Long day and I'm ready - I'm waiting for your call

'Cos I've made up my mind

My heart aches with a hunger and the want that you were mind

No I cannot deny it

Cloud stood in the threshold of his villa in Costa del Sol tired from his long day. He tossed his Ultima Weapon casually on the table and pulled his lone shoulder armor off. Kicking his boots off, they lay in a heap in the corner. Checking the small house over once he headed for his bedroom. With a sigh he threw his tired body onto the comfortable bed.

A picture frame sat on the table next to his bed and his eyes slowly wandered over to it. The picture was of his friends, all smiles for the camera. Even Vincent had what appeared to pass for a smile on his usually stern expression. If his friends surrounded him, why was he so alone inside?

So for one night, is it alright

That I give… You

My heart, my love, my heart

Just for one night

My body, my soul

Just for one night

My love, my love

For one night, one night, one night

"Just one night," he whispered to the rising moon, finally placing the picture back on the beside table. "One night to make everything right."

Closing his eyes slowly, he stifled the tears that threatened to make trails of sadness down his cheeks. He lay there for some time, the moonlight illuminating his still figure. In the quiet stillness he felt something shift. Slowly something brushed his cheek and he could feel the warmth of another body next to his.

Shh, he heard a voice whisper.

For one night my love that's all I can promise, her soothing words whispered in his mind.

When morning awakes me

Well I know I'll be alone

And I feel I'll be fine

So don't worry about me

I'm not empty on my own

For inside I'm alive

The rays from the morning sun kissed his pale features, arousing him from slumber. Slowly he opened one eye and soon the other. Without have to look he knew that she was gone. But finally he had been able to make his peace, he would be able to let go. The picture of his friends drew his attention. Picking it up he ran his fingers over the faces.

He could finally smile along with them, no longer filled with regret.

That for one night, it was so right

That I gave… You

My heart (My heart…), my love, my heart

Just for one night (one night…)

My body, my soul

Just for one night (one night…)

My love, I loved

For one night (one night…), one night, one night

He lay in bed for a few minutes longer, his skins still warm from her touch. He had given her all he was and had. For one night all his troubles were gone, taken from his mind by her soft smile. He had given her his shattered heart and with her gentle love, she had pieced together the broken pieces.

"Farewell," he told the empty room. I know what I need to do know, thank you.

For one night, it was so right

That I gave… You

My heart (my heart), my love, my heart

Just for one night (one night…)

My body, my soul

Just for one night (one night…)

My love, my love

For one night (one night), one night, one night

One night…

The door swung open with a simple flick of his wrist. His friends sat together at a table near the back, talking and laughing, simply enjoying each other's presence. Tifa spotted him, she waved, beckoning to him to come and join them. The motion brought a smile to his lips. Walking over, he took a chair between Tifa and Cid, joining in on the conversation.

Under the table, he tentatively took Tifa's hand with his. Glancing over she gave him a small smile and continued to talk, giving his hand a small squeeze. For one night he had lived what could have been.

And with her gentle encouragement, he was now living what he had.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"One Night" is copyrighted by The Corrs and their label. Final Fantasy VII and characters are copyrighted by Squaresoft.