A/N: Same as always! Thanks to, Kisdota-The Freak Gamer, MyfinalfantasyVII, Oh No It's Mr Gibbles, writing gamer, vx-Luna-xv, ObsessiveCompulsiveValkyrie, Kaarina Helveteandcaledon for leaving me lovely positive messages! (They're the best kind! :D )

This chapter was surprisingly hard to write this is a kind of 'had to be done' chapter like a bridging kind of chapter, I wasn't sure where or when to end it, as in my plan it should be a lot longer but I didn't want to set into writing their next day as would just go on and on. But hopefully when I've got time I'm going to come back and revise this chapter and tweak it.


E S C A P E

Chapter Nine:

Homecoming

Tifa Lockheart longed to feel the sea breeze rushing through her hair and gently caress her skin again. The sea had been a deep blue and the sky had been a beautiful azure blue. She felt blessed to be able to see the sky once more and feel the slight warmth of the sun beat down, even though it was still early in the year. She wondered once again if Marlene could remember what the sky looked like as strange as it sounded.

She'd leant over the side and stared down into the water almost bouncing on the spot when she saw the shadows of dolphins near the ferry. She'd pointed them out to Cloud who merely nodded to her and gave her a small smile just to show he was listening. She heard him say something about a 'Mr Dolphin' but brushed the man's words away assuming he was trying to mock her.

As soon as she left the ferry, she was met by Costa del Sol. She made a note to return to this place when it was summer, so she could sit on the beach and let the sea drift up to her toes. She thought this might be the place where she would want to live in the future, to be able to walk along the beach everyday and watch the sunrise every day from there.

Cloud had been more than patient as he leant against his bike watching her stand in the sea no matter how cold it had been. Tifa had never been in the sea before and this was the closest opportunity she was going to get for a while. She'd felt incredibly childish at the thought of it and she began calling for the blonde to join her. Then only after a few more cries he walked onto the beach, pull of his heavy black boots and rolled the legs of his black pants up and stood at the edge, wriggling his toes. Tifa had laughed at him and he smiled back, she wondered if he too had missed being able to do what he wanted for a while.

Then the two set off once more. Tifa had suggested staying over the night but the blonde had been reluctant to and said he'd drive through the night. She'd fought to stay awake and keep the young man company, even if they hadn't spoken while he was speeding along the roads. Tifa had also been afraid that if she did fall asleep she might loosen her grip on the blonde's shirt and tumble off. But she had given up after hearing the blonde shouting over the wind that she can sleep if she wants to, that he won't let her fall.

And she had. She wasn't too sure how long she'd been sleeping; it had most likely been the last parts of the night and the rest of the day.

It was now bordering on five pm and Tifa had woken to see the mountains of her home town coming into view and also to find her hand being held by the blonde man at first she thought it was a romantic gesture but then realised he was only making sure she was safe while he was driving along. She felt comfortable where she was and hoped the blonde hadn't realised she woken yet. She had her head resting against his strong back and could feel the warmth from his body and didn't want to move. He was gently holding her hand while her arms were wrapped around his chest, she felt like she could stay there forever.

It was an amazing sight as the sun slowly began to set behind them, she wished she had a camera in her hands to be able to capture that moment for eternity. "We'll be there soon." She heard Cloud cry while he shifted his back obviously trying to wake her in case she hadn't woken yet.

Tifa cried a response but wasn't sure if he had heard it or not. Her memories drifted to the previous day, of Cloud and Aerith. Why hadn't he asked Aerith to come? Surely he'd like her to meet his mother? He was most likely trying to be nice to Tifa and didn't mean anything of it.

Tifa tightened her grip on the blonde and leant her head forwards onto his muscular back. She could hear the steady pace of his heart beating and she closed her eyes, allowing that to be the one thing she could hear.

The road suddenly became more twisted and turned from left to right, his gloved hand slowly left hers so he could take full control of the bike to guide them into the town safely and she could feel him starting to slow down his bike. She let go of him instantly and sat up straight, holding herself up straight with her hands gripped firmly onto the back of the bike. She wondered briefly if Cloud realised what she had done, that she didn't want to be seen clinging onto him now they were home. Tifa felt guilt well up inside of her and wished she still held him close, just to show him she didn't care and neither should he.

