"Just breathe, Spike. You'll be fine." Zack assured as they approached the Turks floor.

"I tried so hard to forget. Now I have to face the results." Cloud bit his lip.

"I know, buddy. I know. Just remember you're not alone. You got me, Seph, Angeal and Genesis. We all got your back."

The doors opened. Zack lead the way, one of the very few SOLDIER to walk comfortably into the Turks floor. Immediately they see Reno and Rude grabbing coffee. The redhead raised his cup but otherwise said nothing. He looked to be as tired as Cloud felt.

"Tseng?" Zack asked the pair.

"At his desk." Rude answered.

Zack continued his way, knowing where they needed to go. The lieutenant flashed a friendly smile and wave at Cissinei. Cloud sensed some history there between them. He didn't say anything of it, though.

"Tseng? I brought Cloud." Zack caught the Turk on the way to his desk. Tseng checked his watch.

"I'll take him from here." He took the lead.

"Is there any way I can stay? You let Sephiroth stay with him at the infirmary."

At the comparison Tseng stopped and half turned to send a look at Zack. The Turk shook his head as Zack placed his hands on his hips.

"I can't do that. Even though you're his mentor, this is for Cloud to face alone."

"But Sephiroth - "

"Was only there because Cloud asked him to. Then when it came for his exam that these results have come from, he had to leave. For this we can't hold Cloud's hand." Tseng wasn't budging.

Zack shook his head. Cloud shifted his weight uncomfortably. He felt the urge to place his hand on his mentor's shoulder, but the energy coming off of him frightened him a little. Tseng sighed as he tried a new tactic.

"Listen, it's no fault of yours. I understand you want to be there for him. But some battles he has to face alone. The best you can do is support him all the way."

"...Okay. I'll be waiting by the elevators." Zack gave in.

Cloud watched him with a heavy heart. Why was his mentor having a moment? He didn't understand. And he felt horrible for it.

"It's not your fault, Cloud. Whatever he's going through, he'll come around. Let's head to my office." Tseng assured before leading the way.

They sat on either side of the desk. Tseng opened up the folder he had been carrying the walk over. The Turk briefly scanned over to make sure he didn't leave any details before he spoke.

"There were two DNA samples found. One, belonged to Second Class SOLDIER Brandt. The other one has been identified as one of his friends, Second Class SOLDIER Garrett. Incidentally, Garrett is one of the six men who attacked you in Sector 5 Slums."

Tseng paused to allow the information sink in. Cloud felt his stomach drop. It all made sense in a way. When his stomach twisted into knots he felt a hand placed on his shoulder from behind him. Odd? It was just him and Tseng? Cloud resisted the urge to turn around and look.

"Both men are still recovering from their injuries. However, they are expected to be discharged any day now. So the timing of the results is perfect. That is if you wish to press charges." Tseng continued, his voice snapping Cloud out of his thoughts.

"Yes. I want to press charges." Cloud nods.

"All right. Here is what it looks like for us. We have a fairly strong case. It doesn't matter if you remember the specifics of the assault. We know of the before, and we know of the aftermath. We have multiple witnesses, the forensics evidence, and one of the perpetrators can additionally be charged with attempted murder."

"How long will this take?" Cloud wanted this to be over and done with quickly.

"I'm not going to lie. The court will be extensive if they decide to fight the case and go to trial. They have that right to fight. This is where things typically get muddled. They will do whatever they can to extend the trial, keep it going for so long you will be tempted to give up."

"Is there anything else that can be done? Skip the trial, hit them with their sentences?" Cloud grit his teeth.

"There is an advantage. As a Turk and head of the investigation, I can advocate for those men to be dishonorably discharged. This means they don't get the benefits that comes with leaving the SOLDIER program. No money, no job leads, no proper legal representation, and in some cases nowhere to live if they're living in the barracks."

"Can we start with that?" This meant they would have to pay out of pocket for a good attorney. And eventually the money will run out.

"I will begin the paperwork immediately. Let me also mention, there is one other advantage we have. A little unethical, but if we can somehow break their friendship and get one of them to talk? The one who talks walks away with a lesser sentence in exchange of information. If it lines up with further evidence, then the trial will essentially be lost in their favor."

Cloud's hands tightened into fists. Although he didn't like the sound of it, he also liked the prospect of the trial being extended for so long even less. The blond slowly nods.

"In order for this to work you can't tell anyone. Not even Zack or Sephiroth. No one. If this particular part of the plan gets out, the case is over and they walk away. I need you to understand that." Tseng pressured.

"I understand." Cloud breathed in.

"Very well. I have some documents ready for you to sign. These are documents stating that you understand the process of the court, and if it does go to trial then you agree you will attend. And the last one is that you agree I am your advocate. This means if it ever gets too much for you then I will speak for you on your behalf so long as it's not cross examination."

Cloud signed all of them. At the last one he felt a sense of gratitude. Tseng really had thought of everything. It made him realize the Turk spent time in his busy work schedule to plan out their best advantages for the case. He felt a little more relieved that they had a better chance.

"I believe that is everything." Tseng gathered the documents and placed them inside the same folder as the evidence. Cloud stood to leave.

