A/N. Another chapter down and a few quick announcements audience. One, While you are reading this I will have or am in the process of changing ch 1 of the story as well as revising the beginning chapters since I realize I didn't lay a good foundation on this. Two, this is a wordy chapter, and three...actually i can't think of a third so that is the end. Enjoy the chapter and next week will be something to see.

Ch 27

ATE

This was quickly getting out of hand. Rufus was in his office but he wasn't sitting comfortably in his chair, he was pacing back and forth in thought. Everything seemed to go according to plan when he sent Tseng after Sephiroth. But now not only did he have the Turk leader recovering, but Sephiroth somehow gained a very destructive power. He almost couldn't believe it until he got confirmation from both Tseng and Reeve...yes Reeve. That had escalated out of control as well. He came to his office personally to give him the report. It was unusual since he stopped doing it after the first few. What Rufus read disturbed him.

The first was the fact that Sephiroth's goal and power was to injure the Planet! A feat that only Shinra's Mako reactors had made even a small dent in. Then came the information that Sephiroth already knew where the Promised Land was. The former general somehow eluded both Shinra and AVALANCHE long enough to find it and return without notice. The rest of the board was going to have a fit when that information was spread. But when he read the rest of the report, he had to confirm with Reeve that is was accurate.

Somehow one of their members knew exactly who Cait Sith was controlled by, and if it had to be anyone, it was River, AVALANCHE's ghost. He couldn't hold the frustration in him any longer and tore the paper in front of the Urban Development head. Every time they would search for information on the man, they came up with nothing. He never existed anywhere at any time. The only conclusive thing that could help them would be a blood sample and they couldn't charge after them now since their destination was unknown according to Reeve. In fact, he noticed a small change in attitude with Reeve. Even before this report he seemed to have become more withdrawn in his machine's state. The reports would get just a little bit vaguer on details and he even once noted how interesting it was they were doing all of this for nothing, but Rufus never paid attention to it. Now...perhaps Reeve knew about River's knowledge and wasn't trying to make any miscalculated steps.

But knowing Reeve, Nathan admitted that he had more information than let on in the group. The backlash could be catastrophic; did he know any of their secrets? Had informants in the headquarters? Had he told the rest of his team? He most likely knew Reeve was a spy the minute they met, yet still treated him on a friendly basis. Rufus finally stopped walking and went to his phone. They gave AVALANCHE a very wide berth, but now there were too many variables to account for.

"Yo, this is Reno." With Tseng incapacitated Reno was now de facto leader of the Turks, hopefully he still held some grudge against the freedom fighters.

"Its Rufus...I need you to place an order to capture AVALANCHE at anytime they are met."

"Finally got too far up our asses huh? I'll send it out. Anything else yo?"

"I want a small amendment to that order."

"And...?"

"I want troops sent to any town or location that is related to Nathan River. I want them to do sweeps for any last bit of information regarding Shinra, or otherwise now that he has been found to hold information only I and the board knew of." There was a little hesitation before an answer.

"Done, anything else?"

"For River...I want him marked as holding classified information, he is now number one for imprisonment and interrogation above the rest of AVALANCHE."

Tifa had been wandering around the forests of Gongaga to make sure any Shinra soldiers weren't going to surprise them. But her mind wasn't completely on the task at hand. She was worried; the entire group was on edge after the temple incident. Tifa couldn't believe Cloud had hurt Aeris so much and would even go on to attack everyone else. The ride two days ago to the village was horribly quiet; everyone was left to their own thoughts. It hurt, but she admitted Aeris was one of the main reasons to keep the group together. She always could pinpoint how a person felt and would consul them.

