Everything hurts when I'm turned onto my back. The fingers pressed to my neck, searching for a pulse, burning my skin. My bones cry out in agony when two arms lift me into the air, life-flighting me into the hallway where hushed voices converse quickly. The light stings my eyelids and my groan echoes around my head like a cry for help in an empty cave. The voices go quiet. My head throbs when it touches a pillow and a sharp pressure comes from my face before every sense fades one by one.

The next time I wake up, I'm staring up at a bright ceiling that shoots a blaring pain through my skull. I squeeze my eyes back shut, wincing. I try to lift my arm to shield my face from the light, but my hurts even more.

"Take it easy."

I jump, that agonizing pain blinding me again. I brave it through narrowed eyes to see Tseng sitting at my bedside, arms crossed. "Shit," I huff, letting myself fall backward. "I'm—"

"No. I am not particularly pleased that I had to fly back here in a rush because you were reported missing only for me to find that you'd thrown a temper tantrum in my home." He frowns. "You will be paying for those damages, by the way."

"I know," I sigh. "Tseng, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."

"To me, it looks like you threw a drunken fit in my—"

"No, that's not it."

"Then what? I thought you didn't know."

"… They came back," I mumble, staring up at the lights until I get used to the lights.

"Who?"

"Voices." He doesn't answer. I take a deep breath, shaking my head. Ow. "They… told me that you were going to die. You, Rufus, and Reno. And that I was going to do it." I bite down on the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to look at him. "I didn't know what was happening. I was afraid."

"And Marx?"

"They didn't mention him." I turn back to the ceiling. "I don't know what to do."

"The effects wore off early," he murmurs. I frown.

"You told him to—"

"Yes, you already knew that," he retorts, raising an eyebrow. "How much do you remember?"

"Just the bits and pieces I've seen over the past week or so."

"Kat…" he sighs, shaking his head. "There were inexcusable things that you did. I had to take precautions to ensure your safety beyond Sector Two."

"Why does everyone keep talking about Sector Two?" I scoff, rolling my eyes. "Why won't you tell me what happened?"

"You'll see for yourself soon enough."

"Fine. Be that way." I toy with the blankets. "How long have I been here?"

"You were last seen eighteen hours before I found you," he answers, though his voice sounds distant. "You've been in bed for two days."

"Three days," I mutter. "Reno didn't say anything?"

"No. Did he know where you went?"

"No…" I shake my head. You're mine. I shiver, dreading the next time I have to see him. It makes me sick to know everything was fine a few days ago, but now, I can't stand the thought of seeing my closest friend. "Does he know?"

"What?"

"Where I was?"

"He was there when I found you," he replies, frowning. "What difference does it make?"

"… Was he mad?"

"No?"

"Good."

"Okay." He stands, straightening his clothes. "I got you your own place to stay by the rest of us. The key is on this table."

"Where are you going?"

"I have some business to conduct with Scarlet in Gongaga. After that, we'll see. As long as the President is out there, I can't leave him alone."

"Why'd you come back for me?" I ask, propping myself up on my sore elbows. He pauses, pressing his lips together. With a shake of his head, he heads toward the door of the infirmary room.

"Taavi. Get some rest."

I drift back off into a light, restless sleep. No dreams, no darkness. The occasional flash of light when I accidentally close my eyes, frustrated that I can't turn over to get off my back. The mattress is thin and springy, uncomfortable and cheap. No wonder Reno got cranky after spending so much time here. I jolt awake when the door swings open, sitting up slowly to watch as Rude hurls Reno into the room, pulling him by his collar and shoving him further in.

"No, no, no, no—Ow!" Reno cries, crashing into the floor on his hands and knees. Rude closes the door, nodding toward me.

"Tseng told us you woke up."

"Yeah? How do I look?" I raise an eyebrow. "Wasn't expecting company."

"Like shit," Reno huffs, getting to his feet and brushing off his shirt. Rude grunts in agreement, holding out a potion. If I could squeal, I would.

"Gods, I love you, Rude," I gush, downing the potion in one go.

"Hey, I love 'im, too," Reno huffs, slumping against the wall. "Doncha love me back, partner?"

"Not at this moment, no."

"Well, how about this one?"

"No."

"Now?"

"No."

"How about… now?"

"Reno—"

"Oh!" He cries, snapping his fingers. "It's this one, ain't it?"

"… No."

"Fine." Reno crosses his arms, rolling his eyes and refusing to look at me. "Not fuckin' apologizing."

"Apologizing?" I frown, looking to Rude for an answer.

"Reno—"

"Don't 'Reno' me!" the redhead snaps. "You know what she did!"

"Wait, are we talking about me?" I frown.

