Chapter 14 - New Starts

Six months later...

Cloud nodded in satisfaction as the last of the Midgar crater was sealed with dirt and mud. It had been a long and hard process, but, aside from the blackened soil, there was no evidence of Midgar or the crater left. Aerith was still tending to restoring the lifestream's flow through the place, but, she had started to go slower, to take her time, after all...

He glanced back at the kneeling woman, at the visible baby bump on her stomach. She had other things to be concerned and focused on. He smiled softly, she and Zack would make great parents. It made him happy, truly happy, for the first time in a long time, to see Aerith and Zack together and moving on with their lives. Not to mention...

Cloud grinned. He was going to be a godfather, Zack and Aerith had both already cornered him into it. Not that he had put up much of a fight in that regard. He would give his all to help out with the children of his friends in any way that he could.

Friends...

Cloud frowned, contemplative, at the thought of his friends, and one in particular. He hadn't seen or heard of Tifa since the first meeting with Reeve. It was a constant, nagging thought, that she was alone potentially under Sephiroth's thumb. If it weren't for the fact that Tifa was capable of taking Sephiroth on in a fight, he would have gone after her by now. He still wanted to... and with the crater being sealed... perhaps it was time.

Cloud walked over to the kneeling Cetra. "Aerith."

She slowly opened her eyes. "Yes Cloud?"

"Do you know where Tifa is?" he asked.

Aerith frowned briefly. "I am aware of her presence. She... has been relatively stationary for the last two months, staying in one place. From what I can detect, it's a bit to the south-east of Cosmo Canyon, to the far west of old Gongaga."

Cloud thought briefly, trying to triangulate it in the map of the world in his head. "To the north of Cactus Island?"

Aerith smirked. "Yes, that place."

He figured he knew why she was smirking. AVALANCHE had spent a bit of time there morphing Cactaurs into Tetra Elemental accessories instead of rushing to the Northern Crater to fight Sephiroth. They were highly useful, as absorbing fire, ice, lightning, and earth based damage was an amazing perk in a fight. Not to mention they sold for quite a bit, and they had been running short on money by that point.

From what Cloud could recall, the area Aerith was referring to was a hill overlooking the ocean. It had a forest at its base, with a stream running through it. It was an off the beaten path kind of area that not many people would go to if he had to guess. Had Tifa chosen to settle down there as a kind of exile?

He hoped not...

He knew enough about guilt, especially survivors guilt, to hope she wasn't still beating herself up over what the Calamity had made her do, and what had been done to her. Though, all things considered, she probably was. Less than a year really wasn't a lot of time to adjust.

"Cloud?" spoke up Aerith.

He refocused. "I need to go check on her."

Aerith nodded slowly and sighed. "I figured this would come eventually. We might as well get it over with."

Cloud frowned. "I don't think it'll be that bad. At least... I hope not, and, you don't have to come. I can just..."

Aerith shook her head. "I'm going Cloud. I do want to see how she's doing, and what exactly she and Sephiroth are up to."

Cloud's frown deepened. "Sephiroth is still with her?"

Aerith nodded. "He is."

Having to deal with the One-Winged Angel was not something he was looking forward to.

"Yo!" called over Zack as he approached, "What's with the super serious faces?"

"Were going to check in on Tifa," answered Aerith.

Zack nodded and shot Cloud a look. "I was wondering when you were going to get around to it. Alright, one Zack Fair air delivery service coming up! Hey Angeal! Grab Cloud, were flying!"

Zack scooped up his fiancee and took off into the air. Angeal walked over and grabbed Cloud by his shoulder's and took off after Zack, catching up a minute later.

"After were done checking in on Tifa, I want to head to Lucrecia's cave," called back Aerith, "She's the last source of Jenova left ignoring you and Sephiroth. Once she's cleansed, the Calamity is gone for good."

Cloud nodded, feeling extreme satisfaction. "Good riddance."

"Our only concern afterwords will be 'replacement' Calamities," said Angeal solemnly.

Cloud resisted the urge to sigh. "Couldn't let me just enjoy the moment, could you?"

Angeal glanced down and gave him a wry smile, but didn't respond. Cloud didn't mind, he turned his thoughts to the oncoming meeting. It had been a little over seven months since the Morbunova's planet-fall and defeat. He was... anxious... about Tifa. Having been alone with Sephiroth for that period of time, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't terrified of her having been influenced for the worse.

He looked downcast at the ocean below them as they started over it towards their destination. Guilt was also a heavy feeling rising in his chest. He had relatively enjoyed the last few months in the company of Aerith, Zack, Angeal, and sometimes Genesis when the man was around. Tifa? He had left her to suffer her own demons with only Sephiroth as her 'company' while he had been happy and content.

