Marlene and Denzel were at Barret's place when I came over because I wanted to bother him so he'd bribe me to leave with an armful of goodies ranging from accessories to sweets to cash. No such luck. He was too happy to see Marlene again so even my rabid chattering didn't bug him. Grr.

I asked Marlene and Denzel why they were there and they were quiet. Then Barret called out from the kitchen with cookies and they ran as fast as their little kid legs would carry them. I know I asked the right question, to the wrong people. So I hitched a ride to Sector 7 Midgar and 'dropped by' to see Tifa 'n Cloud and how they were doing.

The door was unlocked but the bar was empty except for this mean-looking guy who said there were no drinks there that day. Tim or Tom or Tony was house-sitting because Tifa had pressing matters to attend to. Tim/Tom/Tony gave me directions for the World Reeve-toration Organization headquarters and I skip out the door and grab a ride there.

The guard at the gate salutes when he sees me and I note that the WRO respects me now. He told me I might be expected because 'Miss Tifa' was at the verge of some kind of breakdown when she got here. I get in and spend hours getting lost and wondering what the heck could destroy the woman who not even Sephiroth could bring to tears.

When I get to what I think is the right door, someone is crying on the other side and someone else murmurs comfortingly.

I picture Tifa and Cloud as the picture perfect couple. Can't they at least be ignorantly happy? If there's no hope for that either, what will happen?