A/N: EPIC! I said I was going to post this on the 19th. (It might not be the 19th where YOU are, but it is here! approximately 10 minutes in to the 19th XP) GUESS WHAT?! It's like, our...7 month? anniversary since this story started! I know I say this alot, but I honestly can't thank you guys enough. Seriously, you guys make it worth writing. No lie. And I'm trying to give back this chappie, but! Before I do, I'd like to point out that I got 4 reviews for chapter one in the month of august, I now have 14, and now we currently stand at 556 reviews at 42 chapters. That's unbeliveable, and you guys deserve massive brownie points. It rains brownies on you. Open your mouth, enjoy the chocolatity goodness...but you know what would be even more awesome possum? If we could hit 600 with this chapter alone. But, no pressure you guys. I'm just glad you like it! XP Enjoy!

The Way We Are

Twitch...twitch...twitch...

Stupid eye.

I glance at my watch again...7:02...it said that last time I looked at it! They're late! What happened?! Why aren't they here? Why?!

Twitch.

Cool it man, keep it cool, Strife.

Twitch.

What if my watch is broken? What if it's really eight o'clock? What if my plan didn't work? What if–

...oh, the clock on the wall says 7:00...maybe I'm just...a little paranoid here.

The waiter is eyeing me skeptically.

No cakes. I told him we'd have ice cream for dessert.

...if she ever shows up.

...twitch.

Erg! Damn!

I'm resisting the urge to slap myself up the side of the head, like seriously. My hand is all clenched up on the table, and I'm just waiting for my eye to twitch so I can punch myself.

...come on you stupid eye, I dare you.

Twitch.

"Mr. Strife."

I glance up; do not interrupt my war with my eye...bitch.

It's the waiter.

I'm not fond of waiters.

"Yes?"

"She's arrived."

Twitch.

Okay, I didn't punch myself that time, and I can't now, cause I got to look good for Tifa. I glance around the room. It's a nice restaurant, with candles on the table, and this peach-pink table-cloth. There's a tiny vase of white roses sitting on the table, and the chairs are cushioned with pink pillows.

The walls are heavily draped and curtained; there's no one in here. I've got the place rented out for the night, so we should be good.

And it was quite a bit, I must say...but it's worth it, for her.

I glance towards the doorway, fiddling with my cloth napkin before looking up.

I gasp, and drop the napkin...it's a good thing I didn't go for that sip of water instead.

...There's no way in hell that's sexy conservative. No way, at all. Yuffie lied.

She's looking around the room, amazed, her eyes still not landing on me yet. For someone who claimed that Tifa's eyes were brown, Yuffie did a great job picking out a matching color for her.

Course, color is the last thing on my mind.

The dress is like a halter-top, and the skirt flows out to her knees in...I guess...it would be like levels, of curvy fabric that sway and swing at each little tip of Tifa's hips.

...wow.

Her hair's done up halfway, some of it pulled back with a red, rose clip, and her hair is curled falling down her back, and framing her face. She's wearing these dangerous looking heels that match the dress, and I hope her feet have healed.

She's wearing her pearls I gave her, too.

And that's when I look up and realize she's staring at me with this little faint smile lighting her lips, and she blinks rapidly when I meet her eyes, gives a tiny little laugh.

She moves delicately down the steps, and I stand as she moves across the floor. She giggles again, spinning around once, the skirt of the dress fanning out like a flower.

"What do you think?" she asks, her hair slipping over her shoulders.

I think I'm gawking because she's blushing now, averting her eyes, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ears. Her nails are done, too. Red, and curved delicately.

...I think the waiter just snorted at my stupidity.

"Perfect," I finally answer, and she beams as I walk over and place a delicate kiss on her cheek.

She giggles again lightly as I pull out her chair for her and seat her, before seating myself. Alright, gentlemanly behavior...brownie points.

Tifa lifts up the menu carefully, flipping it open, "I thought it was strange when I received an anonymous letter telling me to get in the limo that would arrive at 6:30 pm sharp."

I blush, damn...that's right, now I owe Reeve a favor.

...and Yuffie for getting the dress...Barret for taking the kids...Shera for giving me tips...and Vincent for getting the reservations.

Yes, Vincent. Apparently he was quite the chef in his Turk days. His name is still well known around the kitchen.

