A/N: Yaaay! Mission time! This one is actually quite lengthy! YEAH I KNOW! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! And it's got some seriousness in it. Gasp for you! But it has a buncha Zax, so it's fun too. I mean, he's only in the game like what, a minute? So not much is really known about his personality. But I tried my hardest to make him likeable and stuff, based on what lil junk I do know about him. So yeah… YAY SEPHY! He used to be my favorite. But now Reno is my ultimate ff7 love squishy of loving love. LOVE! fist shakes slightly

File005-S.E.P.H.I.R.O.T.H.

Sephiroth slowly opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling of his room. A chink of sunlight fell softly through his window, glinting on his gossamer silver hair as he sat up and ran a hand through it. Today, that girl was coming on the mission with him and Zax. She had proven herself very strong while fighting. This mission should be easy for all three of them; a giant Zolom wasn't too big a threat.

Why do I feel worried?

He got out of bed, showered, and dressed. It was still very early, at least an hour before he had to be outside at the truck to leave. He grabbed his sword and walked out of his room, just silently walking along the hallways. As he reached a corner, someone came dashing around it.

"Oh – Sephiroth-San!" Kera cried desperately, running down to him. "Thank goodness – Do you have any idea where Reno–Sempai is?! I am supposed to meet up with him and Rude-Sempai, but he didn't tell me where!"

he looked down at her, his expression remaining calm and solid, but his thoughts wondering to slight exasperation.

Such a primitive way to flirt, to constantly tease and stress out the other person…

"I'm sorry," he said, his quiet voice taking her slightly by surprise – she'd never heard him speak before. "I don't know where he is. You could try the Gelinka port or the submarine docs, but I wasn't told of his mission today."

She sighed desperately. Something about her flushed face, slightly stringy hair, and worried eyes struck in him, and he felt a little mad at himself for not being able to help.

"Thank you, anyway." She said, bowing deeply. She ran off and out of sight. Sephiroth watched after her, a little confused why he had felt so strongly at that moment when she seemed so desperately helpless. He shrugged it off and continued to walk.

"Kera-Chan…" He muttered to himself.

"Huh?" she said, turning back.

He blinked and looked over with a faint layer of surprise across his usually emotionless face. He didn't mean to say that out loud. He struggled for something to say while she looked puzzled.

"… Would you like me to come with you?" he said, unable to think of anything else. "Only I've got a mission in an hour, but I can walk with you until then."

What am I getting myself into?

Kera smiled widely. "That'd be cool!" She said happily, though she was actually quite intimidated. HOMYGAWD IS SEPHIROTH!!?

He walked with her throughout the Shinra building for the next twenty minutes, usually watching her since he knew the building well enough he didn't need to look where he was going. She however, as a new recruit, was awed by all the places the building held.

It's kind of fun to watch her like this.

Wait. What?

"Is something wrong? You seem puzzled." Kera said, laying a hand on his arm. His eyes widened slightly at the contact and he looked down to her. She was rather short to him; she only came up to almost his shoulders. Her concerned face was so cute.

"Nothing is wrong." He said simply, continuing the walk past the library.

"Oh, hey!" said Kera arbitrarily, jogging off to a vending machine. "Want something? My treat!" she had already put gil in to buy a drink for herself. She had already received it before he had an answer.

"That's ok, I don't really -"

"Nah, really?" she said, looking put – out. "C'mon it's really ok. I'll getchya something."

Before he could protest, a Lychee soda clattered to the retrieval box and she reached in and grabbed it.

"Here," she said with a smile. "Go on, take it. They're good." She wasn't normally this pushy, but she had the odd feeling that Sephiroth – san never seemed to have enough fun. I mean, I've never seen him smile. I know it's not my business, but I bet he'd be real cute with a smile.

He blinked, hesitated, and accepted the drink. They continue to walk for another minute when they ran into Gun.

"OhmygawdthankgoodnessIfoundyou!" Kera said really fast in one breath.

"What's up?" said Gun, brushing some of her short blonde hair behind an ear.

"Reno told me I had to meet him for a mission today but he didn't say where!" Kera said, pouting adorably. "And now I'll be late! Not a good first impression to my bosses and what not."

Gun scratched her head.

"Today is your unit's day off though, isn't it?" she said, thinking. Kera froze, her bangs covering her face. Gun laughed nervously and walked away. "See you later, Kera-Can."

"…"

she looked away from Sephiroth, embarrassed he had to see that. After a pause, she glanced at his face.

He was smiling kindly.

"I suppose I will see you later, then." He said softly, turning to leave. "I have to leave now. Enjoy your day off."

"… Bye-bye." Said Kera, a weak smile trying to form.

Sephiroth arrived at the truck at the same time as Zax. A second later, Roxxie appeared, looking nervous but excited.

