Dedication for this chapter is to SSD/SailorStarDust1, Ever After Discord Member and writer on this site, because late one night after reading her "My Little Honeybee" I spontaneously wrote this – and ended up with some characterization for Aerith that I had been struggling with. It's the Wall Market scenario – started with OG, added some Remake, and ended up just going plain screwball – because it's WALL MARKET, how can you not.

Chapter 27. December 11, εуλ0007 (PM)

Aerith lay in bed, breathing still and slow as the sounds of the house settled into silence. Poor Cloud. He'd try to sneak out only to end up lost on the way, allowing her to catch up via more efficient backroutes.

In the meantime, it gave her a pause to think. Her mind was running with emotions laid dormant for so long, brought up by reminders all around, and in the excitement of the day this was the first time she was able to put them into any sort of order. She couldn't shake the feeling that Cloud had entered her life for a reason, but what was it? Several angles from which she observed him, all of them giving a slightly different image of this man, and all at once it was overwhelming; she could only take in the picture a little bit at a time.

She supposed the best solution was also the simplest. Stick close and get to know him a little better; she'd figure out the rest along the way. Hey, it could even be fun. Cloud was such a… well, such a dork, trying so hard to play at his conception of a fighter, a hero, but his true nature obvious to anyone who wanted to take more than a cursory look. A softer side, one he'd hate even admitting that he had.

But really, he just didn't know how to use it.

And while she was at it… what were her OWN feelings in all of this? She was just so confused; she'd glue herself to his side until she had some answers. Which way should she push him to go?

Cloud woke from furtive dreams that he could little more remember than those lost years. He thought faintly he might have been dreaming of his mother, following on that brief flash of memory upon entering Aerith's house… but all that remained was a bare image of her still young and beautiful despite having an adult son, and then it was gone.

He looked at the clock; he'd only dozed for an hour, his internal timer going off just as he had planned. The rest of the house was quiet, and he carefully stood up, relieved that Aerith had gone to sleep and he could make his getaway cleanly, just as he had promised. Worry for Tifa was prominent in his mind. He had to get back. Time to get started.

He hadn't bothered to undress; gathering his gear quietly, he cautiously opened the door to the hallway, pausing for a moment as his ears craned for telltale signs from the other rooms. None. Good. He crept down the hallway, wincing when a board creaked under his feet, not freely exhaling until he was in the garden outside.

The fresh air near Aerith's house quickly gave way to the more fetid air of the slums proper, the reverse of earlier's journey into verdance. Green receded, turning slowly back into bare rock and rusted scrap. At this hour, only a few denizens were out – as he fumbled his way through the warren of shacks, looking for the way out of town, he was grateful for few prying eyes so no one would –

"Leaving so soon?"

Shit.

Aerith blocked his path through the gate. She must have been there waiting for him, but she looked so fresh and ready to go that he wondered how long she'd actually been waiting. How did she sneak ahead of him like that?

"Aerith," he started awkwardly, not sure what to say next.

She cocked her head, unmoved. "You wouldn't have gone far," she told him brightly. "Sector Six is still under construction. It's a mess. And I can tell you haven't been in Midgar long."

"It shows, huh?" he asked.

She motioned her fingertips, a fraction of an inch apart. He sighed.

She pulled him aside, through the back way that would circumvent the nuisance of going through Wall Market; he allowed her to guide him through a graveyard of debris, collapsed remnants of what was once meant to be an expressway. He tried to insist she step back when they were attacked by garbage-strewn monsters, harder than the throwaway rats and bugs they had met earlier that day; but she was having none of it. Plodding through fight after fight, he wondered how she could so calmly and primly brush off her dress after being sprayed with monster guts only moments before.

He wasn't sure quite WHAT to make of this strange girl. In many ways, she was a breath of fresh air for him – no preconceived notions, no expectations – and he experienced that as a sense of relief, the lifting of the burden of having to live up to something. To a promise. As much as Tifa accepted him as is, he was painfully conscious of what he DIDN'T become, what he DIDN'T do to save her. Aerith let him slip inside the cover of a role, feeling safe and warm inside.

