Written by Strifegirl

Pairing: Cloud/Tifa

Type:

Status: In Progress

Timeline: The day before the second mission of AVALANCHE to destroy Shinra's Reactor.

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII and its characters.

"Conflicted"

After Cloud received his payment from Barret, the rest of the gang proceed to celebrate their new mission with drinks. Tifa also joined them to spend some quality time with the gang and Cloud had no choice but to leave.

Tifa couldn't help feeling uneasy when she saw her childhood friend leave the bar like that. She was afraid that he would leave the town that night in search for new jobs. She decided to pay him a visit later on.

Meanwhile, Cloud encountered some bandits from Wallmarket who were looking for a man with a gun arm. He quickly got rid of them and then head to his appartment to rest for a bit. Stargazer Heights, is a small appartment building located in sector 7 slums. Tifa is staying in room 201, and right next door in 202 is where Cloud stays.

When he arrived, he found Jessie waiting for him outside of this room. Apparently she had other plans for him that night.

On the other hand, Tifa just finished cleaning up from the celebration and also head to Stargazer in hopes to find Cloud there. She wanted to clear the air after the celebration they had without him and to also spend some quality time with him before next day's mission.

T: I hope he didn't took it the wrong way when I decided to stay with the gang. She said as she climbed the stairs of Stargazer.

She noticed Cloud's door was closed, so she approched it, and just when she was about to knock on his door, she heard a familiar voice coming from inside.

C: Tonight?

J: Tonight. You and me, together.

Tifa's heart sank after hearing that.

J: I'll give you all the details on the way.

C: That's fine by me.

J: Gonna have to ask you to keep this a secret from the others, though. I can count on you, can't I?

Tifa heard some footsteps getting closer to the door and she quickly moved to hide from them in her own appartment. She peeked throught out the window to see Jessie leave Cloud's room and he followed after. But before he left with Jessie, he stopped in front of her room, and turned his gaze to her door.

J: Come on Cloud, we need to hurry. She said from downstairs.

Cloud complied and soon followed her.

Tifa was still leaning on her door with her back, a bit shocked.

T: What is going on? She thought. Is he going out with Jessie now? A wave of anxiety hit her and she shook her head to get rid of those thoughts. No, that can't be it. Be smart Tifa. Cloud is not the type of guy who would do such thing. He's a mercenary! He doesn't have time for dates... right?

She took a deep breath to collect her thoughts.

T: Is okay Tifa. Don't panic. Maybe you're just imagining things. Besides, he agreed to go out with you, remember?

Let's dress up and hit the town. She had a flashback of what they talked aboit earlier that day.

T: Hm. She nodded. I'll wait for him to come back. She smiled. And with that thought, she went back to the bar tonresume her chores.

To be continued...