Chapter 11: Derelict

Cloud hopped onboard the Highwind and pulled out his phone. He dialed Tifa's number hoping against hope that she'd answer, but her voicemail would just pick up. "Come on… godammit, answer, Tifa!" He roared.

"It's no use, I tried six times already." Reno said.

Cloud flipped his phone closed and pressed it against his forehead. What if she was hurt? What if she was dying?

"Relax, Tifa can take care of herself." Reno replied, watching him.

"I know that, but not everyone can." Cloud answered.

Cloud couldn't believe it as the Highwind settled down in Midgar. It was in derelict. Bodies were scattered everywhere, houses were burning, and horrible screaming and crying filled the air. Cloud hopped out of the airship, and ran to the school, hoping for the best and knowing it was foolish. Nestled in a patch of flowers in Aeris's church was where he found her. She had been shot several times, blood oozing from her wounds. Her eyes were closed lightly, and it looked like she was sleeping peacefully, and had not passed out from the pain. Cloud gathered her in his arms.

"That Loz guy shot her," A voice said from the shadows.

Cloud turned and found Shera huddling behind the altar.

"She wouldn't give up Marlene. I tried to help her, but…" Shera walked out from behind the altar, and Cloud saw blood and semen trickling down her legs from under her short skirt. Goddammit…

"It's okay," Cloud said soothingly, "it's going to be okay." He put Tifa down, and offered his hand to her. "Come on, it's okay."

Shera took his hand, and stepped into the light. Upon further inspection, Cloud could see that she was really beat up. He gave her hand a squeeze. "We're going to get you cleaned up, and take care of your bruises…"

"Cloud, I need a drink." Shera said.

Cloud gave a nod with a small smile, "a drink sounds good right about now. But, Barret's coming, and I need to help Tifa…"

The doors to the church opened, and Barrett bounded his way in. "You foun' her!" He stopped short when he saw Tifa unconscious on the ground. "Fuck…"

A small sob escaped Shera's lips.

"Don't cry, don't cry, it's okay." Cloud told her, leading her over to Barret. "Can you help her?"

Barret put an arm around Shera's shoulders. "Tifa needs a medic… are there any even left?" He paused, "Damn! If it weren't for the ShinRa tryin' to destroy the planet, it's some other fuck!"

Cloud gathered Tifa in his arms. "Let's go."

"Shera! Did I hear you yapping all the way from outside?" Cid announced, strutting into the church.

Shera burst into tears.

"Shut that idiot up!" Cloud yelled.

Barret raced over to Cid, and told him the situation. Cid's eyes glazed over. The smirk that was ever present on his face turned into a hateful scowl. He grabbed Shera's hand, and led her away.

"Tifa, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Cloud said, resting his forehead against hers. "You're going to be okay, please be okay." And you too, Aeris… just both of you hang on… he thought.

The hospital glowed like a beacon as Cloud and Barret took Cid's buggy. They now sat in Tifa's hospital room. She was going to be okay thank God, but she needed rest. Barret was staring out of the window, a grim expression on his face.

Cloud was next to him, his arms crossed, pacing.

"Will your spiky ass cut that out?" Barret asked. "Damn, makin' me more nervous!"

Before Cloud had the chance to give a cocky reply, a sudden noise from the bed made them both turn. Tifa was awake.

"MARLENE!" She screamed.

"Tifa!" Cloud replied, running over to her.

Tifa gripped his hand strongly. "Where is she?!"

"Tifa, you need to relax," Cloud said.

"Calm down, Tifa!" Barret said.

"Tell me where she is!"

Cloud exchanged a look with Barrett, "They got her." He said softly.

Tifa stared off, and let his hand go. "No…" Her eyes glazed over. It was like the one thing she had left was gone.

"It's not your fault." Cloud said.

"How is she going to be okay without the machines?" Tifa asked. "How?"

"She will be okay, because I'm going to get her back, I swear to you." Cloud promised.

There was a silence between them.

"I heard your voice," Tifa said, and gave what might have been a fraction of a smile.

"What?"

"When you were talking to me in the church. What were you sorry about?"

"For leaving you." He said, "and I'm sorry about me and Aeris."

Tifa shot a quick glance at Reno who walked into the room. "The way you love her is special, Cloud. It's nice to be loved by someone that much."

Cloud's eyes darted from Tifa to Reno, and back again. Tifa blushed. Reno crossed his arms.

Right.

Back to business. Cloud got up and started dialing numbers on his phone.

"You're leaving?" Tifa asked.

"Spiky left Aeris to fight Sephiroth alone."

Cloud nodded, "But don't worry, Barret and Red are staying with you."

"I'm coming." Reno said. "No one kills Rude and gets away with it."

Tifa slapped her hands to her mouth. "He's dead?"

Reno glumly nodded. "Killed in the attack."

"I'm coming too." Tifa said.

"What are you, crazy?" Cloud asked, flipping the phone closed before he could talk to Cid. "You've been shot, you need to stay here and recover."

"I want my revenge, Cloud."

"And you'll have it."

"How? By sitting here like a good girl twiddling my thumbs? They took Marlene! I have known that little girl my whole life! Doesn't that mean anything to you? Of course it doesn't. You have no idea what it's like to get close to anyone."

Cloud turned away from her. Now was not the time to argue.

"Don't you turn away from me, Cloud Strife!"

Cloud rubbed his hands through his hair. "You're staying on the ship."

"Like hell I am!"

"Tifa…"

"No!" She shouted. "Barrett, tell him I'm okay!"

Barrett's pupils dilated. "Uh… well…" He coughed. "I agree with Spiky."

Tifa crossed her arms with a huff. Oh here we go, Cloud thought. Hell hath no fury when Tifa was mad. But at least she'd be safe.

"Let her go." Reno's smooth voice interrupted the silence.

Tifa smiled at him. "Thank you, Reno."

"Have you both lost your minds?" Cloud asked.

Reno walked over to her, and scooped her up, and walked out the door.

"I don't believe this…" Cloud said angrily, racing after them.

Once Tifa was safely onboard the Highwind, Cloud cornered Reno. "What the hell is wrong with you? Tifa needs to rest! She's hurt!"

"She wants her revenge, besides, she's a strong girl."

"At one hundred percent, yes! Tifa has been shot, doesn't that register with you?" Cloud demanded.

"Why are you so worried? You told her you don't love her." Reno asked.

Cloud's blue eyes burned like sapphires. "Tifa is my friend! Don't ever tell me I don't care! If anything happens to her, anything, Turk or not, I'm going to make you pay." He walked off angrily, shouting to Cid, "Let's go! Hold on, Aeris, I'm coming…"