Phase Four: Unity

Cloud sat looking out the window of the hotel room he had rented in Icicle Inn, watching small, sparkling flakes of snow fall from the sky as the sun rose in the distance. A new, lighter dusting of snow had already fallen over the frozen ground during the night, and Cloud found that watching the quiet storm helped him think.

Today was the day that Avalanche, whatever would be left of it following their three day break, would regroup aboard the Highwind. Cloud's expression was grim as he watched several small, delicate flakes collide with the window pane and melt on contact, sending thin trails of water dripping down the cold glass until it dripped from the windowsill, perhaps to add to the icicles already hanging there. Would anyone come back, he wondered, or would his team simply melt away like so many snowflakes in a storm?

He sighed, gazing out at the horizon as the sky slowly turned orange, painted by the rising sun, causing the snow on the ground to sparkle like fine crystal. It was a beautiful morning, but Cloud was still filled with worry and a sense of foreboding. What would he do if no one returned? he asked himself for the hundredth time, still not certain of the answer. Would he give up? Retire somewhere and simply let Shin-ra win? Although the thought of fading into the background of the Planet to live a peaceful life was appealing at times like this, Cloud knew it was not something he could ever do so long as their biggest enemy continued to threaten the Planet and interfere in the lives of so many innocent people like they had in his own. But he could hardly fight the war on his own, he knew, and like it or not, he needed his team back, each and every one of them...

"Cloud?"

He actually jumped at the sound of the sleepy voice, blushing a bit a moment later for having forgotten he was not alone in the small room. He still hadn't gotten used to that. He turned his head and could not help but smile as he looked over at the large bed in the center of the room, where Tifa had just awakened. She sat tangled amidst the three thick blankets they had thrown across it to combat the cold of Icicle Inn, sleepily rubbing at her eyes as she looked his way, long hair wild and hanging into her face. Cloud grinned at the sight, unable to help but think how cute she looked, wishing at that moment that he had stayed in bed with her instead of going to the window to think and brood.

"Good morning," he said, remaining seated, a thick blue robe tied tightly around him, his feet bare on the cold, wooden floor.

"Is it still snowing?" she asked after a yawn, throwing back the covers a moment later and pulling on her own complimentary hotel robe.

"Yeah, a little," he told her, nodding back to the window. He heard her footsteps on the floor a moment later as she padded barefoot across the room, coming to a stop behind the armchair in which he sat. She leaned against the back of the chair and draped her arms around his neck and down onto his chest, gazing out the window over his shoulder to see for herself.

"Wow... It's so pretty. I missed snow living in Sector 7... All we ever got by the time the Plate blocked most of it was a half-melted black sludge."

Cloud nodded wordlessly, hating himself for still feeling so shy around her, as if he was afraid he'd say something wrong even now that would take her away from him. Tifa did not seem to mind, however, leaning around him to kiss his cheek, still draped over his shoulders.

"You're worrying about today, aren't you?" she asked knowingly, their years of friendship always providing her with the advantage when it came to his thoughts.

"I guess," admitted, though he hadn't wanted to admit that what he was doing was actual worrying. He had been telling himself he was simply thinking things through, planning for all possible options. But he was only fooling himself, admitting she was right with a heavy sigh. He was worried. He was their leader, after all, and if they didn't come back... He had failed.

"You don't think everyone will be at their pick up spots?" she asked, gazing down at him with warm, brown eyes, the concern in them unmistakable as they met his blue ones, glowing with Mako energy in the dim lighting.

"I... don't know. I mean, I know Cid and Barret will be back," he said awkwardly, briefly distracted from his troubled thoughts by her warmth and closeness. "But the others..."

"I think you'll be surprised," Tifa said with an easy confidence, something he had long envied. "Everyone came this far, after all."

"But now that they had time to go back to what they were missing, think things through..."

"Yeah... I guess it is tempting to consider giving up on Avalanche," Tifa said, winning a surprised glance from Cloud as he lifted his head to look up at her. "Oh, come on... Don't tell me that you haven't at least considered what it would be like?"

Cloud's cheeks turned a bit pink. "Well, yeah..." he gave in, unable to hold back anything from her since they had admitted to their true feelings. "When we were in the town hall waiting to be married, I kept thinking about how it would be if... we were different people with a normal life. You know, settle down in a nice house in the woods, have a family someday. But then I realized, if that were the case..." He paused, frowning as he tried to think of the words to express how he felt.

"We wouldn't be us any more?"

