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

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy this new chapter! They will be happy later. Thanks to my beta reader Denebola Leo for her input and suggestions for the drama. This is a Cloud and Tifa story, just with a dramatic twist due to his absence.

Updated 7/26/20

-. Don't Think Twice .-

Chapter XVI

November 29th, εγλ 0009, 10:32 a.m.

"Did you really have to do that again? I thought I told you not to do that," Zack began to chide, pulling her arm to turn her around. He knew they should've left after the first incident, but here they were out on the blanched frost, unbothered by the freezings temps, causing more trouble.

"You said no more iceballs," Aerith pointed into his chest for emphasis, squinting her emerald eyes at him. "So I used a snowball this time."

"Aerith…" the ebon-haired man ran his hand over his face in disbelief. "You knew what I meant the first time!"

"Well...Tifa needs to be home near Cloud, not up here with Jace. This way it works out," she shrugged without a care in the world. "He was being mean to her again."

"Yeah but...he doesn't deserve this either," he winced at the memory of seeing the man collided into the tree from the blow. His girlfriend's throw caused more damage than she intended, seeing the medical staff of the ice resort tend to his head injury.


November 29th, εγλ 0009, 5:07 p.m.

"We're here," she softly spoke as not to disturb him. Jace was laying his head back against the cushion in the back of the car, wearing sunglasses despite it being close to the evening hours. Even in North Corel, the daylight hours were shorter due to the winter season. "Do you need help?"

"Probably just getting out of the car," he sat up, grabbing his wallet to tip their driver. "Sir, if you could bring my suitcase inside I'd appreciate it. I can't do any lifting."

"Yes sir," the driver nodded as he grabbed the wad of gil from Jace's hand, placing it in his front coat pocket before getting out of the car to open the trunk.

"I'm not staying?" Tifa asked, rather confused by Jace while stepping out of the cab. She reached out her hand to support Jace up, who took it reluctantly. Hoisting him out of the car, she steadied him as he stood up straight. The doctor at Icicle Inn carefully explained the extent of his injuries, and how to avoid triggering additional pain. Low noise and light is needed for his mild concussion, as well as rest, but he was able to walk on his own.

"I...I don't like you seeing me weak," Jace looked away from her, his face reflecting shame. "I'll be fine once I am checked out by the company doctor, so don't worry about me."

"This was supposed to be our time together," Tifa tried to persuade him, cupping his cheek in her palm so he could face her once again. He was only injured, not weak. "I still have the bar covered, so it's no trouble for me at all if I stay with you."

"Tifa, please," he pleaded as he laid his hand over hers and leaned into her touch. "I only need a doctor to take care of me, not you. You've done enough of taking care of everyone else in your life."

"But—"

"But nothing. I'll be fine here. If I can, in a few days I'll come back to Edge, and we can lay up in a hotel room."

"You two lovebirds wanna hurry up? It's cold out here!" Ester called from the doorstep, taking the suitcase from the driver while waving them to get closer.

"I guess…I'll be going," she said while setting her hand on his shoulder, stepping up on her toes to give him a kiss. Taking her cue he cupped her face, slanting his mouth over hers fervidly. After a few kisses, Tifa gently pushed back. "Aren't you supposed to be taking it easy?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I won't miss you," his breath tickled her lips, giving her a quick peck. "You better get going."

"Let me know what the doctor says, okay?" Tifa requested, encircling her arms around him in a gentle squeeze. She would miss him too, but she can't hold up the cab driver any longer if she had to go. It hurt her that he didn't want her to stay, but she wanted to respect his wishes. Arguing in his condition would only make things worse.

"I will."

"Bye," she whispered into his ear, before letting him go. Before stepping into the car, she gave him a small smile she had to force before closing the door. Through the frosted window, she could see him wave back as she began to be pulled away.

.

.

.

Jace sighed in relief as the cab drove down the street, a mixture of guilt residing inside him along with it. Her staying would've been nice, but also a spell for trouble. Walking up the sidewalk, he stopped at the bottom of the stairs when he noticed the blond woman looking down at him, a hint of censure in her eyes.

