Assassins in Gaia

Cloud watched as his mom and Zack's parents greeted their grandsons. He had been a little worried about how his kids would have been treated. They were not born the normal way after all and despite his anger at Hojo for hurting him and his kids, he was also thankful. The only reason he decided to forgive and forget Hojo was because he had two beautiful, alive and healthy kids. Caleb and Rain who were enjoying all the pampering and attention their three grandparents were showering on them.

Rain was babbling happily, "Uwaaa uwwaawa."

Rain, 'Ma.. Well my grandma now, you are alive. Aerith too, though she is Auntie Aerith now. I'm so happy for you Tifa, you deserve someone who loves you.'

Caleb was contemplating, 'So this is what grandparents are like. Very nice, very nice.'

Aerith, "He he he! Our two nephews are so adorable."

Tifa grinned, "Yeah, look Rain, look at this."

Rain looked at Tifa with curious eyes. She was a little different from the Tifa he had known and become close to. This Tifa was a lot more brighter and happier, she didn't look burdened like his Tifa was. Aerith was warm and bright beside her and the way the two ladies looked at each other was similar to the way his ma and pa did. Rain cooed at them happily, his two dearest friends were happy and alive in this new life. The two ladies pretty much brightened at the happy expression on Rain's face.

Tifa picked Caleb up, "Hey little man. You are being very quiet."

Caleb huffed at her, 'I'm thinking woman.'

Aerith cooed, "He is a pretty serious guy, isn't he?"

Rain eyed him suspiciously, -What are you up to?-

Caleb shrugged, -Just thinking, it is nice to have a mother who loves you.-

Rain blinked, -And you can have a mother who does, as long as you don't try to take over the world again.-

Caleb laughed, -Of course, puppet.-

Rain scowled, -Asshole!-

Sephiroth walked in holding Kadaj, "I hope, we are not late."

Zack, "Sephiroth, baby Kadaj, come in, come in. Genesis, Yazoo, Angeal and Loz too."

Rain turned to them in shock. The three remnants that he knew as adults were toddlers, actual, real toddlers. Oh Gaia! They look completely different from their adult forms too. Kadaj's eyes look more round, Yazoo has reddish brown hair and Loz has dark hair. Caleb looked at them curiously, he remembered the remnants from the time he tried to be reborn again. He remembered how childish they were and how they had been forced to grow inside their pods.

Kadaj raised his hands towards Cloud, "Angel!"

Cloud smiled at him, "Hello to you too, Kadaj. I'm happy you are doing well."

Loz squirmed in Angeal's hands before rushing to hug Cloud's leg, "Angel, play with us."

Yazoo nodded, "Missed you."

Cloud gave them a bright smile, "We can all play together."

Zack sighed in relief, the last few weeks had been really hard on Cloud. While Cloud had not remembered much stuck inside the Mako tank and was in a hazy state, it was no longer the case now. Cloud would wake up in cold sweat from nightmares about Hojo dissecting him open. He also remembered some of the plans Hojo would mutter about his children that would sometimes wake him up. During those nights, he would hold the two children to ensure himself they were safe.

Zack would try his best to comfort his husband and most of the time he could. But not when it came to the children, some of the things Hojo had planned for the two innocent kids made him sick to his stomach. During those nights he would hold Cloud as he hugged the twins and rock all of them together to sleep. Thankfully, they all slept together in the same King sized bed, so they didn't have to get up. Zack pitied the poor therapist who had to deal with the two of them though. The poor man looked like he went through the wringer everytime they were done though, he didn't show it.

Genesis, "How are you holding up, Zack?"

Zack, "Better than a few weeks ago. Still a long way to go but definitely better."

Angeal nodded, "That's good to hear Zack. I'm glad, you are both okay."

Sephiroth mused, "I heard from Desmond, about how Vincent got rid of Hojo. They were worried I would miss him, but I don't. I am more relieved, he will no longer bother me with experiments."

Zack, "Yeah, if anyone here deserves the right to kill Hojo, it would be your Ma and Da. Even though they are not together."

Sephiroth hummed, "They bonded over their trauma, which is not exactly a good reasoning to start any type of relationship. I'm happy, they are good friends however and found someone else to be with and be happy themselves."

Genesis eyed Lucretia who was with her fiance, "As long as they are happy, that's what matters."

Claudia, "Lucretia, come join us ladies."

Lucretia beamed, "Coming ~ Colleen, why don't you mingle with the men?"

Colleen chuckled, "I will, I believe Desmond had something to show me."

Desmond looked at the brunette as he approached him and Vincent who were talking in hushed manner. Colleen was a sharp eyed Detective they had met back in Corel. The man had been curious about the two of them ever since they had helped the people get away from the reactor in time. He had done a lot of research into them before approaching them. Vincent had been impressed by his skills and commented if he showed off his skills to Turks he would be recruited in a snap.

Colleen had flushed at the compliment before commenting he had no interest in joining a company like Shinra. Not like the couple blamed him, especially not after what happened in Corel. The man had been married before he became a full on detective, after his wife passed. He had poured himself into the work helping Ace out to find out what Palmer had been doing while he was in Wutai.

Desmond, "Speaking of Ace, where is he?"

Vincent, "He is with Rufus and the Turks."

Colleen, "So he decided to finally move against Palmer."

Vincent, "Yes, it'll distract any media today and tomorrow from the First Class SOLDIERs spending time outside the tower."

Desmond chuckled, "Go hard or go home. That's how he does it."

