The Orphanage

by Sulhadahne

A young woman died, but was reborn thanks to an angel named Zack. To pay him back, she must shelter the "fallen angels", Sephiroth, Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. Haunted by her own mother's death, will she be able to help Jenova's children? SephirothOC

24. Second Chance

The Orphanage

Chapter Twenty Four

The Final Story

They didn't take us to the Orphanage after mother died; my father finally got off his fat ass and picked us up at the police station.

He died three years later. His death didn't hit me so hard. Dad had been dying for years.

Over time, I became like a ghost, an apparition no one sees. No one wanted to know me anymore. My teachers didn't expect anything of me. My brother stopped reaching out to me.

I went into the military, lasted a few years; eventually I was honorably discharged. Was it because of my mental state? Was I physically too weak? Maybe…

I stayed in the house, trying not to live.

I thought about the orphanage a lot, thinking of what it might've been like.

Sitting there, waiting every day for someone to love me, for somebody to tell me I was worthy. Watching others get picked, waiting for someone to love me for me. Being so lonely… wanting a father, a mother… a family. How long would I have to wait for a family? Would I ever be picked?

I didn't want to go to the Orphanage, because I thought it would be hell, waiting forever for love.

Maybe I wasn't looking at it the right way.

0-0-0

I felt them, out there. Fleeing, flying away from the Saucer, my most precious ones in their care… closing my eyes, I let my conscious wonder. As a soul I find I can communicate with most of the world with ease. I feel it, outside of me, as my mind stretches across the mountains and seas. Zack is ahead of me, scanning for Kefka, while I fly behind, reaching out to my allies and friends.

We had left the dog creature behind, because he could not travel our way. We took him to the nearest city we could, and handed him over to the doctors. I prayed that he would be all right.

Waves of emotion flow from the Shera, from confusion, to anger, to frustration and grief. Had someone been hurt badly in the battle? … No. But the aftermath, the effects, might last forever. As my mind searched, I found that two things weighed heavily on my friends minds. My disappearance; and Vincent's attempted suicide.

Even as my true soul, what was left of me, followed Zack, I closed my eyes and let my third eye flow outward. It flew forward in a flash of blues, reds, and yellows, pushing faster and faster beyond the trees and above the clouds, into the Shera until I found who I was looking for.

"What were you thinking!?"

That was Tifa, yelling as she paced around the room. She was furious, red faced, perhaps the most enraged of the group. Vincent sat on the bed across from her, quite unaffected, head down. Cloud was leaning against the far wall, looking somewhat distracted, and also concerned. I was touched that he was worrying about Vincent and me. Cid was in the room, and Yuffie, both of whom were standing akimbo nearest Vincent, frowning deeply. It did not suit them to frown.

Ceasing to pace for a moment, Tifa turned madly to him and crossed her arms. "Were you even thinking? What the hell, Vincent!?"

"You could've been killed!" Yuffie shouted suddenly, on the verge of tears.

"I'm beginning to think that was the damn point." Cid added pointedly, turning away from his friend. His attitude was bordering on ashamed.

Still Vincent said nothing in his defense. Even I was beginning to be a little frustrated. Why, Vincent? Why turn on those you love and do something like that?

Cloud stepped forward towards his friend, and kneeled next to him. Placing his hand on the stoic man's shoulder, Cloud looked him in the eyes. "Why, Vincent?" He whispered. For a moment Vincent didn't look at him. The man glanced over, and then turned his head finally.

"Do you realize what has been put into motion?" Vincent muttered somberly. His eyes wandered over his friends. They seemed confused by the strange response. So was I. "The reappearance of the sons of Jenova, of Maria's daughter as one of them… it is the continuance of what started two years ago." The man stood, and Cloud stood with him, backing up to give his friend room. I focused more of my attention on Vincent, trusting Zack to keep me on course.

"Jenova is going to die… soon." Vincent revealed, his voice gaining strength. This didn't seem to surprise his friends, but it sure made me smile. "The Cetra's work will be complete. And once I'm gone… everyone who had a hand in bringing her back will be history."

"Oh, Vincent!" Yuffie stammered, ready to bury her head in Cid's shirt. The blonde turned and placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"That's not right, and you know it, Vincent." Tifa told him, calmer now, but still red faced and teary eyed. "Y – you did your best, and you fought them at every turn."

"Did I?" Vincent murmured, looking away. "Maybe. But I am still of an old time, part of a terrible crime, and I have no place in this world. I'm an old man in a young body, trapped for all time. I am looking for a way to die."

"Damn you!" Yuffie screamed suddenly, running past Cid and into Vincent's chest. She pounded her fists against him, screaming as he wrapped his long arms around her small shoulders. "Damn, damn you, damn you!"

"Yuffie…" Tifa murmured, before looking angrily at Vincent again. "This is what your selfish misery brings. We're your family Vincent; we don't want you to die!"

"Maybe we're the selfish ones." Cloud wondered. Tifa glowered at him, and Yuffie looked up with a sob. I knew what Cloud meant, and it was a good point, but I totally disagreed. No matter the circumstances… it is a selfish and evil thing to do something like what Vincent tried to do.

"Kid…" Cid began, stepping forward with his hands in his pockets. "You know what? You wanna die, do it, have a fuckin' party, but don't you dare involve us. What you just pulled… forcing the girls and… and us, fuck it, to watch that bastard chop your head off! Why don't you just stab us in the heart, huh!?"

Vincent turned away, and Yuffie backed off. Pouting, her fists clench, she turned away, turned back, and then finally just ran out of the room with one last sob. Tifa turned to her when she ran, but did not follow. Silence reined.

Sighing so heavily it was almost a sob, Tifa stomped out of the room, and Cid followed shaking his head. Cloud remained. The dark haired man looked out the window, his red eyes showing more emotion than I'd seen in his eyes ever. He'd been hiding how distraught he was by his friend's feelings. Still, his face hardly twitched, and he didn't cry.

"Vincent, I know how you must feel. And if I could help you, I would." Cloud looked up at him. "But even though you're this undead person, at least you're still with many of your loved ones. You still have a life to live." Cloud turned and moved towards the door. "For the sake of those that love you, live it." With that, he left.

Only when the others were gone did Vincent let his agony take him, and he fell on the floor in a heap. I felt his pain, his sorrow, his deep loneliness take him and I almost cried. My soul flew towards Zack, and took hold of his hand.

"What is it?" Zack looked at me.

"Make sure you don't lose me." I told him. "I have to do something."

Then my mind left my third eye and flew towards Vincent, entering his mind with ease. He was in such pain, he hardly noticed. Shadows surrounded me, and red and yellow eyes stared out from the darkness. But I felt no fear. There was a demon in me more dangerous than all six of Vincent's combined. I was in no danger. Deeper I flew, towards Vincent's mind, where I would be in for a shock…

There was a dark platform in the center of his consciousness, where Vincent was curled up, crying. He was not wearing a dark red cloak, nor did he have red eyes. Well he did, but that was from crying. Actually, he wore a suit, and his hair was shorter. He was … a man.

As I grew nearer, floating down to the platform, Vincent finally noticed me. Quickly he glanced up. The man stood.

"Why are you here?"

I came to stand on the platform, as Vincent stood to meet me. He was back to his stoic self, and his tears had dried. Immediately, I raced to him, eyes wide, and clutched him to me like he might float away on the wind. There was none in his mind by the way.

For a moment I said nothing as I hugged him. He seemed very surprised at first, nervous to hug me back but he did. Eventually he asked the question I knew he would.

"How are you here?" Vincent wondered, looking down at me.

I shook my head. "Another time, another place." As I whispered I stepped back and took his hands in mine. I looked back up at him. "Right now, you have to tell me about all this. This drama that's going on."

Vincent turned from me, and slowly I reached up and turned his chin so he'd face me again. "Please Vincent… I'm afraid if you don't open up now your friends may lose you forever. Just talk to me… what's the real reason for all this?"

"I…" Vincent murmured, almost unable to speak. I moved my palm to his shoulder, reassuring him. Finally he gave him. "He is my son." Vincent whispered.

Though I was confused I said nothing and waited for Vincent to speak on his own.

"I don't know if I sired him. Maybe I did. But whether he was mine or not, if Lucrecia had lived… we would have raised him together. Sephiroth… he would've been my child. My little boy."

Suddenly I felt the feeling leave my legs and I stumbled against Vincent. Luckily he caught me, even as my head was reeling. Back with Zack, my soul began to waver, until he grabbed hold of me and refused to let go. I insisted I was fine and then returned to Vincent, ready to listen.

"Your son?" I murmured. But I did not ask my burning questions. "Go on."

"He was used as part of an experiment, which I tried to stop. I was killed… eventually; my wife brought me back to life. She was imprisoned, my son taken from me, and thinking all I loved was gone I locked myself up forever. So I thought."

"When Cloud awakened me I decided to help them stop Shinra and put Sephiroth to rest once and for all. Then, I would return to my slumber. But… they made me promise…"

"Who?"

"Your mother… and Aerith. The two of them were very close. Maria started it, and Aerith followed… they wanted me to swear not to return to slumber… they wanted me to live." I smirked, knowing that was exactly what my mother would have done. A small tear fell down my cheek.

"And I kept my promise. But my resolve was shaken."

I nodded understanding what the others had not seen. They could not have seen it. "Sephiroth…"

"He has felt such pain because of me. Because of Hojo and Jenova he doesn't even know I'm his true father."

"And if you're not?" I asked.

"I am." Vincent murmured. He reached out suddenly to hold me, drawing me in. "I have to be. There's no one else."

"I know." I agreed. Then I laughed. "Besides, you're the only one I'd want for a father in law." After a moment, Vincent actually laughed quietly.

Then, he was silent again as we held each other. As it began to sink in, I found I did see Vincent in a fatherly light. I liked being held by him, feeling protected. I leaned in closer. He seemed to understand, setting his head on top of mine.

"Seeing Sephiroth… I realized that he and I would be immortal, and all the others would fade with the passing of time. And yet, I would still be alone, for he does not even know he is my son. I realized that I could never have that relationship. Any chance for it is gone."

"I'm sure Cloud and the others would've understood if you'd told them." I looked up at him. "They're parents too."