...Vincent...the chef...heh.

"It was, though, even stranger when I opened the package to find a brand new dress, and shoes. Needless to say, I was quite flattered, and couldn't pass up the opportunity."

I blink, "And what if it hadn't been me?"

She sighed, eyes skimming the menu quickly, "I guess I just would've had to sit through an awkward dinner."

I think my jaw just hit the floor, "You–

"I mean, I would have to call a taxi and everything if I'd have declined, and I'm sure the gentleman would've given me a ride home–

"What if he was a stranger–

"Not to mention the fact I'd get a free meal out of it, maybe even a phone number," her face hidden behind the menu now.

I clamp my mouth shut, narrowing my eyes, "Well, I guess that's a good thing then. I'm only here to give you away to him."

Her menu smacks the table and she looks at me with open shock. At seeing my face, she regains her cool composure, and takes a sip of her drink.

"Well, I'm glad I have your permission."

"Of course," I reply.

"Anything else I need to know?"

"Anything I need to know?"

The corner of her mouth perks slightly, her eyebrows raising at the challenge, "Well, I guess it's a good thing. You were getting kind of boring."

"B-boring?"

"Mm hmm," she motions to the waiter that she's ready.

"How can you call me boring, really?"

Tifa shrugged, "I'd like the shrimp Alfredo, please."

The waiter took the menu, "And for you sir?"

"Chicken Parmesan."

The waiter takes the menus, retreating to the kitchen.

"I can't believe you did that," I state.

"What?" she asks, incredulously.

"Trying to mess with my head. I see how it is. I go through all this trouble for this, and you don't even have a clue–

"Does it have something to do with air-fresheners, tomato sauce, and my blender?"

My jaw drops, really this time, "How?"

She smirks, "I found their gas masks, and they confessed after I threatened to call Yuffie and tell her that they had sold her stink bomb recipe to local reporters."

"Clever."

She lifts one shoulder lightly, "I try."

"Good to know you're putting in the effort."

She smirked again.

And so the dinner went like this, with the two of us having light conversation about the children, our friends, and of course, our jobs.

It was strange, really, I couldn't remember the last time we'd sat like this, and just talked. No children, no pests (other known as Yuffie and Cid), no friends, just us...

And that annoying waiter.

Bitch.

I'm trying to remember how I got this lucky. I mean, how did a guy like me end up with a girl like her? Why does she put up with me?

She's talking about something that Denzel did, a little giggle hitting her voice, her eyes glancing around the room; she takes a sip of her drink.

Because she loves you, a voice echoes in my head. And it's my voice, but it isn't at the same time.

It's strange, because I've known for a while that she's loved me, but just looking at her right now...it's so surreal, it's not even possible, but it's true.

And I'm listening to what she's saying, but I also know on the other level that I'm completely zoning out. I can't help it, I just can't help but stare at her. She's beautiful. She's the woman I love. She's the woman I want to live with, to have and, well, to marry.

I want to live with her, and I want to die with her.

The waiter breaks the perfect picture before me, taking away our empty plates. That's when the peace shatters.

"–cake."

I blink wide, "What'd you say?" I ask quickly.

She blinks a couple times, startled, "I'm ordering Cheese cake."

...oh...

"Oh."

...cake.

Fear.

She gives me a funny smile, "Don't tell me–

"No, I'm not worried, nor am I afraid."

She laughs right out, her earrings swinging as she shakes her head, "You are," amusement laces her voice.

"I'm not."

"Sure, Cloud."

I press my lips together, "No. I'm not."

She laughs again as the waiter returns with the cake, laying a plate out before both of us. Tifa takes a bite before looking at me incredulously, "You're not, huh?"

Sure, it landed safely, but what if I put my fork in it and it explodes?

I lift my fork slowly, cutting into it, and take a bite.

Hmm, not bad.

"See, you can do it, you big baby," she teases me.

"I'm sorry, what? Did you say something about panties flying across the room?"

Her face flushes, "Cloud!" she tosses her napkin across at me, and I catch it easily.

"Temper, temper, we're in a public place."

That doesn't keep her, however, from sticking her tongue out at me.

"Mr. Strife," the waiter interrupts.

Erg, what bitch?

"Yes?"

"Would you...?"

Oh, right.

