Notes: I suppose it's obvious that Captain Harper, from Smoke Signal, and Dan Corbin, from Two-Gun Lady—the Western movies I'm crossing FF7 with—must be played by the same person, due to their physical similarities. Both are portrayed by the versatile William Talman, who is most well-known for playing district attorney Hamilton Burger on the classic Perry Mason television series. Their vastly different personalities should give a good idea of William's talent!

Chapter Three

It felt good to wash away the dirt and grime from the long journey. By the time Aerith came downstairs she was feeling refreshed as well as hopeful. And the delicious smells from the kitchen were making her realize how hungry she was.

"That looks wonderful!" she proclaimed when she arrived at the doorway and saw the bowls of stew on the table.

"Well, come in, girl! Sit!" Elmyra said. "Eat!"

Aerith needed no coaxing. Hastening into the room, she took the nearest place at the table. Elmyra sat across from her. After bowing their heads to say grace, they began to eat.

"It tastes as delicious as it looks and smells!" Aerith exclaimed. "Will you give me the recipe?"

"Oh, I can do better than that," Elmyra said. "I can teach you how to make it firsthand. I've been wanting to pass along my cooking know-how to an interested pupil."

"Mother always liked to cook," Aerith remembered.

"I know," Elmyra said. "It was one of her favorite pastimes."

They lapsed into a brief silence with their thoughts. Presently Elmyra said, "Dan said you met Captain Harper."

Aerith nodded. "Yes. He and some of his men escorted the stage to town." She tilted her head to the side, pondering as she chewed. "He's different than the Marshal."

"You're telling me," Elmyra said. "But he's a good, fair man, just as Dan is." She sobered. "Is that alright for you, Aerith? Still being so close to so many soldiers, I mean."

"Oh, it's fine." Aerith smiled. "It wouldn't feel like home if there weren't soldiers."

But Elmyra frowned. It was easy to see that the smile did not reach Aerith's eyes. She chose her next words with care. "If it will remind you too much of him . . ."

Aerith looked down, spooning more stew. "I can't stay away from everything that reminds me of him." She raised her eyes to meet Elmyra's. "Everything reminds me of him. I know that sounds silly, but . . ."

Elmyra smiled, but it was a sad smile of understanding. "It's not silly at all. That's how I felt about my husband."

"So I just have to live with it," Aerith said. "When I saw the Captain and his men, at first I was unhappy about meeting more soldiers so soon after leaving Boston. I wasn't even going to say anything to them. I didn't need to, really. But then I decided, Why be miserable? I would start right then to try to perk up, by making friends with them."

Elmyra nodded in approval. "That's good." She looked into Aerith's eyes. "Aerith, the pain never goes away completely. I still have days when I miss my husband so badly I can hardly stand it. But it does become easier to manage as time goes on. Keeping busy helped me a great deal. I believe it will help you too."

"Thank you," Aerith said quietly.

Making an effort to cheer up she said, "So, what is there to do to keep busy around here?"

"Well, probably nothing as exciting as what you did back in Boston," Elmyra said, shaking her head. "Goodness gracious, you worried your poor mother so much." She wagged a finger at Aerith. "But she was proud of you, no doubt about that. A lot of what you did probably shortened the war."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Aerith said. "I didn't really do that much."

"You're too modest!" Elmyra said. She sighed. "Anyway, what is there to do. Hmm. What kind of job are you looking for?"

"Something unique," Aerith said. "But I'd be happy to take anything to earn my keep."

"There's plenty to do in a growing town," Elmyra said.

"Tomorrow I'll walk around and have a look," Aerith said. "I like what I've seen of Edge so far. I want to see it all."

"And the people are mighty curious about you, I'll daresay," Elmyra said. "They've been talking ever since they heard that you would be coming out. There's a church social Thursday night. You'll be expected to come to that."

"Oh, that will be fun," Aerith smiled. "I can meet everybody there."

"If you don't get around to meeting them all tomorrow," Elmyra put in.

"Is there anyone I need to watch for?" Aerith said. "Such as the town gossip, I mean."

"Well, Edge doesn't have one person we call the town gossip," Elmyra said. "Most folks here have an equal liking of passing along the news."

"I see," Aerith said. "I'll have to give them something good then."

