Author's Note:

It's been a long time since I wrote something for fanfiction dot net. Please forgive me, I've been VERY busy.

This was supposed to be up yesterday, but I'm trying to get a new job and this week is finals week for spring semester so I put that on the back burner until I had a free moment…like right now!

Warnings: for this chapter? Just your average cursing and whatnot. I'll let you know if that changes in future chapters.

Hope you all enjoy!

'One Evening in June'

'Doing the Right Thing'

"I'm not sure this is gonna work."

He slammed a packet of files onto his coffee table and ran a hand through his unruly blonde spikes. His childhood friend and confidante standing on the other side of said table watched him with a tired gaze. She gripped the sides of her face with both hands and sighed. Slowly, she made her way to his side and sat down.

"I mean, what if this is all some big setup for me to fail? What if I can't do this?" he continued, turning to face her with a stressed look on his face. He was tired. They both were. They'd been up for several hours trying to figure out these documents. He had been ranting and raving, forced away from the bar downstairs for a drink whilst his friend had to listen to his worries. At this point she had considered it her part time job.

"Cloud, you're being ridiculous about this..." she finally bit out, knowing exactly how he'd react and that she was literally asking for it by now. Cloud stood up from his seat in a flash, still running a hand through his hair.

"Tifa this is someone else's life we're talkin' about! It's not funny!" he hollered, his voice cracking after all the time he'd spent shouting. He paused as Tifa got up, grabbing his shoulder and looking him in the face.

"I know, I'm not trying to say that. You've just got to think about this when you aren't freaking the hell out! You've always been like this! How do you expect to deal with this situation appropriately if you're stuck being a baby about something this major?" she tried again. Cloud rolled his eyes, ready to lash out again. They'd been going over this one subject alone for an hour.

"That's what I keep tryin' to tell you!" he shouted, his face becoming flush. He threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "You and the whole damn department! Reeve won't quit callin' me and you keep tellin' me to think about it and calm down...but what if this means somethin'? What if it means I'm not meant to do this?"

He turned away from her, reaching for a leftover drink. If Tifa wasn't going to let him get into her bottles downstairs then he'd have to make do some other way. Tifa watched as Cloud downed the rest of his drink in barely a single swallow, cringing at the burn that followed behind it. She felt for him, really she did. Reeve had gone into intense detail about what could happen if Cloud refused this offer. Knowing Cloud and how he was, Tifa was certain that had Reeve not done so Cloud would have turned down the 'offer' flat. But Reeve Tuesti wasn't a stupid man. He knew Cloud as well, knew how he'd react and knew he'd refuse to be a part of this.

He also knew how Cloud would react when faced with the facts of the situation. It was a cruel tactic, one Reeve regretted on some hidden, deeper level. But it was essential. He didn't know what else to do.

And so he'd backed Cloud into a corner. He'd pulled every piece of factual information he could on the case just so he could shove it in the blonde's face and make him accept it. He'd been open with Tifa about everything, telling her exactly what he'd done and how he hated himself for it in the end. But still.

It had to be done. He'd stressed that.

And so it was with a heavy heart that Tifa had agreed to let it play out. She kept wanting to protect Cloud from every little thing in his life, but there was a time where she had to put her foot down. He had to deal with this on his own. It was a serious decision and one he would either be grateful for or regret for the rest of his life. It was the most difficult decision he'd ever had to make.

"Look, I know the timing is bad and that you're still working on some things in your life but..." she stopped, walking up to him and placing a hand on his back. She watched as he looked at the ground, seemingly trying to lower his anxiety himself. "Maybe this is the way to do it."

He wouldn't look at her, and she knew he wouldn't appreciate her bringing up the past like this. It was almost a double cruelty, first Reeve and now her. They were using his emotions, things important to him, in order to get him to do what they termed 'the right thing'.

But he couldn't blame them. After all, they believed what they were doing was right.

"What if I fail?"

He watched as Tifa began to laugh at him, unable to help herself.

"Cloud, you go into stuff thinking like that and you will. You've got to be confident in yourself. You can do this." she said. Cloud walked away, sitting back on the couch.

"How do you become confident? I've never been confident about anything."

He flinched as Tifa took his face into her hands, looking him straight in the eye.

"You start by telling yourself you can do this. You can, and you will."

He finally returned her gaze, trying to remain as strong as she kept telling him he was. He nodded. "Okay."

It all happened almost 6 months ago.

He'd been down and out, unemployed and ignoring everyone. His best friend had asked him to stay at his house with him until he got back on his feet. He moved in and began job hunting. It was an emotional strain. He didn't have a high school diploma, no college education level and most of the work he'd taken over the years had been commissioned on a whim by neighbors or 'friend of a friend' recommendation. Almost all of them had been paid under the table, which of course left him no paper trail.

After the death of his parents he'd been on his own, making decisions without guidance from anyone. In a way, it was quite like the epitome of true freedom as well as the opposite. He had no idea what he was doing, and that on it's own became his new prison. Paying bills was hard at first, but odd jobs kept him distracted from his lack of family at home.

