Disclaimer: Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- and it's characters (c) Square Enix. Me no own. Just playing with the characters here. ;) Half of this story was done by Shade the Hero. Thanks!

Bahamut: OMG I want to start off by saying just how sorry I am I kind of dropped off the face the earth! This is all on me, this year has been kind of crazy for me, and updating my fanfiction wasn't a priority on my list. I still have some stuff going on, but Shade contacted me here the last couple days. Needless to say, I've been kicked in the butt and here's an update for everyone! There will be another update "hopefully" next weekend to try and make up for my slacking. Again, so super sorry!

Shade: Just remember I'm good at kicking butts. ;) lol, j/k Everything's cool. We are sorry for the lack of updates, but just know that if we don't update we have good reasons. That being said it's nice to bring out another chapter for this story that so many seem to enjoy. Thanks for the continued support guys. You're all awesome!

Video Evidence

Zack was in and out of the shower in minutes, and was towel drying his hair when he walked out in his boxers and looking at Cloud. The poor cadet was already fast asleep it seemed, and he grinned a bit at the sight. He looked like a chocobo sleeping, and he had to fight off laughter to keep from waking him up.

He'd let him sleep because in a few hours they'd be up and heading to the Train Graveyard in the Slums.

Smiling at the thought he picked a blanket up off the floor along with a pillow then headed into the living room, plopping down on his worn couch with a groan of satisfaction. Tomorrow would be an awesome day, he just had a gut feeling. Especially after the day they had today, even if that little scare tactic from the 1sts had rattled him and the cadet a bit earlier.

He'd have to think of a way to pay them back, but for now he'd get some much needed sleep.

xoxo

"You wanted to take the stairs anyway, so stop your complaining." Angeal chuckled at Genesis and shook his head. Honestly, Genesis found the smallest of things to complain about sometimes, and he was just moody because Sephiroth had made Zack keep the Commander's Loveless collection away for the weekend.

Looking at the screen, he rubbed his face. "And this is what we'll need to be erasing after it's copied." He said, watching his student and the cadet on the screen. He didn't know what they were talking about the entire time, but he wasn't sure he even wanted to know that. He was about to check the recording to make sure it was still doing just that when he seen Zack soak the cadet's pants, and he tilted his head in curiosity.

Zack was clumsy, sure, but that didn't quite look like an accident to the Commander's trained eyes. And then the look that crossed the cadet's face made him lean forward, trying to get a better view. "What's with that look on his face?" He asked aloud, more to himself than Genesis really.

He wasn't sure about it, but it looked like Cloud was giving him an order? And that's when Zack had the expression like he'd just stepped on Sephiroth's foot before dropping and starting push ups. "What on Gaia is going on there?"

Genesis waved a dismissive hand at him. "Details, details. Think of the look on their faces if the doors had opened up and they were forced to face the three of us right then and there." True, Genesis wasn't in the best of moods at that moment, but it still would have been amusing.

Genesis blinked and squinted his eyes a bit at the look on the boy's face. Was that...n'aw it couldn't be. But it was! It was an honest to goodness impression of Sephiroth's infamous glare! He watched Cloud point down to the ground and raised an eye brow when Zack hit the dirt and started doing push-ups. He seriously had no idea what was going on between the two until his enhanced eye-sight spotted the cadet looking over at a nearby building.

Bringing up another camera angle he couldn't hold back his reaction. "Ahh~ Clever. Very clever." He paused the footage of the side image he caught and turned towards Angeal. "It seems our little cadet is having trouble with his peers...or perhaps, he was. The issue may very well be resolved after your pupil's protective actions."

The angle had captured the shocked looks on the other cadets faces. Genesis knew what was going on without being told. After all, a similar thing had happened to him when he was a kid. Genesis remembered being picked on once back in Banora, however that all changed when a gruff-looking kid showed up chucking Dumb Apples at the others. That was the day he and Angeal had become friends.

Genesis then hit play and matched the side camera with the one they were recording from and the moment the other cadets left, the young blonde fell back, looking stunned. They watched the two get up and head back inside.

