tensions run high


authors note: i enjoy torturing my two poor main characters a bit too much. on with the show...

disclaimer: see chapters 2 & 3. i dun wanna keep typing and retyping this thing over and over.

"Strife..." Cid said unfeelingly, half of him grateful for Cloud's generosity... but the other half, the main half of him wanted to beat the shit out of him for hurting Tifa and for stringing her along for so long

"Highwind." Cloud grinned and held out his tone. Cid clasped his hand in his for the obligatory handshake, his eyes saying way more then words ever could. This wasn't the time or the place... but Planet be damned, sooner or later, Cid would have his say.

Reeve cleared his throat, noticing the lingering stare billowing between the two men. "Ahhh - gentlemen, the banquet should be starting soon. Why don't we head over now?"

Cid grunted his assent and Cloud nodded, blonde mane bobbing.

"After you." Cid stepped aside to let Cloud and Reeve go first as he brought up the rear.

He fleetingly thought of Tifa then and how she would take Cloud's sudden arrival and pondered yanking Cloud up by his collar and telling him to take his gil and shove it. His fists clenched into a white knuckled vise before he brushed a clammy hand across his face, fingers tugging all the all-too-tight bowtie.

What the hell have I gotten myself into...?

"May I have the pleasure of escorting you lovely ladies inside?" Barrett held out both of his arms and wriggled his brows suggestively.

Yuffie rolled her eyes, muttered; "Gawd;" but took one arm, and Tifa threw Barrett a sidelong glance before taking his other arm.

The banquet area was flanked by more large slender, marble pillars, ivy and rich flowers trailed up each pillar and ended in a large leafy, floral arrangement. Crystal candeliars hung from the ceiling. Each table was decorated with a silk tablecloth, ornate napkins and sterling silver napkin rings.

The silverware gleamed around each stunning centerpiece filled with fragrant flowers and splashes of color. By each placecard was a wineglass with the name etched into the flute. In back of all the tables was a stage, where a rich wood podium was placed in the middle. The podium had the ShinRa logo on it.

Barrett let out a low whistle. "Damn. Look at these digs..."

Tifa was busy admiring flowers, her nose sniffing the air every so often, catching the aroma of the food as well as the flowers fresh scent.

Yuffie's eyes were drinking in all the glinting silver.

Barrett wordlessly led them to their table and pulled out their chairs for them.

Tifa smiled and sat, patting his arm. "Quite the gentleman."

He scoffed and Yuffie grinned.

"I'll be back..." And then Barrett was gone in a shuffling of footsteps.

"Pretty, ain't it?" Yuffie muttered.

Tifa nodded, eyes wide as she struggled to see and smell it all. "I know. It's amazing..."

Yuffie shifted in her seat, brushed some loose strands of hair out of her face. "Teefsters, do you know who else is gunna be here?"

She thought for a moment, and shrugged. "I don't know, Yuff. I'm thinking just me you, Barrett and Cid, I'm not sure about anyone else." Tifa rubbed at the back of her neck for all the hairs on the back of it stood up. A shiver, a chill went through her and her head jerked around, but of course, she saw no one.

Yuffie placed a hand on her arm and Tifa nearly fell out of her chair, her nerves were apparently so on edge. "Tifa, you all right?"

Tifa nodded, picking up the glass of ice water on the table and taking a long sip. "I'm fine, Yuffie." She instantly reasurred, but her brain was clamouring. It felt like someone was... staring at me...

After all this time... His eyes were riveted to Tifa, who he saw rub her neck and look around hastily before resuming her conversation with Yuffie. Cloud's gaze fell on his childhood friend, no less elegant and poised then he remembered her. But their last meeting had been so... unpleasant. The last thing he remembered before he left Kalm was Tifa's eyes filled with tears, silently pleading with him to stay.

He looked down, sipped his wine. "... That's our table?" Cloud asked from his position standing by the pillar.

Reeve nodded, from his place in between the two blondes. That way, he felt, in case Cid said something crass which could offend Cloud, he could, quite literally, be between them to prevent any mishaps.

