"Cloud…?"

"Hm…?"

"It's him again. My father…"

"Tell me."

"I still miss my father, is it wrong of me to keep dwelling on his death?"

"Not at all." Cloud waited for a response from the dark haired girl but after a few minutes of awkward silence he decided to speak up. "Tifa, listen… if you ever need to talk about it or you just want to cry. I'm here for you. And I always will be. You can count on me, I won't leave you. I promise you that I'll never leave your side. You've been more than an amazing friend and more than an amazing girlfriend. I want to return the favour. Trust me."

"Hmph, than you should know me better than that." The girl shaped her flawless face into a pout and then looked up at him with a smirk on her face. "I'm too strong to cry."

"Heh, that's the Tifa I know." Cloud said as he wrapped his right arm around her waist. "Come on let's get you home."

Since the death of her father Tifa was left an orphan with no close relatives or other family members. Cloud, her childhood friend who lived alone offered her a place with him. Soon after she moved into his apartment the two became inseparable and made it official that they would be a couple.

Later That Night

Lying on her side of their bed Tifa's face lit up as soon as she heard the bedroom door open.

"Finally coming to bed Cloud?" She said as she sat up on the bed.

"Yeah, I'm getting tired from looking over all of the deliveries that I'm supposed to get done by the end of the week." Cloud, ran a delivery business. The Strife Delivery Service it was called and it wasn't particularly the best paying job but it helped pay the bills while Tifa worked in the bar that her father once owned. The 7thHeaven was the once place that she couldn't bear to spend too much time in. There were just too many memories of her father there. Cloud wanted to sell the bar for extra money but Tifa wasn't sure that she was ready for that even with all of the memories that it gave her.

"Don't work yourself too hard 'kay? Come here." Tifa patted to the left side of the bed that was waiting to be occupied by her one love. Cloud took off his shirt and started to climb into bed. Tifa felt her face flush from the sight of Cloud's built body.

"Enjoying the view?" He chuckled.

"I-I wasn't looking!" Tifa flustered.

"But I want you to…" He said in a seductive voice as he started to lean over her body wrapped in the thin sheets.

"Cloud…" She breathed as he situated himself on top of her.

"Tifa just… relax…" He whispered into her ear as he started kiss her neck lovingly.

"Cloud, I love you. Please don't leave me. I need you."

"I promise I won't leave you Tifa. I won't." His hands started to move down to her chest and to the bottom of her shirt. She felt his hands slip inside her shirt and onto her breast. She closed her eyes and moaned softly letting go of the worries and doubts that she'd ever had for him and herself. All of her troubles slipped away with every touch and kiss he gave her.

A Month Later

"Cloud please be careful with your deliveries 'kay?"

"I will, take care until then Tifa."

"Goodbye Cloud." Cloud kissed Tifa on the lips and swung his legs onto his motorcycle and gave her one last nod before driving off.

*Sigh* Well a week alone won't be so bad she thought to herself before heading back into the bar to open up for business. In Midgar people came in and out of the bar at any time of the day. It was homey for Tifa to work at the bar. Her regulars consisted of her long-time friend Barret and Vincent. She loved mingling with the customers; it was a good way to relieve her stress.

Tifa was taking out a couple of pitchers and mugs to prepare for the rush when she heard the door's bell tinkle open. Tifa who was trained to always be on guard immediately looked up, it was just a little too early for customers even for her regulars. A saw a tall guy with broad shoulders walk into the bar with heavy footsteps. From afar she would have thought that it was Cloud except for the height difference. He sat down on the stool in front of Tifa.

"Hey there." The stranger said with a grin.

"Hello, what can I get you?" Tifa said that line so often that it was a routine and habit to her.

"Give me whatever's good, unless you're good than maybe I'd like some of you." The dark haired guy said with a wink.

"One cold beer coming right up" Tifa said with a light laugh.

"So, what's your name cutie?"

"I'd prefer it if you'd cut back on the flirting." She said with a smile as she placed his glass in front of him.

"Boyfriend?" He asked before taking a sip.

"Yep." Leaning on the counter she watched as he drank his beer. He finished and placed his glass down with a clunk on the counter.

"The name's Zack Fair just moved here for Soldier."

"Soldier huh? Impressive."

"Impressed? I can show you some other things that'd impress you even more. By the way I'm not just any Soldier. I'm a First Class Soldier." Zack said proudly.

"Ooh? So tell me Zack what kind of First Class Soldier is interested in a girl from the slums like me?"

"Well honestly I was just walking around getting to know the place when I stumbled across a place called 7th Heaven. I guess I found an angel huh? But you know… we could make a piece of Heaven on Earth." He said with his smothering blue eyes.

"Nice try Soldier boy." Tifa said while turning around before he could catch her blush.

"Aww not even a blush? Playing hard to get?"

"Nope, like I said earlier I have a boyfriend." She stated.

"All's fair in love in war." Zack said putting his hands up in defense.

