[ Zack nearly jolts out of his seat when the loud crack is heard- the hairs on the back of his neck standing straight up. His eyes dart to the table, mouth hanging open at just how that possibly happened and sat motionless for a moment as the air around them began to heavy to move.

He understands. He knows how difficult it must have been for Tifa and everyone else waiting for them. To be left out in the dark for so long...

Zack wished he had more answers, but a lot of what was left was between her and Cloud. He was never one to really open up about his emotions, but something was telling him there something deeper between the two of them. All he could do now was ease her mind about what he did know... and even that was hard to explain. ]

I'm sorry, Tifa... [ Was all he could manage to breathe out at her frustration. ]

I managed to break out and take Cloud with me, but by then... years had gone by. We were stuck there getting poked and prodded or whatever the hell those Shinra scientists do. But Cloud he- [ His face hardens. Hands clenched at his thighs and tightening his grip on his pants. ] -he couldn't handle all that mako. Couldn't even walk, let alone talk to me.

[ Mako poisoning. Zack was able to withstand it, given the amount used to becoming SOLDIER, but- ]

We became fugitives. On the run all the way up until I woke up here.