"Sorry we're clos….Oh my god"

You looked over to see what had Tifa so shocked and saw Alyssa supporting Jeremy's weight, his left arm was covered in blood and his leg looked a bit mangled.

"Jeremy!" you said in disbelief as you rushed over to help Alyssa bring him in.

"Drinks are free, everyone out" Tifa announced, the bar cleared out so quickly. Most of the regulars threw some cash on the bar as they left.

You and Alyssa set Jeremy down on what used to the coffee table- its now your makeshift examination table. You threw out a few orders- sent Vincent to get peroxide, Cid to get bandages and something to use to splint his leg. Tifa rushed off to get some towels. As carefully as you could you removed Jeremy's shirt, he had various scrapes and bruises all over but a few awful looking gashes were on his left arm. The bleeding was already stopping but the wounds were filthy. Alyssa was already working on removing his pants so you could get a better look at his leg.

You held up your pointer finger. "Follow my finger with only your eyes" you told him, he nodded as his eyes followed your finger.

"what's your mom's maiden name?" you asked.

"Shea" he replied.

"How old are you?'

"24"

"Where are you?"

"Tifa's bar Seventh Heaven"

"No signs of neurological issues, thats good at least" You mumbled. You glanced at Jeremy's leg, it was clearly broken, thankfully it was his lower leg, and not his femur, but it still looked gruesome. "Where's that peroxide!" you called out.

Vincent returned to the room, "I think we're all out" he said as Tifa returned with the towels and gave you a look before pointing to the bar, "go get some vodka". Vincent nodded as he walked away. "The cheap stuff" she called after him.

Now Cid came back with a few thin boards and wire, not the best for a splint but it will have to do. "Geez kid what happened to ya?" Cid asked.

"We were attacked" Alyssa said.

You turned to her, "by who?" you asked, though you already had an idea of who attacked them. Vincent returned with the vodka, you opened it and told Jeremy to take a big swing of it.

"Three silvered haired guys" Alyssa said

"Wait now's not a time to drink" Jeremy said in confusion.

"You're gonna want it in a minute, its not like I have pain killers" you told him, he shrugged and gulped down a quarter of the bottle, you turned back to Alyssa. "You mean the guys who have been causing trouble downtown?" you asked.

She nodded "I think so" she took a deep breath and wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes. "Autumn they looked so much like Sephiroth, I was so scared"

You frowned, it couldn't be, you tried your best to be strong for them. "Its ok we're all together now" you told her as Jeremy passed the vodka back to you. You gave Tifa a look, she realized exactly what you meant and shoved the end of the towel into Jeremy's mouth, he looked confused but didn't have the energy to argue or fight off Tifa, "So you don't bite your tongue" she explained.

Seconds later you poured out the rest of vodka onto Jeremy's shredded arm, it washed the blood away and Jeremy clenched his teeth in pain as it disinfected his wounds. You ordered Alyssa to wash out his other wounds and to clean the vodka off in a minute with the warm water Vincent returned with.

You examined Jeremy's leg further, his tibia was clearly broken and he was whimpering in pain. For the moment he seemed distracted so you took this opportunity to set his tibia. You tried to do it was quickly as possible, Jeremy screamed in pain, as Vincent tried to muffle his screams so not wake up the kids.

You looked back up at Jeremy, "I'm sorry I didn't warn you" you told him sincerely.

"All good" Jeremy gasped out, he was exhausted.

You gave Cid directions on how to construct the splint, it wouldn't be comfortable in any way but it will get the job done. Alyssa found a loose pair of shorts that Jeremy can wear as you continued to clean up his wounds. The gashes on his arm would need stitches. "Tifa?" you asked.

"On it" she replied, and headed off into the bar to get more vodka.

You supervised as Cid set up the split. "This where it needs to be?" Cid asked, he was trying his best.

"Looks right" you told him, "We'll just have to keep it tight to keep the tibia in place"

"English women" Cid barked.

"The bigger bone in his lower leg" you clarified.

"Now that I can understand" Cid replied as he began tying up Jeremy's leg.

