Koinu-chan: Well, that was fun.

Sephiroth: walks in Oh, come on, you know you enjoyed it.

K-chan: Yeah, but I worked straight through my birthday. For those reading this, my birthday was December 2. It was my goal to get it up then, but...things happened. So I got it up the day after.

Seph: ...oh…You abbreviated my name!

K-chan: Yup! I like Seph better.

Sephiroth: …grr …Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter…

Chapter 3-A New Ally

Cloud was the first one down the stairs. He immediately noticed Aeris sitting on the couch. After another moment, she looked up and noticed him.

"You didn't forget that I was coming, did you?" she joked. "Just kidding. I know you wouldn't forget that. Well, hello Cloud, hello Sephiroth." She said as Sephiroth entered the room. "How are you?"

"I'm quite fine," Sephiroth responded, "and you?"

Aeris cave one of those cute chuckles (A/N: She has one cause I say so XP), and said "Oh, I'm fine too. And you Cloud?" she said, turning her attention to Cloud.

"Uh…oh! I'm…fine!" Cloud said, unconvincingly. Aeris frowned a little. Then, thinking about it, he supposed he was fine, now that Aeris was there. "Just fine," he said, this time more convincingly. He meant it this time.

"That's great!" Aeris said. "Have you two been getting along okay?" she asked. "Are you behaving?" she added.

"Oh, we've had a bit of trouble, but nothing for you to worry about." Sephiroth replied, smiling. Cloud's expression stated otherwise, but he said nothing. If Aeris noticed it, or didn't believe Sephiroth, she didn't show it.

"Can I get you something to drink, Aeris?" Cloud asked. "I have some iced tea in the fridge."

"Or I could make you a nice smoothie," Sephiroth added.

"Oh, I'm fine. But thanks for the offers!" said with her usual smile directed to both of them.

"Oh, it's no problem," Sephiroth assured, at the same time Cloud said "No problem!" Sephiroth grinned, and Aeris smiled back.

"Well, you guys can sit down," Aeris commented after a moment of silence, and her noticing that they were both still standing. The two guys blinked, glanced at each other, and then sat down on either side of Aeris.

"Mm, it's a fine day, isn't it?" Sephiroth commented, looking for a conversation starter.

"Hmm?" Aeris said, looking away from Cloud, who was making some noises that signified him feeling awkward. "Oh, yes, it's very nice. I couldn't have asked for a better day." She bent down and reached into the bag that she had brought. "Perfect for the potato salad I brought!" she continued as she pulled out a container of potato salad.

"Oh, that looks delicious!" Sephiroth exclaimed. "But you didn't have to. We can manage without."

"Well, I knew neither of you could cook very well, so I figured I'd make something for you," Aeris said, happy for the compliment. This got a blush from both of them. Sephiroth could only do simple cooking and food preparing, and Cloud even less. Sephiroth could make a mean sandwich, however.

"I'm making BLTs for dinner. That'll go perfectly with them. I bet you'll love it… unless you aren't planning on staying. But, even if you weren't previously, I'd insist on it anyways." Sephiroth stated matter-of-factly.

"…We're having BLTs?" Cloud inquired. (A/N: Woah. Inquired is a big word to use for Cloud. XD)

Sephiroth shook his head. "I told you this morning, Cloud. Remember? I asked you if Aeris liked BLTs" He could just picture the gears turning, and also the light bulb lighting as he remembered. "A, I see you do remember. Good." He looked at Cloud and Aeris. "So… what do we do now?"

Both Cloud and Aeris both shuddered. (A/N: See the author's note at the end of the fic for an explanation.) "What?" he asked.

"Oh…nothing…" Aeris said slowly. Just…you reminded us of something. Something…not good."

Sephiroth raised he eyebrow, but did not comment. "Well, what should we do now?"

"Umm," Cloud started. "Why did you come Aeris? Let's start with that/"

"Oh, just to chat. You know, catching up?" Another sweet smile, that it was obvious Sephiroth had to try hard not to twitch at. It was…too…sweet. Even now, he could only take so much sweetness.

"Okay," Cloud said, satisfied. "Well, how about se see what's on TV!" he grabbed the remote.

"Uh, Okay!" she responded, her smile ever so slightly fading. She probably wanted to talk, not to watch TV, but she understood Cloud, and knew that he either didn't want to talk, or didn't think of the option. Just in case it was the first one, she wasn't going to say anything. On TV was a stand-up comedian, and she was pretty good, so Aeris didn't mind, and so the smile was back – full strength.

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At six 'o clock, they turned the TV off, and Sephiroth went out to make the BLTs. He heard Cloud start talking animatedly to Aeris. So, he seemed to like Aeris, and wanted to talk to her only, Sephiroth thought. He liked Aeris a lot. More than Sephiroth.