With her out, the entire group seemed distant to each other. Barret watched over Cloud like a hawk, Nanaki had the same job as Tifa along with Cid, and Yuffie just seemed to wonder around. The ones Tifa worried about the most where Vincent , Cait, and Nathan. For some reason they were especially avoiding people. Whenever she would talk to Cait, he would always stammer an excuse and run off. When she was with Vincent, he would only pay attention to Aeris's hut. And Nathan…

For some reason he was especially distraught. He almost never left Aeris's side at the hut they were keeping her in. When he did, he would just go to Cloud's and keep the same serious watch on him. Tifa once went in thinking he blamed himself and told him no one could have seen it coming. That only served to depress him more so she left, one of the nights she was here she woke up to make a patrol only to see him still keeping an eye on them both. He said he had to be up when either of them woke up because he had a bad feeling; Tifa trusted him and left him to his business. She sighed, thinking like this only made the whole thing worse. She decided to talk to the others so that she could get out of her own rut. She went back into the village and found everyone in their usual routine. Red walked up to her.

"Anything?" He asked, she shook her head.

"I guess Cait hasn't called anyone in. He really does want to change."

"How are you?" The feline asked.

"I know I've been better, everyone has. It's just now it's to gloomy in our group." Red nodded and looked around the village. His eyes narrowed on the former Turk looking at the huts.

"I haven't seen him sleep for the last few days." Tifa looked at Vincent as well and agreed. He was worse than Nathan when it came to sleep.

"Maybe you should talk to everyone else. I'll go back and talk to Nathan." She smiled and thanked Red. For some reason he was the one that Nathan enjoyed visits from the most. He would perk up at the sight of Red. Maybe it was because he was the only on that called him by his real name. The rest of the group had gotten so used to his alias that they used it without second thoughts. Nathan was the only one who jumped to Red's real name. She walked over to Vincent and sat next to him. It would be hard but she could possibly coax a few words out of him.

"How is everything?" He shifted uncomfortably.

"Fine." She sighed.

"They are both going to be okay, just wait and see."

"I'm not worried about them." She raised an eyebrow.

"Then what have you been watching the huts for?"

"Suspicious activities." Now she was confused.

"Why would you do that?" It seemed to be forever before she got an answer.

"How much do you think that there is another spy in the group?" That completely caught her off guard.

"Well Cait was one...I can't think of anyone else who could be a spy...wait...who do you suspect?"

"River," was his only reply. She almost jumped when she heard that someone thought Nate was a spy, which was absurd.

"How could you possibly think that?"

"Have you ever noticed his luck?" Her tantrum calmed down at the odd question. Vincent took it as a sign to continue.

"Have you noticed he has inexplicably helped the group in many ways that would only point to an unusual amount of luck?" She shook her head; she didn't know where he was going.

"The time he got the group to that weapons collector, him making the clock move by asking what time it was for no reason..."

"That's just it, luck." She reasoned.

"And his behavior."

"What about it?" She was hesitant to ask, but her friend's character was at stake.

"He acts as if everything will be alright...in a situation like this it could be brushed off. But he also is too accepting for a normal person. He always seems coordinated in battles even if he is surprised. He also often sits and thinks for long periods of time as if planning."

"You can't possibly be accusing him on all of that?" She asked. He looked her in the eyes and she felt a chill go down her spine.

"Unlike the rest of you he immediately accepted me being a monster. A normal person like yourself would always be afraid... he has experience with traumatic events."

"He's been through a lot since he joined." She reasoned.

"How did he join you?"

"I met him at the train station in Midgar, he had gone up and helped Cloud. I took them both to our headquarters and he was more or less... dragged in." Vincent's eyes narrowed.

"Where did he say he was from? What he was doing?" The question seemed more serious than the last few. Why would he question Nathan so much? He was one of the most trusted in the whole group, almost as much as Aeris.

"He said he was looking for employment and was from Mideel."

"Did he have an accent?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mountain and island villages away from Midgar usually have people with accents, even your village people did. Did he have one?" That made Tifa think. It was true if you didn't live in Midgar you often would sound just a little bit different. It was the same for her when she first appeared.

"No he didn't...but that doesn't mean anything."

"Then why would he call the cat a different name?"

"What are you-"

"Everyone!" Both stopped to look at a wide eyed Red.

"Nathan and Aeris are missing!" The entire group heard and ran up to Nanaki. Hoping to find out what happened.

(An hour earlier.)

