A short double beep sounded from Sephiroth's PHS. He placed his pen on the weapons order he had been about to sign to grab the device from his pack. Checking his messages revealed a short email from President Shin-Ra.

'There has been a change regarding your upcoming mission. You will now be travelling to Nibelheim alone.'

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed at the message. Zack had clearly spoken to Shin-Ra about his concerns. Hadn't the younger man mentioned that he didn't want either of them to go? He shook his head. Zack must have been about as successful with the President as he was in Sephiroth's office earlier. He sighed quietly and replaced the PHS. The mission to Nibelheim didn't appear difficult; he shouldn't have much trouble on his own. Still, he mused, it had been several weeks since he had seen Zack. As he resumed work on making the orders up-to-date, he recalled his encounter with Zack in Junon. He sounded bitter to Sephiroth then. Angry.

Betrayed.

Sephiroth frowned slightly, continuing to read the paperwork before him. Of course Zack was angry. Sephiroth had practically been actively avoiding him in the Data Room. And, he realized disdainfully, Zack knew that the mission to go after Angeal had initially been his own. Sephiroth's eyelids lowered as he scanned the pages on his desk. He left that mission for Zack to deal with. Made the boy deal with his supposed best friends instead. Made him go after Angeal.

Of course he would feel betrayed.

The question of why Zack came to him today still tugged on his mind. The younger First was different today. There was a distinct lack of that usual smug confidence that Sephiroth had grown accustomed to. He was skittish and scatter-brained. Granted, Zack could be scatter-brained on his best days, but this behavior was different somehow. Sephiroth was reminded somewhat of the new cadets upon first meeting them. They displayed similar behavior. The stuttering, the avoidance of eye contact…

The fear.

That was the difference. Sephiroth held his pen absently in mid-air as he came to the realization. Zack was afraid of him. Why in the world would Zack be afraid of him? He hadn't been before. In fact, Sephiroth keenly remembered being impressed by the fact that Zack had never shown any fear of him at all, even when they had first met. He couldn't remember anything he might have done to cause such a reaction. He had barely spoken to Zack since Junon. Sephiroth rubbed his temples in frustration. Something was obviously wrong. He would have to speak to Zack about it later. He glanced at his schedule on his desktop and sullenly corrected himself. There wasn't really any time where he could pull Zack aside to discuss the matter. He would just have to speak to Zack after Nibelheim.

Sephiroth returned his gaze to the paperwork he had been reading, only to realize he had no idea what it actually said.

As Sephiroth was working away, Zack made himself comfortable on floor 49, waiting for news. He knew someone was likely to come by and yell at him for sticking his dirty boots on the nice shiny coffee table, but he couldn't be bothered to care at the moment. He slumped on the couches of the SOLDIER floor, legs stretched out lazily. There wasn't much to do at the moment aside from wait for Shin-Ra's verdict. He groaned, partly from boredom, partly frustration. He knew exactly what time period he was in, but things kept catching him off guard. He almost sent an email to Lazard for an update on the mission status. Lazard was gone already. He'd forgotten again. There was a lot he had forgotten, he realized. His focus on Cloud's activities in the Lifestream had jumbled up his own past. He smirked. This must have been what Cloud had felt like, his memories all scrambled from Jenova. Except this wasn't a case of alien cells screwing him up. This was just the fact that his natural memory had about as many holes as Vincent Valentine's cloak.

He uncrossed his arms and put his restless hands behind his head. Something he could do had just cropped up. Remembering where he was in his own timeline. Zack shut his eyes, working his way from Angeal's death up until now. Angeal was gone, killed by Zack in Modeoheim (that thought still stung). Genesis escaped and broke Hollander out of prison. He met Sephiroth in Junon during that escape. Zack crossed his legs on the table, a few more flakes of dirt falling onto the polished top. Sephiroth said Genesis copies had been spotted running around then. Said Zack had failed his mission. It would go on his permanent record. They'd meet again. Sephiroth gave him leave to come back to see Aerith.

Zack smiled at that thought.