Tifa watched a few of the villagers pause to stop and watch to see who had invaded their small town. Tifa knew travellers didn't come in masses to Nibelheim, hence why her bar or inn would have never become a booming business. She wondered if anyone recognised the blonde as he drove by but didn't see anyone pay that much attention.

His bike came to a slow stop and she felt herself fall forwards colliding into the blonde's back. "You okay?" She heard him ask. He twisted round and she watched him slowly pull off his black riding goggles, there were faint imprints around his eyes and she held back a laugh.

"I'm fine." She paused. "Thank you Cloud for letting me come." She said, wanting to show him her gratitude. He nodded once and gave her a faint smile. His eyes drifted away from her and fell onto his home. He sat quiet quietly has hands still tightened onto his bike, like he might suddenly change his mind and drive straight back to Midgar. "No time like the present!" She cried, pushing his back as if to make him move.

He grunted in response and pulled his keys out of his bike and pocketed them. He slowly stepped off and sighed loudly as he glanced up and down the street. "Are you coming in?" He asked. Tifa stared into his eyes and saw the slight pleading look inside of them. He clearly didn't want to go in alone, even if it was his mother. Tifa wondered if he was starting to feel guilty for leaving his mother alone for those five years.

"If you want me to." She said carefully, as she stepped off of the bike. He grunted once more and slowly opened the wooden gate.

Cloud's eyes bored into the door. What if his mother never wanted to actually see him again? That she might tell him not to bother her again? He suddenly felt Tifa's hand against his back and he felt a wave of reassurance go through him. He wanted to grab her hand tight just so he knew he wasn't alone.

He knocked quietly on the door, hoping he might not be heard and then he can give up and go back to Midgar.

"She'll never hear that!" Tifa cried, leaning forwards and bashing her fist against the door. She turned to Cloud and gave him a smile but saw the annoyance deep inside of his eyes.

Tifa heard the click of a lock go on the opposite side of the door and watched it open slowly. She wasn't sure how to describe what happened next, only that there was a complete look of surprise on Mrs Strife's face and tears slowly began to well in her eyes, before she rushed forward and embraced her son. Tifa wished she could see the blonde's face but had to settle with the back of his head.

She watched his mother cry at him, asking him what did he do to his beautiful hair and that he didn't feel like he was eating enough, asking him everything a caring and doting mother would to a son they hadn't seen for a while.

Tifa held back a laugh as she watched the blonde slowly struggle out of the embrace and stare back at her. She felt a hole appear in her heart and wished for nothing more but to see her own mother one last time, who would hold her the same way Mrs Strife was holding Cloud. She had her father, but she knew her father's first impressions will be what was she doing here, instead of that she was here now and that was all that mattered.

"Tifa?" Tifa fell back into reality and pulled a smile onto her face, knowing she must have a sorry look spread across her face. "You're back?"

"Cloud." She cried instantly and watched blonde turn to her a questioning look spread across his face. "Offered to give me a ride home." Tifa quickly added her smile spread across her face.

"Well, you brought him back for me." She heard his mother whisper, her hands clinging onto his bare arms in case he might turn and run. Tifa watched Cloud quickly explain he was only here for the weekend and might have to leave tomorrow evening. She wondered if Cloud really was that dense, that he shouldn't tell his mother who he hadn't seen for five years that he might be spending less than a day with her because of his job. She wanted to knock the blonde senseless and tell Mrs Strife that he was only joking. Deep in thought she barely realised she was being invited indoors and turned to her own home. She was sure her father could wait a little longer, while she spent some time with the two Strifes.

She watched Cloud disappear further into his home and began shouting questions as to where everything was. She carefully sat besides the older woman, making it feel like she had never left for Midgar and the last few weeks had been nothing but a dream.

Tifa had been a regular visitor to Mrs Strife, even if it was for a quiet chat and a drink. But she hoped the older woman appreciated it. "Did you have to drag him back kicking and screaming?" She heard the other woman laugh and Tifa turned to her.

"No, it was his idea." She said with a smile, not bothering to mention that she had told the blonde he ought to see her. Tifa watched the proud smile cross her face and then she launched into questions as to what she was doing in Midgar.