"Oh, and Cloud?" The blond turned at the sound of his name.

"I want you to remember you're brave for standing up for yourself. Don't lose sight of that strength."

Cloud relaxed, allowing a small smile. His eyes sparkled. Odd, was that a faint hint of mako? Surely he hadn't been seen yet for injections. They only just had the board meeting the previous night where Hojo presented his results.

"With Sephiroth at my side, we can achieve anything together."

Tseng blinked at the admission. The first solid proof he had that they were a couple. Now that theory has been confirmed, the Turks can act accordingly should any future issues come up. And of course they will keep it all confidential.

Cloud turned and continued his way to the elevators. He returned to Zack's side, who had time to cool off.

"Hey. I'm sorry, about earlier. A lot has been on my mind. I let it get to my head." His mentor apologized.

"You're fine. Just remember, you're my mentor and best friend. I couldn't ask for anyone better." Cloud gave him a fond smile.

"Thanks, Spikey. So how's it looking?"

"I'm pressing charges. Against both of them. That's all I can say on the matter." Cloud wasn't sure on all of the information he could give away. At the mention of more than one person Zack ran a hand through his dark spikes.

"Let's uh, keep that number between us?" He asked as the elevator opened. "I don't want to see Seph go off the rails again."

"Me neither." Cloud agreed. "So what are the plans for today?"

"Actually, I got a call while you were talking with Tseng. Hojo wants to start on your mako injections. They've scheduled you for one in the afternoon. They kinda also got on my ass that your phone has been unreachable."

"That's because I left it in my old bunk." Cloud had completely forgotten about the Shinra issued phone given to him as a recruit.

"Then it's either stolen or in evidence. Tell you what, I'll help you get a new one. Better than the charity case they give to recruits. That way I don't have to play messenger for you."

"Thanks, Zack." The blond smiled, although a part of him still dreaded the visit to the labs.

"Anything for you, Spike."

After Zack got him a phone he dropped Cloud off at the labs with instructions to come to the training room afterwards. The blond felt uneasy as he came face to face with Professor Hojo. However the process was quick and easy with a jab in his arm.

At first Cloud felt fine. Then during the elevator ride he began to feel nauseous. He fought it off as other people joined him in the elevator on a random floor. Then with great horror he realized he had to get off. Soon as he did Cloud ran to the nearest restroom.

When he was done he was so dizzy. Cloud pulled out his phone to try and call Zack. He panicked as his mentor didn't pick up. With shaking hands Cloud fumbled around his pockets for another number, any number to call. He pulled out a wrinkled card and knew it was Reno's.

Cloud fumbled with the phone as he dialed. Reno answered on the second ring.

"Yo? Who this?"

"Reno? I don't feel good. I can't get hold of Zack." Cloud coughed, trying not to dry heave. "Just got out of the labs."

"Oh, boy. That's typical for first time injections. What floor you at?"

"Um..." The blond wanted to kick himself.

"Okay, what kind of phone you using?"

"One of the SOLDIER standard issued ones."

"Great. There should be an app on there that allows to share your location with a contact. What it does is let you type in the number of who you want to share your location with and it will lead me to you."

"Okay..." Cloud put Reno on speaker so it was easy to hear. He found the app he was looking for and typed in the number. By now he started to feel very sleepy.

"Got it! Okay, I'm on my way. Hey, can you hear me, Cloudy boy?"

"Yeah. Sorry. So tired all of a sudden."

"Oh, man, come on stay with me. I'll stay on the phone with you until I get there. Can you keep talking?"

"Talk about what?" Cloud mumbled.

"Anything! What are your likes, dislikes, your favorite childhood memory, anything that will keep you awake."

"I don't have a favorite childhood memory." Cloud struggled to keep his eyes open.

"I'm in the elevator. Okay then, how about favorite food?"

"Pizza."

"Pizza? What kind? Come on, you gotta stay awake." Reno was on the verge of panicking.

"Mmm. Any kind."

"Cloudy boy, stay awake!"

"I'm tryin'," He groaned. His words came out slurred.

"The fuck he do to you, man? You sound drunk."

"Haven't touched a drink since that night."

"I don't blame ya on that one. Okay, so what about a favorite place? Come on, come on, go faster you piece of shit!"

"The church."

"Church? Wait, hold up. You don't mean the church? Sector 5 Slums?"

"Mhmm."

"Fucking Zack. I'm gonna kick his ass."

"Please don't." Cloud was so dizzy he couldn't escape the feeling when his eyes closed.

"Right. Getting you to safety is priority. But I'm gonna kick his ass afterwards!"

"The fuck you are." Cloud snarled.

"Oh yeah? How you gonna stop me?"

"I'll throw up on you."

"Wow, okay. You gonna throw up on the guy who is coming to save your ass from the middle of bumfuck nowhere floor in Shinra HQ."

"I'm sorry."

"I was being sarcastic, yo. Oh come on! We don't need this floor!"

"Who's there with you? There's a strange voice."

"What are they saying?"

"Mother. Reunion. Reunion. Meteor. Reunion. Sleep. Sleep my sweet son."

And with that Cloud knew no more.