"Well, it seems we'll have to make sure to keep an eye on any cadet gossip." Genesis loathed watching cadets. They were boring and pretty useless with hardly any talent. Most never made Third Class and ended up in the regular army instead or as Genesis fondly dubbed them, 'cannon fodder'.

Angeal couldn't help but facepalm, only his student would go to such lengths to help a friend like that. A cadet ordering a 2nd Class had to have been a true shock to anyone who was witness, and of course word would go flying through Shinra faster than Reno's helicopter.

He chuckled wearily and looked back to the screen. "That's my pup." He said, running a hand through his jet black hair. "There's no doubt already word going around about that one Gen." He said, smiling wryly at his friend. He knew Genesis couldn't stand watching cadets and found them useless, but Angeal knew that at one point, they'd been cadets too.

Looking at the screen again, he snorted. He didn't think anyone could mimic Sephiroth's glare, but that little cadet had done a fine job of it. Almost scary, really. "We'll have to show Sephiroth that one. He won't believe it unless he sees it for himself." He laughed quietly. Sephiroth would no doubt get a kick out of seeing Cloud looking so... Sephiroth-like.

Shaking his head ruefully, he scrubbed a hand over his face and continued watching his student's escapade. No doubt people questioned what he had been doing walking around Shinra with a bag of fertilizer and a bucket of water. "Only Zack..." He sighed quietly. Looks like they were going to be busy tomorrow before that dinner at Sephiroth's. "At least you'll have something to do to keep your mind off Loveless?" He said with a wry grin aimed at his friend as he patted Genesis's back.

Genesis huffed with a smirk. He could just imagine the look on the General's face when he saw the boy try to imitate him. "If your pup's not careful Sephiroth might take the kid as his pupil before he gets a chance to." He hoped Zack or Angeal would get the cadet. Gaia couldn't handle two Sephiroths let alone Midgar.

The door to the security room hissed open and Genesis glanced at it, expecting to see silver hair when a red-headed Turk came in instead. "Oh~ So this is where you guys were." He strolled in like it was his own place and leaned against the back of Angeal's chair, knowing better than to try it with Genesis.

"What do you want, Turk? This is SOLDIER business."

"Mhm, I see that," Reno replied with a knowing smirk. "I just thought you two would like to know that Hojo paid our little department a visit a little while ago and he was looking pret-ty peeved."

Genesis sighed before sending a look towards his friend. This was not good. "What did he want?"

Reno pulled out his electric-mag rod and tapped it against his shoulder casually. "He wanted to speak to Tseng, but I told 'im to wait because he's still in a meeting with General Silver Pants. Should've seen the look on his face when I dissed the head of SOLDIER. He turned so red, it was hilarious." He snorted with amusement.

Genesis let out a low growl, signalling that he was quickly losing patience. "Angeal..." That was a silent warning that said he was about to do something very violent if the Turk didn't get to the point.

"Zack would fight him tooth and nail over that one, and I don't think Cloud could handle being Sephiroth's pupil. I don't think he could keep his nerve from crumbling long enough." He chuckled at the thought and shook his head. It was obvious Zack already showed favor to the teen, and the idea of his student taking a student of his own on made him proud.

When the door opened and he seen Reno, he knew it couldn't be good. Either because Reno was bearing bad news or because Genesis would end up trying to fry him. But hearing that Hojo wanted to speak with Tseng? That concerned the Commander. He couldn't remember the last time he knew Hojo actually contacting the Turks for something, which meant he was probably on the warpath after Zack's little prank.

Turning around in the chair, he narrowed his deep Mako glowing blue eyes at the Turk. "Unless you want Genesis to set you on fire -and in case you couldn't tell, he's always tempted to do so anyway- you'll get to the point, Reno. And quickly." He said calmly, but in the tone he used when giving 2nds orders.

He wanted to know what Reno had to say before his friend had a chance in toasting the Turk. Reno might have been one of the best Turks Shinra has had, but he wouldn't be able to compete with Genesis's mastered Fire Materia.

Reno nodded with a sarcastic salute. "Sure thing, Zack Senior."

Genesis tried very hard not to laugh. He still wanted to hate the Turk, but he had to admit it was funny. Angeal and Zack did look a bit alike and this hadn't been the first time it had been mentioned of them looking like they were related.

