Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Ashen Skies	By : Cynthia Category: Final Fantasy VII > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 1380 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all characters are the property of Square Enix. I do not profit from this fanfiction, it’s for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
- 34
- 35
- 36
"Ashen Skies"
Chapter 35
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Warnings: Implied yaoi, implied yuri (girl/girl), implied het, violence
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Author's note: Thank you for all the feedback and encouragement! Yes, there is a "Sheldon" reference at the end.
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*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can’t get enough of this world and the characters.
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            There was no time left for doubts, or quarrels, or second thoughts. Everyone who was signed up for the last, desperate strike spent their last night at home in their own way. Some made love to their partners, some frantically double-checked arrangements made with friends and family members, while others sat quietly alone, contemplating the meaning of life and whether their struggle to survive was even worth it.
            Elena was one of the latter few. She sat by the open window of her small shell house, looking up at the night sky. Pinched between her thumb and forefinger was a photo of her deceased partner Cissnei. On the end table nearby, a single white candle burned. She lit it each night and she thought of her lost love. Many times since discovering Aerith's origins, she came close to asking her if she could hear Cissnei's voice in the Lifestream, but she never quite worked up the courage. What good would it do? From what she'd heard, everything was a garbled mess for the Cetra and even if she could hear Cissnei's voice and pick it out from all the others, she probably couldn't communicate with her.
            Elena heaved a sigh and she combed her fingers through her flaxen bangs to pull them away from her eyes. She looked down at the picture of Cissnei and she absently stroked the surface with her thumb.
            "It looks like tomorrow's going to be the day we really test ourselves, Ciss. I should be scared out of my mind, but all I can think is 'what's the use?' I haven't had the heart to do my job for a long time, now. Even before you went away, I was tired of this line of work. Turks don't 'retire', but maybe I won't have to worry about that before too long. Maybe I'll be joining you soon. I used to be afraid of death but now I know I can look forward to seeing you again, if it happens. I miss you so much."
            She closed her eyes and tears burned behind her lids. She tried not to give into them, figuring she'd cried more than enough already. She remembered the feel of Cissnei's soft kisses and sweet laughter, and she lost the battle. Elena sniffed as the tears came despite her struggle to hold them back and she drew her knees up to her chest and rocked on the surface of the ottoman seat.
            "I'm going to try to survive," she mumbled brokenly, "even though a part of me doesn't want to. Cissnei...I need your strength."
            It might have been her imagination, but Elena thought she felt someone stroking her hair as she sobbed into her hands. She took comfort in that, even if it was just a lie brought about by her desire to feel Cissnei's touch again.
~****************************************~

            Reeve was sitting at his writing desk when Vincent went into the workshop to look for him. The gunman silently crept up behind his companion and he leaned over his shoulder to see what he was writing in his journal.
            "This may be my last entry," Vincent read aloud. He looked down at Reeve, who sat with his pen hovering over the page and a troubled expression on his refined features. "That's all? You've been sitting in here for nearly an hour."
            "I know," sighed Reeve. He put the pen down. "I think I'm going to just leave it at that. If we survive and win the day, I'll write my final entry. There's really no point to it now. Reno once asked me who would be around to read my accounts of this struggle and I'm beginning to think he had a point."
            Vincent laid his human hand on Reeve's shoulder. "Your determination has carried you this far, and you've convinced even me that this cause is worth fighting for. Don't falter now."
            The engineer reached up and laid his hand over Vincent's. He smiled wryly and he managed a soft chuckle. "I never thought I'd see the day when you would be the one giving pep talks."
            Vincent shrugged, averting his crimson gaze. "You've proven your worth and I believe in you."
            "Careful," cautioned Reeve, "I might start thinking you respect me."
            Vincent gave him a bare hint of a smile. "If you aren't going to write in your journal, you should come to bed. We need our rest."
            "Indeed, we do," agreed Reeve.
He closed the book and replaced the pen in its holder. He paused on his way out of the workshop with Vincent and he turned to look around at the nearly bare walls and shelving. Everything of use that he had created was packed up for the journey to the Northern Crater.
"All of this technology," mused Reeve, "and we're counting on a single woman to have a sit-down with the planet. Ironic, wouldn't you say?"
            "Sometimes the best answer is also the simplest," hypothesized Vincent softly. "I think it's long-past time for humans to stop playing at being gods."
            Reeve nodded. "Agreed. Maybe that's really why the planet is so angry. We've overstepped ourselves, and we've become too arrogant."
            Vincent smirked sidelong at him and he reached for the overhead pull that would douse the lights in the room. "It's time to time to rest your mind. We'll need it at full strength, when we reach the Northern Crater."
