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: I'm sorry that I didn't respond to any reviews, my internet got turned off by accident. My neighbor is the one who didn't pay his bill and they turned the wrong box thingy off. That was fun getting them to figure it out and then getting them to fix it.

Anyway, thanks so much for all the PMs and thank you Sooo much for those of you who took the time to review.

Guest reviewer "Truth," Seph doesn't know that Aerith cheated, she and Zack know it was a mistake, and Zack 's thoughts were that he thought she was happier with Seph now so he is putting his feelings for her behind him, for the most part.

Reviews, critiques and flames are welcome. I absolutely love all reviews about the story as it gives me motivation, I use good constructive criticism to help my writing improve and I feed the flames to the fires of my imagination.

Thanks to my before posting betaQueen of Jokers and my after posting beta SubZeroChimera!

"Energy and persistence conquer all things." –Benjamin Franklin

Chapter 50

When Cloud opened the door, he headed straight for the bathroom, with his bag, and she heard the bathwater turn on. She shut the door and sat down on the bed and turned the TV on, flipping through the channels. A few minutes later she heard the water turn off and he came out of the bathroom in the boxer-briefs she'd bought for him soon after he'd shown up outside the bar. Heading straight for her, he took her by the hands and kissed her. He reached under her shirt and caressed her soft skin. Pulling her shirt up and over her head, she was a little surprised and leaned back from him. "What has gotten into you tonight?" She asked, and then added with a sly smile, "Not that I'm complaining."

Words began floating in her head. The words that he had told her just the other morning got to the surface. 'I love you' He'd said it so freely, why couldn't she? She'd loved him for as far back as she could remember, so why was it so hard for her to say? Those questions lingered, hovered over her head.

Watching Cloud's eyes twinkle caused her to immediately blush and he soon followed suit, "I just can't control myself around you sometimes." Subtly aggressive kisses went down her neck, to her chest and she reached for her bra clasp and pulled it off. With his free hand he yanked hard at the drawstring to her cut off sweat pants and pulled them down to her knees. He lifted his foot up and pushed them the rest of the way down to the floor with his foot. He pulled impatiently at her panties and let go of the back of her neck and slowly went to a knee. Kisses and soft fingertips stalked down her skin until he got to her panties. Hooking a finger in the side, he pulled them down and she stepped out of them. He stood up and twirled them around his finger, pulled them back like a rubber band and released them across the room. Tifa giggled, he smiled as he bent over and picked her up in a bridal carry into the bathroom.

It looked like the biggest bathtub that she had seen, in addition, he'd lit candles. He lowered her into the hot bathtub and he pulled his boxers off and joined her. Kissing her neck, she let out a soft moan, which created a louder moan from him as his lips wrapped around her earlobe. She could tell that he was having difficulty keeping control of himself and she decided to make it a little more difficult.

As they kissed, she lifted a hand out of the water and she ran her wet fingers through his hair, down his neck, shoulder and stopping at his chest. She slowly slid her leg up over his hip and then her fingers started their trek down his stomach until she reached one very turned on and attention seeking body part of his. He breathed in harshly, shut his eyes and a moaning growl followed. She smiled at the sight of his face and the fight to maintain his control. He quickly lost the battle when she ran the tip of her thumb over one genuinely sensitive spot. The delight she felt when he began to ravish her was one that would keep plenty of daydreams in her future…

Tifa just couldn't seem to sleep. Listening to Cloud softly snore next to her was a comforting sound, but she kept thinking of Zack. Where was he and was he okay? Cloud and Sephiroth seemed to know something, but they weren't talking. His behavior before he disappeared unnerved her, had he gone through what Sephiroth and Cloud did? If so, why did he disappear and Sephiroth and Cloud didn't? Turning to her side, she scooted back toward Cloud. Reaching behind her, she took his hand and draped it over her waist. He stirred and nuzzled his face into the back of her head and pulled her waist into him.

Barret sat in the chair, crossed arms and glared at Harding and the burning stares got the resident doctor uncomfortable, "What?!"

"Oh, I'm just wondering when you're going to go in the bathroom and shower," A smile spread over his lips.

Harding finished taking his shoes off and sat back up, "Listen, the bed is big enough, if you stay on your side, I think we can share."

