Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. If I did, I wouldn't be writing a fanfic! Don't get your panties all in a bunch about me borrowing the characters and messing around with them either. I'll put 'em back when I'm done with them. Honest.

Title: Her Constant

Author: DragonChaos

Feedback: Sure!

Chapter Summary: Tifa gets a small surprise from Reeve.

Chapter 2: Her Reason

Good things come in small packages:

Tifa looked down at the baby nestled safely in her arms, his big baby-gray eyes gazing up at her in wonder. Her heart did a weird little flutter at the sight of this child, and she was certain that it was love at first sight. She smoothed back his little wisps of light hair and he cooed at her.

How could anyone be so heartless as to abandon one so young and helpless?

Reeve stood there watching her reaction to the child he had just given her. He saw her emotions range from worried to loving to angry in about five seconds, and he could guess where her thoughts lay.

"Someone left him on the doorstep of one of my employees," he explained. "Unfortunately, that employee is unmarried and only seventeen, and he really doesn't know how to handle a baby." Tifa looked up at him with an expectant expression, but only briefly before her gaze returned to the baby boy's face. "He brought him to the office in the hopes of finding someone to take care of him…" Reeve trailed off, his request remaining unspoken.

"Someone to take care of him…" Tifa echoed softly. The baby gurgled at the sound of her voice and Reeve nodded, knowing that Tifa was no fool. He tore his gaze from the motherly spectacle before him and looked around at her bar, Seventh Heaven. It was the neatest, cleanest tavern he'd ever seen; the wood on the floors shone with polish, the countertops free of spills, tables spotless. One would never guess that it was filled to the brim with rowdy and noisy customers almost every single night. "What's his name?" Her voice drew him back from his musings. He looked back at her and found her staring at him with her garnet eyes.

"Don't know," Reeve replied, shrugging. "The kid that brought him in said nothing in that regard, and all that came with him was that basket." He nodded to the basket on the table next to Tifa. "There was no note, no notation of any kind. Up 'til now, people have just been calling him Baby Gray." Tifa wrinkled her nose at the name.

"Guess I'll have to figure something out, then," she said without looking at Reeve.

"Then you'll…"

"Yes, I will," she cut him off with a smile. He smiled gratefully back.

"Great!" Reeve stroked the baby's cheek with his thumb and then tickled his tiny hand, the little fingers curling around his larger one reflexively. "I'll have my secretary run the paperwork and make it an official adoption," he added quietly. She nodded and smiled again. "You'll make a great mother, Tifa." Her smile got even wider; her crimson eyes alight with twinkles. "I'll send over some of the normal baby stuff; crib, toys, food, diapers, blankets…" She nodded. "Should all be here in about an hour. Here's his bottle." He handed the bottle to her, already filled with milk.

"Thanks Reeve," Tifa said earnestly.

"No, no, thank you, Tifa," he said as he patted her on the shoulder. His gaze dropped once more to the tiny bundle. "Bye, bye little guy." He patted the baby on the head and grinned. "See you later, Tifa. Thanks again. I owe you one." He walked towards the door.

"Bye, Reeve." He waved at her once and was gone, leaving Tifa alone with this new and wholly unexpected visitor.

Well, not visitor anymore. He was here to stay.

Assumptions, Slip-Ups, and Cribs:

Cid Highwind stopped suddenly, startled by the lack of light coming from his favorite bar. The neon sign that read "Seventh Heaven" wasn't lit, and there were no lights coming from the interior. His mind clicked into overdrive immediately, and he feared something bad had happened.

"She never closes on a weekend…" Cid muttered to himself, his lips barely moving around the cigarette that rested there. Since she lived above the bar, he didn't have to walk much farther to reach her little apartment. The set of stairs on the side of the building led up to her 'front door,' and he took each step four at a time, his long, powerful legs jumping the distance easily.

Maybe she was just sick. No, that couldn't be it…She was fine the night before…

The night before, when she had kissed him.

No, scratch that. They'd kissed each other.

He took a deep breath and held it as he knocked hesitantly on her door. He heard movement inside, and he released his breath in a whoosh. The door swung open revealing Tifa Lockheart, dressed in faded blue jeans and a black tee shirt, holding a small blue bundle. She looked somewhat stunned to see him, but that instantly faded away into a small, shy smile, her face framed by her ebony hair. Good Gods, she was beautiful when she smiled like that.

