Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII
A/N: So, I believe one more chapter after this. :D Thank you to my lovelies who reviewed. Muah! Here you are, enjoy!
It was two years.
The sunshine still hadn't reached her, but there were rays peeking through. Marlene. Barret. Jessie. Wedge. Biggs. All her own natural rays of light in what was a dim and dark world. At first she'd been hesitant to know them. Scared she would break completely if they'd turn out like Marv or Trixie. So hesitant, in fact, that it took months for them to even crack at her walls.
Eventually, the did crack. And then, they fell. And she was hopeless to stop it. It was like learning to walk again; this trust thing. But, as soon as she'd been given the job as a barmaid, and became aware of AVALANCHE, she knew then, she knew the trust could be rebuilt.
"Tifa, huh." The dark skinned man nodded, dropping his arms. "Name's Barret. Barret Wallace." With ease, he crouched down and scooped the child out of her grasp. "This here's my lil' Marlene."
"She's beautiful." Tifa spoke, realizing the truth of her words. The child was beautiful. Chocolate eyes wide in wonder and glazed with youth and innocence. What she would give to be that way again.
"'Course she is!" Barret answered proudly before gesturing to follow him inside. "Let's get a move on."
When the entered, Tifa felt the men in the room focus their attention on her. She ignored it for the time being, but couldn't fight the reflex of snapping the wrist of the man who'd decided to cop a feel, and pin him to the table.
The tavern halted into silence, save for the man's whimpers of pain, and she snapped her hands back to her sides, moving a few feet back. What would Barret think of her now? Some psycho kid? Contrary to where her thoughts were taking her, Barret set Marlene on an empty chair and grabbed the man by the collar with ease and tossed him out the door. "'N don't even think 'bout comin' back here!"
Stunned (and relieved), Tifa let out a breath as he walked passed her like nothing happened. He nodded to a man in the corner to follow and they walked through a door to which revealed a small kitchen. The woman from a few days prior was there, stirring something in a large pot. "I told you to wait, Wedge! It'll be done in- Oh!"
Again, Tifa hid behind her hair as the woman's eyes widened at her appearance. When Barret informed her of the situation, her gaze softened she placed a gentle hand on Tifa's arm. "I'm Jessie. Come on, follow me."
With only a split second of hesitation, Tifa followed the woman up some stairs, into a cramped room with two bunk beds. "Here's some clothes." They would be a little tight around her chest, but it would do. "The shower's right over there."
"Um, thanks." Tifa answered, making her way into the bathroom.
When the water hit her skin, and the grime and stench washed away, Tifa sobbed. It just felt so… so- so heavenly. She didn't know how long she stayed in there, but if Barret's reoccurring knocks on the door left any indication, she'd guess it was a while.
She'd devoured her food, stayed somewhat silent when the two other men introduced themselves, and by the end of the night, felt herself relax completely.
Barret pulled out a cot, scratching the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Uh, not sure if it's too comfortable or not but- heh, better than the ground you was sleepin' on, right?"
He was right, Tifa found out as her body practically swam within the soft sheets and fluffy pillows. She let out a hum of pleasure, instantly falling into a deep sleep and missing the softening of the man's hard face. "Damn, girl. What you been through?" When his only answer was a shiver, he brought an extra blanket and awkwardly tucked her in, careful to avoid waking her.
As the days trickled to weeks, and weeks to months, Tifa began to see the life in things again. The life in friends… and eventually, after a year and a half, the life of family. They'd stop ShinRa, she thought with determination as Barret and the group told her the horrors of their stories and their plans against the tyrannical company. They would bring back life to the Planet. They had to.
"Happy birthday, Tifa."
With a gentle smile, Tifa took present from Barret's hands as he sat next to her and nudged his shoulder with hers, earning an embarrassed grunt in response. Her fingers caressed the paper, feeling the warmth spread within her belly at how poorly it was wrapped, showing he had tried. For her.
She turned her face toward him and her lips curved at his grimace. It was obvious he wasn't used to so much sentimentality. "You know I love you, Barret, don't you?"
He huffed and crossed his arms. "Will you shut up an' open the damned gift!" She hid her smirk at seeing him eventually crack and a smile. "You know I do, Teef." He grumbled, though the fondness in his voice was there .
Stifling a giggle, Tifa unwrapped her gift. She pulled the items out with wide eyes and ran her thumb over the fabric. "Barret…" Her voice trailed off in awe.
"They're just gloves, Teef."
"They're gorgeous." She murmured sliding one on her arm. The black went up to her elbows, a metal protective plate surrounding it and the red fingerless leather overlapping, cut off at her wrist. "I love them! Thank you." She beamed, flexing her fingers.
"Yeah, yeah." She knew he was secretly pleased at her response though.
She watched as he stomped off, yelling at Wedge for something or another. She met the eyes of Jessie across the room, smiling when she winked and mouthed a happy birthday.
