The boat ride, though pleasant and somewhat relaxing, went at a snail's pace, and Tifa was glad when she could finally set her feet on dry land again.

For what it was worth, the little town of Costa de Sol hadn't changed a bit. The people were still bright and cheerful (as well as being exceptionally tanned), and the alabaster buildings still stood tall and proud.

Unfortunately, they couldn't stay long. With Corel being only a short distance away, neither Tifa nor Vincent cared to waste any time there. Marlene, however, was only persuaded to leave after Tifa promised that they would go swimming in the ocean on the return trip home.

Much to Tifa's chagrin, they were once again forced to rent chocobos for the duration of the trip. To make matters worse the birds, like the townspeople, seemed to be rather hardheaded and often didn't obey the commands of their riders.

They pressed on, however, and in a relatively short amount of time passed through the Corel Mountain range.

Once through, Tifa couldn't believe the sight that greeted her eyes. Instead of a junkyard, the town of Corel had been completely transformed. Small, wooden houses lined the road and children played freely in the open streets.

"Wha-?" Tifa gasped. A huge grin steadily spread across her face. "Vincent, what happened here?"

"Do you like it?"

"Well, yeah! It's a lot better than a junkyard!"

Vincent smiled. "Well, to be precise, Barret happened to the town. I think you already knew why he stayed here and left Marlene in your care?"

Tifa nodded. "He said he was going to try and find an energy source to replace mako."

"That's right," Vincent affirmed. "Now there are lots of people in this world- wealthy, influential people who are most interested in getting a viable new power source going. Since Barret is one of the few who pioneered the search for that energy, they naturally came to him first. He agreed to help them on the condition that they cleared out the junk and helped renovate the city. As you can see, they agreed."

"That sounds like something Barret would do," Tifa laughed. "So is he here right now? Where is he?"

"That depends on who's lookin'," came a dry voice from behind.

Turning around, Tifa saw that it had come from a rather toned man in his late thirties.

Slipping off of his chocobo, Vincent walked over to the man and shook his head firmly. "Tifa," he explained, "this is Carl. He would be Barret's right hand man. I had the pleasure of meeting him the last time I was here. Carl, this is Miss Tifa."

"Pleased to meet'cha," Carl nodded.

Tifa gave Vincent an odd look. "You've just been everywhere, haven't you?"

"I do get around, yes," Vincent replied. "So, Carl, where is Barret? Is he still at the excavation site?"

"Yeah," Carl said as he removed his had to wipe the sweat from his brow. "But you're in luck. He's scheduled to come back sometime this evening. Boy, will he be surprised to see you. To tell you the truth, I don't think he expected you to come back. And with company to boot!" He glance over to the sleeping little girl balanced between Tifa's arms. "And this must be Marlene," he guessed. "Y'know he talks about her almost constantly. I suppose it's a 'dad' thing."

"Well, she'll be happy to see him, too, I'm sure," Tifa smiled. She gently shook Marlene awake. "Marlene, wake up! We're in Corel!" she said.

At the mention of that name, Marlene's drowsiness vanished. "Where's Daddy?! Is he here?"

She wriggled free from Tifa's hold and jumped off of the chocobo onto the road.

"Whoa, slow down there, sweetie," Carl grinned. "Your dad's gonna be back sometime this evening."

"You know my dad?" Marlene asked.

"We go back a ways, yeah," came his reply. "Look, can I get you folks something to eat or drink while you wait for him to get back?"

"That sounds nice. Thanks," Tifa replied eagerly.

FFVII

Time passed quickly in that town. Marlene had gone outside to play with the other children while Vincent and Tifa remained indoors where it was nice and cool.

After their long trip, Vincent confessed that he needed to lie down for a bit and he disappeared upstairs. For her part, Tifa took a quick catnap in the chair she was sitting in. She was jolted from her rest when the door busted open widely and in stepped a tall and imposing, though not unfamiliar figure.

"Barret!" Tifa cried as she jumped up to embrace him. She noticed that he was carrying Marlene on his shoulder, so she tried not to shake him too much.

"What's up, Tifa?" Barret waved, grinning as widely as she was. "Been a while, huh?"

