The car stopped in front of the police station. Aerith jumped out, muttered a "thank you" to the driver and darted up the steps and into the building.

She caught sight of the men taking a handcuffed Leon into another room. Aerith frantically ran as fast as she could to them.

"Leon!" she called out, but they didn't seem to hear her, vanishing behind the door. Before Aerith could reach it, a young man with glasses stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said. "You can't go in there."

"What's going on? Where are they taking him?!"

"They're taking him into custody." Aerith gazed at him, completely overwhelmed with horror and shock.

"W-why…?!"

The man looked at the file he was holding.

"He's been charged with physically assaulting a police officer and trespassing."

Aerith felt dizzy. Her head was spinning with mixed emotions. She grabbed the man's sleeve.

"Please, you have to let me see him…"

The man shook his head.

"I'm sorry, these are restricted areas," he told her firmly. Aerith stared at him with desperate eyes, feeling helpless.

"Please," she begged weakly, tugging his sleeve. "I… I need to see him…" The man's expression softened, clearly feeling sorry for her.

He sighed.

"I don't have the authority, ma'am," he said grimly. "You have to wait until they let you see him. There's nothing I can do."

Aerith dropped her gaze, stumbling back a little. She exhaled sharply, holding back tears. The man placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said again. Aerith didn't even glance at him. He gave her one last sympathetic look, and then left into another room.

Cloud was outside the police station, having followed her from the Town Hall. He silently watched her while hiding himself behind the door.

Aerith let out a sob as she slowly walked over to the bench beside the entrance door in a daze. She sat down and leaned back against the wall. She squeezed shut her eyes and let out a shaky sigh. She took out her cell phone and made a call.

Cloud continued to watch her concernedly from the distance. His phone began to ring and vibrate.

Without taking his eyes off Aerith, he took it out and opened it, pressing it to his ear.

"Hello?"

Aerith's voice came.

"Cloud, it's me."

Cloud sat down on the steps.

"Hey," he said gently. "Are you alright?"

"I'm… I'm sorry I ran out like that," she said softly. "Something's come up and I don't think I can make it back in time." She managed a weak dry laugh, looking down at her left hand.

"I didn't even let you put your ring on me," she said, her voice quivering a little.

"It doesn't mean anything," Cloud said firmly. "We're still engaged."

"But… not officially."

"Does it matter?" he asked.

Aerith forced a smile.

"I guess not," she whispered. A tear ran down from the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry I ruined everything." Cloud saw her wipe her eyes. He turned away, staring at the pavement in front of him.

"Do you need me to come?"

"No, no. It's okay now." Aerith paused for a moment to control herself.

"Hey… I'm going to be home late tonight, okay? Don't wait for me." She bit her lip. Cloud turned around and gazed at her.

"Aerith…"

"I love you, Cloud…" she whispered tearfully as she tried hard to stop herself from breaking down. "Please don't be mad." She closed her eyes and hung up, resting the phone on her lap. She stared down at it and, unable to hold it any longer, dissolved into tears.

Cloud stared at the woman he loved, his heart breaking. He turned away from the door, unable to see her like that anymore. He closed his eyes, but he still couldn't it block out.

She was in so much pain.

It had been hours. It was dark outside now, from the prison cell window. Really dark.

Leon sat alone in his cell, his head in his hands. He hated himself for what he had done. He saw the look on Aerith's face when he was dragged away at the ceremony; he had ruined everything.

He glanced at his watch, sighing. As soon as he was to be released, he'd go back to Burton and stay there, knowing he wouldn't be able to hurt Aerith there. He would leave Hollow Bastion for good this time; he had caused too much already.

The sound of the cell door sliding open brought him out of his thoughts. A young policewoman walked over to him, removing his handcuffs.

"Your bail's cleared," she told him. "You're free to go now." Leon rubbed his wrists, staring at her with confusion.

"Bail?" he repeated. The girl nodded, smiling casually.

"A friend of yours came a while ago. He also clarified the situation for us." She grinned. "You're cleared of all charges." She closed the cell door as soon as Leon stepped out. She motioned him to follow her as she walked back to the main entrance hall. She handed him back his jacket.

