Reno sat at her bedside, except when he wanted to smoke. The doctor wouldn't allow him to smoke in doors. He had worried about her, and the ShinRa medics would be arriving soon and taking her into intensive care in the Deepground facilities. That was the place they usually took soldiers to heal their injuries.

The doctor here in Mideel wrapped up her side. He said she must have snagged herself on something. The wound itself was mostly healed when he got to it, but he wrapped it up due to it possibly being infected.

Reno looked down over her, his hand holding her's. There was a frown on his face opposed to his usual smirk. She looked ridiculously pale and thin; a deathly doll that was barely clinging to life. She lay naked under the sheets until some of the female Turks could return with a backup pair of clothes to dress her in. "Cissnei, hold in there." He didn't notice himself squeezing her cold hand. "You know, what happened back then was not your fault. You tried your best you know." He rubbed his neck and frowned, not being good at pep talks. He almost felt silly since she was still in her mako-induced coma.

What separated the Turks from ShinRa soldiers is that despite orders they tended do what was morally correct to them if they thought what they were doing was wrong. They had their own mind, and didn't mindlessly follow orders if it endangered each other intentionally.

He pushed the locks out of her hair and sighed. Even if she did wake up, the doctor said the chance of retaining her mind was low; at least with their technology. ShinRa had the best, and Reno was confident they could fix her body, but the mind would take a lot of time to fix.

"Reno, how is she?" He nearly jumped at hearing Tseng's voice.

"The condition isn't improving very much. They've semi-stabilized her but she hasn't woken up." Tseng guided Reno out the door while the female Turks came in to dress her, the ShinRa scientist and medical staff behind them.

Reno pulled out a Lucky and a lighter and began lighting it. Normally Tseng would have said something and made him stop, but this wasn't a normal circumstance.

"Reno, ShinRa is taking her out of Turk care. They are putting her in total care of the Deepground facility until she stabilizes. Direct order from the President." Tseng was calm, his dark eyes on Reno. Reno seemed to frown. "Understandable." Reno knew enough acquaintances there to help him in. He wasn't going to not keep an eye on her. He felt partially responsible anyway.

Cissnei would not be able to roll in time, and she could see not only Sephiroth's sword glinting down at an abnormal speed, but from his right hand a materia glittered and fire was forming around his open hand. This was the end and she knew it. She used all her strength to brace herself when there was a flash. Her eyes shut at the sound of a loud clang, and she felt heat only to not feel the pain that came with it.

She opened her eyes, and there stood two men over her, their swords tilted down to thwart Sephiroth's attacks. She blinked a couple times to make sure her vision wasn't doubling over.

"Angeal…" Sephiroth's eyes narrowed at his long lost friend. It was now that Angeal wanted to show up? "How typical."A small smirk appeared on his face. "And you brought the puppy." His eyes fell to Zack with unforeseen malice.

"Sephiroth there are other things to do than pick on the weak. Just because we are not human doesn't mean we have to follow the path of a monster."

Sephiroth smirked, "Monster? I am beyond that point."

Angeal frowned at Sephiroth, "Then why are you doing this?"

Sephiroth did not respond, he only stared at his old friend. Genesis had pushed Sephiroth over the edge to the truth, but Angeal was always there for him. Sephiroth would not fight Angeal now. Deep down Angeal was still his friend despite all the madness Sephiroth embodied. They were not part of his plan however, and he knew they would do anything to stop him if they found out what he was up to.

"We will meet again." He was looking at Cissnei and his words sent chills down her spine. Sephiroth was done here. His dark wing extended out then wrapped around him. He faded out into the lifestream. It was unusual for Sephiroth to back down, perhaps he had another goal in mind?

Zack turned around and held out a hand to Cissnei. She sat there staring at him, unable to believe what she was seeing. Zack gave a cheesy grin, "Come now is that all you have to say to me? I know I am good looking, but geeze, who would have guessed I'd leave you speechless."

Cissnei mustered her strength to take his hand. His grip was firm and he helped her to stand. The lifestream was festering around her would and healing what it could of it.

Her eyes widened, "…Zack!" She flung herself at him and embraced him in such a tight hug that he was almost confused. After a moment he hugged her back, and patted her softly on the back. "Zack I am so sorry. I tried so hard to get to you before…." Her eyes started to form tears. It was nearly the first time she allowed herself to cry.

He held her away at arm's length. "It's okay Cissnei. I know you tried her hardest. I died a hero saving Cloud and you helped me do that. You gave us support and let us slip away."

Cissnei shook her head. "But if only I took you in as directed than maybe…"

"It would have only been a matter of time anyway. One can try to escape fate, but it proves difficult." Angeal was the one that spoke. "You on the other hand, are not meant to be here yet." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your path has yet to be decided, and life still pumps in your veins. You just need to remember who you are, and forge your own path."

Cissnei nodded, a bit confused. "But how can I forge a path, if I don't know where I want to go, let alone walking blindly."

Zack grinned, "Easy. You just dive right in." He pumped his arm and nodded. Angeal shook his head and smirked at what Zack said. He never changed.

Cissnei still did not understand. It was so simple that it perplexed her. "You'll get it one day." Angeal nodded to her. "Just keep your honor and remember those important to you. "

"Zack, I am sorry. Your parents do not know you are gone. ShinRa has not allowed me to talk to them." She frowned. "But I have been keeping an eye on them, and they are doing fine." She shook her head. "If only I could do things over again…"

"What's done is done. We have no regrets, and neither should you. " Angeal nodded to Zack, whom nodded back to Angeal.

"Yeah Cissnei. And thank you. I have been worried about them. I am glad someone I can depend on has been checking in on them." There was a silence that followed Zack's words. Cissnei couldn't believe what she was seeing. Here was Zack standing before her. She could touch him.

"Now you need to wake up! Your mind is strong enough to fight the mako poisoning, but if you stay in here too long, your mind will be lost."

She blinked and shook her head. "Mm…not til I do this." She stepped up to him and kissed him full on the mouth. Zack eyes widened. Her arms slid around his neck, and though she had to stand on her tiptoes, she leaned toward his ear. "My name is Cerise. " With that her body seemed to dissolve into thin air. "Zack…Thank you. And you too Angeal. Keep an eye on Zack for me. I look forward to seeing you "

She felt light and relieved of the burden she carried. She was so happy she could give a proper and final good bye that she forgot that her conscious was returning to her body.

Author's note: I am bumping up the rating to mature, since the next chapter will contain nudity.