The Turk did a quick glance of the room, carefully noting everything that was going on before answering. "It was because of what Zack did. Hojo wanted Tseng to find out who was responsible and then have the culprit sent down to his labs so he could deal with him personally."

His smug expression sobered a bit and for once he looked serious and a bit concerned. "I think we all know how that guy deals punishment." Reno was a Turk through and through and loyalty was everything to them. If a Turk considered you his friend, you had a friend for life and Zack had one such friend in Reno.

"I told him that I'd check the security tapes and see if it managed to catch anything." He then smirked at the SOLDIERs, already knowing what they were doing and gave them a knowing smirk. "So, hurry up and finish what you were doing so I can have my turn and put the professor's worries to rest."

He knew that they were erasing evidence which meant there was something on tape. He was just glad that they had gotten here before Hojo had.

Genesis turned to Angeal and shook his head. "I think we may have to put the cadet under our protective watch for a while. Perhaps bunk him with Zack in a bigger apartment until this whole mess cools down. It'd be too easy for Hojo to get his hands on the cadet in the barracks." Not to mention he wouldn't be surprised if any of the cadets to see him would more than likely sell him out. Genesis knew that cadets had very little loyalty and too much jealousy.

The Commander huffed at the title and he shot a glare at his friend to keep him quiet. It annoyed him when Reno called him that and Genesis knew it. Shaking his head he looked to Reno, a frown crossing his face when the Turk explained what Hojo had wanted. He wasn't surprised, but he was angry at the professor.

Angeal wasn't really an angry or even violent man honestly, he left that to Genesis because Gaia knows his best friend had enough violence in him to make up for Angeal's pacifist self. Outside of battle, Angeal was actually pretty peaceful. But when he did become angry, it wasn't a violent anger. It was like a calm before the storm, and few men got the chance of seeing that side of him and actually live to talk about it. Hojo was this close to witnessing that side of the Commander, if he got too close to Zack.

He turned back to look at the monitors, making sure the tapes were still being recorded. "We might be able to get away with moving Cloud, especially since Zack's taken an interest in him. But if we moved them both? It would raise suspicions, especially with how close Zack is to becoming a 1st Class."

He sighed and rubbed his face. "Zack will keep a close eye on Cloud, I can already tell it's going to be hard to separate those two. We'll push for the 1st Class exam, get him promoted and then he'll have an apartment on our floor. Aside from the Turks floor, there isn't a safer floor in Shinra to be on than that one."

He shot a look back at Reno. "And I expect you to pretend you didn't hear anything about Zack getting promoted sooner rather than later. Unless you want to deal with Genesis by yourself." He said coolly, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Having grown up in the Slums, Reno was one tough punk and not much scared him, but that look from Commander Hewley was enough to make his skin crawl. Even though he loved trying the patience of the Firsts, he respected them for their skills and had seen some of their moves in action. Reno hadn't seen Angeal unleash his inner wrath personally, but Tseng had warned him about it once. Tseng didn't scare easily, but it was almost as if there was a fearful respect for the dark-haired Commander when it came to certain matters. Reno could understand why Tseng was nervous about the topic now.

But when mention of Zack's promotion reached his ears Reno couldn't help but beam. "You know that's going to be hard to keep from him. Not only is that guy brighter than he looks, but that's what he's been wanting to hear ever since he came to this town. I don't know if Midgar is ready for First Class Zack Fair."

Genesis rolled his eyes. "Pu-lease, if it can survive the promotion of the original three I'm sure an energetic pup will be no different."

"You sure 'bout that?" Asked Reno "I mean, I still don't see a Loveless book in your hand. Haven't been able to find where he stashed your collection, have ya?"

Genesis stood then and glared pure hatred at the Turk. "You wanna see what's in my hand?" And just like that the Fire Materia appeared and his right fist ignited.

Reno prepared to raise his weapon to defend when a rumbling sound echoed on the monitors followed by a loud gasp.

The two froze in place, turning only their heads to look at the monitors and saw a professor covered in fertilizer.

