Author's Note: Thanks for all the love and pink cookies! You guys totally rock!

Chapter 6: Remember

Cloud awoke to find two small heads asleep on his chest. Denzel was snoring loudly, and a puddle of Marlene's drool dampened his shirt. He got up as quietly as he could, and stretched. Something smelled pleasant. Was that pancakes? He opened the door, and the sweet aroma grew stronger. He ambled down the stairs and found Tifa at the stove, spatula in hand.

"Morning," She smiled.

"Morning," Cloud replied. He stretched again. "Mary still asleep?"

Tifa shook her head, "She's out front. Cloud, I didn't mean anything by it…"

"What happened?"

"She'll tell you. Call her in, anyway. Your breakfast is going to get cold."

Cloud walked out the door and saw Mary seated on the wooden steps, a basket and staff at her feet. Cloud felt a lump in his throat as he walked down the steps toward her. Those were Aeris's old things. Mary had a blank stare as Cloud sat down beside her.

"Tifa tried to help me," She said.

Cloud picked up the basket gently, "I can see that." He said, "Any luck?"

"No!" She shouted angrily.

Cloud's dissapointment grew. He examined the basket further. "She was carrying this the first time I saw her, and ever since then. She was a flower girl, offered me one for a gil. And this…" He bent over, and stopped. A searing pain flashed across his abdomen. He dropped the basket, shut his eyes and clutched his stomach.

"Are you alright?" She asked anxiously.

"Yeah," He coughed. Even that was murder. He bent over and picked up the rod. It was a miracle he could do it without passing out. "This was her favorite rod," He continued.

Mary took the basket and put it on her arm. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Maybe you're trying too hard." Cloud suggested.

Mary sighed, "Maybe you're right… but I feel like there's something on the very edge of my memory, I just can't get it."

"Come on, let's get some breakfast. Tifa makes the best." He got to his feet without screaming from the pain, and lead the way inside.

…………………………………..

When the two entered the kitchen, Marlene, Denzel, Tifa, and Raine sat at the table, eating happily. Mary's jaw nearly dropped to the floor as she sat down beside Cloud and studied Raine. There were a few differences, but it was amazing how much the two girls looked a like. Raine gave Mary a quick glance, and returned to her food.

"Mary, Raine. Raine, Mary." Tifa announced.

"Hi," Mary said with a smile.

Raine gave a grunt, swallowed a mouthful, and smiled back. "Hi there."

Denzel and Marlene were staring at them.

"Nurse Raine, I didn't know you had a twin." Marlene said.

"We're not related," Raine said. "I'm the only girl in my family."

Cloud noticed Mary's face fall. "No distant cousins?" She asked hopefully.

"Sorry," Raine said, with a shake of her head.

"Mary can't remember her past." Tifa explained.

"Really?" Raine asked, interest blooming over her face. "Have you considered hypnosis?"

"No," Mary replied, making a face, "Nothing that extreme." And she finished her meal in silence.

……………………………

Mary retreated to Cloud's room after breakfast, and Cloud went up to look for her after awhile. He stood outside his door, hand poised on the knob, thinking. If she was Aeris, if she truly was, then he'd take her to her church and everything would be okay… wouldn't it? He took a deep breath, and knocked.

There was a quiet, "Come in."

Cloud entered the room and saw her sitting on his bed, twirling a lock of auburn hair between her fingers. His mind did flips. His upstairs was telling him that she was upset, while his downstairs was telling him she was sitting on his bed. Cloud shook his head.

"I was wondering where you went." He said.

She didn't look at him.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

She finally met his eye. "I thought… I actually thought I had a sister."

"Oh," Cloud shifted his weight uncomfortably. He hated to see her upset, yet he couldn't think of a damn thing to tell her. How come everyone else knew what to say in times like these? "You'll remember," He said finally, "I'll…. We'll help you."

"I know you want to, but…. I don't think anyone can."

"Don't talk like that!" He said urgently, "There was a time… a time when I was lost and confused… and… I got through it, with the help of friends." He closed his eyes, and gritted his teeth at the burning pain in his abdomen.

Mary gave a concerned look at him, "Are you sure you're okay?"

He nodded, "Come on, I have an idea."