Cloud smiled. "Yeah. Exactly." It continued to amaze him, the way she could always put how he was feeling into words when even he couldn't seem to. It was just one more thing in a very long and growing list that he loved about her.

"Well..." Tifa said, finally straightening up and coming around to stand in front of him, arms folded thoughtfully over her chest. "Maybe the others feel the same way. Maybe this has become as much a part of their lives and their identities as it has for us."

"I hope so. Because if they don't come back, we're scr-"

"Let's not worry about that unless it happens," Tifa interrupted with a small smile. "Honestly, Cloud, you're going to have an ulcer by the time you're twenty-five."

"It's this team's fault," he mumbled, but he was smiling now, too. She sounded like his mother.

"We've got a few hours until Cid will be coming to pick us up," Tifa said, reaching out to take his hand, their matching wedding bands glistening in the sun as she pulled him to his feet. "Why don't we get dressed and go enjoy the last few hours of our honeymoon?"

"Get dressed? ….What for?" Cloud asked with a sly grin, surprised at himself even as he spoke the words. To his relief, Tifa burst out laughing, stepping forward into his arms and leaning in to kiss him tenderly on the lips.

"You see... That's why you're our leader."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cid Highwind was feeling good at he stood on the bridge of his airship, leaving the piloting to his two young trainees, Paul and Varon, for the moment. He grinned a bit to himself as he blew a ring of smoke from his cigarette into the racing air as they neatly cut through it at high speeds, heading for Icicle Inn. His three-day break back home in Rocket Town had been relaxing... much more than relaxing... and now he was ready to get back to business.

It was so much easier to concentrate on what lay ahead for the team now that he had been honest with himself, and with Shera. But at the same time, it was much, much harder. Most of the guilt and confusion that had been invading his every waking hour was gone now, lifted away by his apology and confession to the woman he had loved for years without realizing it, much less being able to admit it to her. He still felt indebted to her, and wasn't sure he'd ever stop feeling bad about the way he'd treated her for so long, but she had forgiven him, and revealed that she felt the same way for him. And while Cid was elated and happier than he'd ever been in his life, he now felt burdened and guilty in a different way.

Now, after the best three days of his life, he'd had to leave her behind and return to his mission. He had promised her that, as soon as Shin-ra was dealt with, he would return for her, intending to marry her and spend the rest of his life making everything up to her in a big way. But it still hurt her to see him go, just as it had hurt him to have to say goodbye. It was so hard to stop thinking about her, just like before, though now his feelings were much more settled and no longer frightening and painful. Now, he simply missed her, and couldn't wait to be back in her arms again. But first things first... Once Shin-ra was defeated, they'd have the rest of their lives together to make up for lost time. He was only thirty-two, after all.

Cid smirked to himself, no longer feeling like a defeated old man, but instead like a young kid in love with his whole future laying out wide open before him. It was an incredible feeling, and he hadn't felt so free in years. Imagine that, getting engaged and managing to feel less trapped and imprisoned than before! Cid never would have thought it possible... But then, he never would have thought a lot of things he'd done lately possible, either.

"How much longer, boys?" he called over his shoulder, pleased that he no longer had to watch every little thing the young pilots did for fear of running into the side of a mountain.

"Our ETA is twenty-two minutes, Captain!" Paul called out confidently after a quick check of the instrument panel.

"Weather at Icicle Inn?"

"Light snow, 17 degrees, with a ten mile per hour wind out of the Northeast," Varon said without hesitating. "Visibility is good, and landing or hovering for pick up shouldn't be a problem."

"Good, good... Well, you fellows know what to do. I'll be in my cabin."

With that, Cid turned and left the bridge, heading down a short flight of stairs and a narrow hallway to the deck toward the crew quarters, five small, single suites on each side of the corridor. Cid entered the largest room at the very end of the hall, the Captain's Quarters, and flopped down on his bed with a sigh. A smile crossed his lips as he stared up at the ceiling, picturing Shera's face in his mind, knowing that he wasn't just battling against Shin-ra and fighting for his dream any longer... He was fighting to go home to her now, too.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

An hour later, Cloud and Tifa were standing on the bridge of the Highwind with Cid in a small huddle, discussing the plans for the rest of the day as if they hadn't missed a beat. Tifa had immediately noted upon boarding that Cid seemed much more relaxed, almost giddy as he spoke, and had a sneaking suspicion that she knew why. She didn't say anything, though, not even when he had teased she and Cloud about their small wedding and far-too-short honeymoon. He was doing them a great favor simply by remaining with the team and continuing to allow them to use his airship, after all, and she didn't want to embarrass him. But sooner or later, she knew someone was going to make mention of the fact, and was rather looking forward to seeing Cid's reaction.