He remembered talking to Sephiroth after finding out about the mission to Nibelheim. That the man had admitted something. Something that made the outcome of this mission very important.

"Depending on what happens, I may abandon Shin-Ra."

Zack's eyes snapped opened. "Shit!" His sudden exclamation startled one of the young Thirds walking past. He sat up straight, running his hands through his hair in exasperation. How could he have forgotten that Sephiroth had planned to leave the company regardless? Seeing his 'mother' would probably be plenty to convince him to leave.

"Man," Zack groaned. "That's just what I need." Two beeps sounded from his PHS. With a grimace, he checked the device.

'New mission assignment – report to the briefing room.

- Tseng'

Zack stared at it, disbelieving. It was official. Nibelheim was no longer his destination. He checked himself before he got too excited. This didn't mean Sephiroth wouldn't be going. He had to think rationally.

But Shin-Ra would tell me if we were getting separated…right?

Zack swung himself off the couch and headed to the briefing room. He was cautiously optimistic. He knew his arguments had been…less than stellar, but there was still a chance he might've done it. There was a little voice in his head that spoke of otherwise, though. A tiny little voice that sounded eerily like the crazy Sephiroth. For a brief second he could almost see the man, sitting regally in the nothingness of the Lifestream.

Now Zack, he sneered. Nothing is ever that easy.

Zack shook his head defiantly. The image held strong.

I can stop you! Stop Jenova! Zack yelled at him. I can save everyone!

Sephiroth chuckled, shoulders shaking, silver hair falling into his face. Then he laughed. Held himself as if the shaking of his laughter could cause him to fall apart.

You? He laughed harder. A traitor like you could never stop me. You're weak. You're a failure. You're not a hero like Cloud, you're—

"Zack?"

Tseng's voice snapped Zack out of his thoughts. He found himself standing just outside the briefing room, in the area where the SOLDIERs picked up items and extra uniforms before a mission. He slowly unclenched his fists, his fingers stiff from the pressure they had been under.

Zack took a shaky breath, forcing a smile onto his lips. "Hi, Tseng. Sorry about that."

"Lost in thought?" the Turk inquired. At Zack's nod, Tseng gestured to the room behind him. "Come in. I'll tell you about your new mission."

The soldier joined Tseng in the room, finding a chair at the long table. His legs were shaking. He didn't trust them to hold him up right now. Tseng picked a binder off the table and opened it. He glanced at Zack. The First's eyes were slightly glazed. Lost in thought again. Tseng quickly snapped the folder shut again, startling Zack into attention.

"You may want to listen," Tseng stated blandly. Zack stared up into the dark brown eyes, looking for the barest hint of irritation. Or emotion at all. Nothing.

"Sorry." Zack apologized again instinctively. "So, uh, new mission? Where am I going?"

Tseng reopened the binder, turning his gaze to the papers inside. "Fort Condor. The Materia Research team would like to inspect the materia forming within the reactor there. However, the current residents of the fort are refusing to allow Shin-Ra troops near it. They fear for the safety of a large condor nest on top of the reactor."

The situation sounded familiar to Zack, but he couldn't place it. "What are my orders?"

"You are to negotiate with the residents. Shin-Ra owns the fort. You are to inform the residents that a further lack of cooperation will be met with the force of SOLDIER." Tseng looked up from the binder. "If possible, you should try to remove the condors as well."

Zack frowned. This wasn't negotiating. This was a threat. Get out or get killed. He had to wonder why he'd been picked for this mission. Lazard would have known that Zack was one of the more sympathetic operatives. He couldn't bring himself to bully people into obeying him.

The SOLDIER program is more screwed up than I thought.

"You are also required to have an infantryman accompany you," Tseng continued. "You may choose someone or one will be assigned."

Zack perked up at the new information. "I can choose?"

"Yes." At Zack's confused stare, the Turk clarified, "Although there is a shortage of SOLDIERs and Turks, there is usually a surplus of infantrymen. As such, Shin-Ra has been attempting to restructure the cadet program. It is recommended that you choose a cadet that is likely to continue into SOLDIER."