"What?"

"She only wants to help," Ester began to chide, pushing the door further open behind her into the small office complex for the chocobo managers just outside the racing arena. The team doctor was meeting them here in the small infirmary they had built a year and a half ago. This town overturned from dust and sand, being developed rather fast, he mused while he sat on the couch, ignoring his friend.

"You know the injury isn't that serious, it's just policy our doctor has to check you out. Tifa could've stayed with you easily, but instead, you pushed her out of here," Ester continued as she took a seat on the other couch, crossing her legs.

Feeling uneasy, he squirmed in his seat a little under her pointed gaze. "When is the doc getting here?"

"When he does, Jace," she answered quickly. "I know it's none of my business but I know yer past. If you're hiding another woman—"

"That's not why I don't want her here, Ester," Jace cut her off, getting rather impatient with her butting into his life. "Tifa is the only woman I'm with, and it's been that way for a long time."

"Then what is it, exactly? I won't drop it until you tell me," his boss pushed.

"I can't risk Tifa knowing how we started. She'd...never forgive me."

"What d'ya mean?"


Early January, εγλ 0008

She had almost lost hope that he was even alive. Nanaki had told her that the Lifestream has cracks in the surface of the Planet, sometimes flowing out into the ocean. They had traveled around Gaia with the Highwind, an airship the crew recently acquired upon her rescue from Junon. There, she thought she was going to die without ever seeing Cloud again. North, south, east, and west they flew while dodging the chaos caused by the WEAPONS roaming about.

But there was still no sign of Cloud, until a stranger slipped out a rumor during a conversation of a young man found a week before near Mideel that was deeply sick. A man with 'pokey' hair and weird eyes, holding a long sword that washed up on their shorelines.

He was...ill. Suffering from mako poisoning again, but now a much more severe case. Tifa recognized the similarities of his condition from when she first found him in Midgar, now just greatly exaggerated. He had an oxygen mask on to help him breathe, and could barely talk coherently while in a constant state of utter confusion.

The doctor had no hope for him, but she did. The medical staff was kind in allowing her to help take care of him, as she had once done before back at Seventh Heaven. This second case of mako poisoning was taking a toll on her. The fevers were higher and lasted longer, and she couldn't get through to him with her words. When he took her bed in her old room, it was nice being able to talk to him while she helped feed him potato leek soup.

But now...he would ask what number he was.

Gripping onto his sweater, she bit back the tears from falling, laying by his side on the hospital bed. It was nightfall and the others were long gone, leaving her alone with Cloud, as she requested. Her friends truly understood her needs right now, even in a time like this. Trying to get him better, staying with him in the seaside clinic was all she could possibly do. Barret was apprehensive about leaving her, speaking the same doubts out loud that had lingered in the back of her own mind.

"Tifa...I don't like askin' this but… Is he really your childhood friend? And not Sephiroth's shadow?"

Cloud couldn't have been created in some Shinra lab! How could someone that feels so real to her, not be a human being at all? The love she felt for him, and the way he returned her affections couldn't be from a lifeless clone. He had to be real, what they had together was real. Even if his memories weren't his own…he was still Cloud.

Always and forever.


November 29th, εγλ 0009, 6:43 p.m.

The bell chimed as she opened the door to enter Johnny's Heaven from the brisk cold. Winter was coming fast to Edge, high winds, and dropping temperatures, but no sign of snow just yet. Her airship had landed an hour ago, but she had some business to take care of tonight before settling in for bed.

Over the bustling crowd inside the tavern, she could see Johnny waving to her as she entered. Giving him a bright smile, she waved back. It was nice to see business was good for him too, and he took her advice to have his outdoor bar be half converted to indoors. He wanted to open his own place, and was a little apprehensive he'd be stepping in her turf if he did. A location on the opposite side of the city evened things out, and Tifa was relieved to have a partner to call if need be. Whenever the businesses needed help, they worked together.

