A/N: SO SORRY runs in a bows apologetically I haven't updated in sooo long because I was without internet while I was moving into my new apartment... :( So yeah... I haven't had the chance to update! But here's Chapter 8... I hope it satisfies you all! Thanks so much for your reviews, keep them coming. Next time I'll be sure to thank you individually... today I have no time. :> LOVE YOU ALL! 3 Starry Kitty


As Cloud strode down the street towards the docks, he couldn't stop thinking about what had just almost happened. Something just came over him when Tifa tied his tie for him, her expression so sweetly earnest and concentrated on what she was doing. He felt the pull towards her as if something else was controlling his body from outside, like a magnet. Tifa's reaction had been shock, and he realized that now she was facing the truth that he felt at least something for her. Smiling lightly, he nodded to himself. That was good; he had started on his mission without really knowing it.

The helicopter that had landed on the docks was currently sitting still as a very richly dressed man in a gold embroidered business suit stepped out of it. Cloud wondered why anyone would want gold embroidery on their suit, but instead of voicing his thoughts plastered a smile on his face. The man was trim and good looking, with dark brown hair, intense grey eyes, and chiseled features. His body was slender and lithe, almost leaning towards graceful.

"Mr. Vincenzi?" Cloud said as he neared the man. Grey eyes swept over the new appearance of Cloud, some confusion in his eyes.

"Yes… are you Mr. Strife? The one who recommended you to me told me you were more informal than formal… but you look a mix of both," he said, his words sharp and precise.

"Ah well I thought I might better my image a bit to show everyone that I'm not just a warrior or mercenary," was Cloud's reply as they stopped before each other. Putting his hand out, Cloud added, "It's great to meet you."

Vigorio shook Cloud's hand then, and smiled. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine. A famous hero who saved the planet… who wouldn't want to meet you?" he asked, something unreadable in his eyes. He seemed chipper and friendly enough, though. "Shall we sit down somewhere to discuss the specifics of my delivery?" Cloud like that he was right down to business with little or no formalities. Exactly his type of businessman.

"Sure, follow me. I'm helping out a friend of mine and she said we could use her house to talk. If she's around she won't be in our way," Cloud responded, turning to lead the way to Tifa's. The trip was short and when they went inside Tifa was nowhere to be seen. They sat down in the living room and began discussing Vigorio's business. Their conversation was in depth and covered every aspect either could think of so that by the time Cloud was offering Vigorio lunch before his return trip they felt very well acquainted.

"Thanks for the offer Mr. Strife but my friends and I are going out today to eat and then to a spa. I wouldn't want to offend them if I had already eaten… you understand," the businessman said as he walked towards the door.

"I understand. Allow me to escort you to your helicopter," Cloud offered, to which Vigorio accepted. They chatted a bit about the town as they walked and soon Cloud was watching the chopper take off towards the north. As he turned to walk back to Tifa's, his mind was filled with all the new information and details they had gone over. When he stepped back inside, Tifa was laying on the couch looking quite exhausted.

"Welcome back. How'd it go?" she asked him curiously, still energetic despite her expression. Cloud immediately moved closer to inspect her.

"Good… why do you look so tired?" he queried, more worried than anything. She just laughed at his concern.

"While you were talking I took a walk about the town… visited some of my friends. My friend Eryaine is coming over tonight for supper, by the way. So tell me details! Did he like you… do you like him? Are you going to be lifelong business pals?" she asked, excited to hear the results of the meeting. Cloud just rolled his eyes at her teasingly before taking a seat next to her on the couch.

"He seemed to like me and my new appearance… I like the way he thinks. He is real short and to the point with everything, and looks at his dealings from every angle. We had a very invigorating discussion over pretty much everything you could think of. Whether we'll have future dealings is to be seen, dependant on how well I pull this off. He seems to be the type who expects everything to be done quickly and precisely the first time," he explained, his eyes glowing with the knowledge. However, something else lingered in his eyes which Tifa easily read.

"That's great! Don't look so nervous and scared… you're going to do wonderful. I told you before… remember our bet?" she asked, smiling at him. He suddenly turned towards her, leaning closer. His eyes held a similarly intense look.

"How could I forget? The chance to take you out on a date if I lose… I don't think I've ever wanted to lose a bet more," he responded, then his expression grew playful. "However… it would be fun to see what I could come up with if you lost." Tifa's face grew hot and she knew it was burning brightly red.

