Tifa was working at the bar dealing with Cid and Barrett's bickering, Vincent was trying to ignore Yuffie who was rabbling next to him, and Cloud sat by himself as usual looking over his deliveries for the week. You were serving a few of the regular customers. You had to admit the customers tip really well here considering how poor Edge is. The bell signaling that someone entered the bar rang, but you didn't think much of it.

"Well I'd know that ass anywhere"

"Stop being an asshole, we haven't seen each other in four years and that's what you say" a familiar female voice scolded. Now everyone in the bar was looking at them…or your ass and for the record you have fabulous ass that looks great in these black skinny jeans

"Shut up you recognized her ass too," the male said.

"That's besides the point" The girl sighed.

Cloud was about to get up when you motioned for him not to worry.

"Well Jeremy I see you're still a pervert, Alyssa I don't know how you deal with him." You said with a sly smile.

"I've missed you, we have so much to catch up on" Alyssa shirked as she pulled you into a hug. You winced in pain due to your scar it went unnoticed by Alyssa.

"I've missed you too…Jeremy I could do with out" you said in a joking tone.

"You know you love me, come here I deserve a hug after all this time" Jeremy replied as he pulled you in a bear hug. You examined your childhood friends as Vincent walked over and greeted them. Jeremy was a little taller and no longer had the childhood chubbiness in his face. Alyssa looked as gorgeous as ever. They both looked so happy.

While they were catching up with Vincent, Cloud pulled you aside.

"Who are they?" he asked. You could tell from his tone that he didn't trust them and he was worried about you.

"Relax Cloud, they're my friends from Hazelton, I grew up with them."

Cloud looked between you, Jeremy and Alyssa, "I don't like how he treated you"

"That's sweet Cloud, really, but Jeremy is harmless."

Cloud gave you a look but let it go when he realized that there was no changing your mind.

Tifa walked over and introduced herself. Then turned to you, "you know you can take the rest of the day off, it's pretty slow and if I need help Yuffie's here"

You were surprised, "Are you sure? I don't want to inconvenience you," you asked. Tifa has been so good to you, you hope to never take advantage of that.

"Go for it, its not every day old friends are reunited," she said with a smile.

"Thanks Tifa! I owe you one," you said as you walked back over to Jeremy and Alyssa and invited them up to your room.

Vincent followed the three of you, sometimes he reminded you of a mother hen; mostly because of how protective he is with you, and now Jeremy and Alyssa. You were surprised to see that Cloud also followed you. Even though you two get along, it isn't like him to hangout with you or anyone for that matter.

You made yourself comfortable on your bed, Alyssa made herself even more comfortable on your bed by lying down and cuddling with your pillows, something's never change. Jeremy sat on floor because Vincent made him get out of the chair so he could sit. And Cloud leaned against the wall near the door.

"So what's up with Blondie?" Alyssa asked, Cloud instantly looked at her in annoyance. Funny he never gets annoyed when you call him things like Blondie and Spikey "He's cute by the way" she added in a whisper.

"That's Cloud, he…" you were about to explain when you were cut off.

"Wait like Jace and Zack's Cloud?" Jeremy questioned. You could see Cloud trying really hard to look like he doesn't care, but you could see the curious look he gave Jeremy. You nodded.

"So that's the guy Jace was always scared he'd lose you to" Jeremy laughed. You went wide-eyed, this was the first time you were hearing this.

"Jeremy! Do you ever think before you speak!" Alyssa yelled throwing a pillow at him.

"W…what?" you stuttered.

"Jeremy is an idiot," Alyssa growled glaring at him. "Ignore him."

"Someone better start explaining" you demanded.

"Its nothing, I over exaggerated" Jeremy said quickly.

You weren't angry but you were confused, a million questions ran through your mind. Did Jace have doubts that you loved him? Is this why Cloud never came with Jace and Zack? Jeremy may be an idiot but Jace must have said something. You glanced at Cloud; he seemed just as flustered as you are but he was much better at hiding it.

Jeremy saw your confusion and finally decided to explain, "Jace never had doubts about how much you loved him, but he used to tell us guys that he was always worried about if you and Cloud ever met. I mean come on Zack always flirted with you, Jace didn't want both of his best friends flirting with you"

Cloud looked really awkward, his cheeks were a light shade of pink. Maybe he isn't as good at hiding his emotions as you thought. You were pretty embarrassed but decided to ease the tension.