"Why would Shin-Ra worry so much about which infantrymen went on SOLDIER missions?" Zack asked. He instantly thought of Cloud. He was still a cadet at this point. Just a kid.

Tseng slowly crossed his arms. Zack had the sudden feeling he had annoyed the man, making him feel the need to repeat himself. "With the shortage of operatives, Shin-Ra believes it is wiser for cadets to obtain more field experience outside Midgar than their security force counterparts. He believes they will be more likely to succeed on the SOLDIER entrance exams if they do." Tseng smiled ever so slightly. Zack had regained some of his cheer, and it was showing. "I take it you have someone in mind?"

"Yes!" Zack chirped, smile back on his face. "A cadet aiming to be in SOLDIER. We're friends."

"Would that be Strife?" Tseng asked, amused. "The one who accompanied us to Modeoheim?" Zack nodded. "He's a good choice. Just be aware that this is a serious mission, even if your friend comes along."

"Right." Zack started to get up from his chair. He'd regained his strength with the thought that he could go track down Cloud. Better yet, they could go on a mission together again. One that wouldn't end as badly as Nibelheim.

Zack froze, half standing half still in the chair. Nibelheim. The question of whether or not anyone was going was still lingering. He straightened and watched Tseng with wary eyes.

"…What about Sephiroth?"

"What about him?" Tseng asked, tucking the binder under his arm.

"Where is he going? On his next mission?" Zack pressed. His excitement was starting to melt back into dread. Tseng shaking his head didn't make him feel better.

"I don't know," he admitted. "They only assigned me to your briefing."

"You don't know or you won't tell me?" Zack demanded, an angry edge creeping into his voice.

"I'm sorry, Zack." Tseng avoided answering entirely. "Now that I've finished your briefing I have to attend to my other duties." He made to leave. Zack called after him.

"What's going on, Tseng?" He stood there, watching. He saw Tseng contemplate something for a moment, only to sigh and resume his emotionless mask.

"Good question." He left the room.

Zack stood there, aghast. Then angry. He stormed out of the briefing room, intent on relocating to the training area to slice the hell out of whatever powerful holographic monster he could fight. As he stomped his way toward it, he spotted Kunsel sitting on the couch he had been on previously. The Second waved, but upon seeing Zack's glaring face his arm stopped mid-motion. He quickly got up and followed Zack as he trudged toward the training room.

"Hey, Zack."

"What," he nearly growled.

"What's eating you?" Kunsel asked, genuine concern coming through loud and clear in spite of the helmet covering half his face.

Zack stopped, gesturing at the briefing room angrily. "Oh, nothing, just Turks being secretive jerks and not answering questions for me!"

Kunsel was quiet a moment before asking gently, "What kind of questions?"

"I just…Argh!" Zack pulled at his hair in frustration. "I need to know where Sephiroth's going on his next mission and Tseng wouldn't tell me, but I think he knows and just refuses to and Shin-Ra's screwing everything up and SOLDIER is a mess and I don't know what's going on anymore and I—!"

"Woah, woah, woah!" Kunsel grabbed Zack by the shoulders, stilling him. He looked up into the First's face, speaking low. "It's alright, Zack. Calm down. One thing at a time." When Zack managed to take a decently deep breath without exploding like a Grenade, Kunsel relaxed his grip. He led him back to the couch area to try to get him to sit. "So that first problem was where Sephiroth's going, right?" Zack grimaced, but nodded. "That's easy. He's going to Nibelheim."

Zack stared blankly at Kunsel. "Please tell me that's a joke."

"No? Why would I be joking?"

"Sephiroth. Is going. Alone," Zack repeated, the words not quite real to him.

"Yeah. Apparently Shin-Ra thinks he'll be alright on his own," Kunsel explained, a frown of concern on his lips. "Are you okay, Zack?"

