Cloud walked slowly towards the Shera's bridge. It was still morning and it had already been a very long day. He thought of the devastation in Callandra's eyes with sympathy. Trying to understand her pain, he tried to remember Sephiroth as he had been. Cloud couldn't do it. He had only known Sephiroth as the mighty, god-like General. He'd been too in awe of him to really see him clearly. After the fire, he'd been too filled with hate.
The bridge doors hissed open. Cloud shook his head. Cid and Reno were still at it.
"Breathe, old man," Reno smirked, "This ship is pretty impressive for the clunky bird that it is. But my helicopter would fly rings around it."
"Until I shoot your ass outta the sky," Cid retorted, "And don't call me 'old man'."
Hearing the doors open, Reno looked up from the navigation consol he'd been investigating. The smirk faded from his face as he took in Cloud's appearance. The fighter was paler than normal and his lips were compressed into a thin line.
"What's wrong?" Reno demanded.
"Everything's fine," Cloud reassured quietly.
"Then why are ya so pale chocobohead?" Cid asked, "Don't try to bullshit me. I've known ya too damn long."
Cloud sighed. "I can't really talk about it. Callandra's had a . . . bit of an upset. She's sleeping now. Zack's with her. If you want to know more than that you'll have to ask her."
"What do you mean a bit of an upset?" Reno pressed. When Cloud only shook his head, Reno growled and stalked towards the door. "I'll just find out myself."
"Wait," Cloud grabbed Reno's arm as the Turk passed him. "Fine. Sephiroth paid a visit to Callie in her dreams."
"Have you lost it, blondie?" Reno stared.
"What?" Cid ignored the Turk to look at Cloud questioningly, "You mean like you've said Aerith and Zack visited you?"
"Yeah," Cloud nodded. All of them had felt Aerith's presence with them during tough fights and they all knew they had her to thank for the end of Geostigma but only Cloud had actually seen the Cetra and the First Class since they'd entered the lifestream. Cloud turned his gaze back to the Turk.
"Let it go, Reno," Cloud pleaded, "I can't tell you anymore than that. I guess the things he said weren't pretty but I won't tell you the specifics. I just don't feel right about it. Like I said, it's up to Callandra if she wants anyone else to know. Just trust me."
Reno studied Cloud for a moment then nodded. "You're sure she's fine?"
"We got her to take a tranquilizer so she'd relax," Cloud said, "She's resting. I think that's the best thing for her right now. Zack is going to stay with her until she wakes up."
"I'll wait a bit," Reno agreed, "But now, tell me about how you get visits from dead people."
OOOOOOOOOOO
Zack eyes drifted open as the woman resting against him reluctantly stirred. Sky blue eyes shifted, looking down at the top of her head, which rested on his chest. He knew that she was awake. Her accelerated breathing and the slight trembling of her body gave her away. The SOLDIER remained still and silent, giving her a few moments to process everything.
"Zack?" she whispered.
"I'm here," he said tightening his arms around her.
Ravaged jade eyes slid open as his hand rubbed soothing circles against her shoulders. "How?" she murmured, "How is it even possible?" Callie tilted her head up to look at Zack questioningly.
The SOLDIER sighed, understanding her question. "Sometimes it's possible for people in the Lifestream to appear to people they care about. Not everyone can do it. It's not easy. But those who are attuned enough or powerful enough can slip into the dreams of the living or even make brief appearances in this world. Aerith and I visited Cloud more than once in the past. Aerith came to tell me and Cloud that you needed us."
"Aerith ." Callie thought a moment and the image of a beautiful young woman with green eyes and pink bow flashed behind her eyes. "I remember."
Sitting up, pulling out of Zack's embrace reluctantly, Callie looked down, her gaze pausing abruptly on her left arm. Dark, finger-shaped bruises stood out in blaring contrast with her pale skin. Her right arm bore a matching set. "Shiva," she whispered, trembling increasing.
