Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIIwith the characters, items, places, etc. are the property of Square Enix, Inc. No infringement is intended.

Author's Note: This is a Cloud and Tifa story, just with a dramatic twist due to his absence. They will be happy later. My beta reader Denebola Leo has been a tremendous help to bringing this story to you readers.

Updated Chapter Changes: 7/26/20

-. Don't Think Twice .-

Chapter X

Early December, εγλ 0007

"I really don't like this uniform," Tifa said while pulling on the sage colored sash while closing the ship's cargo storage door behind her. The team had managed to sneak on board the boat crossing the ocean to Costa del Sol, but doing so meant being in disguise as Shinra infantryman and sailors. She took off her helmet, which freed her dark brown hair to flow down her back again. Wearing the head piece was stuffy, but the twill fabric of the blue uniform was surprisingly comfortable with the extra straps. She tossed the discarded gear on the floor next to her feet.

"I think it looks good on you," Cloud stated as he pulled his girlfriend towards him against a cargo box. She fell against his chest a little as the boat swayed against the waves, using her hands to steady herself on his shoulders.

"You don't think it wouldn't look better on the floor?" She asked him coyly, twirling her fingers around his blonde locks at the nape of his neck. He shivered a little at her touch, earning a chuckle from her.

"Oh, I know it would," he confirmed while wagging his eyebrows. She chuckled again.

"Kiss me," she ordered as she leaned in. Craving for her lips he cupped her pale cheeks in his hands, crushing his mouth against hers with hunger. He tangled his tongue with hers and tilted her head back to taste her more. He could feel her melt against him, allowing him to let a hand travel down her back to gently squeeze her ass. The move startled her a little, making her squeal in delight with a smile as she kissed him back. She liked what he was doing to her and he needed more.

The wailing of the alarm bounced off the metal walls within the cargo hold, interrupting the kiss as the two looked above at the silver box on the wall over their heads. The speaker started to crackle as it turned on, giving off a warning. "Emergency alert! Reports of a suspicious character found! Those not on detail, search the ship. Report when found! I repeat—"

"Damn it," Cloud cursed at the speaker box. "We'll have to pick this up later."

"Hmm, promise?" Tifa cocked an eyebrow towards him before she bent over to pick up her headgear near the door behind her. Cloud observed she lingered for a moment, perhaps on purpose, so he had the perfect view of how tight her disguise was. The blue fabric perfectly molded her bottom he noticed before she straightened her herself up slowly. When she finished tucking her locks under her helmet she looked over her shoulder while clasping the strap giving him a smug look as her ruby eyes had a playful sparkle to them. She was playing him on purpose, and would dearly pay for this later.

"Promise."


September 25th, εγλ 0009, 8:15 a.m.

The last week of his business had been draining with traveling to each side of the globe to meet with his clients. Physically asserting himself to reach every town as quickly as possible, the customers he met seemed to make the transition with no complications. Strife Delivery Service was now officially closed.

Cloud was sharply dressed in his new navy business suit with the golden emblem of his new company etched onto the front chest pocket. He skipped the tie like he told Reeve he would, and left the button on the top of his white-collar shirt loose. It was very much like the executive wear that top Shinra officials wore if he opted for the red tie. He had tossed aside the dress black shoes for his regular boots, figuring he could get away with it as they were the same color.

He surprised the children this morning by taking them to school as his arrival back home was very late the night before. Marlene and Denzel were ecstatic to see him, but he silently hushed them in order to not wake up Tifa. After their breakfast he ushered the kids off to school, leaving a note for his wife again.