"Hey, Cid," she said. He grinned stupidly at her in response, his mind ceasing to be able to form words, let alone speak them. Her smile widened in amusement. "What's up?"

"Well, um…" Cid rubbed the back of his neck with a gloved hand. "You're closed." He gestured vaguely to the building, and she took a moment to grasp what on the Planet he was talking about. Her mouth formed an 'O' when she understood.

"Yes, well, I needed time with Max," she said simply, as if that explained it all. He frowned at her, feeling crestfallen. A guy? Was Tifa dating some guy and didn't tell him? Well, it's not like there was any reason for her to tell him…It's not like that kiss last night meant anything…

Except for the fact that it was the reason he'd been smiling like an idiot all day. He took one last long drag on his cigarette before tossing it onto the wooden platform and grinding it into the planks.

"Max, huh?" He couldn't quite hide the bit of jealousy that found its way into his voice.

"Yeah, would you like to meet him?" Tifa asked innocently. He looked at her, unsure of what to make of her expression.

He didn't think he could handle this rejection. His stomach twisted into knots as he steeled his resolve.

"Sure…" He ground out between clenched teeth.

Suddenly, there was a bundle being pressed against his torso. His arms came up automatically to cradle the bundle, and he blinked stupidly at it for a second, his confusion complete.

The bundle blinked back at him. And it cooed. Little hands reached up towards him, fingers flexing and curling into little fists. The realization hit Cid like he'd just slammed into the side of a mountain in the Tiny Bronco.

"This…is Max?" He asked as he shifted the baby, holding it with one arm so he could use his free hand to touch the child's face. One little hand grabbed a hold of his gloved pinky and squeezed.

"This is Max," she said with a grin. "Max Lockheart, meet Cid Highwind."

"Lockheart?" He eyes snapped to hers, confusion evident in his voice.

"Well, he will be a in a few days once the adoption papers go through," she explained. He blinked at her a few times while he digested this bit of information, his gaze inexorably drawn again to the infant. "Reeve brought him to me…He was abandoned by his parents." His brow furrowed and his lips pressed together to form a grim line at her words. His expression eased, however, when the small infant gurgled at him.

"Won't it be…hard by yourself?" Cid asked hesitantly.

"Reeve said he's gonna help me out," she told him as she gently scooped Max out of Cid's arms. "He'll be sending supplies and what not over…Speaking of which, they should be here soon." She started to head back inside, but Cid didn't follow. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, unsure of what his next course of action should be. She rounded a corner, but stopped, turning halfway to regard him quizzically. "Um…Would you like to help? There's gonna be some stuff that needs setting up and I'm not sure how efficient I'll be putting a crib together while I'm trying to take care of Max…"

"Love to help, Lockheart," he spoke as he strode into her apartment. She gave him a grateful smile and walked out of sight, down the hallway to what he assumed was her bedroom.

It was a nice little abode, comfortable and cozy. The small living room he had just walked into had a large dark red couch and a television. The floors were wooden, the same as the bar that lay beneath. The kitchen adjacent to the living room was built similarly to the bar, with wooden countertops and cabinets with glass windows so one could see the contents. Cid drank in the sights. He'd never been inside her home before.

He noticed that not only was the décor pleasant, but its scent was, too. It smelt of lilacs and lavender, much like its owner.

Very pleasant indeed.

Cid shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels and toes, enjoying himself while he waited for Tifa to return.

And return she did, moments later, the baby absent from her arms.

"Max was getting tired, so I made him a makeshift crib on my bed," she explained when she saw his questioning gaze. He nodded in understanding.

"Nice place you got here," he told her. She blushed prettily, her cheeks tinged with pink and her neck turned a delicate shade of crimson.

"Thanks," she replied smiling. "Luckily, it's got two bedrooms since it was originally built for me and Cl…" Her smile faltered a bit. "Would you like something to drink?" She said quickly. "I have a full bar up here, and I know you wanted to go to Seventh Heaven tonight…"

"Nah, you don't have ta make me anything, Teef," he interrupted as he waved his hand in the air. "I didn't really come here to drink, anyways…" He paused. Oops, wasn't supposed to tell her that. "I mean, it'd feel weird coming up to your house just to have you be a bartender for me…" Cid added hastily, waving his hand in the air again as though trying to get rid of the words that hung there. He grinned nervously at her and scratched the back of his neck. She wordlessly went into the kitchen and got out a tumbler. "Hey, I said I don't want…"

"It's for me," she cut him off. She made herself a Bloody Mary and the smell of tomato juice wafted over to Cid and he wrinkled his nose. He'd never really been a fan of tomatoes. He decided to sit on the couch instead of standing there like an idiot with his hands jammed into his pockets. He listened as Tifa bustled around in the kitchen for a few more minutes before reaching for the remote.

