A\N: Long wait, I know. Again, a short disclaimer: I don't know any science stuff (I mean, I'm calling it science stuff; that says everything) so don't kill me if it's not accurate.

THE STARS WE DREAMED OF

23

Tifa opens her eyes to a too-bright room. She winces at the overload of light and brings her hand to cover her eyes. Or tries to. Her hand stays at her side despite her best efforts, and as she goes to look down to see what's going on, she becomes aware that her head can't move either. Panic seizes her, and her breathing grows erratic. Where the fuck is she—

"Doctor, she's awake."

Doctor? Tifa twists her head enough to catch sight of the man in a lab coat standing a couple of feet away. The voice came from her right. But as she looks that way, what she finds fills her with horror.

Several examination chairs dot the large sterile space, along with lab benches and low beds. But it's the groaning people strapped to the chairs or the unmoving one laying on the cots that reveal to Tifa where she is.

The Research department inside Shinra Tower.

All of a sudden, her capture at the train station comes flooding back, and she holds in a cry of fear and anger. Her agitated movements attract the person who spoke earlier; clipped footsteps near Tifa's chair; a glance at the person has her still.

Haloed by the overhead lights, President Rufus Shinra stares down at her with neutral, assessing eyes. Tifa holds her breath—if he's here, does it mean they know about Avalanche…? But Rufus Shinra looks at her with no recognition, only mild interest.

"What's her ability?" The President asks the doctor.

More footsteps coming close. "Second Lieutenant Tseng's report says inhuman speed. She fell unto the tracks as the train was coming and moved out of the way." His high, whiny voice reminds Tifa of nails on a chalkboard.

Rufus Shinra tilts his head to the side, his sudden curiosity shining through the slight narrowing of his eyes. "Interesting. Are you still sure you can't replicate the gene? That one would be useful."

The doctor snorts. "For the hundredth time, I can replicate it—finding a bearer compatible with the mutation strain is what's problematic."

"Hm. What a shame." Rufus Shinra looks away from her. "And Dr. Hojo—being unable to find a bearer yields the same result as being unable to replicate the gene. Any way you look at it, it's a failure," the President says, a casual threat seeping from his voice.

"Yes, sir," the doctor mumbles.

"Well, let's start, shall we, Doctor? I don't have all day."

Tifa hears the doctor pick up something and walk back next to her chair. When she sees Dr. Hojo hands the President a syringe filled with a dark teal liquid, she can't keep the fear in anymore. She does her best to get free, thrashing against the restraints, but nothing gives.

"What's that?" She rasps. "What the fuck are you doing?"

President Shinra's eyebrows rise in surprise. "I thought you said she was sedated enough."

"She was," the doctor grunts. "Guess my assistant misjudged the dose."

To Tifa's alarm, the President smiles at her. "We're injecting you with a simple mako derivative, Miss…?" Once it becomes obvious she won't tell him her name, Rufus made a disapproving sound. "I could check your file if I cared to do so. Well, in any case, it changes nothing. Hold her down, Doctor."

Tifa tries to jerk away from Hojo's hold, to no avail. The doctor digs his nails into her arm. "Don't! Don't do this!"

The sting of the needle is minimal, but it still makes Tifa scream. She closes her eyes, not caring about the tears streaming down her cheeks—Vincent's and the Lieutenant's words run through her mind, a confirmation that she won't survive whatever is coming next.

"Let's start with injections every ten hours," the President orders as he puts the empty syringe on a tray. "This version is still new; we don't know how potent it'll be, so we're better off being safe and spacing out the doses. Do you agree, Doctor?" The last part is a courtesy from the President.

"Of course, sir," Dr. Hojo replies. "Let's hope this batch will be successful."

President Shinra walks out of Tifa's sight, but his voice carries throughout the lab. "It better be. I'm weary of all the problems these people cause. I want a report after the next dose."

Hojo's answer is inaudible. Tifa strains her ears to catch whatever he says, but the doctor's mutterings make no sense. She lets her head fall against the chair, too tired to hold it up anymore.

It doesn't take long for the burning sensation to flare in her arm. Tifa lets out a pained yell as it spreads throughout her body; the throbbing is intense, overwhelming, and she bites her bottom lip until blood dribbles down her chin. The pain cuts off, and Tifa crashes down on the chair, panting.

