A/N: Here is Chapter 4. Again I would like to thank everyone who reviewed my work. Thank you very much. Anyway, in this story Tifa and Aerith try to cure Clouds fever. This chapter might not be as detailed as the last one was though. There is also a song in this one, which I will mention in the credits. Also, don't forget, this story is in PoV (point of view) format and this means thought, this means writing, and this means singing. Now, time for Chapter 4!

Disclaimer: all characters in this story belong to Square Enix

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Chapter 4: Hoping

Aerith PoV

So, his name was Cloud. I liked the sound of that, it's easy to say and it fits him perfectly. I gazed at the young girl that was looking so lovingly at Cloud. It didn't last very long though. Cloud moaned loudly, a signal that he was uncomfortable. Tifa tuned to me.

"What's wrong with him?" She asked, concern filling her hazel eyes. I looked away for a minute, afraid to tell her. Then I turned back, and looked her straight in the eyes.

"He has a really high fever" I managed to choke out. I saw tears welling up in her eyes, but I decided to continue. "His temperature was 105.4, last time I checked. I tried to take him to the hospital but, he wouldn't let me. I need to get him some ice but, I'm afraid to get up." By this time tear were streaming down my eyes as well "Sk… I mean Cloud needs somebody to use as a support. I'm also afraid that if his fever goes up any higher it might be lethal."

She looked at my eyes very carefully and then nodded. Blinking away the tears, she stood up and looked to Cloud and then back to me. "I'll do it for you" she said.

"Here take my pocketbook" I said reaching into a pocket in my dress. I pulled out a little pink wallet and threw it to her. "There's not much but, it'll get you what you need. First of all, go to the marketplace and talk to the materia shop owner. Tell him Aerith sent you; he always gives me a special discount on materia. Get some blizzard materia from him and then go to my house. You can't miss it; it's the only one that is covered in flowers.

"Go inside and tell my mom what just happened. She'll give you all the ice she has, Just dump them into the cart I'm going to give you" I paused to take a deep breath "You simply make more ice by filling up mom's ice trays with water and then casting blizzard on them. Pack about four to five in one bag (like a Ziploc bag) and put them in the cart." I looked over to Cloud who, now that I think about it, looked really skinny.

Tifa also looked down at Cloud. "Maybe we should feed him first" she said. I nodded and gestured over to the backpack that was sitting next to the cooler. She nodded back and hurried to the backpack. She took several things and put them on the floor including the thermometer and a thermos containing some warm milk. She looked like she was deciding between the pudding and the tomato soup. She finally chose the tomato soup and then walked back over to Cloud. She handed the container to me I took it and opened it. (It's a container like the cambells to-go cups of tomato soup) I took off the lid and then the seal. Then I replaced the lid.

"Can you hold his head up for me?" I asked. She nodded and put her hand on the back of his head. I carefully tipped the soup can so that the liquid drained into his mouth. I paused and tipped it back up. He coughed and spit up a little. Tifa went over to the backpack, got out a rag, and cleaned it up. Feeding him reminded me of feeding a baby. I giggled a little at the thought and I gave some more soup to Cloud. When I was done, I put the container of soup down on the floor. Then I started stroking Clouds blond hair and I wondered how he got it so spiky. Then Tifa spoke up.

"So, what am I going to use as a cart?" she asked. I looked up and pointed toward the corner where the now unused flower wagon sat, waiting for Zack to come and fix it. It almost broke my heart to have somebody else fix it up but, it was for a good reason. Zack's best friend is dying.

"Take it to the carpenter and have him fix it." I said, trying not to sound sad. She nodded and picked up my wallet. Then, without a single word she went over to the cart and wheeled it out of my church on just three wheels.

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Tifa PoV

I walked through the old, dusty streets of the slums. The flower wagon was hard to push with just three wheels so I decided to take it to the carpenter first. As I approached the marketplace, I started thinking. I hadn't missed the look on Aerith's face when she said that I could take the cart to get it fixed. This cart must be important to her. I looked at the cart. It was then that I noticed that there was something etched in the side. I stopped and bent down to get a closer look. I stifled a gasp by putting my hand over my mouth. There, carved into the side of the wagon were the names 'Zack Fair' and 'Aerith Gainsborough'. I couldn't believe it. Zack was the one I had met in Nibelhiem. He was with Sephiroth and two Infantrymen. When one of them had gotten shot, he helped me carry him down the mountain. He also came to my rescue when I Sephiroth hurt me, but I had been two mad because everything I had ever known was falling apart. I had rejected him; I had said that I hate him. I wonder where he is. I looked up at the plate and pretended like it was the sky. I promised that if I ever find him I will apologize to him. I stood standing there, my head turned up toward the sky, for a few minutes and then I remembered Cloud. I had to get his ice for him. I hurried over to the carpenter.

"Hi" He greeted. "May I help you" then his eyes went over to Aerith's flower wagon. "What are you doing with Aerith's flower cart?" He questioned and before I had time to answer he quickly added "your not trying to steal it, are you" his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"I am not trying to steal it." I replied then I got real close to him. "Do you know the rumors of that man that Aerith is caring for?" He nodded and I continued. "Well, he has a really bad fever that might kill him and I need to get lots of ice and I can't do that unless I get this wagon fixed so that I can use that to carry the ice" The carpenter backed away.

