Here's to you, Beastmaster2003

Chapter 2

Thankfully it was Sunday and so Seventh Heaven was lax of excitement. Tifa let Aerith and Yuffie have the day off, giving them freedom to have some time with Zack for the pink maiden and letting the ninja practice her "skills" with Vincent. Tifa couldn't help feeling a little sorry for the caped man as he was lead by Yuffie out the door and she laughed, absently skimming the customers to see if anyone needed to be topped off. Her eyes fell to Yazoo who seemed to be back for something besides beer as he nursed an untouched glass at the end of the counter. Might as well go and face the inevitable.

"Glad to see you're still alive." She said, leaning over the counter to talk to him.

"Yes, well, I'm not suicidal," he said with a small smile and Tifa wasn't sure if it was genuine or forced. "Is your life still a bed of roses?" he added sarcastically and she stopped from snapping harshly at him.

"Yazoo, my life is fine. So stop looking for something that's not there. I'm happy." She tapped the countertop emphasizing those last two words. Why couldn't he get it through his head and leave well enough alone?

"You'll be happy too once you start living." Tifa made her was around the bar to sit on a stool beside him.

"Any ideas on how to do that?'

Yazoo's gaze bore into hers and before she knew what was happening, his hands were on hers as well.

"I think…" he started, moving closer to her until they were mere moments apart and he closed the gap with a gentle slide of skin against skin, his lips on hers, kissing her softly. Stunned, Tifa pulled away and he finished "that might be a start."

Still dazed, she looked at him oddly. "That's not what I meant."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, of course I am," Tifa assured and Yazoo tilted his head to study her.

"Do you really think Cloud will change his ways for you?"

Puzzled, Tifa started to argue, "He has-" before he cut her off.

"Tifa, you've been with Cloud in some way for years now…do you think that's healthy? How he's always coming and going but you're still in place, always waiting for him?"

Quietly, Tifa said, "Cloud…he's just always been…"

"Exactly. He won't change. Not the way you want him to, Tifa, remember that."

With a quick pat of his hand on hers, Yazoo left Tifa confused and silent on the stool. She must have sat like that for quite some time since the room had emptied and daylight left the room darkening. Cloud came in to see what Tifa was doing and found her immobile on the stool. He'd heard Yazoo's voice earlier and peaked to see them cozy at the counter, almost buddy buddy and it did not leave him with a pleasant feeling. Not when she was still in the same spot he'd seen her at last time, unmoving, not cleaning or making drinks…just sitting.

"Tifa?" He edged into the room coming to sit beside her at the bar.

"Yes, Cloud?" she asked, voice far away and staring at her hands,

"Everything okay?"

With a small sigh, she pushed off the bar stool and began moving.

"I'm fine." Tifa walked to behind the bar, trying to evade his questioning gaze. "Please, Cloud, just drop it."

"I don't like Yazoo hanging around here." He stated quietly, following her until she stopped and turned on him. She couldn't believe this.

"And why is that, Cloud?" she asked angrily, glaring at him for his prying habits.

"I don't trust him. His intentions aren't good Tifa, can't you see that?" He put his hands out to her, pleading with her to understand,

"Look, I can't help it if some guy likes me, alright?!" Tifa said low between clenched teeth, wanting more than anything for this conversation to be over. Apparently, that was not meant to be.

"But I can."

Tifa looked at Cloud in bewilderment as he suddenly closed the distance between them, enveloping her in a passionate kiss. If Yazoo's had been gentle then Cloud's kiss was forceful but not unpleasantly so. Tifa felt that earth-shattering kiss throughout her body, his need, want, desperation, desire, all for her, Tifa Lockheart. They parted, breathing heavily and Tifa placed her hands on his chest for balance; that kiss had been the most thrilling of her life and she was having trouble recovering.

"Tifa, I love you, I've loved you for so long."

She looked up at him, eyes refocusing to meet his dazed blue ones. "What?" She didn't believe what she was hearing. Were her ears playing tricks on her? His grip didn't loosen on her and she realized he was worried that she hadn't responded.

"Cloud…" her eyes searched his and she saw doubt in his eyes before his grip slackened and he stepped back, crestfallen. She moved towards him resting her hand on his arm and he looked at her hopefully.

"I've always loved you, Cloud." Her smile grew with his but before she could enjoy this news fully she had to know something or it would forever eat at her brain.

"Why now all of a sudden? We've had so long to tell each other how we feel, but you think now of all times is the best?" Tifa watched him think this over, his contemplation visible on his face and was drawn to him, wrapping her arms around his body, holding him tightly for reassurance.

"I've wanted to tell you, but…now with…" Cloud whispered into her hair, clinging to her. "I didn't want to lose you."

"To what, Cloud? You won't lose me…you never will."

"They why does he keep coming around?"

She pulled back now to face him. How could he think that she and- "Yazoo? I'm not in love with Yazoo, Cloud, he just needed a new perspective on life."

"Are you sure?" he asked despairing and Tifa broke her upcoming anger into sincerity and compassion for the man she loved, even if he wasn't that perceptive.

"It doesn't matter. I'm not in love with Yazoo…because I'm in love with you."

His whole body relaxed and he collapsed into her arms, his face nuzzling her hair. They held in other, their arms enveloping each other in their love and Tifa could not be happier…but why did she feel uneasy?