Title: Whispers of the Heart

Author: Tayjena

Pairing: [ZackxTifa]

Warnings: Slight AU, Language, Ghost, angst, sap, possible spoilers

Disclaimer: I'm broke and in no way, shape, or form own anything dealing with Final Fantasy VII

Summary: A shadow waits in the dark, but for what? Or more importantly who? And how will everyone's lives change if that person shows up.

Chapter 1

A young man with blue eyes and unruly black hair sighed heavily, leaning even more against the brick wall behind him, seemingly waiting for someone. Yet in his eyes it was apparent that he almost knew whomever he was waiting for was never going to show.

And yet he remained ever vigilant.

He laughed softly to himself as he thought of the city he was standing in. Of a person he'd once tried to race back to this very place to see at one time.

Of course that wasn't who he waited for with longing hope now.

No, he could now see that one whenever he wanted. Who he waited for now, he wanted to see with even more desperation than he had had when he'd been on his way to Midgar to see the first.

A brunette with hazel eyes walked into the area, she looked slightly out of place in that part of the sector, with her tight white top that barely covered her chest, leaving her mid-section revealed, and a short black skirt and a pair of red sneakers. Her hands sported a pair of red leather gloves pulled over satin armlets.

Tifa didn't know why she was there, why she'd left her bar. Yet something had drawn her to this spot.

She had been thinking about a day several years ago, when she'd said something she now regretted. Not that what had happened had anything to do with what she'd said, but she hadn't wanted that to be the last thing she'd ever said to him. She hadn't meant it, hadn't hated him; Sephiroth, ShinRa, SOLDIER, yes, but not him. She's just been angry and he was there and he'd taken the blunt end of it.

She'd actually liked him and after what had happened, after what she's said, he'd tried to help, to fix it.

And the moment she'd begun to think of all this something, her heart, had told her to come to this place and hadn't been able to stop her feet from coming here.

She looked around wondering what had brought her here. It wasn't where she'd expected to end up. In the middle of Midgar was the last place she'd thought of going for even a possible chance to see him. As her heart had guided her and her feet had moved, her mind had thought of the hill with the sword.

He blinked when he saw her approaching, and took an involuntary step backward into the shadows. Though he'd waited in this place for her to come so many times he'd lost count, he couldn't believe it. He was always sure she was never going to show up and yet…

She was just as beautiful as the last time he'd seen her.

"Bout time you showed up," said a smug voice behind her, "I've been waiting here forever."

Tifa jumped and spun around when she heard it. It couldn't be possible. Certainly it was the last voice she'd expected to hear; even if it was the one she longed for.

Champagne met azure as she stared at him. "What are you talking about?"

"I thought you'd never show. But I still waited here; hoped."

Slowly he moved out of the shadow of the building toward her. His arms wound around her as soon as she was within reach, warming her skin, causing it to tingle.

"This isn't really what I expected. I thought there'd be… I don't know… Flowers."

"Not really my style." He chuckled.

She smiled but was still confused as she looked around them, watching people pass them by. "How are you here? You're…"

"Let's not linger over details right now." He interrupted her, grinning.

Her hands moved lightly over his back, tracing over muscles. As her eyes closed, his arms tightened around her waist and her head fell against his shoulder.

"So," he stepped back releasing her, his fingers sliding down her arms to take her hands. He lifted them and brushed his lips over the knuckles. "Why don't we get outta here and find some place quieter?"

Her lips curled upward and she drew her hands from his. "Same old Zack."

"You betcha." He winked at her, a cocky grin on his face.

It was late, most places were already closed, or about to and if they did go somewhere and someone recognized him… How would they explain his seeming return from the dead?

Tifa herself still wanted an answer to that one.

"There's no one at my place right now." She said nervously, her voice quivering slightly.

"Your place huh? That's better than I could have hoped for."

"Don't get any ideas." She punched his shoulder. "I just don't want to be seen walking around with a dead guy."

"What makes you think anyone else can see me?" he smirked at her.

"Oh great! So I've been talking to and hugging someone no on..."

His chuckle interrupted her. "Kidding. They can see me as clear as you can." Though it was childish, Tifa stuck her tongue out at him, he just laughed. "Need me to prove it?" He glanced around; looking for someone, hopefully a woman just to spite her, to prove to her he was really there.

"No. I get it. You're here." She practically growled at him, knowing he was looking around for a pretty girl to flirt with just to prove his point. Death really hadn't changed him at all. "How is that anyway?"

He shook his head. "Later babe." He took her hand. "So your place?"

Seventh Heaven was exactly as Tifa had said it would be; empty. Everyone had vacated on Tifa's earlier request to be alone. She'd waned the alone time to reflect on thoughts about the man she'd entered with, thoughts that seemingly had led her to find him. Though she wasn't alone she was glad nonetheless about how it had all turned out.

Zack sat on the couch, Tifa lying across it, her head in his lap with her eyes closed as he ran his fingers through her hair. He was still dodging her question of how he was there in the living world and for the last ten minutes she'd resorted to giving him the silent treatment.

"Oh come on Teef!" he exclaimed, "After all this time all you can think to talk about is how I'm here?"

She rolled onto her back, staring up at him. "Sorry! But it isn't everyday I meet a man that's been dead for years in an alley."

"Ha!" he laughed, "got you to talk to me."

"Oh you!" Her fists clenched.

He chuckled. "And when did I become your pillow?"

"Fine." She ignored his question. "You want me to say something else then I will. I'm sorry."

Blue eyes stared into hers. "Not exactly what I was hoping for, but," His tone was serious, "Teef there's no…"

This time she interrupted him. "For what I said last time; I didn't mean it and I'm sorry."

"There's no reason for this. You were angry and injured." Her continued as though she's never said anything.

"I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"There's nothing to forgive."

"I just needed to say it. For my own sake." For my heart. She thought to herself. He lifted her from the couch, setting her in his lap while his arms then folded around her. "It's not how I felt. It wasn't until later I realized…"

"I know." He whispered kissing the top of her head.

"How I felt." She hadn't heard him. "But by then it was too late and then I hated you for leaving. For picking up that sword and going up those stairs. For disappearing. And then for dying. For leaving me."

"Teef."

"But then you brought him back and I forgave you."

"But you haven't forgiven yourself." His fingers ran lightly over her arm. Her head was on his shoulder and now her body was shaking with silent tears.

Zach turned and glanced out the window, as he continued to hold her until the shaking subsided. He didn't say anything, waiting for her instead.

She drew a deep breath. "You're a good friend, Zack. I missed you."

"I know." He said.

She was tired, suddenly this all seemed like a long dream. She leaned against him, her head becoming heavy, her eyes closed and her breathing slowed.

He grinned and shook his head. Carefully, his arms still around her, he got up from the couch and carried her up the stairs. Her room was the last door down the hallway. He took her inside and kicked the door shut, then set her gently on the bed.

Her hand shot up and grabbed a hold of him. "Stay." She pleaded, half asleep.

The grin on his face widened and he lay down beside her. Her hand found his and her fingers curled around it. His fingers combed through her hair as he watched her drift to sleep.

He was there for hours, just watching her. And then the sun began to rise and shone brightly through the window. The hand running through her hair began to fade. First it was transparent and then it disappeared complete. Sighing he moved forward and touched his lips to her forehead.

"Sleep sweet Tifa."

The rest of him slowly began to vanish as well, the last part of his body to disappear as the sun rose higher was the hand she clung to.

TBC