It's been a long while since I've written anything. I needed a break, and this story came fresh into my mind. I hope you all are ready for a long haul! :]

Summary: I guess fate has its own way of working out. I mean…it brought you to me; me to you. Despite the fact that you piss me off. Despite the fact that you put me through hell. I love you, and you love me.

.OPEN ME HEART.

I. First Encounter

Tonight would be just like any other night: fast-paced, calculating, precise. I had to do my job right, or that would be it. Not to mention, I only had about 45 minutes to complete this ticket, before I needed to be back at the club. With that thought in mind, I sighed silently. I didn't need Barret breathing down my neck again. He's already becoming more suspicious as time goes by. The last thing I need is for him to figure out what's really going on…

So what's going on?

Nothing. I'm ensuring that they all have a place in this world; that they can all keep living peacefully and out of danger. I would live this life over again and again; I have no regrets. With that thought, I silently ascended the rooftops, beginning the ticket.

"Where the hell if Tifa?!" I wouldn't be surprised if everyone on 12th street heard, and that was 20 blocks away from here. I sighed, deciding to hold my tongue. I already knew what trouble I'd be in if he noticed the bruises down my neck. I heft a box labeled 'fragile' on the top, and enter the back entrance to the club. The rusty door handle signals my arrival; I take in the kitchen scene. Barrett has his arms crossed over his massive chest, one a prosthetic arm and the other human. He was equally massive in height, towering over everyone easily. His head was cleanly shaven, preparing for the "busy season" as he likes to call it. He was in his usual dark greenish-gray cargo pants, I swear he has about 20 pairs of those exact ones, sported with a plain black t-shirt. It read 'SECURITY' in big white letters on both the front and back. I let my eyes drift over to Reno and Rude, a pair you never see apart. Reno has brilliant long red hair always pulled into a pony tail. He was dressed in black jeans and a black shirt, always fresh looking for the ladies. He was a cocky bastard, but also a dear friend. I saw him smirk as our eyes met, and I winked. It was fun to play around with him, but he knew a long time ago I was not interested. Rude, always in professional gear, was sporting his usual button down with slacks and practical shoes. He was never without his sunglasses- that was rarer than him being without Reno. He nodded his head in acknowledgement before walking out the kitchen. I looked over to the worn wall where out plastic clock was. 9:56 PM. We opened at 10. The kitchen was a bit run down, but that was okay. Barret was planning on remodeling the club soon anyways, so I wasn't paying much attention to it.

"I'm here am I not? Plus, I knew you'd forget these, so I grabbed them on the way." I winked at Barret, hoping that he'd just forget about the fact that I was actually late. I work here at 7th Heaven under his watchful eye as a bartender/waitress. Yuffie works with me along with Elena. Barret thinks that having attractive women bartend brings in big business; he is not wrong. Yuffie and Elena are beautiful. Me…not so much. I'm too much of a tom boy, but once customers are drunk, they never notice anymore. Which means more tips for me.

"Alright, alright. Get changed and get out there. Hurry up!" He grabs the box from me, unpacking liquor, grabbing my wrist before I race up the stairs to our right- that's where I live. My apartment is directly above the club. It's just easier for when I need to come down here and also incredibly cheap.

"Tifa, listen. You know what night this is. Please be careful okay?" I nod, making a dash for the stairs.

Tonight was the homecoming of all the SOLDIERs. They were deadly when rubbed the wrong way. Mako enhanced machines of destruction; that's what many thought of them. Me…I tended not to think of them at all. I let my clothes pull around my feet, staring at myself in the mirror. Scars adorned my skin along with bruises. Some yellow, some purple. I will forever look like this; broken, shattered. I quickly changed into my leather skirt and matching vest, tired of seeing this woman.

I always wore a tank underneath unlike my other coworkers. Barret always says a little skin is harmless. And well frankly, I think my knockers do their justice by themselves without leaving more for desire. I put on my shoes and head downstairs. As soon as I make it through the door connecting to the bar, I already see the line outside. Barret just opened the entrance doors, and as if on cue, Reno cranked the music. He really did have a gift for being a DJ. He always knew what to play; this song was easy going, soft but steady. It had a building feel to it, ready to grow everyone's excitement before getting down and dirty. I took my place at the center of the bar; it was square in shape. The liquor was placed on shelves and in cubby holes attached to the wall that adorned mirrors. Yuffie flanked my left, while Elena my right. We already had a crowd forming.