            The engineer humbly agreed. "In the interest of staying focused, I'll concede to that."
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            "So, how many more of these do you want to have?" Zack stood over the bassinet with Aerith, looking down at their daughter as he whispered the question. Kirsten was dozing after her evening meal, looking sweetly innocent and oblivious to the dangers of the world surrounding her.
            Aerith leaned against him and she rested her head on his shoulder. "At least two more, but I'll take as many as we can get."
            Zack chuckled softly and he put an arm around her. He kissed the crown of her head and he nodded. "When this is all over, I'll do my best to give that to you."
            She managed a smile and she reached down to caress their daughter's chubby little cheek with her fingertips. "We have to survive for her, Zack."
            He nodded in agreement. "We will. In the meantime, Shera will take good care of her for us."
            "I know." Aerith heaved a sigh and she hoped she had provided enough milk to provide for the baby while they were gone. She hated the thought of Kirsten having to take formula and possibly getting sick from the dietary change. It was a minor concern, however. She knew Shera would do whatever was necessary to ensure the baby got the nutrition and care she needed.
            "We'll come back to her," Zack promised again, sensing her concerns. He squeezed her lightly. "No matter what, we'll make it back."
            He sounded so confident and determined; she couldn't help but believe him. Aerith looked up at him and smiled. She couldn't have asked for a better partner in life.
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            Genesis looked around at the wreck that was the dining and living area of their home. He stood naked in the midst of it, scratching his head as he tried to recall exactly how they had wreaked so much havoc in the first place. Angeal's warm, solid presence came up behind him and the big man embraced him, pulling him tight against his body.
            "We can clean it up before we ship out tomorrow," murmured Angeal. His lips caressed Genesis' neck and shoulder as his big hands traveled his body with familiar ease.
            "But how did we do this?" The redhead's eyes fluttered shut as his companion's explorations drifted lower. He was sure their wings were partly responsible for the chaos and he did recall knocking a few things over with his when the damned thing popped out of its own accord. Impossibly, he began to get aroused again. He knew he would need use of a cure materia just to get out of bed in the morning.
            "Do I really need to give you a recap?" Angeal's lips smiled against his ear as he kissed it. "You started it."
            Genesis grinned. Yes, he certainly did start it...but Angeal finished it. For all his conservative restraint in public, Angeal was a beast with sex. The last time they did it on so many surfaces was when Genesis had a stalker and Angeal felt the need to claim his territory. Now his passion was due to the fact that it could be their last night together like this.
            "You owe my ass an apology," sighed the redhead, tilting his head to the side as Angeal's attentions steadily put him back into the mood again.
            "I'll apologize to it in the bedroom," answered Angeal huskily.
            "Oh, we're actually going to make it to the bedroom this time?"
            Angeal smirked. "I'll try, but I can't make any promises."

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            Sephiroth stirred sometime near midnight and he realized he was alone in the bedding. He sat up with a frown and checked the watch sitting on the bedside table. He heard the faint sound of grunts of effort coming from outside and he got out of bed to investigate. He pulled his black robe on and climbed out of the loft, making his way through the darkened house to the back door. He found Cloud outside, behind the house. The blond was practicing with his sword. He was barefoot and dressed in track pants and a muscle shirt. He was so absorbed in his self-training that he didn't hear his lover approach.
            "Couldn't sleep?"
            Cloud yelped and whirled, reflexively going on the defensive at the sound of Sephiroth's low inquiry. He relaxed when he realized who it was and he shrugged, lowering his sword. "Couldn't stop thinking of my footwork problem. I thought I should get in some practice while I was awake."
            Sephiroth approached him, more concerned than he cared to admit. "Cloud, you're as prepared for what's coming as you can be, given the time you have. While I've been critical in my effort to encourage improvement, your skills are more than sufficient."
Cloud frowned suspiciously. "Are you just saying that to make me feel better?"
The general shook his head. "I don't give lip service, Cloud. You should know that, by now."
"But I still haven't beaten any of you at a duel," persisted the blond with a sigh.
"We've been fighting as fully trained Soldiers for years, Cloud. You haven't. You're still learning." Sephiroth stepped closer to him and he looked up at the half-moon overhead in the clear night sky. "You should make allowances for your inexperience. Working yourself into exhaustion will only jeopardize your safety in the field of combat. Not to mention, your footwork isn't going to matter very much in this fight. You'll be doing most everything from the air and Jenova willing, most of that will be evasive action. I want you fully rested and observant, understood?"
            Cloud gazed at him with troubled blue eyes and he sighed, nodding in acquiescence. Sephiroth looked at the sword. "Now, put that away and come to bed. We have a long, hard day ahead of us and we'll be lucky not to see combat before we reach ground zero."
