Disclaimer:
Nah, still don't own it and probably never will...
Author's Note:
Okay, after you finish reading this extremely short chapter you're probably gonna want to hunt me down and kill me in cold blood. And sorry for forgetting about Tifa's mothering skills in the previous chapter. I had it all planned out but just forgot to add it in. I'll update the chapter later when I don't feel so lazy. Anyhoo, for the one reviewer who was rather disappointed that there wasn't a sex scene last chapter, I can explain. I wanna give the two time to develop stronger feelings before any of that happens and after this chapter you're gonna understand why. The lemon will be in later chapters and yes I will change the rating when I upload the chapter that it is in. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. They've really inspired me. I've already made great progress with chapter 17 and hope to have it up sometime soon. Please review after you read and please try to keep the death threats to a minimum...
That night. Cloud's apartment.
Cloud paced back and forth in front of his bed, a look of extreme anger and rage on his face. He thought for sure that he would win custody; Randy had dug up every single dirty thing that Reno had done while he was in the Turks, but the second he opened his mouth about his family is when the battle was lost for Cloud.
Getting back with Tifa and raising their son had been the only thing on Cloud's mind for so long that his heart physically ached. He just couldn't believe that she would deny him the right to start over anew. He had come to her, vulnerable, and she still cut him down and humiliated him.
He collapsed onto his bed and rested his elbows on his knees, propping his head in his hands. He was so angry after the judge read the verdict that he left immediately after court had ended. He didn't even want to look at Tifa anymore. What she had done to him was unforgivable. He had never been so humiliated in all his life.
He quickly got up and resumed his pacing, this time talking to no one in particular. "How could she do this to me?" He shouted, raising his hands to his head, tempted to start ripping his golden hair out by the roots. "I would have won! I should have won! Logan is my son too! She can't deny me my son!"
"Cloud, don't get so angry," a soft voice said from behind him.
Cloud froze and whirled around, his jaw dropped when he saw the oh so familiar face of the innocent flower girl that had stolen his heart. "Aeris?" He asked, taking a few hesitant steps toward her.
She smiled. "Yes, Cloud, it's me."
"What are you doing here?" He asked, moving closer to her.
"I have returned to help you in your time of need."
"Please, I don't know what to do," he said, his shoulders slumping.
"Don't fret. Tifa does not know what she is doing either. Reno spoke lies in the courtroom today. He made up the story of his mother and sister just to make the jury take Tifa's side," Aeris said, her words growing more hateful and venomous.
Cloud nodded his head, believing her every word. "Yes, he lied. Tifa told him to lie; she didn't want me to win custody."
"Exactly. We must pay them back."
"But how?" Cloud asked, wanting to find out where Aeris was going.
"If the courts won't reward you Logan then you must take him yourself."
A thoughtful look washed into Cloud's eyes. "Of course. Why didn't I think of that? But how can we kidnap him?"
Aeris smiled sinisterly before a white light engulfed her. When the light died, Tifa stood before Cloud.
"Aeris?" Cloud asked, unsure of what was going on.
"This is how we kidnap Logan. I will disguise myself as Tifa. Logan won't know the difference." Even Aeris's voice had changed to match Tifa's.
Cloud's excitement rose. "When?" He asked. "When will we do this?"
Aeris returned to her normal form. "Soon, my dear Cloud, soon." She smirked and a bright green glow permeated from her once tranquil eyes.
