Disclaimer: I don't own these characters; they are the ownership products of Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix.

AN: As is with all the forthcoming Edited chapters of this, I'm changing up the Author's Note on these. This one chapter...was a bit of an issue for me. Especially since I was trying to not cut out so much...and yet, make it readable and make it flow. As well as give a little more depth to it all. Especially sneak in WHY Raechel is how she is w/o having to resort to working on the Prequel I had started as kind of homework for me to get back into the flow of things. -_- Don't mind the crappiness of this chapter. I tried to salvage it and in the end...it went to Hell. Hopefully those who've read this before will understand WHERE and WHAT was removed and can make more sense of this now instead of its previous writing.

Silence was truly golden as Sephiroth seemed to realize as he looked about the apartment. The only minor silence breaker was the ticking of the clock upon the wall; ticking away till it was time for him to put the final product on his Publisher/Editor's desk. With a collective sigh, Sephiroth headed back to his desk to work on the tail some more. There wasn't much else left to do, just tie on the metaphorical bow to this baby, and then drop it off to the She Devil he worked for. It was amazing that he had any sanity left with what he had to endure. From the pile of fan mail piled up in the corner of his office, from both men and women. Declarations of love, asking to go out with him, and then there declarations asking to have his children.
Not something he wanted or needed.

He didn't dislike the female species, it was just, sometimes the female species scared the Hell out of him. No thanks to the crazy female fans that had tried to feel him up when he did book signings. But now was not the time for that. Sitting down at his desk, his fingers began the intricate fingerstrokes to finish the tale.

"I said...I love...you..." the man's word's seemed like an echo in her ears; his fingers coming about to cup her face, "I love you..."
Reality was slow to slap her in the face as she started to feel the cold prickle of tears of remorse; the ones that pricked at her heart that had become cold. The once cold heart was now being melted by his warm, soft eyes as they bore into her soul. Moving to stand on the balls of her feet, she leaned in close against his face; her lips just a mere few inches away.

"...S-Sa...Say it again, please...let me know that what you said is real..." her words seemed warbled and worried; too many times she had had her hopes dashed.

A soft smile crossed the man's face as the pads of his thumbs brushed her once tear stained cheeks, pulling her in closer, "I love you, with all my heart...I may not act like it, but I do and have from afar..."

The moment seemed to draw out; coming to a conclusion she wasn't expecting. It was simple as one answer. Lips she had only dreamed of kissing, were now brushing hers. Everything seemed to melt together as the fear began to slowly ebb away as her eyes fluttered closed. Arms, wrapped around his neck and down his shoulders as she felt his wrap around her waist. Acceptance was felt in the lip lock as the two became lost in the touching lips of one another. Perhaps, there was still a chance that love could prevail over everything else.
Even the most cold hearted can be romantic.

Fin

"Heh, its finally done..." Sephiroth sighed as he leaned back in his chair, after clicking the keystrokes to save his work, "And I have a few hours to kill before I have to meet with Rae-

Fate was coming back to bite him as the phone began to ring, "Damn."

"Hello?"

"Hello Sephiroth, how's the book coming along?"

If only she could see how much I dislike her right now.

Sighing into the receiver, he began to set in motion the process of printing out the pages, "Its finished, and before you ask, I'm printing it out right now. I'll have it ready by the time I see you this afternoon."

"Good. I was wondering if you could come by early so we can talk about a few things before getting down to the nitty and gritty of things, say in about, an hour from now?"

Eying the clock on the wall, he could see he would have to find a way to make the pritner to print faster and be downtown in less then an hour, "Yeah, I'll see what I can do."

"Don't forget the transcript!"

Click.

Never a moments peace.

XXX

"So, Zack, since you proposed we go to lunch somewhere to break in the new apartment, where do you suggest we go?" Cloud asked as he bookmarked his book, "And don't say McDonald's or Chuck E. Cheese."

Zack could only pout as his friend shot down two suggestions that he hadn't even thought of till Cloud had mentioned it. There was no point going to McDonald's. Working there as a teenager in High School had ruined his interest in fast food from there. But the Chuck E. Cheese suggestion was one that was going to require a bit of an explaination.

"May I ask why we aren't allowed there?" Angeal hadn't heard about Zack's little escapade at the local Chuck E. Cheese where he tried to crash a little kid's birthday party.

Cloud sighed as he began the long way of explaining what had happened; it was the only way to explain it. It had seemed that Zack had overheard that a friend of their's little brother was having a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. The only guests were going to be the boy's friends and family as well as relatives, but knowing Zack; he was going to attempt to crash the party. No amount of begging from Cloud was going to make Zack stay away from the Chuck E. Cheese. Unfortunately, his little escapade landed on the News and Zack was forever banned from Chuck E. Cheese.

