This was never supposed to happen. This was just a joke, a very elaborate prank. How could something so bizarre happen? Someone falling to their death from a rickety bridge in the middle of a rainstorm? That's preposterous! That's illogical… That's exactly what's going on.

He shielded her during the fall, the impact was supposed to be on him, but whatever higher power was running this world found it better to see effort go to waste. Of course, such entity wasn't cruel enough to let them perish. A helicopter battling strong winds managed to notice them unconscious over a very convenient platform 'cushioning' their fall, avoiding the spikes that were hiding among gushing water beneath.

Cloud's head is in shambles but the pain from his cuts and bruises being treated kept beating him back to the reality of the situation. He held in his hand the ring. A while ago, it was still worn by delicate hands filled with dirt and blood. The owner of the hand was now in the emergency room while chaos ensues behind its doors. Brian Lockhart lost his self-control and unintentionally released frustration on a shattered looking blonde. Nurses had to pull him away as he gripped both shoulders of the young man whose ocean eyes were so dull and lifeless. He shouted every profanity and different types of blames into the poor blonde. Claudia and Zangan intervened when they reached the scene. Zangan, using his large built framework, managed to get Brian off the disheveled Cloud. Claudia barked orders at nurses to have his treatments continued while she defended her son against her childhood friend. While the two fought on who was to blame, Lucrecia examined Cloud and helped with bandaging him up. Vincent stood watch behind her, all the while making sure no confrontation occur again. Reno and Rude was behind him, shielding the blonde away from the view of a crazed brunette man.

"He's going to be fine." Lucrecia caressed soft dirty blonde spikes, hoping it would at the very least give him comfort. She went over to check the two adults who had now calmed down and are experiencing the consequence of their actions. "You two are the adults, what on earth were you thinking raising your blood pressure in an already tense environment?"

"I don't need this right now." Claudia barked, her head already starting to throb. Brian remained silent where he was sitting, already contemplating his actions. He knew his actions were unreasonable, but with everything he was shouldering right now, he needed to let out his frustrations, one way or another. He had hoped that Cloud was still in dazed state and was unaware of what he had said and done. However, the young blonde took everything to heart, and the consequences will be evident sooner than they had hoped. The night was cold and unforgiving, but everyone remained silent, ironically so.

"She's one lucky girl." No she's not.

"She managed to get a brain injury, but as long as it heals normally, there won't be lasting consequences." How is this lucky.

"She's able to breathe on her own which is a good sign, however, she is still unresponsive and we would be monitoring her closely." Just what is happening?

"She is truly lucky. An accident like that can surely give her permanent damage. She has a chance, so that's something to look forward to." Why is she like this?

Cloud could hear the words the doctors were saying, but he was still in such a state of shock that his own thoughts were going over the things he could hear. He gazes around the room; they were filled with a sense of relief. Not one face was help to the heavy heart he was still carrying. He shakenly tried to look at Tifa. He hasn't seen her since they were rescued. He wouldn't go near her, unlike everybody else. He couldn't, and they let him go at his own pace. They notice him finally stare at her and tried not to look too obvious. Claudia wanting the hope to spark up the oceanic orbs her son had, instead she felt her heart throb in pain when his eyes just seemed darker and unclear.

She was just there, sleeping so peacefully. Her hand safely clutched by her ecstatic father. He must be happy. Overjoyed to the fullest, but Cloud wasn't. Who was to say that she'd wake up at all. Who was to say that she was going to be fine at all. He was being pessimistic and he was well aware of it. Since young, he had engraved into his brain that he was responsible, he was going to take care of everything. Much like he has been taking care of his mother and the company, he didn't miss a beat. He would go above and beyond, and that was the only thing that mattered to him. So when his mother had told him that he and Tifa were going to be together, the eight-year-old child had decided that she was one of his utmost priority. He kept that throughout his life, and yet, even if when he handled everything else, he couldn't save that one important person in his life. Couldn't have her smiling right now, telling him that she was ok. No, right now she was still as a doll, with no one giving but a vague hope to him. He couldn't take it anymore. He left.

Just like that, everyone watches him walk out of the room. Claudia staring emotionless, Brian avoiding looking over the guilt he felt. Lucrecia gripping Tifa's chart while trying to remain professional. Zangan letting out a sigh once Cloud closes the door now stares at his friend. "Don't think you're not at fault."

"A lot of things has been going on. I couldn't help myself. He should be happy that she's going to be ok. That's what matters."

"No." Claudia remained emotionless but her voice held the fury of a mother. "He did everything for her. And I don't think you're giving credit where credit is due."

"Claudia, I'm sorry. I'm really-"

"He's not just somebody, Brian Lockhart. He's the one Liz chose." With that, she left. Frustration was growing but he couldn't leave his daughter, not right now. Zangan silently watched the two handle their ordeal, unwilling to add more to the tension. He was now distracting himself with the company. Other than an avid martial artist enthusiast and expert, Zangan was also one of the head engineers working on the A.I. robotics that will be unleashed in a few weeks. They featured assistants for either household or business purposes. Zangan has managed to keep everything at bay while the family was in no shape, but at the time, he had Cloud as support for supervision and investors checking the progress. Right now, he has no idea how he will be handling things while the two household were not in good company. Rather than force his friend to do something, he watches over him from his chair while he sent multiple orders to his department.

Author's Note: Getting sick was somewhat unexpected. I'm okay now though. Sorry for not updating for so long.