A/N: I must say - I do love all of you readers! The reviews I got really made me smile! I was on a three-day hiatus - my best friend had her baby! So I went down to spend some time with her in the hospital and see the new babe :] As my apology for making you wait such an atrociously long time, I've posted an extra long chapter, just for all of you! I hope you enjoy, and, as always, review!

I probably should mention that I, in no way, own any part of Final Fantasy VII.


Chamberlain shook me awake. Somehow I had managed to doze off in the same position I had remained in for hours.

"Tifa? Is everything alright?" his voice mirrored his concern. I reluctantly sat up, rubbing my eyes with my fists.

"I think so?" My mind was still groggy from my unplanned nap.

"It's time for dinner! You've been sleeping for some time, Tifa. I checked on you yesterday, after you returned from your walk with Cloud and you were already asleep." Holy crap! I'd slept for a day! "Are you feeling ill?" I shook my head, looking around the room. There was no light coming in through the windows so I gathered it was nighttime. Dinnertime. Time to face Cloud and pretend like I hadn't seen a thing the day before. Chamberlain searched my face for any sign of distress. I threw the covers off me and slid out of the bed, playing the part. Chamberlain watched intently. I picked the dress up from the back of the chair and placed it over my arm.

"Are you sure you're alright? You don't seem one hundred percent," he noticed. I pasted a fake smile on my face.

"Yeah, Chamberlain, I'm fine!" I smoothed my hair down, making a show of pretending to care about my appearance. He arched his eyebrows but otherwise didn't say a thing.

"I'll wait right outside the door. Come out when you've changed. Cloud is waiting in the dining hall for dinner." Chamberlain fixed me with another inquiring look and left the room. I released my pent up breath in a huge whoosh. Chamberlain hadn't been too hard to convince, but I had a feeling Cloud would be a completely different scenario. He was much more observant. I pulled the dress over my head and flattened the slip underneath, pulling on the new black and silver one. This one was much tighter than the other, and I was glad for my fit body. A dress like this would reveal any unflattering physical fault, no matter how small or insignificant. I moved to the mirror. My hair had flattened while I'd slept, but I was glad. I liked my hair straight. My hair shone, even in the subdued light and fell voluminously to the small of my back, exactly how I liked it. I reached up and ran my fingers through its black length like a comb.

I joined Chamberlain in the hallway. He escorted me to the dining hall silently, studying me the whole time. I played the part of a confident yet nervous girl making her way to dinner, which is exactly how I felt. Chamberlain expected it. I didn't let Aerith's kiss bother me. I had locked it away in the deepest depths of my mind and it was to stay there until I was free to think privately. Cloud was waiting for me just outside the dining hall. His eyes grew huge at the sight of me in my dress and I felt that familiar exhilarating feel of having his eyes on me. Chamberlain departed without a word and it was just the two of us.

I had never felt awkward in front of him before, but I did now. Even if I wouldn't allow myself to think about the kiss, I couldn't keep my eyes from picturing it. I saw him and expected Aerith to appear at any moment and throw herself on him.

"Tifa… you look…" he couldn't finish his sentence. His piercing blue eyes did just that – pierce.

"Adequate?" I supplied hollowly, memory of the previous day returning.

Cloud shook his head.

"Much more than that," he replied. He held out his arm and I took it as always and allowed him to lead me into the dining hall. Countless scents and smells greeted me. The table had been transformed from a simple stone table to a purveyor of exquisite foods and drink. My mouth watered at the sight. There was a roasted pig sitting on a bed of greens in the very middle of the table, its shiny skin glazed with an orange sauce. An apple was placed inside its mouth. Surrounding it were platters and platters of different foods; legs of lamb, turkey, fluffy rolls and croissants, pastries and sweets. There were several gold jugs of drink and two goblets set beside our plates, which were on opposite sides of the table, in front of the pig. My jaw dropped.

"Will it do?" Cloud asked, seeing my expression.

"This is enough food to feed my village for a month!" I exclaimed. I felt a pang of longing and a sudden thought that I was never going home. I brushed it aside immediately. Cloud smirked and laughed. I looked up at him and realized he had changed his clothes. He now wore a loose black shirt and black breeches. There was a ring on the first finger of his right hand and I recognized the lion's head he seemed to incorporate into every outfit.