But she wouldn't let him get away with hiding, either – not without a fight. She avidly tried to draw him out, and although he was initially annoyed, part of him couldn't help but be charmed by this girl, who simply refused to accept that anything would go any way other than her way. As they forged their way on, the time passed easily, he forced to admit that she did make the journey easier. More entertaining, at least.

Aerith smirked inwardly. Initially anxious about him disappearing on her, she relaxed now that she'd have him for at least the journey back to Sector Seven. And she was doing her best to get him to do the same, lighten up a little bit. Drop that front he put on. With her earlier fears vanishing into the background, she let herself try and have a little fun with him – and little by little it seemed to be working.

But even as she joked and laughed with a reluctant Cloud, thoughts of Zack were never far behind. How could it be otherwise? The hurt crept up on her unbidden, Cloud's every motion bringing back something that she had tried so hard to keep buried. She was dying to know and wracking her brain trying to come up with a circumspect way to ask – could he have know him? Even – she dared to hope – have some knowledge of what had happened to him?

Slowly but surely, she started to draw him out. By the time open space came into view, she had nearly gotten him to crack a smile; she could counted that as a win.

She'd been so caught up in the little game of their travel that she'd nearly forgotten about it until they were right on top of it, rounding the corner to a nostalgic sight.

"I can't believe it's still here!"

Aerith couldn't help herself. Giddy as a child, she ran over to the moogle slide, leaving Cloud standing puzzled, as she clambered up the handholds to the top. Greedily, she pulled herself up, cold stone bringing back memories of walks in the smoky Midgar dusk, promises to see the true sky. And even before then, when as a child Elmyra would bring her here, when construction was still active and the site not flooded with monsters.

For a few fleeting seconds, she allowed herself to be a child again, a little girl in a yellow dress climbing a piece of playground equipment that would never be so large to her again. Nor would anything else, because now she was a woman in a pink dress, with too many memories and not enough open sky in her past.

She settled herself up top, smoothing her dress down with some semblance of modesty. She waved back down to Cloud, standing in the same place still and looking at her like he thought she was crazy. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"It's silly," he said flatly. "Not interested."

"Well, of COURSE it's silly. It's a slide shaped like a moogle, for Planet's sake!" She interlaced her fingers, balancing her chin on them. "Come on. Take a break."

He paused, then shrugged; another small victory. A minute later, he was pulling himself up beside her, oh-so-familiar sword and all. He plopped down a couple of feet away from her; she only looked at him for a moment, then scooched over, closing the gap. For a moment, nothing was said, the two sitting in neutral silence. "So what's the big deal about this place?" Cloud finally asked.

"I used to sell flowers here." Aerith looked down sadly, restrained want to tell warring with the need to keep as secret. "Well, more than that. I came here with… the first guy I ever loved." Her head hung, she staring vacantly at the ground, jovial mood now broken by the memories she'd been trying so hard to keep away. "You… remind me of him, some. I started thinking about him again. He was in SOLDIER, too."

"Oh?" Cloud asked. "What class? I was First – I might have known him if he was too."

"He was –" Aerith began, stopping short as she realized she didn't want to complete that statement. WAS. A single word that made the loss that much more real. Twenty-three wishes. Eighty-nine letters. Five gil for a flower. Two years… and one very important secret. A relationship of numbers, now nothing but a series of digits in her memory banks. "Never mind. It doesn't matter. We really weren't serious," she finished, deliberately dismissive.

Cloud was left seemingly at a loss for what to say in return – Aerith mentally kicked herself for ruining what could have been a perfectly good mood. Should've kept my mouth shut. Guilty, as well, for making her memories of Zack seem so flippant

A rumbling behind them sounded the opening of the gate to Sector Seven, and Aerith's hopes surged that they could get to Sector Seven directly instead of the underground passage. But as they turned towards the fortress-caliber doors, to their surprise, a chocobo carriage emerged - a gaudy, overwrought concoction, right down to the gold chocobos wasted as cart steeds, signaling this one was exclusive to Don Corneo – and Aerith knew what that meant.

The girl in the back though… she seemed somehow… above Corneo's usual tastes. Despite her revealing attire, there was something different about her. Far more elegant, beautiful. A gentle, warm aura seemed to radiate from her. Hardly the type to put herself up for Corneo. What's the deal with her?

