Lockhart007

Hey y'all, I'm back. Sorry I'm updating chapters sooooooo late, but I've been busy busy busy!

Chapter Twenty-One

"Have we got everything?" Tifa asked, shoving a pair of clean underwear into her suitcase and sitting on it to squish it all down, "Before I get this zipped up"

"I think so" Cloud answered, taking the dead flowers out of the vase, where crinkled, yellow leaves fell off the stem and flittered to the table surface, "Even if we miss anything, it'll still be here when we next come"

Tifa stopped bouncing on her suitcase and slowly gazed up at her boyfriend, a wormy smile slowly appearing on her face, "We'll . . . we'll be coming back?"

Clouds grin came even slower, "Of course . . . that's if you're not sick of me by then"

"Why would I ever get sick of you?" she laughed.

"People always find a way" Cloud muttered, lifting the lid of the silver bin with the peddle at the bottom and throwing the deceased flowers inside, "People can only take a few months of me before they decide I'm not useful to them anymore"

"When you say people, who are you talking about?" she implored, going back to bouncing on her case.

"Just . . . people" he answered in an unhelpful way as he let the bin's lid drop, sending a small metallic bang to sound around the room, "People way before your time"

"Oh, stop talking in that way"

"In what way?"

"Like you're millions of years older than me"

Cloud gave her a confused look, "Erm . . . I'm about three-hundred years older than you, babe"

"I know that" she said, rolling her eyes, "But the way you're making it sound, it feels like I'm in a relationship with some old man, where I'm waiting for him to pop his clogs so I can get tons of money when I made him put me into his will, giving me everything"

"Do I look like some old man?" he asked, jokingly.

Tifa laughed and shook her head, "But you are loaded"

"Ah" Cloud smirked, "The truth of our relationship finally comes out"

"I know" she smiled, getting to her feet, walking the distance between them and wrapping her arms around his waist, "I'm a bad, selfish girl who has done such a bad thing. I need to be punished"

"I'm a good cop" he replied, mimicking her actions, "I let the accused decide their own fates"

"Hard to decide" she laughed, pretending to think hard, "But as punishment, I'd really see the error of my ways if we were to stay here for another week"

"And that's a punishment?" he inquired, eyebrow raised.

"Of course it is, if I'm spending it with you"

"You're a cheeky invalid" Cloud growled in humoured delight, wrapping his arms around her tighter and hoisting her off the ground and upwards so that she was a least a head taller than him, "How about I fill the bath up with freezing cold water and throw you in it?"

"I'll drag you with me" she commented, placing her hands on top of his shoulders, peacefully gazing down at him. "I'm not sure if I like being this high" she whispered, twiddling with the hair that rested at the nape of his neck, "I feel like I'm too far away from you"

"Missing me already?" he joked.

"No" she said, still in a whisper, "But I'm going to. When we get back home, we'll be seeing less of each other. I don't want that to happen"

"It's not going to happen" he answered, rather confused at how their conversation had become so serious and seldom. As he looked into her burgundy pools, he saw that the water was beginning to spill so he tipped his neck up and kissed them away, wishing he could kiss everything bad away from her life, upset that it couldn't be that simple and that he alone could not do it.

"How can you be so sure?" she said, the words half formed out of her mouth, sounding more like 'ow an uu bee so shur'.

"You're going to have to trust me" he said, adding a little smile onto the end. "I won't be far whenever you need me, ok?"

"Ok" she nodded, the word coming out like a whispered bubble as the last tear escaped from her eyes.

"Good girl" he breathed.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"I feel like a tin of sardines" she grumbled, attempting to not jab her elbow into somebody's ribs whilst they pushed and shoved themselves through a jumble of people in the market either getting off or getting onto ships. It was mayhem; her suitcase had already been knocked out of her hands three times that morning, and she was sure that one of them was deliberately trying to steal it from her. But as long as she kept her death grip on Clouds arm, she was safe from being washed away into the sea of busy people.

