Hello again! Schools almost over for the semester. Only a few more weeks and then I can have some free time to work on this story more and get the chapters uploaded on schedule. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers. Im glad you are enjoying the story so far. Any suggestions or thoughts are much appreciated! –Annubis

The Decision Between Life or Death:

A Second Chance

Chapter 22

There was a soft knock at the front door of the small cottage. A woman gasped at the intruding sound, caught up in her daily chores.

"Wonder who that is…" she mumbled to herself as she carelessly flung her towel into the sink. The elderly woman wiped her hands off on her apron as she waddled hurriedly to the door.

Light poured into the small front living room as the wooden door creaked to an open. The woman squint her eyes trying to get a look at her new guest. A young, slender woman stood on her front step. Her eyes a glittering green, they held a life in them that the elderly woman hadn't seen in years. The young woman's long curls of hair, half of which were tied back by a pink ribbon, blew gently in the breeze. The light around her gave her a gentle aura.

"Mrs. Fair?" she spoke.

"Yes?" Mrs. Fair gave a small smile. She watched the young woman fidget uncomfortably. What was she so nervous about?

"Hi. My name is Aeris." The girl held her small hand to the woman.

"Aeris." Mrs. Fair nodded. She eyeballed the woman suspiciously as if remembering something. "What can I do for you, miss?"

"Um, well, I…uh." She twirled a curl framing her face. Her green eyes darted off to the side a moment. "I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Talk to me about?" the woman questioned. She watched Aeris cautiously. "Have we met before? You look a bit familiar."

"Um…" she looked too the side once again and nodded quickly. "Yes. In fact we have, quite a few years ago. Me and a couple friends visited way back right before the meteor incident." She twiddled her fingers. "Do you remember someone by the name of Cloud?"

"Cloud?" the woman glanced at the ceiling, thinking. A frown crossed her face. "Blonde kid with glowing blue eyes?"

"Y, yeah…that's correct." Aeris nodded slowly. "We were passing through the village and I think we stopped by here."

"Yes, I remember. You were one of the young ladies with that fellow." The woman stated a bit sourly. "But you weren't here the second time…they..came."

"…" Aeris fidgeted again. The woman didn't seem very happy.

"What did you say your name was again?" She questioned.

"Aeris." The young woman tried to place a smile on her face.

"Aeris…" the woman shook her head, scoffing. "But, they said…are you the only Aeris they know?"

"…Yes." Aeris glanced to the side.

"They mentioned a woman named Aeris, but she's supposed to be dead." Mrs. Fair shook her head angrily. She was beginning to wonder if this was some kind of sick joke.

"Ah, well, funny you should say that." Aeris laughed nervously. "You see…um…how do I explain this…?" she was muttering and mumbling incoherently.

"Did you know my son?" the woman asked sadly. "I imagine since you were friends with Cloud and that your name is Aeris…then you would have had to know my son."

"Actually that's why I'm here." Aeris cleared her throat. "I have something…to show you."

"Show me? What is this all about?" the woman huffed.

"Is…" Aeris looked about the living room. "Mr. Fair, here?"

"He's in the shed." The woman turned away. "I suppose I should get him."

The woman waddled to the back porch area and hollered something. Aeris flinched at the sound. A soft muffled laugh sounded from beside her.

"I can't believe you're making me do this." Aeris rolled her eyes. "She was giving me the death look."

The young woman folded her arms. She was scared to death of this woman. She obviously never recovered since Cloud and Tifa came to tell her that her only son was killed. Aeris continued to mumble out the corner of her mouth, looking off to the side every once and a while. Mrs. Fair seemed to notice this as she walked along side her husband back into the living room.

"This is Aeris." Mrs. Fair announced.

"Aeris." The older man smiled. He tipped his old hat in her direction. "Afternoon, miss."

"She says she has something to show us." Mrs. Fair spouted out. "Hon, is there someone else with you?"

"Um!" Aeris stood up straight. "You know, I'm just going to get straight to the point here, since you both are obviously busy…"

"Why don't you come in!" the man grabbed the girl's hand and led her toward the couch. He certainly was friendly. He smiled at her; he had warm, kind blue eyes. "Make yourself at home. We never have visitors." Mrs. Fair watched her husband disapprovingly.