"Shall we?" Cloud gestured to the spread. A growl ripped through my stomach and I realized how hungry I really was. Cloud escorted me to my seat before he took his. A servant appeared at my side and began to fill my plate with everything I loved. It took me by surprise that he immediately knew the things I liked to eat, but I didn't exactly mind. Chamberlain had explained that Cloud knew everything about me, after all. We began to eat.

"Are you settling in well?" Cloud asked. I took a sip of the dark, potent wine in my goblet before answering.

"Yes, thank you." I remembered my manners despite the sudden spinning in my head. "I love my bed," I added with a smile. Cloud matched my smile with one of his own. Mine was hopeful - his was heart stopping.

"I'm glad you like everything. I was afraid you weren't going to come at first," Cloud admitted. He pushed the food around on his plate and met my gaze.

"Why's that?"

Cloud shrugged, the mako in his eyes seeming to ignite and crackle.

"Chamberlain's reports told me of how you're headstrong and independent; exactly like I am. If I had been you, I probably wouldn't have come." he admitted.

"I didn't really have a choice, did I? You were going to have my mother killed if I didn't come." My voice was bitterly hard with the heaviness of my accusation. Cloud seemed embarrassed and looked away.

"I wasn't going to kill your mother, Tifa." he revealed. "I would never do that. It was just a way to get you here to me. I had to make sure you would come," Cloud explained, taking a bite of something on his plate to keep himself occupied. I gaped at him, astonished.

"So why did I have to come?" I cried. I realized my voice was a little harsh, but I didn't care. He'd made me fear for my mother's life for no reason at all. I dropped my fork with a clatter, unable to eat at the moment. "Why am I here? Why haven't I been told anything?" I exclaimed in desperation. Cloud's face turned into a mask of apologies and he raised his hands to slow my onslaught of questions.

"I'm sorry you've been kept in the dark, Tifa. But believe me, everything will make itself clear in due time, I promise you that. Take my word for it," Clearly his words were meant to comfort; instead, I felt more frustrated than ever.

"That doesn't answer any of my questions! Cloud, nobody's telling me anything! You can't imagine what that feels like! Please, tell me something!" I begged. Cloud watched my face curiously, admiringly.

"That's what I like most about you, Tifa. Your spirit. I'll tell you everything you want to know if you can't figure out why you're here in a few weeks time. It isn't hard. I haven't left you enough clues yet, but I will." He dodged my questions again. Disgusted, I rolled my eyes and stood up from the table, pushing away.

"I'm sorry, Cloud, but I have to go. I'm just… overwhelmed." I strode out of the dining hall and into the entrance hall, feeling flustered.

"Where are you going?" Cloud's voice came suddenly at my ear. I jumped - he'd moved so quickly and quietly that I couldn't believe he wasn't a ghost. His voice was amused.

"To my room, I guess," I kept walking, climbing the stairs and Cloud kept pace with me. He reached out and snagged my elbow once we'd reached the hallway before my bedroom. He spun me around and grabbed my shoulders, striking eyes searching mine.

"Listen, Tifa. I know you're frustrated and I know you miss your mother. All of this here has to do with the trapdoor. Does it make sense that I wanted to wait to get to know you a little better before I explained everything to you? It's the trapdoor, Tifa. You and I will have to be close to go under the trapdoor without losing our way. I have to know I can trust you before we go down there. You're my light, Tifa, and I don't want you to snuff out." His glorious face was inches from mine, eyes alight. My brain tried to process what he'd said. We were going down the trapdoor? I was his 'light'? Why did he need a light anyway?

"I-I don't understand," I stuttered. Sure, he was telling me everything I'd wanted to know, but I didn't understand any of it. A smile broke the seriousness of Cloud's features. He leaned in closer.

"You're the one who is going to save me from the darkness inside." he murmured low. "The darkness inside myself." I knitted my eyebrows together as I listened to what he was telling me.

"And I'm the light that's going to break the darkness?" I guessed. Cloud's face erupted into an exultant smile.

"Exactly!" he crowed with delight. An unexplainable sadness came over me, suddenly. This was what I was here for. Aerith had failed in being Cloud's 'light', so now he had brought me here to take her place. Puzzled, I looked up and into those stunning cerulean eyes.

"How am I supposed to do it?" I asked. Cloud's eyes flashed.