I nod my head once, confusion lacing Tifa's eyes. The waiter, however has moved away towards the wall.

"Cloud...?"

The lights go out, and Tifa gives a little yelp of surprise. She's looking around wildly in the dim light the candles offer.

I stand, holding out my hand, "Come on."

She eyes me warily, before taking my hand and standing slowly. That's when the curtains slide away from the far wall, catching Tifa's attention, she turns quickly and walks away; I follow much slower, hands in my pocket.

She gasps as the curtains stop, swinging slowly in the moonlight. The wall, and ceiling were completely made of glass, giving a surreal view of the desert twilight, orange haze dabbling the horizon, stars twinkling in the inky darkness opposite.

She moves quickly towards the wall, finding the door, and I follow once again, a few steps behind her. She pushes out the door, gasping against the cool air of the desert night, twisting around on the concrete balcony, eyes to the sky.

Even though Edge isn't anywhere near as big as Midgar, the lights at night dim the stars; but here, on this cliff side, on this balcony, it's perfect. And I can see it in her eyes, the stars and the moon as the sun's waves finally disappear, plunging the desert into darkness.

She finally finds the railing, leaning over it slightly, propping her head up on her elbows, head tipped backwards, "I didn't realize how high up we were..." she breathes.

I move to stand behind her, hands still in my pocket, head tipped up as well. I'm afraid if I take them out, it'll show how nervous I am.

Theoretically this would be the absolute perfect time for me to ask her, but I'm wondering, if we could just stay like this a little longer. Do we need that title right now? Married, engaged, dating, friends; do we really need a label? Can't we be all of those? The only thing that matters, is that we love each other, right?

I'm shook from my thoughts as her head bumps into my chest, her arms wrapping firmly around my waist. I blink, surprised.

"Don't ever leave me, okay? You're perfect like this...you're all I need...so don't ever leave me," she whispers into my chest.

I feel my hands free themselves from my pocket, my arms wrapping around her tightly, "I won't, as long as you don't leave me."

We stumbled into the house around midnight; the house was dark and quiet, and not reeking of stink bomb potential.

"Where are the kids?" Tifa whispered softly, laying her purse on the counter.

"Barret's watching them for the night."

Tifa eyed me wide, "Barret knew about this?"

"Yep; so did Yuffie, Vincent, Reeve, Cid and Shera."

She puts her hands on her hips, "And somehow I didn't find this out?"

I shrug lightly, "Somehow."

She narrowed her eyes, "The children didn't know."

I lift my hands up, defeated, "The children didn't know...until they smacked me with stank."

She giggled.

"Consider it payback for the kilt," I say.

She raises an eyebrow, "This is payback? Well, if that's the case, I guess I should just go out and buy you a whole new wardrobe."

I hang my mouth open, "I mean as in the secret part–

"We could share clothes! Though," she puts a finger to her cheek, "I'm not sure how you would look in red, though. I just don't think it's your color."

"That isn't what I meant–

"Oh, and we could have the cutest shoes! Just share a closet, you know. I'm sure there's plenty of chocobo dresses and what not to match your–hey!"

This seems...slightly familiar, Tifa draped over one shoulder in heels, her fist pounding on my back.

"Put me down you oaf!"

"No."

"Cloud!"

I poke her waist and she squeals, thrashing her legs around.

She gasps between laughs, "Cloud...don't...don't do tha-a-a-t! Cloud! Stop it!" she slaps my back as she scolds me.

She's ticklish...it's a nice bit to know.

I spin around in a circle, much to her protests, and one of her shoes flies off. She screams again as I spin once more, and my heel catches on the floorboard, and we fall backwards.

I gasp when we hit the floor, Tifa's elbow driving into my stomach. She's laughing hysterically, though, rolling off my stomach on to the floor. Lucky her, she didn't cushion the blow.

As my breath returns, I prop my head up on to my elbow, watching Tifa laugh even harder, little tears forming at the corner of her eyes from laughing so hard. She smiles a lot, and she laughs, but it's rare to see even this much laughter from her.

I feel a grin split my face, and it's strange, not having to deal with anyone. I'm still expecting someone to pop up, and ruin the moment; just put us in a rut for the night, despite the fact that they all pretty much know this is a night for us.

Still, that probably wouldn't stop them, depending on circumstances.

