Hi y'all. This is my first fan fic, and I'm kind of stumbling through it. I am a big Cloud and Tifa fan so hopefully you'll enjoy the CloTi-ness. I definitely want to hear what you have to say about this story, so leave reviews. This is multi-chap, and I'll most likely finish with or without reviews, but that doesn't mean I don't want them!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Final Fantasy VII

Here and Gone

Chapter one

The night was still sticky with the remains of the day's heat, but a cleansing breeze was sweeping through and refreshing Cloud Strife as he parked his motorcycle, Fenrir. He unstrapped his unnaturally large sword as he headed into the house. He was greeted with stillness inside just as it should be. Cloud climbed the stairs and went straight to the children's room. He cracked open the door slightly so the light from the hallway wouldn't disturb them.

Both Marlene and Denzel were sleeping peacefully. Smiling faintly, Cloud pulled the door shut and crossed the hall into his bedroom, which also served as an office. He hung his sword on a peg made for that specific purpose. The fair-haired swordsman stretched and yawned. It was so late, but he knew he'd never be able to sleep unless he made one more stop.

Cloud had fears that ran deep. Fears that he wouldn't be able to protect those he loved. He placed a reluctant hand on her doorknob. She was probably safe, but it was his nightly ritual to check. With a small breath, Cloud pushed the door open.

His eyes darted around the room. Photographs lined the walls. There were snapshots of Denzel and Marlene, AVALANCHE, and family portraits of the four of them. That's what she called them, her family.

Their situation was strange. Cloud and Tifa acted as the parents, though they were not married. In fact, they were not even in a relationship. Just best friends. Marlene was the eight-year-old adopted daughter of Barret, one of their AVALANCE buddies. She had been looked after by Tifa ever since she was young. Marlene knew Tifa wasn't her mother, but she couldn't have adored her more if she was. Denzel was an orphan that Cloud found passed-out in the ruins of Midgar. Even though Denzel was only nine years old, he had a seriousness about him. He had been through too much hardship to be as carefree as Marlene, whom he accepted as a sister. Only a year ago, he had been healed from a deadly illness. Both children were thriving under the care of the two unlikely parents.

Where was the raven haired fighter? There was no sign that she had slept in her undisturbed bed. Cloud clutched the doorknob in his hand as he called softly, "Tifa?" Cloud drank-in the silence uncomfortably, and then moved into the room. He walked to the bedside table and picked up the portrait of his family that had been sitting beneath a lit lamp. "Tifa," he breathed, suddenly exhausted.

Without allowing himself to think of the possibilities he set the photograph down and left the room. He was about to check for Tifa in the bar when he heard soft humming. Cloud vaguely recognized the tune and followed it up the stairs to the roof.

Tifa was sitting sideways in a hammock, rocking back and forth. She was staring at the sky and humming a soft melody. She looked up at the sound of Cloud's heavy footsteps. A smile lit her face and she greeted him, "Cloud."

Cloud looked at her for a moment then returned a small smile. "Cloud, aren't the stars beautiful? Come enjoy the evening with me." She slid over in the hammock to make room for him. Cloud walked forward and awkwardly sat in the hammock.

He glanced at Tifa and she was already stretched out looking at the stars again. Her ruby-tinted eyes were illuminated in the moonlight. The breeze picked-up and tossed Tifa's long, chocolate-brown hair and scent in his direction. Her scent was so familiar, clean and comforting to him. Some of the stiffness in his shoulders melted away.

Tifa turned to look at him. She sensed he was a little pensive.

"What's on your mind?" she queried.

"Nothing." He replied without looking at her. He could feel Tifa's piercing gaze on him and he said reluctantly.

"Do you always sit up here?"

"Most nights I do, but only for a bit. It relaxes me." Cloud nodded.

"Do the children know where you are when you come up here?"

"I don't know. Maybe not, since I come up after they're asleep." Cloud gave a small grunt and said sheepishly.

"You should tell them where you are. They might get scared if they can't find you." Tifa searched his face, recognition dawning on her. She sensed the real reason for his mood.

"Don't worry Cloud. I would never abandon them. I have been known to give a good fight a time or two. I can take care of the kids and myself. We're a family; there are few things in this world that could force me to leave." Cloud nodded.

"I know, but what if there was someone you couldn't handle and I wasn't here to help you? All it would take is one time." His words were so laced with fear that Tifa grabbed his hand and squeezed it comfortingly.

The two of them rocked in the hammock silently. A small smile crossed Tifa's face as she saw a twinkling star. She started humming again.

"What is that?" Cloud asked

"Hmmm?"

"The song. It's familiar." Tifa blushed.

"Oh. Um, it's the song I sang when you were sick. It's been in my head lately." Cloud looked at her guiltily.

"Tifa, you do so much for me and I keep you here." Tifa whipped around to look at him. He continued.

"You should be free to see the world, and have your own life. You know, get married or something. I'm sure I could handle the kids." There, he'd said it. Now she didn't have to feel obligated to stay anymore, as much as it pained him. He felt Tifa drop his hand. He knew it. "She is as good as gone," he thought remorsefully, but then he stubbornly admitted, "She deserves to be happy."

Cloud was torn by the conflict. How could he bring himself to let her be free to leave so she can be happy when all he really wanted was to never let her out of his sight? Secretly, he hoped she'd laugh off his suggestion as a joke. He was brought back to reality by the sound of her voice.

"Is that what you think?" Her voice was quiet but it was tinged with both sadness and anger. "I'm here out of obligation? Cloud, don't you understand! I'm here because I..." She alighted from the hammock and turned away from him. She tugged at a piece of her hair, struggling to find the words. She wiped a tear from her face and thanked god that Cloud can't see her cry.

She was wrong. Cloud saw her wipe the tear. He stared at her back bewildered. He didn't expect this reaction from her and he couldn't begin to guess what it meant. "Tifa?" he said quietly. She didn't respond, and he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Tifa?" he asked again, tenderness in his voice

"What Cloud?"

"Tifa, why do you stay?" She turned to face him, his hands still on her shoulders.

"B-because," she stammered looking into his bright blue eyes. "We're a family..." She knew she was barely clinging to that reasoning anymore; it was only a matter of time before the real reason came out. "...and I..." Her thought process ebbing, she reached up and trailed her fingers along his face. "...I..." She rose a little on her toes and tilted her head bringing their lips together.

It was like the 4th of July in Cloud's head. His Mako heightened senses were filled with Tifa. He stood frozen, just sensing her. He could feel her longing and release in that kiss. Then she abruptly pulled away. She was staring at her shoes and shaking a little beneath his hands. She glanced up briefly at his face, and then looked down again.

"I'm sorry," She whispered. "I-I shouldn't have done that." Tifa broke free of his grasp and raced down the stairs.

Cloud stared after her, rooted to the floor. "Tifa, wait!" he croaked, but she was already out of hearing distance. He covered his face with battle-worn hands and groaned. He was utterly confused, not only by Tifa's actions, but by his own. His brain was fuzzy from drowsiness and he knew things would only get worse if he tried to fix them in this state. Still, he couldn't just leave things the way they were. He trudged down the stairs, and knocked on Tifa's door quietly. There was no answer and no sound of movement from the other side of the door. "'Night." He called softly before going to his room.

Tifa waited silently until she heard his footsteps retreat before she climbed into her bed. "Good job," she chastised herself. "Now you've gone and messed things up with Cloud." Only then did she allow herself to cry, tears silently streaming down her face.

A/N: What do you think? What did you like? What did you hate? Did it make sense? I'm all about trying to make it better, so leave a review. Thanks!