"O, ok." Aeris looked back at the doorway. Mrs. Fair was ready to shut the door. "Um, actually! Don't shut that door…it is such a nice day out… and you were right Mrs. Fair! I did bring someone else with me!" Aeris rushed to the lady and led her to the couch. "Why don't you take a seat here next to Mr. Fair? I think that would be best…"

"Ok." Mrs. Fair sat next to the man. Mr. Smiled curiously at the slender woman frantically rushing back toward the door.

"Alright." Aeris smoothed the wrinkles in her dress. "Are you ready? This may be…a little shocking."

"Come on, dear. What could you possibly have to show us?" Mrs. Fair beamed with excitement.

'Oh boy, how her mood can change…' Aeris let out a breath of air.

"Introducing!" Aeris held her hands up toward the doorway. She gave a nervous smile. "Zack Fair!"

Immediate frowns on both parents. Mrs. Fair looked like she was about to shoot laser out her eyes. Mr. Fair was about to get to his feet but paused when a silhouette in the door formed from around the corner. The couple squint their eyes, trying to get a better look at the young man who was now on their stoop. The dark figure took a step into the living room.

"Oh…holy…" Mrs. Fair held a hand to her chest. Bright blue eyes stared at the woman. A large smile crossed the young man's face.

"Hi mom, dad." He rubbed the back of his head.

"Ghost…" Mr. Fair pointed a finger. He glanced at his wife who was now on her feet running toward the second guest.

"Oh!" Mrs. Fair ran her hands over the young man's face. She admired his spiky dark hair, the small scar on his jaw. She lifted his arms, looking him over. She gasped continuously as she touched the man. "Not a ghost!" she sobbed.

"No!?" the man ran to where the boy was.

"Zack! ZAAACK!" the woman wrung her arms around the boy's neck. She squeezed him harder than she ever had anyone else. She looked at his eyes again.

He smiled at her. "Hi, mom." He said barely audibly.

"My baby!" She kissed his cheek and hugged him again. Her hand petted the hair on his head. "They said you were dead!"

"Not quite." The boy laughed.

"My son's alive!" Mr. Fair made room and hugged around both his wife and the boy. "Then that means…" he pulled away. He glanced at Aeris.

"Aeris was the young woman who was to marry Zack." Mrs. Fair blurted.

"You're alive as well!" the older man tugged on Aeris' arm and pulled her into a hug.

"Ahhh…" Zack raised a finger, mentally slapping himself over and over again.

"Married?" Aeris laughed nervously.

"Mom, Dad!" Zack leaned down toward the young woman. "Play along." He muttered through his teeth. "This is Aeris! She and I have known each other for a while."

"Nice to meet you, Aeris." Mrs. Fair shook the girl's hand quickly. "You have no idea how much it pleases me to see you! Sorry for my harshness, earlier….You see, I thought that since you two were supposed to be dead that you were trying to play some trick on me." Zack's mother blushed.

"I understand." Aeris nodded.

"Just one question." Mr. Fair sat back on the couch. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. Mrs. Fair joined his side.

"Yeah." Zack and Aeris sat on the small loveseat across from the parents.

"How the hell can someone mistake you for being dead?" the father asked.

"Ah, yeah…that." Zack cleared his throat.

"Didn't think about how you were going to explain this one." Aeris muttered.

"How much of the truth would you like to hear?" Zack laughed nervously.

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Fair asked.

"It's a long story." Zack shrugged. "How bout we talk about it over dinner?" the boy bit his lip, giving the most innocent look Aeris had ever seen on a grown man's face. He batted his eyelashes at his mother.

"Zackary." The mother tried to look away. "Tell us now."

"Aw, ma!" Zack got on his knees. His arms wrapped around his mom's waist, his head on her bosom. "I'm hungry."

"Let the boy eat, ma." Mr. Fair chose sides. He patted his own gut. "I'm hungry too. Besides, look at them two. They look like they haven't eaten in years."

"Please?" Zack whined. Aeris watched the scene, amazed.

"Don't give me that look." Mrs. Fair shook her head.

"Mommy?" Zack hugged her tighter.

"Aw my boy!" She kissed his forehead. "How can I deny you anything after all this?"

"Whoo!" Zack and his father clapped their hands together.

"Ma's cooking is the best." Zack beamed as he sat back next to Aeris.

"That look of yours is evil." The woman muttered as she stood from the couch and headed to the kitchen. "Get it from yer father."

"So Aeris, where are you from?" Mr. Fair asked with a large grin on his face.

"Midgar." Aeris stood straight.

