Disclaimer: No own...

Chapter Warning: Yes! And Again, nothing to warn about. By the way, just in case you didn't understand, all the Him, with the captial H is referring to a certain long haired crazy person we all love.

Chapter 6: It's Enough to Know You're Okay.

Vincent narrowed his eyes as he arrived at the front door of 7th Heaven. He saw the lights on inside but a note stuck on the door indicated it was closed until further notice. He made a promise to Cloud and he was keeping it. Without knocking, Vincent pushed the doors open, noticing they weren't locked. Tifa was slumped over the bar with a half empty bottle of clear liquid next to her. He could smell the alcohol.

She stirred and pull her head off the counter.

"We're closed." She murmured and dropped her head back down. He walked over, lifted her up and carried her to her room. He didn't want to but knew he should stay the night and keep an eye on her. Tifa had struggled weakly against him but quietened down and fell into a dreamless sleep.

She woke at the first light and groaned. Her head was hurting from all the drinking she's been doing over the last few days. Out the corner of her eye, Tifa saw the crimson cape then the blood eyes that was watching her. Vincent. Tifa sat up weakly and looked at mystery man.

"You shouldn't drink so much."

"Well you shouldn't be so much of a social recluse." She retorted but was suddenly ashamed of her reply. Vincent didn't need her lecturing. He stood up, unfazed by her comment and headed for the door.

"You know where he is, don't you!" He stopped and half turned his head. Tifa was looking worn and pale but hurt was the most prominent.

"Does that really matter?"

"Yes, it does! Tell me where he's gone."

"I can't."

"Tell me Vincent. I just need to know." Vincent Valentine looked hard into the girl in front of him. He knew the devotion she had for Cloud, it was the same devotion he had once for Lucretia. He couldn't leave her not knowing. Besides, he never promised Cloud not to tell her where he was.

"He's in Costa del Sol. You should get some sleep." He left without turning around again. He could hear her sobbing quietly in the room.

"Niisan." Kadaj shook the sleeping body gently. He didn't like being away from Cloud, especially not at night. He didn't want to dream about her. Cloud stirred and woke. He was a light sleeper, a habit developed since the old days as a Shinra grunt.

"Nightmares again?"

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" Kadaj pleaded. Cloud debated in his head but he was too tired to bother and shifted to the side of the bed. Kadaj crawled in, wearing the same old shorts he had been given from day one and curled up close to him. Don't think, just sleep. Cloud told himself, this was bringing back too much memories.

"Ne, Niisan. Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Did you… You loved Him, didn't you?" Cloud blinked away the sleep and processed the question. Kadaj was referring to Him, wasn't he. So did he? He was sure about the answer at some point but too much has happened to make him doubt. No, he never doubted his own feelings, he was only doubting His feeling about himself.

"Yes. I did, once."

"Do I remind you of Him?"

"You're you, Kadaj. He was someone else. Don't think about it, just sleep." Cloud turned around and closed his eyes. But sleep wasn't forthcoming anymore. His thoughts were filled with His face and His touch. Get it out of your head, Cloud.

They've been here for three days and Costa del Sol was good. Kadaj had taken on a sudden liking for buying things. Shopping was tiring as it is, but trailing behind a hyperactive brat prone to psychotic episodes were even worse. But Cloud allowed himself to be dragged around the busy shopping strip, it was time for them to stop looking like wannabe twins.

Anyway, the tiring trips to the shops allowed him to sleep without the endless dreams. He woke up groggily and rubbed his eyes. They had moved another bed into his room, Kadaj insisted on sleeping in the same room as him, well the same bed actually, but Cloud couldn't handle the idea at the moment.

A loud knock came from the front door. He looked around the room, Kadaj must have gone out and forgot to take the keys. He rubbed his face and padded to the front door.

"Haven't you learned to take the keys yet?" he said as he opened up the door. Tifa, not his brat, stood in front of him. She had dark circles under red eyes, carrying a bag in her hand.

"Tifa." He muttered, almost to himself. She didn't say a word. Tifa dropped her bag and pulled him into a hug. He felt the warmth of her tears on his neck, her body shuddered in silent sobs. He asked her to forgive him in his mind and knew she would regardless. Tifa pulled away and smiled through her tears.

"I just needed to know if you were okay. To see for myself." She wiped at the tears on her face and smiled again.

"Tifa."

"I can see you're okay. That's good, I just wanted to see." She picked up her bag and took a step back.

"Goodbye, Cloud."

"Tifa." She turned and stepped into the sun. Her thick brown hair shone in the bright light.

"Tifa! Wait!" Cloud reached out and pulled her back.

"I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye. But I'm not running away." She looked at him and nodded.

"I know."

"Stay, at least for tonight." Tifa hesitated, looking at her shoes. Behind her, Kadaj bounced up with an armful of bags. He stopped when he saw her standing at the door and shuffled across.

"Tifa?" She turned around and smiled. Kadaj could see the fresh tears on her cheeks.

"Tifa." Niisan was pleading. Had it been any other time, Kadaj would have stared at his Niisan's bare chest but somehow, it didn't feel right with Tifa standing right there. He knew she had come for the longing she felt inside. Niisan wants her to stay. It'll make him happy. He grabbed her bag and pushed her into the house.