"Well, I don't exactly know…" he answered. I had a feeling he did know - but it was one of those things he 'wasn't' allowed to tell me. "We have to make it through the four pathways of Hell to Sephiroth's stronghold. If we make it there and persuade him that the darkness in me is gone, he'll grant me the one thing I desperately want," Cloud added. "Or, so he says." Things were beginning to clear up a bit.

"And how are we supposed to prove the darkness is gone?" I queried. Cloud hesitated.

"I think," he began, "I think that we have to love each other," He paused to let his words sink in. I noticed faintly that he was still holding me by the shoulders and that his glorious face was inches from mine. Cloud was taller than me and I let my eyes drop, fixing them on the hollow in his collarbone. I could imagine myself in love with him. It was all too easy. I suddenly realized how Aerith had failed. Cloud had said we had to love each other, hadn't he? Then that was where she had gone wrong.

Cloud had never loved Aerith.

He never could.

"Love you?" I echoed unconsciously. Cloud nodded, watching my expression carefully. "I could… love you…" I realized. I could love Cloud. I could see myself in his arms, see myself kissing him… Cloud didn't answer. Instead, he tilted his head and leaned in with the intent to kiss me.

"This is almost like how you kissed Aerith yesterday, right?" I mumbled, before our lips could meet. Cloud froze, tensing. He pulled back and stared at me.

"How do you know about that?" he asked. His voice was quiet – ashamed. I looked down at my feet, refusing to look him in the eye. I could feel the hurt and betrayal rising once more. It was almost too much to keep from crying in front of him.

"I saw you. On the staircase. Kissing." I realized those three sentences were supposed to be one whole one, but my mind and the ability to speak were two different things now. Cloud took a step back, trying to meet my gaze. I placed my hands in his chest and pushed him roughly away, out of from his grasp and moved to my bedroom door.

"Tifa, wait!" he called after me. His voice sounded small and full of regret. He didn't mean to hurt me – that much was obvious. I ignored him and opened the door, slipping inside enough to shield my body. I finally met his pleading gaze to see his face was torn. His eyes burned into mine and I could see he was waiting for me to say something, to explain my sudden brusqueness.

"What is she to you?" I asked brokenly. "What am I to you?" Cloud opened his mouth to speak but before he could, I retreated completely into my room, closing the door slowly and noiselessly. I could feel Cloud's presence on the other side of the door before I moved away.

A fire was burning strongly in the hearth, offering the room its light and warmth. I slid into one of the chairs in front of the fire, hoping to steal some of that warmth. My body felt cold and numb. I wrapped my arms around my body, trying to hold myself together, surprised at this sudden vulnerability and hollow feeling. I couldn't believe seeing one little kiss could hurt like this. I knew my emotions were spiraling out of control, drawing from the longing I felt for home and building into pain. I was overreacting, but I didn't care. It felt nice to have some time to myself without fear of being interrupted. I wasn't expecting Chamberlain and I knew Aerith wouldn't dare show her face to me any time soon.

I extended my legs and wiggled my toes just inches from the flames. I finally began to feel the warmth but it didn't do anything to warm my core. I felt hurt, pain and confusion. I was supposed to be Cloud's 'light'; is that how it had been with Aerith? Had he asked her to be his light? I suppose the dominant emotion I felt was jealousy. Jealousy that Aerith could touch Cloud the way she had and that he'd allowed it to happen. I wanted to touch Cloud and feel his face the way he had touched her. I felt a blush creep into my cheeks. Yes, I had a feeling jealousy and I was going to become very familiar with one another over the course of time.

I woke in a cold sweat. The sheets were tangled around my legs and my face was sticky with perspiration, chest heaving. My nightgown was soaked with sweat. It was late; the fire had burned itself down to nothing more than embers. My room was dark and I shivered violently. I jumped to the floor and placed three fresh pieces of wood into the fire, watching as the cinders began to take and burn stronger. The room was gradually illuminated with warm light. I settled into a chair, pulling my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them.

I couldn't quite remember the entire nightmare I'd had, but the panicky feeling still remained. I remembered that Aerith had been in it, as well as Cloud. And then there had been some terrible creatures with colored skin and wicked black horns. I distinctly remembered that Aerith had stabbed me in the back and was watching me writhe on the ground in pain. She had taken Cloud's hand and pulled him away from me, cackling in a very un-Aerith like way while a man with an indigo wing and a long sword watched with dominating emerald eyes and long, silver hair. That's when I'd woken up.