"Ever been out of Midgar before, Roxie-Chan?" said Zax cheerfully, draping an arm around her shoulders.

"Once, but I was very little." She said, her face squinting with the effort of trying to remember. "My folks had taken me to the Chocobo ranch…"

"We're ready to go, Sir," the truck driver called to Sephiroth as the engine revved up. Sephiroth turned to the other two.

"This should be a fairly easy mission, but we have to be prepared. Nothing out of the ordinary should happen, but make sure you have all of your materia and weapons at the ready."

"What exactly are we going to be doing?" asked Roxxie.

"There have been reports of attacks around the marsh near the Chocobo ranch. We have reason to believe the Zolom laid eggs and the offspring have been attacking people and animals. We were hired to take them out."

"Sure deal!" said Zax. Whistling a tune, he jumped into the back of the truck and beckoned for them to follow. "Let's get going!"

Roxxie opened her eyes blearily. She tilted her head a little bit, which was resting on someone's shoulder.

"Oh my gosh! Did I fall asle- what-?" she sat up, and heard Zax laughing from the other side of the truck.

"Tired much?" he asked, chuckling.

"S-shut up, you." Roxxie said, embarrassed. She looked sideways and saw she had fallen asleep on Sephiroth's shoulder.

OH. MY GOD. This sucks!! How embarrassing! I can't believe myself! I just… didn't get much sleep last night… that stupid dream again.. anyway…

"Sorry, its just, uh, car rides." She said numbly.

"Don't worry about it." said Sephiroth, not showing any sign of disbelief or impatience. In fact, he just kinda looked at her, as if to say 'if you fall asleep again, I don't really care. I'm not going to kill you for being tired.'

Roxxie stretched, looking for a change of subjet. "How long we been on the road?" she asked, "How close are we?"

"We should arrive any min-!" Zax started, until a loud THUD and the driver crying "Oh my God!" interrupted. The truck was brought to a screeching halt and the three of them leapt out, running to see what happened.

"Holy – it lunged out of nowhere!" the driver ranted, pointing shakily to a twitching snake on the grass in front of him. It had to be over seven feet long, and almost as thick as a tree trunk. It hissed and twitched, injured from the collision with the truck.

"Eww." Said Roxxie, poking it with a stick she had found nearby and giggling slightly. Just as she prodded it, Zax snuck up behind her and roughly shoved her back, yelling "RAHH!"

she squealed and stumbled away, afraid of the almost dead creature.

"That wasn't funny!" she said, glaring at Zax as he roared with laughter.

"There!" Sephiroth suddenly shouted. It was amazing how his soft, secretive-like voice had become so harsh and fearful so suddenly.

There were two more young zoloms headed towards them, their tails shaking furiously as they hissed and spat angrily, preparing to attack. They both dashed forward at Roxxie at the same time, and she jumped out of the way, causing them to head for Zax instead. He took his buster sword and blocked their fangs from piercing him, he flipped over them and swung his sword in a circle over his head, and brought it down on them in a spiral motion. As soon as they were killed, four more appeared, then another two.

"How many eggs do they lay?!" Roxxie marveled while stabbing one in the back of the head and kicking one at the same time. Before she knew what happened, her kick had been misjudged and was in the mouth of a deadly snake. She snarled loudly and swung her sword around, but as soon as she felt the fangs sinking into her ankle could feel her energy slipping away. She and her swords fell to the ground as a deep, frightening voice cried out her name.

"Hey, are you alright now?"

She blinked several times, until the fuzzy black and pink thing became Zax leaning over her.

"… My leg hurts like a bitch." She said dully.

Zax laughed. "If you're able to say that, I suppose you'll live, eh?" he rubbed his head. "Luckily Seph had an antidote on him. But uh, we're gunna have to stay here for the night."

Roxxie sat up and looked around. "Are we in Kalm?"

"Yeah, at the hotel. See, a few of the snakes decided that random bits of truck are mighty delicious. And uh, the only way back to midgar os to walk. And we don't want to pressure our injured teammate."

"Oh, it's fine!" she said hastily, pulling the bed sheets up and trying to stand. Then squealing as pain shot up from her ankle.

"No nonononononnooooo, see, we don't try that. Ok?" Zax said, catching her before she fell.

"This is so non-cool," she whimpered. "This was my first mission like this and stuff -"

"Ey it's alright, not as bad as my first mission as a first class," Zax said consolingly as Sephiroth walked in, looking around curiously.

"Are you for seriously?" asked Roxxie disbelievingly.

"Hey, you didn't have to cross dress." Said Zax coolly, a dark expression crossing his face as his eye twitched threateningly.

Roxxie fell face forward into her pillow to muffle her laughter. Zax caught Sephorpth's eye, who was giving him a look as if to say, 'you didn't have to cross dress.' Zax replied with a 'she doesn't know that.' Look in return, and they nodded to each other sagely.