Soon –thankfully- she was being pulled up hill, realising that her feet had hit wood instead of concrete. She looked down and saw that they were heading for the door that was the entrance to the beautiful cruise ship, The Sierra. Still in mourning over leaving the resort of Costa del Sol, she missed the conversation that Cloud held with the stewards, but everything must have been all ok, because she was once again yanked forwards and her feet quickly hit a new surface – rich red carpeting. Before, the colour scheme enthralled her, made her feel like royalty. But now, they just depressed her, they were so dull compared to the blues and yellows she had witnessed over the past week. They made her want to feel physically sick, the red once being the colour of love but now to her, it resembled hate. Hate for the life she was going back to. A life where a certain group of . . . of things wanted her dead more than anybody in the world, one where she was surrounded by the un-natural and all of the perils it came with.

Sighing, she was dragged all the way back to the room they had arrived in, opening the door to an immaculate room that looked like it hadn't been touched since they left it, but she knew there was probably a hormone driven couple in here until a few moments ago, she cringed at the thought of even looking at that bed.

"I'm being serious" she pleaded, stopping Cloud closing the door, "Let's get off and go back to the Villa. I wasn't joking yesterday when I said I'd rather paint toe nails for a living than go back to Midgar where I'll be hounded twenty-four seven. I know that you worry about me when we're not together, so if we stay here, you'll know where I am and then you won't have any worries, right?"

"What has gotten into you?" he asked, half slamming the door shut, "You know we can't stay any longer than needed. I have a job in Midgar and so do you. And what about Aerith? How would she cope without you?"

"She'd find a way" but it was then when she realised she was being utterly selfish. She hung her head and forced her gaze onto the floor, wondering when she had become so selfish and terrified. She had also promised Jessie that she would help her, and she couldn't leave her best friend Aerith to thrive on her own. If the werewolves got to her, she'd be at least a day away until she was any use to help. "I'm sorry" she whispered, still looking away.

With a defeated-like sigh, Cloud dropped the handle of his suitcase and went over to her, wrapping his arms around her abdomen and his chin on her shoulder.

"I understand" he whispered, "I wish it was that simple too. That we could stay here forever and everything else was sorted. Who knows. When all this blows over, we could move here permanently"

She turned in his grasp and glared into his eyes, tears brimming in her own, "You mean that? You really mean that? It's not an empty promise?"

"I said could not would, babe" he laughed, kissing her forehead, "But it is a high chance that it is a would"

Letting out a loud, long and high pitched squeal, she clapped her hands vigorously before wrapping her arms around his neck in what look more like a strangle than a hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you" she said in a mantra, "Gaia, I love you so much"

"I should hope you do" he smiled, "That holiday didn't just pop out of nowhere"

"I want to give you something too" she said determinately, "I owe you something but that bed just disgusts me, I'm not sleeping on it tonight, I'll sleep in the bath. But I do owe you something"

"Just stick by me and then you'll never owe me anything" he answered.

"Oh alright" she smirked, "Consider debt – repaid!"

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"And then I told him to stuff his thirty grand and to give me the sixty that was agreed before we married. After a bit of persuasion I got him to give me what I deserved. I can't raise those two poor children on a mere amount like thirty grand. I scoff at that amount"

Tifa stared open mouthed at the large, conceited woman who decided to talk to her. She was in the lobby, minding her own business and waiting for her man when this thing caught her into conversation. It wasn't like she was even looking at the brown haired woman before she came over. She was riling through her handbag for a top up of her lipstick when she felt a tap on her shoulder and was told to introduce herself because she was a – what was the sentence she used? – A young new promising female power. This woman didn't know that Tifa didn't have enough Gil to rub together, and if she did, she'd scoff and walk away, telling her little friends to stay away from her. So she acted the part of a rich woman, even though she was a bad actress.