"Y-yeah… well you know… you don't have to lose the bet to take me out to eat somewhere," she responded, inwardly cursing her face for being so telling. A lazy smile lit up Cloud's face.

"Is that so? Why, if I didn't know better Ms. Lockheart, I would think you wanted to go out with me," he remarked, making her blush even brighter. She felt a bit edgy and nervous; Cloud had never acted so… flirty with her before. It was a bit unnerving to have him all of a sudden talking to her like this. To top it all off, he was leaning over her legs closer towards her face, and she was suddenly reminded of just a couple of hours earlier when he had meant to kiss her. Would he do so now?

"Umm… well you are the planet's most adored bachelor, you know… I'm surprised you're not follow around by a whole gaggle of beautiful girls all the time," she said, teasing him to try to calm herself and regain some of the composure that she was quickly losing hold of.

"Oh is that so? So going on a date with me would only be to make other girls jealous? I see how you are…" he replied, moving back away from her. She let out a breath she hadn't been aware of holding, and then immediately was contrite for teasing him. She moved her legs off the couch and scooted closer to Cloud.

"I was only kidding! Don't be so hurt, even if it is mockingly. I wasn't trying to anger you… just get a smile out of you. You looked so serious…" she said, an earnest expression in her eyes. He looked back at her then, his face still serious.

"Why is me being serious bothering you so much? It wasn't like I was angry or anything…" he asked, watching her closely. Tifa shrugged a bit on that one; she wasn't too sure herself why it bothered her so. Then suddenly she figured it out.

"I-I guess because it frightens me… I can't read your eyes and have no idea what you're thinking…" she replied honestly. He studied her silently for a few moments, and when he spoke again his voice was much softer.

"All my life you've always been there for me, haven't you? You know more about me than any other person that I've ever known… and that's only due to your persistent nature." His comments were thoughtful, and Tifa took them the wrong way.

"I'm sorry if it offends you Cloud! I only wanted to be there for you whenever I could, ever since seeing your loneliness when we were kids. If it annoyed you, you should have said something before…" she told him, sighing a bit. Cloud immediately hastened to correct her.

"No no… it's not that at all. I'm really glad you are the way you are… and that you tried to be there for me even when I pushed you away. If it weren't for the friendship everyone shows me, especially you, I think I would probably still be out there ignoring things, like Kadaj's gang or Sephiroth's return. I just want to thank you for always being there for me," he told her, making her eyes water with the sincerity in his voice. She was barely able to keep her tears in check.

"Oh Cloud… that's probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me!" she exclaimed, closing the distance between them and latching onto him in a hug. "You don't have to thank me for it, though… never…" she added, before putting more oomph into the hug. Cloud was a bit shocked at the sudden contact then slowly closed his arms around her and returned the hug. They shared the moment for a few more minutes before finally breaking apart. "I'm hungry… are you?" Tifa asked as she put some space between them again.

"Yes I'm actually quite starved… do you want to eat here or maybe go out somewhere?" he offered. Tifa thought on that, then shrugged her shoulders.

"Let's just stay here today. I'm a bit worn out from walking around earlier and I want to be rested up for when Eryaine comes," she told him as she stood up and headed for the kitchen.

"Okay well shouldn't you be resting then? Like, sitting down?" he questioned as he stood up to follow her. She smiled at him.

"Don't worry, I just want to watch you cook. I don't feel up to arguing today… at least not right now," she responded. Truthfully she was still a bit out of sorts from all the intense feelings she had received from Cloud today. She continued seeing new sides of him and while she enjoyed it, it also frightened her for it made her want him more and more. She had only thought she was in deep as she could be before her fight with the monster; now it seemed as if there was an eternally present black void in which she was still falling.

"Alright… how does tuna sound? Not really a culinary masterpiece, but since your friend is coming for supper, I figure we should make a light lunch," he told her, receiving a nod as a response. He then began fixing lunch while Tifa watched, her heart hammering in her chest and her stomach fluttering. Her mind continued going over the almost kiss until she got tired of it and so began chit chatting with Cloud, talking of Denzel's new crush and other miscellaneous things until he had finished and they were seated to eat.

The meal was quick and simple, and once it was done Tifa went to relax on the couch with a book while Cloud cleaned up a little. Tifa tried helping him but he wouldn't allow her to move from her spot, so she gave up finally and just lost herself in the pages of the story. Soon Denzel would come home… and she was a little glad, for being alone with Cloud right now was still unsettling her nerves. She suddenly felt like she was going through what all those romance novels spoke of… and it felt so strange.