Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIIwith the characters, items, places, etc. are the property of Square Enix, Inc. No infringement is intended.

Author's Note: This is a Cloud and Tifa story, just with a dramatic twist due to his absence. My beta reader Denebola Leo has been a tremendous help to bringing this story to you readers.

Updated Chapter Changes: 4/9/19

-. Don't Think Twice .-

Chapter XI

"You're moving out?!" Denzel asked in shock. The family was sitting at the breakfast table eating blueberry pancakes with bacon, a favorite meal choice among the children. Tifa thought it might help soften the blow to the news but she could see how silly that idea was now. The two young adults nodded in return to his question.

Marlene's face scrunched up in thought as she passed looks between Cloud and Tifa. "Is this because of Jace?"

"Cloud and I are friends and will still be friends," Tifa stated. "And we are all still a family no matter what."

"You're not answering my question," Marlene pointed out.

Cloud exchanged a look with Tifa as he sat down his coffee. "A little. We want to be honest with each other, but we also don't want this to affect you two. Tifa can't take care of me forever, and… it's time I live on my own."

"But families always take care of each other! Cloud, please don't leave us again!" Marlene yelled at the blond man, her palm slapping the table. Even though the force shook the table slightly, Denzel, who sat next to her, kept silent and stared at his small stack of half eaten pancakes. The young boy shook his head at the thought of his hero going away again.

Tifa rose from her seat and kneeled down next to Marlene, rubbing her back to console her. "Cloud will still be apart of the family. He'll walk you to and back from school most days, and you can stay at his new apartment a few days a week," Tifa explained softly to the young brunette.

"It's not the same," the small girl sniffled between her words, hiding her face from Cloud with her bangs. He walked over to her and reached out for her hand.

"Come on Marlene, it's time to get going to school," Cloud probed gently. Tifa observed the soft expression on Cloud's face to calm Marlene, but could see the sadness in his eyes. Neither of them wanted to hurt the kids. Marlene wiped a few tears from her eyes and ran from the table to grab her school bag. Denzel, who was slumped in his chair as the conversation took place slowly dragged himself off of his seat and swung his bag over his shoulder. He couldn't look at his two adoptive parents in the face, and he followed Marlene outside to wait for Cloud.

"I hate doing this to them," Tifa admitted in a quiet voice as she gathered the dishes and leftover breakfast items. She walked past Cloud to the sink to pile the porcelain in and began to scour the dishes. Her husband could only nod in silence before he took off to escort the children to school.

Housework was always a good distraction from her troubles, remembering back when Cloud first left she had deep cleaned each room until there was not a speck of dust or crease in any bedding. And now it was all she had in her home when the children were both attending school, since she was no longer providing lessons at home. It was the perfect way to occupy her time between Jace and business hours.

However, this time no task was big enough to deflect her mind off of the divorce. It seemed so final to her, and thoughts and feelings she thought were long put to rest months ago when Cloud originally left were brought to the surface. A part of her would always love him, but each time her heart had fluttered about her husband, it weighed heavy with pain and betrayal. The feelings she had between the two men warred inside her, making her mind exhausted. She loved Jace now, he was her strength and confidence. He was a man that admitted every feeling to her, every time he would smile at her, her heart would flutter with excitement instead of agony. Jace was exhilarating, outgoing and had a sense of normalcy, which was completely foreign to her in all her years. He was unexpected but sweet, and she wanted simple and straightforward for her love life, not questions and complexity.

Simple? How could I think I could have simple while married? Because Cloud wasn't supposed to come back. But he did, and she was now in love with Jace. Kind and patient Jace despite the baggage of being a single mom left behind. Even with Cloud's return she couldn't look at him the same way she did before. The damage was done and the divorce was the finale between them.

As she began ripping off the linens to the children's beds, her cell phone began to ring. Too close to be a mere coincidence, she smiled when the caller ID read the name 'Jace' on the screen.

"Hello Jace," she answered.

"Hey, do you want to get a bite to eat before I go check on the chocobos?" Jace hastily asked. "I'll be back later in the evening too."