"We're about to pass over Elmyra's house at the edge of Sector 6 now," Cid said with a glance over the guard rail, cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. "Think they'll be waiting?"

"I'm not sure," Tifa said honestly, also peering over the side at the ground far below. "I think so..."

"Maybe the question is, do we want them both to be there?" Cloud said quietly, the old anger and tension creeping into his tone as he undoubtedly thought of Sephiroth, his one time hero and most hated enemy, a man who had married the sweet, innocent girl Cloud thought of as a sister and close friend.

"Like him or not, Sephiroth is one hell of a powerhouse to have on our side," Cid said in reply. "And don't forget all his experience and inside knowledge of Shin-ra..."

"Yeah, yeah," Cloud sighed, visibly trying to prepare himself for the reunion. "I know..."

"He and Aeris are a package deal now," Tifa added. "If we want her back, we'll have to accept him, too. I doubt either one of us would have let the other go on alone, after all."

Cloud was about to reply that their relationships were not even close to being similar, but was interrupted by Varon before he could speak.

"We're here, Captain!" he called to Cid. "But I... don't see anyone down there."

The group moved to peer over the guard rail, Cid pulling out the rope ladder from its place between a few crates of supplies and tossing it over the side of the airship just in case. But sure enough, the ground below was vacant, not a soul in sight.

"Damn," Cloud swore, staring down at the silent house surrounded by so many beautiful gardens in the distance. "Looks like they decided not to come back after all..."

As annoyed as he had been at the thought of Sephiroth rejoining them just moments before, Cloud now looked disappointed, and a sick feeling of dread and doubt settled into the pit of his stomach. If Aeris was no longer willing to work with them, what were the chances of anyone coming back?

"Maybe they just need more time?" Tifa asked a bit sadly, knowing she would certainly miss Aeris if not her husband. "I mean, they did just get married..."

"So did we!"

"I know, but-"

"Wait!" Cid suddenly called out, a lopsided grin crossing his face as he continued to look down at the house below. "There they are!"

When Cloud and Tifa turned to follow his gaze, they saw Sephiroth and Aeris exiting Elmyra's home, clearly carrying their travel packs and weapons. The two were holding hands, and while Aeris looked a bit torn and tearful, Sephiroth wore an expression of relief, as if he was escaping from prison after a long confinement.

"I guess they're coming after all," Tifa said with a faint smile, watching the odd couple as Elmyra followed them outside, still trying to figure out what had caused such opposite individuals to fall in love.

"Yeah, looks that way..." Now that he actually saw Sephiroth, still obviously content to be with Aeris, he no longer sounded relieved to have them back.

Tifa watched as Aeris briefly released Sephiroth's hand, then turned to hug Elmyra tightly, mother and daughter embracing for long moments which ended with each pulling away and wiping tears from her eyes. Then Elmyra glanced over at Sephiroth and said something they could not hear so high above the ground, her expression awkward and cautious, a small smile slowly crossing her features as she looked up at her new son-in-law. Sephiroth's expression changed from guarded to surprised at whatever she said to him, and Tifa was shocked to see that, a moment later, Elmyra reached out with open arms and embraced him, too. Aeris grinned so widely it looked as if her face might crack, again wiping tears from her eyes as Sephiroth lifted one arm and awkwardly hugged her mother. They quickly released each other, Sephiroth saying something else the others could not hear and nodding to Elmyra with a slight bow. He quickly took Aeris' hand protectively in his again, as if he was afraid she might vanish or be taken from him at any moment.

"Looks like things went well for them after all," Tifa said, still watching the scene below. "I know how worried Aeris was..."

"Heh... yeah," Cloud said tensely, happy for Aeris but still disgusted that their relationship was apparently permanent, and gaining more acceptance by the day.

Aeris gave her mother one last hug then, then waved as she and Sephiroth approached the ladder. He allowed her to go first, then slowly began to climb up behind her, keeping a close watch on his wife in case she needed his help.

A moment later, each of them stood on the Highwind's deck, Aeris quickly waving goodbye over the side as the ship sped off into the sky, heading for the Gold Saucer to pick up Barret. He had radioed to tell them Marlene was already safely on a cruise ship with her own personal nanny, to be guided back to Elmyra's house until he could return for her again. When the house was no longer in sight, Aeris turned to face her teammates with a wide grin, though she was still wiping tears from her eyes.

