"Still keeping Miles here, Elena?" Tifa asked with a tired voice.

Elena looked back at the pregnant woman, glancing at her belly and then her eyes. Her face softened from the cold professional glare that had been holding down Miles as she waited for Tseng to get back to a more friendly, worried expression. "Yeah. He might be needed when those three get back." She motioned towards the back of the bar, and quieted her voice. "If you need to handle anything upstairs, we should be fine."

Tifa chewed on her lip and looked around. If a mob showed up again there were enough people to handle it. Barret was still hanging near Elena and Cid was talking to Reggs and his friends. Hirdthag leaned against the wall nearby, watching everyone quietly; Tifa wondered what he was thinking. Despite her anger at her husband earlier, Elly seemed concerned for his safety now. Miles himself tried to look nonplussed by the Turk, but he seemed to know well enough that he wasn't going anywhere.

She nodded before going behind the counter and heading up the stairs, noticing Cloud sitting on the bed in a daze as she came closer. He had to hear her footsteps up the stairwell. Tifa came to sit next to him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn't look up.

"Cloud?"

He finally glanced at her, his eyes swirling with various emotions; guilt, hope, sadness and anger. His tense face relaxed some as he gazed at her. "Hey, Teef." His voice was flat.

She moved her hand to his face, moving his bangs and resting it on his cheek. "It's all a bit much still, isn't it?"

Cloud nodded faintly before looking away and into his lap, Tifa's hand falling away. "I'm sorry about this."

"You aren't the one that should feel sorry, Cloud." She leaned into him. "Something was probably going to happen sooner or later. But we can't control what other people do."

He nodded faintly before quietly sighing and rubbing his hands. "I just think...The kids are upset because they're gonna have to start over somewhere, and there's nothing I can do for them. You're gonna lose your bar, and I feel powerless to stop any of it."

Tifa raised a brow. She decided he needed to know he wasn't the only one who felt helpless sometimes. "You feel powerless? There's a crime mob after us, and I'm too pregnant to stomp over to Junon and kick their asses. You aren't powerless in the least." She tilted her head a little. "But I must be a burden to you, all things considered."

He snapped his head up, frowning at her. "Of course not!"

Tifa half-smiled. "Are you sure? Sometimes I think so."

Cloud's frown deepened. "Why would you ever think that?"

She turned to her hands, touching a finger with each reason. "I'm pregnant, so I'm no help in a fight. If I get hurt like last night, it might get you too angry to control. I bet I'll barely be any help moving, with these swollen feet of mine..." Tifa stopped counting her fingers. "You've had to help me in the bar lately. Some days I could barely keep up." She hated having to rely on him when he had other things that needed to be done. That and her occasional mood swings that sometimes made her sulk or be less accommodating towards flirting patrons.

"That's my fault for getting you pregnant in the first place."

Tifa frowned at him. "That's not a fault, Cloud. I'm happy I'm having your child." She moved her hand to his and rubbed it. "Just like I'm happy I'm here with you. There's complications, but we'll weather it like we always do."

Cloud held Tifa close, his arm on her shoulders. She could tell he was gauging her scent. It was still a little funny to her how he took to scents so quickly, checking how people felt around him through his nose. A face could lie, but a scent would not, he had said one day. She let out a little sigh and snuggled his shoulder. "We beat Sephiroth. A move is nothing to us. Besides, I don't think I could bartend forever. Especially not with a baby on the way." She let out a humorless chortle. "The bar helped distract my thoughts when the guilt hit hard, but it gets tiresome." Even married, how many womanizers came to bother her? Too many.

"Hm. I know we can start over. But the kids..."

Tifa nodded. "They'll adapt. I know it's unfair to them, but it's nothing they can't survive. We'll be there to help them." What else could be said?

Cloud nodded slowly, Tifa's words encouraging him further. "No giving up..." He looked down at the boxes, empty and full and partially filled. These things would be stored here until they find their new home. For now they wanted a few things set away as they waited for news on the Aldives, suitcases with clothing already filled before their nap. Barret's truck would be a big help when it was time to move everything.

