He watched her as she was sleeping.

He had packed everything he needed into his backpack. It was 3 am.

He sat by her bedside, staring at the sleeping beauty. She looked so peaceful, but he knew under all that was a broken heart. Leon let out a sad sigh.

How he loved her.

She was his everything, and seeing her like this ripped him apart. He knew the only way she would be happy was with Cloud, and that was what he wanted for her. Even if it meant he had to let her go. He brushed a hair out of her face gently.

"Aerith…" he muttered. "Why do you keep lying to yourself?" Aerith shifted a little, but stayed asleep. Leon sighed again and pulled the warm blanket over her shoulders. She smiled a little.

Leon stood up and glanced at his watch. It was still really early, but maybe it would be better if it was that way. He walked slowly over to the door. He reached up to the chain around his neck. Aerith's ring was hanging down from it. Leon shot one last glance at the woman he loved and headed out.

He placed an envelope on the kitchen table for her. She'd understand when she reads it, that he was doing the right thing, for everyone.

Leon stared sadly at the envelope. The pain was ripping him up inside, but he ignored it. He knew this was the only way Aerith could be with Cloud, if he was out of the way.

Leon looked back at the bedroom door one last time. He put on his jacket and took his backpack.

"Goodbye Aerith,"he whispered. "I hope you'll finally be happy." He blew a kiss and left out the door. He took out his cell phone.

"Hey, Charlie."

"Hey. What's up? Why are you calling me so early?"

"I'm leaving now."

"What? So you told your girlfriend?" Leon winced.

"…You could say that…"

"Okay, then. I'll pick you up when you reach Burton. Call me again anytime if you wanna back out."

"Yeah. See you then." Leon hung up the phone. He looked out at the horizon. The sun was slowly rising. He sighed and headed for the station. It'd be a long walk, but he didn't care. Maybe it'll numb his thoughts and feelings.

Cloud sat alone in his house. He couldn't sleep. He was so depressed lately; he couldn't even bring himself to talk to Aerith. He knew that would have helped a lot, but he didn't know what to do. Cloud glanced out the window, at the approaching sun.

Maybe Aerith had truly moved on with her life, with Leon. She was probably happy now, and that was something he wanted for her. To be happy. He might as well face the painful truth.

He stood up and walked over to his desk. The picture of Aerith was staring back at him. He looked at it sadly.

What was going to happen now?

Hours later, Aerith started coughing, to the point when she had to get up for a glass of water. She sat up and glanced over, surprised to see no one there. She groaned, the sun wasn't even up yet, she hated early mornings, but got up anyway. She headed to the kitchen and poured herself a glass from the tap.

"Leon?" she said, looking into the living room. "Are you there?" She sighed and sipped her glass, walking back to the dining room.

She set down the glass, and noticed there was a note on the table. She frowned a little. She opened it and started reading.

Her eyes widened in horror. She dropped the note and rushed into her bedroom. She quickly got dressed, the words of the letter ringing through her head.

Dear Aerith

If you're reading this, that means that I'm gone. I know that you're still in love with Cloud. It kills me to see you hurting so much like this. All I want from you is that you be happy, as in truly happy. Don't worry about me, Aerith. Think about yourself for once. You and Cloud are meant to be, and I can finally see that now. I hope you understand all this. Don't come after me.

I hope you'll finally be able to be happy.

Leon.

Aerith grabbed her jacket and rushed outside.

"Burton, 6am, one way ticket." It was for him after all. Aerith shook off her thoughts and tried to focus. She couldn't let Leon do this, not because of her. She couldn't let him sacrifice everything for her, not again.

"Taxi!" she shouted. A cab drove past her but then stopped. She got in quickly.

"The station. And step on it!" Aerith glanced at the time on her cell phone.

5:51 am.

The station wasn't too far away. She hoped to God she would make it.

"Ladies and gentlemen. The next ship arriving will be to Burton."

Leon looked up from his seat. A Gummi ship made it's dramatic entrance from the sky, landing a few feet in front of him. Letting out a sigh, he stood up and walked to it. The door opened for him.

"Leon!" He saw Aerith running towards him. His eyes widened. How did she find him?

Without hesitation, he rushed into the Gummi ship. Aerith ran as fast as she could, reaching the door just before it closed.

"Leon!" she called out again. She looked frantically around. The ship began to move, getting ready to life off the ground. She peered into one of the cabins, still looking around. People were staring at her, but she didn't care. She made her way to the end of the corridor. To the last cabin.

She pushed the door open and found Leon. He was sitting silently on the bunk bed, his eyes closed. Aerith sat down next to him and shook him hard. She was angry.

"What do you think you're doing,?" she spat. Leon didn't answer. "How can you just leave like that?" She let out a scoff of hurt disbelief as he again stayed silent. "Leon, why are you doing this to us?" He sighed.

