A/N: The soundtrack for the first part is 'Lose Control' by Barcelona and the song for the part when the women reunite is 'Connected(Yours Forever)' by Hydelic (I also love the in-game version if you want to hear them both) Thanks for reading!

Chapter 29

Gaia

The trip back to Midgar ended up being delayed for another day and a half. A blizzard had come in, and flying anywhere was out of the question. Tseng and Cheryl spent most of the time in their respective rooms. As much as there was to go over, they both had a lot to think about.

They were finally able to leave midday the following day. They couldn't really separate during the trip back, so they ended up talking several times. Even so, in many ways, it seemed to Cheryl that they were more distant than before. Any discussions they had were usually Tseng asking for clarification on a specific event or her opinion of how things might need to be handled. She did her best to answer, but she could not seem to get rid of the growing pit in her stomach. At least she had managed to arm him, so he was better prepared to face future events.

It was late Friday night when they got back to Midgar. Cheryl allowed Tseng to drive her back to her apartment before he took the car back to headquarters. She was just glad that she would have the weekend to prepare. If she was going to have to leave, she wanted to make sure the people she cared about knew how she felt.

Monday morning, she brought in two large boxes with a note pinned to each. The first one she dropped off with Commander Hewley. Zack was gone on a mission, so she asked if the man would be willing to hold onto it until Zack returned the next day. Angeal had been happy to help.

The second box went up to the Turk floor. As soon as she was off the elevator, she was looking around for Reno. When she didn't see him, she turned to Rude, whose desk was next to the annoying red-head. "Hey, is Reno not here today?"

Rude looked up from his paperwork with that blank expression that almost looked like a frown. At least his voice was cordial when he said, "He went out to run an errand. He should be back soon."

Cheryl smiled at the news as she put the box down on Reno's desk. "Thanks! I'll leave this here for him." Rude raised one brow at the large container but didn't comment. Instead, he nodded before she turned and headed to Tseng's office. This was her actual objective that morning. She had one last thing she needed to do before her time was up.

She squared her shoulders and knocked. As soon as he bid her enter, she walked in and closed the door behind her, though she didn't move farther into the office. A frown flashed across Tseng's face when he saw it was her, but she didn't give him a chance to ask her to leave. "I know you're busy, and I am likely to be the last person you want to see right now, but I have something I want to say while I still can."

Tseng sighed as he put the paper he had been holding down on his desk. He then gestured toward the other chair as he said, "I'm listening."

Cheryl didn't take the offered chair, but she did walk forward and put her hands on the back of it. Her grip tightened as she thought about what she wanted to say. A few heartbeats passed before she gathered her nerve and said, "I'm out of time. This morning marks one year, and I don't know the exact time of the accident, so I want to say this while I still can."

Tseng's brow furrowed, but Cheryl ignored it as she continued. "I have so much in my head that it's hard to find the right words, but all of them boil down to one thing. I love you. You probably don't want to hear that—especially not now, but I couldn't leave without saying it at least once."

"I found something in you I never expected. There are so many things you hide behind that mask, and I can't even begin to explain how happy it makes me to know that I got a glimpse of some of it. Thank you."

Tseng stood halfway through her confession. She could tell he was having difficulties keeping his mask in place as he stood there silently. It was more than a minute before he looked up and said, "Why would you tell me this now?"

Cheryl's heart cracked a little more, and she had to swallow a few times before the lump in her throat cleared enough for her to say, "It isn't fair, I know. I'm not asking for anything in return, and I don't want you to be hurt when I leave, but no matter where I end up, I just wanted you to know how I feel. That feeling isn't going away any time soon. Even if we are worlds apart."

Tseng's jaw clenched as he leaned forward and braced himself against his desk. He stared intently at the empty space between his hands for several seconds before he finally looked up. His eyes were stormy when he opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't have a chance to make a sound before Cheryl stumbled, even though she was standing still. It was only the chair she clung to that kept her upright.