Tifa could feel her nerves starting to creep in, she didn't want to have to tell her old neighbour that her original plans hadn't actually gone to plan at all and she had to live in some rundown flat with the one kindest person in Midgar and work in a rundown bar.

"Tifa owns her own bar." She heard Cloud suddenly say. Tifa turned to him in surprise and watched as he carried in three mugs before carefully setting them down on the small coffee table. "Right?" Cloud added staring into her face which was full of disbelief.

"Erm, yes." Tifa finally said, turning to face Mrs Strife who hummed in reply as she lifted up the mug of tea.

Tifa turned to Cloud once more, who was currently trying to hide behind his own mug and avoid her eyes. Why would he do that? She thought to herself, staring at him through narrowed eyes. He was obviously struggling to stand under her harsh stare as he quickly explained to his mother what he had actually been doing for the past five years. Maybe he knew you would be embarrassed and didn't want people to think little of you? Tifa smiled at her second thought; if that was the case she was incredibly grateful.

Maybe deep down Cloud had a caring and sensitive side, which he had to cover in some sort of Soldier bravado.

As she allowed mother and son to talk, she desperately wanted to disappear, feeling nothing more than a fly stuck against the wall, feeling uncomfortable and acting as a distraction for the two to speak more at ease. She wondered if his mother actually fully understood what her son did for a living and she briefly looked up to the older woman and saw the proud smile across her face. He saves people's lives that's all that matters to his mother.

"So..." Tifa turned to Mrs Strife and saw the small and childish smile creep across her aged face as she looked from the blonde to Tifa. "Are you two an item?" Tifa guessed this had to have been a burning question inside of Mrs Strife's mind the minute the two of them arrived together.

Tifa felt her cheeks flush with colour and didn't dare to turn to Cloud, knowing his face was most certainly a bright pink. "No." He answer was plain and flat and Tifa turned to face him before slowly nodding in agreement. She felt her mouth go dry and a lump climb up her throat.

Why did his answer hurt her so much? Was it because he'd answered so quickly? Of course they were nothing more than friends, they had only just been reunited but Tifa couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

"I have to...go." Tifa said quickly smiling at the two Strifes. She saw Cloud's frown and desperate expression like he still needed her with him. "To see my father, next door." She added, she wanted to give the blonde a little comfort that she was only next door and if he needed her that desperately she was less than twenty meters away. He nodded in reply, before quickly telling his mother he was going to fetch his things.

She felt him follow her out and he quickly closed the door behind them both. Tifa stared up at the sky, it was a deep dark blue showing the sun had set but the sky was still clinging onto the day. "Thank you, for coming in with me." She heard him say from behind.

"She's your mother Cloud, you shouldn't be nervous." Tifa laughed, gently touching his bare warm skin.

"I only said what I did, so you wouldn't feel uncomfortable." The blonde said quickly, not wanting her to feel like she was a failure.

"It was nice of you Cloud, but I really don't mind." She replied, still staring up at the sky. Tifa smiled when she heard the blonde yawn loudly all of a sudden and she twisted round to face him. His normal glowing blue eyes seemed a little duller and there were faint signs of black bags growing under his eyes from him not sleeping the previous night to continue driving. "Aren't you a Soldier? You should never get tired!" Tifa joked, gently slapping his arm as she did so.

"We're still human Tifa, we still need our sleep." Cloud answered, covering his mouth once more as he yawned. His eyes stared up into the sky watching the small stars appear.

Tifa's thoughts drifted to her conversation with Zack a few days ago. Maybe Cloud doesn't care what people think. Tifa allowed a smile to pull on her face as she turned away from the blonde, pleased that he didn't care what people thought of him anymore. He's grown up. Tifa mused, the blonde was twenty one by now and in a few months he'd turn another year older, surely he can be deemed a man by now.

He suddenly walked past her and towards his bike. She watched him carefully, admiring how his pale skin glowed against the moon's shine. He pulled his bag out of his bike and slung it over his shoulder before turning to look up at her. "Just say if you want to leave early." He answered, his glowing mako eyes turning to the house next door. "I might have to leave tomorrow night, but I understand if you don't want to come with me."

