Wow. Thank you for such lovely reviews. I can't believe how popular this story has become and am blow away by the wonderful comments people keep leaving.

A massive thank you to Brunette S Angel for all your fantastic comments about each and every chapter, you're great. Also thank you to Riku-Aura777 for pointing out the incorrect word choice / spelling mistake in the last chapter, that was so embarrassing. (I have changed it in case anyone gets confused)

Anyway. Here is the next chapter. I can only hope it is good enough to follow on from the previous one. Review and let me know.

Turning things around

"So, he really did all of that?" Zack asked, as they made their way across the compound.

"Indeed, by all accounts he saved everyone."

"Wow!" the soldier breathed, the feeling of pride spreading throughout his body.

Angeal waited a minute before continuing, allowing Zack's smile to grow, as the raven haired man took in the information being given to him. He knew that the soldier had been made aware of the facts during the review, but also knew that Zack had been too distracted to take it all in properly. It was why he had decided that they should take the long walk back, giving them both time to go over everything again in a less formal setting. He sighed heavily knowing that what he had to say next would be upsetting for the soldier, but also knew it was needed.

"While I cannot fault the cadet ... Cloud for his actions, they should not have been necessary." Angeal announced sternly ruing Zack's cheerful mood instantly as he had feared.

"I know. I screwed up big time." Zack agreed sadly, his smile disappearing completely.

"You allowed yourself to be distracted and it left you all vulnerable."

"So that's a yes then." Zack replied softly, the guilt of the whole event still weighing heavily on his shoulders.

Angeal sighed deeply as he took in the soldier's dejected form, the slumped shoulders and dipped head concealing the normally joyful face with fallen spikes of black hair. The commander considered his next words carefully understanding the sombre look which plagued Zack's features, knowing the alien expression did not belong there, and hoping to erase it somehow.

"You are not completely to blame for this Zack. I should have known you were not focused enough for such a responsibility."

"I can do my job Angeal" Zack snapped back in defence of himself.

"Can you? Can you honestly say, after everything that has happened, that you did your job?"

Zack's mouth opened to respond, the lips moving soundlessly as the solider realised that he had no argument to give. He couldn't honestly defend himself, couldn't pretend that everything was fine when it wasn't. Thankfully the attack had been small and, much to his great relief, Cloud had performed wonderfully under the pressure. But that was the problem wasn't it. Cloud shouldn't have been forced into that position, shouldn't have needed to defend them, because it should have been the soldier's job to protect them all. He scolded himself again, berated himself for letting three men take him down so easily.

At least the review committee had been forgiving, had acknowledged that an attack on a junior patrol had been unexpected, that the force of the assault had been far more aggressive than necessary. The fact they had taken the soldier out first showed that the assailants had military training, the precise aim of the bullets and the damage they had caused supporting this idea. Had the blonde cadet not been so 'efficient' then the strike would have clearly been fatal for all who were present.

Zack hadn't taken any comfort in their evaluation of the case, his own self-loathing eating away at him silently as they assigned him a week's rest and then additional medical evaluation. His poor reaction time, and dampened senses, giving them cause for concern about his performance. Thankfully Angeal had been present and protested Zack's lack of reaction, had argued in the soldier's defence that it could have happened to anyone of the small patrol's that took place. The review committee had agreed on this fact and so the commander was instructed to supervise his old pupil, re-establish training as necessary, and report back on the soldier's progress in a week's time. If Zack was found to be fit for duty, after this time, then he would be reassigned to his normal routines and responsibilities.

It had been an hour since that review, six hours since he had been discharged from the hospital, a day since he had woken up in the uncomfortable bed with Angeal by his side and three days since Cloud had saved his life. Zack hadn't actually seen the cadet since that fateful day, but Angeal had assured him that Cloud was well and had even visited while he slept. He knew the blonde was around somewhere and was also aware of the rumours which had started to spread amongst the troops. Tales about a young cadet who had saved a soldier's life while singlehandedly taking out an entire taskforce. In a small way he found the stories funny, after all there had only been three men not an entire taskforce, but there was also something worrying about them. Cloud had killed three men, had raised his rifle and cut them down without hesitation, and that troubled Zack. There was something wrong with being able to do that and not have it affect you in some way.

