Hello my readers! *nervous chuckle* So I'm really sorry it took me so long to post this sucker. I've been so freakin busy lately between school and my other fanfiction I'm currently working on. (It's called Memories, another ZackxCloud fanfic. You should check it out.) But anyways, here it is. Part two. The final part. I hope you guys like it. : )

Disclaimer: Still own nothing. . .(except the story line of course)

"So basically it's a simple monster extermination. While it has completely brought down the small town that it lives by, it should be no problem for a first class SOLDIER," Director Lazard said to Zack as he handed him a file.
"Yeah, it doesn't sound that bad," Zack said as he flipped through the file.
"Yes, the only problem is going to be transportation. Due to the increase in monsters lately, help and supplies have been a little tight and all of the helicopters are currently in use."
"So how will I get there?"
"You will be given a company motorcycle, it will take a day or two longer to get there, but since all the residents have been evacuated and Shin-Ra has nothing valuable there, it's not very high on our priority list." Zack thought about this for a moment.
"So why am I going anyways? Why not send out some infantrymen? I'm sure they could use the practice," asked Zack.
"With all the things that are going wrong lately, Shin-Ra needs some good publicity. And sending a first class SOLDIER to a small pointless town makes it seem like we care."
"Right," Zack muttered as he set the file back down on Lazard's desk. Zack had always hated the fact that Shin-Ra needed a reason to help people.
"The motorcycle is waiting for you outside when you are ready and due to the large amount of traveling you will be doing, you are permitted to take one infantryman with you." Zack paused at this. This was his chance.
"Sir, may I suggest a certain infantryman?"
"I don't see why not."
"Then could I have Cloud Strife assist me on this mission sir? I've worked with him before."
"Of course. Cloud will be waiting for you at the building exit shortly."
"Thank you sir," Zack said as he exited. As quickly as he could, he packed a simple overnight bag, adjusted his materia and then headed down to the exit on the ground floor.
Standing by the door was an infantryman with a small black backpack and his helmet on. He turned towards Zack and gave him a solute.
"Reporting for duty, sir." Zack shook his head and chuckled.
"Relax Cloud, it's just me. No need to be all formal." Cloud took off his helmet and gave Zack an embarrassed smile.
"Sorry, just trying to follow protocol."
"Who cares about protocol? So anyways, let's move. I'm told the motorcycle should be out front." Cloud swallowed nervously.
"Did you say motorcycle?"
"Yeah, why?" Cloud shot him a nervous look. It took Zack a couple moments before he remembered. An evil smile crept up onto his face.
"Awwww, come on Cloud, it won't be that bad." He threw an arm around Cloud's shoulder and steered him towards out the door. As promised, the motorcycle was parked out front. Zack however was bummed when he saw the sidecar attached to it. He had been looking forward to Cloud sitting behind him and wrapping his arms around him.
Zack could feel Cloud start to fidget next to him as they approached the bike.
"Zack. . .I don't think this is a good idea," Cloud said shakily.
"Nonsense Cloud! It'll be fine. We can take a couple of breaks if we have to." Cloud shook his head.
"I don't think so Zack. You should probably go request another cadet. I don't think I'd be much help anyways." Zack felt his heart crack a little as Cloud hung his head in shame.
"Hey, hey," Zack said as he put his hands on Cloud's shoulders and tried to get Cloud to look at him, "Cloud, look at me." Cloud hesitantly and shyly peeked up at him.
"You will be fine. And I don't want to take any other cadet. I want to take you. I trust you and you're my friend." Cloud looked up more with a small smile on his face.
"Thanks Zack," Cloud whispered. Zack gave him a blinding smile.
"Anytime, now let's go." Zack patted Cloud on the shoulder and walked around to get on the motorcycle. Cloud carefully climbed into the sidecar. Once Cloud was settled in with their two bags in the sidecar Zack revved up the bike and they took off. Cloud did his best to keep his motion sickness under control as they sped out of the city. Cloud forced himself to take deep breaths as the tall buildings and houses turned into rolling fields of green. They had been driving for about an hour and a half before the sun had really started to set.