A shadow falls over her. She raises her eyes to meet Hojo's sneering stare. The doctor is scribbling something down on a tablet.

"First dose: the initial reaction is acute, but the subject shows no sign of intolerance. The next flare should be in four minutes and twenty-one seconds," he says under his breath. "I have hope this batch will affect the gene from the initial response."

The doctor puts down the tablet and reaches for her with a small flashlight. Tifa waits until his hand drops close to her mouth—and bites down hard.

Hojo shrieks, jerking his hand away, but she bites down with more force until she tastes his blood mixing with hers in her mouth. Only then does she let go, spitting the blood into Hojo's enraged face. When he strikes her, Tifa lets out a frenzied laugh; it dies down until it turns into silent tears. The muffled sound of the doctor taking care of his wound and mumbling curses grants her some satisfaction, though it's short-lived.

The pain reappears, and she screams at the shock of its intensity. It goes on longer this time—longer and stronger until her screams turn to whimpers to pants. Her loud breathing is the only noise in the lab once the burning stops. But then Hojo reappears, and she listens to his observations again.

Again and again.

She can't remember it all—she passes out at one point, bolting awake when it flares up once more. Until there is no pause, just pain, more pain, on and on and on and on—

"What's a four-letter word for 'opera solo'?"

Cloud doesn't look up from his phone. "Do I look like I would know anything about operas?"

He doesn't have to glance at Yuffie to know she rolled her eyes. "Wedge!" She calls out. "What's an opera solo?"

The muffled answer comes from the back store. "An aria."

"Ha!" Yuffie writes the word down. "Perfect."

Cloud snorts. "Shouldn't you be downstairs monitoring the comms?"

"I went like 10 minutes ago," she says, still absorbed in her puzzle.

"Well, I'm bored." He sighs. "Really bored."

"No shit, I hadn't noticed."

Cloud is about to kindly tell her to shut the fuck up when he hears the lock of the main door turn. He stays sprawled on the couch, scrolling through his phone, but raises a hand as a greeting. The door shuts.

"How much crap did you bring back?" He asks, wanting to get a rise out of Cid.

But the answer never comes. Instead, there's a long pause, and then—

"Cid?" Yuffie's question is tentative, bordering on scared. "Where's Tifa?"

Before Cloud can even register the words, his heart constricts and his throat closes up. He sits up too fast and gets dizzy.

Cid stands alone near the door, hands in his coat's pockets, shoulders slumped, hair disheveled. His bag full of his belongings lays at his feet. More than anything, it's the redness around his eyes and the angry twist of his mouth that tell Cloud something bad—really bad—happened.

"I'm sorry," Cid whispers, his voice so low Cloud almost misses the apology. "They took her."

Yuffie stands up; her chair screeches and falls on the ground. The sound attracts Wedge, who comes out of the back store with a box in his arms.

"What's going on?"

"You're lying," Yuffie says softly. "It's a bad joke, right?"

Cid says nothing. The silence weighs heavily in the room.

"You're lying!" This time, Yuffie shouts. She slams her hands on the table. "Tifa would never get caught!"

It's as Yuffie states this that reality crashes over Cloud and hits him hard. In a moment, he's floating outside of his body, taking in the scene like he isn't here—his mind is denying everything, trying to feel nothing.

Wedge puts down the box, his hands shaking. "What are you talking about? Tifa…?"

Cid closes his eyes and gulps. "It's true, Yuffie. There was a protest at the station—soldiers everywhere. It was—it was an accident. She got pushed on the rails as the fight got worse. The train was coming."

Cloud is faintly aware of his hand coming to clutch his shirt over his heart as the pain builds and builds. He hears the echo of Yuffie letting out a sob.

"She moved out of the way," Cid adds, though it's unnecessary. They can all guess what must have happened. "There was no time for her to flee; they were on her in seconds. I don't—I have no idea where they took her."

A door opens in the distance; to Cloud, it sounds far, far away, but it's Barret coming out of his office. Cloud watches him open his mouth, but all the words come out garbled. As Cloud's vision distorts, colors and shapes swirling together, he understands that the world is fine—it's him who is shutting down. He gets to his feet and bumps into the low table, almost losing his balance. All heads turn to him, or at least Cloud thinks they do; it's becoming hard to tell. Someone speaks, but he can't make out the words over the heavy background noise—it's his panicked breathing, he realizes. Cloud bends over, the pain in his chest suddenly too much to bear; it claws its way up his throat in hopes of escaping, shredding him from the inside. Someone gets close and touches his shoulder, only to pull back their hand as if burned.

