Life as a SOLDIER

Disclaimer: Enter Barret and Marlene. But as an oil field worker and his daughter?

A/N: In the movie, he said he found "the biggest goddamn oil field you have ever seen"!
Mario: And you decided to work on that.
Me: Yes.
Mario: What happened to "no reference from the game/movie"?
Me: …just read on. Oh, and here, gifts from Ruthless Angel of War. -hands the Muses the coke and pockey-
Muses: Golly…Thank you.
Me: -takes one coke- Thanks. :3 Let's go!

Chapter Forty-Four: The Oil Baron and the (adopted) Oil Princess
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Tifa washed off a few wineglasses while Cid rushed out back and forth taking the trash out. The 7th Heaven Bar was all decorated for Christmas. Lights were hung everywhere outside and inside, trimming the walls and windows. A radio was set on the bar cupboard, playing cheery Christmas songs. Tifa and Cid were both wearing Santa hats in accordance to Christmas day. And at the left-center of the bar, a grand Christmas Tree stood, all decorated in it's glory. The bar had been expanded, and the space really gave the atmosphere a warm and cozy feel to it.

"I wonder why Cloud hasn't e-mailed me…?" she asked herself sadly, checking her e-mail. "Has he been busy, or is his e-mail down, or…?"

Cid came back inside, dusting his hands off. "I got rid of this weeks trash," he announced proudly.

"Thanks, Cid," said Tifa. She glanced at the clock. "Hmm…five minutes till we open up… What shall we do?"

Cid glanced at the front door, and said, "Maybe we should serve the first customers of the night…"

A rather large man had entered the bar, and a little girl followed him. He approached the bar and said to Cid, "You the owner of this bar?"

"Uh," started Cid, looking around for Tifa. But she was gone! "Well, second-in-command actually," said Cid. "Why?"

"The name's Barret. Barret Wallace," said Barret, holding out a hand to shake.

"Barret Wallace?" repeated Cid, returning the shake. "Hey, are you the same Barret Wallace from Corel? That oil-field worker?"

"Well, I was," sighed Barret. "Then I got into this freak accident, and lost my arm."

Cid had just noticed Barret's arm. "Whoa! Dude, what happened to it?"

"Just an accident," said Barret dismissively, waving a metallic hand. "I ain't about to go into the whole story about it."

"Hmm…if you say so," said Cid. He then noticed the girl. "Uh… pardon my saying so, but she doesn't look of age to me."

"Huh? Oh, no, this is my daughter!" said Barret with a laugh. "Marlene, say hello to Cid."

Marlene looked up, then looked down, muttering a shy "hello".

"She can be a bit shy around strangers," said Barret. "Other then that, she's pretty talkative."

"Hmm… Well, you need a drink?" asked Cid.

"Yes, please," said Barret. "You got a menu or something?"

"As a matter of fact, we do," said Cid, handing Barret a menu. "Choose any drink you like. And we even have a kids menu. For the kids," added Cid a bit unnecessarily.

"Thanks," said Barret, handing the kids menu to Marlene. "Hmm… Hey, who's this 'Tifa Lockhart'? It says that she owns the bar."

"Tifa is the owner of the bar, yes. She inherited it from her departed uncle."

"Tifa," repeated Barret with a laugh. "Sounds like a mushroom!"

Tifa had come back inside from tossing out a few more garbage bags that Cid had missed, and heard that. "Hey!" she shouted, putting her arms akimbo.

Barret looked back at Tifa and asked, "Who's this kid?"

"The mushroom," answered Cid with a smirk.

"Cid!"

"Oh--Oh! Sorry, miss," said Barret. "I was just speaking my mind."

"Huh. I'll bet," said Tifa. Then she noticed Marlene. "And this is…?"

"Uhm…my name's Marlene," said Marlene quietly.

"Hey, she introduced herself before I could," exclaimed Barret. "That's a good sign, it means she likes you! She's my daughter."

"Really? I…never would have guessed that," said Tifa slowly.

"Oh, I meant she's my adopted daughter," said Barret. "Her parents were good friends of mine. Her mother died after she was born, and her father was killed in the accident that cost me my arm. She had no family to go to, so I took her in."

"Oh…I'm sorry," said Tifa sympathetically.

"Yeah, that must be awful," said Cid.

"Well, it does no good to remember the sad past," said Barret. "After all, we're both still alive, right? That's a sign we must carry on, no matter what." Barret folded the menu and said, "I'd like a bottle of the Darker Star '89."

"One Darker Star coming up," said Tifa, heading for behind the bar to prepare the drink.

"And for the little miss?" asked Cid.

"Uh…milk if you don't mind," said Marlene, sitting up straighter.

"Plain milk? Or strawberry milk? Or chocolate?"

"Cid!" scolded Tifa, giving Cid a scowl. "Just give her a milk."

"Right, sorry Tifa," said Cid, heading into the kitchen.

