Chapter 28. Life and Death

Elie's POV

It all felt too comfy and familiar. The tissue beneath me, the sensation… but namely the smell. My eyes opened slowly, my mind still hazed with sleep.

I took my time perceiving where I was. I was lying on a sofa and my eyes focused on the ceiling - grayish and square, pushed memories inside my mind. And the faint fruity smell of the usual air lotion I used to buy to my apartment made my heart leap.

Home?

I moved slowly, considering if I had been dreaming - for hours, days… a year? I got up lazily, my head spinning and my eyes focusing in the grim light casting the room. So, I assumed nighttime would be at hand.

My… living room. I was here. Home! My home!

Was this… real?

There was complete silence. The place was untouched… but dusty. I could see how a considerate cover of powder decorated my furniture. The island in the kitchen area held the same piece with fruit I bought almost daily.

Its content resumed to mold and ash.

And a sudden pang invaded my body - a shiver making the little hairs of my neck rise.

My stare shifted to the living room window, where someone lingered. The form, the posture - but namely the hair silhouette was the only necessary element for me to conclude I hadn't, actually, dreamt it all. It all had been very real… in the land of Final Fantasy VII, but for some unknown reason I was back home.

"Zack… "

My mouth stopped right there. I didn't know what to think, and I recalled little of our last encounter. A lot of screaming and him, telling me we had to go - here. I remembered I had felt scared - and at the sight of Zack, the feeling didn't disappear.

He was different. He was… strange.

And now the same feeling prevailed. There was strangeness in him - at the way he stared at me, his stance, his eyes. He perspired such wickedness… it was nothing like the Zack I had grown used to.

"Greetings."

His voice, and namely his tone, confirmed all my suspicions. I saw how he walked slowly and calmly towards me - as I, reflexively, avoided proximity.

In a moment, our positions had inverted: I was in the area close to the window and Zack remained exactly in the middle of my living room, his presence consuming all the space. There was something going on and I sensed it wasn't nice. Zack wasn't himself.

Something was very wrong.

"You're not Zack."

The words had left my mouth out of reflex and I sensed I was actually righter than I wished I was. Which reminded me of what I had shared with him days ago - all that information about Jenova and Sephiroth… what had he done about it? Had he avoided the catastrophe?

"No."

I blinked, wondering if he had asked my previous question or the one in my mind. My breathing peaked a little and I felt something was definitely very off beam.

"I'm… home." I declared, as if that would provide me more answers. Truth was, I didn't know what to say, all I wanted to know was… if everybody was okay.

"You are."

Zack's tone confirmed, as I saw the muscles of his arms twitch. Okay, something was happening and it was scaring the shit out of me but… thing was, my instinct was screaming that terrible name in my ear. So I said it.

"Jenova?"

Zack laughed at my despaired tone. His face was very bright, as if talking to me resumed to an immense fun. Pity I didn't share the same opinion. All this was freaking me out enough.

"You know so much about me it's almost obscene." He declared, tilting his head a little, his eyes on mine. "I brought us back thinking I would have a nice surprise here… but I was wrong. Sadly."

And what on Earth was he talking about!?

"Surprise?"

"This place has no suitable vehicle for me."

I blinked, gulping dry. Okay, that wasn't good news. Considering I was speaking with Jenova itself… hearing such entity say my planet sucks cannot mean anything remotely nice.

"Which mean I have to go back home. There's still so much to do, so much to achieve…"

The tone was wary, but hopeful. I wondered why would Jenova be telling me all this. What would be the point? Eventually, I didn't resist and made a direct question.

"What do you want from me?"

However, the answer was everything but appeasing. Zack stepped towards me and his face became serious. His facial expression wasn't the one I was used to - it was one of an evil, mischievous being that lingered inside Zack's body. His aura felt powerful and heavy, as if he couldn't bear the power inside him. His energy smashed the environment around me, as an invisible, destructive hand grasping my neck and body.

He constricted me physically with his stare. Literally.

"From you, earthling," He said, "I want nothing but to stop your heart beating, your lungs stop breathing… your brain dead and your body rotting in this decadent, polluted world."

Shivers went up my spine as I processed his words.

"I can't allow you to live." He continued. "You did enough. Tricked me into this body, depriving me from the one that would have suited me ideally."

And in that moment I understood why such attitude. Jenova was pissed off at me because I had deprived her of Sephiroth. All I could think in that moment was 'Thank God I did that', but then again… what had I done instead? The reasons why Zack had been a suitable vehicle for Jenova remained unknown in my head - considering I thought he was willed enough to avoid such thing to happen. Right?