"Lunch sounds great," she replied.

"Cool. So, I can stop by tonight, right?" Jace smoothly inquired and Tifa understood what her boyfriend was hinting at.

"Cloud… is moving out this week. I can stop by your hotel later when you get back. This will be the last time you'll need to avoid the bar," she dished out with a little hesitation. She didn't exactly talk to Cloud like she promised, but bringing it up for just one night would be futile.

"Wow, that's great!," Jace said with too much enthusiasm. "I'm glad he's out of there."

She bit her lip as she leaned back against the wall, staring at the white pasty ceiling of the children's room. The emotions of Cloud moving out were battling inside her, welling up in her chest. She was relieved with the situation but also mournful for Denzel and Marlene. She only wanted the two to be happy, not the sadness she had inflicted upon them.

"Tifa, is everything okay?" Jace asked, interrupting her internal apprehension. She hadn't realized the long pause until after Jace spoke up.

"Yeah, sorry. The kids were really upset by the news this morning. I'm just worrying about them," she explained her initial silence.

"Oh, they'll be over it in no time. I'll see you soon for lunch!"

She hung up the phone quickly after she said her goodbye. Collecting the bedding into the basket, she clung the basket to her hip while swiftly walked to the washer to toss the linens in. Cranking the dials to begin the cleanse cycle, the metal door slammed closed harder than she meant to, earning a small jump from her.

Will the kids really be alright? It was her somewhat selfish actions that caused this. For a long time she felt a sense of loss without Cloud after promising to always be there. Jace entering her life was unplanned but was a source of her happiness. Divorce? She was so caught up with the responsibility of the children it never crossed her mind before. She never even thought that Cloud would return after numerous calls were made that were left unanswered.

"I was told when children are involved the process requires a year of separation… for divorce."

Her brow furrowed as she contemplated what to do to make this better for them while walking back to the kitchen to sit alone at the table. Slumping forward she crossed her arms, tucking the side of her face in the hollow of her upper limbs. Heavily sighing, she concluded nothing would make a difference, but a planned dinner of homemade pizza and chocolate cake couldn't hurt either.


He had split up the party to traverse through the zigzagging tracks of Mount Corel. Barret was in a grim mood so Cloud opted to leave him behind while he went on ahead to lower the bridge with Aerith and Tifa. Red XIII could have some wise words with the lone gunman about to face his past so the rest of the group may hurry on to find Sephiroth. Yuffie was left behind as well to have a balanced party, but also her presence would be revenge to Barret's insistent grumbling. The ground was becoming barren of flowers near the pathway as they followed the winding route of the mountainside.

The only sounds made were Tifa's boots scraping the dirt and pebbles and Aerith's quiet humming as she trailed ahead. Cloud was deep in thought about the old man they had crossed earlier, who spotted a "man in a black cloak" on the mountain. He never expected to see Sephiroth again, but he had to settle the score with his nemesis. He squeezed Tifa's hand a little tighter, thinking of how he almost lost her at the reactor years ago. His town was destroyed, his mother killed and his girl was deeply wounded. The brunette clasped onto his arm with her free hand to seize his movement, bringing his attention to her worried eyes that slightly narrowed against the evening sun.

"What's wrong?" she whispered, looking concerned.

Before he could answer, a short and repeated calling of a bird ahead alerted Cloud they were no longer alone. Whipping his head around and releasing Tifa's hand he quickened his pace past the flower girl to find the source of the noise. He climbed up the crag steadily to find there was a small nest of baby cokatolises in the alcove, awaiting their mother to feed them. He didn't realize Tifa and Aerith present until they spoke up.

"How cute!" Aerith exclaimed while bringing her hands together. The tiny birds chirped more as she knelt down beside the nest.

"Yes… how cute." As a thought came to her Tifa began to giggle while rubbing her forefingers on Cloud's golden strands. "Cloud! Your hair looks like a chocobo!"

He pinched the bridge of his nose at his girlfriend's teasing, trying to hold back a sigh. His annoyance grew when he saw Aerith hiding a laugh to herself as she muttered "Tifa's golden chocobo". Instead of sighing, he let out a grunt at the two.

