Disclaimer: The usual. I do not own Cloud or Kadaj, the other characters, the Highwind, or even Vincent's shiny pointy shoes.

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Open Hands

Interlude 1

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The bar was packed.

Tifa was hurrying from table to table. Fortunately, most of the customers seemed to be in good spirits. Survival high, I guess, she thought. It'd been a couple of weeks since the plague ended, and they were fairly sure all of the remaining Geostigma victims had been cured. Just having Geostigma gone is plenty to celebrate…most of them don't really even know the rest of the story.

She was filling a customer's order when she felt a tug on her skirt. "Tifa?"

She looked down. Marlene was standing there in her pajamas, barefoot, her brown hair loose around her face. "Marlene! You're supposed to be in bed!"

Marlene was frowning, her wide eyes too serious for a six-year-old's. "I know. But Cloud's talking in his sleep. I heard him from my room. I think something's the matter with him."

Tifa frowned, with a sinking heart. Things had been peaceful since Cloud had moved back in. It's quiet—a little too quiet, I think the old saw goes. What is it now?

She sighed. Maybe he's just getting sick. He goes out in all weathers, after all, and sometimes he plays bouncer in here until almost closing time, even after a full day's work. A fever's something I can deal with, even if I have to threaten him to get him to stay in bed!

Tifa mustered a smile for Marlene. "Let's go back upstairs, honey, and I'll check on him."

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Tifa got Marlene back into bed, and then came to the doorway of Cloud's room. She stepped in softly and came closer, but he didn't stir. He lay on his side facing the door, apparently sleeping soundly, but the sheet was partially twisted around his waist and dangling over the edge of the bed as if he'd been tossing and turning. She laid a hand very lightly on his forehead, but it was cool.

He inhaled deeply. She drew her hand back and stepped away, ready to slip out again, but he didn't wake up. He rolled onto his back, a frown creasing his forehead. He mumbled something she couldn't make out, and then subsided, easing back into a deeper sleep. She watched him for a few moments, and then turned quietly away, moving toward the door.

She was in the doorway with her hand on the doorjamb when she heard him speak, very softly but much more clearly.

"Are you sure he's worth it?"

Tifa jumped a little and looked over her shoulder. She turned, and slowly walked back to his bedside. He said nothing more, and his face was quiet and composed. A tiny smile played over his lips, then faded.

"Cloud?" she whispered.

He stirred, frowned faintly, and opened his eyes. They focused on Tifa and widened a little, and he sat up. "Tifa? What's wrong? What time is it?" He rubbed his eyes with one hand, and reached over to turn on the light beside his bed.

Tifa relaxed. He looked fine, and he sounded far too calm to have been having a nightmare. "Just after eleven. Marlene heard you talking in your sleep…she wanted me to come check on you."

Cloud lowered his eyes from hers, and his face took on a very familiar inward expression. After a moment it turned to a puzzled frown. "That was…strange," he muttered.

"Were you dreaming?"

He nodded. "I was in the Forgotten Capitol…talking to Kadaj."

Tifa raised her eyebrows. "Talking? Not fighting? Talking about what?"

"It's fading now." He rubbed his eyes again. "I think I was trying to convince him to do something, but I don't remember what."

"Was anyone else there?"

Cloud smiled slightly after a moment. "Aeris was there. Making fun of me for being a pain, I think."

Tifa smiled back at him, concealing her pleased surprise. He can talk about her and smile. That's a big improvement over a few weeks ago. "Well, since you're all right, I'd better get back downstairs." She turned toward the door. "If you can get back into your dream, you can tell Aeris I said you turned out not to be such a pain after all."

The quiet reply came just as she stepped through the doorway. "I will."

Tifa blinked and looked over her shoulder, just as the light clicked out and she heard him settle back down.

All right, I'm not sure what that was all about… She pulled the door shut behind her slowly, thinking; then she shrugged and nodded firmly. But I think it's a good thing.

She went back to work smiling.

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End Interlude 1

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A/N: Sorry this took so long, and I know it's very short. Vacation wound up being a vacation from writing as well, but I'm getting back on the Chocobo now! Next update should be MUCH quicker, especially now that I managed to slip Kadaj those drugs—er. Ahem. Never you mind, just see you next chapter!