"Angeal?"

"Yes Zack," the commander replied, glad that the soldier had risen from his internal musings.

"Is Spiky ... ok?"

"He was not harmed in the attack..."

"That's not what I meant. Is he alright after ..."

"After killing someone." Angeal finished already aware of the soldier's concern.

"Yea."

"He has not spoken of it. In truth he seems to be more concerned about you than anything else."

"Me?"

"Yes. He has been quite distracted these past few days."

Angeal watched as the sea of emotions played across the soldier's face and held his breath in hope of the idea, which seemed to be forming in Zack's mind

"Can ... can I ...see him?"

'Thank Gaia' Angeal's head screamed, but to the man beside him he merely replied "I believe that should be possible."

They made their way across the compound towards the soldier apartments with Zack practically skipping as they entered the building. Angeal watched with joy as the bouncy energetic puppy that he knew began to surface again, as Zack's body continued to shift restlessly in the lift. It was only as they came to a stop that Zack realised he didn't have a key card to let them in.

"Uuuummmm, what should we do?" the soldier asked worriedly.

"We knock," Angeal sighed shaking his head.

"Oh yea," was the embarrassed reply.

The smile on Angeal's face slipped a little as they waited, the knock to the door having received no reply. He knocked again, louder this time, and they waited patiently for a few more minutes. When still no one came Zack pushed his head against the door and listened intently.

"Place is empty," he announced, his voice wavering slightly.

"Then where are they?" Angeal mused, already pulling his phone from a trouser pocket.

"They?"

"Yes. I didn't want to leave Cloud alone while the review was taking place so I assigned him a guardian."

"A what?" Zack almost squeaked, knowing Cloud would have hated that.

"Do not worry, I did not choose a random stranger. I requested Reno for the assignment, seeing as how they have come to know each other."

Zack didn't reply, but the audible gulp was loud enough to indicate he understood Angeal's meaning.

"Reno where are you?" Angeal asked as soon as the phone was answered.

"Hello to you too," the Turk replied cheekily and somewhat amused.

"Reno." Angeal warned carefully.

"We're outside your place man."

Angeal blinked in confusion and looked across at Zack who, having heard the conversation, was also looking a little unsure of the situation.

"Why are you outside my place?"

"The kid ... Cloud, wanted to check and see if Zack was ok."

"Stay where you are, we will be with you soon," he ordered before, flipping the phone shut.

The serious commander couldn't help but smile at the way Zack's eyes now glowed, the boy practically radiating happiness beside him.

"He wanted to see me," the soldier almost squealed, causing Angeal to roll his eyes.

"Come on, let's not keep them waiting."

The distance to Angel's apartment wasn't far and this time as they rode the lift to the correct floor Zack's body was practically bouncing on the spot, as the excitement coursed through him. Angeal watched curiously as the numbers counted up towards the floor and Zack's stance became more poised and prepared to move. The tension in the soldier's posture reminded Angeal of the men in training when they were preparing for a race and he quickly put an arm out to grasp Zack's shoulder.

"Angeal?" The soldier asked, confused by the suddenly firm grip on his body.

"Do not rush him. He wants to see you, but that doesn't mean he is ready for the full force of your feelings."

Zack physically slumped as the commander's words ate away at his confidence in seeing Cloud again.

"Yea, ok. Sorry," he mumbled and Angeal bit his lip against the apology which wanted to escape.

The next second a soft ping announced their arrival at the correct floor and both men turned to view the corridor as the doors slid open to reveal the figures of two men waiting for them. Reno stood leaning against the wall, his red hair and black suit standing out in complete contrast to the pale colour of the painted surface. Sitting nervously on the floor, with his back resting against the door, was the blonde haired cadet.

"Hey." Zack called, his voice cheerful but not quite back to what it had been before.

