Author's Note: Up until now, The Denzel Chronicles have been funny and charming, and an absolute joy to write. I've hopefully shown how this very unconventional family functions on love, trust, and belief. But everything changes now…

Summary: With Cloud and Tifa out of town, Denzel is left in charge of the business, the house and his sister. When a call comes through for an urgent delivery, Denzel decides to run it to Kalm. But something happens, leaving Marlene and Kera to try to fit the pieces of the puzzle together…

Trouble Finds You

Chapter Four of the 'Denzel Chronicles'

By Ivy Tanté

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Being left holding the bag by the legendary ex-Soldier Cloud Strife was not pleasant. Denzel had to grit his teeth to keep from using a few choice words learned from Cid Highwind in one of his more colorful moments. He shifted his eyes to the right; Kera stared back, patient but expectant. He shifted his eyes to the left; Marlene was glaring at him, waiting for the promised explanation while tapping her foot ominously on the floor. Decision time.

Well, he told himself, first things first. I don't think either of them will be willing to go to school without this information. Sighing, he flopped into one of the kitchen chairs and yanked out his phone. Beep blip beep boop.

"Hello?"

"Uh, Mr. Shoman? This is Denzel. Did - I mean, do you have a moment to talk?"

"Sure I do. Is anything wrong? Kera is at your house, right?"

"Yeah, she's here." Clutching the phone tightly to his ear, he tried to explain without giving away information that wasn't his to give. "I just need some time to go over a few things with her and Marlene. Would you be really upset if Kera stays here today instead of going to school?" The last question came out in a rush.

A slight pause followed, then Kera's father asked, "Can you tell me anything about this, Denzel? I trust you and your parents, but this sounds just a little mysterious to me. Call it suspicious parent syndrome."

Denzel found himself smiling in spite of himself. What had been done to his father was horrible, but Mr. Shoman had worked at ShinRa before transferring to one of the WRO agencies. Chances were high he'd run into something dealing with Hojo's unorthodox experimentation funded by old man Shinra, which made things a bit easier. "It involves Dad and Professor Hojo."

A sharp intake of breath sounded, letting him know his guess was right. Mr. Shoman stammered a little as he asked, "Denzel… D-do you mean to say Hojo did something to Cloud?"

It was hard to answer, but he gritted out, "Yeah," before his throat closed up.

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line as Mr. Shoman tried to compose his thoughts. After considering the matter, he finally agreed. "She can stay out of school. Goddess, Denzel! I've seen some of the reports that only confirmed Hojo's insanity. I never realized…" Mr. Shoman had to clear his throat before he continued. "Thank you for trusting me with that, Denzel. I swear it won't go any further."

All the tension in his shoulders seemed to dissolve at that promise. Gratefully, Denzel said, "I know it won't, that's why I told you." After a sigh, he admitted, "Dad gave permission for me to speak with Marlene and Kera about it; I'll check once he comes back to see if I can tell you as well."

Mr. Shoman was quick to reassure Denzel on the matter, "Please don't bother him about it. If that madman got his hands on Cloud, I don't want to know the details. I have nightmares enough just thumbing through those reports I mentioned. Tell Kera I love her, and I'll see her this afternoon."

"I will, and - thanks, Mr. Shoman." Denzel couldn't help but think that phrase inadequate. There was so much to thank him for: trust, belief, compassion. Kera was as fortunate with her adoptive parents as he and Marlene were.

"My name is Brand, Denzel. I really wish you could get comfortable enough to use it sometime. Take care, okay? Bye!"

Hanging up, Denzel shoved his phone back in his pocket and sighed. One hurdle down. Looking up, he asked, "Why don't we get something to drink and go in the living room? It'll take a while to explain and we might as well be comfortable."

Once they were settled -he and Kera on the couch, Marlene perched on the ottoman right in front of him- he took a moment to organize his thoughts before beginning. Then he took a deep breath and started to talk…

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It was so hard at first. Speaking of it brought back the memory of the day after Aerith and Zack had sent Cloud back from the Lifestream. Cloud, his eyes downcast with his hand clutching Tifa's like a lifeline, struggling to relate all the hideous details of his life. Of Tifa's pale face, red-brown eyes swimming with tears she strained to hold in check. None of them were ready to face the truth, but Denzel's trust had been broken and he needed to understand why Cloud had chosen to leave rather than risk staying. And if anyone was actually owed such an explanation, it was Tifa. So he told them both, nearly ripping open his heart and soul to make them see his reasoning at the time.