He pondered that thought. He vaguely recollected the first meeting he had with Reeve. The pictures he had been shown, of Tifa and Sephiroth traveling together. From what he could recall, in the pictures, Tifa didn't seem abused, hurt, or distressed. Not that he'd be able to honestly tell, the cells of a calamity infected body would greatly increased the healing process. That thought was a particularly blood boiling one, but, he had to remind himself of just how strong Tifa had become. If Sephiroth tried to lay a hand on her, she was capable of taking him head on and dishing back out whatever she took.

On that note, he recalled the pictures of the two of them sparring with one another. While she had become capable of it, the thought of the two of them constantly battling one another was a bit... stressful. Stress... Tifa would have a lot of it after all of this, maybe a good spar was something she needed to work out her anger and frustration. Sephiroth being the fighting hungering monster he was would never turn down a good challenge. Perhaps that was why the man was still with her, if Sephiroth wasn't tormenting him, the One-Winged Angel would need something to do to keep him busy.

In truth though, he doubted that would be the primary reason. He was very curious why they were still traveling together, or rather, remaining together. Aerith had said Tifa had been relatively stationary for the last two months. At the last meeting with Reeve to discuss the planet's lifestream recover options, Rufus and the Turks hadn't made a peep about her. He figured they'd be keeping an eye on her and Sephiroth, they'd be fools not to, but apparently the two of them weren't doing anything news worthy.

He rolled his eyes at the thought. Not that the Turks would honestly tell them anything they didn't have to. Secrecy was kind of their thing.

His thoughts turned back to the meeting in question. A lot of the meeting and the terms had went way over his head. He didn't think himself unintelligent, but, he was no scientist. Not that he'd ever want to be one, Hojo had killed any appreciation for the profession he ever had or ever could have. The end result though he understood, he understood it all to well.

He didn't have a single materia on him, none of them did. Minerva had found it possible to 'partially' hibernate. The goddess had admitted to discovering and starting the process within the week initial meeting had happened, it had taken a lot of her focus to do so. Materia... all materia... had gone silent, and had lost their glow. They were simple stones for the time being. Tseng had already initiated monster culling, hoping to aid in the effort of restoring the lifestream, and safeguarding humanity. Without cure, heal, or life materia, death would have been far more rampant than it had been if monsters had been left unchecked. Not that the goddess would have minded that...

Cloud frowned. He kept his tongue civil around the avatar of the planet and Aerith, but, the disregard for individual human life outside of goddess's chosen was a bit... off-putting to him. He could somewhat understand it, a deity had to be concerned for the world as a whole rather than a few people, or even an entire race. Still... while he greatly appreciated the fact that the goddess had revived Aerith and Zack, he didn't exactly like her, especially since she had only revived his friends to fight the Calamities. They should have been revived to enjoy their lives, free of a requirement. He supposed it was a moot point though, he wasn't exactly going to voice his opinion to Aerith or the others.

He sighed, enough with the dreary thoughts.

He glanced up at Angeal. "So, where's Genesis?"

"'Flying away' somewhere," said Angeal.

"Please don't start quoting that poem too," said Cloud with chagrin.

Angeal chuckled. "I'll try not to."

"Think he should be here for this? I heard you and Zack talking about..." began Cloud.

Angeal glanced down at him, a warning look on his face, and interrupted, "I do not wish to be rude Strife, but what happens between myself, Genesis, and Sephiroth is something that will happen in private, between the three of us. Do not intrude."

Cloud was a bit taken aback. "Okay."

That... was one of the few times Angeal had ever taken that tone. The man could be strict and stern, but was almost never hostile. He was sometimes tense during the few times Cloud talked with him about the man's time in SOLDIER, but it was never like this. He studied the man as Angeal returned his gaze forward. He was wrong, it wasn't hostility, no, it was apprehension, almost dread. Angeal was not looking forward to his attempt with Genesis to 'patch things up' with Sephiroth. The thought of it appeared to stress the man out in a way Cloud had rarely seen.

The thought of that was awkward as hell in his mind. If anything Sephiroth was the one who needed to do that, if it was at all possible. He glanced down at the ocean again, contemplative. How was he going to act towards Sephiroth now that he thought about it? While thinking of the man no longer put him into rage or brooding depression, it was borderline impossible to actually fully let go of his hate for the man, but, he had admitted to Genesis how convoluted the whole thing was. To be frank... he almost kind of pitied him. He could have stayed a general and a hero if people hadn't drove him to madness.

He shook his head. He'd 'try' to keep civil if Sephiroth did the same, but he wasn't afraid to give as good as he got. If Sephiroth tried anything though, he would readily drive First Tsurugi through the man's skull. He would take no chances with a pregnant Aerith being there.

