A/N: As promised, here is the rest of what should have been Chapter 23 and is now 24. Forgive me if it is not as polished as my other pieces, but hey, this will get us to where we're going! Also, another huge thank you to Mad As A Hatter 13 - and all you wonderful, beautiful readers and reviewers and followers and favoriters. A thousand chest bumps for you.

The airship, dubbed the Highwind, was huge, more than two hundred meters long and nearly as wide. After everyone had scrambled on deck, they were drawn inside and shown a Chocobo stable, a Machinery Room, and an Operation Room, which doubled as sleeping quarters for the crew. A galley and the bridge were further up a catwalk and were saved for later inspection.

The captain was nothing like what Tifa had imagined a pilot to be—though to be fair she'd never actually pictured a pilot either so wasn't sure how her mind even made the comparison?

He was foul-mouthed to start, with dark blonde hair and pale blue eyes. Dressed in a faded blue shirt and green pants with a pair of goggles strapped on his head, he'd called "Good to fuckin' see ya, Lucis!" from way up on the deck soon after the ship had landed. He'd tossed over a rope ladder shortly after with a loud, "C'mon up!"

After prompts and reassurances from Noct, everyone had found themselves on the deck not long after, watching as Noct and the pilot stood pounding each other's backs companionably.

A small woman in a yellow sweater and white lab coat had appeared seconds later and bolted for Noct, tackling the raven haired man in a hug from behind. She'd squealed his name laughingly when he'd turned in her embrace, picked her up and began twirling her around and around.

Aerith had nudged Tifa with a sharp elbow then, and given her an expectant stare to which she'd answered with a flat look. The Cetra had dissolved into giggles at her dry expression and Tifa had linked their arms affectionately, shaking her head.

A tall man with dark hair and crimson eyes had appeared last, and had seemed to materialize from nowhere, just suddenly on the deck with arms folded, peering at everyone pointedly. He'd bowed formally to Noct in greeting, but had remained motionless as Noct had made quick introductions.

Noct had described in detail everyone that they would meet on the airship the night before.

Cid was the pilot, had once been an engineer for the Shinra Space Program. Eventually, he'd quit and taken a position working under King Regis—to engineer and develop airships. The Highwind had been the outcome of his first commission.

Shera was the daughter of one of Noct's private tutors, and she and Noct had essentially grown up together in the Kingdom of Lucis. As a scientist that specialized in aeronautics, she'd been assigned to help Cid with development and air transportation.

Vincent, a former Shinra Turk—Noct and Cloud had glared at each after Noct mentioned that Vincent had also been a former Shinra employee—was essentially King Regis' arm, and had been appointed to find Noct—and force him home. Noct had contacted Vincent soon after their escape from Shinra Tower because, he'd explained, Vincent had a past that included Professor Hojo.

"Again, welcome aboard," Cid was saying, lighting a cigarette. "You'll meet the rest of the crew on the bridge later. Just radioed into Kalm and they'll have people coming for their shit soon so we'll be stuck here till they're done unloading cargo."

"You have a beautiful ship, Captain," Aerith charmed with a bright smile.

He stabbed his cigarette at her and nodded. "Don't I fuckin' know it."

Aerith's smile faltered only a little at his easy use of profanity.

"Please make yourselves comfortable," the Auburn haired woman interjected, pushing round glasses up the bridge of her nose. "This room is used by the crew for bunking but the berths down the hall are empty. You're welcome to have any bunk you want there."

Noct hugged Shera to his side, his arm around her shoulders. "Thanks."

"I'll let you all settle in," Cid announced, gestured toward the door. "The berths are located across the bay, pass the deck entrance. Shera here won't mind making us something to eat and some tea while we discuss logistics." He shot Noct a penetrating stare. "And hear fuckin' explanations. We'll buzz via the intercom when we're ready."

"Thank you, that sounds great," Tifa answered, nodding. She was tired and could use some sleep but cooking…gah, how she missed cooking! She turned to Shera with an inquisitive smile. "I hope you don't mind me asking but I would love to help with the meal, if that's ok?"

Shera nodded eagerly, returning her smile. "Oh, that would be fine. Tifa, isn't it? We just restocked the pantry and will have plenty of supplies. I'm not much of a cook and the help would be fantastic."

