Warnings: Just cursing.

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Knight in Shining Armor

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"Cloud is here," Yuffie said, making Tifa look up from where she had been lacing up her boots after having changed her uniform.

"Thanks," she said with a faint smile. She noticed the look on Yuffie's face. "What's going on?" Tifa asked with a frown.

Yuffie debated on whether or not to tell her that Zack had been there just a few moments before and that he had met Cloud. "Nothing," she muttered after a moment. "You better tell Aerith and me everything you and Cloud talk about once you come back."

"No guarantees," Tifa said with a grin, walking towards the front of the café. She smiled pleasantly when her eyes landed on Cloud, who was sitting with Vincent and chatting quietly. "Hi, Cloud," she said.

Cloud looked up and nodded. "Hey, Tifa. Want to go?"

Tifa nodded and she waved at both Vincent and Yuffie before she walked out of the café with Cloud. They walked along the street in silence for a long moment, until Cloud was the one who broke it. "I'm sorry I didn't keep in touch. I didn't know how much I had hurt you with our break-up and I just wanted to give you time," he said.

Tifa nodded. "I understand, though I am a little mad because you promised that we would stay friends. What's this I hear about you dating?" she asked, forcing a cheerful smile.

Cloud shrugged. "It's only that, dating. I'm not looking for any serious relationships. I want to focus on my scholarship and girls tend to distract," he said with a small grin.

Tifa smiled. "I'm not mad anymore, Cloud. You can go back in peace. I'm not heartbroken, or bitter. For a moment though, a while back, I thought I would be. But then... then I..."

"You what?" he asked curiously. Tifa didn't reply. "You met someone?"

She looked at him, her mahogany eyes apprehensive. "Yes," she said after a moment. "He was there when you called yesterday."

Cloud frowned. "I hope I didn't cause you any problems. Did I?"

Tifa shook her head, not willing to divulge the fact that she and Zack had had their first falling out. "No. He even insisted I come talk to you."

"Well... that speaks well of him," Cloud murmured. At Tifa's questioning look, he shrugged. "That means he trusts you enough to let you spend an afternoon with your ex-boyfriend."

Now that he said it, Tifa wondered if she had acted unfairly with Zack. "Would you have let your girlfriend talk to her ex-boyfriend without feeling anything?" she asked curiously.

"We all think differently, Teef. I mean, of course I would've been jealous. That's a given. Still, it means that he wants to trust you enough to let you do your own thing," Cloud replied.

Tifa smiled and shook her head. "And here I thought that he didn't care."

"You really like this guy?" Cloud asked, feeling a funny jumping in his chest.

Tifa looked at him, into those beautiful blue eyes that she had thought she wouldn't be able to live without, and nodded. "Does it bother you?" she asked softly, as they came across a small Mideel style restaurant.

Cloud looked at her from across the table as they sat and shrugged. "I think that a part of me will always feel the same for you, but at the same time, I want you to be happy. That same part knows that your happiness isn't with me," he said.

Tifa sighed and squeezed his hands in hers before smiling. "Tell me about school," she said.

Cloud grinned and nodded. He was glad to see that she was okay. His main concern had always been that he had hurt her too much that they couldn't remain friends. But seeing her now, watching her smile and laugh the way she had back when they had been together, he could return to school in peace. Tifa was happy and moving on, and though a part of him still loved her, he was willing to move on if she did as well. Judging by the way she talked about her current guy interest, Cloud knew she was moving on well and truly and he wished her the best.

After lunch, they took a walk in the park where Tifa had met Zack for the first time, and she found her thoughts drifting to him as Cloud stared out ahead of them silently. He never had been big on words. She let out a long sigh and stopped when Cloud set a hand against her elbow. "Are we okay?" he asked her quietly, gazing intently into her maroon colored eyes.

Tifa nodded and moved forward to wrap her arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I think we are. I thought... for a moment I thought that I would never be able to get over you, but... I'm okay, Cloud. I think a part of me will always love you for being the first man in my life, but I'll move on, and I'll find someone to be happy with."

