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: Having the flu sucks.

I'm Sixteen in my Head
38. End of the Night

"They've been here for six hours," I mumbled at the teapot resting upon the stove. "How can anyone still be awake after that much alcohol?"

"They're Turks, Cloud. Comes with the job: murder, kidnapping, spying, and being able to hold masses of alcohol."

I scratch at my left arm… When did it get so itchy?

"You'd think their livers would have revolted by now."

I'm not sure which is more difficult: serving Turks or trying not to laugh at Aerith's and Zack's comments… Either way, facing Tifa if I screw up is probably worse.

The teakettle begins to whistle and I move it from the heat. I open up the decorative teapot that Marlene insists I use for customers and pour the hot water in. Two teabags worth of flavor are tossed on top. I close the lid and place it on the serving tray.

Stupid Turks… Stupid Tseng… Why can't they just stay gone? I should be in bed already!

"I'm tellin' ya, tha only reason we got dis damn job is 'cause I'm so damn sexy!" Not again… Reno's back to the 'I'm the most fabulous guy on Gaia' rant…

"Idiot… It's obvious that I became a Turk because of my superior skills," Elena retorts. And then burps.

I take my time walking to the ill-lit corner. The fumes have become unbearable.

Reno slides himself closer to the blonde. "Oh come on Elena… You know ya wanna fu—"

"Reno. Shut. Up." Tseng lowers his eyes and glares at the redhead.

I feel a smile tug at my lip. "Tseng, you're my hero."

"Even if he is a complete weirdo?"

"That's not really fair to the guy, Aerith."

"He hit on me… I think that entitles me to call him a 'weirdo.' "

"But, I hit on you too… You don't think I'm a…?"

"Well…"

Back to washing imaginary dirt off of dishes I suppose. I pull a whisky glass down, and begin to clean it. I can make out sunlight streaming into the window.

It's dawn… and I'm still waiting on the Turks. What level of sad does that correspond to?

PAIN.

I grasp my arm as it surges with heat. What's going on?

FLASH.

My mother's half-burned corpse stares at me with hollow eyes. "Cloud?"

I back away from the sight, hitting a cabinet. I fall towards the ground.

And everything turns black.

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

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go back to bed.

Chibi Reno plushies to Bells of Requiem, SimpleNClean92, kittypurr714, Selunchen123, scarlettHuntress, Sabith, majicue, Um..., Poet of Life, Omni-Master, SilverKitsune013, Firehedgehog, Jimmy, ladyaymie, NightimeRoseOX, and lovova for reviewing.