            Cloud frowned "But won't Aerith's powers keep the WEAPONS away, until we get there?"
            "Aerith inadvertently shielded the caravans from detection when we migrated from Modeoheim, this is true. However, we are preparing to mobilize a huge army. It may be more than she can reasonably camouflage. Be prepared to face opposition during the journey, just in case."
            Cloud nodded. "Okay." He hefted his sword and he gazed at Sephiroth hesitantly. "I'm really not sure I can sleep. I've tried warm milk, but I think that's just a myth."
            Sephiroth favored him with a little smile. "Then I'll just have to do something to help you sleep, won't I?"
            Cloud flushed at that promise and he gave no further arguments.
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            Lazard was up two hours before the scheduled departure. He sipped at a steaming mug of coffee and he sat at his desk once again, going over status reports. The bed he slept in upstairs was normally quite comfortable, but last night it felt like a slab of rock. His shoulders felt heavy as he wiped off the lenses of his glasses, cleared his throat and resumed reading. It all seemed like so much gibberish to him.
            After a while, he put the papers away and he set his coffee aside to rub at his temples. He shut his eyes and he tried to block out thoughts of how heavy their losses were going to be, and how slim the hope of success truly was.
            "It's our only chance," he whispered into the cold, morning darkness.
            He paused when he thought he heard someone knocking at the building door, downstairs. With a frown and a glance at his watch, he got up and left his office to go to the first floor. He instinctively reached for his concealed firearm as he approached the front door of the SOLDIER headquarters. He wasn't particularly concerned that his brother would try anything, but Scarlet had only become more ruthless and unstable as her condition worsened. He had insisted that all operatives get a full night's rest for the trial ahead of them and therefore, he had no guards available.
            "Announce yourself," demanded Lazard, turning sideways against the wall beside the door. He clicked the safety on his gun and he cast a cursory glance at the materia bangle around his wrist, ready to defend himself.
            "Shalua Rui," answered a familiar female voice from the other side of the door.
            Lazard relaxed, briefly shutting his eyes. He unlocked the door and opened it. When he saw the owner of the voice, he blinked. Shalua was wearing a form-fitting black bodysuit that was reminiscent of the Deepground uniforms—but for the trio of glowing symbols on the arms. She had the ShinRa, SOLDIER and AVALANCHE logos embroidered into the shoulders of the long sleeves. The symbols retained the eerie glow of Mako and if he weren't so preoccupied with the way the outfit molded to her like a second skin, Lazard would have wondered what special properties those symbols possessed.
            "A little paranoid, aren't we?" Shalua spoke in a low, dry tone and she nodded at the forgotten pistol in Lazard's hand. "I thought we'd established that if I wanted to shoot you, I would have done it before now."
            He looked down at it stupidly. "Oh, I...pardon me. Political tensions are high and I sent all of my security home to rest." He holstered the weapon and stepped aside. "Please, come in. I assume you must have something important to talk to me about, for you to come at this hour."
            "Did I wake you?" She walked through the doorway and he locked the door behind her.
            "No, I've been up for nearly an hour. I gave up on trying to go back to sleep."
            Shalua nodded and she looked out the window. "The village is so quiet and still. It's almost eerie."
            "The calm before the storm." Lazard came up beside her and looked out the same window. "Humanity is holding its collective breath, waiting to see if we can save the day."
            Shalua smiled faintly and regarded him sidelong. "That's almost poetic."
            Lazard smirked. "Maybe I've spent too much time around Lt. Rhapsodos."
            "The SOLDIER officer in red," recalled Shalua. "He does have a way with words too."
            The Director studied her covertly, still curious about her uniform. "I take it your choice of attire means that you've decided to come with the army when we move out?"
            She glanced down at herself and nodded, rubbing her cybernetic arm absently. "Yes. I can at least help with communications and targeting, until I'm needed for medical aid."
            "And we'll have plenty of need for the latter, once this starts." He sighed. "May I ask about the nature of your uniform? I notice you have all three administrative department logos on your sleeves."
            "And the fourth," she reminded, tapping the spot above her right breast. "Research and Development. I wouldn't leave my own department out."
            He nodded, tearing his eyes off of it to avoid staring at the swell of her breasts. "Of course."
            "Shelke designed the outfit," explained Shalua. "Though the armored properties are my doing. I'm wearing all of the department symbols because this is the last alliance of our species. It has a certain significance."
            "I see. Does the armor have other properties? I notice it appears to be infused with Mako in some areas."
            "Reinforced," answered the scientist. "The Mako is what makes the material as hard as steel, while still retaining flexibility. I would have made more, if I'd had the time."
            Lazard nodded, unsurprised by her inventiveness. "Did you want to speak with me about something else?"