Samantha, we're getting close. Tell Vincent that Kefka's settled over the Northern Crater! Zack talked to me suddenly.

Oh wow, I responded mentally. How original.

At least no innocents will get involved! Just hurry up and get out here!

Ignoring the man, I kept talking to Vincent. "Feeling like you'd failed your only child… feeling like you'd never know them… that would be eternal torture. Enough to make me want to die."

Sam, you coming?

I smiled and took hold of Vincent's gloved hand. "But I promise you, Sephiroth is not lost to you. Not yet. You will know your son I know it."

Sa~am…

"Don't worry, just go, and beg your friend's forgiveness, okay? Try and explain it to them!"

Sam!

"I'm coming!" I shouted behind me, and I'm sure I confused Vincent. With one last quick hug I backed away and turned to go. "Just be strong!" I glanced back as if to look at Zack. "Tell Cloud that Kefka is in the Northern Crater, okay!"

"Only a while ago…" Vincent said to me as I began leaving his mind. "I was telling you to be strong."

Then I was gone, back into my "soul", flying with Zack, and when I opened my eyes not only were they buffeted with wind, but also blinded by the sunlight reflecting off the snow.

"We're here." Zack whispered. I nodded, letting go of his hand.

"Maybe we can end this without involving the others." I thought aloud.

"Maybe. We'd better hurry then." Zack began flying downward, propelling forward, and I followed. Eventually I had to close my eyes, but I never hit anything. That's the bonus of being dead; you have no physical effect on most things, unless you want to. Finally we slowed down, and I looked up again. Kefka was standing on the same precipice Sephiroth had stood on perhaps a day or two before. My heart fluttered at the thought of him. Funnily enough, you do have a heartbeat when you're dead. It's very strange… only the dead could understand, more than likely.

"What's this guy want?" I wondered as I began floating down feet first. Zack touched the ground before me, even as the winds burst against us again. I was beginning to wonder why I could fly through trees but still get knocked over by the air. Being dead was confusing.

My eyes widened as I looked towards Kefka, and I turned away. My mother was up there, unconscious, sprawled across the snow. Placing a hand on my shoulder, Zack nodded towards Kefka. He wanted me to look again.

I did; and I saw this time what was beneath my mother. There was some sort of magic circle surrounding her body, and Kefka was preparing to activate it. There was a horrible, evil grin stuck on his face. Growling, I was about to run forward and attack him, but Zack held me back.

"He doesn't know we're here; let's take advantage of that." Good idea, Zack, but I'm not thinking logically. At that moment I was so mad at him for everything, all the pain I'd ever felt in my life that I just wanted to kill him! Could the dead kill the living?

Suddenly, something moved ever so slightly in the snow. It surprised me. I glanced down, and saw, to my utter horror, that my mother's face was moving. Slowly, she turned to look at me. Her eyes were just as they had use to be; warm, deep brown, understanding. Now they were in pain. A single tear rolled down her cheek and her finger twitched. She was trying to reach me… trying to…

My knees were shaking, and I feel down into the snow helplessly. She was still alive. She was still alive! The bastard had my mother's body and her soul was still trapped inside! Stuck as Kefka's pet, stuck with Jenova inside her! GODDAMN HIM, I would KILL him!

But I couldn't move. Perhaps I had been broken finally. Perhaps seeing my mother, whose dead body I had seen that day on the bridge, seeing her alive might've driver me insane. She was dead. She was dead! And Final Fantasy VII was just a game!

"Sam, come on!" Zack urged me to stand, to fight, and to be strong! Once I had been strong. I had been much younger, living with my mother, father, and brother, hoping to join the military one day and serve my country. I had been strong, dedicated. What happened? How can one death ruin your life so badly? How can love rule you so much? My mother is gone. She has been gone for years. How come I haven't recovered yet?

Zack was trying to pull me up as the magic circle was being invoked. Eventually, he had to give up and run at Kefka on his own, no weapon, and no idea of what to do. I was thinking, what happened? I had been strong, happy, with friends. One car ride home, one long night on the bridge, and I lost everything. What makes one person survive while the other dies? What makes an alcoholic decide to drive across town on a rainy night? Why does he swerve and hit the left side of the car, not the right? Why not me?

WHY NOT ME!?

That was it, wasn't it? I think I stood up at this point, tears streaming my cheeks. Why not me? That's all it ever was. Why was I alive, and she wasn't? It was only a blink of an eye. Barely a millisecond in the history of the universe. Just one life, one little candle, and somebody had leaned off and snuffed it out.

I was running, screaming, racing past Zack towards the man who had tortured my mother. How dare he… how dare he! I swung my fist at him but in my rage I had not form a corporal body. Kefka felt nothing. So, lost in my fury, I did the one thing a soul could; I attacked his mind.

It took only a second of searing, burning fire, of screams ringing in my ears, of electrical synapses dying out in flashes of bright colors no scientist could've comprehended, and Kefka fell to the ground alive yet brain dead. His magic circle was blazing to life, and as Kefka fell I was caught in it. He, dead, was destroyed instantly, no trace left. I too was dead, but when my soul was flung from his decaying brain it found refuge in the one place possible… Rebecca Wiley's body.

…

…

Mom?

…

I was sore, tired, and in pain. My cheeks were wet from crying but I couldn't remember why. Why was I crying? Had I lost someone, or something? Sitting up, I looked around. I didn't recognize where I was. I didn't… who was I? I couldn't remember if I had a name. Someone walked into the room, and I grew very nervous.

It was a dark haired woman, who smiled brightly at me. I felt a little safer. She seemed kind.

"Don't worry. I'm a friend." She told me.

I felt… safe.

Time passed and I still couldn't remember anything. I had only one clue to who I was – a necklace. It was a small locket, which looked like it had a latch to open, but it was melted shut. It helped me very little.

But I grew to enjoy my time with Tifa and the other Avalanche members. Nothing bothered me, until I met someone in the street one day. She was a young woman, with brown hair and a pink dress, selling flowers in the street.

Something about her stuck out, and I approached her. I even bought a few flowers, sharing meaningless conversation. After I left, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Something was off now, I felt. I had forgotten something important.

I felt the same feeling around the children who stayed at the bar. Whenever I saw them, whenever Barret hugged Marlene, or when the other children came to play… I felt horrible. Guilty. I didn't understand why…

And then I met the young man, Cloud Strife. He was quite the cutie! Oh, but don't think that way, Maria, you're at least ten years older than him, probably more. And he brought with him, the girl…

I learned her name was Aeris.

Oh, right… my friends named me Maria. It was Marlene's idea.

Cloud and Aeris and I went on a few adventures together, trying to find Tifa. And then, the big adventure began.

I didn't quite understand the fighting, or what we were fighting for, until Tifa told me. It was horrible… Shinra… I felt even more pain when I learned of Aeris' connection to it all.

And then it finally made sense.

"Aeris?" One day during rest the two of us were walking around a field, just talking, when I told her about my feeling. "You make me feel… protective. Nervous…"

The girl looked up at me. Red faced, I finally explained.

"When I'm around you, I feel like… a mother. You remind me… oh this is going to sound ludicrous. You remind me of someone I don't remember. A daughter I think I had. Once…"

She smiled, nodded in her wise way. "I'm honored. I would love to be your daughter. I have so many mothers now it's hard to keep count!" Yes, everyone looked out for Aeris. Something in the way she looked at life, the way she smiled… who could not care for her?

As time passed, and I learned more, and our adventures grew darker, I tried comforting the others as best I could. I found I was acting more like a mother everyday. Had I had children before? A young boy, a little girl? Maybe…

Cloud didn't mind it, though he often acted like he did. For being so secluded and quiet, he truly attracted people to him. There was something in his eyes similar to Aeris'. Something about the way they are. There souls are very special.

One night, when Aeris was especially worried, I gave her the locket. It meant nothing to me, and I didn't feel pain to lose it. It was beautiful hanging around her neck. I called her daughter, and she smiled. So did I.

And then… the dark times. The time when we lost her… and Cloud, and Tifa… when meteor was hanging over our heads and we were all desperate. Aeris… oh Aeris!

We put her to rest in the home of her ancestors, letting her body fall peacefully down to the bottom of a pool. Just as we were to go, I remembered. Sobbing, I swam down into the pool, hearing my friend's cries behind me. I had to get it… because it now meant something. It was hers… she had worn it everyday from the day I gave it to her. It was the only thing connecting her and me anymore. Desperately I swam down, trying to reach her. The chain was in her hand; she must've been praying with the locket clasped between them.

I grasped the locket and pulled and pulled, trying to free it, even as someone grabbed me from behind to pull me to the surface. Finally it came off, and I willingly was dragged upward. Cloud pulled me onto the sand, both of us gasping for breath, and with his blue eyes red with crying, he looked at me with such pain, such agony.

"I won't lose you, too." He whispered. He pulled me to him, as we both caught our breath. "I won't lose you too…"

Finally we stood, Vincent helping me, Tifa supporting Cloud, and I cradled the locket in my hand. To my surprise, it fell open. Somehow it had gotten free. There was a little picture inside, folded up to fit within. It was damp, but not ruined. Everyone stood around me patiently, watching, hoping some clue would appear on the folded paper. I pulled it out, and unfolded it.

I was in the picture… and many others. There was a little boy, two little girls hugging and grinning, and a man holding me tight to him. I was kneeling, with one arm wrapped around the smallest girl, and the boy.

Were they… my children?

They had to be.

Had to be…

…

…

Sam? … Samantha?

A form was coming to me in the dark… walking towards me nervously. As she came into view, I recognized her… she looked like me. High cheekbones, warm brown eyes, dirty blonde hair to her shoulders and tan skin. She was beautiful. The look on her face was of pain, confusion. I wanted to run to her… and away from her.

I was afraid. In the time I had lost my mother, I had changed so much. Was I even worthy of her touch anymore? I was a dirty, vile thing. Tears ran down my cheeks and I almost ran, but she caught me first, crying herself.

"Oh, SAMANTHA!" She shouted, pulling me into a tight, desperate hug. I couldn't help but sob and hug her back. We fell to the floor, my mother and I, sobbing and hugging and releasing all the pain our separation had filled us with.