"Wonderful."

What a relief. Tifa knew the cooking would help clear her head—as much as fighting usually did. She wished she could've spent some time sparring with Noct before the airship had arrived but no, she'd fallen asleep and missed her chance.

They'd been about a quarter mile outside of Kalm in a field where Noct had been teaching Aerith how to wield her staff when the airship had appeared. While Red had acted as foe for the pair, Barret and Yuffie had sparred playfully beside them and Tifa had fallen asleep beneath a tree to the sound Magic, battle cries, and Cloud honing Buster Sword near her feet.

What she'd dreamed she couldn't recall, knew only that when she'd woken, her stomach had been in her throat and Cloud's name had been swirling on her tongue.

Cloud.

She'd been conscious, very much so, of his eyes when he'd shaken her awake. The hand he'd used to wake her had been hot and startlingly gloveless on her bare thigh, remaining until she'd sat up and inadvertently dislodged it. Since then, she'd been hyper aware of his stare…of him watching her.

Truth was, his eyes had been focused on her as soon as he'd returned from the weapons shop, fully azure with only the thinnest rim of green. And the weight of them had been as familiar and welcome as they had ever been.

Even now she thought she could sense his gaze, warm and heady from somewhere to the right of her. An annoying sense of doubt insisted that she find out for certain and so, trying her best to look inconspicuous, she turned her head—and met blue blue blue head on.

Unable to look away, her head snickered at her attempt to be casual while her heart whispered that he did recognize her, somewhere other than in his memories, he had to…because what was she to do if he didn't…?

…please…

Standing within arm's reach, Cloud's expression remained blank as Red, Barret, and Yuffie shuffled out of the room to pick their sleeping accommodations—the latter two far from each other, Tifa was sure—before he raised a hand and gestured at her.

She blinked. "Eh?"

"I'll take your pack so you can go with Shera to the galley," he offered, held out his hand.

Oh.

Well that was nice of him. The berths were located at the opposite end of the ship from where the bridge and galley were and would save her a trip.

"Alright," she accepted, slipped her arm free of Aerith's to shrug out of her pack and pass it to him. Her stomach flipped when their fingers brushed, warm even through the leather of his gloves, and she gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Cloud."

She bit her bottom lip, eyes still locked with his as he shouldered her pack slowly. The shy, answering quirk of his mouth spread warmth in her breast. "You're welcome."

"There's a single, private cabin," Shera suddenly voiced, and Tifa finally forced her gaze from azure. Kind, hazel eyes met hers briefly before darting toward Cloud. "It's small and cramped and further back from the shared quarters but might suit your needs better."

Suit…your needs…better…?

"Thank you, that would be nice," Cloud answered with a small nod, and Tifa felt her eyes widen at his ready agreement. He raised a single brow at her startled expression and told her "I'll come find you" before turning to leave.

"I'm coming with you," Aerith announced before Tifa could speak—had she been going to protest?—and brushed past her swiftly.

Cloud didn't reply, seemed to hesitate briefly before stopping to await Aerith.

"See you guys in a bit!" Aerith called as she and Cloud quit the room.

Tifa stared silently at their departure, a funny feeling in her flipped stomach.

Fear? Anxiety? Panic?

All of the above?

Most definitely. Aerith had just confessed to wanting Cloud for herself and how she would pursue him, was now following him to choose a bed for the night and Tifa had no doubt she'd try for one close to him…If Tifa had her courage, she certainly would have done the same…

Doesn't matter, her heart assured her. Even if she sleeps one bed over, you'll be in the bed with him so it will be alright.

Don't get cocky, her head cautioned, then sighed. Even though you're probably right.

Ah, Shiva, she was going crazy, talking to herself—not just talking but full on conversations! What was more, it seemed her heart and head actually agreed on something.

"What the fuck was that all about?" Cid asked into the silence that had fallen, arms crossed as he ambled over to stand beside Noct. He gave Tifa a puzzled look. "You lettin' that broad check out you and Spiky's sleeping quarters? Fuckin' weird if you ask me but—whatever floats your boat."