Angeal was about to stand up and smack them both upside the head to make them back off but he spun in the chair to look at the monitors instead, eyes widening a little to see Hojo covered in fertilizer on the camera. He couldn't quite contain the laughter that erupted from him after seeing that. Zack was a genius, he really was. And this was proof. His student had perfect aim, and the fertilizer had covered Hojo completely.

Then the bucket of water splashed down onto him just seconds after, and it didn't serve to clean him but make the whole mess even worse. He'd never seen Hojo look so enraged and surprised at the same time. It was unnerving and hilarious in the same sense. "Goddess..." He bit his fist to keep from laughing too hard. This was definitely what they had to give Sephiroth for his birthday, he would absolutely love this video.

In a few short seconds, Reno and Genesis had gone from battle-ready to doubling over in hysterics. The Turk slapping the back of Angeal's chair, while at the same time using it to hold himself up and The First Class SOLDIER hugging his sides and fighting the tears that were falling from his eyes.

The SOLDIER recovered first. "That!" He gasped, "is the greatest thing I've ever seen! Hahahahaha! I take it back, 'Geal, you couldn't have picked a better student!"

It took everything Reno had not to fall to the floor. "I swear, when Zack asked me where Hojo's new project was, I had no idea it'd lead to this!" He snorted and burst into another fit of laughter which brought on a bout of hiccups.

Genesis took a deep breath and finally managed to tame his laughter when Hojo regained the ability to speak.

"I DEMAND TO KNOW WHOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!"

And cue another fit of laughter.

Genesis scanned the other monitors to see where the trouble-making duo vanished too. Like the smart, sensible person he hoped Zack was, he had wisely gotten the heck outta dodge and he and Cloud had retreated to the elevators.

Angeal had no idea why Zack had planned this, -and apparently Reno really didn't know what he'd planned for Hojo's project either- but he couldn't help but laugh at what he saw. Hojo was soaking wet with messy fertilizer and now the smell they had been met with in the labs only made the Commander laugh more.

Biting down on his fist again to calm himself -unlike a certain Turk and his friend whom had no control- Angeal sniggered and smiled wryly. He was glad to see his student had been smart and took Cloud away from the scene of the crime as quickly as possible.

"At least now you know Zack means well enough." He said to Genesis, a slight smirk aimed at his friend. He shook his head though. "Gaia, Zack..." He rubbed his face with a wry grin. His student really had done it this time. They were definitely going to be erasing this footage, and only Sephiroth would be holding a copy.

He knew Sephiroth would never let Hojo get his hands on it so it would be the safest place, next to being destroyed completely. He didn't know if his student had been incredibly brilliant for thinking this whole thing up, or incredibly stupid. But from that look on Hojo's face, he was leaning more towards brilliant. It was simply priceless.

"Alright, alright." He waved his hand to try and calm himself and the other two in the room down. "Just remember why we're here." He said, glancing at the two pointedly. He didn't doubt they already forgot they were here for the safety of Zack and Cloud as well.

Genesis took a deep breath which finally managed to chase away the urge to laugh as he shook his head. "I'm glad we confronted him first before seeing this. I don't think I could have pulled it off with a straight face otherwise."

Reno pouted a bit hearing that, "Aww you went to jump him for that and didn't invite me?"

"You were busy. Filling out paperwork if I recall," The SOLDIER retorted, looking smug and was very glad the Turk hadn't been there.

Reno chose to ignore that comment, but he couldn't help one last chuckle at the incident. Oh he'd treasure that image of Hojo for the rest of his life. "Zack may have to try something more than a mud bath to cure the professor of those ugly wrinkles. But at least he improved the smell a bit."

The rest of the video wasn't much. It showed Zack and the cadet leaving and then returned some-time later. Both looked a bit subdued, perhaps having gone to get something to eat or just hung around the city. Genesis noted that it didn't look like Zack had been up to any more mischief which meant that the stunt with Hojo must've been the big finale.

"I think that's about it for the cover up. We could simply say the cadet went back to the barracks to retrieve something he forgot and then the two went out to town after that." He looked over to his friend, "What do you think, Angeal? You think people will buy it?"

Angeal snorted quietly. "Don't go giving Zack any ideas, Reno." He warned, looking at the Turk then. The last thing he needed was for Zack to try something even more daring than covering the scientist in fertilizer and ruining his current project.