"M – Mom… oh god mom!"

"I missed you…" Mom whispered to me, kissing me all over.

"I know." I told her. I buried my head in her shoulder. "I missed you too."

She smiled, and laughed a little. It sounded more like a sob but I could tell the difference. "You're all grown up."

Red faced and sobbing I laughed a little. "Oh, no mom, I haven't changed at all. Not a bit since you left me." I told her. "It's like I've been frozen in time." I was almost ashamed to admit this, but once I started I couldn't stop. "It's like I died too, but I'm a ghost that floats around the world, not realizing it's dead…"

"Oh, baby!" Mom couldn't hear anymore, so I didn't speak. She wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Honey, why…?"

"I just… I couldn't… just like that you were gone. No goodbyes, no final words. No I love you. I woke up, stuck in the car, surrounded by fire and encased in metal, bleeding… and I turned… the door had caved in and cut right into you… you bled to death. Couldn't even speak… I just watched… just watched…"

"Oh, god, honey!" She hugged me to her chest again, our crying renewed.

For a moment we cried. But slowly, my sobs ended. My heart was clenching in fear. Something… something was coming…

"You feel it?" I asked, leaning away.

Mom looked up, alarmed. "She's here."

Immediately I stood and glanced around. "Mom, get away now, she's powerful, and I don't want you hurt!"

A hand came on my shoulder, and my mother was standing beside me. I noticed now slight differences between this woman and the mother I had known. This one was more muscular, a few scars dotted her body, and of course she was dressed differently. She wore a blue tank top, a skirt halfway down her legs, and white boots to her knees. Mom reached down and removed a knife from her belt.

"You forgot who was here when Jenova was stopped the first time." Mom winked at me. "Your mother's learned some moves!"

Blinking stupidly, I realized suddenly something I never had before.

My mother was a video game hero. She, along with Cloud, and Tifa, and Vincent, and all the others, had defeated Sephiroth, Shinra, Hojo, and Jenova. Dear god… my mom was badass!

Before I could comment, the monster arrived. Mental barriers surrounded us, pushed at us, trying to force us to submit to her. I fought back easily, having learned to fight her off. My mother hardly flinched. A small grin came to me. My mother was badass!

The good feeling went down a little as I felt Jenova stepping forward. She had taken a human form, that of a woman with blue skin and hair. Her eyes were totally white, and alarming. I flinched, but stood my ground.

Every step she took towards us was a mental earthquake, shaking our power, our souls, and my resolve. Mom didn't back down. She stepped towards Jenova, knife in hand.

"Come back from the dead, huh?" Mom muttered. She stood in a fighting stance, knife in her right hand, held like a thief would hold it. "Why don't you learn to stay down?"

Jenova did not speak, but mental waves rushed towards us, waves the size of mental tsunamis. I fell to my knees, cringing as I received the message; surrender your body or be destroyed. Once again Mom had stood her ground. I was seeing a new side of a woman I had long thought dead.

Mom turned to me. "Samantha!" She called out. "Go outside! Control my body, use it to fight Jenova!"

I was confused. "But… isn't that..."

"Her mental form, yes!" Mom told me, and surprisingly Jenova let her speak. "Her body is freeing itself by use of Kefka's spell. She will need my body to finally be free, but she is still causing major havoc!" She told me, concern flowing from her. "Our friends are in trouble!"

"I understand!" Though I didn't really. What was going on? Why was Jenova being freed, and for what purpose? Before I turned to leave, I looked her over again, meaningfully. My eyes rested on her. She smiled serenely, understanding.

"Don't make me lose you again" I whispered.

"I wouldn't leave you for the world." She told me. Finally she turned to her opponent. "Go!"

Trying not to worry, I expanded myself, filled my mother's body, attached, and took control…

0-0-0

Lovers, keep on the road you're on

Runners, until the race is run

Soldiers, you've got to soldier on

Sometimes even right is wrong

Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love, Coldplay

My mother's body was very similar to mine and it did not feel strange controlling it. Now, being magically tied down to the ground, with tentacles surrounding me for hundreds of feet upward? That's weird. No tentacle rape here please.

Screaming, I pulled at the bonds, trying to free my mother's body before it could be the sacrifice for this nasty ceremony. More of Jenova's body was freeing itself from the circle, tentacles, strange shapes, I really didn't want to know…, but I noticed that soon after it became free, many of the tentacles were being cut down. It was good to know I wasn't alone.

In agony, I continued pulling and struggling, but the bonds were much too tight. Nothing I did worked. Then, I heard a scream near me.

"Maria!"

Someone was calling for my mom, and they were luckily coming through the tentacles, and fast. Whoever it was they were determined, hacking like mad at the monster. I watched, amazed, as Cloud came running for me, ripping apart all in his way. Boy was I glad to see him.

"Cloud!" I shouted, trying to sit up. I couldn't. Eager to be free I awaited Cloud to destroy my bonds. That was not the first thing he did. At first I couldn't quite register what he had done. It took approximately five seconds for me to realize Cloud was kissing me, kissing me with all the passion and love he had. Dear god, Crystal was going to kill me later!

After he leaned away, looking at me as if he were madly in love and horribly concerned, I was so confused I almost asked him what the hell he'd been doing. Then, I realized… I wasn't in my body.

Cloud had just kissed my mom.

What was going on? What in the world was going on!? Yes, okay, the ultimate battle for the fate of Gaia was once again happening and Jenova was about to kill us all, but I just wanted to know why Cloud was kissing my mom like they'd been high school sweethearts or something. I didn't have time to ask, nor did I have the guts. Cloud immediately stood and tried pulling at the bonds, trying to free me to no avail.

"Damn it…" I muttered, still struggling. Finally I gave up and looked at Cloud. "How do we stop her… this time?" I tried acting like my mom to keep Cloud from EVER knowing what we'd shared.

Kneeling next to me, Cloud looked up. "I was hoping you'd tell me." He looked down and saw my confused expression. "Do you remember?"

"Remember… what?" I asked. Suddenly a tentacle raced down towards Cloud, but before I could even shout anything, he'd spun around and sliced it in half, then in half again.

"Last time, Aeris told you a secret to beating her. Do you remember it?" Cloud shouted over the din of roaring monster. Jenova's mouth had appeared, I suppose.

"No idea… I'm a little flustered right now."

"Well remember soon because you're our only hope!" Cloud told me, spinning back around. Once again he fought with the bonds.

"Let me."

The voice was godly, heavenly even. It floated down on us as its owner rushed towards us from above. Cloud dodged just as Sephiroth came down and stabbed his long ass sword right through one of the bonds, just barely missing my skin. My eyes were wide as saucers. As Sephiroth continued to free my from my other bonds, I berated him.

"You bastard! You could've killed me!" I shouted.

"I didn't. Now calm down." He commanded. Once he had freed me, we both stood, and before he could speak again, I attacked his lips with my own.

They were full, slightly cold, and sent shivers through me just by touching them. But as soon as my lips had his, he responded, shoving his tongue between my lips. It trailed over the roof of my mouth, making me moan. Coming to our senses, we quickly ended it, and I buried my face in his chest.

"Oh, god, I missed you…" I whispered.

"If that's how you react each time we're separated, I should leave more often." I tapped him lightly for his comment.

Of course, at this moment I stood straight again and got a look at Cloud's face. He looked… well, shocked, and almost ready to fall over dead. If I'd had a camera I would've taken a picture. He looked so heartbroken too! I felt so bad! Before I could say a word Sephiroth explained.

"Maria's inside this body, but not using it; Sam is controlling it." He explained. Relief came over the man suddenly, followed by stunned revulsion. That would be Cloud realizing he'd kissed me, not my Mom. Why he was kissing my mom in the first place was what I wanted to know.

"And how did you know it was me?" I asked him.

Sephiroth smiled down at me. "I always know." A warm feeling filled me, until tentacles began flying again.

"Watch out!"

Suddenly, something flew right above us, attacking the black form with a machine gun. It was a Shinra helicopter, and cheering like mad was Reno, shooting madly at the enemy. I shook my head.

"Crazy loons…" Sephiroth took me by the hand, and we flew into the air, just as Cloud came to his senses and began attacking again. Clutched to his chest, Sephiroth rested his head on mine.

"I've realized… you were right." He muttered. "I can never make up for what I've done, dead or alive. But I would rather try to live… the right way this time."

I almost cried again, but I fought it. I was tired of crying. "Thank you" I whispered.

He looked puzzled. "For what?"

Looking up as we came over top of the tentacles and began flying sideways, I smiled. "For not abandoning me. My survival depends on you now." I frowned a little. "I suppose that's what led to this. I love people too deeply, and too much."

Sephiroth smiled as we landed. "That's why… I love you." To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I put my hand on his forehead.

"Are you sick?"

Rolling his eyes, Sephiroth took hold of my wrist and lowered my arm. "When we first met, long ago, and I came to care for you, it was not for your hatred of the world, your painful loneliness. You didn't realize it, but even then you had an enormous capacity for love. You never killed yourself, because you knew your loved ones would suffer. And because, you loved life. Even as you were, you were in love with everything."

"It's amazing, watching you fill yourself to the brink with everything. Taking it in so deeply. It's why you can write, and describe things so well." Sephiroth let me go, and drew Masamune again.

I grinned broadly, looking up at him. "Let's finish this." I told him. "I'm tired of fighting."

He nodded. "So am I." As I ran forward, ready to fight, I heard him repeat it. "So am I."

As I ran forward, using my mother's amazing skill, I remembered she had a knife tucked in her belt. I removed it, speeding up. From my left came another runner; Yuffie. She grinned and saluted me.

"Nice to see you!" As we came close, she did a flip and hit one tentacle, turning to flip towards another. She leapt around the mess of monstrous form attacking one after another with her enormous ninja star. I wanted one of those.

I wasn't sure what I could do with my small knife, but I was ready to try it out. Of course I wasn't thinking, hey I'm in a video game where items do really cool stuff, I was still thinking about the real world. So when the knife turned blue and electrocuted to tentacle I stabbed it into, I screamed. Jenova gave out a loud moan, and the tentacle struggled, tossing me across the snow. Hitting my head pretty hard sent me into unconsciousness for a moment…

For that moment, I saw mom and Jenova fighting to the death, as mental waves flew back and forth across the battlefield. Mom was doing rather well; her attacks were all purple, and Jenova's were blue. Blue fire flew towards Mom, who did a rolling dodge and then tossed a kick at the woman. A purple wave flew from her attack towards Jenova, who felt it as if she had been kicked in the face. It was a strange way to battle, but the only way to fight in the mind.