"Come on, let's take the damn treasure and get out of here," he muttered as he bent over to collect the Phoenix Downs into the knapsack. Gently he intertwined his fingers with Tifa's to make their way back down the rocky slope. The couple skidded carefully as they descended, being used to this type of terrain from their upbringing. With caution, the girl in pink took her steps gradually before landing back on the dirt path.

"Cloud!" Tifa blurted out as Aerith stood upright from her small jump, gripping her metal Striking Staff to fend herself. Cloud could see they were no longer alone. The cokatolis blocked their way, expanding her lavender wings up that shook outrageously as she shrieked.

"Let's just… get this over with." Bending his knees he unsheathed his Hardedge sword, ready to cut down the bird.


The pocket of his dark pants jiggled as he searched for his keys. He wasn't used to locking up going to and from home, but living alone in an apartment complex changed that. He wouldn't be coming home to the children and Tifa anymore. Instead he was entering a home, if he could call it one, completely empty of noise. He was used to the quiet on his travels but it was different when he was in Edge. He expected to hear Marlene's laughter, Denzel's questions from his vast curiosity, and Tifa's soft words of encouragement that always uplifted him.

He never expected his family to end this way. For months he figured he would just die alone, and now he was going to live and be somewhat alone. Divorce was not what he wanted, but he did take his wife for granted for a long time. He had hoped against hope that it wasn't serious between Jace and Tifa, but alas he was at misery's end. He had no choice but to let her go.

His new place had little in the way of life and color, as he only required the simple things. He had a small living room and kitchen with a light oak table, but he managed to snag a place that held three bedrooms and one bathroom. The children's rooms had the basics: twin sized bed, nightstand, lamp and dresser. He was able to furnish his place pretty easily with his salary, as he only had so little to move from Seventh Heaven.

Opening the pantry he grabbed a small can of beef soup to warm up. As soon as he moved in Reeve had sent him out to Mideel for the rest of the week to open up the new distribution center. This one was a priority due to the exotic exports the island chain offered that was in high demand. He still had a few of his things in boxes, but no time to supply basic necessities like cookware, plates, toiletries and such. This was apart of living on his own, which he would need to take care of before the kids arrived to his new place.

The move was abrupt on the two, and it didn't help matters that he had been shipped out on work almost immediately. At least he would see them tomorrow after school, he thought.


There was only a few occupants in the bar that evening, as the people of Edge were turning in early for the beginning of the work week. Sunday nights always wound down before dinner time, giving her the chance to spend time with the kids and prepare for school. She collected the gil in her front pocket and placed the empty glass into the sink as one of her patrons departed from the barstool.

"Goodnight!" Tifa smiled as she waved off the man leaving Seventh Heaven. Her smile brightened when the door opened to reveal Jace stepping in just as the customer sneaked past him. She hugged her boyfriend when she met him halfway through the bar. His palm cradled the base of her skull as he went in for a kiss.

He tried to deepen it and Tifa giggled as she gently pushed him back a little. "Easy there, Jace. I'm still working," she playfully reminded him with a wink, blissfully unaware of the young brown haired girl that had entered the room.

"Cloud left because of you! I don't want you here!" Marlene shouted.

Jace narrowed his eyes at the little girl as he still held the barmaid in his arms. "Excuse me?" Tifa placed her fingers on his lips to shush him; she was the one to handle her daughter, not him.

Unlocking herself from his arms she bent down to Marlene's height to hold her hand. "Sweetie, you can't yell at Jace like that even if you're upset."

"Why? It's his fault, isn't it?" Marlene responded while pulling her hand away from her mother figure, tears welling up in her brown eyes.

"Why is this my fault?" Jace sneered his question. Tifa shot him a warning look over her shoulder.

"Cloud didn't have to leave, but he did because of you! We're a family that is supposed to stick together. You've ruined everything!" The petite brunette accused the tall man in front of her as Tifa grabbed her shoulders to calm her.

"You listen here—"

"This is not your place Jace," Tifa advised firmly from her knelt position. "Please stop."

