Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.

I mentioned this in the update for ITI, but I have been so emotional lately and when I read other stories, I get even more emotional. Sometimes, I'll write a scene in my story, or read a scene in another story and spontaneously burst into tears. Two days ago, my six-year-old daughter got her first loose tooth! Yay! I think my twelve-year-old son was more excited about it than she was. After they went to bed, I cried for a good hour about it. I guess it is because she is the youngest. However, we are waiting on it to fall out and she is anxiously waiting for the tooth fairy!

I've had so many things on my mind and things happening. Since I lost my job, I decided to go back to school. At least I'll be in school when my kiddos are! I really suck at math, so maybe my twelve-year-old will help with my math homework! Writing is my only outlet anymore, it also relaxes me so I will continue to write. Hopefully going back to school will help me improve on writing, so that I can write better than the crap I've got posted on this site. lol!

Now, enough rambling *now I'm getting upset because I'm wasting your time, ugh! (Mumbling under my breath, "stupid hormones or whatever it is that's wrong with me)*, let's get down to business shall we?

I am taking the geography of the FF VII world into account, same as with the monster population and their locations on the game map. However, I am taking liberties with some of it, just for the sake of the story. The OCs that I have are not main characters, just supporting characters if that much. So there is no need to get to know them, although a couple will be better known than others. This is a little transition chapter. I have never really liked transition chapters, but they are necessary. This kind of explains a bit of Zack's feelings about what love means to him and why. The next chapter *crosses fingers* will be better. Also, sorry for the excessive length.

-I'm rambling again!

I do not have a beta, so forgive any mistakes and just enjoy them, I do!


"The swiftness of time is infinite, as is still more evident when we look back on the past." –Seneca

To You I Give My Heart

Chapter 11

~Small World, Small People~

It had to have been a week later that they found themselves at a raging river. The steep bank, covered by tree roots that weaved down the sides to the water, had no safe way to get down. Following the river upstream, he kept his fingers crossed that there would be a way across that didn't involve the main road. The dense tree coverage, they welcomed because not only did it keep them out of sight, but the shade eased the heat, making bearable.

Walking for half a day, he came across a small house right next to an old, rickety bridge. Ducking down, he observed the house for any Shinra presence from a safe distance.

Once satisfied that there was no immediate danger, he formulated a plan. Finding a place beside a large tree stump and cut firewood stacked on the other side, Zack propped Cloud up in a space that was hidden from view of the house.

The small nature of the house and the lack of vehicle reminded him of his neighbor back in his hometown. The man was very anti-social, but for some reason, he liked Zack.

The man, Myles McCallough, was as old as his grandfather, but not as pleasant. However, he informed Zack and his parents that he was welcome to his house any time. Mr. McCallough had told Zack once that he reminded him of what he was like when he was younger.

Mr. McCallough was more than willing to let the younger Zack work around the house for a little extra cash. Small things, like painting the fence or walls, cutting the grass and cleaning out the rain gutters kept the young hyper boy busy and out of trouble, most of the time. The boy's parents were always more than willing to allow him to help the old man out. In fact his duties at his house and Mr. McCallough's house increased when he and Samantha Winters got caught behind the saw mill making out. At the time, Zack didn't know what the big deal was. Being a fourteen year old boy with raging hormones had gotten him in more trouble than he liked to admit. Of course most of those memories raised a smile to his face.

Over the years that he helped Mr. McCallough, sometimes he would come over and the man had drunk himself into a stupor. Not wanting to leave the poor guy alone to wallow in his sad past, Zack would keep him company. However, in staying one time, he finally found out why the man was always so brash and alone.

It was the classic love story with the twist at the end that everyone saw coming, but didn't do anything about, until it was too late. Back when he was a young man, he had fallen in love with a girl from his village. Their courtship went on much to the dismay of the most popular boy in town and son of the mayor. At every chance, his rival tried to sabotage their inevitable union.

Once Myles and Bonnie were married for almost six months, they wanted to start a family. However, when the man who had wanted to marry Bonnie found out, he started a vicious rumor that she was already pregnant and Myles was not the father, he was. In that time, rumors like those went around and never died and for nearly four months it raged. It caused a small rift that soon grew out of control between the husband and wife. After a particularly terrible argument, Mr. McCallough left for work. With a day filled with tedious duties and constant taunts, he returned home and his beloved wife was dead by her own hand.

When the doctor examined her after her death, it was determined that she was not pregnant. At this news, Myles began narrowing down the possible people that could start a rumor like that, it only left him with one conclusion. The entire town backed the other man and refused to accept that the handsome Mayor's son would ever do anything like that. In fact, they blamed Bonnie for seducing him, and blamed Myles for not keeping his wife under control.

