note- things get bad before they get good, enjoy

You closed your eyes wanting nothing more to go back to bed. Rolling over you listened to the sounds of rain hitting the roof and windows. The last 3 months have been horrible and putting on a strong act for the kids was exhausting you. Riley had contracted geostigma, so far its only a small bruise-like welt on his shoulder but he's already showing signs of fatigue and he's such a good boy, so optimistic. And poor Denzel, his geostigma has spread from his forehead to his neck and back, the poor kid spends most of the time sleeping, you knew it was only a matter of time before Riley is as lethargic as Denzel is. It killed you that you couldn't find a cure, you were spending more and more time, researching and trying to make stronger versions of the ointment but so far you're only able to ease their pain. Marlene has been an angel, more helpful then usual around the house and she's been spending so much of her time finding games and activities that Denzel and Riley still have the energy for.

You heard a knock at your door, before you could answer you heard Riley's weakening voice say, "Sis, Tifa is wondering when you're going to come down stairs."

"I'll be down in a few minutes" You replied. You laid back again for a few moments before stretching and finally getting up. You dressed in black jeans and and off the shoulder sweater. As you brushed out your hair, you spotted your phone on the nightstand. You debated with yourself for a few moments before finally deciding to call him.

You listened as the phone began to ring, you could feel your anxiety building with each sound of the tone. You heard the familiar click as Cloud's prerecorded voice said 'Strife's delivery service, leave a message'. When you heard the beep you said. "Hey Cloud… its me again. I just…." you couldn't find the right words so you settled on, "I hope that you're alright" you paused a moment unsure if you should continue but finally decided to. "It's been really hard without you here. I know you must be doing something important but I really need you, please come home soon" when you were done, you glared at the phone as if blaming it for being unable to speak with Cloud, before you sighed and threw the phone onto your bed before heading down stairs.

When you entered the kitchen you saw Tifa rummaging through the fridge, the kids quietly eating cereal and Vincent drinking some coffee as he looked over some of Riley's drawings.

"Morning" you said with a yawn, you were so tired you stayed up half the night going over medical journals from one of your old professors in hopes that you'd the connect the pieces with your own research on geostigma but so far no luck.

You were greeted with a chorus of 'good mornings'. Riley instantly got up and ran for the cereal box offering it to you as you grabbed a bowl from a cabinet, his labored breathing didn't go unnoticed. "Go finish your breakfast you don't have to help me" you told him with a smile, it was a genuine as possible. The exhaustion is really taking a toll on you.

As you began eating your cereal Tifa placed a mug of coffee in front of you and said. "Super sweet just like you like it." she paused a moment. "It looks like you need it"

"Is it really that obvious?" you asked rubbing your eyes.

Tifa just nodded, "You can't keep staying up like this, you need to rest once in a while" she told you.

You sighed, "I know I just…" you trailed off, you couldn't come up with a good reason. You weren't close to a breakthrough, you just couldn't sleep, every time you close your eyes you either dream of Cloud or constantly think about trying to fine a cure. You were beginning to resent how much of your time you speed thinking of that brooding blonde. Its been three months and none of you heard from him. He's stopped in a few times but no one ever saw him, just some evidence of him taking things from his room and you noticed the missing bandages.

"Autumn, I know you're the doctor but you must know its not healthy" Tifa reasoned. You knew she was right.

"You won't be able to take care of anyone if you keep doing this to yourself" Vincent said as he put an hand on your shoulder.

you sighed. "I know, I'll try to be better" you told them with a sigh.

The kids had finished breakfast and Tifa sent them off to pick up some groceries, she sent them off with some money and your phone, just in case, Edge has been a bit more dangerous these last few weeks. Theres been reports of three males with silver hair causing trouble in the heart of city, thankfully the bar is more on the outskirts.

Once the kids were gone, Tifa turned to you. "You really haven't heard from Cloud?" she asked, it wasn't accusatory, it was more in disbelief.

You shook your head as you finished your breakfast. You tried to remember the last time you saw Cloud, it was shortly after you returned from the Healen Lodge, everything seemed fine, you remembered saying goodnight to Cloud after locking up the bar, he had said he was going to stay up a while longer… but everything seemed fine, unless you missed something. Or maybe it was something you did?