Charle's eyes were wide and filled with fright as she looked up at Tseng. His feet propelled him around his desk and to her side before his thoughts had a chance to catch up. His arms wrapped around her to hold her up, and she clung to him as she said, "No! I'm not ready yet. There is so much more—"

Her words cut off as her knees buckled. When her weight fell against Tseng, he moved so that he could lift her. She was still desperately clinging to the lapels of his suit as she looked up. However, her eyes no longer looked frightened. Instead, they held only resignation as she lifted one hand to cup his cheek and said, "Thank you."

Tseng suddenly felt an overwhelming emotion that closely resembled panic. He only hoped it didn't show on his face. It was only now, as he held her while whatever force it was started to pull her away from him, that he realized how much he didn't want her to leave. He hadn't been able to bring himself to believe her, even after sufficient proof had been provided. Believing would mean accepting that there were many things in the world he could not find a way to explain, which left him feeling off-center. Now the idea that he was faced with the reality that she might actually be leaving to be replaced by someone he didn't know left him hollow.

When her hand fell from his face, his focus was back on her eyes. That feeling of dread was intensified, and the words he had been holding back spilled out. "Come back to me. Please."

He wasn't sure if she heard him or not, but a smile flashed across her face before her eyes rolled back and her body went limp. For a moment, it felt like he was suffocating before his logical mind reasserted itself, and he was rushing out the door.

He turned to the first Turk he saw and barked out an order, "Cissnei, contact Professor Rayleigh and ask her to meet me in the Soldier infirmary. Tell her it is urgent." Several Turks looked on with wide eyes, but the girl jumped to do as she was told. Tseng didn't wait to see it. Instead, he was already headed toward the elevator.

Reno was still aggravated with Charle for not bringing his dango like she said she would. It didn't matter that he would get it later. That probably had something to do with the fact that she had not been able to because she left on a two-week vacation with his boss. Every time he thought of that, he had to repress a shiver. What the hell did someone as vibrant as Charle see in that stick in the mud?

Honestly, he was aware that she didn't take his offers seriously, and for a good reason, but that didn't mean he woulda said no if she'd agreed. Just thinking of her spending two whole weeks alone with Tseng made him grimace.

Since she was supposed to be back this week, he had gone up to her office first thing to tease her a little, but she hadn't been there. That put him in a foul mood as he made his way back to the Turk floor. He'd barely made it off the elevator when Tseng rushed past him. He looked back at the closing elevator with confusion before he turned back to the room and asked, "Uh, did I just see the bossman rushing past like his hair was on fire?"

Rude nodded, which made Reno's brow go up, but it was Cissnei that said, "Did you not see Miss Valliere in his arms? She was unconscious."

Reno's eyes widened, and he turned to head back toward the elevator, but Rude was up and grabbed his shoulder before he got far. He glared back at his partner, but as usual, Rude didn't flinch as he said, "There is nothing you can do for her now. Just wait, and you can find out what happened later."

"Tch." Reno pulled his shoulder out of Rude's grasp but went to his desk despite his desire to find Charle. As soon as he sat down, he found the box. Even though he was worried, he couldn't hold back a grin when he saw the size of it.

However, it fell off his face when he read the note. He jumped up as he yelled, "This makes it sound like she's goin' away! What the hell!"

Rude rolled his eyes behind his dark glasses before he stood and plucked the note from his partner's hands. That was enough to keep Reno from running out again. Rude read it before he frowned and handed it back to Reno and said, "Don't read too much into it. And quit worrying. We'll find out soon enough."

Reno gave his partner another dirty look but settled into his chair once more. He had plenty of paperwork to keep him busy, but he pushed it all to the side and grabbed a dango stick instead. He sat there nibbling on it while he kept running scenarios through his head. At least that kept him occupied and out of trouble for the moment.

?

Cheryl groaned as she pushed herself to her feet. A similar sound came from her right, and she looked over to see Charle was doing the same. The two women locked eyes, but only for a moment before they both looked away, frowning. It was then that they both started to scan the area. It had not changed since the last time they were both there—including the two goddesses.

