Hello friends! Well I hope you don't mind me calling you all that because honestly if you are still here after 20 chapters then I think we have moved past acquaintances don't you? In any case here is the latest chapter. I would love feedback from all major Tifa fans for this chapter because I would like to know what you think of how I view her and if you like how I handled her moving on from Cloud. I don't give you everything about that subject in this chapter but I think it is enough to explain how things were at the beginning of the story for her as well as a nice reminder of where the story began since it was such a long time ago. In any story that follows Square Enix's FFVII Compilation and has Tifa as one of the main characters, Cloud must be addressed, but I decided to boldly have him be almost a non factor for Tifa in my story as far as a love interest is concerned and would like to know what everyone thinks about the direction I chose. Oh and is my last line good or just cheesy? I just couldn't decide. As always thanks to all of you for taking time to read my story and come back each chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Square Enix owns all that is Final Fantasy.

Tifa continued to remind herself to breath in and out. It would do absolutely no one any good if she passed out from nerves now. And she would have to consider the fact that if she did faint, she may never regain consciousness because Reno would probably kill her for breaking under pressure. Besides she was used to having men look at her with a lustful eye. It happened everyday at her bar and the men didn't always have to be drunk to get the look that Gabriel was sporting now. Hell, that horny college kid had that same look on his face earlier on the dance floor. She had always consciously wore the type of revealing clothes so she would get the best tip. She had learned very early on that she was blessed with curves and large breasts and after getting tired of the teasing and then the grabbing she decided to put her "gifts" to good use.

But the real truth was, she was almost completely opposite of the persona she showed at work; that her clothes gave to her. Like so many things in her life it was a mirage, helping to hide all the doubt and insecurity she really felt about herself. Just as she had wasted so much time making Cloud into something he wasn't; she herself tried for a very long time...too long, to become what she assumed he envisioned all those years while he was away. That had been one of the reasons she had been so jealous of Aerith at first. She exuded confidence and was flirty and fun by nature. Of course she looked the part of innocent and naive which was not the truth. Just as people assumed Tifa was confident and owned her sexuality by what she wore, they thought the opposite of Aerith because she wore the color pink with a long skirt and ribbons in her hair. But the two women had learned early on about each other and knew what it was like to have to put on a costume, as it were, to survive. And after Aerith died Tifa tried to be enough to fill the void for Cloud, for herself...but it was a lie. And it took Aerith's presence back in all of their lives to finally figure that out.

It was a few months after the defeat of Loz, Kadja, and Yazoo; Tifa had been standing alone in the bar when she realized that she had no idea who she was or what she really wanted. When she hadn't been able to sleep that night she had gotten up and though it made her feel like a nerd, she got out a piece of paper and a pen and started to make a list of what she wanted, what she didn't want, and what she had been pretending to want. That is when she figured out about Cloud. Her feelings of being in love with him had long past into a more maternal feeling. She realized that they had never had a chance to really be true friends and that is what she wanted now with him more than anything. The other pressing need was to learn about herself and that is when the plans began for Barret, Marlene, Cloud, and Denzel to move out. Ironically before Tifa's big revelation, earlier that evening Reno had come in to have a drink and the two had spoken briefly. After that he started to come into the bar almost every night and their chats would go from light conversation to troubles at work etc. There was a brief hiatus with the WRO becoming a true force and Vincent's whole journey and chance to play big hero due to Deep Underground, but Reno had become a constant in Tifa's life. And somewhere along the way she had started to fall for him, becoming her first crush in a very long time. Of course he brought with him a whole new slew of problems and drama for her but it was very refreshing to not be pining over Cloud anymore, to have her heart and mind focused somewhere else.

And now here she was about to put on an exhibition show for an enemy with that said crush. If her friends could see her now...no don't think about their reactions, concentrate. Tifa closed her eyes and let out a deep breath.

"It's okay Bree, Melanie told me this was new for you, just concentrate on Reno and soon the room and extra eyes will disappear." There was major anticipation in his voice but yet there was a kindness to Gabriel's voice. It helped her calm down. She turned to face Reno who broke into a cheesy smile which caused Tifa to laugh and her nerves calmed even more.

