Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 or FFAC.

Rating: M for language, violence, and fluff.

Author's Note: Ok so that last chapter was totally hairy. I loved writing it though. When you love what you write it's the best feeling in the world. Lol ok so now that I'm done sounding dorky, let me present to you chapter 13! Enjoy and as always, review and lemme know whatcha think guys! ; )

Tifa stared at the sun as it poked its bright face over the horizon, blinking with fatigue. Sleep had eluded her that night. The situation with Cloud was beginning to cause her lack of sleep and then Reno had called. She sighed, rubbing at her sleep deprived eyes. He had asked her if he had woken her and she had simply told him that he had. And then he apologized. He asked her why she had sent a Mr. T look alike to the inn to tell him that she wasn't going to go out on that date with him and for that she had no answer. At the time it had seemed like a good idea but once she thought back on it, it was actually rather rude.

But she had explained to him that she had to decline his offer of a date at this point in time. He hadn't taken it lightly, he had rambled on and on about chemistry and a new start. She had cut him off and told him that right now she couldn't even consider dating someone and it wouldn't be fair to lead him on when she couldn't give him all of her attention and effort. She would be cheating him out of something that she didn't want to cheat him out of. But she had told him that if she ever felt like dating that he would be the first to know and that they could still be good friends.

She showered and dressed into her usual black attire, not caring to try and look extra appealing to the eyes. Black was what she wore when she was unhappy. Her brows furrowed together as an image of Cloud filled her mind. She was beginning to follow his trend of all black, all the time.

Tifa cracked at her knuckles as she thought about possibly wearing something else. 'I need to put on a happy face for Barrett,' she reminded herself, quickly shredding the black attire and replacing it with a light blue summer dress, sliding on a pair of white sandals. She brushed her long hair, leaving it down to frame her face today.

The extra time to lie in bed definitely was a plus; she didn't have two eager children jumping up and down at the end of her bed demanding breakfast. The thought of Denzel and Marlene brought on another wave of sadness. Even though it had only been one night she was definitely looking forward to her adopted children returning home today.

With her broken heart weighing heavy in her chest, Tifa exited her room, thankful for the invention of make up to hide her cry swollen eyes.

************

Just as he had expected, Cloud was nearing Seventh Heaven close to noon. He had timed things perfectly. Barrett wouldn't be over for lunch until nearly two, and so Tifa should be the only one in the house. He had ruined last night for her, he wouldn't let it happen again today.

Fenrir's engine silenced as he parked his beast of a machine, dismounting, pulling his goggles off, dangling them from his fingertips as he slowly approached the bar door.

"Hiya Cloud!"

Thankfully he had been trained to keep his emotions at bay when he had been a SOLDIER because if he hadn't he would have jumped three feet high. He spun around on his heels quickly, letting out a long breath of air upon seeing Yuffie, Vincent, Marlene, Denzel, and Barrett approaching, "Hey everyone," He muttered, feeling like he was in a spotlight.

"You are embarrassed," Vincent commented, his eyes poking over his red collar. Cloud frowned, "No, just surprised. You all aren't supposed to be here until two. It's only noon."

"We know, Cloudy-poo. But we couldn't keep the kids at bay any longer so we decided to come over a little early. Besides, a little quality friend time never hurt anyone, Spike. It might actually do you some good," Yuffie told him, eyeing him warily.

A roll of his blue eyes was her response. She had expected as much, nudging Vincent in the side. The long haired man laughed slightly, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Yuffie.

"Hi Cloud!" The kids exclaimed as they ran up to their other care taker. Cloud bent down, smiling softly at them.

"Marlene, Denzel. Did you two have fun at Yuffie and Vincent's?"

Denzel shrugged and Marlene nodded, "They taught us lots of stuff."

Cloud shot a quick glance up at Yuffie. He knew she had been the culprit. Vincent wouldn't dare interfere with the kids like she would. That's what he liked about Vincent; he didn't put his nose where it didn't need to be. Yuffie laughed nervously, scratching at the back of her head.

