'Come on we're almost there!' Zack motioned reaching out grabbing Sam's hand as she flagged behind him. Pulling her along in his wake they sped up as they rounded the corner, as she ran all Sam could think about was Sydney they left her behind on one of the lower levels as they tried to draw the attention away from her long enough for her to make her escape. She could just imagine what Molly's responce to this would have been, that was another thing that had started to play on Sam's mind where was Molly she hadn't seen her sister in hours she still hoped that she was off somewhere making up with Vincent but in the pit of her stomach Sam felt that something was wrong.

'We're almost there we can climb down the side of the building from the fireescape stairs.' Zack informed waking her out of her worrying. She only half listened to what he had said reaching out she grabbed the fabric of his rough hand squeezing it tightly, why had she been so stubborn and so stupid for so long she'd almost thrown away the best thing to happen to her in a long time, maybe she was more like Cid Highwind than she thought maybe he was her Father after all and she simply hadn't been adopted nor had she been the result of her Mother's affair with the milk man not that her Mother had ever had an affair or that they had ever had a milk man.

'Zack I...' Still running Sam gazed over at him as she spoke wanting desperatly to say something she knew she should have said a long long time before, but the words were snatched from her before she got a chance to tell the man that she loved that she actually loved him. As they made their way around another corner they ran staight into Rufus flanked by an overpowering number of Shinra guards.

'You didn't really think you'd ever get away did you?' Rufus questioned his voice never changing he was about to kill her and yet he sounded the same way he had when they'd decided on which resort to visit for their honeymoon, he was souless.

'You're an evil son of a...' Before Zack could finish Rufus raised the gun that he was holding up resting it against the flat of Sam's forehead.

'Think twice Strife before you insult my Mother you wouldn't want the back of Samatha's head to decorate the hallway now would you.' Zack swollowed hard unclenching his fits as he realised there was no-way he could fight the older man in front of him without risking Sam's life.

'My, my it's not a good day for anyone with the last name of Highwind.'

'What's that surposed to mean?' Sam questioned her voice quivering a little as she stared down the barrel of Rufus' gun.

'I believe this belongs to you.' He answered pulling Sydney out in front of him gripping at her neck hard she squealed in pain seening a shiver of rage running down Sam's spine. In the back of her mind however something told her that he'd brough Sydney out to deflect her from something, Molly.

'If you hurt her I swear I'll...'

'It's a little late for threats Strife.' Lowering the gun Rufus chuckled as he thrust Sydney into her sister's waiting arms.

'Are you okay, did he hurt you Syd?' Sam questioned desperatly holding her sister close running her hands over her face and head making sure that she did have any wounds that weren't apparent when she first appeared.

'Nnno no I'm okay.' Relief sweeping over her Sam burried her head in the crook of her younger sister's neck pulling her close sobbing softly as she thought about the danger she'd lead them all into.

'Sam.' Zack whispered moving forward resting his hand against the smoothness of her shoulder.

'Well now even I have to admitt that this is sweet it's such a shame that I'm still going to have to kill you all lose ends you see.' Snapping his fingers the Shinra guards began to split off moving forward the guards seperated Sam and Sydney.

'Sam!' Sydney cried as she was pulled away from her sister dragged back so she was standing next to Rufus.

'Don't look so frightened little one you'll be staying with me I still have use for you yet.' The way Rufus spoke filled Sydney's eyes with tears, all she wanted to do was go home.

'It's okay Syd don't be scared be brave okay.' Sam breathed the sound of her voice alerting Rufus back to her exsistance.

'And as for you my lovely fiance I've decided to spare you. And since I see that you've once again dressed for the occation...' He whispered drawing attention to the mini skirt and low cut singlet she was wearing.

'I have decided to make a gift of you to my men.' Sam didn't breath she didn't even move she knew that was what she wanted in the back of her head she could hear Zack screaming 'No'.

'No you can't do that no!'

'And as for you Mr Strife well I've got something very special to make your demise with. Don't look so shocked I never liked your parents and frankly I find you annoying.' Snapping his fingers the trio were suddenly parted reaching out Zack grabbed Sam's hand clinging onto her tightly.

'Survive.' He motioned tears flooding her eyes she nodded, surviving was the one thing she knew she could do.

'Zack I...I...Zack!' Before she had the chance to tell him her feelings she was swept away.