Chapter 15. September εуλ0002
Junon. Tseng and Cissnei at his back. It felt good to be in uniform again.
The city was overrun by Genesis's forces, but Zack found himself on guard duty instead, trying to tell himself he was doing the most important part. It only really hit home when he confronted Genesis at the top of Upper Junon, two clones stealing Hollander away.
Zack cursed.
He could only stare into the sunset as his prey escaped him, Cissnei and Tseng running forward before him. There was nothing more he could do. Cleanup was theirs, now.
He awaited – and, behind him came a voice he hadn't heard in a while.
Failed mission, the words fell on his deaf ears. He couldn't find it in himself to care. All he could think of was heeding Sephiroth's warning – more Genesis clones attacking Midgar - couched in permission to return. He didn't need to be told twice. He wanted – needed - to get back to Midgar. Back to Aerith.
On the way back, slouching through the wreckage of the attack, he sighted a lone trooper leaning on a lamppost. He caught sight of a familiar mess of blonde hair, a chocobo tangle that could only belong to one person.
"Cloud?" he called to his friend. "Damn, buddy, it's been so long since I've seen you!" Even before Costa. When had they gone out motorcycle riding anyway? Too long. He'd seen Cloud what, once, maybe twice since. "You feeling okay there?"
"Ughhh," Cloud mumbled. "I'll be okay. Just that motion sickness again. Still haven't gotten over it." He forced himself to straighten. "Wow, Zack, it's been so long that I thought you'd forgotten all about me."
"No way, man. I don't forget my friends. " Despite not having seen Cloud, he'd been checking up on the other man's progress reports, pleased to see he was proceeding as expected. "What've you been up to?"
"Oh, you know. Boring army stuff. At least I'm at the level now where they give us some sword training. Really like that." Cloud smiled briefly, shades of cheer. "I just got here. Rescue work. Cleanup stuff. Won't take long and I'll be heading back to Midgar again. " He belched. "Not looking forward to another helicopter ride."
"That's important stuff, too. Do your best. Look, I gotta go, but when things are settled, we'll go out to eat and catch up, alright? I'll take you someplace a grunt can't afford. My treat."
"I'd like that." Zack waved, and he was off and running, a new spring in his step. Cloud marched resolutely forward, bolstered by the other man's confidence in him, hoping it wasn't misplaced. Zack was something not icy or unreachable, rather more attainable, something Cloud could believe in. That all the months he'd been slugging it out in the regular army was actually going somewhere. His easy camaraderie had gotten Cloud through all these months, making him feel there might be hope for him yet.
That perhaps he still might be SOLDIER.
Whatever it wanted, it sure wasn't food.
The strange griffon-like creature had taken up residence in the rafters of the church a week before, and it seemed to have no particular intention of leaving. Aerith had been instinctively frightened, but after she had gotten over the shock, she'd allowed herself to reach out with her heart, feeling its pain and sadness. Not a monster – just another being.
"Why are you here?" she asked it. "What brought you here, anyway?"
The speechless creature gave no hint of an answer; Aerith touched one hand to her stomach, wondering. Impulsively, she picked a flower, the bloom cheerfully speaking back to her, and lifted it up above her.
It stretched its wings, gracefully landing down, attracted by the petals' scent. She felt the flower, the life within it, reaching out; and the creature responded in kind, staring in wonder into the stamens and pistils of the center, as if inhaling the scent. She reached up, gently stroking its head, shiny scales strangely velvet to the touch.
Looks like it's here to stay… Maybe Zack couldn't be here, but it gave her a seventh sense of glittered comfort nonetheless.
Cleanup was a bitch, but it was what Turks did.
Tseng was left with Cissnei, overlooking the top of the Junon cannon. They'd gathered all the intelligence they could here for now; already, there were more pressing concerns. Unnerving rumors coming from remote reactors all across the world. Malfunctions? AVALANCHE?
Something else? Some Shinra secret buried so deep even he couldn't ferret it out? Rufus – he must know, but certainly wasn't telling. Was it connected to the Vice President's adamant position to take Aerith in as soon as possible?
