A/N: Here's the next instalment, not sure just how I feel about it but it's been so long since I've updated and I feel bad. I like updating as often as possible. To everyone who has favorited and began following my story I am so honored. Thank you! Don't forget to R & R 3 Enjoy!

Nightfall had come over Edge although it wasn't a quiet night at the 7th Heaven as Tifa was working her usual shift at the bar. Normally Cloud would help her at night with her patrons however he had locked himself up in their bedroom that night, claiming he was in no mood to entertain. Something about the most recent hospital visit had him on edge though he wouldn't talk about it so Tifa didn't press the issue no matter how frustrating the silence between them was. Luckily Vincent and Yuffie were accompanying her for the evening since the barmaid asked, knowing Vincent would make an excellent body guard and Yuffie would help her tend to the tables.

It wasn't long before her bar counter was filled with customers once the doors opened. Tifa served up a vodka tonic for the long-faced man in front of her, who already had a few too many since he had come in, in her opinion and was blatantly flirting with her since Cloud wasn't around. She was a graceful woman though and simply smiled, knowing it wouldn't be long before her patrons would stop trying to flirt with her. She giggled at the thought, her belly being large as she served up her customers, the looks she would get but she didn't care. Tifa was so happy to be expecting sometimes it was hard to contain it.

"Have a drink with me Teef!" The long-faced patron smirked, raising his vodka tonic.

"I told you I can't." Tifa smiled, shaking her head as she continued to work behind the counter, serving for other customers near-by, always keeping her friendly demeanor.

"Come ooon! I won't tell blondie!" Her customer berated, slurring his words as he reached for her, luckily the bar counter was just too far for him to reach. The barmaid simply shook her head as her answer with every insistence.

Vincent watched closely by at counter keeping an eye making sure none of the clients tried anything funny on his friend. He was amused at Tifa's calm behavior when dealing with the drunken clientele. If he had been a bar tender, he thought, he would've lost his patience a while ago, kicking out anyone who disturbed him. He supposed that's why he wasn't a bar owner for he'd never have any customers and his bar would just go out of business.

The barmaid continued business as usual, running behind the counter from customer to customer, making sure they were pleased with her service. The gunslinger worried she might be over-doing herself in her condition however he let her be, figuring she knew her limits and if she didn't he was there to jump in at any moment.

Vincent couldn't help but notice how much Tifa's customer's all loved her. Some were consumed by lust and inebriation while others genuinely enjoyed her company and tried to strike up conversation unrelated to alcohol. The ebony-haired man's thoughts became intermittent as he heard a familiar squeal of discontent.

Yuffie had been waitressing at the tables, serving drinks to a group of drunken bachelors to whom Vincent's displeasure were eying the Wutai princess in a disrespectful manner, particularly a large muscled and sharp-nosed man with a blonde buzz cut that had now grabbed on to the smaller framed ninja, trying to force her on to his lap.

The bar came to a halt at Yuffie's cry, all conversations stopping abruptly and all eyes now on the assailant and his victim. Yuffie struggled, slapping the rough man in the face, however the large man chuckled, amused, gripping on to the Wutai princess' arm while his other hand tried to grasp on to her backside.

Tifa put down her glasses, about to make her way out from the bar counter however stopped when she noticed Vincent calmly walk over to the table.

"Let her go." His dark voice resonated.

The buzz-cut man laughed, pulling Yuffie closer. "Why? She yours?" His yellow teeth grinned. Yuffie made a disgusted face at her aggressor which of course made the man pull her tight.

Tifa watched closely as Vincent's hand ghosted over his holster containing Cerberus. The gunslinger's lips, thin and curved in to what seemed like a malicious smirk, sent shivers down Yuffie's back. This was that scary side of Vincent, she thought, no one should ever see.

"She is." Vincent replied, keeping his hand on his gun in case he had to pull it. "So kindly let her go or I'll be forced to do something you'll regret." Yuffie's cheeks burned as Vincent stood up for her. He had just told this strange man she was his, as if it were an official thing and not just hidden kisses behind closed doors. Her heart felt like it was going to burst, she was so proud to be his.

"A scrawny punk-ass like you?" the blonde laughed, standing up to intimidate Vincent, however the gunslinger remained still, undaunted by the large man who was the same height as he was. Crimson eyes narrowed as the meaty fist grabbed on to his black shirt.

Cerberus was pressed firmly against the assaulting blonde's forehead as many of the customers around them gasped. Vincent could hear Tifa's voice calling out his name as he cocked the gun.

"You wouldn't." The blonde man shook, trying to remain tough however he knew he was no match to a gun.

"I was an assassin for ShinRa in a former life, a Turk. You want to test that theory my friend, be my guest." Vincent smirked as he felt his shirt loosen from the man's grip.