Angeal couldn't help chuckling as he looked at his little lover in his lap as he sat pouting in his lap, "I see now...I never cared for that place either, and I remember when that happened. I was working there when that happened."

"Angeal..." Zack whined as he tried to squirm out of his lap and arms.

"So I guess that leaves the Cafe we passed on our way in," Angeal recalled as he began to play with Zack's locks, "What do you say, Cloud?"

"Sounds like a plan, and I'm driving. I don't trust Zack behind the wheel of a car since he didn't seem to be paying attention on the way in here," Cloud sighed as he closed his book and placed it on the side table, "Let's get going."

XXX

"Let's go see what's on the machine," the man mumbled as he pushed away from the desk to leave the story to print off.

His Publisher was always raving that his works were going to be a "next Best Seller", and yet, there was denying the awards adorning his shelves in his make shift office. Even though, a number of the bigger awards from the Publisher's Awards Association were adorning his Publisher's home's shelves. It was her way of gloating. Writing sappy romances for a living hadn't been his ideal job position; he never came out of his mother's womb saying, "Mommy, I want to write sappy romance trash for a living." His life's dream had been to be become a Journalist; traveling the world and writing stories about the World. It was a dream that was a fleeting dream. Especially when it was nearly dashed by a fellow classmate who had attempted to claim plaigirism on the part of a paper that Sephiroth had written. An ill fated attempt to get back at Sephiroth for something that he hadn't even done. He was just seen similar to a group of individuals when the student was growing up that had to be taken down.
Even after the trials of the plaigirism, something changed in his life due to a Professor who had read his short stories. Going so far as to suggest he take up writing Novels, even take creative writing courses; even hooking him up with his Publisher/Editor. As for the student who had tried to claim plaigirism; he found himself kicked out of school. Sephiroth was fortunate enough to continue on with his career and write out his first story his first year out of School. A feat that was hard to come by for any First Year Graduate, but he had managed to make it.

And from there...

"You have, ten new messages..." the machine beeped out as he played the messages through.

Many of them were the same redundant requests; Minor Fan Club messages. They were typical requests that ranged from asking him to come and sit in on one of their Meetings. To doing a Private Reading for their Club to unmentionable things he tended to erase. Among the few crazy apples in the bunch, there were a few sane ones. A number of the local book stores that carried his stories were calling to verify they would be carrying his works. As well as giving a few words of encouragement and grateful appreciation.

"Messages Deleted, End of Messages."

XXX

Silence had been riddled throughout the small compact car; Zack was cringing in the backseat alongside Angeal. It had hardly been a few moments since they had begun a new start in a new apartment, and Zack had already ruined the mood. His mouth had gotten the better of him when he had spotted a well known Gay Bar on the side of the road. Making a suggestion that they check it out had all but earned Zack a one way ticket out the front passenger window.

"Cloud, are you going to say anything?" Zack mumbled as he lightly pushed at the back of the driver's seat, "Cloudy? Spiky? Say something, please?"

A quiet glare could be seen in the rear view mirror, "What?"

"Do you know how much further it is till the Cafe?"

"I thought you wanted to go your little Gay Bar," Cloud growled as he glared at the rear view window, "Let's just go waltizing into it and see what happens. Maybe, I'll get lucky and find a nice boyfriend!"

Angeal sighed as he ran a hand through Zack's locks, "He didn't mean anything by it, Cloud, it was a joke..."

"...I know it was, but he knows how I don't like those places...I'm not interested in guys. The one time in High School, on a dare, that I kissed Zack...We were drunk, my girlfriend had decided that she was over with me..."

"Sorry about that, Cloud...I really do apologize for that..."

~Flashback~
Zack was happily cuddling in Angeal's lap, "So, Spiky, since I've got my man; what would you say to me trying to fix you up?"

"Thanks, but no thanks, Zack..." Cloud shrugged from behind his book as he fixed himself up on the sofa to finish off the final pages of his book, "I don't think I'm ready to start a relationship. I'd rather stay focused on School first and girl's second."

"Yeah, girls..."

And then they were off...
~End Flashback~

XXX

Sephiroth looked at the clock; he hadn't realized how late it was as he pulled on a light jacket and gathered up the parchments of paper to deliver to his Publisher/Editor.
"...I just hope I can get this day over with quickly. I just want to crawl into bed and sleep...this has been the longest stretch I've gone for this kind of work. Let's hope Raechel approves."