The worse part had been the imagines those words created - of pain and torture and suffering and agony. In the end, both Denzel and Tifa were clinging to Cloud, holding onto him desperately. It was in those moments he truly realized just how fortunate he was to have Cloud Strife in his life. One little slip, and he might never have known the man who'd beaten Sephiroth three times.

Forcing the words out, Denzel told the woman he loved and the girl who'd become his sister the horrid truth - that Cloud wasn't a Soldier; had never been one. Of the experiments, of his mind shattering, of the control Jenova had over him, Aerith's death, the Mako poisoning, and Tifa's frantic efforts to piece his memories back together. Then Geostigma, the reemergence of Sephiroth from the Remnants, the battle - and his death at the hands of Loz and Yazoo.

It took almost three hours to go over everything, and answer their questions. Finally, his voice raspy and his throat parched, Denzel picked up his glass only to discover he'd already drained it. All three were now on the couch, him in the middle with a girl on each side. Marlene was sniffling - her tears over but such sadness in her eyes. And though she was handling it a bit better, Kera had her lips clamped tightly shut and her eyes were still a bit watery.

Blowing out a breath, Kera said quietly, "I never dreamed that… I mean, he's always so strong and controlled… Holy Leviathan, Denzel! How could he possibly have survived all that? I'd be insane!" Clutching his arm just a little tighter, she curled up enough that her head could rest on his shoulder.

Understanding, he wrapped an arm around her and answered as best he could. "I think he was, for a while. And now, he's so worried about Tifa and the baby. It's so unfair!" Denzel suddenly blurted out. "His mother crushed to death in Nibelheim during Sephiroth's rampage, his best friend shot down like an animal by ShinRa, Aerith murdered right in front of him, Jenova controlling him through Hojo's hellish experiments, the Remnants showing up right when his Geostigma was the worst…" Pulling Marlene into his lap, he hugged his little sister tightly and muttered into her hair, "Sometimes… I hate the world for what's it done to Dad. I love him so much, but when he gets that haunted look in his eyes, I know there's nothing I can do. It hurts."

The faint ringing of a phone was a welcome distraction from the current topic, so Denzel disentangled himself and raced up the stairs and into Cloud's office. Snatching up the receiver, he parroted Tifa's soothing tone as he recited from memory, "Strife Delivery Service. You name it, we deliver. This is Denzel speaking."

"Is Cloud Strife there?"

Denzel frowned. The readout on the phone indicated Harley's Grocery located in Kalm, one of Cloud's most loyal customers. But the growling, gravelly voice wasn't one he recognized. "No, I'm sorry. He's away for the weekend. Does Mr. Harley need something taken to him?"

"Yeah. There's a pickup at the farmer's market, stall 11. He needs it here as soon as possible."

It took only a moment for Denzel to make his decision. This was a valued customer, one Cloud would be disappointed to lose. "Tell Mr. Harley that I'll get the package to him right away. I should be there in a little over an hour, barring any monster attacks."

"No offense, but you sound a little young to be running around the countryside, kid."

Anyone associated with Mr. Harley would only have his well-being in mind with such a comment, he reminded himself. "I'll be fine, sir. If you'll excuse me, I need to get started."

"Okay. I'll tell him you're on your way. You'll take care, right?"

"Yes, sir." Denzel hung up the phone and jogged into his room to get ready for the trip. With the speeds he intended to use getting there and back, school clothes wouldn't stand up to the strain. And should a monster attack, he needed to have at least minimal armor.

He was changing when a knock sounded on his door. Before he could call out a warning, Kera stepped in. It was an awkward moment for them; Denzel wore no shirt and didn't even have his pants fastened. It was a toss-up as to who was more embarrassed. But humor won out when Kera giggled, covering her mouth with her hands. "This has happened once this morning already," she gasped out, referring to her face-to-chest run-in with Cloud earlier.

Once more Denzel was blushing so hard that his face felt aflame. "I'm not nearly as impressive as Dad," he admitted, snatching up his shirt and thrusting his arms into the sleeves.

"You're still growing, Denzel. I don't expect you to be physically perfect for at least two or three more years." This was said tongue-in-cheek as she leaned against the door frame. "Although I will add your training with Cloud and Tifa is definitely showing." And it was; Denzel was filling out, the width of his shoulders now apparent, the muscles of his chest and abdomen tightening. Since he tended to wear his clothes in layers, she hadn't really noticed when he started to change, but his movements as he dressed were no longer gawky and awkward.