Reeve said he would have a few peacekeepers posted at the closed bar until the population calmed down. Tifa still had liquor stores, and those would be tempting to any thieves in the area. She looked about their bedroom again, immediately wistful. She would miss the familiar comfort of their home above the bar.

They worked quietly on a few more boxes as they waited for their friends to return from their mission. Cloud was feeling a little better from Tifa's talk; he knew he had to think ahead. There were things to do and no more time to to think badly of himself. He could always do that later, he supposed. Or maybe prove himself to everyone again. They probably didn't need him to prove himself, but he felt he had to. So, he would.

The door downstairs opened and footsteps thumped across the bar's floor. Cloud and Tifa looked at each other before walking towards the stairs to greet the three who had just returned. As they went by Marlene's room the door opened, Cait Sith slipping out. Tifa scooped him up and continued on down the stairs.

Tseng was putting away his phone, and Yuffie had a smug expression as she grinned up at the Turk. Evan looked pale but satisfied with himself.

"What's the damage?" Cid drawled as Cloud and Tifa came to the final step into the bar.

Yuffie flashed some papers. "They've been sneaky!" She placed them on an empty table. "It seems they weren't trying to get information on just any old werewolves workin' for the WRO. Just trying to identify Cloud as one. So like, the thing is, they wanted enough evidence to be absolutely certain he was what the rumors thought he was..."

"The Aldives were looking for Cloud. Just him," Cait Sith responded flatly.

She rustled through the papers. "Yeah. It's just a paper receipt of costs and what they asked the detective to look for. I wonder what for?"

Cloud narrowed his eyes and looked down. "Just me?"

Evan nodded. "Yeah. I guess Marshall isn't as good a detective as I am," he joked. "Or maybe you've just been careful recently."

The spiky haired warrior let out a skeptical snort as he looked up at the detective. "Sloppy, like you've said before."

"They knew our connections to Reeve, remember?" Tifa remembered the night they met the Aldives at the school.

Cait Sith rubbed his chin as he rested in Tifa's arm. "For what purpose? They weren't seriously going to blackmail you over this, were they?"

Cloud shrugged. "What other reason do they have?"

"I suppose it was a bit tempting," Tifa said. "They could hold it over both you and Cloud easily."

The cat sighed. "Right. Well, I guess that's done and over with."

Tseng took out his few papers. "They had a few correspondences with a low-key gang here in Edge. This is a receipt of the money they agreed to pay to them for kidnapping your daughter." He looked at Miles. Elly had her hands up to her mouth in shock. "It seems it was going to be political blackmail."

Reggs sat up from his seat, hands on the table. "That guy was working for the Aldives?" He looked down, eyes towards his abdomen. "He tried to kill me."

"I suppose the Aldives really had no clue what you were, then. If they even suspected it they would have told the kidnapper to catch her while you weren't around," Alann remarked. "Or bring some silvered weapon."

"What the hell were they thinking?" Evan wondered.

Tseng shrugged. "They were probably trying to climb the political ladder with calculated risks."

Cloud groaned. His recent troubles were because of a mob and political try-hards. "You know, maybe I should thank you for forcing my family to move," he said dryly to Miles. "Because if this is the political future of Edge I'd like to be far from it."

Miles snorted. He was still acting defiant, but it seemed he was wearing down some. "My name is sullied and soon the Aldives will be, too. I'm not sure what it will mean for the WRO at this point."

Cloud raised a brow. "Are you saying the others are more reasonable than either of you?" He walked to the front of the counter and leaned on it. "Not that the population is, especially after last night. They might not want the WRO here regardless."

"There's nothing I could do if they wished that. The citizens trust the WRO more than they had when it first formed, but talk of werewolves working for them has trust at an all-time low. Now, it's confirmed." Miles sighed, finally looking defeated. "I don't know how they think we're going to protect them now. Edge doesn't have the firepower to keep monsters at bay, let alone werewolves."