Marlene gently cried into Tifa's shoulder as the other patrons looked on. Jace stood off to the side, annoyed at the situation in front of him and feeling the misplaced blame on his shoulders. Tifa could hear him huff out from behind her as she continued to console Marlene. She whispered into her ear, "you need to apologize to Jace."

She nodded gently back as she pushed herself off of Tifa. Wiping her tears off her pale cheeks, she sniffled out the words, "I'm sorry Jace. I miss my Papa and now Cloud is gone too."

"Cloud isn't your father. Barret is," Jace snapped unexpectedly, making Marlene run out of the room.

"Jace! That's enough!" Tifa yelled as she stood up to face him. "Cloud is her father too, whether you like it or not."

Her ruby eyes flared back at his amber orbs, diminishing his irascible mood. "I'm… I'm sorry."

"Too late for that. I think you should go," Tifa flatly said while trying to turn to follow Marlene. Jace clasped his hold on her gently to stop her, but she still avoided his gaze.

"I really am sorry. I know you think the world of these kids… I'd like to stay. Please?" he pleaded to her.

"I know this situation is hard on you too, but they are a part of the package," she began as she broke his embrace to place her hands on her hips. With a stern glare, she stared into him. "Don't ever do that again. We can talk after I close tonight, but I need to take care of what you've done first."

Jace slowly nodded and Tifa made her exit to the upstairs. She was a mother first, a girlfriend second. Hopefully tonight was just a one time incident.


"What are you getting so embarrassed about? Come on, who do you like?"

"...Tifa."

He was surprised to hear those words earlier on the jungle path. He could hear his girlfriend inhale deeply next to him when she overheard the Turk speaking too. During combat the bald man avoided the pugilist and targeted him instead. He trusted Tifa, but the situation perked his curiosity if something had happened between the two before he joined the ranks of AVALANCHE.

"Hey, something seems wrong. Like they knew we were coming," Tifa spoke up, interrupting his anxious mind.

"They followed us… but there weren't any signs of it. Then, that means…" Cloud added to the barmaid's thoughts. He didn't want to think of the possibility of Tifa with anyone else, but now a spy in their group wasn't what he wanted to focus on either.

"You don't think there's a spy, do you Cloud? I hate this. Now everyone's gonna blame me because I'm new," Cait Sith commented while panicking. The cat on top of the obese moogle robot began to wave his scrawny arms frantically.

"I don't even want to think there is a spy. I trust everyone," Cloud breathed out his reassurance. "Let's just get going to the reactor."

The feline nodded at the Ex-SOLDIER and bounced on ahead down the path lined with heavy vegetation. Cloud had grabbed onto Tifa's arm and lingered behind to wait for their new comrade to be out of sight, wanting to be alone with her. Her eyes shifted to his face as she waited for him to speak, her brows furrowing with confusion over his firm grip on her.

"Do you… have a past with Rude?"

"No. Why would you think that?" She laughed out her question to him.

"He avoids you in battle and has a crush on you. I thought there may have been something there from before..." He trailed off while rubbing the back his head with his free hand. "Forget I said anything."

"You're jealous," Tifa teased him in between giggles. He loosened his grip on her and lightly brushed his gloved finger tips down her forearm. Tifa stopped her laughter and concentrated her eyes on his, and he chuckled internally when her eyes flashed with surprise. His hand had clasped tightly on her wrist to immediately tug her forward into a kiss, claiming her lips. She whimpered softly at the contact, which he deepened when he cupped her shoulder to bring her closer.

He broke off the kiss and looked down into her eyes that had a glow mischief to them. "Hmm… maybe we should get lost in the woods for a bit?"

Taking her suggestion, he clasped his hand around hers as they scurried off into the labyrinth of tall trees.


The remaining customers began to pull gil from their wallets after Tifa emerged from behind the bar counter. Consoling Marlene took a bit longer than usual and it was closing time. Jace sat at the bar waiting for her, tension thick in the air.

"I don't know what good could have come from scolding her earlier, but do not do that again," Tifa said, deadly serious.

