"So what you got, Aerith?" Gohan asked as he had checked out half of the wall market for info on how to sneak into Tifa's location.

"Well, I found out a couple of things... but you might not like what you might have to do." Aerith giggled.

"What do you mean?"

'Well, I guess we could take a look. It might not have to come to that. Follow me.' Aerith smiled as she took Gohan's hand and started to head deeper into the heart of the Wall Market.

"No..." Gohan said firmly once he found out what might be needed to save his friend.

"Then you'll let me go in on my lonesome?" Aerith pouted.

"There has to be another way."

"Not unless you want to make a scene... Look, you said that she was important to you. Well, this is what you need to do." Aerith said as Gohan tried to think of another way around the Don's security.

"Time is not on your side, Gohan. The longer we take to get her out of there.."

"I know... I know." Gohan sighed.

"Wait.. the Don is a business man... perhaps we can convince him to trade Tifa for information."

"What kind of information would interest a guy like Corneo?" Aerith asked.

"Information about Shinra."

Back at Shinra HQ

"How are the plans coming along?" President Shinra said to Heidegger alongside Reeve as he entered his office.

"Smoothly, very smoothly! I assigned the Turks for this very job." Heidegger laughed.

"Are we really going to do this, Mr President? Simply destroy a group with only a few members.."

"What's the problem, Reeve? You want to get out of this?"

"... No, but as head of the Urban Development Department, I have been involved in the creation and running of Midgar. That's why."

"You worry too much about simple problems! Reeve let them go!"

Heidegger said as he looked at the head of the Turks.

"And besides, the Mayor is against this anyway..." Reeve muttered.

"Mayor?! That old fool just sits in this building and stuffs his face, you still call a person like that a Mayor?!" Heidegger said in contempt.

"While you wonder about your future, let me and the real 'Mayor' deal with things that you have problems with handling." Heidegger finished as he saluted the President.

"By your leave," Heidegger said.

Nodding to the stout man, the President walked over to a concerned Reeve who was trying to reason with his boss.

"Reeve, you've worked hard enough as it is these last few days. Take some time off, get laid, get a tan and make sure your underlings do the same."

"Mr President?"

"We have a lot to accomplish, can't do that with exhausted workers." He finished as he put a hand on Reeve's shoulder.

"Yes sir..."

As Reeve left, the President smiled.

'Everything is coming along smoothly...'

"So you say you have information for me?" Corneo said as he looked at the well dressed Gohan.

"That depends... do you have in your possession a woman called Tifa?" Aerith asked.

"She the brains, you the muscle kid?" Corneo said as he looked Aerith up and down.

"No, he's my boyfriend, just here to make sure that we're both on the same page." Aerith replied, placing a kiss on Gohan's right cheek.

"Well 'Mr boyfriend', what makes you think that I would tell you anything without proof that you know about Shinra?"

"1st Class SOLDIER Son Gohan." Gohan responded, making Corneo's eyes widen briefly before narrowing.

"Son Gohan huh... well that's enough proof for me.. have Leslie bring me my choice for the night!" Corneo said to one of his lackeys.

"Yes sir."

Taking Gohan and Aerith on a tour through his mansion, he probes Gohan for info.

"You're a persistent man, Mr Corneo, but until I see what I came for Gohan will not say another word." Aerith stated.

"Tough nuts are the best to crack..." Corneo responded with a dark chuckle before taking them back into his private chambers.

"While we wait for my men to bring out this... 'Tifa' person, perhaps I could interest you in a drink or two?" Corneo asked as he took a seat.

"No thank you." Aerith replied.

"As you.."

.."

"Sir I have Leslie and your choice for the night." Corneo's lackey said as he entered the room with another man and Tifa.

"Sam, excellent service as always, Leslie stop glaring at me. Leave the girl and go... both of you."

"Yes boss." Sam said.

Glancing at Gohan and Aerith as he left, Leslie whispered one word.

"I'm sorry."

"Now then to business.. you have seen what you came for.. I also have seen what I desire."

"What you desire?" Aerith asked.

"A way to permanently cement my position in Shinra's good books.."

"..."

"What have you done to Tifa?" Gohan asked making Aerith look at him in confusion.

"Your as good as he said you would be.. foolish girl thought that she could get information from me.. the nerve! If she wasn't so pretty I would have had her thrown to my 'pets!'" Corneo said tapping a clearly drugged Tifa on the shoulder.

"This whole thing was a setup?!" Gohan shouted.

"That's the wrong tone to be having with me boy. The only reason you still live is that Shinra still has a use for you and that ancient at your side..." Corneo said raising a finger.

"!!"

"Shinra has allowed me to do what ever I want with my 'guests' however special ones such as former associates, members of rebel factions or ancients are to be kept alive until deemed useless."

"Gohan... you came for me, I knew you wouldn't let me down.." Tifa began as she walked over and kissed the stunned warrior.

"You see I already knew who you three were.." Corneo began as Gohan started to feel woozy.

"It pays to have ears in the right places.. right Avalanche?"

"You... son of a.." Gohan mumbled.

"Impressive.. you still have enough strength to speak? Your will is astounding, this one.. strong too but not as good as you."

"What have you done to them!?" Aerith said as she began to use her materia.

"Ah... none of that please." Corneo said as he pressed a button making the room fill with gas.

"Let's see the SOLDIER in action.."