Hi! Back again! This story will only be maybe 3-4 chapters long, so really short ^.^ buuut I'll try to write it as good as I can so I hope you're with me on this! I was listening to "Home" by Chris Daughtry to get in the right mood! :3

Disclaimer: Square Enix owns Final Fantasy and everything connected to it, I own the plot!

Chapter 2: Home

Zack and Cloud both got dressed quickly, they didn't want to miss their ride to home after all.

Cloud asked while he looked at Zack's bandaged arm:" Does it still hurt a lot? It's been a couple of weeks.", Zack turned around and looked down at his bandaged arm. On another First Class mission, Zack had fought against at least a hundred of enemies at once and noticed a Shadow Creeper was sneaking up on Cloud from behind so he took the blow to his unprotected arm and killed the monster with his Buster sword. Ever since Cloud blamed himself for Zack's injury.

The dark haired man smiled at his companion and said:" Nah, don't worry Cloud. I'm fine.", it wasn't completely a lie, though he wouldn't exactly go fighting another hundred monsters with it and swing his massive sword around just yet. He ruffled the slightly shorter man's blonde, spiky hair earning a half hearted glare.

Zack grinned and took the picture of his family in his hand again, he smiled and said softly:" We are going back home buddy.", Cloud smiled widely and nodded, swinging his duffel bag over his shoulder, Zack did the same and the two were ready for takeoff.

As Zack and Cloud entered their military SOLDIER train, they sat opposite of each-other and both were lost in thoughts of their loved ones and families waiting for them at home.

Flashbacks

Zack was laying flat on his back on the roof of the bar Seventh Heaven, staring into the endless starry sky. Ever since the war was over and fossil fuels were used as a substitute for mako, the stars returned to their rightful places in the sky above. Zack had missed the stars, he used to watch them at night as a kid back in Gongaga all the time.

Tomorrow was the day his best friend Cloud Strife and him were needed on the battlefield again, the threat of another war breaking out in Wutai was reaching its climax and it seems Shinra was gonna send their best fighters to fight on the front lines. Zack, Cloud, Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth. Of course, telling Tifa and the kids the news was extremely difficult for Zack. No matter how dedicated he was to SOLDIER and how good he was being First Class, his family always came first. Always.

"Zack?", the warm, soft voice of his beloved wife reached his sharp ears. He hummed, not glancing away from his view of the stars. Only when she snuggled herself close to him did he wrap a strong arm around her and look down at her.

She didn't cry, she was strong, sometimes stronger than him, but he was sure during the night, when he was asleep, she would cry about him leaving and being uncertain if he would return again. She would cry because of the children, because of him, because of her best childhood friend Cloud, because of Aerith, but not because of herself. She was just too selfless.

"Be careful out there. I'm sure Yuffie and Vincent will help you guys as much as they can but you and Cloud have to watch each-other when you're surrounded by enemies, don't get too close to monsters or they will tear you-",

"Tifa.", he interrupted her worried musings softly but firmly, he lifted her chin up so she was looking at his almost glowing, blue eyes. He smiled warmly and nuzzled his nose affectionately against hers, she returned the sweet gesture making his smile widen.

"Don't worry about us, Cloud and me will be fine. You know we won't let anything happen to us, not when we have a family waiting for us at home.", this time, Tifa's burgundy/brown eyes glistened with tears. She moved herself upward and kissed her husband deeply and passionately, he returned the kiss with the same intensity.

"I know you won't but…war is unpredictable, you never know what can go wrong or if enemies will ambush you or send reinforcements. I'm just….scared that one day I'll get the same envelope our neighbor received when her husband fell in battle…", she buried her face in Zack's strong chest and he tried comforting her by rubbing her back and kissed the top of her head. He said softly:" You won't, I'll make sure of that. I could never do that to you or to Denzel and Marlene. All I need is for you to trust me.", he looked into her eyes.

She smiled and caressed his cheek saying:" You know I trust you with my life Zack.", her husband smiled, leaning his forehead against her own, breathing in her scent and just holding her close to him, on the roof of their home, on their last night together…

Cloud was standing in the doorway to his house, looking up at the night sky filled with stars. The stars had offered him a strange sort of comfort, maybe because he was searching for his parents or maybe he wished to attain guidance from them, he didn't know. All he knew was that tomorrow was going to be very difficult for him, especially leaving his pregnant wife behind.

He knew that Aerith had Tifa and Denzel and Marlene looking out for her, as well as the former members of AVALANCHE nearby but he couldn't help but worry.

As if she heard him, he felt a dainty hand touch his bare arm, squeezing lightly to catch his attention. He turned his head lightly to look at his beautiful wife, a hand on her bulging stomach and a soft yet troubled smile on her angelic face. She leaned herself on Cloud for support as both watched the sky.