Zack was back in Midgar; the orders were already in place, just waiting for the results of the Turks' scouting to come in. He'd added him to the roster, wanting a local on hand; the trooper was seasoned enough to handle it. He'd hoped, as well, this might give Cloud his chance to shine. "Cissnei," he turned to his companion, "You're all set to go to Nibelheim, then?"
"I'm on it." Cissnei clipped, efficient.
"Just investigate, to start. Get back to me as soon as there's an update on the situation there." What on Gaia was going on in Shinra's oldest reactor?
Zack bounded up the stairs two at a time, full of worry for Aerith, Sephiroth's words heavy on his mind. He'd been away too long. Was she alright?
He threw the doors wide open to a startled Aerith, unknown beast hovering over her. His sword was out in a flash. He barreled down the aisle of the church, armed and ready.
"Zack, no!" Aerith cried.
Zack screeched to a halt, assessing. The thing's wings flapped lazily, poised for takeoff but still guarding what appeared to be its mistress. What is it? What is it doing here?
It raised, lengthened its neck, and Zack gasped in shock. Angeal's face? Another clone, a bizarre version of the clones he'd met – another monster with the copied traits of his deceased mentor?
Was Angeal's spirit here, watching over Aerith?
A whirr behind him, and through the open doors, a trio of mechanical guardians, some new prototype out of the Weapons department, squealed and cranked into the church.
Even before Zack could react, Angeal's copy lurched into the air, slamming into the mechs, a shower of steel and sparks. He leaped to block Aerith as they exploded, and within seconds, smoldering piles of dented metal were the only remnants of Shinra's technology. The creature crumbled, falling to its side, one wing wearily lapping the air above.
Aerith felt its flash of pain. By her side, Zack enclosed her in one protective arm, waiting, tensed. Stumbling slightly, it rose, stretching awkward wings, testing gingerly, before it rose with a strangely majestic grace back to its nesting spot above.
"Huh." Zack was puzzled.
"Zack... I think it was here… to... protect us." Protect me, while you were gone.
Zack sighed, not yet relinquishing alertness. Disgruntled, he called above. "You! Whatever you are! Behave yourself! Stay right where you are, you hear me?" I'm here now. I'll take care of her myself. Bitterly, he thought that grateful though he might be, he wished he could have been here to care for her on his own. She was his responsibility - he didn't much like entrusting her safety to others.
At least he had a little precious time to spend with her before he was called off again.
Aerith quietly observed. Her handsome SOLDIER, ready to take on anything and everything. For her, the sense of safety radiating from his presence settling into her world. He didn't realize, he didn't need to try so hard; he was her hero, no matter what, whether he was fighting to protect her or…
"You promised to help me build that flower wagon," she suddenly remembered.
Zack straightened, confused. "A flower wagon? You want to do that now?"
"Why not? You've been promising me for a long time," she teased him in reminder. His puppy-dog expression lit up, swimming with the new objective he'd been given; she waited, charmed, as he bounded off with enthusiasm to seek the needed parts, leaving behind him his reiteration of his promise that when she went up the plate to sell them, he'd go with her.
Somehow, she knew as long as he was with her, everything would be alright.
Soon enough, he'd returned with everything they needed, and she stood, fascinated, as the pieces slowly came together…
It was pretty, it really was. He'd stopped for more pink fabric; Aerith had tied those in bows, wide scoops of color falling to brighten up the sides. She stood back, looking over the finished product. She knew Zack had poured his love into it; the vague dissatisfaction she felt had nothing to do with the wagon itself. Perhaps she couldn't help but think about the way he bore his heart, even as he was still tied to Shinra, his loyalties forever doomed to be divided.
Now more than ever, it wasn't just for herself. Was it selfish of her to want him only for her own? Somehow, the wagon was a symbol of all he could and couldn't give her; somehow, despite his best efforts, it never being enough.
All her little wishes for him, for them… but the one most of all. The one.
While Zack picked up the call, she knowing full well this would be yet again he was taken away from her, she held pen and paper, thinking. How would she tell him everything she needed to say?
Even in writing, somehow it wouldn't come out. She was still so frightened of telling him. She found herself writing a single sentence.