            "Are you trying to get rid of me, Director?" Shalua smirked at him again.
            Realizing how rude he'd come off, Lazard quickly tried to correct himself. "Not at all. I just thought you would want to spend as much time with your sister as possible, if you're going to be leaving with us."
            "She's still asleep and I won't wake her," answered Shalua. "I thought...that is...I could use some company." She glanced at him uncertainly. "Couldn't you? Isn't it better than sitting alone with your thoughts, watching the minutes tick by?"
            He relaxed. "You make an interesting point, Miss Rui. Yes, your company would be infinitely better than my own thoughts. Why don't you have a seat in the lounge and I'll boil us up some coffee?"
            She smiled softly at him. "I'd like that."
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            With the first gray light of dawn came the goodbyes that everyone hoped would not be final. Men and women alike bid fair-well to their families as they prepared to make their last stand. All that was known by the general public was that the army had a special plan to interrupt and perhaps stop the birth of WEAPONS altogether, but a massive distraction was required for the plan to have any hope of succeeding. Children were unusually quiet and solemn as the adults prepared to deploy. Some wept, understanding it could be the last time they ever saw their fathers or in some cases, their mothers too.
Only a handful of women of breeding age were permitted to participate, and even that small amount was more than the departments truly wanted to allow. Some young men had been selected to stay behind as well for the same reason, but their numbers weren't as great. One male could potentially produce several offspring per year, while one female could only give birth once per year.
Amongst the young women attending the fight were Tifa and Elena. Tifa was permitted due to her specialized fighting skills and her determination. Elena was also permitted—mostly because of her affiliation with the Turks, but also because of her own insistence. She reminded the departments in no uncertain terms that she would not willingly sleep with a man and had no interest in a love affair with a turkey baster. As such, she was unlikely to ever contribute to the gene pool and it would therefore be a waste to categorize her as a "breeder".
            Yuffie was—much to her resentment—not counted in the numbers of women going off to fight. She was late into her second trimester of pregnancy now and even she understood that participation on her part was out of the question. She walked—or rather, waddled—with her husband to the waiting aircrafts and she huffed and looked up at him with a conflicted expression on her delicate little face when he took her hands in his. Tseng guessed what was going through her mind and his dark eyes softened a bit on her.
            "I know. If I die, you'll kill me."
            Yuffie compressed her mouth into a trembling line and nodded sharply. "Totally." She sniffed suspiciously and released his hands to hastily wipe at her eyes. "Be careful, you big stick in the mud."
            Tseng glanced around and upon seeing that there was no way to express himself without someone seeing it, he put his conservative nature on the shelf and stepped closer to his wife. He cupped her small face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers, fully expecting Yuffie to resist and ask him what the hell he thought he was doing. Evidently, her true feelings for him were stronger than her desire to pretend she couldn't stand him in public. She grabbed his blazer and kissed him back with feeling.
            After several heartbeats, Tseng released her and he took a moment to rest his hand over the swell of her abdomen. "Take care while I'm away, won't you?"
            She sighed and placed her own hand over her rounding belly when he pulled away. "I'll take care of your brat...don't worry. Just make it back in one piece because I'm not raising it alone!"
            "Our 'brat'," reminded Tseng, a soft undertone of fondness creeping into his tone. "And I remain unconvinced that you don't care about it."
            "Whatever. Go get in your chopper before you piss me off."
            Tseng smirked in amusement and with one last, lingering glance at her, he did as she advised and boarded his helicopter. As he climbed in and got situated in the pilot's seat, he saw Rufus boarding another chopper a short distance away. Scarlet was already in the co-pilot seat with her gear on and one of the troops tried to help the president climb up into the cockpit. Rufus said something with a scowl to the man and the trooper hastily backed off. With stubborn dignity unmatched by anyone Tseng had ever met, President Shinra climbed into his helicopter and buckled up before applying the overhead oxygen mask to his mouth and nose.
            Tseng sighed as he checked his instruments.

            ~May Leviathan grant you the end you seek, Sir.~
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            Meanwhile, Zack practically had to wrestle Aerith away from Shera and Cid's house. He nearly broke down and cried too when the baby added her tears to Aerith's. Shera gently bounced Kirsten in her arms and her eyes were suspiciously moist with sympathy. Aerith wept softly and looked over her shoulder at their daughter as Zack urged her to keep walking. His throat closed up and he swallowed hard, torn apart inside by the sounds of both his girls crying.
            "It'll be okay," he murmured gruffly, squeezing his reluctant spouse supportively. "Shera will take good care of her. Come on, sweetheart...we're doing this for Kirsten. We have to."