"Thirty?" she gulped, wondering what person in their right mind would even turn down one grand, "Was . . . was that all? Shameful"

"That is what I told him" the real fur covered woman said, waving her pudgy arms to emphasis her point, "That amount isn't going to put food on my table for the three of us" she stopped then smirked, "Or even just two, when the children are out. As soon as I got my money, I didn't take shame in taking in a man or two. Not like they weren't already there when I was still married to that bastard"

Tifa nodded, hoping that this woman would leave her alone or that Cloud would come and rescue her. The woman looked her up and down and Tifa followed her, trying to see if there was anything wrong with her. She couldn't see anything wrong with the dress Aerith had brought her, or the way she had her hair tied up, or even any of the accessories she had put on. She looked, well, normal. Maybe a little bit sophisticated for her own liking but nothing more or less.

"I see no wedding ring" the annoying woman commented, staring at Tifa's left hand, "I presume this is a man-hunting trip?"

Tifa looked up sharply from where she was still fretting over her appearance and positively glared at the woman, but she reeled it in and said as politely as she dared, "No, I'm afraid I am accompanied with my boyfriend. It was his treat to have us both on this cruise trip"

"Your gentleman friend paid for this?" the woman scorned, wrinkling her nose. Tifa refrained from lashing out, offended that Cloud was described as her 'gentleman friend' like he was some sort of dirty secret. "Will he be accompanying us tonight?"

Tifa ground her teeth together and forced a 'yes' before her tongue got the better of her. She then remembered that she didn't even get this woman's name. She introduced herself but this woman didn't even do the same for her. "Sorry, but I did not catch your name"

"Oh dear" the woman shrieked, reaching out a very jewelled hand and touching her arm where she had placed on a golden snake shaped armlet her father had gotten her for Christmas a few years back, "I told you before" 'No you didn't you annoying hag!' "My name is Elizabeth Marie Jenkins Williams Brown, but please, called me Lizzie"

"Well Lizzie, if you excuse me, I'd like to leave you in search of my boyfriend" Tifa almost spat out, she was beyond being annoyed with Elizabeth, now she was close to almost hating her.

Elizabeth, however, did not seem to like what her young new friend had requested, "Oh no, you poor little thing. You do not go to the men, they come to us. And why settle for the same man? There are a hundred of fine young men waiting to wine and dine a pretty young thing like yourself. That was part of the reason I came over to you, you've been getting quite a few admirers, and if I'm seen with you, some of those eyes will also come to me and hopefully, we'll both get lucky tonight"

"I'm not looking for anybody to wine and dine me" Tifa snarled, trying and failing to keep the venom out of her voice, but unfortunately for her, Lizzie did not hear it and go away, "I am here with my partner, one that I love and one that I would never leave for somebody else. Despite how rich and welcoming they may be"

"Sticking with one man?" Lizzie tutted, shaking her large head where her short brown curls bounced, "I feel for you dear, I really do, variety is the spice of life you know?"

Clenching her fists together, she forced herself to look away from Elizabeth and stare up the golden staircase with the rich blue carpet, hoping that her blond haired hero would kindly hurry himself up. Lizzie did not take the further hint, so Tifa forced herself not to listen as that horrible woman continued. She wanted to get rid of her but couldn't think of away to be able to do it without shaming herself. After a few moments of deliberately ignoring the vile woman, she felt a harder tap on her shoulder, and after sighing dramatically, she quickly turned to look into some beautifully green coloured eyes. She looked up into a smiling face, perfect teeth and slick black hair, those eyes still staring at her.

"Erm . . ." Tifa stuttered, "How can I help?"

In the corner of her eye, she could see Lizzie checking out Tifa's new company, raking her dark brown eyes over the man's head, back and his backside, giving a nod of approval.

"I was hoping I could escort you to dinner" the man said, holding his hand out to take, "I saw you across the lobby and was wondering why a beautiful woman like yourself is on her own"

"Oh" Tifa said, shaking her head and smiling warmly, "I'm sorry. But I was waiting for my boyfriend, so I cannot escort you, but Elizabeth over there" she nodded to her 'friend' and hoped she would get rid of two people at the same time, "She had been waiting for a gentleman like yourself to escort here. I highly recommend her"

The man looked over his shoulder and was given a sickly smile by Lizzie who gave him a full finger wave. He turned back to Tifa, looking rather disappointed. "If you are sure?" he asked.

