This chapter runs a bit long. Basically it's two smaller chapters that weren't big enough to be posted alone. Hope you like it. By the way...the content gets a bit more explicit toward the end, although it's more suggestive than graphic.

60 Hours And Two Minutes Until The Firing Of The Gauntlet Of Zeus

"Hey kids! You about ready to turn-"

Reeve cut himself off in mid-sentence as he walked through the doorway into the bedroom. It was a sliding door, so he didn't have to involve any pushing. Inside was the kid's guest room that he kept in his own penthouse apartment within Isuzu Industries. He had one for adults too, but seeing as more children were starting to pop up in the lives of him and his immediate circle of friends, he thought it would be nice to have one for them too. There wasn't much to it. Sadly, Reeve was a product of things being more streamlined and bare-essentialled when it came to his own surroundings. There were some pieces of furniture to put clothing, a set of bunk beds, a few of those "beanbag" chairs, and a television that was wired via an internal network to the complete collection of two different video game systems. Other than that, anyone who stayed brought their own stuff.

Reeve had this place set up specifically for Marlene and Denzel. Luckily, he had plenty of time to get it put out before they showed up. It had been ready by today. He only wished they had been a bit more interested in it when they arrived. He had tried being nice, but he knew full well that he wasn't nearly as amiable as his feline alter ego. And neither of them seemed too incredibly thrilled to be there. In the end, he put on a movie and then had left them to watch. It was a pretty long one too. It was the first of a trilogy outlining some mythological conflict that had happened supposedly a few thousand years ago. It put Reeve to sleep every time he watched it. He had stopped in only after the first thirty minutes to ask if they wanted any ice cream, and then to tell them that he'd be in his office.

Normally, Reeve might have told them to go to bed earlier. Yet considering the circumstances, he let them stay up until midnight. He figured they'd want to at least be awake long enough to know that their guardians and parents were going, if they couldn't be there to send them off. Pretty soon, General Ragnar was going to be giving his address to commence Operation Dragon. He was debating whether or not to let them hear that. He wasn't sure if the content would be child appropriate. On the other hand, the children might already be asleep anyway, having passed out from the film. He had just come in to try and ask them if they were about ready to fall asleep, assuming they weren't already. The lights were off in the room, and so initially as the door slid open he thought they had already passed out.

And yet…on opening, what he saw made him stop. He saw dark shapes ahead…but they didn't look substantial enough to be children. His smile faded a bit, and he reached a hand over to the side for the wall lightswitch. He turned it on…and soon the room was flooded with light. When this happened his eyes widened.

The kids were gone.

Reeve froze a moment…but then told himself not to overreact. He instead stepped in a bit more, and then looked around the room more thoroughly. In particular, he looked to the bunk beds. Maybe they were already in them.

"Denzel? Marlene?"

But the beds were empty. They weren't in any corner of the room. The closet was wide open from where they had put their clothes in, but no one was there. Why would they be hiding there anyway?

Growing a bit anxious, but telling himself to stay calm, Reeve backed up and turned around. It was possible they could have gone somewhere while he was in his office. He became very self-absorbed during those times. Again, he called out their names, louder this time.

"Denzel? Marlene? Are you out here?"

No response. Reeve thought they would have wanted a midnight snack. He did get them their favorite ice cream. But when he went to the kitchen, rushing a bit now and calling all the way, he saw nothing. The next most likely place would have been the living room. Not there…and the television was off. Next was the bathroom, though both of them going together was highly unlikely… But nothing there either. He gained in speed and franticity as he went around the entire apartment. The guest room…his own bedroom…the exercise room…his lounge…his office…

Nothing.

Now, Reeve allowed worry to sink in. They weren't here. Something had happened. The worst fear was that they had been taken. If so…he hated himself immediately. How could he have been so blind or deaf to not hear someone come in and grab them if they were abducted? But as he thought harder…that was unlikely. There were no windows in this apartment. The main door was the only way in or out. And he had a security watchman who paced his hall…

Suddenly, it hit him. He turned from his office and rushed for the door. On reaching it, he let it slide open and then quickly stepped out. He scanned both directions of the hallway he emerged into, until he saw on the far left the back of an old watchman in one of those "official" uniforms. This wasn't a guard from the PPA. He was part of a night security service that Reeve hired. He was gray haired and far more "seasoned" than a young cutthroat private, but he had worked for Reeve for years and it didn't take a whole lot of skill to do this job other than a watchful eye and the use of a gun. However, he was also a bit afraid on seeing him. He didn't start working until a few hours ago, after Reeve and the kids had come in. He might have missed them if they went out…

"Lyle!" Reeve called out as he rushed up to him.

The night watchman turned and looked behind him. On placing his eyes on Reeve and recognizing him, his brow furrowed. "Mr. Reeve? When did you get back?"

The man ground to a halt, and began to look confused himself. "What are you talking about?"