The awareness that he's losing control spears through him, clearing his mind, and now he hears the crying and the arguing, sees the pain and panic Cid's words have caused. The noise intensifies until it's too much to handle; he feels his body tremble, feels the nausea escalate, and he runs towards the apartment and up the stairs. He crashes inside but doesn't stop until he's in his room and he finds the hidden mako. The pill hurts his throat as he swallows it dry.

Nothing happens—nothing he can sense, anyway. The ache in his chest doesn't go away; neither do the horror and the rage. The only fire left is inside him, charring his heart, and Cloud snaps as he understands the mako won't make him feel any better; it won't make the world go away. It never has.

A shout tears from him, and he hurls the empty bottle against the wall. The release is not enough for the storm of emotions sweeping inside him. He digs the palms of his hands against his eyes, hoping the hurt of the pressure will distract him; his teeth grind together to keep him from screaming. He hits the back of his head against the wall, his own body an outlet for his anger. But with his eyes closed and surrounded by darkness, all he can do is remember.

His mom and dad, their faces hazy and bloody, their crooked bodies left in the dirty street. Richard and Allana Fair, telling them to be safe and back before dinner. Zack, running into the burning, crumbling house to save his parents. Aerith, brought to her knees and shot in the head. And now Tifa, asking him if he needs anything before heading out.

Cloud's mind spins until he's going to be sick. Somehow, he drags himself into the bathroom in time. Once there's nothing left in him and he stops dry-heaving, he falls on the ceramic floor. That's when he can't hold it together anymore, and the tears fall.

The light of the TV blinds Cloud, but he doesn't look away. He's been watching the news for hours now, hoping to glimpse what happened at the station. A part of him knows it's futile—Shinra won't announce the capture of a Carrier on TV. But he can't let it go; he at least has to try to gather some information. There's nothing on the net either, only a short mention about the aborted protest. No more details.

When someone knocks on the door to the apartment, he doesn't get up. The knocking continues, but he keeps silent. The person tries the doorknob, and Cloud curses when he realizes he didn't lock it. The door opens a small amount; Yuffie pokes her head through the opening.

"Can I come in?"

Though he wants to be alone, he nods. It's the sight of her red, puffy eyes and the atypical meekness in her voice that decide for him. Yuffie comes to sit at the other end of the couch. He doesn't look at her, his eyes riveted on the TV.

"I couldn't find anything online," Yuffie says.

Though talking is the last thing he wants, Cloud has come to know Yuffie—she can't keep her emotions buried inside her. They're all hurting, and the least he can do is to be attentive.

"At least you tried."

"You know nothing's gonna show up on TV, right?"

"Yeah."

"So what are you going to do?"

The question doesn't startle Cloud. He supposes all of Avalanche thinks he'll be leaving. They're not wrong—there's a good chance he might. But despite his urge to walk away, he hasn't been able to bring himself to just yet.

"I don't know," he answers truthfully. At last, Cloud tears his eyes away from the television, but he doesn't turn it off. "To be honest, I'm not sure there's anything I can do to help her."

There's a pause before Yuffie speaks. "I didn't expect you'd give up that easily."

The words kindle Cloud's dormant anger, but he represses it, knowing Yuffie isn't the true target.

"It's not giving up," he says, doing his best to sound even. "It's facing reality."

"But—"

The one-word protest breaks something in him. "She's gone, okay?" His raised voice overpowers the TV playing in the background, filling the room. From the corner of his eyes, Cloud catches Yuffie's surprise. He makes an effort to lower his voice. "She was in Sector 3, so they must have taken her to the PDC. There's no way I can break into that place and get us both out."

"I don't think they took her to the PDC," Yuffie says, her quiet tone a contrast to his previous shouting. "It seems extreme for a regular arrest."

"That's where they took her last time. That's where they were taking Aerith." The name burns on his tongue.

"I don't know about your friend, but they took Tifa there because they suspected her of being with Avalanche, not for being a Carrier."