"I killed a lot of them, but I'm afraid the remaining population is going to be bolder after I leave. That blood is on both you and the Aldives' hands."

"I'm sure I can work something out eventually," Cait Sith said. "Right now we have an even bigger fish to fry in Junon."

Barret tapped his foot. "This's bullshit. C'mon, the sooner we get outta here, the sooner we can go to Junon and finish those suckas." Cloud nodded and turned around towards the stairs, ready to gather up the children and their things. He didn't want to see or smell Miles right now.

Cait Sith moved out of Tifa's arm to stand on the ground. "I'll be stickin' around Edge fer now. Don't ye worry none, Reeve'll find ye in Rocket Town!"

Tifa nodded at the cat, then walked up to Elly, who still held a look of shock on her face. She shook her head. "All of this over politics..."

Tifa nodded. "The more things change, the more they stay the same, it seems." Her voice held restrained bitterness, none directed towards the poor woman in front of her. She felt bad for Elly; she was a victim of unseen machinations too.

Elly looked down at the floor and then slowly back at Tifa. "I'll keep in contact with Reggs. I know I'm just burdening you further, but please, watch over my son." Her eyes were watery. Tifa brought her in for a hug; she understood how hard this was on Reggs' mother.

"We'll watch after him."


They said their goodbyes to everyone left before hopping into the back of Barret's truck with their suitcases and whatever they had decided was too valuable in one fashion or another to leave behind. Reggs' friends were downcast despite the cheerful banter they shared before he had to go, but they promised they would visit his new home to torment him. Elly and Sophia had hugged him tight, but neither he nor his father spoke. They were still tense towards each other, as if ready to fight.

Elena and Tseng left with Evan and Vits, the child holding an unfavorable gaze at the Turks. They would see what else they could find out about the Junon mob, Tseng had promised. It was in Shinra's best interests after all, he said with the subtlest hint of a smile on his face. Cloud understood all too well what he meant; he had been keeping Evan and his family safe when the Turks were too busy to keep tabs.

As much as he wanted it upon Miles, he quietly asked them not to harm him. Elly and Sophia needed him there safe and in one piece, though Cloud assured Tseng he wouldn't mind it if he used him for a little political maneuvering. He deserved more than the Turks merely breathing down his back for the trouble he had caused, but it would be enough for him.

The children said their final goodbyes to each other, hoping to visit in the summer. Evan said he might have to make a road-trip of it despite his reluctance to go out in the wilderness again, Cid responding that he can take the Shera when it was in the city. After all, he went through the trouble of helping out Cloud.

Rosa looked up at Cloud as he loaded Fenrir up into the truck. "Uncle Merle said Edge is gonna feel a lot less safe without that mutt runnin' around," she said with a wistful smile.

He snorted, then secured the bike inside before hopping out. "I'm glad he thinks a bit more of me now." Cloud looked up at the picture the children had painted for him, and he plucked it off of the wall. Flowers, Fenrir and a monster he was about to kill as Tifa hung onto his backside. This is what his kids thought of him; something warm welled in his chest. He looked back at Rosa. "Thank you for giving me a chance, too."

"You aren't so bad," she said as she looked down.

If only she knew the things he had done in the past, he thought. Cloud placed the framed picture down and looked towards the boxes that held some of their old adventuring gear. There was a small box that held some of the tinier treasures. "Valdt used Sleep on you, didn't he?" he asked as he rummaged through it. "Zeph told me that he used it on him."

Rosa shifted on her feet uncomfortably. "Yes."

Cloud turned back to her, a ring in his hand. She noticed there was a little blue stone on it. He walked over to her, bent down and took her left hand; he then dropped the ring onto her palm. "Wear this. If someone tries to sleep you again, it'll get them instead."

