Chapter 45. Home.

Elie's POV

Adrenaline pumped inside me as I, with fragile footsteps, entered the PORTAL. My hands shook, my heart beat faster, it all felt like a dream and a nightmare at the same time, the perspective of me leaving this place both daunting and relieving.

It all felt too unreal for it to actually be happening. The moment I got inside was swift and warm, only to be greeted with the cold and shivering night of the suburbs of New York city. It smelled the same, it was all too familiar, felt familiar.

I was home now.

I took some steps forward, creating distance from the glowing orbit that silently rested in that corner. I looked around, the place dark and uninviting and, as I took in the area, I remembered too well the stress I had suffered when I had been here last.

Those goons were going to hurt me. I shook my head at my silly thinking. It made no sense to recall that particular moment, time had passed since then. My shaky hands searched for my phone, and I turned it on. Thankfully, I would still have battery for some minutes, it was all I needed to get home.

Hopefully.

I gulped dry and took a deep breath after, the action producing a cloud of vapor. It was really cold here, geez! Sooner than later, I startled trembling. I was freezing. My hands searched for the materia, and I wondered if I should use it here or not. The door leading out opened easily and I exited the room, my form crossing a mist of sorts. On the other side of the mist, the abandoned building was exactly the same, dark and bluish in this winter's night, and I dared to look back.

There was a wall. An illusion, made specifically to avert intruders from going inside and casually landing in… there. In their world.

I took some time staring at it, my heart heavy. I felt terribly over this. I hoped to feel relief, I hoped to feel any better… but, nope. The hopelessness hadn't disappeared.

It felt bitter and ached inside, like someone was squeezing my heart, an invisible hand. His hand. His words. I closed my eyes at the memory, and tears threatened to come out again.

No.

Deciding against poofing the illusion he had created, I forced myself to walk out of there and make my way home, even if the tears fell no matter how. The dull sound of my boots in the gravel echoed in the area, loneliness feeling utterly adequate for tonight. Adequate and painful.

The suburbs had a very specific smell, and I had never noticed it before. I walked home absentmindedly, realizing nothing had changed since… since I had disappeared. There was nothing different, minor things here and there, but it all remained the same.

The building where I lived, here it was. Greenish and shady, windows mostly closed, which reminded me I had no idea which hour was this, the day, the year. I didn't know if my suppositions were right or not.

I didn't know anything now. I only wanted to get home, it was my immediate thought, my necessity.

Up along the stairs I went, not bothering to use the elevator. The muffled noise from inside the other apartments was notorious, and I smiled once again.

I never thought I'd missed this.

The hall leading to my apartment was long and illuminated - thankfully. It was enough of darkness in my life.

I searched for the keys, my hands still trembling. Geez, why was I that nervous? I was home, I was okay now, I had returned to my… sanctuary.

The locks sounded, scoring the silence of the hall, and the door finally opened. It smelled dusty inside, and I took my time closing the door behind me.

I had no electricity. I had been out for so long, the energetic company must have cancelled it - which was only understandable. I opened the blinds, hoping the moonlight would help me to check the rest of the basics at the apartment. Thankfully, I still had some bottled water and gas.

I narrowed my eyes at the place I recalled I had candles stored somewhere. I had taken a promotion and bought lots of it, me and Frances. She obviously wanted those to add romanticism to her dates… I only had wanted those for electric emergencies. As this proved to be.

Half an hour later, my apartment looked acceptable, and the fireplace was on, heating up mildly the living room. The apartment was freezing and it would take time to become cozy. I still had a lot of cleaning to do, but I had to admit my main worry was directed otherwise.

My eyes met the wall I knew to be false. Another illusion the great, amazing General had created to hide his dead 1st Class. The very thought brought bile to my mouth. How nauseating was this, having Zack dead, inside a freezer, meters from me? The greenish shadow of Mako was alive, a soft green glow keeping the freezer working, just like the fridge I had inside that hidden area.

