Hello again

Hello again! Man, school is kicking my butt right now. So much homework I can't even do the laundry! So I suppose I will most likely be posting on Sundays, unless my school is nice and will tone down the papers, tests, and other crappy assignments. Thanks to all of those who continue reading and reviewing I appreciate it. I hope you all are still enjoying this story. –Annubis

Disclaimer: I do not own final fantasy VII, Squaresoft does.

Chapter 29

Zack slowly opened his eyes. The storm outside had calmed greatly. The rain slapped the window pain softly as a low murmur of thunder growled miles away. He scooted closer to the warm body next to him, smiling as she stirred in her sleep. She mumbled something and twitched slightly.

"Hrm…run…no. get…away…" She whispered.

'Is she having a nightmare?' Zack brought his face close to hers, listening.

"Cl…oud…run…" She whimpered.

'Cloud?' He sat up a little. 'She's dreaming about Cloud?'

"Aeris…" He tapped her on the shoulder.

"Get out. Go." She mumbled.

'Something bad is happening in her dream…' Zack smiled and kissed her on the forehead. He ran a hand through her hair. Aeris curled into a ball and rolled over, facing him. She pressed her face against the crook of his neck. Zack wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. He felt sleep take over him.

"I love you." He whispered.

"…love you…" She whispered. "Cloud…"

"Hrmm." Zack smiled and then it hit him. She had said Cloud. He looked at her a moment and then shook away the thought. 'She was just dreaming about him. It was nothing. She didn't mean it like that.' Zack smiled and kissed her again.

"Za…ck…" She whispered and nuzzled his chin. He smiled and fell quickly asleep.

The sound of small birds singing awoke the man. He shuffled slightly and felt he could not move. He looked down and was startled. He had almost forgotten. Cid stared at the thin woman lying practically on top of him. He smiled and brushed some hair away from her neck. She stirred slightly and wrapped an arm around his neck.

"Damn…Shera." He chuckled quietly. He remembered they did not make it far. The couch broke their fall and they had slept there all night. He looked around and groaned from the pain in his lower back. Shera opened her eyes quickly. She stared at him a moment and then smiled.

"We need a bigger couch." He gave her a crooked smile and placed his hands over her back. He laughed when he saw her blush. She covered her face and scooted higher on his frame, hugging him. Cid yawned and quickly fell back asleep, despite the bright sunlight flooding through the windows.

"So, what are we goin' to do now?" Aeris asked the man.

"Hmm…I don't know. What would you like to do?" He wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Over there!" She pointed and ran towards the old playground. "You see this?" She climbed the small slide and sat on top of the cat head that surrounded it. She kicked her feet, waiting for the man to join her.

"What's wrong?" She looked back at him.

"Scared of heights…" He smirked and slowly made his way to the top of the slide as well.

"I don't believe that." She giggled and turned her head to look back at the giant dividing sector door.

"Hmm, ya never know. Maybe I'm scared of a lot of things." He sat next to her. What he did not admit was he was actually staring at her, watching her beautiful form as she innocently climbed the playground equipment. The only thing he was scared of was losing her. She was unlike any girl he had seen before.

"Like spiders?" She shivered. He laughed.

"You bet. Those creep the shit outta me!" He scratched his head. "Where does that lead to?" He pointed at the giant door in front of them. He knew the answer; he just wanted to hear her voice.

"I don't know." She shook her head. This surprised him.

"Doesn't it lead to another sector?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No." She shook her head. Her mood changed suddenly and leapt from the slide.

"Where ya goin'?" He followed her, but she was running to fast.

"It's not that anymore. It's something else." She stopped at the gate and pressed her face against the metal. "I wanna find out where it goes." She pulled on the door.

"But…why?" He could not move. He was running in place. She turned to him quickly.

"Because…I want to see…him…" Aeris cried.

"Him? Who are you talking about?" He reached out for her.

"I want to find out the end of the story!" She tugged on the door and it opened slowly. A bright light poured into his vision. It was blinding.

'What's happening?' The man thought to himself.

"Come on, Cloud." She ran into the light.

"Cloud?" He looked at his hands and then stared at the metallic slide behind him. He had no face. It was blurred. Only blue eyes penetrated through the smear. "No…" He lowered his head.

"Sleepy head!" Zack felt a tug on his shoulder.

"Hrm!?" He lifted his head quickly. His body jolted. He heard a giggle above him.

