Disclaimer : I do not own FFVII, Crisis Core, Advent Children, or any of the characters that you recognise. As much as I love these guys, they belong to those other guys.

Epilogue

Tifa sighed softly as she wiped down the bar, preparing to close the place down for the evening. It had been a busy night and she was exhausted. She had told herself that she wasn't going to open another bar, but as Edge grew so did the demand for Seventh Heaven to be reopened. She had kept the name but doubled the bar size, and her clientele only grew and grew. She kept telling herself she needed to hire more help. Denzel and Marlene could only help out so much, and she refused to let them hang around as the hour grew late each day and the patrons got more and more drunk. This had been a good night, she had only needed to toss one guy out on his ass. He was a visitor and clearly didn't know her reputation. Or her strength. She smiled to herself as she looked over at the last table of drinkers.

"You got ten minutes, guys, or they're going down the sink!"

"You run a tight ship, Tifa!" One of her regulars, Marcus, called back. His drinking buddy for the night, Tom, didn't seem to need any more booze but he clutched the dregs of his beer in a death grip, staring the glass down. Marcus clapped his buddy firmly on the shoulder. "Come on, the lady said drink up. Le's do this." He called encouragingly, steeling himself as if for battle as he clung to his own pint glass. Tifa chuckled to herself and set to steeping the syrup taps in soda water before heading out from behind the bar to wash down the tables.

She had been glad to get back to work after her trip. It had been three months since she had snuck out on Reno, calling Cid from the phone at reception to ask him to pick her up early. It turns out he had arrived half an hour earlier since Barret hadn't specified a time, so Tifa was able to slip away before Reno awoke. It wasn't like him not to stir when she got out of bed. She remembered what he had said about sleeping better beside her though and figured that plus the tequila had just knocked him for six. But then again, part of her also wondered if he had indeed heard her leave but didn't stop her so as to avoid any awkward goodbyes.

Cid hadn't asked her much about her trip on the way home in the Shera, but she caught him looking at her a few times out the corner of his eye with a mixture of amusement and curiosity but also a hint of disappointment. Like he couldn't decide how to feel about what Barret had clearly told him. She had no doubt the larger man had exaggerated, but Cid and Barret were very alike and no doubt both disagreed with her spending time with the ex-Turk, even though they had set a truce years before. When Cid had dropped her off with a gruff goodbye and a brief hug, Tifa couldn't help but feel extremely sad as she walked back into Edge. Thankfully, the warm welcome home from Marlene and Denzel had cheered her up and taken her mind off of what she had left behind in the Nothern Continent.

Once the kids had been put to bed, Tifa had tried to stay busy to avoid the inevitable questioning from Barret. She eventually ran out of chores though, and joined him in the kitchen for a cup of tea and an expected scolding. To her great surprise, Barret kept his mouth shut, save for to mumble something about getting it out of her system and also getting over a certain blond. Tifa had laughed and changed the subject, asking how the kids and the bar had been while she had been away. They stayed up until the wee hours sharing idle chit chat, just enjoying each others company since the two old friends barely got to spend time together anymore. When Tifa started yawning, Barret had sent her off to bed with a hug and settled himself into Cloud's old room. He stuck around for a month, helping out around the bar and taking care of both kids while she got back into her routine. Cloud had even stopped by a couple of times, staying to help out for a couple of days inbetween deliveries. Tifa often caught him watching her out the corner of his eye, as if he expected her to say something about their fizzled out relationship, but Tifa realised that she was truly over Cloud and only seeked his friendship now. She wasn't sure if Reno was to thank for her being able to just enjoy Cloud's friendship, but the blond seemed to relax immensely when he realised Tifa wasn't upset with him anymore. As a result, they found themselves laughing and joking together along with Barret and the kids and Tifa realised this was the happy family she truly wanted all along.

The previous week to now, Barret decided to take Marlene and Denzel to Corel to show them the changes in the one downtrodden coal village that had grown into a bustling town thanks to the discovery of oil nearby. As a result, Tifa had spent the week alone, which had led to her reminiscing about her trip to Icicle Inn. Maybe that's why she was wearing Reno's tshirt right now. She had found it, strategically hidden in one of the inside pockets of her padded jacket. It had been the one she'd worn to sleep in, and Reno had obviously decided to give her it before they had ended up spending another night together in the hotel. She didn't know why he'd done it, but she hadn't thrown it away. She found she slept in it on nights when she felt a bit lonely. She didn't think of him too often, just a passing wonder now and again. Or so she tried to convince herself until one day Denzel asked why she was smiling like that. Cloud had chosen that moment to appear from the basement of the bar and ask what Denzel was talking about. Tifa had made some excuse and disappeared past Cloud into the basement to check stock, and mostly to hide until her blush faded.

She had worn the black tshirt today, tied into a knot at the side over the high waisted jeans she paired it with. No one was around to judge her today or ask her why she was wearing a top that was clearly too big for her. It someone still smelled a little of him, slightly spicy yet earthy at the same time.

Tifa tipped the chairs upside down onto the tables as she went, working her way round the seating area. She came up behind her last two customers, who had made no progress with their beverages and she smiled warmly at them.

"Had enough boys?"

"Yep. Home time." Marcus mumbled as he and Tom got to their feet unsteadily.

"Make sure you guys get home safe, okay?"