I knew I was overreacting; Aeris and Cloud would make full recoveries. But I had to keep an eye on them both to make sure everything went right. Aeris would ditch the team at an unknown point and go to the City of Ancients… everyone else would follow, and being too slow everyone would witness Aeris die at Sephiroth's hands.

That was not going to happen. Even if I had to beg and plead, Aeris won't leave without taking everyone else in the group with her. We could repel Sephiroth if he tried to strike, or even get rid of him. We all might be strong enough since it wasn't his real body.

"God I wish I had my music. Two days of this without anything to keep me up sucks."

"Damn, your paranoid ass is still in here?" I chuckled, Barret had come to visit.

"I'm just keeping an eye on our teammates."

"More like breathing down their necks, I've at least slept. You're going insane." I sighed.

"I'm making sure we don't lose anyone Barret." He walked in and leaned against the wall.

"I know, I've been doin the same." He admitted. I smiled; Barret was really just a giant teddy bear at heart.

"Shit just keeps going doesn't it?" He said, I nodded.

"Yeah, but you really don't notice until someone close to you is hit." He rose and eyebrow and smirked.

"Oh so you took Aeris out." I jumped.

"God NO! I would never...just...it wasn't..." He started laughing hard. "Barret!"

"That's what you get for riling me up all those times, maybe you'll think twice now." I sat back down shaking my head.

"I'll get back at you Barret."

"Not unless you don't want me to bag on you diggin on the hyperactive little thief we have." Damn it all this was to point out which girl I took out, I should have seen this from day one.

"You can't judge."

"I can judge your odd taste." I flipped him off but smiled.

"I remember my auntie telling me if I ever did get a girl she should keep me on my toes, who better than a thief?" Then again, I remember she told me to never get a girlfriend unless I can take the drama...Come to think of it I should take Yuffie out on another date sometime, get her to open up more.

"Whatever, I just assumed Aeris since you are always being nicest to her and acted like she was all you cared for." I scoffed.

"You are just full a shit sometimes Barret, I swear." He chuckled and looked back at Aeris.

"You do care for her though."

"I care about everyone here. You're all almost like family to me." Being with them this long, learning their quarks, pasts, attitudes. I made deeper bonds with fictional characters that came to life before my eyes more than my friends back home.

"You have some messed up sense of family."

"Oh come on Barret, everyone has their family role here." He rolled his eyes.

"Sure Nate."

"Nah I'm serious. Look at Tifa, she's the den mother of the group, always worrying about everyone and making sure we're okay and nagging about our health."

"You'd get another slap on you head if she heard that." Barret interjected but I continued.

"Cid's the angry but funny grandpa, Nanaki's the trusted pet, Cait's the oddball, Vincent's the black sheep, Yuffie's the childish one, Cloud's not really a father figure, but he holds himself high and we all follow in line..."

"And yours truly?" I waved my hand.

"You're like that grizzly uncle that's always in jail." That earned me a punch to the shoulder but I heard the small chuckled and saw him point to Aeris.

"Aeris...is the big sister of the group. Always able to point out your problems and help you, always sympathizing, always caring and doing whatever she could to make things easier for everyone else." She really kept to that image too.

"What about you? What do you think you are in this whole family?" I sat back and thought. Sure I was close to everyone, but even though our friendships ran deep I couldn't stop shaking the feeling I was just a participating observer. I guess knowledge of everyone beforehand of their pasts, presents, and futures dulled out that feeling. Plus I don't think I could describe what role I would take.

"Actually I don't think I could describe a role for myself that well. I don't fit with the whole group dynamic, you know?"

"Bullshit, you are always caring about others business and staying out of it when you knew we wanted to be alone. You comfort anyone new in some way. You try to help like Aeris, you're childish, but you act mature. You're just like a big bowl of the whole group just mixed together." I laughed at another one of Barret's bad analogies. "Hey I'm being serious!" I calmed myself down and got up.

"Thanks Barret, I needed that. Go check up on Cloud, I'm going to get some food." I left the hut and went to the item shop. Inside I found there wasn't much, I decided to by some lunch meat and water, on one of the nights I stayed up to make sure Aeris didn't run away Tifa found me and berated me for using my candy and sodas to keep me up, saying it would ruin my health along with the lack of sleep. I swear if she wasn't the den mother I don't know what else she fit. I walked out of the item shop and took a good look around the ruined town since I was unconscious last time.