"Did I scare you?" Aeris poked fun at him.

"A lil…" He muttered. "I was dreaming…"

'Such a weird dream…' He shook it out of his head.

"I think you should go back to the couch…" Aeris whispered. "I don't know what time it is, but I can tell it's still early. I don't think mom is up yet."

"Okay…" He whined and sat up slowly, yawning. He began to pull out of the covers when Aeris jumped out of the bed and shouted.

"Wait!" She leaned forward, picking an item off of the floor. She smiled and threw it at him. Zack caught a piece of cloth and stared at it. He blushed, recognizing the item. It was his underwear.

"Oh…I might need those." He chuckled and pulled the covers over his head, hiding himself.

"I sure hope mom isn't awake." Aeris bit her lower lip. "I don't think it's too early." She looked out the window at the bright, low sun. Birds chirped and fluttered by the glass.

"But I thought you said you didn't care what your mom thought." Zack got out of the bed and walked slowly towards her. He wrapped his arms around her.

"At the time I didn't." She giggled.

"Oh great." Zack sighed. "You are gonna be the death of me." He whined.

"Stop saying that!" She turned around. "I think mom likes you."

"Well at least she used to. If she finds out, I'm dead meat…" He let go of her and slowly made his way to the door.

"Be quiet when you leave. I'll be out in a minute." She whispered.

"All right…all right…" Zack sighed as he slowly cracked the door. He peaked through for a second and scooted out quickly. He could hear Aeris giggling in the background as he trotted down the hall towards the living room. He reached over the couch quickly wrapping a blanket around him.

"I thought I heard something…" A voice called out from behind him. Zack froze, goose bumps prickled his skin. He turned slowly giving a sheepish grin.

"Mornin' Mrs. Gainsborough." He pulled the covers over him tighter. She was standing in the kitchen doorway, a spatula in her hand. He had to pass the room on his way to the living room.

"Sleep well?" She leaned against the door frame.

"…Y, yes ma'am…" Zack covered his face, hiding every inch of him under the covers; his feet were the only visible part of his body. He didn't see the grin cross Mrs. Gainsborough's face.

'He reminds me of him, before he died.' She stifled a laugh staring at the childish gesture.

"I'm making breakfast, why don't you get washed up?" She said in her most serious voice she could manage and returned to the kitchen. Zack waited a moment and pulled his head out of the blanket.

'I'm so dead…' He whined quietly as he made his way to the bathroom. He shut the door. A moment later, Aeris made her way into the hall. She was dressed and combing her hair.

"Aeris! I would like to have a talk with you." Elmyra's voice echoed. She stopped dead in her tracks. The bathroom door next to her popped open and Zack stuck out his head.

"She knows…." He whined and entered the bathroom again. Aeris gasped and looked down the hall towards the kitchen.

'She's making breakfast!' Aeris muffled a cry and slowly made her way to the kitchen. She took a deep breath and put on a show.

"Mornin' mom!" Aeris gave her mother a hug.

"Morning sweetie." She returned the hug and kissed her on the cheek. Aeris noticed they were not alone. Marlene was sitting on the counter; a big grin crossed her face.

"Hi Marlene." Aeris grinned back. "What're you so happy about?"

"I know something you don't know!" She giggled and pulled a cookie out of the nearby cookie jar.

"Oh?" She looked at Elmyra, her face burning in embarrassment.

"No more cookies. You'll spoil your breakfast." Elmyra shook the spatula at the young girl and turned her attention back to the eggs she was scrambling.

"I decided to get up early this morning and make a big breakfast." She started. "Does Zack like scrambled eggs?" She asked.

"Yeah I think so. He pretty much will eat anything." Aeris leaned against the fridge.

"That's good. Ya know I like that boy. He reminds me of your father." She looked over at Aeris. "Well, my husband."

"I know what you mean." Aeris nodded.

"Does he take good care of you?" She asked the young woman.

"Yes, mom. He always has." Aeris opened the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice.

"And what about those five years he was missing?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Mom you know what happened. I know it was tough but he couldn't help what happened." Aeris set the table.

"I know, I just want to make sure he isn't gonna run off again." Her voice sounded almost threatening.

"He won't! Mom he really loves me!" Aeris crossed her arms.

"I know. I could see that this morning when I came into the living room and he was missing again." She didn't look back at Aeris but stared at the bacon she was turning over. Aeris blushed wildly again. Marlene giggled and leapt from the counter.

