A/N: Yes, I know you've been standing outside my door for a few days with pitchforks and torches, chucking keyboards at me so I'll write...so here! Here! TAKE IT! Please don't kill me! OKAY! READ important: this way you won't be confused...ahem, in this chapter, there is alot of remembering going on, and since it's all in italics, I denoted it with the little "...". "..." At beginning of sentence/paragraph begins memory. "..." At end, ends it! And they're centered. I hope it doesn't confuse you, but I really liked it this way...ahem, that is all.

An Exhausting Day

"...I can remember what got it all started, the day I realized. Of course, it wasn't my own cleverness that made me see it, it was my stupidity that blinded me, actually. But that didn't keep me from getting surprised by who it was that actually told me, made me realize..."

My day off starts rather nicely. I sleep in late, and Tifa somehow keeps the kids from pouncing on me in the early morning. I hear them run past my room once when they get up to get ready for school. However, after that, there is nothing. I sigh gratefully into my pillow, burying my face.

"...It was that stupid ninja...she came and visited us several months back. She does this every now and then, she comes and helps Tifa around the bar. It's kind of her, but that still doesn't mean it doesn't drive me crazy. Really, my initial reaction was to toss her off a cliff when she first brought it up..."

It's a few hours later when I finally get up, roused by the sunlight blinding me. I stumble down the steps, bleary-eyed, and stub my toe. Cursing I walk into the bar.

Well, damn.

I've forgotten the bar was open today, and as a result, I'm now in my pajamas, my hair is even more spikier than usual, and cursing like Cid.

Well, that's only slightly embarrassing.

Tifa catches my arm, spins me around and walks me back upstairs. She pushes me into my room and I turn. She smiles.

"Don't worry, I'll bring you up some lunch."

She shuts the door and I hear her footsteps recede.

"...I guess it was because it was that stupid ninja telling me; that's what got me upset. I mean, honestly, who wants to be told that by an irresponsible, thieving, conniving, little demon ninja? Who wants to have that see it before you do? Shouldn't this type of thing be something you figure out on your own? Well, I suppose not; Oh sure, half of it was real easy to figure out...but it's the part not involving yourself, not with your own point of view that's hard to see, and it's even harder to believe it when you finally do see..."

I make my way down at about two, fully clothed this time, and try demand that Tifa let me help her. I get a swift thump on the nose and she shoos me away. She will let me sit at the bar though, that's about it.

Still, it's enough. I can watch out for potential problems, however there's been no sign of 'operation Z' nor my 'brothers'. Tch, I really should've caused some pain for both of those two...Still, most of the patrons are smart enough to stay away from Tifa, or have wives. It's the travellers you have to watch out for, especially the younger ones. You can come in the bar for food, but you can't drink unless you're over 21, so that means we get all sorts of age groups. However, there's been no trouble today.

"...It was watching him. He wasn't like the others, I can tell. He could make Tifa blush. Most of the time she just sent them all on there way, albeit politely (that means they normally asked again) but they were no problems. This one however, is not as persistent. He drops light hints, and doesn't overbear with the compliments...a real charmer. He's not fake. You can tell he works for his living. His shoes are caked with mud, and the edges of his jeans worn. He's probably a good man, but that doesn't keep me from hating him.

This is a potential danger.

So as I'm glowering at this guy's back, I didn't see her come up with that stupid grin on her face. It wasn't till she tapped my shoulder that I turned my glare on her.

"What?" I asked coldly.

And she just laughed..."

I can't believe I'm doing this. I mean, I know I was bored, and I know I complained a bit, but still! Sewing is hardly my forte.

I curse for the umpteenth time and Tifa giggles. I'm saved though, when two tiny bodies fling their arms around my neck. I feign a gag, but I still manage to prick myself with the needle again. I keep the two entertained (and myself) until supper. We all eat together, and I go sit out by the bar again. It's about eight thirty, and Marlene and Denzel are upstairs getting ready for bed. After the bar closes soon, we'll put them to bed.

That's right, I said we'll...but don't expect Dudley in that we.

I smile, but my good mood is flattened when I see him walk into the bar.