Colleen, "Heh! Of course, it is. I'm guessing Heidegger was his work even though Genesis got the credit."

Vincent nodded, "When you are unknown, it is easier to get the job done."

Desmond, "A tried and proven tactic over the years."

Angeal approached them, "What has been proven?"

Vincent looked at him with twinkle in his eye, "Ace being a complete riot."

Angeal paused, "Ah.... Is this going to be another Heidegger incident?"

Desmond, "Yup ~ Don't worry, it will be Rufus who takes the blame or rather credit for it."

Rain who was being fed by Cloud, stared at them with the others. His eyes were wide when he realized exactly what the adults were talking about. They had gotten rid of Heidegger and were now going to get rid of Palmer. Rain remembered them from his days in the infantry and from Barrett and Cid's complaints about the two. They had been notorious for being greedy, corrupt and vile people who did not care about the lives of others. Rain frowned, it was Heidegger who had also ordered the infantry to hunt Zack down.

Caleb was very amused, -Hmmm ~ Your cousins are very thorough and vindictive, my dearest twin.-

Rain nodded, -Yeah, but I wonder what they did to piss them off. From what I know of Ace he is a very chill and calm man.-

Caleb, -Curious indeed.-

Desmond, "Rain? What is it little chick?"

Rain made a face at the nickname, -Not the Chocobo names again.-

Vincent picked up Caleb, "It looks like the two chicks are enjoying themselves."

Caleb stared at Vincent incredulously, -He did not just call me a chick!!!!!-

Rain giggled childishly, -Serves you right.-

Caleb scowled, -Puppet, I would watch it, if I were you.-

Rain looked at his baby adversary challengingly, -Or what?-

Desmond poked Caleb's scowling eyebrows, "Do not frown little chick. You are too young to worry about anything."

Colleen looked at the two with a wishful look, "My little Tanya used to be so adorable as well. She's in high school now."

Vincent's eyes twinkled, "They grow up very fast, don't they?"

Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo saw them and asked to play with them after they finished eating their dinner. Vincent's demons rumbled inside him content on being surrounded by the young children. Desmond chuckled at his happy expression, not like he blamed him. The kids were adorable and they both loved them all. While everyone was enjoying the party, Ace was happily introducing a flabbergasted Cid Highwind to Rufus Shinra. Ace was telling everything he had dug up on Palmer with the help of the Turks. Reno was a very determined hellhound once his vindictive side was unleashed.

Cid had been having a calm week, calm for a rocket enthusiast and scientist, at least. He was going through his plans for the new Rocket, that they had planned to launch in a few years. The fund flow into Rocket town had been a little stable, not high but it had not gotten cut again like the previous years. During that time, Cid had met Ace who had taken a look at the Rocket and had started a very serious discussion with the workers. The workers were surprised by the interest and knowledge Ace had but they welcomed it.

Cid had been very impressed by the knowledge and the designs he had taken out for a new stylish yet practical aircraft. Cid was especially impressed by the blue prints that were hashed out in a lot of details and plans along with the material list which was on the side. Cid wondered, if the young man had his own flight ship or was a new engineer. Cid really should have just ignored the young man and went on with his daily normal life. If he did then maybe he would not be feeling confused while being surrounded by Turks.

Cid took a long puff and put his cigarette out, "Okay, kid! Mind explaining what is happening now?"

Ace turned towards him with a shit eating grin, "We are kicking Palmer out ~"

Rufus was grinning, "We are promoting you in his place."

Cid deadpanned, "Let me guess, you just planned that, just a day ago, when you decided to basically kidnap me."

Ace gave him an innocent look, "Maybe ~"

Rufus snorted, "We have been or rather, I have been watching your work. Honestly speaking, you are more trustworthy then Palmer."

Cid raised his eyebrow, "Mind if I look at those papers you have been shuffling about?"

Rufus, "Go ahead."

Tseng nodded, "This is the account ledger of the funds that was supposed to go to the Rocket project. However, most of it went into Palmer's pocket, much to everyone's ire."

Cid frowned then blew up, "What in mother fucking blazes? If we had these funds we would have made many advances in flight and space visits years ago!!!!"

Ace let the man fume and curse, 'Looks like we can have him abroad.'

Reeve walked in, "Sir? You called?"

Cid was still cursing, "Greedy, bloody, pig! Who does he think he is?"

Reeve, 'Mr Highwind?'

Rufus motioned him to sit down, "Mr Highwind, this is Reeve Tuesti."

Cid nodded, "I heard about your work. You made Midgar look much more greener than the last time I was here."

Reeve smiled, "It took months to get it done, but we did it."

Rufus then got their attention back on topic, they would be having another meeting with the President soon. Rufus wanted to hash out the finer details of his plan before placing the findings in front of his father. After discussing more, it was time for the meeting to start and except for Ace they all left for the board room. Ace wished them luck before rushing outside to join the party.

Ace burst in, "Sorry, I'm late."

Cloud, "Nah, you are just in time for dessert."

Ace, "Oh good."

Caleb eyed him, -He is strange.-

Rain, -What do you mean?-

Caleb, -He does not feel human?-

Ace was in front of them, "My little cute nephews. Sorry I'm late. Look, look, I got you gifts."

Genesis eyed the toys, "Is that a black and gold Chocobo plushie?"

Ace, "Yup."

Zack laughed, "It matches them."

Aerith, "Come over Ace. We saved dinner for you."

Tifa, "Your favourites."

Ace, "Awwwwww ~ Thanks ladies. You are the best."