I stared into the flames, feeling very much awake. I knew it would be a while before sleep claimed me once more, now that the nightmare was still fresh in my mind.

I was startled by a knock at my door. I began to get up, drifting to the door and leaning against it, pressing my ear to the wood.

"Is someone there?" I asked softly. It was the middle of the night, after all!

"Tifa, its Cloud," his voice was muffled by the door. I took a step back, surprised. What was Cloud doing here, at this time of night?

"Cloud?" I echoed. "What are you doing here? What time is it?" Part of me was thrilled that he'd paid me a late-night visit – but the other part shook with nervous anxiety.

"I have to talk to you, Tifa. Please, it's important," he insisted. I paused for only a moment.

"All right," I opened the door and nearly gasped. Cloud stood in the darkened hallway, dressed in only black sweats. His chest was completely bare and I realized how physically fit Cloud was; his chest and abs were absolutely ripped. His arms were muscular, but not grossly so. Cloud valued strength the most, obviously. Cloud's blonde hair was tousled with sleep, giving him a messy, sexy look. His mako-blue eyes bored into mine and his face held an expression of amusement. He'd seen me ogling him.

"Aren't you going to let me in?" he teased. I blushed furiously and stepped to the side, allowing him entrance. He entered and I shut the door behind him unfortunately feeling the same awkwardness as I had at dinner. Cloud's eyes traveled down my body and I remembered I wore nothing but a thin nightgown. I knew what he was seeing – my form, clearly outlined even through the nightgown as I stood in front of the fire. I hurried to a chair and fell into it, pulling my knees up as before. I gestured to the other chair and Cloud sat in it gratefully. He watched the fire, keeping his eyes away from me.

"So…" I began hesitantly, not knowing where to start. "You wanted to talk?" Cloud returned my gaze. His eyes smoldered.

"I wanted to apologize. If I had known you were standing right there… things would have happened differently. Chamberlain has filled me in and I understand that you and Aerith got a chance to talk yesterday," he watched me carefully. "I'd like to know what she told you," he requested. I couldn't deny him that request, not when he was staring at me so intimately. The blush returned to my face and I fought the urge to look away.

"Well, she explained to me that she had been taken here a year ago, for the same reasons I was," I began.

"Did she tell you what those reasons were?" Cloud interrupted. I shook my head and he waited for me to continue.

"She said she was in love with you…" I trailed off uncertainly. Cloud's expression had morphed. He no longer looked interested in what I had to say; instead, he looked angry.

"She said that?" His voice mirrored my suspected anger. Cloud's eyes narrowed.

"Was she lying?" I wondered aloud.

"No," he admitted. "But I don't love her." I felt embarrassment for Aerith, despite the fact that she was not present in the room. If she had heard what he'd said … she'd be mortified.

"She mentioned that." I pulled my hair forward, shielding my chest. Cloud shook his head and his glance returned to the flames.

"Anything else I should know?" he asked. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.

"She said you liked my strength and my beauty," My voice dripped with sarcasm on the last word. Cloud looked directly into my eyes.

"She wasn't lying about that, either," he replied. I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. I couldn't stop my inner voice from telling me I wasn't beautiful. I knew I was strong, there was no denying that. I was, however, sorely lacking self esteem. Cloud leaned forward. "You are beautiful." My face exploded in a full out blush. It was a good thing the lighting was too low for him to see my embarrassed flush. I shook my head lightly and my mind switched gears suddenly, changing to thoughts of Aerith.

"You said you don't love Aerith, right?" I asked. Cloud nodded. "Why did you let her kiss you like that?" My voice sounded hollow and unlike my own.

"If you had stuck around for a little longer, you would've seen how I pushed her away. How I told her never again to kiss me. But you ran, I assume, and didn't stick around to see how things played out." he explained.

"Of course I didn't stay! I was so jea-" I cut myself off, clamping my mouth immediately closed. Cloud picked up instantly on the severed word.

"You were jealous?" he supplied the word. I blushed. "Jealous of Aerith?" his voice was incredulous.

"No! I was mad! Not jealous of her!" I spat, clenching my hands into fists. A slow smile spread across Cloud's face.

"Jealous of… the kiss?" I clammed up. He'd hit the nail on the head. He grinned triumphantly and the smile was enough to slow my heart. I sank down in my chair, mortified. His blue eyes gleamed.

