So, I just want to thank everyone for how sweet they have been. My friends death was very hard on me and I appreciate all the sweet comments, messages, and emails I recieved from you guys giving me support and adivce to handle this. You have no idea what that means to me. I love you guys! So heres the new chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it! Little bit of drama in this one...dont worry Im sure Cloud will come to his senses eventually. haha!


Our Destiny, Chapter 4

CLOUDS POV:

Cloud continued to look down at his GPS on his motorcycle. Something about the route he was taking seemed familiar to him. He checked the address and knew immediately where he was going.

"Huh, this address in in Rocket Town. That's where Cid is from. I think he actually went back after the battle. Ill have to stop by and see him while I'm there." He thought to himself.

Cid was defiantly one of the most interesting people Cloud had ever met. He swore like a sailor and had a rough exterior but deep down, he was just as sensitive as anybody. He just didn't show it that much. After the battle with Serphiroth he hadn't seen much of the guy. It would be good to see an old friend. It might help him get his mind off everything that had been going on with him. Tifa was wonderful but sometimes he felt guilty…like he was putting too much pressure on her to make him feel better. He didn't know how she felt after the battle and about Aeriths death because he had never asked. It seemed very selfish of him now.

Cloud began then to ponder on how he had treated her this morning and instantly regretted it. He had a feeling that he was going to have some serious apologizing to do when he got back. Whenever he decided to come back anyway. This delivery was so far out of the way it was going to take up his whole day. However, they were paying him so well to bring it that it didn't matter if he missed deliveries for a week. It made him wonder what was inside his package but he decided he would rather not think too much on it. His job was to deliver not to ask too many questions.

A few hours passed and Cloud was beginning to grow tired of his drive. His legs and his arms became sore and he thought about stopping for a rest but then the sign for rocket town appeared in his view. Cloud was pleased at the excellent time he had made and was looking forward to just dropping of the package then heading to see Cid. Cloud checked the address once more then looked around to see if he could see the house that was described to him. It didn't take him long before he found it though and outside like she was waiting for him was a woman. She had herself leaned against the outside wall of the house and her arms crossed in a relaxed manner. He instantly noticed how beautiful she was. She had golden locks that curled too her shoulders and her build was athletic but lean. She also had tan skin which indicated she probably worked outside or stayed outside.

She seemed to notice he was studying her as she gave him a warm smile and giggled. Cloud noticed her reaction and turned red slightly and turned away. He hadn't meant to stare he had just never seen her before.

"Can I help you sir?" She said in an amused tone, still leaning calmly against the wall.

Cloud cleared his throat then nodded. "Strife Delivery Service. I'm looking for Rachel Vale. I have a package for her"

"Well you have come the right house. That would be me." She said as she began to walk over to his bike.

Cloud felt himself become strangely nervous as she walked. He could tell just by her pace that she had a strong sense of self importance. She had her head held high, a relaxed smile on her face, and her arms relaxed at her side. He chuckled softly at this. Rachel Vale was a sight to see…and she knew it too.

"So where do I sign?" She asked leaning closely to Cloud locking eyes with him.

"Just sign at the bottom line right here and then initial here." He said handing her his notebook out of his bag.

She signed like she was told and then Cloud reached to the back of the bike and handed her the package carefully. He had a feeling that since they had paid him so much to bring it here that it was valuable which meant possible breakable. Rachel took the package and grinned back up at Cloud and he nodded in return.

"Thank you so much for bringing this. I've been waiting for it for ages. Now I guess I owe you a tip hmm?" she said playfully.

"Oh, no thank you. I was paid a fortune to bring this. You don't have to pay me. I appreciate it though." He added.

She simply stared at him for a moment then laughed. "Well you deserve a reward at least."

Before Cloud could say anything she had leaned over and he felt her warm lips against his cheek. She held it there for a moment then pulled away. Cloud felt an extreme flush come to his face as he looked at her. He hadn't expected it and it took him completely off guard so he simply sat there like an idiot.

"See you later Mr. Strife." she said giving him a wink then headed back in the house.

Once she was out of sight Cloud simply turned back toward his bike and sat back down on it. He wasn't sure how to react to that. She was defiantly someone very interesting to him and he began wondering if she was like this to everyone she met.

"Well dammit Cloud! Every time I see you, you have some girl falling all over your sorry ass!" Said a familiar voice behind him.

Cloud turned quickly then laughed. "Cid, good to see you. I was actually about to come see you after my delivery. Oh, and that's not what you think…I just met her." He added.

Shaking his head Cid said "Sure, I bet. Well come on over then. We'll sit down and have a nice drink and you can tell me all about these deliveries you make cause from what I saw…I want in on the action."

Both of the men laughed and Cloud turned his bike around and pulled it along as he walked along side Cid back to his home.


