AUTHOR'S NOTE: Looks like we're approaching the 20 chapters mark! Oh yeah! Unlike most of my chapters, which have a sort of bridge between, this is a direct continuation from the last. I have to thank every single person who has reviewed this story and special thanks to Omegaxis, who has kept me going with kind words and motivated me greatly. I still have a lot of plot points planned, so I don't know exactly how long this story will be, but I think 30 or so is about right. Anyways enjoy and please review

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As Cloud walked out of Jessie's room with Tifa at his side, his mind was reeling. What was Tifa thinking? He may not feel much for Jessie, but no one deserved what Tifa just did to her.

Tifa for her part was remaining silent. Kunsel tried to approach them, but they ignored him.

As soon as they were well out of earshot, Cloud rounded on Tifa.

"What the fuck was that all about?" He demanded.

"She needed to get the message," Tifa shot back, not intimidated in the least.

"What message?"

"That you and me-"

"So you did that just to settle some petty jealousy?" Cloud asked, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Tifa, how could you?"

"She's insane! Why the fuck is your ass burning?" Tifa snapped.

"Tifa, she may be crackers, but no one deserved what you did to her!" Cloud shouted. "You should trust me!"

"I do trust you Cloud, but I don't trust her!"

"So what? You decided that crushing her self-esteem would make her more trustable? She may be insane, but that makes what you did back there even worse!"

"So what was I supposed to do, huh?" Tifa spat. "Tell her its okay to be crazy? 'Oh Jessie, you're a psycho, but its okay, because Cloud will love you anyway!'"

"That's not true and you know it!" Cloud yelled, he was certain someone was going to come see what was happening.

"It didn't take a lot of convincing for you to go see her? And you didn't want me in there! Who knows what was going on in your head!"

"I can't believe how irrational you're acting right now!"

"I'm the irrational one?" Tifa asked, outraged. "Well if I'm so irrational why don't you go fuck Jessie and see if I care?"

Cloud shook his head. "I love you Tifa, but now I'm not so sure if the woman I fell in love with is the real you."

Without even waiting for an answer, he turned and began walking away.

"Don't you fucking walk away from me Strife!" Tifa snarled after him.

"This isn't you!" Cloud shouted, stopping and turning back. "This fucked up, jealous bitch standing in front of me is not the Tifa I know! Or maybe it is, and I'm just starting to see the real you," he added as an afterthought.

"Well if I'm such a bitch, then why don't you run off back to that junkie!" Tifa spat.

"I'd take that 'junkie' over this insane person in front of me anyday!"

"So I guess this is quits, huh?" Tifa shot at him.

Cloud flinched, as if she had physically assaulted him. "Only if you want it to be," he said softly.

"Fine then!" Tifa shouted.

"Fine," Cloud returned.

"Fine," Tifa said, turning from him.

Cloud felt a lump rise in the back of his throat. "Fine," he said, softly turning and walking away. Unsure if he had seen tears shining in her red eyes.

XXX

Bastard, Tifa thought to herself as she made her way to the fields. She spotted Barret and the others in the distance, but felt like being alone. She sat on a small boulder and pulled out a cigarette, fighting back tears.

This is what she got? For letting down all her walls, for allowing herself to feel...no! She pushed the thought away. There was no way what she was feeling was...

Couldn't the idiot see what Jessie was doing? Curse him and all his naïve stupidity. Always wanting to see the best in people. He was blind to the fact that she was baiting him. Trying to make him feel guilty, playing on his conscience. She wanted pity!

It was so plain to her, but inconceivable to Cloud. She sobbed, hating herself for the tears running down her cheeks.

"Amazing," a voice whispered.

Tifa turned, and in an instant, her vulnerability melted away, her guard was back up. The red coat, that arrogant face, she would know this man from anywhere.

"What do you want Genesis?" She demanded coldly, her harsh demeaner belied the tear-stained face.

Genesis smiled. Like a wolf, he prowled around her, sizing her up. "Amazing, even with tears marring your visage, you still are a picture of beauty."

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Damn him for all his words and poetic speech.

"Maybe you didn't hear me the first time. I asked you what the fuck you want."

Genesis' smiled widened. "What would give the impression that I want anything?"

"Don't give me that!" Tifa replied, rolling her eyes for real this time. "I know you better than your own mother! You don't do a damn thing, unless there's something in it for you. One way or another."

"Amazing, how well you seem to know me," Genesis whispered, moving closer till she could smell his scent. "Don't you remember all those days spent together, and the nights..."

"Don't you even dare," Tifa threatened. Though her soul shuddered at the memories. Even after so much time, he still held power over her and boy didn't he know it.

