Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7… or do I…?

WeEEeell I didn't get 33 reviews but I guess it never matters. =) I DID, however, get some nice reviews. A page for everyone that reviewed me! (no order)

Cobalt dragonfly:

You said I should put more detail into the movement when Tifa was crying. You were SO right. LoL I re-read it and even I got confused. So to you and anyone else that got puzzled in my extreme lack of detail in that area, please go read it again and if you still get confused. Tell me =) L.u.L. (love you[u] lots)

Ezri-Candy:

=) I hope the plot bunny visits you soon! I loved emerge –ahem- as I said in the review. That bunny better hurry its ass up before my foot goes flying into it. =) Thanks for reading (I'm guessing) all my chapters and stuff L.u.L. (love you[u] lots)

Tifa-sama:

Hi de ho, there. Yeah, I guess I don't need a certain amount of reviews to update, but I just needed to know that people actually READ my fanfic. Now I know =) thanks for reviewing by the way! I've got writer's block… I swear… this thing is like permanent or something =S I'll try my best! L.u.L. (love you[u] lots)

Kurmoi:

Hi! I don't think you managed to read chapter nine yet… or maybe you did. You seem to review almost every chapter, in which I'm very appreciative for, so I was just wondering. =) L.u.L. (love you[u] lots)

Sephiroth2021:

I'm sorry you didn't like my perspective on some parts, like the Chaos part. I also re-read that part and began questioning it too, I got a second opinion from one of my friends and she also thought I should change it so I think I did… I have those lapses… I'll check a little later… . well I haven't heard from you for awhile, hope you're still a reader. L.u.L. (love you[u] lots)

Mystic-Hoshi:

I think this'll be a long story too but I'm not making any promises since… well, I just don't plan very much . thanks for caring before… I think you cared =S LoL all in all, hope you continue reading and reviewing! These really DO brighten my bleak day. L.u.L. (love you[u] lots)

And to ALL my readers, I LOVE YOU! Hope you review me soon and continue to read. Some people that didn't get mentioned:

Ann2 SS/Destiny Daae Tifa Valentine PandoraLockheart The Jack of Spades TiFa4ClOuD4EvEr Shadow Shi13

If I missed you, I'm SO sorry!!! PLEASE TELL ME!!! =) aside from mirri since I already give you Mimi hugs in real life . And you owe me a lunch!

Retrospection

Tifa's conscious mind had returned but she hadn't opened her eyes yet. No light shined through her eyelids; it wasn't morning. But shuffling was moving closer, so close. Suddenly, it stopped. A hand slipped onto the fast fighter's thigh, without a pause, Tifa's irises shot wide, seeing a shadow beside her.

Slowly, she managed to adapt to the still darkness. Shera smiled patiently at her, the clock by her head read a simple three zero two.

"What's wrong?" Stifling a yawn was much harder than it sounded; the martial artist was still exhausted from the lack of sleep from the recent night. Something was definitely troubling Shera, dark circles… circled her eyes.

An exasperated sigh escaped. "Do… do you think this… journey we're going on is dangerous?" That was out of nowhere. This adventure would have its risks but nothing as bad as the last… I mean with the whole crazy silver haired guy, evil alien and giant meteor hurling towards us.

"It… I-… it might be a little risky but nothing big, no worries Shera." A radiant smile was wasted in the dark, but the sincerity in her voice reached the fretful woman.

"It's just- I'm, I'm pregnant. And if I was to give birth in the heart of all this? What would happen?" Anxiety stressed within her tone but she gave no time for Tifa to speak, she continued to pour out her issues. "Worse yet, what if Cid was to be injured? Or killed?! How could I manage on my own?"

Her weight sagged down onto Tifa's bed, and the sniffles began. Thinking of the night with Vincent, Tifa wrapped her arms around her wailing form. Though her sobs didn't quell, Shera was comforted.

"Everything's going to be alright, nothing will ever happen to Cid. He's tough." Just above a whisper, Tifa's voice reassured Shera. Hidden from them, bloody eyes in the bed next to Tifa's was burning into them. Vincent watched ahead, watching Tifa do her thing; doing what she'd been known to do ever since he'd joined AVALANCHE. Not a wink of sleep had he received, not after his reminiscence of the dream. He'd compared the photo to the real Tifa for over an hour before deciding to get into bed, but even in the plushy bunk, sleep could not overcome the raging storm of thoughts that writhed within his mind.

The weeping subsided and the pilot's wife moved back to her bed that she shared with Cid. The order they slept in was Tifa, Vincent, Nanaki but Shera and Cid would share a bed together. How sweet. Though the night was gorgeous, Tifa couldn't sleep… but she couldn't stay awake. Depression washed over her, but no tears pricked her eyes. Was it depression? It was so hard to tell now a days. So, she just lied there, with a blank stare. Cloud. Why did you go? Wasn't I enough? …Of course not. I used to think I was beautiful, you made me feel like that. But now I know the real you… the you that loves Aeris. You showed me how hideous I really am. Continuing her vigorous attack on her self-esteem until the darkest moment before dawn arrived. That was when the memories came.