Alyssa was whispering sweet nothings to Jeremy, regardless of all the pain he's in his eyes were still filled with so much love for Alyssa. Tifa returned with the vodka and offered it to Jeremy. He took it and nearly chugged half the bottle this time. You took the vodka and sanitized a needle with it. Alyssa saw what you were preparing and tried to get Jeremy to keep his attention on her. You stitched up the worst of the wounds first, with Jeremy hissing in pain and Alyssa continuing to whisper sweet words to him.

"whats going on?" Riley asked from the stairs, his eyes were drowsy with sleep.

"Get back upstairs, this is no place for a kid" Cid ordered.

Riley now fully awake, looked over to see Jeremy being stitched up. "What happened?" he asked coming closer, "I want to help" he added.

"you can help by going back to bed" Tifa said stepping into his view.

"Go kiddo, we'll talk in the morning" You told him. Riley looked like he was about to argue but nodded and turned to head back upstairs.

"Make sure the you and the rest of the kids stay in your room for the night" Vincent told him. Riley nodded before heading off back to bed.

Once he was out of sight, Alyssa said "I'll check on the kids, once we're done here"

You nodded, "They'll like that" you told her as you continued to work on stitching up Jeremy's arm. Either all the Vodka was starting to kick in or the pain was so much he beginning to become numb to it but Jeremy's screams of pain turned to quiet whimpers. You would be done soon and he'd be able to go to sleep soon. You explained to Alyssa how to patch up the wounds on his chest and back. Cid had finished with the splint and was waiting off to the side with Vincent for more orders. You weren't sure where Tifa had gone off to but didn't dwell on it as you finished up stitching up Jeremy's arm. You decided to wrap it at least for the night, it was still a bit bloody so better to wrap it and check on it in the morning than to let him bleed on the sheets tonight.

You sighed in relief that you were finally finished. You closed your eyes for only a moment but felt Alyssa rest her head on your shoulder. You glanced at her.

"Thank you" she told you.

You shook your head, "You guys are family" you replied. Jeremy in his weakened state grabbed your hand and squeezed to show his gratitude.

Tifa finally returned. "I got Autumn's bed all set up for you, you two should get some rest" Tifa told them.

Jeremy looked at the stairs and almost panicked. When he was about to speak he gasped in shock as Vincent easily lifted the full grown man and began heading towards the stairs.

"Well I never thought I'd be carried like a baby but here we are" Jeremy mumbled.

"At least your sense of humor is still intact" you told him, he gave you a smile as he disappeared up the stairs with Alyssa following.

You began to silently clean up, there was vodka and blood all over the floor, but hey it could be worse. Cid tried to help you clean, but Tifa disappeared again. This time she returned with several glasses of whisky? You gave her a curious look.

"Warm whiskey and honey, it will help us all sleep tonight" she explained as Vincent returned with some bedding for you. He placed it on the couch before grabbing his whiskey- you knew he doesn't sleep but at least it will help him relax.

"good call" you agreed though you didn't think you'd have any trouble sleeping tonight, you're exhausted.

"I'll pass" Cid said, you looked at him in disbelief, "Just sobered up" he explained. "I'm gonna head out tonight, you girls need supplies and I can get them faster and cheaper across the country" he explained.

"Oh Cid.." Tifa began.

"I don't want none of your nonsense, I'll be back in a few days" he told you. After a few hugs of gratitude Cid left.

Shortly after Tifa excused herself to go to bed. You sat with Vincent as you finished up your whiskey. Vincent was still acting strange, you knew he must have a good reason, maybe he'd tell you one day when he's ready to.

"You're leaving too" you stated

He nodded, "I wont be gone long"

"Go get your answers, we'll still be here" you told him. Without a word Vincent stood up and kissed your forehead before leaving into the night.

You had so many questions but for once you didn't have the energy to investigate. You barely had enough energy to turn the light off, but you did and returned to the couch without bothering to change or anything. You were so exhausted it didn't take too long to fall asleep.

(Cloud)

You watched as Cid took off in the airship and waited even longer to for all the lights to turn off in the bar. You needed to stop home but couldn't face them, not like this. You felt a presence next to you.

"Vincent" you spoke as he came into the light. "how are they?" you asked when he remained silent.

"I don't think you have the right to ask" Vincent replied.

"I deserve that"

"You deserve worse" Vincent said, exactly what you needed to hear, you knew he was right.

"They're better off without me right now"

"Thats not your choice to make" Vincent said.

