I do not own anything nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.

[A/N – a year is a long time and there aren't that many towns in Gaia so I've made some up for the sake of the story. Also, I am at a loss as to where exactly Banora is/was in FFVII CC. Heard somewhere in the Mideel area but no clue beyond that – if you know, pass it along.]

The Price of Freedom – Melody of Agony

By early afternoon, Cloud had started trembling constantly. Zack knew it was from Mako withdrawal, he also knew there wasn't much he could do about it. Had they been somewhere safe and comfortable he would have put Cloud to bed and given him ever decreasing doses of Mako until he didn't need it anymore; or maybe he would get him off it cold turkey but still in a comfortable environment. As it was, they were making very slow progress across rather bleak and flat ground. In the distance, Zack could see a mountain range – Rocket Town was on the other side of that range. He remembered from his deployment in Wutai. At their current speed it would taken them months to reach Midgar.

Round midday, they had passed a collection of dead trees – low growing like those from the copse they had hidden in yesterday. Only yesterday… And Zack was exhausted. His stomach wasn't happy again, his eyes ached from the glare and his muscles gave the occasional tremor. Lunch had been a debacle as well. Trying to feed Cloud had resulted in him choking on the soup as he refused to swallow. What Zack had managed to get down came back up moments later, threatening to choke Cloud again leading the blond to cry and shake in what Zack assumed to be fear. And to finish off his day Cloud had peed on him when Zack tried to carry him.

So there he was, standing in the middle of nowhere smelling like pee and vomit with his comatose friend hanging from his tired shoulders. Where the hell was he taking them…? Oh, yeah, Midgar. He was on the wrong continent with no transport. And even if he had transport he still needed to cross water. He needed to get to Costa Del Sol. A quick trip across the water and they would be in Midgar. Zack just hoped Costa Del Sol wasn't over run with ShinRa troops. Speaking of ShinRa troops, other than the ones at Alice's farm Zack hadn't seen anyone else. Why wasn't ShinRa tracking them? Had they given up? No way. By now, he was sure the Turks were involved. He would have to be careful, he would have to plan, think ahead. Think! Yes, that's what the Turks were doing – thinking. Thinking that he would go south to Gongaga. Maybe not Gongaga specifically but an area he knew. Instead, in unthinking panic he had initially headed north. To Midgar. To Ae…

Zack didn't realise he had zoned out until the distant sound of a car pulled him back to reality. He nearly lost his balance and his grip on Cloud as he turned quickly to face the sound. For a moment panic blinded him and all he could see were infantrymen hanging from the back of the oncoming truck. But with nowhere to hind and obviously a SOLDIER, Zack drew breath and forced himself to be calm and assess the situation. It was only then that he realised it wasn't a ShinRa truck at all and it wasn't infantrymen but trees, palms, that hung over the sides of the truck.

With nowhere to go Zack stood and watched the truck approach. The driver slowed as he got closer, peering at the two men standing kilometres from anywhere. Zack waved him down, an idea forming in his head - transport.

"Hi," he said as the driver rolled to a stop and cracked the window.

"What are you boys doing out here?" the driver asked. His voice was low and dry, Zack could smell stale smoke wafting out the cab.

"You wouldn't believe it, man," said Zack with false cheer. "Mad party."

"Your friend drunk?" asked the man taking a closer look at Cloud. Zack was grateful that Cloud was still at that moment.

"Bachelors," grinned Zack.

"You're SOLDIERs." The guy's tone was quite accusing. "Stationed at Nibleheim?"

"Nah," started Zack but could not for the life of him remember the next town that had a ShinRa presence. He was saved, however, when the truck driver launched into a lecture on wasting company resources, which he would have Zack know, was paid for by the guys on the street – greedy ShinRa bastards. Zack stood listen and attempted to look suitable chasten. After a couple of 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir', Zack asked if they could grab a lift in the back of the truck.

"Why the hell would I do that?"

Zack paused, the man was serious.

"I can pay you?" ventured Zack.

"How much?" asked the man with a tilt of his head.

Zack settled Cloud on the ground and rifled through the pack and pulled free a couple of notes.

"Yeah, that will do," said the driver as Zack leafed though the money to see how much he had.

"That's almost a hundred bucks," said Zack.

"So?" Zack realised the guy would have no problem leaving them where they were if Zack didn't give him the money.

"Half now, half when we get there," said Zack.

The guy didn't look pleased with the deal. In fact, it looked like he was going to refuse – quickly, Zack handed over half the cash, almost pushing into the guy's face. Seeing the money so close had the desired effect.

"Fine but you're in the back – you guys reek," he said grabbing the money.

"Where are we going?" asked Zack as he hoisted Cloud into his shoulder.

"Arda," grumbled the driver.