"I know, it was wrong of me. I'm not used to kids... and I feel the blame was all on me rather unfairly. I'm sorry for how I reacted," Jace fumbled his apology rather nervously. He had crossed a mother with her child and was easing on the side of caution.

"But it's not your fault. Denzel and Marlene are still processing this. I can give them time and patience, and you will have to as well," Tifa related to her boyfriend.

Reaching out for her hand he grazed his thumb lightly back and forth over her knuckles. "I will."

Tifa believed in redemption, and would hold him to that.


With a bang, his office door spring open to reveal a very unhappy Barret. Cloud wasn't expecting any visitors at his new job that afternoon and had a lot of work to catch up on. Seeing the look on his tall friend's face he knew he would have to pause any tasks he had.

"What the hell is this 'bout you movin' out, Spiky?!" Barret spat out.

"Nice to see you, Barret. Do you have an appointment?" Cloud replied sarcastically while jotting down inventory on a form.

"I don't need no appointment. What's this 'bout you leavin' the kids and Tifa again?" Barret asked again while pulling out a chair in front of the desk. Cloud was surprised to see such a large bulky man fit in the seat so comfortably.

"I didn't leave, Barret. In fact, I'm picking up Marlene and Denzel today after school and spending time with them," Cloud retorted while glaring back at the gun man. "Are you done with the interrogation?"

"No. I don't like hearin' my little girl cryin' about it. Is this 'bout Jace?"

"Marlene... was crying?" The blond was surprised to hear that since he had been away longer on deliveries before.

"Yea, Tifa told me that Jace snapped at her when she yelled at him last night. That chicken shit got some nerve," Barret growled as he clenched his knee tightly with his hand.

"What?" Cloud asked as his expression darkened.

"Tifa told me she already took care of it and it won't happen again. Are you gonna answer my question now, Spiky?"

Barret didn't have to repeat what he was trying to get at but Cloud groaned since he would have to be honest with him. "A little bit."

His friend shook his head with regret. "I shoulda been around more before to check up on ya two. I didn't know things got so bad. Always figured you and Tifa end up together."

We kinda did, but that's over now. "I don't wanna get into that Barret."

Barret scoffed. "I don't trust that guy. Known as a fucking womanizer back 'round Corel. Seems he changed for Tifa but I don't get a good feelin' from him. Up to no good with her, and I warned her too!"

"Is this all you stopped by for? I really got to get back to this," he replied. He didn't like hearing the backstory of his wife's boyfriend and just wanted the topic to diffuse itself.

"I'll be waitin' out front. I wanna see Marlene so I'll go with you to school to pick her up. Maybe we could all get some dinner tonight?" The dark skinned man demanded more than suggested.

Cloud nodded, and Barret took his leave. As the door closed to hopefully block any more distractions, he went back to filling out the forms. His wish was short lived when the desk phone rang for him. Damn it.

Glaring at the telephone he picked up the receiver. "Strife here."

"Cloud? I need to speak to you about Denzel. I met him earlier today about joining the WRO," Reeve informed on the other end.

"You didn't let him, did you? Why did he want to join?" First Marlene, and now Denzel.

"Of course I didn't but I was intrigued by his story. You have a strong kid there Cloud. He wants to be just like you, and you've been busy with work," Reeve pointed out. "Take off next Monday to spend time with those two. I checked the school and they are closed that day."

"Thanks Reeve, I will."


"Bonfires are funny, aren't they? They make you remember all sorts of things," Tifa mused as she gazed at the fire pit. "You know, Cloud. Five years ago…"

They were alone by the fireside in Cosmo Canyon as the other AVALANCHE members retreated for the night. The air was getting cold in the desert as he felt goosebumps grow on his girlfriend's bare arms. As she leaned in for warmth from him he tucked her closer around his arm. He was admiring the scenic view of the valley, the rocky edges with the colors of rust and mauve. He waited for Tifa to continue on.

"...it's nothing," she dismissed quietly. "No, forget it. I'm afraid to ask."