"Absolutely" Tifa grinned, "You won't find a finer woman on this ship, I assure you"

The man frowned for a split second then forced a smile on his face, nodded and turned to the larger woman, telling her the exact same thing he said to Tifa. Lizzie grinned widely and let herself get escorted into the other room that was hosting the ball they were attending. She watched as the pair left, making sure that they were both going to leave her alone. As soon she they both entered the other room, she let out all of her tension and let out her held in breath, placing her hands on her hips and turning back towards the staircase where she saw that one of the golden angels that decorated the lobby had come to life and was walking slowly towards her. This angel had sparkling blue eyes and his hair had kept the gold he had been made with. With further guidance of her mind, she dissolved the look of a fallen angel and concentrated on the God that was coming towards her, black suit perfect, tie the colour of fresh blood and shoes polished to perfection. As soon as he was in front of her, he gawked, eyes not being able to move away from her, mouth open in awe and hands twitching to reach out and take hold of her, to claim her forever.

"You look amazing" she breathed, her neck straining to look up at him, his height dominating her since he was still on the steps.

"Forget about me and look at you" Cloud croaked, his vibrant blue pools wide, "Gaia, Tifa, you look . . . man you look stunning. I don't know what to say, you have me utterly gob-smacked"

"You don't think it's a little too much?" she asked shyly, not used to comments like the ones she was receiving.

"I just want to pick you up and run with you back to our room, but since I know you're disgusted about the bed, I won't"

"Like I told you" she laughed, "I'm sleeping in the bathtub tonight. But you're free to join me if you like"

"Nah" he joked, "But I'll wake you up with the cold tap"

"Do it and die" she hissed, mock punching him in the arm as the lobby became empty and classical live music filtered from the other room. Quickly stepping down to the bottom where he was now normal height to her, he offered her his arm and gave her a stunning smile, a smile that warmed her insides. She took his offered arm and together they entered the ballroom, a waltz currently in procession. Women in various length and coloured dresses were going around in circles, a man in a suit to each of them also going around and around, some even stopping to get over their dizziness.

"If you think you're spinning me around" she warned, the motion of the other circling women making her feel ill, "Then you have another thing coming"

"I told you we were going to a ball" he answered, "What did you think we were going to do, square dance?"

"Oh sshh" she said, looking around for the buffet table, "Now, where is the food?"

Cloud sighed, "I told you to eat before we left"

"I thought you were speaking rhetorically" she mused, leaving his side and wandering around the edge of the room in the hopes of seeing some food, she came back rather disappointed, "There's wine but no food. I'm not big on ball dancing, let's go"

"We're here now" Cloud said, rolling his eyes, "And you look more amazing than you normally do, we can't waste that"

"Then we'll go eat?" she said, rather like a petulant child.

Cloud took her hands into his and gave them a squeeze, "Why not?"

"Ok" she breathed, "One dance, that's all I'll promise you"

"Now who needs to reintroduce themselves to 'fun'?" Cloud laughed as he pulled her by her hands and into the middle of the dance hall, couples twirling and moving around them, dancing to the theme of the music. He moved one of her hands to his shoulder and linked the fingers with the other, his other hand going to her waist. Once they were in position, he twirled her, her black dress shimmering in the light and going with the breeze. It wasn't exactly a flowing gown, but the side split made up for that. Despite not being in the best mood the whole day, the enthusiasm that Cloud put into them dancing made her brighten up and enjoy herself. Like he said, they could always go back to Costa once things breezed over – if they breezed over. But she didn't let herself think of that, she put all of her effort into getting the most out of the last day of her holiday with Cloud.