Cloud gave her a squeeze and nodded. "Thanks," he murmured.

"That's not to say that I wasn't mad that you hadn't called. This time, I'll go down to Costa and I'll kick your ass in front of all of your friends down there," Tifa said as she drew away from him, a smirk on her face.

Cloud had already been privy to how good she could fight and he wasn't in the mood to get his ass handed to him at any time. "I promise I'll call more," he said with a grin.

Tifa nodded and ruffled his spikes affectionately. "Take care of yourself Cloud."

He nodded once. "It was nice seeing you, Teef. I hope you find happiness with this guy," he said honestly. "Would you like me to walk you back to your job?"

She shook her head. "No, thank you. I think I'm going to talk a stroll around the park. It's been a while since I just walked for fun. Remember now, you promised to call me, okay?"

"I will," he said, kissing her forehead. "Goodbye, Tifa," he said before turning to walk away.

She only caught a glimpse of his bright blue eyes and Tifa smiled. "Goodbye, Cloud," she whispered to herself. They had their closure, and it hadn't hurt as much as Tifa had expected.

"That's all we talked about," Tifa said as she refilled a glass of wine for her two friends and for herself. "He didn't come back to start things up with me again, or to tell me that he had found someone else. He wanted us to make peace, and to make sure that I was happy."

Yuffie sighed and sat back. "Well, that's good to hear," she said, taking a sip of wine.

"That's very sweet of him," Aerith said. She turned to their shorter friend. "Tell her, Yuffie."

"Tell me what?" Tifa asked quizzically.

"Well, at the café, right before Cloud arrived, Zack was there. He met Cloud before he walked out, saying that he'd talk to you later. I think he didn't much like Cloud," Yuffie said.

"How come you didn't tell me this before?" Tifa asked with a frown as Yuffie shrugged. "Did he and Zack talk? Did Zack look mad?"

Yuffie shook her head. "They didn't talk. Zack barely even gave him the time of day before leaving, though he wasn't rude either. Then Zack said he'd catch you later, and he left."

Tifa frowned and sipped her wine. "He hasn't called me to see what happened, or to let me know that he wants to see me."

"Didn't you mention that he would be busy with his missions for a while?" Aerith asked.

The maroon eyed woman nodded once. "That's what he said, or maybe he was trying to avoid me for a few days. I swear I'll kick his ass from here to Icicle Town if he's avoiding me," Tifa threatened.

"Does this mean that you really do like him?" Yuffie asked.

Tifa sat back against her squishy couch and nodded. "I do like him. It's just that... the whole situation with Cloud threw me off a little and I seriously thought that Zack didn't care whether I saw him again or not," she said quietly.

Aerith patted her arm and sighed. "Well... how about we pay him a visit to see if you two can talk?" she questioned with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah, and you can confirm if he's really working on his missions or just avoiding you," Yuffie added.

"Yuffie, stop putting ideas into her head," Aerith said.

"The ideas are already in my head. Yuffie doesn't need to put them there," Tifa muttered. "You'll both go with me tomorrow?"

"No can do," said Yuffie. "Sorry Teef, but all this week I'm going to work the morning shift at the café so that I can have my evenings off."

"Ooh, changing your plans for Vincent?" Tifa asked with a smile. "He's really handsome up close. You'll have to bring him over for dinner one of these nights."

Yuffie gave them both a speculative look. "Not if you don't promise to not harass him with questions. I'm spending more and more time with him, and I think I'd be able to easily fall in love with him," she said with a grin.

"All the more reason for him to meet us. You're like our baby sister and we want to take care of you," Aerith said with a nod.

"But I know you guys, you'll end up embarrassing me and scaring him away!" Yuffie whined.

"No we won't," Aerith said, standing and taking their dishes towards her kitchen.

Tifa and Yuffie followed with their glasses and other things that Aerith had used to cook their weekly dinner together. "We just have to find Aerith a man too. Oh, and I have to find out if Zack hasn't decided to blow me off," said Tifa with a huff.

