the door. From close range, the door was old-fashioned, made of solid wood with a screen of clear glass, allowing visitors to look into the house. Aerith reached into her pockets and pulled out the key.

Strangely, the door was unlocked. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She looked around the room.

It was a nice place, and very old-fashioned. There was a fireplace in the corner, and a grand piano. It seemed like a ski lodge. Aerith smiled a little as she walked to the piano. She loved the little things, and making music from a piano was one of them. She frowned as she spotted a framed photo on top of it. Aerith picked it up, and her eyes widened with shock as she saw the photo.

It was a picture of herself.

Aerith knew immediately she had been lured into a trap. She looked around wildly.

Leon had come back from the forest, his arms piled with firewood. He froze when he saw Aerith through the door. He hesitated for a second, but then turned back and hurried away as quickly and quietly as he could without dropping the firewood.

Aerith spun around, seeing him through the door. She rushed after him.

She was able to catch up to him right away since he wasn't running fast while carried the load.

"No!" She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. Leon closed his eyes and exhaled, knowing it was no use trying to escape. Aerith pressed her cheek to his back, hugging him tightly.

"No," she said firmly again. "I'm not going to let you run away from me again." She squeezed her eyes shut, not letting him go. "You're not going to erase me from your life."

It was night. The sky was clear and the moon and stars were out.

Leon sat on the steps in the balcony in front of the house, staring at the sky. Aerith came out, holding two mugs of hot chocolate. She went over and sat down next to him, giving him his mug. He smiled with gratitude.

Aerith looked up. There were so many stars in the sky, but only one caught her attention.

"Look," she said, pointing at the brightest one in the sky. Leon smiled.

"The Northern Star," he said. Aerith nodded, beaming.

"Remember what I told you that night when you proposed to me?" She smiled at him. Leon blushed and looked away. Aerith nudged him. "Well, do you?" She leaned forward to him. Leon chuckled sheepishly.

"Yes, I do," he said.

"What was it, then? Tell me."

Leon tried hard not to smile.

"I can't," he chuckled. "It's too cliché."

Aerith scoffed, wrapping her arms around him.

"Come on, tell me!"

Leon rolled his eyes, smiling. "That whenever I look at that star, just smile and remember you'll always love me," he said in an almost lazy voice. Aerith laughed and hugged him. She took the ring out of her pocket and held it up to him. Leon was surprised to see it. Aerith smirked.

"Do you want to put it back on for me?" she asked sweetly. Leon looked at her, awe-stricken.

"You mean it?"

Aerith smiled. "Absolutely."

She handed it to him and held out her left hand. He gently took it and pushed the ring onto her finger.

Aerith leaned onto Leon's chest as he wrapped his arm around her. She held up her cup to him, in which he took a sip. They were alone in their sanctuary, where nothing could hurt them. He kissed her temple lightly and they stared back up at the beautiful night sky.

Yuffie let out a huge yawn as she sleepily walked down the stairs. It was really dark and she could barely see where she was going. She felt around the wall in the kitchen and flicked on the light. Yuffie squinted her eyes at the brightness and stumbled towards the fridge. She pulled out a carton of milk and took a clean glass from the cupboard. She set it down on the kitchen table and poured herself a glassful. As she brought it up to her lips, her gaze focused ahead, into the lounge room. She frowned slightly as she spotted something, or someone, sitting silently in the dark on the sofa. Yuffie put down the glass and slowly walked into the lounge room.

"Cloud," she said cautiously. "Is that you?"

No answer. The figure didn't react whatsoever. Yuffie moved closer and flicked on the lights.

It was indeed Cloud, and he still didn't move or twitch. He was staring at the coffee table in front of him, his right arm on the armrest and his left on his side.

Yuffie knew he was hurting from sending Aerith to Leon, he hadn't said a word since. She watched sadly, walking over. She kneeled on the spot on his left, next to him on the sofa. Cloud didn't look at her. He was holding all of it in, not wanting to show his pain. Yuffie knew that even he couldn't hide much longer.

"Come here," she said softly. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him over to her. She rested her chin on his head, gently rocking him. Cloud slowly gave way, closing his eyes, his stiff body falling limp. Yuffie tightened her arms, smiling a little. "It's okay…"

All the pain he had been holding in, Cloud just couldn't take it anymore. No matter how arrogant and proud he was, no matter how much dignity he wanted to keep, it all couldn't stop him from doing something he had never done in front of Yuffie before, let alone in her arms.

He cried.