It was weird how this felt almost natural. It felt almost right. Almost. It would feel more right if he could just shake the weird anxious feeling that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in his stomach.

He turned the T.V. on and turned the volume down low so it wouldn't wake up Max. He felt the couch shift as Tifa sat down beside him, tucking her toned legs underneath herself and setting her glass on the little coffee table in front of them.

"Here," she offered him a mug of steaming liquid, and he instantly recognized the scent of chamomile tea. "Thought you might like some." He got caught up in her wine-colored eyes for a moment, mesmerized by the way the light from the television bounced and reflected off of them. He mentally shook himself and took the mug from her, offering her a lopsided grin.

"Thanks, Tif."

"No problem." She grabbed her Bloody Mary and drank deeply, finishing it off in a few swallows. He watched her, impressed because he knew how strong she made her drinks. She put down her empty glass and looked at him, tomato juice still remaining on her upper lip. The urge to kiss her and taste what was left of her drink on her lips rose up in him.

Hell, even if her lips were tomato flavored, it'd be worth it.

Before he could make a move, however, she wiped the leftovers away with the back of her hand.

Damn.

"So Smokestack, if you didn't come here to go to the bar, what did you come here for?"

Double Damn.

He'd been hoping she hadn't heard that. He silently shook his head at himself. Duh, of course she's gonna notice a slip up like that. She's sharp as a fuckin' tack.

"Well, I…Uh…" Cid groped for the words, but couldn't find them. He was saved by a sharp rap on the door. Tifa immediately got up to answer and Cid threw a silent 'thank-you' to whichever of the Gods had just saved him. He stood up to go see if there was anything he could do to help.

"Here you go, Miss Lockheart," a man dressed in a ShinRa uniform said as he handed her a box full of baby things. "There's more in the truck, so I'll be right back."

"Thank you," Tifa returned as she started to move back down the hallway.

"I'll help you get the rest of the stuff," Cid told the delivery man as he headed down the stairs. The man gave him a polite nod and together they unloaded the truck. Between the three of them, they managed to unload a box of food, clothes, a high chair, a crib, and a box of baby toys and things like extra bottles and pacifiers in a matter of minutes. The ShinRa man took his leave and drove away, leaving Cid and Tifa to unpack it all. The only things in the second bedroom were the boxes of items for Max, a bookshelf, and a bed, the latter two being the only things that Cloud hadn't taken with him when he left.

With all of the commotion, Max woke up and started crying.

"Can you put the crib together while I go take care of him?" Tifa asked when she heard the little boy's cries.

"Yeah, sure," he replied. She shot him a grateful look before leaving the room, and a few moments later the crying stopped. He could hear Tifa humming some tune to the little tyke, and it sounded familiar, though he couldn't quite place it. He shrugged and adjusted his goggles, setting himself to work on the crib.

Theories, Lethal Weapons, and Snuggles:

Tifa knew Cid was being nice, hanging around and helping, but she couldn't help the nagging fear that once he left tonight, he wouldn't come back. She had enough baggage already as it was and she figured the last thing Cid wanted to deal with was a baby. Judging by how quiet he'd been in the past couple of hours and the way he'd reacted when she introduced him about Max, she felt her assumption to be right.

She was saddened by this thought, but at the same time, she knew this baby needed her, and if need be, she would put her love life on hold. She nearly laughed out loud at the thought. Love life…Ha! She'd never had a love life. Between AVALANCHE and fighting Sephiroth, Tifa hadn't had the time. The closest she'd ever come to having a serious relationship was with Cloud and even then they'd never really done more than make out while drunk.

Tifa Lockheart, the barmaid beauty, the apple of many a man's eye, a virgin at the age of twenty-two.

She sighed and glanced down at the baby who currently was drinking greedily from his bottle of warm milk. She giggled at his satiated expression, his eyelids drooping in satisfaction.

If only she could know what it was to feel what Max felt.

