Disclaimer: I do not own any of the ff7 characters or rights thereof. So don't sue me .

BRIGHT EYES.

Cloud and tifa are still having trouble after the events of doc. The deepground troops have all but been exterminated and the wro have officially sunk whatever plans the old shinra company had formulated.

But for some small reason cloud still can't seem to just be happy, and tifa is having strange thoughts towards the ex soldier. What happens when all the fighting comes to an end? Does it ever truly end at all? A mysterious stranger will assist the hero find his purpose for living after the end of journey.

Not an easy trip:

Tifa was washing the dishes as always. The late nights at the bar did little to tire the young hostess. Truth be known there was no reason for her to even wash the dishes but it killed time. And killing time was what she needed.

He was coming home and she wanted to be there when he came in. a simple gesture to be certain, but it was the least she could think to do.

He had seemed to be trying to come in more often now than before but still. After all they had been through it was still uncertain why.

Was it love? Family? Or was it just a place for him to lay his head that didn't consist of rocks and steel. It didn't matter. She was going to be the one to greet his arrival. Marlene and Denzel had finally settled down and decided to go to sleep when a small click could be heard at the front door. Perhaps they hadn't heard it. Or maybe they had mistaken it for tifa's tireless efforts in the kitchen.

He had returned. After nearly six weeks without so much as a call or a complaint he had returned.

She didn't know whether to kiss him or give him the most thorough tongue lashing of his life, but she would gladly let the tongue lashing pass if he at least made it back in one piece.

"You're late, you just missed the kids." She said with a quiet voice still pretending to wash dishes.

"Sorry I'm trying really I am. Promise" the man said running a hand through the gravity defying spikes he bore upon his head.

"If your gona waste so much time getting home why don't you stay somewhere else." She said with a smirk on her face.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be a problem"

She had forgotten how easy it was hurt him. Sarcasm was never his forte. She knew he was truly sorry for a false fault when his eyes suddenly fixated themselves upon the floor.

"Cloud I was kidding. Jeez you need to relax. Oh what's this" she said knowingly and with pleading eyes.

"Its nothing" the mask portrayed guilt as he attempted to hide the shame of an injury he had received in battle.

"Let me see it. Cloud….. oh my gosh. That's deep. Come on let's get you cleaned up."

The rather large laceration on his side told her that he hadn't had an easy trip. It still bled to a small amount. It would get infected soon if he didn't have it cleaned and though she knew full well that he was more than capable of dressing wounds; she often enjoyed her time getting to baby the worlds oldest child.

"Tifa I'm sorry I don't mean to…. Well you get it."

"Shh don't worry about it its ok. Now off with the shirt."

"What? Tifa"

"Come on let me see those abs, baby." She laughed "seriously I need to see that wound. Take it off."

Reluctantly he removed his padded armor and shirt. She hadn't noticed before but she found him now for some reason very attractive. Shaking off the blush that had invaded her cheeks she allowed a wince of pain to cross her face.

The wound was long and deep probably an affliction made by a sword. He gasped as she applied pressure.

"Im sorry did I hurt you"

"I'm fine teef, just do it."

Stopping to gather the alcohol she shook her head with apology. He jumped slightly at the burn of the clear liquid upon the open wound. It seared with a pain that wouldn't end.

"Wouldn't materia have done just as well?" He said with an honest curiosity.

"You promised you would stay away from mako remember. You promised Denzel the last time you left you would get messed up like last time."

"I remember. I'm so sorry."

"Cloud?" she questioned worriedly

"It's nothing; it's just been a rough trip"

It was quiet for a while before tifa heard someone whispering outside the bathroom door. The kids had apparently been awake and waiting.

"Shhh Marlene they'll hear you"

"But tifa's making him get naked, it's funny."

"She is not, cloud got hurt"

"He did" sobs came from the voice of the small girl "will he be ok? Is he gona die? Cloud!"

The little child came rushing into the room tears falling like water from the tap.

"What's wrong Marlene …. Owww!"

"oh shut up you big baby" tifa scolded him for jumping as she began to suture the wound.

Marlene continued to cry "Denzel said you were gona die."

"Did not" Denzel yelled as he came in behind her

"Did too"

"Did not"

"Enough both of you go back to bed and stop arguing." Tifa was laughing at the sight of the innocent youths so worried that their hero had been mortally wounded.

"Night guys" cloud spoke as the children slumped back to their respective beds.

"They adore you ya know. Why don't you stay? Would it be that hard?"

"Tifa I'm trying to make a living."

"And managing to get killed one piece at a time. Denzel missed you so much. Marlene gets worried when you don't at least call. And damn it I miss you too."

The phrase fell from her delicate mouth like a ton of bricks to concrete. Cloud hadn't realized she needed his presence so much.

"Tifa I need time. There are a few things I need to do first."

"What do you mean first?" She wandered hopefully.

"Im gona quit. Or at least hire someone to help, but I need time to tie up loose ends first. Please tifa wait just a little longer."

He left the room after she finished sewing him up and bandaged his torso as he made his way to the bar.

"Serving hours are over mister strife you'll have to come back tomorrow" tifa said with a snide grin.

"I wasn't hoping for alcohol anyway."

"Then what do you want?"

"Tifa….I" his eyes again found interest in the floor

"Yes better place an order soon." She laughed slightly before noticing his downward gaze. The humor soon faded

"I want…."

"What?"

"I want you…. But that's not it…. I"

"Cloud? Come on you're losing me"

"It's complicated. I promise I'm trying please just wait there's just…." He was cut short.

"You apologize one more time and I swear I'm gona……" she stopped as she felt a soft pressure on mouth and a rough hand on her cheek.

He had kissed her. In all of her years with him she had never expected him to do such a thing. Her first thought was to pull away. However after the small stroke of his hand upon her face she melted in a desire she never knew. She allowed him to explore the curve of her face. She wanted him to explore the chasm of her mouth. And with that she surrendered to him if only momentarily.

They stayed within the passionate embrace for several minutes. Enjoying each other's taste and feel. But like all things the kiss came to a slow end. When she felt his lips leave hers she landed an agitated slap upon his face.

"What was that for" he questioned as a look of disgust crossed his facial features.

"Well first because you just stole a kiss second for copping a feel of my face and third…."

He was glaring at the floor obviously cursing his luck for having upset the beautiful barmaid.

"I'm sorr…."

"I'm not finished" she cut him short with an intimidating glare "third for staying gone for six weeks at a time and finally…."

"Teef please I'm sorr…"

"Shut up.!!!" She cut him short again "last thing and you better listen. YOU TOOK TOO LONG"

She smiled viciously as she landed a peck on his cheek where she had previously slapped him.