Author's Note: Here's a little story I came up with last night. I was going to make it a one-shot, but then I decided that would make it a very long one-shot, so it'll be a small multi-chapter. It's kinda personal, so if it seems out of character for some, it's just my heart speaking! Enjoy!

P.S. PLEASE REVIEW!!

Catch Me If You Can

- A CloTi Fan Fiction -

Tifa sat on her bed, staring at the photo in her hands. The photo of him.

Next to her, a suitcase filled with her clothes, pictures, books, jewelry. Her hopes, dreams and memories. In her purse was her cell phone and some Gil, just enough to catch the next train out of here.

She would take only one photo of him, though, to make it so she would never forget him. This would be the one she would take. It wasn't of just him; it was of Marlene, Denzel, him and herself.

She had to admit, she would miss the kids the most. Their sweet faces. But she had to go.

She would come back to visit the kids when he would on deliveries. She had said so in the note she had left them.

She would probably go and stay with Vincent Valentine for a while, until she could find work and a good place to live. He knew that she was thinking of leaving, but of course he wouldn't try to stop her or say anything to the rest of AVALANCHE ; he knew her reasons.

She took a deep breath and packed in the last two items that remained: her diary and her leather gloves. She stopped for a moment, then pulled the gloves over her hands; they were always her symbol of stength, and she needed strength now more than ever.

She stood and picked up her purse and suitcase. She walked downstairs, tears brimming in her eyes, and took out the note she had written for Cloud. She stuck it to bar, and then took one last look around the room; yep, she had erased every sign that she had ever been here.

The note read:

Dear Cloud,

I know that by now you're probably wondering where I am by now. Don't worry about me. I'm doing fine where I am.

And you're probably wondering why I left. It's kind of hard to explain, Cloud. I guess I should tell you something important, something I should have told you a long time ago... I love you, Cloud. Ever since that day you left for SOLDIER, and ever since that day I found you at the Midgar train station. And every day I loved you more.

But I came to understand that you didn't love me. That you loved Aeris. And you know what, Cloud? I was okay with that. Because I was happy that you were finally happy, and I knew that you two were perfect for each other.

But then she died... and I felt so terrible. I felt like there was something missing from my heart. And I knew that something was missing from yours, too.

And that's when I decided that I would take care of you. I would look after you and love you and make you feel happy again... but I've been so selfish, Cloud. I realized that I didn't love you just for her... I loved you for me. I wanted you for me.

But I just couldn't understand why you still loved her. She's gone, and I'm here. And... and I can't do this anymore. I can't keep loving you, while you love her still.

So that's why I've left. I can't stand to live a lie.

Don't try to find me. I'll be fine. I love you.

Tifa