A new chapter. :) Sorry it's been long since I updated this, but I hope you'll forgive me. I'll be putting up the next chapter soon. It's done but I have to go because I'm actually putting this up in a rush. :P Enjoy:) ...or not. (kind of hard to enjoy Cloud breaking down... but oh well. )

A week ago Vincent did the unthinkable and suggested we get Cloud to visit a shrink. A psychologist, he called 'em. We were all over at Tifa's hanging around while Cloud was delivering something off, and the room fell silent.

Tifa went all tense and we expected her to blow up and kick Vincent along with his blood-red GothDude cape out of the bar into oblivion. Vincent said something about no one being able to protest and saythat Cloud didn't need help. I thought Cloud needed to be dropped off at the loony bin so we would have reason to get angry at Sephiroth and the other shampoo-advertisement people because the only contact with him we'll get is through a glass wall. Right now we're stuck at an in-between because Cloud keeps saying he's okay and no one says anything. I half-applauded Vincent but still think we should immediately put him in the loony bin.

Tifa wiped a clean glass with dirty cloth and said something about Cloud needing his peace. I almost added that she needed her peace but caught myself just in time. Cid shook his head and said some choice R-rated words while Barret picked at his puffy vest. Vincent looked straight at Tifa and said "whatever suits you" and all hell broke loose.

"What are you trying to say?" Tifa snapped. All serious and upset because if Cloud thought he was sane then she thought so too. Cloud is too fragile to be fixed. No one here studied Cloud 101 at college, or went to college, for that matter.

I picture Cloud as a handphone or a music box with a label that says only experienced people should handle.

fragile parts.

That's why no matter how broken and worn down he is, none of us have ever tried to fix him up because he might collapse and we'd never have him again.

"I'm trying to say he needs professional help. Nothing we can give him will make him feel better." Vincent replied. All vampire and cold and serious and authority-ous-like and you could tell he meant well. I wanted to agree or disagree, but neither option would have pleased any of us, so I stayed quiet and watched the ensuing drama.

"Well what good can a shrink do for him?"

"A psychologist. Tell us what's wrong, perhaps? Give him some medication."

"What's wrong? Are you kidding me? We know what's wrong, just that we can't make it right. We could go to the drugstore and get him some anti-depressants if you want. Not like Spike'll take it." Barret came into the discussion.

"We've done all there is to do. What we have left to do now is wait. Time heals wounds." Tifa was quieter and less angry but even more upset.

Cid said Vincent was right and even Tifa needed her sleep because we all knew that Cloud has been keeping her up every night. Cid said that, plus a few more words I won't say for the sake of my own non-existent purity of mind. Bleh.

They fight and I remember saying Tiffers does need her sleep and actually suggesting we put him in the loony bin. We didn't notice the door open, but we heard it slam closed and watched from the windows as Cloud kick-started his bike and sped out of sight.

Tifa got real pissed and we left. I'm betting Cloud must have felt awful, though I don't know what he'd think.

Yesterday I went to Tifa's place since the incident and we pretended nothing had happened.

Ignorance is bliss.