As soon as the two women were focused on the deities, Gaea said, "Welcome back. I hope that your year has been all you could have wished for."

Both women frowned at the greeting, but neither of them responded at first. Cheryl knew she had too much going on in her head for pleasantries. She still had to make a choice, and she was out of time.

When neither of the women spoke, Minerva said, "Now that you have finished your given time, tell us, where do you belong?"

Much to Cheryl's shock, Charle was quick to say, "While I was on Earth, I found out the possible fate of my planet. As I am from Gaia, and I know what needs to be done, I believe I must go back and stop it."

Cheryl looked at the woman like she had lost her mind, but she didn't get a chance to say so. The goddesses had already turned to her, and Minerva asked, "And what of you?"

Cheryl's stomach was churning, and she wanted nothing more than to get the sick feeling out of her body. However, she knew it was more than that. Charle wasn't the only one with a duty, no matter how much her heart ached at the thought. Especially when she thought of what Tseng said as she was leaving. Her head hung as she said, "I have always been there to take care of Brianna. Even once she grows up and starts a life of her own, she's going to need me to be there for her. I can't abandon her."

After she spoke, there was silence for long enough that Cheryl looked up with a frown. As soon as she did, Gaea looked between the two women before she said, "Wanting to fulfill your duty is admirable. However, that is not what we asked. Now, tell us. What do you want? What do your hearts desire?"

Both women shared another look, but this one was filled with questions and trepidation. Charle was once again the first to speak. "If—if I could have what I want, then I would ask to stay. I hadn't expected it, but I found everything I could ever wish for. I have a loving sister, a fulfilling job that promises to grow into a great career. Also, I have a man that I absolutely adore. He nearly gave his life for mine. I can't turn my back on any of that."

While Cheryl was listening to Charle speak, her heart started beating erratically. As soon as the other woman was done, she grabbed her arm. Charle turned to her with alarm that turned to confusion when Cheryl said, "You really don't want to go back to Gaia?"

Charle took Cheryl's hand off her arm and gently squeezed her fingers as she gave an apologetic shrug and said, "No, I don't."

It was apparent the other woman was shocked when Cheryl pulled her into a tight hug. She was practically laughing when she pulled back. She wiped a stray tear off her face as she said, "I love Brianna so much, but she is an adult. I want to be there for her, but she doesn't need me. If you are there for her, then I know I don't have to worry. You are me, after all, right?"

Charle's eyes widened as the implication of what Cheryl was saying started to sink in. It was her turn to grab Cheryl's arms as she said, "You don't want to go back to Earth?"

Cheryl was still grinning through tears as she said, "No. I have so many people that I care about on Gaia, and I want to do all I can to help them. To keep them from destroying themselves. To keep the man I love from walking through hell." By that point, both women were crying and holding each other as the truth sank in. They had both decided to stay in their new worlds.

They didn't pull apart until the two goddesses spoke in unison. "We are glad to see you have accepted your new realities."

Both women turned to face the goddesses, though they still had one hand clasped with each other as Minerva and Gaea both gestured to both sides of the women as they said, "Do not forget that you are part of a larger whole. Take these lessons and carry them with you through the abyss of time until your torches light the way for many others."

Both women looked beside them and gasped when they saw a line of people extending as far as they could see to either side of them. The others were semi-transparent, and it was easy to see they were mere projections. Still, neither of them needed to ask to know that all of those people were part of their collective soul.

Cheryl was in awe as she looked on and saw many more women that looked similar to Charle and herself, but that was far from all of them. There were several that were obviously male. While that made her think about what that meant for the final shape of her soul, it wasn't the most amazing thing.

They had been told that not all the planets that took up the same space as Earth and Gaia would be recognizable, but that didn't mean they were uninhabited. Cheryl could see countless examples of others that were not human at all. One was nothing more than a vague gathering of mist, and another looked exactly how Cheryl thought a mermaid should. There was one that looked to be made of fire, and yet others that seemed more animalistic. Even with the diversity, there was no doubt in her heart that they were all part of her. Just as much as Charle was.