"Well I sure as hell ain't sleeping on the floor," He thought for a moment, "Fine." Barret decided to get in the bathroom first, he showered and changed into a shirt and gym shorts. The bed was a welcome sight after being up for so long. He plopped down on the bed and Harding bounced. The physician's assistant stared in Barret's direction and he saw Harding roll his eyes then turned his head back to the TV. Barret smiled to himself.

Getting up and grabbing his sleepwear, he said, "I'm showering."

"Bout damn time, I was wondering if the stink was the mix or you." Barret's eyes never left the TV screen. Harding stomped into the bathroom and slammed the door. The larger man's laugh bounced off the walls as he spread himself out across the now empty bed and he drifted off.

The next morning, a knock woke Tifa with a jerk. Rubbing her eyes, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up trying not to disturb Cloud. The sun was just coming up, and she squinted her eyes from the light when she opened the door. Aerith stood there and looked a little worried and she whispered, "Tifa I need to talk to you."

Tifa glanced back to the bed and Cloud still appeared to be sleeping so she eased out the door and pulled it closed quietly, "What's the matter? You look like you didn't sleep at all."

Aerith fidgeted a little with her hands. She seemed to have rubbed the skin on her hands lot before she came to the door. Tifa took her hands and looked at her and waited, "I am worried about Zack, I… I can't explain it, but it is like he's… disappearing."

"What do you mean, disappearing?" Tifa's eyes widened and the warmth from her hands diminished.

"I don't know how to explain it. It's just there… or more like not there," Worried eyes were covered by worried eyebrows, as her head bowed down.

Tifa squeezed her hands gently, "We will find him. You just have to believe it, okay?"

Nodding her head she added, "Did you notice anything different about Cloud yesterday or… last night?"

Tifa tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, it's probably nothing, but Sephiroth just seemed a little different. Not bad different, just… you know?" Her worried eyes searched for something in Tifa's face. Whatever it was, it wasn't there. She shrugged her shoulders, "Oh it's probably nothing; I'm going to go wake him up. We're going to need to go soon."

Tifa watched her as she walked back to her room. Her thoughts began to wonder more about what had kept her from sleeping. She stood there for a minute longer and thought about Cloud. He did seem a little different. He'd always been shy and private, now he was more outgoing. Stepping back into the room, she got back under the covers and faced him, "Cloud." She put her fingers in his hair and played with a few spikes.

"Hmm…"

"We need to get back on the road," She pulled on one spike, let go of it and it went right back in its original spot. She couldn't help but smile.

A smile and a sigh came from him as he rolled on to his back, "Come here," He reached out his arm and gently pulled her head to his chest.

Her fingers grazed across his stomach as she traced the scars and muscles, "Are you awake?"

"Yeah, just tired," His eyes remained closed.

"You weren't tired last night," She smiled and nudged him with her hand.

Keeping his eyes closed he smiled, "No, I wasn't tired last night, but I'm tired this morning." He rubbed her upper arm and then his eyes suddenly opened, "What time is it?"

"About six I think."

He rolled out from his side of the bed and went toward the bathroom and she watched him walk away from her, his naked rear made her smile. Looking over his shoulder, he smirked at her, "Are you looking at my butt?"

He ducked into the bathroom with a laugh as she threw a pillow at him.

Sephiroth was lacing up his boots, when Aerith came back in the room. Smiling, he stood and went in for a kiss, "Good morning."

She smiled back at him, "Morning. I got us some coffee."

Sipping at his coffee, he looked at her from over his cup, "Thank you. You ready?"

"Yes, just waiting on everyone else," Picking up her small bag, they headed out the door, into the bright sunshine.

Sephiroth put his arm around Aerith and she felt a little tense. He knew that with Zack missing, she was hurting. Looking at her fine and delicate features, they seemed entirely too stressed, "Aerith, what is going on with you? It is beginning to worry me."

Aerith dropped her head and an uncertain sigh slipped out, "Yes, I'm really just worried about Zack."

Sephiroth thought that there was something else, but he didn't want to press the issue. They were all under a lot of stress and she was not immune to it either. The sooner they got to Zack, the better. The last couple of days with him missing were quickly taking a toll on everyone's nerves. He felt a flinch in her shoulders when he knocked on the door, her thoughts were obviously somewhere else entirely. He would just wait until she was ready.