"They did huh? Well hopefully you'll tell me all about that later."

Marlene laughed as she and Denzel darted in the house, Denzel giving Marlene a bright smile as they ran in, screaming for Tifa. Yuffie and Vincent followed in after them, leaving Barrett and Cloud outside.

"You appear to be back to your usual self today, Strife. Last night a fluke?" Barrett asked him, tapping his metal arm out of habit.

Cloud stared at Barrett like he was trying to burn a hole right in between his eyes, "Barrett, why must you always concern yourself with my personal life?"

"Because you're personally my friend. Friends tell each other that kind of stuff ya know."

The blond shook his head, "Barrett, I want to be honest; I don't know what's going on."

The other man let out a whistle, "That bad huh? I should have known that it wasn't going to last long. So what was the deal? Couldn't get it up?"

"Barrett!" Cloud hissed, his blue eyes deadly, "Not sex. Things between Tifa and I are confusing without sex, let alone with it included into the equation."

Barrett sighed, "Well, I don't see what's so confusing. Tifa is crazy 'bout you, she's FUCKIN' GORGEOUS, and willing, and has waited on you for years and years! The only problem in the equation I see is you, Strife. Still being an indecisive little pussy are ya?"

"Drop it!" Cloud warned his long-time friend, anger brewing underneath his handsome exterior.

"What, did I hit a nerve?" Barrett continued his mocking, his brows furrowing together with his own anger, "Listen to me, and listen to me closely, Cloud. That woman in there is a good girl. She is an excellent mother figure and care taker for those kids, she's a spirited fighter who's loyal and dependable whenever you need help, she's sweet and caring, always putting others before herself and she's beautiful to boot. She has been waiting for you for years, since you were children. I advise you not to play with her emotions. What are you going to do when she gets tired of waiting, no matter how strong her feelings are for you, and moves on? You'll be left broken hearted over Aeris and Tifa, one of which is alive and was willing to be everything you want her to be. I've seen the way you look at her, Strife. It's no secret that the way she feels about you is the way you feel about her. Basically all I'm trying to get through that thick-ass skull of yours is that you are a fool if you let her slip through your fingers. Think about that for a while, Cloud."

Their eyes locked, neither of them giving or gaining any ground as Barrett shoved past Cloud and disappeared into the bar as well.

He had been right. Cloud knew it, but it still stung. "Damn it," he snarled, punching the wall, slumping against the outside of the building. Cloud bowed his head, blond spikes falling down to cover his face. He needed to make a decision and he needed to make it fast. It should be so black and white that he didn't need to think about it but still he was hesitant. What if things didn't work out with Tifa? Their friendship would be ruined forever. But what if things did work out? What if they-

He didn't have time to think about that right now. They were about to have a goodbye lunch for their dear friend Barrett, Cloud couldn't use this time to be pondering his love life…or lack of one for that matter.

With his heart heavy and his mind cluttered, Cloud entered Seventh Heaven, afraid of what he would find at the top of the stairs.

************

"God Teef, when did you get that dress?"

"Back off Yuffie, you're already nabbing my red shirt, don't start on this dress," Tifa told Yuffie, stopping her saucy ninja friend from even trying to wriggle this sundress out of her possession.

Yuffie huffed out a breath, crossing her arms, "Can't I just give you a compliment? Damn."

"You could if that was the only thing you were doing but it so happens that you're trying to snatch up my dress too so I won't allow you to speak any further on this subject," the martial artist teased, her face smiling, her eyes dull.

"Well fine, but did you happen to get Fenrir like we arranged?" Yuffie asked, her eyebrows lifting with her anticipation.

"Yeah, he said I could borrow it for one day but that was all."

"Really?" Squeaked the ninja, nearly jumping in the air with happiness, "So when can we expect to use it?"

"Well tomorrow is Sunday and Cloud doesn't have a delivery so you can use it tomorrow. But here's the deal, I want to take it for a ride before you get your greasy paws on it, just a quick joy ride and then I'll bring it by your place and you and Vincent can have your fun with it."