They flew for a time, in silence, until the shore of the western continent came into view. They flew to the southern tip, and there, at the top of a hill, was their destination. A soft smile came to Cloud's lips at the sight of what looked like a tavern that hadn't been there before resting on the hill. Tifa was always comfortable behind a bar, figured she'd return to a familiar lifestyle. Though, with the tavern being out here, he couldn't imagine she got much business. Though, that isolation was probably intentional.

The building was two-story and looked to be made of oak, or whatever the surrounding forest had for trees. It was olden looking, not constructed in the same manner most buildings, even wooden ones, were these days. He figured that Tifa had personally helped to build it. She was always a hands on kind of girl after all. The building was unpainted, keeping it's natural brown, unpolished wood look. Like the original Seventh Heaven had, there was a porch, though it was a bit larger, having a table on one side that people could eat outside at, and two chairs on the other that people could just rest on. It had two windows on the front of the building with the porch.

As they set down outside the tavern, he noted there was no sign or name for the building displayed anywhere. He was briefly surprised she hadn't named it Seventh Heaven, but then again, that name probably held to many memories and pain for her. He cocked his head, hearing the faint sound of a generator running behind the building. To the left side of the building was a large storage shed. To the right was a large open spot of dirt, the grass having been cleared away. The dirt was scuffed up, had tons of footprints, handprints, and sword marks in it. He figured Tifa and Sephiroth sparred there. Though, he was a bit surprised they fought so close to the tavern.

"Well, shall we?" asked Aerith, looking at Cloud expectantly.

He nodded and took point. "Yeah."

They walked up the steps to the porch, to the door, and opened it, a soft jingle of a bell announcing their entry. At first, the inside reminded him faintly of the original Seventh Heaven. The wooden plank floor, the tables with stools instead of chairs. The bar however was a bit different. It was higher up, almost chest high, with higher bar stools than he recalled. The collection of beverages held behind the bar along the wall was much more expansive then either Edge's or the original Seventh Heaven had. There was both a door next to the bar, and a sliding window that allowed a brief glance into what looked like a backroom kitchen. The room was lit by a hanging ceiling fan. There were stairs to the side of the kitchen door, leading up to the second story, and down into a basement.

At the bar mixing a drink, with her back turned to them, was Tifa. "Be with you in a minute!"

Cloud smiled softly at that familiar tone. Tifa didn't seem down or depressed at first glance or at first sound of her voice. Though, he was very much surprised that she had her wing out compacted tightly to her body. He'd have figured she'd hide it away when it wasn't in use, like Angeal, Genesis, and Zack did, especially in a public setting. He also noted she had adopted a somewhat different set of leather clothing. It was similar in make and design to her old pair, but, a bit tougher looking, and instead of pure black, it had a red tint to it. Same with her gloves. Her arms were a bit more covered than before, the clothing extending to a bit below her elbows rather than being completely bare on her arms. He could faintly see a red undershirt sticking out from under the leather as well.

Yet... something 'felt' odd about Tifa. It was like... there was a second presence around her. Not Sephiroths, and not her own, but similar, it was the strangest sensation...

"We got customers Seph," Tifa called through the kitchen window.

"I'm not deaf," came Sephiroth's voice from the kitchen, followed by the sound of what Cloud thought to be a stove being turned on.

"Could have fooled me sometimes," came Tifa's teasing reply.

"Hmph," was all Sephiroth spared in response.

Cloud frowned briefly. Seph? That was... a rather familiar tone and a nickname... and the way she bantered with him...

Zack smirked. "Sephs in the kitchen? I didn't know he could cook."

"You'd be surprised, we all had to learn to cook, if only to avoid what Shinra served and not empty our bank accounts on take-out," said Angeal with chagrin, "Though, him being a chef is... surprising."

Tifa went still at their voices, her body going rigged, tension rocketing down her spine. She did not turn, her entire body screaming apprehension and unease.

Sephiroth however, didn't seem phased by their arrival, his head appearing at the window to glare at Zack and Angeal. "I heard that."

"Oops, busted," answered Zack, a cheeky grin on his face.

Sephiroth briefly turned his head to look at Tifa, studying her. "I believe it is rude to leave guests unattended."

Tifa glared at him.

"You had to know they would come eventually," said Sephiroth, unsympathetic, before disappearing back into the kitchen.

Tifa cleared her throat and half turned her head, forcing a plain even tone into her voice, "Have a seat, menus are on the tables, I'll be with ya'll in a moment."

Cloud suddenly felt a bit guilty. Tifa had sounded happy and content, then the moment she realized who had walked in the door, it was gone. Aerith walked past him to the nearest table, shooting him a look. He followed suit and sat down next to her, Zack on the other side, and Angeal across from him.

Cloud couldn't help but watch Tifa as she sullenly went about finishing her current beverage mix. She glanced at it heavily for a moment, before, to Cloud's surprise, she downed the entire large glass in one go and then sighed heavily. She definitely wasn't looking forward to this, he again felt guilty again as she moved to step out from behind the bar and...