"You can relax, honey." The man winked. Aeris felt a blush creep onto her cheeks. No doubt, Zack had received his father's charms as well.

"She lived under the plate." Zack helped out.

"In the slums!?" Mrs. Fair hollered from the kitchen. Zack smirked. Mom still had ears like a bat.

"Yeah." Aeris nodded. "I live…or lived there with my adoptive mother."

"You were adopted?" Mr. Fair asked. "What a lucky find! I bet you were such a cute little girl."

"She was." Zack leaned back on the couch, completely at home.

"What?" Aeris asked, embarrassed.

"Should see her childhood pictures." Zack smiled. "I bet she was a fussy little thing."

"I wasn't fussy!" Aeris slapped the man on the arm. Mr. Fair watched the two interact, he seemed very please with Zack's 'future wife'.

"How'd you two meet?" Mr. Fair brought up the tough question.

"Funny story, actually." Zack scratched his head.

"He fell through the roof of my church." Aeris stated simply. The sound of something being dropped in the kitchen alerted the group to the mother in the other room.

"I think you got it backwards." Mr. Fair looked at Aeris. "The angels' supposed to fall to you, Zack."

"Exactly what I was thinking when I first saw her." Zack grinned. He watched the return of red on Aeris' face.

"Were you alright!?" mother's voice entered the conversation.

"I was fine, ma." Zack sighed. "A little fall like that wouldn't hurt me."

"He was out for a while…" Aeris added.

"Hey!" Zack folded his arms.

"Then he promised to make it up to me." Aeris talked to Zack's father. "He told me he'd take me on a date."

"Thatta boy." Mr. Fair nodded approvingly.

"And well, then we just hung out here and there, ya know how that goes." Zack shrugged.

"Did you take her somewhere nice?" Mrs. Fair asked.

"Um…" Zack rubbed his head.

"It was lovely." Aeris nodded.

"…" Zack watched her. Was she just saying that to cover up or did she really remember?

"He…" She looked at the bracelets on her wrists. She thought a moment. "Gosh it was so long ago."

"Wasn't much of a date, actually." Zack frowned. "Damn phone had to interrupt."

"That's right!" Aeris gasped. "I was a bit disappointed…Wished we could have stayed there longer in the park."

"That's…right." Zack nodded slowly. "We were at that park in Sector 6."

"But before that we went on a walk." Aeris smiled.

"Wasn't it dangerous in the slums?" Mrs. Fair asked. The sound of the oven door opening sounded after her voice.

"I had Zack there to protect me." Aeris stifled a laugh.

"Yeah." Zack rubbed the back of his head. "Wasn't much…"

"Then he took me to the shop." She bit her lower lip, remembering the short amount of time they spent together, she enjoyed it nevertheless. "You didn't buy these for me then." Her fingers trailed over the dented bracelets.

"No…I didn't." Zack stared at her. His fingers trailed to the pink ribbon in her hair. "Another thing you seem to wear all the time."

Aeris felt her face get hot. Was she really that infatuated with the man? "Yup. As a memento." She was glad Tifa had returned the pink ribbon to her before they left Edge. She didn't know why before, but it gave her a sense of security.

"That's right." He nodded.

"You tried to embarrass me." Aeris covered her cheeks.

"I did? When?" he folded his arms.

"In the park." She shoved him gently.

"Oh you mean when you said I had pretty eyes?" he chuckled.

Mr. Fair watched the two interact with each other. He thought Aeris was the cutest thing. It reminded him of the days he first met his wife.

"Your father's eyes were the first thing I noticed." Mrs. Fair walked out into the living room. She made her place on the couch next to the older man. "Boy liked to make me blush so every chance he got he tried to look my eyes into his. Knew my weakness." The woman grinned, nudging her husband on the shoulder. "Boy's a spitting image of his father. Watch it when he gets older though, all that food will catch up to him."

"This, woman, is your fault." Mr. Fair patted his round belly. "Cook too good."

"My Zack can eat…Even when he was a baby. Chubby little thing then." Mrs. Fair laughed.

"Chubby?" Aeris poked Zack's stomach.

"Ma!" Zack covered his face.

"You want to see, dear?" Mrs. Fair stood from the couch. "She made her way to a tiny china cabinet behind the sofa. She pulled a thick album from the drawer.

"No, ma!" Zack raised from his seat.

"Oh you just sit your tiny caboose down there next to your father." She shoved the young man onto the couch. "Let me have my fun." She squeezed in next to Aeris.

