A/N: Sorry for the delay. Writer's block is such a pain in the ass! Anyway, chapter six is finally here. This chapter was inspired by one of my favorite songs, "Look After You" by The Fray.

Big Thanks to: Life'sAbitchAndThenYouDie, V-Dart25, Hegodart, vx-Luna-xv, xdevilsxangelx, Dragon Reverb, Kitsune13 and Punkiemonkie.

I also like to give thanks to the people who added my story to their favorites. That means a lot to me. Okay, enough rambling on. Let's get on with the story. Hope you'll like/love it!

Taking Chances

He could hardly sleep that night. His mind was stuck on one thing and one thing only.

Tifa.

How could he had let that one chance slip from his hands? He mentally slapped himself for not telling the bartender what he had on his mind. He felt less like a man and more like a little boy. Seeing Tifa with another man was the very last thing he ever wanted to happen in his life. So what could he do?

Cloud groaned in frustration as he got up from his bed. He reached down to pick up his pants off the floor and slipped them on. He thought that maybe if he went outside to get some fresh air, maybe it would help him clear his mind, despite the fact that it was a little after midnight.

He looked over to his left, where Tifa's room was. Her door was half way closed, so he tried his best to stay quiet as much as possible. The floorboards creaked beneath his feet with every step he took. If he kept this up, he would surely wake up Tifa.

Finally reaching the stairs, Cloud smoothly jogged his way down, entering the moonlit bar. He stopped in the middle of the room because he felt a small breeze touching his bare arms. Was the door open? He wondered. And it was. Cloud couldn't recall if he was the last person in the bar or Tifa. He approached the door and immediately his eyes were on someone with long, dark hair, sitting on the step.

"Tifa?" he said.

Tifa looked over her shoulder and smiled at him.

"Hey," she said, leaving room for the swordsman to sit. "I guess you couldn't sleep either, huh?"

"I guess not," Cloud sat down with his knees up, his arms resting on them.

"Something told me there was going to be a full moon out tonight. It's so beautiful."

Indeed it was beautiful. It was like a giant pearl watching over the city, protecting the citizens with its light. Deep down, the swordsman thought Tifa was more beautiful than the moon itself. He loved the way the moonlight reflected in her eyes, the way the breeze blew her soft hair…Cloud didn't believe he had ever seen a woman who was this beautiful before. He wanted to touch her, hold her and maybe even kiss her. Mentally, he thought it was silly of him to think such things like that. He took his gaze back on the moon and the tiny stars that were surrounding it, all winking at him.

"This brings back a lot of memories," the bartender spoke. "I remember when we used to think that we could just fly up towards the sky and touch the moon. I always thought the moon was close enough to just grab it with our hands. Mmm. I still think we can do that now. It's crazy, isn't it?"

"No," Cloud slowly shook his head. "Not at all."

There was a pause.

With more thoughts of Tifa penetrating his mind, he felt like he was being urged to go ahead and tell the brunette his feelings, but he didn't know how. He knew right now was the perfect time to tell Tifa, since it was just the two of them, and Denzel and Marlene were still with Barret. But will there be anymore interruptions?

Cloud gently bit his bottom lip, thinking this through. Yes, he had to tell her, but then again, how would Tifa react to this? Would she accept him as more than a friend, and if her answer was no, Cloud couldn't blame her. After all of those times when he left her and the kids behind, making them think that he never had time to be with them.

He was quite sure she had forgiven him for the mistakes he had made, but still, he had huge doubts. Butterflies began to flutter around in his stomach. He was aware that Tifa had her eyes directly on him. He had a feeling she knew he had something on his mind.

"Cloud?" she spoke softly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Cloud slightly nodded.

Tifa smiled warmly and got up. She did a little stretching before she went back inside the house. This was the swordsman's second chance to reveal the moment of truth. He got back up on his feet and followed the bartender.

"Tifa," he said. Tifa was just about to head up the stairs when she turned around.

"Yes, Cloud?" she approached the blonde.

He took a deep breath, keeping his eyes focused on hers. Every time he saw those brown eyes, he found himself lost in them. He couldn't look away from them for one second. He had to admit it. He was surprised at himself for managing to keep his gaze on Tifa for so long now.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," he explained slowly. "But I just…don't know how to put this in words."

"What is it?" Tifa's eyes were filled with concern and curiosity.

It was hard to concentrate on the words Cloud needed to say, because his heart was pounding aggressively against his ribs, and the butterflies were getting stronger and stronger. He couldn't turn back, not now. Now that he had Tifa's full attention.

"I know I haven't been around during the times when you and the kids needed me. It's just…I had a lot on my mind, and---"

Cloud swallowed and there was another pause. Tifa's eyes widened, waiting patiently for the blonde to explain it all.

"I…," he started, rubbing the back of his neck, and his eyes drifted nervously all over the place and back at the brunette. "I-I…can't stop thinking about you, Tifa. You're the reason why I couldn't sleep tonight. I mean…there were other nights when I couldn't."

Tifa remained silent. She could not believe those words actually came out of his mouth. She felt like she was living in a dream.

