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: There is some Rufus bashing in the rest of this story. If you are a Rufus fan, sorry, it isn't that I don't like him. There is also a surprise guest character in this chapter.

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 beta Queen of Jokers and my after posting beta SubZeroChimera!

"The truth is, everyone's gonna hurt you. You just have to find the ones worth suffering for." –Bob Marley

Chapter 70

The knock on the door was firm enough that it rocked a quiet shriek from Yuffie as she watched a scary movie. She hadn't meant to get so involved in it, but she had to get her mind off the events of earlier. Regardless of how loud she turned the volume, Tifa's crying could still be heard periodically from the bathroom. She had tried to comfort Tifa, but her efforts got cut short when the bathroom door was slammed shut. Yuffie clenched her fists and wished she could find Cloud and Sephiroth and beat the alien, Jenova, right out of them.

As she slid from the bed, she wondered who could be knocking at this time of night. Vincent was next door with Barret, Harding and Red. Thankfully Cid had gone back to his house and Aerith kept watch over Zack so she had been left to her own devices. She had wanted Vincent to stay with her, but Barret insisted that they get a battle plan together.

An impatient knock shook the door again and Yuffie yelled, "Hang on, I'm coming!" When she opened the door a flash of bright red hair rushed into the room, "Hey, what are you-"

Reno held up his hand to interrupt her, "Where's Teef?" Then he momentarily froze and looked Yuffie up and down. His lewd gaze caused her to take a step away from him. Only wearing shorty shorts and a tight tank top that covered very little, he lost his train of thought but when she spoke he snapped back to reality.

Yuffie furrowed her eyebrows and pointed to the bathroom door, "Just follow the sounds of heartbreak." The TV remote bounced when she plopped back on the bed. Rude quietly shut the door behind him.

Reno didn't even bother to knock. Tifa had stopped crying and lay on the floor with her back against the bathtub, in her hands she held what she had left of Cloud. Reno walked in and shut the door behind him and sat on the toilet lid. She maintained her gaze at the far corner of the room, her voice sounded hollow, "It smells like him. He left it here this morning."

Reno leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and blandly he said, "It's just an undershirt."

Tifa sat up in a rush and her tear soaked red eyes filled with loss and anger, "No it's not!"

"Tifa, it isn't him," Reno jerked backward when Tifa stood up and clenched her fists at her sides and he quickly finished, "I might be able to help get him back, but I need to know something first."

A flinch of her eyes brought a glint of thinking clearly. Completely irrational had become her theme since she watched Jade and Jenova take him away from her. She held the undershirt close to her heart and she blinked as she wiped her face with her other hand, sniff, "What?"

Aerith answered the soft knock on the door a surprised look crossed her face. Reno raised his finger to his lips, "Shhh," Aerith let him in the room and he quietly motioned for her to leave with Tifa who stood outside the door. Tifa reached out and gently took Aerith's unbroken hand and pulled her out and to her room next door. Rude slipped in the room and quietly shut the door leaving both Turks standing in the darkened room with a sleeping Zack. Reno looked at Rude and whispered, "Well here goes."

Rude stood at the door and blocked the exit. Reno took a deep breath and sat on the bed opposite Zack. The mattress sunk with his weight and a squeak of a spring caused Zack to twitch in his sleep. Reno watched his sleeping form, his breaths in and his chest rose and fell in a soft rhythm. Reno took in a breath to say something when Zack turned over to his stomach and covered his head, "Stop… I can't."

A glance at Rude and then back to Zack, Reno watched for a while with more interest. Again Zack flipped to his side and his arm went to his head, covering his ear. When Zack turned back to his back, Reno tried to see his face. He moved closer to him and with deft fingers, he gently drew back an eyelid without waking him. The bright glow of green shocked Reno and he sat back down on the bed and stared at Rude. Zack breathed in deeply and whispered, "…Jade."

Reno hung his head and a quiet sigh heaved his chest. Pounding hard, his heart had hoped for the best, but of course, that couldn't be what happened.

Standing up, his steps felt heavy as he made his way over to the room with Harding, Barret and Vincent. He had to talk to Vincent alone. Reno's stride wavered a bit, but then he straightened himself to take care of business. After all, he had a job to do.

"Sir?"

Rufus stood from behind his desk and his hands firmly planted on the slick wood, "What? You didn't hear me the first time?"

Tseng shook his head and then bowed, "No sir. It is not that, I am just concerned for your safety. If you go, then it will be more difficult to protect you from the assassin," Tseng raised his eyes up to look at his new boss.

