Chapter Summary: Taking care of Cloud Strife can be a bit frustrating. Add him to Sephiroth and its darn near impossible! But Tifa and company are up for the challenge, for Denzel is armed with puppy dog eyes and Marlene is just too adorable to resist. And if either becomes too much of a problem, Tifa can just sic Jaycynda on them… J

Chapter 9: Healing Inside

Tip-toeing down the stairs, Tifa cautiously peeked around the corner. The sight of Cloud peacefully asleep on the cot provided by Reeve both relieved and relaxed her. He was breathing slowly, quietly. In the silence of the room, it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.

Three days had passed since the battle with the unknown creature that crawled from the ruins of Midgar. With both Cloud and Sephiroth out of action, the WRO had resealed the door leading down into a tunnel system that was never added to the blueprints of the city. The remaining SOLDIERs, Vincent and Nanaki were taking turns guarding it to prevent such a tragic occurrence from happening again.

Twelve infantrymen had been killed during the battle, with over twenty remaining in critical condition from poison inhalation. The entire city was in mourning over the loss.

The red lion-like Nanaki was apparently a friend of Valentine's that had also had a run-in with Hojo. Branded on his shoulder was 'Red XIII', a designation many accepted as his name, and he didn't seem to particularly care which he was called. Years ago, he had been kidnapped by the Turks from Cosmo Canyon, a location his tribe had protected for centuries. It was during his stint as Hojo's lab rat that he had met and befriended the former Turk, despite his connections to the instigators of his capture. Intelligent yet reserved, he had chosen to come when Vincent asked for his assistance.

His meeting with Cloud had been brief but memorable. It was obvious he knew of the SOLDIER through Hojo, though he never said so directly.

Leaning on the door frame, Tifa studied the former General of Wutai. He lay curled on his left side, left arm and hand stretched out on a pillow. Across the back of his hand was the scar from where the stinger hit him, looking like a white starburst against skin that was still a bit pale. There was residual weakness in the limb from the poison, though all felt he would recover full strength completely.

But not even Aerith's healing could stop the sickness he now suffered. Eating was difficult; it was a chore just finding something his stomach wouldn't reject. He had lost weight he really couldn't afford to lose.

And the nightmares were particularly horrific. The first night had been the worse, and Tifa was so glad the kids hadn't been present to hear the chilling screams. Though he seemed to shrug off the incident in his concern for Sephiroth, the brush with death had affected Cloud deeply. His tears afterwards had relieved Tifa, for the reaction was natural and human.

But in the following days, about the only way for him to get more than a couple hours of sleep was to tranquilize him. Unfortunately, Cloud was no more inclined to that than Sephiroth. Twice now Tifa had been forced to enlist the serves of Denzel to get the medicine down the reluctant SOLDIER, and she didn't know if it would work a third time.

"I know you're there," Cloud's sleep-husky voice floated quietly to her. "And if you have a tranq in your pocket, I might get violent this time."

Even in the half-light streaming in from the window, she could see his smile and knew he was only teasing her.

Walking over, she sat on the edge of the cot and assured him, "No tranq. I was just checking on you." Brushing at the wildly disordered spikes of his blonde hair, she touched his forehead and was relieved there was still no fever. Tifa was so grateful to Reeve -through the WRO- for offering to support her until Cloud was better, because it allowed her to keep the bar closed until then, and let her nurse him herself.

Cloud reached out and trailed a finger over her lips. "Climb in here with me for a while. It's hard to get snuggle time with you with the kids around."

And that was the absolute truth. Most of the time, it took a crowbar to remove Denzel and Marlene from his lap. Both had seen the video footage of Sephiroth carrying Cloud from the battle. There had even been a few reports of his death before an enraged Reeve had corrected that assumption publicly. It had badly frightened the children, and as a result neither were willing to leave him for any length of time. Going to school had become an agony of separation they could barely stand.

