Hello! This is my first Zack/Tifa story! I hope you like it; I have been inspired by many authors to do this, so HERE I AM! :D Lawlz, if there are any suggestions, mistakes, or praises, all is welcome! :DD Have fun!

~Miss Maddie:D

Chapter 1: Knock Out

A cold drop of sweat trailed down the bartenders' nose as she served drink after drink to all the customers that had congregated in her bar. The smell of heavy cigar smoke, alcohol, and peanuts was almost visible in the dim lighting of the room. The night was certainly one for celebrating, now that AVALANCH had again, successfully saved Gaia from a certain end.

The happy chatting of Tifa's friends made her smile as she filled Cid's and Barrett's mugs full of Wutai ale. Yuffie's constant chatter to Vincent, Red VII and Cait Sith sitting near the soft fire in the back, and Marlene and Denzel playing innocently with the Turks warmed her heart. Even Reno's antics had Tifa beaming, though she was on the verge of throwing him out with all the other perverts. But the ever constant absence of her blonde friend nagged at her heart like a spot on a glass she couldn't clean.

Though not there, Tifa knew where Cloud was, and why. Tifa sighed. Ever since the flower girl had died, he had become almost as brooding as Vincent. Even though they were close, he still didn't open up to her as much as he use to. She noticed he stayed out later than usual, despite the fact that he said he'd be around more. She also found that he had taken to drinking a bit, no doubt trying to numb the pain, but it was still worrying…

A loud crash was heard, jolting Tifa out of her thoughts. Thinking that Yuffie had knocked something over, Tifa turned around with a rag in hand ready to clean up the mess, when the scene in front of her made her freeze. The cold, bitter wind outside was the only sound heard at that moment. You could hear a pin drop. Her blonde best friend stood just barely over the threshold, a bottle in hand. The door, or what once was the bars front door, was swinging limply in the cold December wind. Glass had flown everywhere, silencing the once chatty bar.

"Cloud…?"

"What the ****?"

The AVALANCH members all murmured their protests and indignations as he strode across the bar silently. Tifa opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but was greeted by a slamming of the back door, leading to the stairs. Wide eyed, she turned back to the bar and said;

"Well… I guess I should see what's wrong…", and started for the stairs when she heard Barrett get up from his chair and touch her shoulder.

"Teef, I don't think you should go up there…" he said with a worried glance at the door.

"I'll be fine Barrett. Take the kid's home with you, and close the bar please, will you? I'll be alright", she replied, stepping once again towards the stairs and disappeared up the wooden steps.

The bar erupted in yells and astonished conversation as the door closed behind Tifa.

"What was that…?"

"What's up with Cloud?"

"Alright, everyone OUT!" Barrett yelled, picking up Denzel and Marlene.

The remaining customers got up, paying for their drinks, and scattered out, not wanting to be there if other things went flying. Cid re bolted the door, Yuffie and Vincent picked up the shards of glass. After everything was clean, the gang dispersed quickly, knowing that whatever happened was to be resolved between the two alone. Pretty soon the bar was quiet, and deserted.

A soft knock was heard up stairs. Tifa stood in front of Clouds bedroom door, biting her lip. There were crashes heard deep in the room, glass breaking, and wood splitting. Tifa hesitantly pushed on the door, then pushed harder when it didn't budge. Frustrated, she finally resulted to kicking down the door. She jumped, flung her boot clad foot at the old wooden door, and landed gracefully on her feet as the door flew open. The room was in complete chaos. The bed was torn apart, Mirrors were broken, the window curtains were in tatters, clothes strung along the floor, and a panting Cloud sat in the middle of the floor with a bottle of beer in his shaking hand.

"…Cloud?" Tifa whispered softly, not wanting to startle him.

"Get. Out", came an angry voice, riddled and slurred by alcohol. Tifa was startled by the fury that came from her friend. Even in the most trying moments of life, Cloud had never been this angry with her. The solution was clear, he had gotten himself drunk. No way of knowing how though…

"Cloud… What's wrong?" She asked timidly, stepping around a hunk of metal that looked suspiciously like a T.V.

In response, Cloud moved away from her touch and took another long swig form the bottle. Tifa moved fast, yanking the bottle from his hand and threw it out the window. Cloud blinked, clearly not expecting her to do that. His mako blue eyes flashed, sudden anger bubbling to the surface. Tifa moved back when Clouds fist came lurching at her. Not wanting to hurt her best friend, she dodged the punch and a series of kicks.

What's going on? Tifa wondered as they continued their dance like spar. Only this wasn't just a spar, he's putting everything into this, her mind whispered. Cloud lunged forward and kicked Tifa's feet out from under her. She crashed down hard, hitting her head on a blunt object. Her vision swam as tiers threatened to fall from the blow. The last thing she saw was Cloud dropping to his knees, eyes wide in horror, and then Tifa Lockhart surrendered to the darkness.

OMG! Cliffy :D I know, I ended too soon, but I have to leave my readers hungering for more now don't I! Sooo, please drop me a comment and tell me what you think! Also, I adore The Tifa/Cloud pairing, don't get me wrong. But I like the Tifa/Zack one better. And don't hate on the Drunk Cloud, he's having a hard time D; And don't worries, Zach will make his appearance in the next chappie! Soooooo, R&R :DDDDDD Till Next Time!

~Miss Maddie:D