Shaking his head he looked at the monitors again, taking the disk that had the copied video feed out and putting in a case. He started the process of erasing everything that had Zack and Cloud doing anything other than leaving the building and returning later. "I'm not sure. Probably, but we still need to do damage control with the cadets that seen Zack and Cloud carrying that water and fertilizer."

Hojo would no doubt want to interrogate people that might would have witnessed that, but he hoped they could keep it under control and scare any possible witnesses worse than Hojo could. Cadets didn't know the man well enough, but they did know the 1sts, so that wouldn't be a far stretch at any rate.

Handing the disk off to Genesis, he looked at the two with a snort. "I think we'll be able to manage well enough though. I don't think Hojo will find out it was Zack or Cloud that was involved." He looked at Reno pointedly. "Right?"

Genesis spun his mastered Fire Materia on the tip of his finger as an athlete would a basketball as he gave his friend a knowing look. "All cadets fear my fire power. I think I have that covered. You just leave the cadets to me."

Reno rolled his eyes as he watched Genesis accept the disc and then blinked when Angeal gave him a look. "Pfft, you obviously don't know the Turk code. We never betray our friends. Ever. If Hojo ever learns the truth, it won't be from me. I can't say the same for that cadet though. Hojo will want some kind of answer."

In a flash Genesis had grabbed the Turk by his collar and lifted him off the ground, putting his face barely two inches from his own. "Now you listen to me. If you're Zack's friend as you claim, then you won't do anything to endanger the cadet. Fair has already taken him under his wing and if I hear even a rumor that you so much as handed that cadet's identity to the professor the Turks will be down one member."

Reno tried very hard not to show his fear, but being this close Genesis could clearly see it in his eyes. The Turk gulped as he held out his hands submissively. "Alright, alright, ease up! I won't go spillin' the cadet's name."

Genesis's glare intensified. "I said his identity. That means a physical description as well."

Angeal vaguely wondered if there was such code. Did Turks put their friends so high in loyalty? He shook his head and rolled his eyes a bit at his friend as well. Cadets did indeed fear the Commander, and for good reason. "The cadets are all yours." He chuckled.

The Commander didn't feel the need to interfere in this one when Genesis had grabbed Reno off the ground. "Gen's right. Zack's put his friendship and loyalty into this cadet. If you really follow that code you were just talking about, then you wouldn't want to hurt Zack by betraying one of his friends."

Reno was a troublemaker, but it was obvious he and Zack were friends. One of the strangest relationships, really, and he didn't know how the two had gotten such a strong bond. As much as Angeal didn't mind Tseng, he doubted he or even Sephiroth held any of the Turks in such high regard as such close friends and vice versa.

But Zack was so much different, and seemed to be able to get friendships with anyone. There was just a charm the teen had that no one else could hold onto after years of being in SOLDIER. Looking at the monitors when they alerted that the feed had all been erased, Angeal started to check it over just to make sure. "Don't kill him Gen. I think he gets it." He said over his shoulder with a low chuckle.

Reno blinked at Genesis, "Sooo, you gonna put me down?"

The SOLDIER sent one last death glare through the Turk before he obliged, by shoving him back, not caring that the Turk's back hit the wall. "The only reason you're still breathing is because Zack would be devastated to lose any of his friends, though what he sees in you is beyond me."

He pinched the bridge of his nose as fatigue started setting in. He still hadn't gotten any rest since he returned from Wutai earlier that afternoon and this whole event had used up the last of his energy. "I'll take care of the cadets in the morning." And with that Genesis Rhapsodos made his grand exit, leaving Angeal to finish things and knowing he could handle it correctly.

Reno rubbed the back of his head from where it collided with the wall. "Sheesh, what's got him so worked up?"

"SOLDIER business." Angeal replied the redhead simply while he watched his friend leave with a flourish. He chuckled and nodded. Genesis did deserve a break and he was no doubt exhausted, so he'd finish up here himself.

Turning back to the monitors once more, he made sure everything was erased by going over it again. "And I meant what I said. Don't tell Zack about the 1st Class exam being expedited." He glanced back at Reno with narrowed eyes. "He doesn't know and he won't know until the time is right."

