"I beg you… don't leave me."

"Cloud? Of course I won't leave you, what a silly thing to say. Cloud, you're so warm I want to stay in your arms like this forever."

The Next Day

Zack walked into the Care Centre of the Shinra building holding a vase filled with assorted colourful flowers. He knew which room he was looking for so he went directly to the one labeled with a bolded 7. He peeked through the window and saw that Tifa was still asleep. He opened the door slowly not wanting to disturb her rest.

He placed the vase on her table side with a soft clunk. He looked over and saw Tifa shift in the bed.

"C-cloud... I won't leave, I pro…mise…" Zack looked at her with sad eyes as she mumbled and slurred in her sleep.

"And that's my cue to leave." Zack sighed to himself. He turned around and started to walk towards the door.

"Cloud?" Tifa jolted up and looked around the room.

"Tifa!" Zack exclaimed turning back towards her. "How are you? I was so worried."

"Where's Cloud?" When Zack didn't answer she started to get more anxious. "Zack, where's Cloud? He was here for me when I tried to suicide! I know he was! He held me in his arms I know he did! Cloud came back for me! Zack what did you do to make him leave?"

"He left Tifa, he told me to look after you until you woke up. He said to take better care of yourself otherwise he'd be angry." Zack lied.

Tifa calmed down and lay back down slowly. She smiled to herself. She looked so relieved and content. She wasn't just smiling her heart was smiling. That made Zack feel so sad at happy at the same time. Something about the thought her being abandoned by Cloud made Zack want to run to her and wrap his arms around her. He needed to let her know that he would always be there for her. She doesn't have to be hurt anymore.

"That Cloud always worrying." She laughed softly.

"By the way Tifa you're going to be staying with me in the Shinra building for a while until you are stable physically and mentally, doctor's orders.

"What? No I'm fine I really am!"

"Says the girl who tried to suicide the other night…" Zack smirked whiling crossing his arms.

"Are you sure it's the doctor's orders and not yours?" Tifa asked playfully.

"I may have requested it…"

"I have to find Cloud as soon as I'm better though."

"I'll help you."

The Next Day

"This is your room from now on; I'll move my stuff out of here later. Just make yourself at home. Shinra had people bring your stuff over while you were recovering." Zack showed Tifa her room which wasn't so bad. It was really clean, well of course it was Shinra had housekeeping done every few days to ensure than their top soldier wasn't living in bad conditions.

"Thanks Zack, but I won't get too comfortable. I'm sure Cloud will want me out of this 'rehabilitation center' as soon as possible." Tifa joked.

"This isn't a rehabilitation center, it's your new home so get used to it," Zack said indifferently before walking out of her room to go into the kitchen to grab a Dumbapple. "Geez Zack when are you going to tell her the truth?"

Tifa walked into the kitchen area to find Zack munching on a purple apple.

"Don't try anything little lady I hid all of the knives and sharp objects."

"Funny. What's that you're eating?" Tifa nodded towards the purple thing.

"An apple from Banora."

"So pretty!"

"Heh, the apple?" Zack asked pointing to his bitten apple.

"Hehe, no silly the eyes." Tifa giggled.

Zack tossed his apple core into the trash can and washed his hands quickly. He approached Tifa slowly keeping his eyes on her tiny figure. Damn she looked so vulnerable for a second there. He was playing dirty thoughts in his mind. All of the things he could do to her… she'd be in ecstasy.

She could feel his eyes wander on her body. She felt so naked and exposed just standing there. He was so much taller and stronger than her. She was afraid of him for a second. She felt like his prey and he was the predator. He smirked at her; it looked so feral and lewd.

"You like them? Then take a closer looked." He breathed the words out in a sultry manner. He leaned his face into hers. She stared into his eyes as they left her helplessly hypnotized. He was so close to her now… she felt so comfortable.

He saw her eyes flutter and her lips part slightly. He saw his chance and he pressed his lips onto hers softly, afraid that if he was any rougher she'd break away from his touch. His right hand tilted her face up and she angled her head to kiss him back.

She felt his lips crash down onto hers and immediately she gave in to his touch. His touch and warmth was so familiar. She felt so natural with him. She loved it. But… what about Cloud? I can't do this she thought…

He felt her hands press up against his chest. She was trying to break off from him. He stopped reluctantly but he didn't want to scare her any more than he already had.

"Zack, I'm sorry… I can't do this to Cloud he's still waiting for me. He's coming back for me as soon as I regain my health. He came back to me in my greatest time of need. I can't just betray him like that." Tifa said eyes glazing over.

"Tifa he's not coming back." Zack broke the news to her. He knew she wasn't going to take this well but it was now or never.

"What are you talking ab- Zack that's impossible. He held me in his arms and told me not to leave him while I was dying. He's the reason I fought to live. I heard his voice, I felt his warmth. He was the one who brought me back to life. He's my only reason for living! Don't you dare say that! You don't know him!" Tifa said defensively.

Zack walked up to Tifa and embraced her the same way he did when she was bleeding to her death in his arms. Closing his eyes he recited something that made his heart ache.

"Tifa, hold on please… I beg you. Don't leave me..." Zack whispered those same words in the same voice and tone that he had on that day.

"Zack… those were the same words that Cloud said to me." The embraced Tifa looked up at Zack with teary eyes. His words sounded so urgent and sincere, her heart felt like it broke again.

"Tifa… you don't understand," His voice sounded urgent and his face was stressed at the fact that Tifa couldn't put the pieces together. "He never came back for you Tifa, it was me. I was the one who saved you; it was my voice you heard. I was the one who held you in my arms. I was the one who came for you. It was me. And I'm sorry if that disappoints you. I'm so sorry for your loss Tifa and I can't make any promises but I'm trying my best to be here for you." Zack held her face in his hands. Her face was so tiny and frail. She looked so broken.

"I see… I guess I was so deranged that I convinced myself of something that never happened. I'm sorry." Tifa said looking away from his face.

"Don't be sorry Tifa it was never your fault." Zack held her close into his chest again and she held him back, pressing her face into his chest. Her hands clutched at his shirt as her shoulders shook slightly. Zack could feel the tears go through his shirt.

Zack didn't push her away or moved from their spot. He simply stood there and let he cry into his chest as he hugged her. Soon she fell down onto her knees and cried and once again Zack held her close like he did on the night that Cloud broke her heart.

"I'll make your new heart Tifa, you can have mine…" Zack whispered to her as she cried.