Cradling her jaw he lifted her face to stare into her ruby eyes, seeing them glisten with worry as the flames reflected on the orbs. She couldn't turn away from his cobalt eyes, opening her mouth a little to speak she quickly closed it again. "Tifa, what is it?" He stroked her cheek with his thumb.

She angled her head into his touch, covering his hand with hers and fluttering her eyes closed. "It feels like… it feels like you're going far away…"

"I'm right here, Tifa."

"You really, really are… you… right?"


The children barreled out the front door of the tavern with Cloud and Barret in tow, carrying their school bags as well as a small duffel bag filled with overnight necessities and clothes. Tifa was happy to see her two comrades return to Edge, and tried her best to calm down Barret about her boyfriend's wrongdoing, promising it was not to be a recurrence.

It reminded Cloud of their AVALANCHE days of Barret getting riled up easily and his wife trying to be the voice of reason, however this was about Marlene. It didn't sit well with Cloud either that Jace spoke to her that way, but he kept quiet as Tifa and Barret went back and forth on the issue. Denzel was more his anyway, finding him collapsed near Fenrir in Sector Five. He was protective of the two children, and grimaced at the thought of them being around Jace. He had sat at the counter listening to the two argue over the worthless man. Barret wanted to confront him while Tifa explained it was handled. At this time Cloud opted to divulge about Denzel later since she was busy with her other co-parent.

But it seemed the gunman was going to get his wish… Jace was trekking over to Seventh Heaven as they had made their exit. The sandy haired man stopped short in his tracks when he saw Barret flaring his nostrils as he took a few strides over to Jace. His face fell when Barret bunched the collar of his black dress shirt in a vice grip.

"Papa?" Marlene called as she stalled her pace a little. The kids hadn't noticed Tifa's boyfriend until now as they were heading to the restaurant.

"You listen here boy," Barret began to warn Jace who was trying to shimmy out of his hold with no such luck.

"You've had a problem with me since day one Barret," Jace bit back. "Let me go!"

"Barret… you about done?" Cloud casually asked. He didn't care either way if Barret had his way with him or not, just not in front of the kids.

The towering man grunted in reply and turned his focus back to Jace. "Don't be messin' with both of my girls again. Ya hear?"

The fool in his hand only glared back, causing Barret to push him back a bit as he released him. As he walked away to join the kids, Jace had tumbled backwards as he got his footing back while trying to straighten up his shirt.

"What the fuck is his problem?" Jace asked out loud while brushing off his shoulder.

"You," Cloud stated, voice firm and steady. "You messed with his family. Lay off Marlene and Denzel. I won't hesitate to step in next time either, especially with Denzel. He is mine."

Jace scoffed at his warning. "Funny way of showing it when you took off all those months. But now because of that, Tifa is mine." He fixed the button of his collar as one side of his mouth twisted up into a cocky smile.

Brilliant blue eyes glowered at the golden yellow eyes of the man opposite from him, standing there with his arms crossed. Jace was trying to bait him, he could feel it emitting from the jackass, and he refused to give in. Hearing the door of the bar close behind him only proved his suspicions. This was about Tifa seeing a fight and giving him sympathy. He was one calculating son of a bitch.

"I'm not here to play games with you," Cloud retorted. "I'm just here for my family." He turned to depart from his former home, but not before stopping at his wife's side to give a firm warning. She appeared taut with concern but didn't speak with the scowl currently on his face. Cloud spoke his threat loud and clear as he snarled at Jace's direction. "I never want to hear about your guy being mean to our kids again."

"I'm sorry, I handled it and I was going to tell you later. It won't happen again," she replied. "Jace has always been so good with them before…"

"Not good enough to me."

She could only nod quietly in return. There wasn't much to defend about a grown man yelling at a six year old. Giving one last ominous stare at the coward, Cloud joined up with the children.

He could overhear Tifa inquire to her boyfriend as to what happened with Barret, and softly defend her friend in return. "Well what did you expect when you messed with his little girl?"


Author's Note Continued: Chapter updated on 4/9/19; Cloud needed to be a little more aggressive to Jace at the very end.