...have I actually found time to upload a fanfiction? Crikey, I hope its okay. I won't say much here. Except that Final Fantasy VII and all the characters belong to Square Enix. I hope to take pride in the story, though. cheesy grin

A Place Like Heaven

Chapter 1 – Moving On

Tifa sat staring out the window, watching the world go by. Her bar was completely empty, and she wondered if she would see a new face at all this week.

I guess that's good, Tifa thought to herself. People don't have to drink away their worries.

Tifa's thoughts began to trail back to three nights before. She had closed the bar early, because Cloud was home. Even though she had planned a special time with him and the kids, Cloud decided to retire to his room early.

Tifa climbed the stairs to Cloud's room. It was past midnight, and Denzel and Marlene were fast asleep.

I'm just going to check on him, Tifa convinced herself.

She reached the bedroom door. She swallowed deeply, and opened it. Stepping into his room, she saw a silhouette standing at the window.

"Cloud... are you okay?"

She edged into his room slowly, and sat on the edge of his bed. It was all dark but for the luminous moonlight that cast shadows across the room.

"It's gone midnight. You should be asleep," Cloud muttered.

"As you should," Tifa whispered, agitated.

"I can't," Cloud looked down at his hands. He glanced at Tifa as he turned around.

"I feel..." his voice trailed off as he gestured with his hands. Tifa remained quiet.

"Even though I feel at peace now that Sephiroth is gone once and for all, I just..."

"Don't?" Tifa whispered.

"Yeah."

Tifa rose from the bed, and padded softly over to him. Touching his arm, Cloud blinked slowly and looked straight at her. His face looked empty.

"Cloud, you told all of us that you felt lighter, with more than just the defeat of Sephiroth. You found the strength you had when we faced him the first time. You also said that you felt forgiven and that you forgave yourself over Aerith's death—" Cloud flinched, "—and for not protecting her as you should've done."

He blinked again, and continued to look at her. She went on.

"You said yourself that she never blamed you. You said yourself that you saw her."

Tifa raised her hand and touched Cloud's heart. His mouth opened slightly as Tifa gazed up at him.

"She's alive in you. She knows that you would've changed the past if you could. But please, Cloud, keep her memories sacred. Keep her memory at peace."

Cloud turned his head and looked out the window. Following his gaze, Tifa looked out and saw the angel statue nearby. She removed her hand from is chest. As he did so, Cloud lifted his arm and scratched the back of his head, his brow knit with confusion.

Tifa smiled weakly. "I think I know what it is."

Cloud looked up at her hopelessly.

"You miss her."

He blinked stupidly. "'Course I miss her."

"You do?" Tifa replied, raising an eyebrow. "Problem solved! I miss her too, she was my best friend! We can get through this together."

"No... It's not that," Cloud shut his eyes painfully. "It's more than that..."

Opening his eyes again he carried on.

"It's like something in my gut. It squeezes when I think of her, and my heart skips a beat when I imagine myself near her. I can feel her watching over me, aswell as knowing it. When she was alive, I feared for her. I felt obligated to protect her."

Tifa's lips parted as she realized that Cloud was finally pouring his heart out to her.

"It's not that I thought her weak. I just... wanted to protect her. It felt good to be needed for something like that."

He looked down at his feet and smiled. "I wanted to be there for her, to let her know I was, but when I actually said it, I ended up covering myself." Memories of the events at Cosmo Canyon flickered in his mind.

A long pause went by, when Tifa finally whispered, "You love her."

Cloud hesitated, but then lifted his head and looked at Tifa's face.

"I... I guess I do."

Tifa's eyes squeezed shut. Opening her eyes, she saw Cloud staring out the window again. "I loved her," He muttered softly. Even quieter, he whispered, "I loved you, Aerith. I'm so sorry I never realized it 'til now."

Cloud clenched his hands and shut his eyes tightly. Tifa saw a small tear leak out of his eye. The last time she saw Cloud cry was three and a half years ago, when her best friend was murdered. Tifa almost broke down into tears herself at the memory of her dear friend, and Cloud's broken heart.

"Enough," Cloud muttered with gritted teeth. "I'll see her again."

He turned to look at Tifa. He smiled at her.

"Thanks for listening, Tifa."

"Don't mention it," Tifa said softly. "I'm glad I was here for you. It's good to spill your guts once in a while."

He smiled gratefully, and put his hand on her shoulder. Before Tifa knew it, she was embraced into a warm hug. She had to admit, she liked it. She sighed softly.

Cloud held her for a long time, needing the closeness. Tifa sighed again even louder.

"I love you, Cloud."

"I love you too, Tifa."

Tifa stiffened. Pulling away slightly so she could see his eyes, she opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came out.

The silence prolonged, and Cloud looked at her quizzically, his arms still around her. She managed to spit it out.

"You love me?"

"Of course I do," Cloud replied, his hand on her cheek. "How can I not? You've helped me so much, and you've given me strength. You're my best friend," He finished, kissing her forehead.

Tifa sighed once more. Her feelings weren't affected, for her heart was already broken. She knew it was too good to be true. It's just that she didn't know that Cloud could be so... dubious.

Smiling at his innocence, she hugged him tightly, and walked off to her own bedroom. Cloud slept soundly for the first time in months, but Tifa hardly slept a wink.

The tinkle of the bell above the bar door stirred Tifa out of her thoughts. Getting off her barstool, she carried it over to the bar where the new comer was sitting, with his head bent forward, and white blond hair hiding his face. She walked up behind the bar and cleared her throat. He didn't even flinch.

"C... can I get you something?"

"A whisky... please."

The last word was obscured by the clanging of the whisky bottle and shot glass on the polished marble surface. As she poured, she noticed a crutch leaning against her bar.

"Hundred gil, please."

He jammed his hands into his pockets and threw some coins onto the table. Counting it out, Tifa turned her back to put the money away. Turning back to her customer, she almost gasped but for the lump in her throat.

The blond had tipped his head back to drink is whiskey. As he did so, his hair was brushed out of the way, and revealed his face. Even when he put his glass down, Tifa continued to stare. Glancing up at her, he smirked. (See authoress melt! – Christie)

"Surely I'm not that good looking."

Tifa started.

"I'm sorry... I just never expected... you."

He raised an eyebrow.

"This is a bar, right?"

"Yeah...?"

"Well, I've come here to drink. Unless you have a rule against letting snobs into your bar."

Tifa blushed furiously. He smirked again.

"It's just that... we don't get a lot of customers."

"I can understand that."

Getting off his seat, the blond winked at Tifa. He limped to the door. Before leaving, he turned and faced her from across the room.

"Thanks for the drink."

"Don't mention it," Tifa squeaked.

"Bye."

He turned to leave, and just as the door slammed shut, Tifa whispered softly, "Goodbye, Rufus."

I wanted to put so much more! Did you survive the boring first chapter? Please read and review! Please...?