Rufus slid a file over from one side of the desk to the other, "You mean like you protected my father right here in the main building?" He picked up a second one and opened it, glanced at the file then closed it as he tossed it to the surface of the desk.

Tseng's heart sank to a new layer of low. Rufus was right, the president was murdered right here under his nose. The very thought of not having to deal with the older Shinra did make him feel better on a basic level. However, with the vow that he took he had put his life second to the president. How in the world did he let something like that happen? He was a failure and he had to prove to Rufus, and maybe even himself, that he was capable of doing his job. Standing there, he swore to himself right then that Rufus would not die or be injured while Tseng was still able to draw breath. His word and promise was everything to Tseng and he intended to hold on to his honor. A deeper bow, "Sir, I give you my sacred word that no harm will come to you regardless of where you go."

Rufus relaxed his stance and leaned on the desk, "Well, don't feel too bad, I really didn't like my father anyway. I can't say that I am not afraid of losing my life because of your incompetence though." Rufus pushed the button to the intercom, when the secretary answered he said, "Is everything ready for my departure?"

A pause and a bead of sweat worked its way down Tseng's temple when the secretary broke the silence, "Yes sir, the pilot has the transport ready and is waiting for you."

Rufus walked around the desk and glanced at his bags then at Tseng. Snapping into action, the Turk picked up all four of his bags and followed him to the outer offices. When Rufus stopped to sign some papers, Tseng took the opportunity to signal for the two newest Turks. They eagerly approached, "Get these bags to the helicopter quickly. The president will be leaving in a few minutes."

In unison, "Yes sir."

As Tseng escorted Rufus to the helicopter transport at the roof, he began to think about all the things that were left to do. Jade was going to do something; no one except for Hojo really knew for sure what it was. If they could get Hojo back, maybe he would let them in on what she was up to and maybe find a way to stop her. Knowing that the Professor wouldn't relinquish any information without a little Turk ingenuity, and he knew exactly who he would get to talk to him and he was sure that Reno wouldn't have a problem spending time with the scientist.

"Are you the only one going with me?" Rufus had his arms crossed as he watched the numbers on the elevator glow in sequence as the floors passed them by.

Tseng shifted his weight, "No sir, Elena and Harley are in Junon securing the city for your arrival." Tseng watched Rufus. He only knew Rufus in passing. Although he had essentially seen him grow up, he really knew very little about him. Except for the instances that he had gotten himself into situations that required Turk assistance.

"Good, I want more than one Turk with me, just in case this 'Jade' shows up." When Rufus stepped from the elevator, Tseng let out a sigh to himself. Everything that he had seen that Jade was capable of - no Turk was going to be any match for her. Hojo had done a very good job at making her perfectly deadly. Of course Tseng wasn't going to share that aspect with Rufus at this point.

Tseng got Rufus on the helicopter and boarded, then reached for his own headset, "Sebastian, we are ready to go." Rufus seemed to relax with Sebastian at the controls of the helicopter. Rufus intently watched Sebastian's profile and licked his lips. Tseng had known about his obsession with Sebastian, everyone knew about his feelings for the handsome Turk. Rufus had obviously picked Sebastian to pilot the helicopter and Tseng was not happy about it. However, if Reno wasn't available to pilot the helicopter, then Sebastian was the next best thing.

Rufus straightened his jacket, "Well, Sebastian. I am looking forward to seeing the sunset at Junon with you. It is beautiful," The pilot ignored the new president and maintained his concentration on getting them to Junon in one piece.

Even though Tseng was not interested in men, he could still understand Rufus's attraction to him. Reno, who had sworn off men, said that even he might make an exception in Sebastian's case.

Not really all that tall, less than six feet, his build slender but muscular, Sebastian's dark chestnut hair had wisps of bangs that hung to the sides of his face that accentuated his softened masculine features. The steel blue bedroom eyes were prominent under his thick but well-groomed eyebrows. Keeping his lips apart just enough to tease the young President, his jaw bone and chiseled chin sculpted down to a surprisingly thin but well-muscled neck. A single ear-ring adorned his small earlobe.

The one flaw that he did have, although not really a flaw as far as Tseng figured, the scar that ran diagonally between his eyebrows and the top of his nose. Tseng was fascinated by his quiet nature.