"I had no idea that he was sick" He said apologetically "I'll take care of that right away" He motioned for me to stand off to the side while he repairs the wagon. I stood over by the accessory shop, looking at all of the gorgeous items. After a while my mind started to wander again. I thought about a memory form my childhood. It was from long ago, when I was about 13 years old. Cloud came over to my house for a visit. We decided to listen to the radio. Cloud blushed when he heard the song. He had defiantly heard the song before and he knew it was a love song yet, he didn't change the station. Then the chorus played.

`Cause nobody wants to be the last one there.
'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares.
Someone to love with my life in their hands.
There's gotta be somebody for me like that.

He leaned in closer to me as the chorus continued.

`Cause nobody wants to do it on their own
and everyone wants to know they're not alone.
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere.
There's gotta be somebody for me out there.

As the song continued on Cloud got closer and closer to my face. Then, when the chorus started up again, he finally gathered up the nerve to kiss me. It was my very first kiss. Shortly after that, he went off to join SOLDIER. After he left, I found myself listening to the radio more often. Whenever that song came on, I would burst into tears and thought of how much I missed him. And now, after seven years of missing him and wishing he was with me, I finally get to see him again. His looks hadn't changed a bit. I bet he would still be the same old Cloud if he could talk and move.

My thoughts disappeared when I saw the carpenter bring the fixed wagon over to me.

"Well, your wagon's all fixed ma'am." He said as he gestured toward the flower wagon. "Would you like me to paint it for you too?" He asked. I eyed the names etched in the wooden side of the wagon. The paint would look good on the worn out wagon but, it would also cover up the names that are so special to her. I shook my head and pulled out Aerith's wallet. Then I handed him the right amount of money, grabbed the cart, and left. I went toward the Materia shop, which wasn't really far. I told the owner that I knew Aerith and then, I told him about Cloud. He gave me some blizzard materia and I paid him. Then he gave me three big bags of ice, which he stuffed in the cart, barely leaving room for any more ice.

I thanked him and headed back toward Aerith's church. I had to drop off the ice at the church in order to make room. When I entered the church, I saw that Aerith had moved Cloud from the bench to the floor. He was breathing heavily, taking deep shallow breaths. He looked worse than before. I almost broke out in tears at his condition. He didn't do anything to deserve this, did he? I pondered what he could have done to deserve such a thing. Cloud had always been a nice, sweet guy. I swallowed hard and asked if he was ok. Aerith reported that his temperature had gone up one degree. I gasped and closed my eyes. I wished all of this would just disappear and I would just wake up to find myself back at the bar and to find Cloud safe and sound and away from danger. I glanced at him again. He seemed so young and fragile, like he would fall to pieces if I touched him. I watched his chest heaving up and down while he slept. Then I saw Aerith look at me. Her eyes where filled with nothing but pure concern. I turned to the wagon, trying to hold back another wave of tears, and I lifted the huge ice packs out of it. Then I sat them on the floor and took one last look at Cloud before wheeling the wagon out of the church and In the direction of Aerith's house.

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Cloud PoV

I felt worse than I had before. I had a killer headache and all my joints ached. I felt horrible. Like I was on fire and I couldn't put it out. I looked up at the comforting face that loomed over me. She was giving me a sweet, sympathetic smile which I didn't want. I didn't want anyone's sympathy. I wanted to know that I could be useful. I wanted to feel needed. Suddenly I felt Aerith lift me up. Oh no I thought She must be taking me to the hospital again! I couldn't let that happen because the hospital always keeps records of past patients and I couldn't risk shin-ra finding us. I glanced up at Aerith. I didn't want her to get dragged into the fight either. If I could I would tell her everything. I was relieved when she put me back on the bench. I laid there and watched her as she took the large bags of ice and put them next to each other. Then my mind started to drift. I wondered how Zack was. I hoped more than anything that he had survived the bombardment of Infantrymen and helicopters. He had helped me out so much in the past year. He had cared for me like I was his brother, and I wanted so desperately to thank him for that. I closed my eyes and silently wished, without saying a word, that I could see my best friend Zack again. And I promised that if I did, I would thank him. My thoughts where Interrupted when I felt Aerith pick me up again. She walked over to the neat little bed of ice. Then she lifted me so that my head was just below hers. She lifted the wet rag off my forehead and kissed me there. Then she replaced the rag and set me on the bed. The coldness of the ice felt good against my burning hot skin.

"Is that better?" she asked, not expecting an answer of course. Well, at least not a verbal one. She had gotten used to reading my eyes for her answers. Right now, my eyes had a look of peace and appreciation. She smiled a truly sweet, sincere smile. It almost melted away all my fears. I would have no worries at all if Tifa were here. I felt her hand rubbing the back of my hand in smooth, gentle, soothing circles. I stayed like that for a few moments, till I finally fell asleep.

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A/N: The next chapter is when Tifa goes to Elmyra's house to get the ice. The song in the chapter is Gotta Be Somebody, by Nickelback. Chapter 4 in next, and there is a surprise in store later on. So I will see you then, Bye!