            "I...I know," whimpered Aerith, laying her head on his shoulder. "I just f-feel like w-we're abandoning her."
            Behind them, Cid gave Shera a final quick kiss goodbye and then he hurried to join them. Seeing how upset Aerith was, the gruff blond pilot cleared his throat and scratched his whiskered chin. "Cryin' won't help anything."
            The death glare Zack gave to him reminded Cid forcibly that it was not a good time to be insensitive to his wife's pain. "Hmph...guess I'll just run on ahead and get my ship ready."
            "What a great idea," Zack agreed through clenched teeth.
            When the pilot made a hasty retreat, Zack sighed and he kissed the crown of Aerith's head. "Don't listen to him, baby. You just worry about putting one foot in front of the other."
            Tifa and Reno were leaving their house as the couple passed by it and they joined them on the path. Tifa put her arm around Aerith when she fell into step beside her, adding her support to Zack's. She didn't say anything—likely guessing that any words of sympathy or encouragement wouldn't help at this point. Zack gave her a grateful, faltering smile, knowing that another woman's support might do more for his wife than his encouragement alone.
            "So, you're really fighting too, huh?" Zack queried of Tifa, trying to take his mind off his small daughter and the possibility that he'd never see her again.
            She nodded. "Mm-hmm. I'm fighting too."
            Zack eyed Reno, who walked beside the small, busty brunette with uncharacteristic silence. "How do you feel about that, Red?"
            The Turk shrugged. "She'll just kick my ass if I try to stop her, so I guess I'm okay with it."
            "He's right," agreed Tifa with a cheeky little smile. "I would kick his ass."
            "And I'll bet he'd like it," guessed Zack with a little chuckle. He rubbed Aerith's shoulder, relieved that she wasn't crying as hard as before.
            "You'll be...careful, won't you?" Aerith asked Tifa between sniffles.
            "Absolutely," promised the brunette. "I won't be on the front lines, I'll be defending the forward base. I'm not reckless and I want to live through this."
            "Good," Aerith sighed. "I want...everyone to live through...oh, I'm sorry! I just can't stop crying!" She sniffed hard, trying to keep her nose from running.
            Reno surprised them by producing a handkerchief from his blazer pocket and holding it out for Aerith. "Here. It's not used or anything; I just keep 'em handy since all this mess started."
            Aerith took the offered bit of cloth and blew her nose with it. "Thank you."
            "Don't mention it." Reno looked away and he put his fingers to his lips, suddenly whistling so shrilly it startled Aerith out of her crying. "Yo, partner! How's it hanging?"
            Rude came over at the greeting and Jessie was with him. "Low and to the left." He cleared his throat upon remembering that there were ladies present and he adjusted his tie. "Uh, pardon me."
            "I'm dating Reno," Tifa reminded him dryly. "Your reference was mild, believe me."
            Jessie laughed. "You should hear some of the things they say to each other on Poker nights."
            Tifa grinned at Reno. "I can just imagine."
            "You're in on this too?" Aerith asked Jessie. "Or are you just coming to see everyone off?"
            "I'm in," answered Jessie. "I'm too techno savvy for them to turn me down. Reeve can't do all the engineering by himself and they need all the heavy artillery operators they can get."
            "Cool." Zack nodded. "You're right, they're going to need you."
            "'They'?" repeated Jessie, scrunching up her face in confusion. "Where are you going to be, Lt. Fair?"
            "Uh..." Zack realized that Rude must not have told her about the details concerning him and Aerith going down into the crater. "It's complicated."
            "He's taking the secret weapon down into the Northern Crater," supplied Reno.
            "Okay, so it's not that complicated," muttered Zack when Jessie looked at him again.
            "And what is the secret weapon?" demanded Jessie. "A big bomb, or something? All they've told us is that it's something that might be able to stop the creation of the WEAPONS. You'd think since we're all making a suicide run to make sure this happens, they'd tell us what we're supposed to be fighting for."
            "It isn't a bomb," Zack said uncomfortably. He unconsciously tightened his half-embrace on his wife. "It's...uh...special."
            "It's me," Aerith admitted, her nose and eyes reddened from crying. "I'm the 'secret weapon'."
            "She's Cetra," Rude clarified when his girlfriend gave him a demanding frown. "It's classified information. The civilian population doesn't need to know."
            Jessie looked at Aerith incredulously. "Cetra...like and Ancient? You're an Ancient?"
            "Yes. I can talk to the planet."
            Jessie grimaced. "Jeez, you guys could have just told me you're not authorized to say anything. How stupid do I look?"
            Zack's eyebrows shot up. "You don't believe us?"
            The girl gave him an impatient look. "I wasn't born yesterday. If you can't tell me the truth, just say so."