"Hi!" she exclaimed, rushing to hug everyone tightly, even the stunned Paul and Varon, both of whom blushed fiercely. "I missed you guys so much!"

"Hi, Aeris," Tifa grinned, unable to help but smile at the cheerful woman. "We missed you, too. I'm glad you decided to come back!"

"There was never any discussion about it otherwise," Aeris said, glancing back at her silent, stoic husband. "This is what we both wanted to do."

Cloud had already moved off across the bridge, hovering near Cid's pilots to avoid Sephiroth, making a show of looking busy. Tifa sighed when she noticed, then turned back to Aeris.

"So how was your break?" she asked. Someone had to try to keep the peace, after all. The team would never survive if the tension was simply allowed to continue growing, and Tifa felt that she was now strong enough to face Sephiroth and begin to at least try to forgive him. She had so many wonderful things in her life now that hanging onto the past almost seemed silly, and she knew it would only eat her up inside. How she wished she could make Cloud see that someday, too...

"It was wonderful," Aeris said, grinning like a fool, blushing a bit. "We finally got to spend some real time together... and I got to see my Mom, too!" she added quickly, turning even more red. Behind her, Sephiroth coughed uncomfortably and looked out over the side of the ship. Tifa grinned, winking at Aeris when her husband wasn't looking.

"I understand completely. Cloud and I needed some time to ourselves, too."

"Oh! Congratulations on your wedding, by the way!" Aeris added, having known the two planned to marry on their break.

"Thanks!" Tifa exclaimed, beaming from ear to ear. "Wow, suddenly we're both married... I feel so old!"

Aeris giggled. "My Mom almost had a heart attack!"

"I can imagine!" Tifa laughed, wondering briefly what her own mother would have thought of Cloud with a pang of sorrow. "But you guys all got along okay?"

"It was... a little awkward at first, but I think Seph here grew on Mom," Aeris grinned, reaching over to affectionately touch his upper arm. With that, he returned his gaze to her, one corner of his mouth twitching in a possible smile.

"Like a fungus," he said flatly, causing Aeris to giggle.

"Oh, stop that... She hugged you down there and said she was happy I had you to look after me, didn't she?"

"Well, yes... but that does not mean she likes me."

Tifa was surprised at the worry and insecurity she briefly saw on Sephiroth's face, wondering just how much this man really had changed. Maybe he really wasn't the same person who had destroyed Nibelheim. At that moment, he seemed almost free of his past sins and burdens, and somehow, that made her feel more free from his actions, too.

"In-laws are never supposed to be fun," Tifa said, addressing Sephiroth. "It's like a rule or something."

Sephiroth's eyes flashed with amusement. "I do not think it is fair that my father was instantly accepting of Aeris, yet I had to spend three very long days trying to convince her mother I am not an evil being sent from the pits of hell to corrupt her daughter. I shall have to think of a way to make things more even..."

Aeris playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on... the three days weren't that bad." When she met his eyes, the love and passion between the two was plainly visible, and Tifa felt suddenly very much out of place.

"No, I suppose not," he replied with a smirk, draping an arm over Aeris' shoulder as they stood together by the guard rail. "It had its good points."

Aeris grinned and stretched up to kiss him, and Tifa decided it was time to give them their space and go see how her own husband was doing. She crossed the bridge to find him, the Highwind growing closer to their next stop by the second.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Several hours later, the Highwind was much more crowded, the air bustling with excited greetings and plans for the future. Barret had been waiting at the Gold Saucer right on time, and hadn't stopped talking Cid's ear off about Marlene and the great time they'd had since. Cid was clearly uninterested, but trying his best to be polite. Barret didn't seem to notice as he followed the pilot around, chatting excitedly about how much his daughter had grown and how smart she was.

"Isn't dat so cute?!" Barret exclaimed, grinning proudly after telling a long story about something-or-other the girl had done that Cid hadn't heard a single word of.

"Uh-huh..." Cid mumbled, leaning over an instrument panel, pretending it was fascinating and deserved his full attention.

"She makes me so proud!" he gushed, grinning like a fool.

"Uh-huh..."

Across the bridge, a solemn Red XII sat in a patch of sun, watching the clouds in the bright blue sky streak past. He had informed the others of his grandfather's passing upon his return from Cosmo Canyon and received their condolences, assuring the team that he did indeed intend to go on with them, by Bugenhagen's wishes and in his honor. But the large feline creature was obviously still mourning the loss of his last remaining family member, and the others gave him his space while he dealt with his grief. When he was ready to talk about it, he knew he had many friends with Avalanche who would listen.