"Thanks," he drawled out, not sure if that was a compliment or not. Stuffing his shirttail into his pants, he buttoned his jeans then started with all the straps and buckles that were part of his outfit. In many ways it resembled Cloud's own uniform, although Denzel tended more toward charcoal gray and slate-blue rather than black or navy.

Once he was 'decent', Kera strolled over to run her hands up his developing chest and into his hair, following the move with a fervent kiss. "Where are you going?" she breathed when she leaned back. "And how long will you be gone?"

"Just to Kalm. Mr. Harley needs a package rushed over. I should be back around 2:00pm at the latest." He told her of the strange phone call and the voice he hadn't recognized as he finished with the straps on his pauldron. Since his hands were now free, he put them to good use and returned her kiss while stroking her back. But he kept it short. They were in his room, after all, and he had a delivery to make. As his father had said, there was no sense in tempting fate; trouble finds you soon enough. "Try to keep Marlene out of the candy," he pleaded.

And Kera laughed against his lips and dared, "That's a mighty hard task you've set for me. Give me an incentive to try." So he did, then left the house feeling rather breathless and with a silly grin on his face. It was just before 11:00am as his motorcycle roared down the alley towards the farmers market.

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Tifa called at 3:15pm, letting them know the High Shera had reached Mideel. As soon as Marlene got off the phone, she turned to Kera and asked, "Why isn't Denzel back yet? He said 2:00pm, right?"

Startled to realize Marlene was right, Kera yanked out her phone and hit the speed dial for Denzel's cell. His voice immediately sounded in her ear, "This is Denzel, of Strife Delivery Service. I can't take your call right now, so please leave me a message so I can contact you. Your delivery is very important to us. Thank you for choosing Strife Delivery Service!" She hung up, her hands shaking. Denzel never cut off his phone for any reason, so even if he were on a call it would still ring to let him know someone was trying to reach him.

Alarmed by the look on Kera's face, Marlene dashed upstairs to grab the cordless phone in Cloud's office. Hitting redial, she pelted back down the steps into the kitchen again just as Mrs. Harley answered, "Harley's Grocery. May I help you?" Shoving the phone into Kera's hands, Marlene sat down at the table and clasped her hands together anxiously.

"Mrs. Harley, this is Kera Shoman. Can you tell me if Denzel Strife has left yet?" Trying to keep her voice level and calm, Kera also sat down, right on the edge of a chair. Something was wrong: Denzel would not cut off his phone, and he would certainly call if he was going to be later than normal.

"Denzel? Is he coming by today, dear? Oh, I wish I had known! I would have baked some cookies," came the excited reply.

Kera forced herself to take a deep breath, stomping down viciously on her rising panic. "Mrs. Harley, may I speak to Mr. Harley?"

There was a very pregnant pause on the other end of the line. "Of course, dear. Let me get him."

Leaning toward Kera, Marlene asked quietly, "They didn't call him for a delivery, did they?"

"I don't know yet, but Mrs. Harley didn't know anything about it." There was a rattle on the line, then Mr. Harley's slightly high-toned voice spoke, "This is Harley. Kera, right? The missus said something about Denzel coming over?"

Never had her throat felt so tight. Every word was an almost impossible effort. "Sir, he received a call this morning from your store, asking that he pick up a delivery at stall 11 at the farmers market and bring it to you. Denzel didn't recognize the voice of the person speaking, but since it was your number he went ahead. I think he left a few minutes before 11:00 this morning, and he isn't back yet." Please tell me he's alright, she mentally pleaded. I need to know he's okay…

But that reassurance wasn't coming. "I don't know anything about a delivery, Kera, and I didn't ask anyone to call him." There was another rustle, then he asked in a muffled voice, "Mary, did anyone use this phone earlier today? …Oh, when? I see. Thanks, dear." A tapping sound, then Mr. Harley addressed Kera again, "A man came in around 10:30am, said his truck had broken down. Mary let him use the phone to call for help. She didn't like his looks, said he was scruffy and had an awful voice, all hoarse and gravelly. But he only stayed a minute to make the call, then thanked her and left. Kera… if something has happened to Denzel…"

Her worse fears confirmed, she tried to reassure Mr. Harley, "You did nothing wrong, Mr. Harley. Whatever has happened, Denzel knows you had no willing part in it. I'm sorry, but I need to go now." She needed to scream, rant, rave. Throw the phone across the kitchen and cry until there were no more tears left. But she wouldn't, because it would do no good and waste time she didn't have to help. Hanging up, she sat staring blankly ahead for a moment, her mind empty of all thought except for the terrible question that echoed over and over, like a mantra, where is Denzel?