"Tifa!"
Turning, Tifa faced the one person who'd been the sole individual to crack her strongest defenses and find herself as a person. The reason she'd turn out the way she had. Strong, humble, and loving. This was all cause of little Marlene Wallace.
Tifa knelt down, spreading her arms open for the four year old, laughing when the child tucked her chin into her neck while cuddling a worn stuffed bunny. She'd just woken from her nap, but her grogginess didn't keep her from smiling. Nothing really did. "Happy birthday, Tifa!"
"Thank you, Marlene." She cradled the girl, feeling secure in her aura of warmth and affection. "I made cake. Would you like a piece?"
The girl nodded, still drowsy from her nap. "Mhm."
"Come on." Tifa smiled. With Marlene sitting on her lap, devouring her chocolate cake, Tifa's eyes swept across the room. These people were her family. Wedge and his naivety, Biggs and his ego, Jessie and her compassion, Barret and his protectiveness. This was the reason to keep fighting. To not give up.
"Cloud… you remembered… my name." Wedge gasped out and Cloud knelt next to him, his eyes finally losing some of that cocky arrogance, replaced with what she was familiar with as he stared helplessly at her friend. "Barret's up top... Help him."
Tifa stood frozen as she watched the life fade from her friend's eyes. No. No, it couldn't- No. Just no. NO! Her hands clenched at her sides and she grit her teeth. ShinRa would pay. Her eyes widened at the vision of the light leaving Marlene's eyes. She instructed Aeris with nothing short of panic to get her out. Just get her out.
Biggs was next, body twisted awkwardly over the railing of metal stairs. Cloud had to physically move her upward. Then it was Jessie. Gods, Jessie. Tifa couldn't breathe anymore, and once they'd found Barret, she was met with the vision of red.
Not her red rage, but the hair of a Turk. Her punches and kicks were ruthless against the red headed bastard. Then Aeris, slapped so viciously, she ran up to the edge reaching… reaching… "Aeris!"
… A sound, louder than she'd ever heard pounded through her eardrums, the vibrations echoed through her body. Clumsily she made it to her feet, dazedly looking around. What had happened again?
Then she knew. By the sight of Barret's face she knew. She clenched her eyes shut, wanting to burn the image of absolute despair on his features. That wasn't him. It wasn't.
"Marlene!" He cried, running to the rubble and smoke. The sector was blocked off by the wreckage and Tifa knew no one under that plate had survived. "MARLENE!"
She choked back a cry, body paralyzed it its spot. Then, at Barret's wail of anguish as he cried his daughter's name, her body trembled with fresh tears and lungful sobs. The sound jerked Cloud back into awareness and he felt torn on what to do.
"Biggs!" Barret continued, running back and forth, fruitlessly trying to get through. "Wedge! Jessie!" He punched the blockage, the sound making Tifa cover her mouth with her hand, holding back the pain. "Goddamn it! Damnit! DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!"
"What the hell's it all for?"
What was it all for? The cost of innocent lives? Really, what?
"Hey, Barret!" Cloud finally yelled, moving forward, causing Tifa's paralysis to break.
"Barret," She cried, running forward and clutching his vest. She felt, rather than heard, him scream in rage as Cloud tried once more to calm the him.
"Barret, stop!" Tifa sobbed, burying her head beneath his shoulder blades. "Please stop, Barret!"
She felt his resolve break and he gave a watery cry before shooting whatever was in front of him blindly. Tifa's sobs reduced to sniffs and hiccups as she felt the ripple of movement move off him and to her. "God damn…"
She released her hold on the man, stepping back with red eyes. Cloud placed his hand on her shoulder. Marlene, her mind chanted. Marlene was safe. She had to be safe.
All the people… innocent, guilty, poor, young, old, black, white, everything.
ShinRa. Money. Hate. Planet. Greed.
Her eyes narrowed and her sniffles died completely. She would protect her loved ones this time. She wouldn't fail. Not again. She'd already failed her father. Marv. Trixie. Biggs, Wedge… Jessie.. Who was next? Barret? Marlene? Aeris…Cloud?
No! Her mind shouted. No.
Whatever it took. Whatever the price; she'd be there. Even if it killed her. Especially if it killed her. No more.
Okay, so second chapter's done. What do you think? I personally think Marlene played a big part in Tifa's motherly nature. It had to be Marlene, right? And I love to think her and Barret close. :D
Valentine'sNinja: I can't express how amazing you are! *hugs* ^_^ Barret and Marlene were the most fun to write, so I am glad you liked it! Ah, your praise is causing my head to swell in ego! lol! It's so good to hear from you again! I can't wait to read your upcoming works, and I am so happy you've stopped to read mine again! *gives cookie* Thank you for being so damned awesome. Srsly.
Cloudlover2989: Exactly! Thank you for reviewing! I'm so happy you liked it! Hopefully you liked this chappie? XD Anyway, you deserve a cookie!