Yuffie was off talking excitedly to Cloud and Tifa about her time in Wutai and her discussion with her father, and both members of the couple looked intrigued and listened closely. It seemed that their youngest, often most troublesome member may just have pulled through for them in a big way, and the three had been discussing the possibilities ever since the young ninja had returned. She looked rather proud of herself and could hardly stand still, gesturing excitedly as she spoke so fast she was often hard to understand. Her youthful enthusiasm was something the team could use as well, and everyone was glad to have her back despite her frequent airsickness and occasional immaturity.

The Highwind reached Nibelheim a short time later, planning to pick up their remaining member last since he had been dropped off in that order, mostly due to his indecision over where to spend his break until the last minute. Paul soon alerted Cid and the others that they had reached the designated location, bringing the vast airship to a hover a short distance outside of the eerily reconstructed town. Both Tifa and Cloud made it a point not to look down at the mockery of their childhood home, focusing instead on the trees just outside the town border.

"So... where is he?" Yuffie asked after several minutes of tense silence, looking over the guard rail like most of her teammates and voicing the thought that had been in everyone's mind.

"The hell should I know?" Cid mumbled, his eyes still fixed on the ground below. "I ain't his keeper."

"Maybe he ain't comin' back," Barret said, winning a glare from Sephiroth. Aeris instantly reached out and took his hand in hers, realizing how much having Vincent around meant to him, even if he did not or simply could not admit it.

"Ahh, man," Yuffie said, sounding very disappointed. "Vinny was cool. It won't be the same without him..."

"It's his choice to make," Cloud said, though he, too, sounded a bit let down. "No one had to come back if they didn't want to."

"I hope he finds what he's looking for, then," Tifa said sadly, shaking her head.

Aeris nodded, sniffling away tears as she held onto Sephiroth, whose own expression remained cold. She had come to think of Vincent as family, perhaps even more so than Sephiroth did. But despite his brave front, there was obvious emotion in his eyes as he stared longingly at the ground below, as if willing his father to appear.

"Well... should we wait a little longer or get going?" Cid asked, taking a drag on his cigarette and trying to hide how much he'd miss Vincent, too. Sure, he gave the guy a hard time, and he was one weird dude, but he liked having him around, and he was a hell of a fighter. "It's quite a bit past the time he should have been expecting us."

"I guess go," Cloud said a bit reluctantly. "He's obviously made his decision."

"All right..." Cid said, turning to give Varon the signal to pull up. Sephiroth turned on his heel and marched away from the railing, retreating to a corner on the bridge with his back turned. Aeris frowned and hurried after him with concern, trying not to be upset herself so she could keep him calm.

Yuffie heaved a heavy sigh, and was about to retreat to a lower deck, and possibly a bathroom. But just as she did so something below caught her eye. Turning back to the railing, a wide grin crossed her face as a streak of red leaped out of one of the tall trees at the edge of town, the tall figure of a dark-haired man landing softly on the earth and calmly turning his blood red gaze to the sky above.

"Wait!"Yuffie called out in Wutaiin in her excitement, quickly correcting herself and repeating the word in Universal, everyone else's language. "Look!"

Cid, Barret, Cloud, and Tifa did as she said, each spotting the stoic, unmoving figure below staring up at them, metal claw gleaming in the sun, as if to ask where they thought they were going without him.

"It's Vinny!" Cid exclaimed, grinning. "Return to hovering, boys!" He threw down the ladder, watching with obvious relief as Vincent slowly approached it and began to climb.

Off in the corner, Aeris and Sephiroth had heard the announcement, and she excitedly dragged him back over to the guard rail despite his protests. A moment later, Vincent reached the top of the ladder and dropped soundlessly to the wooden deck of the bridge, calmly looking the others over with cold eyes and nodding his head slightly in greeting as if nothing had happened. He looked exhausted, as if he had not rested at all on his break. It was possible he was even more thin and frail in appearance than he had been before, his skin a sickly white and dark circles painted beneath his eyes. His cloak was held around him like a shield, hiding most of his face as if he wished to vanish inside it and avoid the stares directed his way. But he had returned, and that was all anyone cared about at the moment.

"Were you planning to leave me behind?" he said flatly, his voice as quiet as that of a ghost.