"No!" Reno huffs, finally turning to scowl at me. "We are talking about you."

"That's what I said."

"Fuck off!" he scoffs, throwing his hands in the air.

"So you are mad at me."

"Wow. Got ourselves a real Sherlock Holmes, Chief!"

"Reno." Rude touches his glasses. I don't think he's ever looked this irritated with his partner. What is going on?

"She ruined everything!"

"How did I—"

"Don't play innocent. You know what I mean!" he shouts. I cringe when the sound burns through my ears, ringing through my head like a gong. Rude shoots Reno a warning frown.

"I don't though," I huff, losing my temper. It hurts a lot more after bashing my head against a wall.

"Just admit it already—"

"I can't!"

"What if I was gonna ask Tseng, huh? Bet he'd know!"

"Then ask Tseng!"

"Bet you've been sleepin' with the Boss, too!" he huffs.

"Ew, Reno!"

"Reno, she doesn't remember," Rude sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Oh, so now you're defending her!"

"Actually, I can affirm that," someone butts in. Marx steps into the room, meeting Reno's death glare head-on. "In fact, I'm the reason she can't. Ask away." Proud of it, too.

"The hell?" Reno snaps.

"To her, you're spouting nonsense and making false accusations," he explains shrugging. "She has absolutely no recollection of anything you could be referring to if you mean to pull the past into the present."

"Gee, should've hired you as my psychologist earlier," I scoff.

"What did you do to her?!" Reno demands, still worked up.

"I simply erased a select portion of her life from her memories. Simple as that."

"The fuck?! Wait until Tseng hears—"

"Tseng ordered the operation," Marx interrupts, cocking his head to the side. He glances at me, eyebrow raised. "Neither of you said anything to him?"

"No," Rude sighs. Reno's hands ball into fists and he stomps a foot on the ground.

"What the hell, man! This what you were hiding from me?"

"Yeah."

"Fuck this shit," he huffs, pushing Rude aside and heading out the door. I take a deep breath, making sure Marx knows I'm thoroughly displeased. He wasn't supposed to learn about it like this.

"You said they're coming back?" he asks, unfazed. "Memories, voices, and such?"

"Yeah."

"I take it this gentleman knows about your condition?"

"Yeah, well, he didn't' get much of a choice."

"Hm." He unlocks a drawer and pries open a case. Inside rests a line of syringes filled with an unassuming fluid. "You look strong. Would you mind holding her down while I give her this?"

"No," I butt in, glaring up at Rude. "Rude, do not."

"Trust me when I say that it's in everyone's best interest," Marx argues, eyeing the needle in his hand. "Look what happened the instant her friends returned."

"I want to remember!" I cry, scooting further up the bed when Marx comes closer.

"Rude is it?" Marx pauses, pushing his glasses up. Rude frowns. "I know—you don't know me. But you need to understand what I'm saying. This is only the start. She will suffer breakdown after breakdown. It will eventually lead to the deaths of others before it ends in her own, whether she performs the act or not. She is not in control."

"How do you know that?!" I demand. He sighs, shaking his head.

"The last time this wore off…" He chooses his words carefully. It's frustrating being spoken to like a child. Like this isn't my problem but his. "It got so bad that I secured you to a table to let you ride it out like a drug addict going through withdrawals. You broke your restraints time and time again. It's an impossible feat."

"What do you mean?"

"You were buckled down with steel and weights that were twice as heavy as you. You snapped them like twigs." He huffs, raising an eyebrow. "You were only nineteen. You killed the guards in my lab and you tried to kill yourself. All this screaming about suffering and revenge… it's not yours." Marx takes a deep breath, turning his eyes to Rude's. "So please. Help me, for her sake."

"Nineteen…" I frown. "But… that's when I was still living with Reno. Doesn't he remember this?"

"Five years ago…" Rude frowns. "He was preoccupied, likely. That's when Rufus was discovered funding Avalanche."

"Well, isn't that some news," Marx murmurs. "Shinra covered it well."

"That's our job." Rude shakes his head. "It's her choice, not mine."

"Fine." Marx roughly shoves the syringe back into its case. "But if it gets too bad, do not hesitate to bring her here. I may not be your friend, but I do care about her wellbeing." I crinkle my nose, remembering all too well the circumstances under which we became close.

"Will do."

I lay there for two more days, ignoring Marx's prodding questions and praying that Rude will pay me a visit since I know Reno won't. He keeps me up to date, letting me know what the others are up to. He and Reno slowed Avalanche in Gongaga, Tseng and Scarlet are on the hunt for Huge Materia, and Rufus is headed toward Rocket Town for Cid Highwind's plane because the airship isn't ready to fly him anywhere soon. In all that time, not a single memory or voice to be heard of.

