Ships were always slinking in and out of Costa Del Sol- They had no choice, really. Shinra funded the stores on the Main Continent and thus supplied the goods. They had to be imported from somewhere. Besides that, the beach town was the place to be any time of year and the wealthy just couldn't wait to get a real tan.

Today, though, Zack half wished that these were private ships slinking into the docks. Private ships, run by a crew of three or four, and small enough for there not to be a problem finding a way on but large enough so it was easy to hide in.

Sadly, no such luck. Apparently it had run out the night before. Things would have been so much easier if Cloud was anything but a vegetable at that point but the chances of the blond snapping out of his moaning state was even slimmer than the pair getting onto one of the large supply ships un-noticed.

"Least we don't smell anymore and don't leave a trail of slime wherever we got." Zack whispered to his friend, back against one of the large crates on the dock, Clouds body leaning against his for support. "Free room, free bath, free clean clothes. Perfect. Just like those fucked course do-hickeys in SOLDIER. Those final test things we took at random. They ship you off somewhere, all peaceful and natural like, right? Then when you wake up all pampered and preened in the morning you're face witha shit load of things to wade through. I'm talkin monsters. Bitchy ones, too. Wonder if they were females…" He frowned, mouth twisting in thought. After a moment Zack chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Nah, who cares. We gatta focus on getting on the ship."

More like pray for a miracle. Miracles are nice. But Zack knew better then to rely on that sort of thing.

"So." He asked Cloud, bright eyes drifting to the blond. "How are we gonna do this?" Zack almost wanted to try his luck on sneaking in through a port hole, but that idea seemed very unlikely to go through very well- he'd likely get his head stuck and die there. No one but Cloud would notice and Cloud was incapable of doing anything about it.

"Alright…So we don't go through the port-hole…" Well. Now what?

"Plan B." Zack said suddenly, taking a deep breath before shoved himself up to his feet. It was suicide, but it was certainly worth a shot. Shinra was not a cooperation based on murder- at least not in public. Costa Del Sol was the only port in which goods could go in and out of- if the Shinra shot Zack then Costa Del Sol would take action and possibly shut down it's docks. Shinra would no longer be welcome.

The black haired man was relying on that thought to get him through. If they turned him away then… Well, he'd think of something. Smooth talking could get him anywhere, though, and Zack prayed it would get him and Cloud a place on the ship.

"Stay here, okay?" He told Cloud, a grin on his face. "I'm going to go get us a ticket to nowhere." With that Zack shoved his thumbs under the straps going down his chest and took very long, patient steps towards the nearest ship and it's crew.

As he approached the mummer of voices became clearer and eyes drifted in the mans direction. The insignia on his belt was eyed wearily and a few people took the opportunity to snort and roll the orbs in their heads skyward in exasperation. "Those First Class. Think they run theh place. Lookit ehm, waltzin bout like ee ownz us. I've halfa mind tah-"

"Half a mind to what?" Zack called to the men on deck. The one who had been speaking jumped, nearly dropping a crate onto the deck. Bingo. Move in like you're meant to be there. Smooth, Flame. Ivy'd be proud.

"Sir! I-I didn't see yeh there!" The man called out, laughing nervously and rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't wearing a guard uniform but it was clear to see he was a Shinra employee- a white suit of a sailor with the large blue collar and Shinra insignia sewn over the heart proves that.

Zack snorted, nodding his head with a slight glare. "Oh, of course not. Would explain just why you said absolutely nothing, huh?" Sarcasm laced the man's voice.

"Er- hehe?" The sailor offered, squinting his eyes shut at the sight of Zack's un-amused face. "D-didn't mean no 'arm to yeh, yeh know that. 'Ight?"

Zack rolled bright green eyes, plainly irritated- or so it seemed. In truth the SOLDIER was amused. They were buying it! "Aw hurry up with that load, would you? Aint got all day. And you!" The second man snapped to attention, saluting the black haired man bellow him on the dock. "Leave him to the job. I need your help down here." Now for Cloud.

"Yes, Sir!" The man called, saluting again and quickly jogging towards the ramp. Patiently Zack waited, the very opposite painted thickly on his face. "I haven't got all day- hurry it up!"

"Yes, Sir!" The man called, running towards Zack only to stop a few yards away and salute. Zack eyed him quizzically then nodded, walking back towards where he had left Cloud with a brisk pace.

"Some local must have gotten the poor sap- Cant figure out the hell is wrong with him. Looks like he's drugged or drunk. Don't matter. Damn guards, not keeping themselves ought to trouble." Zack glared over at the sailor as he let the older looking man to the pile of crates and slowly behind him. "Dumped him here. Keeps going on bout nothing at all. Well, don't just stand there!" Zack snapped, causing the blond to flinch. Silently the older man cursed himself. "Help me move him!"

"Y-yes sir!" The sailor stuttered. The black haired man guessed that he already had had trouble with another person today and didn't want any more. Ack. Shinra. Bunch of jerks. Swiftly Zack got Cloud's upper body and let the other man deal with the rest. "Hmph. Think we have anywhere to put him? Don't want no trouble with the rest of the staff- poking at him and shit. Somewhere quiet where he can recover. Damn idiot."

"er- uh. I think so, Sir. Bellow deck. There's a room down in storage and such. Shouldn't he…"

"Sh." Zack hissed. "I don't want anyone to find out about this. Word travels, you know. You just keep what happened to yourself and then we'll be good friends, you hear?"

The sailor just nodded.

Slowly the climbed the ramp, the breeze that was rolling in from the ocean sending salty scents to Zack's nose. Luck was still with them. They just needed to hold onto it a little while longer.

Just a little longer.

But once they were out at sea nothing would be able to get them away from harm.

Two soldiers in the camp of the enemy army, surrounded by an endless expanse of blue.

If things went wrong, Zack realized, they were doomed.

Note: This did not turn out at all how I had planned back in November. But, none the less, it is here (despite my virus software popping up every 30 seconds to hinder it). Thanks ffwarrioress for reminding me I needed to finish.