Sensing me, Mom turned and told me to hurry, so I woke up and stood. Brandishing the knife, which was now covered in black blood, I raced towards Jenova's new body.

The spell was still working, and was still connected to Mom's body. I felt it draining me, trying to drag me in. If we didn't hurry, the spell would probably destroy this body. That was not going to happen.

With a roar I leapt and tore at the tentacle nearest me, wondering hopelessly how we would get rid of it finally. Cloud had said that my mother knew how to defeat Jenova…

Mom! I called out mentally, ripping the knife down the side of the tentacle as its guts spilled out and blue lightning burned it. The monstrous thing tumbled down, only to be replaced by two more. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tifa use a Fira spell to take out a few at once, until she was swarmed by the replacements. Vincent flew by, Chaos' wings carrying him, taking Tifa out of harms way. There had to be an easier way to do this.

Mom, you hear me?

What is it sweetheart? She finally responded.

Is there a way to defeat Jenova once and for all? There's gotta be some secret!

For a moment there was silence, as I raced forward, hacking and cutting like crazy. Lightning danced all around me and I was not hurt by it. Finally Mom responded.

The secret is us, Sam.

Pausing in my running, I concentrated on talking to her. What do you mean us?

Mom didn't respond for a moment. Think about Jenova, Sammy. She is surrounded by hate, lonely and abandoned. Forever she is hungry, needing. Everything that is of Gaia hates her and cannot be of her. Even her children are Gaia's children.

Am I supposed to feel sorry for her? I rolled my eyes and kept attacking, slicing away. Blood soaked me but I ignored it.

You feel for her children. They too have been hated by all of Gaia, before us.

I might've been starting to get it, but I still wasn't sure. A tentacle flew at me, and I held my knife up. It was cut right down the middle, soaking me in its blood and entrails. I didn't care. Maybe my time in the military had been of more use than a monthly check.

Explain please.

You loved Sephiroth and the others, even after learning what they truly were. You are the secret, get it? I could have been, but I didn't love Jenova. I loved the others.

Now you're her last chance. I won't say anything else.

Mom left me to fight, confused and contemplating the riddle she'd given me. I was the secret? She could've been… but she didn't love Jenova? I really didn't get it.

So, while I was thinking, I began fighting again. Two more tentacles came at me, and as I went to get one, someone else cut the other into pieces.

"Kadaj!" I grinned.

"Good to see you sister." He smiled. We continued to fight back to back, cutting apart whatever flew at us.

"Kadaj?" I began, thinking of how to word my question. "Is there something odd about me?"

Laughing, Kadaj stabbed a tentacle into the ground, and it writhed, trapped between the blade and the earth. With a spell he blasted it apart. He was having too much fun. "Oh sister, you are odd beyond compare! Perhaps I simply didn't see enough of your world. But how many people will willingly take in how many strays into their home, feeding them, housing them, and not asking questions?"

Thinking about his meaning, I chopped another one in half. I wished I had magic.

"You're just so… loving I guess." Kadaj finished. Sephiroth's words from earlier came to me.

… You had an enormous capacity for love.

Finally I understood.

"I was so empty… so alone. And it was my entire fault, but still, I wanted to be with people. Maybe I was afraid… I don't know. But since I was so empty… I filled myself with… people…"

"Mother's gone." Yazoo murmured.

"Its okay" Kadaj lifted his head to his brothers. "We have sister now."

I smiled, a small tear coming down my cheek. "I understand." I thought I'd decided not to cry anymore but I guess not. "Gaia hates Jenova…"

She is surrounded by hate…

I grinned through my tears, not even fighting anymore. "But Earth doesn't."

Kadaj turned to me. "Sam?" Slowly, I was walking away, towards the circle. "Sam!" He tried running after, but the swarm of tentacles separated us. The forms were still coming after me, but I wasn't fighting them. I was using a mental barrier, focusing all of my strength on it, until I could see it. Apparently my mental color was purple, just like my mother's. Or was that because I was in her body? I don't know.

Slowly I came closer to where the circle was, where my mom's body was to be sacrificed to make a new one for Jenova. I could see Jenova there, her spirit, standing within the mass of tentacles and protrusions. Part of me was afraid, but I knew I had to do it. Jenova looked down on me.

Ready to submit? She demanded mentally, though her lips were moving.

Chuckling, I nodded. "In a way." Suddenly, a tentacle rushed at me, crushing my barrier in an instant. Thrown back, I almost fell into the ground, but the limb wrapped around me and pulled me back towards her. I was being suffocated she was holding me so hard. The knife was still in my hand, and though my arms were unmovable I could still activate the lightning. But I didn't.

Jenova's hair was fluttering about her, as she began floating into the air. Ah… She laughed inside my mind. Both mother and daughter have lost. How lovely.

"No!" I muttered, feeling the oxygen leaving me. Closing my eyes, I wandered within… Jenova's consciousness was there, waiting to take over, and my mother was wrapped within her, too weak to fight. "No!" For that one moment I was ready to fight again.

Before I could attack, someone flew down from above. Gunshots rang out, and Jenova dodged them all by use of a barrier. As Vincent barraged her from the front, Cid came from behind her, his spear slicing through the appendages that were attached to the circle. Jenova screamed, just as Sephiroth cut the tentacle holding me to bits. I gulped the air, gasping for breath, as Sephiroth cradled me.

"I want you to go with Vincent." He told me. "I'm going to finish this." I shook my head.

"I have to." I looked up to him. "I'm the only one who can." Immediately Sephiroth looked confused, and defiant.

"Sam…"

"No, listen. It has to be me. I can do it, just trust me." I pleaded. Sephiroth gazed at me for a moment. Then I screamed, as five gaping mouths rushed at us. Jenova attacked more ferociously as she became desperate. Now that my mother was down for the count, the pull Jenova had on my body was excruciating. Sephiroth leapt away, turning around mid spin to attack. He chopped the first one to bits, flipping to avoid an attack, before landing gracefully on his feet. With one hand he blew another one up, and then leapt over the next two flying at him. It was like a dance. But I knew it wasn't the right way.

"Seph just let me try." Sephiroth quirked his eyebrow at the nickname. I didn't flinch. "Please."

"I don't… I don't want to lose you." He admitted. A small pain hit me. I had almost forgotten that I was dead.

"Sephiroth…" What was I supposed to say? You already have lost me? I sighed. "Just let me try. Please."

Finally, he nodded, and told me to hang on. With amazing speed Sephiroth leapt around and over and on top of the tentacles in our way, even as gaping mouths and fiery limbs reached towards us. Quickly he dropped me in front of Jenova. Cid had been knocked down, and was bleeding from the forehead. Vincent ran to him, just as I ran to Jenova.

I was no longer afraid. I was caught up in the moment. Jenova turned to me, and opened her arms, ready to absorb my body and finally be complete.

And I let her do it.

She absorbed me… and my soul. My mind filled hers, and I projected everything… my memories… my feelings… my love for her children and my friends. I filled her to the brim with my love, with everything I felt for Sephiroth, Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. How they made me laugh, or cry, how they'd hurt me, and how I'd forgiven them. I felt Jenova's spirit flutter, almost weaken, and she began screaming. I didn't stop.

I filled her with my passion, my sorrow, and most of all, my love… for her.

Without Jenova, I would never have had Sephiroth, or Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. She in a way was my mother. And I loved her.

NO!

I thought about everything that had happened to me, from before and after I had met Jenova's sons.

I thought about how Zack had died for me.

I though of how I had helped kill Aeris.

I'd have to tell that to everyone, when all was said and done. It didn't feel right, keeping it a secret. Even as I filled Jenova instead of the other way around, I whispered to the air around me.

"I'm sorry."

A tranquil little laugh came from outside Jenova. It's okay. I forgive you.

I laughed a little too. "This is so weird. But I am right aren't I? It's working."

Yes, it is.

Suddenly, Jenova rejected me, and I flew from her, spiraling through the air. Sephiroth leapt and caught me, and we both crashed into the snow. I immediately sat up to see what was happening.

Jenova was changing, clutching her heart, screaming in agony. The forms around us were wavering, falling, disintegrating. Sephiroth stood and held me, flying away. The others followed our examples. Reno and Rude brought their chopper near the ground to let others jump in, as Vincent grew wings and carried Cid in his arms and Yuffie on his back.

It was all falling apart, falling off the edge into the crater, and falling inward upon its master. Jenova was still screaming, mental waves spiraling outward for miles. Sephiroth and Vincent were unfazed, but the helicopter wavered in its course, as Rude rushed to set it down somewhere safe.

Even though Jenova was still back there, I knew it was over. I'd done well, or so I hope. Burying my head in Sephiroth's chest, I thought…

I thought back to my dead body. The chain in the jacket pocket, the one my mother had given to Aeris… I wondered where the locket was. I felt a warm hand near mine that wasn't Sephiroth's.

Just look in your pocket.

I did as I was told. And wouldn't you know? There was something small and metallic sitting within. I waited until Sephiroth landed, near where Rude had set the copter down. Vincent followed after letting Yuffie off his back. Immediately he raced with Cid towards the chopper. As everyone stood by, helping the wounded, watching Jenova's final death, Sephiroth stepped up behind me. From the side, I saw Reeve running up with Jamie and Crystal behind him. Immediately, I backed up behind Sephiroth. They were looking around for my body – I didn't want to shock Jamie this way. He could see mom later.

Sephiroth seemed to understand, blocking me with his tall frame.

The sun was setting behind the enormous mass of Jenova's extremities, as they collapsed and disintegrated. Lifestream was pouring out of them – but it was a different color. It was blue, and shimmering, and as it came close to the planet, Gaia accepted it. Jenova had been forgiven. She was not hated anymore.

Finally, I stopped delaying, and took out the little metal thing in my mother's pocket.