Getting into the dance pretty slowly, she let out a squeal of surprise once Cloud grabbed her gently by her waist and hosted her into the air, twirled and set her back to her feet again where she landed awkwardly because she didn't anticipate he would do a move like that. Grasping his hand harder so that she could keep on balance, a giggle left her lips as he span her again, this time she tripped and fell into his chest, his hard body the only thing between her and the cold cream floor. Straightening up, the only thing that she heard ring in her ears was his cool none-mocking laughter, shivers going up her spine at the sound. Rather embarrassed, she tried to wriggle from his hold, hoping she could leave the ballroom and hope that no one saw her trip or yelp.

"We've just got here" Cloud said, once again making her wonder if he could read minds, "And it's only been one song"

"I'm not good at all this sophisticated stuff" she mumbled, not meeting his gaze, the floor seeming more interesting, "I'm more at home in a pair of jeans and socialising in a pub. I don't fit in here"

"You said roughly the same thing on our first date" he said, not letting go of her arms, "That you're feeling out of place or something. I told you before, you're worth ten of any of these here, trust me"

"I have about ten Gil to my name" she huffed, stopping with trying to squirm away, "In a way, I'm just sponging off of you, all of this, the whole holiday, was all down to you"

"It was your birthday present" he said, trying to keep a snort out of his voice, "You don't pay towards a birthday gift"

Sighing, she connected her watery eyes with his bright ones full of concern, the depth in them almost breaking her heart, knowing that she had upset him.

"I'm sorry" she whispered, "I've been emotional all day"

"I know you have" he chuckled, bringing her in for an almost bone crushing hug, "I know. If you don't want to stay, we don't have too"

"But you want to stay, don't you?" she asked into his chest.

"Not if you don't" he mumbled, pushing away from her to look directly at her, hands gently clasped onto her forearms, "Do you want to go for food now?"

"Yes" she laughed, a grin finally gracing her features.

"C'mon then" he beamed, offering her his arm which she took, going through the doors again but in the opposite directing, going towards any room that hosted food.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"Was the bathtub comfortable?" Cloud asked as they were getting the suitcases packed and ready to get off The Sierra as soon as they docked.

"Very" Tifa replied, a yawn passing her lips straight after her answer, a tell-tale sign that she had not slept a wink at all, no matter how many blankets and quilts she had put down. Not having her man sleep beside her must have affected her more than she thought it would – not like he didn't offer – it's just that the bathtub was not big enough for the pair of them. As soon as they got to their room the night before after spending the rest of the night in Tifa's natural environment – a crowded pub full of drunk men and cigarette smoke – she had taken one look at the bed and refused to go anywhere near it, her mind filled with mental images of what other couples had done on it. Cloud, naturally, tried his hardest to persuade her into the bed, saying she was being silly, but nothing he said or did was about to convince her, her gag reflex coming into play if she even thought about sleeping in it. Now that she thought about it, the bathtub probably wasn't the most sanitary place to sleep either, Gaia knows what people did there!

"You don't look comfortable" Cloud commented, head cocked to one side as he folded the bed linin and placed it back onto the stripped bed.

"I slept like a baby in there" she lied, averting her gaze and pretending to busy herself with her clothes, folding, un-folding and folding them over and over again.

Cloud sighed slightly out of frustration, a hand going through his hair, "Is it just bed's you're paranoid about or is there other things you need to tell me about? Just in case I do something that makes you have a panic attack"

"I just don't like the idea of being on a bed where Gaia knows what has happened" she replied, zipping up her suitcase with ease since she had bought another one the night before in the little shop on the second floor of the ship, making packing a whole lot easier since she had now more things to shove inside. "It just freaks me out"

"Everything gets washed" he said, holding up the pillowcases to emphasise his point, "It's not like they leave them to be dirty. They know more than anyone that these beds can get 'unclean' easily, so it's not like they're going to risk a customer's health by not washing a dirty quilt"

"That's beside the point" she said, getting to her feet and brushing her loose hair from her face, "A well-used bed is a big no-no in my book"

"Depends on what you mean by well-used" Cloud smirked, "You've slept in my bed and that's well-used . . . but not in the way you're just thinking. It's been well slept in. In fact, you're the first woman I've had in that bed. It's only about a year old. Anyway, that is way off topic. Look, are you done complaining so that we can be first in line to get off?"

