Rated R for mature situations, drug references, mature language, and explicit sex scenes. You've been warned.

Author's Notes: And in this chapter we shall have some drama! Not to give anything away, but Barret shows up for a little bit. So enjoy and leave some feedback of what you think about the story thus far!

G A W D Y F O R T U N E S

Part 1: Unfaithful

By: Xtine

Chapter 7: Unexpected Visitors

The walk to the bar was silent, both of them successfully keeping to themselves. Tifa was once again drowning in her own thoughts, thinking how the situation was progressively getting worst and worst by the minute. Her emotions were just an endless spiral locked up in her physical body, and to tell the truth, she was becoming so confused with it all that she was beginning to feel absolutely nothing.

The past few nights with Reno had been showing her something that she thought didn't exist. There was a true passion she felt with him, but whether or not it was just a strong physical attraction to him or not, she wasn't one hundred percent sure. But all she did know was that there was something blossoming, something that shouldn't be and that was one reason why she kept herself cold and unopened to him.

Reno on the other hand wasn't sure what exactly was happening. All he knew was that he was following one of the most beautiful women to her bar, to be alone.

Shit. There I go just thinking about sex again. Swear to God, if there was one time in my life where I wasn't a horny bastard, then maybe I could get shit done. Reno's thoughts were on the opposite end of the spectrum. Something about Tifa was starting to get to him however, whether it was her beautifully formed body or her enthusiastic attitude, he wasn't positively sure, but something was making him want to stay with her, to find peace with somebody instead of spending his days in solitude.

xoxox

Tifa stood behind her bar table, gingerly washing a few dirty glasses that she still had to clean from nights ago. Usually she was diligent with keeping up on dishes, but lately it just didn't seem like much of a concern to leave a few dirty glasses here and there. Reno was with her at the time, hunched over a shot glass that rested before him, his behind plastered into the cushion of the stool. He twirled the drink in his hand, watching the alcohol drift in the currents he was creating.

Silence hung in the air. Reno shifted his weight slightly and peered into his glass one more time before he felt it was his obligation to annoy Tifa.

"So you closed the bar all week just for me?" Reno spoke in a small sarcastic voice.

Tifa rolled her eyes. "Get over it. Nobody would do anything of that extent for you."

"Apparently somebody did."

Tifa turned towards him, a scowl written on her lips. "Feel lucky that I'm letting you stay here, and you should at least show some gratitude that I'm letting you get drunk at one in the afternoon."

Reno focused down on his cup again, glancing at the small shot of alcohol that he then quickly consumed with a flick of his wrist. He shook his head as he felt the liquid burn down his throat and finally hit his stomach.

"I'm not drunk," Reno protested, knowing that he really was barely drunk after seven shots of whisky. His mood was turning though, and his willingness to hold a conversation was intensifying.

"So whatever happened to the other Turks?" Tifa questioned, trying to change the topic before it became personal on her behalf.

Reno shook his head and signaled her to pour him another shot. "I really don't know, actually. Elena wandered off somewhere and whether Rude followed her or not, I'm not sure. I haven't really looked into it."

"I see," Tifa responded, surprised that he answered freely.

"What about the other members of AVALANCHE?" Reno reversed the question.

"What about them?" Tifa stopped in front of Reno, a small bottle in her hand that she tipped at his cup as the whiskey poured elegantly from the bottle to the glass. Her eyes never focused on Reno, as she attempted to not make eye contact in worry of him (or her) making an irresponsible decision.

"What ever happened to them?"

"Went on with their lives. Barret went back to Corel with his daughter, and I believe she's in school now. Cid went back to Rocket Town, Yuffie went back to Wutai, and I haven't the clue as to where Vincent crept off to," Tifa answered nonchalantly.

"What about that other experiment?"

Tifa's eyes finally met his gaze in an attempt to scorn him for calling her friend an experiment. The opposite effect happened though; as she found herself getting lost in the emerald glimmers his glazed eyes gave off.

"Uh, you mean Red XIII?" she asked, her words slightly stumbling.

Reno gave a questionable reply. "Sure."

"He's back at Cosmo Canyon doing whatever he does best."

Reno sat for a moment, contemplating all the information she was spilling out to him. If only he was still with the Turks, killing and finding people for money, he would be in the gold right now. But that was the past, and now he was making a living in other ways. Not that he minded much, the life of danger was beginning to get old and tiresome, as the stress showed on his face.

Tifa on the other hand felt the tension grow for a moment, sensing that there was something a little farfetched about simply telling him about everyone.

"It feels a little bit awkward, simply holding a conversation with you instead of pummeling you to death," Tifa mused, looking over at him to see his reaction.

Reno busted out laughing. "You say that after I sleep with you?"

