A/N: hi again! Here's chapter 3! oh and just a special thanks to mikkimakka, Sig, and Heloeyes for their awesome reviews. They're the reason why this is out so soon :) I'd also just like to say that my parents saw me jumping up and down this morning because I was so happy to actually get reviews. They think I'm even crazier than before haha.

I'm working on chapter 4 as we speak, so maybe that will be out by tomorrow. I'll have to see about chapter 5 :/. I've been updating pretty frequently, and I hope to continue the trend, but life can get busy.

Anyway thank you thank you thank you to everyone who read and put this on their favorite lists (another reason why I'm just oh so happy).

Comments, criticisms, and just plain old questions are deeply encouraged; it's really such a drive booster. (I also loveee getting predictions. They make me smile.)

but enough about my wants..

~Mira

oh btw, this is in Cloud's POV kinda sort of

If there was one thing Cloud Strife wasn't good at, it was talking. It wasn't on purpose. Although he may try to avoid social situations from time to time, he didn't purposely try to be antisocial. It was just how he was. A price he paid for spending 5 years as a lab experiment.

Tifa, where are you?

But he couldn't help but feel disappointed with himself for succumbing to the long silence. Denzel had left soon after Tifa, probably drawing or coming up with some new game before Marlene got home.

He didn't blame him. Neither he nor Vincent had uttered a word after Yuffie had dragged Tifa off to check on her injury. Maybe I should see if she's okay. The thought that this could be a possible conversation topic suddenly came over him. "You think Tifa's fine?"

Vincent looked comfortable, seeming not to expect or want Cloud to speak. "Most likely."

His unconcerned tone almost angered Cloud. "Do you not care if she isn't?"

The cloaked man smirked at Cloud's slight anger. He took a soft sip of his water, "Obviously not as much as you."

"...What's that supposed to mean?"

"Forget it." Vincent obviously did not want to push Cloud about something he seemed rather sensitive about. "I only meant that I think Yuffie dragged her off for different reasons."

Cloud thought back to the incident. Tifa had screamed with pain, but she was tough. Such a slight injury would have never taken Tifa this long to recover from. Of course! He could hit himself. "…I'm sure it's nothing." It wasn't quite clear to Cloud if Vincent believed him or just wanted him to stop talking. How does Yuffie expect to crack this guy? Suddenly Cloud's introverted behavior didn't seem too extreme.

"Hey guys!"

Cloud turned, expecting Tifa. But the bright, toothy smile of Yuffie met his face. "Hey, how's Tifa?"

Yuffie's grin turned smug, "Good… She looks great." She skipped over towards Vincent, beaming with confidence. "Hi Vincent! You're cape looks especially ripped today."

"…Thanks." The man squirmed in his chair at the comment.

I could have sworn she was being shy before…I wonder what her and Tifa talked about.

"Where is she?"

Yuffie didn't pay Cloud much attention, but turned when he coughed at her. "Oh…she just wanted to change. I think she spilled syrup on herself."

Oh. Cloud couldn't help but feel awkward with only Yuffie and Vincent with him. Even though Vincent acted normally, Yuffie was too bubbly and focused on the dark, brooding man to make the atmosphere typical. I hope she comes back soo—

Cloud's vision and thoughts ceased as Tifa's figure stepped back into the kitchen. It was like his memory was flashing back to Nibelheim, to the care free days of childhood, to the burning sensations that did (and sometimes still do) fill his chest whenever her presence was relatively near. His Mako powered eyes glanced to the edge of her skirt, grazing the upper part of her thigh, and hugging her hips tightly. Her eyes seemed to stand out more than usual, giving him a clear view of the speckles of red engraved in brown. The solid black button down shirt was opened slightly, revealing a grey tank top with lace outlining a sweet heart neck line. The view was just enough to make his spine shoot up.

Tifa's smile was short. She seemed nervous, almost embarrassed to be in the room.

And soon a fit of coughing was produced by Yuffie, causing Tifa to stammer and clumsily sit back down next to Cloud. "You guys been okay?"

Cloud nodded dumbly. Focus now…it's just Tifa.

But what was that exactly? He never really understood it himself. "…Are you okay?"

She seemed confused by this, but Yuffie quickly answered for her. "You mean her leg? Oh yeah, I just accidentally kicked her when I was moving my chair." Her smile became imposing. "But you're good, right Teef? Just fabulous?"

"Right…right." Cloud saw her suddenly get up, seeming distracted by something. Tifa grabbed the dishes and leftover breakfast that surrounded them and plopped them all in the sink. She kept running her fingers through her hair. Cloud had noticed it was habit she did when incredibly nervous. Something's up.

