Cloud had to admit that, as the battle commenced, Zack had kind of strange beauty as he fought. The grace and finesse of each movement coupled with the power exerted to swing such a weapon.

If there was a god of battle he would move like him Cloud thought finding the sight somewhat intoxicating to the point that he nearly got his own head sliced off by a Dentari blade.

In a matter of moments, the battle was over and five more corpses littered the floor. Cloud heard the loud clang of Zack's sword hitting the ground, and only barely managed to catch him before its wielder did the same.

"Zack." Cloud said softly, worry written plainly on his face. Blood was dripping out of Zack's half open mouth. His clothing was soaked through with red from the many wounds cause by the needles still embedded in his flesh.

"Cloud." Zack wheezed before coughing up a mouth full of blood. "I don't think I'll be swimming out of here anytime soon."

"Don't say things like that! Hang in there Zack." Cloud spoke, alarmed by his friend's blood loss. As carefully as he could, Cloud dragged/carried Zack to one of the bunker beds before dashing into the generator room in search of more medical supplies. Returning a few moments later Cloud leaned over his friend and noted with great relief he was still breathing, if shallowly. Glancing back up at Zack's face he was startled to see the man's blue eyes glittering back at him.

"Stitch me up good doctor." Was all Zack murmured before his eyes rolled up, and he lay perfectly still, except for the staggering rise and fall of breath.

"Zack." Cloud whispered, again wiping tears from his eyes as he beheld his friend's tattered body. It was in worse shape this time then the last and as Cloud worked all he could think of was

He saved me. I would have died if Zack hadn't grabbed me. He was willing to sacrifice himself for me, even if it meant never seeing Aearith again.

Cloud continued bandaging up Zack as best he could, while trying to keep the tears from falling onto his friend's body. Finding a bucket, Cloud filled it up with river water and then proceeded to gently clean the blood out of Zack's hair and face with an unsoiled cloth.

As Cloud wiped Zack's brow he couldn't help but note again how beautiful Zack was, with his sun kissed skin, silky raven hair, and strong yet soft features. Cloud gently touched the scar on the side of Zack face and wondered how he'd got it. He then began to hypothesize what Zack's life must have been like before he joined SOILDER. Was his family still alive? Did he have any old friends he still talked to? What did he do for fun when he wasn't working? Out of all the time he'd spent with Zack Cloud suddenly realized that he actually knew very little about him. Frowning as he came across a practically sticky blood smear at the corner of Zack mouth, Cloud unexpectedly found himself gently caressing his thumb over the man's lower lip…

Abruptly Cloud withdrew his hand reigning in his imagination.

What am I thinking? Cloud reprimanded himself He has a girlfriend! What if he woke up to me doing that? He'd probable punch me like that guy did to him...

'Though truth be told,' Cloud remembered Zack saying. 'I really don't think he minded.'

Cloud looked down at Zack's comatose form.

This is wrong, Cloud thought as he found his hand being inexplicably drawn back to caress Zack's face. He could feel the air whispering out of Zack's partly opened mouth as he lowered his head and tentatively ran his tongue over Zack's lips. They were warm and soft, and even in an unconscious state, more welcoming then Cloud had ever imagined.

Ethics have nothing to do with it.

Cloud vaguely rationalized as he engaged himself in one long kiss, as he knew he would never be able to do if Zack were awake.

This is love.

Heavy sobs built in his throat and tears fall like rain from Cloud's eyes as he released Zack's lips.

This is it, He thought sadly, a hole of finality starting to rip in his heart. I can't have him and I never will. Goodbye Zack

"I love you Zack." Cloud whispered, kissing him again before sliding onto the floor with his back against the bed, crying into his knees.