"Because you love Cloud," he said simply. Aerith shook her head.

"No, I love you," she said. She shifted in her seat, holding his hand tightly. "Wherever you go, I'm coming with you. We can leave the past behind us, and start a new beginning. Together." She rested her head on his shoulder. "I won't let you go." Leon couldn't help but smile a little, but he forced himself to see the truth. He gently stroked her hair.

"You should get some sleep," he muttered. "It's still really early." Aerith didn't answer. Leon looked down at her; she was fast asleep. Leon sighed sadly. She was going through so much; it must be exhausting for her. He shifted out from under her and laid her down onto the bed, resting her on the pillow so it hugged her head. He pulled the blanket over onto the shoulders, straightening it out as he ran his hand along her arm. He took her hand and held it tightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the captain's voice rang. "We will be arriving at our first stop in an hour at Central Plaza. That is all."

Central Plaza was the marking off point for Hollow Bastion, where the Gummi ship would need to equip before leaving. Any further than that, and they couldn't turn back. Leon glanced out the window.

Cloud didn't know what was going on at all; he never did. That was the funny thing about him; he was so completely oblivious at times. But this time, he needed to know what was going on. Leon sighed. He let go of Aerith's hand and sat down on the floor. He reached into his pocket and took out his cell phone. He glanced up at Aerith again.

"It's time to end all this," he whispered. He opened up his inbox and started to compose.

Cloud.
Come to Central Plaza in an hour.
There's something I need to give back to you.

His thumb rested on the Send button. He looked at Aerith one more time, the pain almost overwhelming. He touched her face gently, and, closing his eyes, he sent the message.

It was only a matter of time now. He held Aerith tightly, knowing that it would all be over soon.

Cloud rode towards Central Plaza on his motorcycle. What did Leon want?

He stopped outside and set aside his motorcycle. He walked slowly into the station.

He was getting a feeling of what might happen, but he couldn't be too sure.

"The next ship arriving is to go onto Burton," the speaker said. Cloud looked up at it. Something clicked in his head.

The ship hovered into sight, sending out a cloud of steam as it prepared to land.

Leon got up from his spot on the floor beside the bed and went over to the window. He knew this was it.

He turned around to Aerith, smiled at her sleeping figure. He straightened the blanket one more time, bent down and planted a soft kiss on her forehead before forcing himself to back away. He picked up his bag and silently walked outside his cabin, where an attendant was standing. He tapped her on the shoulder.

"Could you please wake her up when the ship lands?" he said. The attendant nodded. Leon glanced at Aerith one last time and went over to stand by the door, waiting for it. As soon as the ship safely landed and the hissing sound of the door creaked open, Leon slipped through the narrow opening and ran.

People huddled towards the door, all wanting to get a refreshment before the ship was to resume its journey. The attendant watched the passengers go out, and once she assured that they had safely stepped outside, she glanced into Leon's cabin, where Aerith was asleep. She bent down and gave her a shake. Aerith jolted opened her eyes and looked around, dazed.

"You have to wake up," the attendant told her." Aerith sat up quickly, feeling herself panic at the absence of Leon.

He was gone.

"Where is he?" Aerith said frantically. The attendant pointed to the door. Aerith got up and ran out.

"Leon!" The crowd was hanging around the ship, making it difficult for Aerith to see. She found herself lost, but after a moment she spotted him in the distance. "Leon!" The young man started to run. Aerith forced herself through, running after him, but he had an advantage. "Leon, please don't run! Leon!"

Cloud stopped in his tracks as he recognized the voice. He turned to its direction. Leon zoomed past him. He watched him run, and turned back to the voice. He started pushing his way trough the crowd.

"Leon!" Cloud knew who it was.

When the crowd finally cleared, both froze in their tracks, staring at each other.

Aerith was awestricken to see him standing there, as was Cloud. They stood frozen for a long moment, everything else around them disappearing. Then, they both rushed into each other's arms. Aerith let out a soft gasp and buried her face into his shoulder. Cloud held her tightly, also lost for words.

"Oh Cloud!" Aerith cried softly. "I'm so sorry..." Cloud smiled gently.

"I know, Aerith," he muttered. "I know."

Aerith pulled away and stared into his eyes. She touched his cheek with her hand, as if not being able to believe it herself. They were both breathing rapidly. Cloud smiled, placing his hand on hers.

"I'll never let you go again," he whispered. Aerith beamed and she threw her arms back around his neck tightly, their moment seeming to last forever.

Leon watched from afar. His heart pumping with pain and hurt, but he smiled. She was happy now, finally with the one she loved. He threw his bag back over his shoulder, turned and walked away, not ever wanting to look back.