When she stopped at her home that evening she was proud to see how well the bartender she contracted from Johnny handled the patrons occupying her bar. Being so close to the holidays, business was booming for the both of them. She gripped the envelope in the pocket of her charcoal woolen coat that held the gil as she promised him, but was paying it early. Tifa met him halfway near the counter, giving him a friendly hug as he gently patted her back.

"Tifa, I didn't expect to see you so early, but it's still great to see you," Johnny said as he let her go from their platonic embrace. "Was the trip canceled?"

"Something like that, but I'm going to take the time off anyway. I've never had the whole house to myself before," she replied as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Pulling the small paper pouch from her pocket, she handed him his money. "Here. The rest of the payment for your staff covering my place."

"Thanks, Tifa," he said as he grabbed the gil from her. "Did you want to stay for a drink? It's on the house."

"I'm afraid I can't. I did so much air travel today, and it's catching up to me. But thank you for the offer."

"Anytime. I gotta get back though, so I'll see you around sometime?"

"Of course," she answered with a genuine smile.

"Take care, Tifa," he nodded before making his way back over to his customers sitting at the counter. She observed him for a moment, taking an order, then shaking up a cocktail in a metal mixer cup. Taking one glance around the bar, she was about to take her leave when she spotted a golden halo of spiky hair sitting on a raised table near the wall. A familiar man from her life with impressively deep blue eyes.

A man that wasn't alone either.

A cute and very petite girl with short dark hair sat across from him, giggling as they conversed over cocktails. He was smiling at her, and she reached out to cover his hand with her palm in an intimate manner. When she saw his other hand come up and cover the hand belonging to the pretty doe-eyed girl…

Her red eyes flickered at the willing gesture by him, and she turned around and hastily squeezed past a few strangers, stepping out into the frigid night air outside the loud tavern.

What was the matter with her?

Cloud was moving on, like she was. She should be happy for him, but there was some sort of twisted pain in her heart. Had she imagined all the moments between them lately? Hadn't he been flirting with her? Wait...why does this all matter to her? Her heart may have belonged to him once, but that was a long time ago.

Tifa loved Jace, not him. The man that made her find fun and happiness in her life again, and his constant patience and kindness with her past made her love him in return. Her boyfriend was an unexpected yet welcoming surprise in her life, and it didn't matter the rough patches they had upon Cloud's return. He was stable, not a cause of constant worry. Tifa chose Jace.

Sighing deeply, she saw the mist of her breath disappear into the air, just as much as her anxiety did so.

.

.

.

It was getting kind of boring, going straight home from work each night, as the kids were away with Barret now. It had been a while since he last saw Johnny's Heaven and the word on the street was that this was the place to go to for a butter burger. Deciding to try out a new place for food, Cloud found himself dining inside the tavern tonight instead of take out. While waiting on his food and drinking his beer, his coworker dropped in to pick up her to-go order.

As she approached his table with her order wrapped in a bag, Iris teased him slightly that she thought he never went out anywhere. After some small talk, she asked if she could join him, and he accepted her offer for a small dinner between friends.

Or so he thought.

This wasn't a date to him, but he seemed to be giving the wrong impression to the young woman sitting across from him, giggling after having a few drinks herself. He never imagined she would be this forward, but then she reached out and clasped her hand over his.

"Y'know Cloud, this almost feels like a date. Maybe we should go out sometime?" she playfully suggested as she tilted her head to the side, squeezing his hand lightly.

Clearing his throat, he reached over to her hand and gently detached her hold from his. Cloud could see the hurt reflected in her eyes, but she was getting the wrong idea by him. He didn't want to lead her on, as he only wanted to be with one woman. "I'm already taken."

"Oh, I didn't know. Silly me," her voice was shaken by his rejection as her pale cheeks reddened. "I'm sorry, I thought—"

"It's alright. Friends?"

Nodding that he was willing to push this awkward moment behind them, she smiled. "Friends."


December 2nd, εγλ 0009, 10:54 p.m.

