......................................................

Hello!

Well here's chapter 6. Blimey, I never thought I would continue to chapter 2 of this fic when I started this but look at me now! Heh heh! I couldn't be happier you guys want me to keep on with this fic I'm enjoying writing it a lot more than you lot are reading it I bet ;)

Well go get reading then because those regular readers of mine (who I hope are still regular :s ) will know that it has been a long time coming has this chapter, because my exams sort of happened and came first over the past couple of months. So...here it is!!! At long last! Go on then! Go read!!

Xx Jessie xX

......................................................

{{{Because I've been ages, here's a quick update of where the last ancient chapter ended}}}

After leaving him to dwell on the realisation of the damage he had done to Tifa, Vincent Returns to Fort Condor to see Cloud once again. Surprised at the bad state his former leader is now in, Vincent presses for answers – and gets more than he bargained for. News of Cloud's condition (Huntington's Chorea) sparks Vincent into pushing Cloud even further into returning to Tifa at long last. And he finally agreed…….

How laid-back life was right now for one man.

Sat back in his comfortable and naturally expensive chair, a certain red haired individual was calmly gazing absent-mindedly out of his large office window looking out over his creation.

A grin found its way onto his face as always, when he watched the product of his success get more successful with every new day.

As a former member of the Turks, his name had been dragged through the mud thanks to Reeve's best-selling novel entitled 'The Avalanche that changed the world'. Reeve had been pally with all of the Avalanche members or 'saviours of the planet' as they were named by the world's media, and had gotten the whole story in written form.

He shared the profits from the book sales to build up the previously Shinra owned offices in Junon, into his own publishing centre for his own newspaper, or so Reno had heard at least. He had the latest copy of it on his desk currently, and though he hated the fact, he had to admit Reeve knew a thing or two about financial and environmental matters and his newspaper stuck to the facts more than any other in that regard particularly.

Well, Reno had laughed at the novel when his name was mentioned along with the other Turk members, but he had to admit it didn't do him any favours to have a former Turk as useless as Reeve had been, making judgements on the way an organisation as professional as the Turks, operated.

As a result of the novel's success, Reno was equally loved and hated, one or the other. His reputation as a 'man of the night' as it were, had earned him contract offers and deals with many businessmen, including bar owners, various business individuals, and lap dance club owners - which as for the latter, Reno only turned down because he had a higher opinion of himself plus being thought of as the second Don Corneo scared Reno off that idea for life.

But the offer that stood out the most was one to start up his own empire, make a name for himself and join the project of using many companies all together at once to build up a new community to rival that of former Midgar – known as Gerona.

The city of Gerona had been a prospect in planning for over 3 years. Many leading business individuals (including Dio of Golden Saucer) had been involved in the idea since the beginning and it had only officially been underway since the fall of Shinra. Shinra were the main threat, and if the city of Gerona had been announced while they were in power then there would no doubt have been a takeover by the rival company, and mako reactors would have sprouted up all over.

And so, now the construction of the city was well underway and most businesses had been set up to fill the streets of the city once construction was complete. The land had been cleared, and streets marked out over the past year, plots of land allocated, and over the past nine months, construction was rapidly underway, seeing most of the skilled workers of Corel and Wutai and even those of Bone Village employed in the project.

It was world renown and the city was always a thought in the back of people's minds as being the beginning of the new life after Shinra.

Reno was the name and the face behind the whole project. He hated the term – partners - but there were three of them. Reno himself had entrusted two people he knew and who knew him better than anyone else, to help him with the project. Rude had been an easy one to get on side, choosing to stick well to the financial side and of course the prospect of owning what was soon to become the gambling central of the world.

The other partner is one not so obvious – Elena.

Elena and Reno could not stand each other at most times while in the Turks, but Reno could think of no-one better to add the woman's control over matters – in other words, do most of the work – and one who was genuinely trustworthy. Seen as life after the Turks was not working out for any of them, Elena had agreed, and loved the business side of it all, plus being a wealthy investor in the city.

Reno was the man to get people on side, and business hotshots to give up their money and invest in shares in the project. He could persuade the green chocobo off of Chocobo Sage if he needed to.

Reno loved the way things had turned out.

It was stressful at times but then again Reno's attitude was perfect for handling such situations – he simply employed people to do all the legwork and paperwork while he observed and surveyed everything. He remained in control mainly because if anyone thought about crossing him, the reputation of being a Turk soon changed their minds.

Wutai was a days drive to the North of Gerona and so, when things were quiet, (or too busy) Reno, nearly always accompanied by Rude would take a 'business trip' for a few days to the city, which held a nightlife to satisfy even their standards.

