-Mideel-

"We have information that AVALANCHE is heading towards Mideel. Our spy was a little late to give us this information, so when you get there, they should already be there. They reason you're to follow AVALANCHE is because they might lead you to Cloud. Your next mission is to find Cloud and bring him to Hojo's laboratory. Is everything clear?" Heidegger was standing in his office faced by two members of the Turks.

"Yes, sir!" Reno and Rude replied simultaneously.

"If there are no questions, you may leave."

The two Turks left Heidegger's office, both wondering why Hojo wanted Cloud so badly. As soon as they were out of the Shinra building, Reno voiced the question. "Why do you think Hojo wants Cloud?"

Rude, ever the epitome of stoicism, shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner. He put on his trademark sunglasses (of which he kept a second pair in his jacket pocket, just in case) and got in the Shinra helicopter waiting for them outside the building. Reno followed suit, and the helicopter left Midgar, headed southeast for Mideel.

Meanwhile, in Mideel the inhabitants crowded around a young man who had washed ashore on the beach. Some local children taking a swim at the beach had discovered him. At first, the people of Mideel feared he was dead, but after the doctor was summoned, the young man was taken to the Mideel hospital and resuscitated.

"Quite a good-looking fellow. It's such a shame he's all alone, or else we would be able to identify him." The doctor said to a nurse helping him.

"Hopefully someone will come looking for him." The nurse said with a sidelong glance at the young blond man.

"I hope you're right. Such a pity…"

It took about three hours for the Turks to reach Mideel. They got off the helicopter a few miles away, and walked the rest of the way as not to make a noisy entrance.

"Looks like they're leaving" Reno pointed to Cid Highwind and Barret Wallace who boarding the parked airship, both looking solemn.

"Should we head back to the helicopter then?" Rude did not want to waste one moment.

"Wait! Where's the rest of them?" Reno scrutinized to see a figure emerging out of Mideel village. It was Tifa Lockheart. "What's going on?" Reno moved closer, followed by Rude to the airship to catch some of what Tifa was saying to Barret.

"Barret, I'm going to stay here with Cloud. I hope you don't mind…" Tifa spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. She was in tears.

"Of course, Tifa. Cloud needs you."

"Thanks, Barret." With that said, she ran back towards the village. Wallace shook his head and followed Highwind into the airship. Moments later, the Highwind flew up into the sky and out of sight.

Rude was unnerved. What had made Tifa so depressed? She appeared so strong-willed that it was hard to picture her in tears, yet here she was, crying as if she had lost something important. Rude was unnerved, indeed.

"I wonder what everyone's so sad about. Come on, Cloud must be in there. Let's go."

"Right behind you." Reno made a beeline for Mideel with Rude right on his tracks.

Meanwhile, the doctor and nurse watched the young woman, Tifa, crying in Cloud's lap as his body convulsed with the effects of mako poisoning.

"She must really love him." The doctor sighed as he watched the despairing sight.

"Yes she must. This is so sad…" the nurse whispered, wiping tears from her eyes.

Unbeknownst to them, two Turks were making their way to the hospital. Having asked the people of the village, Reno and Rude had found out that Cloud was in the hospital. They entered the hospital expecting a major confrontation, but what they saw stopped them in their tracks. There was Cloud, but something was obviously wrong with him. He was sitting on a wheelchair, his body slightly trembling. His eyes were unfocused and staring, his head was bobbing up and down, and he was mumbling something intelligible. Tifa was sitting on the floor in front of him, crying and softly whispering his name. The Turks stood gaping, speechless. Nothing could have prepared them for this.

Suddenly the doctor spotted them, and said, "Oh, are you two also friends of Mr. Strife?" Rude shook his head, and Reno muttered a hesitant "no, we're just leaving"

Tifa spun around at the noise and could not believe that Shinra employees were still after them.

"What are you two doing here?" She exclaimed, "Look, we're in no shape to deal with you right now. Leave!"

Reno scratched the back of his head while Rude searched for words to say.

"Well? What do you want?" Tifa glared at the two men.

"Ugh…uhh…" Cloud moaned from his chair.

"Cloud! It's Tifa. Can't you understand me?" She grabbed Cloud's hands and glared back at Reno. "What could you possibly want with him when he's in such a state?"

"What happened to him?" Rude spoke softly as he removed his sunglasses out of respect.

"Mako poisoning," The doctor explained. "He's been exposed to severe amounts of mako. It's a miracle he's still alive." He explained soberly. Tifa let out a sob and tears began to cascade down her cheeks. The doctor put a hand on her shoulder and turned to Rude. "I think you both should leave as you are upsetting her."

Rude gave Tifa a long sombre look, and turned around to leave. He paused at the doorway, looked back and after a while said, "Tifa. Don't worry, we won't tell the president about where you are."

Tifa and Reno both looked at Rude in surprise. For a few minutes, everyone just looked at each other.

After scrutinizing him for a few seconds, she realized he was being honest. "Thank you," Tifa said softly, and gave a small smile of appreciation.

"You're welcome." He nodded.

Reno stepped out the door first, and Rude followed, a single tear rolling down his cheek. He wiped it away, put on his sunglasses and joined Reno.

"You know we'll get into trouble if the boss finds out we knew and didn't tell him."

"I know, but some things are worth getting in trouble for." Thus said, Rude walked to the parked helicopter and climbed aboard.

"Hey," Reno exclaimed as he climbed in after Rude, "I didn't see anything if you didn't see anything"

Rude smiled in agreement.

From the hospital window, Tifa watched the Shinra helicopter until it disappeared into the sky. "Thank you." She whispered.