A/N: You'll be able to see the "bad guy" soon enough...not in this chapter, though (hehe). If you think Cloud's been acting like a jerk, you'll soon find out why. Also, I'd like to extend a thanks to all my reviewers...I have one for each chapter now! I have some exams this week, so if it takes me longer to get stuff out...that's why. Enjoy.

Chapter 9 - The Good, the Bad, and the Funny

They named it after me. Why me?

Tifa was still in shock even after wandering the halls of the Children's Home, inspecting every inch of the place. The plans were all set...she was to live here, and become the "headmistress", overseeing the lives of abandoned children...

Finally...it's good to do something worthwhile again.

As for the bar, it was still in her possession. She still took in a percentage of its earnings, enough for her to live off of. The actual funding of the home was provided by the leftovers from Shinra Weapons Inc, which Reeve slyly allocated, and from modest contributions from the remaining AVALANCHE members.

It was almost too perfect. Tifa couldn't help but feel uneasy. Life as a happy ending didn't sit well in her stomach.

She still had to get moving, happy ending or not.

Hmm...and my birthday isn't for a week either...

With that, she headed towards the common room, where the rest of her comrades were waiting.

Not too much later...

"You know, I never asked you guys where exactly we are," Tifa asked Nanaki, who was sitting comfortably on a couch in the common room. He, the main conspirators, and Cloud were the only ones left besides her. Barrett had left with Marlene earlier, and Yuffie had run off unexpectedly... Tifa found the mess that the ninja left much later.

"The outskirts of New Midgar...where else?" he answered, twitching his tail playfully. Tifa laughed, "Oh, the way you guys were driving, I thought I was in Wutai!"

Nanaki gave her his sneaky grin. Obviously he and the others had been planning this for awhile. "So who will accompany you in the 'roundups'?" he said, while Tifa crinkled her nose at his terminology.

"Vincent and Cloud offered to help me," she said, avoiding his wording, "We'll be searching the old slums first, as those children probably have had it the worst." She looked off for a second, knowing full well what "worst" could mean. Her time in the slums was not one of her fondest memories.

Nanaki chose to ignore her private interlude, and instead looked over at Cloud, who was sitting in a chair, staring, while Vincent and Cid joked around. Tifa noticed his distraction and turned to face the men also, observing the odd scene before her.

It's amazing how we've all changed...especially Cloud and Vincent...Of course, I'm probably to blame for Cloud's bit.

She frowned. No matter how determined she was to stay out of Cloud's affairs, she couldn't help but get right in the middle of them. If it wasn't love...it was guilt. If it wasn't friendship...it was obligation. She was endlessly swinging between extremes.

Then there was what Surrender said...I couldn't look at Cloud the same after that...

She snapped back into the present. There was no use dwelling on the past, she might end up like Cloud.

She preferred to think about the other two, who seemed to be in a battle royale of wits.

"No no no," Cid was saying, gesturing erratically, "You can't just walk into a damn bar like some goddamn cowboy! Ya gotta have class, ya gotta have style."

"Yes," Vincent replied, leaning in closer, "but in my day, the cowboys were gentlemen. You were still toddling around in diapers back then."

"I'll show you diapers! You goddamn old prick!" was Cid's retort. Vincent almost chuckled, the look on Cid's face was priceless.

When did Cid teach him about humor? Maybe he had it all along...I can still remember when he called him "chief" the first time...

Tifa was smiling, and Nanaki was glad to see the change in her face. He had been observing a series of unpleasant thoughts shift across her expression...she was never very good at hiding her feelings, unless she was trying desperately to help someone. She still hadn't noticed Nanaki's silent appraisals, and in all reality, she wasn't in the mood to care. The day had been a good one.

"You sound like two old ladies," Tifa said, interrupting Cid's attempt at a comeback. His mouth was open like a fish, and she almost burst out laughing. He quickly closed it when he saw her attempts to stifle her laughter.

"Yes," Vincent replied, quickly and succinctly, "I know Cid's a real looker, but I would make a very awkward woman." Cid was turning beet red, and no logical words, or curses could escape his lips. Only a string of inane babble.

That's when Tifa lost it.

Get out of my head! I've already seen Cloud in a dress, I don't need to visualize Cid too!

Vincent raised an eyebrow at the scene. Despite his new ability to be friendly, he still had amazing control over his face when the mood suited him. Somehow his lack of expression only made Tifa's laughing fit continue longer. By now, Cid had begun to calm down, but instead of babble, he resorted to silence.