The thought was actually unbearable, and I would have to do something about it.

Maybe tomorrow, if tonight I could get some sleep. I grabbed a clean cover and rested on my couch, where tiredness and the warmth of the fireplace allowed me to sleep.

Finally.

John's POV

I stood there, stupidly, for minutes.

My eyes scanned that bluish bulb of undulating light, and I imagined, at any time, that I would see her come back.

Stupid. She's not coming back, you moron.

My mind warned me, insulted me, and I had never felt such a void inside my chest. There was something terrible about Stevens going away, leaving like this, it felt so… wrong.

And I had help her, for Gaia! I shook my head at my weakness. How soft had I become, had she made me be?

With a dry throat I left the building, knowing I wouldn't be capable of sleeping tonight.

Sephiroth's POV

I saw Medina leave the PORTAL building with a destroyed frown on his face. What could possibly have happened for the man to look like that. He actually looked miserable.

I remained hidden in the shadows the night provided, the huge building aiding me in the proceeding. I looked around, considering what might have happened, why would he cross the PORTAL and come back in such short notice. To do what, and how, if I had sealed the door?

I took my time considering the good Doctor's reasons to engage in travels of this nature. I had many theories, but none seemed actually appropriate. John could be a lot of things but he wasn't the invader kind. He, as a doctor and a scientist, was the curious kind, so maybe he went in and out for observational studies.

Yes, I tried very hard to convince myself of that, but there was something inside me telling me things weren't… just like that.

My instinct screamed as I walked towards the reception, where a heavy armed guard nodded at me, a formal salute of sorts.

"I need to speak with the head of security." I ordered, and the man cordially told me where I would find the responsible. A couple of turns in the hall above, I found the man.

"General," he said, as I slowly walked towards him and he rose from his chair. "How can I be of your service?"

I smirked and decided to be very honest.

"I would like to know who crossed the PORTAL in the last 24 hours."

The man blinked at me, as if I was asking something very unusal.

"A civilian, sir." He declared, and went in search for something inside a drawer. He grabbed an identity card and handed it to me. "One way travel."

I grabbed the i.d., wondering who the man might be talking about. When my eyes landed on her face, that smiley photograph, I had to admit I felt surprised. I wasn't expecting Stevens would leave like this.

I gulped dry, trying to hide the surprise factor of my face. The last thing I wanted was for this random security guard to realize I was somehow soft on some civilian departure. I didn't need that.

"Did she provide any reason for leaving?" I asked, handing the id back to the man again. He put it inside a drawer again, closing it with a small key.

"No. Doctor Medina arranged for the whole thing, provided the authorizations, the woman barely talked."

There was an uncomfortable silence as I crossed my arms, standing the whole time.

"Anything else?" I insisted, and the man seemed a little lost as to what to say.

"I… have it on video, if you'd like to check." He suggested, feeling a little squeezed under my stare. "We have a 24/7 video surveillance system, and they did some talking in the pre-chamber before she left."

I considered the man's suggestion, realizing I didn't need to see anything to confirm my suspicions. Stevens had left for whatever reason, most likely because she didn't enjoy hearing me telling her the truth and John helped her in her silly escapade.

"Let's see it." I said, and the man turned a screen on, right there on the wall. Images of John and Stevens walking along the aisles, mostly in silence, made my heart feel strange. Her face was serious, mostly looking at the ground, but there was something painful showing in her complexion.

When they reached the prechamber, the images were far more intense. The conversation was shallow, didn't provide anything to justify her leaving. I only took a good look at Stevens's face when she decided to turn to John and, with weak words, told him she had to go. An embrace followed and I couldn't help the ravaging, strange sensations I felt inside. John told her he would always be there for her, no matter how.

Always the traitor, I thought, my mind preparing a row of insults. But then, something stopped my mental flow in that moment.

Stevens's face was very visible from the camera, and the sight was simply heart constricting. She looked emotionally destroyed, and something inside me blamed me for that.