"I thought you were out with those two youngin's swimming this whole time." The old man answered. "I thought it was weird you'd go on without them…"

Reeve hesitated here for a moment. What was he saying? However, he recognized one thing the man had said, and asked about that. "Did you see two children come through here?"

Lyle gave a nod. "Sure I did. But that had to be, oh…at least two hours ago at this point. They were in their swimsuits and had towels rolled up, and they said they were going to go for a swim in the company pool. They said that you had already gone down and were waiting for them. Now I know normally kids aren't allowed there, but I figured since you said you'd be having them by that they were alright. But I did think it was funny that you left them to go alone." The night watchman paused a moment here, and began to realize something. He gave a small frown. "…Those youngin's didn't pull a fast one on me, did they? Going where they're not supposed to be?"

Reeve believed the answer to this was in the affirmative…but he began to fear that it didn't have to do with what Lyle thought. He had told the kids that they could go swimming in the company pool, but that they had to be with him. He suggested it when they first arrived. However, both of them had been rather unenthusiastic about the prospect. Both claimed they were too tired, although they had brought their swimsuits and towels. If they had gone out…it wasn't to swim. If they had wanted that, they could have asked him and he would have taken them. More likely…this had been their alibi when they tried sneaking out behind Reeve's back and they had seen a man guarding the hall. So if they had snuck out, and hadn't alerted Reeve that they were going, then where were they? Where could they have wanted to go?

He realized there was only one place.

"Oh no…" Reeve said aloud, getting a worried look in his eye again.

Lyle caught this, and his own brow furrowed. "Now, now…don't you worry, Mr. Reeve." He soon assured him. "They may have gotten by me, but they're still in the building. There's no way they would have let a couple of kids in swimsuits just walk right out this time of night. Doors are locked up front anyway. Only way out would have been the loading docks, and even if they could get down there they wouldn't be slipping by any PPA soldiers."

Reeve paused again here and thought about this. Yes…that was true. They did have high security in that regard. All of the PPA's aces were up the sleeve of this industry, after all. Still…it didn't sit well with him. They obviously wanted to go to the shore…to go to Tifa, Cloud, Aerith, and Ragnar. And all of those crates that were pouring out of the building were headed in that direction…

Shock suddenly painted Reeve's face as he realized he had made a fatal mistake.

He remembered what he had told the kids when they first came in.

"Hey…you sure this crate is alright?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"The seal's hanging off of it."

"Just put it on. With as much as we're rushing, we couldn't afford to secure everything…"

60 Hours Before The Firing Of The Gauntlet Of Zeus

Everyone was ready on board the Dyne.

Everyone who was going to get on was on board. At the helm, Barret, acting as captain, stood among the rest of the PPA operatives who were functioning as crew. An oil tanker didn't need nearly as extensive a crew as a destroyer, but there were still several on deck. Mostly, the ones operating the new "weapons consoles" were there. The consoles themselves were little more than heavy remote switches that were strung along cables into the interior of the helm's cabin, but they sufficed. The ones actually operating the engines and the wheel were looking out the front and inhaling and exhaling slowly, their own nervousness already settling in. Unlike an armored destroyer, there was no display here. Although they had radar and targeting equipment, looking out the window was the main way to see where to go. It had been reinforced with plexiglass, but that would likely only protect from shrapnel or being cut apart if it shattered.

Ahead of them on the shore were dozens of ships. Many were destroyers, but others were the cobbled-together battleships that the PPA had made. Many of them were already in the ocean, but many more were still on shore, loading up as fast as they could. It wasn't until thirty minutes ago that the PPA had been able to focus solely on loading up. Now, full transports were coming out one after another, but there were still quite a bit left.

Yet as Ragnar looked at his watch and saw the final seconds tick off to midnight…it no longer mattered.

The youth inhaled deeply.

This is it.

Ragnar looked down in front of him. This ship didn't have a communication's officer. If you wanted to say something, you got on the horn yourself. Such it was with Ragnar now. The radio console was in front of him. A small black transmitter attached by a coiled wire was in his hand. Here he was…about to make his final address. However…he could put this off for a few more moments. He had one last thing to do.

The radio was already on one channel, and so he put it to his mouth and spoke.

"Colonel Nanaki?"

"Yes sir?"

"How are we now?"

"All but 2,000 troops have been loaded."

"Those 2,000 stay, and are now under the command of Major Rui. My final command to her is to utilize them and the police to maintain order and move anyone who wishes away from the city or into a safe zone within the grounds. You know what area I'm excluding in that, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"What else?"

"80 percent of munitions are loaded, but only 65 percent of artillery. Most of that is the heavier, newer artillery."

Ragnar sighed. "…It will have to do. Prepare to launch."

"Yes sir."

Ragnar switched off, and then went to the console. He adjusted it to a new channel. After doing so, he pressed the call button. With a resounding echo, the call signal went off on every ship and every military outpost throughout the entire militarized zone of Midgar, Edge, the coast, and the navy. When that happened, everyone both on board and on the shore began to grow silent. All of them turned their attention away from their tasks and toward the nearest speaker. A grim demeanor came upon them, turning the dark and cold night darker and colder yet. Within the cabin, the crew inhaled deeply and held their breath. They'd be the ones privileged enough to be present with the general and see his actual face and body when he gave this address.

