Chapter 21: Dreams

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII

"I have found a witness regarding Cissnei's threats to Tifa months before she was attacked, she approached me this morning and told me everything, she hesitated because she was Cissnei's assistant before and she knew how she was when she quit and became a set dresser for the company instead, she was assigned to be a crew in your series, Cloud, and she happened to be passing by when the two women were having a confrontation in dressing room area." Rufus said as he sat on his office chair with the blond actor sitting across from him, who was staring at him with a scowl on his face.

"But why didn't she did that sooner?" Cloud asked angrily, he was losing his patience.

"Like I told you, she was scared, she knew how Cissnei is and what she is capable of doing when she wants something. You, of all people, should know about that Cloud." Rufus told him, empahsizing on his name making the blond scoff.

"She's been lying on that hospital bed for 6 months now Rufus, and you expect me o be happy about this? She had to wait a few months before she says anything?!" The blond stood up to yell his point. Rufus sighed while he lowered his head.

"Cloud, you should just be thankful that she did, if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have any leads." Rufus said as calmly as he can, he understood why was the actor acting like this, he was desperate, confused and angry, and all he needed now was understanding. "We will do everything we can Cloud." Cloud sighed when he said that who put his hands on his hips and lowered his head.

"I know... I'm sorry." The blonde finally apologized while older man just shook his head.

"I understand where you're coming from and what you're going through." Rufus said quietly without looking at the blond. Cloud looked up at him. "I care about her too, a lot. More than you think." He said those words with blank eyes making Cloud's face soften. He understood what Rufus meant by that and he will never fight this man for loving his fiancee, because he had known this man for years and he will not do anything to ruin his and Tifa's relationship.

"I know." The actor finally said. "I'm sorry for acting out, and thank you Rufus... For... Everything." He gave the older blond a small smile who smirked back at him.

"Of course Cloud." He nodded. "Of course."

"I told you, I don't have anything to do with this!" Cissnei yelled at the investigator while she was being questioned in a room with a glass panel. She had become extremely irritated by the questions and just wanted to get out. She leaned back to her chair and crossed her arms in front of her.

"But a witness said that you threatened Tifa Lockhart months before this incident happened." The investigator asked her with a bored voice and face. Cissnei scoffed and looked away.

"And who is this witness that you're talking about?" She asked in an annoyed tone. The man sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"Just answer me Miss Cissnei, you will not ask... that's my job." The man leaned forward and said that in an almost whisper threateningly. Cissnei actually swallowed when he did that, he had finally scared her but she was not going to show any signs of it.

"Fine, I did threatened her before, and what ever your witness said is probably right-"

"So you do admit finally that you have-"

"JUST LISTEN TO ME WILL YOU?!" She yelled as she slammed her hand on the table. The man shrugged then gestured for her to continue. "Like a said if you have been listening, I did threaten her, and all I did was start rumors about her sleeping around the higher ups to get to where she is now, I wanted everyone to hate her because she got in between me and my boyfriend Cloud Strife." When she was done, the man raised his eyebrows at her and supressed his laugh.

She's like a spoiled 8 year old.

"That's all you did? Are you sure?" The man asked again while rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, he was suddenly very exhausted.

"Yes! That's all I did! She's a bitch that's why everyone hates her so it's probably one of those people and they have nothing to do with me." She said with a scowl.

"You are dismissed." The man said lazily. Cissnei stood up and went for the door. "For now." She scoffed, went out and slammed the door behind her.

Cloud stared at Tifa's face and sighed, even in a coma, her beauty never faltered, and all he wanted to see is her smile once again.

"Are you tired now baby?" He asked in a whisper to his love. "Please... Just... Hold on Tifa..." He cupped her right cheek and slowly ran his thumb over it. "Everyone's still waiting for you..." He leaned forward, his face a few inches from hers. "I'm not giving up on you sweetheart..." Then he closed their distance and kissed her lips. "I love you so much..." It was at the moment that he didn't see her forefinger twitch.

"Denzel! It's dinner time!" Yuffie called out for the boy outside his bedroom while knocking on his door, "Suzy is getting everything ready downstairs." She said again then the door opened, revealing Denzel's sad face in between the space. Yuffie's face softened. Tifa and Cloud got a nanny for him named Suzy, but Yuffie and Vincent would still come every night to the couple's home so they can accompany the child during dinner. "Come on now buddy." He held up her hand towards the boy who grasped it slowly, he went out just a few feet from his room then stopped suddenly, Yuffie did the same and looked back at him with a questioning look. "What is it Denny?" She knelt on his height and held the top of his head.

"I saw her in my dream Aunt Yuffie... My mommy..." He said quietly without looking at the grown woman, whose face turned into sadness.

"Really? What happened in that dream Denz?" She said as she gently rub his left arm with her right hand.

"She told me that she'll see me soon..." Yuffie's eyes widened while Denzel slowly looked up at her. "She said she misses me..." That made the brunette smile. She ruffled tha boys head and pinched his small nose.

"See, I told you Mommy's coming back!" She tried her best to be her old self again and smiled brightly for the boy. Then she stood up, grasped his hand gently then led him towards the kitchen where Vincent and Suzy are waiting. Her smiled disappeared as soon as she turned her back to Denzel. She didn't want to get the hopes up of the child but it was the only thing she could do to ease his loneliness.

And a dream will always be just a dream.

"Cloud bowed his head while his elbows are resting on both knees, he was still at Tifa's hospital room and was extremely exhausted, he hadn't got any good sleep ever since she went into a coma, Tifa's father would scold him for it saying that his health will detiriorate if he continues like this, but the older man isn't taking his own advice either. Mr. Lockhart went out for a while to get them both some food. He slowly looked up and stared again at Tifa's sleeping form, he will never get tired of looking a her, but then he realized how thirsty he was, so he slowly stood up, grabbed his sports drink cup then went out for the door to fill it with water from the dispenser just outside the room. But before he could even reach the door knob, something made him stand still and be glued at the floor with his eyes wide.

"Cloud..."

His heart stopped.