She looked down at the bauble skeptically as she tried it on. It was loose, even on her thumb. "Really? I don't see how..."

"Do you want a demonstration?" He already had the materia box out and ready to toss into the truck. Before she could respond he stood up and opened it, and took out one of the orbs. Rosa took a step back as he stretched his hand out; Zeph had groused over Cloud's demonstration of his ribbon to her.

She wasn't in the mood for a nap if this didn't work.

His eyes flashed mako green for just an instant, and she felt like something was bouncing off of a film in front of her. Cloud had a pale green light surround him for a few moments before he smiled and put the materia away. "That was a cure spell. Make sure your ring is off before anyone uses magical healing on you, or they'll get it instead." He doubted she would come across someone with a Restore materia, the crystals had become increasingly rare since the fall of Shinra.

She looked down at the ring again. "You're giving me this?" she whispered.

"I can't be there for you and your uncle like I said I would be...And I put you both through a lot of pain, even if it wasn't intentional. So, please keep it." It wasn't as if he had a use for half the things they had stowed away. He thought it best someone vulnerable had it.

Rosa nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Cloud."


It was a silent ride to the Shera. Cloud could hear the bustle of the city beyond the dark, enclosed space that kept them away from all the judgemental stares of a scornful city. Denzel hadn't said much at all since hugging Natsumi goodbye, the boy sitting by himself in a dark corner. He smelled angry and forlorn, but Cloud wasn't sure where his anger was focused on. Maybe it was everything.

When the truck was loaded onto the Shera they hopped out, allowed to wander. Zeph seemed to have been snapped out of his mournful mood by the new place. "This is an airship?"

Tifa nodded. "Yep. Try and stay out of the way of the workers, sweetie."

"Wait, I can look around?"

Cid nodded. "Yeah. Just stay outta trouble, squirt." He gave Zeph a pat on the shoulder.

Cloud and Tifa walked towards one of the rooms set aside for breaks. They sat next to each other in silence, listening to Barret and Yuffie talk to the children as they passed by. Cloud got another glance at Denzel; he too seemed occupied with the airship for now. That was good. He would brood some more later, but at least he was distracted.

He himself felt mentally and physically exhausted. He felt emotionally better with a new goal in mind and Tifa's talk still fresh in his mind. He felt bad that She and Yuffie had gone through the trouble of making a wedding party, and the day before they had to leave. That was the price of complacency.

"It'll be nice to see Shera again," Tifa said after many minutes of silence.

Cloud nodded. "Yeah. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

She hummed. "She was going to come to the party. I guess that's scrapped for the time being..."

He looked down. "...Yeah."

Tifa put her hand on his back. "Well, at least we'll see everyone tomorrow. I suppose that didn't change at all."

Cloud glanced back up and gave her a short nod. "Hopefully we'll have a lead finally. I was gettin' tired of waiting for news on this crime lord or whatever he thinks he is. I think now is a good time to get proactive."

She smiled at him. "Can you hit him extra hard for me?"

He couldn't help but grin lopsidedly at her cute plea. "You know I will."

They rested for many minutes afterwards until they decided to take a look at the bridge as the ship began to move. The children and Reggs were there, fascinated by the terrain flowing below them. Fascinated, and sullen. Edge was slowly moving away from them, and Cloud and Tifa joined in their final look at the city they helped build and protect. They couldn't help but feel sad, too.

It looked so grey and makeshift from up in the sky, Cloud decided. It had always been grey, of course; it was made of scrap metal from Midgar's ruins. The city had come a long way from its start five years ago, slowly expanding further into the Midgar Wastes.

He felt a bit surprised that this hodgepodge of metal had been his home for five years. The city was all the children really knew. He and Tifa were from the country, so it wouldn't be hard to adapt. Cloud turned to look at the three, still silent and staring. He looked back at the almost gone city. All they knew, gone. It was a horrible feeling, he knew. Perhaps not as jarring as his own experience, but all the same he understood.