His mind went completely blank when Tifa rounded the bar started towards them with a pad of notepaper and a pencil to take their orders. He could not help but stare at her enlarged stomach. Shock rippled through his body, followed by disbelief, horror, and then rage. She... she was pregnant? Had... had Sephiroth forced himself on her?! Gods... what had he done leaving her by herself with that man?

Cloud was half way out of his seat, eyes on the kitchen door, hand on his sword's handle before Tifa barked, "Sit down!"

Cloud froze for a moment, glancing at her with confusion.

Tifa cleared her throat and gave him a pointed look. "I said sit, down, now."

He stared at her, bewildered, before slowly complying. "Tifa...?"

"I'm moving on with my life Cloud," she said, her voice harsh, "This is my home, he's my companion..."

She trailed off and moved a hand to her stomach. "And this is my child. I'll not tolerate anyone threatening what I've managed to have here, even you. If you so much as draw your weapon in here, or against Seph unprovoked, I will knock you through the wall myself, are we clear?"

Cloud stared at her, lost. Numbness overtook him as he realized with horrifying clarity what exactly Tifa was saying... she was... with Sephiroth willingly...

"Are. We. Clear?" demanded Tifa.

"Yeah," he said quietly, "We're clear..."

Aerith watched the exchanged with rapt attention. She shared a bit, no not a bit, pretty much all of Cloud's mortification and what she saw. She had known and felt it the moment she had first laid eyes on Tifa and stretched out her senses. That dual presence, the second one echoing from within her. It was a child, a child, she had Sephiroth had conceived a child. And what a child it was, it wasn't even born yet and it's presence was strong.

"Impossible," came Minerva's whisper in the back of her mind.

Aerith lost focus on her surroundings and turned her attention to the Goddess. "What's impossible?"

"The Children of Calamity cannot bear offspring," said Minerva with disbelief, "It is impossible! I made it so!"

Aerith froze for a moment, before speaking to the Goddess in a dangerous tone. "What do you mean, 'you made it so'?"

Minerva either didn't register the tone or disregarded it. "They were denied access to the cycle of souls, they should not be able to conceive!"

Aerith clenched her fists in her lap and did her best not to explode out-loud. "YOU WHAT?!"

Minerva went silent.

"How could you try and do that to Tifa?" demanded Aerith, "I could 'maybe' understand Sephiroth, but Tifa? How could you try and deny someone the right to have a child?"

"You are blinded once again by your closeness with her, you do not understand the danger further Children of Calamity represent," said Minerva.

"Minerva...," said Aerith, raising her voice angrily.

"If it upsets you that bad, then you can leave Aerith," came Tifa's cold voice.

Aerith blinked a few times and found Tifa staring at her hard, frustration clearly coating her face. "What? No, I'm not upset with you."

Tifa crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

Aerith wasn't going to dare say what Minerva had tried to do, she couldn't predict how Tifa, and perhaps even how Sephiroth, would react to that. But, that didn't mean she wasn't going to dig at the Goddess for doing such a horrible thing.

"Minerva isn't being as nice as she should be to a soon-to-be mother," said Aerith simply.

Tifa grew confused for a moment. "Minerva...?"

"The Goddess of Gaia," said Zack, scratching the back of his head, "She's the one that revived us."

Tifa scowled. "Well, your Goddess can keep her opinions to herself then."

"Agreed," muttered Aerith.

She cleared her throat and gave Tifa a hesitant smile, while she did not like the fact just whose child the woman was having, at all, it was no excuse to be rude. "Well, congratulations are in order I suppose."

Tifa stared at her for a moment before sighing. "You haven't changed a bit."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Aerith.

Tifa shook her head. "Forget it. Do you all have orders or not?"

Oh, she hadn't even looked at the menu, none of them had from the looks of it. Aerith kept a careful eye on Cloud. The man looked like he had gone into 'autopilot mode'. It reminded her, awfully, of how he had functioned after her death, to deal with the pain. When he was like this, not a hint emotion showed on his face. He kept himself controlled like an unfeeling machine and forced himself to go about his day. Watching him from the lifestream after her death had been a painful thing for her. This... what he was seeing and hearing now, hurt the man...

"That's a lot of fish options," murmured Angeal, looking over the menu.

"I thought you hated fish," called out Angeal towards the kitchen.

"I detest it's smell, there is nothing wrong with fish itself as a food," corrected Sephiroth, "Being so close to the ocean, there is little choice but to offer what is readily available."

Of all things that greatly surprised Aerith. She didn't know what was more shocking, that Tifa was with Sephiroth, or that Sephiroth was 'cooking' in the kitchen. From the top of SOLDIER, to world destroying madman and murder, to... chef at a tavern? She found her disbelief at the notion hitting a peak she didn't know existed.