"Autumn, stop whatever you're thinking," Tifa told you, "don't you dare blame yourself." she must have realized she said that a bit more harsh then she intended because she backed off for a moment before saying. "Cloud is always doing stuff like this, he'll turn up eventually" she pinched the bridge of her nose, "I just wish he'd call you."

You frowned, you weren't sure if you should ask but decided to anyway, "Why does he close himself off?" you asked quietly.

From the look on Tifa's face you could tell she wasn't sure how to answer, and to be honest it wasn't a fair question. When Tifa finally spoke she said, "I don't know, maybe its because I wasn't there for him when we were kids, maybe its because of the experiments they performed on him…Just don't blame yourself Autumn, you didn't do anything wrong."

"I'll try" you told her.

The phone in the bar rang and Tifa excused herself to go answer it. Once she was out of the room Vincent turned to you. You hated the look he was giving you, it was like he was about to lecture you. Instead the weird brooding vampire dad just kept staring.

"Vinny don't give me that look" you sighed.

"He hurt you" Vincent finally said.

"I'm sure he has a good reason for it" you told him.

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself" but it wasn't a question. You buried your face in your hands, you were so conflicted, you wanted to hold onto the hope that Cloud has a good reason for disappearing but it was really starting to exhaust you and you refuse to allow another soldier to break your heart. "Autumn I never want to see you hurting but please don't blame yourself for this, it has nothing to do with you" Vincent said.

You slowly looked up, the way he said that, it made you feel like theres more this is, that Vincent knows something that you don't know, but before you could confront him Tifa returned, she looked annoyed. "everything alright?" you asked.

"Reno called, he says he has a job for Cloud, so I left him a message, of course its too hard for him to pick up his phone." Tifa told you, from her tone you weren't sure if she was more annoyed that Reno called or that Cloud didn't answer.

You heard the door to the bar open, followed by three sets of footsteps but they were noisy like they were running. Tifa stood up ready to scold the kids as they rushed into the kitchen, but the upset looks on their faces made Tifa reconsider.

"Whats wrong?" Tifa asked as Denzel shoved the bag of groceries in her arms.

Marlene went right past her and offered you, your phone back as she said, "Its Skylar, she's sick" Marlene said a bit out of breath. "You need to call her mom back"

The thought of that awful women made your skin crawl, but your want to help that poor kid overpowered your feelings of distain. Without a second thought you dialed the number

(Cloud)

You blinked a few times, irritated by the blinding morning light. Stretching as you slowly sat up, the floor of this old church really is awful for your back. Its been months but at this point you feel far too guilty to go home, you never meant to stay away this long but you needed to find out more about the reports of the three silver haired men causing trouble, you had an awful feeling about them.

You heard your phone ringing but upon seeing Tifa's name you let it go to voicemail. While you waited for the message you decided to change the bandages on your arm. You frowned upon seeing how bad the geostigma had gotten and its only going to get worse from here. Once you were done cleaning and wrapping your arm, just like how Autumn showed you, you grabbed your phone, and saw that there were two messages.

You started listening to the first but couldn't handle it, it was Autumn, she never says much just hopes that you're doing well and that she misses you. You felt so guilty, she deserved better than this, but she keeps holding out hope that you'll answer. You deleted it, you couldn't handle hearing Autumn's voice, maybe its because you're weak but being away is punishment enough.

You listened to Tifa's message, "Reno called, he says he has a job for you, apparently he's still hiding out at the Healen Lodge." There was a long pause before it continued, "You know, you should really come home, you can't keep running away every time you feel like you need to prove yourself." she sighed, "I don't mean to be hard on you, I know I wasn't there when you needed me most, but this isn't fair to Autumn or the kids, at least come back for them." You thought the message was over. "Autumn is not going to wait for you forever." Then the message ended. You frowned knowing that she's right.

You tried not to dwell on it but Autumn is all you can think about. You just wanted to protect her and your friends but this time you really messed up. Against your better judgement you decided to go to the Healen Lodge.

(Autumn)

Against Cid's wishes you stood staring out the window of his airship as it took off. There was a bit of turbulence and you nearly lost your balance more than once but you loved looking out, the view is always breathtaking. Off in the distance you saw a familiar motorcycle, racing off, you weren't sure how to feel; I guess you're just relived that Cloud is ok, you didn't want to think about your other emotions. Right now the only thing that matters is getting to Skylar.