XXX

There were only a few secrets that were hidden between Zack and Cloud. A lot of history was between them and each had made sure to keep one another's secrets to themselves, to never share them with others. But there had been one time that Zack had spilled something about Cloud to Angeal. He had felt like he needed to get it off his chest. It had been eating at him since it had happened. Zack had never seen Cloud have a breakdown as he had the night he had gone to pick him up from his ex-girlfriend's home. Even if they had split on the property that was her parent's home. The next day at school, things had taken a different turn. Things had gotten out of hand quickly to the point that the police had to be called out.

Cloud's ex had to be hauled off in handcuffs.

Leaving a wound in Cloud's mind that kept him from pursuing relationships with the female species.

He had deemed them all crazy.

"Zackary didn't mean to word it as such, Cloud...We should move on before we're ticketed by the Police," Angeal spoke up as the voice of reasoning as he leaned forward, placing a gentle hand on the young man's shoulder, "The past is the past...its best to move past that..."

Zack had remained silent throughout the tense moment, "Spiky? Are we cool again?"

"We will be, once you pay for lunch."

"WHAT!"

Angeal rolled his eyes, "Just sit back and be quiet, Pup," his gaze turned up to a little Cafe up the way,

"What about that little place up there? That looks like a good place..."

XXX

The Cafe was a tiny, and quiant little place. A well known place that was known by many of the locals to be stopping grounds for inspiring Poets, Authors, Screenplay writers. As well as aspiring actors and actress. Some well known actors and actresses had gotten their start at the little Cafe. Even some of the best well written poetry had been written while sitting at the Cafe. It had been used now and again in a few movies; the Cafe had been a bit of an inspiration for screen writers. But yet, it remained a little place that wasn't overshadowed by over the top decorations or hype. It remained a humble little place to visit and get a bite to eat without being hasseled. Or have to scream over the top of thumping stereos to be heard. Sitting at one of the Patio Tables was a red headed woman; her hair pulled back. Not even a stray, or frayed string was hanging off her clothes.

It is said, that a woman can be judged by how she dresses or by the standards she holds herself to in regards to her appearance. Raechel was that particular kind of woman. She wanted to be noticed and for people to know who she was. A force not to be recokned with. Many a man knew this for a fact; there were many broken hearts that had beeen left in her wake due to the standards she held herself to. Being used once when she was younger was enough to make a woman's heart hard to other men. Creating Goddess like standards that no man was capable of being able to adhere to or live up to.

If there was a way to make a chastity belt out of such a woman, then there would be less human populace.

"Ma'am, may I get you something to drink?" a petite waitress walked up to Raechel's table with pen and paper in hand, "Or maybe an appetizer?"

Raechel simply shooed her off, "I'll just have a water; I'm waiting for someone."

No sooner had she spoken, then the man of the hour walked in,"Speak of the devil," Raechel's form and smile seemed to change, "Sephiroth, so glad you could come."

Raechel Williamson; a woman that was known by Sephiroth for as long as he could remember since changing Majors in College from Free Lance Writing to Literature Writings. She had a way about putting on a face in front of the general public, but there was a side that only Sephiroth only ever saw. The one that would fight tooth and nail for the business to not go under and if she had her say in it, she would drag him down with her. She was a vicious woman.
That carefree smile wasn't fooling anyone.
The only things on his agenda were to; make nice with her, keep it short and sweet, hand over the work he had slaved over. Even during the times that his heart wasn't into working on it, or putting any heart into his work. Especially when he had been fighting off a horrible cold that had hit him last Fall. He felt he would die before he got the chance to finish it. It had all but sent him into a literary coma since he was working off time lost during a World Wide Tour. Very little sleep, living off coffee and various breakfast items that he could get his fingers on.

"Hello Raechel..." Sephiroth mumbled as he took a seat across from her; wasting no time to waste to pull out the transcript, "I think you'll agree...Heh, what does it matter, you'll just flatter me like you always do."

A hand waved out at him from over the transcript; usually Raechel speak for, 'Yeah, yeah, get me a coffee...'

If there was a word to describe Raechel; she was Ebenezer Scrooge which made Sephiroth Bob Crachet. She cracked the whip and reveled in his work, while Sephiroth worked non stop without a break just to keep her off his back. And it seemed, it was paying off as he watched her eyes soak in the words. There were only a few things he liked about the woman; she was a daring business woman, ruthless when it came to people trying to ruin him. And, the way she seemed to get a gleam in her eye when she finished reading his work. Seeing her enjoyment was just one of the upsides to working with her. Even if he had to endure intense slave master tendencies from her.