Tifa's stood up now, kicking her other shoe off, and finding the other. She stands there, the shoes dangling from her fingers, hand on hip, a little glare on her face.

"I'm going to go change, I'm exhausted."

I grin again, "Yeah."

"Yeah, that was...a nice dance," she turns and walks away.

We had danced, after promising each other that we wouldn't leave. No music, but with a scenery we had, I don't think we really even needed music.

I spun her around a couple times, just because she wanted to see her dress flare out.

I sigh, jumping to my feet, before stretching out my arms. It was a long night,...well, day. I mean, look at what I had to go through to get here?

Flying ninja stank bombs...really, who would've seen that one?

I move upstairs to change into my pajamas. My shirt's discarded on the floor, my pants in a heap, and I've gotten as far as to pull up my plaid blue pajama pants when she makes her way in.

She doesn't knock, and I turn swiftly, startled, and almost trip over my shoes I left lying the middle of the floor.

She smiles slightly, her hair lose around her shoulders, skin pale in the soft moonlight. She's washed the make-up off, and opted for some thermal pants, and a tank top.

I blink a couple times, looking side to side before meeting her eyes again, "What?"

She smiles softly again, "I...I just can't believe you did all of that..."

My eyes soften slightly, "Well...we don't get to go out much...so the times we do, it should be special."

Her smile widens, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I mean, it was for both of us,"I state.

She tilts her head to the side slightly, still smiling.

"...What?"

"...I just don't get how...you can do that much, I mean, Cloud that couldn't have been easy for you to pull all of that off–

"I love you," And it's as simple as that.

She stutters, caught off guard.

"There isn't any other reason I need. I'll do for you what I can," I shrug, "All that I can."

She smiles slightly, stepping forward in the dim light, stretching up on her toes, a smile on her face, eyes closing, a hand pressed to my chest...and she kisses me.

It's more, sweet and tart, tasting of her apple chap-stick, the smell of cinnamon on her skin; hair of silk that runs through my fingers like water, spilling off her shoulders in a cascading waterfall, and the tiny pressures of her finger tips along my shoulders.

I stare at her for a moment, as she kisses me, eyes wide, and I'm not sure why I'm surprised really. I mean, I should at least get a kiss for all I did for her...I mean, that probably sounds kind of bad, but I think I deserve at least a kiss, if not more. I deserve several.

And I think she knows this. She pulls me closer, and I find her waist, past the initial shock of it all. I still don't understand why I'm shocked.

At some point and time, we stumbled towards my bed, falling back on it, and she giggles beneath me, muffled against my lips. I drag my fingers down her sides in a wispy motion, making her laugh again, twitch against my hold. I relent, though, hooking my thumbs around her hips, letting them rest there as I kissed her jaw.

It's slow and lucid, the way we move, in a rhythm of our own. How each movement is in time, how we're in tune with each other almost.

Little delicate kisses along her collarbone as her shirt hits the floor; tiny nips along her neck as my thumbs hook under the line of her pants, dragging down. She growls a bit when she fights with the buttons to my pants; whimpers slightly as the catch is undone behind her back.

And it's here, when she's pressed beneath me, my fingers lingering, darting on the edge of a realm unexplored that I expect it.

It's her signal, that always breaks us apart. That little press of her palm on the left side of my chest; just enough pressure to stop me, tell me not yet, and for me to comply.

...but...but it doesn't come, and I'm the one who breaks the kiss, flitting backwards, blinking, startled.

She opens her eyes, looking up at me, where I'm kneeling, looking down at her.

And we just stare at each other for a moment, a moment in time of complete silence.

And she blinks. Smiles slightly, and I frown, just a little hesitant still.

Her hand wraps around my wrist softly, her fingers brushing the back of my hand soothingly and I understand.

I lean down to kiss her gently, softly.

And she was all I knew.

A/N: So I lied, no responses. EX-hausted. BUT STILL! This should make up for lack of responses to your reviews. I'll respond next time...FOR REAL. I swear. I hope this was epic, because I was going for it...LONGEST CHAPTER EVAH. And they made love (sex as some of you heathens like to call it). And yes, Vince was a chef of awesomeness. That could come back, we'll just have to wait and see. And here all you guys thought I was going to torture poor Cloudie, and I didn't. Aren't you glad? He got the cheese. XD Later loves!