Jace finally made it out to Edge after a few days of rest, being cleared by the doctor, he could go back to moderate everyday activity. Chocobo riding was out of the question for at least a week, but that meant that they could spend time together as they had planned. Sleeping in late on a plush hotel bed with him by her side the past few days was all she needed. Fancy dinners, some dancing that evening, as they did most of the week was a nice way to liven up their staycation.

Tifa reminisced about their date as they walked in silence down the hallway. It was nearing 11:00 pm, and both adults were tired. It was her last night she could stay at the hotel, as the children would be returning tomorrow after school. It was their last night with Barret, and he would be the one to drop them off at school in the morning. Then her normal routine with the children would begin again…along with her co-parenting with Cloud.

She twisted the Fenrir ring around on her finger while sighing, as she hadn't thought about the blond for days now. Cloud made her tired, so very tired with his complexities and confusion he caused her lately. With Jace she didn't have to worry about his feelings, providing her a sense of normalcy with his honesty and open love. She didn't have to second guess her importance with Jace.

Adjusting the metal band back into place she looked up to see her boyfriend staring at her, the door to their room slightly ajar from him unlocking it. "What's wrong?"

"N–nothing," Tifa dismissed softly. To her, it really was nothing.

"What is that ring, anyway?" Jace asked, pushing the door further open to let her inside. Tifa stepped inside, taking off her wool coat to unveil the burgundy lace skater dress she purchased a few weeks ago before their trip. She was glad she got a chance to wear it sooner than later.

"Oh...it's a family ring. Kind of like a crest to symbolize all of us together. Barret, Denzel, and Marlene all have one," she explained. He had never asked about it before, but she still wore it all the time.

"And Cloud," Jace added, his voice a little tense as he removed his leather jacket. "He wears that wolf thing on his shoulder. Or used to? It looks familiar."

"Jace, is everything alright?"

"I've just never seen you so focused on it before," he explained quickly. "Is he...the one that gave it to you?"

"It was for all of us," she reassured again, stepping closer to him. "There's nothing to worry about here."

"But it's his symbol," Jace pressed again.

"I've been wearing it since the day you met me! Why is it suddenly an issue?"

"I don't know. Because he wasn't supposed to be in the picture at all?"

"It's been perfect the last few days Jace, and I don't know why you're trying to ruin a good night for us by bringing this up!" Tifa spat back, feeling exhausted by his insecurities.

"It was a perfect evening and a perfect week without him around. I just feel like in some way, he's always going to be there even when he's not."

"I'm here with you right now, and Cloud is probably with his date," she fought back with honesty. Maybe if he knew her ex had moved on, it might calm his anxiety.

"Probably?"

She shrugged. "He's started dating again, last I saw him."

"When you last saw him? Why am I just hearing all this now?" He asked, his hands on his hips, his eyes squinting at hers.

"I didn't think you wanted to hear about Cloud," she teased mildly, before turning serious. "And maybe if you knew he was dating now...it'd be easier."

"You expect me to believe he is suddenly over you? He can date whoever he wants, but I've seen the way he looks at you." Jace waved his hand towards her, pissed off.

"It looks like he's starting to get over me, if he's actually dating someone else." She looked down at her feet. Saying it made it feel so much more concrete. Steadying herself, she looked back up into his amber eyes. "Jace, I chose to be with you. Isn't that enough?"

"No, it isn't." His gaze flickered to the ring on her finger, before meeting her ruby eyes. Silently, he begged her to take it off.

Tifa stared in shock at what he was asking for. It was a symbol of her family, and he was inserting himself in between that to make her choose, but she wouldn't. She clenched one hand over the ring protectively, she bit her lip before speaking without reserve. "If you're saying what I think you're saying...this ring I wear is for my kids. For Barret."

"And Cloud, right?" Jace added again, this time with more bitterness when he spoke his name.

"No. And I'm not taking it off," Tifa asserted, grabbing her coat to place it back on. She understood his insecurities from time to time, but tonight was too much for her.

"Where are you going?" He asked, clearly agitated she would dare leave now.

"Home," she answered, rather annoyed with him, buttoning on her winter coat as quickly as possible. She gave him one last look as she opened the door. "Seems like you need to cool off for the night. We can talk tomorrow. Goodnight, Jace."