"I bet he hasn't. He seems like he really likes you, and he doesn't appear to be the kind of man that gives up on a girl he likes," said Aerith. "And I don't need a man."

"Yes you do," both her friends replied in unison.

Aerith turned, her hands planted on her hips. "You two better not start with that whole blind date thing!" she exclaimed.

Yuffie snickered and Tifa smiled. "We wouldn't dream it," said Yuffie.

"Maybe we'll find you a nice SOLDIER," Tifa said. "Zack's friend, Angeal, is very handsome. I met him a few weeks ago and he even helped me snuck up to see Zack the last time I was there. I bet he's a good guy."

Aerith was not amused and her green eyes flashed in annoyance. "I don't need a man. I am a happily single woman," she said with a small laugh.

"Why don't we go dancing?" Yuffie asked eagerly.

Tifa gave Aerith a questioning look and the brunette nodded. "Okay, but we need to limit our drinks. I don't need a hangover if I'm going to visit Zack tomorrow," said Tifa.

"Yay!" Yuffie said, pulling them both into a hug. "It's been a while since we went out to have fun. Party all night!"

Aerith gave Tifa a dubious look and they both shrugged before walking off to start to get ready for a girls night out.

……

"This was a bad idea," said Tifa. "I would've preferred a few hours of sleep."

"You're only saying that because I think you're still a little drunk," Aerith said, yawning. "Besides, you look pretty the way you're dressed."

"I'm going to kill Yuffie for keeping us up all night," Tifa said as they entered the Shinra building, still dressed in their club clothes and after having stayed up all night.

Tifa just shook her head and walked towards the desk where two receptionists were answering phone calls and greeting the guests. "Good morning," she forced out, trying not to yawn.

"Good morning Miss, welcome to the Shinra building. How can I help you?" asked one of the women.

"I'm here to see SOLDIER First Class Zack Fair," Tifa said, hoping that they didn't deny him or tell her that he was out of the city.

"May I ask who wants to see him?" asked the woman, looking at her. Her eyes widened as she got a good look at Tifa and her smile wilted a little. "Oh… you're Mr. Fair's girlfriend," she said.

Tifa and Aerith shared a look, but Tifa decided not to correct the woman and let her know that she really wasn't Zack's girlfriend. "Yeah," she said evasively. "Can you tell me if he's here?"

The woman gave her a suspicious look. "Wouldn't you know if he was out on a mission?" she asked.

The lack of sleep was making her short tempered and Tifa let out a slow breath. "How would you like it if I were to tell Zack that you were asking me nosy questions instead of helping me? Obviously you like him, otherwise you wouldn't know who I am," she nearly snapped.

Aerith patted Tifa's arm and pushed her so that she could have some space to vent on her own. She turned to the receptionist and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Miss. My friend is a little tired because we were up all night. I assure you that she's a really nice person. Now, can you please inform Zack that Tifa is here to see him?" she asked politely.

The woman still looked put out, but she nodded and couldn't really take out her anger on Aerith when she was being so polite. "Why don't you both take a seat? I'll contact Mr. Fair. It says here that he just arrived from a mission," she said.

"Thank you," Aerith said, smiling before walking towards Tifa. She let out a small grunt when she collided with something solid and warm, dropping her purse and a pretty flower she had bought from a vendor outside and that she had been holding loosely in her hand. Looking up at the impossibly tall man, she recognized him almost instantly. "Sorry," she apologized softly, blinking and holding his gaze.

Sephiroth watched her kneel and was drawn by her eyes, forcing his body to kneel and help her pick up what she had dropped. She was blushing, and it was the first time that the act appeared genuine and endearing to him at the same time. From a small distance, he heard a voice clearing and realized that it was another woman, watching them pointedly.

Aerith thanked him, though he hadn't helped pick anything that had fallen, aside from the flower, and stood. Sephiroth stood to his full sight and quietly handed over the yellow flower in his hand. Tifa approached them and effectively popped the bubble that had seemed to cover both Aerith and Sephiroth as they watched each other.