"That's my line!" Glancing down, she noticed that something about his arm seemed slightly awry. Instead of the gun she had been so used to seeing there was something entirely different. She didn't feel like prying as to what it was, though, so she decided to let him tell her in his own time. "You've been busy!" she said, punching him playfully in the chest. "You cleaned up this place really well!"

"Didn't I?" Barret said proudly. "I tell you what, things here couldn't be better," he said excitedly. "Money's been pouring into this place faster than the liquor that goes into your customers' mouths! At this rate, it'll be a cinch for me ta find what everyone's been lookin' for!"

"I haven't seen you this excited since you started AVALANCHE," Tifa chuckled. "It's like you've lost ten years, or something. So, how is your research going?"

Barret set Marlene on his lap as he sat down heavily in an empty chair. "It's close, Tifa, real close. I've got a few leads, but I think we may be on to something."

"Well, don't leave me in the dark!" Tifa pressed. "What is it?"
Barret smiled mischievously. "Can't tell ya, cause it's a secret." He winked at her.

"Don't make me hit you," Tifa threatened.

"I'd rather it if you didn't," came Vincent's voice from the top of the stairs.

"Yo, Vincent, didn't know you were here too," Barret waved. "Come on down n' join us."

They spent the rest of the evening catching up on old times, but once Marlene went upstairs to bed, Barret put a serious look on his face.

"Well, tell it to me straight, ya'll," he said, "what's gone wrong? Don get me wrong, I'm glad you guys came to visit, but there's somethin' up. It's not serious, I hope?"

Tifa and Vincent exchanged glances before they simultaneously pulled out the letters. "Let's hope not," Tifa sighed. "Here, take a look at this," she said as she handed the note to Barret. She continued speaking as he read it: "I don't suppose you've received one of those, have you? Vincent and I both acquired them under some rather...unusual circumstances."

"Oh?" Barret said as he quirked an eyebrow.

Starting at the beginning, both Tifa and Vincent related the incidents leading up to how they acquired the letters, the insights they'd gained thus far, and their thoughts as to what their next course of action should be.

Once they were finished, Barret could only shake his head. "Damn, man, that's some deep shit," he mumbled. "I didn't get one a' these things, though," he said as he handed the note back to Tifa. "Don know what the reason for that would be, but it doesn't really matter. I'm so close to finding that new energy that I can't spare the time to go on another adventure just yet."

"Perhaps this person had already assumed that, which would explain why you didn't get a note?" Vincent posed thoughtfully.

"Whoa, whoa, now slow down their compadre," Barret interjected. "I dunno who you two think this guy is, but there's a helluva lot a' circumstance involved in all of this. You think you may be giving him too much credit?"

"It's just that we don't know for sure," Tifa sighed. "That's why we were hoping that if we talked about it with anyone else that had been involved from two years ago that we may be able to come up with something."

"Well, like I said, I just can't spare the time to go with you," Barret said dejectedly. "Also got a few cases of that illness goin' around- got a lotta people scared, y'know? I gotta stay here to keep things in line."

"Geo-stigma," Vincent said flatly.

"Oh? So you've heard of it?" Barret asked.

"Heard of it? Oh yes..."

Barret wondered at his strange choice of words, but said nothing else.

Tifa, on the other hand, said, "I've heard of it, but I don't really know anything about it. Is it serious?"

"Not yet," Barret replied, "but it's still way too early to tell. It's mostly like a little flu, but it has some odd symptoms."

"But the name..." Tifa pressed. "You don't think it's a retaliation from the planet, do you?"

"Who can say?" Barret shrugged. "Any ideas, Vincent?"

"I really couldn't say," came his swift response. "If you'll excuse me, I think I need to lay down for a while," he said. Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed back up the stairs to his room.

"Wow..." Tifa remarked as she watched the cloaked man disappear upstairs. "He's acting kinda funny, isn't he?"

"When hasn't he been like that?" Barret countered.

"True," Tifa acceded. "But lately...well, I guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, what are your thoughts on this whole matter?"

"Hell if I know, woman!" Barret bellowed. "It's all way over my head. You and Vincent can do what'cha want. I'll stay here, but remember if ya'll ever need me for anything, all you have to do is ask. Hey, at least you'll know where I'll be, right?"

