I still couldn't believe that they hadn't kicked me out of the bar after finding out about my past. It was amazing how generous people could be, but what really shocked me was how Cloud hadn't treated me any different. When he was the only person who knew it was impossible to even make eye contact him, but knowing how I was drugged while committing the crime…seemed to be the only reason behind why everyone reacted so well.

"Kaylee, you seem a little off lately, what's wrong?" Yuffie asked while sitting Indian-style on my bed. I shrugged at her and lay back to stare at the ceiling.

"I don't know, I just have a pang of guilt every time I look into Cloud's eyes or Vincent gives me a nod or Tifa places a plate of food in front of me…I killed Aeris, and I never thought I would see these faces again, especially as a friend. I didn't know these were your friends, Yuffie, and if I did I never would have come here." I replied. She just sighed and smacked me on the knee.

"You're an idiot. We want you here and in case you haven't noticed, Cloud seems really protective of you. He's not like that with anyone else. I think you kicked a gear in his head or something considering he didn't know anyone out there would be as cold and senseless as he is." She said with a laugh. "Look, just relax and accept the fact that you're our friend, Kaylee; you're part of the group." She said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back. I always believed everything happened for a reason, and losing everything I had, had to happen for a really good one. There was a knock at the door and when I opened it I was met with the face of Odette.

"Hi, Kaylee! Aren't you just so super excited that I'm here?" she yelled with a smile. Yuffie jumped up and hugged her as I let her in and they both sat on my bed.

"So what exactly are you doing here, Odette?" I asked her.

"I already told you, I'm here on business. My boss asked me to come here and pretty much observe everything in the bar because he's had his eye on this place for a while. He's heard of Tifa and is very interested in offering…a deal that she could never resist. I'm really not supposed to talk about my mission, if you don't mind." She said suddenly getting defensive. I put my hands up in defense as well.

"Hey, I'm just asking—you come here unannounced and act like it's no big deal, but where were you when I left? You disappeared." I said.

"I had to report to work. Like I told you, I love my job, but more importantly I love my boss. He's just so inspirational with everything he does and he promises me great things in return!" she said in a daze. Yuffie and I exchanged nervous looks, knowing Odette, it was probably some psycho who wanted to sell her body on the market. "What? Quit acting like I'm a child, I can handle myself." She said annoyed. Yuffie and I just shrugged and stood.

"Let's go downstairs and see if Tifa needs help setting up dinner." Yuffie said. We all departed down the stairs, but when we reached the bottom I noticed the door to the basement was slightly ajar and it sounded like there was clanging medal down there. Cloud must be training, and it peaked my interest.

"I'll be right back." I said as I warily approached the basement steps. I slid in the small crack of the door so it wouldn't creak and made my pursuit down the stairs. I turned to the right and crept around the corner of the wall and observed as Cloud swiftly moved around each target, taking them out as he went. He was so graceful for being such a big person, and it looked almost as if he were dancing. There was a small coat of glistening sweat on his beautifully colored skin. Just as he was about to strip his shirt off, I turned a deep red and moved backwards and acted as if I just got there. I made a small coughing sound and he turned to look at me. He nodded once.

"What can I do for you, Kaylee?" he asked.

"I just wanted to see what it was like down here; I can go if I'm disturbing you." I said with a deep bow. He walked over and I lifted my head to meet his eyes.

"That's not necessary. I noticed you use a gun, so I can't really help you in that department, but don't you also have twin swords?" he asked. I nodded once. "I can help you train with them, if you'd like." He said in a monotone voice. His eyes seemed hopeful, but it quickly went away—maybe I was seeing things.

"Sure, let me just go get them!" I said a bit too cheerily. He didn't seem to mind, though. I ran back up the stairs but came to an immediate halt when someone jumped out right in front of me. It was the creepy guy from in front of my old apartment!

"Hello, beautiful! I told you I would be seeing you again!" he said while embracing me. I just stood there, horrified, not knowing what to do. I looked pleadingly over to Vincent who was growling and he swiftly removed me from his grasp.

"Thanks." I muttered close to him and he nodded.

"Aw, don't worry big guy, this gorgeous gal knows who I am!" the guy said.

"Just barely, he countered me outside my old apartment one day and told me all this stuff he knew about me. I never talked to him a day in my life prior to that moment. What are you doing here? How did you find me?" I asked.

"I'm here with my business partner, Odette. Though I was upset when you disappeared from the complex, I didn't come here to find you. But when my boss told me you were here, I was so excited!" he said. I shivered at how frighteningly creepy he was. Since I had been gone longer than expected, Cloud came up the stairs looking slightly disappointed. He saw Vincent standing behind me with his hands protectively on my shoulders and the man slowly moving closer. Cloud gently put his sword between me and the guy and I looked at him with appreciation. At that moment Odette came running down the stairs and let out a shriek when she saw the scene.

"Hey, stop! This is my partner, his name is Adam and he's cool!" she said while forcefully moving him out of the way of Cloud's sword. I looked at her like she was insane.

"He said he was your partner, but I didn't believe him at first. Odette, he's completely creepy!" I quickly turned to him "no offense, of course…"

He just shrugged.

"He knew everything about me without ever talking to me." I said.

"Because you're a part of our job, Kaylee. I'm your best friend so I know everything about you already, but he didn't. He had to read up, and plus he went to some of your shows when you sang at little pubs and stuff." She said matter-of-factly. I still didn't like it. Even though I was friends with her, I never fully trusted Odette. I just shrugged and nodded at the guy.

"Well I guess you'll be staying here for a while…so my name is Kaylee, how do you do?" I said trying to actually have a genuine meeting with him. He smiled brightly and grabbed my hand tightly.

"Hey, Kaylee! I'm Adam, and I'm wonderful." He said as he shook my hand. I laughed nervously and Cloud grabbed my hand. Everyone gasped slightly and I turned a million shades of I don't even know what color. I looked at him confused and he began to lead me upstairs. My mind began racing and I almost started to hyperventilate, but I needed to play it cool, so I kept it together. He led me into his room and my breath caught in my throat. He closed the door and turned to me.

"Sorry that was abrupt. Do me a favor…don't associate with that guy. I don't like the looks of him." He said. I nodded.

"I didn't plan on it, he's completely creepy. I'm going to stay away from that as much as possible!" I yelled. He nodded also and then went to open his door. "Erm, Cloud, wait!" I yelled, except I didn't even have anything to say so my eyes widened and I started to panic. His intuition kicked in ever so slightly and he figured out my dilemma and didn't even bother turning around. His hand hovered over the doorknob and I made an awkward noise in your throat. "Nevermind", was all I could say before he opened the door and released me from his room. So much could have been said, but all that left my lips was a dismissal.