"Seph?" asked a new voice from behind them.

All three turned to look at Zack and he looked at them curiously, his eyes finally landing on Tifa. He looked at her from head to toe and wondered if she had deliberately dressed in those formfitting jeans, high heels, and a shirt that fell off of one shoulder. He'd never seen her dressed that way, and neither had he seen her glare at him that way either. He turned to Sephiroth and smirked when he noticed that the General hadn't stopped looking at Tifa's friend. "Sephiroth, this is Aerith. Aerith, this is Sephiroth," he introduced them when no one else spoke.

"It's nice to meet you," Aerith said, offering her hand.

Sephiroth gazed at her slim hand for a second before taking it in his and giving it one squeeze. "I must go," he said, looking at Zack and then at Tifa.

"Right," Zack said with a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Don't be a stranger, Seph."

Sephiroth nodded at them once and then turned his eyes briefly to Aerith before he walked away and towards the elevators. Tifa grinned to herself when she noticed the look on Aerith's face. She stepped up behind her friend and snorted. "You don't want a man, huh?" she asked smugly.

Aerith gave her a flat look and then noticed that Zack was watching Tifa and trying to look inconspicuous about it. "I think the two of you need to talk. I'm going to have breakfast at the café down the street and I'll wait for an hour. Then I'm going home, okay, Tifa?" she asked with a smile.

Tifa nodded and gave her arm a squeeze before Aerith walked away and left her alone with Zack. He was still dressed in his uniform and he looked a bit tired. "Do you have a moment?" she asked.

Zack nodded. "Come on, I'll sneak you to my room," he said, motioning to the stairs that led up to the elevators. Once he was sure that none of his superiors were around to see him, they got into an empty elevator. The ride up was silent and Zack wondered if Tifa would be the first to talk or if it would be up to him. When the doors opened, he looked around and spotted no one once more as he walked with Tifa towards his room on the SOLDIER floor. He flipped on the flights and motioned her in. "Sorry it's a mess right now, but I wasn't expecting you to come over here," he said awkwardly.

Tifa took a look around his room and realized that though it wasn't much like an apartment, he still had his own space since he was a First Class. It was all just one big room with his bed, a table with two chairs in the corner, and two doors that led off most likely to a closet and a bathroom. There was a flat screen TV opposite his bed, and only a lamp and a phone charger sitting on a nightstand beside his bed.

The inside of the room was almost sterile looking, though the effect was ruined by a few strewn uniforms, a shirt, and a few empty cartons of take-out sitting on the table in the corner. She stood in the center of his room and turned to look back at him. "I… I know that you were at the café yesterday when Cloud showed up."

Zack sighed and nodded, running a hand through his hair tiredly. "I didn't call you last night because I left for a mission as soon as I returned here yesterday," he said in a low tone.

She sighed and looked at him. "Are you sure that's why? Or were you trying to avoid me?" she asked him, getting right to the point.

Zack shook his head. "Of course I wasn't trying to avoid you! I was… I was just giving you time."

"Time to what? Decide whether I wanted Cloud more than I did you?" Tifa asked him angrily. She nearly marched up to him and jabbed him in the chest with each of her words. "You don't get to decide that!"

Zack gripped her wrist and looked her in the eye. "I wasn't trying to decide for you. I just wanted you to make sure that you wanted to be with me. Because if you want to be with me, know that I will not share you with any of your exes," he said quietly, staring into her challenging glare.

"What would you have done if I had decided to get back with him?" Tifa asked him curiously.

"I would've kicked his ass and then kidnapped you to show you that I wouldn't be so easily forgotten," he said, a smirk pulling at his lips.

