Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy any of it's characters or references.

Firstly let me say thank you to all who reviewed, I managed to hit 100 and amaranthos, what you did was really sweet and kind, I thank you for it.

Enjoy chapter 11 or not.

Chapter 11: Dawn

It was still early when they arrived at the Gold Saucer or so it appeared, the sun had already set but night had yet to fall, all the clouds had receded with the golden orb. Tifa hopped off Fenrir first followed by Cloud. They had parked the bike in the parking lot and had to get onto the tram to get up to the entrance of the only theme park on Gaia. All the while the two were in an awkward silence, neither one not knowing what to say to each other, but somehow hey felt content in the silence. The tram came to a halt and the doors opened, Cloud and Tifa were the only ones that occupied the tram, Tifa stepped out first followed by Cloud, both were dressed in their usual attire. Tifa had on her small white tank top, with the black leather vest over it, and her short black pants that stopped short of her knees, she also wore a silver wolf ring on one of her fingers, her abdomen was exposed, and a pair of black shoes on her feet. Cloud was dressed in his dark blue t-shirt that had a zipper instead of buttons, his long equally dark jeans and a pair of dark brown boots on his feet that also had zippers on them and a silver wolf earring on his left ear. He didn't have on his sword holster on him and his shoulder guard was also removed. The duo walked in silence towards the entrance of the park.

Cloud showed his lifetime pass to the guard at the door and motioned for Tifa to enter before him, which she did but not before slipping him one of her trademark smiles. Once both of them were inside Tifa turned to face Cloud.

"Ok so where do you want to go first?" Tifa asked.

"You choose," Cloud replied, not really taking an interest, one ride was a good as another for him.

Tifa was slightly hurt and annoyed from his response, she had expected him to select something or at least be interested but unfortunately he wasn't showing much emotion.

"Alright let's go to the Event Square, the play should start soon."

Cloud lowered his head and followed Tifa as she walked off in the direction of the Event Square.

'Not this again, last time I was there on a date with Aerith it didn't end so well' Cloud said in his mind recollecting the events that happened, he himself didn't believe he made those choices to get Aerith angry at him.

"Cloud hurry up, stop dawdling around," Tifa called out from some distance ahead of him.

Cloud looked up to see Tifa ahead of him, he was to busy caught up in thought about his past experience there, but then again that didn't mean it was going to happen again, after all it was only because he was the 100th couple there.

'Red I hope you're right about this' Cloud said as he glanced up at the sky, it had already grown dark and in his mind he was still doubting himself.

Cloud immediately caught up with Tifa, there was hardly any people around probably because tomorrow was a workday, Cloud felt slightly relieved about it he didn't feel like dealing with crowds of people. As they walked side by side Cloud took Tifa's hand, he didn't know why maybe it was to give her security but he felt as if he should hold it.

Tifa couldn't fathom the feeling of joy that burst through her body when Cloud took her by the hand. When she had first entered the Gold Saucer she wondered if he would but realized that it would be out of character for him to do such an act so she went on ahead, now however she was in sheer bliss, she slightly squeezed his hand and stole a glance at him as they walked towards the Event Square.

Meanwhile Red was at his residence, he was standing on all fours looking at the cell phone on the table before him, it was similar to the one Cloud had, also around that cell phone on the table were several others, but they were broken beyond repair with holes in them, some split apart with wires and the circuit-board sticking out.

"Alright this is my last phone," Red said to himself slightly annoyed, "Now let's see, what was Cloud's number again?" He asked rhetorically.

Slowly he raised his right paw, he did his best to fold back his other toes and point out the index one only, but it had a sharp claw on it, he slowly lowered his paw towards the phone that sat on the table, but as the claw touched the phone it easily went through it wrecking it.

"Damnit!" Red said to himself, "That was my last phone, how do people even use these things they break so easily," Red fumed but suddenly got an idea, "I know I'll call grandpa and tell him to bring back a phone for me right away," but then realization hit, he had already wrecked all his phones, "Sorry Cloud I guess you're on your own," He finished.

Both Cloud and Tifa had arrived at Event Square, unlike Tifa who occasionally stole glances at him, Cloud however remained fixed on the path they traveled, he wanted to hide his nervousness from her, and he was partially worried that Red didn't call yet. After he had told Red how his date with Aerith had gone, the wild beast couldn't contain his laughter, but Red said that he would call him this time to help him so he wouldn't screw up.

When they entered they were surprised to see all the seats were filled by couples, the seating area was darkened, and the stage was brightly lit covered with bright colors and lights. Then something happened that Cloud didn't want to happen, a staff member dressed in a brown suit came up to the couple.

"Hey you two," The man said to Cloud and Tifa.

"Yeah, is something the matter?" Tifa asked, hoping that nothing was wrong, she didn't want anything to go wrong on her first date.

Somehow Cloud knew what the staff member was going to say but secretly prayed it wasn't what he thought it was.

