Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 or FFAC…or its characters. SADLY because I'd do some things differently, but I guess that's why we have fan fiction, eh? =)

Rated M for language, violence, and adult situations.

Thanks for the reviews, keep 'em coming. I like to know how I'm doing.

His devilishly handsome features dazzled her for a moment before she realized that she too had been leaning forward towards Reno. Tifa snapped her head up as she returned to her full height, stepping away from the counter a few steps.

A sly smile settled on his face once she retreated, "See, I do have a chance."

She shook her head, grabbing some mugs to clean for the shift later that night, "No, no chance Reno."

"Damn, Blondie definitely has you whipped," he grumbled, brushing his long red pony tail behind his shoulders.

"This has nothing to do with Cloud, Reno. I don't want to go on a date. I don't want to have any more sex with you. It's all me."

Reno frowned, "It may be you saying all that, but he's the reason you feel that way."

Tifa's heart fell. Reno was right. Cloud had her so incredibly jaded that dating other men was not an option.

"I'm sorry, Reno," She murmured, casting him a sympathetic expression. Who knew, if she had been ready to date, perhaps Reno would have turned out to be her soul mate. But it seemed wrong. Everything about it seemed wrong. Every aspect of her being yearned for Cloud and no other. She was hopelessly in love with a man who would never return the favor.

After a few moments of silence, Reno spoke; "Alright, well how about a sympathy date since you're so sorry?"

Tifa rolled her eyes, "Reno, it's the same damn thing-"

"No it's not. I won't expect any post-date sex. We'll just go out, have fun, and then that'll be that. I'll stop badgering you for your love after that," he told her, his blue eyes flashing with a hint of eagerness.

Tifa's hands found her hips as she thought his offer through, "Are you being serious right now?"

"I'm always serious," he teased, sticking his tongue out to mock her further. The beautiful woman couldn't help but laugh at how silly the red-headed Turk could be.

"Reno, I-"

Ding! The bell to the front door of the bar sounded as someone stepped into the room with them. Tifa stifled the need to scream as she realized that Cloud had been the offender to make the bell sound. Her eyes quivered as she watched Cloud's blue mako eyes come to rest on a non-threatened Reno. He was still flashing that smirk of his, even once he had noticed Cloud. It was almost as if the blond warrior hadn't arrived and disrupted his attempt at a date at all.

"You-you're b-back!" Tifa spluttered, throwing him a false smile. Cloud closed the distance that separated him from the Turk in merely a second, "What are you doing here?"

Reno snorted, "I'm here to see Tifa, Blondie. What does it look like?"

Cloud's body tensed, "Get out."

The Turk let his eyes narrow in a little at Cloud's dismissal, "I thought things were at least cordial between us, Blondie."

"Well you thought wrong. Now get out," Cloud commanded again.

"Not until I get my answer," Reno retorted coldly, his own blue eyes hardening.

"Answer to what?" The blond warrior hissed, his eyes darting up to a bewildered Tifa.

"A date," Reno told him smugly.

Tifa cleared her throat, cracking her fingers in the process, "I have your number, Reno. I'll just get back to you, 'kay? I need time to think this over."

"Of course, Mon Cherie. Until then-"The Turk whispered, taking one of her hands and pressing a kiss to her palm. And just as quickly as Cloud had entered, Reno had gone. Tifa gulped for a moment, trying not to look at Cloud.

"Teef, what was he doing here?" Cloud growled, leaning against the bar eager for her to answer.

"Just what he said; asking me on a date," she admitted, though ashamed.

"Well you're not going right?" Her best friend questioned her, his voice dangerously high.

Tifa nibbled on her lower lip and shrugged, "I uh…I don't know, Cloud. Why shouldn't I?" She asked him, hoping for his response to be something she could cling to and use for an excuse not to wine and dine with Reno.

Cloud's face was emotionless as he thought to himself, that unfamiliar emotion creeping back into his system, "Because of what he is."

Tifa's heart fell. It wasn't even close to what she had been hoping for, "Well that's a horrible reason. Look, just let it go," She finished, her voice going flat with disappointment.

"But Tifa, I-"

"No Cloud," she said, cutting him short, "I said to let it go. Why don't you go and watch the kids? I have things to do down here."

Cloud studied her for a few moments longer before he gave up trying to reason with her. He exhaled loudly and ascended the stairs, leaving Tifa to wallow in her sorrow.

Alright so there's chapter 5. I know it was short but I'm already working on chapter 6 and I wanted them to be separate.

~Nikki~