The First didn't answer. He merely flopped onto the couch. His expression vacant, he stared blindly at the clear coffee table, idly noting the errant print of his heel. He couldn't believe how stupid he was. He had just managed to royally screw up his mission within the first twenty-four hours. Within the first twelve, even. As Kunsel waved a hand in front of his eyes, Zack though bitterly about what the gang in his original timeline was doing now. He could almost see Cloud, his face buried in his hands in frustration. Tifa would be standing next to him, shaking her head with that disappointed mom look. The others were all probably laughing or cursing at Zack's stupidity. Cid, probably both.

Maybe Vincent's being sympathetic. He's a royal screw up, too.

"Hey Zack, look, isn't that your girlfriend?" Kunsel's voice called Zack out of his moping to look up.

"Huh?" He turned and looked around. Aerith was nowhere to be seen. He turned back to Kunsel in question before he remembered Aerith was in the slums.

"Finally something got your attention," Kunsel sighed. "Good grief, Zack, what's eating you? I haven't seen you this zoned-out since…well…" His voice softened. "Since Angeal."

Zack groaned and buried his own face in his hands. "It's just…This wasn't supposed to happen!" Now what am I gonna do?

"Zack. It's not the end of the world."

Kunsel, buddy, you have no idea.

"It's not like you can do anything about it, save for blowing up all of the transport helicopters." At Zack's hopeful look he grimaced. "No, you cannot blow up the transport helicopters. Just…Just chill. And get ready for your own mission."

Zack retained the kicked puppy look. Kunsel smiled reassuringly at him, though for once Zack knew the Second was clueless as to what was really going on. He sighed. Kunsel was right. There really wasn't anything he could do to prevent the mission now. Well, he could try to kill Sephiroth before the man left, but that wasn't likely to end in his favor. He wasn't subtle enough to sneak up on the guy. Wasn't subtle enough for any of this.

Maybe Cloud should have been the one to come back after all…

"You gonna be okay?" Kunsel asked.

Zack stayed quiet for a moment. No, he was not okay. But Minerva asked for him. Him. Not Cloud. Even with all the other people in the Lifestream, she picked Zack. He had to believe she had done so for a reason. After all, he wouldn't be here if Minerva didn't think he was capable.

He finally nodded to Kunsel. "…Sure. Or I will be. Eventually."

"Good." Kunsel grinned at him. He smacked the back of Zack's head. "Now stop being weird and let's go get some dinner!" Zack chuckled and followed him to the elevator. With all that fretting he hadn't noticed how hungry he had gotten. Hadn't even paid it any mind, given that he hadn't needed any food in the Lifestream.

He'd screwed up his initial plan, certainly, but that just meant he needed a new one. Kunsel began to regale him with his own adventures of the day, most notably how he single-handedly duped the security division by hacking the lobby PA system. He had it playing Fiddle de Chocobo all morning while the infantrymen ran around desperately for the IT team. Zack chuckled and allowed himself to relax. He'd figure something else out, and he did have one idea of where to start.

It was time to pay cadet Strife a visit.

The cacophony of voices filled the air of the lounge as the infantrymen filed in from their afternoon training. Zack reclined nonchalantly on one of the many couches, searching over the crowd for his young friend. As they walked down the hall, he noticed most of them had kept their helmets on. He pouted. So much for being able to pick the kid out of the crowd. The last of the stragglers jogged inside, panting heavily from the last dash to the door. One of them stumbled slightly, steading himself on a trash can. The boy hunched over, completely out of breath. Zack watched curiously as some of the boy's betters grouped around him. The kid stood up and removed his helmet when the others began to talk. Zack perked up as a familiar head of blond spikes popped up like ruffled chocobo feathers. Hopping up from his seat, he meandered over to the group of cadets. As he approached he heard snippets of comments from the other infantrymen.

"A chocobo-headed squirt like you isn't gonna make it—"

"Cloud!" Zack flung his arm around the small cadet's shoulders, interrupting with a grin plastered on his face. "How are ya? Actually this is perfect timing, I have to talk to you." Zack suppressed a laugh as he saw Cloud blush, suddenly becoming a blond tomato. Even the boy's ears were red.

"Z-Zack?!" he spluttered. "You- what…Wait," he blinked rapidly in confusion. "You need to talk to me?"