But despite that, he was a pretty good man to have in charge. Everyone respected him even if they hated him, so he couldn't be happier. And he did his fair share of work. Put it this way, if there was a smart-ass trying to cheat his way through Reno's business and control it, Reno would as he put it, 'deal' with the person in question.

It was more than a coincidence they never showed up again…

He was wallowing in such thoughts when a sudden voice interrupted him.

"Reno? There's a call for you on line 3." A female voice sounded from the phone intercom on Reno's desk. He rolled his eyes and kicked his feet off of the window ledge, spinning himself around to face his desk. Grasping the edge of the desk, he pulled himself close enough to be able to lean over and press the button on the phone that allowed him to speak back.

"And who is it calling me at –" Reno paused to turn the digital clock on his desk around. "3.00am? I thought everyone else in the world actually slept at this hour." He replied.

Yeah everyone except me asshole… His secretary sitting in the foyer of Reno, Elena and Rude's personal office building, thought to herself. He had employed her ever since he had started out, and she had been cleverly manipulated into signing a contract to work heavy night shifts until 5.00am owing to Reno's seductive influence…but he paid her well. She couldn't argue with that.

"He won't give a name, just said he wanted to speak to you right away. And he also said he won't be fobbed off with some lousy excuse neither. Seems he has got you sussed pretty good."

Reno smiled at her remark. She was getting a feisty little attitude on her recently, one he didn't exactly object to. "Thanks Vanessa. Might as well put me through then. It has been a pleasure talking to you, as always."

Reno picked up the phone receiver and grabbed the phone base with his other hand, getting to his feet. He popped his neck before placing the receiver to his ear, walking to his office window as he did so.

"Is this Reno of the Turks?" An unfamiliar male voice spoke.

Reno smirked and held back the urge to laugh. 'The Turks' now that was a long time ago…But he decided to go along with it if it meant prospects.

Which it certainly did.

"Speaking."

"I have a business proposition for you. One I think you will be extremely interested in."

Reno continued to smirk; his eyes focused on the lit streets of Gerona below him.

"I'm listening."

"How would you be interested in having the opportunity to settle a personal score?" The voice asked. Reno's mind was instantly alert, and he stood up fully from his former slouched position.

"I need you to be more specific." He stated.

"I need an assassination carried out. I have the expertise to handle most of it alone, but I am lacking professional aid, I need more men on the job for it to be a success."

Reno sighed disappointed. This was just another regular mission like the old Turks so mundanely carried out on a daily basis.

"Cut the bullshit already, get to the point." Reno snapped back angrily. If this guy was just going to waste his time…

"Well how about if I offered you Cloud Strife's head on a platter?"

A long paused followed this as Reno's thoughts froze. Eventually, his expression turned into a smirk.

"Now you're talking my language."

Cloud dumped his bag on the ground outside his room door whilst he turned to close it. Looking back round, he saw Vincent standing there waiting.

Cloud looked a lot better. He had cleaned up, with fresh clothes consisting of a black sleeveless shirt, and his typical combat style trousers, complete with his Ultima sword sheathed on his back and his other accessories including his usual waist belt. Not to mention he had also shaved off that annoying stubble and refreshed himself with an improvement of hygiene.

It looked like the old Cloud was back and Vincent couldn't have been more relieved to see him.

"Ready to go?" Vincent asked.

Cloud nodded in response, as he bent down to pick up his bag which was a two-strapped cylindrical bag, with a zip running along the whole length of the top, the straps either side of it.

"As ready as I'll ever be I guess."

Vincent nodded and turned, heading for the front door of the house. He walked straight out of it and into the busy village which instantly created an awkward silence as nearby villagers stopped what they were doing to gawp in fear at the mysterious being in their midst.

Cloud was about to follow him through the door when he felt a small hand grip his wrist.

He turned around to see a small boy looking up at him.

"Mr Cloud? Why do you have a big bag? Are you leaving?" The boy asked tentatively.

Cloud sighed and then knelt down to Akao.

"Yeah. I have to go get back to my friends now Akao; they need to know I'm safe. Just like when your mom goes looking for you to know you're all right, my friends have been looking for me for a long time now. I have to let them know I'm ok."

The young boy nodded and looked down at his feet with a long sigh.

"Hey, don't look so defeated, I thought you said you were going to be just like me right?" Cloud said, though he couldn't understand how or why anyone would want to.

Akao nodded and snivelled.

"Well…" Cloud began. He wasn't good at this at all. Then an idea came to him. He smiled and unzipped his bag, reaching for his spare materia orbs pouch. He opened it up and removed a pair of first level orbs – fire and ice.

He offered them out to Akao in his open palm and smiled. "Could you start by taking good care of these for me?"

Akao's bright eyes widened at the sight of them. His mouth gaped open and he snatched them from Cloud in excitement.