"Personally, I'd like to apologize for what happened to you, Leon," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "I'll have a chat with the officer who had you arrested later." Leon nodded. He held out his hand to her.

"Thanks, Dayna," he said, sincerely grateful. Dayna smiled coyly and shook his hand.

"That's Lieutenant to you," she said, chuckling. "And don't even think I forgot about that speeding ticket I should have given you." She grinned and gave him a friendly punch in the arm as she walked past him, back to her office. "That was the crappiest date I had ever been on."

Leon smiled to himself and shook his head. He put his jacket back on as he made his way towards the entrance of the police station. He stopped dead in his tracks.

A young woman was asleep, sitting on the bench by the door. Her back was against the wall, her head titled to one side onto her shoulder. Her hands were at her elbows; he knew she must have been cold only wearing a pink gown.

It was Aerith.

What was she doing here? How long had she sat there for?

Leon closed his eyes for a moment, knowing what must have happened. He let out a sigh, hating himself even more. He glanced at Aerith one last time and he knew what he had to do.

Leave. For good.

He quietly pushed the door and slipped outside.

It was snowing, and quite heavily too. Leon shivered a little.

He straightened his jacket, watched the snow fall for a moment and then started walking away from the station.

Inside, the young man with glasses entered from his office, surprised to see Aerith still sitting there. He cautiously walked over to her, tapping her shoulder to wake her up.

"Ma'am?" She opened her eyes to him. "Uh…your friend has just been released."

Aerith was wide awake at his words. She jumped out of her seat and looked around wildly.

"Wh-where is he?!"

"He just left," the man said, pointing.

"Thank you," she breathed, and she darted out the door.

She could still see him, walking off in the distance. Pulling her dress up over her ankles, she ran as fast as she could, ignoring the icy pain as the snowflakes fell onto her bare shoulders.

"Leon!" she called out. He ignored her and kept walking. This just made Aerith even more frustrated. She ran faster and finally caught up to him. She grabbed his arm, swung him around and slapped him hard across the face, making him stumble back slightly. She was so angry.

"What is wrong with you?!" she shouted angrily. Leon didn't meet her eyes, rubbing his cheek calmly with the back of his hand. "You…you're unbelievable! Do you realize what you've done?!"

Leon still didn't look at her. He stared guiltily at the snow-covered ground.

"I'm… sorry." Aerith's eyes sparkled with pure anger.

"You barge in on my engagement, you land yourself in prison and you don't even care that I waited for you!" She grabbed him by the shirt collar roughly, forcing him to look at her. Her hands were trembling. "This is all your fault! You've ruined everything! You're the reason me and Cloud aren't engaged!" Her breathing became jagged. "It's… it's all your fault, Leon! It's all because of you!" Leon looked away, the guilt overwhelming him.

"I'm sorry," he muttered again. Aerith was clearly getting more and more frustrated. She pulled him more forcefully back to her.

Suddenly, she felt her hand touch something hard. She looked down at his collar, loosening her grip.

Her hands found the ring hanging from his neck chain.

Aerith looked up at Leon, enraged.

"What is this?" she said hotly. "Why are you still wearing this, Leon?!" She held it up, forcing it in his face. Leon tilted his head away from it, not giving her eye contact. "I thought you said you've put the past behind. Why are you still holding onto my ring?!" Leon couldn't stand it anymore. He grabbed the chain and ripped it violently off, throwing it onto the side. He glared at the thunderstruck Aerith.

"Now are you happy?" he said coldly. Aerith didn't answer; her eyes were on the ring on the ground. Leon turned his back to her and walked away, leaving her all alone.

Angry and hurt, she continued to stare at the ring. The snow was coming down even more now, covering it up. Aerith began to sob, sinking to her knees next to it. She dusted off the snow and held the ring in her icy fingers.

"You coward…" she muttered, her voice shaking. She squeezed her eyes shut, forming a tight fist around the ring, pressing it to her chest. "You coward…"

Cloud watched her from the distance behind a tree. He couldn't stand to see her in so much pain. He dropped his gaze to the ground, sighing deeply.

He took the ring Aerith had dropped out of his pocket and stared at it. He sighed again.

