Chapter 25 - Recovery
They drove through the night in silence. Barret watched in the rearview mirror as Cloud struggled to keep his eyes open. Finally, sleep got the better of him and he laid his head back and closed his eyes. Even asleep, Barret noticed that he kept his hold on Tifa.
As they approached the desert, Red stirred and sat up in the seat next to Barret. "We should take her to my home," he said quietly. "Both of them. They won't think to look there." They knew that Kadj would not let Tifa go without a fight.
"You might be right," replied Barret. He turned the wheel towards Cosmo Canyon and pushed on through the dawn.
They arrived at Cosmo Canyon and, directed by Red, Barret found a suitable hiding place for both vehicles. Cloud had awakened just as they approached the Canyon and understood immediately what they were doing. He said nothing as Barret parked the truck and got out. Cloud gently moved Tifa's head off his lap and laid her down on the seat as he moved backwards out of the truck. His few hours of sleep had replenished his strength but not his soul. He had not spoken a word since finding Tifa in the cave, and Barret was getting worried.
Again, Cloud would not allow them to help him. He picked Tifa up and followed them down the path, carrying her in his strong arms. Red ran ahead to make his den ready to receive human visitors. He didn't get much company and he wanted to make sure the place was suitable for Tifa. As they arrived, Red walked out of the entrance and motioned to Cloud to bring Tifa in.
"Vincent, would you be so kind as to fill that waterskin for me please. There is a spring just down that path," he asked the tall red-caped man. Vincent took the skin off the hook on the wall next to him and disappeared without a word.
"Bring her in here, Cloud," Red said. Cloud followed Red to the back of the den and laid Tifa down on the bed he had prepared. Just then Vincent returned with the waterskin and handed it to Red who carried it back to Tifa in his mouth. He dropped it at Cloud's feet.
"Cloud, she has to drink. Try and get her to drink," he looked up at the man standing over Tifa. Cloud said nothing. He just stood, watching Tifa breathe. Red turned to walk back out to the two men waiting outside, when Cloud said quietly over his shoulder "Thank you Red. Thanks for finding her." Red stopped and looked back at him. He blinked and smiled and walked out, leaving them alone.
Cloud knelt next to Tifa on the bed and pulled her into his lap. He cradled her head in his arms and brought the skin to her lips. He let a few drops of the precious water fall on her lips. She stirred and opened her mouth slightly. He tried again, this time seeing that she took some of the water into her mouth and swallowed. The warmth had returned to her body. The cool liquid made its way down her throat and revived her a little. He watched as the color returned to her face and her eyelids fluttered.
Tifa felt the soothing water run down the back of her throat and flush through her. She could feel her parched body respond and became conscious of Cloud near her.
"Cloud?" she murmured.
"Shhhh, Tifa. Lay still. I want you to try and drink some more," he whispered to her. He held her head against his chest and brought the waterskin to her lips again. This time she grasped the skin in her hands and drank deeply. She coughed and sputtered as the water went down the wrong way and spilled out of her mouth, down her neck. Cloud took it from her, gently laid her head back down on the pillow, and lay down next to her to hold her tight.
"Tifa, you're safe, now," he whispered, kissing her lips softly. His kiss lifted her from her stupor and she slowly opened her eyes. He looked down at her face and gently stroked her cheek. "You made it baby, you're safe." He slipped his arm across her belly and pulled her close to him.