Chapter 2: The Prick of a finger

It was closing time by the time Tifa left Seventh Heaven. Marlene kept complaining that she never was outside anymore, so the two of them walked down to Aeris's church. Tifa pulled open the doors, sunlight filtering in through the stained glass windows. They walked down the isle. Marlene stopped when she found a Band-aid with blood on it.

"Is this Cloud's?" She asked.

"So it seems," Tifa answered.

The sound of running water filled the air.

"Stay here." Tifa told her.

She found a small door with the sound coming from behind it. Could this be a bathroom? Could Cloud be in the shower? Dare she open the door and see for herself? She flung her hair over her shoulder, and opened the door.

What a magnificent body Cloud had! Lean and muscular, a happy trail to entice the ladies, and well… let's say his girlfriends were more than satisfied with his… big qualities. He was showering, and hadn't noticed Tifa checking him out. He was also singing.

"There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us.

Take my hand and we're half way there,

Take my hand and I'll take you there!

Somehow…."

He stopped when he saw a flash and heard a camera. Tifa took some Polaroid pictures.

He squinted at her. "Tifa!" He turned off the shower, and stood there, the water glistening on his skin like a god.

"C…Cloud…" Tifa stuttered. It was the last thing she said before she passed out.

When she woke, Cloud was fully dressed, and had a worried expression on his face. She pulled out the bandaid Marlene had found. "Is this yours?"

"Yeah," He whispered, not looking at her.

"Tell me it isn't so!"

"It's true… I have… a scrape…"

Tifa covered her mouth to stifle a scream. "But you're flawless!"

"I know," He whispered. He couldn't seem to look her in the eye.

"But you're taking care of it, it'll get better!"

"It might leave….. a scar."

Tifa slapped both hands over her mouth. "You mean the design team at Square-Enix would have to give you one unattractive quality?"

"It's too hard to think about." He said. "I mean, I'm gorgeous. What if I don't win Male Video Game Pin-Up of the year for eight years running because of this? I'll be ruined."

"Don't think like that! I have something to make you feel better. I'm giving you your old job back!"

"Delivering pizzas?" He asked with a grin.

"Yes!"

"You got the next job lined up, I'll do it for three thousand."

"Deal!" Tifa cried. Oh, she'd make that new pizza place wish they never opened…

To Be Continued!

So, what do you all think so far?