"You want to protect them too don't you?" you asked.

"I'm learning its easier to protect when you stay close" Vincent replied as he began to walk away.

"Maybe you're right" you mumbled but you knew you wouldn't follow his advice. You quietly headed into Seventh Heaven, you just needed a few changes of clothes and more bandages. You headed up to your room and somehow managed to avoid all the squeaky floorboards. You were confused when you entered your room and found all of your pillows and blankets were missing, you didn't linger on the thought too long, maybe they needed them for Skylar, Marlene did mention she moved in earlier. Once you grabbed your clothes, you noticed something on your dresser. Upon closer inspection you found that it was a bottle of disinfectant, a few rolls of bandages and a container of ointment. You absently frowned, even though you've been gone for months, Autumn is still worried about you. You packed up everything and headed back out into the hallway, you lingered at Autumn's door for a moment but ultimately decided to leave.

As you crossed from the stairs to living room heading for the door a voice stopped you in your tracks.

"You're leaving again" Riley said. You turned, Riley looked exhausted, you couldn't help but notice that his geostigma had spread to his neck. "You're leaving again aren't you?" Riley questioned again. You remained silent unsure how to respond. "Do you even care about us?" he asked.

That caught you off guard. "Of course I care" you told him.

"Then don't go" He told you.

You looked away and noticed that Autumn was asleep across the room on the living room couch. You frowned upon seeing her, you couldn't face her like this, but why was she staying down here?

"Don't worry she won't wake up, she's too tired" Riley said, you looked back at him, "All she does is take care of the other orphans and look for a cure, this is the first time she's slept in weeks." You glanced back at Autumn, she was sound asleep. "she keeps hoping you'll come back" Riley added. "I'm not so sure anymore"

You frowned. "Riley, I.."

"If you care about my sister you'll stay"

You sighed, "I can't right now, I need to go" you told him. You wanted to stay more than anything but after getting attacked by Kadaj and his gang and then your weird conversation with Rufus, you needed to get this figured out.

"Vincent went looking for answers too, but he'll be back soon" Riley argued, he was trying so hard to be mature and convince you to stay.

"I'll be back" you told him before turning to leave.

"maybe we won't need you then" Riley said spitefully. You hated everything about this, but you couldn't explain why you needed to stay away, you barely understood yourself. You know you need to focus and be ready for whatever is going to happen especially if Sephiroth is involved.

"Maybe you're right." That wasn't the answer Riley was looking for.

(Autumn)

You woke up early to the smell of coffee brewing, as you sat up and rubbed the sleep from your eyes you heard Tifa. "Oh no I woke you didn't I?" she questioned. "I tried so hard to be quiet"

"No worries, the coffee is calling to me this morning" you told her as you wandered into the kitchen.

"Same here" Tifa replied, the two of you must look exhausted but you've got things to do today.

Tifa hadn't started breakfast yet so you decided that everyone deserves some pancakes. As you started taking out the ingredients you asked, "Heard anything from Alyssa and Jeremy this morning?"

"I ran into Alyssa on my way downstairs, she was heading back to sleep for a bit but she said Jeremy slept though most of the night just fine" Tifa replied.

"Thats good, I think he'll heal quickly" you commented.

For the most part the two of you prepared breakfast silently, but as you were finishing up the first batch of pancakes Tifa broke the silence. "Did Riley get up again last night?" she asked.

"Did he?" you repeated, "I don't know I was so tired last night, I don't think a behemoth could have woken me"

"Guess I was hearing things then." she sighed.

Alyssa wandered downstairs shortly after, you set her up with a tray for pancakes, coffee and water for her to take back up to Jeremy, without Vincent or even Cid and Barrett around, theirs no way he's getting down the stairs today. She thanked you and began to head up stairs when she stopped and turned back to you and Tifa. After a moment she finally said. "I'm sorry, we never meant to impose this much"

"Stop right there, don't you dare feel bad about anything" Tifa said standing up and crossing her arms.

"Yeah come on Liss, you could never impose" You told her, and with a smile Alyssa headed off upstairs . Once she was out of sight you turned to Tifa, "You really are good at attracting strays" you joked.

"Hey, the more the merrier at this point" Tifa laughed.