Many of the villagers looked depressed, as well as they should be from what happened with the reactor. Others were just trying to live their lives the best they could, some looked serious, others had smiles on their faces. I saddened me a little but it isn't like I was placed in Before Crisis and could have stopped the original AVALANCHE. Even if I was, I don't know how much I could have changed...it could have been less than what I'm doing now or more. If I was sent that far I could have tried out for some Shinra program and just use a pseudonym and fake history like I did here, I don't think they would care about some grunt's history, I could have befriended Cloud at a higher rank, investigated Sephiroth along with Angeal and Genesis. I could have even become friends with Zack.

The thought of the overly happy SOLDIER reminds me that this was his hometown...in fact; he never got to tell his parents about where he was for all those years. In the game no one ever returned to clarify anything to them...until now. I started walking to the run down home that had a small sign on top of the door that said "Fair". I was about to knock when my breath hitched and I froze. I was about to inform them of their son's death. I was never put into this position back home... Jesus this won't go well. But if I don't it will just be a loose end that bugs me until the end, Zack's parents not knowing for who knows how long that Zack was gone. Its better they are told now so everything can be smooth in the future. I knock on the door and it's opened to reveal a man who looked to be in his fifties with a full head of gray hair and multiple crow's feet.

"Yes?" I composed myself and tried to sound professional.

"Are you Zachary Fair's father?" His eyes suddenly light up.

"Yes, did you know Zack?" I nodded.

"I actually came to talk to you about him."

"Please come in, honey this man knows Zack!" I look over and saw a woman who looked younger than the man, possibly her mid forties. She had black hair but it was starting to dull with age, she had a green bow on it and had a very kind smile when I walked in.

"That's great, please sit down. Would you like something to drink or eat?" I rubbed the back of my head and declined.

"No thanks. I'm just here to tell you how he is." Both sat down across from me and I pulled a stool over to sit on. Both parents looked hopeful.

"How is Zack? Has he been safe? What's has he been doing for all these years?" Both started asking questions. I gulped.

"I'm sorry but... Zachary has been dead for the last month." The looks in their eyes made me feel horrible. Dropping the bomb on them just twisted my gut worse than any battle thus far. Zack's mother had a few tears until her husband calmed her down even though he was in the same state. It took a while but both were in a better mood to talk.

"We had...suspected this. But we always hoped he was still alive." His father said.

"What did he do all these years? Did he make it as a SOLDIER First Class?" His mother asked.

"Yes, he was promoted and became First Class before he died. He was one of the finest examples of SOLDIER that had ever lived. Both of you should be proud of your son." The smiles on their faces made me feel a little easier.

"How good was he as a SOLDIER?" His mother asked. I don't know for how long but I told them about his life in Shinra, although in different contexts than the game. How he helped in the Wutaian War and him being tutored by Angeal about never forgetting his honor and dreams. Of his missions that helped save Midgar and his contributions. I even mentioned Aeris being his girlfriend. Both had such pleasant looking faces listening to the stories I edited. When they asked how he died I said he protected his friend from numerous enemies, taking on damn near an army. It wasn't a lie, he protected Cloud by taking on the entire Shinra army, I remember one play through I had him leveled so high it took forever before the fight finished. Both of Zack's parents looked so proud that in the end he became the hero he always dreamed to be.

"He always dreamed big." His mother said. I agreed.

"Impossible dreams are often the best, so that you can prove to everyone else that you could achieve it."

"You knew Zachary pretty well then." I shrugged.

"I did know him inside out." Kind of eerie when I think about it though.

"Thank you...it's good to finally calm down. Knowing he did so much makes it easier." Zack's dad offered me his hand. I took it in for a firm handshake.

"Just doing the right thing Mr. Fair."

