A/N – As I'm getting used to my writer legs, I end up cutting quite a bit of content that I write. Some of it just doesn't fit in the flow of the story, some I decide to take a different approach, and some doesn't fit under a T rating. I'll be adding annotations to the original story to show where these occur chronologically. These will be short little scenes, not necessary to understand the story, but if you want a deeper look at the backstory and/or characters from JC, have fun delving into the depths of my depraved brain.

[1a – Cloud and Tifa negotiate with the council for Marlene, Denzel, and Lexi's release]

Four long tables were set up in a rough square, leaving an empty space in the middle. The twelve members of the council sat around the outsides of 3 of the tables, leaving the remaining table for Cloud and Tifa to sit by themselves. It made them feel like they were on trial.

"Now that Cloud has arrived, we can begin," the councilman said. Cloud raised an eyebrow at Tifa, but she just gave a resigned shrug. Apparently, they weren't willing to discuss the kids' release with just her. "The children were brought to the police headquarters in connection with destruction of property. Three of the children were cleared of the original charges, including the two under your care."

"So why are you still holding them?" Cloud interrupted.

"However," the councilman spoke as if he didn't hear Cloud, "all four children were tested as per regulation, and three of them were found to be infected with the virus."

"The…virus?" Cloud asked.

"The antigen that you told us about last spring," another clarified.

Cloud frowned. "Ok. So what? They haven't done anything."

A few of the council members grumbled audibly. "You don't sound surprised by this, Mr. Strife. Have you known all along?" one asked pointedly.

Cloud glanced over at Tifa. "Well, yeah. We knew Denzel and Lexi had it, but so what? We just wanted you all to be aware that some of the town's kids had strange abilities. You already said yourself that they were cleared of the charges."

"That's irrelevant," another said brashly. "The infected children have been found to be dangerous, and cannot be allowed to wander Edge freely. We have a responsibility to keep our citizens safe."

"Safe?!" Cloud's face was heating up, and he pushed back his chair loudly. Tifa gripped his arm, an unspoken signal to stay seated. "They haven't done anything to hurt any citizens."

"But they could," the same council member interjected. "We do not yet understand the full capabilities of these children."

His eyes flared brightly as he pulled away from Tifa, standing and placing his palms flat on the table. "Do you understand my capabilities?" he asked, glowering down at them. "Because I assure you, I am far more dangerous than any of those kids."

The council members shifted uncomfortably, refusing to meet his eyes. Tifa squeezed Cloud's arm and he looked over at her. She shook her head minutely and tugged. He clamped his jaw shut and sat back down next to her, his fingers digging harshly into his leg. She spoke calmly to the others. "How are you handling the children found to be carrying the virus? You can't just keep them locked up with common criminals. They can't help that they were infected."

"Of course not," the head councilman responded, looking relieved to have Cloud neutralized. "We understand that. We have created a special place for the children."

Cloud's fingers slowly relaxed. Tifa was much better at dealing with people. He should just let her do the talking.

"We call it Hubble House. It's like a group home for the children." He smiled serenely, as if he had just solved world hunger.

"And who is caring for the children?" Tifa asked. "They can't just live there on their own."

"Of course not," the councilman said dismissively. "There are enforcers there to keep them in line."

"Enforcers?" Tifa said, digging her own fingers into Cloud's leg. "They need guidance, not guards," she said, managing to keep her tone civil, but her fingernails expressed her growing anger. "Are you trying to turn them into criminals?"

The one who had been speaking looked flustered. "How would we guide such children? We do not understand how their minds work."

Tifa's nails sunk deeper, and Cloud actually winced. "They're just kids, for Ifrit's sake! Teenagers! They're not aliens!" she said, losing her battle to keep calm.

The councilman looked uneasy, and another spoke up. "We can discuss how to manage the children later. The bottom line is, three of the children brought in today were found to be infected, and will need to be sent to Hubble House. It's unfortunate that one of them was under your care, but we cannot make exceptions."

"No," Cloud said, his voice quiet and unyielding. As Tifa heated up, his mood settled into steely resolve. "Denzel and Lexi already know how to control their anger and their abilities."

Twelve skeptical faces reflected back at him. "And how was this accomplished?" the leader spoke up again.

Cloud folded his arms across his chest. "I taught them. Because at one time, I had to learn it too."

Meaningful glances were exchanged among the twelve. "Cloud, Tifa, would you allow us to converse privately for a moment?"

Tifa, having an idea where this was going, stood calmly. "Of course." Cloud looked skeptical, but he followed her outside. Dusk had fallen, but there was enough ambient light for Tifa to see. She turned around on the front steps of the town hall and took his hands. "Cloud, you know they're going to ask you to teach those other kids."

Cloud sighed. "I really don't want to—"

"I know, but if you don't, Denzel and Lexi will be sent to that place. Who knows how long they plan to keep those kids – maybe until they're grown up. Maybe longer. So…what are you going to say?"

He scoffed. "You ask like I have a choice."

Tifa gave him an understanding smile and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his chest. "I know it's not your responsibility…but it's the right thing to do. All those kids deserve a chance at a normal life, not just Denz and Lexi."

Grudgingly, he returned the hug, resting his head on top of hers. The familiar smell of her shampoo and body wash dulled his sharpest edges. In his mind, there was always something threatening their stability, safety, or happiness. But Tifa always managed to find the positive. He saw gargoyles in the dark; she shined the light on them to find the creatures who took shelter in its stone wrinkles.

Finally, he spoke up. "You're really good at that guilt thing, you know?" She started to pull away, annoyed, but he just held her tighter. "No, wait. I didn't mean it like that, Teef. It's just…you're such a good person. You think about other people, not just yourself and not just the people you care about." He sighed, releasing her to brush the hair away from her eyes. "I guess I'm the only one who can teach these kids how to live with Jenova cells. So…it's something I needed to hear, even if it makes me feel guilty."

Tifa reached up to touch his face, running her thumb gently along his cheekbone. "You're a good person, too."

Whatever self-deprecating remark crossed his face never made it out of his mouth, because the door of the town hall opened noisily behind them. A council woman, looking slightly embarrassed for interrupting their tender moment, told them that the council was ready to speak to them.

Tifa gave him an encouraging smile and linked her fingers between his, and together they sat before the council again.

There were no angry outbursts from either of them this time. Tifa had been right about what was about to happen, and the only thing left to discuss were the terms: how often, how long, and what it meant for Marlene, Denzel, and Lexi. The boy who had actually caused the havoc in the gym had already been shipped off to Hubble House; that was not negotiable.

By the time they had settled on the terms and signed all the papers, it was far too late to get in to collect the kids. They were almost certainly fast asleep, along with all the other people jammed in those three cells. After some deliberation, they reluctantly decided to pick up the kids first thing in the morning, and headed home.