Chapter 05

Reno and Randy entered Tseng's office that afternoon. Randy was so excited when Reno told him he may be able to join the Turks, he couldn't stop smiling or walk without skipping.

"Just don't act a fool in front of Tseng," Reno reminded him when they reached the office.

Reno barged in the office, and Tseng was sitting at his desk with his head in his hands.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking, Reno?" Tseng asked, looking up with aggravation in his dark eyes.

"I have, but it doesn't appeal to me much," Reno answered. "I much prefer to bust on in univited."

Tseng gave Reno a dark look but instead of continuing, turned to Randy.

"Good evening, Mr. Robinson," Tseng said with a nod of his head. "My colleague hear thinks you're capable of joining the Turks."

Reno grinned.

"Well, I think he's right," Randy responded. "Oh, call me Randy, you act like you didn't know me before this."

Tseng sighed. "Fine, Randy, why do you think you can survive as a Turk?"

"I can fight..." Randy answered. "And... I can be pretty ruthless... and I'm kinda clever..."

"Being a Turk takes a lot," Tseng spoke, standing and walking across the floor. "You have to realize that any order you are given must be followed through. You may be given assignments that go completely against your own morals."

"I don't have any morals," Randy said, throwing Reno a smile.

Tseng put his hand to his chin. "Training will be hard. You'll be trained in hand to hand combat, as well as other types of weapons. You'll have to get into better shape. You'll also have to learn how to be discreet, emotionless, and heartless."

"I can do it," Randy said. "I don't give a damn what I have to do, Tseng, I'll do it all. I'm ready. Make me a Turk!"

Tseng looked at Reno, who merely smirked.

"Very well, Randy. Welcome to the Turks. You can report here at nine a.m. to begin training."

Randy nodded eagerly.

"That's all," Tseng said, waving them out of his office dissmissively. "Your training will be rushed because you'll have to begin your first mission with us quite soon.

Once out of his office, Randy turned to Reno and smiled.

"Thanks for telling me exactly what to say to him," he laughed. "Otherwise I woulda' been stumped."

Reno winked. "I know what works around here, eh?"

The old warehouse was located close to the disaster site where the mako reactor had malfunctioned years before. Early the next morning, Barret, Cloud, Yuffie, and Striker arrived at the scene. There were construction trucks and workers lugging strange looking materials and equipment towards the warehouse. Ross was not around, however.

"Awright!" Barret yelled, earning the attention of some of the workers. He pointed his gatling gun-arm at the crew. "This is my warehouse! Ya'll better clear out!"

A scruffy looking man with red hair smiled and nodded to his workers, who seemed to take that as a cue to ignore the big man that was aiming at them intentively. He began to walk towards Barret.

"Mayor Wallace, I presume?" he said with a laugh.

Barret turned to Cloud who frowned, his sword already drawn. Striker remained quiet and attentive, and Yuffie pouted.

"Duh, he's Mayor Wallace!" she exclaimed. "And him and the rest of us are gonna kick your ass if you don't get away from his warehouse!"

The red haired man scoffed. "President Ross informed us you may all be a problem. From AVALANCHE, right? I'm afraid your rebel qualities are not needed here. Take a hike, kid."

"Don't tell her to do anything," Cloud said defensively. "What you're doing is illegal and wrong. This is Barret's warehouse and he needs it. You have no right to take it from him."

"It's not my decsion, boy," The man said. "I'm following orders." He removed a pistol from his pocket. Seemingly at the same time, the other workers as well drew their own guns and weapons, and turned to face the group.

"Shit," Barret cursed. "Too many of 'em!"

"I had a feeling this would happen," Striker said in a low voice. "Ross has them prepared."

"I'd best advise you all to turn back the way you came," the man said. "I'm sure you have other Mayorly duties to see to. "Besides, we've planted a bomb in the town square. I've been instructed to set it off immediately if you give us any problems."

"Town square?!" Barret exclaimed. "You rotten son of a bitch! That's where all the shops are! All the people..."

"People who will die if you don't stay away from this project," The man continued. "I'm sure that's something you don't want to be responsible for." He smiled. "Have a nice day, Mayor Wallace, and friends."