"Thanks, Barret," Tifa said as she reached out to hold his hand comfortingly. "I appreciate it."

"Don' mention it."

"Well, I think I'd better follow Vincent's example," Tifa said while stifling a yawn. She stood up and began making her way upstairs. "You aren't going anywhere tomorrow, are you?"
"You kiddin'? Been so long since I've seen my daughter that I'll take the whole damn week off if I have to!"

"Good!" Tifa grinned. "Well, I'll see you in the morning, then."
"G'night, Tifa," Barret called after her as she closed the door to her room.

FFVII

Bright and early the next morning Tifa descended the stairs to find that everyone had already gone outside. Fortunately for Marlene, Barret had cleared some room on his schedule so that he could spend some time with her. Where they were at now was anyone's guess, but it didn't really matter- it gave Tifa ample time to wander around the town.

For the most part, it was an enjoyable experience. Perhaps the only downside was the heat, which was something Tifa was unaccustomed to.

With this thought in mind, Tifa strolled into a nearby shop to see what was being sold. A small bell hanging above the door announced her entry, and an elderly woman appeared from behind the counter.

"Why, you must be Tifa!" she remarked with an amiable smile.

"You already know me?" Tifa smiled. "I'm sorry, but I...don't recall your name."

"Oh, never you mind it, dear. The last time you were here I never actually spoke to you directly. I only know your name by the way Mr. Barret talked about you."

"Really?" Tifa asked, somewhat intrigued by the woman's statement. "And what did Mr. Barret say?"

"My," the woman laughed. "He said that you were the only one on the planet who paraded around in a short, black skirt, a white tank top, and gloves."

"Oh really?" Tifa's eyebrow flinched.

"Now, now," the older woman soothed, "he also said that you were one of the prettiest girls you could ever lay eyes on."

Tifa's angered disappeared almost instantly and she chuckled. "Well, if that's what he said, then I guess I can let his comment on my attire slide." Still, her earlier remark almost made her consider a new wardrobe. Although she was fond of this particular outfit, it had certainly seen better days. The lining was growing thin and the colors had begun to fade; that, and the fact that she almost never took it off.

"Perhaps you'd like to try something on?" the woman ventured.

Tifa glanced around and almost broke into a laugh. It was either the biggest coincidence in the universe, or the powers at be were trying to give her a message. She was standing in a clothes store.

Only now did Tifa notice the clothes racks that sported various assortments of garments, overcoats, bathing suites and other miscellaneous types of clothing. "Why not?" Tifa shrugged. "Not like I've got anything better to do."

"Wonderful!" the woman chimed. "Now, what type of clothes did you have in mind?"

Tifa thought for a moment. Just because she was getting a new outfit didn't necessarily mean she wanted to change styles. After all, she needed to dress lightly so that she could move quickly in a fight.

"What sort of tank tops do you have?"

The woman flashed an irate glance. "Dear, you're never gonna find the right man wearing a tank top! Why don't you try something a little more refined? It doesn't even have to be a dress, see?" she continued, walking over to a rack with an assortment of casual attire.

"Um," Tifa stammered. "It's not like that, it's...uh, there's really no easy way to say this..."

The woman glanced at Tifa and waited patiently for her to finish.

"I get into a lot of fights."

"...?"

"I mean, it kinda comes with what I do," Tifa gave a nervous smile.

"I...see..." the older woman replied. "Well, in that case, you'd better dress up in something that says, 'Watch out or I'll kick your ass!'. I'd say from your skirt and gloves that you like black, yes? What say I rummage through here and see what I can find? How does that sound?"

Tifa smiled. "Now you're speaking my language." She then watched as the woman proceeded to wander around her store grabbing various items. When she was finished, she returned to Tifa and handed the clothes to her.

"Now go try these on," she commanded. "I'll think you'll like them."

Tifa obeyed, quickly slipping into the dressing room. Five minutes later she emerged wearing a pair of knee length, black shorts with a skirt overlay and a white tee shirt. On top of the shirt was a skintight zippered up vest lacking any sort of neck or sleeves. In summary, just the sort of thing she'd been looking for!

"This," Tifa said emphatically, "is great! I don't suppose you sell boots here, too?"