"Mom…" Aeris sighed, covering her face. She heard Elmyra cackle. "Mom?"

"You look like a tomato!" The woman placed some toast into the toaster.

"Oh mom!" Aeris stood up. "You're just giving me a hard time!" Aeris was flustered and it made her mother laugh even more.

"Yes I am. He's a good boy and I trust he will take care of you. If not…" She turned around, staring at the doorway. "I'll just have to have a one on one chat with him." She smirked. Aeris turned her head to find Zack in the doorway, wet and covered with a towel. He was tiptoeing by the kitchen and was caught by Elmyra.

"Huh?" He asked nervously.

"You're naked!" Marlene giggled and covered her face. Zack turned beet red. He ran into the living room. Elmyra laughed again.

"Mom! Stop embarrassing him!" Aeris put her hands on her hips.

"Ah!" A shout sounded from the living room. Marlene ran into the hall.

"Zack?" Aeris faced the doorway. A moment later he came darting into the kitchen.

"Where are my clothes!?" He asked in a panic.

"Why, I washed them." Elmyra tilted her head. "They're in the dryer right now."

"Oh no!" Zack turned in circles. "Where?"

"Zack! What's gotten into you?" Aeris felt embarrassed.

"Come, boy. I'll show you." Elmyra left the kitchen. "Aeris, watch the food will you?"

"Okay mom." Aeris made her way to the stove, preparing the food. Marlene ran to her side, trying to be of some help.

"It's in here." Elmyra led Zack to the back of the apartment. "What worries you so much, dear?"

"Um…it's nothing really. I…just had something important in my clothes and I didn't want anything bad to happen to it." Zack stared at the dryer as the clothes tumbled and turned. "It should be okay. I just don't know about the box it was in though…"

"Oh…you mean this?" Elmyra opened a small drawer in the small cabinet next to the washer. Zack's eyes widened.

"Yeah…that's it." He felt hot in the face.

"Don't worry honey; I wouldn't let this get ruined." She placed it softly in his hand. She winked at him. Zack let out a deep breath.

"Thanks, Mrs. Gainsborough…." He opened the case and stared at the shiny item. "You looked inside?" He asked.

"Of course I did." She smiled. "And call me mom." She giggled and walked out of the room, leaving Zack to himself.

"Mom…?" He whined. "At least she didn't kill me…" He sighed and opened the dryer removing his clothes. It was going to be a long weekend at the Gainsborough home.

Reno yawned loudly. He had been up all night watching over the experiment, making sure nothing wrong occurred.

"We're almost done." Lucrecia whispered. "Everything has gone very well. I just hope nothing has happened to his memory while he was…dead."

Dead. The word itself sent chills down Reno's spine. He held onto his coffee, one arm wrapped around him. He was freezing. He stared at the dark liquid, wishing it was something harder. It had been days since he had any alcohol and he was feeling sick to his stomach. He looked around the room. Elena was passed out on one of the boxes in the corner. A small blanket found in a med kit wrapped around her. Tseng was watching Lucrecia with the utmost interest and Rude was dozing in the doorway, keeping watch for intruders.

"How long has it been?" Reno whined. Tseng glanced at his watch.

"About thirteen hours." He rubbed his eyes.

"Gah." Reno sighed. "I hope it doesn't take another thirteen."

"Don't worry. It'll be no more than an hour…" She rubbed her hands. "Then we can move him to a different location and finish procedures elsewhere. This is the hard part. Once he's awake everything will be a piece of cake."

Cake. How that sounded so good right now. Reno imagined the last time he had a real cake. It was his twenty first birthday. His friends had made him double layered cake with creamy frosting. It was the biggest cake he had ever seen in the slums. It took days to finish it off and after that he vowed never to eat another piece ever again, and he didn't. But now, anything sounded good. The soft cake, swirls of chocolate in the middle, thick bubbles of frosting bordering the top and bottom with sprinkled decorations. He smiled at the thought. How such a cheesy memory could come back to mind and set him at peace. It quickly turned into hunger however. His stomach growled noisily in the silent room.

"Hungry?" Tseng glanced at the red head.

"Yeah I suppose." Reno chuckled and patted his stomach.

"We'll eat when she's finished." Tseng stared at Lucrecia.

