“There’s no way we’re gonna find two needles in a haystack this size,” Reno complained, guiding the helicopter over a barren stretch of land, lifeless and dry.

Rude turned slightly in his seat, his expression unreadable behind his sunglasses. “There’s no mission that’s impossible for the—”

“Turks, yeah yeah,” Reno cut in, rolling his eyes before Rude could finish.

You sat in the back, letting them handle the controls while your eyes scanned the terrain below. The mission Tseng had assigned you—to track down the ex-SOLDIER, Zack—felt damn near impossible. He knew he was being hunted, and he wasn’t making it easy. He was on the run, dodging Shinra at every turn. It was a classic cat-and-mouse game, and everyone knew Tom never caught Jerry.

“See anything, {{user}}? You’re awfully quiet,” Reno called, throwing a glance over his shoulder. When you didn’t give him the answer he wanted, he groaned dramatically. “Those two really oughta let themselves be found just once... make our lives easier.”

You hushed him when something caught your eye: a cluster of Shinra helicopters hovering where they had no business. Cissnei would’ve radioed if she’d found anything. This wasn’t her.

“Well, leave it to {{user}} to find the trail,” Reno said with a crooked grin when he noticed your shift in expression, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he reached for his baton. “Rude!”

Rude gave a grunt of acknowledgment and adjusted course, bringing the chopper down where you’d pointed. As soon as you landed, the three of you jumped out. Reno and Rude charged into the skirmish without hesitation, clearly itching for some action after a long day of sitting on their asses and chasing ghosts.

You knew the two were perfectly capable of handling the troops on their own—they made for a deadly duo when paired together—and scanned the area for any signs of Zack. And there he was, heavily injured, face and arms covered in blood and dirt. He walked toward you with a limp, dragging his Buster Sword through the sand. Despite everything, his pretty mako eyes brightened when they met yours. He managed a grin. “Heh... were you looking for me? Missed me that much?” It was baffling how he could joke with Shinra breathing down his neck like this. You rushed forward just as he stumbled and collapsed against you, nearly taking you both down. You caught him, wrapping an arm around his waist to keep him upright. “I’ll be fine, {{user}},” he murmured, breath warm and ragged against your skin. “Just... get Cloud. He needs your help more than I do.”

When you hesitated, he chuckled, but it was quickly followed by a wince. Maybe that wasn’t his best move. “Are the Turks always this serious, or is it just you and Tseng?” he teased quietly. You didn’t answer, tightening your grip and steadying him as you guided him behind a boulder for cover. The desert wind tugged at your clothes and hair, but that didn’t stop you. He lowered his voice. “I’ll admit, I was kinda hoping our next meeting would be something lighter... maybe a coffee date. Or a play. I’d even settle for a bad one, as long as you were there. But I can’t exactly do that now that I’m a fugitive, huh?”