The youth was still nervous…and unfortunately, Bahamut's half was nervous about speaking as well. The esper's memory of a statistic on Etteca that showed that most people would rather die than speak in public didn't help. He had done this many times before…but this seemed bigger and more dynamic than all of them. He still didn't know exactly what he was going to say. In the end, he forced himself to speak aloud…and for once forgot to announce his name first. It didn't really matter, as it was.

"…I'm not really sure what to tell you all before Operation Dragon begins…" He started, making the still crowd stiller yet. "…This is it. This is what we've been fighting for three years for. I thank you all for coming with me this far. I imagined this day would come…but I still have trouble believing it's here myself. We left the Northern Continent with less than a thousand men…and we're coming back with over 280,000."

A few distant yells and cheers from the younger recruits went out over the landscape at this. But considering how grim Ragnar was, and how he still wielded the power to make those he spoke to feel as he felt, they quieted down soon and listened again.

"It means much to me that you all came this far. For all I said…you guys made this your fight before it really was. I know that's not easy. Sticking with me for this long also couldn't have been easy. I've offered you little incentive or reason to help me other than to help yourselves. I've gave you only barrack-style living and food, and I've taken your blood, sweat, tears, time, and lives… Many of you had to give up family, job, and way of life to go under the banner of the Planet Protector Army. For this I am eternally grateful…but, in all honesty, mere gratitude will not replace what I've taken from you.

"In retrospect…I wish I had been a much better leader. Perhaps the disasters that befell us time and time again could have been averted. Perhaps if I had been more patient or persuasive I could have saved many more of you. I can only say in good conscience that I tried my best every day. But I am only a man, and there are probably many who could have done much better. I'm sad to say that as a man I make mistakes. Again, this is grim consolation…and I hope you will never have to make a mistake as costly as the ones I have made.

"Yet despite all this, I do have some words of encouragement. I hope you will take them to heart. If you respect me as a man or a general, then that's great. If you don't…then that's alright so long as you can take a compliment. Perhaps it's better if you don't see me high and mighty above you but more as just some passerby who happened to see you all loading up for war and getting on board these ships…

"In life, there are always problems. Some are bigger than others. Some come on you quick. Some take a bit longer. When you first heard me speak to you, you saw a problem. You saw what the New Shinra were and what they represented. You could have thought to yourself that it was no big deal. You could have thought that it wouldn't have been so bad. You could have thought that they never would have succeeded…or that someone else could take care of it…or anything else to put it out of your mind. That's the easy path. That's the path most people take. That's the path we took with mako reactors, the first Shinra company, and selling our land and future for an easier life.

"But you all took the harder road… It's been a long one, a rough one, and one that many people probably don't understand. But if you have any value on my judgment or words…then believe me when I tell you it was the right one. You saw the problem and you agreed to do something about it. You were willing to sacrifice everything nearby so that you could have a future that would be safer and more guaranteed. You saw beyond tomorrow. This world is richer for having people like you…people who can see more than just beyond their own backyards or lives. People who can see what they do today can change the future. It can make a difference. You all chose to make a difference. You didn't let apathy or hopelessness stop you, but you stood up to be counted among those for changing the world. I am so proud of each and every one of you.

"Now is the final hour. This war is drawing to a close. And now, more than ever, is the future and destiny of this world in your hands. Over the next three days, the fate of this world…of your families, friends, cities, everything you value and love…will be decided. Now the threat is here. In eight hours…we will engage the NSA full force to destroy that threat.

"This is your finest hour. This is your greatest moment. For generations to come, your children and grandchildren will know how when the world was threatened with annihilation and slavery…you stood against it. You got up and were counted among the bravest and noblest people of all time. You fight not for king or country but for a peaceful world. This is the moment you dreamed of when you were young…when you saw so much bad happening in the world, and you wished that you could stand up and defend those who couldn't defend themselves against an oppressor. When you wanted to be a hero. This is the moment that everyone wishes they could live in to define themselves…to say that I did this one great thing and it changed the world. Every one of you has the chance tonight. Tonight…you make history. You make the world the way you want it. When you're fighting…remember that. Let it take you beyond what you alone can do…for you're fighting, and have fought, for a cause far greater than any of us."

Ragnar finally went silent after this. He took a moment to breathe and relax. He didn't look behind him. He didn't know how they were reacting on board the bridge, or how they were reacting out in the fleet. But things stayed silent. That much he had successfully carried out. He let the silence last for as long as he dared, but then swallowed again. They had a schedule to keep, after all.

"This is General Ragnar Vice. Move out. Full speed ahead."

One by one, the engines of the fleet roared to life…and the boats slowly pulled away from the shore.