"You know I can't picture you flirting with anyone Spikey," you giggled. Cloud just gave you a look, rolled his eyes and went back to brooding.

"Well now that Jeremy has effectively made everyone feel awkward, I guess it's a good time to tell you that I'm going to marry this loser," Alyssa announced.

(Cloud's POV)

While Alyssa was going on and on about her engagement, all you could think about was what Jeremy said. Jace always did look relieved every time you rejected his offer to go to Hazelton.

"Cloud… Hey Cloud?"

You blinked a few times, losing your train of thought.

"Cloud, geez daydreaming," Autumn laughed, you gave her a curious look then she continued "Do you think Tifa will let Alyssa and Jeremy stay here for a few days? They live in Costa Del Sol." You shrugged. "I'll have to ask Tifa later"

"We can have a sleepover! Just like we used to," Alyssa exclaimed.

Autumn looked away, she looked sad just like whenever her birthday was mentioned. "Great" she said quietly, Alyssa didn't notice Autumn's sadness but you did.

"So what were you guys doing in Edge anyway?" Autumn asked, changing the topic.

"Well, actually we were looking for you" Jeremy said timidly as Alyssa grabbed his hand for support.

"Awe guys I'm sorry, I know I should have tried to find you"

"Its alright its just that, your trail went cold three years ago, the last we knew you and Ryan were in Juron and Riley was in Rocket Town, then nothing for three years, the only reason we came here is because we heard a rumor that a mysterious figure in red was lurking around here so we figured that must be Vincent and if anyone could find you it would be him" Alyssa said.

"I don't lurk" Vincent mumbled.

You gave him a look, "You do kind of lurk."

"I thought you were with Ryan"

Autumn and Vincent exchanged looks. An awkward silence filled the room. You couldn't help but worry about Autumn, she started to play with the ring on her necklace, she looked so uncomfortable and who is Ryan and why did the name sound familiar?

"Autumn, what happened?" Alyssa demanded. Autumn just shook her head and looked away. "Vincent you know don't you" Vincent just gave her a blank stare that meant he knew but he won't be telling anyone.

"Where is Ryan?" Jeremy asked in a softer voice. You wanted to stop this pseudo interrogation but your curiosity and indecisiveness stopped you.

After a long pause Autumn took a deep breath. "We had a fight, I haven't seen him in three years"

Alyssa's eyes filled with tears, Jeremy looked sick "How… what happened?" he asked clearly upset.

"He hated that I wanted to find Zack" Autumn said, you could tell that she was about to start crying by the sound of her voice. "Right after Riley was kidnapped, we got into a fight. We were in Juron, he blamed me for Riley being kidnapped, He thought I was looking for Zack, I just wanted to find a safe place for Riley to grow up." She sniffled, and looked to her childhood friends for support but they just looked disappointed. Autumn nervously played with the ring on her necklace as she rambled, "we fought a lot, he wasn't like he used to be, its my fault he got sick from it, I know its my fault, he wanted me to find a cure but I couldn't, nothing I tried worked…It just kept getting worse."

"A cure for what?" Jeremy asked, you had to admit you were curious too but it was killing you to see Autumn this upset. You were about to put a stop to all of this when Autumn spoke;

"Geostigma" was all she said, as she stood up and walked over to the window. You were shocked, you thought about the infection beginning to manifest on your own arm. No cure.

"I thought only people in SOLDIER got that, isn't it from the mako energy?" Alyssa asked.

"Isn't it from that meteor and the Lifestream? Jeremy asked.

Autumn snapped "It doesn't matter I couldn't find a cure" Vincent rushed over to comfort her. You wished you could comfort her like you did on her birthday, but you couldn't build up enough courage to. Yet another reason you're a failure.

(Autumn's POV)

You felt Vincent pull you into a protective hug as you began to cry.

"Autumn" Alyssa said in a soft voice "I'm sorry, its not your fault…its just we thought when we found you, we'd find him too"

You felt horrible but you never want to see Ryan again, he may look like his brother and sister but he's nothing like them, the things he said to you, blamed you for, accused you of, it was unforgivable.

The conversations continued, Alyssa and Jeremy apologized for seeming angry with you. You spoke in vague terms telling just enough information to answer their questions but not enough for anyone to really understand. They understood that it's hard for you to talk about it. Eventually the topic of conversation turned back to Jeremy and Alyssa's wedding preparations. Luckily Alyssa likes to talk so you just half listened, you were too distracted, reliving the memories of Melody and Jace's deaths and the fights with Ryan.