Well, apparently I had been wrong.

And now I had a very angry Jenova blaming me over whatever had happened. So, what were my chances at this?

I was back home, alone with Jenova inside Zack's body and… she wanted to have me off the map.

Christ.

"I didn't… trick you into anything. You were supposed to stay where you were - dormant, silent." I admitted, a little lost of what to say. It was a fact that, no matter what I said, I doubted I would change her mind - unless I had some bright idea, which I hadn't.

So things were running down that hill.

"I've slept enough. Now it's time for me to rule."

Her words didn't surprise me, but my worries were other than that.

"What about Zack?"

Zack narrowed his eyes at me, as if I was asking for someone very unknown. Himself. Right.

"Who?"

I didn't answer. I didn't have to. Jenova did the math fast.

"Oh, this… body?" He laughed, amused. "Exchangeable, as everything in the universe."

Oh, my God.

"Please, don't-"

Despair was striking and things would run out of control soon - I felt it. The moment I saw Zack grasping his monumental sword and stretch his muscles, I started to worry - and seriously.

"Beg, earthling. On your knees."

His words made my heartbeat peak and tears threatened to come out, as I felt my whole body shaking.

My God. Was this it? Was I going to die? Like this?! I tried to say something as I took a step back. This was nerve-wrecking.

"Please, reconsider. What threat do I pose to you? None!"

But Zack's - Jenova's - will was unshakable and I, panicking, looked around, trying… in vain, to find a way out. There was none. I was trapped.

He was going to kill me. Terrified, with a silent tear falling over my face, I saw him aim his sword at me, preparing to… take my head off.

"Die."

The voice I heard wasn't his own - it was a distorted sound, a voice from something or someone inside Zack's body, the one responsible for his actions. Jenova or not, it ached for slaughter and power… and I stood exactly in the middle of it. Right there, in the middle of all the fun, like a damn obstacle, concocting traps and deviating the right course of events.

So this was the price.

Zack's possession instead of Sephiroth's.

My death.

I still had time to wonder who would follow… but I couldn't hear anything but my breathing anymore. Anxiety and adrenaline burbled inside me, a chaotic mix.

I closed my eyes out of despair, not wanting to see Jenova's stare as she took my life. It all felt so unfair and sad, I didn't want to… suffer.

I still had time to pray for him to be fast - when a spray of wet viscous liquid made me open my eyes.

There was red all over. My eyelashes, my nose, my lips and mouth. I blinked, my eyes taking time adjusting.

The image my retinas rewarded me with was unreal. A sharp, long blade impaled Zack's chest and he stared at it with surprise. The effect had been impressive, a spray of blood that had landed mainly on me. And the carpet. And the wall.

I didn't know for how long Zack remained there, standing, until his legs gave in - moment in which I could finally see who remained exactly behind him… handling his Masamune like a professional hitman.

"Sephiroth…"

The words had come up like a whisper, and I felt out of breath so fast. It was like someone was removing air from my lungs.

I saw how calmly Sephiroth removed his sword from Zack's chest, who grunted at the movement. My chest ached at the scene developing right there in front of my eyes. Zack, on his knees, bleeding profusely on my carpet, choking on his own blood.

God, the sounds he made.

Relief and panic mixed within me, and I didn't know what to do. What should I do?

When I saw Zack fall forward without strength to hold himself, I acted out of instinct. I got down on my knees as well and aided him… or at least, I tried to put him in a comfortable position. As I did that, his eyes met mine for a moment - and in there I found him - good ol' Zack. He was there, dying with his head in my arms and staring at me in despair.

Incomprehension, afraid and horror was all I could grasp on his stare. I saw how he tried to say something, how he tried to speak - but his strength was lacking.

His vitality was escaping him, his body gradually heavier and… lifeless.

"Oh, God…" My voice came out strangled as tears finally escaped me.

I couldn't believe this was happening. I sensed how someone kneeled next to me as well and we both witnessed Zack's body functions fail until the very end. Sephiroth.

And in that moment I cried silently, feeling guilt overwhelm me.

What had I done?

Sephiroth's POV

Finding Steven's place was easy, thanks to the Mako Fair broadcasted. It was like a neon in the night, a path that only I was able to see.

The moment I crossed the PORTAL, I was sure Zack had been there as well. The barrier I had created the last time I had been here was destroyed - and he didn't bother in hiding his own tracks.