"So where is she, Yuffie?" Cloud asks, his impatience obvious. "Where else could they have—" He trails off as the news report on TV shows a shot of Shinra Tower. It's gone in a second, but the image stays with Cloud. His sudden stillness doesn't go past Yuffie.

"What? What is it?"

Cloud opens his mouth to speak, but he can't form the words.

"Hey!" Yuffie tugs on his sleeve. "You just thought of something. Tell me!"

"The Tower," he whispers. Verbalizing his realization makes it real—makes him hope. "They could have taken her to Shinra Tower."

Yuffie frowns. "Why? Why would they do that?"

"They're experimenting on Carriers," Cloud says absentmindedly as he gets to his feet, pacing to release his sudden spike in energy. "Vincent told Tifa a while back, and she got confirmation recently. It's been going on for a while."

"Woah. Back up. How come I never heard of this?"

"Tifa was keeping it secret, probably because of the source. It doesn't matter why, anyway—there's a chance she's in there."

"You can't get into Shinra Tower," Yuffie says, staring at him as if he's dumb.

Cloud rubs his forehead. "The problem wouldn't be getting in—it'd be getting out."

They fall silent a moment. Fed up with the sound of the TV, Cloud shuts it off, throwing the remote on the couch.

"We should tell Barret."

At this, Yuffie shakes her head. "Cloud, he just lost his daughter. Don't give him hope without being sure of what you say."

"What do you believe Barret would choose between shutting down the Reactors or getting Tifa out?"

She sighs. "I hate to say it, but I'd guess the Reactors. Losing Tifa will just fuel his hatred of Shinra."

"That's what I figured, too. But there's another way." Cloud sits back down. "We can't rescue Tifa and then shut down the Reactors. The moment we step inside the Tower, we'll be hunted down. We'd have to do both at the same time."

"Okay, you're crazy." Yuffie purses her lips. "Crazy but right."

"Think about it. If I can get inside Shinra Tower while you guys aim for the control center, it'll draw their attention away and buy you some time. Vincent might even help me."

"Help you?"

Cloud glances her way. "I'm our best bet. And it'll be easier to get in alone."

Yuffie is quiet for a moment, checking her phone. Then, "It's time for the meeting. How are we going to bring this up to Barret?"

Her use of we chases some of Cloud's doubts about staying; it's a reminder of what he chose, of the team he's now part of.

"I'll deal with that."

"No."

Barret's voice resonates through the room despite its quiet tone. While it makes his statement all the more terrifying, it doesn't deter Cloud.

"You haven't listened to everything I have to tell you."

"I've heard enough." Barret shakes his head. "You want us to risk all of our plans for what? Wild speculation?"

Cloud's hands form fists, and he hides them in his jacket's pockets to hide the telltale sign of anger.

"I want us to risk our plans for Tifa," he says, a deadly edge to his words.

The silence that follows is absolute. Cloud and Barret stand facing each other across the table, the other Avalanche members surrounding them. Yuffie hangs a few steps back behind Cloud, a wordless show of support.

Finally, Barret speaks, "I get you want to play the hero for my daughter, but saving Tifa is nothing more than a daydream. There's nothing realistic about it. You have nothing substantial to go on for this plan of yours."

"And you have nothing to lose. I'd be going in alone."

From the corner of his eyes, Cloud catches Cid frowning, the old man ready to intervene. Cloud sends him a glare as a warning to shut up. To his surprise, Cid complies.

"That's where you're wrong, Cloud," Barret says. There is no hint of awkwardness in his next words in spite of their history. "You're valuable to the team. I'm counting on your skills and ability to help us at the control center."

Cloud conceals the shock at hearing this, never having thought Barret would consider him an asset rather than a liability. This revelation, mixed with what happened to Tifa and Barret's unwillingness to act, fogs his mind and muddles his emotions. He takes a deep breath, then another, to keep his control, a habit he can't shake off even after having taken mako.

"I think these skills are exactly what's needed to get Tifa out."

He spies Barret's hand twitch at his side as if the man wanted to slam it on the table but caught himself at the last second. "A doomed rescue attempt endangers us all. Endangers our plan and everything we've worked for. All of our sacrifices. It's a risk we can't afford to take."