"How'd you get him to cook?" asked Aerith in a very quiet voice.

"I am not deaf, ancient," came Sephiroth's voice, making her wince.

Tifa scoffed. "It was either I cook and he bartender, or the other way around, and no offense to him, but Seph as a bartender wasn't going to work."

To that, the One-Winged Angel did not comment.

There were so many questions Aerith had popping into her mind at the moment to ask Tifa, but, here and now wasn't the time or the place, especially with all the SOLDIER's enhanced hearing as Sephiroth so aptly proved they still had. She quickly glanced over the menu, picked one at random, and offered her choice and menu to Tifa. Zack and Angeal followed suit, leaving only Cloud, who was staring at his closed menu without a word. Oh boy... she hoped he wouldn't go the 'I'm not hungry' route...

"Do you still mix Heaven's Special?" Cloud asked quietly.

Tifa gave a brief nod and made a note before taking their menus, turning and walking away. "Drinks will be a minute."

Aerith did a quick subtle take of the table. Zack was humming a soft tune to himself. Angeal had a furrowed, thoughtful look on his face. Cloud was still closed off, just staring down at the table. She snuck a quick glance at Tifa, the tension in the woman's shoulder's was visible, and her wing itself looked tense and a bit ruffled. Aerith had expected a bit of a strain between them all at first, but, she had hoped to be able to get through it and help Tifa come to term with what had happened to her, as a friend.

But...

Tifa had already seemed to come to terms with it, and moved on. At least on the surface anyway, in a way that made Aerith question if things could ever go back to the way they had used to be. She had already had her doubts... but... what was growing in Tifa's womb put a heavy damper on the possibility. She could remember the times when they had all traveled together chasing after Sephiroth, how good friends they had been. She didn't want to have lost that...

Tifa returned with their drinks and set them down. "Here you are, enjoy."

"Really Aerith? Water?" teased Zack before offering his drink, "Why not live a little?"

Aerith gave him a look. "Zack, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to get me drunk."

Zack returned her look with an undignified one. "Am not! I'm just trying to 'broaden your horizons', have you ever even had beer or wine before?"

"Y-yes," she answered somewhat evasively.

Zack raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, no," confessed Aerith before stating matter-of-factually, "Doesn't matter anyway, pregnant woman shouldn't drink alcohol."

Tifa snorted at that before walking back to the bar. "If you say so."

Aerith winced a bit at that. "Erm..."

"I don't know what the effect is with WEAPONs," came Sephiroth's voice, "But alcohol has almost no effect on SOLDIERs of 1st Class tier."

There was a brief paused before Sephiroth added in. "I believe you can ask Angeal for confirmation on that fact."

Angeal coughed and choked on his drink a little bit.

"Ohhhh! That sounds like there's a story!" said Zack, eyeing Angeal with glee.

Angeal set down his drink. "We... might have cleaned out half a bar's stock when Genesis and I made 1st Class."

Zack cracked up at that, and Aerith offered a giggle.

"If I recall, we made a bet on how many drinks it would take for Sephiroth to get drunk," he mused.

"Oh, this I gotta hear, how many?" demanded Zack.

"They lost the bet," answered Sephiroth from the kitchen, "They couldn't manage the deed."

He grew cross. "No matter how many drinks they shoved down my throat."

Zack whistled. "Can't say I envy you man."

Sephiroth made a none-committal hum, but didn't respond.

Aerith couldn't help but sneak a glance in the kitchen's direction. The strangeness of the situation at hand finally hit her. How... odd... Sephiroth was acting. There was no taunting, no hostility, no attempted manipulation, at most there had been a slight jab, at Angeal rather than Cloud. Was this how he normally was when he wasn't an insane megalomaniac? If so... why was he suddenly acting like this?

She contemplated it for a moment before she realized that it wasn't exactly 'sudden'. She hadn't seen or heard of him in almost half a year. Was this... because of Tifa? She thought about it for a bit, and decided she'd need to get Tifa alone for awhile to get some answers out of her, if she was willing.

DING DING

Aerith turned her head to see Sephiroth hand out several plates through the kitchen window to Tifa. The woman brought over their food and set it down on the table. Aerith registered she had apparently ordered what might have been trout or something. It was oddly peculiar, to see the meat so neatly and perfectly arranged on the plate, a light seasoning on it, a helping of cauliflower to the side with a small cup of cheese to dip it into. She could admit, it smelt good, all of their food did. She took her first hesitant bite and found her mouth watering, oh it was good. She could tell Zack and Angeal were impressed with their meals too.

What a strange world, to be eating food made by the man who had killed her.

She slowly shook her head and finished her meal, pushing away the plate when she was done. "Whew..."

"You said it," said Zack, "Damn, why didn't you cook before Seph?"

