Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII.

Note: This story won't continue on for much longer. Sorry.

Second Note: Parts of this chapter might sound like CloTi. It's not, though, just so you guys know.

Chapter 21: Love Revealed

Tifa didn't wake up the next day, though her pulse was a bit stronger. Occasionally, she mumbled something quietly in her deep sleep…Usually, her mumbled phrases and words didn't make much sense, but occasionally Cloud caught a name—usually a member of the team.

"Hang in there," Cloud muttered to her sleeping ears. Tifa unconsciously frowned and muttered something about a mountain.

Vincent leaned on the handrail of the deck of the Highwind, staring gloomily at the ground passing below them. He had to figure out something to do about Chaos, and fast, before his plan of Tifa's death actually pulled through.

Maybe I should go check on her, he thought, and sighed as his metal hand fell to his side, slipping from the handrail. I just want to make sure she's okay…

Deciding he'd check on her now, he turned around and entered, stepping into the elevator by the conference room that would take him to the hallway with everyone's bedroom. Tifa's room was at the far end so he'd get there in about a minute.

Cait Sith stopped him.

"What are you doing down here?" Cait demanded.

"I just wish to see how Tifa is doing," Vincent calmly explained.

"Sorry, but a traitor like you probably shouldn't visit Tifa," the mechanical plush said, narrowing its mechanical eyes.

"…I do not wish her any more harm than has already been inflicted upon her being. I merely wish to see if she is recovering at all."

"She's a little better. Tifa still hasn't woken up yet but she's speaking occasionally…Just unconcious blabber, but hey, better than nothing I guess. That's all you need to know. If you want to go to your room then go sleep in the chocobo stable," Cait Sith snapped harshly.

Vincent's eyes narrowed to dangerous crimson slits and he felt his human hand clench into a somewhat loose fist. "Get out of my way." This wasn't Chaos talking. This was Vincent talking, a Vincent that really wanted to see his loved one.

"No!" Cait Sith said, adjusting his mechanical eyes so that they were glaring at Vincent. "You're not getting through here!"

"I beg to differ."

"…Hey, can I get through here?" Yuffie asked, stepping off of the elevator, causing both of the occupants of the hallway to jump slightly.

"Sure thing!" Cait Sith said cheerfully, dramatically stepping aside for Yuffie to go through.

Once Yuffie was just barely past the mechanical cat, Vincent dashed through.

"HEY!" Cait Sith shouted after him, shaking his mechanical fists.

"Owies," Yuffie groaned, having been shoved into the wall.

"…Cloud…?"

The blonde man's eyes snapped wide open when he heard Tifa call his name. He turned to face her, still sitting by her bed. Her eyes were finally open; she was awake.

Cloud smiled, feeling euphoric that she was okay. "You're awake," he said softly, squeezing her hand slightly.

"How long was I out…?"

"Just a couple of hours. Don't worry, Tifa," Cloud said soothingly. "So how are you feeling?"

"A little sore…I'll be fine."

"I'm sure you will be."

"…Where's Vincent?" Tifa asked suddenly, trying and failing to sit up. She winced at the throbbing pain in her back and clenched her teeth together, forcing herself to sit up.

"I don't know…" Cloud raised one eyebrow. "Why?"

"…You know what happened isn't his fault, right, Cloud?" Tifa asked, frowning slightly. "Don't beat him up about it. He didn't…"

She silenced when there was a knock on the door.

"Just a moment," Cloud muttered quietly to his childhood friend, and she gave him a somewhat tired nod as he stood up, answering the door.

"Vincent?" the blonde asked, eyebrows raising slightly. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I just wondered how Tifa was doing…" Vincent said awkwardly.

"She's awake. Did you want to talk to her?"

"…Sure…why not?" the red-eyed man said, desperately hoping the fact he loved Tifa was well hidden, as he didn't want anyone to know. It would be awkward…

Cloud nodded and let Vincent in, stepping aside, keeping a careful eye on him to make sure he didn't try to do anything. Vincent approached Tifa a bit slowly, looking at her silently. Cloud understood.

"…You have ten minutes to apologize, Vincent," the blonde leader said before exiting the room.

Now they were alone. Vincent looked at Tifa again, unable to say anything.

"You don't have to apologize," Tifa said, smiling. "I know it's not your fault."

"So you trust me?"

"Of course I do, Vincent."

"I am glad."

"…Vincent? I want to stand up, do you think you could help me?" Tifa pleaded, reaching out one hand to the man.

The man hesitated for a moment, then considered that Cloud probably wouldn't try to murder him if he just helped Tifa stand. He grabbed her hand with his human one, gently pulling her up until she was on her feet.

"Thanks," Tifa said cheerfully. Vincent let go of her hand, seeing if she could stand on her own. The woman took a step forward, then stumbled, falling into him like a toddler that hasn't yet learned how to walk.

"Sorry…" Her mumbled apology and bright red face let the man know she hadn't fallen into him on purpose. Vincent took a hold of her waist, just to steady her, and Tifa pressed her hands against his chest, trying to stand without her legs shaking.

"How come I can't stand very well? It's annoying…"

"The fall probably affected your ability to stand. Don't worry. I'm sure that you'll be fully recovered soon," Vincent assured her, trying not to do anything that might end up awkward if Cloud were to walk into the room.

Tifa nodded, looking up at his face. She'd avoided eye contact until now…A haze filled both of their minds.

"Tifa…" Vincent murmured, lowering his head almost by reflex. "…I'm…I am just glad that you are alright."

The burgundy-eyed woman nodded, smiling slightly. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." She closed the small space between them, resting her head on his chest and Vincent was fine with that, so long as she was okay.

After a little while, Tifa lifted her head from Vincent's chest, smiling. "Whenever you want to let go, you can…"

"…Not right now…" Vincent mumbled.

Tifa nodded, and moved her head to use Vincent's chest as a standing pillow again, but never got the chance as a warm hand pulled her chin up until her lips met his gently. Tifa was fine with that.

Neither of them noticed as a certain little ninja watched silently from the doorway.

Ooh, I am SO telling Cloud, Yuffie thought, giggling silently as she rushed off to find the leader.