Cid was staring off into space, hands jabbed in his pockets, face blank, but inwardly, it felt like his insides were on fire. He wanted to stride over to Tifa, to warn her, to tell her that Cloud was here... he didn't want her to be hurt, not after he had felt - and seen - the warmth of her smile again.

Reeve sighed, cleared his throat. "Shall we go over and sit?"

Cloud placed his empty flute on a passing waiter's tray and started out towards the table.

Reeve and Cid exchanged a long, meaningful glance as they both watched Cloud stride over.

He held up his hand before Reeve could open his mouth. "Dammit, Reeve, don't even fucken ask." And he moved to follow Cloud.

His brow furrowed as he swallowed, his steps trailing along after Strife and the Pilot.

Tifa felt the warm breath swirling around her ear even before she heard - and felt - the voice, curling around her senses as it whispered deeply, breathily. "You look amazing, Tifa." The voice made her toes curl happily and a smile broke her face because she thought it was Cid.

She looked to Yuffie, then, into her rainstorm colored orbs which were now wide as saucers. Yuffie's expression put Tifa on alert, but she still assumed it was Cid, but when she looked up, and gasped.

Blue eyes glinted with just a hint of emerald green shined back at her, suffused with warmth. Highwind? No, his eyes were more the blue of the sky rather then... but her senses were still confused, and she could not hide the open shock that took to her face just then.

"Ci -" Her quick and hasty exhalation she changed to - "Cloud?" Her voice was rent with equal measure of sorrow and disbelief. Suddenly, the room felt cold, and she felt raw, and so, so exposed. Tifa wrapped her arms around herself. What is he doing here?

He grabbed at her hands, untucking them from around herself and squeezed them.

Cid wanted to throttle the man, but he stayed a distance behind the blond, waiting, face speaking volumes at his distaste.

"Tifa." Cloud kissed her hands and it was only when Yuffie "ahemed" was when her mind and voice kicked in.

"Um... you... when did you get back?" Was her first question, her voice came out strained. It cracked. Tifa hated how weak she sounded.

He tapped a slender finger to his chin, as if thinking. "About a week ago."

Her brow furrowed. "Cloud, what..."

"I decided I would come, I am a donater to the Space Program after all..." Cloud mentioned, and Tifa nodded, body acting mindlessly.

.So much had changed since Cloud had sealed his Fate and strode from her bar, that day, her heart had been broken... Space Program.. Cid... the Bar... the gin and the kiss... So many different memories and feelings swirled in her head as she struggled to retain normalcy.

Tifa swallowed, her mouth was suddenly dry. "When did you get here at the Gala?"

"Been here for an hour, or so." Cloud squeezed her hands again, his eyes roaming over her face, absorbing every dip, every line.

Her mouth tightened and her gaze instantly whipped around Cloud to land on Cid.

Cid's jaw tightened and he stepped forward. Don't twist this Lockheart... it ain't what you think...

"You knew?" Two words, and Tifa laced them which such syrupy venom that Cid visably flenched.

The Pilot didn't omit a word. He didn't have to. The answer plainly read in his face, shone in his eyes.

Tifa wrenched her hands from Cloud's trembling hands finding her purse, latching on hard before she backpedaled.

"If you'll excuse me... I need some air." Her voice was no less icy then the drafts which circled around Icicle Village.

Cloud cleared his throat, his face belying his apparent confusion.

Reeve tapped his foot, looked to Cid, whose gaze was elsewhere.

Yuffie sighed, looked down, shifted in her chair. "... gawd..." She whispered, wanting to move but finding that she didn't have the capacity.

The only sound then was all the talking people, which melded into background noise, and the insessant tapping of Cid's foot as he warred within himself. To go, or not... "Goddammit all to hell..." Cid muttered then, tearing off like a shot after her, his eyes riveted to the crimson of her dress, which stuck out sorely amiss all the sea of white and black...

Cloud looked to Reeve. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen."

Yuffie's face shot up then, her normally happy and light eyes hard and stiff. "Reeve ain't the one you should be apologizin' to."

Cloud shot her look.

Reeve looked guilty, for some odd reason.

Yuffie Kisaragi got up and sighed, mumbling under her breath, deciding a walk would clear her mind until the drama played out.