He arrived at the small office complex that was a few blocks away from the school. It was only a couple of stories tall and held the offices of other WRO administrators like himself. He recognized this neighborhood since it close to Johnny's Heaven and home to other small businesses. Passing through the frosted glass door, Cloud stepped into a small office lobby that had a blue couch and a dark wooden coffee table scattered with pamphlets. Sitting at the desk was a young female secretary with short brown hair and brown eyes working away at her computer while on the phone. She nodded to him with a smile on her face, and he could hear her say "he's here" into the mouthpiece. As she hung up the phone a petite blonde-haired woman, whose style was even shorter, came down the hallway and extended her hand to Cloud as she approached him. He noticed she was wearing the official WRO uniform with the red stain tie and sleek navy skirt for female personnel.

"Welcome to the World Regenesis Organization. You must be Cloud Strife, our new trade administrator?" She questioned as she shook his hand.

"Uh, yes," He confirmed with a nod.

"I'm Alyssa Zadeille, head of education and this is Iris Amicita. She's the secretary for all the administrators here. The only other official here is Bartholomew Esthiem, our urban development administrator but he is rarely here with the travel. Can I show you to your office so you may get settled in?" She asked.

Cloud nodded and followed his coworker down the hallway to his office, a simple layout of a desk with a computer, a few gray cushioned chairs for himself and any guest, and a window towards the bustling street of Edge. The pale walls were bare, making the office look almost sterile if it wasn't for a small potted jade plant by the door. The eager woman cheerfully informed him if he needed anything, to seek her or Iris out. He nodded as he sat down and flicked on the computer screen, and he was relieved when she shut the door behind her.

"What did I get myself into?" Cloud muttered to himself with a sigh.


October 2nd, εγλ 0009, 10:07 a.m.

She had just stepped into the bar that morning when Yuffie entered through the front door. She was a little surprised to see her ninja friend as she didn't know she was in Edge. Tifa hadn't even spoken to her since the Remnants disappeared along with Sephiroth's defeat a few weeks ago. Had it really been almost a month since Cloud had been home?

"Hello, Yuffie. Here on business?" The barmaid inquired of the ninja as she leaned forward on the smooth mahogany countertop. She didn't need to set up for her patrons since she was closed for the day, so she didn't mind a small visit from her friend. Smiling, she tilted her head to the side as Yuffie made herself comfortable on a barstool.

"No, just here to see you. Cloud's been home for almost three weeks while you're dating and I haven't heard from you. What's going on Teef?" Yuffie prodded gently.

Tifa was a little taken back by Yuffie's bold probing, but after seeing her troubled expression she concluded it was more for concern rather than curiosity. She promised Yuffie she'd reach out unlike before, when she kept her marriage troubles hidden, and she was failing in that aspect.

"I'm sorry," Tifa began quickly. "It's been an adjustment having Cloud back. The kids are thrilled with him home every day but…"

"But what?" Yuffie listened intently to her sister figure.

"He's been really quiet around me. Once the kids are in bed he disappears and barely says a word," Tifa explained faintly while avoiding Yuffie's brown eyes peering in.

"Well, it's got to be weird for him. His wife has a boyfriend now," Yuffie pointed out.

"I know, I just hope Marlene doesn't pick up on us fighting again. Things are calmer than when he first arrived, but even when the kids are around he tries to avoid me as much as possible," Tifa sighed forlornly about the melodrama. "There is too much tension, especially with the little incident last week."

"Ohhh! Two guys asserting dominance over you?" Yuffie asked a little too enthusiastically for her. Tifa gave her a serious look to not find amusement in her situation. The young Wutaian girl straightened herself up in the seat, ready to listen.

"No, Yuffie. I was too busy with the bar when Jace was actually in town for a party that was hosted. I barely saw him since it's awkward for him to be here with Cloud home, and I don't want to risk a fight in front of Denzel or Marlene. This has nothing to do with them!" Tifa spat out, rubbing her temples in annoyance. "Something has to change."

"Huh. I figured he would put up more of a fight for you," Yuffie stated.

Fight for her? "Why?" She let out the question, which she meant to ask for herself. Tifa stopped the motion of her fingers massaging her headache, bringing them to rest on the counter. She felt for a long time she wasn't worth fighting for.