"You two are the 100th couple to visit here tonight, you two get to play the main characters in the play," The man stated.

That was intercepted differently by the two Tifa was overjoyed, she had never acted before and looked forward to the experience, but Cloud it hit him like a sledgehammer this wasn't happening the way he wanted.

"Don't worry it's not hard, the rest of the cast will help you out if you get in trouble," The staff member explained.

Tifa looked at Cloud's face, it seemed like he seemed to be cringing in pain, "Come on Cloud it'll be fun," she said as she took him by the hand and led him to the stage.

Cloud and Tifa were now backstage the narrator had begun the opening scene of the play.

Narrator: Long, long ago. An evil shadow appeared over the peaceful kingdom of Galdia. Princess Rosa was just kidnapped by the Evil Dragon King, Valvados. What will become of her? Just then, the legendary hero, Alfred appears!

Cloud knew what was going to happen next this was the same play both him and Aerith had to participate in almost three years ago, at this point Cloud walks onto the stage along with an actor dressed as a knight, there was a brief applause from the audience.

"Sir, you must be the great hero Alfred," The knight said referring to Cloud.

Cloud knowing it was his queue does a slight bow.

"Alfred, I beg of you save princess Rosa, now please talk to the king," The actor said again.

Another actor walks onto the stage, this time dressed as an authentic King.

"Alfred, you have come to save my precious Rosa, the dragon king Valvados dwells atop of that mountain," The king said. Both him and Cloud turn to the canvas on the rear to the stage to see a mountain painted in, "But you cannot beat the dragon king as you are you must seek the aid of someone."

Another actor came onstage this one dressed as a sorcerer.

"I am the king's sorcerer, what is it you wish to know?" The sorcerer asked.

"Tell me of the dragon king's weaknesses?" Cloud asked trying to fill the role but still feeling a bit uneasy and trying to make all rational choices, he didn't want another repeat event of what happened last time, or else he probably won't be welcome in Seventh Heaven again.

"You seek to know of the dragon king's weaknesses, ahh this power it must be true love, the power of love is the only weapon that can slay the dragon king," The sorcerer said with a remarkable performance. Even the audience seemed to be getting into the play as their cheers could be heard.

Cloud wondered how Tifa was doing, he hoped she wasn't hurt, he hadn't seen her since he had been on stage. Suddenly another actor came onto stage, this one different from the others, he was larger than the others and easily towered over Cloud, he was dressed as a dragon, and was holding Tifa, while she was pretending to be helpless, Cloud knew she could easily turn the tables on him and pummel the man.

"I am the evil dragon king Valvados," The actor said in a loud tone trying his best to sound sinister but failing miserably sounding more like a comic, "I have not harmed the princess, I have been expecting you Alfred!"

"Oh! please save me Alfred," Tifa said trying to sound helpless, Cloud stifled the urge to laugh but also couldn't help the building of rage within in to pummel the man that was holding Tifa, no matter if it was a play he had the urge to protect her.

"Alfred prepare for your demise!" The dragon king roared at Cloud.

"What will you do now?" The sorcerer asked.

Cloud then went over to Tifa, he knelt down on one knee, he then took her hand and placed a kiss upon it.

"Cloud," Tifa said almost losing her breath and forgetting her line but quickly realizing it and coming to her senses, "I mean, Alfred."

"Curses!" The actor then stumbles back, "The power of love!" The dragon king slowly disappears of the stage behind Cloud and Tifa.

The crowd erupted with an applause as well as cheers towards the actors especially the main cast.

"Look the power of love has triumphed," The king said, "Come everyone let's celebrate."

Narrator: And so the evil dragon king was defeated and Alfred and Rosa lived happily ever after.

Cloud and Tifa managed to slip out of the Event Square and headed for the station.

"Cloud thanks a lot for that," Tifa said to him.

Cloud turned to her his expression seemed to be gentler than before, "Don't worry I'm just glad I didn't mess up."

"How would you have messed up?" She queried with a raised eyebrow.

Cloud not wanting to go into that experience changed the topic, "How about we go on the Gondola?" He asked.

Tifa face lit up at his suggestion, finally Cloud was beginning to act as if he was on a date and not his usual cold self, "Alright then let's go."

The couple then proceeded to the Round Square, where they stopped at the ticket booth to purchase two tickets, they then got into the carriage together, as soon as they were seated the Gondola was lifted up into the air and began going higher and higher, Tifa sat close to the window and Cloud was opposite her, sitting on the other side.

"It's so beautiful Cloud," Tifa said commenting upon seeing all the lights on the Gold Saucer from such a height, suddenly fireworks began to go off, Tifa looked on amazed at what she saw while Cloud remained rooted to his seat, his eyes fixed on the maiden. Tifa turned to him again, "Cloud thanks for everything."

"What are you thanking me for, I'm the one that should be apologizing to you," He retorted.