"Please call me Locke, my wife's is Hilda. We hope to hear more about our son's adventures. Please come back sometime, you're more than welcome." Locke and Hilda? Where have I heard those names before?... Meh I'll remember some other time. It was a more pleasing experience to talk to them then I thought, no wonder Cissnei liked them. Now I don't have to worry about what they'll feel in the future. I exit the hut and look around. Vincent hasn't gotten back from his brooding yet, Tifa and Nanaki are still on patrol...and Cait...

Dear god I fucked up on that end. Why did I have to spout who he was controlled by? I should have kept a calmer head than what I had; now I had potentially blown my cover naming him. I am an idiot. I think the biggest problem is the fact he hasn't done anything about it. Cait's avoided the group for the last couple of days and I can't help but think bad things are coming. He still does tasks he's asked but I've completely stopped talking to him mostly out of fear of what would follow. Not to mention if anyone else heard. How could I possibly fix this?

I was torn from my thoughts when I approached Aeris's hut and saw a small flash of pink in the forest before it disappeared.

"No...damn it!" I started booking it. If I didn't think so much I would have been with her when she woke up, damn it she's fast. I kept dodging trees as I slowly caught up, Aeris was heading north, towards the northern continent but how would she get there? She didn't take the Bronco so what would she do?

"Aeris wait!" She stopped in her tracks and turned. I was breathing heavily but calmed down. When she saw me she smiled.

"Hey Nathan, you don't look like you've been sleeping again." I chuckled. She tries to run away and acts the same way she does before she's caught.

"I can sleep later, Aeris what are you doing? Everyone's going to be worried when they find out you ran." She paced a little but kept her smile.

"Nathan...I want you to leave Sephiroth to me."

"Now why would I do that?"

"I'm the only on that can stop him, I need to do this Nathan."

"What you need to do is let everyone help you Aeris, you shouldn't do this on your own. I know you're protecting Cloud from a breakdown but going on a suicide mission won't help." She laughed a little before looking me in the eyes.

"You always seemed to know what people are thinking Nathan. I remember Tifa asking me how I could do that. How do you?" I took a step closer. She kept still, that was a good sign.

"Aeris I know how everyone thinks, it's a...gift I have. Now I know how you feel, but we can take Sephiroth together. Just because you're an Ancient doesn't mean you have to shoulder this alone."

"Nathan...I know you mean well. You know I still remember the day I met you and Cloud. I could always tell you were different from everyone else, but I could never put my finger on it...but traveling with you and everyone else...I think you can really help them while I take care of Sephiroth."

"That isn't the point Aeris. You can help everyone more than I can. It's how things work out." She giggled.

"Tell me Nathan. Why did you join Cloud and the others? You said you wanted to protect someone. But why go through all of this?" Her question makes me think for a moment. Sure I was transported here. I never had any real reason to follow the plot line. But I remember how everyone reacted to their experiences in the game. Barret killing his best friend Dyne; Nanaki realizing who his father really was; Cait sacrificing himself; Aeris dying. It was so hard to imagine those events now when you could see the emotion that they all felt.

"If I have the power to make a difference, why not put it to good use?" I answered. She seemed pleased by the answer.

"Nathan...what is your dream, what do you want to achieve more than anything else in your life?" Another odd question. But it makes me think back to before all of this. I remember how I always wanted to have an adventure like the video games. To travel unknown lands with enigmatic comrades and defeat the bad guy in the end. I always wanted to be in that situation so I could be recognized like those characters, a hard life but one really worth living.

"I guess...I want to experience adventure, to meet people I could find to be my family that aren't my blood... have a chance to show how unselfish and good I could be at something. To become a hero in the end." She shook her head. A same sad smile was on her face.

"So different, yet you're like my first boyfriend. He had a similar dream. He just wanted to be a hero though. You want to experience so much and help everyone. That's why you'll do so much Nathan. I can at least do this; I'll be back when it's over." I felt a ping in my heart when she described Zack. She turned again but I ran around to stop her.

"Aeris...please, as much as I like being with everyone else and helping them, the possibility of you dying is too much. Losing you would devastate them, Cloud would never be the same; hell, everyone would change. I won't let you do something that could kill you." Aeris sighed.

"I'm the last of the Cetra Nathan, I'm the only one who can stop Meteor."

