DISCLAIMER: I love FF7:AC but sadly I don't own it. The story, however, I do.

Author's Notes: I thought I'd give this a try. I haven't written in two years so please forgive me for being a bit rusty.


PROLOGUE

That day at the spring… I saw them. Aerith and Zack… But I remember her smiling face the most… Tifa. Cloud Strife lay staring at his ceiling, restless and wide-awake. The night had begun to lighten outside, casting shadows through his windows. He gave a sigh and closed his eyes, arms beneath his head. His thoughts drifted back to that day at the spring, her smiling face…

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That day at the spring, he had looked like he was finally at peace. He looked like he wasn't leaving them anymore, leaving her. That's all she ever asked, for him to come home. They even took that picture. She was happy to see the family she envisioned finally captured in that single moment of time.

He'll never love you like that. You can pretend to smile and laugh but inside you are broken. Inside you want to cry out. You want to run away but you have to be happy for everyone else. Yes, go on and carry their burdens on your shoulders. You'll grow old, alone, with no one to care for you. Alone.

She woke with a start. Sweat was trickling down her cheek, her back. Her nightgown was sticking to her skin. She was gasping for air.

Alone.

She clutched her head. "No… Everything's fine. Everything's back to how it should be," she told herself. She looked up and stared at the cement wall. "He's right on the other side. He's there," she told herself quietly. She closed her eyes for a while and straightened up. Glancing at her bedside, her alarm clock read 2:30AM. It was a little too early for bar preparations, but she no longer felt like sleeping.

She got up from bed and went straight to the bathroom, brushing her teeth and taking a bath. She passed by the rooms of Denzel and Marlene and peered in quietly; grateful for the new hinges she had installed just the other day. They were still fast asleep, Marlene holding fast to her doll, and Denzel looking as brave asleep as he does awake. She smiled to herself and turned toward the stairs. She caught a shadow at the corner of her eye and her reflexes were almost automatic.

She delivered a punch that was caught by a man with light blond hair. "Tifa."

"Oh!" she quickly retracted her arm, "Don't startle me like that!" She snapped, indignant, her energy back to its usual level.

"Sorry," he told her. "What are you doing up?"

"What about you, Cloud? You got home pretty late last night. Go back to bed," she waved him off as she began to descend the stairs.

"Tifa."

"Hmm?" She turned back at him. His eyes were covered by his bangs and the shadows. She couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"Since I'm awake, I'll help you prepare the bar," he told her simply.

She gave him one of her smiles, "If you're sure you're up to it. But I don't mind doing it on my own. I'm used to it anyway."

Her words filled him with guilt. I'm used to doing it alone anyway…

"Tifa."

"What's the matter?" she asked. She didn't think it strange that Cloud hesitated every time he spoke. He had a hard time expressing his problems to anybody. But she always seemed to know what they were, or what to do and to tell him. Or at least she thought. This time, she had no idea what this was about.

Cloud surprised her by going straight down the stairs before her. "I'll help you. Like I should have a long time ago," he whispered to her as he passed.

Tifa was surprised at his words. "Cloud…"

Downstairs, Cloud was tasked with pulling down the upturned chairs that were set on top of the tables and the counter. He was watching Tifa from the corner of his eyes. Her skin was illuminated by the dispersing moonlight, making it look like porcelain, "Like ivory…" he said before he realized he had spoken,

Tifa, who was washing and drying some glasses and bottles, turned to look at him inquiringly, "Hmm? I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."

"Nothing. I was just thinking to myself how you managed to take care of everything here on you own," He said, his eyes on his hands as he arranged the chairs. He could feel his ears heating up. That was close.

Tifa giggled. "Well, I guess I find it fun, too. You never really feel tired when you're having fun, right?" She said as she put back the glasses on the cupboard. "Sometimes, Marlene and Denzel come and help, when they're not busy. They keep me company."

Cloud stopped what he was doing and Tifa immediately sensed his shift in mood.

"Cloud… It's not that I'm saying that to make you feel bad," She quickly told him, and regretted it. "I understand that you wanted to solve your problems on your own." She felt more words piling up to get out. But she stopped and bit her tongue to stop from causing any more damage.

"But you were right. I'm always drifting… I'm sorry to have made any of you worry. I'm sorry I'm too weak that I had to run away. I know I've caused you all much pain."

"No! No, Cloud, don't think about all that now. Everything's fine. You're here now, and that's what matters. Okay?" It felt like she was saying it out loud more to reassure herself.

Cloud turned to look at her. She was tense, with her arms outstretched in his direction. He could sense that something was troubling her despite her words. "Tifa… I won't run away anymore."

He said it like a promise.

Tifa relaxed a little and smiled. There is still something unsettling in her eyes, Cloud decided. "That's good, Cloud. Or else the kids will be disappointed."

"I know."

A phone was ringing all of a sudden. It was Cloud's cellphone. "Barrett? What's he doing calling at this hour?" He picked up, "Hello?"

His eyes traveled the room as he listened intently to the man at the other line. After a moment he ended the call.

"What's the matter?" Tifa asked, urgency in her voice, brows furrowed a bit.

"There's an emergency. But I'll be sure to be back before noon. I'm sorry, Tifa. I have to go," he said as he quickly rushed out the door. She stood there in the dark, as his motorcycle sped away and disappeared in the quiet of the dawn.

Alone.

Again, she heard it. Stop it! I… I'm not alone! I'm not alone…

A banging sound was coming from upstairs.


Author's Notes: I honestly don't know where I'm going with this yet so please bear with me...