"Well, we're in luck." She said with her voice full of surprise. "He's awake…"

Tifa sat on her bed staring at the wall in front of her. How long had she been there in that exact place? She wondered. How long had it been since Vincent's visit? She stood up slowly, her body aching. She almost felt like she was sick. Her body was freezing but felt like it was on fire. Every muscle ached to the bone and her head felt full. She made her way down the stairs slowly. The thumping and creaking hurt her ears. She glanced out the front door. It had rained again and the town was full of puddles and mud.

"…" She stumbled outside. Her boots sloshed in the thick mud around her. She stopped suddenly. Her eyes were pulled to the giant well in the center of the town. Her eyes were playing tricks on her. There was a man sitting atop it. She almost thought he had blonde hair as well.

Thunder rolled off the mountainside. Rain drizzled down her feverish form. She walked slowly, her hair standing on end. The mirage was still there. She trotted slowly to the ladder and glanced up. The man was soaking wet, shivering in the cold. Absolute misery crossed his face. His blue eyes were sad. Tifa climbed the ladder slowly. He turned and looked at her.

"Cloud?" She whispered. He blinked and then held a hand out to her. She timidly grasped it; there was no glove on it, no armor. It was the first contact she had with him in weeks and it wasn't covered. It was the real him. She felt a tear slide down her cheek.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered and sat next to him.

"I…promised…" He whispered.

"What?" She kept her distance.

"That I would come for you, whenever you were in a pinch." He looked down at her. "Am I right?"

"…Hmm." She nodded.

"I'll come for you, Tifa." He whispered and faded away. He was gone. Tifa fell backwards, leaning against the well. She felt new tears stain her cheeks.

"I'm…going crazy…" She whispered through harsh sobs.

The next couple of days seemed almost normal. Zack and Aeris roamed the streets of Kalm looking at the merchandise and playing with their chocobo. It had rained a lot of the time, but they managed to throw in time for a picnic. Marlene, of course had joined them. Things were almost perfect. There was only one thing that was missing.

'I haven't asked her yet…' Zack stared at the box in his hand. No moment had seemed right yet. It was either an inappropriate time or Marlene and Elmyra were near. He wanted it to be perfect. It wasn't like he enjoyed seeing her cry, but he wanted that type of emotion to come after he asked. He wanted to see her surprise, her tears slide down her cheeks and then a hug, full of the most love. He wanted all of her emotion to show and he wasn't going to get it if the time wasn't right.

"Zack? Come on, slow poke!" Aeris grabbed his other arm from behind. He quickly shoved the box into his pocket. "There's a fair outside of town!" She tugged on him.

"You want to ride some of the rides?" He asked her.

"Yeah! Like the Ferris wheel!" She giggled.

"No roller coasters?" He pouted.

"They don't have any. Sorry." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on his cheek. Zack smiled at the public display of affection. She usually avoided contact when in public.

'Maybe I can ask her on the Ferris wheel.' He smiled.

"Wait! Wait for me!" A child's voice called.

"Oh! Marlene!" Aeris turned around quickly.

"Mom said that you were going to the fair! Can I come?" Marlene grinned and held onto Zack's leg.

"Mom…" Aeris rolled her eyes. She looked at Zack. He smiled at her and then looked down at Marlene.

"Of course you can come!" He lifted her from the ground and carried her on his shoulders. "We're going to ride the Ferris wheel." He looked up at her.

"The big one!?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged his face. He smiled.

"Yeah!" He grinned.

"Is it scary?" She looked worried.

"Naw! Besides, you got me, right?" He winked.

"You'll protect me!?" Marlene blushed.

"Of course." Zack kissed her hand. Aeris watched the two as they walked down the streets. Many of the townsfolk stared at them. She felt uncomfortable at first but then realized why they were staring. By the way Zack reacted around Marlene everyone thought that she was their child. Aeris felt her heart flutter. The idea of having children and starting a family with Zack excited her. She would bring it up later in private to embarrass him. She giggled.

"What's so funny?" He asked Aeris.

"Oh, nothing!" She waved a hand at him. The small group made their way to the rides.

They spent most of the day at the festival listening to the bands and riding rides. Zack had played numerous games and had won a teddy bear for Marlene. For Aeris he had gotten a giant octopus. She laughed and played with its legs. Randomly throughout the day she would ambush Zack and attack him with the giant stuffed animal. This always sent Marlene into a fit of giggles. They made their way to another booth. A little girl with brown pigtails, maybe a year or two older than Marlene was staring at a moogle doll. Her eyes were staring at the doll; she didn't move and didn't say a word.

