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! And thank you to you reviewers who encouraged me to write additional chapters. Be sure to review if you want to get more of the story!

Chapter Summary: Tifa and Cid figure some 'stuff' out and a certain ninja shows up on Tifa's doorstep. Shit also happens.

Chapter 3: Her Surprises

Keeping Tifa on Her Toes:

Cid Highwind awoke in a strange room in a strange bed that smelled…strange. Needless to say, he was bewildered, especially since he was apparently alone. That scent was familiar, though; lilacs and lavender…

Where had he smelled that before…?

Cid snapped his fingers in triumph and sat up quickly, looking around for any sign of Tifa. The clock he spied next to the bed told him it was 9:33 AM and how cold the Tifa's pillow was told him that she had been out of bed for a while. He threw back the blankets, swung his long legs over the edge, and rose up out of bed quickly, heading for the second bedroom turned nursery. He looked in and saw that Tifa and Max were both absent from that room, so he went to the kitchen, spurred on by some barely audible humming.

Cid recognized the voice. What's more, he recognized the song, and not just as the tune that Tifa hummed the night before. Aeris used to hum that song all the time when she got bored or distracted. The notes were soothing but sad, as they brought back memories of the spunky Ancient from Midgar.

He couldn't help but wonder if maybe Tifa had hummed this tune around Cloud…Nah, he didn't want to get into that right now. Way too early in the morning to be doing any sort of psychoanalysis on someone who used to believe they were a puppet.

He hadn't even had a cup of tea yet, dammit.

Pausing at the entryway of the kitchen, he discovered the source of the melody. Cid watched as Tifa went about making some tea and preparing a bottle of milk whilst holding Max on her hip. The way she moved gracefully about, her body movements, sure and confident without any sort of hesitation, held Cid mesmerized. The little baby in her arms seemed to be in similar state, as he was regarding her in wide-eyed curiosity, seemingly hypnotized by the sound of her voice while she hummed to him.

After a few moments of staring at her in this manner, she finally stopped humming and poured a cup of tea. She took the mug and sipped it while she looked out the window into the gray morning sky.

"Sleep well?" Tifa asked without even having given any sign that she knew he was there. He realized she'd known he'd been standing there watching her, and Cid's ears suddenly felt hot. He reached up to adjust his goggles, but upon discovering he hadn't put them back on his head yet, Cid settled for running a hand through his short blonde hair.

"Yeah, I did," he replied, his voice rough through the disuse of sleep. He cleared his throat before continuing, "How about you?" He walked over and poured his own mug of tea, pleasantly surprised when he discovered it to be orange spice, one of his favorite flavors. Used to be one of Shera's specialties…

No. He was in Tifa's kitchen now, drinking Tifa's tea. And the woman he was looking at was definitely not wearing a lab coat. Instead, the woman before him was wearing a short red tee shirt and cutoff jean shorts that went down to the tops of her knees.

It seemed no matter what this woman wore, she looked good in anything. Cid realized that with all of his musings, he'd failed to catch her answer to his question.

"I'm sorry, what?" She turned halfway and looked at him and Max mimicked her actions, his big gray eyes drawn by his low timbre.

"I slept better than I have in a long time," she said softly, looking back out the window, absently sipping her tea. Max brought a little fist up to his mouth and started gumming his fingers, making little 'gooee' noises. On an impulse, Cid crossed the distance between them in two quick strides and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Good mornin'," Cid told her with a lopsided grin as he patted Max on the head affectionately. Tifa blushed prettily and seemed surprised by the gesture, but happily so, a little smile tugging on the corners of her lips.

"Good morning," she replied. "I need to go down to the bar in about an hour…"

"Why so early?" Cid's voice was tinged with disappointment. So much for spending some quality time together…

"Well, I usually start getting stuff ready for customers around eleven so I can be ready for the lunch crowd," she explained as she handed Max to Cid. "Then I close up at two, take a three hour break, reopen at five, and stay open until midnight during the weekdays, two a.m. on weekends."