He then heard sizzling noises, and remembered what he was doing. He couldn't space out. But he hadn't spaced out completely like that in a while. Was he really letting this get to him so bad? That couldn't be healthy.

But, as he prepared dinner, he continued to have thoughts about Aeris, in a jealous sort of way. NO. he thought. Aeris is good. I shouldn't be jealous at her. After this thought, he was able to finish preparing diner without any jealous thoughts. He tuned out Aeris and Cloud's conversation as best as he could.

He brought the three plates with BLTs out into the living room, "Would either of you like anything to drink?" he asked politely.

"Oh, I'll just have some juice, thank you. Whatever kind you have." Aeris replied, and Cloud said he'd have the same. So Sephiroth went and got three glasses of white grape juice. Cloud had also told him that Aeris liked white grape juice a lot.

Aeris gasped in delight when she realized that this was her favorite meal for when the weather was as nice as it was. "This was planned," she stated, looking at Cloud and Sephiroth.

Sephiroth grinned. "You caught us red handed," he said, putting his hands up. "I asked Cloud what you liked. I wanted you to enjoy your stay. I didn't want to serve you anything you didn't like!"

"Oh, you're so kind! Both of you." She smiled sweetly, and they all began eating. It tasted good, like, well, like a BLT and white grape juice.

"Just the right amount of everything. Not too much mayonnaise or anything. Cloud'll be just fine without TV dinners. "She chuckled, looking at Cloud. Cloud knew that she didn't particularly like TV dinners. She cooked for him whenever she got the chance to prevent him from having any.

"Oh, there are plenty of things I can't make," Sephiroth replied, "But you don't need to cook for us. We'll be just fine."

"Oh, it's really no problem!" she replied. But Sephiroth insisted that it wasn't needed for her to cook for them. She then glanced at Cloud, looking slightly concerned. "You're really quiet, Cloud. Are we not giving you enough opportunity to talk?"

"Oh, no, I'm fine. I'm just, erm, listening," Cloud said, holding his hands up.

"No, really, we'll let you talk." Sephiroth insisted. "Do you want me to leave? " I hope he says no, damnit, he thought.

"Sephiroth!" Aeris said with such severity that it caused both Cloud and Sephiroth to stare at her. "Cloud isn't going to be rude like that. Isn't that right, Cloud?"

"Oh…yes… Of course," was his uncertain reply. Aeris had really shocked him, and he wanted to make her happy. But Aeris and Cloud knew he didn't really mean it.

Oh, of course he doesn't want to get Aeris upset. He doesn't care about me, though, Sephiroth thought spitefully. But it's not Aeris, he added. Not Aeris' fault…not Aeris' fault. This last statement he thought over and over again until he was calmed down.

Aeris seemed to notice his unrest, because she next said "Sephiroth's being quite nice, isn't he Cloud?"

He saw Cloud thing about it. "Mm, well ,eh did make dinner. And he didn't hurt anyone, "he started, "so I guess he's been nice," he finished reluctantly.

"So, since he's being so nice, you shouldn't even think of being mean to him." Before Cloud could argue, she continued with "I know you would prefer it if he left, but you should be nice and talk, even it he is here." She smiled at Sephiroth, and he smiled back, grateful she was helping him.

"Ummm…erm…" Cloud didn't know what to say. He had just been scolded by Aeris! He had an expression of complete and utter disbelief that Aeris could even think of siding with Sephiroth when she could side with him. Maybe he had a thing or two to learn.

"So…that comedian was pretty funny, wasn't she?" Sephiroth started. A normal conversation ensued, until the topic had been completely worn out, and they had nothing else to talk about.

"Well, it's getting pretty late," Aeris commented, looking up at the clock. It was about 8. "I'd better be going. Have a nice night!" And no fighting, Sephiroth thought, knowing that probably was what she was thinking.

"Bye!" Cloud and Sephiroth said in unison. Cloud didn't notice it though. As Aeris left, she winked at Sephiroth. And Sephiroth then knew that not only was she on his side in such matters, she would not try to steal Cloud from him. He had an ally.

/A New Ally-end/

A/N: Okay, now for the explanation. I'm currently in the process of writing another fic. The final fantasy crew have just defeated Sephiroth, so they're looking for something to do. They end up getting really really drunk. What starts it is Tifa saying "So…shat do we do now. It's exactly what Sephiroth said, so of course it brought back memories. They didn't remember it themselves, but someone did. I'm not telling you any more, though. You'll have to read it for yourself.

Well, how'd ya like the chapter? It took me a while, but it's finally up.