He was at least glad that Reno had enough sense to come here for Zack, though. So he hoped he could keep him quiet over that little bit of information for a while longer. At least until after the three 1sts had a chance of testing Zack in the skill of stealth. He shook his head and stood up after he was sure everything showing Zack's escapade today was erased from the feed, turning to look at Reno with a snort. He folded his arms across his broad chest and stared at the Turk, waiting for him to make the next move.

Reno shrugged before waved a hand in a careless manner regarding the warning. "You SOLDIERs are too uptight. Relax. I won't tell 'im. I don't share every secret with him, yanno." He stood back up and brushed off his sleeves a bit before shaking his head at the monitors. Heading past Angeal who had that, 'I-am-almighty' pose, he sat down on the chair that Genesis had occupied. "You guys don't know the loop trick, do ya?"

With a few simple key strokes, Reno put in Rude's password that he...borrowed...and input a set of instructions involving the cameras that had caught the two which were not blank time slots. "You wanna cover your butt right? You call a Turk." He mused as he worked and in a matter of two minutes every camera had a loop that expertly didn't show the same person twice, nor did it appear that the video wasn't anything but legit.

He looked over to Angeal then and smirked. "You can thank me now."

The Commander snorted. He hadn't thought of that, but of course he wasn't exactly trained in computers. Sephiroth probably would have been able to do it, though. He shook his head at Reno. "How about I thank you by not telling Zack you're the one that ratted him out earlier about the thing with Hojo?" He said with a smirk of his own.

He might not have been that computer savvy, but he was still a SOLDIER 1st Class, and he wasn't all brawn like some joked about.

"Try and behave yourself." He said, turning and leaving the security room and leaving the Turk behind. He needed rest just as much as Genesis, this whole day had been a bit tiring. First that meeting, then Zack's little escapade. The scare about him going after Hojo's project probably took a good couple years off his life and he needed some rest to recoup.

Especially when the next day they were going to have dinner at Sephiroth's, and a certain 2nd Class was bringing a certain blonde cadet.

He chuckled at the thought as he walked up and waited at the elevators for the doors to open after pushing the button. It would probably end up being a dinner to remember and he wanted to be plenty rested just in case. Gaia only knows what will happen with all of them in the same room together.

Reno shrugged as the SOLDIER took his leave before doing one last check of the footage to make sure no one could catch any tampering before taking his leave. He still had to face a furious Hojo and explain to him that the system showed no signs of the culprits and he probably would go deaf for the next day or so from the Professor's screeching fury. Oh the things he did for that stubborn Second Class.

Maybe if he was lucky the professor had gotten fed up of waiting and left. He prayed for that outcome.

++0500 hours following morning++

Zack had told Cloud last night they'd be getting up at 0530 hours today, but he'd gotten up thirty minutes earlier so he could do a little errand before the cadet woke up.

He'd ended up feeling bad the previous evening about keeping Genesis's Loveless collection from him for the whole weekend. Sure, Sephiroth had 'ordered' him not to give them up, but he doubted the General would care for this disobedience charge so much to bring it up.

So he proceeded to get up early, get dressed, and left Cloud sleeping while he made his way up to Reeve's office. Despite being so early in the morning, many SOLDIERs and Shinra executives were up and about already, but he knew no one in the Urban Development Department would even be awake, let alone in their offices.

After retrieving the boxes -and he was really glad for his Mako enhanced strength since he didn't have anyone helping him- he checked to make sure everything was still there before he returned to the elevators and hit the button for the 1sts apartment floor.

He figured he'd just put the boxes in front of Genesis's apartment, knock and then leave before he knew it was him. Not that he thought Genesis would care who brought them back, but considering he'd been the culprit in taking them he wasn't sure he was ready to face the Commander alone without any witnesses.

Shaking the thought from his mind as the elevator doors opened up, he carried the boxes down the hall and to Genesis's apartment. Sitting them down, he let out a huff and knocked. The 1st Class would probably be pretty ticked off to be woken up so early but he'd be happy enough to have his Loveless collection back safe and sound.

He turned to leave then with a smile on his face at that thought.

TBC