            "All right," agreed Reno before Zack could say anything further, "we can't tell ya the truth, yo. Rude here was just trying to stay on your good side."
            Jessie sighed and took hold of Rude's arm, gazing up at him with patient tolerance. "I thought so. He's a rotten liar. Kudos to you for being able to joke around when you're so upset, Aerith. It must be hard to see the father of your child off to war."
            Zack stared at her. She believed Reno's sarcasm, but she didn't believe the truth from Aerith or her own boyfriend's lips. He found it ironically funny and he nearly snickered. Instead, he thought he should clarify that Aerith wasn't just seeing him off, before seeing her board transport with him raised more questions.
            "Aerith's coming with me."
            Jessie was openly surprised. "Seriously? Is your husband poking fun at me, Aerith?"
            "No." Aerith finally stopped crying and she gave Zack a brave little smile. "I'm going to be with him all the way. I refused to stay behind and do nothing. That's the simple truth."
            "But what about your baby? I mean, if I had one, I don't think I'd be able to—"
            "Do you think this is easy for me?" Aerith's response was raw with pain and she started to cry all over again.
            Jessie looked stricken with embarrassment and remorse. "I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply...oh, I'm such an idiot. I really put my foot in my mouth and I'll just shut up now."
            Zack tried to comfort his wife and he really couldn't muster any anger towards Jessie. She didn't know the whole situation and she obviously only meant to talk a young mother out of something she saw as a mistake. "She's just really emotional right now. It would really help us both out if nobody talks about our daughter from now on, okay?"
            Everyone nodded and Jessie's guilty expression didn't fade. "I'm sorry."
~****************************************~

            "Good of you to join us," Genesis said when Zack and the others arrived at the transport field. He checked his watch and clucked his tongue at their tardiness.
His sarcasm died when he saw how miserable the brunet looked. He frowned at the sight of Aerith and he predicted that her eyes were going to be swollen shut from crying, if she kept it up much longer. While the Cetra normally favored sundresses and skirts, she was wearing Khaki pants and brown hiking boots for this endeavor—coupled with an oversized tank-top obviously lent to her from Zack and a short jacket. Genesis found the image so strange that he couldn't even begin to formulate words of encouragement—even if he were the sort to do so.
            Beside him, Angeal did what Genesis couldn't do and he offered the suffering couple some human compassion. "There's some refreshment in the cabin cooler, Zack. Board now and get some refreshment for you and Aerith." He laid a sympathetic hand on Zack's shoulder.
            Cloud approached at that moment to report the status of his escort group. He saluted Angeal and he started to speak, but one look at Aerith and Zack shifted his priorities.
            "Hey, are you okay? Aerith, are you hurt?"
            "She's just upset," Tifa explained for the couple. "They both just need somewhere a little private. Reno?"
            He took the hint and nodded. "I haven't loaded my chopper up yet and there's a VIP section in the back with a curtain. They can have it all to themselves, since the Prez is flying his own bird."
            Elena came out of Reno's chopper and she overheard the last part of the conversation. "Come on, you two. I'll get you set up for the trip before we start loading other passengers."
            "Thanks," Zack sighed. He looked at his concerned blond friend. "Don't worry about us, Cloud. We'll be all right." He started to guide Aerith to the helicopter but she resisted, reaching out for Tifa.
            "Tifa?" the Cetra asked in a tiny voice.
            Tifa looked at her helplessly before her gaze went to one of the numbered ground rovers. "I think I'm supposed to be boarding a ground transport with Nanaki's group," she said hesitantly. The lion creature was waiting outside the rover in question, watching over the boarding proceedings. Across the way, Reeve and Vincent were just climbing into Tseng's chopper.
            "Just climb in with your friend, doll," coaxed Reno with a nod in Aerith's direction. "Besides, it's a little safer to travel in the air than on the ground."
            Tifa's gaze was drawn to her distressed friend. "I see your point. Come on, Aerith; let's get you settled in."
            Cloud watched them go and when they were out of sight, he remembered that he had come to exchange information with Angeal. He saluted the big man again, clearly flustered by the sight of his friends in such a haggard state. "Sir, I'm supposed to tell you that Team A is fully boarded and ready to go. I need status confirmation of team B and C."
            "Once we board, team B will be ready," answered Angeal. He looked at his partner. "Genesis?"
            "C was ready go move ten minutes before everyone else got here," stated Genesis smugly. "Was there a need to ask?"
            Angeal chose not to take the bait and he nodded at Cloud. "Anything else, Lieutenant?"
            "No. Thank you Sir. I'll relay the message to the Sephiroth...I mean, my General...I mean the—"
            Genesis gave the blond a little shove, fighting a chuckle at his expense. "We don't have all day, Strife. Just take your knotted tongue and go."