Elmyra peered at her. "Just what are you planning to do, Girl?" she asked with a suspicious frown.

Aerith just smiled in mischief. "You'll have to wait and see, like everyone else!"

Elmyra waved her off. "Oh, you. You always did dare to be different."

"You used to say that was a good thing," Aerith reminded her.

"Aye, and it is," Elmyra said. "Within reason. You're not fixing to do anything dangerous, are you?"

"Is there even anything around here that's dangerous?" Aerith returned. "You just said you didn't think there was anything as exciting as what I did in Boston."

"I don't think much could top that," Elmyra said. "No, we don't have things like that. But common, ordinary danger can be found anywhere. This town's had its share of scrapes in the saloon, for instance."

"You don't have to worry about that," Aerith said. "I could never be happy spending all my time in a big, dark building with wild men and flying furniture."

"Thank goodness for little favors," Elmyra said with a shake of her head.

As they finished eating, Elmyra stood to clear the table. Aerith immediately moved to help.

"Now, I'll take care of the dishes for tonight," Elmyra said. "You must be tired after your long day."

"I'm fine," Aerith assured her. "I wouldn't feel right about not helping, even if it is my first night in town. Besides, we can visit some more."

Elmyra shook her head. "You were a real help to your mother," she said. She smiled too. "I can see you'll be the same around here. Very well, we'll work on the dishes together."

Despite the task the time flew, especially since they were sharing the chore. But as the last dish was safely put away Aerith's energy finally began to wane. It was definitely time for bed.

"Thank you so much for a wonderful evening," she said, hugging Elmyra.

"You helped make it so," Elmyra said firmly as she returned the embrace. "You get to bed and I'll see you in the morning."

Aerith ascended the red-carpeted stairs and entered the room that now was hers. For a moment she stood gazing upon it and its homey atmosphere. Then, shutting the door, she lit the kerosene lamp and sat at the desk.

She had changed clothes and unpacked a few of her belongings before having gone down to dinner. The first had been her old and worn journal. It was resting on top of the desk, the ribbon that marked her place peeking out from the finished pages.

Aerith took the key from around her neck and slipped it into the lock. As she turned it the book clicked open, revealing the secrets and stories of her past.

Among her most cherished possessions in the journal were two faded photographs. The first she removed from the front, staring at the three people within it.

It was the only picture she had of her father, a great scientist who had often offered his services to the United States Army. He had died many years ago in a laboratory accident. She had only been a few years old then. She and her mother had gone on by themselves ever since, until her mother's own death several weeks ago.

"I'm the only Gast left," she said softly. She ran her fingers over the image of her mother. "I like it here, Mama, I really do. And I'm going to be okay. But . . . I miss you so much."

Setting the picture aside, she flipped to a space much closer to where her marker had been placed. The second photograph had been taken only several years earlier, right before the outbreak of the Civil War. She was standing next to a handsome young man with uncooperative black hair and an infectious smile. She was smiling too, almost laughing, as though she knew something amusing and wasn't about to say what it was.

"Oh Zack. . . . It was childish of me, to try to make you promise that you would always be with me. No one can promise that. Time is too cruel."

She stored letters among the pages, too. Every letter that Zack had sent her was in there. Also present was a very different letter, that horrible letter she had received from the Army informing her of her fiancé's death in battle. At the time she had wanted to burn it. But she had kept it anyway, a reminder that Zack had perished fighting for a cause he believed in. Now she could not imagine destroying it, despite the pain its contents brought her. She kept it in her journal, although she had not gathered the strength to look at it in years.

For several minutes she sat there, gazing at the pictures without really seeing them as she allowed herself to become lost in the past. Then, with a start, she pulled herself back to the present. With care she replaced the pictures in her journal and locked it once again.

"Goodnight, Zack," she said as she stood from the desk. "Goodnight, Mama and Daddy."

xxxx

Lieutenant Epsen was nervous by the time General Sephiroth came to collect him for their departure into town. It was often difficult to tell just what the General's mood was. Tonight was no different. But there was something about his manner that worried Lieutenant Epsen anyway.

"Sir?" he ventured as they rode through the fort's gates. "How was Captain Harper?"

"He's fine. A capable man," the General answered, his tone terse.