I remembered the locket. Jamie had given it to mom for her birthday when we were nine. She wore it everyday. It had a little heart carved into it, and the heart had wings. It was silver, but rusting. Slowly, reverently, I opened it.

Inside was a picture. It was folded up, tucked inside, and I pulled it out. Once I got a look at it, I remembered vividly what it was. We had just gotten home from the movies, the five of us. The other girl in the picture was my best friend Amy. Jamie's friend had been there, too, his punk rock friend. He was the one taking the picture. Mom was holding us around the shoulders, and Dad was standing behind her. I smiled.

"Thanks" I told her. Seeing the locket felt like a final ending to the story. Except, once I thought about it there was still some mystery.

I still didn't understand how my mother got here, nor did I understand why in the world Cloud had kissed me!

But it didn't matter. Sighing, I felt another presence join the previous one. "Hey, Zack" I muttered. Stunned Sephiroth looked down at me.

"He's here?" Sephiroth asked. I didn't answer his question.

Lovers, keep on the road you're on
Runners, until the race is run
Soldiers, you've got to soldier on
Sometimes even right is wrong

Backing away, I sighed again, and looked at him. "Sephiroth… I have to go now." He stared at me. Then he understood.

"No…" He whispered.

From the side I heard conversation, near the helicopter.

"Did you find Sam? Where is she?" My brother pleaded desperately.

"I spoke to her telepathically. But I haven't contacted her since." Vincent explained.

Cloud stepped up. "She's here." Everyone turned their attention to him. He nodded towards my mother's body.

I watched Jamie turn in slow motion, but I didn't back down. Instead, I simply closed my eyes.

Tag teaming?

I'm tired. It's your turn.

I'll gladly come.

My spirit flew out of my mother's body, joining the floating spirits which I could now see. On my left was Zack, and my right, Aeris. I smiled at both of them.

"You did well." Zack murmured. He put his hand on my shoulder. "Really good."

"Yeah" I muttered eyes downcast. Aeris leaned down to look at me.

"You might want to watch this." She said.

I turned to look.

Sephiroth backed away from my mother, who was now in total control. She opened her eyes. My brother, astonished, fell to his knees and cried. "MOM!"

They are turning my head out
To see what I'm all about

Mom was crying too, running to him, and falling on her knees. They embraced the same way I had with mom before. The deepest, darkest parts of my heart lightened, becoming warm. On the other side of mom, Cloud fell to the ground, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. I was beginning to understand

Maria married soon after and they had a son…

I smiled. A small tear fell from my cheek.

Keeping my head down
to see what it feels like now

It fell onto Sephiroth's shoulder. Slowly, he turned and looked up. Surely he couldn't see me. But he was looking right at me.

Unable to stand it, I whispered to him. My voice was so weak it trembled. "G – Goodbye."

Before he could say anything, I was gone.

But I have no doubt
One day, we are gonna get out

0-0-0

"Where are we going?"

In one hand, I held Aeris' delicate fingers, and in the other I had the locket. Zack's hand was closed around mine. The three of us were floated up, and up, and up, through the clouds towards the sky. I expected angels, trumpets maybe. I wondered if God was waiting for me…

"Someplace special." Aeris murmured.

"Not heaven. Not exactly." Zack told me. I looked at him.

"Does it exist?" I murmured eyes downcast. The sun was coming through the clouds but it didn't bother me. "Is there a heaven?"

"Maybe." Aeris murmured. "I don't know."

"This isn't really the afterlife. This is like purgatory I guess." Zack turned ahead. "Get ready!" He grinned.

A bright, bluish greenish, starry light came at us suddenly and we were engulfed. It was like being in the dream realm again. Then, I remembered what Aeris had showed me only so long ago. It was the house.

We were in a grassy field at the end of a long path, and there was a rather large house in front of us. Aeris had shown it to me when I first died. There was a sign in the front. I read it once, twice again, just like I had the first time. It still felt so strange to me.

It read, The Orphanage.

Zack, hands in his pockets, looked down at me. "Gonna go in?" The two were standing outside, waiting for my decision.

"Are you coming with me?"

Aeris shook her head. "Later. You should go explore first, I think."

I was a little nervous, and also confused. The sign had thrown me off. But, I didn't feel afraid… just nervous. So I walked up, slowly, to the wooden fence.

With one last sign, I opened the gate, and walked in.

It was different being inside it. The door was ajar, and a warm light flooded out. It was nighttime here. When I turned around and looked over the fence, Zack and Aeris were not there. It was like a new world. Little candles lit the pathway. So, I followed the lights, and walked towards the door.

"Hello?" I called. I knocked on the door. "Hello?"

Someone walked up and opened the door the rest of the way. "Oh, hello!" It was a tall woman with long brown hair and a warm smile. "Another one!" Reverently she pulled me into a hug. "It's all right, you're home now."

Confused, and a little embarrassed, I pulled away. "What do you mean home?" I asked. "The sign says Orphanage. That's not a home."

The woman looked at me, misunderstanding. Then she just smiled. "Would you like to look around?"

Confused, I blinked. The woman turned and yelled over her shoulder. "Honey!"

Someone came out of a back room, hurrying through what sounded like a lot of mess. "Coming! Coming, sweetheart!" A warm hearted and tired looking older man came through the door. "Oh! Another one, so young!" The man shook his head. "Well you are most welcome here." He shook my hand, and I nervously nodded back.

"Who are you people?" I asked. As if sharing an inside joke they smiled at one another.

"I am Ifalna, and this is my husband, Prof. Gast." I nodded to each of them. I didn't remember their names from the stories my friends had told me but I was sure they had some relevance in the game. Ifalna placed a supportive hand on my shoulder.

"Perhaps you should look around."

"That's what everyone's telling me." I muttered, and the two laughed. Nodding to them, I headed deeper into the house. I was in the kitchen, and beyond the kitchen was a hallway. I walked down it. To the right was a living room, with a pool table, surrounded with beer bottles. To my great surprise, I recognized some of the people in it.

"Aaron! Jack!" Racing in, I hugged the one nearest me, who happened to be Jack. He had a beer and a pool cue in each hand, and was shocked to see me.

"Hey, kid!" Jack grinned, setting his beer down to hug me back. "How the hell'd you get here?" He asked.

"She died." Aaron answered with a smirk.

"No shit, I meant how!" Jack responded. I laughed at them. My mood lifted a little. Backing away, I ran to Aaron and hugged him.

"What happened to you guys? You didn't…" I trailed off.

"It was our second life." Aaron explained. "Eventually, we tired of it. We came here."

"Brian too?" I asked.

"Actually, he's called Braska." Jack told me. "And yeah, him too. We changed our names for your world, but… not so important anymore." I nodded, confused a little. "I'm Jecht."

"Nice to meet you." I grinned, feeling happy that I knew some people. There was someone else in the room at the end of the table, someone I didn't know. I looked at him. "Uh, hi." The man nodded at me. He was tall, and had a machine gun for an arm.

"I'm Dyne. Nice to meet you." The man smiled at me. I smiled back.

"You still haven't told me how you died!" Jecht demanded, taking a swig of his beer. I frowned, not wanting to think about being dead. Aaron placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Later, Jecht." He commanded. "Not now." Jecht finally seemed to understand, and turned back to his game with Dyne. I looked at Aaron.

"What's your real name?" I asked.

"Auron." He told me. For a moment he looked away. "It's not bad here." He told me. "It's peaceful. I like being at peace."

I nodded serenely. "I suppose your life wasn't very peaceful… huh?" Auron shook his head. I wasn't sure what I thought of death so far. Looking to the door, I sighed.

"I think I'm going to go look around more." I told them. Hugging Auron again, I ran off. "I'll see you later."

"See ya kid!"

Laughing, I walked down the hall, further from my friends, further from my heart.

Tonight maybe we're gonna run
Dreaming of the Osaka sun

I heard laughter from somewhere. There was another room, to the left, like a second kitchen. I guess with so many people they would need one. This time, I only glanced in, and I wasn't as surprised to see people I knew.

It was Dyme, and his friends. Lea was eating a sandwich, and Sora was asleep on the couch. Over by the window, with moonlight reflecting on her hair, Namine was drawing Sora, and of course it was beautiful. Dyme and Lea were laughing, having a ball, and Sora slept peacefully. There were others I didn't know, people I supposed were their friends. They were all having a good time.

If this was purgatory, then who needed heaven?

I moved on, walking up the stairs to the next level.

There were many, some I recognized almost immediately. Though I didn't know what had happened to Cloud's mother in the story, I'm sure I saw her there. There was a beautiful blonde woman who looked just like him. Though she didn't have the spiky hair. Maybe it was her husband's genes.

I went up another floor even, finding others still. There was a library, which I immediately entered. It wasn't huge, but it was crammed full. I ran to the back where there was a fireplace, and a chair by the window. Collapsing, I fell into the chair, and curled up.

Dear God.

I was dead.

Somehow I didn't want to cry. Like I'd said earlier I was tired of crying. But then a horrible agony filled me. So many of the people I loved… were far away. My family and friends…

Their being alive was good. I was happy. I could probably even live with being dead, waiting for them to join me. It would be a good time, with Zack, and Auron, and Dyme…

What really hurt?

My life was gone. No more weekends with friends. No more jobs, no more work. No getting married. No having children. I died a virgin! As horrible as it sounds, I laughed at that. I died a virgin! Ha.

Suddenly all the things that I'd put off in life, things I didn't like even, they were so precious. And they were gone.

I don't know if a relationship with Sephiroth would've worked out, but now, it no longer had a chance. At all. Somehow I was strong enough not to cry. But it hurt worse than a dagger in the heart.

Ohh… ohh...
Dreaming of when the morning comes

As I sat there wallowing, realizing the extent of what was happening to me, I felt something against my leg. At first I didn't notice it. It was furry, and warm. Finally I sat up and looked down.

A cat was looking up at me.

"Meow" Furball mewed innocently.

"You!" I declared, surprised. Immediately I picked him up and set him in my lap. "Don't tell me you died too!" The cat purred as soon as I pet him. Somehow Furball was a great comfort.

Someone else was entering the room so quietly I didn't notice them at first. The only way I noticed they had entered was an ethereal light, a peaceful, warming light that did not blind you or burn your eyes. It was dim, but so warm and comforting. Once I felt that light on me, I looked up.