Barret's words bring back an argument Cloud had with Tifa a while ago; the way she had discarded the life of the Carrier kid he'd saved as an excuse to focus on the bigger fight. The memory has Cloud see red, and his teeth grind hard enough to hurt. He takes a second to relax his jaw, but he is unable to keep the fury out of his voice.

"You raised her to spew the same bullshit, you know that? All this talk of saving the city and bigger picture went to your head—you're forgetting the people you're trampling on to get there." Cloud doesn't stop despite Jesse's wide eyes and Cid's subtle gesture to shut it. "Tifa only agreed with your fucking plan because you drilled it into her all her life. But at least she realized how warped it was. But you—you're willing to leave her behind to attain your goals. And then you call her your kid!" Cloud lets out a harsh laugh. "That's what Shinra does to all of us! They call us their citizens, say we are theirs to protect, but when the time comes they discard us, shoot us in the back, all so they can move forward. That's what you're fucking doing, Barret, only you do it in the name of fairness and justice."

A stillness descends upon the room, nobody daring to move or speak. It doesn't last for long; Barret leans forward, hands on the table, his features distorted by hurt and anger. And when he speaks, it's in a soft, deadly voice that has Cloud hold his breath.

"Tifa is my kid and leaving her behind breaks my heart. But she wouldn't want us to give up all we worked for; she always said Avalanche came first for her. You can bark at me all you want about going alone into Shinra Tower, but I know what she would want, and it's not for you to throw your life away hoping to save her. She loved you, you know that. We all do."

The words—and the use of past tense—hit Cloud with enough strength to make him wince. Yes, he knows that, has known for a long time even though she never said it. Just like he's aware Tifa wouldn't want him to risk his life. Still—

"I don't care," he whispers, "I won't leave her to be slaughtered in a lab. I also—" He closes his eyes, swallowing down the words that threaten to burst out. They are for Tifa's ears only, something that belongs to the two of them and no one else. "You can't understand the fear she must experience right now. You can't." His voice breaks. He remembers Scarlet, broken and bloody, her manic cackle filling his ears—He'll cut your fucking bitch open. "None of you ever had to live in terror because of the way you were born."

They all stay silent. Not that Cloud expected them to say anything. He lets the quiet grow a moment, not to make anyone uncomfortable, but because he needs to gather the pieces of his heart that shattered and glue them back together.

In the end, he says, "I'm not coming with you on the mission. I'll go my own way." He doesn't have to elaborate on what he'll do.

Cid doesn't wait long to protest. "Don't do this because you couldn't save your friend before." Before Cloud can answer, Cid carries on, "Do it for the right reasons. Not out of guilt."

Barret sends a don't-give-him-ideas glare Cid's way.

It takes a few seconds for Cloud to find his voice as images of Aerith fill his mind. It hurts to think of everything they lived through together, of all the years they spent as a lonely team against the world; hurts to think of how he failed her. But he realizes it would hurt even more if he hadn't tried.

"I'm not giving up," he says. "And I'm going alone."

He hears movement behind him, and then Yuffie grips his sleeve, forcing him to look at her. "I'm coming, too."

Cloud tugs her hand away, squeezing her fingers before letting go. "No, you're not." He keeps his expression gentle to soften the blow. "You know you'd slow me down."

"But I want to help." The tears she'd been holding back fall, and her soft crying fills the room.

The sight fractures Cloud's heart, but it doesn't weaken his resolve. He reaches out, ruffling her hair in that way she hates. Instead of batting at his hand as she usually does, Yuffie cries harder and throws her arms against him. Cloud keeps his hold on her head, tucking her against him so she can sob into his shirt.

"Good luck." The soft words come from Wedge across the room. "If anyone can do it, it's you."

Cloud nods his thanks for the support, daring a glance at Barret. The resignation he sees in Barret's eyes tells Cloud everything.

"Fine," Barret says. "Do whatever you want." He falls into his chair, rubbing his forehead. "We'll be leaving tomorrow evening late; you should wait until then."

Cloud doesn't bother saying he doesn't have a choice but to wait since he took mako. He just says, "Thank you, Barret."

Yuffie pushes against him. The glare she sends Cloud as she wipes away her tears has him smile a little.

"Promise me you'll come back. Both of you."

They all know it's an empty promise to make. Even if he rescues Tifa and get out, the chances of them reuniting once the control center is blown up are slim to none. Still, Cloud can't deny her a last reassurance.