So reckless, Fair. My mind chastised him, but deep down inside me I knew he wasn't responsible for his actions anymore. The thought of Jenova imposed some respect to me, it was a fact. I didn't know much about it - only the particulars Stevens disclosed to Zack, but the thought of me being in Zack's steps… doing the atrocities he did, worried me.

After all, there was something special about me - something big enough to have an entity like Jenova to snap like this.

My mind wondered about the consequences, of what Stevens had said I would have done if I had read the stuff Zack burned. Me, killing that innocent people in that village, just because? Come on, I wasn't like that.

I took my time hiding the PORTAL's entry - this time I didn't seal the door of the room where it was, I considered using magic. I wondered if it would work in this place, and I was pleased to realize it did. So, the correct amout of energy would create the illusion that area was a wall. An innocent, concrete wall.

With decisive strides I walked towards Steven's place. Night time was at hand and thankfully, there wasn't a living soul around. I recalled when Stevens described she had been chased into an abandoned area - and that she lived nearby.

I found the building where she lived easily and made my way inside. It was a flat compound, and as I walked along the corridor I heard the voices - people living their lives at home, not bothering on who lingered outside.

I had to worry - I knew I was a foreign presence here, at all levels. My appearance wasn't standard and the way I dressed, sword included, would get me in trouble if I was seen by the natives of this planet.

Thankfully, Steven's flat was the last one in that hall, after a tight turn. I stopped and focused, trying to grasp what was going on.

Zack spoke to her - angry and condemning, and Stevens didn't say much against. The accusations were stressing her out, I was willing to bet, and I sensed how Zack planned on doing something not quite nice.

The hunch was there, like the adrenaline right before going to battle. The confirmation eventually came from Zack's mouth. His voice was different, his threats molded into something cruel and wicked.

The tone became aggressive and in the moment I heard him unsheathe his sword, I knew I had to act.

He's going to kill her.

Zack's mind was frantic - he wouldn't hear a thing, wouldn't hear me when I quietly got inside Stevens' apartment. The place was dim and shadowy and I used that in my favor.

He aimed, prepared to behead her. And in the second before Zack strike, I made a decisive move, my Masamune spearing him right there in the heart.

I knew the hit was fatal, his heart would be destroyed, smashed, and Zack would die quickly. I made sure the damage was permanent and effective before removing my sword.

And as Zack coughed blood and breathed quickly, clearly in shock, falling slowly to his knees, my eyes met finally hers.

Stevens. She was sprayed with Zack's blood all over, her stare one of horror and … who knew what else was there, going through her mind.

Our stare remained locked for a moment, and I worried over her sanity for an instant. What would she do? Would she scream or go crazy? The last thing I needed right know was a panic attack, even if totally justifiable.

But thankfully, nothing like that happened.

Zack's body lost the basic competences and Stevens sensed it. She kneeled, grabbing his heavy form as he fell hard on her lap, blood coming out of his mouth and from his chest, creating a consistent spot on the carpet where I walked right now.

Silently, I approached Stevens, as I saw her stare into Zack's eyes with fright. So, she was coming to terms with his death.

She whispered for God, and I wondered why she would do that. It was something contagious, even John asked for that sometimes.

Life escaped from Zack's body fast. It faded, as well as the Mako inside him - it was like a vanishing flame - whose time had come. Extinguished.

Stevens cried silently, tears falling, cleaning and creating stripes of flesh in her face, bloodied with my former 1st Class own blood. I kneeled next to her as well, a little lost of what to do.

The sobs only were audible when Zack's breathing stopped and a heavy silence fell upon us. Only Stevens' grief was there, as Zack's head rested on her lap, his eyes still open. The moment was constrictive and sad, and I couldn't help but to feel relief.

After all, Stevens was alive and I had to kill my 1st Class to prevent another murder. A wave of pity and comfort passed by me and my hand met Stevens' shoulder. Her body warmth met my own, even through the fabric of the shirt she wore.

"Easy."

I couldn't come up with anything else but that.

"Why… why did you-" She said, in between sobs. My eyes tried to find hers but she was still transfixed on Zack's.

"He was going to kill you."

She closed her eyes shut and a sob escaped her again.

"I did this. I did this to him."

Her tears fell on his face, a chaotic path that would made them disappear eventually. I sighed, considering that, if there was a thing I didn't need right now, was someone feeling guilty about all this.

"Nonsense."

"It was my fault!" Her tone was despairing and I removed my hand from her shoulder.