"Then you'll get along well with him?" Epsen hoped.

"I see no reason why I wouldn't, as long as our goals don't clash."

Epsen blinked. "Goals, sir?"

"I have no intention of being a scientific experiment to be studied and prodded," the General said. "Even though Captain Harper and his men have been assigned to keep watch over me, I will pull rank on all of them if I don't like what they're doing."

Epsen winced. The General meant every word of it, of that he was sure. "Wouldn't they send a negative report back to headquarters, General?" he ventured. "I mean, if you'll permit me to say so, I thought you wanted to get back in the field as soon as possible. . . ."

"I shouldn't have to be submissive and compromise my feelings in order to accomplish that," the General replied. "I rose above taking orders from all except my direct superiors."

Epsen bit his lip. This entire "assignment", if it could be called that, was a heavy trial on General Sephiroth's pride. And when he was certain that it was a deadly experiment in disguise, that just made it worse.

He looked ahead. They were almost to Edge; the town's lights were twinkling and shining within less than a mile of their location. Which of those lights belonged to the hotel, their indefinite quarters for the future?

"You know, General," he said at last, "Captain Harper might be a strong ally for you. If you need an ally, I mean. Well, everyone needs friends in certain places, and er . . ."

"I am aware of that, Lieutenant." The General rode on, completely calm. "It shouldn't take too long before I see exactly what sort of man he is in this situation. However, I'm certain he has no knowledge of the covert faction within the Army's ranks. If those involved ever acquire the slightest suspicion that Captain Harper has started to learn about them, they will likely either try to make him their ally or see that he meets with an 'accident.'"

"Surely you didn't mention anything about them, Sir," Epsen gasped.

"Briefly. I want to see what Harper will do with the information. You see, Lieutenant, while he and his men are watching us, I intend to watch him."

Epsen stared. His mouth opened and closed, unable to properly form words. General Sephiroth rode on ahead, leaving him to catch up once more.

It only took a few minutes to reach Edge. The General led his horse past the dark, less favorable town limits and towards the heart of the main street. The saloon was still active, he noted. Raucous laughter and loud piano playing was coming from inside. Most other businesses had closed up for the night. Lamps had been placed on either side of the road, providing light all along the way and not just where there was an open establishment.

It only took a moment to locate the two-story hotel. He guided his horse to the hitching post and climbed down. Instead of tying the reins in place, however, he kept them gathered in his hand as he walked around the side of the building. This town was becoming fairly built up. The hotel should surely have its own stable.

There was no point in looking for a stable boy. His mount was very temperamental and had been known to be ornery when someone other than the General handled him. It saved time and patience—and buildings—for General Sephiroth to board the horse himself.

"Hello there!"

He started and turned. The voice was familiar, and yet it was not. He frowned, squinting into the darkness. A man was coming towards him, bearing a lantern in front of him.

"Who are you?" the General demanded.

"Marshal Dan Corbin," was the answer. "I'm just out on my nightly patrol of the town. I didn't know we were getting any other visitors tonight."

Sephiroth grunted. "My coming here wasn't highly publicized," he said. "I will be boarding here at the hotel until further notice."

"I see. Well, the stable's right around back, if you're looking for that."

"Thank you." Sephiroth continued walking in the direction he had already begun. But then he paused, looking over his shoulder at the Marshal. "You said 'any other visitors.' Did someone else come in today?"

"That's right, on the evening stage." Dan changed course and caught up with Sephiroth. "Miss Aerith Gast. She's going to be staying with Mrs. Gainsborough."

Sephiroth frowned. "I know that name," he said, not even quite thinking about the fact that he was speaking aloud.

"Miss Gast or Mrs. Gainsborough?"

"Miss Gast. Although I can't imagine where I would have heard of her before." Locating the stable, Sephiroth pushed open the door and led his horse inside. He soon found a vacant stall and ushered the animal through the gate.

Dan leaned on the top of the bottom half of the door. "She's from Boston," he said helpfully.

Sephiroth began to remove the horse's saddle. His Cavalry unit had been stationed near Boston. He had been to the historic city many times. He could easily have met Miss Aerith Gast on the street during one of those trips. But somehow it did not seem that the explanation was as pat as that.