Yuffie was tapping her foot, obviously getting restless. "So Cloud…"

The blonde turned to the girl. He blinked quickly, trying to make it seem like he was definitely not staring at Tifa this entire time. "Yes?"

"Tifa said that you'd give me a tour tomorrow, since it's your day off from the delivery service and all."

His neck froze. Give Yuffie a tour? "You mean of Edge?"

"Mhm! I've really only seen what Bahamut SIN and Kadaj and those freaks destroyed. Tifa said you'd gladly do it!"

Gladly? He was surprised Tifa thought he'd do it at all. He didn't have many days free of deliveries, and the days he did leave open, he liked to spend home with Tifa and the children.

The ninja noticed his hesitation, "PLEEASSEE Cloud! It'd mean soo much to me!" Did she just bat her eyelashes? He shook the thought off. Yuffie liked Vincent. He heard her say so, right?

"Um, sure…if Tifa doesn't need help doing stock."

"That's okay! Vinnie can help her tomorrow, right?"

Cloud's blue eyes narrowed. What's going on?

"If she needs it," Vincent said calmly, sounding half uninterested.

"Of course!" Tifa sounded excited. It made Cloud's blood surge. Easy, Cloud…Vincent's your friend.

The caped man barely looked up from the table. And even more oblivious than me… "What time did you want to head out?"

"I'll just stop by." Yuffie squirmed as a soft vibration was heard. "Yeah?" she flipped open her phone. "Yes, Reeve…right, Reeve….NO! …wait, with who?" Her dark eyes scattered to Vincent's body and then re-focused. "Sounds good then…yeah he's right here, I'll tell him."

Yuffie put the phone back into her pocket, "Hey Vinnie?"

"…Vincent, Yuffie." His tone was soft, like he was correcting a little girl's minor error.

"Yeah, yeah. So Vinnie, Reeve wants to talk to us."

Vincent sounded annoyed, "He wants us to go to Shinra Headquarters, doesn't he?" She only nodded, adding to his melancholy. "Fine. Though I thought I rid myself of Shinra years ago."

"I don't think he wants to experiment on you again, if that's what you're afraid of." Yuffie gave him a loud pat on the back, seeing his reaction darken. "Come on, Vinnie! It's some environmental related thing."His expression appeared unchanged, causing Yuffie to grunt and grab his hand.

The red caped man was soon unwilling dragged from the table. "…Wait, when am I helping Tifa with the stock?"

"…around 11? Sound good to you?"

Vincent briefly nodded and was shoved out the door by the exuberant ninja. Cloud would have felt some pity, if it wasn't for the fact that their absence left him alone with Tifa. He gulped, trying to ease his throat and kick start his voice it still felt clogged; his head empty of any coherent thought. How the hell am I supposed to talk to her when I can't even think? Though that thought wasn't completely true. He could think, but the topics entering his mind only related to certain parts of her body. Not a thought most girls wanted to hear.

Tifa wasn't offering any conversation topics either. She continued to wash the plates and wipe the table, comfortable in their common silence. Usually, Cloud would have felt the same. One of them wasn't constantly talking, not like Yuffie seemed to do with Vincent. The thought made him smirk inwardly. He was usually comfortable in silence, especially with Tifa. They didn't need conversation, just the other's presence. But now…

Now Cloud couldn't stay composed. He wasn't use to Tifa looking like that…she hadn't looked like that in at least 2 years. And back then he was so focused on Sephiroth, and his memory was too broken to notice. She bent down, picking up a stray napkin, causing Cloud to catch his breath. Stop it Cloud! He was 16 again. You and her are friends--FRIENDS. Tifa had never expressed interest in him before, so why get his hopes up? Find a distraction…any distraction.

"…Fenrir…"

The dark haired woman looked at him, "Yes?"

"…Um, I need to go…do something with Fenrir." Do something? He mentally kicked himself. You couldn't think of an oil change, or a wash or…anything? Cloud faked a slight grin, despite his inarticulate behavior.

"Okay." She was so calm, why couldn't he be like that? Tifa went down on her knees, brushing crumbs into her hand.

The action had an immediate effect on Cloud. He recoiled back, afraid that if he went closer… Redness was now enveloping his face, and he swiftly took off towards the garage, suppressing any more thoughts that may send him off the edge.

I'll post chapter 4 tomorrow but maybe if I get enough reviews...

sorry. I don't mean to bribe people :)

hope you enjoyed it!

~Mira