Although she didn't think it was a really good idea -temptation and opportunity were never a good mix- she slid in beside him. It was so comfortable to spoon against his body, her back to his chest, his arm wrapped around her waist. Immersed within that unique smell that was only Cloud, Tifa let his warmth wash over her. There was peace here in the darkness, with his soft breath playing against the skin of her neck and the motions of his chest rising and falling at her back. She rested a hand on his wrist to feel his pulse, reassured by the steady throb under her fingertips.

Sleep threatened, wrapping her in silken cords and relentlessly pulling her down. This was the first time since the battle that she had truly relaxed, and the release of tension, stress and worries were her undoing. Less than a minute after she settled down, she was gone…

A soft giggle slowly penetrated the warmth cocooning Tifa. Floating aimlessly in the comfort of sleep, it was a gentle sound that gradually drew her into consciousness. Fluttering lashes lifted groggily to behold two set of curious eyes - one melting brown, the other a darker version of Cloud's blue without the mako glow. Marlene and Denzel were staring at her intently, grins on their faces as they tried as best they could not to laugh out loud.

It can't be time for them to get up, can it? I came down here at midnight! The thought was loud in her head as she turned slightly to look at the clock on the wall of the bar. Her shocked eyes could barely comprehend what the hands indicated. 10:00! It was 10:00 in the morning?! The sight had her entire body tensing so abruptly it woke Cloud, who was so curled around her even their legs were all tangled up.

"Guess we over-slept," was his sleepy comment whispered right in her ear.

The feel of his breath on the nape of her neck had her jolting. "Right," she stammered, attempting to pry herself loose.

It wasn't working, largely because Cloud was not cooperating. The next breathy laugh from him forced her to squeeze her eyes shut and count to ten, before she did something to the man the children shouldn't see - like sink her teeth into that tempting bottom lip and nibble away. Tifa knew Strife was dangerous the first moment she laid eyes on him, and being in his arms was even more so.

And yet here she was, all wrapped up with no easy escape in sight. Argh!

Cuddling her even closer -if that was possible- Cloud suggested to the kids, "Why don't you go see what you want for a late breakfast? We'll be in the kitchen in just a minute."

They could hardly believe their luck at getting to choose what they wanted and bolted out of the room, the door to the kitchen slamming in their wake. Tifa groaned. "You do realize they're going to hit the frosted cereal and be on a sugar-high for hours, right?"

"They're kids, Tifa. They'll find a way to a sugar-high no matter how careful you are," was his smiling response. "Now turn around so I can kiss you properly."

Bad idea! Her brain immediately screamed.

Too bad! Her body snickered the thought as she rolled onto her other side and into a much more intimate embrace.

The kiss he offered was sensual and heady, gliding and sweet. It was just the kind that makes you want more, and her soft little moan had him grinning wickedly before pressing another on her. It was around the sixth or seventh kiss that one of the kids -she would never know just which one- opened the kitchen door and gave a sound something like 'eep!' before slamming the door again.

Sheer determination managed to break his hold this time as she wrestled her way clear, blushing so hotly her cheeks felt aflame. "I knew better, but I did it anyway," she muttered furiously at herself as she struggled to right clothes twisted during sleep.

Cloud's soft hum had her looking up and freezing.

Cloud lay as she had left him, all curled up as though she were still snuggled close against him. With eyes half-closed and lips quirked at the corners, hair all mussed and t-shirt rucked up slightly, he was temptation incarnate. Totally against her will her body took two steps towards him even as someone knocked on the outside door.

Puffing her bangs out of her face, she actually wavered between answering it and climbing back onto the cot. The second knock, just a little louder and a bit more impatient, finally decided her. Turning, trying to ignore Cloud's disappointed sigh from behind her, Tifa flipped the latch and pulled open the door.

Jaycynda's hair shone in the sunlight, bright as a flaming candle. "Good morning, Tifa! Can we come in?"

Sephiroth stood beside her, looking a hundred times better than the last time she saw him, which was on a stretcher on his way to the WRO infirmary. There was color in his face and he stood erect and relaxed. It was still a shock to see him in jeans and khaki cable knit sweater, with the long silver hair in a simple braid down his back.

"Seph!" Unable to help herself, Tifa threw open the door and hugged the General of the WRO. "I can't believe how good you look!" Rising on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to his cheek before he could pull away.