"I've never seen any pictures of Zack when he was a child." Aeris giggled. Zack shot her a glare from the sofa.

"These are from when he was only a few weeks old." Mother opened the book and pointed at the small pictures.

They showed a fussing baby with blue-grey eyes. As she continued through the pages, telling her stories, Zack grew older and older. His hair was dark and messy. There were many pictures of him running around in nothing but his diaper or underwear. Some we adorned a blue cape and a large stick, no doubt his 'sword'. He wore overalls and I small straw hat. He had toothless grins, scrapes and bruises. In middle school he was a tall bean-pole, no muscle at all. Aeris giggled at his awkwardness.

"Ok…I think she's seen enough." Zack groaned.

"I think you're cute." Aeris grinned.

"Oh he was such a cutie! Always tellin' us stories! Boy would never shut up!" the mother laughed.

"I always thought he was going to grow up to be a writer." Father added.

"I suck at writing." Zack muttered.

"Math too." Mother added.

"Mom!" Zack finally earned his blush.

"Look at those pink cheeks!" Aeris pointed.

"Oh, he's a blusher." Mother added. "Ticklish too."

"Ticklish!?" a mischievous grin crossed Aeris face, showing every tooth.

"Get's that one from his mother." Mr. Fair laughed.

"I'll have to try that one out later." Aeris eyeballed the pouting boy on the couch.

"Also gets his mood swings from his mother." Dad added.

"I'm not moody!" Zack scoffed.

"He's emotional." Mom suggested.

"Can I leave?" Zack mumbled.

"You just got here!" Dad wrapped an arm around his boy. "I suppose you two are staying a while too?"

"Um, I think-…" Zack began.

"We'd love to!" Aeris beamed. Zack's attention turned to her.

"We will?" he asked.

"Certainly! I mean, you haven't seen your parents in years! There's lots to talk about, many stories to tell… and hear. Besides, I'd like to enjoy the sights here, relax, and get to know the family."

"I like how she thinks!" Mrs. Fair entered the kitchen once again.

"As far as I'm concerned, she can stay forever!" Zack's father stated as he helped mother in the kitchen.

"Forever?" Zack stuttered.

"Forever…" Aeris smiled at Zack.

"Ah! Ha…ha…" the man groaned a moment later. "They live to embarrass me. I just got back and they already are pickin' on me."

"Get washed up, dinner will be ready in a few." Mom hollered.

"Yeah…" Zack turned and headed down the back hallway to where his room was.

Aeris followed him close behind, thinking to herself. 'Married? What gave them that idea?' She eyeballed the door across from the bathroom. The door had a couple of posters and a warning sign. Aeris figured that was Zack's room. The light to the bathroom turned on Aeris looked in front of her. She could see Zack's side. His shirt moved as he washed his hands, making his side look all the more tempting to touch.

'Poke.' Aeris finger jabbed him.

"AH!" Zack shoved his arms down. "What do you think you're doing!?" his blue eyes darted down in front of hers. He twisted as he did so, moving his torso away from her.

"Just testing." Aeris giggled.

"No ticklin'." He pointed a finger at her. "You'll feel the worst end of it." The man walked around her, out into the hall away from the woman.

"Is that a challenge?" Aeris asked as she scrubbed her own hands. She saw that the man was opening the door to his room.

"Yes." He said quickly. He pulled the door closed when she came beside him.

"What's in there?" she asked.

"My room." He said simply, not latching the door. "Something I wanted to get."

"Then get it." Aeris said.

"I'll get it later." He said.

"Why not now? We have time?" She pried. She held her hands behind her back.

"It's my room…" Zack answered.

"So? You've been in my room." Aeris countered. "No girls allowed? Is it a mess? What if I wanted to see your room?"

"Not gonna happen?" he shook his head.

"Why not?" She pouted.

"Cause I said so." He latched the door and turned around.

"Not much of a reason." Aeris mumbled. She opened the door to his room.

"Ah!" Zack ran to her.

"Looks like a normal room to me." Aeris stuck her head through the crack.

"It's private!" Zack fumbled for the door handle. He pulled her out of the way. Aeris watched as both arms lunged forward to grab the door and pull it shut.

'He's vulnerable…' Her thoughts erupted.

"Gotcha!" Aeris' hands went to either side of the man. Nails dug into his sides quickly. Zack screamed in response, turning around quickly. He tugged on her hands and lifted them. Aeris stumbled forward, running into the man. The impact caused Zack to fall back, shoving the door open. The two fell onto the floor, Aeris on top of the man. Zack let go of her to make sure she didn't hurt herself. Aeris took the advantage and resumed her attack.