She walked up to him from behind, hoping to catch Cloud by surprise. Letting a yelp of battle, she jumped onto his back, flailing her arms about. The park in Nibelhiem was beautiful, people walked amuck. Today was his birthday and it was her job to keep him busy. Yuffie the Ninja Extraordinary.

"Ahhhh!" With a quick move, Cloud had her in a headlock. "You big meanie!"

"You were the one that ambushed me from behind." That smirk, oh how she loathed that smirk.

"M-E-A-N-I-E!!! Wait. Cloud, I'm sorry, you're right. You don't deserve me calling you a meanie. It was stupid of me to think that hurting you with my pathetic muscles." Giving a puppy-like pout, Yuffie listened for his reply.

"Hehe. You're right. You are so tiny, even for your age." Letting his ego grow, he didn't notice the innocent expression melt away from Yuffie only to be replaced by a devious grin.

"Yeah, I can't harm you…" Practically glowing, Cloud kept his grip. "but I can definitely damage your reputation."

"Wha-?"

One big breath. "RAPE!! HELP! RAPE!!!" Screaming at full volume, the entire populace of the park turned to see Cloud holding Yuffie in a headlock. His ears, face and neck all burned with embarrassment, freeing Yuffie from his hold, the blonde grabbed her hand and led her to a secluded area.

"Yuffie! What the- You- I'm- argh!" A minute passed with no words, but before long, both burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Did you see that chick with the black hair's face?!" The young girl roared.

Sigh. "I'm glad you came to visit for my birthday, Yuff." The hours crawled by and soon it was time for Tifa's big surprise.

Tifa walked into the bathroom, staring into the mirror, the illusion she had fabricated ever since she fell out of her usual life in Nibelhiem began to leak and crack. How could she think that she would find happiness? When she was as happy as she could ever have been before? And now it was gone, how was it possible for her to find it once more? She remembered Yuffie and Cloud snickering as they told her that story; the retrospection continued.

Cloud walked with Yuffie to Tifa and his house, it was almost seven and the sun was slowly sinking below the band of darkness. He opened the door and wave of incense hit him, the mistress of Wutai nudged him inside, Tifa's house was lit up with candles and the setting sun. Complete shock held its iron grip on Cloud, not allowing any attention to be spared on Yuffie, who was slipping out unnoticed. "Hi." Her voice was quiet, Tifa appeared in the doorway to the kitchen that was in front of him. She wore a black cocktail dress, the small spaghetti straps held it up. The back lay open and a slit ran all the way up her to her thigh. On this special occasion, her hair was put into a bun but the hair came back out from underneath it; it looked like a half-up, half-down hairstyle.

"Wow… you look… amazing." Her clothing hugged her curves generously, making his eyes goggle out of his head.

"I was thinking of you when I chose it out. Come on, I got dinner all set." Steak and pasta sat on the table, it looked scrumptious. They chatted happily, their victory over the meteor now stood at three months. Though it seemed to have moved to happened to fast, the dinner was gone and finished. Soon, the time to sleep was upon them but Tifa had pledged to do it tonight.

Tifa sat at the edge of her bed, she seemed to be listening to Nanaki intently but her mind had wandered down memory lane. Maybe she should be listening to him… let's not. Proceeding the anamnesis, another wave of bitter-sweetness seeped through her skin.

"Cloud! Wait." The hero of the Planet stopped in mid-step and turned to face his best friend. She walked towards him, outwardly nervous.

"Yeah, Tif?" The housemate was only inches from himself now.

"I-…" Glancing down, she seemed to collect up whatever courage she had. "I… love you."

Before anything else, supple lips pressed against his; they were unbelievable. Cloud stood there, completely dumbstruck when she pulled back. The invincible woman warrior was wounded, but not physically but emotionally.

"Sorry, I didn-" A rough kiss snagged her senses, everything was whirling. Cloud Strife, they same Cloud that conquered her thoughts and memories, was now kissing her. Her; Tifa Lockheart.

"Best birthday ever…" Tifa didn't even realize the words had escaped until Nanaki had heard it.

"Pardon?" Lucky for her, Cid stepped out of the washroom, screaming the time. It was eleven forty-five. They were going to be late. That Nguyen seemed to be insane already, what would happen if they were late?

Fortunately, during the way there, Nanaki had forgotten her slip-up. They ran towards the museum but Tifa's mind was still in the past. A rock snapped her back though. Her world went reeling but swift arms caught her, pulling her up, Tifa saw her savior, Vincent Valentine. His arms still held her and chills crushed her. Thump. Thump. Thump. Her heart was beating so loud, couldn't he hear it? What was she feeling? But the uncontainable smile that Nanaki gave Vincent made the gunman let release Tifa quickly. She gave a quizzical look towards Vince before following in pursuit.