Suddenly you heard several sets of footsteps rushing down the stairs, you and Tifa gave each other a worried look before turning your attention to the doorway. Seconds later Marlene, Skylar and Riley appeared, you couldn't help but notice Skylar and Riley were out of breath while Marlene was fine. Tifa held off on scolding them because of the panicked looks on their faces.

"Denzel is missing" Marlene explained.

"Are you sure?" Tifa asked standing up again.

"He wasn't here when we woke up and we can't find him" Riley added. Skylar just looked like she was about to cry.

"Alright don't worry, we'll find him, now you kids eat some breakfast then we'll start looking" Tifa said as the two of you headed up stairs. "Be ready by the time i come back" she added, then turned to you.

"I have to check on Jeremy's wounds but once i'm done and dressed I'll join you"

Tifa nodded, "He couldn't have gotten that far, could he?" she asked.

"I don't think so, he's been so exhausted lately, I don't understand why would he just leave?" you asked.

Tifa shrugged as you split up; she to her room to change and you to yours to take care of Jeremy. Jeremy was surprisingly chipper this morning as he ate his breakfast. You explained to them what happened this morning and that you'll be joining the search once Jeremy's wounds were taken care of. They tried their best to recount the events from the previous night when they were attacked, but they had blocked out for most of it. From the details they could remember it was clear they were attacked by the three silver haired men. Jeremy's wounds were already starting to heal up nicely, he's still in a good amount of pain but thats to be expected. You directed Alyssa to give him a sponge bath, and you made sure that Alyssa was able to safely get him into the bathroom. As you closed the door to your room so you could change you over heard Jeremy's lame joke that he thought he had another 40 years before she'd have to give him a sponge bath. Even though times are hard, its good to know somethings, including Jeremy's awful sense of humor, will never change.

Once you were ready you headed downstairs to find Tifa giving the kids a lecture, you came in partway through. "I really don't think its safe for you kids to come with us" she said.

"But we want to find Denzel, let us help" Marlene demanded. You could tell Tifa was trying not to lose her temper, she knew Marlene is just worried about Denzel, but Riley and Skylar already looked exhausted.

"Tifa and I will go, besides I need you kids to stay here in case Alyssa needs help with Jeremy or what if Denzel comes back" You reasoned.

"Maybe Cloud will come back too!" Skylar added her eyes full of hope.

"He's not coming back" Riley mumbled under his breath.

"Riley" you scolded. As Tifa continued on to reassure Marlene and Skylar that Cloud would come home.

"But its true, if he cared about us he wouldn't go away" Riley said.

You frowned and looked for Tifa to help. She thought for a moment, trying to find the right words. "Riley, I know its hard but I promise you, Cloud cares, he cares about all of us, he just.." she paused for a moment. "he's got a lot of issues, he can't process his feelings and he needs to go away to work through it" she tried to explain.

Riley didn't look convinced, so kneeled down to his level. "Do you remember when Zander…"

Riley cut you off, "You mean dad"

you smiled, "Yes, do you remember when Dad would get that look in his eyes, like they were glazed over and he'd see things that weren't there, or when he'd have nightmares and he'd wander around the house?" you asked. Riley nodded, so you continued. "Or when he'd take those long walks so he could be alone?"

"Yeah but what does that have to do with Cloud?" Riley asked.

"Its called post traumatic stress disorder, if affects everyone differently, but thats why Cloud needs to go away sometimes, he needs to get through it before he can come home and be with us" you tried to explain. "Now dad always came back right?" you asked. Riley nodded again. "So Cloud will come back, he just might need some time" you told him as you stood up. Tifa was arguing with Marlene whose hellbent on going with you to look for Denzel.

"I wish he'd just come back already" Riley said, "Dad never took this long."

"I know kid, thats just not how this works."

"But you could help him." Riley reasoned.

"I know, but he needs to want to be helped, we can't force him" you told him. Riley didn't really like that answer but accepted it.

After much debate you compromised by allowing Marlene to come with you to search for Denzel, while Riley and Skylar will stay here to help Alyssa with Jeremy and to keep and eye for if Denzel or Cloud come home. The three of you searched all over the slums , uptown, downtown and all of the typical hiding places for orphans. It was starting to get late when Tifa suggested to try to church, it was a bit out of the way but it was on the outskirts of the ruins of old Midgar and the slums of Edge.