"I promise."

The industrial part of Sector 3 is as gloomy as it was two days ago. Cloud doesn't lurk into the shadows this time; he goes straight for the building and tries the front door when he notices the broken lock. It opens without resistance, and Cloud slips inside. He checks the exact address Yuffie found for him and climbs the stairs until he reaches the fourth floor. Hoping he's not making a colossal mistake, Cloud knocks on the second door to his right.

Noise comes from the apartment, and then the door cracks open, revealing a casually dressed Vincent already speaking.

"Again, I don't have your cat, Miss—" He stops short when he spots Cloud.

"I know you said that—"

Vincent yanks Cloud by the collar, dragging him inside the apartment. The door clicks shut, and Vincent lets go, cold fury twisting his features. Cloud throws his hands up in a pacifying gesture.

"Look, I'm sorry, but I couldn't take the chance you wouldn't call on time."

"You're wanted," Vincent hisses. "They've been looking for you ever since you attacked the HQ."

The news doesn't faze Cloud. "It doesn't matter right now. I need your help."

"I already said I would help if possible. Now get out."

"I'm not asking for Avalanche."

Vincent exhales, trying to keep his temper under wraps. But Cloud can see the curiosity shining in his eyes.

"What do you want, then?"

"Tifa's been captured for being a Carrier," Cloud says, the quiet words tearing through him. He can't get used to this reality. "I think she must be in Shinra Tower. I need help to get in and out."

If he's surprised, Vincent doesn't show it. "When did this happen?"

"Yesterday. A fight broke out in—"

"Sector 3," Vincent finishes, realization dawning. "The riot at the train station." He frowns. "They brought someone into Research yesterday."

Cloud's breathing speeds up, hope blooming in his chest. "It must be her."

Vincent hums a non-committal answer. "There's a good chance, yeah." He crosses his arms. "What's happening with Avalanche, then?"

"They're carrying on."

"But not you."

"Not me," Cloud confirms softly.

Shouts and laughter rise beyond the door as people walk in the corridor. With a sigh, Vincent motions at Cloud to follow him deeper inside the apartment. Cloud sits on the nearest couch, but Vincent stays standing, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"I can't help you get inside," Vincent says. "And I have no idea how you're going to get out. They equip the cameras inside the Tower with facial recognition software. The moment they get a clear shot of your face, they'll match your ID to the wanted Avalanche member they have on record. I'm not sure how I can help without jeopardizing everything I've built."

Cloud leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his mind whirring as he absorbs the information Vincent gave him. "Could you help me if there was a big enough distraction?"

"Maybe." Vincent shrugs. "I can't guarantee I will."

"What if I could do something to help you in exchange?"

"Like what?"

"Before I tell you—I want your word that you'll help Tifa escape to safety."

"I have to agree first."

"You will."

Vincent's eyebrows rise in a show of doubt. "Fine. If I agree, I promise I'll get Tifa to a safe place."

Cloud meets Vincent's stare head-on. And makes his offer.

The bar is silent as Avalanche gets ready to depart. Cloud watches them from his spot in the stairs; all of them are outfitted in utilitarian clothes, weapons hidden in strategic places. Barret shoulders a pack with the bomb inside; Wedge and Jesse both finish strapping on holsters, and Cloud detects the red scrap of fabric they've tied around their wrists—Biggs's favorite color; Cid downs a shot at the bar, his face hardened by determination. Yuffie is nowhere to be seen.

Cloud doesn't startle when Cid strides up to him. The old man sits next to him on the stairs.

"Here we are," Cid says. "Months later, but you're still going your own way."

"Don't ask me to stay, Cid."

Cid chuckles, but the sound is harsh, unhappy. "Would you listen to me this time?"

"No."

"That's what I thought."

They keep observing the quiet energy of the room. Cid fiddles with his lighter, a nervous gesture.

"Light one if you want."

"No, I'll be fine." Cid pockets the lighter away. "I quit smoking."

"Just like that?"

"Well, cigarettes won't be easy to come by anymore," Cid says, a note of humor in his voice. Cloud can tell it's forced.

"No, they won't."

Cid blows a long breath as if steadying himself for what's coming. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you stayed with us, kid. I wish we could finish this together, but—I get it." He shakes his head. "Do you have a plan at least?"