"He was arrested for trespassing?!" Cloud had returned back home. He was sitting in Cid's house, his eyes staring into space.

He nodded grimly. Yuffie and Cid were outraged.

"That son of a bitch should lose his badge for that!" Cid exclaimed, pacing. Yuffie sighed.

"At least Leon's okay now," she said, sitting down next to Cloud. She looked at her watch and frowned. "I'm getting worried here. Aerith should be home by now." The sound of the door banging shut turned the trio's attention.

It was Aerith. She walked slowly to them in a complete daze. Her hair and dress were completely wet from the snow, her eyes half-closed and she gasped for breath. Yuffie and Cloud jumped form their seats as they all rushed over to her.

"Aerith!" Yuffie said, trying to snap her out of it. "Are you okay?"

Aerith stood still for a moment, then her eyes rolled back and she collapsed. Luckily, Cloud caught her in time. He winced at her touch; she was freezing cold.

"Quick," he said. "She needs to stay warm." Yuffie and Cid nodded.

Cid ran into the kitchen and started to boil some water. Cloud lifted Aerith off the ground and hurried into the bedroom. Yuffie followed.

He laid her down gently on to the bed. He then removed her wet pink dress and threw it to the side, replacing it with warm pajamas. He dried her hair with a towel and wrapped the thick blanket around her. Aerith began to cough hard, shivering. Cloud glanced at Yuffie.

"Keep her warm," he said, standing up from the bed. "I'm going to go get her an elixir from the store." Yuffie nodded and he ran off. She walked to the heater and turned it on. Cid came in, holding a hot water bottle.

He went over and slipped it safely under Aerith's arm. He watched her for a moment sadly, running his fingers across her forehead. She opened her eyes.

"Uh…" she groaned, trying to sit up. Cid sat down next to her, but Aerith didn't look at him, her gaze unfixed, still shaken up. Cid sighed and looked at Yuffie.

He knew where his place was.

Cid gave Aerith a gentle pat on the shoulder and stood up. He straightened her blanket and left the room. As soon as the room was silent, Yuffie walked cautiously over to Aerith's bedside. She sat down, watching her friend with worry and concern.

"Aerith…"

"How could he do this?" Aerith breathed. Yuffie tried to comfort her.

"Just calm down…"

"He acts like I've been using him," Aerith said weakly, hurtful tears in her eyes. "Like he was nothing more than a toy I've been playing with." She looked over at Yuffie. "He acts like I never even cared about him!"

Cloud came back with the elixir mix. He walked to the room and reached for the handle, opening the door. He stopped when he heard Aerith. He leaned in and peeked through the gap.

"I was in love with him, Yuffie…" Aerith said weakly. "You know I was. You know it was real." Cloud stood still, stiffening a little. His eyes moved to Yuffie. She was staring at the bedspread, silent.

"What about now?" she said after a moment, looking back at her best friend. "Are you still in love with him now?" Aerith was taken aback by her question, nervously looking away. Yuffie's eyes widened.

"Oh no…" she muttered, all her worst fears suddenly coming true as she saw the look in Aerith's eyes. "Oh god no…" Yuffie grabbed Aerith roughly by the shoulders, but Aerith closed her eyes tightly, unwilling to look at her anymore. Yuffie shook her hard.

"Tell me!" she demanded, her voice almost trembling with desperation. "Aerith, please! Please look me in the eye and tell me you're not still in love with Leon!" Aerith finally broke down, falling limp onto Yuffie.

"Please, Aerith," Yuffie pleaded, tears in her eyes as well. "Please…"

Aerith began to cry.

"I can't," she said tearfully, shaking her head. "I can't do it. I can't lie like this anymore. I just… I love him… I… I still love Leon…" Cloud closed his eyes. He turned away and pressed his back to the wall, swallowing hard.

"Why won't it stop, Yuffie?" Aerith sobbed. "I just want it to stop…" She started to cough again. Yuffie wrapped her arms around her, allowing her to cry on her shoulder. Yuffie's grim expression was only matched by Cloud's.

He took the ring out of his pocket and stared at it, wondering if it was worth it anymore.

She was still in love with Leon.