Tifa started. What? "Uhh, no, that's not what Aerith—"

"Cid, leave her alone," Shera jumped in with a frown. She shot Tifa an apologetic smile. "You don't have to defend anything, Tifa. Follow me and we'll head on over to the galley."

"What the fuck ever, woman," Cid replied and made for the door through a haze of smoke. "You know as well as I do that that was fuckin' weird. Like, the hell was that girl thinking, wanting to check out someone's private bedroom? And the hell is someone thinkin', to let her? Unless they're sharin' but it didn't seem like Spiky wanted to share the way he was looking at Tif—"

"Cid, that's enough," Noct, who'd been strangely silent, interrupted exasperatingly.

Grateful for the interruption, Tifa caught icy blue and offered a shaky smile.

His eyes swirled briefly before softening back to its familiar, teasing gleam. The arm around Shera's shoulders tightened as he guided the smaller woman over to lay a comforting hand on Tifa's shoulder.

"C'mon, Beauty, let's go," he said, gave her a charming smile. "I missed your cooking."

Supper turned out to be quite an experience for Tifa, as did the galley—which was gourmet and twice the size of her kitchen back at 7th. She nearly panted at how spacious it was. Shera, who only ever made pre-packaged meals that came with explicit instructions, gave her free rein to prepare whatever she wished. After counting with Shera the amount of mouths to be fed, she'd gone the safe route and made three large pans of lasagna while Shera tossed a salad and sliced bread for dipping.

Prepping and cooking had certainly helped clear her muddled head. After replaying her conversation with Aerith over and over while she and Shera chopped and sliced and stirred, she'd finally been able to filter her emotions enough to come to a verdict—regarding both herself and whatever it was that she wanted.

Well, sort of.

Aerith had been bold and forward when she'd announced what she wanted—what she thought was "fair." She hadn't been afraid to declare her intentions and that, at least, had been…fair.

Tifa wondered how she'd come to the conclusions she had. Noct for Tifa and Cloud for herself?

Why hadn't Cloud been given to Tifa?

Because Noct was a prince and Aerith had assumed Tifa would want a prince?

Why hadn't Aerith wanted the prince?

What was wrong with an ex-SOLDIER?

What was it Red had said? That Aerith had used her head even though she'd talked of her heart?

Which Tifa could see clearly, looking at the situation without shocked emotions. Not just the rationale of Aerith's thoughts, but the reasons behind them also.

It spoke of…loneliness. Aerith had mentioned once, off-handedly, about an old boyfriend who'd promised his love and had never returned for her, and Tifa wondered if perhaps the Cetra was only trying to fill the space he'd left behind.

Not that she thought Aerith was looking for a substitute. Maybe she was just looking to be a part of something again.

It made Tifa's heart hurt because she knew all too well what it was like to be left behind, to have someone take a piece of you and to wait and wonder if that someone would return—so you might be whole again.

And you didn't even want that part of you back, because you'd given it freely, gladly.

Instead, selfishly, you hoped that that someone might give you that same piece of themselves in return…

That was when it had dawned on her.

If she wanted something, why couldn't she find it in herself to ask?

What was it Aerith had told her? To take a chance and reach?

Because…he would answer…?

Gods, what would she do if he didn't? At least if she didn't ask, she could harbor hope—no matter how false.

But only until Aerith reached—and he answered her call.

But at least she would know…

Yet how could she ever forgive herself if—what if he thought she—he was waiting and she didn't— well, why didn't he—what about Aerith—gods, Tifa needed to talk to her—

And so the vacillating began. At least until she'd reminded herself how much she hated being a coward and decided she would borrow some of Aerith's boldness, take a running start—and leap.

And pray he would throw her some rope.

Listening with half an ear to Shera's chatter, she'd spent the rest of the time wondering if she was making the right decision—and tried not to vacillate anymore than she already had been.

Aerith nudging her and pointing jarred her back to the present, and she handed the other woman the bowl of shredded cheese before searching for a drink—to find she'd forgotten to grab herself one. Shoot. Frowning, she looked up and directly into Cloud's eyes.

