Reviving Love Part 7
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Aeris walked out of the storage room to upset at herself to say or do anything.
So what's up? What were you and Mr. Strife talking about? Vincent questioned Aeris as she sat down.
N-Nothing important Mr. Valentine. Aeris putting her face in her hands.
Sure about that? I saw him leave outta here in a big fit. Vincent said
He'll be back Vincent…so don't worry about it. Aeris said almost on the verge of tears.
We'll see Vincent heading towards Barrets office.
Aeris had never felt so alone in her life, Cloud almost hit her and that was something that he obviously had never done was strike a woman. But Aeris triggered it and it almost happened if Cloud would've stopped himself. Now she was alone Barret was going to find out that she pulled the trigger, that she shot Zack…it was all over.
Aeris I'd like to see you in my office please. Barret asked her politely
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Barret's Office
So you were at the store? Barret asked her
Yes, I came back and saw him on the ground laying in a puddle of blood. Aeris said with hands shaking
Uh huh…So Aeris have you ever used your gun on anyone? Barret asked with fingers linked
No, not on anyone. Aeris said with a guilty conscious
So you wouldn't mind taking a lie detector test? Barret questioned her
Aeris's eyes widened.
I-I Aeris began
She doesn't need to…Cloud said stepping into the office
Cloud…Aeris whispered to herself
Aeris you don't need or have to say anything until you've got an attorney present. Cloud said with arms folded
I have a choice? Aeris asked Barret
If you decide not to say anything until you get an attorney that's fine but you'd better not go leaving town, because I will hunt you down…is that understood? Barret said sternly
I understand Thank you. Aeris said getting up from her chair
Once out of Barret's office Aeris looked at Cloud, he still looked mad from the storage room incident.
So…now what? Aeris asked looking down at the floor.
You can come up to my place, I've got a penthouse near the city limits we can lay low their for awhile. Cloud said walking towards the exit of the police station.
Are you sure? Aeris said staring him in the face.
Cloud gave her a stare and then went out the door, as Aeris followed.
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So Ms. Lockheart you had just arrived at the condo when Zack was shot? Vincent questioned Tifa
Yes, I had just arrived there. Do we have to keep going over the same things?Tifa said playing with her hair and with boredom written all over her face.
Well, you're dismissed, it's pretty evident that you didn't shoot Zack. Vincent said standing up from his office chair.
I can go now? Tifa asked with an annoyed tone in her voice
Yeah you can go. Vincent said turning on a coffee pot.
I wonder how Zack is doing? Tifa questioned herself as she approached her car.
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Cloud and Aeris entered the penthouse Cloud throwing Aeris's belongings on the couch as he took off his jacket. Cloud hadn't talked to her the whole trip over here.
Is he mad at me? or is he mad at himself? Aeris thought to herself.
Cloud headed upstairs to his room.
Cloud? Aeris said stopping him
T-Thank you for everything, I couldn't have done this without you….Aeris said sitting on the couch
Cloud gave her a glare and then went up the stairs.
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Tifa entered the quiet hospital searching for the room Zack might be in.
May I help you miss? a nurse questioned Tifa.
Yes I heard there was a man brought here from a shooting at the condos.
Oh, the black-haired guy. He's on the second floor. The nurse instructed Tifa
Thank you. Tifa said heading for the stairs on her left.
Once upstairs Tifa saw through a window were Zack was, They wouldn't allow visitors right now so Tifa got comfortable on one of waiting room chairs and fell asleep.
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Cloud sat in his dim room lost in thought, Aeris did have a point, It was obvious that Vincent was on to her and that he'd do everything in his power to prove that. However he was still mad at himself for what he almost did to her back at the storage room. His thoughts were in interrupted when he heard the door creak open.
D-Did I wake you? Aeris said creeping into the room.
Cloud just gave her a stare as he waited for her to explain why she was here.
I wanted to know if I could sleep in here? ….Well because I keep having these bad dreams. Aeris said heading to the other side of the bed.
Cloud moved over some pillows and gave her the cover.
Won't you be cold? Aeris said breaking the silence
I'll be fine…Cloud said leaning against the backboard of his bed.
Cloud? Aeris seemed to whisper
I want to meet you…Aeris said sitting up
Cloud gave her a confused glare.
What? Cloud asked dumbfounded
I want to meet the real you….back at the storage room you were a completely different person. Aeris said with concern in her eyes.
Cloud looked her in the face…
Go to sleep…Cloud said facing away from her
I can't….Aeris said laying back down
Could you maybe make up a story to tell me…Aeris said suggestively
Cloud looked at her with an "Are you crazy" kind of look
Cloud let out a sigh and began his story.
Ok, there was this princess named Aeris she was a fair ruler and everyone admired her beauty and intelligence. But then one day the ugly horrible, beast named Zackmus wanted to marry the princess she didn't want to marry him because he didn't even have a clue what was going on around him. Angered he took the princess up to a tower where he never fed her or gave her water. She cried out every night when the moon was on a waning crescent holping someone could hear her cries. One day a fire breathing dragon was chillin in his cave and heard the cries of the princess he flew over to the tower and did his fire thing on the Zackmus beast turning him into a burnt…nasty..thing, Anyways after defeating the evil monster, the beautiful princess Aeris jumped on the back of the fire breathing dragon….and flew into the sunset…
Cloud looked over to see that Aeris was soundly asleep, but he had one more thing to add to his story.
Oh, yeah…and everyone else they all went straight hell…Cloud finished with a smirk on his face…
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I think it's about time we call it a night. Barret said packing his stuff
Hold on a sec Barret. Vincent bringing him a portfolio
Man, I'm tired lets do this tomorrow- Barret trailed off
These are the x-rays of Zack and the bullet that was taken out of him. Vincent said showing the files to Barret.
So whoever shot him must work at the academy because that's the only place were they have those type of guns. Barret said sitting back down at his office chair
Were did Aeris go? Barret questioned Vincent.
She might have headed for Strife's house. Vincent said suggestively
You know that's interesting, a real wife-to-be would be with her husband-to-be , not at a stranger's house. Barret said pondering the thought
Or on the other hand, maybe she knows him better than she led on. Vincent pondering as well…
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Cloud stared at the ceiling, then at Aeris who looked heavenly when she slept.
Aeris…? He whispered to her, but she didn't stir
You know Aeris…I would never hurt you…I just couldn't. Cloud paused making sure Aeris didn't hear him.
I will tell you everything…in time about myself and my feelings for you but…right know…Cloud stopped he was talking to himself. These were the words he wanted Aeris to hear but he was only reciting them to himself.
He looked at Aeris and then at the ceiling it was going to be a long night…for Cloud anyway….
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Tune in for Part 8
Tifa does some investigating of her own
Cloud plans to plant the gun that shot Zack, on someone
Aeris talks to an unconscious Zack