"NO!" Zack squealed. Aeris giggled, tickling along his sides and ribcage. The man squirmed beneath her grabbing at her wandering hands. He raised them in the air, Aeris loosing balance and falling forward. He held onto her hands still, not allowing her to attack again. Her face was next to his, snickering. "You're evil…you know that?"

He looked to the side, his fingers entwined in hers. She turned her head. They were an inch away. Zack's eyes were soft. She was mesmerized once again, as if it was the first time she had ever seen them. They stared a moment. Zack's lips parted. Aeris gasped and raised herself. Her hands were still stuck in his, he refused to let go.

"Zack?" Aeris whispered, looking down at her hands. She still lat on top of him, her face above his. She swung her head around, meeting his gaze again. A few brown curls swung over her shoulder.

He watched her, one hand releasing her. That hand trailed up her arm. Aeris felt her face turn a hundred shades of red. Zack's hand rested on the side of her face. He raised his head from the floor and pressed his lips against hers. The woman was rigid. He released her second hand, letting it trail down her side. Aeris felt herself relax, dragging her hand through his hair. The two continued as Zack placed his hands 

around her waist and rolled her onto her back on the floor. She breathed in, letting her hands explore the sides of his body softly. His fingers trailed along her collarbone and neck, giving her chills. Their lips parted and returned in a cycle.

"Zack!" mother's voice called out.

Zack's eyes popped open. 'Shit!' the man pulled away quickly. He lifted himself to his feet, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't look back at Aeris. She stumbled to her feet, smoothing the wrinkles out in her clothing. Her face was red.

"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have done that." Zack cleared his throat.

"Why?" She looked very disappointed.

"Cause…" Zack shook his head. He looked over his shoulder. He shouldn't have said 'he shouldn't have done that'. Now dinner would be awkward.

"…I didn't complain." Aeris leaned forward.

"No…you didn't." Zack smiled sheepishly.

"Dinner!" mother called out again.

"So, does that mean you liked it?" the man gave a cocky grin.

"Well…I wouldn't say that." Aeris teased as she headed for the hall. "Come on, ma's waiting for us."

"Wha-?" the man drawled. He followed closely behind her.

"How did they get in and out of here so fast without us noticing?" Shelke dropped the extension cord in her hand. "We were only gone a few minutes."

"Seems they were after something." Kadaj looked down the opening behind one of the bookshelves.

"I wonder what it was they took?" Shelke glanced at the metal safe. "Seems as if there were tubes of some sort in here. Viles…"

"Why would it be hidden?" Kadaj scanned the safe. His fingers dropped into one of the holes. A sense of pain invaded his mind. He dropped to the floor.

"Kadaj!" Shelke kneeled down. "What happened?"

"M, mother…" Kadaj held onto his head.

"Jenova?" Shelke asked. "There must've been tubs of Jenova's blood kept in here. A last effort save to keep Jenova on this planet." The young girl stood. "Kadaj…we need to find those clones."

"I can't sense them." He shook his head sadly.

"You have to try, Kadaj."

"I can't. I don't want to remember. I don't want to be taken by Jenova." The silver haired man sat leaning against the wall. "My mother is…Aeris…not Jenova."

"We'll have to do it the hard way then." Shelke sighed. "Come on, let's get some research done. Maybe we can pull up something that has to do with those left over viles."

She helped the man to his feet and together they searched through the files, books, and computers in Hojo's forgotten lab.

"Can you go out to the shed and fetch me my glasses. Left 'em out there this afternoon." Zack's father asked the boy.

"Sure." Zack stood from the couch and stretched, letting out a loud groan.

"Oh bring Aeris out there too. There's a surprise out there for you." Zack's mother came into the living room in her nightgown. It seemed as though it was time for bed. "I'm sure Aeris will like it as well."

"Surprise?" Zack raised a brow. 'What the hell can it be?'

Zack and Aeris opened the back door to the house. The night sky was clear revealing a sprinkle of stars and a very large moon. The trees swayed gently in the breeze. Zack led Aeris to the shed in the back. He opened the old wooden door, it creaked in protest. Zack reached on the ledge of a worktable next to the door and grabbed his father's glasses. He didn't need to turn on the light. His dad always left them in that very same spot.