"But I do." She cried straight after the blonde finished speaking. He stared at her slightly before nodding and heading inside.

"See you, tomorrow." Cloud closed the door with a click and slowly leant against the door. He could hear Tifa's faint footsteps as she walked away and he thanked his heightened senses. He wiped his calloused hand across his face and lifted his head to hear his mother telling him how kind Tifa had been to her while he had been gone.

He couldn't help but smile every time he saw the brunette. She made him feel more relaxed everywhere he went, that was why he was so desperate for her to stay here a little longer. But he couldn't get her pained look out of his mind. The moment he had said no, answering his mother's question that they were indeed not an 'item' he'd seen the flash of hurt in her eyes, he wasn't that dense that he didn't see it.

He couldn't figure her out at all, he didn't know what she wanted from him. She treated him so well, that it didn't feel right. When they were kids she would stick up for him, but would still rather stick with her childish friends than him. But now, she'd smile at everything he'd do and even joke around at him. Women are far too confusing. He eventually came up with the conclusion.


Tifa knocked quietly on her own door, waiting for her father to answer it. She suddenly had a wave of realisation rush through her and understood why the blonde wanted her with him, as she'd rather have anyone standing beside her right now so she wouldn't have to face her father alone.

She thought about suddenly running next door and grabbing the blonde and pulling him along to stand with her, even though she knew her old man hated the blonde.

The door clicked open and Tifa wasn't received as well as Cloud had been with his mother. Her father wore a confused expression while he stared at her, his mouth hanging open slightly. "Tifa?" He muttered, his eyes narrowed as if he was imagining her daughter was standing at his front door.

"Dad!" She smiled, reaching forwards and embracing the man tight. She hoped that he would ignore the fact that she had arrived out of the blue, but felt his arms remain rigid against his side.

"What are you...?" He mumbled as she walked past him and entered his home. Her childhood home had not changed and it felt once again that she had never left.

"I decided to come back for the weekend." She answered, leaning against the back of the couch, determined to try and not bring Cloud up in the conversation.

She watched her father close the door behind him before staring at her. "Do you realise how much that would cost?" He asked quickly, his eyebrows furrowed together. Tifa sighed, knowing her father would be more rational than happy to see his daughter.

Tifa looked at him, knowing if she said she'd brought her own bar and made her own money her father wouldn't believe her for a second. Mrs Strife was much more gullible than her father.

"I got a ride..." She mumbled, avoiding his eyes desperately. She wanted to avoid the whole subject but knew it was coming closer and closer to it every time she spoke.

"With?" Her father drawled, his eyes narrowed. Tifa frowned wondering if he had seen her arrive and just wanted to know if she would admit to it. Her father hardly knew Cloud, who was he to judge him.

"With Cloud." She answered trying to sound unnerved as possible. She was a fully grown woman but her father's glares or answers would always scare her. She watched him sigh and roll his eyes before turning to glare out the window like the blonde young man might be standing there.

She allowed him to rant at her, asking her if she had ever listened to what he had said to her when she was younger. But she found herself unable to answer him, he was her father. "Cloud's a good man." She muttered, turning to look outside the window herself and at the gigantic bike. "He's grown up, he's not a kid anymore; you shouldn't judge him like that."

"He's bad news, you'll see, in a few days, weeks or months you'll realise I was right!" Tifa scowled at him and at the disappointed look across his face. She couldn't bring herself to reply and merely looked away accepting her father's words. His cold stare glanced over her once before he grumbled to himself and disappeared into the house.

Tifa collapsed onto the couch and stared blankly at the ceiling. She hated how her father wouldn't change his opinion of the blonde no matter what and she knew there was no point in even trying to begin and change his opinion. She scrambled back onto her feet and stared out the window. Tifa could just make out the outline of the mountains in the night sky and smiled faintly as she stared up at the stars. She'd take tomorrow how it came.


I actually had no idea how long it would take them to get from Midgar to Nibelheim, so, I had to think about it and I just guessed. But there we go, I'm hoping no ones that fussed over it they won't start complaining about it....okay.....

Like I said I will alter this chapter in the future, so no need to flame me :P heh

Thanks!