Disclaimer: I only own Sam, Emily, and Kimmy. =3

Chapter 8: Decision

Reno stood, unable to form the words that might scratch the surface on how he felt. The emotions in him were mixed. Loyalty to ShinRa, and owing Sam his life. Not sure what to do, he finally looked at Sam.

'I'm sorry.' He mouthed. Sam saw it, and nodded, understanding his position. She held up her hands in defeat.

Tifa and Barrett moved to stop her, but Cloud moved his arm in their way. "It's her decision." He said softly. "We can't interfere."

Tifa slapped his arm away, and ran to back Sam up. "You can't give in, Sam! You have a right to live your life, just like anyone else! You're different than Sephiroth, and you're different than Genesis."

Sam turned around to face Tifa. "You really think that? Tifa?"

Tifa nodded. "I do. You're different than all the rest. You have a home, and you have a heart." She placed her hand over Sam's in emphasis. "You live, you breathe, you dream, and you love. That's what makes you alive."

Sam seemed shocked for a second, but she didn't have time to contemplate Tifa's statement. Rude, Tsung, and Elena were waking up, and Rufus had summoned a horde of genetically mutated guard dogs to help take Sam down.

"We need to get out of here." Sam said over the growling monstrosities.

Tifa agreed, and Barret readied his gun arm. Cloud was the only one who stood stark still.

"Reno?" Cloud called. "Who's more important to you, the girl who saved your life, the life of a stranger, or the life of a company that almost destroyed the world?"

The words hit Reno like a bullet, piercing through his emotional defenses.

He said nothing, but his scowl deepened, and his grip on his baton grew even tighter.

Sam and Tifa were already facing the dogs, and trying to dodge blows from the Turks all at the same time.

"Sam! Head for the door, I'll cover you!" Tifa yelled.

"What about you? You can't defend yourself against so many of these things!" Sam yelled back.

"Don't worry about me! Just get going! You're the one they want!"

Sam kicked one of the dogs in the head, sending it howling in pain into the wall. "I won't do that! I can't abandon you!"

Tifa nailed a right hook on Tsung. "It's not abandonment! If you go, we'll get you to a safe place. Just get out of here! You need to survive!"

Sam whirled around, and grabbed the front of Tifa's shirt. "No. I don't." She said, determination the only thing Tifa saw in her eyes.

But, Sam had turned her back on one of the dogs, which it took as an opportunity to attack. Leaping for her, it sunk its inch long canines into her neck and shoulder, causing her to cry out in pain.

Sam elbowed it in the ribcage with her non injured side, and it let go. It backed up, and the other dogs started to surround her.

Sam swore under her breath.

Rufus chuckled. "Now that these things have had a taste of your blood, Exodus, they're going to hunt you down and slaughter you, no matter where you go." He sneered at Sam, his victory imminent.

The next sound he heard would wipe the smirk right off of his face.

"Yee-haw!" A new group came busting in, led by a blonde man with a spear.

"Cid!" Tifa called out.

"So, what's all this shit about? You come callin' on ShinRa, and you don't invite me? How goddamned impolite."

Sam felt a presence behind her, and she whirled around to see the face that started this all. "Vincent?!"

He nodded, and looked at her wound. "You need medical treatment."

"I'm. Not. Leaving." She told him, venom dripping from every word.

"Ya should be, Lassie." A little voice next to her elbow said.

Sam looked down. "You've got to be kidding me."

Vincent turned to the little thing. "Cait Sith, make sure she gets back to the airship."

"Right away!" Cait turned to Sam. "Come on, then."

"I'm not leaving without Reno!" Sam hissed, making the little cat back away in fear.

She then felt a breeze by her left side, and then someone picked her up. It was Barrett again.

Sam started kicking and screaming. "Put me down, goddamn it! I told you I'm not leaving without Reno, so put me the hell down!" Barrett started to make his way out the door.

"Reno!" Sam's voice caught his attention in the scuffle. "I'm not going to leave you, okay?"

Reno felt Sam's frustration, and he nodded.

Sam smiled, and then allowed Barrett to take her back to Cid's airship.

SF15: Sweet, another chappy done! =3 But, it is still relatively short. ^_^; Sorry about that. I'll try better next time…I swear….