"WARK!" a loud sound came from behind them.

"Ah!" Aeris screamed.

Zack spun around quickly reaching for his sword, which was nonexistent. His eyes followed the length of the tall golden bird standing before them. Its sparkling blue eyes stared down at the man with black hair. Its head tilted curiously at the man. It warked loudly once more.

"…Kweh?" Zack answered.

"WARK!!" the bird hopped and trotted in circles. It chirped, twittered, warked, and screeched.

"Kweh! Kweh!" Zack grabbed onto the birds reigns. "I can't believe it! It's Hector!"

"You know this bird?" Aeris asked nervously.

"Yeah! It was my bird before I died. Oh man! I was sure he was lost after that…" Zack patted the bird on the neck. "Go on, you can pet him. He won't hurt you."

"What…is he?" Aeris took a small step forward.

"A chocobo! You mean you haven't seen one before?" Zack gave her a look of disbelief.

"No…" Aeris shook her head. "I mean, I've heard of them but I have never seen on myself before."

"Well, no worries. This bird knows you. You've ridden on him before." Zack grabbed her hand, leading her closer to the animal.

"I have?" She questioned in a small voice. Her fingers rustled through the bird's feathers. She smiled. "He's soft." She giggled.

"Hector's the greatest." Zack watched as Aeris ran her hands along the bird's body. She got close and hugged the animal. It cooed at her touch.

"He's cute!" the woman squealed.

'You're cute…' the man stared at her. She stopped betting the bird.

"What?" she asked. "Something on my face?" she covered her face.

"No." Zack shook his head.

"Then why were you staring?" Aeris asked suspiciously.

"Cause I wanted to." The man smirked. He turned away. "It's getting late. We've had a long day. Why don't we hit the sack?"

"Ok…" Aeris patted the chocobo's back once more and then trotted to the back step of Zack's house.

"You can have my room." Zack handed the woman a blanket and some extra pillows. "I'll sleep on the couch."

"You're going to let me stay in your room now?" the woman taunted. "What if I go through your things?"

"Please don't…" he chuckled.

"But it's not fair for me to stay in your room…it's your house and you haven't been here in years. Why don't I take the couch?"

"No! You're the guest, so you get the bed. I say so, no buts, ands, or ifs about it." The man shut the light off to the room, leaving only the tiny lamp next to the bed as Aeris' only light source. "Get some sleep. I'm sure we'll be up early tomorrow. Mom always makes breakfast and 'm sure dad will talk me into helping out with something in the field."

"Ok." Aeris smiled. "Sleep well."

"You too." Zack gave her a small wink. "See you in the morning."

"Night." Aeris whispered as the door shut gently behind the man. She shivered to herself, not used to being left alone. She was by Zack's side all day. She turned and headed for the bed. She hopped onto it gleefully. It was surprisingly soft. She giggled at the thick blanket by her feet. On the corner was a tiny, red airplane print. Zack really was a child at heart.

'Gotta get some sleep.' The woman yawned. She switched off the lamp on the nightstand. Darkness overtook her sight. She could hear the quiet chirp of crickets outside the window. It was so peaceful here compared to the noise from the slums and traffic overhead in the city.

Aeris closed her eyes, thinking of a happy subject to dream about. She smiled at the thought of today's incident. Her lips tingled when she thought about the kiss she and Zack had shared.

"I've never seen someone look so happy when they sleep…" A low voice sounded from the corner next to her head. Aeris' eyes flew open, fear overtook her. That wasn't Zack's voice.

"Who's there?" She sat up quickly, taking the blanket with her. She held it close to her chest protectively.

"You don't remember me?" the voice asked. "I really am hurt, Aeris." The man leaned forward revealing glowing green eyes; much like hers.

"No I don't! Please leave!" the girl scampered to the corner of the bed, ready to scream for Zack.

"Shh!" The man clasped a hand over her mouth. "Wouldn't want to wake him up."

"Him?" her voice was muffled.

"Zack, of course." The man sat on the bed next to her, she felt extremely uncomfortable. "He's a traitor, you know…" the man reached into his pocket, pulling out a yellow orb. "Don't you remember the terrible things he has done to you?" His hand removed from her mouth.

"I…I don't know…" Aeris watched the man cautiously. "Who are you?"

"What? Are you serious? You're not just playing dumb with me?" the man asked her incredulously. He did notice that she hadn't tried to attack him yet.