Tifa didn't know what to make of the fact that he was joking about it all now. Did that mean that they weren't mad at each other anymore? Because she was certainly still mad that he had just assumed that she would throw everything between them away to go back to her ex. She snatched her hand from his and turned to pace around his living space. "I… geez… this is so embarrassing. I really like you," she said, noticing the way his face brightened. "We met under some really weird circumstances, but it was a unique way. I thought that after Cloud, I wouldn't meet someone so quickly that would make me feel butterflies in my stomach…" she trailed off.

Zack smiled when he noticed that she was blushing. "Same here," he said, pointing at his stomach.

Tifa managed a smile. "I just… I got angry because you were acting weird and as if you didn't care when Cloud called to see me. I thought it didn't matter to you that I was seeing my ex-boyfriend," she said with a sigh.

Zack took a step towards her and shook his head as he gripped her shoulders. "I did care. I was…" he cleared his throat. "I was beyond jealous, but all I could think about was that this guy had meant a lot to you once upon a time and I wanted you to make sure that you wanted to be with me. I was… giving you the chance to decide, even when it was killing me inside."

Tifa shook her head and slid her arms up his, holding his gaze. They both looked so tired, but she knew she had to clear things up with Zack before she left. Otherwise she feared that their budding romance would wilt. "Cloud is just a friend; I will always cherish our memories, but he no longer holds a place in my heart that way. I want to be with you," she said quietly.

He smiled and cupped her face in his hands. "Is that why you dressed this way?" he asked, leering at her.

Tifa let out a laugh and shook her head. "Yuffie convinced Aerith and me to go dancing last night. I haven't gotten any sleep," she said. As if on cue, she muffled a yawn.

Zack wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "I want to be with you too," he said, rubbing back her hair and kissing her forehead. "And if it's any consolation, I haven't gotten any sleep either," he said with a faint chuckle.

Tifa drew back and gave him a critical look. "I shouldn't have come here so early. We're both so tired," she murmured.

"I have all day off, so I'm going to catch up on my sleep," Zack said, brushing his lips against hers.

Tifa smiled. "I should go," she said.

"But I don't want you to go," he said in a whine. His eye began to shine mischievously. "Why don't you stay here?"

Tifa gave him a look. "Here? Alone with you?"

"It's not like I'm going to take advantage of you," he said with smirk. "Unless you want me to, of course." Tifa smiled and he sighed and shook his head. "I meant just to sleep. We're both tired and there's no point in you leaving when sleep is only a few steps away," he said, motioning towards the bed.

Tifa bit her lip and thought about it for a moment. She looked at Zack as he sat on the edge of his bed and pulled off his boots and then his belt. Where was the harm in only sleeping? She was very much tired and wanted nothing more than to just rest her eyes and feet. Having Zack nearby to use as a pillow was an added bonus. She toed off her high heels and pulled the pins from her hair, letting down the one side of the dark strands that had been held up. She noticed Zack releasing a big sigh and smiled to herself. He looked completely cute, sitting slumped and looking sleepy. She walked over to him and ran her fingers through his hair, gently scratching his scalp. Zack smiled and closed his eyes, letting out a sound that sounded suspiciously like a purr.

Tifa leaned forward and caressed his lips with hers, waiting patiently until his lips parted and allowed her access. She slanted her mouth against his and well and truly kissed him, tasting him slowly, languidly. Zack groaned and his hands moved to her hips, squeezing. She moved back and smirked at the dazed look on his face. Zack shook his head and stood. "I think I need to shower before we can get some sleep."

She laughed. "I didn't think the kiss was that big of a deal," she muttered.

Zack kissed her again. "Don't ever underestimate your kisses," he said, pulling his shirt over his head and feeling his ego swell as her eyes roamed his chest. "I was off battling monsters in the outskirts of Midgar. I smell, sweetheart," he explained. "Make yourself at home. I'll be out in a few," he said before walking into his bathroom and shutting the door.