Cloud nods but doesn't elaborate. He doesn't comment on the sheen of tears in Cid's eyes, knowing the old man wouldn't want attention brought to it.

"All right. All right." Cid claps Cloud on the back and grips his shoulder. "Did Barret tell you where to meet up if you get out?" At Cloud affirmation, Cid gulps down his emotions. "Good luck, kid."

"You too, Cid," Cloud says, quiet.

The old man gets to his feet, heading for the front of the room to speak with Barret. The telltale hissing of the meeting room door alerts them to Yuffie's appearance. Seconds later, she walks into the main room, dressed in all black, her clothes as practical as the other Avalanche members. She stands with her arms crossed, a thunderous expression on her face.

"I'm coming with you," she says, the words directed at Barret.

"Yuffie—" Barret starts but stops himself at the glare she sends him. As if sensing that he would fight a losing battle, he sighs. "Under conditions."

"Which are?"

"Once we reach the control center, you stay out of sight. This is non-negotiable," Barret cuts off her upcoming protests, "you don't know how to fight or fire a gun. If you want to come along, be ready to stay on the sidelines. I'm not risking your life."

"I'm tired of staying on the sidelines." Despite its low tone, her voice carries throughout the room.

"Your work is invaluable, Yuffie." Barret's statement has her shoulders sag. "Do you agree to my condition?"

"Yes," she whispers.

"Then we move out."

It doesn't take long for Avalanche to be ready. Cloud gets to his feet, joining them near the entrance. The mood shifts as Wedge extends his hand to Cloud, everyone realizing this is really goodbye.

"Good luck, Cloud."

Cloud grasps Wedge's hand, his throat clogging up at the sudden memory of Biggs dying at his blade. Biggs who should have been standing with them. "Thanks," Cloud says hoarsely. "You too."

Jesse gives him a short hug and a smile. They never got to know each other too well, but the warmth in her eyes is real. "I know you can do it," she mumbles in his ear as she pulls away. Cloud nods.

He turns to Barret, expecting the man to be glowering—but Barret looks at him with something akin to regret. "You know where to meet up?"

"Yeah."

Barret clears his throat. "Despite what you might think, Cloud… Thank you for this. We'll be waiting for you," he says as he turns on his heels and walks outside without another glance.

Cloud stares at the door as Wedge and Jesse follow their leader. Barret's unexpected show of gratitude fuels Cloud, and he inhales deeply before facing the two people left in the room.

Yuffie doesn't hesitate before hugging him; she punches his arm as she pulls back. Though her eyes are watery, she holds the tears at bay. "Don't forget your promise."

It hurts Cloud to lie to her, but he can't bring himself to shatter whatever hope she has.

"I'll teach you to fight when I come back," he says with a smirk. His eyes prickle; he wills himself not to cry, not now.

"That's another promise," Yuffie whispers.

Cloud nods. "Yeah. Yeah, it is."

She punches his shoulder again, harder this time, before stalking away. "I'll hold you to it." Her voice wavers as she adds, "I'll see you later."

The door shuts behind her, and Cloud breathes out, a few tears falling. He wipes them away clumsily.

"For all your posturing, you get attached real quick, kid."

Cloud laughs. "Shut up, Cid."

"That's it, uh?" Cid steps forward. "Between you and me—you're not coming back, are you?"

"I don't think that'll be possible," Cloud admits. He holds out his hand. "Thank you for everything, Cid. Truly."

Cid stares down at the extended hand before grasping it and tugging Cloud into a hug. "I'll still be waiting," the old man mutters. He pulls away but keeps a tight hold on Cloud's shoulders. Cid gulps back whatever else he was about to say; he nods once, twice, before releasing Cloud and walking out.

The newfound stillness of the bar is a harsh blow that's hard to stomach. Part of Cloud longs to run outside and after Avalanche. But that part is soon eclipsed, and he heads for the meeting room. It takes minutes for him to get ready. He doesn't need much—can't bring much, not if his plan to get inside the Tower is to work. He throws one last glance at the room, lingering on the communications set-up Yuffie put together. Nothing came back from the other nations. It's too late, anyway.

Cloud turns on his heels and walks out. As the door hisses shut, he misses the faint echo of a radio crinkling to life.