Tifa answered the door and Sephiroth and Aerith asked almost in unison, "Are you ready to go yet?"

"I am, but Mr. Diva in there isn't," Tifa stepped aside and picked up a bag.

Sephiroth looked in as Cloud came out of the bathroom in his jeans and a black long sleeve shirt, "Morning Seph, Aerith. I'm ready, let's go."

Sephiroth gave Cloud a quick rundown of the morning's events, "Barret and Harding already got gas for the truck and we just need to fill up the bikes."

As Tifa made her way to the truck, Harding and Barret were still arguing. Aerith took her stuff and put in the back of the truck, "Tifa, I really don't want to ride up there with them. I'm going to get back here, wanna join me?"

"Well I'm not sitting up there either," She threw her bag in the back. Sticking her head around the truck she hesitated in talking with Harding. Taking a deep breath, grabbing Aerith's arm and dragging her with her, she tapped him on the shoulder.

Lack of sleep and stress covered his face, "What?!"

Her finger found its way to point in his face, "Don't you talk to me that way! Are the injections ready?"

He lowered his eyes, "Sorry, I just didn't get much sleep," He stared at Barret. "They are almost ready, hopefully by tonight."

"Thanks Jacob." Tifa turned to Aerith, "Thanks for coming with me to talk to him."

Aerith giggled, "It's not like I had much choice."

Sephiroth and Cloud pulled up in their motorcycles, now filled with gasoline, "Let's get going." Cloud turned and gassed it with Sephiroth not far behind. Tifa and Aerith jumped in the back; thankfully it was covered, so they were relatively comfortable. Barret and Harding continued their argument as they closed the doors.

The forest was quiet, much too quiet; it didn't quell the voices, feelings or memories. He threw himself down to the ground next to a tree. He put his hands to his head and moaned in emotional sorrow. He rocked back and forth, "It's too much…"

He got poked in the forehead and looked up, the sight made him shiver, "What are you doing?"

"Leave me alone!" He rolled on to his side.

"Are you ready for me to help you? I mean, I came all this way," Davis bit at one of his nails.

Zack looked up at him, "You want to help me?" His voice was full of sadness and confusion.

"That's why I'm here. Now are we gonna do this or what?" He took a step toward Zack and he flinched and lowered his head back to the ground, "So, how do you wanna die?"

"I want to go back to the beginning," Eyes closed, he shook his head, "Start over."

"Oh no, no, no. You can't do that yet," Davis stepped over him and picked him up by the front of his shirt. "It just doesn't work that way you little fucker," He dropped him hard back to the ground.

Zack cried loudly, "Please… I'm sorry."

Davis stepped around behind the tree, peeking out from the side, "I want to hear you beg. Beg, grovel and admit it," Davis smiled and went back to his side and sat next to him.

Zack's eyes followed him, "I don't understand."

"You will know what I mean by the time we get back. Until then, get up. Get your ass in gear and get the fuck on," Davis kicked him in the hip. Zack slowly stood up and sobbed, "Why are you crying? You still have some time. We have some time."

Through tears, Zack asked, "We? What?"

Getting behind him, Davis put his mouth next to his ear. His breath was hot, goose bumps rose on his neck and down his arm, "You know exactly what I mean." He walked around to his front and poked him in the chest, "Don't tell me, that a big pussy like you don't have feelings. You kill, fight, fuck, sleep, eat and think. Think hard." He circled around behind him again, "You want to kill yourself, but you can't do it by yourself can you? You need my help. Admit it!"

Zack threw his hands to the sides of his head and shook it, "I just want it to stop, everything, just stop. Make it stop," His eyes bulged and his breath hitched.

As Davis went back in front of him he put his hands on Zack's shoulders and forced him down on his knees, "Tell me you want my help." He leaned down into his face, "Tell me! Or I won't help. I'll just make it worse for you. I'll kill Sephiroth, in front of you, painfully and long. Cloud, I'll kill him after I fuck him until he begs for me to end it. Aerith, I think I may even fuck her too."

Zack put his face to the ground, "Please… don't… I'll do whatever you want." Zack was out of breath and he sobbed heavily.