Her thoughts returned to the man who was hard at work in her second bedroom, a smile playing on her lips when she heard a string of curses emanate from the room. Most women would cringe upon hearing some of the words that came out of Cid's mouth, but not Tifa. She appreciated the way he expressed himself; no holds barred, tell it like it is sort of attitude. She also appreciated the way he'd refrained from smoking in her house without even her having to ask him. She'd never had this sort of silent understanding with anyone, not even with Cloud.

Tifa figured that was because Cloud was always so clammed up, never really opening up to anyone, even after Sephiroth was destroyed and Meteor repelled. Cid was the exact opposite, and there was something very artless in his manner of expressing himself. He had nothing to hide, and she knew exactly where she stood with him.

Or so she thought. Well, she was certain that sooner or later, Cid would tell her what was on his mind. She dreaded that moment, wishing that instead he would just stay here, in her house. She liked him here in her home. It was one thing to have him visit and chat with her in the bar, but this felt so much more…intimate. Tifa let out a long sigh.

"You okay?" The low timbre washed over her and soothed her, and she turned to look at its source. Cid stood there leaning against the doorway to her bedroom, his hands in his pockets, regarding her with concern in his light blue eyes.

"I'm fine," she replied, schooling a smile onto her face. She looked down to avoid his gaze under the pretense of gazing at Max. "How's it going in there?"

"Well, the crib was a bit of a bitch, but everything's all set up now," he informed her and she looked back up at him.

"Thanks for all your help, Cid." She watched as he pushed himself off the doorframe and came closer to her, stopping just in front of her and taking off a glove so he could touch the baby without the rough leather material. His close proximity was enough to send little shivers down her spine.

Stop it, Lockheart. He's just here to say goodbye to you and then walk out of your life forever.

"No problem," he said softly as he smoothed back the soft wispy hairs on the top of Max's head. "You sure you're okay? I mean, this whole baby thing is a big deal and all…you sure you can handle it by yourself?" His voice had the slightest tremor, hardly detectable except by those who knew him well enough to hear it.

He's trying to convince you not to do this, Tifa told herself. He wants you to not do this.

Her angered flared up instantly.

"Of course I can handle it, Highwind, what makes you think I can't?" Tifa demanded, her tone harsh. He didn't flinch at her words, however, and instead kept his blue gaze on the baby in her arms. Without responding he took the baby out of her arms and held him to his chest, holding the bottle upright while the baby finished off its contents.

"I wasn't tryin' to say anything against you, Teef," he told her gently. "I guess I…I guess…" He paused, trying to grasp the words he needed to say, still refusing to meet her gaze.

Here it comes, the bit where he says goodbye.

"I guess I was trying to offer you help…if you needed it." Tifa stared at him, not believing her ears.

"Help?" She echoed meekly.

"Yeah, I mean, you'll need someone to watch him when you're running the bar, right?" He looked up finally; hope shimmering in his azure eyes. Hope…

"Yeah, I will," Tifa admitted. "You mean you'll…I mean, I thought…" She fumbled, not sure what to say to his proposition. He wanted to stick around?

"You thought what, T?" Cid prompted.

"Well, the way you acted earlier, I thought you didn't like Max…"

"Oh, that…Well, I thought you were telling me you had a boyfriend or something. Really scared the shit outta me." Cid admitted and he shrugged one shoulder, careful not to disturb the baby now asleep in Cid's arms. Silently, he walked out of the room and took Max to his new bedroom. Tifa followed him wordlessly, still reeling from her revelation.

He wants to stay…

She walked into the second bedroom, pleased by the sight that awaited her there. The new crib stood in the middle of the room, its white banisters bright and cheerful. A lamp was perched on a table nearby, a rocking chair placed next it with a cozy-looking blanket draped over the back. Next to the lamp on the table were a stacked a few children's books. A little wooden toy box sat in the opposite, a rug placed in front of it so Max would have somewhere soft to play. The bookshelf stood next to that, full of things like diaper packages and more books, and a changing table was placed next to that.

It was the perfect little setting. Granted, it needed some decorating, but that would come in time.

Quietly and gently, Cid placed the infant into his new crib as Tifa watched from the doorway, her arms folded over her chest. He stroked the infants head and gave Max's cheek an affectionate tender pinch before turning away and joining her in the doorway, turning to admire his handiwork.

"I set up the high chair in the kitchen, too," he explained, his gruff voice barely above a whisper. "Is it all right?" He gestured as if to encompass the whole room. Cid felt a gentle pressure on his shoulder and he turned towards her. "I mean, you can rearrange it if you want…" She silenced him quickly by placing her lips on his, her hands on either side of his face, his words lost in her mouth.

