I do not own Final Fantasy VII. Here's chapter 3, hope all that reads enjoys. Reviews Please!

BROKEN

Chapter III: Make Her Forget

As he watched Tifa moving about the dance floor, the leering stranger stood from his hiding place and approached her from behind. He reached out to her, placing his hands on her firm ass, before sliding them around to her front. Tifa was surprised by the sudden attention, but she didn't mind; she'd grown bored with her current partner anyway. The new man pressed against her back, taking joy in the feel of her gyrating hips. He took the liberty to let his hands slide around her body and he felt her every curve through the silky fabric. Tifa didn't feel bothered by it at all; at least one guy in here approached her first. She grinned and turned around to see her new friend. She was met with something she didn't expect. A face never thought would show up there.

"Cloud?" She stopped dancing. Her eyebrows knitted and she stepped back from him in disbelief. "Is it you?"

Tifa reared back just enough to throw a good hard punch in his face, but something made her stop. His face, it wasn't the same. His eyes were dark green, his skin was pale, and his spikey blonde hair was silvery grey and hung limp around his head.

"Cloud?" And his voice, not Cloud's gentle whine, it was a deeper voice, kind of a purring voice. "Who may I ask is Cloud?"

"M-m-my…." She was speechless. Tifa couldn't catch her breath. The man before her was stunning and more, she couldn't contain the overwhelming sense of familiarity. She knew she'd never seen him before in her life and yet, somehow she felt like she knew him.

He took her hand and pulled her to him. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, I'm Caligo Nocturnus."

"C-caligo?" She repeated softly. She finally shook her head and snapped back to her senses. "I-I'm sorry, nice to meet you, I'm Tifa Lockheart."

"It's a pleasure, Miss Lockheart." He kissed her hand. This definitely wasn't Cloud. "May I buy you a drink?"

"Uh, sure." She felt herself being led his table, but looked over her shoulder at Yuffie who'd struck up a conversation with some guy at the bar. She'd be occupied for a while, so Tifa felt no harm in sitting with Caligo.

"So Miss Lockheart –"

"Tifa, please."

"Tifa." He grinned. "What a beautiful name for such a beautiful woman." Tifa blushed and looked at the table. "What's the matter? Did I offend you?"

"Oh no, Sir." She waved her hands in defense. "Not at all, it's just that I've never got a compliment like that from a stranger before."

"I apologize." Caligo waved a waitress over and ordered some fancy sounding drinks and then turned his attention to Tifa. "So…what brings you to a place like this?"

"I'm here with my friend, she insisted that I get out and have some fun."

"You don't normally have fun?"

"Not like this…most of my time is spent at home with the children."

"You've got children?"

"Does that bother you?"

"Not at all; actually, I admire a woman who cares for her family, but still finds time for herself." He rested his arm on the back of booth. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but from your behavior this evening, I assume you're not married?"

"No…I was engaged once, but he ran out on me. So now I'm alone." Tifa felt her heart climb back up her throat to suffocate her, but she somehow managed to swallow it back down.

"Now that is admirable." Caligo sighed. "A single mother…you must work hard."

"I do, I run my own business. A bar called 7th Heaven. Have you heard of it?"

"I have not. I'm quite new to Edge, I've only just moved here a few days ago."

"Oh, I see. Well, you should come then, you'll meet the more humble locals." Tifa insisted with a smile.

"I shall. If you will serve me, that is." He grinned.

"Of course I will."

The two of them talked for hours about various things, Tifa discovered that Caligo used to be a technician for ShinRa when the corporation was still on its feet, though he assured her that he did not agree with it at all, and that it was just a way to get by. Now he's a photographer, following his dream of capturing beauty in all its forms.

"How wonderful!" Tifa exclaimed. "I love taking pictures."

"It's more than just taking a few snap shots; it's about capturing the true elegance of the world, freezing its majesty and power forever. You have to get it just right, or there is no emotion evoked." Caligo kept her attention solely on him without effort. Tifa was truly fascinated by this handsome stranger. He continued to amaze her throughout the night, before they knew it the lights came on and the music was cut.

"Too bad." Caligo sighed heavily, before standing and offering Tifa his hand. "Come, let me escort you home."

"Thank you, but my friend is at the bar waiting for me." Tifa said regretfully.

"Well then, Tifa, might I ask if I may see you again?" Caligo's eyes glittered.

"You can. I'm free tomorrow if you are."

"Tomorrow evening then, I'll pick you up. And wear this pretty frock." He fingered the strap of her dress. "You look ravishing in it." Caligo then lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Until then." He turned and left.

Tifa was left speechless once more. She whimpered nonsense as he left; she didn't want him to go.

"Tifa!" Yuffie squealed. "Who was that hot guy?"

"Caligo Nocturnus."

Tifa was more than happy the next day. She hummed happily as she did the house work and skipped down the stairs. Yuffie watched her from behind her magazine. That must have been some guy to bring about such a radical change in Tifa. One minute she's down in the dumps, next she riding high on cloud 9. Not that that was a bad thing, Yuffie preferred this Tifa over the old one. She was way more chipper.

"So when's the big date?" Yuffie asked nonchalantly.

"Tonight at 7 o'clock. He's coming to pick me up. I don't know where we're going, but it'll be great!" Tifa's face was overcome by the biggest smile in the world.