Cloud had closed his eyes at that point, finding that the darkness helped with his motion sickness, when he felt Zack nudge him. He opened his eyes and looked at Zack. Zack motioned to the sunset.
"Wow," Cloud whispered as he gaped in awe at the beautiful sight. Zack smiled as he watched Cloud's face light up. Zack never wanted to look away as the orange rays from the sun seemed to make Cloud look like he was glowing. Zack did manage to tear his eyes away after a bit, not wanting to crash.
They continued on until the sun was on the verge of disappearing. Zack felt a tug on his shirt. He turned to see Cloud looking a little green.
"Zack, can we stop for the night? I'm not feeling too good." Zack nodded.
"Sure Cloud." Zack promptly pulled over into a field. Cloud quickly jumped out and knelt in the grass while holding his stomach.
With the last of the sunlight disappearing, Zack turned the headlights on the motorcycle on. They were out in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but empty fields surrounding them. Zack got off of the bike and walked over to Cloud, where he patted and rubbed Cloud's back while the young cadet moaned and dry heaved.
"It's okay Cloud. We'll stop for the night, 'kay? I'll go make a campfire and spread out the sleeping bags. Come on over when you're feeling better. 'Kay?" Cloud nodded weakly in response.
Zack quickly went about getting the fire going a couple feet away from Cloud, turning off the headlights once he did. With the campfire giving off plenty of light, Zack got Clouds and his duffel bags out of the sidecar and started pulling their sleeping bags out. Cloud joined Zack just as Zack got both sleeping bags out and unzipped.
Cloud heaved out a big sigh as he plopped down on his sleeping bag. Zack gave him a sympathetic smile.
"I'd ask you if you want something to eat, but after that, I'm gonna guess no." Cloud quickly shook his head and covered his mouth. Zack chuckled. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Zack broke the silence.
"So did you call that new secretary yet?" Cloud shook and hung his head.
"Why not," Zack asked. Cloud shrugged.
"I like somebody else. I thought we talked about this." Zack nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah, we did. I was just curious if anything had changed." Zack paused for a moment.
"Have you asked out the person you like yet," Zack asked, careful to say "person" instead of "girl" finding that it gave him a sense of hope. Cloud shook his head again.
"No."
"Why not?" Cloud shrugged.
"Just because." Zack shook his head and chuckled.
"C'mon Cloud! That's not a real answer! You gotta give me something better than that!" Cloud shook his head some more.
"No."
"Aww, c'mon Cloud!"
"I told you no."
"C'mon! I won't leave you alone until you tell me Cloud!"
"I said no!"
"Cloud, if you don't tell me, I will start singing." Zack was about to burst into song when Cloud lost it.
"Has it ever occurred to you that I don't ask them out because the person I like is you," Cloud shouted, his patience reaching an end. Zack and Cloud's eyes widened as Cloud slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Cloud? Did you just say. . ." Cloud let out a squeak and quickly crawled into his sleeping bag and completely disappeared in it.
"Cloud?"
"I said nothing! Ignore what I just said!" A smile slowly grew on Zack's face as what Cloud said had dawned on him. He crawled closer to Cloud's sleeping bag.
"Cloud," he whispered. No response.
"Cloooud," he cooed. Cloud peeked through a crack in the sleeping bag.
"What?"
"Cloud, you like me?" Cloud blew out a sigh and came out from the protection of the sleeping bag as he sat up.
"Yeah," he mumbled as he looked down in shame, "I've liked you since since day one Zack. But I figured you liked girls, so I didn't say anything. I was just happy enough to be considered your friend." Zack couldn't help but smile as he thought about how it was turning out to be the best day of his life. Instead of reassuring Cloud of his feelings, he decided to show him.
Zack reached out, grabbed Cloud chin and pulled Cloud in for an achingly sweet kiss. It was terribly awkward at first, for Cloud was stiff and unsure what to do, but once the shock wore off and he got the hang of it, he wrapped his arms around Zack's neck and kissed back.
It lasted for about 10 minutes before they both pulled away, breathless and panting.
"I like you too, Cloud."

The End

Like it? Hate it? Love it? Let me know and review please! Free imaginary cookies to all who review! I hope you guys liked the ending. : )

Thanks and imaginary cookies go to everyone who reviewed! Thank yous!

Well, I will see you guys in the next fic. Happy Reading!