Finally, I'm given the go-ahead to leave. I take the key Tseng left for me and change into a fresh uniform before heading to the elevator. Reeve is inside, heading up, and he's muttering to himself. I frown, stepping in beside him.

"I told you already, I can't get water in my joints."

"What?" I raise an eyebrow, confused. He shakes his head.

"No, no, no, that's not right."

"Reeve?"

"Yuffie, are you—"

"Reeve." I wave a hand in front of his face. He holds up a finger.

"Fine, fine. Be careful." With that, he removes his finger from an earpiece and turns to me. "I apologize. Did you need something, Kat?"

"Did you find any information on Hojo?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Shit." I sigh, leaning against the wall. "So… Were you just talking to Avalanche?"

"Yes, through Cait Sith."

"That thing's pretty cute."

"Thank you," he chuckles. "I modeled him after a toy I saw once."

"Figures."

"You know…" He huffs, a small smile creeping across his face. "I know you're paid the full price of being a Turk, but do you actually work?"

"I'm hoping to start soon," I laugh, shaking my head. The elevator dings and I step off. "See ya, Reeve."

I head to my apartment and lock the door behind me. It looks eerily similar to everyone else's. Shaking my head, I turn the bathroom lights on and stand under the hot water for at least an hour, relishing in the unlimited warmth. My bedroom drawers hold only the clothes I was wearing when I went to Tseng's place. I shrug and pull them on; at least they're clean.

"Gods, I have to hug Tseng next time I see him," I mutter, taking my car keys off the counter. It'll be nice to spend some time alone without Reno's hissy fits and Rude's demonic dog.

The dashboard is dusty when I get into my truck. It's only been a week. Blowing the dust into my face doesn't do anything but make me cough. Shaking my head, I pull out of the parking lot and rest my elbow on the open window, letting my smoke billow out into the city air. Thankfully, no one at the store knows who I am (I'm not sure why they would; I'm paranoid about the plate, I guess) and I lug my groceries back through one of the alternate entrances to the Shinra building. I abuse my executive elevator privileges, but who wouldn't? Inside, Reeve smiles at me, laughing.

"Not you again."

"Dude, do you live in here?" I scoff, smiling.

"Some days." He eyes my bags. "Do you need help with that?"

"No, I'm okay." He shakes his head, reaching for the bags in my right hand.

"Let me help."

"Whatever." I divide out the weight to even myself out, raising an eyebrow when his stare lingers longer than normal.

He blinks out of a thought, shaking his head. "Sorry. It's just… you're not like the other Turks."

"How's that?"

"You spend more time wandering around aimlessly than any other."

He smiles. "We covered this earlier."

"Ah, of course. I had a feeling of déjà vu." Tell me about it. I roll my eyes, bouncing impatiently as the elevator takes its sweet time climbing the height of the Shinra Building.

"Want anything to drink?" I ask once we finally reach my apartment. Reeve shakes his head, setting the bags down on the counter and glancing around the room.

"No, thank you." He pauses. "I have a question, if you don't mind."

"Not again." I huff, scooping grounds into a coffee filter. "What is it?"

"Why was Heidegger so excited for your return?"

"Was he?" I frown, leaning against the counter. "I had no idea."

"Yes, well, he spent a full two days bragging about it."

"Hm. Thought he hated me." I cross my arms. "I have a question for you."

"Okay."

"What the hell does the head of Urban Development do?"

"Well," he smiles, scratching at his goatee. "I deal with petty construction, mostly, but lately I've been redrawing Sector Seven." His expression falls into a frown. "Though, they won't approve it. Our new focus is Neo-Midgar."

"I saw the displays. You designed that?" He nods and I whistle. "Damn, Reeve. Got a visionary on our hands."

"Truly," he mutters. I take a deep breath of the coffee scent that slowly winds its way through the room. "Well, most recently the President had me working on a census. Scarlet and Heidegger get to play with their toys while I attempt to count every life within the bounds of these walls."

"Yeah, good luck with that," I scoff.

"Numbers will be significantly lower now that the plate's fallen." His words are cold, chilling me to the bone. I shudder, afraid to look at him even though I won't be met with anger. Reeve's too kind for his own good. I wonder if he knows I did that. Probably.

"Well…" I laugh at my own joke before I manage to get it out. "Just get Reno drunk and let him loose. That'll get your numbers up real quick."

"I'm not sure that's our solution, but I appreciate the offer," he chuckles. He tugs at his goatee, his smile staying for good this time. "This place is full of those who would only use others in self-interest. It's nice to have a friend."

"Yeah… it is."

I offer him a smile when he lives, a shudder clawing its way down my spine when they speak.

Forget him. Now.