"Just remember what an opportunity this is." The devilish gleam was back in his aqua eyes and Tifa knew that it was now or never so she gave a slight nod and closed her eyes; anticipating another enjoyable kiss from Reno. But it didn't come. Instead he began giving butterfly kisses on her closed eyelids and continued to kiss different parts of her face. Tifa giggled at first, half out of shock and half out of the fact they tickled. But as he continued the kisses became more and more sensual. Soon Tifa was so preoccupied by his kisses she did forget for a few minutes where she was; her whole focus was on Reno. As for Reno he couldn't help but snicker softly, he still didn't know what god he had made happy allowing him to kiss on Tifa Lockhart to overtake an enemy and therefore was enjoying every second to the fullest.

Tifa's whole body was tingling, it was sinful, the way he made her feel. the way he was in control but allowed her a few concessions from time to time....at least with the kissing. His hands were a different matter, they stayed in constant control, knowing exactly where and how to touch her. Tifa's body was becoming more submissive to his touch, she could feel her knees weakening. She was desperate to return the favor, but was still some what hesitant on what to do. She felt as inexperienced as she was when it came to this sort of thing but, for the sake of the show they were trying to give Gabriel, she pushed her insecurities aside and allowed her instincts to take over.

She moved her hands from his hips and slipped them under his shirt, lightly rubbing her hands up and down his chest trying to at least semi mimic the way Reno was touching her thighs and back. She felt encouraged by his response when she felt him pull her tighter to his body and he became even more forceful and passionate with his kisses. They broke a part a few moments later to catch their breath, but almost immediately Reno began showering her neck with kisses which Tifa responded to with a loud moan. Tifa was actually a little embarrassed at how loud she was but that quickly past when she heard Reno gasp at her reaction and become more aggressive again with his kisses moving to the other side of her neck. She reacted to his aggression by slightly digging her fingernails into his back to show approval of his actions. This made Reno chuckle softly, move his attention back to her lips for a few moments while moving one of his hands to run his fingers through her hair. This time Tifa became more forceful in her kisses and she smiled slightly when she heard Reno moan in response. When they pulled away from each other again, he moved his lips to her ear and very softly and seductively whispered, "Ready?"

Oh she was ready, her whole body was aching for him, begging for him to stop teasing with hints of touching more forbidden areas and actually make his move. But then when Tifa opened her eyes she realized where she was and what his question was actually talking about. Secretly a little sad; while still trying to catch her breath she nodded. She slowly turned around to where she was now facing her audience lifting her arm and putting her hand in Reno's hair. Reno lightly and skillfully moved his hands from right below her underarm down to the middle of her thigh. As his hands came back up they slowly moved to her stomach and began making their way up but before his hands reached her breasts which she could she could tell by Gabriel's body language that's what he wanted to see next. So she gracefully moved her arm away from Reno's hair and moved down until her hand was right by his pant pocket where her trusty compact was stored. As Reno showered her with soft kisses on the side of her face he whispered..."Now."

Tifa moved her hand into his pocket which luckily only got an eyebrow from Gabriel and the bodyguard didn't move. Once Tifa had a hold of the compact she quickly pulled it out of his pocket and threw it directly at Gabriel's head with perfect accuracy, hitting him square in the nose forcing his nose to pour blood and his eyes to well up with tears. Reno moved to the side of her and then immediately sprinted at Gabriel to silence him by pulling out a handkerchief from his other pocket.

While Reno was occupying himself with Gabriel Tifa had turned her attention to the bodyguard who was charging at her. She held her ground just long enough to get him to pounce at her as she smoothly slipped to the side at the last second. She then did a swipe kick to upend him again as he tried to get back up on his feet. Seeing he was dazed Tifa then ran and picked up one of the smaller but definitely expensive statues she had observed when she walked in; and for the third time as the bodyguard tried to get back up she landed a blow with it across the bodyguard's face to knock him out. As for Gabriel, he certainly wasn't going to run, seeing as Tifa had broken his nose. As she observed the man his eyes were still flowing uncontrollably. He was writhing in pain as Tifa came over to him. She quickly ripped part of Gabriel's shirt off (no way was she ruining her new dress) and pushed his head back and shoved two thin pieces up his nose. He let out a muffled scream (thanks to Reno tightening the handkerchief that was in Gabriel's mouth. Tifa and Reno were unsympathetic to his extreme pain and just concentrated on holding him down and keeping him as quiet as possible until the initial excruciating pain wore off. When both Reno and Tifa felt like the pain was subsiding, Reno leaned down next to Gabriel's ear, his facial expression was cold and calm. "Now Gabriel, it's your turn to perform for us."