A/N: Sorry for not updating in a long time. Been busy with my other story and the upcoming sequel to another. Anyways, back to business.

Sunrises and Shopping

Tifa tossed around in her bed. She lay on her side and stared at the red LED light clock on the nightstand. It was early. Tifa decided to get up since she couldn't sleep anymore. She took a shower and dressed herself.

She came out of her room and looked out into the ocean. Luckily both the rooms were the last ones so they faced the ocean.

Tifa inhaled the ocean air and let out a sigh. The darkness was starting to break from the sunlight. Tifa looked over to the end of the path to see Chase leaning against the guardrails and staring into the rising sun.

She began to walk toward the young man. Tifa noticed that he wasn't wearing that sleeveless jacket of his anymore. Not even that skintight dark blue shirt he wore. Now it was just a loose fitting white shirt. Probably a button up, it did have a collar. Even the pants he wore were different. Instead of being just dark blue, they whitened the nearer they were to his white leather boots.

Tifa finally reached him and tapped his shoulder. Chase turned around to find Tifa staring at him with her brown eyes.

"Yes, Ms. Lockhart?" Chase asked.

"What are you doing up so early?" She asked him.

Chase smiled a little, "Ms. Lockhart, I always wake up around this time. I'm amazed you woke up this early in the morning. You usually sleep until…if I remember correctly the earliest you woke up is eight."

"I couldn't fall asleep again," Tifa said in her defense. "Why do you get up so early?"

Chase turned his head and looked back at the sunrise, "Personally, I like watching the sunrise. It's like how some people like watching the stars for answers to their deep questions. Its cool, that's why I do it." He turned back to Tifa, "And right now, its even better with you right here with me."

Tifa blushed and looked away.

"Would you like to get some breakfast?" Chase asked.

Tifa looked back at him, "I'd love to Chase."

The two started their way down to the lower levels of the cruise ship. Most shops and restaurants were down there. After looking into different restaurants, most of which were closed, they found a small café that even had a view of the ocean.

It was perfect. It was small and private. Right there in the full sunlight of outside and it was open. Nothing else was as perfect.

Tifa and Chase took a seat under an umbrella and looked at the menus in front of them. After a minute or so of reading them, Tifa looked over hers and at Chase who still looked at the menu.

"What are you getting?" Tifa asked.

"Blueberry pancakes," Chase said from behind the menu.

"Really?"

"Yeah," He placed down his menu. "I love pancakes. Almost as much as I do y..ya know its really is nice out here."

Tifa gave a puzzled look at him. That was a strange moment for him. He usually always has his thoughts together before he says anything, "Excuse me?"

"Never mind," Chase retorted. He adverted his face away from her gaze.

"I hate those sunglasses." Tifa thought.

A waiter came from the café. He looked middle aged and dignified. He smiled at them as he walked up to their table, "It is so wonderful to see such a young couple enjoying themselves on such a fine cruise."

At the point, Chase and Tifa refused to make eye contact with each other.

"What would you to like?"

"Blueberry pancakes and…I suppose orange juice." Chase said.

"An omelet for me please. Orange juice as well." Tifa said.

"I'll be back with your orders." The waiter said as he left.

After what seemed like hours of silence between them, the waiter cam back with their order. He bid them a good meal and left them alone. The ship itself was finally becoming livelier. People were finally getting up and started to find something to eat or do.

With each group that past the small café, there was something that had somebody look at the couple. Young women grew faint at the sight of the handsome Chase. Guys tried their best to get attention from the lovely Tifa. Neither succeeded in anything except to raise the awkwardness between them.

After eating the last of his pancakes, Chase stared out into the sea, "Ms. Lockhart, you look nice today."

"How can you tell? Your not even looking at me." She inquired.

"Because you look nice everyday." Chase answered.

After their breakfast, the two started an expedition around the ship. They looked around for anything that might be considered entertaining. As they walked around, Tifa found herself wanting to lay her head on his shoulders. She resisted the urge but it was something that couldn't be kept off her mind. She started to question these new emotions between her and Chase.

Chase always protected her whenever they were in trouble. Even though she could protect herself, he managed to shield her from everything. He wanted her safe. Although, Tifa hated that Chase never really talked. He only says an answer bluntly and resumes his quiet nature. She wanted to change that.

"Chase, did you ever had a girlfriend?" Tifa asked.

Chase turned his head to look at her, "I'm wondering why do you want to know."

"Cause I just want to. Just tell me."

"Fine, to tell you the truth, I never had a girlfriend," Chase responded.

"Really? How come?"

"More questions…I guess its because I never really wanted one," Chase said. "I'm assuming you still have another question for me."

"Your good, what about now? Do you want a girlfriend now?"

Chase looked away for a minute and stayed silent. Tifa kept staring at him as they walked until he finally turned to face her. "Well, Ms. Lockhart…you know, we have been traveling together for a while and…well…"

"Tifa!" Yuffie yelled as she ran up behind them.

"Hey Yuffie," Tifa said.

"Ms. Kisaragi," Chase said.

"Hey guys, whattya doing?"

"Nothing really. I'm actually kind of bored. There is nothing to do on this ship," Tifa said. "Except tormenting Chase that is."

"What about shopping?" Yuffie asked.

"Sound great," Tifa said. "I do need a new swimsuit since I didn't pack one and I sure could go for a tan."

And with that the trio left to the stores of the ship. Each and every one of them. The girls decided to use Chase as a pack mule and gave them all of their bags. After what seemed like hours of shopping, and around three-dozen bags of clothes, they were making their way back up to their rooms.

Somehow, Chase held on to every bag that they gave him. He had him swung over his shoulder and this is where Tifa noticed his bicep. Sure the white shirt wasn't see through but every time but her and Yuffie looked back to see him, they couldn't help but blush.

"Can't believe that those two helped in saving the planet. They're acting like school girls," Chase thought.