At that moment Tifa would have given anything to be on the other side of the bar table with him, because after a comment like that she would have given him a good beating. The offense showed on her face as she then simply turned away from him, trying not to remember her mistakes.

Reno rolled his eyes when he saw her turn away, annoyed at the fact that he offended her and that he would now have to make it up. He never was one to easily apologize, and he wasn't about to start, so instead he stayed silent, seeing if she would perhaps make the next move.

His anticipation was interrupted though when he heard a pounding at the wooden door to the bar. He turned in the direction, as the pounding was absurdly loud and reckless.

Tifa also turned, immediately walking out from behind the bar and giving Reno a questioning look, wondering who could be demanding to be let in. Quickly and cautiously Tifa glided over to the door and peered through the small peephole. To her surprise she saw a burly man with dark skin and a gun on his arm standing with a disgruntled look on his face.

"Oh shit!" Tifa cursed quietly and rushed back to Reno, knowing that if he were to be seen by Barret, all Hell would break loose.

Reno immediately stood up, a concerned look etched into his face. "What is it?"

"Just hide, trust me," she whispered and grabbed hold of his hand. Without questions he followed her, taking time to notice the soft feel of her velvety hand in his.

Damn Reno, you're letting her get to you, his inner voice scoffed. He brushed the idea away as he saw Tifa open up a small door at the end of the hall. He peered inside quickly and saw junk lining the small closet.

"You're expecting me to fit in there?" Reno argued. Tifa had no words to fight, so she simply pushed him in and closed the door behind him. Hoping that Reno would get the idea to keep himself hidden and quiet, she decided to go greet her impatient visitor.

xoxox

She opened the door and felt a cold draft enter from the outside. Barret came barraging in, taking Tifa in a friendly hug, happy to see her once again. Tifa's eyes went wide from the surprisingly friendly gesture and once he released her she smiled at him showing her optimistic attitude.

"Barret, I was definitely not expecting to see you," she spoke truthfully.

"Well," Barret went on to explain, "a little spiky assed kid decided to call me at 11:00 last night saying that I best get my ass over here."

Tifa gave him a confused look.

"He said that there was a certain Turk in the neighborhood and he didn't feel safe leaving you here alone." Tifa rolled her eyes and strutted off in the other direction, signaling him to come in.

"What about Marlene? Who's looking after her?" Tifa asked once they were both inside in the comfortable warmth.

"She's staying with Elmyra," Barret's voice was burly, and audible to even a certain someone who was keeping himself hidden within the household.

Reno gave an annoyed sigh as he heard most of the conversation from the closet. Already he knew that he was going to end up being in there longer than he had hoped for, so he was attempting to make himself comfortable. Carefully he felt around the enclosure, trying to find a box, a wall, or even a small clearing on the floor where he could take a seat.

"So Cloud really called you up?" Tifa inquired, and then took a seat at one of the tables that sat around her bar. Barret watched her, and invited himself to do the same, as he could tell that they were to have a hefty conversation.

Barret nodded, "Yeah he did. He's worried about you Teef."

"Yeah I know. But still, does he think I can't take care of myself?"

"I couldn't tell 'ya. At least I get ta' see ya again, anyway," Barret tried to lift the conversation to a happier mood.

Tifa smiled. "Yeah, I suppose that's always a good thing."

She sat with her eyes lowered to the table, a little nervous that the Turk that Cloud was trying to protect her from was hiding in her closet. She didn't try to contemplate the reaction she would get from either Barret or Cloud if they were to find out that she was housing him.

Barret took the initiative to start the conversation again. "Oh, Cloud told me that there weren't any bedrooms here, so I would hafta stay at an Inn."

"Barret, I'm sorry about that. I'm sure I could rig something up," Tifa spoke, not meaning a single word. In reality she was praying that he would have to stay at an Inn, at least then she could still secretly house Reno, instead of having to kick him back out onto the street.

Why am I worried about that? She asked herself. I'm just kicking him out at the end of the week anyway. Maybe Barret staying here would be a better idea…

"Dun worry about it," Barret assured. "I already took care of it. Not to mention I dun wanna invade your personal space."

Tifa gave an amused giggle. "Would I ever think that of you Barret?"

He shook his head, "But just because you don't say it outwardly doesn't mean you don't feel it."

Tifa looked at him, the depth of her eyes curious as she found a hidden meaning to his statement. Barret chuckled, stood from the seat and walked over to her giving her a pat on her shoulder.

"Well, I'm headin' out. I'm going to go see what that spiky ass is up to," Barret spoke slightly softer and made his way to the door. Tifa stood from her seat and followed him, about to ask a question when a sudden crash and loud obscenity was heard from the closet. Barret's ears perked from the sound, and he immediately looked at Tifa, hoping that she would have some explanation for it.