"But doesn't Cloud think that you are borrowing Fenrir?"

Tifa shrugged, "I still have to work that part out but don't worry about it. I gotcha covered, Yuff."

Yuffie smiled heartily at Tifa, her face screaming of her approval, "Thank you sooooo much Teef! Vinny and I are going to take good care of Fenrir, I promise."

"Well whatever you two happen to do while on Fenrir…just make sure you clean it up," Tifa warned, her eyes wide with dirty images.

Yuffie laughed, "Fine, I'll clean it up but I get to tell you all about it the next day."

"Deal."

The two women shook hands and laughed, Yuffie's laughter lasting much longer than Tifa's. "There he is!" Marlene exclaimed upon seeing the blond spikes of Cloud's hair poking up over the top of the stairs. Soon the warrior was standing in the kitchen as well, lingering by the door way.

"Now it's a party. Let's get this started!" Barrett declared, fisting his metal hand into the air.

The beautiful bar keep quickly turned back to the stove, stirring the noodles that were boiling inside an overly large pot. Everyone happened to notice the tenseness the two friends shared but chose to ignore it. It wasn't their business even though it was killing them to know what was going on.

"Alright, so let's see…who's up for a little mock battle then?" Yuffie suggested, flashing everyone a haughty grin as she cracked her knuckles, "That's what a backyard is for."

Cloud turned his head when he heard a slight laugh come from Vincent's direction, the secretive man shaking his head, his eyes dancing as he looked at Yuffie.

"I'm game!" Barrett exclaimed, jumping to his feet.

"I'll join," Vincent agreed, all eyes turning towards Cloud. He sighed. He wasn't exactly wanting to join in the fighting but he wasn't exactly wanting to stay in the room with a heartbroken Tifa either, "Whatever I'll join."

"Hey Teef, why don't you turn that off and come join us? Lunch can wait," The ninja asked, eyes expectant.

"No, I don't want the noodles sticking to the pot. You all go ahead," She told them overly-nice, flashing them all a quick smile before turning back to her meal.

"Alright then, c'mon Marley, Denz, you two can be the referees," Barrett said, grabbing both of their hands. The kids squealed in delight as everyone went down the stairs, leaving Tifa to worry over her noodles, Cloud looming silently by the doorway.

His concerned eyes watched her form change from perky and straight, to slumped and shoulders heaving, her head bowing down. "Go have fun Cloud, it's alright," She cooed, not looking at him.

How she knew he had been standing there he would never know. He was always talented when it came to being unnoticed. "But it's not alright," he muttered, walking into the kitchen further.

"No, seriously, it's fine," she said again, a little more forceful this time, her back still to him.

Her friend stopped his approach in the middle of the kitchen, his muscled form stiff. Cloud's hands fisted beside him as he fought back the urge to run over and shake her, "Tifa," he growled, causing her to turn around, her head still bowed. Cloud could see tears and make up running down her face as she tried to keep him from locking eyes with her.

"What Cloud? What do you want?" She wailed, stomping a slender leg in frustration, the tears freely flowing now.

"I want you to look at me," he muttered, closing the distance between them, taking in the scent of her perfume. It was his favorite.

"I can't!" Tifa told him, looking at the wall, her own small hands fisting.

"Why not?" He whispered, wanting nothing more than to reach under her chin and turn her face so he could look at her.

"Because it hurts too much, just leave me alone Cloud, please?" She pleaded, trying to choke back another sob as she turned back to the food, "Just go have fun, Cloud. Really, I want you to enjoy yourself. Stop worrying about me, I'll be fine. I'm Tifa Lockhart remember?"

He swallowed, eyes shaking with their pain. In that instant he knew…he knew what he had to do and what he had to say. In that instant he had made his decision. With a nod, he turned and walked down the stairs slowly to join the others for their mock battle outside.

Awww poor Teefie! Get a move on Cloud! Chapter 14 will be up later today. I'm too into this to just wait another day. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Review and lemme know.

Much Love,

~Nikki~