When his job with the local contractor had gone out of business with the crash of the housing market, he found himself jobless and homeless. A few drinks at Tifa's bar downtown and some strange conversations with friends with a light buzz and no shits to give had netted him a new proposition: live with his best friend and get a job with a corporate company that specialized in scientific research.

But he had no previous education. How the hell was he supposed to qualify for a job like that?

His raven haired friend leaned in, his hand barely keeping his cup steady and his drink from pouring out onto the table. "You realize this company follows it's own rules, right?"

It was a little unorthodox. Everyone had their suspicions about companies paying government officials to keep their secrets and let them function as they willed. It wasn't something that was spoken about openly, but it was pretty much common knowledge.

Something told Cloud in the pit of his stomach that this job wasn't worth a damn. He didn't want to get into anything shady. He just needed some cash, a boxed in apartment with a bed, and a warm meal once in a while.

He contemplated the offer further as he slowly sipped his drink.

"Dude, I know what you're thinking. 'Sounds like a whole lot of trouble for very little reward'…but I'm telling ya, this job is nothing. Pays well for grunt work. Let all those politicians handle the nonsense and just take the job." his friend said, a stupid grin on his face. Cloud smirked. He'd been staring at that stupid smile since they were teenagers.

"What would I have to do?" he asked, lowering his cup to the table.

"Well, just lifting stuff and letting the managers shout at you. You know the drill."

Cloud thought for several more moments before responding with another question. "How can you get me the job anyway?"

He knew better than to ask, but he didn't want to owe anyone strange later on down the road. Again, it was way too much trouble than it was worth.

But he was surprised when his friend averted his eyes to the side, his smile still on his face. "Well, actually, I'm getting a promotion next week. I'm gonna be your boss."

Cloud snorted. "Really?"

His raven haired friend nodded enthusiatically as he swallowed another large gulp of his drink. He lifted his hand in Tifa's direction, asking for a refill without words. She rolled her eyes.

"You bet bud." he said, turning his eyes back to Cloud. He sighed.

"Zack, I don't know about this…" he said, leaning back in his seat.

Zack put on a mock pout at his best friend. "Not sure about money? Maybe getting a shitty rathole to call your own?" he pressed, sipping his drink again but his bright eyes never leaving Cloud's face.

Cloud sighed again, mulling it over in his head. He knew he was being way too overly cautious. Zack had been his best friend since they were at least 14 and 16 and he'd always teased Cloud about being a coward. He'd never made any risky decisions or gone after the things he'd truly wanted. He knew what buttons to push with Cloud, and in the end Cloud knew Zack just wanted his friend to be taken care of. Not even happy, just…have a roof over his head.

Cloud exhaled slowly, his eyes shutting as he pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. Zack placed both hands on the table and leaned in, an even bigger grin on his face than before.

"Yah?" he asked excitedly. Cloud opened one eye, glaring at his over dramatic best friend in exasperation. "Yah?"

"Zack…" Cloud started, getting ready to shake his head. Zack fist pumped and shouted in glee, interrupting the other guests at the bar around them and earning him some bewildered looks from strangers. But he didn't care.

"Yes! My little buddy is stepping out of his comfort zone for once!" he shouted, giggling like a child.

Cloud rolled his eyes in annoyance, but a small smile tugged at his lips. Neither one of them had changed very much over the years.

"What are you putting him up to this time?" asked Tifa, a look of displeasure on her face as she set down Zack's refill on the table.

Zack leaned back in his chair, putting his arms behind his head. "Oh, a little o'this, little o'that."

Cloud reprimanded Zack with another glare. "He's trying to get me a job at Shinra Corp."

Tifa huffed. While she was happy to see Cloud would potentially stop squatting at different people's houses each week and have a place of his own…she wasn't sure about Shinra Corporation.

Everyone knew they were a powerhouse of a company that sometimes got away with some rather scandalous accusations. They were no good, with scrupulous bosses and unqualified peons running the show. But…it was money…

Tifa wanted to argue against it for Cloud's benefit, but she couldn't find a good alternative of her own. Cloud needed this. He needed a fresh start and a way out. This…this might be it.

"Just…be careful." she whispered to him as she began to walk away. She placed a hand on Cloud's forearm and ran it up his arm to his shoulder, squeezing it gently before letting go. Cloud didn't react initially, but as soon as he saw Zack's eyes boring holes through his soul, he instantly groaned in agitation.

"You know…"

"Zack…" Cloud warned.

Zack smiled smugly. "You should definitely ask her out."

Cloud looked away, grabbing his wallet and throwing his tips on the table. "I'm outta here."

He got up as Zack let out a puppy dog whine. "Awww, c'mon I was just teasing. It's a joke dude!"

Cloud missed those days. They were full of stress about food and money and job applications and all that nonsense, but they were all he had. Tifa, his childhood friend. Zack, his best friend from school and Zack's sweet girlfriend Aerith. His old neighbor who became his drinking buddy on the weekends, Barrett. He used to crash with Barrett all the time before Barrett adopted his daughter. Marlene right?

He'd always wondered what it would have been like if he'd been adopted. Oh well, too late to find out now. But he'd been happy for Barrett regardless. He remembered his friends teasing Zack about having a kid with Aerith, to which he'd flush crimson and cover his face in embarrassment.

