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

A/N: Sorry for taking so long for an update. These chapters are not coming along as well as I would like. They seem to be fighting me, but I will be victorious! I refuse to let them beat me! This. Is. Sparta! (Oh, sorry, I was watching "300" yesterday)

Big thanks to my awesome beta SubZeroChimera!

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." -John Lennon

Nexus

Chapter 7

It took another day for them to regain their ability to talk coherently. They still couldn't move much, just rolling from one side to the other, so to pass some of the time, Zack entertained Cloud with some dirty poems he had learned from the other cadets and soldiers in Soldier academy.

Three days after the double injections, they recovered enough to move around their cell. Cloud went and took a long hot shower before Zack did. While he was under the fall of hot water, his muscles relaxed and he breathed out a sigh, relieved. If only for a short time, any relief was welcome.

Once it was Zack's turn to shower, the cold water hit his already tense body. He cursed Cloud out loud for using all the hot water, making sure that Cloud heard him. Curling up in his blanket, he smiled at Zack's ranting. After his shower, he was freezing and Cloud had cruelly snagged his blanket. Crawling into bed next to Cloud, he hoped to get warmer.

The next morning, Charles and Harper showed up at the door with the news that they were due down in the lab. Zack hung his head, but Cloud however rapidly retreated into the bathroom. "No," Zack said quietly, "We aren't going without a fight."

"Hey that's okay, we figured as much. We'll leave you alone then," Charles said with a smile and then they did something unexpected, they left.

"Well, that was weird," Zack puzzled.

"They left without us?" Sticking his head around the bathroom wall to look at Zack.

"Yeah, I think so… No way it's that easy, something's up," The former Soldier said rather cautiously.

"Hey Zack?"

"Yeah?"

"What's that smell?"

Zack looked around and noticed something odd. There were small amounts of white smoke coming from where the walls met the floor from tiny holes, about every foot along both sides of the wall. Zack had never noticed the holes before. Running a nervous hand through his hair he informed Cloud, "They're gassing us. It looks like they beat us at our own game," Zack stated flatly, "I guess we are going to the lab…"

In a panic, Cloud's face dropped, running for the door, he started hitting and slamming himself into the metal. Panicked cries with every hit shook the former Soldier into action. Zack grabbed his friend's shoulders, shook him gently and turned him so they were face to face. Without trying to seem like he was surrendering, he made Cloud make eye contact with him, "Spiky, stop…"

Cloud pulled back and fought a bit more, Zack gripped his shoulders tighter and repeated quietly, "Stop…"

As much as it broke his heart, he led Cloud over to his bed and they sat down. Cloud's arms wrapped around his friend's torso and grabbed handfuls of his shirt, Zack just put his arms around him and calmly asked, "Hey, do you remember the time we went to the movie, it was the first time you met Kunsel?"

Cloud didn't look up, but he nodded his head and wiped at his face, "Yeah."

Zack gave Cloud's shoulders a quick squeeze, "What was the name of that movie?"

"I met this infantryman on my last mission. We've hung out a couple of times and I think he's pretty cool," Zack lightly elbowed Kunsel, "You two should get along just fine." Furrowing his eyebrows, he said in an over-the-top deep voice, "You're both so serious."

"Someone has to take things seriously, you sure don't," Kunsel shot back with a smile.

Again he elbowed the other Soldier, "Have you found a date for Rufus's birthday party?"

Trying to ignore him, Kunsel kept walking, "No, but I still have two months. Stop rushing me, I don't think I want to go anyway."

"Fine you big sour puss," Holding up his index finger, Zack loudly proclaimed, "Hey I got an idea!"

"Oh boy, we're in trouble now…"

"Hey, hear me out. Why don't we go see that new movie that just came out? I'll call and see if the little guy wants to go too."

"Sure. I'm up for a movie tonight," replied Kunsel, "Your treat right?"

"Yeah, my treat," After work, Zack dialed his phone as he walked back to his apartment.

"Hello"

"Hey Spiky, it's Zack! Whatcha up to tonight?"

"Hey Zack! Uh…well nothing really. I was just gonna head over to the library for a while."

"As utterly stimulating as that sounds, me and Kunsel are headed out, wanna go too? I'm buyin!"

"Huh? Y…you want me to come with you?"

"Sure buddy! Why wouldn't I want you to come? Listen; just meet us at the courtyard exit at seven okay!"

"But I-"

"I'm not accepting no for an answer okay. See ya at seven!"