"I did not know you well at first Zackery, and you never asked," was the man's reply, "Nor did I have the time after Lazard left."

"Fair enough," said Zack, scratching the back of his head, a hint of a frown on his face at the name 'Lazard'.

He shook his head. "Well, mad compliments to the chef."

Sephiroth gave another none-committal hum, but didn't respond otherwise.

Tifa came, collected their plates, and left for the bar, handing the plates through the window. She moved to the cash register, punched in a few numbers, and printed out a bill to hand back to them.

Zack stared at the bill for a moment. "Er... hey 'Geal, do you have any money on you?"

Angeal blinked a few times. "I... oh... being dead for awhile makes you forget about such things."

Aerith rubbed her forehead. "Oh boy..."

Tifa crossed her arms and gave them an annoyed look.

"I got it," said Cloud quietly, fishing out his wallet and handing the payment to Tifa.

Aerith gave Zack a pointed look. "You're going to need a job mister."

Zack sighed. "Yeah yeah yeah, and hey! I was helping you patch up Midgar, that's totally not fair!"

"I suggest, Zackery and Angeal, that you inquire with Rufus about the state of your bank accounts from your employment as SOLDIERS in Shinra," advised Sephiroth, "I was more than surprised to see that mine was still intact, with interest gained I might add."

Zack grinned full force. "Aww score! We're totally set Aerith."

Aerith's eyes furrowed. "Really? Just how much did SOLDIERs make?"

"You'd be surprised," said Angeal, "3rd class wasn't paid to much, but as you rose in ranks it started rising drastically. Especially when you make 1st Class. One of Shinra's methods of trying to keep willing employment from their top SOLDIERs."

"Greed is a universal motivator," muttered Aerith.

Zack feigned hurt. "Are you calling me greedy 'Rith?"

"Wouldn't dream of it Zack," she answered with a playful tone.

She glanced over as Cloud set his empty glass down with a thud, staring at it contemplatively. Slowly, he rose to his feet and made for the door.

"I'm going to head to Cosmo Canyon and check in on Red," said Cloud quietly.

"You want some company?" asked Angeal, "I've never actually been to Cosmo Canyon."

"Do what you want," said Cloud distantly.

Aerith bit her lip. Cloud wasn't even staying to talk to or inquire about Tifa...

She watched him go, Angeal on his heels.

She heard a soft sigh and turned to see a brooding Tifa behind the bar, arms crossed. "Some things never change with him."

Aerith hesitated for a moment before rising to her feet and walking to the bar, plopping up on one of the stools. "It's... kind of who he is I suppose."

Tifa gave her a dry look. "I'm more than aware. Walking, running, or riding away from things is a habit of his."

Aerith returned it with a weak smile. "So... how have you been?"

Tifa started washing some of her mixing glasses. "Fine I suppose."

There was an awkward silence for a minute before Aerith figured she'd have to be the one to initiate any conversation for the time being. "So, what have you been up to these last few months?"

Tifa shrugged. "We wandered the world for the first few months before I realized I was pregnant. Afterwards, we chose to make our home out here."

Aerith's eyes flickered to the kitchen window. There were so many questions to ask, but...

Apparently, Zack was either a mind reader, or was bored. "Heya Seph, wanna spar outside?"

There was silent for a moment before Sephiroth responded. "If you so wish, but be warned, I will not be pleased if this place is damaged."

"Yeah, sure, won't be a scratch," said Zack.

There was a few minutes of Sephiroth sounding like he was washing the dishes and shutting down the kitchen before he stepped out of the kitchen, his blade in hand. Aerith's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the sword in his hand so close to her. He however payed her no mind and simply walked out the door, Zack on his heels.

The moment the door was closed, Aerith turned to Tifa. "Tifa... what happened? How exactly did you two... I mean..."

Tifa gave her a cold look. "He was there for me, and he did not judge."

Aerith frowned. "Tifa, I never judged you. You've always been, and always will be, my dear friend."

Tifa stared at her for a moment, a brief look of disbelief crossing her, before her cold look faded and a softness took over. "Even after all of this? What I did?"

"That wasn't you Tifa," said Aerith softly, "The new Calamity twisted your memories. The same would have happened to anyone else if they had fallen into it's clutches."

Tifa sighed. "Pass me a stool."

Aerith grabbed the one next to her and handed it over. Tifa grabbed and put it down before plopping down with a heavy sigh.

"I'll admit, I can't honestly imagine Sephiroth as a... caring boyfriend or a loving man," admitted Aerith before adding in quickly, "No offense to him.

Tifa brooded for a moment before shaking her head. "To be honest, he's not. But, he understands and respects commitment and dedication, something that lingers from his old life. Once I admitted my pregnancy to him, he took full responsibility, I kind of admire that about him, he never shied or ran away from it."

She rolled her eyes. "Unlike someone else I know."