"Would you like that toy?" Zack asked the child. She snapped out of her spell and backed away at first. "You alright?" He asked her.

"…Mom…and Dad…" She cried. She pointed at the doll. "Mom had made me one just like it, but it got lost when the buildings fell."

"What happened?" Zack kneeled next to the girl. He had a worried look on his face.

"I can't find them." She wiped her eyes.

"Are you from around here?" He asked her.

"No…I'm from Midgar." She wiped her eyes. The statement made Zack turn cold. Her parents were obviously killed during the last attack on Midgar. "A man in a blue suit found me. He took me here and said that everything would be alright. He has been taking care of me since. Said I could go home later when the mess is cleaned up."

Zack looked back at Aeris. She held onto Marlene tightly. This girl was an orphan and didn't have a home.

"What's his name?" Marlene asked.

"Reeve…" The girl sobbed. "He is very nice. Said he worked for Shinra." She smiled. "He has a robot!" Marlene and the girl talked about the man and quickly became good friends.

"Cait Sith." Zack stood up.

"Sounds like it." Aeris nodded.

"At least she's in good hands." Zack sighed and stared at the moogle doll. He put down the last of his gil and pointed at the doll. The man nodded and handed him a couple of darts and a bandana. He winked at the little girl and tied the bandana over his eyes. He threw all three darts at once, hitting the center of the target.

"Well I'll be!" The man in the booth stared in disbelief. "You got 'em all in the center!"

Zack took off the blindfold and smiled. The little girl ran to his side and laughed with amusement.

"That was cool!" She jumped up and down. "How'd you do it?"

"Luck I guess." Zack smiled as he grabbed the stuffed animal. It was the nicest doll on the rack, actually soft and made of good quality. The man had said it was the winning display. He only gave it out to those who could impress him. Zack had done just that.

"You won the moogle!" She jumped up and down.

"I won it for you." Zack smiled and held the doll out to the girl. She stared at it a moment and looked up at Zack.

"Me?" She was shocked and then full of joy. She grabbed it lightly and stared at its face. "Thank you! Thank you!" She hugged it tightly and then wrapped her arms around Zack's waist.

"There you are." A familiar voice sounded. The girl with pigtails turned around and ran towards a robotic mog and cat.

"Look! Look what he won for me!" She held up the soft plush for the cat to see.

"Now, wasn't that nice of him?" the cat purred and looked up at Zack.

"Cait Sith." Aeris smiled.

"Hello." He waved. He looked back down at the girl.

"You know the robot?" She asked with curiosity.

"He's a friend of ours." Aeris nodded. The little girl looked back up at Cait Sith.

"Reeve was looking for you. He sent me out here to make sure you were alright." Cait Sith informed the girl. "He promises he will take you to the fair again tomorrow, just the two of you and ride on the rides."

"Really!?" She leapt with excitement, the moogle flopping in her arm.

"Yup! Now why don't you head on home dinner will be ready soon." The girl nodded and waved at Marlene and the others.

"Thanks again!" She shouted and headed down the brick streets for her home.

"Isn't that sweet?" Aeris asked. Cait Sith shuffled.

"She's a good girl. I couldn't have left her alone out there."

"I'm glad. You have a good heart." Aeris pet Cait Sith. He purred quietly and grinned.

"How long are you here?" He asked.

"Um…I'm not sure. We were just visiting mom and Marlene." Aeris smiled at the girl.

"What about your parents?" Cait Sith turned towards Zack.

"Oh!" Zack rubbed the back of his neck. "To be honest…it never crossed my mind."

"You're parents!?" Aeris gasped. "Oh, Zack! We have to see them!"

"I know. We will." Zack sighed. He felt bad about forgetting his parents.

"They are so worried about you! We're leaving tomorrow!" Aeris stomped her foot.

"Awww….you're leaving tomorrow!?" Marlene looked up at the two.

"We have to, sweetie." Aeris held her hand. "Don't worry, your dad will come and visit you soon. Maybe he'll be here when the carnival is still going and you can make him ride all the rides with you!"

"Yay!" Marlene giggled. "I'll make him ride the carousel with me, and the bumper cars…and the ponies!" she listed off the children's rides, putting an amusing mental picture of Barret in one of the small boats and cars meant for children.

"That's right! Make him do everything with you!" Zack winked.

"Sounds like you all are having fun. Only a couple of days left." Cait Sith lowered his head. "I'll see you then." He waved and hopped away from them.