Davis bent down and patted his head, "Now there's a good little specimen." He grabbed the front of his shirt again and pulled him back to his knees, "Now get up and let's go."

As he entered town, people on the street stared and whispered to each other. Zack walked slumped over and staggering he had to hold on to the side of a building to keep from falling, "Oh, poor little Z, are you tired? Well you can sleep as soon as you sneak on the ship."

"I am… not sleeping… eat…" He tripped and fell to his knee.

A man walking by held out his hand to help him, "Here, let me help you."

Zack looked up at him and his eyes were swollen and red from crying and lack of sleep. He looked at the man's hand and down at his. He was confused and in soft whisper, he answered, "no." Putting both hands on the wall, he pulled himself up and staggered down the street toward the dock.

"Let's go you fucking failure, get your ass on that ship!" Davis yelled into Zack's ear. Wincing and squeezing his eyes shut he raised his hands to his ears. Lowering his voice, Davis whispered, "Wait just a second, wait for this guy to walk by and then run." Zack stood still and watched the guy walk toward him, past him and then he stumbled quickly to the ramp to the ship. Sneaking on was easy, he searched quietly for a hiding place and lay down on his side and curled up. Davis sat next to him and leaned over until he was hovering directly over him. Reaching out his hand he brushed his hair back and he kissed his neck, "Good night Z."

The forest in this area well outside of Junon was very dense, but it is a good training ground, finding all sorts of treasures, fighting different types of monsters. Lazily walking and listening to nature, she heard her next target. She crouched down and eased closer, "Let's see what we have." She watched intently at the crazy man talking to himself. She listened and just couldn't figure out what his deal was, "I may follow him just out of shear curiosity." As she watched and listened, she got a closer look at him. He was wearing a dirty t-shirt, jeans and his shoes looked to be in fairly bad shape. Black spiky hair that was a little messy and his face was sweaty and he had a small smudge of dirt on one of his cheeks. She wondered if he was homeless or lost. Either way, she was hesitant to approach him, what was he capable of?

Two days later, she strolled along the side of the road and caught sight of some motorcycles, "Hey, I bet these people might have something worth my time," She jumped out to the road and acted like she was going to hitch a ride. She was ready to fight if need be. If they were at least willing to take her to a town, she would have time to relieve them of some extra weight that they may be burdened with.

Pulling his bike over he turned the engine off, as he pulled his eye protection off, he sized up the girl. She was a petite thing, late teens at least. Short dark hair framed her face in a cute way. It made her seem a little less obvious. She was of Wutanese decent and a head band circled her head. She had a weapon that was tucked behind her. Cloud asked, "Are you needing a ride to Junon?" Sephiroth pulled in behind Cloud and the truck's engine could be heard approaching.

Looking at Cloud, "If that is where you're going, I would really like to ride you… err, uh. I mean get a ride with you." She thought to herself that these guys where awesomely cute and she didn't see any girls. 'Wow.'

"Hey Seph, what do ya think?"

Sephiroth sat forward on his bike and the truck was coming up behind them, "What is your name young lady?"

She stood up straight and stuck out her chest, "I'm Yuffie, the world's best treasure hunter!" As the truck finished pulling off to the side of the road, she took a quick inventory of their belongings and weapons.

Sephiroth grinned, "Well Yuffie, why don't you jump into the back of the truck and make yourself comfortable. We should be in Junon in a couple of hours." He added as she trotted by, "The shuriken isn't necessary with us. We will be watching you."

"It's just for protection. I mean I am all the way out here all by myself. Thanks for the ride at least," She waved and giggled to herself. 'This is going to be easy.' Reaching the covered back of the truck, she jumped in without hesitation.

Tifa startled and Aerith jumped with a gasp, "Oh, hi. Are you why we stopped?"

Standing with her hands on her hips, "Yes, I'm Yuffie. It is nice to meet you." Her devilish grin betrayed her. The truck fired up and started back down the road.

Aerith spoke up, "Well Yuffie, we don't really have anything worth much money, but you are welcome to join us."

She sat down and a spot on the bed of the truck suddenly became very interesting, "Well, I guess I can tag along, maybe I will find some treasure along the way."

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."

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