"But what time is it? How long have I been out?" she certainly hoped she didn't seem weak.

"It's not important."

Sephiroth's voice came from where he stood at the window. "All that we need at the moment is rest – they're sending transportation tomorrow." He walked over to her bed and leaned close to her. He had an odd look, like he'd never had to do this before and wasn't sure how to talk properly to a bedridden person and as if he wasn't sure how his face should look when trying to show concern. "You're feeling alright?"

"Thank you," she said at once. "Zax - kun told me you used an antidote. I'm much better." To tell the truth, she was totally ashamed it had come to that. But he wasn't angry, he wasn't disappointed. He was concerned for her safety. She definitely owed him some gratitude.

Sephiroth gave a little sigh and stood up. "You have this bed tonight. I'm taking the sofa."

"Huh?!" she said, taken aback.

"The hotel only had this room left," Zax pointed out the two beds. "It's best that you have one and junk. I volunteered to take the other bed."

"Zax!"

"Kidding! I'm kidding!" he said with a nervous laugh. "I was gunna take the couch…"

"I will." Said Sephiroth again, going back to his window to gaze at the evening sky. "We'll probably be up early tomorrow, so get some rest."

"Sure beans." Zax said again, shrugging and plopping onto his bed.

The lights were dimmed and they all went asleep.

She ran forward, only able to see their two stillouhettes against the night. If she could just run faster, damnit! She might be able to hel-

A gunshot rent the air, and one of the figures collapsed. She screamed with all her might, running desperately to the scene.

"you're so weak," an evil voice echoed through the still night as the injured figure struggled to get up again, bleeding profusely.

"Dad!" she shrieked, breathing heavily as she drew nearer.

"Damnit Rox, RUN!" shouted the dying man.

Several shots were aimed at her, but missed. She picked up her father's fallen sword and charged at the attacker, yelling with enraged tears spilling out of her eyes.

The man laughed evilly, and his finger pulled the trigger, a searing pain pierced her ankle as he reloaded for another shot, aiming for her father's face.

"DAAD!!! GYAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

a blood curdling scream shattered the peace of the night as Roxxie jerked awake, thrashing in her bedsheets, her ankle throbbing as if the bullet were still there, the tears on her face mingled with the sweat she was drenched in.

"What?!" said a sharp voice. "What's happening?!"

"Roxxie!"

"N-no Plea- No I don't-!" she cried in high-pitched, gasping sobs. A light flared on and She could see Sephiroth at the lightswitch, Zax rushing to her bedside.

"Jesus Roxxie, what happened?!" he gasped, almost breathing as hard as she was. He looked at her stricken face and stood up. "I'll get you some water!" he said hurriedly as Sephiroth came over and sat on the edge of her bed, awkwardly leaning toward her with his arm outstretched. Without a moment of hesitation, she grabbed onto him, shivering and gulping. It was that damn dream again, the one that deprived her of sleep the night before as well.

"Are you alright?" he whispered, putting a soft hand on the side of her face, his expression remaining still though his heart beat quicker than usual.

"B-bad dream," she choked, shuddering.

"Did something happen… Between you and your father?" he asked sloly. Having not really known his father, he didn't know how to ask about it without upsetting her further.

"First Class SOLDIER," she muttered. "Didn't come home one night. Went to find him. It's my fault…" she sighed, tightening her arms around him.

To any normal person, that wouldn't have made any sense. But Sephiroth could easily infer what had happened.

"It wasn't your fault." He said simply. Wow, it felt odd to be saying words of… comfort. "You tried to protect him, didn't you?"

"But he told me to run." A small tear leaked down her face. "I…"

"anyone would have tried to help…"

"I wasn't helping in his eyes. I'm what made him lose!"

His arms suddenly flung themselves around her tightly, squeezing all thought from her mind. She shivered and clung to him.

"I should b-be stronger than this…"

"Stop crying."

"I'm sorry," she whimpered.

"Don't." he said quietly. "Stop blaming yourself."

"But I killed-!"

"Think about it." His voice was stern, yet understanding. Low and cold, but calming. "Think if you had obeyed him. Would he have been spared?"

"I shouldn't have been there…" Roxxie sighed miserably.

Sephiroth's voice grew quieter as he moved closer to mutter softly into her ear.

"What was the best that could have happened? How could you have known any better? You can't blame everything on yourself when all you had were good intention"

"He never needed my help…"

"The fact that you wanted to help shows your love for him, as does him wanting you to run." He breathed down her skin lightly, his arms shifting around her waist. "Wanting to help the people you care for…"

"I GOT THE WATER!!!" Zax ran chibi-like into the room, carrying a cold glass of water.