Zack nodded and headed for the back of the truck. He had no idea where that was.

XxX

The ride was uncomfortable. The trees took up most of the room leaving Zack to twist himself and Cloud among the roots. He could reach the cab window but doubted their driver would engage in conversation anyway. He also drove like a lunatic – fast with no regard for the terrain he was driving over. Dips and hole in the dirt track he ploughed had them jostling among the roots and soil that covered the bed of the truck. The only saving was that the pungent earthy smell of the soil masked the smell of pee. It also didn't give Zack chance to brood, he had to constantly readjust Cloud so he wouldn't be crushed as the trees were shaken around with them. As they drew closer to the mountains the terrain began to change, no longer so flat – hills and rock formations. After twenty-five minutes, Zack saw a town coming into view. It was smaller than Nibleheim. Zack briefly wondered if it was Arda but their driver showed no signs of slowing. Zack tried to get a good look at the town as they blurred through it. He wasn't even given a chance to check it out as they left because they suddenly took a left turn heading toward the mountains. Zack was flung to the side and almost landed on Cloud. He shot a glare in the driver's direction but he paid no mind. Zack steadied himself and glanced over Cloud checking he was okay. He was startled to realised Cloud crying, Zack hadn't heard him over the noise of the truck and the driving. Zack as even more alarmed to discover that, when he went to reassure Cloud, the blond was shaking uncontrollably and jerking occasionally. He had also thrown up again – motion sickness. The crazy driving wasn't helping either.

"Hey, Cloud," yelled Zack over the noise. "It's okay, Spike."

Zack took hold of Cloud's hand.

"It's okay," he said again.

But it was not okay. It was not okay. Zack suddenly felt helpless, overwhelmed and lost - cornered and besieged by his emotions and beset by memories. He felt rage building, he felt sadness… He felt… slowing. The truck was slowing down. Glancing back he could still see the town and just ahead was a small building of some kind and what looked to be rows of palms nestled between the rocky outcrops at the foot of the mountain range. The truck pulled to a stop outside the wooden construction that served as some sort of office for the palm plantation. A smaller truck was parked outside the office. The driver got out the truck and was at the back waiting for the rest of his money before Zack had a chance to look round. Zack handed the money over without a word and a neutral expression. The driver hovered briefly wanting hostile words but when Zack offered him nothing, he spat on the ground and walked to the office. Only then did Zack let his anger show but briefly, people were coming toward the truck. He dropped the tailgate and climbed out, pulling his pack with him before leaning in for Cloud.

Zack didn't spare the office a glance as he headed toward the town. He had slung Cloud over his shoulder, hiding the tremors that run through the blond's body by carrying him. The universal sign for drinking and an eye roll had the curious on their way with a chuckle. Once out of sight of the plantation, Zack cut into the rocky start of the mountain slope. It was easy enough to find a spot to hide out of sight from people moving between the plantation and the town, which Zack assumed to be Arda. However, Zack was fairly sure that if anyone were to move about the outcrops they would be spotted. They could also be seen easily from the sky – it wasn't ideal but it would serve his purposes for now and those were to calm Cloud down so they could continue. Zack didn't want to linger where there were people. People tended to talk, even if they didn't mean to. Conversations start and flow, and before you know it you've said something you maybe shouldn't have.

Zack tried to get Cloud to drink some water but he reacted by violently twisting away. Cloud's reaction seemed to set off another fit of spasmodic jerks. He didn't start crying but his eyes rolled round his head as if he was trying to look for something. Zack tried to calm him but his touch distressed Cloud even more. Zack sat back unsure of what to do, he'd never seen Mako withdrawal and what he had heard had him believe it was more in the discomfort range than the completely agony Cloud seemed to be in. But then, his sources had been the Science Department. And he now knew that nothing truthful came from them. He had a sudden memory of his excitement when he had been accepted into the SOLDIER programme. His joy when Angeal Hewley agreed to be his mentor. And his crushing despair as he sat in the church after he had killed Angeal. Just as he sat now, arms on bend knees, watching his friend suffer. He hadn't been able to help Angeal, and now he couldn't help Cloud. Zack didn't realise he was crying until he could no longer see Cloud clearly. He tried to draw a calming breath but it ended up a sob. Another followed. He half expected Aerith soothing touch at any moment but he knew she was far away and he felt so alone as he wept for the friends he had lost.