"Shucks, I'm sure some day you'll come back when things calm down. Can't keep ya away forever," Cid said from his perch at the wheel.

"It's a bit different when you're just visiting what used to be your home," Tifa said as she turned to speak. She knew that feeling all too well.

Cid waved his hand. "Yeah, I ain't gonna argue that." He looked down at his watch. "We should be in Rocket Town around eight, so make yourselves comfortable. I already told Shera to expect company."

"Right," Cloud sighed out. The last time he had seen Shera was the afternoon before his father changed his life. She had served the then-courier tea and a light lunch as he caught up with she and Cid after delivering to their neighbor.

The airship began to speed up, heading higher and towards the sea. Cloud sat down by the viewing glass, watching as the ground opened up to water after passing Midgar. He felt Tifa leave after squeezing his shoulder, probably to tend to the children. The sea was always peaceful to look at. Watching the world go by was something he enjoyed doing as they went from place to place before their confrontation with Sephiroth. It helped him think.

So, he thought.

He wondered how they were going to find the man responsible for the failed assassins. Cloud knew Reeve had been trying to find him ever since those labs were discovered months ago. He figured they had gone deeper into hiding and just bided their time, waiting for him to become complacent as time went on. He could admit he had; there were other matters to attend to in Edge that took up his time and thoughts.

The children, the baby, helping Tifa in the bar, hunting werewolves and guiding Reggs...His plate had been overflowing. Those instincts of his twinged, awakening as he thought. He was kicked out of his territory. Cloud shook his head and continued to look at the deep blue waters far below. It'll be fine, he'll find another territory. One where his family would be safe and happy.

He glanced at the children and Tifa before returning his gaze to the horizon. Happy enough. He had to provide. That's what alpha males did, provide for their pack. Cloud took in a deep breath. One thing at a time, he thought. His family would be safe in Rocket Town while he hunted down every one of those monsters in Junon before beginning the search for a place to settle down.

His mind went to Aerith. The answers he seeked were in the Forgotten Capital...That trip would come, too. He hadn't spoken to Tifa about it yet, but she knew he was at the church earlier. He would have to tell her what Aerith said. It's not like Tifa wouldn't believe him, he mused.

He hoped to visit it again after the city calmed down.

"Enjoying the view?" Hirdthag began to sit next to Cloud, looking out the window.

He eyed Hirdthag before again looking at the scenery. "Mm."

His father sighed. "I think your boy still blames me. I can't find fault in his thinking."

Cloud shrugged. "You didn't pique the interest of a mobster and stupid wannabe politicians."

Hirdthag chuckled. It was bitter and dry. "I brought you into this mess, Denzel said it himself. I'm...sorry."

The warrior looked at his father, his eyes sorrowful. He must have gotten the expressive eyes from his father, Cloud supposed. His shade of blue and eye shape was from his mother, but her eyes could hide emotions much better. He had to wonder what else he inherited from his father, at least in terms of personality. Physically he knew what he had been bequeathed.

Cloud shook his head. His life would have been much happier presently without the subject of werewolves, at least he would have been until Yuffie was kidnapped. How much had he atoned for through the months? How many people did he save because of his father's choice that night? "I'm not bitter about it."

Hirdthag grunted, then looked up at the sky. The Shera was pushing through some clouds. "I've made a lot of bad decisions in the past because of my bitterness, my helplessness." He wrung his hands, not looking at Cloud. "I guess I've had time to think through everything. Second chances aren't without pain."

Cloud nodded. He knew that very well. "...You aren't alone anymore, though." Neither was he.

"I know that." Hirdthag let out a long sigh. "I'll be there with you when it's time to fight, Cloud. They won't know what hit them after we're through with them."

The rest of the afternoon and evening was mostly quiet as they traveled on the airship, and eventually Cloud tore himself from the bridge and walked about the Shera. The children and even Reggs seemed preoccupied with the machinery of the flying contraption, occasionally finding one of them studying the exposed gears and doodads on some of the walls. Barret was doting on Marlene, taking her here and there as Tifa handled the boys.