She was about to speak, but she found herself cut off by Barret pushing her aside and heading over to the closet door.

Tifa's heart was pounding, and she lifted one of her hands to her temple, rubbing it, as time seemed to slow down. Barret was going to find Reno, and that was going to be the end of him. She knew Barret, and he was not going to let his greasy hide get away again.

Barret turned the knob to the closet and immediately pulled the door opened. Boxes fell out of the closet, as did a certain redheaded Turk. Reno at the time held his breath as he felt his body plummet down to the ground and at the very large feet of a furious Barret.

"What the fuck are you doin' in this bar!" Barret exclaimed, grabbing Reno by the collar of his shirt and pulling him off of the ground and into the air. Reno was completely defenseless at the time, and he felt his body be propelled into the wall by Barret's grasp, who still would not let go as he held the struggling Turk off of the ground.

"Barret!" Tifa called out and ran to his side, now fearing for Reno's life. She didn't know what she could do, or what to say. There was nothing to justify him hiding in her closet.

The shit has just hit the fan, Tifa thought to herself as her pleading eyes looked up at Barret who was now staring back at her with anger in his eyes. He took his eyes off of her and placed them back on Reno, and pointed his gun arm directly at Reno's skull. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't blow your fucking brains out of your head!" Barret threatened. Reno stayed silent, his hands scrambling at the man's muscular arm, in an attempt to help himself breathe.

"Barret, please, just let him go," Tifa pleaded. There was nothing else she could do.

Barret shot his eyes back to her. "Let him go? Let him go! After all the shit he's given us you just want to let him go?"

Tifa snuffled a sob. "I can explain."

Barret took one glance at her and then back at Reno. Ideas were already turning in his head. There still was no logical explanation that he could think would match the situation, but he was beginning to get some wild ideas. Already he was getting suspicious that things were happening behind Cloud's back.

Obeying Tifa's plea, he dropped the Turk to the ground. Reno was barely able to gain his balance before he felt a hard blow to the side of his face. He fell to the side and his body hit up against the wall. He was definitely not expecting that blow.

"Get the fuck out of this bar," Barret commanded the dazed Reno. Obediently Reno stumbled past Barret, his coordination off as he ran past the tables of the bar and to the front door. He stopped for a minute to try and open the door and he immediately heard gunfire coming from Barret's gun arm.

"Barret!" Tifa squealed and Reno ducked his head and successfully opened the door. He felt a pain in his leg, but he ignored it as he pulled himself out the door and ran down the sidewalk in search for any safety.

xoxox

Barret's breathing was hard from the fury that filled his body. Biggs…Wedge…Jessie… The names of his comrades entered his mind and he could remember the terrorizing grin coming from Reno as the plate fell on them.

He was brought over the edge, and his stony glare was now focused on Tifa whose eyes were now red, and stray tears were finding their way down her cheeks. Her world was fuzzy, and everything around the room was spinning. Her emotions were traveling on a roller coaster and she was in the front cart with no safety harness.

Barret was the first to speak, knowing that Tifa was going to stay silent as long as she could possibly hold it in. "Tifa, I know it ain't my business why he was here. I don't know what the fuck went on between the two of ya…"

Tifa felt her chest try to convulse from the tears trying to break free, but she would not allow herself to show any weakness. Instead she held her head low, her eyes focused on the ground so Barret wouldn't have to see the few tears that did manage to fall free.

Barret continued on with his lecture. "I'm not here to be your father Tifa, I'm here to protect you." Tifa felt herself hold in her own argument, wanting to blurt out everything her heart was feeling now, the pain of breaking the trust between her lover and her friend, the pleasure she felt when she was with Reno, how she didn't care what people thought, and mostly the disappointment in herself.

"I swear to God, if there was anything going on between you two, you'd best end it now, because the next time I see him, I will shove the barrel of my gun down his throat and shoot in his skull," Barret warned. Tifa didn't say a word for there was nothing she could say. She had nothing in Reno's favor to hold up an argument. The only thing that was now going to worry her was Cloud.

She whispered softly, her voice shaky, "What about Cloud?"

"I should tell him, but I'll leave that up to you if you want to keep that from him or not. Ain't my business," Barret explained and then began to walk off in the direction of the front door. Tifa only stayed where she stood, still in a daze from the whole commotion. She listened to the front door open and close, and heard the footsteps of Barret walk off down the street, to where she wasn't sure, but she figured he was off to meet up with Cloud.

As she stood she felt her knees become weak, and her legs became unsteady until she finally fell to the ground on her knees. Sobs wracked her small body and she hid her face in her hands as she felt herself cry until she had no more tears to shed.

Disclaimers: I do not own any of the names, characters, or places mentioned in this story.