"Yes" she said irritably, grabbing both handles of her suitcase and dragging them over to the door and gazed over her shoulder, "C'mon then, we want to get off quickly right?"

Sighing and shaking his head, he dropped the pillowcases on top of the folded sheets and joined her, picking up his own case and opening the door, letting her drag her own bags for a change, not in a gentlemanly mood.

They quickly got to where they needed to get off The Sierra, Midgars dark and uninviting colours putting her off instantly. The scent of things industrial and mechanic hit her nostrils as soon as they were within a hundred meters, the ship slowing down and getting ready to dock. Typically it was raining; they passed the raincloud as soon as they hit the shore that separated Midgar from Costa del Sol, the cloud deliberately hovering over the World's Capital. The rain paused as they soon came to an abrupt stop and after the platforms had been constructed, they were the first of the group of passengers to get off, going back underground to reach the reception and back onto Midgar soil.

"If that receptionist is there again" Tifa warned as they followed a family of obese members before hitting the door to the reception area, "Don't stand there and talk to her or I'll kill you"

"Is this another one of your paranoia's?" he asked, using his elbow to keep the door open as they went through, "What is up with you today? I feel like I've done something wrong"

Sighing, she got out of the way of the tidal wave of people and waited until he joined her to comfort him, "It's not anything you've done" she told him, feeling guilty, "I told you before, I just don't like the idea of being back here, where all of those-" she quickly looked around to make sure no one was within hearing distance of them, "-werewolves are out to get me"

"No need to worry about them" he consoled, "I'm here for you, if they even dare to look at you, you know I'll protect you with my life"

"Yeah, Reno and his cronies too" she grunted, folding her arms, "I guess that since he's going to be hanging around me for a while, the only thing I can hope for is for you two to get along. I don't want you ripping out each other's throats as I'm getting dragged away to my death"

"I won't even look at him" Cloud said, "But if he does anything, I'm well in my right to react"

She half glared at him, "I don't want you two fighting, even though I don't care if he gets hurt. I don't want you to get into any trouble with your-" another quick glance around "-vampire leader" she avoided saying the name 'Sephiroth', remembering Clouds reaction when she had last used it.

"Give me a break" Cloud chuckled, "I've only ever met him once, and he introduced himself with a pitiful punch to the face. Trust me, I'm just going to pretend he doesn't exist"

"Good" she replied, grabbing the handles of her suitcase again, "Let's get the car and go home. I can just tell Aeriths waiting for me in anticipation"

"And photos?" Cloud laughed

"We took none remember?" she said, "It's all been filmed because you're dumb enough to not be able to show up in photo's. Seriously, when vampires evolved, whose bright idea was it to have you not show in pictures?"

"We were invented before cameras" Cloud replied, sensing her joking tone, "So blame cameras, not us"

Laughing they left the reception area, blanking the blonde haired receptionist they had met on their way to Costa and went and retrieved the car that had been parked in the car park that was used by holiday makers. They shoved all of their belongings into the boot of the car and onto the back seats because the boot was not big enough to hold everything. As they sat down, Tifa checked the dashboard and saw that it was ten-fifteen in the morning, perfect time to answer Aeriths forthcoming onslaught of questions as soon as she got home. The drive home was a quiet one, not a lot of traffic was on the roads since it was a Sunday morning. She looked out of the window and frowned at the grey sky and the dark clouds that she knew were holding even more rain, waiting for the time to throw it at her. At the moment it was damp, and a cold mist had fallen and the fog lights of the car had to be put onto their highest. It took them half of the time to reach her house than it did going to the shipping dock, something she was not amused about. She waited for Cloud to turn the car off completely before she thrust the door open and stepped out, her foot hitting uneven tarmac and her small heel of her ankle boot going into a little pothole. Keeping her balance in a dignified way, she marched over towards the back of the car, lifted the lid and grabbed her bags, the sound of them dropping to the floor making her arrival reality in her eyes. She looked up as she heard a bang not far away and saw something pink fly down the steps of her front door and then something light but powerful knocking her to the floor, then she heard a high pitched squeal where her ears burned and her hands were unable to reach up and cup them.