Aerith gave a tiny smile at that but didn't respond.

"We haven't really talked about it, but, I don't think he honestly ever had the time for none-professional relationship during his life. A lot of the things you'd expect just aren't there," said Tifa, "A passing hug or kiss, shows of affections, gifts, they just don't happen unless there's a specific reason for them."

She chuckled softly. "He's never said the words 'I love you'."

She leaned her head back. "Then again, neither have I. We respect one another, we share the same pained monstrous existence, and that's enough to make me content."

"You're not a monster Tifa," said Aerith sternly.

Tifa tilted her head back down, twiddled a bit of her silvery hair, motioned to her red catlike-eyes, and extended her wing a bit. "Then what exactly do you call me? Because I'm sure as hell not human anymore."

"I wing, unusual eyes, and a hair dye doesn't mean your not human," said Aerith, trying to be a bit humorous.

Tifa snorted at that and retracted her wing back to her side. "If you say so."

They grew silent for a few minutes. Aerith turned her head slightly, hearing the faint sound of swords clashing. She couldn't help but feel nervous for Zack...

"He'll be fine, Seph won't take him seriously enough to hurt him," said Tifa.

Aerith scoffed a little and came to her fiancee's defense. "Zack can handle himself."

"Not against Sephiroth he can't," said Tifa, "Whatever you thought of him and his abilities before is long since outdated. We've been sparing and fighting daily for months, though, we have toned it back since I entered my second trimester. He's grown far stronger, we both have, with an equal to constantly test ourselves against."

Aerith frowned uneasily. "Oh..."

The notion of a stronger Sephiroth was very troubling. Cloud had barely managed to go even with him when they had fought before the new Calamity arrived, if one could call that disaster an even fight. Now? She doubted anyone but herself could face him. Even then... she had yet to truly experiment with her newfound powers as the Holy WEAPON, not to mention refresh on her skills with a staff. She would be greatly out-skilled if it came down to a fight.

"He wont go back to what he was. Unless you intentionally mess with him he wont harm you," said Tifa quietly, "He's... moved on, just as I have."

There was a soft smile on her lips. "He has something to ground himself on, something the world finally offered him that wasn't treachery from Shinra, abandonment by those who were supposed to be his friends, Hojo's madness, or his Mother's desires. You'd have to spend time with him to see the quirks and the subtle hints, but, he enjoys this quiet life out here. He is..."

She searched for the word for a moment. "Content."

Aerith stared at Tifa, stunned by what she had said.

"I think, the notion of actually having a child just... I mean... I think he's...," Tifa began but stopped, thinking.

"He doesn't show it, but, I know him. He waits, day by day with slowly building anticipation. I think he's looking forward to it, he actually has something to look forward to for once in his life," she said quietly, "We both do."

"Tifa...," said Aerith sadly.

Tifa chuckled. "Though, he said if a scientist or a doctor or someone in a lab coat comes anywhere near our child he will gut them with an honest smile on his face."

Aerith slightly cringed at that. "Well... after Hojo I can understand the feeling."

Tifa leaned forward to look down over the counter at Aerith's stomach. "So what about you? How far are you along?"

"Umm, I'm in the second trimester as well," answered Aerith.

Tifa nodded before clarifying. "Zack's?"

Aerith nodded. "Yes."

"Well, I'm glad you two got a chance to restart your lives," offered Tifa.

"Thank you," said Aerith, giving her a warm smile.

"Shame your Goddess only revived you to fight Father and any further Calamities," said Tifa dryly, "She should have revived you far sooner, just to give you a second chance at life."

Aerith shrugged. "My time was over, as much as I hadn't wanted it to be. I'm grateful for what I have now."

Tifa studied her for a moment. "Nanaki and I... always thought you knew what was going to happen, that you had accepted it."

Aerith scowled. "No, I didn't go to the City of the Ancients expecting to be killed."

She looked down, a bit ashamed. "I... hadn't wanted to risk anything with Sephiroth having the ability to try and control Cloud."

"Oh," said Tifa quietly.

Aerith sighed. "I thought it was something I had to do alone. I was a fool. If I had just stayed with you all, you could have guarded the prayer, and together, we could have went to the Northern Crater and dealt with things then and there. I doubted in my friends, and I got myself killed for it and hurt all of you."

"He... really wasn't the same after you died," said Tifa quietly, "Even after I helped to try and put his true memories back together."

Aerith bowed her head. "Sorry."

Tifa shook her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

She hesitated. "I'm er... sorry about trying to kill you."

Aerith scolded her. "I told you, that wasn't you Tifa."

Tifa shrugged. "Still had to be said."

They grew silent again for a few minutes before Aerith asked, "Thought of any names?"

Tifa nodded. "I know exactly what I'm going to name her."

"Her?" asked Aerith.