"Well, geez!" Cloud laughed aloud. He wasn't making fun of me, but it felt the same. I bit down on my lip. "I didn't think you were the jealous type!" My cheeks blazed furiously and I sank down in my chair, shaking my head vigorously.

"I'm not!" I protested feebly. Cloud's face beamed an exultant smile and he leaned forward. It wasn't only the fact that he knew I was jealous of the relationship they may or may not have had, but his half-naked body wasn't doing me any good. His blonde hair fell into his eyes but that did nothing to stop the piercing intimacy of their striking hue.

"You are. I can read it on your face, Tifa." he teased me gently. Cloud could clearly see the embarrassment I wore so easily displayed. I shielded my face with my arms.

Before I knew it, Cloud's hands were grasping mine and pulling them away from my face. He held my hands tenderly, as if they were the most fragile part of my body. His face was inches from mine, as it had been earlier before he had been about to kiss me. "I like that you're jealous," he murmured. His breath was sweet and warm as it washed over my face.

"You do?" I wondered aloud. Cloud's answering kiss was melting. He held my face in his hands with the utmost of gentleness, moving his lips against mine. His kiss sent chills through me and delightful warmth spread through my limbs. It was everything I expected it to be and more.

Cloud pulled back to look in my eyes. His gaze was smoldering.

"I definitely do," Cloud's eyes flickered to the fireplace. I followed his gaze and swore I could've seen a distantly outlined shape, resembling a horned head made of fire. Cloud cursed under his breath and grabbed a fire poker, jabbing at the logs where the head had been and sending up a shower of smoldering embers.

"What was that?" I leaned forward, peering into the fire earnestly. Cloud didn't answer at first. He kept his eyes glued on the fire.

"Can we make an agreement, right now?" he asked suddenly. His voice was bitter, taking me aback.

"Yeah, um, of course?" I answered hesitantly. Cloud's eyes swiveled to me.

"I want to make a promise to you, and I want you to make one to me. You and I have to promise to stay honest with each other. It may seem a little foolish now, but believe me, our survival depends on it." Cloud's eyes burned with honest intensity.

"Of course, Cloud, but why?" I asked in confusion. He wasn't making any sense to me. Cloud shook his head.

"One day, very soon, you and I will have to venture down through the trapdoor and into the Circle of Light. We'll have to choose one of the pathways and eventually take them all, and that's going to require a lot of honesty and trust on my part and yours. You're going to have to trust me and I you. Do you understand so far?" His voice held a sort of urgent intensity that I'd come to recognize. What he was telling me was important. I knew that.

"I understand. What else?" I listened quietly.

"That head in the fire was an ogre's head. More importantly, it was a Head Ogre. He's Sephiroth's right hand man, his spy, his confidant. Then, when Sephiroth grows bored with him, he'll find a Hydra, or a demon with three heads to be his new Head." Cloud explained. I was distracted by the way Cloud's lips moved while he talked. I never thought I'd ever get to be this close to him. A sudden smile broke the seriousness of his face.

"Are you listening to me?" he grinned broadly.

"Of course!" I insisted doggedly. "I'm listening!" Cloud shook his head with a chuckle as I yawned hugely.

"You're tired; of course, I should've realized that sooner. Come, let's get you to bed." Cloud took my hand and pulled me up from the chair, guiding me to my bed. His eyes traveled down my body but I didn't blame him. I had been sneaking glances at his chiseled chest all night. I jumped into my bed and Cloud pulled the covers around me.

"You don't have to tuck me in," I retorted. "I'm not a child!" Cloud's expression sobered.

"No," he agreed, "you're not. That means I can do this," Cloud took my chin in his hand and guided my face to his, kissing me. Before I could get too carried away, Cloud broke the kiss and pulled back to look at me.

"Sorry, I have to go. It's bed time," He made a foolish face. I watched as he backed away from the side of my bed and disappeared through the black velvet darkness and into the equally inky blackness of the hall, hearing the door close behind him.

I fell back against the pillows, touching my lips where Cloud had kissed me. My heart was still pounding against my ribs and I felt loopy, but it was an entirely satisfying feeling. I closed my eyes, remembering his touch, his kiss. As small as they had been, I knew there was more to come and I eagerly waited that moment. I fell into a solid, dreamless sleep.