"You ready girls?" Yuffie's soprano voice chirped, winking at us. She was always mischievous, and tended to break a lot of hearts. I always wound up cleaning up the mess. I shook my head, flashing my perfected flirty bartender smile at my first customer. I saw the way he checked me out, knowing that he'd be drunk within minutes.

"What can I get for you sugar?" Nick names do not befit me, but I know it'll make for bigger tips, so I keep them going.

"How about some of you." He winks, and I feel like I want to hurl. He wasn't even good looking for starters, just not my type. But as quickly as that thought passes, I squash it down. I won't be thinking of this tonight. Not now. Not ever. Just…not him. What startles me about him, and about every SOLDIER I meet, is the green mako that reflects back. It's so vivid and bright. I lean a little, dazzling him as best I can.

"Perhaps after work…let's start you off with something to drink." And within 10 minutes, he's tipped me $80. I know tonight is going to be a good night.

"Finally, a break." I hear Elena say, wiping her hand across her forehead. I had to agree, we were rushed. It was now 11:43 PM and the club was full to its maximum capacity. Another thing Barret wanted to take care of; increasing the space to the club. He'd need another bouncer or 2, maybe 3 for this time of year. There are still SOLDIERs waiting outside to get in, while the rest either sit at the booths on the left side of the club, or dance around the rest of the club.

"I'd like me a piece of that." Yuffie says, eyeing on guy in particular. And he was pretty cute, I must say. His blackish blue hair was spiked back, while his bangs framed his face. He had sharp cheek bones and a nice jaw line. His nose was straight, unlike every other SOLDIER here who had bumps. His eyes were a bright blue, tainted with hints of mako. He looked over at precisely that moment and smiled, making his way over. He was finely built as well. Something about him though…it made me feel a pull in my heart as if we'd be connected for a very long time after tonight. Wonderful…

"Well here's your chance." I say, chuckling a little before pouring myself a shot of rum. As I chug it down, he stands directly in front of me, a brow cocked as he leans his elbow onto his hand.

"Isn't drinking on the job not permitted?" He's got a smug look on his face. I roll my eyes, placing my hands on my hips.

"Not especially. Why do you ask?" Yuffie is looking back and forth between us, a devilish grin on her face. She is up to no good.

"Wouldn't want you to do anything you'd regret." And with that he winks. As good looking as he was, there was no way in hell I'd hook up with him.

"I am quite capable of taking care of myself, thanks." I pour him a shot and toss the glass at him. Not surprisingly, he catches it without spilling even a drop.

"Zack." He chugs it eagerly, letting it smash onto the counter. I chuckle, grabbing a towel to wipe up the shards.

"Tifa. This is Yuffie and Elena." I gesture to them and I don't have to look to know what kind of signals Yuffie is sending him. He politely ignores her though. That is a first. I have no problems becoming friends with this guy.

"So, you all alone tonight? Where's the girlfriend?" Elena asks, beginning to fill empty cups sliding her way.

"I don't have one. Waiting for my friend to get here. Typical for him to be late." He shakes his head, downing another shot of rum.

"Not very reliable, eh?" I ask, dumping the fragments into the trash. I keep my back to Zack, feeling my chest tighten. It's that feeling again. I place a shaky hand to my chest, feeling my heart accelerate and pulse wildly. This only happens under certain circumstances, and I have no clue how this is connected to work.

"It's the opposite. He's too reliable. Ah there he is! HEY OVER HERE!" At that precise moment, I look into the mirror and it's as if everything falls away. I watch as he slowly makes his way over, somehow managing to make his way through all the dancers. His hair sticks out in every direction, but it's suitable. It's a shiny pale blond, with bangs that frame his face as well. His face was beautiful; hard angles underneath smooth pale skin. Lips that were thin yet full all at the same time. Tiny freckles, barely noticeable at all. But before I saw all this, all I saw was blue; Pure, cerulean blue. Those eyes… I turned around slowly, just as he took his place beside Zack. I didn't have time to form a response, all I could do was stare into those endless depths of blue.

"This is Cloud. Cloud this is Yuffie, Elena and Tifa." I nodded, returning to our reality. His eyes never left mine. It felt as if he was looking through me, right into my soul. As if he knew my secrets. But I'll never tell. I'll die before I let you figure me out.

So what did you think? I wanted to go with something exciting and suspenseful, to really get you hooked. There are a lot of questions arising here but everything will be explained eventually. I'll be posting again Sunday! Stay tuned. And hey, review button is right down below! ;]