DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN FINAL FANTASY VII OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS (if I did it would probably suck) BUT I DO OWN Ileana.

TIFAs POV

"Everything is okay again...almost like before Shinra took over. Cloud seems to be healing after the Geostimga cleansing rain, but somehow I feel like there is still a void in Cloud's heart, a darkness behind his eyes that he thinks I can't see. It's there when he thinks I'm not looking, something he covers up so no one, not even me, can know or see that he's hurting. I wish he would open up to me, I thought after everything we'd been through he would realize that I was there for him...every time I look in his beautiful mako blue eyes I see an emptiness that even I can't fill. Why won't you let me in?" These thoughts swirled round my head as I prepared the last of the items necessary for the picnic I had promised Denzel and Marlene. Maybe this is just what Cloud needed to get him out of this funk. Everyone else had settled back into their regular lives, the city had even started to rebuild some of the less destroyed parts of itself, the gang had mostly returned to normal. Sid was away building some crazy invention again while Yuffie had gone off to try and track down some of the parents for the children Kadaj and his gang had snatched, but for some reason Cloud couldn't settle back into his regular life, He'd still do deliveries but he seemed so robotic about it, and everything else lately, even our relationship…

"Tifa!" the joyful shout jolted me back to reality, I quickly put my thoughts aside and put on my happy face for Marlene, who came running through the shop door with Denzil quickly in tow. "Is it ready yet?" The two children were practically bursting with excitement, neither of them could remember the last time they had had a picnic, and frankly, neither could I. So when Marlene suggested on, the only logical thing to do was to resolve the issue was to plan a picnic at once.

"Is what almost ready?" I replied slyly knowing they were both too short to see the basket on the counter behind me.

Marlene, practically on the verge of tears turned to Dezel, who as of late had become her own living breathing shadow, and cried,"She forgot about the picnic Denzil." She looked so destroyed at the possibility that I had forgotten that couldn't keep my from grabbing the overflowing basket and gently plopping it down in front of them.

"You mean this picnic?" Instantly their eyes lit up like it was Christmas and once again I saw that childlike glow return to Denzil's face. Geostigma had stolen so much from the both of them and watching them heal together was beautiful. "Why don't you two go tell Cloud that we're ready, I've just gotta finish packing the goodies."

"Okay!" shouted Denzil practically dragging Marlene behind him.

"Today might actually turn out okay," I thought as added the last couple of treats to the basket and quickly tidied the kitchen.

Cloud's P.O.V.

I watched as Denzil burst out of Tifa's shop practically dragging poor Marlene behind him, he was so energetic these days, completely different from the Geostigma ridden boy we saved all those months ago. "Cloud!," shouted the little brunette, "Tifa is coming! You need to start the jeep we're not late for the picnic!"

"Alright," I said, forcing a smile with as much emotion as I could, I really didn't want to go to this picnic, not when the last one I had was with her, unfortunately Tifa was starting to get on my case for ditching the past couple picnic. The idea of having a picnic without her hurt, without hearing her laugh, seeing her smile, or having her naturally green eyes glinting with mischief as she ran around with the dessert only to plop it on my head when I got within throwing range, it was just impossible. Where was she, now? Was she happy, safe, alive…? "Why did you leave me?" "Why don't you two help Tifa grab the stuff, I'm sure she packed too much for her to carry." With a big grin they both ran back inside right as a buzzing noise came from my jacket. After a bit of fumbling around I finally pulled out the phone, checking the caller ID.

Vincent Valentine

"Since when does Vincent have a phone," I mumbled as I picked up the call.

"Cloud," came Vincent's cold voice through the receiver before I could ask him about his new phone status.

"Yeah?"

"I found something you may want to look at."

"Is it important?" I sighed, "Tifa is dragging me to a picnic, and unless it's something important I doubt she'll let me push back the date again." The line was quiet for a moment as if Vincent was having trouble figuring out what to say next.

"Cloud...it's about Ilena, I think I found something."

The phone slipped out of my hands as he said her name, Ilena. I felt numb, Ilena… Just wait a little bit longer, I'm coming for you.