No, come on, I tried to reason, fight against such bitter feeling of guilt for her leaving, but it was very strong. Seeing her leaving, entering the chamber and smiling sadly at John gave me the shivers.

"That's enough." I said, turning to leave. "That would be all."

And, without admitting I felt my heart heavy, I left the building towards the only place I knew I might find some confirmations.

-/-

The Science Division was silent, even if scientists worked in shifts, so the building never closed.

Something inside told me John would be in his office. He was not a homey man, he enjoyed staying up late, where he worked - much like I did. Even if our field were completely opposite, there were things about the good Doctor I knew to be predictable. There was little in John that would surprise me by now.

As expected, the door leading to his lab quarters were open, not coded anymore. I entered easily, making my way towards his office.

The door was wide open, and John stood facing the window. The dark night held one of the brightest shiny night of the season, namely considering it was winter. The man had his hands on his pockets and stood immobile as a statue.

My steps were silent, but it was obvious he knew someone was inside his office, by the door. He was not deaf, and he had heard the main lab door open. The thing was massive and made a very characteristic noise.

"What do you want?"

John's tone was low and bitter, never turning, and I sensed he had no patience whatsoever. Well, too bad. I had to figure this out one way or another.

"Stevens left." I affirmed, and the man remained the same.

"She did."

"Did she tell you why?"

"She didn't have to."

John finally turned, returning to his desk, his hands in some papers, his stare never finding mine. There was heaviness in the air and didn't like it one bit but… it was no news John fancied Stevens, so it was only normal he felt that way. Bitter. Rejected.

"Maybe it's for the best." I stated, and that seemed to trigger something inside the good Doctor. His eyes found mine and in there I saw something I had never seen in him: hate.

"Are you happy now?"

Oh the man was angry. Very much angry.

"Watch your tone." I warned, only to see John loose his composure.

"Screw you and your fucked up sense of authority." He screamed at me. "This is a person we're talking about and you just open your great mouth, say whatever you want without measuring consequence."

The accusation was obvious but I pretended not to notice it.

"You helped her?"

He snorted at me.

"Of course I helped her. She was destroyed, you don't even imagine how she got here! I don't know what on the Planet happened with you two, and I don't want to know, but I won't defend you when the President will ask about Stevens' departure."

I blinked at him, realizing he had a point, but I didn't say a thing against. I would think about it later. John went on.

"You made up this mess, solve it."

I narrowed my eyes at his accusation, and my anger flared.

"You have the obligation of supporting Shinra, and hence, me."

"Sue me." He snarled. "I'm not doing anything."

"This insubordination will cost you, Medina." I declared, my hands on his desk, my tone and actions menacing. "Mark my words."

"Bring it on."

There seemed to be no end to his little revolution here. John insisted constantly in undermining my authority. Which just couldn't, could it? Our stares fought, wordless for seconds. I wouldn't tell him a word more, enough had been said and done today, but John still had something up on his sleeve.

"She left you this." He said, with a bored tone. His hand handled a piece of folded paper, which I softly grabbed. "Now leave, if you don't mind."

I didn't say a thing against and left, with that damned thing squeezed under my hold. How come I had left someone got under my skin like that?

Damn you, Stevens.

Elie's POV

Morning arrived sooner than I thought, the luminosity hurting my eyes.

The first thing coming to mind when I woke up was 'Where am I?'. I took my time realizing I was actually home, New York city baby. I got up, sitting in the couch, my clothing ruined. I had fallen asleep with my day clothes on, the fireplace cold and black now.

I looked around, realizing I would have to busy my mind with stuff to do or… things would inevitably lead to prohibited thoughts.

Him. My misery.

I shook my head, trying to bite back the tears that fell as sudden images of him saying those horrible things to me came to mind. I hated to feel so fragile, so… stupidly dependent over someone.

I got up in a sudden move, as if that would take me out of the gutter, just like that. But of course it wouldn't. There would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get over someone as him. However, it was a fact life went on and I had to make a living. I narrowed my eyes at my mobile, battery dead. Speaking of making a living.