            Blushing with embarrassment, Cloud made tracks for the helicopter that Sephiroth was in. Genesis returned his attention to Reno's aircraft, where Aerith had disappeared inside with her husband and Tifa. "She's far too distracted, Angeal. I don't like it."
            The bigger man looked at him with mild surprise, immediately guessing whom he was speaking of. "It isn't like you to show so much concern. Aerith will cope in her own way, I'm sure."
            Genesis' mouth quirked humorlessly. "I think you misunderstand. Yes, even I wish there was something I could do to ease Aerith and your puppy's angst, but the bigger concern is getting our army to ground zero in one piece. We need Aerith to do her little bedazzling trick on any WEAPONS that happen to come within range of this fleet while it's on the move. We can't afford to fight every step of the way to the Northern Crater."
            Genesis looked around, his eyes settling on Lazard and Shalua as they boarded one of the bigger choppers from Modeoheim. He leaned in to speak to his grim-faced companion again in a low voice, just to drive the point home. "Besides, how far do you think she and Zack will get in that crater before they're crushed like insects, if she can't hold her concentration? Cloud and I can only do so much to draw them all out and there's bound to be some stragglers left behind at the bottom."
            "I understand your concern," agreed Angeal softly, "and I'll have a word with both of them, once we're in the air. Just remember not to underestimate this woman, Genesis. She's proven herself stronger than anyone gave her credit for."
            The redhead nodded. "Yes, but it's dangerous to accredit her with more strength than she can reasonably have. People all too easily seem to forget that we're talking about a girl that was raised in isolation, with only the voices of the dead to keep her company after her mother passed away. Now she's left her child behind and she's going to be climbing down into that pit of Minerva knows what to speak with the planet—which by the way, still wants us all dead. As one who became unhinged enough to execute my own parents, I think I speak from experience when I say a breakdown could be inevitable."
            Angeal sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "Your pessimism is giving me a headache. What do you want to do about it if you're right? Call off the strike?"
            Genesis looked at the helicopter with a frown. "No, it's too late for that. I just think we should be prepared."
            "I think by now, we're all used to being prepared for the worst," answered Angeal dryly. He patted Genesis on the shoulder and nodded at the helicopter. "Let's board, before Elena starts loading up more passengers. Like I said; we can talk to Aerith and Zack inside."
            Genesis conceded with a nod. "Let me talk to her first."
            Angeal spared him a somewhat surprised look, but he didn't protest.
~*************************************~

       Once they had been in the air for nearly an hour, Aerith had calmed enough to at least swallow her tears, if not stop them altogether. She sipped gratefully at the second soda Tifa brought her to combat the hiccups caused by her emotional anxiety. She looked at her husband and the brunette seated on either side of her and she gave them each a tremulous, sheepish little smile.
            "I'm so...hic...sorry for acting like such a baby."
            Zack smiled at her and shook his head. "Don't. You weren't acting like a baby; you were acting like a mommy that had to make a hard decision for the greater good. I was about this close—" he held up his thumb and forefinger about half an inch apart, "—To crying right along with you."
            Aerith's mouth twisted into a delicate little grimace. "You don't have to fib to me."
            "I'm not," Zack swore, looking hurt. "Honey, hearing our baby girl cry and then looking at you and seeing you break down like that was probably the hardest thing I ever had to see—and I've seen guys blown to pieces right in front of me."
            Aerith didn't find the mental image particularly comforting, but the sincere look on her husband's handsome face was. "Really? You were going to cry, too?"
            "I'm telling you...this close." Zack nodded at his poised hand to demonstrate. He caressed her cheek with it, wiping at her drying tears with the pads of his fingertips. "It's okay to be scared, Aerith. I'm scared too. We've got to get through this for her, even so."
            She calmed somewhat. "Not just for her," she reasoned softly, her eyes going to Tifa. The poor woman was doing her best to look interested in a thread on the privacy curtain. "For our friends, too. I...I'll try to pull myself together and do what needs to be done. I can freak out later, when it's over."
            Zack smiled at her and he gave her a playful rub on the chin with his knuckles. "Thatta' girl. I love you."
            She forced a smile and she gave him a brief kiss on the lips. Her eyes went to Tifa and she felt mortified for making such an issue and dragging her into it. The young woman had always been so supportive, understanding and compassionate toward her. "Tifa? You don't need to keep staring at the curtain like that. I'm so sorry for making you uncomfortable. I just felt like...I needed you close."
            Gracious as usual, Tifa smiled at her and she took her hand. "You don't need to apologize, Aerith. I can only imagine what you're going through. I just didn't want to intrude and I'm flattered that I can bring you some measure of comfort."