XxX

For the second time that day, Zack jerked awake to the sound of a motor. But unlike that morning, he was slower to rise. His legs were stiff from being in the same position for so long, his neck and shoulders protested their abuse. Even as Zack got to his feet, he realised the sound was from the road and the low angle of the sun told him it must been the end of the plantation's working day. A quick glance at Cloud showed he had stopped jerking and had his eyes closed. Zack felt better for it – the rolling panic of earlier had disturbed him more than he cared to admit. Zack crept forward a little and listened to the sound of the truck going back to Arda. He was beginning to wonder at the sensibility of his idea. The plantation workers would notice that there weren't two SOLDIERs in town, it would also likely come up that they hadn't been seen in Arda at all. For the second time in just as many days, he had placed them in potential danger. What was the matter with him? Had he lost the ability to think properly? Little point in dwelling on it now, the sun was setting and the air was getting chilly. Zack would have liked a fire but would never have risked it, no matter how much he wanted warm soup. Thinking of soup reminded Zack of the lunch he had attempted to give Cloud – would now be any different? Deciding to start with water first, Zack scooped up the pack and headed over to his friend.

Zack wasn't sure how he was going to get Cloud to drink the water. Pouring it into his mouth only resulted in him choking – not pleasant for either party. Zack opened the water bottle and rested it on the round before rolling Cloud onto his back and lifting his head slightly. Zack could feel his body trembling but not as violently as before, he took this as a good sign. Taking the water bottle Zack let a few drops fall into Cloud's mouth. No violent reaction. Zack repeated the process, this time Cloud swallowed. Trickery, thought Zack. It was a long process but Zack reckoned he had got Cloud to swallow at least three mouthfuls of water. He was tempted to try get some soup down but the soup was thicker and it was getting dark fast. And despite his afternoon nap, Zack was exhausted. He drank the last of the soup as he tried to decide if they should stay or press on. If they continued tonight which way - further up the mountain or along the edge working toward Costa Del Sol. It would be go to get way from Arda. He didn't know if the people would talk or not but if they did, it would be best to not be around.

Unfortunately the decision to move or stay was made by Cloud. When Zack went to pick him up, he noticed the blond was warm to touch – too warm.

"Oh, Spike," sighed Zack, "what now?"

Cloud wasn't trembling so much as shivering. Zack placed the back of his hand against Cloud's forehead – it was hot. Cloud had a fever. Zack wanted to scream with frustration. Infantrymen he could deal with, running he could deal with, carrying Cloud he could deal with but medical? He knew next to nothing about medical treatments. All he had to draw on came from movies and novels, and he knew enough to know that fiction didn't work in real life.

Zack tried to check Cloud's pulse but he flinched at Zack's touch. Zack turned for the backpack but returned his attention back to Cloud as he gave a low groan and slowly tensed in pain. Again he flinched when Zack tried to calm him. But even as Zack racked his brain thinking of something to relieve Cloud's pain, the blond slowly relaxed with a loud exhale of breath. It was only then that Zack realised Cloud had been holding his breath in pain. Zack didn't like the thought that for a moment Cloud hadn't been breathing. Admittedly through his own volition but it was still unsettling. Zack hovered for a few minutes but Cloud showed no sign of repeating his previous actions. Momentarily satisfied, Zack reached for the backpack and withdrew the water bottle. Not having anything to wet, Zack splashed some water onto his hand and wiped it across Cloud's brow. Ignoring the flinching and twitching, Zack continue until Cloud's hair was fairly damp – the evaporation should cool him down. Or so Zack hoped. As Zack replaced the cap on the water bottle, Cloud tensed again but didn't make a sound. Zack waited, ready in case he had to do something – he wasn't sure what but he would be ready. Zack breathed a sigh of relief when Cloud relaxed and started breathing again. It was completely dark now and all Zack had was the sound of Cloud's breathing.

XxX

Zack rolled to his feet desperately attempting to free himself. His heel caught on a rock and he stumbled, back peddling as fast as he could he still fell flat on the ground. He lay blinking for a few minutes, organising his chaotic thoughts. The sun had just risen, casting long shadows amidst the golden light; he dug his fingers into the course ground – he was free. He was free, the ground beneath him told him that. A nightmare, all in his mind – just memories...

"Yeah," he muttered aloud, "memories are so much better."

Zack got to his feet and went over to where Cloud lay. In the early hours of the morning, Cloud's breathing had lost its raggedy edge and he didn't feel so warm so Zack decided to catch some sleep before the sun rose. Checking Cloud over, Zack saw that he wasn't shivering anymore. In fact, he looked to be sleeping peacefully. His body was relaxed, his breathing even and deep, and he even had some colour in his cheeks. Zack didn't want to get his hopes up but maybe, maybe Cloud was on the mend. Surely once the Mako withdrawal had disappeared, Cloud would wake up. Zack grinned at the thought – it was a happy thought.

Though, the smile left his face as he stood and looked round. There was a speck in the sky. Even as he watched it get closer, the sound of rotor blades caught his ears – it was a ShinRa helicopter.

Turks.