"Cloud I'm sorry again," Tifa apologized, "I didn't mean to lose my temper, I'm always so mean to you and her you are being so kind to me…" She was cut off.

"Tifa don't worry about it, I was the one that was wrong, you trusted me and I betrayed you, but let's forget about it, it's in the past," He finished.

"Alright then," She said smiling at him.

The Gondola then came to a halt and couple stepped out.

"It's pretty late, and I don't want to leave the kid's with Barret for to long, we should probably head back," Tifa said.

"Yeah you're probably right," Cloud agreed.

"But it was fun we should do this again, sometime soon," Tifa added hoping he'd agree so she'd get to go on another date with him.

"Yeah I guess it was," was all Cloud replied but it left Tifa happy.

It was around half past eleven when they reached back to seventh heaven. Cloud parked his bike and they both got off, when he opened the door, he was followed by a beaming Tifa who couldn't seem to get the smile off her face, they went past the bar and into the living room to see Barret asleep on the couch with Marlene sleeping on him and Denzel sleeping on another couch.

"We should carry them to their beds," Tifa suggested.

"What about Barret?" Cloud asked.

"Leave him, just bring him a blanket," Tifa answered.

Cloud picked up Denzel and Tifa picked up Marlene, they both carried them to their room and placed them on their respective beds, both children didn't flinch while being transferred but settled in when they landed on their soft beds. Tifa then went about getting a blanket for Barret. After she was finished, she went on her way to find Cloud, he had already changed and was in his room. She stood in his doorway smiling, Cloud who was sitting on his windowsill looking out at nothing in particular turned to face her.

"I really had fun tonight," Tifa said to him.

Cloud silently got up off the windowsill and walked over to her, he then took her hand and led her up the stairs and down the hall to her room.

"It was fun, wasn't it?" Cloud asked her.

"Yeah it was," She replied.

Both their bodies were extremely close to each other probably because they were facing each other in a narrow passageway. Before Tifa knew what she was doing and before Cloud could react she was on her toes and her arms were wrapped around his neck and they were both in a soft kiss, at first it had caught him by surprise but he slowly gave in and wrapped his hand around her waist, both their lips were fused together as they gently brushed over each other, it wasn't deep but the feeling of both their lips touching was intoxicating but after a few minutes he violently pulled away leaving a confused Tifa.

"Cloud is everything alright?" she asked concerned since he was looking down and panting heavily.

"Tifa I'm sorry but we should never let things get that far," Cloud responded.

"Huh Cloud what's going on?" Tifa asked.

"Tifa, we shouldn't have done that, we shouldn't do it again," Cloud stated.

Tifa was almost in tears, "I don't understand why?" She questioned.

Cloud turned around not facing her, "I already told you I cannot return what you feel for me, please Tifa."

That was the blow that splintered everything, the tears came down without Tifa even noticing it, "But all that happened today, why did you carry me on a date?" She questioned refusing to give in to her weakness.

"Because I don't want you to hate me, you're my best friend and I don't want to lose you," Cloud replied.

"I still don't sob understand, sob why can't you love me?" Tifa said her sobs becoming apparent.

"Tifa you mean a lot to me, but please don't ask this of me," Could said surprisingly calm.

Tifa's tears began falling on the floor, the wet streams across her face could clear be seen even in the dim light of the hallway, "Will I always be here only a friend?" She asked.

"I don't know," Was his reply.

Tifa cleared the distance between them despite his back facing her she hugged him tightly and wrapped her arms around his stomach.

"Cloud I don't know why I feel this way, I only know that I do, Cloud please say it's not true," Tifa said pleading.

Cloud turned to face her, he looked down at her, his glowing eyes calm and gentle, he ungloved his hands and wiped away her tears, Tifa could feel her sadness regress by his action, he then suddenly embraced her, it was an action that took her surprise, but she hugged him back.

"Cloud please understand, I do not wish to see you sad, but I can't return what you feel for me, please understand," Cloud apologized.

"Will you always love her and not me?" She asked with an eerie calm.

"I'm not sure," Cloud answered with the same calmness.

"So you do love her and not me," Tifa spoke sadly.

Cloud broke the embrace and he looked into her eyes, he saw her heartbreak, her loneliness, her pain, her suffering, it was all reflected in those beautiful ruby eyes of hers. He turned away from her and proceeded down the dark corridor, he almost vanished from view when she collapsed on her knees, her tears still running, but she heard the words he spoke next.

"Please forgive me."

To Be Continued…

Ok this chapter took really long to write and I don't know how it turned out, but you'll let me know won't you, for some reason I felt the characters felt really static, oh and in case you haven't realized, I really like Red, he was one of my most favorite characters during the game, to bad AC made him look pathetic. I think I've spent to much time on this fic I'm going to update DT now.

Oh and thanks again to all my readers, I love you guys, you're the best, and to all my reviewers, ALL OF YOU: Thanks, thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Till next time...