Those still left behind, interrupted in the middle of their work, were still immobilized by what Ragnar had said. Some of them even felt shame now that they weren't going with the boats. Others felt nothing, save a desire that their comrades returned home safely. Those on board the boats were silent as well. Only in the cabins, where the commanding officers gave the orders to pull out, was any noise heard. That was swallowed up into the cold darkness. The other soldiers breathed uneasily on board their transports, going out into an offensive for the first time. Fully armed and equipped, they nervously eyed their hammocks and sleeping areas, uncertain of whether they could rest now even if ordered.

The Wutai Gold Navy soon pushed in front. In the dim light of the cloudy sky, their golden luster did not shine this time. However, they were streamlined and effective…unlike the boats beyond. There, mingled in an odd clump, were the ramshackle warships and transports floating among them. It was more a gaggle of odd boats fleeing a hurricane than a war party, it seemed. It paled in comparison, at least in terms of appearance, to the New Shinra Navy's own invasions. But they kept formation, and continued to pull out into the ocean.

It wasn't until a full ten minutes had gone by from Ragnar's order that Barret was finally able to yell a war cry and an insult to the Shinra…the first of such to occur among the entire fleet. Shortly thereafter, people forced themselves to unwind and relax. There was no turning back now…but the fighting hadn't started yet. For eight hours…they had to try and rest. Rest…and think about how much was at stake that morning.

59 Hours Until The Firing Of The Gauntlet Of Zeus

Ragnar exhaled, letting out a long blast of puffy white air. He shuddered slightly in the cold. Even accustomed as he was, being on deck was a stretch for him. It had been that way ever since the sky had turned dark… He had a feeling it had something to do with the two enemies he would soon encounter…but even Bahamut didn't know what. And though they still had some time left, it was nearly impossible for him to think about anything else.

His eyes had adjusted to the blackness of the night, and he now looked out over the railing of the Dyne to see hundreds of ships sloshing along through the water as they made their way to the north. It seemed especially cold tonight. Though it should have been warming up by now, the world seemed locked in a grim, icy state. Now it did little to raise his spirits or that of anyone else. Even the breezes of the ocean seemed a bit more stagnant out here than they did normally. Whether it was Aleron or not…the world seemed to be preparing for the death that was coming…

Ragnar moistened his lips and exhaled. What exactly was going to happen to them all?

"You should be in bed, kid."

The young general turned to the sound of the voice. He found himself looking back to the deck. A bit behind him stood Cloud. He was still in his full uniform, having not even stripped his armor yet.

"So should you." Ragnar answered.

"But I'm older. That gives me the authority to order you to go to sleep." Cloud responded.

"I don't remember ever including that in the duties of commanding officers."

"I can also kick your ass."

Ragnar snickered a bit. "I'll head inside in a minute." He answered. "I just can't sleep yet. I wanted some more time to relax…just be alone by myself for a while."

Cloud hesitated and crossed his arms. He looked out to the sea himself. After inhaling once, he gave a nod. "Yeah…I can understand that." He answered. "Last time I got ready to head up north I needed some time to think too. I had already decided that I was going to go alone if I had to…but I still needed to clear my head. I had run too fast into too many things already at that point." He paused after this, and let out a snicker. "Funny… Until that day I always went off by myself to get ready for something like this. But that night…"

He slowed down a bit here, still looking out to the ocean. His pause made Ragnar focus a bit harder on him. At last, he finished.

"…I spent it with Tifa. That was the first time I had ever done that…"

Cloud trailed off a bit here. Ragnar kept his eyes on him. However, the ex-mercenary said no more. He couldn't tell if he was thinking now, or if he had trailed off intentionally. In either case…he suddenly felt as if Cloud was hinting at something. A few more seconds went by, before Cloud looked down and cracked something of a smile to Ragnar. He began to turn to go back to his own cabin.

"…Good night."

Ragnar didn't answer, and continued to look at him as he turned completely around and walked back to his part of the ship. His cabin entrance was on the other side of the ship, and so he had to go around the uplifted part in order to go back. He was out of view before he returned. As for Ragnar…he was left alone on deck.

For a few brief seconds, Ragnar stood there. He thought a bit about what Cloud had said. When he did, his mind went away from the coming battle and focused more on something nearby… When he had thought about this long enough…he reached a decision. He turned his body around the rest of the way and began to walk back to his part of the deck. His own cabin was right behind him…but he ignored this and went on down a bit further.

Barret's oil tanker wasn't a luxury liner by any means, but he had allowed all of his closer friends spaces in the cabins on board. Although Ragnar thought they should have shared in order to save room for more troops, the man had insisted that each have their own room. Such it was with Cloud, Ragnar, Tifa, and Aerith. Ragnar eventually consented to this. The rooms themselves were barely large enough for a bed and a desk. They were only slightly bigger than a standard prison cell. However, they sufficed. Ragnar was used to far worse. After a few moments, he arrived at a different doorway on the side of the boat.

The youth stood in front of it, hesitated momentarily, but then inhaled and gave a knock on the door.