She turned ready to hop off the slide and run through the gate before it closed up again, only to see Cloud staring after the carriage, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. "Tifa?" he asked, incredulous. "Where's she going? Dressed like that?"

Tifa heard a noise from outside and barely had time to register that it was Cloud, there with a girl in pink she didn't recognize, before he came running up to the carriage. Catching up as it slowed into a turn, with one powerful leap he caught the back railing, clinging on. Her heart jumped in relief. He was alive, just as she had hoped for, but… "Cloud? I'm so glad you're alright. But what happened? How did you get here?"

"Never mind. What are YOU doing here? Where are you going?"

She shushed him with a finger to her lips. "I'm going to see Don Corneo," she said quietly. "Cloud… we caught a spy. Shinra knows about AVALNCHE. Don Corneo's been feeding them information, and I'm trying to find out more." She looked at him with warm affection, even though creased worry crossed his face; she had no doubt he'd be ready to slice the carriage in two, had she asked. "Trust me. I got this." Obviously reluctant, he nodded, dropping off the back of the cart.

Aerith had watched the whole exchange with concertation, and now she looked at him with disapproval, hands on her hips. Tifa… it was all in the sound of his voice, the way he said her name. Someone important to him. How important? She'd thought she might have been jealous, but instead she found his concern warmed her heart with the worry he displayed. A flash of the real Cloud within, the man who cared more deeply than he wanted to admit – the part of him she perhaps hoped to draw out further.

Another piece of Cloud had just clicked into place for her.

With the carriage departing into Wall Market, Cloud turned back, making as if to head towards Sector Seven. Aerith put herself firmly in the way, blocking him. "Hold on, Cloud," she scolded. "Where do you think YOU'RE going? That's one of Don Corneo's carts. Don't you know what that means?"

"Yeah, that's where she said she was going." He shrugged. "She can fight. How much trouble can she get into? It's not like she's going into a den of monsters."

"You really AREN'T from the slums, are you? Or you would already know who Don Corneo was." A put in the bottom of her stomach. Stories, worse upon worse, particularly when it came to women. "A den of monsters is EXACTLY where she's going – you have no idea. She's in over her head, and you, mister, are just going to have to get her out." And if he felt for Tifa even half of what she suspected, he would.

He opened his mouth, but before he could tell her to head home, she'd cut him off. "And I'm going with you. No ifs, ands, or buts."

He bit the retort on his tongue. No point in even trying to argue with her. "Where should we start?"

Wall Market was... something else. He nearly gaped as they entered. A plethora of those sights and sounds giving him a headache, fortunately just an ordinary one over those stinging flashes that had so bothered him recently . Barkers shouted all kinds of distractions, both wholesome, and… seedier… and the casual inquiries they made about girls all led them towards one place… the Honeybee Inn.

A gaudy, overwrought establishment, enormous sign across the street screaming "Supergirls!" and Cloud shuddered in disgust. What on Gaia had Tifa gotten herself into? Suddenly, he was grateful that Aerith hadn't let him walk away so easily. It looked like this might be more dangerous than he had anticipated.

To the left of the door, Cloud spied a familiar looking redhead – a big doofus who had left the slums with a hue and a cry, swearing he was going to leave Midgar to see the world. A sometimes admirer of Tifa who didn't stand a chance, and only Tifa's diplomatic heart had stopped her from blowing him off completely. Cloud had considered it no great loss to Sector Seven, but he was surprised to find the man here now. "Johnny?" he asked. "Weren't you leaving Midgar?" He had dearly hoped.

"Hey, bro," the idiot replied. "That's the plan, but you know, I wanted to do something special? Like a last-memories of Midgar thing?"

Cloud looked from the sign back to the man. He didn't think… Like buy Tifa? Your treat before you leave? You called her an angel of the slums, you pig. An image of this man, or any other man, with Tifa, on top of her, grunting and sweating… He bleached the image out of his brain with a shiver. No way would he allow that. He snapped.