Tifa sighed to herself and crawled onto his soft bed, feeling the exhaustion creeping in on her more heavily than before. She wanted to stay awake and wait for him, but almost as soon as her head hit his pillow, she was fast asleep. Nearly ten minutes later, Zack stepped out of the bathroom and noticed that Tifa was sleeping peacefully. He dried off his spikes as best he could and then crawled into bed, settling on his side so that he could watch Tifa sleep. She looked almost angelic, with her long, dark lashes resting against her cheeks. One of her hands was resting near her face, the other on her stomach. He reached a hand up and caressed her cheek, smirking as a small smile slipped onto her face.

"Hmm… you don't smell anymore," Tifa murmured sleepily.

Zack chuckled and nodded. "Yeah," he said, welcoming her into his arms when she moved towards him and laid her head on his chest. "Was it just me or did I see your friend eyeing Sephiroth?" he asked, blinking sleepily.

Tifa smiled and nodded, her eyes closed. "There was some definite interest there. I think we need to play cupid."

"Hmm… Seph will hang me from the top of this building," he murmured, rubbing Tifa's back.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you," she said with a faint giggle.

Zack kissed her forehead and nodded. "My princess in shining armor," he murmured, trailing off as sleep drew him under its blanket.

………

"I love Christmas," Yuffie exclaimed as she and Tifa began to put up some decorations in the café for the upcoming holiday.

Tifa smiled and nodded. "The only thing that ruins these days for me is the fact that I can't be with my parents."

"Do you ever wish you could move back to Nibleheim?" Yuffie asked curiously, using a stepladder to put up mistletoe over the threshold of the front door.

Tifa thought about it for a moment and then nodded. "Sometimes, but not as much as I used to back before I met Zack," she replied honestly, taking the ladder from Yuffie and stepping up to place some red ribbons and other things on the walls.

"Aww… you guys are so cute together. You're giving Vince and me a run for our money there," Yuffie said, smiling at some customers as they walked in. "But it doesn't matter because Vincent is so much hotter than Zack."

"Ha! Keep dreaming!" Tifa exclaimed, laughing and turning to look at hr friend. Unfortunately for her, she didn't take in consideration her momentum and she fell backwards.

"Tifa!" Yuffie yelled worriedly.

"Oomph," Tifa grunted, expecting to hit the ground but finding herself held safely in a strong pair of arms. She looked up at her savior and smiled.

"Is it raining beautiful women all of a sudden?" Zack asked, grinning.

"My hero," Tifa replied, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him as he set her on her feet again.

"Seriously, what would happen to you if I didn't come around just in time?" Zack asked as she pulled away.

"I think I'd be in a body cast," Tifa said with a giggle.

Yuffie just shook her head. "And I thought that I was the clumsy one," she muttered, getting the orders for the costumers.

"Ready to go?" he asked Tifa.

"Just let me put up these last few decorations and then we can get out of here," Tifa said, giving him a pleading look.

Zack nodded and let her have her way. Really, what was it about pouting that turned him into a total doormat? "Do you need me to stand near by in case you feel like falling again?" he asked her with a smirk.

Tifa just rolled her eyes at his jab and moved on to finish the decorations. "So… how is operation 'Cupid' going?" she asked with a wink.

He took a seat at a table near her and sighed. "Seph is interested, I can tell, but he's being difficult. He doesn't like getting set up. Still, I told him about his place and I'm almost certain that he'll come by one of these days to try the coffee," he said, stressing his last words.

Tifa smiled and could only hope that she was present the day that Aerith and Sephiroth met again. Her friend had been smitten by one look from the General, and with those eyes, who wouldn't? She smirked to herself.

"Why are you smirking like that?" Zack asked her suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at her.

Tifa shrugged. "Just thinking about something," she said evasively. She could tell that he was probably imagining her thinking about Sephiroth in a way that she shouldn't and it made her giggle. She nearly shrieked when her ladder tipped and she found herself in Zack's arms once more. "Zack!" she hissed, punching him in his arms and shoulders.

"Hey! That hurts," he whined, not releasing her and tightening his arms around her.

Tifa was thankful that the costumers that had come in earlier had asked for their coffees to go, otherwise she would've been very much embarrassed for her and Zack's behavior. She let out a sigh and then grabbed a handful of spikes and brought his head down for a kiss. Zack chuckled against her lips and slowly turned in a circle, adding to their little moment.