Initially, Yuffie had been seated across from her but somehow, someway, at sometime, the ninja had been replaced by Cloud. How he did it, Tifa had no idea, as she was sure Cloud had been on the other side of Aerith who was seated beside her. She was only aware that one moment, she'd been watching Yuffie shovel far too much lasagna in her mouth, and the next she was staring into curious azure.

"You can have mine," Cloud told her quietly, offering her his unopened bottle of water while Noct began giving a quick summary of the past few days' events to Vincent, Cid and Shera.

How he knew she was thirsty, she wondered at, even as she shook her head and excused herself. She returned soon after with two glasses—filled with freshly squeezed lemonade.

She'd spotted a bowl of lemons in the panty and hadn't been able to resist. As azure brightened to electric blue, she was glad she'd taken the time.

"I'll trade you for the water," she bargained, set both glasses on the table and slipped back into her seat.

"Deal," he agreed, and handed her the water bottle as he reached for a glass.

She couldn't help her stupid grin as he drank greedily, his eyes never leaving hers. The act was strangely intimate, especially as that beautiful blue darkened and flooded her with warmth. Slightly embarrassed and yet oddly pleased, she forced herself to look away and finish her cooling plate of food.

Cid spoke around a mouth full of lasagna as Noct finished speaking. "Lemme get this straight. This Sephiroth guy killed President Shinra and yet, instead of giving him a medal, you wanna kill him?"

Barret lifted his eye brows and saluted Cid with his bottle of beer. "S'what I said."

"He's not a good guy," Noct declared, pointing his fork at Cid. "And he didn't just kill Shinra, he slaughtered everyone he came across. And don't forget the massacre at Nibelheim."

"How much do you know about Sephiroth?" Vincent asked softly, flatly.

"You know more about him than I do," Noct mused, chewing thoughtfully, and by the look in Vincent's eyes, Tifa knew Noct was right. "But I'll play. Let's see…Born in Nibelheim, raised by Shinra, elite SOLDIER 1st…He and his mother were injected with Jenova cells, he's supposed to be dead because he—" Noct jabbed his fork in Cloud's direction "—killed him except Sephiroth somehow survived a Mako swim and is now wandering the Planet, killing shit and 'might be' searching for some Promised Land that she—" His fork poked at Aerith "—supposedly knows how to find."

"The fuck is Jenova?" Cid asked.

"According to what we read, Jenova is some fallen alien life form that Shinra thought was an Ancient but is actually, uhh, 'the calamity from the skies?'" Noct answered.

"And someone injected Sephiroth and his mom with this alien's cells?"

"Yup. In womb, while he was a fetus."

"So he's part alien?" Shera asked, blinking.

Cid shook his head. "Sick. Shinra is fuckin' sick."

"What else?" Vincent pressed.

Noct shook his head. "No, it's your turn to share. What've you got?"

Red eyes narrowed. "There are rumors that Sephiroth needs to collect the pieces of this Jenova, which are scattered around the world."

"What for?" Yuffie pushed her empty plate aside. "To put it together? Reunite them or something?"

Reunion Theory? Tifa's eyes widened and her jaw slackened. Cloud offered her a nod and shifted in his seat.

"Shinra is also theorizing that Sephiroth is seeking a 'black power,'" Red offered.

Vincent's crimson eyes sharpened and he stared at Red fixedly. "Black power?"

"Yeah." With a bland expression, Noct looked at Barret, waggled his eyebrows pointedly.

"Don't start, kid," Barret grumbled, making a show of picking up his butterknife.

"It's only logical," Yuffie announced with a nod. "I mean, what else do you expect us to think?"

"Shut it, brat."

Tifa tried her best to resist before abruptly bursting into laughter.

"You too, doll." The big man gestured his butterknife at her threateningly.

"Watch it," Cloud growled with a frown, but his eyes remained trained on her, dark and mellow and focused—as if he were soaking in her laughter.

Barret glared at him, then at all of them, before lowering his hand and stabbing at his plate. "Whatever, Spiky, like it would ever happen, with or without ya in my face. 'Sides. Ya are all'a bunch of racist punks."

Shera cocked her head. "Am I missing something?"

"Wait, let's go back for a second." Vincent looked at Noct intently. "Black power. Whatever it is you read, it specifically mentioned those words, 'black power'?"

