The dark haired bar maid was wiping down the counter for the umpteenth time that evening, when she sighed looking around at the deserted tables in the bar area of the Seventh Heaven bar. 'Where is everyone?' she thought to herself placing the cloth back on a shelf under the bar before stretching and suppressing a yawn. Her phone lit up and rang, indicating a message had been received. Grabbing it she started wondering if it was the much anticipated response to the email she sent to her penpan the previous night.

"From bigdawg69" she muttered to herself, realising it was the response she had been waiting for, "He's replied! lets see what he thought of my request to meet in person."

She opened the message and started to read it.

"Hi, my naughtybargurl.

I enjoyed that limerick, I wonder how much the tally would be for the things we talked about so far.

I enjoyed reading that you dream about me, I dreamed about you again last night. Ever since you sent that picture, I can't get you out of my mind.

You want us to meet in person. I would love to, however, I cannot agree to it. Not yet anyway, not without telling you the truth.

You see I have not been entirely truthful with you, but I don't know how to tell you my secret.

Do you want me to tell you? I want you to know, but I fear that telling you would ruin things between us.

Before you think I'm married let me assure you, I am not. I wish it was that simple...

I will tell you, but do you want to know?

Awaiting your response

love bigdawg xxx"

Tifa put her phone down, the man she had dreamed about multiple times that week had a secret. He wasn't married, but still had a secret. 'What could it be?' she wondered, walking across the bar.

She poured herself a drink of water and drank it, 'Do I want to know or not?' she thought to herself. She looked around at the bar again before walking back to the phone, picking it up and pressing reply.

"Hi BigDawg,

I can't stop dreaming about you, I find myself constantly checking my phone waiting on your messages.

I do want to meet you, but a secret? Do I want to know it? Do I want my illusion ruined? I'll think it over and get back to you.

Love naughtybargurl"

She read it over again, correcting the spelling mistakes, before sending the message. While staring at the screen, which said message sent, the same thought kept running through her mind, 'A secret?'

She glanced round the bar upon hearing a noise. She smiled brightly realising it had been the bell ringing indicating a customer. Her eyes looked to the door watching as Scarlet walked in.

The former Shin-Ra board member beemed a smile at Tifa, "Evening Tifa," she greeted before taking her regular seat in the corner booth.

Tifa poured her a drink and carried it over to her former rival turned customer, "Hi Scarlet, hows the electronics store doing?"

Scarlett looked up at Tifa and put her phone down, "Not too good. The new megamall that opened up where Sector 4 once was has really killed my business. If this keeps up I'll have to beg Rufus or Reeve for a job."

Tifa placed her drink on the table, "I know what you mean, it's killed mine too just look at this place..." she looked around the bar, "...Its Friday night, historically my busiest night, yet you're my only customer tonight."

Scarlet nodded, "You going to have to close down the bar?"

"No..!" Tifa exclaimed, not wanting to lose home. Seeing Scarlets shocked expression Tifa continued "...sorry, I hope not. Striffe delivery is paying the bills for now, but if money gets too tight I could always accept Reeve's offer for me to work in the WRO as a instructor..." she placed her hand on her waist, feeling the newly forming line of fat there, "...Actually I might take him up on the offer on a part time basis, as it will help me get back in shape." she looked over to the bar as her phone rang.

Quickly excusing herself, Tifa walked over and opened the email from bigdawg.

"Hi my naughtybarbirl,

I know I should have told you my secret last week, before our messages turned erotic.

It's what's making it hard to tell you it. But if you want to know I'll tell you, if not I understand.

This will definitely change your illusion, but who knows might make it better? You don't have to rush your decision, take as long as you need.

Bigdawd"

Tifa closed the message and saw Scarlet averting her gaze away from her. Had she been staring at her? Tifa smiled realising she had been asking for another drink, since her glass was nearly empty. She nodded at Scarlet and proceeded to pour another Gin and Tonic for her.