Tifa awoke the next morning, hugging her pillow tightly. She was smiling as she sat up, and stretched the sleepiness out of her muscles. /It feels so good to finally be able to sleep again!/ She looked around for Cloud, who had innocently slept next to her all night, but he wasn't there. Tifa shrugged, and got up. She went out into the living room, to find Barret looking over some papers spread out over the table in the kitchen. Marlene was sitting on his shoulders, watching with admiration everything he did.

"Mornin' Barret!" Tifa chirped happily. She walked over and poked Marlene in the tummy, sending the little girl into a fit of giggles. "Good mooorning Marleeeene" She said, smiling brightly. She turned to the papers that Barret was studying. He looked nervous about something, by the way he was trying so hard to concentrate. It was a study on the Weapons. Tifa looked at Barret's face. "Are they still alive?"

"Uhh.. Yea, possibly.." Barret was sweating more than usual. "Even the ones we fought. I doubt we destroyed 'em completely."

"Well, even if we didn't, they shouldn't pose any more threat, considering the planet is safe now. They should go back to sleep." Tifa considered.
Barret nodded. "I sure do hope so."

Tifa made her way around the house, looking for Cloud. She went outside, and noticed the absence of the airship. She went back inside and confronted Barret.

"Where's Cid?"

Barret winced slightly, yet continued studying the papers in front of him, as if he hadn't heard her. Marlene leaned her head to the side and looked curiously at the woman.

Tifa pounded her well trained fist on the table, shaking the papers and startling Barret, the huge fearless man. He'd never hide something from her unless it was important.

"Where's Cid?" she demanded.

Barret sighed and looked down. "He took the airship."

Tifa stared hard into him, waiting for him to finish.

"He.. He took Cloud back to the Crater"

Tifa's Heart stopped. She gasped and stumbled backwards. "W..wha.."

"Cloud.. Wanted ta' find that damned Black Materia before someone else does."

"Alone?!" Tifa gasped.

"He's jus' as stubborn as you are!! His stupid spikey head was sayin' that he didn't wanna put us in danger no more. That he should do it alone, 'cus it's his responsibility. I think he's still crazy 'bout givin' it to Sephiroth like he did. He feels responsible for that."

Tifa fell back onto the couch, trying to sort her thoughts.

"An' I've been studyin' these things on Weapon 'cus... well, 'cus there's a chance that Weapon will return to the Crater, where it came from. Cloud was sayin' he wants 'ta get all this over with, before Weapon returns." He looked down, then looked up at the distressed Tifa. She looked shocked, with worry written all over her face. He closed his eyes, feeling horrible for seeing her like this. "That's not all," he pushed out.

Tifa turned her misty red eyes toward him, waiting for whatever torturous sentence he was about to utter.

"When.. If Weapon does return, they'll prob'ly seal the Crater up again ta' protect it. So that no one else gets in there."

Marlene's little face pouted up. "So we're not gonna see Cloud anymore?"

Tifa choked it back, deciding she couldn't show worry in front of the little one. She got up and walked to Marlene, still perched high on Barret's shoulders. She forced herself to smile gently, reassuringly.

"Now, you listen, Marly. Cloud is gonna come back. He's strong, has a definite will, and a good head on his shoulders. He's doing this to make sure nothing bad ever happens again to the planet, so you can grow up happily. Ok? So don't worry." She gently tapped Marlene's chin, and the child immediately smiled. Tifa's heart lifted a little. She knew what she said was true, but she knew that doing it alone, there's no telling what could go wrong. She then turned and made her way for the door.

"Tifa," Barret called for her. He picked up Marlene and gently set her on the floor. Tifa walked out, and he followed shortly.

"Tif."

She didn't stop. He closed the door to protect Marlene's eyes.

"Tifa, wait." She continued walking on, rapidly to the little town shop. He grabbed her arm and stopped her. She turned and looked him in the face. Her eyes were harsh and demanding, set with dry tears. Her mouth was set. Whatever she was planning, she was determined.

"Let me go." She said sternly.

"Jus' where do ya think you're goin' now, Tif?" Barret said as gently as possible.

"I'm going after him."

"Tif, Cloud made me promise 'ta keep you here. He don't want you in no more danger." Tifa yanked her arm away from him and stared at him angrily. Barret only looked back, feeling her pain and anguish. He stepped forward and hugged her with his huge arms, engulfing her completely. She held back tightly.

"He.. Will be back right?" She said weakly. "Just like I told Marly?"

"He'll be back Tifa. He's too damn stubborn to die jus' yet. He's made it this far, and plus he has you 'ta think 'bout now. He'll be back, Tif."

She closed her eyes, and tried her best to hope so.