And she left. Gritting her teeth in anger she stormed down the hallway, away from her boyfriend and she put as much distance between her and the fight they had. Too many disputes on Cloud lately, and she had gone most of the week without a thought of the other man. This was out of nowhere tonight, very different than the patience she came to know. Stopping at the hotel entrance door she paused, thinking he might be at his limit with her. Glancing at the ring, she realized he had some point to be jealous. But she didn't appreciate that he was accusing her of feelings she didn't have, and putting her in a spot to pick him over her family.


December 6th, εγλ 0009, 1:18 p.m.

The kids were finally back in town and in school, but he had to speak with Tifa privately before he picked them up. With Christmas coming up the schedule for the holiday needed to be discussed. And he was going to ask for extra time despite having them more lately since he was about to be shipped off on yet another business trip. Tifa hadn't seen them for ten whole days already, while it had only been a week for him.

The front door to the tavern was unlocked for him, but she was nowhere to be seen inside Seventh Heaven. The lights were dimmed, and the 'closed' sign was flipped forward. He called out her name, but there was no answer. Sliding the pocket door open to the private kitchen he could smell the essence of fresh cocoa lingering in the air, seeing the remnants of the hot beverage being made earlier on the stove.

Spotting her outside, he smirked as he spied her sitting on a patio chair, her back turned to him as she drank her cocoa. He knew exactly what she was doing, and she was only partially prepared. Opening the coat closet he spotted her gloves, grabbing them quickly before joining her outside.

"I didn't see snow in the forecast," Cloud said as he came up behind her.

She turned to give him a small smile, as she always did. "It changed with the mid-morning news, so it'll be soon."

"Well, you forgot your gloves. Again," he chided while sitting across from her, sliding the winter accessory over to her on the outdoor table between them. Accepting his offer, she promptly put the gloves on.

"I didn't want to...miss the snow," Tifa explained sheepishly, taking another sip of her hot cocoa. The steam from the beverage raised out of the cup. At least she kept warm that way.

She was bundled up in her dark gray woolen coat, a black scarf tucked around her neck. The cold air made her cheeks rosy, making her appear more beautiful. Her pastime with the snow had always been a cute obsession of hers that he willfully obliged in to spend time with her. Her dark hair always looked so pretty when the snow started to fall, dusting her hair lightly as she smiled and sometimes danced in the new frost.

"Cloud?"

Being caught up in his memories, he hadn't realized he had been staring at her. If it wasn't for the brisk temperatures outside, her face would've reddened with how bashful she was being after catching him. But she was looking rather uncomfortable in her chair, darting her maroon eyes away from his.

"I wanted to discuss Christmas," he said, trying to distract from the awkward situation. Before she would be charmingly shy with his subtle affections, but now she seemed uneasy.

"Do you want Christmas Eve day and I can have Christmas Day?" Tifa suggested before sipping her cocoa.

"Yeah, that sounds good," he nodded. "I can drop them off at 9:00 pm so they can wake up to presents in the morning."

"So then it's settled," she concluded, placing her mug down, then playing with the fringe of her ebony scarf.

"Yeah, it is," he quietly said. Did he do something wrong? She seems so distant.

"Anything else?"

"Yeah. I know you haven't seen the kids recently as much as I have, but I still get my weekend, right?" He sighed while looking at his feet. "I have to go to...Nibelheim, next week."

"Of course you can. My trip doesn't interfere with your time. It just happened that way," she tugged her knitted scarf closer to herself as she leaned forward to look at him. His eyes met hers, and she gave him a reassuring smile. "And they can stay with you until you need to leave for your trip."

"Thanks, Tifa," he smiled back. He noticed a few flakes of snow had started to accumulate in the tresses of her hair. So caught up in each other, they almost missed it. "Hey, it's snowing."

"Oh!" She pulled back, looking above to the heavens with an even bigger smile. Standing up, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "It is snowing!"