"Because he loves you Tifa. But…he might be trying to let you go."

Tifa could only nod in return. She had moved on and she should give her husband space to do so himself. The last thing she needed was Marlene to call Barret again, which had had her on edge. The problems shouldn't affect the children, but it was with the pressure of trying to appear perfectly normal. The position both adults found themselves in was wearing them both thin.


Mid December, εγλ 0007

"Words aren't the only way to tell someone how you feel."

He seemed to be struggling with words earlier that night; outside on the beach of Costa del Sol he was stammering as he spoke. She could sense what he was feeling, and at that moment she didn't need to hear him declare how he truly felt. If he could show her it would only confirm what she already knew.

He had snuck them into the villa through the back window, the secrecy adding to their excitement. She wanted everything from him and he reciprocated with each kiss, touch, and sensation that shivered through her body. He levered himself up on his elbow to look down at her lying next to him on the soft bed. She had clung the sheets around her body, still too shy to show her body even after making love to him for the first time. Her cheeks colored a little, which she tried to cover up with a bashful smile to him. He was still slightly glistening with sweat from sex, his eyes also affected as they tenderly glowed. She reached up to stroke her fingers through the strands of his hair behind his ear, her touch not making his gaze falter from hers.

"I love you," he confessed.

"I know," her reply was softly spoken before she eased him down for a kiss. Her lips tenderly met his to give a slow and soothing kiss but she was met with his eagerness as he gently pressured back for a deeper kiss. As she sighed contently she told herself she would use those wise words again to get him to open up. For now, she was going to savor every moment she can in the private beach villa.


October 2nd, εγλ 0009, 1:46 p.m.

She hugged him in greeting when he surprised her at the bar by showing up. First Yuffie, and now Jace. It was just after lunch so her boyfriend currently being present would be fine for a little while at least. She only got to see him once last week with his delayed trip and busy night at the bar, and their time together had been a major fight and briefly making up.

"I couldn't wait to see you until tomorrow night, so I got an early airship ride over," he murmured with a silky voice into her soft brown hair, giving her shoulder a tight squeeze in his embrace.

"Hmm, I missed you too," she replied while she backed away from his gentle hold to face him. Biting her lip, she cautiously reminded him of their situation, not wanting to provoke another altercation. "It's okay if you stay for a while before he gets home."

Jace groaned in irritation as he let her go, motioning towards the bar. "Am I ever going to be allowed to see my girlfriend in her home?"

I'm just worried about the tension in front of the kids. He is still a father to them, so he will be around," she started. "But I will talk to him about having you around more. Can you just duck out before he gets back? It won't go well if you're here when he is later." Or maybe just not go well at all.

"Tifa, I'm not going to miss more time with you because of him," Jace said flatly.

"And you're not going to. Give me the chance to talk to him. Please? I don't want to spend your time here arguing again," she pleaded.

Ok, I can never deny those ruby eyes of yours," Jace leaned in again as he grabbed her waist. Tifa was a little caught off guard with his move, but the sound of the door to the garage closing widened her eyes and her chest began to flutter with anxiety. Tifa couldn't believe the timing, the last thing she wanted was a fight with Cloud. Her eyes darted to Jace's amber orbs, which reflected the same level alarm as she had. Their complicated relationship could irk her boyfriend, but he still had empathy underneath. Reluctantly his hands left her midsection as she straightened her body up, moving a short distance from Jace just as Cloud walked in the bar area.

He was still in his work attire as he had arrived home early from the WRO office in Edge. His blue eyes glowed with distress, Tifa noting that the look was there long before he entered into Seventh Heaven. She could see his eyes flicker with darkness momentarily as he noticed Jace standing next to her, shaking his head slightly to clear away his anger.