"Hey kid" Cid called out to you, you just turned towards him, "Why don't you take a nap, its gonna be a few hours" Cid suggested.

You shook your head, "No I'm alright" You replied as you turned back to the window. Cloud and his motorcycle were nearly out of sight now, you couldn't help but wonder where he's going.

You felt a hand on your shoulder, "You should rest, we both know you need it" Vincent said. You knew he was right. "Autumn you're not letting anyone down, if anything we're all worried about you, you need to take care of yourself too."

You gave him a small smile, "I'll try to be better about taking care of myself" You told him quietly, then turned to Cid, "I'm gonna head to the cabin for a nap, you'll wake me when we're close?" you asked.

"Of course lass"

You fell into a fitful but much needed sleep, it was probably the most sleep you've gotten in months. A soft knock on the door followed by Cid's gruff voice saying we'll be landing in a few minutes woke you. You rubbed the sleep from your eyes trying to remember your dream, there was a field of flowers that reminded you of the wildflowers that grew just outside of Hazeltown, but you couldn't remember anything else. As you brushed out your hair you couldn't help but feel like your dream was important, almost like it was trying to warn you of something. with a frown you dismissed the thoughts and headed out into the cockpit to wait for Cid to land the airship.

The second your feet hit solid ground, you were whisked away into the mansion, you couldn't help but remember your first trip here and how cold everyone was, especially the guards who are now escorting you. The mansion looked exactly the same as the last time you were here, as you entered the foyer you were greeted by Skylar's nasty mother.

"It took you long enough to get here."

"Well Edge is a few hours hours away" you told her blankly, you have no patience for this women.

Whatever she said next was drown out by the heavy footfalls running down the stairs, you looked to see Skylar running down the stairs. You were confused, she was suppose to be sick? On the phone her mom said it was serious, you had asked the symptoms and she had said a cough, that she'd been bedridden, a fever… you lost your train of thought when Skylar hugged you. For a brief moment of shock you looked down at her, before putting a hand on her head, you couldn't help but notice that she was holding the motorcycle helmet Cloud had given her.

"Autumn I missed you so much" Skylar said as she looked up at you, then looked around quickly.

"I missed you too kiddo" You told her.

"Where's Cloud?" she asked still looking around for him.

You tried to hide your frown at the sound of his name, "He couldn't make it this time" you told her, you'd let Tifa break the news to her, you just couldn't handle it.

"Oh…" she trailed off, then looked excited again, "does that mean we get to go in the airship?"

You nodded, "Cid is outside waiting for us" you told her, then you kneeled to her level. "Now tell me, you've been sick?" you asked.

Skylar frowned, and looked back her mother as if asking permission, then turned back to you. You were able to ask whats wrong when she shook her head and rolled up her sleeve on her right arm to reveal the greenish oozing bruise, the tell tale sign of geostimga. You frowned briefly before turning back to Skylar's mother, "How long has she had this?" You asked trying to remain as professional as possible.

"Two weeks" She replied, The geostimga was clearly older than two weeks, while the spread has been more rapid in recent months, theirs no way she's only had it for two weeks.

You gave Skylar a curious look, "You know I'm a doctor, I can't help if I don't know everything." You told her.

Skylar nodded and glanced at her mom before finally saying, "Two months." That sounds about right.

You nodded, "Why don't you grab your bag and go out to the airship, I'm sure Cid and Vincent would love to see how much you've grown."

Skylar gave you a big smile before she ran off. Once she was out of sight, you turned back to her mom. "You know it only hurts her if you lie to me about her medical condition" You told her a hint of venom in your voice.

"I called you didn't I" she replied.

"Two months later, I could have helped her from the start" You told her, clearly this was not getting through to this awful women. "Has she had less energy? Any signs of fatigue? Do you wrap the wound at all? Does she have other symptoms? Headaches, fever, dizziness?" You rattled off a few more questions but all she gave you was a blank stare.

"Are you able to cure her?" She asked after a few moments, it was the first time she's shown any form of concern for Skylar's wellbeing.

You frowned, "Theirs no cure, I can relieve her symptoms"

Without a word she turned away from you and walked upstairs, you watched her go for a few moments, curious if she was simply done talking to you or if she actually was distraught over her child, for Skylar's sake you hoped it was the later. You took one last look before heading back out to the airship.