Cloud hung up his phone and tried to grasp what had just happened. They had hung out together before, but he just couldn't understand why Zack Fair, Soldier First Class, wanted him as a friend.

After he got home, he had about an hour to get ready. He jumped in the shower and started getting dressed. Taylor, who was sitting on his bed, shocked at the sight of Cloud going out and not to the library, "Shut up Taylor. It's not that big of a deal."

"Well in all the time I've known you; I have never seen you go anywhere but work, the library, the mess hall, and the store."

Cloud smiled a little, "I decided my schedule needed a shake-up."

He was almost ready, just one more thing. Walking into the bathroom he looked at himself in the mirror. Picking up the brush, he ran the brush through his hair quickly before it could dry. Finally getting the results he wanted, he took a step back.

"Hey, hurry up in there, I gotta go dude!" Taylor yelled.

"Okay, hang on!" he responded. He bent down to pick up his towel, and put it back in its spot and turned back toward the mirror, "Damn!" His blond spikes stood up proudly on top of his head. Giving a loud sigh, he opened the door.

"Finally!" Taylor said as he pushed past him. Cloud headed out the door and left to meet his new friend.

Zack was already there standing next to another guy. Cloud's eyes looked at Zack with a puzzled expression, "I thought you were gonna stand us up! Hey Cloud this is Kunsel. Kunsel this is Cloud," Cloud and Kunsel exchanged handshakes and Cloud's eyes went back to Zack and his hair, "What's the matter buddy?" Zack asked.

"You changed your hair…"

"Yeah! You like it?"

"It's gonna take some getting used to… Yeah I guess," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

Zack slapped a hand on his shoulder and started walking out of the courtyard. With his hand still on his shoulder, he said, "You know it's all about the hair! Chicks dig it!" Zack laughed loudly.

After walking for a while, they reached the theater. Zack walked up to the ticket booth and bought the tickets. Coming back holding the tickets out like he just won a trophy, big smile and all, "What are we seeing?" Cloud inquired.

"Adventures in Choco Racing," Zack smiled, "It's supposed to be really funny; you'll love it."

Kunsel asked, "Hey I'm gonna go get some popcorn and drinks, ya'll coming?"

"Sure, can't have a movie without it!" Zack grabbed Cloud and pulled him along.

After they loaded up on snacks and drinks, they headed into the theater. The previews were already playing and they finally found some seats close to the back. Zack sat in the middle and took up both arm rests. About halfway through the movie, Cloud was at the bottom of the popcorn bucket so he poured what was left in his hand. He shoved the handful of popcorn in his mouth. Kunsel reached over Zack and grabbed the bucket. He looked down at it, saw it was empty and looked back at Cloud. Smiling a nervous smile with cheeks full of popcorn, the young blond apologized, "Thuoory."

Kunsel sat back in his seat and put the empty bucket in the empty seat next to him. Under his breath, he mumbled "Figures."

Once the movie was over, they headed out of the theater and toward the diner, "Where are we going now?" Cloud inquired.

"Me and Kunsel have this place that we love to eat at, you'll love it."

They walked up to the door and Cloud furrowed his eye brows as he read the sign, "Uncle Harvey's Home Cooking."

The cook and a waitress greeted them when they came in. Zack and Kunsel went right to a little square table in the back. While taking their seats, Zack said to the approaching waitress, "Hey there darlin."

The older woman, her hair slightly greying, made her way to the table, "Hey Zack, Kunsel, haven't seen ya around lately. How ya been doing?" she asked.

"I…uh have been really busy, is all." Zack replied solemnly, trying not to remember the look in Angeal's deep soulful eyes when he asked him to kill him.

"What are you boys gonna have tonight?"

Kunsel, "The usual for me."

Zack, "Me too."

Looking to Cloud, she asked, "What about you sweetie?"

"I guess…I'll have a burger, with everything, and…a Chocoberry blast soda please," The waitress took the menu from Cloud and with it she gave a light smack to the back of Zack's head. He looked up at her and gave her a smile and she winked back at him.

"So Zack has told me about how you guys met. So you're from a little town too?"

Cloud was fidgeting with his napkin, "Yeah."

Zack, noticeably uncomfortable about the revelations about Cloud that reminded him of the mission in Modeoheim, changed the subject, "My mom called me the other day and said that they are planning a trip to Costa del Sol."

"Really? I wouldn't mind going there sometime," Cloud added.

"It really isn't that big of a deal," Kunsel added, "That's where I'm from."