The sight I saw was so beautiful, so utterly magnificent I could compare it to only one thing; the day I first saw Zack carrying Sephiroth into my house. Surrounded by this warm light, enveloped in it, the being had long bright blonde hair curling beneath their chin, and bright eyes that were so bright they had no color. They were simply light. The face was perfectly sculpted, like a statue of an angel, and the person wore long white robes down over their feet. This wonderful being, in whose presence I felt so safe, so warm, who was feminine and masculine together, the first thing this being said to me was,

"I apologize for burning down your house."

I blinked. "Come again?"

The being stepped forward, sitting in the chair across from me. "I'm sorry." He/she said again. I still couldn't tell; the voice was strong, yet airy, beautiful and unique. Of course I still didn't understand.

"You… burnt down… my house?"

"It was the only way I knew to get you on the journey." The being told me. "I had to separate you from Earth, to give you the chance to leave."

Frowning, I muttered, "Well, you could've at least given me a warning". The being chuckled.

"Life does not give warnings I'm afraid. There would be much less suffering if there were warnings." I nodded, still not understanding who I was talking to, or why, or what burning down my house had to do with it. This did though make me wonder if Jamie still had the box of my mother's things with him. But I digress.

"Who are you?" I whispered almost afraid to ask. I sat up, Furball still in my lap. He purred and rubbed against my chest. The sight made the being smile.

Then the being looked back at me. "I am an angel."

I should've been surprised. But I think my surprise meter had busted. Nothing surprised me anymore.

"Really…" I wondered. "And you burned down my house."

The angel chuckled. "Perhaps I should start at the beginning."

"That would be helpful." I admitted. The angel laughed again.

"I was not, and am not, your guardian angel. Zack would fit that role better." I smiled at the mention of him.

"So there are guardian angels?"

The angel nodded. "In a way. There are angels who remain on the living planets, protecting the people in general. Only very important people have personal angels." Moving, the angel crossed its legs. "Not heroes, who must learn to protect themselves, or martyrs who must sacrifice themselves. These angels protect those meant to make a difference in the world. People who need a little boost to get started."

"Like me?" I asked. The angel nodded.

"Zack helped you begin your journey. But no, I was not meant for that duty for you." The angel paused reverently. "I was your mother's angel."

That actually did surprise me. And it kinda angered me. "Nice job you did." I commented vehemently.

"It is not our job to keep the person alive, only to guide them. In your mother's case, I took her to Gaia." Curious I kept listening. Furball rolled onto his back. "From there, it was up to her to win the battle."

"And me?" I wondered.

"You were a bit more complicated. I had to lead you to almost every clue, every answer to the mystery. You were quite stubborn."

I frowned. "How so?"

Smirking the angel leaned forward. "You were so ready to give in and cry yourself to sleep that I had to lift you up again." Enraged, I frowned deeper.

"How dare you!" I shouted at it. Furball was surprised, and leapt like I'd poured water on him. "The things I went through… the pain… how could you ridicule that?"

"I'm not." The angel admitted. "But it's true. You have a great capacity for love, and a great capacity for pain. Whatever you do or feel, you do it to the extreme." Once again the angel laughed.

Nodding, I looked down. "So I've done it. I'm dead, Jenova's dead, and it's over."

The angel shook its head. "No, it's not over. Not yet." Standing he/she walked over to where Furball had leapt, and leaned down to pet him. "Jenova has been calmed, and has felt love. But she is not the only member of the Jenova family." Tall once again, the angel waved his hand, and shimmering light floated through the air. It became a portal. Within, I saw my family and friends. They were at a wake. The angel looked at me.

"Time passes differently between worlds. Three days have passed." I looked on, hardly hearing him.

They were in the Ancient City, and my body was on the precipice that Aeris had prayed on. The horrible gaping hole in my chest was covered by my folded hands.

Jamie was sobbing into mom's shoulder. Crystal, eyes red, was letting Loz cry with her nearby. In the back corner, Yazoo was brooding, arms crossed. Cloud was by my mother's side, arm on her shoulder. Sephiroth wasn't even in the area. I saw many others; Vincent turned away, mourning within. Yuffie was crying, though she hadn't known me well. Even Tifa was red eyed.

Then the picture shifted towards the water where Aeris was submerged. There was Sephiroth, knee deep in the water, staring down into its depths. It pained me to see my loved ones this way. All for me…

It was then I noticed the red dog creature. It was the one we'd saved, Zack and me, sitting down near Tifa.

"His name is Nanaki, or Red XIII. The 'dog' you saved is a friend of Cloud's. Nanaki led them to your body."

I turned away. "Turn it off please." The screen disappeared.

For a moment we were both silent. "You said…" I whispered. "You said that it isn't over."

The angel did not answer my question. The angel stood, walking around. "Do you know why this place is called an Orphanage?"

I didn't respond, because I didn't have an answer.

They are turning my head out
To see what I'm all about

Somehow I was sure the angel knew I had no clue. So it began telling me the answer.

"There are places like this all over the plane between worlds. Spirits wander between them, looking for someplace familiar, for friends and family. Often they arrive alone and afraid, lost." The angel paused, looking at me meaningfully. "They come here as orphans of the world, with no mothers, fathers, or family. Only when they arrive do they find a home."

"Here?" I asked.

The angel kneeled next to me, placing a hand on my knee. I felt nervous. "There are more bonds of family than that of blood. Places like these hold families of different kinds. Because you've lost loved ones to death, or simply through time, drifting away, you are not alone. There are always others out there, waiting for you, if only you'll find them." Standing the angel beckoned me to follow. We walked out of the room, Furball trailing us, all the way down the stairs to the first floor.

I heard noise down the hall, the clattering of glass. "They're having dinner." Before we moved on, the angel waved its hand in front of me. "Now, we won't be seen."

Though I didn't know why we had to be invisible I went with it. We walked to the doorway.

The entire table was full of people, and there were all sorts of food placed on it. Ifalna and Gast were on opposite sides of the table, and everyone else was scattered around it. The angel looked at me, then back at the group.

"Miss Ifalna was held with a laboratory as a test subject after her husband was murdered by an opposing scientist." My eyes went bug wide. I glanced back and forth at the two, watching them laugh and enjoy themselves. "She died escaping."

Surprised, I moved forward to see the group better. A test subject? What for?

"After his wife was killed, Lord Braska went on a religious journey to stop a monster that terrorized his world. He and his two friends, Sir Auron and Sir Jecht, died protecting their world. Auron remained behind for ten years as one of the undead, raising his friend's children. Finally, he passed on about two years ago." Once again, I was bug eyed; watching Jecht elbowed Auron in the side as he told a joke. Auron rolled his eyes.

"And the others?" I asked.

The angel crossed its arms, and nodded towards Dyme. "He had his heart stolen by darkness. For years he struggled to get it back, to no avail. I'm surprised his soul made it here. Lea, Sora, and Namine went through similar situations. Those down there", the angel nodded towards a group of six sitting near Dyme and the others. "They willingly gave their hearts to darkness for science. Once they realized their mistake, it was too late."

Now I was really confused. How does one give their heart to darkness? But I didn't ask. I let him continue the stories.

"Dyne is from Gaia. When his hometown was attacked, he lost his arm. Slowly, over time, he went insane. Two years ago Barret fought him, and Dyne jumped off a cliff." The angel paused. "He's Marlene's father."

"Marlene…" The adorable little girl from Seventh Heaven. They did look alike… no wonder Barret was taking care of her.

"You know Zack and Aeris, and all the pain they went through. Beside them is Cloud's mother, killed by Sephiroth years ago." The three sat near each other, telling stories. Zack was so animated, so wild, and friendly.

There were others, but the angel didn't tell their stories. I knew they would be just as sad and painful.

"None of these people have found the spiritual peace needed to find what you call Heaven." The angel smiled. "Somehow, I think they will. Until they find that peace, they will remain at the Orphanage, waiting for people to come and claim them."

"Claim them?"

"Family, friends, and people they loved." I nodded, understanding.

"They're all waiting here." I remembered my thoughts as a child of going to an Orphanage. Then, something else came to me. Something Sephiroth had said when he first met me.

Zack told me there was a place for us.

For people who have absolutely no where else to go, but Hell. He called it the Orphanage.

"So that's were we all go when we die. We become orphans waiting every day for someone to love us. For the people we love to find us."

"You understand." The angel turned to me. Placing a hand on my shoulder the angel transported us outside.

"Now you are ready to return."

I blinked. "Wait… what?"

I was interrupted when the door behind me opened. Zack stepped out, looking around, before running up to me.

"Leaving already?" He asked with a grin.

"I'm dead." I muttered suddenly. Then I looked up. "I am dead right?"

"Yes." The angel murmured. Zack didn't seem to be able to see or hear him, but that of course didn't bother him. "But you can return."

"Why?"

Zack put his hand on my shoulder.

"Sometimes we get second chances. Who knows why; I guess God's more merciful than we've been led to believe."

Smiling, I agreed. "Yeah. Sometimes we're too hard on him." Then I looked at the angel. "So, I'm really going back?"

The angel nodded. "If you wish."

Without a pause I almost shouted, "Yes! Yes!" Zack laughed at me. "I'm not ready to be dead yet!"

"I know." Zack told me. "And you'd better not die again for a long time. I don't want to see you for another sixty or seventy or a hundred years! Maybe more!"

"More?" I was baffled.

Knowingly, Zack winked, and turned to walk back in. "Who knows? Since your old body died you're not immortal right now… but you could be… one day." With one final wave over his shoulder, Zack walked into the house. "See you!"

"Wait!" I almost ran in after him. After a moment he poked his head out of the door. "Will I… will I see you around, down there?"

A knowing twinkle in his eye, the man shrugged. "Who knows?" Then he became serious. "If you get in trouble… I'll be there."

Keeping my head down
to see what it feels like now

Touched, I smiled and nodded. Then he was gone.

"Why me?" I asked. "Zack should get another chance. Or Braska, or Dyme, or Aeris…" My voice grew timid. "I don't deserve it."