"Let's go, Aerith, we're getting Tifa out of here NOW." He grabbed her wrist, and she yelped as he tugged her along behind him, he giving his most dangerous glare to the repugnant, lecherous men that now seemed to be crowding the entrance – every kind from street punks to Shinra suits. All probably ready and willing to fuck Tifa for her breasts. More shitbags who couldn't see anything past her body. "Move," he roughly pushed the Shinra manager out of his way as he barreled inside.

Interior, luxuriant velvet opulence, not the only red Cloud was seeing at the moment. Aerith, to his left and behind, faithfully staying by his side - and for her own safety if nothing else, he was glad. Pretty boys and girls for all manner of tastes surrounded him, men in tailored clinging trousers and vests with tails, women dressed in – Really?! – BEE costumes, that above and beyond the sheer absurdity, displayed the wearer's available assets to eager spectators. One female gave him a flirtations glance as he passed, but he made a line for the front desk and the snide receptionist attending it.

"Welcome to the Honeybee Inn," the young man, dressed snazzy and sharp in mustard suit and tie, greeted them cordially. "Is there a honeygirl or honeyboy I might interest you in?"

Fuck this shit, he was getting to Tifa any way that he could. "We want Tifa." His hand itched to grasp his sword, wishing he'd stopped that carriage before she got further into this.

The receptionist's smooth exterior didn't change. "Sir, we certainly try our best to accommodate all requests."

Cloud was going to get nowhere fast here, that was obvious to Aerith; talking was hardly his strongest skill. Sliding up to Cloud's side, she gave the man at the desk a deliberately wide-eyed, innocent gaze. "I'm soooo sorry about him," she drawled, oozing proverbial honey into her voice. "But you see he lets me pick the girls whenever we play, and Tifa is just so totally my type – " here Aerith sighed breathily for dramatic effect – "and, well, when we heard she'd become available, we just had to rush right over."

Cloud, slowly catching on, fortunately went along with it. "And I don't want any sloppy seconds. I want her before half of Wall Market has her," he told the receptionist harshly. "First dibs. Don't care what it costs." Turning to Aerith, he decided to do his best to play along. "I just can't way to see you and her playing around, sweetheart. I hear they have a hot tub room and everything." He could FEEL the mako in his eyes glittering in amusement.

"That sounds great, snookums," Aerith replied, sparkling green eyes laughing as loud as they could. Despite Cloud's worries, the sheer absurd humor of the situation was beginning to make itself apparent. "But you know, what I really want to do is watch YOU and her together. I went first last time." Making kissy noises at him, she wondered if she was going too far over the top.

It was ludicrous, and abruptly Aerith realized that the receptionist was just staring at them, eyes narrowed in a blend of confusion and caution. "Excuse me… but you DO realize what kind of place this is, don't you?"

Aerith and Cloud, suddenly doubtful, both went dead silent.

"This is… Wall Market's finest supper club," he told them, Contemptuous. "Our ladies are dancers. Professionals." He sighed. "I fear if you are looking for those sorts of services, I regret to inform you that you have come to the wrong place." He picked up a pen. "Should you be interested in one of our guest rooms, however, I can book you for a later date. May I suggest the Queen's Room, if you would like to bring along an additional guest?"

Cloud was running out of time and patience. "Tifa. Is she here or not?"

"Ah, yes. We did receive word of the girl you are looking for," the young man replied. "She came into town with a rather… glowing… recommendation. They would have taken her straight up to the Don's mansion."

Cloud let Aerith be the one to politely thank the receptionist; his mind was already whirring ahead. If she was in a bind, it was his job to get her… unbound. SHIT. That made him think of something to worry him more... what if… that was something the Don was into…

He shook his head to clear it. Better not go there. Focus.

Cloud wandered the streets of Wall Market, alone, anxious and impatient. Frustrated. The buzz of Wall Market beckoned all around him, all the sins of entertainment that Midgar could puke up here plastered for whoever had enough gil to pay. He refused to submit to the temptations, preferring to be left alone with his thoughts instead.

Earlier, Cloud had neither noticed nor cared, except to keep a watchful eye for danger, fearing for Tifa desperately but conscious of a responsibility to the woman at his side as well, his impromptu bodyguard stint not quite up. And if it weren't for the urgency of the unfortunate circumstances, she'd have made this little side trip rather pleasant. He felt… sort of a remembered, gentle connection to Aerith, from where he didn't know.

