Disclaimer: Not mine.
A/N: Well, over the next few days I'll be posting quite a few of these. An apology, of sorts, for neglecting these stories.
Zack: Options for Escape
Now that they were out of Nibelheim, the problem that presented itself to Zack was where they'd go next. Riding in this truck beneath that oh-so-blue sky, the sky that neither he nor Spike had seen for years, was fine for now, but it could not last forever.
He considered returning to Gongaga, but discounted that. They could too easily be tracked down there. His parents must have thought he was dead- it was safer for them if he didn't let them know otherwise.
He considered the Costa del Sol as a refuge. Sun, sand, girls. Nothing to worry about. But then he remembered that it was a major ShinRa port. And also, there was no real work there, just portering, or being a waiter, or some other menial service job. The Costa del Sol was for a vacation- there was no future there, just time to waste.
He'd been stuck in the tank too long. He was getting philosophical.
And besides, the place was bloody expensive. So the Northern Continent was out as well. Though Zack knew Junon well, it was so overrun by ShinRa employees that it was not an option either.
They couldn't go to a small town, either. They'd stand out too much. If the girls in Midgar noticed Spike's hair when half the time it was hidden under one of those helmets, the girls in North Corel or Kalm would notice it too. Spike could cut it or dye it, but the eyes…neither of them could do anything about the eyes.
So as much as it was Zack's instinct to avoid large amount of people, he decided that they'd go to Midgar. Hide right under ShinRa's nose. Spike'd still have to do something about that hair, though.
Poor sod was still out of it. Just couldn't take his Mako.
Out of the corner of his eye, Zack saw a stunted bush by the side of the road, bearing small ragged-looking yellow flowers.
Aerith. Aerith would have thought he was dead too. Well, if they were going to Midgar anyway, he could disabuse her of that notion. She wouldn't mind looking after him and Spike. Hell, she'd love Spike. And Spike'd love her. Sappy as it sounded, Zack thought she was the brightest thing in the slums. People were just drawn to her.
Oh god, far too long in that tank.
They could find employment in Midgar, too. Something more suited to their skills. He doubted Spike could do anything but fight, and he knew he certainly couldn't. Obviously they couldn't go back to ShinRa- they were probably still upset about the whole incident with Sephiroth- but they could be mercenaries. They could fight for anyone who paid them.
Heh, they could try to put the Turks out of business. Not a good idea.
Midgar it was. It had employment, and Aerith, and safety. Midgar was the place to start a new life. He'd take charge, of course, Spike was still drooling a little bit. He'd get over it eventually.
He'd died within sight of Midgar. It was only after he was dead that he appreciated the irony.