The red haired man turned away and the other workers continued, as if they didn't have a care in the world.

"Oh, how I'd like to blow that sucker's head off!" Barret woofed.

"It's too risky to do anything," Striker commented, shaking his head.

"The one thing we can do is try to find the bomb," Cloud suggested. "If we can disarm it, then perhaps we can come back and fight them."

"Do you think he's bluffing?" Yuffie asked.

"It;s a risk we can't take," Cloud said. "Come on, let's check out the Town Square."

The others nodded and began to follow Cloud, Barret shaking with rage as he followed.

Elena stared up at the Coffee Crumble, adjusting the short pale blue skirt she wore. The matching tank top she wore was far too revealing for her tastes, and the large shades over her eyes made her feel like a movie star out of place. She frowned as she stepped inside.

Today she would begin her mission... Tseng had told her that everyday at noon, Jonathan Ross would take a break and go to the Junon coffee house for a espresso and bluberry muffin. She was to go inside and grab his attention, sit with him and spark his interest. Tseng made it clear that she could not fail, that she had to become a romantic interest for Ross no matter what it took.

This was quite possibly the most difficult assignment she'd ever been given, perhaps worse than murder. She couldn't fathom faking love with a man that she did not find attractive and that she despised as well. But it was part of the job, and Rufus promised she'd be paid generously, even more so than the rest of the Turks.

She looked around for Ross and spotted him with in far window seat with a newspaper. She swallowed and ordered a cup of coffee. Gathering her courage, she held the steaming cup and approached his booth.

"Good afternoon," she said. "Is this seat taken?"

Ross looked up and his eyes went wide for a second. He stared at Elena from head to toe, stopping with his gaze in various places.

"No... it isn't," he said. He smiled and gestured towards the seat across from him.

Elena took a deep breath as she sat. Maybe this would be easier than she thought.

"My name is Raquel," Elena said, using the name that had been carefully chosen by Tseng. "I was on my coffee break and I didn't want to sit alone."

"Well, it's a pleasure for you to join me, Raquel," Ross said to her. "My name is Jonathan Ross."

"Ross?" she said with false enthusiasm. "You don't me Ross of Ross energy?"

"That's correct, right here in Junon."

Elena nodded. "Well well. Here I never thought I'd be drinking coffee with the President of a major energy corporation."

Ross nodded. "Fate, I presume?"

Elena faked a laugh and sipped her coffee again.

"Raquel, I'm afraid you caught me at a bad time," he said, glancing at his watch. He dropped the newspaper. "I have to get back to my office. I would like to take you out, this evening."

Score, Elena thought.

"That sounds like a great idea," Elena said. "I would love to."

"Excellant," Ross said. "Where do you live? I will pick you up at eight."

"Oh..." Elena began. "I live in Midgar, but I'm here on business.... I'm trying to promote my poetry here in Junon. I'm staying at the inn."

"What room number?" Ross asked.

"304," Elena told him.

Ross stood and nodded. "Okay, Raquel. I will see you at eight."

Elena waved goodbye as Ross left the Coffee Crumble. When he was gone, she placed her head in her hands and sighed.

"Where would they hide it?"

Yuffie was scratching her head as she, Barret, Cloud and Striker walked through Corel's Town Square.

"I don't have any clue, Yuffie," Cloud told her. "We should check inside..."

"Inside what?" Yuffie asked impatiently.

Cloud held his hand up to her. A wave a nausea passed over him. Barret's eyes went wide when he thought he saw Cloud turn green for a second.

"You awright, Cloud?"

Cloud took a deep breath. "Yeah... I was gonna say we should check inside the shops."

Striker nodded. "That's a good place to start."

They started with the weapon shop. Seeing the Mayor, the owner gladly let Barret and his friends search the building. Seeing nothing suspicious after a half hour of search, they decided to check next the materia shop.

"Who would be stupid enough to plant a bomb in a shop full of materia?" Yuffie wondered aloud as they entered.

Cloud ignored her while they searched the small shop, opening crates of materia and looking in the closets. He felt slightly odd as they worked, his stomach turning and his head buzzing. He did his best to ignore the strange feeling of sickness.

By the time they reached the Item shop, he was doubling over.