After that, he moved to Gongaga and never loved again. Some advice that he had given Zack, he never forgot. The old man told him that when he found the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, to hold on and never let go. 'You gotta keep watch and out of reach of people who would hurt her. Take care of her even at the expense of your own life.'

In a weird sort of way, he hoped that Mr. McCallough was the one that lived in the house. However, he highly doubted that he was even still alive because he was painstakingly trying to kill himself with the alcohol.

Back to the house in front of him, he figured the direct approach would be best. He took into account that he could easily be watched by the occupant from where he stood. Just lazily strolling up to the house, he knocked on the door. Hearing a grumble and footsteps, he braced for anything.

An elderly gentleman opened the door and stood there dumbfounded, "Where did you come from?"

"Uh, from up north, sir," The man stepped outside and peeked around the corner and then back at Zack. The strange behavior that he exhibited struck him as odd, but then again so was the man. The wild grey hair stood on end, except for one side, it lay flat against his head as if he had just woken up.

Rubbing his stubbly chin thoughtfully, he asked another question, "You aren't with that other group?"

A flush of heat tightened his chest, but he got out, "Um, no sir."

Pinching together his thick greyish white eyebrows, he peered up and scrupulously studied the taller man, "Are you it or is there anyone else?"

With a smile, Zack asked curiously, "What? Why do you ask that?"

Grumbling, the man stepped outside and looked around the house, "That Shinra scum. I don't want them anywhere near me, that's what!"

"Oh, well I don't want anything to do with them either. I just need to cross your…um…bridge, sir," Watching the man as he scanned the yard and surrounding areas, he began to get nervous that he would find Cloud and catch him in a lie.

Turning quickly, the old man studied Zack closer as he rubbed his chin, "You lying to me boy?"

Swallowing, Zack slapped a smile on his face, "Um, no sir."

"You got mako eyes. You some sort of druggie then?"

"No sir!" Zack was coming up with a bad case of nerves, "Well, there is one thing… I'm not alone."

Turning to go back inside his house, he grumbled, "Hmph! I knew it!"

Zack quickly began to explain, "Please, it's my girlfriend. She's hurt and sick and I need to get across the bridge to get her some help."

Stopping in his tracks he addressed Zack from over his shoulder, "Girlfriend? Where is she then?"

Holding his hands up, he motioned for the man to stay, "I sat her down over here."

Not staying in place, he followed Zack over to the wood pile, the man puzzled over the blond, "What's the matter with her?"

What would he say? He knew this man didn't like Shinra and if he knew that they did this, then what would the old man do? Perhaps if he explained their situation, he would take pity on them. However, he knew that if he did that, he could very well put this man's life in danger. If he could come up with a good story, maybe the man would allow them to cross his bridge. One thing was for sure, the public bridge was out of the question as it was on the major road that was most likely patrolled by Shinra's finest.

Then again, this man was weary of Shinra so he possibly could handle the truth.

So there it was, his decision made, he began, "It's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?" Without a word, the man eyed him, waiting impatiently for an explanation so Zack started, "Well, she isn't contagious if that's what you're concerned about."

The man's gray hair rolled around his head from the breeze as he calmly said, "I haven't got all day."

Rubbing the back of his head, Zack swallowed and started again, "Okay, sorry. We were traveling and I ran off the side of the road. She has been unconscious ever since she hit her head."

Straightening his spine, the man stared at Cloud, "Thought you said she was sick."

"Well yeah, she is, but when she hit her head, I think that may have made everything worse," Internally rolling his eyes, he cursed himself. Couldn't he come up with a better story? After all the times that he had to explain away the pranks that he and Kunsel pulled, to Angeal, Zack figured he would be better at making up a story. If the man believed that story, it would surprise the hell out of him.

Looking from Cloud to Zack, the old man studied him closely, "You know, those poor excuses for Turks left me their card that has their number on it. I could give them a call to help you out."

Not only did his heart rate speed up, but he suddenly felt like he was on a rollercoaster. The sinking of not only his heart but his stomach almost cost him his balance and he fought the urge to vomit. The fear of going back to the labs was something that he tried to keep under control. But now, the offer that the man suggested was not something that he was willing to let happen. Raising his hand to the hilt of his sword, his Soldier instinct took control of his actions. Zack would kill Cloud and himself before they got captured again and taken back to the labs.

A deep voice that he hadn't used since being on the battle field back before their imprisonment, he conveyed to the man his intentions, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The man's eyes widened and his mouth dropped as he backed away. Holding his hands up, he quickly begged, "Hey, don't do anything you might regret later."

Feeling the mako flood his system, his fight became a matter of life and death. Zack was beginning to get the feeling that this would be what the rest of their lives would be like. Fighting for their freedom on a daily basis. Backing the man up toward the house, the larger man growled, "I can't let you make that call, so I have no other choice."

"I don't want to call the Turks! I just wanted to know if you were the escapees that they asked me about," Cowering up against the outer wall to his house, he covered his face.