It was time to go.

-/-

Minutes later I went out, I realized I had been absent from my world approximately almost two years. It was January now, just like in the other side.

Time had flown by equally, which had its benefits. First I had been taking care of getting electricity, water and the basic commodities back in my apartment again. I had conjured the most conceivable lies to everyone, claiming I had been with acquaintances in Europe, and now got back for good.

And that would have to do for everybody, included to those I would return to, begging for my old job back. I only hoped Larry was still in charge of the bar and that Frances still worked there.

The pay wasn't much and the shifts sucked, but at least it was close nearby and I didn't have to worry over anything. Larry provided us with insurance and meals for the day, so there was another thing I wouldn't have to worry about.

Once I had all the burocracies taken care of, I stopped by the supermarket, bought groceries. I still had money on my account, untouched for months, at the Bank they had told me nothing wrong came of that, gave me a new credit card, but they warned me I had to go to the Police claim that I was back, alive.

Apparently, there were people that had missed me and informed my disappearance to the Police. I was willing to bet that had been Frances. She was my only friend, who was I kidding here?

When I got home I took my time cleaning. There was dust everywhere and the washing machine didn't stop for hours. I made lunch, ate a little, and with electricity I could charge my mobile to make the most important phone call of the day.

My eyes scanned the area where a false wall remained. Materia rested on my right hand and my heart pumped inside my chest. It was time to end this once and for all. Enough of illusions, enough of… fantasy.

Enough was enough. The moment the material fused with the wall, I watched it dissolve right there in front of my eyes, the door leading to the place where Zack rested finally coming to view.

A sob escaped me as my trembling hands rested on the door knob and turned it, tears falling as I entered the small division where the rectangular freezer that once belonged to my aunt came to view. A greenish shadow surrounded it and, as I fused material with the source, I sensed Mako slowly fading. The power supply slowly died and the freezer remained silent. It was time, I had to do the right thing for Zack.

So I grabbed my phone and dialed a number I had on my right pocket. Homework had been done and I had found a way to put Zack to rest. Only a couple of seconds were needed for someone to answer it.

"Mason's Funeral Home, how can I be of your service?"

I gathered the strength to say what I was about to say.

"I would like to arrange a private burial, please."

"Please hold the line."

I sat on my couch, as I waited for someone to grab the line again, tears falling as the green seemed to intensify inside that small division despite the power was definitely off. Why would that happen, I wondered?

"Good evening, my assistant informed me you'd like to arrange a private, anonymous burial."

I listened to that man talk, a very smooth and clear voice.

"Y-Yes, I'd like to know how to…" I paused, wondering how I should put it. But whoever stood by the other side of the line guessed up correctly.

"We praise for discretion." He said, and I took a deep breath. Good. "So I assume you already know that, considering the extras you want, you'll be able to choose our services according to your possibilities. I will only need some basic details on the deceased, please, nothing much."

I went straight to the point.

"Zackary Fair, he died at my home. Long term sickness, and there's no one but me to arrange a decent burial for him." I hoped my lie was credible enough. "I've picked my preferences so when you're ready, I'm willing to pay in advance for it."

I heard a satisfied snort on the other side.

"That's praiseworthy." And somehow that didn't sound that nice. "Embalming?"

Christ, no.

"No. And no cremation as well."

The list went on and on and I informed the Funeral Home man about my preferences to give Zack a basic ceremony, a place to rest in. How undignifying was for a man like him to remain in a freezer? No way. The call eventually ended with arranging an hour for the Funeral Home personnel to get to my home and retrieve the body. Absolute discretion a and no-questions-asked policy was guaranteed, as well as everybody's identity, all for a consistent sum of money. Which had its advantages. What I was doing was highly illegal and I knew that perfectly but there was no way I would keep Zack in my home, dead and stuffed in a freezer like God dammed cattle.