Getting on his own two feet, he looked above to the gray sky as well, seeing the snow come down further. Even though they weren't together, he was glad he got to see her enjoy this again. Being around her felt like home to him.

The ringing of her phone snapped the two back to reality, seeing the name of that guy light up on the tiny screen.

"I'll be going," he stated. "It's time to get the kids anyway."

"Right…" her voice faltered, her eyes coming to his once more. "I, um...I have to take this."

Cloud grunted his answer as he nodded. There wasn't much to say right now, as he had to take this slow if he wanted her back. He departed slowly as the snow continued to dust the ground rapidly, but a greater part of him wanted to stay. Somehow, he felt like he was losing her. Cheerfully she answered the phone, and his hearing picked up an "I'm sorry too," from her.

It wasn't any of his business, but right now, he wasn't so sure why she was suddenly being distant after all the flirting between them lately. He knew that trip was going to be bad for him. But he sure as hell was still gonna try.


December 6th, εγλ 0009, 7:24 p.m.

"The tree at Tifa's house is much bigger," Marlene commented while opening the box of colorful ornaments carefully. Denzel was helping him finish stringing the lights, and Cloud flicked on the switch to illuminate the mid-size tree. He had the weekend plus a few days with the kids, and hitting the Christmas tree sale that Friday afternoon before his trip was a priority.

"And Tifa has clear lights, just like the snow," she added again. The young girl wasn't impressed with what they got, but most of the trees were picked over, and his apartment wasn't big enough to get a huge tree like she expected. He ignored most of her comparisons because after knowing her for so many years, there was a hidden meaning behind them all.

"I like the multicolored lights," Denzel stated while standing back, observing his work.

"But only the ornaments are supposed to be multicolored," she corrected.

"Denzel, can you give us a minute?" Cloud directed more than asked as he stood up, bringing Marlene over to the couch with him. The small boy nodded and left the room. Hearing the door close to the bedroom, he scooted the girl closer who snuggled into his side. Tapping his fingers on his knee, he wondered how he was going to start this talk with her, because he knew that even if he got clear lights, she would still be upset.

"I just wish we could spend the holidays together," Marlene sniffled, while wiping her hidden tears away.

Grabbing a tissue, he dabbed at her cheeks before handing it to her. "I know, but we're going to all be there for your dance recital coming up, right?"

"But that's not the same. Can't you just move back home already?" She pleaded to him with her little doe eyes, slightly misted from her crying. "Maybe if you tell Tifa that you love her, you could move back home."

"Marlene…"

"Why haven't you told her yet?" the petite girl perked up.

"You shouldn't be worried about this," Cloud rubbed the side of his temple. He figured she was upset about the first holiday apart, but not so hung up on his love life. But then again, she always was pushing it with him…

"Well, I don't want a third dad," she pressed again. "Papa thinks you should just kiss her and get it over with already if you love her."

"Y-you told him?!" Cloud choked a bit. His face paled at her comment about that guy being another dad to her. He didn't want that either!

"No, he can just tell you two love each other," Marlene said.

"Oh," he calmed down a bit. "You still shouldn't be worried about this."

"But I don't like him..." she whined as she sat up to face him better, putting a short distance between them instead.

"He's not being mean to you again, is he?"

"No, he's been extra nice," she shook her head slightly, the bow in her hair jostling along with her short tresses. "I just don't like him because he's not you."

He smiled as his heart melted a bit at that. "That's sweet, but what happens with Tifa and I is between her and me, okay? You shouldn't be worried about adult stuff, you're a kid, kid."

"Can't you just think about maybe kissing her?" she asked while tilting her head to the side, giving him her best convincing smile.

Think about it? His face reddened at her persistence, and he covered his forehead with his palm as he groaned a bit. Marlene only giggled in return at his visible discomfort.


Author's Note Continued: I'll be giving you readers a quick update soon with Chapter 17 sometime in the next week, or two. There is so much more coming out between Cloud and Tifa and I couldn't wait any longer to write it, and I've had so much fun doing so. Also, what is Jace trying to hide from Tifa? Hmmm...

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