"Whew!" Cid shifted Max so he was now balanced on his hip, and he slipped his free arm around Tifa's waist, pulling her close and giving her a squeeze. He reveled in the fact that he was allowed to hold her like this. "You sound like you need to hire some more help or something."

"That's what I've been thinking about all morning," she told him. "But I've never really had to hire anyone before…I've always been able to take care of things myself." Her tone contained a hint of regret.

"Hey, everyone needs a little help every now and then," Cid reassured her. "You can't be in four places at once. Besides, people would probably pay you so they could work at Seventh." Tifa laughed and he waggled his eyebrows at her, which only served to make her laugh harder. Max was thoroughly entertained by the exchange, his little gurgles and coos accompanying Tifa's bout of mirth.

Cid couldn't help but think once again how beautiful she was. Especially when she laughed, and especially when it was because of him.

He leaned in and kissed her soundly without giving it a second thought, cutting off her laughter, her last little giggles lost in his lips. He maneuvered her with his arm that was around her waist so she was facing him enough for full-on contact but still being mindful of the infant that was still balanced on his hip. She pressed herself against him, her arms wrapping around his waist, hands grabbing the material of his white shirt as though she were clinging on for dear life.

It was a gentle kiss that soon turned into a passionate one, a small spark fanned into a blaze of dueling tongues and lips that sought each other desperately. He returned her enthusiasm tenfold, acutely aware of the hand that came up to stroke his neck just under his ear. Cid felt her smile against his lips when he gasped in surprise at the way his body responded to Tifa's touch and a shiver ran down his spine, her slender, dexterous fingers caressing the sensitive skin, the sweet spot he never knew he had.

"Mmm…" Tifa groaned when she pulled back, gazing up at him with glazed garnet eyes. "You're just full of surprises, aren't ya Highwind?" Her skin was flushed, though Cid knew it wasn't from embarrassment this time. He suddenly grinned, wide and foolish.

He apparently had the same affect on her that she had on him. And Tifa's kiss-swollen lips looked absolutely edible.

"What can I say? I like to keep you on your toes," he told her, his tone light. She smiled, her eyes dancing with laughter.

Cid was pretty sure that Tifa had smiled more in the past couple of days than she had in the past several months put together. Warmth bloomed in his chest at the thought.

Could it be possible that a broken-down pilot was able to bring her happiness?

With all his heart, he hoped it was so.

"Why don't ya go take a shower before work while I watch this little guy?" Cid suggested and bounced Max in his arm for emphasis, which instantly made the baby give a little happy squeal at the sudden movement.

"Have you…ever taken care of a baby before, Cid?" Tifa asked, somewhat skeptical. "It's not like working with machines…"

"Hey, I can handle it, have a little faith!" He kissed her on the forehead and then offered her a reassuring grin. "Besides, if anything goes wrong, you're right downstairs, and if need be, we can trade places. I know how to make a few drinks…" She laughed and pushed away from him, heading for the hallway.

"Be out in a bit!" Tifa called over her shoulder before she disappeared. He heard the water start in her shower and decided that the first order of business should be to get the kid some food.

Sleeping Babies, Fixing Machines, and Stuff:

About half an hour later, Tifa returned to find both Cid and Max asleep on the couch; Cid had one leg propped up on her coffee table and one arm held Max, the nearly empty bottle of milk on the floor at the base of the couch. Max's expression was priceless; his little thumb was stuck between his little pursed lips, and if Tifa didn't know any better, she would have thought that he was grinning in his sleep. She went back to her room and grabbed a camera. She just couldn't pass up this photographic opportunity. She snapped the photo and one of Cid's blue eyes cracked open at the sound to regard her curiously.

"Hey," he said softly. "Whatcha doin'?" He nodded towards the camera in her hands with a wry grin, both eyes now open.

"For posterity's sake," she told him, her voice just above a whisper and a big smile on her face. She put the camera down and moved closer, standing over him and gazing at him with adoration. "I'm headed to work…" Tifa bent over and kissed him on the forehead. She then proceeded to do the same thing to Max, who made a little 'huff' sound at the contact and curled his little fingers tighter into fists. "I'll see you in a few hours."