Angeal cursed inwardly at the loss knowing that he had damaged Zack's unspoken hopes in this meeting, but he needn't have worried. Almost a second after the words had left the soldier's mouth a blonde and blue blur collided with the raven haired man and a soft 'ooofffhh' escape Zack's lips as a smaller body pinned itself to his.

Zack's face lit up like a Christmas tree, as Cloud's arms wrapped themselves around his waist and the cadet pulled them together tightly.

"It's good to see you to," he breathed, putting his own arms around the blonde's shoulders to complete the embrace.

They stood this way for a few minutes, with their bodies help firmly against each other. The cadet's head buried deeply against Zack's shoulder and the soldier resting his chin on a bed of soft golden hair.

"You ok?" Zack finally asked, realising that the silence was going on a little too long.

"Me" Cloud squeaked pulling away slightly. "What about you? What did they say? Are you ok? Are you in trouble?"

"Woooooow, hold up there Spiky, that's one too many questions." Zack laughed softly, trying to calm the now trembling blonde in his arms. "I'm fine," he reassured the cadet gently. "I have a week's review with extra training and a medical check up at the end."

"What for? Why? Is something wrong?"

"It's just so they can check I'm ok as well, nothing serious." Zack said smiling and pulling the cadet closer again, glad that the blonde didn't try to pull away from the contact.

There was a moment's hesitation and then he felt Cloud's head nod against his chest in acceptance of his words.

"By the way," Zack began, wanting to say what he felt. "You did a good job. I'm proud of you."

"I was so scared" Cloud breathed against his chest not looking up.

"I can imagine it was pretty scary, it's the first time you've experienced a real combat situation, but you did good."

"No, not that." Cloud cut in pulling himself even closer into the warmth of Zack's embrace."I was scared I was going to lose you."

It wasn't only Zack who reacted to those words, wasn't just the soldier who felt his emotions stirred by such a heartfelt confession. Reno watched the scene play out in silent joy, his hopes of reconciling the pair having been fulfilled, while Angeal smiled knowing it was a good step in the right direction for both of them. A loud rumble from Cloud's stomach brought an end to the sentimental moment and Zack laughed softly as the blonde in his arms blushed deeply.

"I take it you haven't eaten yet." Angeal observed looking at Reno questioningly.

"Don't look at me like that, I tried but the ki ... Cloud wasn't hungry."The Turk replied defensively.

"You are supposed to eat regular meals." The commander said, turning his attention back towards the cadet.

"I was too nervous," Cloud replied softly, his eyes only half meeting Angeal's.

Angeal sighed shaking his head, but smiled to show he wasn't really angry. "I suppose that means you haven't eaten either?" He enquired redirecting his attention back towards the Turk.

"Nope."

"Then you might as well come in and join us for dinner."

"Me!" Reno choked in surprise. "But I thought you ..."

"I do not dislike you Reno." Angeal finished knowing exactly what the Turk was going to say. "I merely detest the habit you have of getting Zack into so much trouble."

"Angeal?" Zack protested in a childish whine, as the Turk snorted back a small laugh.

"Those are the facts, there is nothing I can do about it." Angeal said sternly, but his eyes were glowing with amusement all the same.

"It's not always Reno's fault." Zack added hesitantly.

"I am very much aware of that, you are both as bad as each other. It is also why I will have to keep a better eye on all of you from now on."

"Huh?" Zack and Reno chorused together.

"It was bad enough when there was just the two of you, now that Cloud is around I dare say that you will get into even more trouble dragging him along with you."

The soldier and Turk looked at each other as if the idea hadn't even crossed their minds, to which Angeal could only scold himself for doing, and grinned wildly at the possibilities ahead of them.

"I have created a monster." Angeal sighed heavily, as he opened the door.

"Yep." Zack agreed cheerfully bringing a confused Cloud round and steering him into the apartment.

Reno followed the soldier laughing loudly as they made their way inside. Angeal waited for a moment and smiled brightly knowing it wouldn't be long before he would be trying to explain another crazy situation to the general.