"Things happened this way. You have to accept it."

Her eyes met finally mine, and her sorrow was immense.

"How can you say that? He was one of your best!"

I didn't answer, as I realized we were talking underneath Zack's dead stare. It was a little uncomfortable, so I decided to close his eyes.

And I got up in a definite move. I looked around, under Stevens' stare of shock.

"We now have other priorities." I stated, my tone sharp. "Zack Fair is now dead and there is nothing we can do to change that."

I felt Steven's stare on me, as I scanned the architecture of her apartment. An idea was building in my mind.

"What… what are we going to do?"

Stevens' fragile voice interrupted my line of thinking, and I could tell she was very worried with what had happened. Zack's death in her planet, right there in her place - that had to cause trouble. But, then again, my mind was busy with something - an important detail.

I turned to focus again on the pair by the bloodied carpet. Stevens looked destroyed and Zack's body… was still there.

Minutes after he had passed away. That was odd, considering…

"There's no lifestream here." I concluded, half-narrowing my eyes at her.

"No." Her tone was weak, but it was the confirmation I needed to figure out what to do now.

"Then, She's trapped." I declared, our stares locked. "Am I right? Considering what She told you… she's trapped."

"Trapped?" Stevens blinked, a little taken aback. I had a feeling the moment Zack died in her arms had swept away all her vital energy.

"Inside Zack's dead body." I clarified.

Silence overwhelmed us again until I decided to intervene again. It seemed I had Jenova locked in a cell made of dead flesh and bone - a cell that didn't have the means to find relief into the lifestream.

So it was getting very obvious now that Zack would not leave this place in a long time.

"Don't you have cryogenics here?" I asked, considering it might be a very plausible choice right now. We had to make sure Fair would remain hidden somewhere.

"Yes, we do but, that's not within my reach. It's… not like in your world, General."

Steven's tone was sad, as if she felt useless for not being able of helping. She had a point, though. I didn't like the restrictions we were now facing here, in this Planet. There was nothing at hand, everything was so… primal.

I scanned every detail of her apartment… until eventually my eyes landed on a large rectangular box half-hidden in Stevens store room.

"What is that?" I asked, picking the white box with my sword. It felt metallic, but I didn't recognize what on the Planet it was.

Stevens took her time disengaging herself from the position she was, half-sat on the floor holding Zack's head. She rested his body on the carpet, staring at him for a moment before joining me by the store room door.

"A freezer."

Well, I thought, it would have to do.

"Here."

I turned suddenly and arranged Zack's body, enveloping him in the dusty carpet where he laid. In seconds I had a mummy made of… whatever that carpet was made of. My eyes met Stevens when I was done, and I couldn't see her more shocked than that. She put one of her hands on her mouth, as silent tears fell from her eyes - again.

"My God!"

Her tone was one of despair again. I kind of understood her reaction but we had a dead body to hide now and we needed to be effective about it - considering what we had available in this place.

"I know. It's not a very honorable action." I declared. "But we don't have much choice. Without Cryogenics or something alike available, freezing is the only option."

She took her time answering me.

"I can't believe you're doing that."

I took a deep breath, my patience running out. Really? Was I the only one with functional brains in this place? Where was her objectivity now?

"Focus, woman! Bringing him back home is not an option." I said, with a harsh tone. "If Zack's dead body returns, he will dissolve into the lifestream and guess who else is there as well? I won't take that risk!" As I said the words, Stevens' face grew sterner, but I could see she was getting the point. "And, besides… I assume letting a dead body out in the open in your home is not a viable option as well."

She blinked, shaking her head at me.

"No…" Her feeble voice answered me and I decided to get things going - or we would stay here the whole night. I grabbed Zack by his back, making a sign for Stevens to help me out.

"Let's put him inside."

She hesitated at first, eyeing me with pain in her eyes. She knew what we had to do and she didn't like it. Hell, I didn't like it as well. Zack deserved much better, but considering… Jenova remained inside him, we couldn't afford to care.

Stevens helped me out, grabbing the other end of Zack's cocoon. The bleeding had resumed to carpet and an occasional spray on the wall. Once inside the narrow area, Stevens landed Zack next to the box, carefully.

"It's been off since I live here. I didn't use it because it was too big." She informed, as she popped the lid open. It was clean and metallic on the inside as well. And spacey enough for Zack - thankfully.

"Let's put him inside." I declared, and we took our time arranging Zack's body inside it. He was a large man and we had to figure out the right posture to have him inside without breaking arms and legs.