TIFAS POV:

The day had gone by relatively slow at the bar for Tifa today. She had some of her usual customers who would come in because they were on there lunch break from work and chat with her but that was about it. Which was not totally unusual for a weekday. It had grown late and it was still slow so Tifa decided that she would close the bar early so she would have enough time to help Denzel and Marlene with the homework they had if they needed and also so she would have a little time to herself. She had been consumed by stress the entire day wondering why Cloud had shrugged her off so easy this morning. It bothered her that he affected her this way. It was like she wasn't her own independent person…that her life revolved around him. It was a mess. Especially since he didn't seem to care…well…not in the way she wanted him to anyway. She knew she couldn't force his feelings for her…no matter how much she wished she could.

After closing up and cleaning up the bar downstairs she headed up the stairs and checked up on both of the kids. They seemed to not need any help with homework today which Tifa was very pleased about. They were so smart and learned things so quickly that she wasn't surprised they didn't need her help as much anymore. After telling them goodnight she headed to her room and shut the door behind her. She took off her shoes and laid them neatly next to the door then collapsed on the bed. She simply laid there for the longest time closing her eyes and just relaxing. She felt herself begin to doze off so she sat up and shook it off quickly. It would bother her if she went to bed without showering first.

Tifa stood then headed to her nightstand and grabbed a nightgown she could change into after her shower when she happened to look up and notice the time. It was 8:42 PM. A sudden fear went through her…it was late and Cloud hadn't returned home yet. He was always home way before this time no matter how far the delivery. She reached into her pocked and pulled out her cell phone trying to contact Cloud but each time she called it went straight to his voicemail. Panic began to flow through her. She dropped her night clothes on the bed then headed downstairs and checked his delivery record book on where he was going today. There was only one address in Rocket Town. Seeing this she immediately decided to call Cid.

Pulling out her phone once again she dialed Cids number and waited nervously as it rang. In a few moments it stopped and she heard Cids rough voice on the other line.

"Hello? Cid speaking."

"Hey Cid, this is Tifa." She said softly.

A loud laugh came from his end and he said "Well ill be damned! Tifa? Bout time I hear from you. What a good day I've been having. First Cloud comes over then I get a call from you."

Tifas eyes widened at the mention of Cloud and she said "Cloud was there? Is he still there? He hasn't come home and I'm worried. His phone is off too so I don't know where he is."

"Awe relax Tiff. He is still here in Rocket town. He was here for a while then Miss. Rachel Vale showed up. She took a shine to him when he delivered her package this afternoon and now there out and about. Let me tell you she is….a fine looking thing. No damn joke. He is one lucky song of a bitch!" He said excitedly.

Tifa said nothing. She felt as though her heart dropped right out of her chest. Nausea immediately began pounding at her and her hands began shiver with hurt and anger. He was out with some other girl? Was that why he was so snappy with her this morning? He knew he had a knew girlfriend and didn't want Tifa getting in the way of that. Her vision became blurred as tears that had not yet fallen began to form in her eyes. She felt completely betrayed, hurt, angry, sick, sand stressed all at the same time. She knew she shouldn't feel this way…she couldn't blame Cloud. He was not hers to get so worked up over. He had not betrayed her…but that didn't make things any better. Apparently she had been quiet for some time because Cid was trying to get her attention on the other line.

"Tifa? Hello? You still there? Tifa? DAMMIT TIFA WHAT THE HELL!" He began yelling into the phone.

"Yea…sorry Cid I'm here. Just umm, tell him I called to check on him and…well I guess that's it." She said, her voice obviously shaken up giving her away to Cid.

"Whoa hey…why are you cryin-"

Before he could finish Tifa hung up the phone and stared blankly at the wall. She stood there for what seemed like hours before finally deciding to make her way back up to her bedroom. Walking and staring off like a zombie she shut the door to her room then finally lost all composure. Tifa fell to her knees then began to sob uncontrollably. Her tears hit the hardwood floor and she gripped her knees so tightly that she began to actually feel a strong pain but she didn't care…she didn't care about anything at that moment. She felt like a complete fool. How could she have every thought she would have had a chance with him? If he couldn't catch her attention when he was with Aerith why did she think she could now.

"First Aerith…now Rachel. Ill never mean something to him. Ill never have him." She thought to herself.

The thought only made her sob a little harder but her sorrow suddenly turned to anger and hate toward the second woman who had taken the man that she loved dearly. Also it was directed toward Cloud for not seeing how much she loved him…and that she would do anything for him. She quickly stood and her fist flew and landed directly into the wall next to her door breaking the wood and making a giant gaping hole. After this act of aggression she seemed to catch her breath and began to calm down. She lowered her first and just let silent tears flow from her eyes. She managed to make it over to her bed and curl up under the covers. Tifa no longer cared about that shower she wanted to take. She simply laid there…hoping sleep would take her quickly so the pain in her heart would ease for just a moment. However, at this point…that seemed unlikely.