I'd like to spend more time with you.
It never failed. Just when he thought he might finally, FINALLY have some time with Aerith, after a month without her, the call back to headquarters came.
He hung up the phone, eyes downcast. She didn't need to be told.
"I'm sorry." He didn't want to face her.
"Here." She took his hand , turning him to her, pressing a piece of paper into his palm.
All her little wishes. Zack looked at the slip, and sunshine reached his eyes. "Go ahead," she urged him. "The flower wagon will be waiting. We'll go sell flowers when you're done, alright?"
Hand in his pocket, he stroked her tiny note, fingering the reminder of his angel below. Bliss faded as the grey oppression of Shinra rampaged back, weighing more with every floor he rose up to the 49th.
He barely bothered to hide his irritation as Sephiroth gave him the briefing. Genesis. Hollander. More of the same. Did it ever end?
But the real surprise was when Sephiroth told him…
Abandoning Shinra? Sephiroth?
The thought was, well, unthinkable.
Perhaps he had recently been sulking so deep that he hadn't realized he wasn't the only one disillusioned so. He considered. Genesis and Angeal were Sephiroth's close friends. Was the man left… adrift… without them? Did Sephiroth have anyone left he could count on, anyone who truly meant something to him, bonds he could draw on for a true SOLDIER's strength?
Was Sephiroth just a puppet of Shinra too?
Leaving the briefing, he couldn't get that trail of thought out of his head. He'd been turning it over and over, no answers in sight, barely paying attention to his surroundings when he nearly bumped into…
"Zack!" Kunsel greeted him warmly. "I just heard. They're sending you out with Sephiroth, huh?" Kunsel told him.
"Yeah. Nibelheim. Something with the reactor." Some nonsense errand he'd be running for the company again.
"I think everyone's getting assigned to a remote reactor. I'm being sent off to Fort Condor."
"Yeah." Zack looked downwards. "You know, man, I'm getting really tired of this. I just got back from Costa, went straight to Junon, saw Aerith for like five minutes, and now they're shipping me out to the boonies again."
"It's hard to be in love," Kunsel said with empathy. "At least you're a First. Maybe you should start taking advantage of that. If Sephiroth can turn down missions, so can you." He stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Tell you what. If I get back before you do, I'll stop and look in on her for you, okay?"
That mollified Zack somewhat. Kunsel was the only one of his buddies Aerith had ever met – she'd trust him. "Thanks, man," he told his friend. "I'm sure she'd really appreciate it."
"Anytime. She's a great girl. Better go see her while you have some time still."
Zack didn't need to be told twice.
Zack, going away again. Work, always work…
Aerith wished she could be angry, but really, she was only angry at herself. She should have known… getting involved with SOLDIER. Getting involved with anyone from Shinra probably wasn't the wisest choice, but love was love, wasn't it?
She wanted so much to tell him, before she missed her chance… again. His promise they'd go up to the plate, underneath another promise implied - that he'd be by her side. But even more… there was another promise, deep inside her.
Would it change anything if she told him? Would he stay? Could he stay?
He'd promised he'd be back in no time. If only that could be a guarantee.
Her throat dry, she squeezed out, "Can I call you?" His enthusiastic "yes" would have to be enough for now.
She'd enjoy however long she could steal him away for now.
Reaching the park, Aerith casually pushed the wagon full of colorful blooms. The flowers themselves had given their okay to be sold. To spread that little but of connection to the Planet, to remind people what was important.
How much like a baby carriage it looked…
She had her doubts but it was too late to go back. She'd heard that voice of the Planet, urging her to use her power, her connection, to make life happen.
The life that was inside her now.
Zack, so gentle, so charming. So oblivious. It was too soon for anything to show on the outside, but soon enough she wouldn't be able to hide it.
She knew. She should go ahead and tell him. Now was the time. But what if she did? Would he end up distracted on his mission, careless? Would she put him in danger if he knew?
She couldn't be sure.
He was such a boy himself at heart, this handsome SOLDIER with his giant sword accosting the passers-by, intimidating them into buying flowers, sorely unaware of the impression he made. His childlike embarrassment as he lost her customer, she laughing, throwing her arms around him, kissing to tell him it was alright, she just wanted to spend the time with him.