"Nanaki is the last of whatever his race is, Vincent can transform into monsters, Cloud's a SOLDIER First, Cait's an independent robot, Barret and Tifa are the last of AVALANCHE, and I have a large amount of magic abilities. You're special Aeris, just like everyone else so we will help you." She looked at the ground for a minute before looking up.

"You won't let me go?" I shook my head. I looked at the defeated look on her face.

"Maybe...you guys can help me. But I don't know what will happen." She had a very sad look on her face. I walked up and put my hand on her shoulder.

"Aeris it will be fine. Everything will work out, I promise." I took her hand and started walking back towards the village.

"I'm really sorry Nathan" I heard her say.

"Don't be, I won't tell anyone you were gone."

"I really am." Suddenly I heard a large cracking noise. I turned but realized I was falling and the sudden intense throbbing of pain spread through me. I looked back to see Aeris with her staff in hand. I landed with a thud, I couldn't groan. My vision was getting spotty and she turned away. I wanted to get up and stop her but my body wouldn't respond. All I could do was watch her leave. I wanted to yell for everyone but my brain finally shut down and I was out.

I few minutes later I groaned. The pain was in full effect now and I sprang up.

"Aeris!"

"Nathan lay down, you're injured." I turned to see I was in the same bed as Aeris with Nanaki and Tifa at my side. I held my head as my blood rushed, the influx of pain along with it.

"It was a nasty hit, what happened?" Nanaki asked.

"Aeris ran away." The surprised reactions were expected.

"Why would she do that!" Tifa asked.

"She says she's the only one that could beat Sephiroth since she's the last Cetra. I tried convincing her we could help but she was too damn stubborn."

"Where was she going?" Nanaki asked this time. I groaned.

"She never said, she was running north but I don't know what she was going on." The half lie slid easily of my tongue.

"Cloud hasn't even woken up yet. How will he handle this?" Tifa started walking around. She was worried obviously.

"When he wakes up we're going to look for Aeris. I still need rest. I can see it's almost night outside, both of you get some too." Nanaki nodded and walked out. Tifa seemed to stare at me for a bit before I sat back up.

"What's wrong?" I asked. She looked...afraid to ask her question before she got enough resolve.

"Nathan...you would never betray us would you?"

"What? No! I would never think of doing that!" What would make her think that?.. .is this about what I called Cait?

"No Nathan I just wanted to make sure. After Cait I've been having...doubts about everyone." That is clearly a lie, she doesn't sound unsure about anyone else...did she really hear me call out Reeve?

"Tifa you can tell me what you're really thinking." I blurted out. I didn't want to explain to her about Reeve, I just wanted the problem to go away, I wasn't one hundred percent sure she knew so I worded myself carefully. Tifa waved her hand and smiled.

"Don't worry Nathan, I know you're a good person." She gets up walks away leaving me to think about what she meant. She didn't persist...so she didn't hear...but why would she ask...

Cait...he must have slipped about me somehow and Tifa suspected me. Damn it this is only going to escalate in the future but what am I to do?... reveal myself? That's a definite possibility since Nanaki found out... it would have to come out eventually if I found a way home. But if I stayed it would cause even more problems in the future. So no matter what I would have to reveal myself to everyone at some point. God, everything's getting more complicated! I shook my head.

First things first, make sure Aeris survives no matter what! Then what else... the Northern Crater. Cloud gives someone the Black Materia to keep so nothing bad happens. I remember Sephiroth discards his fake body for his real one... I'll volunteer for the materia. I know the Tifa illusion and Sephiroth can't hurt me with those. What do I do with it? Throw it in the life stream?... no that would only delay everything. Sephiroth already traveled through the Lifestream with little effort so it would be trivial for him to get the materia if it's in there. Destroy it? No, materia is basically as hard as diamond with the abuse they take...

I clench my head as more pain runs through. I can't think with a headache like this. I need my rest... I'll make a decent plan of action tomorrow... I'll make sure everyone is happy if it's the last thing I do.

Props next chapter to anyone who can guess where I got the names for Zacks parents