When Rufus began talking to Sebastian in suggestive ways that made Tseng blush, he switched his headset off. He noticed that Sebastian seemed unaffected by the seductive words. Knowing Sebastian as long as he had, he knew that Sebastian was a false name, being that his father was a very wealthy and influential man. With his son rebelling and joining the Turks, he could become a target to any interested rebel factions, so he kept the false name. Knowing that he really didn't like or wasn't remotely interested in Rufus calmed the head Turk. Sebastian didn't talk much, but his eyes spoke a thousand words.

When they finally arrived at Junon, Elena and Harley met them at the door and Harley pulled Rufus out and away from the rotors. Sebastian and Elena took the bags and Tseng followed at a distance. Harley was as tall as Sebastian, only blond. Being the fun-loving and energetic type, he was one of the first people who Reno went to when he was planning a get together. Physically, Harley was no slouch, muscular and dexterous; he was one of the better fighters out of the Turks. Joining the Turks at a young age, Tseng had watched his bright eyes mature over time. However, just like any other good Turk, he learned to keep his mouth shut and ears open. Tseng knew that Harley didn't really care for Rufus either and most of the Turks felt the same, but oaths were never broken.

When the lift to the main tunnel to the street level roared to life, it shook Tseng out of his thoughts of Harley and Sebastian; he had to concentrate on the mission at hand.

Taking them to the top-level and closer to the large condo that Shinra kept, the golf cart picked them up and Tseng and Elena took a second cart with the bags. The condo was more like a sprawling estate; the main bedroom was the first stop at Rufus's tour and he collapsed on the bed.

Sebastian left quickly and shut the bedroom door behind him, leaving Rufus alone with the companion that Rufus kept here in the suite. With a sigh of aggravation Tseng turned to Elena and Sebastian, "Were there any problems here in town?" A loud cry out from Rufus got Elena's attention, she was still fairly new and wasn't used to Rufus's behavior yet. Tseng was used to lots of odd behavior from the older Shinra and so Rufus's antics were just as easy to ignore.

She looked back at Tseng, "No sir. We did hear reports of a sighting of large birds flocking to the north."

Tseng thoughtfully brought his fingers to his chin, "Large birds?" Tseng put his hands on his hips and ignored the sounds that Rufus was making that came from the bed room. He unconsciously walked to the living room dialing his phone, "Russell, get on the computers and contacts to see what you can find out about the bird sightings."

Following Tseng into the living room, Sebastian's phone rang and he flipped it open and talked quietly as Tseng finished his conversation with Russell. Elena tip toed back to where they had come from. Tseng took her arm and she jumped and turned bright red, "Elena, you need to concentrate. The job comes first, okay?"

She nodded her head, "Yes sir."

"Tseng," Sebastian put his phone in his pocket, "Our contact in Frost Village has had a sighting of three winged figures headed to the northern crater."

"Is he sure that it is our targets?"

"Sir, he said three people with wings."

Tseng nodded and dialed his phone.

Standing outside the door, he knocked and no one answered. He put his hand on his hip and sighed with a glance to Rude. Reno got a mischievous grin and knocked continuously until Harding finally opened the door with a furious exclamation, "What?!"

Reno's smooth voice chimed in, "Well hello to you too you little ball-suckin dick-hopper," Reno's smile crossed Harding's last nerve and he stomped on Reno's toes. The Turk jerked his foot back and with a swift movement of his arm, Harding was laid out on the floor in front of him.

Barret burst out with a laugh and Harding shot glaring daggers at the laughing gunman. Red growled, "We don't have time to play around," Red eyed the Turks, "Do you have something useful or are you here just to irritate us?"

"It's funny you should ask that, I actually needed to talk to Vincent," Knowing that the former Turk would follow shortly, Reno walked out to the small park where Sephiroth had his confrontation with the past.

Leaning against the swing set support beam, he remembered swinging on the few swings that were found down in the slums when he was a kid. Wondering if it would be as fun as he remembered, he walked around a single swing, surveying it as if he were fixing to wrestle with it. Finally he took the chains in his hands and wiggled his butt between the chains to the seat. His butt didn't go all the way down, so he squirmed a little and finally he settled and kicked his feet and started to move back and forth. He didn't think it would be that much fun anymore, until he heard a voice behind him.

"I will not help you if you get stuck in that," Vincent leaned against the support beam with his arms across his chest.

When Reno startled, his butt shifted in the seat and instead of getting stuck, he fell backwards and landed on the ground on his shoulder, "I think my memories are faulty, 'cause I don't remember the ground hurting so much," Dusting his pants off as he stood he questioned Vincent, "What do you know about any of Hojo's projects?"

