Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII; Square Enix does. If I did… well, let's just say I think Cloud's prettier than the FF7 girls…

Notes: Woot! Look at the increase in reviews… But, I don't really like writing cliffhangers, so let's get on with it.

Oh, and Coca-Cola is green before they add dyes…

I'm Sixteen in my Head
37. Serving

The corner light flickers on and off. I know I changed that thing last week.

And, where is that music coming from? Sounds like cymbals… and a rattle? Weird…

All of the customers have cleared out since the arrival of the Turks… Just like when Shinra was still around. Things never change, do they?

"Course not, Cloud. That's why I'll always be so damn sexy."

Not. Helping.

I take down the various requested alcohols from the shelf. I pour the brown liquid into an ice-filled glass. 'Shot of whisky with caffeine,' Reno demanded first. Not sure why anyone likes the green bubbly stuff in their drinks, but whatever… Feels like something burning my throat…

For Elena, vodka, triple sec, cranberry, and lime fluids get dumped in a metal shaker. The ice crunches as a force the contents to mix. Into a pitifully small funnel-like glass.

'Just bring the gin bottle.' That may very well double the Rude's total word count.

"Shouldn't '…' count as a word at this point?"

If you're going to count the dirty look I would give you, then yes.

"Meanie."

As for Tseng?

/Flashback/

"And for you," I can't believe I'm saying this, "sir?"

He lifts his eyes from the fascinating wood table. "Just some tea."

"Get somethin' better than that. We're in tha best bar in Edge!" Reno really should do something about his alcoholism.

"I'm still shocked that slacker's a Turk; couldn't even do a proper rescue job… Ratsifratchit."

Zack, we can deal with your problems later.

"I just want tea."

"But, Boss—"

Tseng narrows his eyes at the red-head, cold fire burning in those black eyes… Did his dot just move?

/End/

The red tea pours into the child-sized cup, steam gently rising. I add the cup and the teakettle to the serving tray. The diversity of shapes and colors is a little unnerving.

I heft the platter up, and carry it to the ill lit corner. The weights are distributed badly…

I slid the tray onto the table and proceed to divvy up the orders.

"They're up to something…"

One bottle of gin to baldy.

"They're Turks. That's a given… Although, Shinra's gone, so what could they want?"

Cosmopolitan to the puppy-love blonde.

"Maybe… They want to steal… Nah, they wouldn't…"

Whisky and coke for the mouthpiece.

"They wouldn't steal what?"

And that leaves Keemun tea for the ice-king.

"… They wouldn't steal my precious Chocobo, would they?"

"Zack, I love you, but you are an idiot."

"What? Everyone always gave my little friend 'looks'."

"ZACK, WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!"

Simultaneously, Reno spit-takes on Elena; Rude's sunglasses fall from his head; and Tseng seems to be stifling the urge to laugh.

I am an idiot.

"Aw, we're twin-zies!"

I glare in the general direction of Zack's voice.

"So… how about them local sports team?" Reno ponders.

They've been here for six hours. And they haven't done anything!

Tseng sits there looking moody.

Rude sits there while cleaning imaginary smudges from his shades.

Elena tries to hide her blushing with her cell phone. Which may very will be the stupidest ploy ever implemented.

And Reno has been carrying on a debate on the significance of red-heads to history… with himself…

… It's going to be a very long night…

… If you'd like, please take the time to tell me what you think of this.

Chibi Elena plushies to Selunchen123, SimpleNClean92, Some Random Chick, mtwain, jimmy, elebelly, …, lightning-boltz, Ashlucard713, NightimeRoseOX, Toons, Sabith, RougeWarrior869, Shibuya on an Angle, SilverKitsune013, and Bells of Requiem for reviewing.