"Oh?!" said Roxxie distractedly, sitting up straight and running a hand embarrassedly through her hair. "Um, th-thanks," she stammered with a small sniff.

"Well…" Sephiroth said as Zax bustled forward to feel her forehead concernedly. "Get well soon."

"Ah… thanks…" Roxxie murmured, drinking the water. There was a somewhat painful silence as roxxie struggled ot find something to say.

"Please get well soon," Sephiroth said softly, standing up and looking down at her, his expression still unreadable.

Zax bustled over to her side in his place, feeling her forehead concernedly, noticing her reddened face.

"You're sure you're alright?" he asked softly. "If you want… I can stay awake, if you'd feel better that way…"

Sephiroth silently made his way back to his couch, watching as if it was a mildly interesting television show as Roxxie looked away, a little embarrassed.

"Would you… stay next to me?"

For an answer, Zax promptly lay next to her, taking her hand in a comforting way. Sephiroth was laying on the couch, facing away as if he wasn't interested in watching. Roxxie turned off the lights and lay down, Facing Zax but unable to see him through the darkness, but she was sure that they were so close that, had she looked up, they might bump chins. As her eyelids fluttered closed, she felt a light brush against her forehead… a light brush of lips… and a soft "good night…"

\//

Roxxie slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times to clear her mind. The first thing to greet her vision was a beautiful face, the sunlight through the window falling over him, giving Zax a kind of healthy looking glow. His usually crazy spiked hair seemed more limp, resting softly on the pillow. The silence of the morning was spiraling onward, seeming to last an eternity. Her hand was still snugly in his.

It's… It's been such a long time since I had a hand to hold on to… Someone to…

With as little movement as possible, she glanced at him to make sure he was still asleep.

He won't mind…

She slowly pulled his hand up tp her face, holding onto it as a child would hold onto its favorite plush animal. His skin was ungenuinely soft, especially for a man, especially for a 1st class SOLDIER. It felt so nice, to be in such contact with a person again after so lone… After so…

"Morning, Sunshine."

She looked up, startled, to se Zax wide awake and grinning softly.

suddenly, a deep and slightly harsh voice comes from the side of the room where the window is.

"Shin-Ra has sent a backup truck, so we can leave whenever you are ready."

Sephiroth was at the window, looking out to the street below, his expression undetectable. it was clear from his appearence that he'd been up for much longer, waiting for the two to awaken

"ahhh, c'mon!" Zax said in a kin of whine. "We GOTTA have breakfast first!!! I'm totally STARVING!"

Sephiroth looked at him, then with the same staid expression looked at Roxxie.

"Whichever suits you guys best," she said, smiling softly. "I don't have a preference…"

"WOOHOO" Zax said happily. "Let's go to th- OH! HEY!" he looked at Roxxie excitedly. "It's Saturday!"

Sephiroth starts to look slightly impatient, as if it was obvious and Zax was dumb for stating it.

"what's so important?" Roxxie asked, puzzled. She was clearly not much of a morning person. Zax rubbed her hair with a chuckle.

"It's SATURDAY!" he laughed. "Don't you remember?You…? Me…? Saturday…?food…?Movies….?"

she was silent for almost a full minute.

"OH!" she gasped, blushing lightly and clapping her hands to her face. "But… I'm not prepared, I don't have something nice to wear…"

"You don't have to!" Zax replied. "We'll go wherever you feel like! And if it's supposed to be fancy………. Well, screw em!"

"……………" Sephiroth watched in complete silence, an eyebrow slightly raised.

Roxxie got out of bed and stretched, discussing options with Zax as they gathered up things to start getting ready for the day. After a minute Zax brightly coulenteered to go get food from downstairs. He left Roxxie and Sephiroth alone. There was a silence.

"thanks," she said softly, looking at him. "What you said meant a lot."

He nodded, and seemed to have alook about him that said 'I want to tell you something, but really don't feel like speaking right now.'

"Glad I could help." He simply said quietly.

Roxxie smiled, able to sense he was afraid to say something. Gathering up her courage, she gave him a small hug and muttered, "Whenever you're ready, I'll listen." He hesitated, almost as if he were confused, and returnd the small hug just before she let go, as if wondering if he should or not. But one thing was for sure; he really, REALLY hoped she didn't notice that light pink tinge in his ears...

A/N: weeelllll we end here for now ; it was gunna be longer. Here on word, its about 5 pages. So I looked at the outline, and it was GUNNA BE 11 PAGES!! So I was like, "uh, no. I'll save the rest for a new chapter. Aheheheh, yeah." Also, if anyone is interested in BETA-ing for me, please tell me though, I'm a beta-er myself, I don't think I should trust myself to edit my own stories, coz I'll just think it's already all right anyway xD ;

Mexican, over and out!

\//