Chapter ten

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

A/N: I can't imagine why Vincent would take a sudden and intense disliking to Zack…Can you?

…

Cloud knelt on the dusty floor beside the two unconscious men. Both Zack and Tseng were lying where they collapsed from his spell. Tseng was half on top of the desk, face down on the reports he was reading moments before. Cloud needed to remember to burn those before they left. He hated the fact the Turk saw even a little of them.

Zack was laid out on the floor. Cloud caught him before he hit the ground. If he re-lived a thousand lives, he didn't think he would ever forget the betrayed look on Zack's face seconds before the spell took hold. He felt like the lowest scum on the planet. He hoped he would be able to ease Zack slowly into the situation in a controlled environment if he involved him at all. He couldn't do that now. Seeing Zack in that room caused him to panic and overreact. He would have to tell them his story or at least enough of it to convince them to support him or at least keep their silence.

Tseng should be easy to bring around. Logic and the facts should be enough to sway the Turk. If not his knowledge of the Turk's past would do it. He would just need to assure Tseng that he was no threat to Shinra or Rufus.

The 'Vincent' connection might help or back fire completely. Regardless, he preferred to not use that if he could. Vincent may not be loyal to the Turks anymore but he was still very protective of them. He often shadowed the few remaining ones left after the meteor fell. For whatever reason though, he never told them about their shared history. It wasn't something Cloud understood, but he respected Vincent's choice.

It would be a different story with Zack. Zack was often led by his emotions rather than logic. He took his pride in Soldier very seriously, he based everything he was on that. While his loyalty was to those he called his friends rather than the company, Cloud didn't have a place there no matter how Zack had acted around him. He was too new to the First. He didn't have any ground to maneuver on.

It was a good thing he liked aerial combat.

Vincent shifted to stand over him as he knelt next to Zack. His gaze passive and cold as he stared at the Soldier.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Up till now, Vincent chose to remain silent on Cloud's decisions. It was a trait he always appreciated about the former Turk. Vincent always followed his lead in public to hold a united front. He would save any questions and arguments for when they were alone. This trait even appeared among their mutual friends. Much to Tifa and Barret's annoyance. No one would ever catch Vincent disagreeing with Cloud.

That didn't mean they didn't have their fights. They just always remained private.

"No, I'm not sure at all." He sighed "It's too late now to go back. I'll just have to live with it."

"You could manipulate their memory." Vincent suggested.

"I won't do that!" Cloud snarled fiercely.

"I know." Vincent rested his clawed hand briefly on his shoulder.

Vincent turned his gaze to Tseng. What the man thought about any of this was a mystery to Cloud. The gunman always played things close to his chest. He was a lot like Cloud in that respect. Even after everything that had happened to him, Vincent was still very protective of his family and that included the Turks. Cloud thought that in Vincent's mind the Turks belonged to him in the same way Avalanche belonged to Cloud…or Soldiers belonged to Sephiroth.

Cloud reached into the bag that Hojo prepared for him. Inside were several vials of the curative water that Hojo farmed out of him. He really hoped he could trust him as far as he needed to. The only control he had on the scientist was the belief that if everything fell apart, Sephiroth would die. It was a tenuous thread at best.

"Old habits and all." He said as he tossed one to Vincent.

"You think you can trust Hojo?" Vincent asked as he caught the vial.

"Only to a certain point. The scientist may seem complex but his motives are simple."

"Which are?"

Cloud smiled bitterly "A father willing to protect his son no matter what."

"Cloud."

"I'm fine. Let's-let's get this done before they wake up."

He uncorked the vial and as gently as he could, he poured the water into Zack's mouth and forced him to swallow. He didn't want to stab his friend even with a needle if he could help it. The curative should flush out and destroy any Jenova cells and prevent her the possibility of taking over and listening in. He didn't actually know if she could actually do that, but Aerith made it very clear not to tell ANYONE who wasn't cured.

"We should move them to the bed upstairs." Cloud mused as he watched Vincent finish treating Tseng. "I don't want them to wake up down here."

Vincent pocketed the empty vial and picked the Turk up bridal style. The Turk's head was resting against Vincent's chest. Cloud was tempted to take a picture of it with his PHS. Unfortunately, Vincent hated having his picture taken with a passion that would leave Cloud having to dig out bullets. Too bad really, the blackmail material would have set him up for life.

Cloud grabbed Zack's sword and picked up Tseng's gun from where he dropped it. He picked up his own charge in a suitably masculine fireman's hold. He had to be careful not to accidentally cut Zack on the exposed edge of the Fusion Sword. When they were both ready, they headed out of the torture chambers.

Cloud paused just outside the door. He felt the rage build up in him. His entire body was shaking with the need to lash out. He needed to destroy everything. Bring the entire building down until it was nothing but memory and dust.

Vincent stood silently outside in the cavern watching Cloud struggle. He knew that Vincent wouldn't stop him if he lost control. He could trust Vincent to protect the others until he was spent. Watching everything burn would soothe something deep inside of him. Cloud wanted it so badly he could taste it.