Vincent didn't move from his spot, "From what time frame? He had many projects."

"Do you know anything about the project involving Sephiroth, you know, before he was born?"

Vincent stood up straight, "Where are you going with this?"

"Well, we just so happened to come across some documents from Lucrecia regarding that particular project," Reno walked to the picnic table and sat on the tabletop. He watched Vincent relive the painful past with Lucrecia.

Vincent's eyes wandered over the playground equipment and then finally Reno, "What exactly are you getting at Reno?"

Reno smiled, "I am so glad you asked me that!" The red Turk patted the table next to him and Vincent did not move from his spot. When Reno shrugged he began talking, "Okay, well according to Hojo, Jenova was an ancient but we all know that's not true. So when he injected Jenova cells in Sephy, he didn't realize that with every different subject, there is a different 'Jenova' that emerges."

Vincent's expression didn't change so Reno went on, "Lucrecia noted that it was almost like a way for Jenova to multiply. When all the different 'Jenovas' come together, the reunion happens, but do you know what the reunion actually is?" Vincent's stoic look remained unchanged and Reno inquired, "You have got to show me how you keep that look for so long."

Vincent's eyes narrowed, "Get on with it Reno."

"Geez, what is with all the hostility?" Reno stood up, "The reunion is actually her 'children' resurrecting Jenova herself. That would be Jade taking the different parts of Jenova that Hojo put in the guys and becoming Jenova." Reno crossed his arms, satisfied, "She has to have different people with her cells come together so that part of their personalities bond or meld together so that she can become whole again."

Vincent slowly stalked toward Reno, "And so what do we do about it? How do we get Cloud and Sephiroth back?" The former Turk encroached in Reno's personal space and backed him up against the table. Reno put his hand behind him to keep from falling over, while Vincent finished, "What about Zack? He is being called as we speak. It is a wonder he has not gone yet."

"Hey, just hang on. I'm getting to that," When Vincent backed away a little, Reno stood back up and straightened his clothes, "Zack is the only thing that we have against them, but he can't know what the plan is, for obvious reasons. As long as we have him, Jenova can't be born again."

"So when do we get started?" Vincent uncrossed his arms.

With a smile and a point of his finger at Vincent he said, "Immediately."

"Zack… we need you… we want you…"

"Leave me alone!" Zack couldn't get the three of them out of his head. Their voices in unison echoed in his mind, bending it, warping it until it was almost unrecognizable. His body protested; the pull from them was becoming stronger. It felt as though his heart was getting yanked and the feeling went down to his gut. Eventually, he would be transformed into what his friends had become. The pain was increasing and the tugging intensified the more he resisted.

"Zack, please come to us…"

A pounding in his head and the ache in his chest deepened and the tugging did not relent. Sitting up in bed, his face was sweat drenched and the bed and pillow were also damp. His breathing was rapid, his heart beat hard and he still could almost hear them. His feet touched the shaggy carpet and he rubbed them back and forth across the cheaply made carpeting, anchoring himself to reality. Running his hands through his dampened hair, he shuffled to the bathroom to wash his face. The cool water splashed his face and further anchored him to here, right where he wanted. His eyes met the eyes in the mirror and they seemed different. His blue eyes were brighter, but there were flecks of green that had a gleam that outshined the blue.

"You don't have to be alone anymore…"

Beginning to dive into a panic, his breaths that were once under control, turned into the beginnings of a sob. The tears welled and he straightened himself up and fought his best, but it was no use. Falling to his knees, his forehead rested on the icy tile and he wrapped his arms around himself and cried. Cloud was gone. His best friend was now just a puppet, to be played with in the most painful way. With Sephiroth gone also, he remembered all the time they spent together, as he tore down the stoic general's walls. Sephiroth's efforts in becoming part of the human race were just a futile attempt. For what, more pain? Shinra and Hojo had made sure that he had no one to love.

"All you need to do is call us and we will be there…"

Shaking his head, he asked himself if this was where he really wanted to be. Did he want to be on the floor in a cheesy motel, in pain and missing his friends? He didn't have to be alone, he just had to call out to them and they would come for him. So many others depended on him though, but he would still be alone. No one understood what was happening to him, they would look at him in fear. They would wonder when or if he would change.

"No one loves you like we do…"

What if he could get them back? If he could fight just a little longer, he might be able to help his friends and get them back.

"We are forever…"

A/N 2: 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*