Marlene watched him walk away, and asked Tifa, "Is everyone in this city on drugs?"

Everyone stared at Marlene. Cid stood with a gape, holding the glass of milk. Tifa gaped, placing the glass of Darker Star '89. Barret cleared his throat nosily, and said to Marlene, "That's a very rude thing to say, Marlene."

"Sorry," said Marlene.

"That's…one spirited kid," said Cid at last, placing the milk in front of Marlene.

"Thanks."

After Barret finished his drink, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, "You have a 'help-wanted' sign hanging on the door."

"Yes, and…?" asked Tifa, prompting Barret to continue.

Barret shifted in his seat. "I'd…like to ask for a job here. I had to quit my oil-field job due to my injury, and I need a job to take care of Marlene. Could you hire us? I know how to make really mean drinks, and Marlene is very responsible for a 7-year-old girl, she could wash dishes or something."

Cid turned to Tifa, who thought about it for a few seconds. "Well? Are we gonna hire them? Our hands are a bit full as it is."

"Yeah…you're right," said Tifa. "All right! I'll hire you both!" she flipped them both a contract. "Just sign there and you're hired!"

Barret read the contracts, and he and Marlene signed them. "All right!" said Barret. "Glad you hired me!"

"Helping hands are always welcome for hire," said Tifa with a smile.

"And…we could stay here, right?" asked Barret. With a nervous smile, he admitted, "We really don't have anywhere to stay."

"Hey, don't worry about it," said Tifa. "We've expanded this place, so there's plenty of room to stay."

"Thanks so much!" said Marlene earnestly. "It means so much to us! You really don't mind if we stay here?"

"Hey, if it's all right with Tifa, it's all right with me," said Cid. "She's my employer, after all. And it'll be nice to have male company around. A naggy mother hen is not much fun to talk to…"

"Naggy mother hen!" repeated Tifa incredulously. "I'm not naggy!"

"Oh, of course you're not naggy," teased Cid. He put on a high-pitched voice and said, "'Cid, wash the dishes!' 'Cid, please don't do that in front of everyone!' 'Cid, for goodness sake, zip up your vest!'"

"Now that's an exaggeration!" exclaimed Tifa.

Barret chuckled and said to Marlene, "I think we'll fit along here quite well."

"Hmm-hmm!" agreed Marlene, drinking her milk.

Tifa smiled at her two new hires. "You're just in time, here come the customers."

Barret looked back at the door and saw a whole stream of customers coming in. My first day of work… I hope I do good, for Marlene's sake.

Meanwhile, at Shinra Company…

Cloud entered his room, falling back-first onto the bed. Tomorrow's Christmas, he realized all of a sudden. Maybe Tifa sent me a party invitation… Why didn't I realize that before? I haven't checked my e-mail in forever… he sat up and went to his laptop, turning it on and checking his e-mail. Ah…! I have one unread e-mail from Tifa!

To: cs(at-symbol)yahoo(dot)com

From: fists(underscore)of(underscore)fury(at-symbol)yahoo(dot)com

Hey, Cloud! It's been a while since we last communicated! You didn't forget about me, did you! L I missed you!

But hey, all negative thoughts aside, how are you doing? I been worried ever since you didn't meet us at Nibelheim. I later learned that your name was cleared by that pretty boy Sephiroth. How did a guy like that clear your name? As long as your innocence is proved, I'm fine!

I got two new hired hands for the bar: Barret and Marlene Wallace. Father and adopted daughter. They have good personalities, and they'll especially be bodies at the Christmas Party. Aeris is gonna be there, too. You and your friends gonna come too? I hope you do! If not, then I'll send you your present. Do try to make it, okay! See you!

Sincerely yours, Tifa Lockhart

"Christmas party…" repeated Cloud to himself, looking down slightly. I could never come to her Christmas parties either… I could just sneak out again with Zack. And this time I'll remember to invite Sephy.

He was about to go get Zack when Zack entered the room. "Hey, Cloud!" he called. "You…you feeling better?"

"Yes, I'm feeling much better," said Cloud with a smile. "I'm sorry I worried you earlier today."

"Don't mention it," said Zack. "I always am here for you. Anyway, what did your e-mail say?"

"Tifa's inviting me and you and Sephy to her party. I was thinking…"

Zack smirked. "I know exactly what you're thinking."

"Then we go taking off on Fenrir later on tonight to help with preparations and such?"

"Sounds like a plan," said Zack.

"All right," said Cloud, turning back to the laptop and sending a response to Tifa accepting her invitation.

Zack watched Cloud write the e-mail, letting a small silence envelope the room. Then suddenly, Zack shouted, "WHOA!"

"Awa!" wailed Cloud in surprise, jumping 10 feet in the air. "Za-Zack!" he asked. "What was that for!"

"To see how easily you're surprised," said Zack. "You surprise easily."

"I-I'm not surprised easily," stammered Cloud. "It was just unexpected!"