"See ya." Cid closed his eyes again and was asleep almost instantly, a light snore emanating from him. She shook her head and smiled, admiring the way his face looked when he was sleeping, the lines on his face smooth and his expression completely relaxed, making him look many years younger and more boyish. After watching Cid and Max for a minute, she decided she hadn't felt this good in a long time. She was happy, content, and she felt loved.

Love? Whoa, easy there, Lockheart. Jumping the gun a little bit there… She shook her head at herself and finally headed out the door and down to her bar.

The next few hours went swiftly, and Cid decided taking care of a baby was actually easier than he thought it would be.

"Not like working with machines, my ass," he muttered as he bathed Max. "Gotta take care of 'em just like machines…they require constant cleaning, attention, fluids…Hell, you even need parts changed every now and then!" He lightly tickled Max's naked tummy and smiled as the little boy squirmed and squealed in delight.

Yeah, changing diapers was one of the most unpleasant experiences Cid had experienced in a while, even worse than dealing with Barret when he drank too much…

But this whole baby thing was definitely not as tough as Tifa made it out to be. It was either that or this baby was just really easy-going.

Nah, it had to be his awesome taking-care-of-babies skills.

It wasn't long until Tifa returned for her three-hour break and sat down to make a help-wanted sign. She took over watching the baby while Cid showered. She was surprised when Cid told her how easy taking care of Max had been, and she thought that maybe she had drastically underestimated the man that was now naked in her shower….

Mmm…Naked Cid…In her shower…

Before her thoughts went too far down that path (read: gutter), she was brought back to reality by a ringing phone. She put Max in his crib and walked out to the living room to pick up the phone.

"Hello?" Tifa said when she answered.

"Tifa? Hey, it's Yuffie," the teenager's voice came over the line, somewhat garbled by static.

"Yuffie! How have you been?" Tifa smiled against the receiver.

"Um, fine, um…Listen, are you going to be around there tonight? I have a favor to ask…"

"What it is? Are you okay?" Tifa was suddenly filled with concern at the very strange tone of her young friend's voice.

"I…don't wanna talk about it over the phone. Are you going to be there tonight?"

"Yeah, of course. Just come to Seventh Heaven, I'll be there."

"'Kay, I'll be there in a few hours. 'Bye Tif." Before she could say goodbye, the dial tone sounded in her ear.

"…That was weird…" Tifa muttered as she replaced the receiver back in its cradle.

"What was weird?" A familiar gruff voice came from behind her.

"Yuffie," she replied without turning around. "She said she has a favor to ask, and she wouldn't tell me what…" She trailed off, not really sure what made her so uneasy.

"Bah!" Cid said, disdain evident in his voice. "That damn kid probably just wants to 'borrow' your Materia or something."

"I dunno, Cid," Tifa responded slowly. "I can't put my finger on it, but there was something in her voice that said it was something more than that."

"Hmm, well, if you have anything valuable in the bar, I suggest you hide it," he told her, only half-joking. She shook her head and tried to hide her grin, but she knew he was right. Sometimes Yuffie just couldn't help herself. She turned to look at Cid, and found he had donned his jacket and goggles again, but left off his gloves and boots. That was a good sign…He felt comfortable in her home. "You know how Yuff is, she always tries to make herself more mysterious…I think she thinks it makes her seem more impressive or something." He shrugged. "There's not much you can do about it anyway until she tells ya what's goin' on."

"You gotta point there," she admitted. He always had a point, always saw the big picture, which was precisely the reason the rest of the gang had turned to him for leadership when Cloud was swept into the Lifestream a year and some months ago.

"Max asleep in his crib?" Cid asked suddenly.

"Yeah," she replied absently, her gaze not really focusing on anything. He nodded, but continued to stand there with his hands in his pockets, regarding her with curiosity and concern.

"What's up?"

"Hm? Oh, sorry…Just…thinking about…stuff," she said hesitantly, avoiding his gaze.

"Ah…" He regarded her coolly. "That…stuff…can do that to ya." His voice contained hurt and disappointment. He turned and left the living room, heading back down the hall.