"I have amnesia…so if you are someone important I forgot, I'm sorry." Aeris whispered.

"Amnesia!?" the man snorted. He cackled a moment later. "I cannot believe this! You're serious!? You can't remember a thing!?"

"Only bits and pieces." Aeris scooted further away. She bumped into the wall next to the bed.

"So you really have no idea who I am?" the man tried to move a strand of hair out of the woman's face.

"No!" she slapped his hand away.

"You can't remember me? You're one and only love?" his tone was hurtful.

"…" Aeris gawked. "What?"

"It's me, Aeris, Sephiroth." The man pleaded to her. "Please remember me…" he leaned forward; silver hair fell in front of his face. Pale moonlight clashed against the black clothing he wore.

"Sephiroth!? No!" Aeris jumped from the bed. He stood.

"Sh! You'll wake him!" he tugged her toward him. He moved so quickly, she didn't even see it happen. She was pulled against his chest. "He'll take you away from me again."

'What is he talking about?' Aeris tried desperately to get out of his grasp.

"He lies! He's trying to make me out to be the bad guy." Sephiroth frantically tried to explain. "Here, I'll show you." He pulled out a yellow orb. "You see, this is confuse materia. It is used to confuse people. You can place alternate thoughts/memories in someone's head. You can use this one." He pulled out a separate yellow orb. "This is manipulate. You see you can control someone's thoughts and physical movements with this. See?"

Aeris felt herself lose control. She started giggling. Sephiroth let go of her. She danced in a little circle, her hands above her head. Sephiroth watched in amusement.

"What?" she managed to get out through her giggles. Sephiroth put the orbs back into his coat pocket. "You made me do that?" she stopped.

"It's easy for someone, especially someone in SOLDIER to be able to control another person." Sephiroth informed her. "Please, come with me, Aeris. We need to get far away from here." He grabbed her hand. It was cold.

"I, I can't just leave…" She pulled her hand away. "I can't leave Zack. I don't care what you say…I need to be with him."

"He's making you say that. You feel nothing for him, it's all fake." The man said through gritted teeth.

"But what about the others!? They trust Zack; they all say that you're the one who's bad!" Aeris felt her heart pounding. Regardless whether or not this man was telling the truth her instincts were telling her to get away from him.

"That's what they want you to think. Aeris." Sephiroth grabbed her shoulders. He needed to remind himself to be gentle with her and not scare her, but it was so hard not to. There was too much enjoyment in seeing her terrorized face. "You have to trust me for now. Please trust me." The man begged. His eyes held concern.

"…" Aeris stared into his eyes, watching his emotions. The man seemed unstable. He looked as if he had been through a lot. A lot of pain, sadness, hate, anger. Even though she couldn't remember him, she thought this worried look was foreign upon his features.

"Please…" the man sputtered. He seemed desperate. "Here! Proof. Proof that you and I were together; we were together and you trusted me." The man patted his pockets. He smiled when he pulled out another orb. Aeris gasped at the sight of this.

"Where'd you get that?" she stared at the pale green glow of the materia in Sephiroth's hands. It was no doubt her materia, the one her mother had given her.

"You gave it to me." Sephiroth nodded.

"They said I lost it in the fall." Aeris wanted to cry. She was so happy he had her materia. It wasn't lost, wasn't missing for all eternity. "Can I have it?" she held her hand out.

"…" Sephiroth hesitated. "I don't know. You said not to give it to anyone, not even you."

"Why would I say that?" Aeris asked.

"In case something like this happened. Are you sure that you really have amnesia? Are you sure they aren't making you forget your past to get them on their side?" Sephiroth held the orb in front of her eyes. "They always did want to take advantage of you and that materia. They fooled the whole world, fooled us. Cloud…he and Zack…they are the ones who killed us."

"Said it was you." Aeris shook her head. "What about my memories? What about my dreams?"

"Manipulate, confuse. They're doing it to you constantly." Sephiroth stuck a hand into his pocket. He focused his memories. "Zack…he…did some bad things to you."

"Like what?" Aeris swallowed hard. She was so confused. She didn't know what was going on.

"Do you remember that night in the hotel in Nibelheim?" Sephiroth asked.

"No…" Aeris thought a moment. A memory flashed through her head. She was in her bathrobe. Sephiroth was in her room. They were talking about something but she couldn't remember. "Wait…a little. It's coming to me." She closed her eyes. She could remember Sephiroth suddenly gone. Zack came in her room. They kissed. Aeris felt that there was something not right.