Pretending to wince, Sephiroth mock scowled at her. "What is it with all you females? Every time I turn around I'm getting hugged and kissed, sometimes by complete strangers. What is a man to do in situations like that?" Not even his legendary skill at poker could keep the smile from showing in his frost green eyes.

"Enjoy it!" was Cloud's shout from inside, making Jaycynda and Tifa laugh.

"I don't recall asking for your input, Strife," Seph commented mildly as Tifa stepped out of the way to let him enter the bar. Walking over to the cot tucked in the corner of the room, he leaned over Cloud and unexpectedly pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Still no fever, thank Shiva. And you look rested." Lowering his voice, he whispered, "You enjoy making her smell of you, don't you?"

Even though he honestly tried, Cloud couldn't quite keep the smirk off his face.

Jaycynda watched them for a moment before suggesting, "Why don't we go in the kitchen, Tifa? I'd love a cup of coffee if you have any."

Knowing Jaycynda was trying to give the men time to talk privately, Tifa smiled and said, "I need to supervise the kids anyway, so I'll get a pot on the brew. I didn't expect to sleep this late and I'm a bit fuzzy headed."

Both women walked into what was obviously chaos to judge by the quiet shout Tifa gave. Denzel's voice sounded briefly, stammering something out before the door closed.

Cloud held out his right hand and asked, "Help just a bit? I actually slept so hard I'm pretty stiff."

Smirking at just how Cloud had managed to sleep so soundly, Sephiroth rendered assistance in getting him to his feet. Once they were seated at a table nearby, he commented dryly, "Slept that well, eh?"

"Beside her, who wouldn't?" Cloud offered cheekily in return, grinning. Then his expression turned serious, "It's the first time since the battle I've slept without nightmares. Nearly ten hours, and I can't tell you how much better I feel, even with the stiffness. Maybe Jaycynda will let us take a walk later."

Sephiroth leaned back in his chair and eyed Cloud. "Another day or two, I think. This is the first morning she's let me out of bed, and I wasn't in as bad shape as you." Grimacing, he admitted, "It's hard to be inactive, to feel so weak. Aerith warned me the healing would be painful, but I never expected anything like it. If I never feel such agony again, it will be too soon." He pulled up the sweater and looked dispassionately at the bruising still present on his upper chest. "At least it isn't swollen any more, and I can touch it without screaming like some wussy little girl now."

Swallowing the laugh that wanted to break free, Cloud managed, "Seph..." before his throat closed up.

"Don't." Sephiroth's voice was sharp as he released the hem of the sweater and grabbed Cloud's uninjured hand. "I don't regret a single second of it. I'd do it again, even knowing what it would cost." Seeing he wasn't getting through, that the guilt had yet to leave Cloud's face, he asked, "If you could go back, would you still jump in between me and that creature?"

"Of course I would," Cloud snapped, shocked to be asked such a question.

Seph merely raised an eyebrow and waited for the truth to hit. He knew it had when Cloud sighed, closed his eyes and turned away.

"All right, all right. We're both a couple of unsung heroes. Happy?" The aerobic wit was dry and self-depreciated, but the twitch of Cloud's lips suggested he was trying not to smile. "You matter to me, Seph. More of your life than mine was stolen by Hojo, and you deserve to live to enjoy it."

Reaching over, Sephiroth gently knocked him in the head, "But not at the expense of your own life, Cloud. It was a near thing. If you didn't possess that tiny fraction of Aerith's power you would have died instantly."

"Yes, well..." and he rubbed at the back of his neck. He hadn't been able to discuss the subject with Tifa yet, and knew the longer he delayed the more it threatened their relationship. But it was so hard to put his fears into words.

And words still weren't his strong point.

Wanting to speak of something less touchy, he commented quietly. "Aerith reopened her flower shop today. Zack says she's fully recovered and refused to let him coddle her anymore." Seeing the answering humor in Seph's eyes, Cloud grinned. "That was her word, not his. I get the feeling he just didn't want to let her out of bed." The too-blue eyes went wide, "And that did NOT come out right at all. I just meant he was worried she was pushing herself too hard by going back to work too soon."