"Cloud!" Barret yelled. "Something's wrong with you. What's goin' on, buddy?"

Cloud tried to answer but found the words wouldn't come to him. He quickly turned into a corner and vomitted.

"Ew!" Yuffie cried.

The owner of the item shop ran from behind the counter. "Oh, dear! What's wrong with that man?"

Cloud turned to his friends, his eyes closing on their own. He held his hand out to them, and then slid to the ground unconciously.

"Shit! Cloud!" Barret exclaimed, running to his leader's side. Yuffie covered her mouth with her hands and Striker ran behind Cloud to prop his head upright.

"Wake up, Cloud!" Barret ordered. "What the hell's wrong with him?"

"Call a doctor," Striker said, pointing at the shops owner. "His pulse is racing!"

The item shop's owner nodded and ran back behind the counter, going to her phone.

"Is he gonna be alright?" Yuffie asked, worry evident in her voice.

"I hope," Striker answered, watching as Barret paced the floor. "I can't imagine what's happened to him...."

"I'm gonna call Tifa," Yuffie said.

"You're just gonna worry her!" Barret yelled.

"She'll be more upset if she finds out later," Striker said logically. Barret threw his hands up as Yuffie pulled out her PHS and called Tifa.

"An ambulance is on its way!" The shop owner called.

Ten minutes later, a team of Corel paramedics were loading Cloud's unconcious form into the ambulance. Barret insisted on riding along. Striker and Yuffie agreed to meet them at the hospital, which was not far.

"Tifa's so worried!" Yuffie told Striker as they power walked in the direction of Corel General Hospital. "She wanted to come out here right away but she couldn't leave Jewel. I should have listened to Barret!"

"Tifa will be fine," Striker comforted her. "And so will Cloud."

"I hope," Yuffie told him, on the verge of tears.

Yuffie and Striker arrived at the hospital a short time later, finding Barret sitting in the waiting room, tapping his gunarm anxiously against his armrest. He looked up at them.

"Find out anything?" Striker asked.

Barret shook his head. "Not a damn thing, yet," he answered. "I'm just waiting. I hope this spikey fool is awright."

A doctor came into the waiting room just as Yuffie and Striker sat down. He was holding a clipboard.

"Good afternoon, Mayor," he said, Barret standing to shake his head. "I have some news on your friend, Cloud Strife?"

"Yeah," Barret answered gruffly, waiting for the news.

The doctor shook his head. "I'm afraid his is a complex case. There's not much we can do for him here."

"What's wrong?" Yuffie squealed.

"He's got some sort of Mako poisoning. Would you all happen to know how this occured?"

"He fell into the Lifestream some time ago," Barret answered quickly. "And he was injected with high levels of Mako years ago."

"I noticed the glow in his eyes," the doctor said. "I'm afraid all that mako has over time, taken its toll on him. The only doctor that I know can help his is Richardson, from Mideel. I called into Mideel but they've told me he's gone to help a patient that fell into an old reactor in Midgar. I'm afraid that's the only person who can help your friend."

"So we got to take him to Midgar?" Barret asked, ticked off by the thought of traveling to Midgar.

"Yes," the doctor answered. "He's in a dormant state right now, and the mako is taking over his body." The doctor made a frown. "I'm afraid that, unless he is helped, he will either die or mutate into some strange creature."

"We can't let that happen to Cloud!" Yuffie screamed.

"Why can't you help him?" Striker asked.

"We don't have the neccessary drugs," the doctor told them. "Dr. Richardson is the only doctor who's ever been able to help victims of Mako poisoning. Please, get your friend to him in Midgar. He's at the general hospital there."

The doctor turned away from them and began scribbling in his clipboard. Barret cursed and pulled out his PHS.

"I'm calling Reeve," he told the others as he dialed. "He's the only one who can get us to Midgar fast enough."

"How?" Yuffie wondered.

Barret ignored Yuffie as Reeve answered.

"R&R Shin-Ra, Reeve speaking."

"Reeve, it's Barret," Barret roared. "Cloud's suffering from mako poisoning and we've go to get him to Midgar. Can you send us a helicopter?"

Reeve gasped. "Mako poisoning?" he repeated. "Again? How?"