A fighter who has found his purpose; a woman – or two? That was what Madam M had told him as she stroked his palm. You've cheated death more than a few times. That last, for sure was true.

But what she had said… two women, and both felt like his burden. An overt promise to Tifa, an implied promise to Aerith – a mere affinity of promise and protection that he felt around her, but there it was.

Two chances to be a hero - it was still what he wanted, in a way. As much as Tifa assured him he was fine the way he was - even as he tried to take her at her word, there was part of him that almost felt a little – denigrated? – by her faith in him. Because he HAD failed her when she needed him, and he couldn't get that out of his head, and that was still there weighing on his heart every time he looked at her.

Aerith, on the other hand… freed of expectations he was able to forget his weaknesses. She was someone who would be easy to be a hero for.

Easy to love.

Where had THAT come from?

The goons at the mansion had made it pretty clear that there was no way he could break Tifa out without risking her safety; and it was pretty damn obvious to him that whatever was going on right now, she wasn't going to be able to break herself out either. All he could do was hoped she hadn't been harmed in any away – yet- but with every passing second, the risk grew, while he waited for Aerith to be prepared to be presented to the Don. Since it was apparent she was the only one who would be able to get in.

And he worried about that too.

Running his mind in mad circles, he was crossing the bridge back into the heart of town, when suddenly a vision stepped into his view.

Aerith.

His response was subconscious, primal. Unavoidable. The same girl, obviously, but amazing what a difference had been made… carefully curled hair framing a face where makeup enhanced her fine features and luminescent green eyes; an eye-catching red dress that clung to curves hidden under her earlier pink garb, making her a sculpture to freely admire, all the way down to small feet encased in slender-strapped sandals, everywhere accented with pieces of jewelry, and Cloud couldn't help thinking –

Beautiful.

She watched as he drank her in, for a small amount of time able to see herself through Cloud's eyes; and she couldn't deny she was tempted by what she saw – even as she knew neither their images were true. She wasn't this goddess encased in ruffles and red, and he… broken, unfinished, belonging to no one, but needing desperately that attachment nevertheless. And she saw the danger, certainly how easily he could bring her into that that line of thought, she lonely for so long, just wanting to give in.

Her mother had told her, find your own promised land, and that was something she'd hoped to find with Zack – but instead it had led to a pained shattered heartache. Here, a different man who could bring something new and fresh into her life, but part of her was screaming, it's not right, it's not right. That it wasn't love that was hanging between them. but rather something close enough that Cloud could so easily confuse.

She wanted to teach him how to love. She'd be grateful for whatever capacity he found that in. She wished there was a chance it could be with her; there was this part of him just reaching out, that latched onto her, and even tempted to return those feelings herself, she couldn't figure out what was truth - almost as if she was being pushed towards something when she'd prefer to guide, to heal. It was with all these brazen fantasies and whispered dreams flooding her mind that she cautiously approached.

"Hey, you," she giggled slightly. "What do you think of the look?" She turned around, looking down either leg. "It's a little much, I think, but it's apparently what I need to get in."

"Yeah. About that." Cloud leaned back a bit, one hand on his hip, elbow brushing just past his sword. "I know we said this is the only way to get you in, but… I'm starting to think this is a really bad idea. I don't think it's safe for either you OR Tifa to be in there alone."

"Oh, don't worry. I've got a plan. Especially since we've already established the men around here think with their penises."

Cloud stopped dead and stared. "Did you just say penis?" he asked.

"Sure did," Aerith beamed. "Penis. Also known as dick, cock, wiener, tool, schlong, pecker, and some guys –" here she looked meaningfully over Cloud's shoulder at his oversized weapon – "like to call it their sword."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. "Well, alright then," Cloud finally said.

"Just trust me. Come along." She motioned, and as she skittered forward, with the expectation Cloud would follow, he started to worry what any plan of Aerith's might entail…

Aerith led the way down the stairs of cold stone into dark foreboding below, the comparisons to dungeons inevitable. Where, indeed, were they being sent? She was grateful for the reassuring presence of Cloud behind her.