Concerned, Zack followed her gaze. "Shit," he muttered, gently lifting her right arm to study the bruises. He ran his fingers gently over the marks.
"It really happened, didn't it?" Callie lifted her head to look into Zack's eyes.
"Yeah," he sighed, "It really happened."
Callie climbed off the bed. "At first I thought it was just a dream." She stared across the room at nothing. Her voice was quiet, too even. "But everything was just like I remembered. The way his arms felt around me, his voice, and even the way he smelled was the same."
Zack rose, walking slowly across the room to stand just behind the redhead. "What did he say, Callie? What upset you so much?"
"Sephiroth," she winced, "Is angry because of my connection to Shinra and Avalanche. He said he'd forgiven me for when I wouldn't help him destroy the planet but he couldn't forgive this." Callandra turned, eyes sodden with repressed tears, "He . . . he said he doesn't love me anymore. That I betrayed him. He hates me."
Dragging a shaking hand through tangled hair, Callandra shuddered. "What could I do, Zack? I don't regret not helping him destroy the planet. I just couldn't do it. But I stood by and watched while others destroyed him."
A tear rolled down her cheek. "In Midgar during the Stigma . . . I crouched amongst the ruins and watched. I wanted Sephiroth to win so that we could be together again. I wanted Cloud to win for the sake of the planet and everyone on it. I just stood there as Cloud killed him. I stood there and saw the pain on his face and did nothing." She looked down and a sob escaped. "Maybe he's right. Maybe I deserve this."
"No," Zack said, tugging Callie into his arms, "You don't deserve this. I've told you before that you didn't do anything wrong." Damn you, Sephiroth. You went for every weakness you could see. "What about Angeal?" he asked, shifting the subject, "He was there too wasn't he?"
"Yeah," Callie nodded against his chest, "Protecting me like always."
"What did he say?" Zack asked.
"That Sephiroth didn't mean it," Callie said, "But . . ."
"No buts," Zack chided gently, "Angeal knows what he's talking about." When the redhead said nothing he asked, "What else did he say?"
"He talked about you a little," Callandra said, looking up at the brunette, "He says that he's glad you have this chance and that we found each other. He always did want us to meet." She looked down. "Angeal said that he's proud of me."
"Then that's what you need to focus on," Zack insisted, "We both know that Angeal doesn't give praise that he doesn't mean."
"I know," she whispered, leaning into him, glad for his strength in this moment when hers had been ripped away. "I just don't know what to do anymore."
"What you've always done," Zack said, pulling away so he could look into her eyes, "You go on. It's what Angeal would want and it's what the Sephiroth who was my friend would want. Besides," Zack grinned, "You're too stubborn to quit."
A slow grin tugged at the corners of her mouth as she felt a rush of affection for the former SOLDIER. "Yeah," she said softly, "You're probably right."
"Good girl," Zack praised, impulsively hugging her.
Callandra sighed and returned the hug. When Zack eventually released her, she looked down, sighing again as her eyes settled once more on the bruises.
"Why don't you let me heal them?" Zack offered.
"No," Callie shook her head, "I need them. I don't know if that makes any sense but they give me proof that I'm not losing my mind."
"No," Zack smiled gently, "I understand."
"Plus, they'll heal soon enough," Callie added.
"Are you gonna be okay?" Zack asked, cupping her cheek.
Instead of answering right away, Callie thought about the question for a moment.
"Yeah," she said after a moment, "I think I will." She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek just above the scar. "Thank you," she said leaning back.
Callandra smiled at him and for a moment, he couldn't breathe. This wasn't like the other times she'd smiled. This smile was sweet and a little shy. There was still an air of sadness and hurt around her but Zack knew the worst of the emotional storm was past for now.
"You're welcome," he murmured softly.
They stood that way for several heartbeats until Callandra blushed slightly and looked away.
"Well," she said, "We're probably close to Costa del Sol by now."