"It's obviously from before," Barret said. "Shit, its alot worse this time. We can't do nothing for him in Corel. We got to get him to Richardson in Midgar."

"Right," Reeve said. "I'll send one for you now."

Barret hung up and turned to his companions. "We ought to send Cloud alone, we've still got problems in Corel that need to be handled."

"Alone?" Yuffie wondered.

"I'll call Tifa, she'll be waiting for him when he gets there." He closed his eyes. "Damn, Tifa's gonna be so upset."

"Meet with Paul Sims in the Defense Department," Tseng said to Rude. "He's going to show you around and get you started. Once you're settled in, you know what to do."

Rude nodded. "Find out what sort of weapons they are producing."

"Reno, your going to be working in the Energy department. You know what information you are to gather, correct?"

Reno nodded and tossed his beer can in Tseng's garbage. "Find out what kind of Energy Ross uses."

"Randy, I'm trusting you with the intelligence department," Tseng told the newest recruit. "You're going to have a maintance job, unfortunately, but your mission is to access different levels of the building and find out every scrap of company information you can."

Randy mock-saluted. "I won't let the Turks down!"

Tseng raised and eyebrow. "I, myself, will infiltrate the Science Department," he told them. "I want to find out what sorts of experiments they're running."

Reno smiled. "Doesn't seem too hard," he said. "We'll have Ross on his knees in no time."

Tseng nodded. "That's the plan," he said. "We begin two days from now. Randy, we have to get you a uniform, a weapon, and some basic training."

"Weapon?" Randy repeated. "I've already got a bat."

"That's useless," Tseng told him. "You're going to need a pistol of some sort. "Rude, take him to Scarlet to get a gun. Reno, get a uniform for him out of the supplies closet."

"Tseng, haven't you heard?" Reno began. "Scarlet's been missing for days."

"She hasn't returned yet?" Tseng wondered. "How strange. Very well, Rude can find you a weapon somewhere in the weapon's vault."

Rude nodded, and Randy followed him out of the office.

"I wonder where that slut is," Reno said. "She's been out of work for days and she hasn't even called in sick. Lotta nerve she's got!"

Tseng chuckled. "I'm sure Rufus will have it out with her when she returns."

Kaeori frowned as she and Aeris walked through the shopping centre of Upper Junon. Aeris seemed to have absolutely no knowlegde of Kaeori's true intentions, and she figured that once she found out she wouldn't comply with them. Kaeori knew this, but she also knew she would need Aeris' and her cousin's powers to complete this mission. They wouldn't volunteer, she knew, but she'd have to find a way to get the half cetra's on her side.

They walked past shops and eaterys when Kaeori stopped and turned to Aeris. "I don't feel much like shopping," she said. "It's still early. How bout we visit your cousin?"

Aeris thought for a second and peered at her watch. "I suppose we can," she said. "Zack shouldn't mind... we'll have to rent a chocobo to get there."

"Okay," Kaeori said, smiling.

Aeris turned around and headed towards the Rent-a-Chocobo Stables. After picking out a gorgeous yellow chocobo named Sunny, Aeris paid the man and left. They walked out of town and climbed aboard the chocobo once they reached the city limits.

"It's a beautiful day!" Aeris exclaimed as Sunny gallopped across the fields. "And this bird is fast! He'll have us in Midgar in no time."

Kaeori nodded from behind her. The faster the better," she thought. We've got to get started...

The ride to Midgar did not take long, as the man at the stables told Aeris Sunny had been a top racing chocobo in her younger years. When they arrived the big city, still under developement, Aeris led Kaeori towards Sephiroth and Tayeko's apartment building.

"This is the biggest city in the world," Aeris said as they walked down a busy street.

"I know," Kaeori said with little interest.

"It once used to be horrible place, the rich well separated from the poor. There were plates above us, where the rich lived, and where we walk now, were the slums. My good friend Reeve is an extraordinary urban developmentalist and has been working hard since Meteor to rebuild Midgar. He's succeeding, wouldn't you say?"