"Zack and the others received their second chance. They decided to come here. You see, it is better to wait at the Orphanage to be loved, rather than trying to live without love out there, alone."

"What about Aeris?" I asked.

The angel smiled. "She knew before anyone else that the Orphanage was where she needed to be. She waits here… for those she left behind."

My heart and mind were full. I wanted to ask no more questions. Furball was rubbing against my leg. Kneeling, I scratched his back.

"Take me home. Please."

"As you wish." The angel turned to the gate, and I followed him. Furball mewed and raced after.

"Your old body was destroyed, but I can give you an exact replica of it, right down to the scar you received the first night you spoke to Zack." I remembered that – it hurt. The angel turned to me. "All you need do is return."

"So, how do I do that?"

I noticed that the angel was floating away, drifting off into the clouds. "All you have to do is fall."

Fall. That sounds pleasant.

Sighing, I watched peacefully as the beautiful angel became light; floating far away, back into the clouds where I suppose he/she/it came from. Something ran past my leg. I glanced down in time to see Furball whizzing past, leaping over the clouds, to the angel. In a flash, the cat looked back at me, and winked.

The cat winked. Then it walked into the folds of the angel's white cloaks, and disappeared.

Before I could even ask what that had been, a bright flash blinded me, and both of them were gone.

Keeping my head down
to see what it feels like now
But I have no doubt
One day the sun will come out

0-0-0

Even if you are already dead, it is hard to convince yourself to leap off a ledge looking over a thousand mile drop. It is still scary as hell. But I was pretty sure that the angel wanted me to drop down from the sky. I hoped that was what he meant… because if I was wrong, I was about to die… again.

Taking in a deep breath, I took a step forward… and fell.

I tried to scream but couldn't, as I plummeted faster and faster through the clouds towards whatever was below me. I couldn't tell what it was. Eventually, I saw land, grass, trees, all zooming towards me and I was sure I was about to feel pain.

Suddenly, I closed my eyes, and felt nothing.

My head was spinning; as I blinked and tried opening my eyes, I almost threw up. Once my mind calmed down, I opened my eyes and saw that I wasn't a pancake. I was on Gaia; I was alive again.

It was a small room, with two beds against the right wall. The window was open, letting light stream in. I could hear children playing outside. On the walls were pictures, likely drawn by the kids, drawn in crayon. They were likenesses of Cloud, Tifa, and other members of Avalanche, and sometimes of people I didn't recognize. It was serene, peaceful. There was a small table between the beds, and a cell phone rested there. Whose phone, I didn't know.

I had to be in the Seventh Heaven bar that Tifa ran. I was on top of one of the beds, my body sore and tired, and unable to resist, I fell back against the warm covers.

In only hours my life had changed dramatically. I had died, I had found my mother, I had a new father, and I saw the afterlife. Saying I was overwhelmed was a major understatement. Even though I knew my family was out there grieving for me somewhere, I couldn't bring myself to stand up and go to them. I fell back on the bed, ready to sleep it off.

For a moment, I was falling asleep. Then, I heard the pitter patter of footsteps. Was it Marlene, or Denzel? It would be a bad idea for them to find me here. Then I realized; my hand flew to my hair. It was dirty blonde. I was no longer a danger to the kids. Sighing, I felling back on the pillow. I was no longer immortal.

The door creaked open, and I glanced over. A few of the kids were outside, looking in at me, whispering amongst themselves. I smiled, and sat up a little. They were a good distraction for all the insane thoughts swirling around in my head.

They seemed to be arguing about whether to venture in or not. Eventually, they left, still arguing about it. All was quiet for a moment, before the door creaked again. Big blue eyes looked up at me shyly.

The little boy who stumbled through the door could only be barely two years old. He was absolutely adorable. Pudgy cheeks, wide, innocent blue eyes, and blonde hair, fluffy and messy, surrounding his little head. He was wearing pajamas with little yellow chickens on them. As he walked towards me, he stumbled a little, but caught himself. Once he got close to the bed he grabbed at the bed spread, looking up at me. It was like he was asking me to pick him up.

Usually I'm not too found of children, but he was so cute! Cooing at him, I reached down and picked him up. "Hey there" He and I giggled together, as he smiled at me and I laughed at him. Setting him in my lap, I looked down at me, grinning. "What's your name?"

"Zack!"

Surprised, I looked up. The baby cooed and turned to the door. Footsteps pounded down the hallway. "Zack!"

"Hello?" I called out. It was quiet, before the footsteps came towards my room.

The door burst open, and Tifa stood in the doorway.

"S – Samantha?"

So much for rest. Ah, well. I didn't need rest. Smiling to myself, I thought, I'll have my entire afterlife to rest.

0-0-0

All I did was follow Tifa out of the room and down the hall, and yet I was suddenly surrounded by people.

"SAM!" Crystal's screech was the first thing I heard, before I was shoved into her breasts when she hugged me. Laughing, I tried pushing her off to no avail. Soon Jamie, my mother, Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo joined her, until I was about to die of suffocation. Luckily Tifa had taken little Zack from me, or else he might've been crushed. He was crying; the poor thing was scared because of the noise.

Even as I was squeezed to death, surrounded by tears and laughter, I looked towards Tifa and saw her handing Zack to Cloud. The warmest, softest look covered his face. Zack was thrilled, his crying ceased as soon as he saw Cloud. Lifting the boy, Cloud smiled at him, and the baby chirped happily.

I only saw that small scene before Jamie wrenched me from Crystal and lifted me off the ground.

"I don't know how you're here but if you EVER pull that again I will, I will, I god I will!"

"Will what?" I laughed as he spun me around. Finally he set me down.

"I don't know, but I'll do it, I swear!" We both laughed, until I was pulled into another person's chest. This one was rather hard.

"Goddamn it kid, where the hell have you been?" Cid demanded, crying freely. "Fucking kids just running off all the time, getting themselves killed!" There was a bandage around the man's head from his injury with Jenova.

"Did you really die?" Yuffie asked me through the chaos.

Before I could answer my mother ran up and hugged me again.

"Oh god, oh god, baby!" She crushed me.

"Can we all back up and give the recently dead a breather?" After some insistence, they all backed up, and I had about a foot of fresh air around me. "That's better." Still, I was the center of attention. It was nice to know I was cared about.

So I went ahead and got it over with. "I did die." I told them. No one seemed too surprised by that. "But, I've got a second chance." I explained. One by one, I looked my friends over. I remembered Aeris' request that I tell my friends about the Orphanage.

"It's kinda a long story" I said. "But I'll tell you in a minute! I need to eat!"

Everyone laughed at that, but I was serious. Dying makes you really hungry. Not just for food; for everything.

As the happy, cheerful group started sitting around the different tables in the bar, scooting them closer and a few people headed towards the kitchen, getting orders. Yuffie hugged me again for good measure, saying she was really glad I was back, and then I was double hugged by Crystal and Jamie again. In the middle of all this, I glanced towards the doorway.

Sephiroth stood there, looking in. For a moment he looked at me. Then, he turned and walked out.

"Guys, guys, let go a second." I forced them off, promised I would be back in time for our lunch/dinner, and ran outside.

"Sephiroth!" Perhaps it was a bad idea to shout that into a crowd in Edge. Everyone stared at me but I didn't care. It didn't help anyway. He was already gone, disappeared into thin air.

0-0-0

That night was a blast. Everyone, from the people from Shinra, to the ex Avalanche members, to Kadaj and his brothers got along. It was like we were a giant family, though some of us had been enemies in the past. Somehow, Jenova's final death had alleviated all that pain, all the problems between them. I think the groups had forgiven one another, to an extent. A few people still were edgy to one another, like Cloud and Rufus. Not to mention Vincent would not listen to Reno's drunken rants. Though I thought it was funny.

Once we had a moment to ourselves, Vincent thanked me. "You were right. They understood." Smiling, I looked up at him. "Realizing that Sephiroth is my last link to my past, to the woman I loved, they understood. I am still afraid that I may never know him."

"We both may have lost him now." Sighing, I looked down. Vincent put his clawed hand on my shoulder.

"If my son is anything like me…" He began, "He is not running away. Sephiroth may need time to think, to be alone. So much has changed. This… he may not be ready for." Vincent meant the gathering we were having. Yeah, I couldn't see Sephiroth eating with the group, participating in the drinking games, laughing at the awkwardness between Rude and Tifa. Then again, I was surprised Vincent was here. I told him so.

"After my stunt earlier today, I doubt I'll be allowed to be alone for a while." Vincent muttered. I laughed at him.

"They'll forgive you eventually!"

We parted ways, and I moved towards some of the tables at the back. My mother was sitting there with Cloud and baby Zack. She had him in her lap, bouncing him, playing with him. As I came close, Cloud and mom looked up.

"Hey" I murmured, looking at both of them. Mom smiled, and Cloud nodded. I took a seat next to them.

We were all quiet but for the baby. Well this isn't awkward.

"You got married here… didn't you?" I asked quietly. Mom seemed to be the least nervous of us, but she was still a little nervous.

"I did." She admitted. Then she sighed. "The truth is the memories of my past are still hazy. When I saw you, then Jamie… I remembered so much. But I can't remember my husband… at all. I don't know if he's still alive, or what happened to him."

"He died." I explained. "Three years after you."

Somberly, she comforted me, squeezing my hand. "Oh, baby."

"It's okay." I told her quickly. "He was… never much of a dad to me."

Smiling, mom nodded. She looked back at Cloud.

Cloud looked up at me. "Maybe… I'll make a better father."

Hopeful, with butterflies fluttering in my chest, I looked up at him. I smiled a little, nervous. It's just… a daughter's relationship with her father is special. And having Cloud for a father? Jeez! There could be no better person. I remembered when I first met Cloud. Hadn't I compared him to a father, when I called him a hero? I had. Now he was my dad. I felt… safe.

Then my eyes moved to baby Zack.

"He's my brother." I said confidently. Slowly, I touched his little cheeks, and he giggled at me.

Mom smiled. "Half brother." I nodded.

"He looks just like you, Cloud." The baby took hold of my finger, and I grinned. He was so little!

Mom frowned playfully, and Cloud looked sheepish. He put his arm around her, and kissed her cheek.

My mom was married to Cloud.