"He's coming back as well!" Aeris was happy. "I'm glad we have such great friends."

"I'm hungry." Marlene interrupted.

"Oh! Okay!" Aeris shuffled through her small pouch. "Shall we get hotdogs?"

"Hot dogs!" Zack cheered. Aeris jumped at his excitement.

The nights were growing long. Aeris would twist and turn murmuring and whimpering. She had been doing it since they had visited her mother, but it was getting worse as time went by. Zack turned to wake her.

"Cloud. CLOUD!" She yelled. Zack sighed. He wanted to know what the fuss was about Cloud. Every time he brought it up she would just laugh and say she couldn't remember. There was one thing Aeris was bad at and that was lying.

"Aeris." Zack yawned and nudged her.

"What!?" She awoke abruptly. "Cloud!" She wrapped her arms around Zack.

"What's this about Cloud?" Zack asked. He was starting to get irritated. He too was beginning to have dreams that he was Cloud.

"What?" She looked up at him.

"You keep calling me Cloud and you are constantly dreaming about him." Zack sighed.

"I'm sorry Zack. I have no idea what's going on." She rubbed her eyes.

"You sure are having a lot of dreams about him. You got a crush on him?" Zack chuckled, it was meant to be a joke.

"No!" She said rather harsh and pulled the covers around her.

"I was just kidding." He scooted away from her. "What's going on, Aeris?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it." She said with irritation. "Just go back to sleep, we have to get up early and leave."

"O, okay." Zack felt his heart sink. She had never sounded so irritated with him before. 'She's lying. Does she really have feelings for him still?' Zack turned away from her and closed his eyes, forcing sleep upon him.

'I'll wait till tomorrow to bring it up again. Maybe she won't be so grumpy.'

Vincent wandered through the streets of Nibelheim. It was cold and dark. He looked up at the window to Tifa's room. There were no lights. He couldn't see if she was still there.

'Maybe I should check up on her.' Vincent thought. He quickly shoved the thought out of his mind. 'She didn't wait for me. She probably ran to Cloud.'

His vacant eyes scanned the mud and puddles in the ground. He heard the murmur of thunder and turned his attention to the gate in front of him. He was standing in front of the Shinra mansion. The thought of Lucrecia and Hojo flashed through his mind. He frowned. He pushed on the gate it creaked loudly in the night. He made his way up the path, his footsteps clunked on the old wooden stairs. He stopped in front of the entrance to the building.

"I cannot let it haunt me. I am here for one reason only and that is not to sleep." Vincent took a deep breath and shoved the heavy door open. It groaned, like a moaning wolf in pain. Lightning flashed behind him as he shut the door. It was like being at home. He had grown so accustomed to this dark place. The dusty smell and cobwebs were a welcome. He made his way to the staircase in the other room. He stared at the spirals as it lowered another story to the dark halls below.

Vincent took a deep breath. He was almost frightened to go back. He hadn't thought of what it would feel like to return to this lonely hell. He waited a minute and then slowly descended the staircase. The moans of nearby spirits haunted his mind. He remembered those who died at the hands of Hojo. The ghosts here wanted him and they could smell him within Vincent. He was the key to Hojo.

"Leave me alone." Vincent groaned. He didn't feel like hearing it today. He was tormented enough.

His footsteps were soft on the dust and dirt in the halls near the lab. He glared at the skulls and bones lining the walls. He didn't know they're story but he knew it wouldn't be a happy one. He didn't care to know. He stopped at the entrance to the lab. The last time he had seen it, he had awoken from his deep sleep on the operating table. He took a step in and turned the corner quickly towards the library in the back. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he had all the time to look for it.

"…" He stared at the numbers and letters explaining the experimentations. He even came across the reports about Zack and Cloud. He read them with great interest. The soldiers even performed a cover-up about Zack's death. They never mentioned the incidents that happened afterwards. Hojo wanting to further investigate why Jenova's cells had no 'effect'. How he revived the ex-soldier. Vincent placed the reports back onto the shelves. He had been searching for hours, read everything important he needed to know, everything about Sephiroth, everything about Professor Gast, Hojo himself, Shinra and the clones. He couldn't find anything about Lucrecia however, besides the connections with Sephiroth.