"Mmm," Kaeori muttered. Why was this foolish girl telling her all this? She of all people, even if she were only half Cetra, should know Meteor and the events that surrounded it were a direct result of the idiocy of humans. But, Kaeori supposed, living and growing up with only humans would make Aeris sympathetic with them.

Aeris stopped in front of a lovely apartment building, with lush flora on the grounds to give it some beauty in the midst of the sector. Aeris smiled and told Kaeori they'd arrived, and she led her inside.

"Good afternoon, Aeris!" a doorman cried when they entered. "Here to see the General's wife?"

Aeris laughed. "Yes, Tommy, I am. How is my cousin?"

"She's been waddling around with that big belly of hers, insisting on taking care of herself. Sephiroth specically told me not to allow her to carry so much as a feather, or he would have my head on a stake!"

Sephiroth? Kaeori grimaced. She knew who that horrible man was. If the human race was an evil enemy, he would surely be their king. He was responsible for all of the near destruction that nearly befell what was once Kaeori and her people's planet. Part Jenova as well, which made him all the more malevolent. And this Cetra living with him?

Aeris giggled. "Speaking of the devil, is he home?"

Tommy shook his head. "He left several hours ago, probably to the base." His brown eyes fell on Kaeori. "And who is this lovely lady that's accompaning you?"

"Oh, a dear friend," Aeris explained. "Her name is Kaeori. She's from Midgar, too."

"Really?" Tommy asked. "Never seen ya before."

Kaeori shrugged.

"We'd better go up," Aeris said.

"Right," Tommy said, walking to the wall and pressing a bell. A soft voice rang through the intercom.

"Yes?"

"Madame Sephiroth," Tommy said. "You have guests."

"Who?"

"You're wonderful cousin!" Aeris cried, leaning towards the intercom.

"Oh!" Tayeko cried. "Come on up!"

Tommy led them to elevator and the entered when the doors slid open.

"Enjoy," he said, smiling.

Aeris returned the gesture as the doors closed and the elevator ascended towards the 16th floor.

"You're going to love Tayeko," Aeris predicted.

Kaeori didn't care much. Her mind was reeling too fast with thoughts of how she's execute her plan.

"She's pregnant," Aeris suddenly said. "And with twins!"

Kaeori snapped her head to look at Aeris. Surely she did not mean pregnant by Sephiroth!

"By who?" Kaeori cautiously asked.

"Why, her husband, Sephiroth, of course!" Aeris exclaimed as the elevator doors slid open. You know, the great war general? Don't tell me I forgot to tell you?"

"I know who he is," Kaeori spat, forgetting for a moment to hide her true self.

Aeris tightened the corners of her mouth in a confused frown. "Come on, down the hall."

Tayeko threw the door open before they could knock. Aeris cried out and hugged her.

Kaeori stared in wonder at the girl. She wasn't very tall but she was heavenly beautiful. She had the richest, thickest, and longest jet black hair Kaeori had ever seen, and an angelic pale complexion. Her eyes caught Kaeori off guard, as they were a bright, entrancing violet color.

Her figure was shapely but distorted by the hugeness of her belly that protruded ridiculously far in front of her. She wore a lilac maternity dress, which stopped at her knees, and she wore a pair of white flip flop sandals.

"Who's this?" Tayeko immediately asked, sensing the Cetra power coming from Kaeori.

"Kaeori," Aeris explained. "I met her a few days ago. She's a Cetra, 100%!"

"As if I didn't already know," Tayeko said, staring at the striking Cetra woman. She thrust her small, delicate hand out. "Nice to meet you! Aeris and I have always dreamed of meeting other Cetra."

Kaeori slowly shook her hand and smiled, although she couldn't get it out of her head how Sephiroth had planted in this poor, mislead Cetra half-breed his demon-spawn children.

"Come in, girls," Tayeko said, ushering them out of the hall. "I've just started preparing lunch."

"Oh, I'll help you," Aeris exclaimed eagerly.

Kaeori watched the excited cousins and answered Tayeko's questions with little enthusiasm. She knew right away she would not be getting their help on their own free will. For God's sake, the woman was married to Sephiroth! She might as well chose Satan himself!

Kaeori shook her head as she agreed to set the table for her lunch. She'd come up with something, and she would do it fast.