"Yeah," Zack said slowly, "We should be." He shook his head and continued in a more normal tone, "Why don't you get dressed, and I'll wait outside. Maybe between the two of us we can remember how to get back to bridge."
"Sounds good," Callie agreed.
Grabbing the Buster Sword from the corner where he'd left it, and exiting the room quickly, Zack leaned against the wall as the door closed behind him. He closed his eyes and tried to slow the beating of his heart.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Callandra took her time getting dressed. She pulled on each piece of her uniform slowly. Her face felt warm and her fingers weren't as nimble as they usually were. She shook her head. It was just stress. Nothing more. She finished by pulling her gloves on and placing Dawn and Twilight on the magnetic sheath on her back.
Walking to the door, she found Zack waiting as promised. "Let's go."
They walked in silence through the halls. They glanced at each other occasionally only to look away again when their eyes would meet. Each repressed a sigh of relief when they reached the end of a hallway and the doors whirred open to reveal the bridge.
Reno turned immediately, his sharp gaze settling upon her at once. Glancing at Cloud, Callie wondered how much the blonde had told him. Meeting her eyes, Cloud shook his head once and gave her a small, encouraging grin.
Sighing tolerantly, Callandra allowed Reno to take her elbow and steer her aside.
"I'm fine," she assured softly.
"What happened?" Reno demanded, "All Strife would say was that fucking Sephiroth decided to crash your dreams and that you were upset. What did the asshole say?"
"Not now," Callie pleaded, "I can't go through it again right now, Reno. Maybe later. But please, just trust that I'm okay now and let it go."
The Turk stared hard into her eyes, carefully studying her face for clues. She seemed sad but in control. "Okay," Reno relented, "But I'm here if you need to talk or a shoulder to cry on."
Reno's eyes flicked to Zack. Though, it seems Zack beat me to the punch on that one. Wonder what's going on there?
"Thank you," Callie said sincerely. Slowly, she drifted away from Reno's observant eyes. She would not lose control of emotions again, no matter how much it still hurt.
Cid watched her move slowly away from the others to gaze out over the land below. Though she seemed composed, there was a slump to her shoulders and she seemed curled in on herself.
"Hey, girl," Cid barked, "Get your ass up here."
Wide-eyed, Callandra turned to stare at the pilot who grinned. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Cid said, "Now get the hell up here."
Confusion caused Callie to obey, her feet carrying her to stand beside Cid at the wheel.
"'Bout time. Now, put yer hands here and here and you'd better not let go and crash my baby 'cause I'll stick my boot in yer ass girl or not," Cid said, "C'mon. Take the damn wheel."
"It's been a long time," Callie admitted, as she reluctantly placed her hands in the positions indicated.
"It's like riding a bike," Cid dismissed, "There ya go. Now, pay attention." Cid started firing out instructions and explanations.
The bridge's other occupants, crew included, struggled to pull their jaws off the ground. Cid never let anyone fly his ship.
Sensing the eyes one him, Cid growled, "What ya lookin' at? Don't ya'll got jobs to do? If not I'll think of somethin'"
The crew immediately snapped their eyes forward. Cloud, Reno, and Zack however continued to stare. Slowly, each one smiled. Zack decided that maybe he could forgive the pilot for his initial reaction to Callandra. The man had a big heart beneath all that bark.
Reassured, Cloud and Reno drifted off to the galley to find something eat while Zack leaned against the wall and listened as Cid instructed Callie and answered her questions. As they neared the town Cid patted Callie lightly on the back.
"Not bad," Cid said, "But I'd better take over for the landing. Landing the Shera is a bit different than landing a helicopter."
"Okay," Callie smiled and relinquished the wheel.
Cid landed gently just a half-mile outside of the resort town. "Well, get yer asses off my ship and get whatever it is ya need to do done so we can get the hell goin'." The pilot glanced over at Callie. "Good job. Now get goin'."
"Yes, Captain," Callie teased, warming to the man's gruff manner.