Ugh! Why couldn't she just tell him she was thinking about Cloud? And from the way he sounded and the way he left the room…He knew what she was thinking about. She sighed heavily and followed him down the hall and found him in Max's room sitting in the rocking chair and seeming to be lost in thought, one foot resting on his knee as he flipped absently through one of the children's books from the stack on the table. Tifa sat there watching him for a moment, trying to think of something to say.

"…I'm sorry," she said quietly. He looked up at her, his blue eyes still carrying some of his residual disappointment and hurt in them. "What I should have said was that I was thinking about…Cloud."

"What about him?" He asked softly.

"You remember when he fell into the Lifestream and got Mako poisoning?"

"Yeah…" Cid nodded and waved a hand impatiently.

"I think even then, even when I felt closer to him then I'd ever felt, I really…We really weren't that close….You know what I mean?" Cid's expression eased and his eyes softened as he nodded again. "He was grateful to me, he was affectionate, but…I don't think his heart was ever…free. I think his heart was always somewhere else…" Cid stood up and crossed the room, stopping to stand in front of her, hands once again jammed in his pockets. "I…didn't make him happy. Not in the same way Aeris did. But I didn't see that then, I didn't understand what I was doing wrong. He was trying to tell me that I wasn't doing anything wrong, but that he knew I was trying, but he just couldn't get over her.

"And now, I see that the problem was him. I know that you might think that's kind of an obvious answer, but…Anyway, now, I see where he was coming from because I'm in a similar situation…" She paused to look at Cid, but his expression was guarded and closed. She sighed and forced herself to continue. "But the difference of our situations is how the person we loved left. Aeris left because she killed…taken away without getting the chance to say goodbye, without a choice. Cloud left because he wanted to, because he chose to."

Cid looked down at his feet, struggling with his own internal conflict.

"So," he paused and took a shaky breath before continuing. "Where does that leave us?"

"What I'm trying to tell you, Cid, is that because of the way Cloud left, because I know that it was his choice, my heart is free." His head snapped up and his light blue eyes bore into hers, obviously trying to work out her meaning. She took a tentative step closer and touched his forearm lightly, trying to get through to him what she was saying.

"So…You mean, you…"

"Yes, I mean I'm free to…move on completely. To live and be happy and…Love. With you, if you'll let me." His eyes widened at her declaration, and Tifa could see hope shimmering in their icy blue depths. His hand removed itself from his pocket and came up to rub the back of his neck. Then, there was silence. Cid opened his mouth several times as if to say something, but he seemed too overwhelmed to speak. "Say something…?" Tifa whispered worriedly, wondering maybe if she'd said too much too soon.

Had she found happiness only to screw it up royally yet again?

"You…really wanna…be with a shitty old pilot like me?" Cid finally asked. "…Even if I cuss like a fuckin' sailor?" He added, a small grin lighting up his otherwise serious features. She returned his grin, relief flooding through her as she did so.

"That's precisely what I'm sayin', Highwind," she said matter-of-factly. "But just for the record, you're not old." He chuckled a bit at that.

"Well, glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks that," he said. "So…you're not gonna kick my ass if I go around telling people I have the hottest girlfriend on the whole goddamned Planet, are you?" She laughed aloud and flung her arms around her neck, hugging him enthusiastically. Cid hugged her back, squeezing her lightly and kissing her shoulder.

"How do you do that?" Tifa's voice was muffled by his shoulder.

"Do what?" He replied.

"Make me feel so good."

"It's a talent. Right up there with flying, fixing stuff, and taking care of babies." She smiled again and hit him playfully on the shoulder before kissing his jaw line, enjoying the feel of his whiskers against her lips and cheek. Cid pulled back slightly so he could look at Tifa directly when they were interrupted by Max's wail. Tifa looked from the crib to Cid and saw the disappointment that was clearly displayed on his face. "That kid has the shittiest timing ever." He pulled away completely and went over to the crib, gently picking the baby up out of it and holding him close. "You know, he eats like a fuckin' horse."

