AN: Feb 28 Prompt is "Found."
Summary: Cloud and Zack discover a distress signal.
Tags: AU, suspense, reunions
"We're ready to go below sir!"
Cloud nods and sends the crewman on his way. He turns to his partner, who scratches the scar on his cheek.
"The storm is gonna be a bad one," Zack comments.
"Then we'll have to continue the search from—"
A rhythmic beeping interrupts his train of thought. They both look to the pilot, who presses several buttons in rapid succession.
"There's a distress signal. A ship not too far from ours."
The men stare at one another. Their thoughts are the same.
Have we found them?
Cloud wastes no time making his way through the submarine to the lockout hatch. He is nearly done putting on his suit when Zack's voice crackles in his ear.
"We're getting closer. Looks like the ship's going down."
Cloud zips up his suit and puts his helmet on. A second is in his hands.
"Ready."
Water fills the small chamber. Once the pressure equalizes, a mechanism inside of the door clicks, and it swings open. His visor flashes with signals and he turns west. He spots someone immediately, a woman drifting deeper into the sea.
Her hair spreads around her so he can't see her face. Her arms are stretched forward like she is reaching for something.
He is with her in minutes, placing the extra helmet over her head. With the press of a button, it releases the water and seals around her neck. Her eyes remain closed.
"I have someone." Cloud tugs her back to the submarine, not wanting to waste any time. Even though she has air now, she might still need CPR.
More are swimming out of the sub now to find other possible survivors. He focuses on his charge and silently wishes them well.
Zack meets him at the lockout hatch and helps him get her to the infirmary. She still hasn't opened her eyes. Zack takes her helmet off as Cloud removes his own and zips his suit down halfway to free his arms. Zack starts to treat the gash on the side of her head. Cloud's face hovers over hers.
He doesn't feel air coming out of her nose or mouth. Cloud places two fingers on her neck, another two on her wrist, and feels nothing. Zack begins to rip her blouse open, but suddenly stops and stares.
"What?" Cloud asks, following his gaze. His eyes widen slightly once he spots the silver pendant around her neck. He studies her face again.
It's been years. She's older now, of course, but... could it be...?
He and Zack exchange looks, and Cloud immediately folds his fingers together and begins chest compressions. He counts out loud as he does it, and after a minute, he checks again to see if she is breathing.
Still nothing.
Cursing, Cloud tilts her head back and lifts her chin. He pinches her nose, seals her mouth with his own, and breathes. He continues the chest compressions, going in cycles.
By the third round, he's beginning to lose hope.
He pinches her nose again to breathe into her mouth. She jerks, and he steps back.
She coughs water out violently. Both men sigh in relief and help her sit up.
"Take it easy," Zack soothes. "We got you."
She blinks, glancing between both of them as she gets her wits about her.
"Wh-who…" she rasps, staring at Cloud.
Recognition floods into her eyes as she spots the tattoo on his chest. It matches the mountain symbol on her necklace.
"Are you…?"
Zack takes her hand. "Glad we found you, Princess."
She shakes her head. "I hate that. Don't call me that, please—" She gasps. "My father. Is he…?"
He squeezes. "We don't know yet, but we'll tell you as soon as we find anything else."
"Commander Fair, we need you on the bridge!"
Zack gently kisses the bandage covering her temple. "You're in good hands." He winks at the blonde before departing.
Tifa coughs again, clutching the pendant. "You recognized me because of this, didn't you?" She lets out a shaky breath. "I haven't seen you in so long… maybe you forgot what I looked like otherwise."
Cloud steps closer to the bed. "What matters now is that you can come back."
"How did you know we'd be out here…?"
He shrugs. "Someone sent us a letter telling us our disgraced king would be returning. The resistance has been organizing for years, so we were ready for this. We knew he couldn't come back unless he had the pendant." Cloud scratches the back of his head. "And we knew you'd be with him."
She finally meets his gaze, tears brimming, and throws her arms around his neck. He kisses her cheek and hugs her back tightly.
"I missed you," she whispers. "I'm so glad to see you again."
"Me too Teef. Welcome home."