"Right…" Zack leaned back in his chair, watching Cloud type up the rest of the response. After Cloud hit the 'send' button, Zack suddenly barked, "Cloud, stand up!"

Cloud started and hurriedly stood up. "Ok-Okay!"

Zack blinked. "Twirl about the room?" Cloud hurriedly did as he was told. Zack sighed with a smile. "Docile too."

"Wha--? I'm not docile," said Cloud, sitting down at the table feeling slightly dizzy.

"If you say so."

"Ye-Yeah," said Cloud. He regained composure and sat up. "How about you go get Fenrir ready, and I'll tell Sephy about the party. Okay?"

"Okay!" agreed Zack, standing up. "Let's go!"

Zack and Cloud hurried down the stairs while the rest of the SOLDIERs went to lunch. "See you in a little bit!" said Cloud, waving and hurrying to Sephiroth's room. He entered the room and called, "Sephy!"

Sephiroth opened his eyes. "Hmm…?" he grunted, then sat up and yawned. "Who dares to disturb my nap…?"

"…you fell asleep on the couch?" asked Cloud, coming over behind the couch. "I didn't know that Sephy did that," he said with a smile.

Oh, it's him. Well, then it's okay I got awoken… "What do you want, Cloud?" asked Sephiroth tiredly.

"I wanted to tell you about a Christmas party that Tifa invited me, Zack, and you to. You got mad last time because I forgot to invite you. This time, I remembered. So, you wanna come?"

Sephiroth stared at Cloud. "You woke me up to tell me I'm invited to a Christmas Party, when I'm not even Christian?"

"No, no, Christmas isn't strictly a Christian holiday!" said Cloud hurriedly. "It-It's a gift giving day! Everyone exchanges gifts with the ones they love! Christmas is about sharing, the joys of family and life, and the fact that we're all family!"

"…you said 'family' twice," Sephiroth pointed out. "But it's all right," he said before Cloud could say any more. "I'm coming."

"Oh, that's good," said Cloud in relief. "Okay, come with me! Zack has Fenrir waiting outside!"

"We're gonna take that motorcycle along?" asked Sephiroth in distaste. "Can't we just fly there?"

"It's too cold and snowy for flying," said Cloud. "And if we take Fenrir, we'll get there faster."

"…sigh, fine," sighed Sephiroth, standing up ad following Cloud to where Zack was waiting.

"Okay, we're ready to go, huh?" asked Zack. "Right, hop on behind me."

"I can't ride it this time?" asked Cloud sadly as he hopped on behind Zack.

"…no, not today," said Zack slowly, thinking about how fast Cloud likes to go on Fenrir.

"And I'm supposing I get to ride behind Cloud, is that it?" asked Sephiroth.

"Yeah, looks like it," said Cloud. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Yes, I mind…but I'll hop on anyway." Sephiroth hopped on behind Cloud, and Zack revved Fenrir up and sped off (slowly) to Midgar for Tifa's Christmas party.

Back at the bar…

"Mistletoe, Aeris!" demanded Tifa. Aeris had arrived, and was carrying an armful of mistletoe.

Aeris had a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It is a Christmas tradition, yes?"

"Well, yeah, but suppose you get stuck under it with someone you don't want to…you know…"

"Then give them a small peck on the cheek," said Aeris, hanging up some mistletoe on various places in the bar.

Tifa sighed. "Great… I never liked mistletoe…" She looked towards the door expectantly. "Cloud should be here soon…he said he and Zack and Sephiroth would come…"

Sure enough, tires squealing was heard, and an engine turning off, then footsteps crunching the snow. Cloud opened the door and announced, "We're here for the party, Tifa!"

"Yay! I knew you'd make it!" said Tifa.

"Let us help with preparations," said Zack.

"Then start by helping me hang some mistletoe upstairs," said Aeris, handing Zack the rest of the mistletoe.

"Ooh, mistletoe! Aeris's feeling naughty!" teased Zack, hurrying upstairs to hang the mistletoe.

Aeris dusted her hands off and turned to Sephiroth. "And how do you plan on helping with preparations? Christmas is a group effort."

"…I don't generally help people, but…I guess I can sweep the floor or something. Or cook something. I can cook pretty good."

"All right, then join Barret in the kitchen, he and Marlene are cooking everything," said Tifa, nodding towards the kitchen door.

"Who?" asked Cloud.

"The new employees I mentioned, remember?"

"Oh, yeah!" Cloud looked around. "What can I do?"

"Help me wash dishes," said Tifa. "We'll need plenty of them."

"All right," said Cloud, following Tifa to the kitchen to wash dishes.

Cid came back inside from a cigarette break. "Hey, where's my broom?" he sighed. "I was in charge of sweeping the floor…"
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Christmas dinner next chapter, along with a WONDERFUL romantic surprise! Here's a hint: it involves mistletoe and Sephiroth. HAH! I'm soo naughty:3 See you next chapter!