            Aerith excused herself, feeling somewhat shamed of her friend's stoicism. "I think I need to use the bathroom. We have one on this helicopter, don't we?"
            "Yeah, I'll take you to it," Zack offered, starting to get up with her.
            "No," Aerith protested, gently pushing him back down as she got up. "I can find it on my own. I just need a moment, okay?"
            Zack looked torn—bless his heart. His single, beautiful eye looked up at her with a soul-mate's protective worry. "You sure?"
            Aerith nodded and she stroked his dark hair, running her fingers through the spiked, stiffened locks. "I'm sure. I'll be right back."
            He didn't try to follow her and Tifa looked worried, but Aerith eased her way past the two of them and she pulled the curtain aside to walk the few short steps to the little lavatory. She didn't make it the five feet from the VIP seating to the lavatory before a gloved hand caught her by the forearm. Aerith stopped and she braced herself with one of the overhead grips as some turbulence shook the craft. She looked up to find a familiar, attractive male face gazing down at her and she sighed.
            "I guess you want to tell me what a coward I'm being. Can you wait until after I finish using the bathroom?"
            Genesis smirked down at her. "While I was coming to speak with you about fear, that isn't quite what I had in mind. You need to focus, little goddess. The world is depending on you."
            Aerith's struggle to control her emotions arose again and she glared up at him with angry green eyes. "What in the hell do you think I've been trying to do?"
            "I know you're trying," he permitted, leaning over her to speak over the sound of the engine without others overhearing, "but you aren't doing enough. Trust me when I say you won't be doing yourself or any of us favors by dwelling on your daughter, Aerith. You need to put it aside."
            She was nearly overcome by the urge to slap him, but she knew he was just stating the facts. Taking a deep breath, she held his eyes and she gave him a challenge of her own. "Just how do you expect me to forget about my daughter, Genesis? How do I put it aside?"
            She almost added that he was not a parent and he couldn't possibly understand, but that would have been an unfair remark. He had a life partner and close friends to lose, even if he didn't have a child of his own. Everyone stood to lose someone or something they cared deeply about, if this event didn't work out.
            Genesis stared into her eyes and he seemed to take the question seriously. He inhaled slowly, his eyes going blank as he searched inwardly for the answer.
"A distraction," He finally revealed. "It's improbable at best, to expect someone to forget about everything they have to lose in a fight like this. Instead of trying to forget any of it, focus on something else."'
"Like my hopes for the future?" guessed Aerith.
Genesis rolled his eyes. "No, that never works. It's a pretty distraction, at best. You need to think of something unrelated to your personal woes, like songs or stupid limericks or...or poetry."
He faltered, suddenly pressing his hand against the left side of his red leather coat. He grimaced. "Think of something that makes you feel secure...something you can carry close to your heart."
Aerith followed his pressing hand and she was stricken by a moment of clarity. "Like your 'Loveless' book. That's your security blanket, isn't it? That's what you use to distract you from your pain?"
Genesis' eyes went hard for a moment, the pupils dilating until they blotted out the irises with black. Aerith frowned at him uncertainly, nearly taking a step back. What monsters did this man still fight with, day to day?
"Gen?" She laid a gentle hand on his left bicep.
"I...yes." Genesis seemed to give himself a mental nudge. "Yes, I think you could call it that."
He looked at her, with his auburn bangs hanging half over his left eye. He reached into his coat and before Aerith could begin to question his actions, he produced a perfect, golden-bound little copy of his favorite play.
"Take this with you, into the crater."
Aerith was sure her eyes were bugging out as she took the precious book from him. "B-but this is your...I mean, Genesis, you...this means so much to you! This is—"
"My salvation," he finished for her wryly, nodding. "Symbolically, at least. The book itself means nothing. The words written within it offer me comfort. Personally, I don't think you and Zack can pull it off. Still, I should offer you something. Keep my book on you and when in doubt, think of me and remember how much you would love to come back and gloat in my face."
            Aerith held the book close to her chest, and she thought she understood. She smiled up at him and she gave him a respectful nod.

"I'll take good care of it, while I'm thinking of all the ways to tease you for being wrong."
Genesis snorted. "Don't get cocky. By the way...I expect that book back in the same condition I lent it to you, if you happen to survive this."
Aerith suppressed a giggle. "I'll take good care of it. I promise. Thank you for lending it to me."
Genesis muttered something bland but Aerith hugged him around the neck tightly, making him stumble. Slightly flustered by her actions, he took a moment to regain his balance and then, he awkwardly patted her on the back.
"There, there," muttered Genesis, "You can stop anytime, now."
~**********************************~

-To be continued
- 34
- 35
- 36
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Ashen Skies