AN: This is my first story, so please don't be too harsh!

He was alone, all alone, and sinking deeper into the place where she waited. He was sinking into the place where she waited, her wish to see him, be with him, thrummed through his veins as easily as his heart pulsed in his chest. His breath caught when he first glimpsed her eyes in the swirling mists of the Lifestream.

She was so close... yet she was still miles away. And his choice would never be an easy one.

"Aerith," he he called out, trying to make his voice heard amidst the choir and clamor of the others.

She smiled for a second, but it was enough.

For a brief second he felt completely at peace.

"Aerith."

"Cloud, are you alright?"

He slowly drifted back to the world of the living.

Tifa, he remembered. This is Tifa...

There at the apex of reality and dreams he found himself starring into the eyes of living flesh. Moments ago, he knew, he would have gladly sunk into that place with the woman beyond his reach. He'd have left behind this woman who loved so selflessly.

She brought me back. He thought, unable to be angry or to voice the bitter regret that sank like a rock in his stomach. Because the truth was... The truth is I still love her more then any other.

Tifa.

Aerith.

He was lost, he knew, somewhere deep in the dark places of his soul. Tifa knew where those places were and fearlessly sought them out. She battled the darkness and tried to guide him back into the light.

I love them both. He could only have one. I'm not sure why. Aerith was part of something else. Tifa had always claimed his heart.

What would Zack have done?

Vincent? What would he do?

Mother, I wish you were still here.

"Cloud, it's okay." She stated. "Just take a moment to breathe. The others can wait a little while longer."

Did she mean she would wait? Why? Why would she wait...

"I'll be fine." he choked out, grasping his arms around her waist and burying his blonde head of spikes into Tifa's abdomen.

There on the sandy shores of what had once been Healin Lodge, the man known as Cloud Strife struggled through...