Once we were done, Stevens closed the lid, isolating the freezer. She then searched for the plug and once she found it, inserted it in a squared area made for it. The freezer came to life as we heard the engine start.

"What if the power goes out?"

Stevens question was pertinent and I had to wonder.

"Does that happen here?"

"Sometimes. If that happens… he'll probably rot, I don't know!" She declared, anxiety consuming her. "And then, the smell will alert the neighbors and then the Police will be here and I… I'll be doomed! For God's sake, Zack's dead body is inside my aunt's freezer!..."

Stevens tone was one of hopelessness. She couldn't believe this was happening and she couldn't come to terms with what we had done. I was willing to bet it all felt too dysfunctional to her.

Too bad.

However, I had a way to prevent such disasters from happening. It was a fact magic worked here, so… why shouldn't I use that for my - our - benefit?

"We'll be back to retrieve him… once we're prepared. Here," I said, my eyes serious on hers, as I showed her a sphere of magic on my right hand. "This will provide a continuous flow of energy for a century. That'll be enough." As I said the words, I fused the sphere with the freezer's engine, giving it neverending power. It made a discreet purr. "Don't you think?"

She didn't say a word, in favor or against, she just eyed miserably at the damn freezer.

Which meant it was time for us to go. I exited the store room and summoned a little more of magic, so I could erase Zack's blood from the wall.

"What time is it in here?" I asked her, as she closed the store room door.

"9 p.m. Give or take."

I made a sign at her to approach me.

"I'm creating a wall in there."

She blinked at me, clearly confused.

"What?"

"An illusion," I explained. "The door leading to the store room where Zack is won't exist to your eyes, or anyone else's eyes for that matter. So, if by any means your house is invaded, Zack won't be found. Only magic like this one," I showed her, before continue. "Can break the illusion."

"So… it'll be a wall instead?"

I nodded, confirming her words.

"A concrete, impenetrable wall."

She blinked at the door, behaving strangely silent as the door in front of her disappeared, transforming into a wall and fusing along her apartment's architecture.

The effect was impressive. So, it was time.

"Let's go back." I declared, grasping my sword as I headed to the main door.

"Back where?"

Steven's tone was wary and scared, as if I had said something awful.

"To my world."

Stevens took a step back, hesitating. Fear was all over her. Fear of leaving Zack here.

"I-I don't know if-"

"It'll be fine. No one will find out." I stated, my form approaching hers. I needed to reassure her or she would snap. "Once it's safe," I declared, serious and with my eyes locked on hers. "We'll be back for him, Stevens. I promise."

She stared back at me, a couple of stubborn tears falling, again. Why did she cry this much? Why, if it wouldn't change a thing?

"You do?" Her shaky tone almost broke me.

In that moment I realized how vulnerable she felt, how her feelings of guilt blinded her sense and made her weak, almost making disappear the fierce woman that had dared, so many times, to defy me.

And that just couldn't do. With my right arm I held her, and I urged her to walk along with me. Out of her place, back to my world.

"Let's go."

I sensed the action comforted her, even if her face didn't show the neutrality mine did. Stevens was very expressive and I could tell - and sense -, she was almost destroyed. Having her witnessing Zack's death would leave permanent marks on her.

In silence we walked, in the middle of the noisy night.

Eventually, Stevens got us going through some deserted areas so the chances of finding someone would be notorious decreased.

She released herself from my arm somewhere in the middle of our walk towards the Industrial Area. She wanted to play tough even if she felt exhausted. Mentally and physically.

No words were exchanged.

She eyed the surroundings, worried. Until the moment I heard a thud on the ground. I turned and saw Stevens half-kneeled on the soil, grunting for strength. She sat for a while, her breathing heavy.

"We have to hurry." I said, urging her to get up.

"I can't walk faster."

I narrowed my eyebrows at her.

"I know you're tired, but-"

"Do you? Do you even imagine what I am feeling right now? After what just happened?"

Her little explosion of childish anger annoyed me. Why was she behaving like that, being unfair and throwing accusations at me? All around her screamed 'Why did you kill Zack', even if she knew - perfectly - why and how necessary it had been to restore some kind of peace to both of our worlds!

My eyes were hard on her, and I considered slapping her for good sense. Manners. Whatever.

Why did she have to be like this? After what I had done… for her? I had saved her life!

I refocused for a moment, my gaze searching the sky. How different it was from the sky of my Planet. The stars shone differently, had other design, decorated the night blue that surrounded us in a very peculiar way. Impressive, how the shades of blue could vary from one place to another.

