Cloud looked around at his friends. He didn't want to believe Cid and Barrett. He wanted to agree with Vincent.

"But I know Sephiroth better than any of you do," he argued. "I know he really isn't evil. Just... so many things triggered it all. The real Sephiroth isn't the one you all think you know."

"But Cloud," Tifa spoke up, "we can't know that for sure."

"I do!" Cloud insisted. "I know it; I've known him longer than any of you have!"

The others were all silent, watching him.

Finally Cid snorted. "Damn, kid. You've lost your mind. If you don't got the balls to do something about the bastard, I will." The pilot grabbed Vincent's gun and aimed it directly at Sephiroth's head.

"Cid, no!" Cloud cried out in horror. He moved forward to stop Cid, but Red XIII beat him to it, throwing himself bodily at Cid, knocking him to the ground.

"What the HELL did you do that for?!" Cid demanded.

"I wanted to stop you from making a mistake," Red XIII replied, in his usual calm and even voice.

"A mistake!?" Cid shouted. "You've all gone crazy, haven't you!"

Cloud was shaking with emotion, not sure if it was anger, fear, or what. He turned away and looked out a window to the bleak, snowy landscape. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself, his eyes unfocusing and really staring at nothing, clearing his mind of thought.

Tifa watched Cloud, looked around at her friends; Vincent also watching Cloud, Cid sitting on a desk and shaking his head angrily, Barrett watching Sephiroth suspiciously, and Red XIII who sat and stared straight back at her. It was as if he was telling her to make the next move.

What do you want me to do? she thought. She shook her head and walked slowly over to Cloud. When she placed her hand on his lower back, he jumped, then whirled around, his own hand reaching out at her, almost to her throat before he realised who she was. She took an involuntary step backward, not knowing for a moment who this man was staring down at her with those glowing eyes.

"Tifa," he said, his voice soft. "I'm sorry..."

She shook her head quickly. "It's all right."

"No... I almost attacked you."

"It doesn't matter, Cloud...."

"Damn it!" he shouted. "What's wrong with you?" He grabbed her upper arms harshly, hurting her.

"Cloud! Let go!"

He held his grip tightly, glaring at her until Barrett stepped in, pushing him roughly away from Tifa, and putting his good arm around her trembling shoulders. "What's the matter with YOU?!" Barrett demanded. "It's that damned corpse, ain't it! It's screwing with your mind again!"

Cloud stepped back, slumping against the wall, remaining silent as he stared at Sephiroth's body. What was going on? Why had he lost control? Sephiroth, why are you doing this to me? he thought, anguish showing across his face as he slumped slowly down the wall, hitting the floor. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed brokenly.

Cloud, listen to me, please. You have to calm down, you're doing this to yourself. Look inside, it's not me - it's your own doubts and fears. Don't listen to them. You're the only way I can get back to the world, back to the life I should have lived. Back into your arms. Don't you miss me? Don't you miss what we shared, all that time we were together? You can't tell me you long for my embrace. You used to love lying in my arms, holding me close to you. You still love me, I know you do. And I love you. I want to be with you again. Please, Cloud. Let me back into your heart. Admit you love me. Don't be afraid anymore. Hold me, Cloud. Love me. We're meant to be together. Don't let insecurity stop you. Don't let them stop us!

An hour had passed. Sephiroth was still lying there, on the floor. Cloud was sitting in the corner, staring blankly across the room. Tifa was sitting a foot or so away from him, wanting to comfort him but afraid to get too close. Red XIII was lying near Sephiroth's inert form - he appeared to be dozing, but it was unlikely that he was. Barrett and Cid were outside the room, Cloud could hear that they were talking but it didn't register what he was saying. He didn't know where Vincent was.

Minutes ticked by, and they stayed like this. There was a minimal of time, until suddenly Red XIII lifted his head, staring hard at Sephiroth.

"What is it?" Tifa asked softly.

He said nothing, just stared at Sephiroth.

Tifa stood and walked cautiously over to the body.

His eyes were open.

Tifa let out a horrified shriek as Sephiroth sat up, then got to his feet. He stared down at her - completely expressionless and watched as she backed away into the wall, shouting at him. "Don't come near me!" He didn't. He just turned and looked at Cloud, not saying a word, yet Tifa continued to shriek until Cid and Barrett burst through the door, both looking like they were ready to cause some damage.

Cloud stared back at Sephiroth, not noticing as Red XIII came around to sit a few feet away, not noticing as Cid was the one comforting Tifa, glaring at both him and Sephiroth. All he saw were those blue-green eyes looking into his. Calling to him. Begging him to come to them, return to them.

He stood still, staring calmly back. And defied those eyes. "Don't make any sudden moves Sephiroth, and you'll keep your head." He saw the sudden pain in Sephiroth's eyes, but ignored it. He was with Tifa now. And was committed to her. She was all that mattered.

Sephiroth opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words and just watched Cloud helplessly. His once proud frame slumped in defeat. Cloud saw Sephiroth's heart break, and he ignored it.

"I think we have a lot to discuss, Sephiroth, don't you?" Cloud asked coldly. "Please, have a seat." He continued to use that same tone, gesturing to one of the chairs in the room.

Numbly, Sephiroth sat, looking only at Cloud.

Tifa suddenly smiled, realising her Cloud was back. She moved to his side, wrapping her arms around him - almost possessively, Sephiroth observed - and glared at the silver-haired man.

She's rubbing it in my face! Sephiroth thought, anger curling in his stomach. But he repressed any negative thoughts toward her and simply waited for someone to speak.

He was bombarded with questions. Why were you in that crystal? I don't know. How did you break free? Who did it? I don't know. Why are you back? I don't know. Is Jenova here? No, she isn't. Is she controlling you? No. What about Meteor? Meteor is destroyed, you know that, Aeris stopped it. Why are you here? I don't know!

"Don't you get it!" Sephiroth cried. "I'm not here to hurt you. I don't know what's going on! I'm not the same Sephiroth you knew! I'm the Sephiroth from Cloud's past, from 6 years ago, the one who was his friend! I'm not evil anymore, I'm not being controlled by Jenova!"

"He's telling the truth," Red XIII said. "You can believe him. There is no evil here."

"Thank you," Sephiroth muttered.

"Yeah, sure," Barrett said, "but it still don't mean I trust you. You better keep your hands where we all can see 'em."

"Fine," Sephiroth agreed, actually managing to keep his tone pleasant. "Whatever it takes to make you all realise, I'm not trying anything."