"I'm so jealous! I didn't score anything last night." Yuffie yawned as she tossed her magazine aside and turned on the TV. "Wait….it'll be 7 o'clock in thirty minutes!"

What?" Tifa threw her eyes to the clock. She'd completely lost track of time and she wasn't even ready yet! "Oh no!"

Tifa ran to her bedroom and ran a damp cloth over her skin to freshen up then spayed on some perfume. She then threw on her dress and tossed her still curly hair up into a French twist and slipped into her shoes. She observed herself in the mirror and decided she needed a little make-up. She quickly patted her face with powder and brushed on some brown eye-shadow. She glossed her lips with some clear plumping gloss and then stepped back. She felt she looked alright, she felt her heart pounded in her chest the way it did when Cloud left, only this time it pounded with rapture instead of regret. She then rushed down the stairs and grabbed her clutch purse off the bar where she'd left it the night before. Glancing at the clock it was just going on 7:00 and she trembled in excitement. She sat down next to Yuffie at the table and watched the TV, though she had no interest in the program. Then there was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it!" Yuffie dash for the door before Tifa could stop her and opened it up to Caligo Nocturnus.

"I'm here to pick up, Miss Tifa Lockheart." His sensuous voice resonated through the entry.

"Tifa! Your date is here!" Yuffie teased playfully as she turned back to Caligo. "I'm Yuffie Kisuragi by the way."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Caligo –"

"Thanks Yuffie." Tifa muttered as she went to the door. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, have a great time!" The girl called as she closed the door behind them.

Damn it…damn it…damn it… Cloud muttered under his breath as he hung in the black abyss. How could I let this happen…how could I be so stupid as to think she'd be safe? Even if I leave, he'll still find her. And the children…what if he finds the children? Alarm struck him and he began to panic, Tifa was strong enough to fight if she had to, but Denzel and Marlene...Cloud couldn't handle it. He couldn't feel his body, but he had to fight it. If running away couldn't protect them, then he'd fight for his own self-control and take down the Nightmare once again.

I can feel you struggling…you can't fight me, you're too weak.

I will defeat you!

You can try…

"...Are you alright, Caligo?" Tifa asked. She was admiring the bouquet of roses he'd given her.

Caligo's elegant fingers slid across the steering wheel of his sleek black car. "I'm fine, Tifa. I was just thinking about something." He smiled at her.

"About what?"

"Where I'm taking you. I thought I'd take you to a nice restaurant, but I thought a quieter date would be nice."

The car sped along the highway; the engine only whispered its presence. Tifa admired the leather interior and the shining green dash lights. She'd wanted a car like this; Cloud had promised he'd try to save up for it, but he was never able to with their meager incomes. Cloud had promised to give her a diamond engagement ring, he'd promised a bunch of roses; but he couldn't even keep something so simple. Flowers were kind of expensive since they had to be imported to Midgar, but even Cloud could afford them. He never gave her anything she wanted, not even kisses. A tear rolled down her cheek as she stared down at the roses in her lap. She was so caught up in her regrets over Cloud that she didn't even notice the car come to a stop, or the hand that wiped away the moisture on her cheek.

"Why are you crying, Tifa?" His voice was velvet.

She sniffed and looked away from him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry…"

"It's alright, I understand. Come, let's go inside." He got out of the car and came around to her side, opening her door. Such a gentleman, Cloud never did that.

She looked up to see an enormous upscale apartment building. It took her breath away. He led her inside and up the elevator to his penthouse apartment. His apartment was even more beautiful. Hardwood floors stained deep cherry, matching ornate crown molding, cream walls, red velvet draperies, a crystal chandelier, and sleek white furniture made up his home. Tifa was in awe. She'd never seen anything so luxurious in her life.

"Welcome to my home." Caligo went to the kitchen and returned with a crystal vase. "Here, put your flowers in here. You may take this vase home with you."

"Thank you so much." Tifa accepted the gift and placed the full vase on the coffee table. "You're house is so beautiful."

He grinned. "Suitable accommodations for one such as yourself."

"I'm flattered." Tifa blushed. Caligo really knew the right things to say.

"Forgive me for bringing you to my private abode so soon, but I thought having dinner here would allow us time to get to better acquainted."

"It's alright." Tifa's attention was caught the amazing view out the window. The city beneath her glittered like starlight, and forgot out the troubles in her mind. She sighed wistfully, thinking about how luck really was on her side. She was in a lovely apartment, with a gorgeous man – it didn't hurt that he was rich – and she felt like a queen. Caligo approached her carefully, taking hold of her from behind like he did in the club the night before. She turned around to face him.

"Tifa, can I ask you something?" His velvety voice echoed all around her. She said nothing, only smiled and turned her eyes to his. "I know we only just met yesterday…but…will you be my girlfriend?"

Tifa closed her eyes and rested her cheek on his shoulder. They embraced amorously and held each other for an eternity. It had only been a little more than a week since Cloud ran out on her, and already she felt that she'd met the right man. He was perfect. The world was quiet now so she was through with battle. She needed a lover, not a warrior. She needed a man that would care for her and her children, and Caligo was just such a man. Perfect. There were no other words left to describe him. She couldn't contain the attraction she had to him; it was like he was an angel come to answer her prayers. Perhaps, Cloud was meant to abandon her, perhaps she was meant to meet Caligo.