Present

AN: I own nothing in this story. Please R&R.

The bar was quiet tonight; the few customers Tifa served paying for their drinks and leaving except for him. He sat at the counter, the usual cocky smile on his face and his eyes glowing just like Cloud's. The thought of her best friend and her unrequited love for him made her eyes lose their normal sparkle for a moment.

"What's wrong Teef?" Reno had always been able to catch the hidden meanings behind things no matter how well someone tried to cover it up.

"Nothing…" Reno just rolled his eyes.

"No use in lying Tifa. Your nose is scrunched up which is a telltale sign that you're lying." He didn't speak for a moment to down some of his alcohol. "That bastard still ignoring you?"

"Don't call him that." Tifa said, her wine red eyes glaring at her friend.

"Oh I'm sorry that's right, he's your knight in shining armor am I right? Well at least you have the memories."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You have someone you care about, you have a past. I don't…for me life began right after I was injected with the Mako. I can't remember my own parents or even my own last name. I hated Shinra for doing that to me…but there's no use getting upset over something I can't change is there?" He smiled wistfully and took another shot of his beverage. He noticed how she looked at him then, her eyes soft and imploring forgiveness. "Don't look at me like that I'm not angry at you, just stating the facts of my life, if what I have could be considered a life."

"I'm sure someone loved you Reno."

"Maybe…" Silence hung between the two like a noose and eventually Tifa gave Reno another shot of liquor. "What's this for?"

"Just take it." She ordered.

"Whatever you say babe." Silence again reigned in the bar until about half an hour later Tifa's phone rang.

"Hello Seventh Heaven…Cloud? When will you be back? Oh…alright, be careful I…" But whatever the barmaid was going to say next was cut off by Cloud ending the call. Reno was pissed. Tifa didn't deserve to be treated like that by someone who called himself her best friend.

"Are you alright babe?" At his question tears stared to fall from Tifa's eyes.

"I must have done something to make him distant."

"Don't think that. Chocobo head just doesn't know what he has." At his nickname for Cloud Tifa gave a sad smile.

"I hated Aeris when I first met her you know? I was jealous and when she died I hated myself." Reno then embraced the fighter in a tight hug. "Reno…" But Tifa didn't pull away, instead she buried her face in his chest, crying.

"It's alright Tifa, just let it out." Reno whispered in her ear. "I'm here for you now and I'm not ignoring you." Neither knew how much time had passed until Tifa pulled herself away from Reno's embrace. The Turk started to leave but Tifa stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't go." When he turned to face her she stroked his cheek with her hand. "You may not have a past Reno but you have the present and maybe the future…with me." Then she kissed him on the lips in a chaste kiss. Reno broke apart and stared into her eyes. Turquoise met vermillion.

"So what do we do?" Tifa shook her head and smiled softly. "What do we do?" Reno then kissed her back. Her lips tasted like cherries Reno decided. And so for the third time Reno was starting a new life; but this time he had someone who loved him… and he could remember her.