"You should have rung me" she heard Aerith yelp as the arms around her neck began restricting her breathing, "I could have set up a welcome back gathering or something"

"That's why we didn't call" Cloud chuckled, coming over but not helping, "We didn't want a fuss"

"Well, you still should have called me" Aerith complained, leaning up a bit to get a better look at her friend, "You look amazing by the way. You're the only person in Midgar with a real tan"

She quickly glanced at Cloud and frowned slightly at Clouds still pale skin, "What did you do? Not leave the house?"

Cloud blinked and gave her a confused look, then realised that he forgot to apply any fake tan to his body since he couldn't tan naturally, so he just shook his head and said, "I stayed in the shade. I don't tan, I just fry"

"Oh" Aerith said, not moving from her spot where Tifa's face began turning blue since Aerith was still restricting her airflow, "I'm the same, I return as a lobster when I come home from holidays"

Cloud nodded then added, "You might want to stop showing Tifa you're affection, just for the moment. I don't think she can breathe"

"Hhmm?" she looked down and squealed, jumping to her feet, clasping her hands together and bowing her head, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you; I just got so excited that you were back. I'm so sorry"

"It's- it's ok" Tifa choked out, sitting up and gasping for much missed air, her head feeling slightly dizzy, "No damage done"

"Come inside" Aerith smiled, reached forward and helping her friend up, "We'll eat and drink and you can both tell me about your amazing holiday"

Cloud chuckled as he watched Aerith drag his still dazed girlfriend into their house and left him to deal with the bags, not that he minded. He grabbed Tifa's bags and left his own in the car as he locked the car and hoisted the bags over each shoulder and carried them up the little steps leading to the front door. He carefully placed the bags onto the floor, closed the door and entered the living room where Tifa was getting bombarded with all sorts of questions, like predicted.

"What was the hotel like?" Aerith asked as he came into the room and took his seat in the armchair since the two girls took up all of the space on the sofa, "Was it really grand and beautiful?"

"Actually" Tifa smiled, Aeriths enthusiasm was something she really missed, "We stayed in Clouds Villa. And yes, it was really nice before you ask, but it was the beach where we spent most of our time. The sand was so yellow, the sea so blue and the sky was absolutely gorgeous. And the sun! It never stopped shining"

"Oh wow" Aerith breathed, "You could have sent some of that sun over here. It's only been raining here, it's like you took the sun with you. Oh, I'm glad you had an amazing time, but I'm even gladder that you're back"

"I bet you are" Tifa laughed, "Have you been all lonely and bored without me here?"

"Actually, no" Aerith admitted, determined and excited to get her news out, "I've been hanging around with someone all week"

"Oh?" Tifa said, rather confused since Aerith didn't know many people and she wasn't one for making friends so quickly, "Can I ask whom?"

Aerith tilted her head towards Cloud and smiled, "Your brother. I met him again in the supermarket not long after you both left and we've stayed in touch since. Zack's been saving me from my boredom"

"Wait a minute" Tifa spluttered as Cloud went into rigid shock or anger, she wasn't sure which, "You've been hanging around with Zack Fair?"

Aerith rolled her eyes, totally oblivious to the angry man across the room with his fingernails digging into the arms of the chair he was sat on, "That's what I just said" she sighed, "And you know what else? I don't mind telling you this because you're my best friend, but I think him and I are more than just friends"

"More than just friends?" Tifa repeated, eye twitching. "Please tell me that means something other than what I'm thinking"

Aerith paused, looking at the dark haired woman and seeing her shocked rather than pleased, "You say that like it's a bad thing" Aerith whispered, rather hurt.