Cloud helped her keep the boys busy, and it seemed to improve their moods further. He insisted she rest somewhere, and that he could handle them by himself. By the time they reached Rocket Town, all Cloud wanted to do was sleep. A short trip in the truck took them to Cid's house, and they flowed in on shuffling feet.

The kitchen was large and doubled as a dining room, the walls green and the cabinets white. The floor was a tile of a rusty color, and the scent of food and a variety of teas hit Cloud's nose. Even the first time he came here with the crazy request of "borrowing" the Crazy Bronco, this place was comforting.

Reggs was uncomfortable, if his scent was anything to go off of. Cloud wondered if he had ever been so far from the city. The teen looked down at Cloud for some sort of reassurance, and the warrior nodded slowly at him; it was alright, he wasn't going to be hunted here.

Shera came out from the hallway, smiling at the motley group that formed in her kitchen. She was wearing her long auburn hair in her typical top ponytail, a loose green turtleneck and long brown pants. "Long time no see, everyone." She looked at Reggs and then Hirdthag as she adjusted her glasses. "Except for you two. Welcome to our home."

Reggs mumbled a thank you as he rubbed the back of his neck, and Hirdthag gave his hostess a strong nod in gratitude.

"Thank you so much for having us on such short notice, Shera." Tifa said as she walked over to embrace the older woman. Shera held to her tightly, then looked at the baby bump sported by the pugilist.

"Cid said you were expecting. How far along are you?" she asked quietly.

"A little over five months."

Shera's smile widened. "I can't wait to see your baby."

Cid put his hands on his hips. "Alright, let's get you all settled down in the guest room. Looks like it's gonna be like old times, 'cause It's only got two beds. If one of you wanna use the couch, that's fine too."

"I ain't sleepin' next to Spiky. He drools." Barret remarked as they filed down the hall.

Cloud scowled. "At least I don't wake everyone up with my snoring. You sound like a chainsaw."

Yuffie nodded. "It sucks sleeping next to either of you."

"Um, you kick in your sleep, princess." Cloud drawled out in a scathing voice.

Cid laughed. "Yeah, she got you right in the balls that one night. You were whimperin' like a beat puppy in that tent."

The warrior held a hand to his face and groaned as a chorus of snickering hit his ears. He remembered it. He remembered waking up to the teenage ninja muttering in her sleep, he remembered mumbling a question back at her, and he remembered her knee swiftly connecting with his privates a second later. He had gasped before he let out a low, short, pained groan as he cupped himself from any further attacks.

Tifa was on his other side, and he bit his lip in an attempt to not wake her. She didn't need to see him like this. He heard a bit of laughter from the entrance of the tent; Cid and Barret were chuckling in his direction, pointing as he lifted his head up. Cloud figured they had heard him speak to Yuffie. Again he let out a pained groan, then a short sigh as a sharp pain crossed him again. Yuffie had kneed him hard.

Tifa held his shoulder after finishing her giggle. "You don't drool...that much," she whispered into his ear with a smirk.

"Good to know..."

It wasn't a particularly small room, but it was going to be crowded. They decided the children and Tifa would get the beds, insisting on it in her case. She was pregnant and she needed a soft bed, Cloud said. Marlene could sleep next to her. The rest of them could use the floor or the couch.

Cid left to fetch as many blankets and pillows as was needed, and Cloud looked about, trying to find the best place for them to congregate. He pointed at the large space between the beds. "I think we can fit in here, even if Barret's gonna take up most of the space."

"Yeah. Maybe I can use his shoulder as a hard pillow," Yuffie said in a disinterested voice as she teased him.

"Didn't know you doubled as a pillow, Barret," Hirdthag said with a smirk.

Barret sighed heavily. "Jes like old times, gonna give me shit like this..."