"Oh, Sephiroth, this has to be, if I may be frank," here it came, fanning hands, "This is by far, is your best work. I'm sure that your readers will appreciate it when they pick it up at Barron's."

Sephiroth wasn't impressed, "Don't you say that about everything I write?"

Raechel seemed appalled, "Do I?"

Sephiroth's lack of response said it all, "Oh, well…then forgive me for being so honest with you…"

"Here's your water, ma'am," from the sidelines, a voice spoke next to Raechel; she was liable to be wearing it in a moment.
The waitress seemed caught off guard as she caught the striking emerald eyes, "Oh my gosh, you are…you're him, aren't you?"

Fans were not part of his job description; he never asked for them and he never signed up for them. But, sadly, they came with the territory. And it seemed, this was one of the many, "Depends on who you think I am, miss…"

The poor waitress seemed flabbergasted, "You're the Romance Novelist, Sephiroth…"

Raechel seemed pretty impressed by herself, "Indeed he is…"

"Oh my gosh…I'm like, your biggest fan, sir…"

"…Well my dear…I'm grateful to have met a fan as beautiful as you…"

XXX

Angeal could see that the war of the worlds between Zack and Cloud had come to a halt, even if it was momentarily. It was seen as the car went through the traffic lights without a harsh braking job as they had been before. Zack seemed to be still nursing a brusised nose from his face slamming into the back of the passenger seat head rest. Cloud's focus seemed trained on the road ahead. His mind had begun to wander, but thankfully not the car; it was wandering to times when he used to have a female passenger in the car. She had been a striking creature. Long, raven hair down to the middle of her back with striking soft eyes; they had always held love for him, but, when that love started to fade. That look in her eyes had been replaced by something else. He had hardly let anyone sit in the front seat with him where she had sat; too many bad memories. Even now, he didn't let anyone up front.

Even now as he tilted the rear view mirror to see why it had grown quiet in the back seat at the stop light. He could see an image that he had seen too many times in his reminscing. The two figures sitting in his back seat had found a way to physically do something that science would deem not possible. They had managed to lay out on the floor of his car's backseat and were making out, rather quietly; which would be a miracle. The second option was, somehow at the last red light, they had slipped out. Option two was a possibility, and number one was inhumaningly possible.

But it didn't hurt to inquire,"If you two are making out in the back of my car…again, I'll turn this car around and we can salvage lunch from whatever food we brought from the Dorm."

"What you say?" Zack piped up as he brought his head up out of Angeal's lap; he had gotten sleepy during the last few blocks.

Angeal nudged the boy up further, "We weren't, Cloud...the Puppy just seemed to found it warm to nestle his head in my...lap...for the last blocks and a half. Thanks a lot, Pup. Now my lap looks like I...I'm not even going to finish it..."

"Oh, but I know what you mean..." Zack purred as he half awake giggled as he played with the man's cheeks.

The glare of doom was gazing over Cloud's face in the rear view mirror again, "...Hmph. You're no fun, Cloud. I swear, you really need to either loosen up or get laid."

"ZACKARY!" Angeal spoke up but when he spotted no reaction from Cloud, Angeal feared the worse.

Zack looked back at Angeal, "It's true."

Cloud's hands gripped the steering wheel as he pulled into a parking spot; he couldn't lighten up because if he let his guard down, he was liable to get hurt. He wasn't ready to go down that road, not yet. The car had been turned off, and all that could be heard was Zack and Angeal bickering about what was appropriate to say to Cloud. It gave Cloud time to exit the car. But it seemed, fate had its way of changing that within a short amount of time. Some God or Goddess up there had found it is mission in life to intervene in on his sour mood. No one can really account for what happened next; especially why it was Cloud still had his book in hand. The sun had chosen that exact moment to reflect itself off of the plastic wrap around the book. Or why the sun directed its rays in the direction that it did. Turning his gaze to peer upon the face of the God like man that was plastered against the back of the book.

Or why it seemed that Cloud was left standing speechless, immovable even as he found his eyes looking in the direction of the man. He hardly felt or saw Zack coming up to his side, shaking him to even waving a hand in front of Cloud's eyes.

"Hey, Earth Cloud, you in there?" Zack called out as he tried to find why is friend was ignoring him, "I know you're not happy with me and what I've..."

This time…

It had to be the Goddesses doing.

If he wasn't straight he would kiss the man. Standing just a few feet away, flirting with a beet red female adorer as he held her hand. The man responsible for the beautiful words found within the book held against his chest; Gaia, the man was a God but why did he see himself in place of the waitress, blushing like a teenage girl?

Oh sweet Merciful Goddess…