After a couple of more minutes of idle chit-chat and anecdotes, the food arrived and they dug right in. Even though he had finished off the big bucket of popcorn, he was still hungry. Zack grinned and said between bites, "You just stay away from my food, I'll finish it myself," Cloud blushed a little at the embarrassment. Kunsel laughed and elbowed Cloud, then continued cutting and stuffing steak in his mouth.

As he cut up another piece of steak Kunsel said, "So tell me more about your family Cloud."

Swallowing his bite of burger, he raised his hand over his mouth, "It's just me and my mom."

Zack's curious eyes turned to him, "What happened to your dad?"

Cloud stopped and looked down. Shaking his head, he slowly answered while trying to keep up his composure, "I never knew him."

Zack's eyes shifted, "Oh sorry, didn't mean to meddle."

Swallowing audibly, Cloud replied, "No, its okay. You didn't know."

They finished their dinner and Cloud pulled out his wallet. Zack lightly shoved at Cloud's hand, "I got it tonight."

"You got the movie tickets, it's only fair."

"Tell ya what; the next time you can get the bill. Okay?"

"Okay. Thanks. I'm gonna go wait outside," Hanging his head somewhat sadly, the younger of the three walked toward the door.

Watching the blond until he exited, Kunsel nudged his friend with his elbow, "What was all that about?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "Beats me."

After paying for the meal, Zack went back to the table to leave the tip. Kunsel stayed and got a tooth pick and started furiously digging at a stubborn piece of steak stuck in his teeth. As Zack laid the tip down, he noticed Cloud's phone on the table. Picking it up, he turned to leave, "Hey Zack, what's the deal?"

The sight in front of him stopped him in his tracks. It was Lisa. He had met Lisa while out running on the plate and had gotten her number. They went out a few times, but after getting to know her more, he began to get the feeling that she was probably the type that just loved men in uniform. As usual, Kunsel was right.

"Oh hey Lisa…how ya been?" He slid the phone in his pocket.

"Well, wondering where YOU have been," Crossing her arms quickly, she waited for an answer.

"Oh, well…I was…really busy…" Rubbing the back of his head, "Ya know, work and all."

"You never called me back. Why?"

Seeing that Lisa had cornered him in the back of the dining room, Kunsel sighed and walked slowly over to rescue him.

"Hey Zack, we gotta go, the General just called, we have urgent business to take care of," Kunsel lied.

"Oh, great…see Lisa things have been really busy. I gotta go."

Zack and Kunsel quickly left the diner.

"Thanks man!" Zack sighed in relief.

"You owe me… again!"

Meeting up with Cloud, they started their walk back to the courtyard. Saying their goodbyes Cloud headed back to his room. As he walked to his room, the night's events played out and he let a smile light up his face at the thought of making new friends. Opening the door, it was dark so when he flipped the switch, his keys fell out of his hand. In shock, he looked into the eyes of each one who stood before him, "What are you guys doing in my room?! Where is Taylor?" He demanded.

"I don't know where Taylor is," Rodgers stated harshly.

"Lawrence, shut the door," Conners ordered quietly. There was three of them and one of him. 'Just like back home' he thought. Without anymore anticipation, Conners stepped up and kneed Cloud in the groin. Doubling over and grabbing at himself, that was when Rodgers took advantage and kicked him in the shoulder.

As Cloud fell backwards to the floor, Conners sent a hard kick to his side. After a gasp and an involuntary yelp, Cloud rolled, holding on to his ribs. Putting his hand on his bed, he pushed himself back up, but faltered a step.

Looking up, he saw that they stood close, and it sent his thoughts back to when they were kids, Jason Conners always got the upper hand, so he decided that he wasn't going down without a fight this time. Swinging a surprise punch, it made contact with Conners' cheek, sending him backward. Cloud followed up with another punch at Rodgers, making contact with his face.

Reaching up, he elbowed Lawrence and that's when Rodgers jumped back in and threw a quick jab at Cloud's face. The force split his lip and caused his teeth to cut into the inside of his cheek. As a follow-up to the jab, Cloud's groin got another knee. Falling to the floor, he saw Lawrence headed his way, ignoring the pain, he swept his leg across the floor, knocking Lawrence's legs out from underneath him. Lawrence fell back and his head made hard contact with Taylor's bed knocking him out.

'Well that's one down, two to go,' Cloud thought to himself and then got two more kicks to his side and a stomp on his hand. As they continued the beating, all he could do at that point was cover his head with his hands.

A/N: To be continued in the next chapter...

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