"That's because it is" Cloud growled venomously, seeing only red, "I told him to stay away"

"But why?" Aerith yelped, tears forming in her eyes, "He's a genuine good man. He's kind, generous, and funny and he's a true gentleman. He didn't rush me into anything, he told me that we'd go by my pace which we have. Why are you both acting like this is a bad thing? I thought you'd be happy that I'm happy"

"I am" Tifa said quickly, grasping her friend's hands in hers, "It's just that Zack-"

"Is a good for nothing liar who only cares for himself" Cloud interrupted, getting to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Tifa growled, watching as he quickly swept over to the door and down the hallway. "You're not leaving in that state!"

"I'm calm" came his grunted reply as he opened the front door and closed t behind him. Tifa was torn between staying with Aerith and going after Cloud, but as tears came from her friends green eyes, she decided that Cloud could sort out is own problems for the time being.

"Why are you both angry?" Aerith sobbed, "Zack is a good man. He hasn't forced himself onto me, hasn't hurt or insulted me, and he's never foul-mouthed either of you. Why don't you like him, Tifa? I understand that he and Cloud aren't on good terms at the moment, but what has Zack done to offend you?"

Tifa sighed and looked away, unable to face her properly, "Nothing" she replied, torn between her emotions, "I know that Zack is a genuine and decent guy, it's just that-"

"Cloud has been saying stuff to you?" Aerith wrongly concluded.

"No" Tifa said, knowing that her problem lay with Zack being what he was rather than who he was. If Zack had been human, Tifa would have no problems with him, she would even celebrate with her friend. But Zack was not human, and that was the problem. Tifa just couldn't accept it, even if it did mean being hypocritical.

"Then what is it?" Aerith growled, ripping her hands away and wiping her eyes, shocking Tifa since she hardly ever saw Aerith angry, "Has he said something to you, or done anything wrong? Do you know something about him that I don't? Because I see no reason why you should dislike him, Tifa!"

"I don't dislike him" Tifa admitted, "On the contrary, I do like him, it's just-"

"Cloud saying things to you" Aerith said again, balling her hands into fists, "What has he said? I can disprove them, all of them! I'll sit here all day if I have too" she paused, "When Cloud left, he said that Zack was a liar, what did that mean, what has he lied about?"

"I don't know myself" Tifa admitted, she had been wondering the same question as soon as Zack was even mentioned, "It's between them"

"He would never hurt me" Aerith continued, "I . . . I just know that. I'm good at telling whether people are genuine or not and Zack is, every part of my body is telling he that I can trust him, and I do. You trust me, don't you?"

"Yes, of course"

"Then trust me on this, please. Trust me and trust him. If you do, I can make you see why, I promise neither of us will let you down"

Torn still, Tifa looked down at her hands, wondering what thought in her head she should go with. The facts were that Zack was a vampire that had done something wrong in the past. Something that only Cloud and he knew about. Another fact was that Zack was trying to make up for his mistake but it was Cloud that wasn't letting him do so. And another one was that her friend really liked him, and if Aeriths persistence showed anything, then that feeling was mutual.

Based on her romantic side, she wanted to go with her last thought and trust the pair of them, but the first fact was making her argue with herself.

Would Zack be like Cloud? Would he be caring, loving and honest? Would he protect Aerith with every fibre in his being? She had only met him a few times briefly, but looking into Aeriths pleading face, she knew that he would.

She only ever wanted her friend to be safe and happy, and if Zack did that, what right did she have to stand in the way? What right did she have to stop Aerith being happy? She couldn't tell Aerith who she should or shouldn't see, but she could be there for her and support her, with whatever decisions she came up with, whether she agreed with them or not.

Forgetting whether Zack was a vampire or not, she leant over towards her friend and grabbed her into a tight hug, saying close into her ear, "I trust you", knowing that if Zack messed up, Clouds rage would be the last thing he would be worrying about.

To make this chapter small, I've split it into two. So I guess I'll apologise for it being short. But, as a positive, y'all get a quicker update and an extra chapter :D

Hope you liked it and I promise to try and updater faster than I currently am.

Please leave a comment because they do make me write faster, hee hee.

Hope you enjoyed your Easter and day/s off work.

Keza xXx