"...I kinda missed it," Cloud said. He turned to Reggs. "You can sleep in here with us, or on the couch."

The teen looked this way and that. "I...if no one is gonna use the couch, I guess I will." He really didn't want to intrude either way. He felt like a complete outsider, Cloud was the only person there that was tethering him to the group.

Cloud nodded. "Okay." He turned to the children. "Denzel, Zeph, you two'll bunk together. Marlene, you'll sleep next to Tifa."

The three scrambled to stake out which bed they wanted. They looked the same but of course to siblings they had to have a small competition of it. Which one was better, which had nicer blankets. It was all intuitive. Cid shuffled into the room a few moments later, dragging a large pile of blankets and pillows behind him.

"Have fun makin' camp."

As the adults fussed with the materials dumped on them and the children watched, Tifa went to the kitchen to help Shera with her cooking. The scientist looked up from the open oven and smiled before closing it again and approaching Tifa. "Enjoying your stay so far?"

Tifa nodded. "I thought I'd help you with dinner preparations. There's a lot of mouths to feed."

"Yeah, there are. I guess I could use some help with some sides." She motioned towards the stovetop. The two women settled into working on one thing or another, occasionally hearing Barret's voice rise up as the others teased. Tifa smiled, certain he was giving them just as much grief. Still, she thought, he opened up that can of worms himself.

"I'm sorry about your wedding party, Tifa," Shera began as she mashed potatoes in a pot.

Tifa's eyes flickered towards her as she placed the buns Shera baked earlier into a small basket. "I'm sure we'll have one later," she sighed out.

Shera could hear the disappointment in her voice. "Hm. It's so hard to get everyone together, too...They'll be here tomorrow."

"Yeah. That'll be nice."

Shera hummed to herself, deep in thought as she finished the mashed potatoes and placed them in a serving container. Tifa took out the meat cooking in the oven and placed it on the back of the cooling stove top to settle. It smelled like pork roast, and despite how exhausted she was she was more hungry than anything. She glanced at her belly. She had to feed that baby growing inside of her.

"Cloud won't be leaving tomorrow right away, will he?" Shera asked suddenly.

Tifa looked at her. "No, probably the day after tomorrow."

Shera nodded. "Well, he probably needs a little time to clear his mind before jumping into dangerous territory."

"Yeah."

"Cid told me what happened to Cloud as soon as he found out." Shera's hazel eyes looked down. "It must have been challenging."

Tifa nodded as she placed cooked vegetables in a serving container. "There's been challenges, but between us and the kids it's been fine. But when the city found out..."

"I see. I had been fretting since I was told why you were all coming. But I suppose that's a bit predictable of me." Shera had a wry grin on her face. Tifa smiled back.

They began filling up the table with prepared food; The table had been elongated before they arrived, with eight chairs surrounding it. There were a few chairs by one of the walls, so no one would have to sit on the floor at least. The rest of the group began to trickle in as the women finished placing the food down, and Cid went to one of the cabinets to fish out plates for his guests. He had a large stack of multicolored ceramic in his hands that he placed on a clear part of the table.

"Yeah, go ahead and dig in."

Shera was very happy she listened to Cid when he said to buy a large roast and 'not those sissy things you gotta buy for a small party'. She noticed Cloud's fixation on the meat, collecting only a small amount of mashed potatoes with enough gravy to cover them up. Reggs and Hirdthag shunned the vegetables as well, happily munching on their slices of meat and oblivious to the scientist studying them.

Well, at least they liked the meat.

"You gonna leave some for the rest of us? Damn," Barret grumbled as Cloud went to snatch another slice.

Reggs blushed furiously as he looked up from his plate, sitting in his chair by the wall. He thought Barret might have been scolding him. "S-sorry..."

Barret rolled his eyes. "Not you, that one!" He jabbed his fork in Cloud's direction, the blond smirking as he chewed on a piece of meat.

"Man's gotta eat," Cloud said. It was something Barret said often. The children were snickering as the adults continued their banter.