There was no cigarette or whiskey taste this time, just him. And a trace of chamomile tea. Tifa immediately deepened the kiss, her tongue seeking his, and she felt a rush of pleasure when he responded by stroking her tongue with his. She felt his hand come up to caress her neck and she pulled away slightly, backing herself away slowly, refusing to meet his gaze. Her legs shook as she gazed at his lips, shimmering with moisture from their kiss in the faint lamplight.

"I'm sorry…" She said, her voice trembling. "I just…I meant to say…Thank you." Tifa suddenly found herself pinned between the doorframe and Cid as he grabbed her shoulders and held her there, kissing her soundly, hot and wet, lightly nipping at her lower lip with his teeth. Her hands came up to his and she intertwined their fingers and she vaguely realized that Cid was still wearing one rough leather glove. He growled against her lips and wound his arms around her waist without breaking the kiss, pressing her against him fully. Her arms encircled his neck and Tifa felt time stop.

Tifa's blood thundered in her ears and she could feel the pounding of Cid's heart against her breasts, which now seemed permanently molded to his chest. He loosened his grip slightly and released her lips, gasping for breath and immediately burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"Sorry…" He murmured, his voice muffled in her shoulder. "Got a little…carried away…" She hugged him to her and nodded against his shoulder, too lost in him to form words.

When they'd both calmed down considerably, they pulled away from each other, their gazes locked, fire red meeting ice blue.

"You really want to stay?" Tifa asked, her voice small and quiet.

"Stay?" His confusion was evident in his expression.

"Yeah," she answered. "I thought earlier that…that you were going to leave…and not come back again." His eyes instantly softened at her words and he drew her to him again, hugging her close and kissing her neck.

"Why the hell would I do something stupid like that?"

"I dunno…I thought you would…want to leave…"

"What, leave like Cloud did?" He held her at arm's length so he could look directly at her. "Let's get one thing crystal fuckin' clear here, Teef." Tifa could swear his eyes just flashed with…some unnamable primal emotion. "I ain't Cloud. And I sure as hell ain't gonna leave when you need…someone." She thought he'd almost said 'when you need me'. "You got it?" He wasn't frightening, nor was he imposing, but he was definitely pissed off.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice strong and unflinching as she took the brunt of his anger head on. She knew he wasn't really angry at her, but at Cloud for what he'd done. The lines on his face eased again and he looked over at the crib and then down at his feet.

"So, um, what's…goin' on here? Between us?" He suddenly looked scared and unsure of himself, something Tifa had never seen on Cid's face before. He was always so confident and sure, not really caring what anyone thinks. Except now…Now he was asking her for her thoughts, her feelings. And he cared.

"I don't really know what's going on," Tifa admitted. "But I like it. A lot." She smiled up at him and he gave her a relieved half-smile.

"Me too. I mean I like this…us…thing." He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck again and looked over at the clock on the wall. "Holy shit it's three in the morning." His gaze returned to her. "Um…I probably…should…"

"You want to stay here tonight?" Tifa asked suddenly, saying the words before her brain could stop them. "I'd worry about you if you left this late...or early…whatever. I'd worry." He searched her eyes and apparently found what they were looking for, because he nodded.

"Alright, I'll stay. Ya had to twist my arm, but I'll stay," he winked at her and she playfully punched him in the arm. "Watch it woman!" He exclaimed as he held his shoulder in mock pain. "Those are fist of steel you've got…lethal weapons if ya ask me." She giggled at his silly joke and kissed him, her lips lingering for a few moments on his. "Those are lethal weapons, too." He said as he ran his thumb over her lips, his gruff voice low and husky. He cleared his throat. "So, where d'ya want me to sleep?" She heard that slight tremor in his voice again.

Instead of giving him a straight answer, she took his hand and led him to her bedroom. Tifa smiled when she saw his big goofy grin and shook her head.

Men.

She pulled back the covers and got into bed, scooting over so there was enough room for Cid. He sat down on the edge and proceeded to remove his jacket, goggles, and boots before sliding under the covers and spooning up against her back, his arms enfolding Tifa's body and his breath warm against her neck as he nuzzled her nape.

"Goodnight, Tifa." He kissed her shoulder and her neck, then snuggled up against so he could get more comfortable.

"Goodnight, Cid." She smiled into the darkness.

He gave her such a good reason to smile.