"Will you look at that? Such a sweet scene," said a sardonic voice from the door.

Tifa drew away from Zack, recognizing the drawling tone instantly. She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "It's been a while, Reno," she said.

The man with flaming red hair nodded and his nearly aquamarine eyes glinted. "Well, well. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes, Zack," Reno said, noticing the familiarity in which the other two were currently standing.

"You two know each other?" Tifa asked in surprise. She knew they both worked for Shinra, but she hadn't thought that all Turks and SOLDIERs knew each other as well.

"Cissnei sends her regards," Reno replied.

Ah, that was where they knew each other from, Tifa mused. She had known Reno for a while herself, but she couldn't recall ever meeting a young woman with the description that Zack had given to her of Cissnei a while back. "Do you want something to drink?" she asked, trying to break the tension between the two men.

"Yeah, sweet cheeks," he said with a wink, noting the look of displeasure that crossed Zack's face. "Give me two cappuccinos, two espressos, and a green tea."

Tifa nodded and walked off to get his order, also stopping by to let Yuffie know that their mutual flirty friend was visiting. Meanwhile, Zack approached the Turk. "How do you know Tifa?" he asked, going for casual and only half succeeding.

Reno smirked. "Sweet cheeks and I go way back."

"Would you mind not calling her that?" Zack snapped before he could stop himself.

"Hey… no prob," Reno said, holding his hands up in defense. "She and I have been friends since the year she moved out here alone. Been her customer ever since."

"Is that all you've been?" asked Zack in a warning tone.

"Hey… you're the last one who should be asking me about my love life. Especially after you fucked over Cissnei," said Reno calmly.

"That's not what happened. We had a mutual break-up. Besides, isn't it a Turk rule that you don't date outside of your circle? You guys inbreed," Zack said snidely.

"Fuck you," Reno said, chuckling lowly.

"You're not my type," Zack replied, leaning back against the wall and watching Reno carefully as the Turk watched Tifa prepare his order. When she was done, she carried it over, already secured in a paper bag.

Reno paid her far more than he should've and Zack was disturbed when Tifa just shook her head and smiled at him. "See you later sweet che… Tifa," Reno said, eyeing Zack and stopping himself before he uttered his favorite nickname for Tifa.

"You aren't leaving without saying hello to me, are you?" Yuffie asked, nearly running out of the backroom and throwing her arms around the Turk's neck.

Reno grinned. "Now this is the type of welcome I always expect," he said, winking at Tifa.

She merely smiled and looked at Zack, noting that he did not look at all amused. "You should get going or the coffees will get cold with this weather," Tifa said.

Yuffie punched Reno in the shoulder. "You should come around more often. We haven't seen you in a few months," she said.

Reno shrugged. "Don't worry. I promise not to leave my ladies without some Reno love again," he said, winking. "I'll catch you two babes later!" he said before he sauntered out.

Yuffie just grinned at Tifa and walked back towards the counter. "You should be off the clock, Teef," she said.

"I know. I'm done here, so the café is all yours until Annie and Jenna arrive," Tifa said, pulling off her apron. She turned to Zack and smiled. "I'll be right back," she said before walking off towards the backroom to get her things.

"Don't get freaked by the way we handle Reno. We're used to his antics by now," Yuffie said, grabbing a magazine and flipping through the pages. She had seen the look on his face and Yuffie wondered if Reno would cause Tifa problems. Maybe Zack was just too jealous for his own good. Whatever though, Tifa would know how to handle it, Yuffie was sure.

"Right," Zack replied, waiting patiently for Tifa to come back out. When she did, she bid her goodbye to her friend and he did the same before they stepped out into the near freezing winter weather.

Tifa realized that Zack was silent during their walk to her apartment and she had come to know that Zack remaining quiet was strange behavior for him. "Don't tell me you got all weird about Reno," she said slowly.