"Embarrassing though your slip might be, it's true," was the thoughtful reply from Sephiroth. "Aerith made a comment when she visited me yesterday that confirmed their relationship has definitely moved to the next level. I think she would have willingly swallowed her own tongue to take what she said back."

Cloud blinked for a moment, "Really?" Embarrassed to know such intimate details of one of his best friend's life, he swiped a hand halfheartedly over his bedraggled hair. "Well, that would explain his exuberance on the phone yesterday; I swear I could hear him bouncing up and down right through the connection."

Chuckling, Seph confessed, "Zack is a puppy, Cloud. He's always bouncing." The two stared at each other for a moment before Sephiroth continued, "And that came out even less right!"

They were still laughing at their verbal mistakes when a quiet knock on the kitchen door had them turning in confusion. A moment later, Jaycynda stepped out with a tray loaded with what was obviously their breakfast. "Here you are, gentlemen." She unloaded the tray with quick efficiency and warned Sephiroth, "You've had nothing but tea and biscuits this morning, so I'm going to ask you politely to eat at least some of this. Strife." When Cloud looked warily at the food, wondering if it would stay down or not, she continued, "Tifa knows how touchy your stomach is right now, but asks that you try, okay?"

Both men nodded, and she silently retraced her steps back into the kitchen.

Seph picked up a piece of toast and bit in, chewing while pondering just how to introduce the subject he wished. Finally, he mentally shrugged and thought, to Hades with it, and just said, "Reeve told me that you've worked with Jaycynda for some time now, monitoring my actions and reactions to all the information you've found in the decoding."

Blowing out a breath, Cloud picked up a rice cake and nodded. "She's had your case file for nearly two years now, and we -me and Reeve- have met with her twice a week for months to discuss everything revolving around you. Reeve... had a really long talk with her after the attack, and I explained some things yesterday during a conference call so she could understand a bit better. The one thing I tried to get across is that your reserve isn't a front, and how uncomfortable even I would feel if I just laid back and said, 'Oh, yes. Just take care of me.' Hopefully that's made it easier for you."

The snort was amused. "She's been careful to run everything by me first," Sephiroth commented.

"So you haven't hacked anything up in the infirmary yet?" Cloud asked, eyes twinkling.

"They locked up the Masamune before I was steady enough to complain. Jaycynda made sure I was aware of it's location, but warned I would have to go through her to get it. I wasn't really sure what she meant by that at first, but apparently there's a bit of feelings involved here…" Voice trailing off, Seph looked down at his plate as though contemplating his remaining breakfast.

Knowing of the fascination Jaycynda had for Sephiroth made Cloud grin. He had wondered how long she could hold out before confessing. "Feeling a little pressure?" Cloud guessed.

Leaning back, Sephiroth rolled his eyes and admitted, "Tempting though she might be, I would rather have a friend right now. I think she's beginning to realize that, but I'm not willing to hurt her feelings by being blunt. After all, she is Head Nurse of the WRO's infirmary. Upsetting her could potentially land me in quarantine or solitary confinement on bread and water." The humor of the situation had the corners of his lips turning upwards, "Besides, she now knows I'm a pain in the tail when it comes to taking orders -as opposed to giving them- and that I don't always play nice."

"And that would be but one of the many reasons for your seedy reputation at poker. How much did you take her for?"

Seph didn't even try to deny he had snookered Jaycynda into a game. "About a thousand gil, give or take. She's a good loser - far better than Angeal and Genesis, that's for sure." He tried to keep his expression bland but it didn't fool Cloud. There was no disguising that particular twinkle showing in the General's frosty green eyes.

"Played strip poker, huh?" he guessed, and chuckled at Seph's expression. "Who else was there?"

"Another nurse, Starr, joined us, along with Genesis, who drew night guard. I won, but just barely. Genesis was down to just his earring and one sock when I slapped down the winning hand. And I will add that neither woman has a shy bone anywhere in their bodies. We're going to have to play against them together, Strife. I'm not interested in a relationship right now and you're taken, but the view is definitely worth the effort."