Tifa ran into the lobby of Midgar general, her feet moving so fast she thought for a second that she'd come off the ground. She didn't slow down until she reached the receptionist, coming to a dramatic full stop by fall over the desk.

Tifa was so distressed when Yuffie called her. The words that the young ninja uttered made Tifa feel like a wall of bricks had come falling on her head.

She'd called Rufus and demanded with absolute vehemence that he take Jewel while she went to the hospital. He'd begun to refuse, full of excuses of work, but Tifa in her anger had threatened his life. He finally complied, and probably left the baby with hired help while he sat in conferances. "My husband, Cloud Strife!" she screamed in exasperated breaths. "He's been admitted her, mako poisoning..."

"Yes ma'am," the nurse said. "He was dropped off here by a R&R Shin-Ra helicopter about twenty minutes ago. He's not well. We're waiting for Dr. Richardson to arrive."

"You mean he's not here yet?" Tifa hollared at the top of her lungs. "My husband isn't being helped?!"

The young nurse cowered back in fear. "He's under constant surviellance in the ICU, ma'am," she replied. "Dr. Richardson was on the otherside of Midgar when we called him. He's on his way now, and you know it is rush hour."

"He's driving?" Tifa spat. "Couldn't someone have flown him here?"

"Please, ma'am, he'll be here soon. Just take a seat and-"

"Argg!" Tifa screamed, pushing herself away from the desk and marching towards the waiting area. She flung herself into a seat and began to sob, her mind and heart racked with worry.

Tifa wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting there crying, or that she'd fallen asleep in her misery. The nurse gently tapped her shoulder.

"Mrs. Strife?"

Tifa's bloodshot eyes snapped open quickly. "Yes!?" she nearly shouted.

"Dr. Richardson is here," the nurse told her. He's already evaluated your husband. He wishes to speak with you."

Tifa leapt to her feet. "Oh yes, yes, thank you."

"Down the hall and to the left," the nurse said as Tifa ran.

In her haste, Tifa nearly ran Dr. Richardson over. She recognzed the tall, salt and peppered haired man, and seeing his friendly blue eyes, some relief washed over.

"Oh, Tifa, how are you my dear? It's been a while."

"I was fine until now," she said. Suddenly she grew angry. "What took you so long?" she demanded.

"I'm so sorry, Tifa," he said, speaking to her the way old friends would. "As soon as I heard the news I left the patient I was with and got here as quickly as I could. I nearly suffered two accidents. Cloud has always been one of my favorite patients, a man I truly looked up to."

Tifa did not like the way Dr. Richardson spoke, as if Cloud were already dead.

"What's happened?" she cried.

Richardson shook his head. "Tifa, Cloud is very ill. The mako has infected 89 percent of the cells in his body. It is trying to take over, and all this mako is disturbing the previously dormant Jenova cells in him."

Tifa's eyes grew wide. "What does this mean?"

"It could mean a number of things," he said quietly.

"TELL ME!" Tifa hollered.

Richardson stared into Tifa's horribly worried face. "Alright," he began, clearing his throat. "For one, he is in a comatose state. Meaning he is far into to his mind, far away from any of us."

"Oh, God," Tifa said in a small voice.

"He may die," Richardson said as gently as he could. "Or he may mutate. It depends on how his body reacts to the mako and Jenovas cells suddenly waking. His coma indicates that he is trying to escape, through his mind, the turmoil that is occuring inside of him. His physical self will determine is fate."

"If he remains strong, the cells will just mutate into another creature, a monster. It's been reported in many cases, as I'm sure you well know from Hojo's ruthless experiments. If his body is weak, however, he will just die."

"Those are both horrible possibilites!" Tifa screamed, openly sobbing now. "Can't you do something."

Richardson's eyes grew small. "There is one thing," he said.

"I have been researching mako poisoning for most of my career, and it has become my forte," he stated. "I have learned of a chemical called Zyba, which is believed to be completely gone.<> "Most people've never heard of it, as I can tell you haven't, from the look on your face. I read about it in Cosmo Canyon. It was abudant thousands of years ago, but the Cetra and early humans used a great deal of it, as the Cetra wouldn't touch mako. It's a blue, plasmic substance, and runs deeps within ice taverns and cave walls on the northernmost continent. Or at least, it did."