"Yeah, you ain't the only man needin' to eat, Spiky." Barret retorted.

Cid motioned towards the meat. "Better stop your bitchin' and snag some before it's all gone."

Barret stabbed a piece to put on his plate. "Surprised there's any left."

"Yeah, yeah. Hey old man, pass the peas, will ya?" Yuffie asked of Cid while pointing with her fork.

He picked up the bowl and plopped it in front of her, spilling a few onto her potatoes. "'Least someone here enjoys their roughage."

Tifa nodded. "Everything's delicious, Shera. Thank you."

They finished their meal with some more banter here and there, putting Cloud and the others in better spirits. Being with them all in such close quarters again made him temporarily forget his troubles, but something was itching at him as he looked at Shera. He walked up to her as Tifa looked on from the hallway.

Tifa was getting the children ready for bed when she noticed Cloud taking Shera outside through the front door. She had raised a brow but thought nothing more of it as she ushered the children into their chosen beds. They looked exhausted. "I'll show you three around town tomorrow."

They had barely gotten a glimpse of the town in the darkness, but picked up the scent of grasses and the sound of tree leaves in the wind. It wasn't even cold out. "It feels like spring out there," Zeph remarked.

"Remember they said that in class?" Denzel replied.

Tifa nodded. "Rocket Town and the surrounding area doesn't get very cold at all. It has a sort of dry and wet season cycle, though." Far to the east was Nibelheim, the mountains and the elevation of the Nibel area doing the weather no favors. She finished tucking them in and headed back to the living room to check on Reggs, the teen still anxious.

"Think you'll be able to get some sleep?"

He bit his lip, looking up at Tifa. "I-I guess. I feel out of sorts..."

"I understand. But hey, you're safe here. I know it's not home for you, but no one is going to try and hurt you here, Reggs," Tifa said in a reassuring voice.

He nodded. "I know. Thanks for putting up with me. I'm still kinda floored I wasn't kicked to the curb after everything that happened..."

She put her hands on her hips. "We wouldn't do that. Anyway, things should settle down after a while, and your friends and family can visit. For now, we'll keep you as part of our little group." She smiled at him.

Reggs smiled back weakly. "I...Thanks, Tifa."

Cloud and Shera returned as Tifa was about to go back down the hallway, the scientist beet red and making no eye contact with anyone nearby. Cloud had a light blush on his cheeks as he walked up to Tifa. "Well, I'm beat."

"Cloud?"

He grabbed Tifa by the waist. "Let's get some sleep. Night, Shera," he said as casually as he could.

"N-night..." she weakly replied back.

"Cloud." Tifa's whisper was harsh. "Why is Shera acting strange?"

"Uh, she can tell you later." He felt Tifa's eyes burning into the side of his head as she released his grip on her. "I promised not to say a word, Teef."

She sighed heavily. "Fine." Tifa sulked towards the bed and laid down next to Marlene. Yep, Cloud could definitely smell irritation, but he said he wouldn't say anything. He looked down at his blankets and pillow, then back at Tifa, who was casting a pouty glare at him. Cloud decided to chalk it up to pregnancy hormones and not just because he wouldn't tell her what happened.

Cloud settled down next to Barret after pulling off his boots and shirt, the close quarters making him rub up against his friend's skin. He didn't mind at all, really. Everyone's presence in the room was comforting. He was sure they felt the same, too.

He settled further as Hirdthag came in and turned off the light, everyone mumbling their good-nights to each other. Cloud closed his eyes so the glow wouldn't bother Barret or Marlene, but sniffed quietly for a few moments and letting the mingled scents relax him further. He had been through hell and would again go through hell, but at this very moment he felt content, almost happy.

Cloud leaned his head toward Barret's arm before quickly falling asleep, his exhaustion from the long day finally taking him. The last thing he heard was the large man next to him mumbling about how he was sure he would find his arm in a pool of werewolf drool in the morning.