"Lucrecia…" He whispered as he shuffled through the drawers in the desk, the last place to look. Even though it was dark and silent in the basement, he could tell it was already morning. He could smell it. He opened the middle drawer and shuffled through the stacks of paper and pencils and other pointless tools. He slammed it shut and searched through the others. He sat on the floor and was ready to give up when he noticed a separate hidden section to the middle drawer underneath the desk. He pulled on it, tearing it from the desk. A heavy thump sounded in front of him as the contents fell. He stared at the book a moment and lifted it.

"A…journal…" He flipped through the pages and immediately recognized the writing. It was Lucrecia's journal. He read every word of it, absorbing the painful information like a sponge. Some pages were torn out, others scribbled over. He wondered how someone couldn't even get personal with themselves. It was her journal yet, she couldn't tell herself the truth. He stopped at some useful information. It mentioned his father.

"I am tormented every time I see him. I feel so guilty when I look into his eyes. He is so forgiving yet I myself cannot forgive. Sometimes I want to run up to him and embrace him, tell him I'm so sorry about his father, that I didn't want it to end that way. He saving my life was one of the most painful things to ever happen to me. I shouldn't have been spared. He deserved to live. The man was a genius. I enjoyed every minute with him. Now, I see Vincent and I can't not think about his father. It kills me. I wonder if he actually ever forgave me? I wonder if he secretly hates me?"

The depression continued for pages. And then Vincent found what it was he was looking for.

"Today he asked me to marry him. I knew it was coming, why didn't I think about it? I couldn't say yes, I just couldn't. I love him so much that it hurts. I can't look at those innocent eyes. Those gentle, loving eyes. It makes me feel like a coward and a monster. I causing his father's death because of my own carelessness. I ruined his life, like I have ruined mine. I never loved Hojo. He was nothing but a scientist to me. An experiment…that's why I agreed to it. I didn't want to hurt Vincent, but it was the only solution. I hurt him when his father died, and I hurt him even more by saying no."

Vincent felt tears in his eyes. He never knew she loved him. All these years, he thought that she was killed, murdered by the madman for experimentation. Then he finds out that she is alive and everything he believed was a lie. She did love him, but couldn't bare the pain.

"I am so lonely. Why did I agree to do such a terrible thing? I dream of my beautiful son…he is a monster. Just like his father. I dread I have created a madman. Will he ruin this planet, like my dreams say so? Is Jenova taking over everything left in him that's human? I saw him today. His beautiful jade eyes stared at me. His hair was growing so fast, long and shining silver. I've never seen such a beautiful child. He was like an angel. I wanted to hold him, kiss him, and tell him stories. It wasn't possible. Hojo didn't allow it. Sephiroth…what does that mean? I've never heard that name before. It's fitting I suppose. I still get chills thinking of that stare. He looked at me and held out a hand to me. I got chills. Did he recognize me? He actually smiled at me. A cute little grin. I cried. He looked at me with his final innocence. He frowned when he saw me cry. I think I actually saw him cry too. Was he feeling what I was? Did he know what was happening? I ran into the other room. Hojo had gotten his attention. He turned his head away quickly, his eyes lost all warmth. He sat amongst the piles of blocks listening attentively. My baby, taken from my arms never to return."

Vincent stared at the next page. He felt himself get cold.

"I saw him today! Vincent was in that tank! That dreadful tank! His beautiful form was stolen by Hojo. I hated him for it. He took the final thing I loved away from me. I injected him with G Substance. It was the only way I could save him. But that monster is taking over him. I fear he won't be able to control it. I used that ancient materia. That Protomateria. I hope it serves well enough to control the beast inside. He'll go mad, if it doesn't. Oh, Vincent, I'm so sorry. You deserved none of this. I can't take it anymore. I am growing mad myself. I need to leave this place. The only way I fear…is death…"

Vincent stared at the next blank page. She was through with life. She actually did die. She couldn't handle the pain anymore, and tried killing herself. Jenova prevented it, but she succeeded in giving up mentally. He held onto the book tightly. This was the woman he cared the most about. This was the woman he loved more than anything, would give his life up for. She loved him, and he failed her. He let Hojo get the best of him.

"Hojo!" Vincent squeezed the book. "I hope you burn in hell…" he growled in rage. Hojo had won, despite it all. He got what he wanted. Disaster and pain.

Alright have to end it here, so sorry. I hope you all enjoyed it still. Next chapter shall be an interesting one. More conflict, more emotions, more fluff. Thanks for reading I really hope you all are enjoying this story. Please read and review. -Annubis