I shut the phone closed, getting up from the couch, realizing I had enough time to get Zack out of the freezer, unfrost, prepare him and lay him on the bed and wait for the Mob Funeral Home people and that was it.

-/-

They were three in number - two men and a woman, serious but nice enough. They arrived after midnight, the compound silent. After all, none of my neighbors knew I had this supposed sick familiar dying at home and I didn't want witnesses. However, I had the story prepared if someone asked. The fewer witnesses, the better. If no one saw what was about to happen, it would be ideal. Privacy and anonymity was mandatory in this.

They got inside my apartment, asking me where the deceased was. I pointed to my guest room, where Zack laid, with his facial expression serene as ever. I had cleaned him up as nicely as I could, removed that thin layer of ice from his flesh, and arranged his clothes. There was little blood and the chest wound didn't show. I had been careful wiping away any possible clue, thought out of everything, but I had my limits.

"Bring the casket." One of them spoke, and thankfully they remained in silence, focused in what they were doing. Everything was so illegal it hurt and I wanted nothing but to end this as soon as possible.

I observed how Zack was carefully placed and arranged inside that wooden box, the vision hurting me terribly on the inside. It was different, when we saw someone we cared about to be shoved inside a casket for all eternity. Tears fell and I wondered if I was ever going to recover from this trauma. Seeing Zack being killed, all the misunderstanding with Sephiroth… all this would leave permanent marks on me.

I knew it. Felt it.

"Would you like to say something before we close it?"

That man's words made me snap, reality sinking in. Good grief, why did this have to hurt this much?

I nodded and approached the casket, as the men retreated to give me privacy. I knelled right next to him, and took my time scanning his face. So fair, so brave. My trembling hand caressed his cheek and arranged his thick hair, knowing it would be the last time I would touch him. Tears fell continuously and I didn't hide the sobs that, once in a while, came. With my eyes closed, I bended to kiss his cheek, then his forehead. He was dead cold, the smooth skin freezing my lips.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered, my tears falling on his face. "Forgive me."

I got up in a sudden move, giving the men sign to get it on, and I left the bedroom, grabbed my black coat, scarf and gloves.

Tonight would be snowing at the Graveyard.

-/-

I woke up late in the afternoon with a tremendous headache.

Two days have passed since I had arrived, so to speak, and I still hadn't had the chance to go and find Frances. And Larry, the one I hoped would give me a job.

Burying Zack had been the most horrible thing I had done in life, the most hurtful stuff ever. Making up lies, lies and more lies, having to behave as if I was a criminal of sorts didn't do wonders to my sense. It slowly destroyed me on the inside, all this.

I lied in bed for a while, gathering strength to get up and fight for a living. I had to, or eventually the money would end and I would starve to death. Which was a very unnecessary, stupid thought. As if just because I had returned from that place, things wouldn't get back to be the same of before?

But of course they would.

Lazily I got up, showered and got dressed, picking an apple from the fruit basket I had on the kitchen table. My eyes landed swiftly on that damned door, the small dispenser I had in that blasted corner of the apartment, where Zack had been hidden for so long. In a way, it felt he was still there, his shadow, the green of Mako that didn't exist anymore but that I saw occasionally at night when I woke up.

I narrowed my eyes at the area, wondering what I could do about it. Yes, because I was definitely going to do something about it! I refused to live in this… nightmare, with such constant reminder right there in my own apartment.

So, with a consistent bite on the apple, I left home once again, headed to the only place I had worked in in life.

My footsteps were heavy but I managed to get a grip on myself, gather strength and courage to face those who still deserved my worry. After all, I had no one else here.

Not anymore.

I reached the Bar fast, a ten minute walk from my place. First I looked inside through the glass, and spotted Frances in a booth, clearly very busy. I could also see a large bulge of a human being behind the main counter, who I suspected was Larry.

I smiled to myself and dared to get inside. I was still closing the door of the bar when I heard Frances scream. Literally.