Zack debated on whether to lie and avoid the discussion that he knew would arise, but he didn't. "A little, yeah," he said, shrugging helplessly.

"Reno has tried hitting and all three of us since the time we've known him. He comes around to do some harmless flirting. Besides, he has too much of a roaming eye for me to really take him seriously," Tifa said, slipping her cooling fingers into his warm hand. "There's no need for you to worry about him," she said with a smile.

"Okay," Zack finally conceded. It still disturbed him to see how close she was to another man, and it made him wonder if they would ever be like that together.

He still remained silent after that and Tifa frowned. She decided to touch a subject that she hadn't wanted to or been interested in before. "When do I get to meet Cissnei?"

Zack nearly tripped over his own feet at her question. "What?"

"You heard me. You've already met Cloud, I think it's only fair for me to meet one of your exes," Tifa said nonchalantly.

Zack just smirked and shook his head. "As interesting as I think it would be, I don't think it would be a good idea. Cissnei is in the past and that's where I would like her to stay, along with Cloud," he added for good measure.

Tifa shrugged and smiled. "Do you want to stay over and keep me warm tonight?" she asked. At the interested look he shot her, Tifa giggled and her cold cheeks turned even more red. "Get your mind out of the gutter," she murmured.

"I'm a guy. My mind is always in the gutter," he said, leaning over to kiss her temple. "Alright. I'll stay on one condition though."

Tifa narrowed her eyes at him. "Which is…?"

"That you cook that lasagna you made last time," he said, his mouth watering just by thinking of the dish. He had never tasted anything more delicious in his life before. Well,excpt for his mother's roast beef. He needed to stop thinking about food and focus on the hot girl hanging onto his arm.

Tifa laughed. "At this rate my cooking is going to make you all pudgy," she said, elbowing him in the stomach.

Zack grunted with a smile, rubbing his middle. "Then I guess I should snag you up right now, before you run for the hills."

Tifa smiled and settled her arm around his waist as his slid around her shoulders. "Maybe you should," she said lightly.

"I know you wanted me to ask at some nice dinner-date or whatever, but it never seemed right. Now it does," he said, stopping her right at the front door of her apartment building. "Tifa, do you want to be my girlfriend?" he asked her with a lopsided smile.

Tifa smiled and nodded. "Of course I do. I was beginning to wonder how long you'd wait," she said.

"I waited til' I was sure you'd say yes without any doubts," Zack replied.

"I don't doubt that I want to be with you," Tifa replied happily. The feeling of happiness and completeness was hard to describe, so with a kiss she showed him instead.

"I feel I must warn you that one of my favorite past-times is eating," Zack said, grinning brightly.

Tifa laughed out loud. "Eating is a hobby of yours?"

He nodded. "I love food," he sad.

Tifa smiled and leaned up to kiss the tip of his nose. "Then it's a good thing for you that one of my hobbies is cooking. Now, come on. I'm freezing cold and I want to cuddle in front of the fireplace."

"Torture me more, why don't you," Zack grumbled before following her. Still, he would never pass up the chance of feeling up the girl who was now his girlfriend. Hopefully it would only be a matter of time before he was feeling up the woman who would become his wife.

Hmm… I could leave things here and allow you to come to your own conclusions, or I could write a couple of more chapters. I really like this fic because it's such a contrast to my other multi-chapter. I still have a few more things in store for this story though, so don't worry, I'm not really thinking of ending it just yet. More fluff and romance up ahead, so stay tuned for that. I want to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter, it made me very very happy to see that this story is being enjoyed.

I will try my best to get out another chapter soon. Before I go though, I have a "Plug Corner." If you're looking for more ZackTifa love, go and read Aveira's "Once Upon a December," which is mainly a SephAerith, but also has ZackTifa goodness. And also there's MsRainey's "After All," which she wrote as a gift fic for me. Both of these fics I love and are written by two talented authors and friends of mine, so check the stories out. They are so worth the time. Thanks for reading and everyone have a good one!

Joey