"So I've noticed," Tifa smirked. The baby's cries stopped almost instantly and turned into small whimpers, and a dejected sigh emitted from Cid. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said quickly. She sent him a withering look and he sighed again, this time in resignation. "I just realized you have to go back to work in a few minutes."

"Well, I will be back, you know," she told him somewhat condescendingly.

"Yeah, yeah. So I'm selfish, alright? I like having you around…"

"Good to know." She smiled and moved closer to him. "Don't worry; I'll hire some more people soon so I can spend more time with Max..." Cid gave her a mock glare. "Oh, and you of course," Tifa added teasingly. She leaned in and kissed him on the lips, lingering for a moment or two before stepping back and heading for the door. "Just so ya know...I like having you around, too." She winked at him and headed for the front door.

Tifa Lockheart thought her face was going to fall off soon if she didn't quit smiling so much.

Pickles, Salvation, and Refills:

Hours later, Cid seemed to have finally been able satiate the never-ending appetite that was Max Lockheart. The baby fell asleep in Cid's arms and his head lolled onto Cid's shoulder and the pilot had to chuckle at the way the boy nuzzled into his strong shoulder unconsciously. On his way out of the kitchen to lay the baby down in his crib, the door to the apartment opened, and Cid heard the heavy footsteps of someone entering the home.

Oh, shit.

He immediately crouched down low, careful not to jostle Max so he wouldn't wake up. A sleeping baby meant a quiet baby. The closest weapon he could see was a small knife on the kitchen counter next to the baby bottle that Max had just emptied.

"Dammit!" Cid whispered to himself. The footsteps halted suddenly at his quiet outburst.

Oh, double shit.

Cid decided that the best way to get himself out of this pickle would be take whoever it was head on. He was never really good at stealth anyway…But then he looked down at Max and realized that he couldn't go head on with the baby in his arms.

But then again, there was something large, cold, and sharp against his throat. Well, there go both of those options.

Triple shit?

Cid chanced a glance upwards, and did a double-take immediately, his voice cracking as he spoke.

"Strife?"

The lights of New Midgar had never seemed so much like salvation to Yuffie Kisaragi as they did at just that moment.

"Thank GAWD, I'm finally here!" She cried out to no one in particular. Her rear end was sore from riding her chocobo for several hours, and she really needed a drink to help her relax. Naturally, and of course because it was her reason for coming here, she made her way through the city to the best bar in all of New Midgar…and quite possibly the whole Planet.

Yuffie was greeted with the sight of Tifa standing behind the bar with a HUGE smile on her face. Weird. Tifa hadn't smiled like that in…well, forever. Actually, she'd NEVER smiled like that. Ever. Maybe she got close to this around Cloud, but…Gawd. It was like, she was happy.

Very weird.

"Tifa!" Yuffie bounced up to the counter, also with a smile on her face. Tifa's, apparently, was infectious. "What's up?"

"Heya, Yuffie!" Tifa replied enthusiastically. "I was wondering when you'd show up." She looked at Yuffie expectantly, her question obvious in her garnet eyes. Yuffie had always been a little jealous of her eyes…not to mention her expansive bust-size. "So, what's goin' on, Yuff?"

"I should as you the same question, Teef," Yuffie told her, dodging the question. "Who's been shinin' rays of sunshine up your skirt?" She asked the question jokingly, but to her surprise, Tifa blushed a deep shade of red. "Whoa, what? There is a 'who'?" Her voice raised in pitch in her excitement at her discovery. "Holy CRAP Tifa!"

"Shh! Calm down!" Tifa's blush was almost purple now and extended down past her collar of her shirt.

"Nyuk nyuk…You have a boyfriend?" Her voice had lowered in decibels, but was far from quiet. "Soooo…Whoisit?" Tifa busied herself with making another drink, and Yuffie was aware that most of the customers in the bar were now listening in on their conversation. Who cares? This is the juiciest gossip Yuffie'd heard since Cloud had left… "Tifa!" If looks could kill, Yuffie would've been dead a long time ago. But now, under Tifa's withering glare, she worried that it might actually be possible. Tifa then ducked her head and dropped her chin to her chest.