Tifa looked a bit sheepish. "I uh... might have done a little probing with my senses, I'm pretty sure it's a girl."

"Aww, why'd you spoil it for yourself?" said Aerith teasingly.

Tifa put a hand on her stomach. "I couldn't help myself. I... I've been waiting for a child for so long now. Settling down and starting a family was something I had wanted after the whole Meteorfall mess."

"I can't wait for Jen to be born," whispered Tifa.

"G-E-N, Gen, it's a nice name," said Aerith.

"J-E-N actually," said Tifa.

Aerith paused. Jen? As in... really? Of course he'd name his child after his 'mother'.

She pursed her lips. "So, you let Sephiroth name her?"

Tifa blinked a few times, confused. "No? I chose the name."

"R-really?" asked Aerith, surprised, "Why Jen then?"

"It just...," Tifa began before blanking. "I don't know. It just felt right. No other name would be acceptable for her."

Aerith's eyebrows furrowed. Odd...

She frowned. Something felt... off... for a moment, with Tifa.

The woman narrowed her eyes at Aerith. "Is something wrong with that?"

"No, it's just... um...," began Aerith, "You know what, never mind."

"Speak, your, mind," said Tifa crossly.

"It's just... Jen, it sounds like a shorthand for... well...," she began before hesitating, knowing this was probably going to come back and bite her, "Jenova."

Tifa's eyes widened with shock, and then outrage. "I think it's time you left Aerith."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean...," began Aerith.

"You can come back another day, but right now, just go," said Tifa with barely restrained fury.

Aerith bowed her head and sighed. "I'm sorry."

Tifa said nothing, merely giving her a cold look.

Aerith got off the stool and made for the door, pausing to give an awkward, "Bye Tifa."

Tifa merely nodded, but didn't offer her own goodbye, her eyes tight, her lips pursed, her entire stance screaming 'angry'. Well, Aerith knew she had no one to blame but herself. She had firmly put her foot in her mouth as they say. Still... most of that visit had gone well, at least she thought so. Kind of...

Cloud was probably a wreck right now, and Tifa was pissed at her. Hopefully, Tifa would cool down in a few weeks, she did want to visit her again. She paused her thoughts, hearing the intense clash of swords and the ripple of unseen energy moving through the air. She strode off the porch and took at glance at the arena, spotting Sephiroth and Zack in a furious spar, both of them intensely focused on one another.

Zack had a green mako-like glow around both his body and his blade, moving at a speed she had never seen him move at before, not even when fighting Tifa. His blade swung with a heavy force, clashing against Masamune. Sephiroth, against what Tifa had said, looked to actually be putting a bit of effort into the spar, a slight bit of sweat on the man's forehead, but not nearly as much as Zack had covering him. She... had never seen Zack actually cut loose before, though, hadn't Sephiroth said not to risk damaging the tavern?

The two launched themselves away from one another and charged, both blades meeting in a heavy clash than sent a ripple of energy through the air. Aerith gave a yelp and was knocked on her back.

"Aerith? Wha...," began Zack before he yelped as well.

She glanced up, sighting Zack on the ground with Masamune resting lightly against his neck. "I'm impressed Zackery, you've grown much stronger as a WEAPON than you were as a SOLDIER at the reactor, but you should never allow yourself to be distracted in a fight."

Zack scowled and stood up when Sephiroth withdrew his sword. "Well, I guess your a bit stronger than you were at the reactor as well."

Sephiroth's lips quivered with amusement. "I suppose I am."

The energy surrounded Zack faded and he jogged over to Aerith, offering a hand. She let him help her up.

She took a sniff. "You mister are taking a bath when we get back."

Zack scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ut oh, the misses says I stink."

Sephiroth gave a none-committal hum and walked back towards the tavern. "Until next time Zackery."

"Yeah... see you Seph," said Zack.

Sephiroth paused at the door before half turning. "Tell Genesis and Angeal that I am expecting them to show their faces here, together, at some point."

Zack winced a bit at that. "Yeah sure, I'll pass on the message."

Sephiroth nodded curtly before walking back inside.

"Erm, Aerith, we don't have a bath at the camp," whispered Zack.

"Well, that's fine, you said we'd be set right?" she said before speaking innocently, "You can buy or build us a house with all that SOLDIER money."

Zack coughed a bit, and laughed when she gave him a cheeky grin. "Oh man Aerith, I swear I'm a bad influence on you."

Aerith giggled a bit. "Maaaaybe."

Zack picked her up bridal style, extended his wing, and took off into the air. "Yeah, we'll build us a house, and I'm going to help you make an awesome garden too!"

Aerith smiled at the thought. "I'm looking forward to it."

With that, she closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest as they flew off into the sunset back towards the Eastern Continent...

Author's Notes:

Been awhile, but here's an update (bit of a time-skip).