"Don't, it's alright.", Cloud said when he felt Aerith trying to take some of her weight off him. She pouted and protested:" But Cloud, I'm heavy especially with the baby.", the man shook his head and kissed her head affectionately, supporting her full weight.

His calloused hands tenderly rubbed her stomach, a warm smile playing on his lips when he thought of his unborn child. He said playfully:" You know, if it's a "her" I hope she will be as beautiful and smart as her mother. If it's a "he" I'm sure he will be a good fighter and loyal friend.",

"Just like his father.", she smiled brightly, looking up at him and smiling that radiant smile at him. He chuckled softly and continued to hold her protectively.

"Cloud, please promise me to come back in one piece. You have to be careful when you're fighting, watch after yourself and after Zack as well. I don't want to see Tifa brokenhearted if he comes back missing a limb or two! And I'll beat you up if you come back with a missing limb!", Cloud shook his head in amusement and said softly:" Don't worry, nothing will happen to us. Zack and I will watch each-other's backs, you know how skilled a fighter Zack is and we aren't alone. Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth are there too. You know how powerful they are, we will be safe."

She still wasn't completely convinced and bit her lip worriedly, Cloud sighed and nuzzled the side of her face saying:" I can't wait to come back and finally help you with your pregnancy. And when our child is finally born, we still haven't decided on a name yet though.", she smiled and said while turning around in his arms:" We will decide that together when you return.",

Cloud wanted to say something, to say it was never certain if he would even return, it never was with soldiers. But when he looked into her bright green eyes, determined and alight with a fire that he definitely will return, all protest died down in his throat and he just held and cuddled her until the morning when he had to depart.

Flashback End

Both men were watching the mostly grassy scenery outside, they were nearing Midgar, they could tell. Ever since mako, for the majority, wasn't used anymore as an energy source the land grew lush with all sorts of flora and fauna. Zack sent Cloud a wide, cheerful grin and the younger man returned it with one of his own.

They were going home.

Tifa, Marlene, Denzel and Aerith were all waiting in Seventh Heaven for their soldiers to finally return after months of fighting on the front lines.

Tifa was cleaning the counter and the tables time and time again, after the fifth round of cleaning, Aerith touched her friend's shoulder and said softly:" Tifa, calm down. They are safe and they will come soon. If something had happened they would have informed us already.", the brunette nodded, a hand on her forehead to try and ease her nerves.

Tifa embraced her pregnant friend carefully saying to herself and her:" They will come home soon, our boys. Remember the first time we met them Aerith? They didn't change much from back then, Zack is still the same energetic puppy and Cloud is still the goofball he always was.",

Aerith smiled warmly and said:" For the most part, they didn't change at all. But I noticed how both Zack and Cloud matured. Especially Zack, ever since he got you and the kids. He's more careful, not as reckless as he was in his youth and Tifa…I believe Zack when he says he would lay down his life for you and the kids but whenever I see the way he looks at his family…I saw that look in Cloud too. I realized it means that both wouldn't hesitate for a heartbeat before protecting us with their last breath.",

Tifa didn't cry, not in front of Aerith and the kids but she let out a suppressed whimper and hugged Aerith as tight as she allowed herself to not cause harm to the baby. She embraced her children as well, she shot to her feet when Denzel suddenly said:" Hey mom…isn't that…?",

"Dad!", Denzel and Marlene shouted, immediately rushing outside to greet the two figures approaching Seventh Heaven.

Aerith and Tifa froze, they saw the two men, kneeling down to hug the kids but it took their brains a few more seconds to comprehend what was happening before both women rushed out of the bar.

Zack was the first to hug his children of course, hugging them so tightly he was afraid he would crush them in his arms, they cried into his chest and shoulders. They were tears of happiness, he blinked back his own tears. He would not cry, at least he was telling himself that.

" We missed you so much dad! So, so much!", Marlene exclaimed, burying her face against her father's broad chest. Denzel buried his face into his shoulder, his arms tightly wound around Zack's neck.

After they broke away from their father they went to hug their beloved uncle Cloud, who was waiting for them with a big smile and outstretched arms.

Zack's blue eyes landed on Tifa and Aerith, locking gazes with his wife. This time, he quickly walked towards her and lifted her up in the air by holding onto her waist, spinning her around with her beautiful laughter echoing in his ears.

He held her securely against himself as he lowered her down and kissed her passionately, he had missed her. God how he had missed her. They had to break apart for air, Tifa holding his face and crying tears of joy. Zack felt one tear slide down his cheek, he gently wiped away her tears and said softly:" I'm home.",

Tifa smiled and nodded, running her hands through his long, spiky black hair. She whispered:" I know.", and kissed him again.

They were finally home.

Sooo….what do you think? I felt I needed to add that emotional touch! ^_^ Please read and review!