Tifa answered before Noct could. "Yes, in several places. I would be more than happy to show you later?" She'd stuffed the folder back into the bottom of her pack.

"Yes, I would be interested to see it." Crimson darkened, shifted from her to refocus on Noct.

"What is it?" Noct prompted, leaning his elbows on the table. Tifa noted that he'd gone pale. "What about those words?"

A pregnant pause then, "Etro paid a visit to your father last week," Vincent began, frowning heavily. "She said that the realms are restless, that she sensed that a black power was set to rise, something massive that would threaten the balance of light and dark."

"The Goddess Etro?" Yuffie cried, incredulous.

Vincent slanted the teen an impatient look before continuing. "She told your father that Gaia will not survive the chaos that this black power will emit."

Tifa focused hard, trying to recall what the reports had read. Something about Mako energy..?

Red answered her unvoiced question, his golden eye narrowed. "It was stated in the paperwork that when this black power caused damage to the Planet, Mako would gather and the two would merge—to enable the birth of a god."

Silence ensued as everyone came to their own conclusions. Tifa shared a look with Cloud, and knew he was thinking along the same lines as herself.

Sephiroth was looking to become a god.

"What the fuck is this dumbass 'black power' anyway?" Cid demanded finally, reaching for a cigarette.

"Etro did not specify," Vincent murmured, "but she was adamant that Holy must be found before then."

Noct grimaced and rubbed a hand over his face, looking pained. "The hell do you think I've been doing the past few years? I've been trying."

Tifa reached around Shera, seated beside her, to where Noct sat and patted his shoulder consolingly. He turned and shot her a wan smile.

"Can you explain to me again why you can't find it?" Yuffie chirped, canted her head inquisitively.

Barret groaned and finished his beer, shaking his head. "Godsdamnit all, brat."

"Well, while Noct is trying to locate Holy, shouldn't we try to find this black power and, I don't know, hide it or something?" Aerith asked logically, delicately wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"It would buy us some time," Barret agreed.

"Where the hell do we start?" Cid asked.

"I thought it said somewhere that Duostigma is the black power," Tifa pondered aloud.

"Yeah, and that Hojo would know more about it," Noct agreed, brows drawn together. He lifted an eyebrow at Vincent, who had gone still as stone.

"There are rumors that Hojo retired from Shinra," Vincent shared a long moment later, reached beneath his red cape and withdrew a strange looking PHS. He began pressing buttons on the thing, and peculiar beeping noises emanated.

"Fuck Hojo. He ain't joinin' us!" Barret declared, pounded the table none too gently with his fist. "Got enough former Shinra employees as we need! A fuckin' SOLDIER, a Turk, and a pilot; we're fuckin' full!"

Tifa smothered a grin at her friend's stubborn refusal but agreed with his sentiment.

Hojo had hurt her friends, had probably hurt her Cloud. She felt nothing but hatred for the man.

"Where do we find this Hojo?" Shera asked quietly.

"What do old people do when they retire?" Yuffie spouted.

Barret picked up his butterknife again and pointed it at her. "Why'd you lookit me when you said that, brat?"

Cid, seated beside Barret, jabbed his cigarette at Yuffie as well. "Or were you looking at me? Because, missy, if you're afraid of black power you'll feel just the same about this white power."

"What did ja say about black power?" Barret frowned at Cid.

Cid, who'd at some point procured a flask with what Tifa could only assume was liquor, offered the tin to Barret, who accepted. "Forget it, wasn't important. What's important is that we show this little girl what power is."

"Black power or white power? Black and white power?" Yuffie asked.

"Gray power, like gray hair. Old." Cloud's mutter was soft, sly, and Tifa had to hide her obvious grin behind her palm. He gave her an innocent stare when she prodded him with her boot.

As Cid, Barret and Yuffie bickered, a grim smile curled Vincent's mouth and he lifted his head.

"Where?" Noct prompted.

Crimson gleamed. "Per my resources, looks like old people vacation to Costa del Sol."

A/N 2: Looks like we're headed to the beach...heh heh heh...Tifa in a bathing suit might give Cloud a nosebleed...