The five subordinate members of the Apprentices gathered in Vexen's makeshift lab; a blocked off part of the massive kitchens that took up half of one of the sublevels.

Vexen had just finished explaining to them what had happened to Saïx, and three of the other four sat in shock, while the fourth was studiously examining the wall, pretending to be indignant.

"How could he do that? Vexen, I was under the impression we'd agreed that the parasite was too dangerous, and we weren't to do further tests on it!"

Vexen sighed heavily and leaned back against a table. "I don't know, Zexion. I don't think I even know him anymore sometimes. He changed so much, in so short a time…even before we lost our hearts. I can't begin to fathom the cause."

Lexaeus crossed his arms and shook his head. "I agree. It seems more and more likely, as I think about it, that Xemnas orchestrated the Castle Oblivion massacre. He sent Marluxia and Larxene there knowing full well of their sedition, and the three of us because we might become troublesome. It makes perfect sense, does it not?"

Vexen paled and put a hand to his throat. "It- it does…but that would mean he…he knew Axel would- that he sent Axel to-"

Zexion finished. "To kill us. I know that much. I know, that before the parasite took full effect, Axel and Saïx were planning a coup of their own; seeming to think Xemnas wasn't in this to get our hearts back. I know that Axel would do anything Saïx said, at that time. I know he knew I was aware of the two of them and their plan. It makes sense Xemnas used Axel's trust in Saïx to get him to become a murderer. He said as much to me before he killed me. 'I'm afraid you just found out too much.' That's what he said. All he knew was what Saïx told him. Saïx, the man who gave everyone their missions. Saïx, the man being manipulated by Xemnas himself."

The others were stunned silent at this revelation.

Xaldin punched the wall. "That bastard! And we all trusted him!" He fumed.

Vexen pinched the bridge of his nose, looking pained. "I don't want to believe he would do that…but there's no other option, is there?"

Zexion hopped off the table that he'd been perched on. His face had become unreadable.

"I'm going to speak to him."

"Zexion, you can't- he might-"

Zexion wrinkled his nose in annoyance. "Vexen, I know full well what he might do to me. I'm not a child you have to watch every second anymore. I can take care of myself."

Vexen's frown deepened. "Zexion, I know that. I know you're no longer the boy I took care of. I respect you as much as I respect anyone else. But…" He looked away, frustrated. "I don't want you hurt. Not by him."

Zexion smiled faintly beneath his veil of hair. "I understand you're still stuck in the role of babysitter, Vexen. I do appreciate it, to some degree. But I can handle this. Okay?"

Lexaeus put a reassuring hand on Vexen's shoulder. "He's right, you know. Time and troubles have aged us all beyond our years. I believe Zexion can do this. You should believe in him, too."

"Very well, very well…Be safe, Zexion?"

"I will be."

No one had noticed the last member of the group silently teleport out of the room, and no one had noticed the look on his face. If they had, they wouldn't have recognized him.

Axel had gently laid Saïx on his bed, and sprawled tiredly on the one overstuffed armchair that was in his room, as it was in every one of them. He was now fast asleep, having dozed off out of exhaustion after a few minutes.

Saïx stirred on the bed, and groggily pulled himself to a sitting position. When he was upright, he shook his head as if to clear from it a lingering fog, and made a pained face.

"Damn…what happened to me…?"

Then memories came rushing back. Memories of cruel words, and crueler actions. Memories of having said things no man should ever say, not to his best friend. Memories of that friend's face contorted in a look of pure devastation and grief, a look of shock and betrayal. Memories of that friend, eyes wide, falling off a clock tower lit by sunset.

His breath caught in his throat, and he slumped, head in his hands.

"Axel…"

His guilt was interrupted by a sleepy moan to his left. He lifted his head up to look, and for a moment, the world stopped moving.

Axel blinked hazily at him. "Oh, you're awake…that's good. Feeling better?"

"Axel, you- I- but-"

The redhead looked confused for a moment, and then laughed. "Oh, that. Nah, I'm okay. Little thing like that can't kill a Nobody. Wasn't your fault, either. I just slipped, is all."

Saïx felt himself gaping. "You- you slipped? That's all? Axel, you fell off a clock tower! Why are you so casual about it?" He paused. "And why are you laughing so hard?"

Axel looked up at him, grinning. "It's good to have you back…Isa."

Saïx looked startled, and then remembered why he'd been feeling so guilty in the first place.

"Axel…Lea…why aren't you angrier at me? After all, I..."

Axel waved a hand dismissively, still grinning. "I know you didn't mean it now. It's all good."

"Didn't mean it- Axel, the things I called you…"

"Listen, Isa. Remember last time we snuck in the castle? I dunno if you remember this or not, but apparently Boss-man's Other was there, and he put some kinda freaky Darkness parasite-y thing on you, and that's what screwed you up and made you say all those things. Got it memori-?"

Before he could finish, a pillow was flung at his head. "Ow! Hey!"

"Didn't I tell you next time I heard you say that annoying catchphrase of yours again, I'd hurt you?"

"Ha, yeah…whoops. Guess I forgot."

They both met each other's gaze, and dissolved into laughter.

After a moment: "…Xemnas's Other really did that to me?"

"Yeah. Vexen figured it out. …I'm not supposed to say anything, though. Not until they get it straightened out."

Saïx crossed his arms. "Well, I think it's safe to say I'm not going to be the Superior's favorite anymore."

"Damn straight."

Saïx looked down, a little embarrassed. "Parasite or no, Lea…I'm sorry. I broke my promise."

"Promise?"

"You remember. That time at the bailey? I promised you that no matter what happened, or where we were, I'd always be your friend. I broke that promise."

"No, you didn't. Don't say you did. You're still my best friend. Always have been, always will be."

"Thanks, Lea…" Saïx smiled sheepishly. "But I still feel a bit guilty…"

Axel leaned back and crossed his arms. "Well, if you insist on apologizing, get me ice cream and we'll call it even. Okay?"

Saïx laughed. "Moron. I'll get you your damn ice cream. And we can share it, like we always used to."

Axel smiled and stood, offering a hand to Saïx. "Nowhere high up, okay? I don't wanna risk falling again."

Saïx took his hand and pulled himself up, smiling as well. "Deal."

The two walked out of the room, Axel giving Saïx a quick, one-armed hug as they did so.

I love Zexion. Hell, I love ALL the Apprentices. So much fun to write. I love how they just bounce ideas off each other, that was amazingly entertaining to write.

And yay for Lea/Isa friendship fluff! Just friendship, mind you.