Chapter Two

"I can't drive anymore." Cloud said to the wind. It was dark out now. There was still an endless stretch of road straight ahead of him, but he knew a town was nearby if he took the right turns. Why not stay at the inn one night, and head home in the morning. Afterall, he did bring enough money with him in the pocket of his blue jeans.

Almost there he told himself. When he finally drove into town, the night sky was dotted with stars. Most of the buildings were stores, or bars. The houses weren't on this side of town.

Cloud made his way to the Inn. He checked in - for a stifling 500 gil - and retreated up into the room. The clock on the table read 10:00. It wasn't really that late. Didn't this town have some famous bar here, or something?

He leaned back against the bed. It was a nice room of medium size, and the bed was clean looking and smelling. No wonder it was so expensive. If he could just-

He layed back on the bed and was asleep in a matter of minutes.

-----

Reno's lips pressed roughly against Tifa's, his hands running up and down her sides. She hadn't been surprised when he followed her into the storeroom to get more drinks, and she hadn't been surprised when he had shoved her against the wall, kicking some boxes out of his way. They had cleared enough space to continue what they were doing.

He had first kissed her, amazed that he had dared to do so. It was gentle, just enough to get a taste, and now, as his kisses became harder and more desperate, he slid his hand up her shirt. It was now that Reno decided he was taking her home with him. "Babe, not here..." he whispered.

"Alright." She grabbed some bottles. "Better look like I was doin'g my job." Tifa walked out first, Reno coming shortly after her. She didn't like the look they were getting from Barret...

-----

Restless. Cloud woke with a start. The dream...it was wrong. All of it.

The crystal of the buildings of the City of the Ancients reflected the waters below and cast soft, magical shadows about. The sound of Aeris's boots echoed all around them as she walked next to Cloud. No, Aeris wasn't with him. It was Tifa that day, never Aeris..... But if Aeris was with him, who was it praying. Oh, god, Tifa. Cloud bounded across the stepping pillars to the alter.

He didn't want to, but he liftefted his sword. She would never know what was coming. Tifa, no, Aeris, called to him. "Cloud, no!" And he obeyed, dropping the sowrd and coming to his senceds.

She looked up at him and smiled. Her chocolate coloured eyes lingered on his for that brief sexond.....

SWOOSH! Sephiroth slammed his sword into her. Cloud screamed, and rushed to Aer- Tifa- and ctreid. "Tifa, no. You can't die...." But he knew. "I love you, Tifa Lockhart."

And then he has woken up. He groped for the light beside him and turned it on. He needed a drink, and fast. He wished he had a jacket. The night air was too chilly to go wiith out one really, but it was just too bad. He practically lept down the stairs and out of that inn, finally getting to a large bar.

He didn't bother too look at the name of it, he just went in.

Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.

-----

Tifa Lockhart stood open mouthed at the sight before her. Stepping through that door was the last person she ever thought she would have to see again. "Oh, gods," was all she said, and held Reno's side.

Cloud was speechless, but just choked out. "Tifa?" It was stupid sounding, but no one was listening. Barret couldn't stand that silence, so he spoke up.

"How are ya, Cloud? Long time no see."

"I..I'm....Jesus..."

"You ain't Jesus." Barret said, almost chuckling at his retarded attempt at a joke. Cloud wondered where the hell he got a sense of humour from, but the thought didn't last long. Reno was here? The sight of Reno and Tifa was too much for Cloud to handle.

"I am leaving." Simple enough said. Not as simple done.

"You ain't goin' anywhere." Barret said. Cloud shook his head, looking everywhere but the people before him.

"I-I-I don't belong here. I am leaving." Cloud pushed the door back open and ran out. He didn't look back until he heard footsteps from behind him.

"Cloud..." It was Tifa's voice.

"No."

"Cloud, please?"

"No."

"Cloud..." She rested a hand on his shoulder. "Don't go."

"Tifa, I said no already!" He yelled, shoving her away. The force of it knocked her off her feet. A few people passing buy gave a second look, but did nothing. It wasn't really uncommon, in this part of town, for a drunkard to beat his girlfriend.

Tifa's eyes welled up with stinging tears. When she had fallen, she had gotten a rather large, deep scrape on her left arm and palms. "You...you..." She boiled with too much rage to finish what she had intended to say. More gravel was embittered into her palms when she pushed herself up off the ground.

Cloud stood there, looking like he had no empathy for what he had just done. Besides, what could he do? He watched mindlessly as Tifa ran back towards the safety of her bar.