"What kind of store would this be if I didn't sell shoes?" the woman said proudly. "What's your size?"

"Nine and a half," Tifa answered. "Preferably something black!" she added before the woman disappeared into the back of the store.

A few moments later she emerged carrying a box. "If you get in as many fights as you say you do, these may come in handy. They're pretty flexible, but also durable, so you don't have to worry about them falling apart on you."

She handed the black and white boots to Tifa for her to try them on. As soon as they were laced up, Tifa immediately fell in love with them. Everything about this new suit was simply perfect.

"Something's missing," the woman mused. "I wonder..."

Disappearing into the back again, Tifa could hear the clattering sound of falling boxes and hangers. Soon she reappeared sporting a rather odd looking cloak. The entire upper half had been eliminated, so the only way it stayed attached to the body was by a silver belt that went around the waist.

"It's just a little something to add to the image," the woman explained. "Without it, I'm afraid your outfit isn't that much different from your old one aside from the color."

Tifa took the garment and fastened it around her waist. Then, looking in the full-length mirror posted on the wall she scrutinized the suite.

"Well? What do you think?"

"Can I wear it out the door?" was all that Tifa could say.

After paying the woman and thanking her sincerely, Tifa emerged on the streets with a lightened step.

"T-Tifa?" came a startled voice from behind her.

Purposely turning slowly for dramatic emphasis, she came face to face with a gawking Barret and Marlene.

"What the...?" Barret stammered. "When did you do THAT?"

"Miss Tifa! You look so cool!" Marlene shouted.

"You really think so?" Tifa smiled as she turned to let Marlene examine the outfit from a different angle.

"It certainly suites the color of your hair," Vincent spoke up as he took a position next to Barret. "But you know what would make it even better?"

"I didn't know you had an eye for fashion, Vincent," Tifa joked. "What?"

"Let out your hair. Having it all bunched up in a ponytail leaves a restrained impression. It would look more appropriate if your hair was allowed to move freely."

"The hell you talkin' about, Vincent?" Barret growled. "If I didn't know better I'd say you've lost your godda- I mean your mind!"

"I think it's a good idea," Marlene volunteered. "It's prettier that way, anyway."

"Well, if you say so," Tifa assented. Reaching behind her, she pulled the small, restraining ribbon out of her hair. After having had it for so long, though, she could bring herself to throw it away, so she quickly tied it to her arm and left it there.

"Well I'll be," Barret said under his breath. "Ole Vincent was right."

"Yes!" Marlene agreed.

"All right, then, who wants to go get something to eat in celebration?" Tifa cheered.

"Sounds good. A celebration for the first time you've changed outfits in...what? Seven years?"

Vincent had to duck in order to dodge a heavy swing Tifa had made for his face.

The remaining days they spent in Corel were thoroughly enjoyable. It was a lot of fun to talk about old times and relive old memories. However, all too soon the day came when it was time to say goodbye, if only for now.

"You know I've had a lot of fun, Barret," Tifa said as she gave him a goodbye hug. "Hopefully I'll get a chance to see you before too long."

"Same here," Barret agreed. "Y'know there's nothin' stoppin' you from visiting. Actually, tell you what."

He quickly went back into his home and emerged a few moments later carrying a small electronic device. "Do you remember what this is?" he said as he held the item in question out to her.

"It looks like...our old PHS? You've been carrying that thing all this time?" Tifa asked.

Barret merely shrugged. "It's actually come in handy a bunch. I've got a spare already, so I'll let you have that one, n' then we can talk whenever we wanna. How's that sound?"

Tifa smiled and took the PHS from Barret. "I think it's a great idea."

Barret nodded. Then, bending down to one knee so that he was at eye level with Marlene he said, "Now you be a good girl for Miss Tifa. After your done with yer adventure, come back here n' tell me all about it, okay?"

"I will!" Marlene promised as she embraced her father for the third time that morning. "You hurry up and finish what you're doing so you can come back to Midgar, okay?"

"Sure thing," Barret nodded. Looking over at Vincent, he joked: "Keep an eye on these two gals for me."

"Not a problem," Vincent said with a wave of his metallic hand. "No one will lay a false hand on them and live."

Tifa laughed nervously. "I don't think that's quite what he meant..."