It was the soft moaning next to him that snapped him out of his daze. He couldn't risk Zack's life. He would be no better than Sephiroth when he burned Nibelheim to the ground. He wouldn't let Sephiroth control him again. His vengeance could wait.

"Come on."

Cloud led them through the tunnels and up the staircase. He didn't bother slowing down for the upward journey, the stairs were no problem for him or Vincent even with their burdens. For whatever reason none of the creatures were willing to attack the group. It left Cloud out of sorts and aching for a fight but he forced it down. Zack was going to need him sensible not raging.

When they entered the bedroom from the hidden entrance Cloud gently placed Zack on the dust covered bed. Vincent followed and laid Tseng next to the First. Cloud did pull out his PHS and snapped a photo of the two sleeping together.

Cloud gently placed the Buster Sword on the dresser along with Tseng's gun then took his own sword off and laid it next to them. He then grabbed a chair, flipped it backwards and straddled it. While he waited for them to wake up he focused on calming down. It wouldn't do anyone any good if he lost control of his temper.

Vincent stood behind him "How long will they sleep?"

Cloud focused on his breathing for a minute in an effort to rein in his temper.

"Hojo was out for two hours, but he was saturated with it. With these two…ten, maybe fifteen minutes tops." Cloud sighed and rubbed his face and hair with both hands mussing it further. He hated this place.

Vincent hovered closer to Cloud, letting his cloak flow over him. He hated to be considered weak but took the comfort anyways. The planet knew he needed it. He didn't seem as stable as he used to be. As damaged as it was he had built a steady foundation out of the life he used to have, since he'd been sent back nothing felt solid anymore. But having Vincent helped.

Cloud observed their sleeping companions. He would have to explain to them what was happening and that required speaking. He didn't do well with talking it wasn't his strength or Vincent's for that matter. Cloud wished Tifa could be here. She was the best when it came to conversation. Tifa often acted as the face and voice of their group, often the one making any speeches or announcements that needed to be made. She could also kick his ass verbally whenever he needed it. She always knew what to say, even if he didn't want to hear it.

"Did they know what happened to us?" Cloud asked.

"Aerith came in a dream when you disappeared."

"How was everyone?" Cloud wasn't sure he wanted to know, but he had to ask.

"Supportive."

"Tifa?"

"I'm to kick your ass if you mope too much."

"And…Denzel?"

Cloud felt Vincent's hand fall onto his left shoulder. "Strong."

Cloud covered the hand. "How did Yuffie take it?" He felt a minute shiver cover Vincent. Those two had grown close over the years. This separation was hurting the gunman as badly as it was hurting him.

"I didn't ask."

"I miss them."

"We can't."

"I know."

"You can't what?" A voice from the bed interrupted them.

…

Zack woke up suddenly from the spelled sleep he was under. His head felt light, almost empty because of it. He had a few bones to pick with his new friend about that. Friends don't use status materia against friends. Friends also don't drop friends into beds with Turks and he better not have taken any pictures. He could feel Tseng pressed along his side and if the tension in his body was anything to go by, he was awake and eavesdropping on Cloud's conversation with the demon. It surprised Zack a little in the back of his mind that Tseng was awake before him as Soldiers tended to shake off status spells faster than the unenhanced.

Zack opened one eye slightly to assess the situation. Cloud was straddled over a desk chair with all the drama of a doomed heroine and the demon was draped over the blond looking like he was waiting for the right time to either eat him or run off with him. From their conversation about people they both obviously knew, they weren't strangers but close friends. Zack was lied to. He really didn't like being lied to. Friends don't lie to friends.

He was already tired of subtlety, time for the direct approach. No matter what he was going to get answers.

"Well, you can't what?" he asked again. He heard Tseng groan behind him.

Both Cloud and the demon froze and stared at him. He sat up to face them and let his legs fall to the floor. This probably wasn't the kind of talk to take lying down. Tseng gave up playing possum and stood up to walk around the bed and sat next to him. Zack crossed his arms and glared at the two.

Instead of answering him the demon looked down at Cloud, his claw flexing on Cloud's shoulder and asked him "Ten to fifteen minutes?"

Cloud shrugged and ruffled his hair.

"I think you owe us some answers Spike." Zack wanted to stay calm.

"I don't know where to start. I didn't exactly plan for this." Cloud said. "It actually goes against the plans."

The demon moved back a little but he still hovered over him like he was ready to strike any second. Was the demon threatening Cloud? They obviously knew each other and were both experiments of Hojo. Could the demon be responsible for what happened to Cloud?

"Let's start with introductions." Tseng suggested.

Cloud shifted in his seat "OK… I'm Cloud Strife. That much is true. This is Vincent Valentine, one of my dearest friends."

"Yeah and…?" Zack goaded.

Cloud hesitated. He looked torn then glanced behind him at the demon. They conversed silently again and Zack was getting impatient. The demon, Vincent, finally nodded once and Cloud turned back to them with determination shining in his mako eyes.

"Vincent and I are Weapons sent from the future by the last Cetra to stop the parasite Jenova before she can destroy the world."

Silence…

More silence…

…

"Come again?"