"Wow! My own mateeral orbs! Wow! This is so cool!" He said giddily.

Cloud smirked to himself and stood up ruffling Akao's hair with one of his gloved hands.

"Look after yourself kid."

At that Cloud turned for the door again, and just before he closed it, he was halted by something grabbing his leg. He looked down to see Akao hugging it and laughed.

"Hey! You down there, you going to try and suffocate my leg or let me walk?" He said with a smile. Akao smiled back and stepped away, waving.

"Bye Mr Cloud and thanks!"

Cloud closed the door behind him, a smile still on his face.

Vincent was stood waiting for him an angry dog barking at his feet. Vincent looked down at the dog with a glare and the dog cowered away.

Cloud walked up to him, holding his bag straps together in his right hand.

"Is it time to leave at last?" Cloud asked.

"Yes. We will head straight for Junon and take the cargo ship to Costa Del Sol. I know the way to Tifa's bar. We should take about three days on foot to reach Junon, and an overnight crossing should get us to Costa Del Sol for the fourth morning. So make sure you use that time to think clearly of how you are going to tell her about your current situation."

Cloud nodded in agreement.

He had a lot of thinking to do.

The bar was closing after another long day at Costa Del Sol, Tifa was standing outside placing chairs upturned onto the four tables on the outside decking at the front of the bar.

Miguel and Sofia had left an hour or so ago, and Tifa had little to do until she could lock up for the night.

"Hey Tifa, long time no see."

Tifa paused and smiled to herself before turning around to face the man behind the voice.

"Johnny! I thought it sounded like you." She replied cheerfully, untying the small black waist apron she had on, taking a moment to turn and place it on the nearest table. She turned back to Johnny and walked over to where he was standing on the deck stairs, brushing down her beige shorts and white tank top.

Johnny grabbed hold of her as soon as she got close enough to him, and hugged her.

"It's so good to see you." He said, his hands roaming her back.

She smiled and hugged him back before pulling gently away. "You too. What have you been up to? You have an apartment here don't you? It's not that far away, how come I haven't seen you around here for the past few months?" She probed. "Miguel said he had spoken to you a few times since then, but you haven't been to the bar. How come?"

Johnny looked taken aback by her sudden horde of questions and held up his hands.

"Whoa, slow down there. I have just been caught up with some business lately, I'm sorry I haven't called round. The girlfriends been a little…difficult to say the least." He said rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward expression on his face.

Tifa could sympathise with him on that score. She had to hand it to him though for having a girlfriend and sticking to her for almost a year now if she remembered rightly. It was the same woman that Johnny had moved into a joint apartment with back when Tifa had been to Costa Del Sol for the first time with Cloud…

"That girl is hard to keep on a leash I mean geez…you know that bar she works in? She's always standing at the top window, waving at all the goddamn jerks that walk by, then chatting them up when they go inside the bar. Damnit I wouldn't put it past her to be sleeping around behind my back Tifa." He said with a defeated look in his eyes, sitting down on the steps with a heavy sigh, his head hung low.

Tifa sat beside him and rubbed his back in a circular motion, looking to him.

"Hey, cheer up Johnny. You don't know that for sure and you have been with her for a year now right?"

He nodded. "It will be a year next month. The 13th."

"Well, that's got to count for something,. I've never known you to stick with a girl for so long!"

He smiled at that comment and turned to look at her. "What do you take me for?" He said, mocking a look of hurt.

"A ladies-man to rival that of even Reno of the Turks." She said back, causing Johnny's face to screw up in disgust.

"Now I draw the line at being compared to a Turk Tifa. Him and those freak friends of his are playing at being Shinra and it scares me to think they might be soon. Anyway, give it up already, don't make me start comparing you to that Scarlet woman who was in Shinra." He said flashing her a wink.

"Don't even think about it or you'll be face down in that sand in a heartbeat." She threatened smiling back.

Johnny smiled and turned his gaze to the ocean a short distance in front of where they were sitting.

"What happened Tifa? What happened to us? We used to be inseparable when we were kids, does a few years really change a friendship like that?" He said, his eyes still looking out to the waves.

Tifa looked down at her feet and fumbled with her hands awkwardly for a few minutes.

She wasn't expecting him to come out with something like that.

"Nothing changed Johnny, we just grew up. We're still friends who can share a laugh together now and then, just not every day. We're not kids Johnny, A hell of a lot has happened since then, so much has changed…" She drifted in thought for a few seconds before lifting her eyes to the evening sun above them, fading on the horizon.

"I wish I could go back and change a lot of things back to how they were. But its not possible and wishing for it won't make it so."