Those were the days.

And…he really missed them.

He had been homeless, jobless, and stressed out…but goddamn it, he missed them.

He grunted as he felt a vibration in his pocket. He still wasn't used to having a cell phone, but Tifa and Zack had insisted that he get one as his first paycheck purchase…after a down payment on his apartment of course. The first, and only, numbers he had programmed in were Tifa and Zack's. As far as he was aware, they were the only two people who should know his number.

Fumbling with his coat, he pulled out his new phone and hit answer on the screen. "Hel—"

"CLOUD!"

Cloud winced. Well, it was definitely Zack calling.

"Oh, sorry. It's just really strange calling you…you know…cause you've never had a ph—"

"Yah, I get it." Cloud interrupted, sighing heavily. "Whad'you want?"

"Ok, ok. Just checking to make sure you're doing good. I know it's been a month since you started working for Shinra Corp. and I haven't been able to really talk to you outside of work so…just wanted to make sure you were ok."

Cloud shook his head. Zack was way too sentimental sometimes. "I'm ok. It's work, y'know?"

He heard Zack sigh on his side of the phone. "Yah. I hear ya. Just, make sure you keep your chin up ok?"

Cloud smirked. "Yah, whatever."

Cloud continued walking down the street, half listening as he heard someone else talking to Zack on the other end. "Ok well, I gotta go now. Be good you hear?"

Cloud rolled his eyes again. "Sure. I'll think about it."

"Right. Love ya man. Talk to you soon."

Click

Cloud sighed as he cleaned his screen on his pantleg. Just as he began to put the phone back into his pocket, the stupid thing began to vibrate again.

"Shit…" he cursed, the sudden vibration catching him off guard. "What the hell now Zack?"

He waited for a voice to speak on the other end, and then deadpanned as he heard a familiar giggle.

"Wow, maybe check the number on the screen before you pick up? It would be terrible if a boss called you one day or something and you answered like that…"

Cloud slapped the palm of his hand against his forehead, cussing himself out again in his head. "Sorry, I just…"

"Yah I know. I understand." she giggled again.

"So, what's up Tifa?"

Tifa paused again as she thought of what to say next. She hadn't really called with anything in particular in mind.

"Nothing, just—"

"Seein' how I'm doin'?" Cloud finished for her.

"I guess Zack beat me to it, huh?"

They both chuckled at their ridiculous friend. He was probably sneezing somewhere right about now.

"So…" Tifa stalled, feeling a little embarrassed now. She wished she had come up with a good reason for calling. "Um…"

"Wanna go out sometime?" Cloud asked suddenly. He could kick himself. He had no idea what he was doing, and following Zack's advice had never been a good idea before. "Sorry, I—"

"I'd love to."

Cloud froze, his heart beat skipping. It was freezing out today, the middle of February, but he could feel his face heating up. He was stunned to silence, and struggled to find his words until he heard her voice call out again.

"Hello? Cloud?"

Cloud blinked hard, shaking himself back into focus. "Uh, yah, sorry. Got distracted by a traffic jam." he lied. He swallowed hard as he listened to Tifa laugh on the other end.

"Ok. Well, you're walking home from work right? I should probably let you go. It's so dangerous for pedestrians these days." she said.

Cloud nodded to himself. "Yah, need to watch where I'm goin'."

"Right."

Awkward silence.

Cloud cleared his throat. "Well, thanks for callin'." he said, drawing things out a little clumsily.

"You're welcome." she said.

"Well, bye…"

"Oh!"

Cloud straightened up again. "Y-yah?"

She paused again. If he wasn't so focused from his headrush of emotions he'd probably be cursing the suspense.

"I'll text you later…so we can go out…"

Cloud smiled softly to himself, clutching the phone a little tighter in his hand. "Yah. I'll be waitin'."

"Ok. Bye Cloud."

"Bye Tifa."

Click

He nearly collapsed against the brick building next to him. People walking by on the sidewalk raised their eyebrows as he fought to keep himself from doing his own version of Zack's notorious fist pumps.

He couldn't help but smile to himself, his body trembling with adrenaline. He wasn't looking forward to hearing his friends jabs at his ego, but he was definitely looking forward to the future. He had a job, a shitty apartment of his own like he'd always wanted, and maybe a little something extra if he could manage it.

As he contemplated finding some food for the night and where he might take Tifa later on, he felt another vibration in his hand. He rolled his eyes. Maybe this time it was Zack. His heart skipped a beat. Or maybe it was Tifa.

He hurriedly went to answer it, before pausing to check the number like Tifa had suggested. Might as well know who was calling, right?

He looked down at the screen and stopped. "I don't…"

I don't recognize this number.

He clicked the answer button and lifted the phone to his ears.

"Cloud speakin'."

"Cloud Strife? This is the police."

Author's Note:

First chapter done! There's gonna be roughly 8 chapters for this story I think, but we'll see how it goes. Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed! Comment or critique if you like and see you next time!

And as I wrote in the description, all future updates will be on Sundays. Thanks again for reading!