When both women looked back, Cheryl could tell that Charle was just as awed and humbled as she felt. However, their attention was drawn to a glow that started with their joined hands. It quickly grew to engulf them both before it faded away. As soon as it was gone, both women looked at each other with shock before they embraced again.

They remained that way as the two goddesses said, "While it is too soon to join the fragments of your soul together into one, we can at least allow you to share a piece of each other."

That was all the explanation Cheryl needed to understand. She still felt like her own person, but she had all of Charle's memories as well. Though, as those memories filtered into her consciousness, she pushed back with wide eyes. Apparently, Charle was just as stunned and was the first to speak.

"Tseng!? How is that even possible? I mean, I see that he isn't exactly what I thought, but how did you ever have the courage to—" She suddenly cut off, and her cheeks got bright red.

Cheryl wasn't sure what that had been about, but she had questions of her own. "What about Dante? I didn't even think he—" She suddenly cut off as a certain memory flitted through, and her jaw snapped shut. Several seconds passed before the two women looked at each other again and burst into laughter.

When it finally slowed, they turned back to face the goddesses with eased hearts and smiles. Minerva and Gaea had already started to fade away, but their voices could still be heard as they said, "Your choice has been made. Go forth and live the life you choose."

When Cheryl looked back at Charle, she was starting to fade too. That didn't stop Cheryl from saying, "Give Brianna a hug for me."

Charle smiled brightly as she nodded and said, "And make sure you visit the orphanage again. I'm sure it will mean more now."

Cheryl nodded and hoped that Charle had seen. By that time, darkness was all that remained. Though it was not frightening. It was warm and full of the promise of a bright new day to come.

Earth

Charle felt light as air when she woke. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Dante sitting on a bed on the other side of the room. That was all it took for her to realize the lightness was the loss of all her worries. The joy she felt far outweighed anything else.

She didn't say a word before she jumped up and headed toward him. He must have heard her because his head shot up, and his eyes widened. He barely reacted in time to catch her in a hug as she grabbed him.

It was only when she remembered that he had been injured that she pulled back with a sheepish grin. However, that didn't stop her from cupping his face in gentle hands as she grinned up at him and said, "Dante Romano, you are the most amazing man I have ever met, and I want you to know that I love you."

She wasn't sure how it was possible, but his eyes widened even more before he finally relaxed and chuckled. He pulled her hands down gently before he kissed both of her palms and said, "I don't know what has you smiling like that, but I'll accept that confession."

He then pulled her in for a quick kiss. It didn't last as long as she wanted it to before he pulled back with a grimace. Her eyes widened when she saw it, but he didn't let her pull away. He wiped the expression from his face and smiled once again as he patted the bed next to himself. Charle eyed it warily but gave in when he pulled on her hand.

As soon as she was seated, he put an arm around her shoulders so she could cuddle against the uninjured side of his chest. As soon as she was situated, he kissed the top of her head and whispered. "I am glad you're safe. The doctors were afraid you might have suffered some unnoticed complications from your injuries."

She shook her head slightly as she responded, "Everything is perfect. I even have all my memories now."

He gasped and pushed her back enough that they could look eye to eye. When she just grinned at his expression, he smiled back and kissed her again before he said, "Then everything really is perfect. There is nothing like knowing the person you love is safely by your side."

It was Charle's turn to look at him like she had just been run over. He chuckled at the sight before he pulled her closer once again. If he hadn't been injured, she might have resisted, but she didn't want to hurt him. Once she was snuggled under his arm again, she heard him say, "I do love you too, and I want to enjoy this moment as long as I can before the doctors come back and chase you out of my bed." Charle chuckled at his reasoning, but she wasn't going to argue. She was right where she wanted to be, after all.

A/N: So much just happened! Are you all excited to see that they get to keep staying in their respective worlds? We will get to see Cheryl coming back in the next chapter. Plus we are nearing the last part of the story. There will be two, maybe three more chapters on Earth but the rest will be focused on Gaia(not that it should be shocking). I hope you are all looking forward to it! I know I am. Thanks for reading and cheers!