"I don't need this shit." The large man spat out in defeat, his pride hurt as Vincent remained still with his gun still pointed at him. "Come on!" He called out to his friends at the table who followed quickly.

Vincent lowered his gun, sighing. He hadn't let his temper get out of control like that in so long it was almost overwhelming for the moment however seeing Yuffie in trouble made those emotions break out in him once more. He almost didn't recognize himself.

"Vincent," Yuffie's voice interrupted. It was so soft, shocked at the events that had transpired, however it quickly changed to her over-confident character as she began to defend herself. "I could've handled them you know!"

"Yuffie," Vincent's eyes narrowed a bit annoyed at the lack of gratitude. "That man was three times your size."

"So?!" The ninja scoffed, her hands on her hips, "I've taken on bigger."

The gunslinger wasn't in the mood to argue with her, letting out a simple 'hmph' to let her know he wasn't pleased with her attitude before making his way back to the counter where Tifa was staring at them with wide eyes, unsure what to think of the situation.

"Vincent what was—" the barmaid began to ask however Vincent simply cleared his throat letting her know he wasn't in the mood to talk. She sighed, too familiar with that type of behavior. "Want a drink then?"

"Whiskey." Vincent's deep voice resonated as he looked up with his crimson eyes. Tifa served Vincent his drink, hoping that the social lubricant would perhaps open him up, however the gunman nursed the drink most of the night.

As the night went on, things became quiet, the 7th Heaven clients not daring to step out of line with the lurking gunman on watch. The bar came to a close and Tifa enlisted Yuffie to help with cleaning the tables. It was then he noticed Vincent's eyes always darting to wherever the ninja moved. It was a subtle behavior that only someone who knew Vincent well enough would've noticed. The barmaid was loaded with questions, wanting to know what was going on between them still she let it go, figuring it could wait until morning when either Vincent or Yuffie were in a better mood.

Tifa bid her company goodnight as she made her way up the stairs, feeling the exhaustion hit her body like a freight truck. She made sure she was quiet as she opened the door to her bedroom in case her beloved ex-mercenary was asleep. She silently slipped out of clothes, tossing them aside in to the laundry basket and put on her usual silk top and bottoms before carefully slithering in to her bed to sleep.

Her eyes began to adjust to the dark and with the dim lighting from outside she could now make out her spouse's figure next to her. He was on his back, eyes closed however something told her he wasn't asleep.

"Cloud?" She whispered in case he was in a deep slumber but her suspicions were confirmed as he answered with a soft grunt. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"No." He said flatly. He was definitely still in a mood. "I've been up this whole time."

She was a bit surprised to hear he hadn't slept at all. It was so late she felt like she could fall asleep at any moment and yet he was unfazed. His eyes opened, that familiar blue glow now staring back at her. Cloud was frowning, looking so troubled, riddled with guilt.

"What's wrong?" She asked as she struggled to stay awake, trying to be there for him.

"Reeve," He began while taking his fingertips and squeezing the bridge of his nose, "He wants us to take in that girl."

"We can't take her in Cloud." Tifa said shaking her head. What was the WRO leader thinking? "We have a baby on the way and Denzel."

"Yes I know that's what I told him but," Tifa could see it in his face. There was so much he wanted to tell her, so much that made this decision so difficult. "It doesn't feel right."

Turning to face Tifa he began to tell her everything that Reeve had informed him about Raisel, explaining the emotional trauma the young girl had been through, the bond she formed with their adoptive son as well as her familial background and how the girl didn't know why everything had happened to her. Tifa's heart broke for the girl now knowing why Cloud felt such guilt for she was now feeling a pang in her core as well. Her gentle hand cupped his cheek, trying to comfort him. He quickly leaned in to her, knowing she was thinking everything he had been thinking about all day.

"What can we do?" She asked stroking her thumb on to his soft cheek. "Denzel would love to have her and the way she looks at him, it's like he's her entire world right now."

"She imprinted on him." Cloud sighed. "If we raise her, there are less chances of her becoming a threat."

Tifa hadn't thought about the fact that with her genetic predisposition she could become the next menace to their world. Could they stop that if they brought her in to their family?

"It's a lot to think about." Tifa agreed. "How long do we have to decide?"

"She has quite a bit of recovery to go through so I think we have some time." Cloud explained. "Tifa we can talk about this in the morning." The blonde suggested, noticing how exhausted his wife was. He leaned in, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep."

"Mm, I'm so tired." Tifa grumbled, closing her heavy eyes. "I love you."

"I know." Cloud responded with a sly smile making Tifa's brow twitch in annoyance. He couldn't help but chuckle. "I love you too."