"Since when did YOU become Mr. Social?" Cloud said, eying Vincent with a very hostile air. Vincent's expression remained unchanged.

"Maybe you should be asking yourself the same question, Mr. Strife," he replied, in the most polite tone possible. Cloud scoffed.

"Well, no wonder," he said, he voice suddenly icy, "With her hanging off you every second, you could suddenly find something to smile about." Then he rose from his seat.

No, it's not like that. Cloud, stop being stupid.

"Cloud, you know it's not like that," Vincent replied, slowly rising from his seat. Cid was watching the whole scene with an oddly calm expression, while Nanaki observed the same as ever.

"Don't say something you'll regret," Vincent said, walking slowly towards Cloud, his voice soft and even. Cloud scowled at him.

"I don't need your pity," he said throwing his arms out as if to create some invisible barrier, "I KNOW what went on between you two that year you were gone. Don't think I was fooled." With that, he stormed out of the room. Vincent stood still for a few moments, then started walking to go after him. Before he could cross the room, however, Tifa intercepted him.

"I'll take care of this," she said, holding him still as she gripped his upper arm. His face softened. "Are you sure?" he asked, backing away a little out of her hold.

Why does he suddenly retract from my touch?

"Yes," she replied, smiling a little, "I know how to handle Cloud better than anyone." With that, he warily sat back down next to Cid. "I hope so," he replied and turned away. She ran out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest.

I hope he doesn't hate me after this.

Soon afterwards...

She had finally caught up with him. They were in some kind of field, the lights of the few buildings in the outskirts looked like lanterns in the night. It was overcast, and the moon was a hazy blob in the sky, giving the landscape an eerie feel. Tifa shivered.

"Cloud!" she shouted, taking the last few strides to catch up to his side, "Cloud. Can we talk?" He stared at her, no expression on his face.

"I'll tell you about...everything," she said, her voice falling to a near whisper with the last word. He raised his eyebrow. "Everything?" he said, "So there is something going on..." He started to walk away. She grabbed his arm hard, and shook him a little.

"I'm going to tell you the truth!" she nearly screamed, her composure all but lost.

Calm down. Calm down...you have to tell him. So just calm down.

He stopped, facing her with a concerned expression, "Tifa...I'm sorry," he said suddenly, throwing her off guard.

"Just let me speak first," she said, brushing her bangs out of her eyes, "Then you can apologize if you still wish." He relaxed, crossing his arms over his chest. His expression was oddly affectionate, and she had to turn so she couldn't see his face.

I won't be able to speak if you look at me like that. Well, here goes nothing...

"First of all, there is nothing going on between Vincent and I in the... romantic sense," she took a deep breath, "We were caught in a bad situation that year...we're still trying to sort out exactly what was going on. We almost got ourselves killed. Luckily someone was there to save us," She paused, her heart racing, her hands trembling.

Please don't hate me...

"His name was...Sephiroth." His face hardened. She could see him tightening his fists, the knuckles growing white, the veins bulging near his wrists. She could feel tears coming to her eyes...

You have to understand...there is a greater danger...I don't even know if we destroyed it...

Then his expression was calm, almost calculating. "I do not wish to speak with you again," he said in the most polite voice she had ever heard him use, "Please leave now."

She was crying, crying and running. She didn't care.

I may not love you anymore, but that doesn't mean you have to be so COLD.

She didn't see Vincent as she ran into him head on. At least, who she thought was Vincent.

"Not now..." she said between sobs breaking away from the cloaked figure.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten me so easily," he said, his commanding tone easily recognized. She whipped around, facing the man. Wiping the tears out of her eyes, the face, the hair, the clothes...they were unmistakable.

"Sephiroth," she said, wiping her face again with an angry jerk, "What the HELL are you doing here?" He smirked.

"Caught you at a bad time?" he said, the mocking tone of his voice making her want to slap him, "You and Strife have a little...tiff?" He pronounced the last word with extra zeal. She glared at him.

"I don't have time for this..." she began, but he held up his hand to silence her.

"You and Valentine are in grave danger if you stay here," he said, his tone suddenly serious. Her eyes grew wide.

"Is it..." she began and yet again he silenced her.

"We don't have time. We must leave tonight," he reached over and grabbed her upper arm, dragging her towards the Home, "I suggest you pack quickly," he said. So they made their way towards the Home, Tifa taking the lead now, concerned and oblivious to their surroundings.

For if they had lingered longer, they would have heard an unnatural laughter emanate from Cloud Strife, and if they hurried, they might have seen him disappear into thin air.

I'm a sucker for cliff hangers...don't hurt me. :)