"Does this mean my last name is Strife?" I asked.

Surprised, my parents looked at one another.

"If you want it to be, sweetheart." Mom told me. I smiled.

"Cool."

From behind me I heard a high pitched squeal of happiness. "I want to be Jamie Strife!" Laughing at my brother I turned to him.

"It's a lot cooler than Wiley, huh!"

He agreed. Our parents laughed at us.

Turning back to the baby, I took hold of little Zack. "Mind if I have a turn?" I asked. "I want to make up for lost time."

As I set Zack in my lap, Mom took hold of my hand. I looked up at her. "Me too." She whispered.

I smiled.

0-0-0

Once all was said and done, I moved in with Tifa, Cloud, and Mom at the Seventh Heaven. Jamie, Crystal, and the three brothers moved in too. It had gotten really crowded, but the kids loved it. They loved watching Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo battle and wrestle, and Jamie was the girl's favorite since he'd play dress up with them. No, he didn't put on dresses! He was being nice okay?

The move in was temporary; I wanted to have a "home base" while I looked for Sephiroth. He hadn't returned that night, or the day after, and though I wanted to believe Vincent was right, I was worried. So, I borrowed my dad's bike, which was SO cool, and took to the road. I was surprised he parted with it. Now that I think about it, he was probably trying to get me to like him. Who wouldn't like Cloud?

Oddly enough, Reno and Rude managed to get time off, and they joined my quest. According to them a young lady shouldn't have to wander the world, alone and unprotected. Others wanted to join me, like Kadaj and my brothers, but I insisted they start their new lives.

Reno and Rude I couldn't fight off though. So, on bikes of their own, we three headed out of Edge.

But before we left, Vincent came to me.

"There's a place I think he might've headed to." He told me. "Look there."

So, with this destination in mind, we left Edge and my new home.

Without the emotional baggage I had had the first time I explored Gaia, I got to know my new home. I was really wishing I had played Final Fantasy VII and now I would never have the chance. Oh well. The three of us had a lot of fun fighting monsters and traveling around, camping out at night.

Eventually we arrived where Vincent told us to look. In case Sephiroth was inside, I told Reno and Rude to wait outside.

I ventured in alone.

0-0-0

It was a cave. I couldn't remember a cave being mentioned in the story. As I walked in, I felt a light similar to the light the angel had been surrounded by. It was soft, and light blue. When I stepped into the cave, I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

There were blue crystals lining the walls of the room, and within one of them was a woman.

"My mother" Sephiroth whispered.

He was standing in the center of the room, tall and regal as always. It was wonderful… seeing him again. I thought back to when we'd first met, being overwhelmed by his beauty. Now I knew that beauty was also inside, beneath those beautiful green eyes, the silken hair… he had a beautiful soul. It was in pain, but so gorgeous.

The old sense of danger was gone. Cloud was right; Sephiroth was becoming his old self. Jenova was gone, and Sephiroth was free. And, he knew the truth. Jenova was not his mother.

I wasn't sure what type of mood Sephiroth was in, so I stayed back, meek, and yet so happy to see him again. I wasn't sure how I felt for him. After all we'd been through, from beginning to end; I had to feel something for him: kinship, friendship… love maybe. It was impossible to tell; my emotions were a whirlwind.

Sephiroth's green eyes were filled to the brim with feeling, emotions I'd hardly seen from him. But he wasn't crying. He simply stared at her, and I thought that was probably what he'd been doing for a long time. Looking at his mother, and thinking.

"Sephiroth?" I finally asked.

"Years ago… I found out I was something other than what I thought." Sephiroth began, dropping his eyes from his mother. "Everything I had been was destroyed." The man turned to me. "Now it has happened again. This woman is my mother. And my father… I don't know."

Quietly, I whispered. "Vincent. Vincent Valentine is your father." I said surely.

"How do you know?" Sephiroth stepped towards me. "It could be either of them. Hojo or Valentine."

Smiling I shook my head. "Vincent loved and cared for your mother, and for you. He's your father." I told him.

Once again, Sephiroth turned away, lost in thought. "You should go talk to him." I offered. "You have a lot to catch up on."

Determined he looked at me again. "So do we."

Now I was nervous. I looked down, almost afraid, not sure of what to say. "I'm sorry."

Blinking, Sephiroth looked down at me. Then he did something I would never forget. He laughed. My head shot up so I could gape at him. Sephiroth was laughing.

"Forgive me…" He ended his laughter. "But what do you have to apologize for?"

Blushing, I shrugged. "I… made you suffer. You thought I was dead, even though I wasn't, and you were in pain."

"I used you!" Sephiroth shouted suddenly. It echoed through the room, echoed in my ears. I was pretty sure I knew what the General meant; how he'd used me during his sleep to kill Aeris, to attack Gaia. His tirade continued. "I erased your memories, left you for dead. I … changed you. I changed you…"

"Stop!" I responded. He quieted down, staring at me intently with his powerful eyes. I didn't back down. "All of that is true."

By the way he was looking at me; Sephiroth was waiting for me to be angry, to shout. "I forgive you."

"Do you… forgive me?"

Sephiroth was smiling slightly. "There's nothing to forgive."

We both stood in each other's presence just reveling in it. Sephiroth reached out and took hold of my hand.

"I want to start again." I told him.

"And what are we starting?" Sephiroth asked coyly. Smirking I continued.

"I want to start our relationship again. Remember you said you'd court me? Until I decided if I wanted to be with you?" The look in his eyes told me he remembered. "I want to start that over."

"So… we are dating?" Sephiroth asked with a smirk.

"Well, I mean, if you want to, cause, uh…" How I had become nervous was a mystery. My feelings were calmed when I felt Sephiroth's lips against mine.

He leaned only a little bit away to speak to me. "Let's leave for a while."

"Leave?" I sputtered laughing. "Leave where?"

"Just leave. Just you and I."

"What about Vincent?" I frowned. "I really want you to speak to him."

"I will." He really sounded sure. "We'll settle all our issues, make up for lost time. But I want to make up for time with you."

Leaning away, I looked up at his pale face, his green eyes.

"Samantha… you were perhaps a bit younger than 18 when I first met you. You were just a pawn, another tool. But as time passed, as I was kept within the realm of dreams and separated from Jenova… I came to care for you. I knew your facial expressions… your different laughs. Your likes, your dislikes. How you always cross your arms when your nervous." Yes, my arms were crossed at this time, and I was blushing. "How you act. Who you are."

"But you don't remember. All those years I have, you don't. I want to make up for that time."

I nodded. "Yeah. But you know, I'm not as behind as you seem to think." Though I was still embarrassed, I winked. "I know how you show your confusion or distress by moving your eyebrows a certain way. Every emotion you try to hide can be seen in your eyes, if you look closely. And I know what you like to eat, and your exercising schedule." I smiled at him and leaned back into his chest. "I know you better than you know."

Chuckling, Sephiroth leaned down and set his head on mine.

"I…" I almost said it. But I bit my tongue.

"What?" He asked.

Looking up, I smiled. "Remind me to tell you once we're ready. I'll tell you then."

Nodding, Sephiroth stepped away. "All right." With one last glance at his mother, Sephiroth took my hand. "Let's go."

We walked out of the cave, and soon I could see Reno and Rude outside. Sephiroth's eyes grew wide. "Is that…?"

"Cloud let me borrow it." Grinning, I swung my hand and his back and forth, like a child. "Wanna drive it?"

Sephiroth looked at me, and smirked so smugly I think I might've drooled.

We raced out of the cave, ran past Rude and Reno, and Sephiroth leapt onto the bike. I jumped behind him, slipping my helmet and goggles on. Sephiroth wasn't going to put either on, but I forced him to. He frowned but put up with it.

"Sam?" Surprised, Rude stood off the bike. Our running by had startled Reno so that he'd leapt up, and fallen back over his bike. He was just standing up again, wobbly, as Sephiroth revved the engine.

"See you there." Sephiroth challenged, before gunning it, and racing down the rode, towards Edge, towards home.

Chuckling, Rude reached for his helmet. "Come on, Reno." Walking past the complaining red head, Rude leapt on the bike.

"Coming, coming!" As Rude began racing off, Reno scurried onto his bike, sliding the helmet onto his head haphazardly. "Start, you freakin hunk o' junk!" Finally his bike revved, and he sped off after Rude, and after Seph and me.

I was laughing, clutching Sephiroth's back, laughing so hard I was crying. Rude was coming up near us from behind, but Reno was way far away. I waved to him, all the way back there, and Sephiroth chuckled.

"Ready?" Sephiroth asked, wanting to know if I wanted to go faster. I turned and wrapped my arms around him tight.

"I'm ready for anything." I whispered.

My life was so confusing, so strange. A video game, come to life? A forgotten past where I'd helped the villain almost destroy the world? God was high when he created my life story. It was an okay life, getting better every day. All the death, the tragedy, the loss, the battles… none of it mattered anymore. I was alive again.

How could I have wasted my old life, mourning for my mother for so long? Letting every day pass, crying myself to sleep? Oh, Jamie, Crystal, forgive me for being a horrible sister and friend. Zack, thank you so much for not letting me die that night I was mugged, for giving me the chance to live again. Whoever you are, Nameless Angel, thank you for bringing me back to life, giving me a third chance to get it right. Even you, Furball, you strange little cat, thank you!

I had another chance with mom… another chance with my brother… and a new father. Seph and I had another chance. Sephiroth… I had another chance to know him. Another chance to… love?

Maybe I would mess up my second chance. Something might happen, someone might die. My friends and I would over time, feel great pain, and great joy. Time would separate the immortals and the mortals. The young would watch the old pass. There would be a lot of good times, and bad. Maybe our lives wouldn't turn out so great.

All we could do was try.

…

Mom…

It's been almost six years, I think.

I can't remember.

I lost everything that horrible night, or so I thought.

But now I realized that something very important survived that night on the bridge.

Me.

0-0-0

We live our lives, and our deaths, through memories. As long as we are remembered, we are not dead. As long as those we love are remembered, they are not dead.

Sulhadahne

12:03 AM November 4, 2008

Written for every Final Fantasy Fan, and for everyone who has ever lost a loved one.

Keep an eye out for the epilogue!