Tifa whispered something, but not quite loud enough for anyone to understand what she said. Yuffie shook her head as if to clear her ears.

"Say what? I couldn't hear you…"

Tifa mumbled incoherently again.

"Um, LOUDER?" Tifa leaned in closer.

"It's Cid, alright?" She said louder, yet still quiet enough to keep prying ears from gleaning any information from her statement.

"OHMYGAWD! CID FRICKEN' HIGHWIND!" She stood up from her barstool in her disbelief. Tifa grabbed Yuffie's wrist and yanked her forward so she was forced to support herself on her elbows, her face mere centimeters from Tifa's.

"Will you keep it down!" Tifa's eyes flared with anger and Yuffie could almost swear she saw flames glittering in them.

"Sorry, gawd! You've got an iron-grip, ya know that?" She told her as she wrenched her wrist from Tifa's grasp with a grimace. "Look, they all know now anyway, so it doesn't matter anymore!" She waved a hand to gesture towards their audience, who immediately paid way more attention to their drinks when Tifa looked in their direction.

"Yeah, well…" Tifa stood up straight. "What was it you wanted to talk about, anyway?" She asked testily.

"Um…" Yuffie leaned forward again and said quietly, "My dad found out about Vincent…"

"Oh, no…" Tifa brought a hand up to her mouth in surprise.

"Yeah, no kidding. I just wish he'd stop being so old-fashioned and let me marry whoever I wanted…He's had this crazy-stupid idea that I'm betrothed to this Wutaian guy who's a total geek…"

"Where's Vincent?" Tifa interjected before Yuffie could continue her tirade.

"He's…um…sorta mad at me right now…"

"Why?" Tifa's brow furrowed in confusion.

"I…kinda sorta lied to him and told him I already told my dad about us…And well, when my dad made a big scene about it, he just got all quiet and walked away without saying anything."

"Isn't Vincent usually quiet?"

"Not around me, he isn't," Yuffie said simply. "Anyway, I…really don't have anywhere to go, and I'm broke, so I was hoping…"

"Perfect!" Tifa exclaimed as she clapped her hands together.

"Um, what?" Yuffie asked, more than a little offended. "How is this perfect?"

"Sorry, it's just…" Tifa paused. "Look, I need some help running the bar, and you'd be perfect. Customers love you, you can mix drinks, cook food, and you're cute, which is always a bonus." Yuffie opened her mouth to speak, but Tifa continued before she could get a word in edge-wise. "That way, you can earn some money AND have a place to stay."

"You mean, you'd let me stay with you?" Yuffie's mouth hung open in shock.

"Well, you'd have to stay on the couch since my second room's occupied…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Cid's living with you? Ewwwww…" She cringed.

"Well, he's not the one who's living in the second bedroom…" Yuffie made another face, pretending to vomit. "Look, I'll explain later. You don't have to stay there for very long, just until you get enough money together to rent out your own apartment. I can get you in with my landlord and get you a deal."

"Thank you so much, Tifa!" Yuffie hopped up and down. "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk…I'll be the best barista ever!" She looked over at Tifa. "Well, besides you, of course," she added, offering Tifa an apologetic smile. Tifa just shook her head and smiled.

"I'm glad I could help," she said. Suddenly, Tifa got a mischievous glint in her eyes and the smile on her face turned into a smirk. "In fact, you can start right away!" Tifa pulled Yuffie behind the bar and then stood on the customer side. "There, see? Perfect!" She held her hands out to her and waved her arms up and down. "You'll be great." Yuffie just stared back at her stupidly.

"Um…"

"You work until two a.m. tonight. Have fun!" Tifa grinned and turned on her heel to walk out of the bar, leaving behind Yuffie to fend for herself. Well, Tifa was definitely much happier then the last time Yuffie'd seen her. That old pilot must really be just what the doctor ordered.

"Oh. My. Gawd." Yuffie looked around at all the expectant faces of the people who'd suddenly become her patrons. She sighed deeply, drawing up her courage. A flash of Vincent's ember eyes popped into her head, the way he looked at her during one of their tender moments…

"So," Yuffie called out. "Who needs a refill?"