Hum.

"We have no time for this." I stated, as I approached the stubborn, worn out woman sitting on the ground.

And in a sudden movement, I grabbed her and took her with my left arm, like a child. I would transport her and she would come with me to my Planet. Period!

Her reaction couldn't be nice, but of course.

"Don't-"

"Shut up and let me."

I interrupted her and stated my order without even looking her in the eye. Stevens remained quiet, with her face resting on my shoulder, my left arm securing her.

She didn't say a word until we reached the PORTAL.

But invariably, the tears were there all the time.

Medina's POV

I didn't know if I blinked.

Honestly, I didn't. Tseng arrived eventually, paying me company as the silence crushed us.

The PORTAL remained quiet and still, and it had been almost two hours since the General had left. I couldn't believe he had ordered us to destroy the damn thing if he didn't make it in time.

The possibility freaked me out.

All of it… was a damned nightmare from Hell.

The clock ticked… and there were only five minutes left for the deadline the General had imposed to himself.

"Do you think they'll make it?" I asked, my words an echo of my mind.

I sensed Tseng's take a deep breath, clearly considering his answer.

"There's still time."

Somehow Tseng's answer didn't calm me down. Hell, how I wanted to just simply see them appear through the-

"There."

Tseng's speech was accompanied with the most relieving image my eyes had seen until now. Coming from that transparent cloud of energy, the General's sword was the first thing making an appearance. Then, his body… and Elie's, resting against him, making way until they were completely out of that undulating veil.

I felt a shiver running thought my spine as I processed they were both okay. I widened my eyes and went for the door that would lead to the PORTAL outer - compartment.

Tseng was there already.

"Elie!" I said, the voice failing me.

Was she okay? Why was she so quiet?

I walked towards the General, who looked a little worn out himself. Which meant the happenings on the other side had been terrible. And that would be putting it nicely.

He looked at me and urged Elie out of his hold. She didn't say a word, and I realized she found it a little difficult to merely stand.

My hands found her arms and I, reflexively, held her. I was so happy just to have her in one piece!

"Oh, for the Planet, you're alive!" I said, as she didn't flinch as I held her. She was strangely quiet and unmoving. "You're alive…"

"I'm okay…"

Her voice had been soft, the speech not matching her facial expression. She was so cold… spiritually, like ice.

"General… " I turned, interrupting his conversation with Tseng. "Zack?"

The moment I said the word something flared up in that compartment. The environment turned heavier and I regretted at once mentioning such name. At least for now.

But the General ignored me completely. His priorities were changing, I could sense.

"Take her to HD. We'll cover security first, then… if you all agree, we'll sit and discuss what happened."

Tseng nodded and was the first one answering.

"I agree, General."

I opened my mouth to speak but someone interrupted me.

"I don't want to go."

Three eyes landed on the woman whose face was a mess, a mix of dirt on her face and a breathing that made me think she was going to lose it soon. So, I decided to intervene.

"Elie, let's… you need to rest."

She answered me with a sharp tone.

"No, I don't. I don't want to sleep when Zack is dead in my own house."

Her words were like razor-sharp knifes on everybody's head in that moment. The declaration had been strong, very shocking - and of course, the only person capable of handling whatever had happened that we didn't witness… was him. Sephiroth.

He walked towards her, grabbed one of her arms and angled his face discreetly towards hers… their stare locking cruelly. So Elie was going to get it. It was so obvious it hurt. She turned her face away from his, not wanting to hear it.

But he didn't let her. His other hand grabbed her face and made her look at him. He locked his jaw before speaking.

The whole scene was actually very uncomfortable. It seemed Tseng and I were interrupting… something.

"Stevens…" He started, his voice low and commanding. "Get a grip. We'll talk, all of us, in time. Don't make this harder than it is."

The silence that followed was constrictive. Not to mention weird. Their stare fought, something passing along, something I didn't know what it was, but it was powerful enough to bring any random man to his knees… but Stevens stood there, like stone, unshaken and firm. Until finally, the General let her go.

More like shoved her out of his way.

"Take her." He said, his eyes now on mine.

And without further words, I took Elie out of there… or the place would combust.

A/N - Hope you liked it, people! So sorry I had to do that to Zack but… there was little chance he would make it. At least, for now.

And now, what will happen?

A new phase of the story is about to come up! :)

Read and Review, don't forget to leave your comment and let me know your opinion on this. Your feedback has been precious! Thank you so much :)