Disclaimer: Same as usual

A/N: Thanks for all the hits and reviews! Also, a character makes a brief appearance in this chapter bearing the same name and description as another character who appeared in the game. They are not the same person, but mine was definitely based off of the original! ;)

There were no two ways about it. Zack was an impressive bartender.

The patrons of 7th Heaven weren't the type to expect flashy spins or bottle tricks when they ordered their drinks, but that's just what Zack gave them. Tifa smiled to herself as the regulars gave a loud cheer at another successful round of drinks served. He caught her eye and winked as a silly grin bloomed across her face.

"Eyes up here, handsome."

A sultry-looking blonde had taken a seat at the bar stool directly in front him.

"Hi there. What can I get for you?"

"Got anything that matches those pretty blues of yours?"

Tifa's ears perked up at the blonde's advances on Zack. She felt an inexplicable jolt of anger and jealousy surge through her.

"Well, I do know a drink called the Junon Tidal Wave. It's got blue vanilla syrup, salt and curacao."

"I'll take one. Of both you and the drink."

He returned her smug smile with a strained grin that almost looked like a grimace.

"The name's Scarlet, by the way."

"I'm Zack. Pleased to meet you."

He mixed her drink and placed it in front of her.

"I assure you, Zack, the pleasure's all mine."

"Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"Your number."

Scarlet's advances were making him the slightest bit uncomfortable. It had always made him feel awkward when girls were too aggressive in pursuing him.

"Sorry, miss. No can do."

"Why ever not?"

He glanced over at the beautiful brunette, who seemed to be slamming down drinks on the counter a little harder than necessary. Her barely-concealed anger was adorable. Subtly grabbing her attention once more, he shot Tifa a reassuring smile.

"Because I've already got my eye on someone else."

Leaning in closer, Scarlet dropped her voice to a purr, her lips almost grazing Zack's earlobe.

"And I couldn't change your mind?"

"No."

Smirking for a moment, she suddenly let out a wail.

"Get your hands off of me!"

"Wha...?"

She had started shrieking indignantly and making a scene. Zack put his hands up and in front of himself defensively while backing away from the hysterical woman. Tifa, on the other hand, was taking long, perturbed strides across the bar towards Scarlet. She tapped the blonde on the shoulder and shot her a cold look.

"Is there a problem?"

"I want to speak to this man's manager! He tried to grope me!"

"What? I did no such thing!" Zack cried out in protest.

"That's a bold-faced lie, lady." Another patron chimed in. "I was sitting here the whole time. All he did was serve your drink and turn you down."

The silent patrons exploded into laughter.

"I am his manager. And I saw he whole thing." Tifa spat between clenched teeth. "How dare you come into my bar and start a scene by accusing my bartender of something he didn't do just because he wasn't interested in you. I would strongly recommend you leave before I have to escort you out myself."

At this, Scarlet hauled back and slapped Tifa in the face. The entire bar let out a collective gasp of shock. Tifa responded in kind with a slap so hard the resultant "crack" resonated off the walls and sent Scarlet sprawling on her rear. Zack's eyes went wide as he tried to stifle a giggle.

"You bitch!"

Scarlet scrambled to her feet and and was about to lunge at Tifa when Zack intervened.

"That's enough." He said sternly. "I think you should go home. And if I were you, I wouldn't show my face around here again."

With a huff, the other woman turned around and stomped out of the bar. Everyone started chattering all at once about what had just happened.

"Did you see that?"

"That-a girl, Teef!"

"Dang, but she got that hussy good!"

Tifa smiled sheepishly to herself as she went back to clearing tables. Zack had hopped on the bar and addressed the crowd.

"I trust you all to behave while I go make sure our lady of the hour is alright."

A few cheers and raised glasses followed. The blue-eyed bartender hopped down and grabbed a towel, wrapping some ice cubes in it. He then proceeded to walk over to Tifa and hand her the makeshift ice-pack. He was grinning from ear to ear.

"You okay?"

She waved the towel away and shrugged dismissively.

"It'll take more than that to put me out."

"Sorry for the trouble I caused."

"It's not your fault."

"I promise I'll make it up to you when we go on our date."

"Oh, really? And how do you intend to do that?"

"Well, I'd start with something like this."

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

"Eh?"

"Kiss and make it better?"

It was at that moment that Cloud had come home. His eyes flashed dangerously as he saw his friend dip his head down to touch his lips to Tifa's face. He almost shouted, but remembered himself. Remembered that he had a girlfriend, and that whoever Tifa let kiss her was none of his business.

But...he...he told me he wasn't trying to get into anything with her. Was he lying to me?

Tifa caught sight of the blond and waved at him, breaking him out of his thoughts. She was feeling so good, just seeing Cloud didn't hurt as much as it had before.

Cloud returned her gesture with a small wave of his own. It was only when she had turned away to answer a customer's request for a refill did his lips purse into a tight line as his eyes met Zack's. And despite the day he'd just spent with the girl he was always after, he couldn't keep the malice or accusation out of his glare.