He was going to be such a wonderful father.
She let him go only when a little boy approached the wagon, her heart filled with enthusiasm and joy.
Zack watched Aerith, smiling inside. Here he'd been so ashamed of disappointing her, and she'd laughed his embarrassment away, covering him with those kisses that let him know she was the one.
A flash of motion caught his eye, and if it belonged to who he thought it did, it meant that person wanted to be seen. Leaving Aerith talking to the boy, he plodded through the sand of the playground.
"Hello, Tseng," he said, even before he rounded the moogle slide behind which the man hid. "Spying on Aerith again?"
Tseng was nonplussed. "You're going away for a while, aren't you? Don't you want to know someone is keeping Aerith safe?"
Zack crossed his arms and harrumphed, none too pleased with the arrangement. Leaving her under the watchful eye of Tseng… it didn't sit well with him. The man was an uncertain friend at best, a lukewarm ally at worst. The Turk always had that sign of being one step ahead of him, always knowing something Zack did not. He hoped he was doing the right thing, trusting Aerith's safety to his hands. If Zack couldn't be there himself, he supposed Tseng was the next best thing.
He was uncharacteristically agitated, unsure why. "I'm counting on you. Don't let me down!" he told Tseng, turning back towards the woman he loved.
He pulled her close to him, turning her face to his, sealing his every promise with a kiss, deep and profound. The sort of kiss that made Aerith want so much more, to tumble to the flowers with him once again… but he couldn't stay the night. He couldn't even stay five more minutes.
Shinra waited on no one.
But she would see him when he returned. And then… and then…
Zack was in a shitty mood. All this time he'd spent working his way up in Shinra… was it even worth it? Being away from Aerith, more and more nothing but frustration. The tradeoff wasn't fair.
Inwardly, he snickered at his inadvertent pun.
He was walking, sulking, through the corridors of the 49th floor once again when he turned a corner, nearly running into a trooper. One of the men he was supposed to be leading. All composed SOLDIER attitude , he opened his mouth to bark out orders, until…
"Cloud?" he burst out in surprise, and suddenly the glum fell away. His younger friend's jovial innocence, so much of which Zack felt like he had lost, infected him. Eagerness to get out, a mission an occasion for excitement, anticipation –
"So glad to be working with you, buddy!" he said, offering up a high five, and meaning every word.
"I know, right? I didn't know where they were assigning me next, but they hustled me onto this assignment as soon as I was off the helicopter." Cloud smiled. "Didn't know you were on this too. Must be important, huh?"
"Eh, who knows. Probably just some rote bullshit. But hey, we gotta do what we gotta do." Cloud hastily assured him that he'd round up the other troops, leaving Zack with nothing to do but wait for Sephiroth. As he watched Cloud barrel off, his spirits lifted – and he thought how far Cloud had come.
Cloud didn't know he had a surprise waiting for him when they got back. A birthday present. Well, a late birthday present, but since when had Zack been on time for birthdays?
Cloud was due to retake the SOLDIER exam on the next round. He'd have to do that part on his own – but this time, Zack was sure that he would pass.
And when he did – it was filed and sealed. By Sephiroth, no less, as the reluctant acting leader. Zack had been hanging on to the form for a while, but by sheer coincidence, had turned it on only minutes before.
Sponsorship by Zack Fair, First Class.
Zack was really looking forward to that.
Zack waited, impatient, for Sephiroth's arrival; he saw Cloud's eyes widen when the man finally entered the room. Had he himself ever been this starstruck? The general, as always, didn't disappoint, radiating presence before him, something aloof, otherworldly almost.
Cloud stood up as straight as all five feet nine inches of him could, intimidated by his hero's presence. He maintained awestruck composure, until Sephiroth announced their destination, with that one single word unnerving every fiber of his being…
Nibelheim. Cloud's hometown. Zack observed his friend's shocked look, wondering how he himself would have reacted if Sephiroth had announced "Gongaga" so casually. After all this time…
Cloud, like it or not, you're going home.