"Uh, sorry," the blonde muttered before he backed away to the staircase. "I'll be upstairs before school lets out." Tifa watched him go and sighed to herself, wondering what it was that could have bothered him before he entered their home. Cloud was clearly troubled, but not about Jace. She didn't want to take the chance to be around if it was, wanting to avoid conflict until later. Cloud's moodiness would not get in the way of her night out.

"Well…That was different," the sandy-haired man commented.

"Hmm…not for the past few weeks," Tifa calmly replied. "Let's go out early on our date."

Tifa quickly jotted down a note she'd be out for her night off, and a prepared dish was waiting in the refrigerator for dinner. Grabbing her boyfriend's hand, she quickly led him outside the tavern while she still had the courage to do so. If only life could be more simple and clean, but hers was far from it right now.


September 30th, εγλ 0009, 10:42 p.m.

— Last Monday —

"You're not able to come out until Thursday?" He could hear her voice through her cracked bedroom door as he made his way up the stairs. "Jace, it's still too soon for you to be at Seventh Heaven. It'll cause a conflict." He had assumed that was whom she was speaking with, now it was confirmed.

"I can come by after I close. There is a birthday party being hosted here that evening and I can't close the bar after accepting the deposit." Tifa calmly explained.

"I'm not making Cloud leave. It's a school night and he is watching the children. Jace—" He could hear her voice hasten with worry, the floorboards creaked from her room as she paced. He reached the door to his bedroom, wanting to get away from the unintended eavesdropping of his wife's fight. He was avoiding her at all costs lately, trying to give himself space from her.

"No, I do not love Cloud. I love you," she gasped into her cellphone.

His breath hitched, gripping the cold metal doorknob tighter to try to get to his own space but her confession froze his body. His insides cringed at the affirmation, thoughts racing through his head of Tifa.

"Please, don't do this. This is hard on me too. Just a little more time like we planned…" Tifa began to sob softly as she begged for understanding. "This is not in my control either! I have work too!" Cloud caught the sound of her crying even harder, feeling his heartache intensify within his chest. Tifa in pain was hard to witness, and he was the one causing her anguish again.

All he ever wanted was for her to be happy. The past couple weeks have been hard but he knows now he can't be the one to make her happy again.


October 2nd, εγλ 0009, 9:24 p.m.

"Tifa, I think we need…to talk," Cloud began after he came downstairs when he heard her arrive. He looked at her face as he swallowed hard, mulling over the appointment he had earlier today. He took a seat at the kitchen table, but not before he pulled out a chair for her to sit as well. Taking his offer she slowly nodded in agreement, sitting down across from him.

"You've been quiet lately…but I know it's hard being back home. I'm glad you have been here for the children," she said calmly before clearing her throat.

"This is going to be harder to say now," he chuckled to himself.

"I don't understand," she countered, giving him a skeptical look. Her forehead crinkled a bit as she tried to read him.

"I'm…moving out. I found a place between the office and the school. I think it'll be much easier that I'm not here…," he trailed off as he broke the news, frowning down at the wooden surface of the table.

"Easier? On who?" Tifa inquired.

"On you. Teef, I don't wanna leave the kids, and I know you're thinking of them right now. I'm not walking out on everyone again… but I can't stay here…and I think you know that," he explained in a matter-of-factly way to his wife.

"I'm thinking of them and also myself…I know you need to go, I just don't want you to completely disappear and leave me with the responsibility. It's been nice to have you around to co-parent but… this isn't working," she confessed apprehensively, hiding her face under her palms.

"That's not what is going to happen this time. Moving out is part of the process anyway. I have to do this," Cloud murmured.

Tifa straightened up while revealing her puzzled expression, her fiery red eyes narrowing back at Cloud's arctic blue. "Process?"

"For divorce. I filed today and I have to move out to begin the process Tifa."


Author's Note Continued: Oh no! Cloud and Tifa are getting a divorce?! This was so hard to write, breaking up my OTP even harder than before. Cloud can't give up on her now!

Chapter updated on 7/26/20; date/time stamp changes applied.