"I should be grateful that you're still by my side," Cloud continued quietly. "Even though I had left you behind countless of times."

It was hard to read the bartender's mind, but there was so much more he needed to say.

"I mean, if you just want us to be friends, I understand. I can't blame you…"

Cloud looked deeply into Tifa's eyes. He waited for a response, but apparently, no words managed to escape from the martial artist's mouth.

I guess it's a no. Cloud thought sadly.

"Well, uh," he tried to figure out something else to say. "I guess this is goodnight, then."

He started walking towards the stairs. He did the best that he could, but he guessed it wasn't good enough for Tifa. What was he going to do now? He didn't know.

"Cloud," Tifa finally spoke up. The swordsman immediately turned around.

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Cloud didn't respond.

"Looks like we have a lot of catching up to do," Tifa smiled, and so did Cloud.

They both walked towards each other, their eyes met. Tifa stepped a little closer to him, and without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head above his chest. She closed her eyes as she breathed in Cloud's sweet scent.

I never thought this moment would come. She thought. It feels so good to have him in my arms at last.

"I'm proud of you, Cloud," she spoke softly.

Cloud looked down at the brunette and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. She felt so warm and gentle against his body. He felt like he could just stand here and hold her forever. But then, he realized his T-shirt was getting wet. Was Tifa crying?

"Tifa?" Cloud said.

"Hm?" she didn't look at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just…Never mind."

Cloud gently pushed Tifa away so he could look at her. He placed a finger beneath her chin and lift her head up. Some tears had already ran down her cheeks. Her eyes were closed shut. She couldn't stand for anyone to see her cry, especially in front of the people she loved.

"Tifa, what's wrong?" the blonde said gently, wiping away the tears with his thumb.

The brunette sniffled. "Why couldn't you just tell me? And you knew it was on your mind." She nearly raised her voice. She didn't try to. She just wished that Cloud could just trust her more.

"I know," Cloud looked away. "I guess I was afraid of your reaction."

"Cloud," the bartender placed a hand on the swordsman's cheek, tilting his head towards her. "I love you. I've always loved you." She chuckled quietly. "I even had a crush on you when we were little kids."

Cloud's cheeks turned red. "You did?"

"Yeah. And I still do."

The swordsman studied Tifa's eyes thoroughly. He had no idea he was her crush. All this time, he thought the bartender had no deep feelings for him.

"But, Tifa…," he began. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

Tifa bit her bottom lip.

"There were times when I wanted to, but I was afraid myself. You had me thinking that you weren't interested in me because you were gone all the time. Or you just didn't want to be my friend anymore."

Guilt started to take over inside of Cloud's heart. He felt so wrong for leaving Tifa when she needed him. He was always afraid of putting so much pain in her heart, and she had enough of that.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"Why?" the brunette asked.

"For hurting you and not being by your side."

Tifa smiled and wrapped her arms around him even tighter. "I don't want you to feel guilty. I still forgive you. And the only thing that matters is that you're here now. Come on. We should get some sleep."

They let go of each other and went upstairs. When they came across the children's bedroom, they stopped.

"Should we tell the kids about this when they come back?" Cloud asked with a small grin.

"I think we should let them find out the news themselves," Tifa replied. "After all, they are fast learners."

Cloud nodded. It would probably put huge smiles on their faces once they find out. Cloud always loved to see the kids smile.

"What about the others?" he said, as they approached his room next.

"Oh, yeah," Tifa faced Cloud. "Hm…They should find out for themselves as well."

"Yeah."

There was a moment of silence between the two. They gazed into each other's eyes once more. Even though the hallway was somewhat dark, the swordsman could see the bartender's eyes were sparkling with light. Those eyes told him she was happy now, and he was too.

"I'll see you in the morning, okay?" Tifa spoke in a sweet and soft voice.

"Okay," the swordsman replied.

He watched her heading off towards her room. His stomach nearly did a double somersault by the way Tifa looked over her shoulder, and she was smiling at him.

"Goodnight, Cloud," she said.

"G-Goodnight," the blonde almost lost his words.

He entered his room, closing the door and leaned back against it. He thought about what happened earlier tonight. Surely, it was an awkward moment for him, but it was well worth it.

I did it. He thought to himself.

He couldn't help but to smile. Throughout their childhood, Cloud had the slightest idea that Tifa loved him. Even as they were growing up and the times when he wasn't there with her, she still loved him. If he had known from the start, he would probably been able to reveal his feelings without hesitation. The swordsman had to give himself some credit for finally finding the courage to stand up in front of Tifa and take responsibilities like a real man. And he was a real man. But now, he had another problem…He definitely couldn't sleep now!

To Be Continued…

A/N: Whew!! (wipes off sweat) Writer's block really had a huge affect on me. I thought I would never be able to complete this chapter. I thought it should be time for Cloud to step up in front of Tifa and reveal his deep feelings. I wanted to warn you guys that there was going to be some fluff right before the story, but I was afraid I was going to spoil the surprise. I don't know when chapter seven will be out, but you'll know as soon as possible. Alright, you guys know what to do. ;P