Cloud knelt down next to Zexion, shaking him harder with each time he called his name. Eventually he picked him up and laid him down on the couch. He sat at his feet with his hand on the teen's shoulder, giving him one last shake. Zexion still didn't wake up; Cloud checked his vitals to see he was physically fine, didn't have a fever or anything. It was just like last time. Nothing happened before, so he decided there'd be nothing wrong with letting him sleep a little while longer. He ruffled his hair, then returned to his room to make the call he now knew was the right thing to do.

The dial tone cut off as the man on the other end greeted, " . How is Zexion?"

"He's unconscious."

"I see..." Cloud could just imagine him scribbling away, making notes on Zexion's health, "And the nightmares?"

"He was fine for about a week, then last night he had another."

"Did he tell you what happened?"

"No, but, I think it was less traumatizing than the last."

"Then you will be coming in today?"

"I don't know, I don't want to force him."

"When he wakes up, ask him. I recommend a visit; it's been far too long and I think it will do Zexion some good."

Cloud rubbed the back of his head nervously, "We'll see. I'll call you if we do come."

"Excellent. Good day, Mr. Strife."

Cloud hung up, staring at his phone for a little while, thinking about Dr. Vexen. Personally the guy creeped him out as much as he did Zexion. However, Vexen was a very successful therapist and had helped Zexion before, no matter how much he denied it. But the kid had already gone through enough. It wasn't even noon yet. Cloud didn't want to overwhelm him. He tossed around ideas in his head only to choose Vexen's suggestion and simply ask Zexion what he wanted when he came to. The man was about to go check on him when his phone ringed again. Locating the caller ID, he found it was Tifa.

"Hello?" he tried to seem casual.

"Hey," she sounded just an hour out of bed, "I'm sorry to bug you on your guys' day off but, I think I might need some extra help today."

"Sorry, but delivering shit isn't exactly my idea of a fun Sunday afternoon."

The girl didn't miss a beat, "Something happened with Zexion, didn't it?"

"... Yeah. How did you know?"

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, you don't really have anything better to do or anyone outside the office to hang out with. All your friends are here, including me. Lord knows what you really do on your days off... Plus, I can just tell when you're hiding something."

"Women's intuition?"

"Your voice cracked."

"Oh." he cleared his throat, "Well, I have to take him to Vexen today."

"Do you have to or do you want to?"

"No comment."

She laughed, "Whatever, Cloud. I guess I'll just call in Yuffie or something."

"Alright. Thank you, seriously."

"It's your day off. Thank you for not chomping my head off."

"No problem."

"Tell Zex I said hi. Later!"

Cloud ended the call and put his phone back in his pocket. Making his way down the corridor, he laughed under his breath at how easily Tifa saw through him. It really was no surprise. They'd known each other since childhood; she knew Cloud better than he knew himself. Sometimes it was a little scary to Cloud, but nothing scared him like Zexion.

Entering the living room, he saw him wide awake, sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. The boy appeared to just have woken up. Cloud approached him cautiously like a timid rabbit that might run away. Very slowly, he got on his knees before Zexion so they were on the same level.

"Morning, Zex." he kept his voice gentle, "How you feelin'?"

"I'm fine. How's Tifa?"

That caught him off guard, like it always did, "You heard me?"

"No. I know when you've talked to her. You're always brighter after you do. Why aren't you with her yet?"

"Well, I don't like her like that..."

"Is it because of Aerith?"

"Zexion," he sighed, "What's wrong with calling her Mom?"

Mommy...

He winced, as if the word hurt him, "I'd rather not."

A heavy silence passed again. Cloud didn't know how to respond to this, no matter how many times Zexion said it. This time, Zexion chose to break the tension.

"But that's not what you want to ask me."

"You're right, it's not. I wanted to know if you wanted to see Dr. Vexen."

"No."

"C'mon, Zex," he wrapped his hands gingerly around Zexion's wrists, rubbing the backs of his hands with his thumbs, "Don't you want to feel better?"

"I do."

"Then let's go. We've been over this. I can't do anything to help you, man. It kills me but we really do need to go see Dr. Vexen."

There was a pause before Zexion let out a soft laugh and brought up his eyes to meet Cloud's, "So he freaks you out too."

"Dude, he's the reason I sleep with my door and windows locked."

Zexion smiled, real humor in his eyes. Of course, Cloud couldn't feel anything but elatedly accomplished. He got to his feet, letting go of Zexion and grabbing his keys from the bowl on the coffee table.

"Let's go, Book Boy."

They left the apartment and drove to Vexen's. On the ride there, Zexion remembered the first time he'd been on Cloud's black motorcycle. Back then, he'd been too small to ride it, and even questioned Cloud if it was safe. He told the young Zexion to just hold onto him tight, and he'd be fine. His little arms wrapped around Cloud's waist, shouting his pleasure while the speed took him to paradise. Now, Zexion only had his hands on Cloud's hips to keep his balance as they drove to the devil's office.