"Come in." Was the reply he received.

Ragnar was a bit nervous about that, but he inhaled again and went for the doorknob. A turn later, and he was stepping inside the room.

It was small within, much like his own chamber. The one bag belonging to the owner was unceremoniously dumped in the corner, although it had been opened and a few things had been removed. They were sitting on the chair and desk, which rocked a bit from time to time due to the boat's pitch. On the bed itself sat the occupant.

Aerith's eyes were closed as she tucked her legs beneath her. She was concentrating now, looking like she was meditating or something of the same nature. She hadn't yet changed into her own uniform, and as a result she had a more "casual" and "less rigid" tone about her with how her dress spilled around her folded legs. The lights were dimmed, but even in the darkness she seemed to radiate with a warm, bright aura. When Ragnar saw her in the dim light, looking at her perfect innocent face…he once again felt a bit weak within before he stepped forward a bit more and shut the door behind him. After that, he was left standing and staring at her as she continued to sit and focus.

"…Am I interrupting you?" Ragnar finally asked.

Aerith's eyelids parted.

"No." She answered. "I was just trying to contact the Planet again."

Ragnar raised an eyebrow here. "Trying?"

"I wanted to know what I was supposed to do." Aerith continued. "I still don't know how I am going to be able to do what I promised. I thought the Planet might tell me now that I'm headed for them…but it's no use. As we get closer to them…the Planet seems to be getting weaker."

Ragnar didn't like the sound of that.

"…So does that mean we're right about what we've suspected all this time? That they are draining the Planet in some way? That's why it's always dark and cold?"

"I don't know." Aerith answered as she began to shift out of her meditiative posture. "But I have a feeling it's something more than that. Not even Jenova was able to feed on this world without 'leeching' it; causing some sort of disturbance in the Lifestream. There has been none."

Ragnar hesitated for a moment after hearing this. However…he really didn't want to think about Sephiroth and Aleron right now. There'd be time for that later. He had to try and relax a bit first. And so, after both of them were silent for a while, and Aerith extended her legs off the side of her bed, Ragnar looked back up to her and spoke a bit quieter.

"Are you nervous?"

Aerith smiled a bit at this, as if it was funny. "That goes without saying."

"You really want to do this?" He asked her after a bit longer. "You don't even know exactly what you have to do."

"I didn't know last time either." Aerith simply answered.

Ragnar didn't want to think about that, however. His head bowed a little. Again, there was a pause between the two of them.

"That's part of it this time around…" The Cetra continued, looking out at the wall and not to him. "A small part of me remembers that pain…and doesn't want it again. But I choose to ignore it."

Ragnar wasn't sure that was the smartest course of action. At least…he wasn't sure if it was the course of action that he wanted for her.

The woman turned and looked to him, standing there with his head bowed.

"…Is there something you came here to tell me?"

Ragnar inhaled sharply. He seemed to be steadying himself. Once he had done this, he turned and slowly walked over to where Aerith was. She watched him, but didn't stop him. Once he reached her bed, he turned and sat himself down on it. The woman watched him now, but he didn't turn to look to her. He kept his eyes to the ground.

"…If I told you not to get off this boat, would you do it?"

Aerith reacted a bit here. She seemed to understand what this was about now. When that happened, she smiled a bit again. She reached over and placed her hand on Ragnar's shoulder.

"I decide when and how to risk my life, the same as the rest of you."

Ragnar paused.

"…So I guess that means you're prepared to die again, if you have to."

The woman's smile faltered.

"…Aren't you?" She simply responded.

She had him there, he realized. Perhaps it was a sense of chivalry that had gone beyond duty or training and had become part of the genetic makeup, but males continued to value the safety of females over their own sex. They had more intrinsic worth to them. Of course…where Ragnar and Aerith were concerned, it was a different matter entirely for him…

"I…" Ragnar began to answer…but then cut himself off. He didn't want to say the next part right away, thinking he would give away something he had never told Aerith. But then…he began to remember, and let it spill out. "…I don't want to see you dead again."

Aerith looked on at him a bit longer after hearing this. She didn't react in any other way. The sounds of water rushing against the ship went out, letting out a gurgle against the hull. She blinked once, and then leaned in a bit closer. What she said next caught Ragnar off guard.

"…Why did you come with Cloud to resurrect me?"

Ragnar was so taken aback by this that he actually turned and looked to her in surprise. However, her face was perfectly calm and serious. She didn't look at him hard, but her look wasn't too soft either. It was focused on him and wanting an answer…a true answer. Ragnar was surprised. He didn't even think that she still thought about that time. However, based on the look…his basic prepared response of "I was going with Cloud" or "I wanted to meet the woman who saved the Planet" seemed to disappear. He was so caught off guard by this that he couldn't think of anything that was a lie or a half truth.

He turned his head down a moment later. His face smoothed a bit, but he swallowed. When he spoke again…his voice was slower and quieter.

"…I had seen you before that day."

