A/N: Hey guys. Here's chapter 23. Sorry that I left but I had a great time. Anyway…Ch.22 has been replaced with a new chapter so please read that before this. PLEASE!!! Do not read summary if you haven't read Ch.22.

Summary – The gang help Costa del Sol recover from the mutant attack. They find an old man who saw what happened. The news they gave them was upsetting, especially for Tifa. Cloud had been captured by the mutants.

Chapter 23 – The Secret Is Out

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Everyone was quiet. No one dared to speak of what had happened, or what they found out.

The news of Cloud's possible death had hit everyone hard. Even Squall, who didn't consider him as a friend, felt sorry for him. It was strange for Squall. When Cloud had left, the hostility towards him slipped away. Instead, he admired what Cloud had done. If they had switched places, Squall would have done the same thing. His friends meant more to him than anything. Because of his past…it had taken him some time to trust them. Now that he did, he never wanted to lose them. He was sure Cloud felt the same way.

But no one had taken the news harder than Tifa. Her and Cloud had become very close friends since he had joined AVALANCHE. Plus…she was the only one who stood by him when he went temporarily insane.

She had been in her room since they had gotten back. She had been crying most of the time…but she had eventually fallen asleep.

Squall was deep in thought once again.

Vincent had been right. The Mako-Mutants could sense Cloud anywhere he went. But if they wanted him dead…why did they capture him? Maybe they were going to torture him, to find out where Squall was. Or maybe it was something else.

But how are the mutants able to sense him. Apart from his glowing eyes, he seemed perfectly normal. Maybe it was because of his eyes. But Squall remembered what both he and Tifa had been quite secretive. What was he hiding that was so important?

And that old man at Costa del Sol. What did he mean? He said Tifa was hiding something. But was it that thing about Cloud? Or was it something else? He had to find out.

The others were all outside, trying to cheer up. Squall was the only one in the bar except Tifa. He got up out his seat and walked up the stairs. He felt slightly hesitant but he kept walking. He reached Tifa's door and grabbed the handle. He slowly opened the door and walked in.

Tifa was standing at the window looking out. From behind, Squall could see that she was clutching something to her chest. He slowly walked nearer and finally spoke.

"Tifa?" he said in a soft voice, "Are you okay?"

She laughed softly but sadly.

"Your more like him than you thought Squall." she said quietly.

Squall was taken aback by this. "Huh?"

"He was always the first person to check on me if I was upset. You two are more alike than I expected."

Squall stayed silent and Tifa continued.

"You're both swordsman. Excellent ones at that. You're both kind, caring and have leadership qualities. Also…" she laughed again, "…you were both loners."

"Zell…you're dead." Squall muttered quietly but Tifa heard him. She smiled.

"You're both stubborn too." she told him, still smiling.

"Hey…I am not stubborn!" Squall protested.

Tifa chuckled but carried on. "You're both strong and brave. And…your friends mean more to you than anything. You'd do anything for them…even if it cost you your life."

Squall looked at her sadly as he heard her quietly sobbing. He walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. She flinched slightly and turned round. Squall could see tear trails down her face. Just like Rinoa, she was very beautiful. But the tears took that away. The cheerful look Tifa usually wore was gone, and was replaced with grief and sadness. She came closer to him and wrapped her arms around him. Slightly surprised and uncomfortable, he returned it the hug.

Tifa felt strange holding Squall. She felt safe and secure, just like she did with Cloud. It was another similarity between them. More tears rolled down her cheeks. She missed him so much. And she felt guilty hugging Squall, while he may be dead. But she couldn't help it. She liked the feeling of having strong arms surround her and protect her. But it just wasn't the same.

Squall remembered why he had come up and decided to ask. But would it upset her even more?

"Tifa…there's something wrong isn't there?" he asked. Tifa stopped crying slightly to show she was listening. "There's something that's making the news harder to handle. Something that you're hiding from us."

Tifa started to get nervous. How did he know? Was it that old man?

"If you let it out Tifa…" Squall started, "…you might feel better."

Tifa let him go and walked over to the top of her bed. She sat at the headboard and brought her knees to her chest. Squall sat on the side of the bed and waited.

Tifa took a deep breath before starting.

"I've been hiding this for a few months now." she said slowly, "I didn't want to tell anyone…in case this happened."

She paused for a moment. Squall remained silent. This wasn't going to be good.

"I…I'm…I'm pregnant Squall." she whispered.

Squall stood up and walked to the window, a hand over his mouth. He sighed and, without turning to face her, asked her the question that mattered most.

"Is it his?"

He looked round and saw Tifa nod.

"Oh man." he sighed.

"It was intentional. It wasn't planned or anything…it just…happened." Tifa told him. Squall didn't answer so she went on in a low voice.

"I've been hiding my feelings for him…for so long. He was the same. The night he left…I went to see him. We talked but it led to an argument about him leaving. I said some horrible things and…he…he got really upset. I had hurt his feelings…something that I never wanted to do. We couldn't hold in our feelings any longer. I had to tell him…in case I never saw him again. I regret not stopping him…not persuading him to stay. But he did it for me…me and the others. He was endangering us…just by being there. I…I just never thought…that…telling him…was cause me this much pain. All because of one stupid mistake."

She couldn't go on. She cried into her knees, letting it all come out.

"That's why you cheered up wasn't it?" Squall asked. Tifa looked up, tears still flowing down her cheeks. "You were sad for the first month. After that…you really started to cheer up.  Is that because you found out."

"Yes. I didn't miss him as much anymore. I had this feeling that he wqas okay…so I didn't worry about him. But now…" she trailed off.

Squall turned round and walked towards the bed. He sat down next to her and look her in the eyes. She looked back.

"If he's alive, we'll find him. I promise. Then you can tell him."

Tifa smiled and hugged him again.

"Thank you Squall." she whispered.

Squall nodded and stood up. He walked to the door and opened it.

"Squall."

He stood by the door and looked back. She was smiling.

"You were right. I do feel better."

Squall smiled back and walked out, shutting the door. He turned towards the stair and saw Rinoa.

"Is she okay?" Rinoa asked.

"Yeah." he answered, nodding and looking at the door. "She's going to be fine."

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A/N: Well…that was a lot of talking eh? Hope you liked it though. We're nearing the end of this fic. Maybe 6 or 7 more chapters to go. Anyway…R & R please.

Shout-outs –

Fr33k S+Yl3 23 – Don't worry…I won't tell. If you review…thanks very much.

Jessica Holmes – Well Jess…now everyone knows. Shame you found out sooner eh? LOL.