"We didn't see you!" Cid exclaimed, punching him playfully in the arm. Vincent absently gazed down at the spot where the pilot had hit him, but said nothing. "Why were you hiding?!"

"I wasn't. I was thinking."

Cid rolled his eyes and snorted. "Yeah, right."

"Welcome back," Cloud said with a polite nod, still unsure of Vincent but recognizing his incredible abilities and use to the team.

Vincent said nothing, silently walking through the still-gawking crowd and intending to head below deck, to get out of the sun and away from the others. His plans were thwarted by Aeris, however, the young girl running after him with a wide smile on her face, leaving Sephiroth to retreat again to the corner, staring off into the sky.

"Vincent!" she called after him, causing him to stop mid-step with a quiet sigh. Slowly, he turned to face her, his red eyes inquisitive and somewhat suspicious.

"Hi," she said a bit breathlessly, also looking a bit nervous. "Boy, did you give us a scare... I was so afraid you weren't coming back! And... so was Sephiroth."

"I... was not sure if I would for a time, but... I changed my mind," he said vaguely, looking as if his thoughts were elsewhere for a moment, his eyes haunted.

"He was really upset when we didn't see you," Aeris went on quietly, reaching out to touch his shoulder beneath his cloak when he appeared ready to attempt another retreat. "He missed you, and he needs you here. You're his father, after all..."

Vincent turned to study her for a moment, his mind clearly racing behind his guarded expression. Aeris could only wonder what he was thinking, and a moment later he sighed, nodding his head and looking a bit guilty.

"I apologize," he said awkwardly. "My intentions were not to cause anyone alarm."

"I know... but maybe if you came over to say hello to him?" Aeris asked hopefully, forcing a tense smile. She knew how much Vincent's acceptance and presence meant to her new husband, and she wanted so badly for him to be happy.

"I suppose..." Vincent said reluctantly after a pause, as if it was the last thing he really wanted to do. Aeris beamed, though, taking a hold of his arm and half-dragging him across the bridge to where Sephiroth stood, his back still turned.

"Hey, Seph," she said cheerfully, trying to calm the tension she could already feel in the air. "Look what I found."

Slowly, Sephiroth turned, passing his glowing green eyes first over Aeris, and then onto Vincent as she released his thin arm, leaving him to stand rigidly before his son. At first, Sephiroth was glaring, obviously still upset over having thought Vincent would not return, but slowly his expression faded into a softer one, and he inclined his head slightly instead of completely closing himself off as Aeris had feared.

"Hello," Sephiroth said awkwardly, as if speaking to a complete stranger and not his own father.

"Greetings," Vincent replied in the same manner, making Aeris nearly smack her head. These two had a lot to learn, and so far to go...

"I am... glad you returned," Sephiroth went on awkwardly, giving Aeris a spark of hope for them after all. But Vincent simply nodded, not doing anything to advance the conversation. Aeris wanted to shake him.

Tell him you're glad, too! Tell him you missed him and thought about him! Something!

Sephiroth lowered his gaze, clearly embarrassed when his father did not reply, and Aeris reached out to take his hand. She was proud of his efforts and glad to see that he wanted and needed his father around. If only he wasn't so awkward, and if only Vincent would loosen up instead of standing stiffly before them, expressionless, like the walking dead. Sephiroth needed his reassurance right then, but it didn't seem like something Vincent was capable of giving. These two were so similar it was killing her that they didn't see it, and now she was struck even more strongly by just how very much alike they looked.

"I'm glad, too," Aeris finally offered in order to break the silence, figuring someone had to lead the way. "Now we can all work together to stop Shin-ra, and you two can spend more time together and get to know each other better."

"..."

Aeris sighed. Sephiroth shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Vincent blinked.

"Well, Cloud wants to talk to all of us together, so we better go see if he's ready," Aeris said, trying her best to keep the frustration out of her tone. Were they ever going to be able to hold a normal conversation, or should she just change her profession to dentist right now and get used to pulling teeth, she wondered dryly.

In response, Vincent and Sephiroth nodded stiffly in near identical fashion. Sighing again, wondering if this would ever work out but strengthening her resolve to see to it that it would, Aeris turned and crossed the bridge to where Cloud was gathering the others, the two silent, stubborn men trailing after her. If things had worked out between she and Sephiroth, after all, there was hope for anything.

The End

((Author's Note: This story and the plotline of my AU is next continued in Battlegrounds. Go read it and stuff! Thanks for the reads and reviews! ~ JenesisX))