Aerith didn't answer. She just kept listening.

"…I told you that I used to live in the City of the Ancients. But I never told you the first day I bathed there. I did so in the central pond. When I was there…I noticed something on the bottom…"

Again, the woman stayed silent.

Ragnar swallowed again. "…You were perfect. You were like an angel that had fallen asleep until judgment day. I was scared at first. I didn't know why a woman could be there. If she was dead…I didn't know why she looked so flawless. I went out of the pool as fast as I could. I didn't go there again. At first…I thought it was because I didn't want to swim in the same pool as a dead person." Pause. "But now…now I realize it was because I thought I was too dirty to ruin that perfect burial ground...or something. I think somewhere inside me I knew that you were a Cetra, before anyone else told me." Another pause. "…I think somehow I knew you were the one who kept speaking to me."

Finally, Aerith's face grew confused. "…What?"

"I never told you the truth, Aerith." Ragnar continued, keeping his head lowered, but his voice growing quieter. "I never told you what Bahamut told me the day he junctioned to me…brought me back with all of this power."

The Cetra's eyes widened slightly, as she heard at last the reason for Ragnar's ability. But he didn't stop. He kept going in the soft voice.

"I'm an artificial you, Aerith. I was an experiment of the Shinra Corporation. When they lost you…they made me. They made me a half-Cetra. I was male…so I wasn't as far along as you. But I've been getting there. I hear the Planet along with you when we're in the garden together. And I heard your spirit calling out to me in the City of the Ancients. Perhaps it was the Planet itself…but it spoke through you. I knew you before I met you."

Ragnar finally turned and looked to Aerith here.

"I came with Cloud because I wanted to make sure it would happen. I wanted to save the camp…but that wasn't the real reason. I wanted to meet a true Cetra…but that wasn't the real reason either. Deep down inside…I went north with Cloud for you, Aerith. I wanted to know you."

Aerith stared on at him, her lip hanging slightly now. What Ragnar had just said was a tremendous amount for her to hear. Yet she knew immediately that he wasn't lying. It was all true. And what more…she realized she wasn't that surprised. Just like he had known these things deep inside him…she realized now that she knew the same. Somehow…she knew that he was a Cetra as well. A part of her had always known it. Perhaps she hadn't said it because it couldn't be true…but now it seemed to fit. Suddenly…it seemed natural that it would have taken him this long to develop his powers. All of the inconsistancies seemed to make sense to her now, as if something within her mind told her the truth…some part of her own body and soul sorted it out.

But most of all…she recognized something else. A distant memory was finally sparked.

She realized why she felt at ease around him. She realized why she seemed to be able to let go and feel safer with him. She realized why she had first wanted him to go out with her. It wasn't just childish flirting. And it wasn't coincidence.

She knew now, while she had been "asleep"…while she had "dreamed" of curing hundreds of children and summoning Holy to finish Meteor…she had dreamed of him too.

She had known him before she had met him as well. Whenever she had eased her way into the voices of the Lifestream, or felt herself being called on to her eternal rest…she lingered back because of this one soul. The one unusual flame flickering in the land of the living called her back time and time again. She could see what happened to him…and she called out to him again and again…sometimes to awaken within him his true self…sometimes to warn him of danger… But always she was drawn to him. That was why she wasn't afraid of him the first night. That was why his voice comforted her. That's why she knew she could trust him from the day they met.

Was there truly such a thing as destined people? Was her death and resurrection, in fact, in some small way in the great scheme of things…designed to "delay" her until the time came for her to meet him? For the last two Cetra to meet? That although she was dead and he was an experiment…that they were meant to be together?

Ragnar looked away. His face began to turn pale. He was fearful now. He stood up while he nervously exhaled. Moistening his lips, he began to make for the door.

"…I've said too much." He grimly stated as he walked.

In moments, Ragnar was at the door. He reached out for the knob, and began to turn it. Yet before he could get very far, he felt a touch on his shoulder.

The youth paused for the briefest moment on feeling this. The touch was light and soft, but also distinctly meant to stop him. After hesitating, he turned back around.

He never got to see clearly how she looked…for before he could fully realize how Aerith appeared she pressed her lips against his.

Ragnar was surprised for the briefest moment…before that faded. His eyes widened only for a second before closing again. Like Aerith, he too closed his own, and soon he was returning the kiss. It wasn't mild this time or brief, like so many had been before. This time, it quickly became stronger and deeper. He felt his head lower down over hers as he used his slight edge on size to come in closer. After that…he thought only of one other thing besides Aerith, and then only for a moment.

Master…if you're in there…just for a little while…pull yourself back. I want this to just be me and her.

He felt the briefest hesitation in his limbs…but then he felt himself suddenly seem weaker and less cognent than before. It was only slight, because he was one with Bahamut now. But even the great esper knew what it meant to be in love. He also knew what it meant to want to be alone with the one you loved. Soon he had faded somewhat, and Ragnar thought no more of him.