Zack's grin widened. The other infantrymen were all standing around, aghast. Zack turned casually to the man who had addressed Cloud before. "I have to borrow him for a sec, d'ya mind? Classified SOLDIER business."

The infantryman suddenly remembered his position and saluted hastily. "Sir! Of course, sir!"

"Thanks!" Zack steered Cloud away from the crowd, arm still around his shoulders. When they were far enough away from potential eavesdroppers (but close enough that Zack could chuckle at the jealous faces), Zack detached himself from him. Cloud, still a bit flustered, immediately set to work straightening up his uniform. He fluffed his pale green scarf back up to the bottom of his chin, as protocol dictated. That finished, he stared up at Zack, fidgeting. Zack smiled. He'd missed how adorably awkward Cloud had been as a cadet.

"So," Cloud started, looking nervously at the other infantrymen who were leering at the pair. He turned back to Zack. "Is there something I can help you with, Zack?"

"Indeed there is, Spikey!" Zack pat him on the head, enjoying the surprised yelp he earned in response. "I'm going on a mission next week and I need an infantryman to come with. I just figured I'd ask you." He suddenly shrugged, feigning disinterest. "But, of course, if you're too busy I understand…" He glanced at Cloud's face and had to stop himself from bursting out laughing. The kid's eyes were so wide from shock that Zack had to wonder if they weren't going to pop out of his head.

"I…You want…" Cloud struggled to find his words. "You want me to come with you? But…" Again he glanced at the other cadets. His shoulders drooped slightly. "Why?"

Zack crossed his arms. That was one thing that never seemed to completely go away – Cloud's total lack of self-esteem. Zack made a mental note to try and boost Cloud's morale more often. And another to start writing these mental notes down somewhere.

"Cloud, you're the best infantryman I know."

The cadet's eyes returned to the size of dinner plates. "You can't be serious! I'm one of the worst in my class!"

"Really?" Zack brought his hand to his mouth, holding his jaw. He began to stroke his nonexistent beard in contemplation. He was sure Cloud would realize these concerns didn't matter to him, but the cadet still looked incredibly nervous. Zack shook his head and decided to just drop the act. "You were a real asset when we were in Modeoheim. I don't think I could've caught up to Hollander without you." Zack grabbed Cloud's shoulder and shook him lightly. "Listen, buddy, you don't have to come with me if you don't think you're up to it. But, I want you to know that they told me I could pick whoever I wanted, and I think you'd be the best guy for the job. I could really use your help." He released his grip on Cloud and turned to leave. "Just think about it, okay?"

"O-Okay," Cloud nodded. He looked gratefully at Zack. "I will."

"Great," Zack smiled again. "Just shoot me a text when you've decided. I'll see ya later, Spike!" He gave the boy a lazy salute and started walking down the hall. Already he could hear the others swarming around Cloud, demanding to know 'was that Zack Fair?' and 'how did you impress a First?!' Zack snickered to himself. Not only had Cloud 'impressed' him, they were on a first-name basis. That was sure to cause a stir.

Zack put his hands in his pockets as he strolled back to his apartment. There was an upside to not going to Nibelheim. He could keep Cloud safe. Make sure he never suffered the horrors of Sephiroth and Jenova like he did in their original timeline. He knew if the kid had any say in this, he'd likely want to go home, if only for the slimmest chance he could help…

Not this time. If Zack couldn't go to Nibelheim, Cloud couldn't either. He needed Cloud to survive. Hell, the Planet needed him. And if there was one thing Zack knew he couldn't screw up, it was protecting Cloud Strife. Consequences be damned.

With enough experience, Cloud had been able to kill Sephiroth over and over again without fail in his original timeline. That little chocobo-head ended up becoming the Planet's best weapon against Jenova. Zack may not be able to beat Sephiroth once he got to his 'mother,' but at least he could try to give Cloud a head start. Zack began to stride down the hallway with purpose, his determination regained. He'd train Cloud early. Get him prepared to help destroy Sephiroth and Jenova once and for all.

He'd get Cloud into SOLDIER.