Seeing the fear surround the man, he couldn't bring himself to kill an old unarmed man. It just wasn't in his heart to kill this scared and defenseless asshole, at least for now, "You could have just asked," Placing his sword back on its magnetic cradle, he spoke in an apologetic whisper, "I'm sorry, we just can't go back there. I can't let her go back, they are slowly killing her, killing both of us."

Gazing up at Zack from between his fingers his eyes watered, "Why don't ya'll come in, get something to eat. I swear, I'm not going to call those pathetic excuses for humans."

Watching his body language, Zack believed him, at the moment. Cautiously, he moved back to Cloud to pick her up while keeping an eye on the man. Picking the woman up, she relaxed her head to his shoulder as the rest of her body limply lay in his arms, perfectly contoured to his body. Zack heard her whimper and he tried to comfort her, "Shhh, it's okay. I'm not letting anyone take you back to that horrible place."

Grabbing their bags, the man's demeanor changed from the original gruff person that originally opened the door, "Let me help you get your things inside."

"If you try anything, I will kill you," Zack's glare accentuated when the mako made his eyes flash in a deep burn.

"There will be no need for that. My name is Conrad Stringer, but you can just call me Conrad."

With a weird feeling, he rushed to recall where he had heard that name before. When it hit him who the man actually was, he asked, "Did you used to know Myles McCallough?"

Without answering, Conrad just blanked out. His face fell and he stared out in to open space. Cloud had that look on many occasion and it didn't ever bode well for him because it meant that whatever Hojo was trying to do was working. Zack stepped to the side and in to his line of sight, startling the old man back to reality. Lowering his head, his shoulders sagged, "Yes, we grew up together. How do you know him?" Zack could see the man try to hide his sadness.

Narrowing his eyes, Zack's words unconsciously angry, "When I was younger, I used to spend time at his house, helping him with chores and things."

"We knew each other, but that was a lifetime ago. I was a different person then," Turning around, he started for the door to go inside, "Well, it looks like we both have things to talk about. For now though, come on in and rest."

True to his word, the man got them something to eat and while Zack fed Cloud, he told the brunette about his visitors a few days before, "Not long ago, a group of Turks came and asked me all kinds of questions. I suppose that it turns out it was all about you two." Sitting down with them, he began to eat his dinner, "So, you wanna tell me your story?" The man's oddly disarming personality let the younger man relax. Zack realized now what the man was doing before, although it was a stupid way of doing it. The man's way of testing someone, almost got him killed.

Starting from the beginning, Zack talked well into the night. He told the man how he met Cloud and just a little about the mission that turned out worse than anyone ever could have imagined. Unable to re-live all the memories from the lab, he gave a cliff's notes version of that part of the story, "So we were held captive since the mission. Now we've been on the run for about six weeks or so. I'm not real sure how long we've been out," Without realizing it, Zack began to get choked up; he could feel the tears burn at his eyes. Noticing that it seemed to only happen when he talked about Cloud and he knew why, "…Anyway, he overdosed her on the mako and this is how she has been since then."

"I suggest you go to Cosmo Canyon. I know someone there, he'll be able to help her, or find some way to help," Standing to clean off the table, "His name is Bugenhagen and he knows a lot. He helped me get through some really bad personal issues. I guess Myles told you?" Zack just nodded and Conrad continued, "I live here alone now," Looking over to Cloud, Conrad's face dropped and his sadness was palpable, "Don't ever give up on her and for Gaia's sake, don't let anyone like me get between you and her."

Kind of knowing the answer, he still asked, he wanted to hear it from his mouth, "So you're just living a life of a hermit out in the middle of nowhere?"

The old man nodded, "I suppose this is my way to make restitution. This isn't what Bugenhagen suggested, I didn't want to be around people anymore."

"You could always ask for forgiveness," Zack repositioned Cloud while holding her tightly.

"Yes, I guess I could do that, but I fear it would only makes things worse for him. At least out here in the middle of nowhere, I can't hurt anyone else," Conrad said nothing else about Myles or Bonnie, but very shortly after that, he excused himself and went on to bed.

The next morning, Conrad filled their food rations, giving them plenty of water and wished them luck. It was odd that he would run into the man who had single-handedly ruined one man's life. The former Soldier didn't know what to make of him accepting help from Conrad, but he didn't have a choice. Unfortunately, with their present circumstances, he had to take the help that was offered, but it didn't mean he had to like it.


A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads, favorites, subscribes and/or reviews, I appreciate your time and I dedicate all of this to you. To quote another author, "Getting reviews makes me feel all warm and squishy."

Please send me your reviews if you want. It is really easy. Just click your arrow in the little box, write what you thought or felt about the chapter and then click right down there, just below the box. A little lower… a little to the right… yeah, right there! Click it! *grinning*