"We'll see." Tifa said turning back to her pitchers and mugs.

"Hey you still haven't told me your name." But before Tifa could say anything a large figure stormed through the door.

"Tifa! Long time no see! How is my girl doing?" Barret hollered loudly making his way over to the counter.

"You just saw me yesterday before closing." Tifa said as Barrat embraced her in for a hug.

"Well I still miss you."

"The regular?"

"You know me too well Tiffs." Barret took a seat beside Zack. "And who are you?"

"The name's Zack Fair. First Class Soldier. It's a pleasure to meet one of Tifa's friends." Tifa was slightly annoyed at how he used her name was leisurely and how he had to boast his title.

"Soldier huh?" Barret looked over at Tifa. "Hey, Tiffs don't tell me you dumped Spikes for this guy."

"Barret!" Tifa whined handing him his drink.

"I'm just kidding Tiffs, you and Spikes have history together." Downing his drink in a gulp he stood up from his seat. "Well I've got to go pick up Marlene from Yuffie's place so I'll see you later Tiffs."

"Take care Barret." Tifa called to Barret. She watched him walk out the door only to poke his head back in.

"Hey yo Soldier!"

"Yoo…" Zack turned around to call back.

"Keep your hands off Tifa! Otherwise you're in for a present and it's not going to be nice!" Barret disappeared without another word. Tifa stood there laughing.

"So… I take it you and your guy are pretty serious?" Zack said with a little disappointment in his voice.

"It hasn't been that long but I'd like to think of it that way."

"Well good luck and I wish you the best." Zack got up from his stool and proceeded to walk out of the bar before turning back once more.

"Yes?" Tifa stood there confused. The Soldier Zack walked up to her and stopped so close to her that she could see every detail in his handsome face. The height difference made it hard for her to keep staring up at him. He suddenly leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

"See you later." He said coolly before walking out of the bar without even glancing back leaving a dumbfounded Tifa standing there.

For the rest of the week every morning Tifa would be greeted by Zack and his charm. The both of them got to know each other pretty well but Tifa was cautious as to not lead Zack on. Besides Tifa already had a man of her own and she was anticipating for his return.

Next Week Monday Evening

Tifa was slaving away at the sink trying her best to finish the load of dishes so that she could head back to Cloud's and her apartment. He'd be back by tonight, she was sure of it. Maybe he'd surprise her back at their apartment. She sighed at the thoughts that were playing through her mind. If only Cloud could be a little bit more romantic than everything would be perfect. The front door of the bar tinkled signalling a new customer. Tifa could have sworn that she'd flipped over the Open sign. Or maybe it was Cloud!

"Look at you Miss Lockhart, still here?" To Tifa's dismay it was only Zack.

"The sign says we're closed for tonight Zack." Tifa said with a chuckle.

"And yet the door's still open." He said tilting his head towards the door. "Waiting for someone?"

"Maybe." Tifa said before turning back to her dishes.

"Well I'm here now so what did you want to do? Hmm? Or maybe I should just lock the door and take you upstairs?" Zack's eyes flashed with a mischievous smirk.

"Zack, upstairs is the cellar," Tifa whined. "I'm waiting for my boyfriend he should be coming home tonight."

"Aww I see I see. Well then I guess I should go." Zack said looking down at his feet. "I'll see you tomorrow perhaps?"

"Don't you always?" Tifa said playfully.

"Heh, well goodnight Tiffs." Zack slowly started to step backwards with his hands in his pockets. Tifa turned around.

"Goodnight Zack, take care." Tifa turned back to the sink.

"See ya hotty." Tifa could hear his supressed laughter.

"ZACK! Get back here mister!" Tifa whipped the towel onto the counter top.

"CATCH YOU LATER TIFA!" Zack called as he made a dash for the front door.

"Kyaa, Zack you are one trouble maker." Tifa grumbled to herself as she finished up on the last of the dishes. Well I guess it's time to actually close up for tonight. Cloud's probably back at the apartment by now. Tifa thought to herself. As she walked to the front door to lock up a figure appeared in front of the door.

"Cloud!" Tifa exclaimed with joy as she flung the door open and jumped into Clouds arms. "Cloud I missed you! I was just about to head back to the apartment. Let's go, you can tell me about your deliveries and how they went." Tifa grabbed Clouds hands but he resisted and wouldn't budge from his spot. "Cloud what's wrong?"

"Tifa… we should talk." Cloud said avoiding her gaze.

"Sure, we can talk as soon as we head back home."

"No Tifa! I mean now." Cloud raised his voice slightly. Tifa felt her breath go shallow and her heart started to thump hard against her chest. "I mean Tifa… Let's just talk here inside." Cloud's voice softened.

"Sure thing." Tifa said stiffly, she opened the door hesitantly and walked inside taking a seat at one of the customer tables. Cloud followed and sat down looking at Tifa in the eye for the first time since his arrival. "So you wanted to talk?" Tifa asked cautiously.

