Cloud was in deep thought when Tifa threw a dishtowel at him from behind the hit him square in the face and dropped down into his lap soaking his pants with muddy water. He shot his head up and glared at Tifa over his beer. "What the hell was that"

Tifa was handing a beer too one of the customers looking all innocent as she turned to him and winked playfully. Walking over she leaned forward and retrieved the rag from Cloud's lap. "Oops sorry,it must've slipped out of my hand"

Cloud growled under his breath and cursed Tifa's happy mood as he went back to staring into his beer raised his head in alarm when the doors swung open with a crash and a familiar voice cried out.

"CLOUD" Marlene cried as she flung herself into his arm's. Her face was wet with tears and her little body shook with sob's as she held onto his neck.

Cloud held onto the little girl as she cried. Her little heart was racing a mile a minute and her breath's were coming in hiccups she was so upset. Moving her hair from her eyes he looked down into her brown eyes. "Marlene,whats the matter"

"Cloud,The adults won't let me help them." Marlene wailed louder but quieted when a hand settled on her shoulder. With round eyes she turned her head to look at the menacing man behind her but calmed when she saw it was Vincent. "Vincent"

Vincent was looking down at her with annoyance etched into his face. His skin was paler then normal and purple bruises sat out under his eyes making him look like something out of the living dead.

"Marlene,there is no need to cry about adult things. Go play with Denzel ok." Cloud said as he kissed her on the cheek and set her down onto the ground.

Vincent watched Marlene scamper out the door then turned back to Cloud who was drinking another beer. He sat next to him and let out a deep shuddering sigh.

Cloud froze his movements in mid-air and turned to Vincent who looked exhausted and worn out. "You look like shit Vince"

Vincent glared at him icily for a minute then turned away and stood up. "Come to my house tonight alright."

Cloud almost choked on his beer as he inhaled it enough to swallow it before talking. " I'm not in the mood this morning for your shitty attitude." he stood up and left the bar.

Vincent was a little bit fazed at Clouds attitufe toward him this morning. He moved out of the way of a customer and turned toward Tifa. "Cloud seem's off today." Vincent said mildy as he watched Cloud pace back and forth outside.

Tifa looked over Vincent's head and saw Cloud outside talking heatedly to himself. Just that morning he had received word from Reno that Rufus Shinra was rebuilding the Shinra mansion. "Cloud hasn't been the same since Zack died and whats worse he received bad news today." Tifa said while opening a beer with a bottle opener. "Go talk to him." she said before turning back to her customers.

Vincent passed his hand across his face and went outside. He saw Cloud sitting on the dirt thinking about other things. "Cloud,something seems too be bothering you. If you want too talk I'll listen. If not I'll understand." with a small smile he stood up and left leaving Cloud to think about his offer.