"...She makes me feel a bit better when she mentions the fact he's probably just a traveler...however she ruins it by saying he's probably had tons of practice with other barmaids...that's why he's so good, she says.

Oh shut up.

"You still haven't said why you were laughing..." I point out.

Yuffie giggles again, "Isn't it obvious?"

I glower, "If it were obvious, I wouldn't be asking."

"Oh come on Cloud! You know you have the absolute biggest crush on her."

I do? So that's what this was? I hadn't recognized this feeling...oh, yeah, that makes sense now.

Wait...did she just say that in public? With Tifa like ten feet from me? Is she bloody insane?!

"Calm down, tiger," She says, seeing the anger in my eyes, "It's not a problem since she obviously has a crush on you, too."..."

I don't waste anytime. Not this time, buddy boy. I move swiftly behind the bar as the man slowly saunters up.

Nope, you aren't saying a word out of context. You shall keep your mouth of charms closed, okay? Okay!

"Cloud? What're you doing?" Tifa is perplexed.

She's going to get mad soon, thinking I'm protesting about just sitting doing nothing.

But I'm not protesting, I'm kissing.

Sure, the kiss looks modest. Closed mouth, not very long, but it's full of passion. It's a thrill to kiss in public I've discovered.

However, I think I just heard the bar gasp. What's this, they're thinking...Cloud Strife showing public displays of affection? Ye gods!

I pull back, and Tifa is flustered, though not angry. I spare a glance at the man. He's opted to sit at table instead of the bar.

"What was that for?" She asks, blushing

"For making me take a day off."

"...Wait...what did she just say?

"A crush, on me?"

"Mm hmm..." Yuffie nods her head, lips pursed together.

"She can't..."

"She can."

"She doesn't..."

"She does. I mean, come on Cloud, take a look at her."

So I do, reluctantly. I've been to busy watching the threat to notice Tifa's reaction. Sure, she's blushing, but there's nothing else different.

"Watch," Yuffie says, leaning over my shoulder, watching intently, "He's going in for the kill."

Ech, bad choice of words, but it's true. I can tell by the way the man gestures his hand, palm facing up and open, leaning on the bar with his other arm. There's a sincere look in his eyes as he talks to Tifa.

"But she'll reject 'im." Yuffie states, her gaze now shifting to me.

Why is she watching me? But I see she right once again, Tifa shaking her head no, but still smiling and undoubtedly thanking him anyways. I feel my eyes go wide, and my lips separate slightly, my jaw dropping slightly. I know now Yuffie just wanted to watch my reaction.

"But why?" I don't even realize I've spoken till Yuffie answers.

"She's waiting for you, big boy."..."

These are my last thoughts as I drift into sleep. The man left and the bar closed without incident. I'm not in my bed as I fall asleep though. Heck, I'm not even in Tifa's.

It's Marlene's. I've got my head tilted down slightly in drousiness, registering the fact that Denzel is lying with his head on my left leg, my arm draped over him, still lightly clutching the book I was reading. (And no it's NOT Dudley)

Marlene is tucked in on my right, her head lolling back onto Tifa's stomach. Tifa is on my right side, her arm wrapped loosely around my waste, her head resting on my chest. My arm is around her, my hand resting lightly on her waist. I smile lightly, looking at my little family. Looking back on it now, I realize Yuffie must've said something to Denzel and Marlene to push me to asking Tifa out that first time. Why else would she have agreed on such short notice to watch the kids?

I sigh contentedly as sleep finally overtakes me. I haven't done much but remember, but it's still been an exhausting day.

Course, remembering usually is.

A/N: So, I hope that wasn't to confusing. I tried to make it special, for late updates! Anyways...as always, thanks for everything, and for anyone who reviewed on My Cloud, since, ya know, it's one chapter, I can't thank you there...and hopefully it was good enough ya wanted to read more. ANYWAYS...I'll try and update Come Together tomorrow, but I make no promises...just put away the pitchforks, and ya owe me for breaking my window with that typewriter...heh..my attempt at 'author humor'...yeah, just ignore me, that's what I normally do.