Perhaps her name was familiar to him solely because Gast was the name of the one man involved in the military's secret faction who had treated him kindly. It was a strange coincidence, to encounter someone else with that uncommon name.

"I'd better get back to my rounds," Dan said when it became obvious that Sephiroth did not intend to reply. "Oh, I didn't catch your name."

Sephiroth stored the saddle, not glancing back. He did not have to hide his identity, as his superiors had told him before he had started out, and he was fine with that. He disliked going incognito. He had enough trouble figuring out who Sephiroth was without taking on a pseudonym.

"Sephiroth," he said.

He did not see, but Dan's eyes widened. "Not General Sephiroth?" he said in amazement.

"Yes. This is an unofficial visit." Sephiroth turned back. "That is why I'm staying here as opposed to the fort."

"Yes, Sir. We're happy to have you." Dan straightened. "Is there anything I can do for you, Sir?"

"Don't gossip all over town," Sephiroth ordered. "I've managed to keep my visit secret until now. And I would prefer that people find out from me that I'm here. Not from you or anyone else."

"I can keep a secret, Sir," Dan assured him. "They won't hear anything from me."

"Good." Sephiroth hesitated. "You aren't related to Captain Harper, by any chance?"

Dan chuckled. "Everyone asks me that sooner or later. Or they ask Captain Harper. No, we're not related at all."

"I see. Goodnight, Marshal."

Taking the hint, Dan stepped away. "Goodnight, Sir. I suppose I'll see you in town tomorrow?"

"Probably."

Sephiroth watched him walk away. Lieutenant Epsen should be catching up very soon now. When he did, Sephiroth would query as to whether or not he knew an Aerith Gast. Sephiroth was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. The name was in the recesses of his mind, slipping into the darkness of the things he did not clearly recall. Retrieving it was irritating and tedious, but not impossible.

It was several minutes later, as he was rubbing his horse down, that it hit him. He froze, staring into the distance without seeing anything but the past.

Aerith Gast. . . .

"Lieutenant Fair, what is that picture on your desk?"

"That, Seph, is the prettiest girl in this world or any other!"

"Yours, I assume."

"Yep! She writes me just about every day."

"And what, may I ask, is her name?"

"Aerith. Aerith Gast. Uhoh, I'm supposed to conduct role call. Sorry, Seph, I've gotta go."

Sephiroth shook his head. Lieutenant Zack Fair was the only person who could ever get away with addressing him as Seph. Sephiroth still wondered why he had allowed it from him, either.

Was this person who had just moved to town the same girl whom Zack had loved? Aerith was an uncommon name. And she was from Boston, which was where Zack had hailed as well.

Sephiroth frowned deeper. It was a strange world where a dead man's commander and his girlfriend could wind up in the same Western town.

"General, Sir!"

He jerked to attention. Lieutenant Epsen was approaching the stable on horseback. Seeing the General at last, the officer dismounted and started to lead his horse inside.

"You took longer than I thought, Lieutenant," Sephiroth remarked.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I stopped to talk to the Marshal a few buildings away. He said you were here."

"And I am." Sephiroth finished tending to his horse and left the stall after seeing that the stallion had enough to eat and drink. "I'm going inside to make certain our rooms are ready."

"Yes, Sir." Epsen peered closely at his commander. "Sir, are you alright?"

Sephiroth spun around, questions in his sharp green eyes. "What do you mean, Lieutenant?"

"You seem unsettled, Sir," Epsen said. "Is it the resemblance between the Marshal and Captain Harper? That threw me off too, but . . ."

"It has nothing to do with anything so superficial. I'll see you inside, Lieutenant."

Sephiroth walked out of the stable. Epsen's eyes were still upon him, but Sephiroth ignored the confused and even concerned aide. He was already busy enough trying to ignore the ghosts of the past in his head.

"Aerith Gast," General Rhapsodos purred in his incessant memories. "So your aide is betrothed. He is allowed such pleasures. But what is waiting for you and I, other than a lifetime of fighting for whatever causes our masters see fit? We will never be free. And they will never care how far they push us.

"Yet we are more powerful than they. We can break faith with them if we so desire. No one would be the wiser."

Sephiroth bid the phantom to be silent as he disappeared around the side of the building.