"What happened that night?" Sephiroth toyed with the materia in his pocket. A smile crossed his face.

"I…I was forced…" she covered her mouth. Zack was in her room. He was on top of her in her bed. She didn't even want to think about what happened next. It wasn't right, it couldn't be. Zack would never.

"He did something he shouldn't have." Sephiroth nodded. "I was gone. I left for a bit and the man came in…"

"He didn't! He couldn't!" Aeris held her arms around her. She suddenly felt very vulnerable.

"What'd you find that next morning?" Sephiroth asked. "I left something with you so you wouldn't forget me."

"Your glove." Aeris groaned. She felt very sick. This wasn't right. "Zack…they all said it was you who did this…I don't know why I remember that feeling. But I thought it was you who did it." She held a hand to her forehead. At first I thought it was you but when I think about it again, it was for sure Zack." She covered her mouth. Tears stung her eyes. She had cried all night and day after that had happened and no one knew the truth. Zack invaded her room and had his way with her forcefully. She remembered his face holding onto the yellow materia as he removed his clothing. She remembered the look in his cold blue eyes as he violated her. "NO!" Aeris shook her head. "I won't believe it! I can't think about it!"

"It's true Aeris. And until you listen to me and remember things they way they truly are, you will not receive your materia." He plopped the green orb into his pocket.

"Aeris!?" Zack's voice sounded from the other side of the door. The woman gasped. She looked to the door and when she looked back, Sephiroth was gone.

"Zack?" Aeris whispered shakily.

"Are you alright?" the man opened the door. "What happened?" he had his sword in his hand.

Aeris jumped back at the sight of it. Zack gave her a curious look. She nodded quickly, wiping at her eyes.

"Just a nightmare." She stuttered.

"I thought I heard another voice." Zack eyeballed the room.

"No…" Aeris shook her head quickly.

"Okaaaay." Zack sighed. "Are you sure you're alright, you scared the shit outta me."

"Fine. Sorry to have woken you." Aeris gave her best smile.

"Alright. Try to get back to sleep. Think happy thoughts." Zack nodded her way. He put on a fake smile and closed the door behind him. Aeris let out her breath.

'That was too close.' She turned around.

"Damn too close." Sephiroth's voice muttered.

"Oh!" Aeris covered her mouth.

"Come on, we leave now." Sephiroth tugged on her wrist. Her golden bracelets clanged together.

"No, I don't think I should…" Aeris whispered.

"Now." Sephiroth gave her a cold glare. He pulled harder. Aeris struggled, tugging the other way. The bracelets on her wrist fell to the floor, clanging and scattering across the carpet.

"Please, don't." Aeris pleaded. The man pulled on her other wrist. He lifted her into his arms and in an instant they were gone through the window, out into the darkness of the night.

Zack awoke, fully rested. He stretched and yawned loudly.

"Bout time you woke up. Decided to let you sleep in." his mother fried some hash browns in a pan. "Surprised Aeris isn't awake yet. Didn't figure she was a deep sleeper like you." His mother laughed.

"She's not awake?" Zack looked at the clock. Even Aeris didn't sleep in this late. 'Shit!' his internal alarm clock went off. Something was very wrong. Zack hopped to his feet. He sprinted down the hall and burst through the door to the bedroom.

"Aeris!?" he called out. The window to the bedroom was open. He hollered out the window. Hector's face bumped into his. "Where is she, Hector!?"

"WARK!?" the bird cocked it head to the side.

"Aeris!" Zack stumbled off the bed. He stepped on something hard. He looked down. Aeris' golden bracelets were on the floor. He frowned. They were scattered everywhere. He picked them up quickly. "You bastard!" Zack cursed the one man he knew who could have done this, Sephiroth. He slid the bracelets over his wrists and headed for the front door of the house, grabbing his clothes and sword on the way.

"What are you doing!?" his mother ran out into the living room.

"What's going on?" Zack's father came into the house from the back door. "I heard screaming."

"She's gone." Zack muttered. "KWEH!" he called once he got on the front step. Hector responded, jumping over the gate.

"Aeris!?" the woman asked. "Where'd she go?"

Zack hopped onto the golden bird. "That's what I'm going to find out." The man pulled on the reigns. Hector moved in a full out sprint.

Zack's parents watched their son leave them behind once again.

Hope you all enjoyed that chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing. Holy crap I cant wait for Crisis core to come out here. -Annubis