As he continued to kiss Aerith, the youth felt his arms raising and encircling her. Even with his thin frame, his own small muscles made himself larger than her, and he soon began to bring her closer to him. Aerith herself raised her arms and placed them around his neck, as if to pull herself more into him. They broke in kissing for a moment, but then did so again. They began to move as they pulled themselves in tighter where they were. At last…it seemed as if everything that had been impeding them had broken down. To Ragnar and Aerith alike…it seemed as if they were finally meant to be united. Their love that had been growing now came out at once and grew in intensity quickly. They didn't want to hold back anymore.

Ragnar made the first move. As he continued to hold Aerith, his fingers began to move for her outer jacket edge. He crept forward only slowly…not sure if he should go any further.

Aerith didn't stop him. She began to pull her arms back to go for his uniform collar.

Ragnar and Aerith had never thought of going this far before. Not with anyone. But now…it seemed the time. Both of them realized the other was perfect for them. They wanted no one else. Not tonight. Not ever. Aerith had become a million times more wonderful in Ragnar's embrace. She felt like something pure and heavenly as he kissed her. To Aerith, Ragnar finally felt like the proverbial "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh". Until now she had always felt alone in some way…but now she felt complete at last. She felt so peaceful and content in his arms… As if there was already a link between them, the last of the Cetra, they knew their intentions.

Soon, Aerith was beginning to unbutton Ragnar's tunic as he pulled off her outer jacket, and both of them, still holding and kissing, began to make their way back to Aerith's bed.

Ragnar wasn't sure he could remember anything after that…save feeling good. He had never felt so good in his life. But it was a blur of emotion and feeling that defied words. He remembered both of them kissing more and more intently as their clothes came off one by one. It felt to him like drinking some sort of nectar of the gods with each taste. Aerith, on her part, for a brief moment, felt as carefree and loose as nature itself. She forgot about the ship and the mission and thought only of Ragnar. The moments of bliss could have lasted a few minutes or an hour. Time lost its meaning when they thought only of themselves together.

But the chaotic feeling ended at last. Both of them still felt wonderful, but when they parted somewhat, still holding each other, and both went to rest on the bed, they both took a moment just to breathe. Yet that ended soon. And when it did, Aerith and Ragnar rested on each other, still holding onto one another on that single bed.

Ragnar felt like he could kiss Aerith forever. He wished that time could stop, and he could just be here with Aerith forever. Nothing else mattered to him anymore. As she rested her head in the crook of his neck, he only felt more dreamlike and happy as he felt her soft hair against his skin, and the smell of her filled his nostrils. He didn't want to let go of her. He didn't want to close his eyes or sleep. He was afraid that she'd vanish…that this would be a dream or vision.

Aerith herself had never felt so peaceful and content. In her troubled life, she had always had to be on edge about something. But not tonight. Everything seemed to make sense now. As she heard Ragnar's heart slow down in its beating, she felt that she could see her whole life ahead of her now…and it was happy. If day and night passed and she was still holding on to Ragnar, it didn't matter. Nothing could interrupt it or make her sad if she had him next to her. She thought it had to be a dream. Was it fair, after all she had been through, after all that was still ahead, for her to be happy? Was it profane for any mortal to be so happy? She didn't think it was possible for anyone to feel as joyful as she did now.

Ragnar's own head finally shifted. His mouth lowered next to Aerith's ear as she continued to rest against him. When it reached it, he whispered softly into it. He dared speak no louder, not to disturb the fair creature in his arms…and not to shatter this perfect moment if it was a dream.

"Will you marry me?"

Tifa huffed again as she pinched her abdomen once more. She let her body go down, and then went up again. The floor of her cabin was icy cold, but she made herself continue to perform crunches. She was working at a furious pace, but she forced herself to keep going. She was nervous, and last time she had gotten into a fight after being severely out of practice, she got her rear end handed to her. She wanted to make sure she was at her best.

"You should probably be resting."

Tifa stopped in the middle of a crunch here. She was breathing hard and sweating now. However, she also turned and looked up to see who had spoken with some surprise. She had been breathing so much that she hadn't noticed that the door to the cabin was open. Standing there with arms crossed and leaning in the doorway was Cloud.

The woman smiled a bit, though she kept breathing hard. "You should learn to knock before you barge in wherever I am, but I guess if you haven't learned that by now you never will."

Tifa breathed once more after saying this, but then began to roll up to stand again. As for Cloud, he stepped inside the room himself. "Anyway…why are you still awake?" Tifa asked.

"Trying to thaw out the kid's cold feet." Cloud simply answered as he shut the door behind him.

"Do I even want to know what that means?" Tifa asked in response.

"Probably not." Cloud answered.

Tifa smiled a bit and snickered. "You've really changed."

The ex-mercenary turned his head a bit more to Tifa at that, and looked confused. "Changed?"

"You're actually trying to be a bit funny now." She answered, still smiling. "I used to have to needle you for weeks to get a smile out of you. That kid really did something for you."