"Elie!"

My eyes found her and I couldn't help but to smile widely at her, with fresh tears in my eyes. I saw Frances walking towards me, her hands on her mouth.

"Oh my God, where have you been?"

She gave me no chance and hugged me with the fierceness I recalled from her. That was so Frances. I blinked against her hair and smiled.

"Sorry, I should have-"

She didn't let me finish.

"We have to call the Police Larry, we finally found her. Well, you found us instead." Frances was so overwhelmed it actually surprised me. Her eyes found mine again and I saw her widen her stare at me.

"Are you wearing contacts, Elie?" She asked, with a wicked smile, and I made a face, not grasping what on Earth was she talking about. "Never imagined you'd be fan of such thing, but I like the neon green mixed with the brown of your eyes. It gives you a mysterious look." She blinked at me and I merely stood there, thinking of a logical way to justify why my eyes had those strange marks… Mako still shone in here, it was a fact.

"What-"

Larry's figure approaching us interrupted us - thankfully, and I welcomed the distraction. With a smiley stance, he held me as well for a brief moment and finally spoke.

"We were worried… you were gone for an eternity!" He declared and I blinked.

Say that again?

"It felt like eternity!" Frances added. "Where have you been, anyway?"

Okay, time for lying again.

"Europe. I happened to have family there."

They both blinked at me, totally buying what I was saying.

"That's very chic, but you owe us one hell of an explanation on why didn't you just say something, girl! We were dead worried here."

Frances smiled the whole time and I decided to change subject or things would get nasty for me. At all levels.

"I'm back for good." I said, and my eyes daring to find Larry's at once. "And Larry… I was wondering if you might have a job for me."

He winked at me with a satisfied grin.

"I will always have a job for you, Elie."

Oh, good God! I could hold the man in front of me with the happiness I felt inside.

"Thank you."

"Welcome aboard."

"Oh, you have to tell me about Europe, I've never been there! And I've heard the guys are simply gorgeous…"

And as I walked inside the Bar I had been in for so many years, Frances blabbering about guys and all I could think about was how I actually missed them… and this Bar.

Sephiroth's POV

Two days passed by and I couldn't feel more strange. Yes, that was the word. I felt strange.

I hadn't opened Steven's little note and had left it at home, right there under the car keys. I didn't want to read it, didn't want to know what on Earth she'd written to me. That was lame and childish, why didn't she woman up and said whatever she wanted to say to me in my face?

Well maybe because you didn't give her a chance to.

I sighed, as I walked towards my office, bored as to even my mind seemed to defend her.

Thing was, what had she been thinking, walking away like that, without measuring consequences? John was pissed over me, openly accusing me of being the cause of Stevens's departure, and that's what I needed, didn't I?

A rejected man in love, with someone to blame for the absence of the woman who didn't love him back.

I had no patience for this shit. All this annoyed me terribly and I was simply tired of Reno's condemning stare every time we casually met. Maybe if I punished them all they'd notice who in fact is was charge in this damn company. I was the General, I hadn't to justify myself to anybody. Much less to a stupid Turk and a pitiful scientist.

My mind was especially caustic today and my patience wasn't much. The day was cloudy, freezing, and I didn't feel okay. Deep down inside I knew why that was, I just didn't want to admit it. And I would never admit it, never. My occasional weakness would remain only to myself and eventually Stevens would fade away from my memory. And strangely as that might sound… I didn't like that thought as well. Which was contradicting and irritating at the same time.

I grasped the sword right there sheathed next to me. I would need some stress relieving in the training room. There was too much tension inside me. I got inside my office, staring at the desk and realizing I had some new piles of paper there.

For Fuck's sake, more bureaucracies?

Today I didn't have the tolerance for that, so I made my way to the door, my scarce journey interrupted by the phone. I turned slowly, considering if I should get that or not. My eyes met the clock on the wall, then the phone again, beeping frantically.