As they reached the bottom, Aerith saw the woman she'd glimpsed in the carriage, and… Holy, what a body. Impossible curves, dark silky hair dropping like a sheer waterfall… legs that never ended, lengthened by her stiletto heels, and… well… Aerith didn't think she'd be able to wear a skirt that short again. Pregnancy and childbirth had permanently changed her figure; her hips were here to stay, and she was suddenly very conscious of how her rear looked in her dress.

This was her first chance to really take in Tifa whole. Cloud had said he'd known her since childhood. Her stature, toned and slender, but something tensed and conflicted about her. A bit unsure of herself. It made Tifa seem a bit more… approachable.

"Tifa?" she asked, and the other woman turned, startled. "You're Tifa, right? Hi! How're you doing?"

"Uh, okay I guess…" Tifa trailed off, expression confused, at the woman speaking and the other who had come in with her. "And you are… Wait a minute… You were the one in the park… with Cloud…"

Tifa's heart sank just a little bit, with a possibility that hadn't occurred to her. It wasn't like she had any claim on Cloud – after all she'd been putting off saying so many things… She took a look at the new girl. An elegant long dress that suddenly made her own attire feel cheap. Curves that fitted it just right – Tifa, ever conscious of her disproportionate top, figured she didn't have to struggle to find clothes that fit. Heart shaped face, porcelain skin, mesmerizing green eyes. And there was a carefree gentleness to her that Tifa couldn't hope to emulate. I've seen far too much…

"Oh, I'm Aerith!" A shift in Tifa's gaze, a brief inability to meet Aerith's eyes, confirmed everything she had already suspected about Tifa and Cloud. She didn't want to step on that, didn't want to hurt any feelings; she thought she'd like to befriend Tifa herself. A shyness in Tifa seemed to cover an inner core of strength, and Aerith found that immensely appealing. "It's not what you think. Cloud and I just met."

Tifa blushed in surprise, shaking her head. "No, don't get the wrong idea… Cloud and I just grew up together…" She was still a bit wary, but found herself warming up to Aerith nevertheless. Cloud… well, this was just another small question in the whole mess of unsolved problems that Cloud already was, that she was still trying to sort out. That you're SCARED to figure out

Aerith laughed, bright and clear. "Poor Cloud, having to sit here and listen to us call him nothing."

"Huh?" Tifa asked, thoroughly confused. Aerith only gestured to the other woman, who'd been standing there silent until now.

Tifa took in the long-sleeved dress, cinched at the waist with a wide ribbon, long blond braids, wide blue eyes… wait a minute… those eyes…

"Oh, no," she said flatly. "Cloud, you did NOT."

"I did," replied Cloud, glum and pissed. "Because it was the only way I could get in to bail you out. Tifa, what the hell did you think you were going to be able to do in here?"

"Well…" Tifa paused. "You see… every night the Don has a choice of three women brought to him – he's got people looking out for him who know his, um, tastes." Cloud's thoughts drifted to the extravagant getup forced on Aerith. His own dress was tight in the middle, and eyeshadow itched. "I was assured I'd be a shoo-in to get in his bedroom, and… uh… then… " She couldn't say anything else.

"Tifa," Cloud asked in horror. "You weren't actually thinking of… going through with this, were you?" His hand flexed, craving the feeling of the sword hidden in a nook above.

Tifa hung her head, embarrassed to admit that before Aerith and Cloud had come in, she'd been psyching herself up for the possibility she might have to do exactly that. "I had to get that information some way or another, Cloud. Barret didn't want me to, but it was the only way. Something's going on – I have to find out what Shinra's planning. Lives could be on the line here."

"Well, you won't have to do THAT. I'm not planning to, either," Aerith replied.

They both turned to look at Cloud.

"I certainly hope you two don't think that I'M going to put out," Cloud grumbled.

"I wasn't thinking any such thing," Aerith demurred slyly.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Tifa added, hiding a giggle behind her hand.

Cloud was pretty much over it. "In fact, I'd appreciate itif this whole episode never goes beyond the three of us." The two women exchanged a look, and he realized he'd forgotten to ask they didn't discuss it with each other.