"And you didn't invite me last night to see for myself? I'm hurt." And Cloud actually pulled off the pout well enough that Seph nearly laughed himself out of his chair.

It was a struggle to get his breath back. Seph finally managed and pointed out, "We were at it until about 4:00 this morning. Would you really give up snuggling with Tifa to play strip poker with us?"

"No." The answer was immediate and forceful.

"Well, then." Smirking, he grabbed another triangle of toast and gestured with it. "Even with all this joking, I can see what's in the back of your mind. You won't bring it up, will you? I have to ask about it before you'll say anything?"

Cloud understood what he meant by the serious look in Seph's eyes. "Not until you're ready."

Sighing, he put the toast back down and sat looking out the side window that still bore the crack from the explosion days earlier. "Will you at least tell me her name?" he asked softly, trying to act like it wasn't so desperately important to him.

"Lucrecia Crescent."

Sephiroth's head whipped around. "I've seen that name. She was an assistant to Hojo in the Banora lab. And Vincent... he was a Turk at the time, posted to protect the laboratory." The frost green eyes were intent and focused. "Hojo shot him, and then bound demons inside him..."

Pushing back his own plate, Cloud nodded. "He would have died if Lucrecia hadn't placed the ProtoMateria within him to give him some control over the demons. And Hojo shot him in the first place because Vincent was trying to stop him from experimenting any further on Lucrecia -and indirectly- on you." Seeing the surprise, Cloud had to smile. "Vincent may seem like the closest thing to a vampire we're ever likely to see, but he is still a decent person, Seph. He cared about your welfare because you were a part of Lucrecia, and he wanted to protect the both of you. Even now he helps me watch over you. In a way, you're all he really has left of her right now."

"And... she is alive?"

"...In a way, yes."

"I can see her?" Seph's voice was wistful and filled with pain.

"Not at the moment." Cloud struggled with the truth for a few minutes before finally admitting, "She's sealed herself in a crystal in a cavern near Nibelheim. She thinks her crime of letting Hojo experiment on you makes her unworthy of life. Vincent visits her regularly, but can get little out of her." Taking a deep breath, he told Sephiroth, "She asks about you every time, and mourns that she was never able to hold you, not even once. She's not ready, Seph. Vincent's trying, but it's even more painful for him to see her than it would be for you. He loves her so deeply that each time she retreats into that crystal, it rips his heart out all over again."

Seph had to look away again. "You humble me, Strife. I keep hitting what I think is the end of my rope, only to discover you've snuck in and tied another section onto it when I wasn't looking. You're so careful to present things in small doses so I can handle them better, while keeping the bulk of them locked inside, out of sight until I'm ready to deal with them." Frost green eyes met vividly blue in genuine concern, "You can't keep piling on the weight, Cloud. You're going to buckle from it eventually."

The kitchen door opened as Tifa entered the room, followed by Marlene. In seconds the girl was crawling into Cloud's lap, wrapping her arms around his chest and snuggling in.

There was a small bottle sticking out of her pocket, and upon seeing it, Cloud looked up at Tifa sternly. "You should be ashamed, using the kids like this." His tone was teasing and sly.

It made Tifa's cheerful smile light up the entire room. "I refuse to feel shame if it gets that supplement down your throat, Cloud Strife." Placing a hand on Sephiroth's shoulder, she assured him, "And I don't want you to feel left out, Seph. She's got one for you, too."

The laugh Sephiroth gave was deep and a touch wicked. "She's got your number, doesn't she, Cloud?"

And without the slightest hint of a smile, Cloud corrected, "No, Seph. What she has is my heart." With that he accepted the small bottle from Marlene and downed the contents with a grimace. There was no faking the shudder of revulsion at the taste of the vile liquid - though their sense of taste wasn't amplified by the mako injections, their sense of smell sure was, and that made the supplement just that much worse.

So Cloud grinned when Marlene, smiling sweetly, offered the other one to Seph. "Your turn!" she told him excitedly.

Sephiroth couldn't help making such an awful face that Marlene giggled.