Cloud gave a snort to this. "I think you got that reversed. I'm the one who keeps bailing him out."

Tifa raised an eyebrow here. "Oh?" She answered. "What about that time in the second battle with the New Shinra?"

"That doesn't count." Cloud answered indignantly. "I was tricked."

"Even that's different. You used to just be 'whatever' and then you'd go off to be by yourself."

Cloud gave another small chuckle at this. The thing was Tifa was right. He noticed that he was different ever since meeting that kid. He couldn't really say why. Maybe he liked to be condescending for a change. His whole life, he had usually been looking up to everyone. Now he finally had someone who had to look up to him. Maybe it was because he was part Cetra. It looked like all the people who were part Cetra in his life had a way of changing his personality.

He wasn't sure…but for some reason he felt a connection to this guy. He had run into a lot of would-be heroes in his time…but he bonded with this one. Before he knew it, he was shaking his head and vocalizing it.

"…I really don't know what it is with me and him." Cloud finally said out loud. "Something about him just made me start thinking more about there being more to life than just my delivery job. He made me want to go forward in my life for some reason. Maybe it was because he had to miss out on so much of his own."

Tifa crossed her arms and crooked her head a bit.

"Maybe it's because you have a friend at last."

Cloud looked up at this, and gave Tifa yet another confused look. "What are you talking about? What about the others-"

"How many times a year do you visit Barret?" Tifa simply answered. "How often do you call up Cid? Do you actually like sitting around and talking to Red XIII? I know half the time you can't stand Yuffie…"

Cloud frowned a bit here. "Are you trying to say that they're not really my friends?"

"No." Tifa answered. "I'm trying to say that they're not enough like you for you to really be good friends with them. Ragnar's a lot like you. He takes charge a lot. He's been through a rough life. And he thinks he's the only one who can take care of the people he cares about."

The ex-mercenary paused a bit here.

"…I just feel better knowing they're in my hands."

Tifa took a few steps forward. "Well, until a few years ago, you didn't trust your own hands enough with those you loved. I think what Ragnar did for you was remind you why you started fighting in the first place. You were so caught up in the battle that you didn't focus so much on what we're fighting for. There's a lot to look forward to in the future. You should take time out to enjoy it."

Cloud paused again here. Once more…Tifa had him. As he stopped for a moment to consider this, he thought again of what was coming. Of course, there was his marriage to Tifa coming up. Then there was his adoption of Denzel.

Yet as he thought about it a bit more…he realized he had even more than that. He had many good friends who'd do anything for him. He had a home and a community that made him happy, grim as he might always be about it. Aerith was alive again. And…it was like Tifa said. He did have a real friend that he felt very close to. Though his life hadn't been very merry…he had a lot to be thankful for now. By all rights, he should have been insane or dead by now. But he wasn't…and his life now looked better than many.

The ex-mercenary's thoughts were interrupted as he heard a clicking ahead of him. He looked, and saw that Tifa had stopped right in front of him. Her arms were still crossed, but she looked up to his face and smiled. On seeing it, he nearly smiled again himself. He loved that smile. He had always loved it. That was the first thing he had liked when he had first come to Nibelheim all those years ago. He didn't even mind how the other kids didn't like him for being new…because he got to see that smile every day…

Where did mom and me move from again?

And here she was. This was the woman of his dreams. He had hoped and wished that one day he and Tifa would be together…but he had never really believed it. Even that night he made that silly promise… They had barely known each other. But she had taken it to heart and so had he. And now…here they were. Fate or destiny had brought them together. She was genuinely, honest and truly, the only woman he ever wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And seeing her here now, looking up into his eyes…he began to realize something clear that he had always doubted before… She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Out of all the other boys or men in the world…she chose the quiet neighbor boy next door. She would do…and had done…anything for him, just like he would do…and had done…anything for her.

I'm going to war. I'm headed straight for a firefight. I'm going to fight my worst enemy again, and he and his new wife are stronger than I've ever encountered. The fate of the world, Denzel, Marlene, and who knows how many more are hanging in the balance…

…And I have a perfect life.

There's nothing I would want to change for anything in the world.

When Cloud realized this…he finally smiled as well. Before Tifa knew what was happening, and letting out a mild cry of surprise, Cloud spun around, scooped her up in his arms, and kissed her on the lips. Surprised as she was, a smile soon came over Tifa as well, and she readily returned it…not really caring what brought it on. Yet as their lips locked, she felt one of his arms shift down to her legs, and soon raised them up as well. He was soon carrying her. As he broke off from kissing, she noticed that he began to walk forward.

Tifa was still smiling, but a bit confused. "What are you doing?"

"What you said…taking time out to enjoy my life." Cloud simply answered, still smiling.

The woman, at this point, turned and looked behind her to see where Cloud was going. She soon realized it was to her bed. She turned back to Cloud after this, still smiling and now understanding.

"You have changed." She told him…in a tone that showed she was perfectly pleased with this.

To be continued...