He was certain they'd be talking about this between the two of them for a long time to come.

A gong interrupted, summoning them upstairs. They quickly conferred. "So we don't know which one of us is going to get picked," Aerith said.

"Oh, Cloud can take care of himself, I can handle myself," Tifa said. "But what about you, Aerith? What if you're the one chosen?"

"I have to make sure you don't go in there alone," added Cloud.

"You'll let Tifa go in, but not me?" Aerith replied, an uncharacteristic flash of irritation. "You've seen me fight. I've lived in the slums for yours, don't you think I've learned a few tricks to take care of myself?"

Tifa looked at Cloud, questioning." Ok, I'll vouch for her," Cloud replied grudgingly. "She can hold her own." Aerith smiled in satisfaction.

"Ladies, the Don doesn't like to be kept waiting," a voice called from upstairs; a final nod, and the trio headed up.

Cloud was very grateful he hadn't let the girls alone once the three of them were lined up, waiting, and the boss came out, looking every bit the slimeball he'd expected. Mentally he noted the position of the goons, preparing for a fight if the Don so much as laid a finger on them. He stilled himself with difficulty as the Don let his lewd gaze crawl over the three of them, eyeing breasts and asses with a sense of full entitlement.

"Nice, very nice," the Don half-purred, sweeping a final gaze over Tifa and Aerith. "But you know – " he swiveled his head to Cloud – "I really prefer blondes – "

- and Cloud found himself dragged forward, last glimpse the Don's goons closing in on the two of them –

Four guys, two girls.

Really unfair.

For the guys, that is.

The men leering at them, tongues nearly dropping to the floor, their minds filled with all the disgusting things they'd get to do to the "rejects", as she and Tifa had been called.

Aerith gave them a smile and a look of such blatantly faked innocence that she was amazed they didn't see right through it. "I'm pretty much ready whenever, how about you, Tifa?"

Tifa returned to look with a knowing smile and nod. "Right."

- and in a split second, Tifa downed one man with a pinch, another with a swift roundhouse kick.

Aerith wasted no time herself, kneeing a third man in the groin, he crashing to the floor with his hands cupping his nuts as he groaned in pain; the last man held back, unprepared for the sudden onslaught. Aerith reached down and grabbed the cushion he'd been standing on, dropping him to the ground, and as he looked up surprised, she grabbed the nearest item – a folding chair. "No…" was all he had time to say before Aerith flashed him her brightest smile, and brought the chair smashing down on his head.

They surveyed their would-be assailants, now unconscious or incapacitated, and the two women spared a moment for a smile and a high-five of victory, before retrieving their gear from their stash and re-equipping.

Next stop of course: Save Cloud.

The reports coming on from the Don were bothering Tseng. He'd been content to leave Aerith with Cloud for the time being, but now that she had gotten mixed up with AVALANCHE it was a different story, especially now that the order had finally come down to take her officially into custody. With the reactor bombings, Shinra sought the Promised Land ever that much more urgently.

And even behind that, what troubled Tseng more was the order to dispose of the terrorist. Dropping the plate. A darkened possibility built into the pillar system that Tseng had thought too absolute for Shinra ever to use.

Why was he surprised after all his years in the Turks?

Rude had already leaked out just enough into Sector Seven; the neighborhood watch was already converging to defend the pillar.

And – Aerith forgive me – he'd pull her in himself. As he'd always promised himself he would, if it came to that.

That, and one other small responsibility he had to her…

Cloud was the wild card in the whole scenario. Reno's reports had assured him that Aerith was safely protected with the man; Cloud had certainly shown himself capable in that regard. But HOW that happened was the real question, three months before Cloud a vegetable that Shinra hadn't even bothered with, now risen back from the dead - and not only claiming to be SOLDIER, but certainly presenting like one.

The one missing piece: what had gone ON in Hojo's lab these past few years?

He could only be grateful he had not been a part of it.

Plans changing with circumstances, sometimes suiting him to go along with Shinra, sometimes jumping the gun, sometimes even going against in the most subtle of ways if it was best for the company – or, rarely, if another reason warred with it. Very rarely.

Let's find out who Cloud is now.

He picked up his phone.