"See," Cid smirked, looking down at the others, "At least one of ya listens." Impulsively, he ruffled Callie's hair the way he did Yuffie's. Just like Yuffie, Callandra squawked and hastily ran her fingers through her tousled hair.
"Aren't you coming?" Cloud asked.
"Naw," Cid said, "I got some shit to take care of here.
"Do you need us to pick up anything for you?" Callie offered.
"Thanks, kid, but I'm good," Cid waved them off.
Joining the others below, Callie followed Zack, Cloud and Reno out. Cid watched the woman carefully and was satisfied to note that her shoulders were straight and her chin up.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"I should probably check in with my manager while I'm here," Cloud mused as the group entered the town.
"Your manager?" Zack lifted a brow.
Cloud blushed slightly causing Reno to laugh. "Blondie here owns that villa over there. Bought it during the whole thing with Meteor."
Zack whistled as he looked in the direction Reno indicated. "Holy. Mighty impressive Cloudy."
"Why don't we meet there in a couple of hours?" Callie suggested. "We'll get our errands down quicker if we split up."
"I don't know if that such a good idea, Red," Reno frowned.
"It'll be fine," Callie insisted, "The town's not that big after all. If there's any trouble the rest of us are sure to notice."
Against his better judgment, Reno nodded. "Fine, but before we split up, you two are both gonna get a phone. I'll feel better knowing we can keep in touch."
"That's a good idea," Cloud agreed, "I'm not sure splitting up is a good idea in the first place."
"Well," Callie smirked, "Do you want to help me pick out some bras and panties?"
"Um . . . uh no," Cloud stammered turning magenta.
"I'd be happy to help," Reno leered, earning a punch in the shoulder, "Ow."
"You'd enjoy it too much," Callie laughed.
"There's a phone place over there," Zack pointed out, changing the subject. The thought of Callie in nothing but a bra and panties was doing something weird to his insides.
"That's the same company I have," Cloud said, "Let's check it out."
Half an hour later, Callie and Zack emerged, new phones in hand. After exchanging numbers, they split up with a promise to meet at Cloud's villa in two hours.
Zack didn't take long to pick up the necessities. In less than an hour he'd purchased underwear, several pairs of jeans, t-shirts and tank tops. He also purchased a pair of khakis and a pair of sandals. His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since that morning.
"Okay, okay, already," Zack chuckled, "I'll feed you. Just wait a minute."
So, purchases in hand he crossed the street heading for one of the many vendors. He smirked realizing how he must look: First Class Uniform, big ass sword, and shopping bags.
Waiting patiently in line, Zack jumped as a hand landed on his shoulder. Instinctively reaching for the Buster Sword raven-haired SOLDIER spun around. He froze. No matter how many years had passed, he'd know that face anywhere. Though rarely seen beneath his helmet, cinnamon stick-red hair and mako-enhanced eyes danced over freckled cheeks. The features of his sparring buddy, and fellow prankster, only slightly older, probably due to the mako.
"Holy, Zack," the man breathed, voice exactly as Zack remembered. "I knew you weren't dead! It's really you."
"Kunsel?!"
Tada!!! Another chapter. My Zack and Cloud muses are cooperating wonderfully. Hope you enjoyed it. Happy Independence Day everyone!!!
Shade the Bat: Hmmm. It would have been nice for squeenix to be more specific. That's an awesome sword and battle scenes would be sooo much easier to write then. LOL. Definite sword overload. LOL. Thanks for the help!
Myoni: Glad your still with me! I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations. Thanks!
XxXChiharu-Chan-1000-SpringsXx: I'm glad you enjoyed it and I have to say that it was a hard chapter to follow. I hope I did a decent job. I'm very pleased that you're enjoying this so much and I hope you continue to do so. Thanks for taking the time to review!
KajiMori: Thanks!!
Oodball167: Glad you like Callie. I know a lot of people hate OCs. I'm glad you like the character interaction and the scene with Angeal and Aerith. I really enjoyed writing the last chapter. Thanks for reviewing!