"Tifa, I'm breaking up with you. It's just not working out I'm really sorry." Cloud said abruptly avoiding her gaze once again.

"Well that was blunt… What do you mean it's not working out? Everything's going fine right now, you, and me, the business! Everything's perfect! How are things not working out?" Tifa fought the urge to sob and cry in front of Cloud. She was stronger than this she knows she is. She's held everything in for so long. She's not going to break it now. Not a chance.

"I found someone else. Its Aerith… we've reconnected. We ran into each other while I was doing my deliveries. I stayed at her place and it just hit me as to how much she understands me in ways that you don't. And I realized how much I truly love her. I never stopped loving her. I'm sorry that I hurt you Tifa I really am. You're one of my closest friends and you always will be but I can't keep denying the fact that I'm still in love with Aerith."

"Cloud… you told me you got over her… it's been years since she's broke your heart!"

"Tifa I'm sorry. I just don't feel the same for you anymore."

"Are you sure you even felt anything to begin with?" Tifa snapped.

"I thought I did… but I guess I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"How could you…?" Tifa stared off into the distance not really addressing the question to anyone in particular. She felt soulless. After a few minutes Cloud broke the silence.

"There's another thing… I don't think it's alright for you to stay with me anymore. I can arrange for Barret to take you in for a while and maybe even Yuffie. They'll help you get back on your feet. But I'd like it if you'd move out by tomorrow morning." Cloud waited for a response from Tifa but with no luck she just sat there and stared off into a place behind Cloud's head. "I'm sorry Tifa." Cloud got up from the table and walked out of the door and out of Tifa's life. A few moments later she could hear his motorcycle drive off in the direction of their once apartment.

Tifa got up from her chair only to find herself meet the cold ground. Tifa get yourself off of the floor. You're stronger than this. Tifa you're strong! Tifa kept telling herself this but that's not how she felt. She felt the tears well up in her eyes blurring her vision. The first tear drop fell and the rest betrayed her. She brought her legs up to her chest and hugged them. She sobbed and cried without caring if anyone saw or heard her. She cried not only because of Cloud but also for the loss of her mother and her father. The only person she really had left was Cloud and he left too.

"Why did you guys have to go…? You promised you wouldn't leave me!" Tifa cried up at the ceiling. "Doushite? Ne? Doushite? Why am I the one that everyone leaves? Father… mom… please help me." Tifa sat there crying, she could feel her eyes puff up.

Warms arms wrapped around her from behind, she turned around to meet Zack's face.

"Hey there beautiful." Zack said softly. Tifa felt the tears build up again and she buried her face into her chest and cried. Zack didn't know what to say so he just sat there with her and held her until she fell asleep from exhaustion.

The Next Morning

Tifa opened her eyes and immediately the memory of Cloud breaking up with her filled her mind. She wanted to cry but she felt like she's spent all of her tears on last night's crying spree. Her eyes felt super puffy and she just didn't want to face life today so she tried to go back to sleep.

She pulled the blanket over her head and she realized how it didn't smell like her blanket. She immediately jolted out of bed.

"Where… am I…?" She asked herself.

"Hey, you're awake," Zack appeared from behind her fully dressed in a t-shirt that hugged his chest showing his muscular built and a pair of black jeans. "How about you come out for some breakfast, I'm sure you're starving."

"Where am I?" Tifa asked again.

"You're at my place."

"You have a house in Midgar?"

"No not really, it's my quarters in the Shinra building."

"How did I get here?"

"I carried you," Zack answered bluntly. "Now let's go get something to eat." Zack didn't wait for a response; instead he picked Tifa up into his arms and carried her out of the bedroom and into the dining area… Bridal style, he smirked at that thought. He looked down to see Tifa with her eyes squeezed shut and her face flushed. He felt pleased that he was able to make her blush. Zack pulled out a chair with his foot and placed Tifa down into it. Tifa looked at all of the food that Zack had prepared and then up at his smiling face.

"I'm not hungry." Tifa stated stubbornly. The smile turned into a frown.

"Hey now, I worked hard on all of this food. At least eat something… please?" His voice went from agitation to concern.

"I'm sorry…" Tifa whispered. Tifa got up from her chair and walked to the kitchen area.

"Hey where are you going?" Zack called out to her but got no response. Zack decided to leave her to her thoughts. She'll eat when she wants to he thought. He grabbed a Dumbapple that he had brought over from Banora and bit into it. His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a loud thump and a clatter on the ground.

Zack ran into the kitchen area where the sound had come from to find a pale Tifa lying in a soon to be pool of blood. He saw the blood stained knife on the ground beside her. Her left wrist was slit and it didn't look good.

"TIFA! HOLD ON!" Zack immediately ran to his phone and dialled for Shinra's on site medical team. "Tifa, hold on please… I beg you. Don't leave me." Zack held her pale face into his chest as he whispered those words into her hair.

Later That Evening