"Dare what, my little flower?" Genesis replied. "I was merely reminiscing. You were the one who assumed my intentions...unless of course, they were your own."

Tifa refused to shake at his words. His careful manipulations.

"You always were so easy to read," Genesis continued, moving in closer. His lips touched hers. This time, she did shudder. Shivering helplessly as he attempted to pull her in further. The cigarette between her fingers dropped to the ground below.

Suddenly Genesis cried out in pain, as Tifa bit down on his lip. She tasted his blood in her mouth as she pulled back and head-butted his nose, then punched him in the face for good measure, knocking him to the ground.

"What the fuck are you up to?!" Genesis shouted through the blood gushing from his nose and mouth, his calm, debonair demeaner gone.

"Try that again and I'll cut your balls off and send you a piece for your birthday every year!" Tifa shouted back. "In fact I think one birthday is all it'll take for you to get it back!" She turned around, but smirked at him over her shoulder. "And that's something I know personally for a fact!"

With that she stormed off.

XXX

Cloud hesitated in front of the shiny wooden door. He slowly raised his hand to knock, but his fist was shaking.

"Come on, do it," he muttered to himself. With a sigh, he knocked twice.

He waited, and waited. "Well, looks like no one's home," he said, turning to hurry away, but the door creaked open. Cloud looked back and his mouth fell open in shock.

In the doorway stood a man larger than any Cloud had seen before. This man had muscles so large, it put Dio to shame. It didn't help that he was gazing at Cloud with a decidedly unfriendly expression.

"How can I help you?" The man asked. Even at a speaking tone, it sounded like a shout.

Cloud fumbled, fiddling with his fingers. "Uhm...hi. Is Marlene home?"

The man cocked his eyebrow. "Depends who's askin'." He replied. "What d'ya want with my little girl?"

"Uhm, just to speak to her."

"And who the hell are you?" The man demanded.

A list of possible theories flew threw Cloud's mind, none of them believable.

"Daddy? Who is it?" Marlene had appeared.

"Some skinny-ass punk. Probably a fucking paedophile! But don't you worry Marlene, I won't let him hurt you," he said, tenderly patting her head. His large hand covered her entire head and even spilled over.

"Daddy no! This is my friend, Cloud!" Marlene piped hurriedly.

"Eh? What how would ya even meet a shifty lookin' guy like this?" The man asked.

Marlene just shook her head. "I'll tell you later Daddy! Cloud!" She said rushing forward to grab a highly bemused Cloud's hand and pull him inside.

"Hi Marlene," Cloud replied.

"This is my Daddy! His name's Barret! Don't worry he's not a mean or angry person!" Marlene said cheerfully. "Come on! We can go sit in my room! And Daddy, no listening in!"

Barret hurried away, although he gave Cloud one last dirty look.

Marlene hurried Cloud into her room and began chattering away about daily kids nonsense while Cloud smiled and nodded. He didn't know why he was here, he just didn't know where else to go after his fight with Tifa. He knew Zack would probably just laugh it off and Aerith would worry and nag him constantly.

"So, as happy as I am to see you, I also wanna know why you came here! I didn't even know, you knew where I lived."

Cloud took a deep breath in, and released it slowly.

"I don't really know Marlene. I've been having some problems, and I just didn't know where else to go!"

Marlene sat down next to him on her bed and took his hand in her own. "Cloud, I might not be old enough to understand everything you want to say, or tell you what to do. But I can listen..."

So Cloud told her everything. About Tifa, about Jessie. He couldn't bring himself to tell her about his drug use.

"I don't know what to do Marlene," Cloud said once he finished.

Marlene, who had been listening intently the whole time, shifted. "This Tifa girl, do you love her Cloud?"

Cloud looked at her. "I don't know man. I think I do," he said with a shrug.

"Well then, I think you two should be together then. Isn't that how it works? When two people love each other, they stay together no matter what right?" Marlene said.

Cloud laughed bitterly. "I wish it was that simple Marlene."

"It is!" Marlene sounded triumphant. "Nothing can come between you, not even that other girl Jessie."

"But you didn't see Tifa when she did that to Jessie," Cloud protested.

"I'm sure she wouldn't do that without a reason," Marlene said. "I like it when you talk about her. Your eyes just light up and you always smile when you say her name. I think you two should be together!"

Cloud looked away only wishing she understood.

XXX

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I think after reading this we can understand a bit of Tifa's reasoning behind her bitch fit in the last chapter. I was odd to write a section in someone other than Cloud's POV, but I think I did okay. By the way, that bit with Genesis was completely unplanned, it just popped into my head while I was writing! And I knew Marlene would come in again at some point. I think I have a good way to put Denzel in, but it will still be a while before he does make an appearance, so please bear with me and don't forget to review!