Whoever was calling, knew I was supposed to be there. I gave it a consistent moment, concluding I should get it. It might be important.

"General." I said, with a bored tone.

"Finally." Someone declared, on the other side. I couldn't perceive who it was. "There's an urgent meeting with the President, you were summoned to his office right now."

I narrowed my eyes.

"I'll be on my way."

The line died and I sighed again, realizing the day had started miserably.

-/-

"Is there any particular reason behind Miss Stevens' sudden departure?"

I tried very hard not to be rude at the man in front of me. There was only me and Tseng facing the President, and silence reigned in the office. I had never seen the President so worked up over something. Come on, it was only a human being! Was there a need for an emergency reunion over something as trivial as that?

"Not that I'm aware of." I eventually said, my eyes on his desk.

"Me neither, Sir."

Tseng talked after I did, and the President got up, his face a frown of irritation. Well too bad, he wasn't the only one frankly annoyed. I was bored of getting constantly accused over Stevens's leaving.

"I'm worried." He eventually said, eyes on the landscape out there. He suddenly turned to us, his stare on ours. "Frankly, this whole situation bothers me. Did she provide all the intel necessary?"

That one was easy.

"For the next two years, Sir." I clarified.

"And what if something unexpected happens?" He stated. "How will you handle that?"

I took a deep breath, considering my answer. My anger flared but I took a hold on myself.

"We have all the information we need." I declared, and decided to be blunt over the matter. This had to end, all this excessive worry over Stevens, as if she was very essential. Ah. "With all respect Sir, considering Stevens belongs to a different place, it's only normal she misses her home." I dared to say. "I'm sure she'll come to terms eventually and return. In due time."

Tseng eyed me, and I sensed his critic stare on me. Oh, too bad, he'd better get used to it.

"I don't want Shinra fretting over an informant's whim." The President said, half turning towards the window.

I smiled at the head of Shinra, thinking how absurd it actually sounded that a man as powerful as the President might be afraid of a stupid woman's absence. Really, that was beyond ridiculous.

"The company's integrity is our main goal, Sir, and that is guaranteed. As well as your safety."

I knew I was being smug and arrogant, over confident even but it was true - all things were covered, and there was no reason to fret over the man's safety.

I saw the President nod at me, but he didn't look convinced.

"Very well." He declared, signaling with his hands for us to leave. "You're both dismissed."

With a nod, we both left, hands behind our back. Tseng walked in silence, and I didn't insist in making small talk. I simply wasn't in the mood.

The President's office door closed softly and I prepared to leave the building, making a shortcut to reach the training room as soon as p-

"Sephiroth."

Tseng's voice interrupted my leaving.

"Yes?" I turned to the man, wishing he wouldn't take much of my time.

"That's not how you solve things."

I blinked at him in silence, clearly not pleased with the constant intromissions in my personal life. This was reaching levels I would not allow anymore.

"What are you talking about?" I eventually asked.

Tseng snorted at me, clearly defiant.

"You know exactly what I am talking about. Stevens' sudden departure has your imprint on it. And don't you dare to deny it because you know I'm right."

I locked my jaw.

"You know nothing."

Tseng narrowed his eyes at me.

"Man up and fix it."

I smiled ironically and eyed the man with pure hatred. I was freaking tired of all this!

"Mind your own business, Tseng."

I basically snarled the words at the Turk, and I was pretty sure he was about to react, if something harsh and huge hadn't interrupted us.

There was a loud, excruciating sound of crashing, followed by an explosion. Fire, smoke and building parts flew in our direction and everything went black around us.

A/N - And there it is! The part of preparing Zack's burial was the most difficult thing for me to write. Too many details to include. Not to mention the emotional part of the whole scene.

Well and as to be expected, our General is in denial. And now, to make things worse… something very serious happened. Sorry about the cliffhanger but I had to cut it somewhere… Stay tuned, people, read and review :)

[if you're wondering about the sealed door at the other side of the PORTAL, yes, that's something that will make sense later on].