AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey y'all! I know its been 3 weeks since my last update and I apologize for the delay! Hope this makes up for it!

I hope you enjoy, and thanks everyone for you reviews!

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"I really hope you aren't working on your wife's nerves y'know!" Tifa called over from the kitchen.

Cloud reclined over her sofa and neatly put his hands behind his head. "I haven't," he answered simply. "Though I have to ask why."

"Can't a girl express some concern over a fellow female?" Tifa asked casually as she strolled in to the living room with a cup of coffee.

"Sure, unless the woman expressing is busty brunette with a temper as thin as her waist and whose name just happens to be Tifa Lockhart!", Cloud replied, casually plopping his legs onto the coach. "And the last time you saw my wife she looked ready to club you!"

Tifa gave him a once over, debating whether to tell him off for putting his feet on her clean sofa or not. She settled for slapping his legs away and seating herself with as much dignity as she could.

"Granted," she said. "But I'm only concerned that the baby's gonna look like you, and Minerva forbid that ever happens!"

"Oh?" Cloud asked, cocking an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"Well, because I wouldn't wish that misfortune on any innocent child," Tifa said, absently dodging Cloud's retaliating cuff.

"That's just superstition anyway!" Cloud snapped back. Before Tifa could answer, the doorbell rang. "Expecting someone?" Cloud asked, as the woman hurried to answer.

"Maybe, maybe not?" Tifa taunted as she opened the door.

"And there she goes again," Cloud muttered rolling his eyes.

"Hey, I see you found the place all right!" Tifa said cheerily.

Cloud twisted his head and his jaw dropped at the sight of the newcomer.

"Close your mouth blondie or you'll get flies," Tifa quipped as she led a younger blonde into the room. "Where are your manners?"

"Probably in the same place as the bottom half of your skirt," Cloud returned, recovering remarkable.

Even the quiet Shuyin had to cover his mouth to stifle a laugh as Tifa instinctvely hunched over. "So can I get you coffee?" She asked, turning to the teenager.

"Yeah, thanks," he replied.

"Have a seat, I'll only be a moment!" Tifa chirped and bounded off to the kitchen.

"Hey," Shuyin said as he took a seat.

Cloud returned the greeting and surveyed the newcomer over his coffee.

"So, Tifa invited you over?" Cloud asked.

"Yeah, not quite sure why though," Shuyin said. The tension between the two men was pulpable.

"Okay guys, here's the coffee," Tifa came to the rescue as she strode in.

"Great, I could use some right now!" Shuyin was evidently glad for the distraction.

"Tifa, kitchen. Now!" Cloud said quickly.

Tifa fixed a deadly glare on her partner, before turning back to Shuyin. "I'll be right back," she said with a smile and followed Cloud.

Shuyin glanced around hesitantly, trying to find something to do while he waited. With a shrug he went back to drinking his coffee.

XXX

"You wanna tell me what's going on?" Cloud asked as calmly as he could.

Tifa shook her head. "I told you, I have it all under control!"

"Tifa first of all that's kid's a minor! I know that's not my business," he added quickly as Tifa's eyes flashed. "We can ignore that little fact for now, but that kid's also a suspect. The number one suspect in a murder case! A case you're working on, so forgive me, but are you fucking nuts?!"

"Cloud-"

"No, Tifa! I get that you're not really into doing things conventionally, but this time I'm putting my foot down!" Cloud shot back, all banter lost.

"Cloud, look I'm not saying this is the right thing to do, but for once can't you just trust me!"

"I do trust you, Tifa!" Cloud said, trying as hard as he could to keep his temper under control. "But I'm just worried that the next body I find will be yours!"

Tifa looked at her feet for a moment. "I'm touched," she said before looking up again. "Listen Cloud, even if he did kill that girl, I've seen his home life. It would be enough to toss any guy over the edge."

Cloud looked sadly over the strange woman that had become his friend. "Tifa, nothing will ever justify a murder."

Tifa sniffed in response. "I know that, but at the very least he needs to have a good defence right?"

"Innocent until proven guilty," Cloud nodded. "I'm worried about you."

"I can take care of myself," Tifa said with a shrug.

"I know that. He probably wouldn't be able to do anything to you physically," Cloud agreed. "That's not what I'm worried about, I've seen the way you look at him Tifa."

Tifa's eyes went wide with alarm. "Wha-"

"No need to explain yourself to me," Cloud said with a smile. "You don't have a choice when it comes to this sort of thing. I'm just telling you to be careful. Especially as you've got a push-up on."

"You don't think I'm crazy do you?"

"I thought you were crazy long before he came into this," Cloud said with a laugh. "If anything I'm glad to know you're human."

"Gee thanks," Tifa giggled along with him.

"Anytime, well I'm off to make sure my wife hasn't burnt the house down in a hormonal rage or something, take care Tifa!"

"Yeah, you too," Tifa said, following him to the door.

XXX

"Sorry for the wait," Tifa said breezily as she sat down next to Shuyin.

"No problem man," Shuyin replied, before glancing at the door. "That guy," he said jerking his thumb in the direction of the door. "He a friend?"

"Yep, and nothing more," Tifa replied with a flick of her hair.

"Oh, good to know!" Shuyin said with a laugh.

Tifa didn't miss his little slip. "How so?"

Shuyin instantly fidgetted with the ends of his denim shorts. "I dunno hey? I'm not even sure why I said that."

"Shuyin, relax would ya?" Tifa smiled. "I'm just trying to help."

"I can't help it!" Shuyin snapped, he stood up and clutched at his hair. "You saw what kind of life I live, you saw all the bullshit I have at home! Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"

Tifa's eyes nearly popped out of her face. "I'm not sure myself," she said looking at the window. "I just feel like this is what I should be doing."

"Oh really?" Shuyin asked sarcastically. "Mind telling me what you said to Tidus last night? Cause he's been giving me the eyes since. And how did my dad get those bruises on his face?"

Tifa stood up instantly her temper flaring. "Listen up you little punk! If I don't like something I fix it!"

"I don't need your help or pity!" Shuyin snarled. "I do fine by myself!"

"Oh really?" Tifa demanded. "Not from where I'm standing."

"Look at you, just standing there judging me!" Shuyin shouted.

"I'm not judging you!" Tifa shot back. "Maybe if you took the time to pull your head out of your ass you'd realise I'm trying to help you!"

"Is this what you call help?" Shuyin demanded. "Barging in and beating my dad up?!"

"I may not be proud of what I did, but I never did anything to hurt you," Tifa replied. "Why can't you just accept when someone wants to help you?"

"Because that would admit that I'm weak!" Shuyin shouted. For a moment his eyes widened in horror at his slip, then it seemed as if the fight left his body. He dropped onto the couch and let his face fall into his hands. "I can't be weak, I just can't."

Tifa's fury fled instantly at the sight of Shuyin's collapsed form; never had she seen any one human being look so defeated in her life. She cautiously approached him and sat down next to him.

"Admitting you're not coping isn't weakness Shuyin," she whispered, making no move to touch him. "And asking for help takes strength."

"How can you be so sure?" Shuyin asked, looking up, his eyes shining.

Tifa shrugged. "I had someone tell me the same thing some time ago."

Shuyin nodded and gave her a heartbroken smile.

Now she did touch him, enveloping him in her arms as the young man began sobbing into her shoulder. All she could do was rock him and let the tears fall, as her own fell onto the young man.