"From my studies, it seems that Zyba is the opposite of Mako, like oil and water. In short, they cancel each other out."

"A cure!"

"An unproven theory of a fifty year old doctor," Richardson reminded her. "There is no proof whatsoever that Zyba can cure Mako poisoning. I only conclude that from the facts I've learned over time."

"The other problem, is the rariety of Zyba. No one's ever seen or handled any since some of those ancient books were written."

"Are you telling me I'm going to lose Cloud?" Tifa interrupted him. "You've given me a false hope!"

"No," Richardson said. "I'm telling you to go to the Northern Crator."

"What?" Tifa wondered, confused.

"It is not my belief that any element, even this famed Zyba, can be completely diminished. There has to be a little left somewhere, and we aren't going to need barrels of it to try to save Cloud. Just a few thousand cc's."

Tifa stared at him. "Northern crator?" her voice dripped with fear. "I don't know what this stuff looks like, what it is, where it is....How??"

"Please," Richardson pleaded. "Otherwise, Cloud will surely die."

Tifa turned away from his sympathetic eyes at those words. Tears ran freely down her cheeks, tears so heavy that they ran down her neck and fell into her bosom. Cloud could not die. She could NOT live without him.

"I will do whatever it takes to save my husband!" she cried, spinning back around to face him.

Dr. Richardson managed a small smile. "You are a brave woman, Tifa."

Tifa nodded. "Can I see him?"

Richardson shrugged. "Oh, I suppose so. Though he isn't responsive, at all."

Tifa didn't care. She marched, determined as ever, behind Dr. Richardson into the ICU. They passed a few rooms before he stopped.

"You can go along," he told her. "For a few minutes."

Tifa nodded and entered the room.

Cloud was lying in the hospital be, IVs running into his arms, and he was connected to a heart monitor and other devices Tifa didn't know the function of. He suddenly looked so young, helpless, and small. Like a little boy, his spikey blond hair drooping on the pillow. He was as pale as a ghost, so much so that it made Tifa gasp. His chest rose and fell with slow movements.

She carefully approached the bed, staring down at him. She gently sat beside him on the bed and took his hand, which was cold and clammy.

"Oh, my love," She cried, tears escaping her eyes. "How can this happen? When will we ever cease to suffer?"

She looked at his non responsive face.

"Don't you dare die, Cloud," she warned. "You fight this! You must be strong! For me, for Jewel... for all of us! The whole world needs you."

Silence greeted her misery.

"Oh, Cloud, are you there?" she moaned. "Can you hear me? I know you must be able to. Oh Cloud, do something, anything, twich an eyebrow for God's sake to let me know I'm not talking to myself, to let me know that you are in there! That you are only on to a thread of our love, love that will save you!!"

Cloud did not move.

Tifa kissed his forehead. "Cloud, I know in my heart you can hear me," she whispered in his ear. "And I promise you now that I will do everything in my power to save you. I swear on it."

She ran her fingers tenderly through her hair.

"Tifa," Dr. Richardson called from the door. "You should leave him now. He's very critical at this point."

Tifa nodded, though she was reluctant. She kissed him one last time before she walked to the door.

"I'll be back tommorrow," she said. "Before I prepare for my trip."

"Yes," Richardson agreed. "Tifa, what will you do with your child, while you are away?"

Tifa froze. She'd been so caught in her grief she'd forgotten about Jewel.

"Oh, dear." her hand covered her mouth.

"You need rest, Tifa," Richardson said, leading her to the exit. "Think about it tommorrow."

Tifa thanked him and left the hospital. She'd have to call Aeris when she got home. Aeris didn't evenknow about Cloud yet, not unless Yuffie blabbered everything, which was likely. She'd have to tell her right away.

Aeris and Tayeko would be able to help her. Surely they could. And perhaps she could leave Jewel with Elmyra or Shera.

No matter what, though, Tifa knew it was up to her this time. Cloud wouldn't be there beside in the battles. He wouldn't be there as they traveled. He wouldn't be there to watch her back.

No, Tifa knew she was on her own. It was up to her to save Cloud.

His life depended on it.