A/N: I don't own anything to do with FFVII even though I would love to own Vincent Valentine, and maybe cloud's bike cos' its cool! lol anyway this is chapter 1 I know its short, the others will be longer! Please R and R all you nice ppl :) x
Running water and questions
Tifa clicked the lock open on the Seventh Heaven door. She pushed it open and groped around in the dark, on the wall for the light switch. Finding it, she clicked it on and the once dark room was bathed in a flood of vibrant light. She sighed heavily when she saw the state of her bar. She was sure it had been spotless and tidy when she had left it the other day. She picked up a towel off the floor and got to work. She gathered up the dirty glasses and put them in the sink, behind the counter and turned the water on. While the water was filling the sink she began to pick up the odds and ends that littered her bar. Knowing full well that tomorrow morning she would have to do it all again and it was going to be 10 times worse. Her friends weren't exactly tidy when it came to parties.
It had been Cloud's and Yuffie's idea. Yuffie she could understand, but Cloud? This was a complete surprise to her. He obviously was feeling better after the week's events, something had seemed to just lift him. Well something must have, because he had managed to defeat Sephiroth on his own! And it could have been because his Geostigma had gone. She smiled to herself. Whatever it had been, she just didn't care. She was just happy the old Cloud was back. Seeing him smile like that back in Aerith's chapel had lifted her spirits and she felt lighter, as if a great weight had come off her shoulders. I guess I have been worrying about Cloud an awful lot. Maybe now because his ok I should worry a lot less and keep focused on other things. Like the state that my bar is going to be in tomorrow! She quickly snapped out of her quiet reverie as she heard the soft click of the lock. She was suddenly aware that her feet where getting wet as well. She had left the water running while she had been thinking. Oh for god's sake more mess! She bent down with her towel to mop up the mess. She heard boots walking across the floor on the other side of the counter, the person stopped and she guessed they were looking for some sign of her. She stood up rather quickly and made the person nearly jump out of their skin. It was Cloud.
"Whoa Tifa don't make me jump!" exclaimed Cloud. "I thought no-one was here. What were you doing down there?"
"Mopping up some water." She replied smiling, she was trying not to giggle at the fact she had made cloud Strife jump. He raised an eyebrow at her. "I left the sink running by accident." She added, answering his silent question.
"Oh right," he didn't seem to know what to make of it.
"Where are the other's? Are you the only one? If it is it's not going to be much of a party."
Cloud looked a little hurt by this remark, but she didn't notice it. "Their at the shop arguing over which decorations and food to buy," He smiled that little smile that made Tifa go funny all over. "Well Barret and Yuffie are arguing, I thought I better come here and let you know there is still a party. And plus I had to get away."
Tifa laughed. "I don't blame you either with those two. It makes a change Cid wasn't involved." She knew tonight was going to be eventful, especially because of the fact everybody was in such a good mood. Well, almost everybody. She wasn't sure if she had ever seen Vincent in a good mood. He was either quiet or moody or angry. This thought prompted her to question Cloud. "Is Vincent coming? I mean is a celebration really his thing, if it is I need more glasses!"
"Yeah, he said he was. He just needed to do something before hand. I'm not sure what." Replied Cloud, he was watching Tifa intently as she dried the glasses and placed them on the counter. "Why are you so interested?" he spoke his question with a hint of jealousy.
This took Tifa a back a little. But all it did was cause her to giggle. "Silly. I just told you. I thought it would be funny if he came, his not exactly a party person. What are you so worried about? That he'll ruin the party?" She tipped her head to the side to look at him, a look of confusion on her face.
"Cloud…?" she prompted.
Cloud stopped staring at the floor and shook his head. "Erm… no reason. I was just being nosy I guess. I'm going to change into some fresh clothes." With that he turned on his heel and went up the stairs. Tifa stared after him, utterly confused. Cloud being nosy? What was the world coming to? She shrugged her shoulders and finishing cleaning the counter top.
Cloud sighed and slumped down on his bed. What's wrong with me? What's the big deal about Tifa asking about Vincent? It was just a casual question about a friend, and it was kind of a funny thought, Vincent at a party. Would I have cared if it were Barret or Cid she had asked about? Cloud thought about this for a moment. He knew the answer. Yes I would have. Oh god!
He turned over so his face was in the pillow and he groaned loudly. He couldn't stay like this forever though because he knew that if he took too long Tifa would come looking for him. He pushed himself upright with his arms and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He looked at the clock on the wall. It was 6.45 p.m. Everybody would be here in about 15 minutes. He sighed once more and stood up. He grabbed a towel off the side and made his way across the hall to the bathroom.