Johnny had just heard the words he didn't want to hear. He knew deep down that she was talking about him. She always did. How could someone as beautiful, lovable and caring as Tifa fall for such a jerk like him? He never would understand it. Nor even compare to him in her heart.

He sighed and looked at her.

"You miss him don't you?" He asked. Though he didn't want to hear the answer, it might just knock the sense into him that Tifa was un-reachable to him.

She looked down at her hands for a few seconds before looking him in the eye.

"Yes." She said simply, though the pained look in her eyes told a deeper story.

Johnny shook his head.

"Why are you still waiting for that guy to come for you Tifa? You're wasting your life here you know that? You could be married for God sake, with kids! You know you would make the best goddamn mother a kid could wish for so why the hell are you still waiting on that asshole?!" He asked, his voice rising slightly.

Tifa looked away back to the shoreline.

"You know why. I can't so much as think about being with another person, not when I care so much about him. I have to hope he'll come back, because if I lose hope in him, I might as well give up trying altogether."

Johnny reached out and pulled Tifa to him so their shoulders met, one arm around her. He kissed her hair and squeezed her arm gently.

"Then if he's sane at all, he'll run back here as soon as he gets the chance if he knows you're here waiting for him." He said. Tifa smiled to herself and thanked Johnny for listening to her.

A short time later Johnny found himself walking down the main beach of Costa Del sol, away from where he had just left Tifa and said goodbye to her for the night. His thoughts were driven by anger at this moment in time and he clenched his fist.

"Damn you Cloud Strife. You'll be sorry about what you've done…you'll see you can't just abandon her like this and get away with it…just you wait…"

On the far end of the beach, a certain figure was waiting for him.

Meanwhile, somewhere on the ocean between Junon port and Costa Del Sol, two individuals were in contemplation on the back of a cargo ship headed for the Costan resort.

"When will you tell her?" Vincent spoke up suddenly, after what had been an unusually prolonged silence between the two. An hour? Two? Was it even longer than that? Cloud eventually shifted his weight onto his feet and stood back from the bar, taking a deep breath as he looked to the disappearing horizon. He turned his gaze to the floor as he hung his heavy head low. He didn't know how to answer that question, because the truth was, he didn't even want to tell Tifa. He never even meant to see her again, for that very reason, and the fear of what it might do to her if he told her.

"You can't expect me to answer that. Not yet."

"Then when will you be capable of answering it?" Vincent relied instantaneously.

Another long awkward pause from Cloud followed.

"Look, I don't know if telling her is even the best thing to do." Cloud began, running a gloved hand through his hair. "I don't know myself how I'm supposed to tell her or if I even want to yet, so how can I tell you? Or her for that matter?" He stated, grasping hold of the bar once more, turning to the sea for momentary solace.

Vincent walked closer to Cloud until he was standing just behind him. Cloud sensed his presence and suddenly turned to face him, breaking instantly into accusation.

"Don't Vincent. Before you start again with this, just don't OK? You don't understand any of this. You may think you do, because you know the bare facts about it, but you really couldn't be further from the real truth." He paused, taking a moment to compose himself, and calm down before he continued. "Tifa and me go back a long time, lets just say all our lives, which I'm sorry but that to me seems longer than most relationships between people last these days. She's been the one stable person in my life, and I guess I need her. I always have…"

Vincent watched his friend closely. Recently, Cloud had a habit of dropping bombshells….

"But," Cloud continued, "It's the same with her. She needs me in a way, and I can't keep letting her down Vincent. That's all I've ever done to her up to now, and now that she is settled in her new life like you said, you expect me to march right up to her and say 'Oh Hi Tifa, yes I'm back after being thought of as dead for the past nine months, but you know what's really funny? I'm not going to be around for much longer! Sorry about that!' " Cloud turned back to face the rail, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"To finally unveil the truth that I'm a fake, and that everything about our promise that we made all those years ago about me being there to protect her was a lie because I'll never be able to keep it? Are you sure you want me to do that Vincent? Tread carefully, because sometimes what you wish for with good intentions, can actually come true in the worst possible way."

Cloud took a breath, before turning around, his accusing eyes looking straight at Vincent.

"So in answer to your question, I will never be able to tell her, and I'll try my hardest to keep it from her for as long as she needs me." At that, Cloud turned and briskly headed for the lower deck, leaving a very satisfied Vincent to his thoughts.

"It seems he is finally beginning to admit it to himself at long last. This is going to be a longer journey than the last."

......................................................

There!

At long last it's finally here, the first of the second part of updates in this fic. I really, really hope you guys like this, because I have re-written this whole thing three times over now, scared that after over a month or two away from it, I might have lost my touch? So please, please let me know how this compares to the rest. Am I on the way up, or on my way down already? Read this and review please you wonderful people!

Xx Jessie xX

......................................................