"Sure thing Teef." Marcus placed a hefty tip on the table before he turned and guided his fellow drunk out of the front door. Tifa smiled after them and pocketed the tip he had left. Marcus always gave her a good tip, and she looked after him and his buddies in return. She wiped down his table and propped the chairs up on the table. Tifa headed back behind the bar and cleaned her hands, before leaning on the bar top and looking around. She was proud of this place. It wasn't too upmarket, but it wasn't the dive she had before. She had a mixed clientele of old regulars and young couples and everyone in between. He business was going from strength to strength and Tifa couldn't have been happier.

Except she knew she could've.

Sighing, she dimmed the lights so there were only a few spotlights left on behind the bar to discourage anyone from assuming she was still open. She grabbed a bottle from under the bar and a small glass and rounded the bar to sit on one of the high stools. Popping the lid off the whisky bottle, she poured herself a double measure. She stared into the amber liquid as she placed the bottle aside. Tifa lifted the glass to her nose, taking a long deep breath in through her nose. Spicy, yet earthy. She tilted the glass and took a drink just as she head the door open behind her. She was about to turn around and tell whoever it was that she was closed when the figure suddenly appeared beside her. Tifa's heart skipped a beat as long familiar fingers rested on the back of the stool back next to hers and she saw a flash of crimson out of the corner of her eye. Without saying a word, Tifa stood up on the foot rest of the stool and leant over the bar to grab a second glass. She placed it down and poured some whisky into it as the redhead settled himself onto the stool beside her. When Tifa turned to hand him the glass, she wasn't surprised to see a familiar lopsided grin plastered across his face.

"You remembered. What I said 'bout most places not havin' this stuff in."

"Surprisingly, I actually like the taste. Despite the rather interesting first experience." Tifa tried to keep the rising excitement out of her voice as she turned in her chair so her body was facing Reno, crossing her legs as she did so. Reno turned his body in the chair to face her too, his smile widening.

"Oh I dunno. I've woken up in worse ways with a whisky hangover." He drawled. Tifa's memories of waking up in his arms for the first time flashed across her mind as she took in the ex-Turk. No longer 'ex', judging by the return of the dark suit with the ever present open white shirt and missing tie. She smiled at the familiarity.

"I'll give you that one. So you're working again? In Edge, I mean."

"Yep. Got back last month." He explained, taking a long drink. Tifa was surprised to find out he'd been back for so long and she hadn't heard about it from anyone. He wasn't exactly easy to miss. It was almost as if he read her mind. "Been doin' paperwork mostly. Only been back out on missions for the past week. I woulda came to see ya sooner but I wasn't so sure how you'd react. But judging by what yer wearin', I haven't been the only one reminiscin'." He motioned to her tshirt. His tshirt. Tifa's cheeks flushed. She had forgotten she had it on for a moment.

"Um. Yeah. Barret and the kids are away so I've been alone for a week. They decided a holiday together would be good. So..."

"So ya thought of your last holiday." Reno finished for her. She nodded dumbly and they both drained the last of their drinks. Tifa reached for the bottle at the same time he did, their fingertips brushing against each other's. Tifa pulled her hand back, practically feeling like she been given a small but surprising electric shock. Her cheeks burned again as Reno grinned at her and poured them both another drink.

Are you serious, Tifa? You're freaking out cause he touched your hand? Ugh, pathetic. She mentally scolded herself as she tried to hide her embarrassment. Reno was kind enough to let it slide.

"So what brings you here? The bar, I mean." She tried to sound nonchalant as she took a drink.

"You." He answered simply. Tifa tried not to splutter.

"Me."

"Yeah, you. I know why ya left without sayin' bye. I'm kinda glad ya did. But that doesn't mean I haven't still thought about ya." Reno seemed to speak easily. Tifa felt her pulse starting to race.

"Oh. Um. I've...thought about you too."

"I know ya have. Or I wouldn't have come by like this." Reno ran his finger around the edge of his glass, his aquamarine eyes staring directly into her soft brown ones. She felt her mouth go dry. She had played his scenario over in her head more than she cared to admit. What she'd say if she saw him again, how she act. How he'd act. But now that he was physically in front of her, she just felt tongue tied and flustered. She had wanted to play it cool and aloof. But he was being brutally honest with her so she decided just to be honest too.

"Yeah. Well. I'm glad you did. Come here, I mean. When it could just be us."

"That right Lockhart?" He teased, leaning forward slightly. She noticed he'd let go of his glass and his hand was now lying flat on the bar, inches from hers. Tifa desperately wanted to intertwine her fingers with his, feel the calloused hands against hers. She did her best to resist, but she did lay her hand flat just inches from his as she looked back up to meet his gaze.

The tension between them was electric, she could practically feel her hairs on her neck standing on end. She didn't know why she was trying to play it so cool. Her fingers twitched with the urge to touch him, her lips parted every so slightly as her breath started coming a little heavier and faster. And all the while he just stared at her with that lazy, easy smile and an air of relaxed confidence. She swallowed heavily. Fuck it. Honesty, right?

"Actually, yes. Take that how you want, Reno, but I'm glad to see you. Maybe more than I should be. And while I'm slightly embarrassed that you walked in here the one day I chose to wear your clothes and drink your whisky, I'm also glad. Because I still don't regret what happened between us. Even if it did leave me feeling a little lost afterwards. It was just a fling, but it did change me. It made me more confident in myself, to realise I deserve passion. And I'm grateful for that. So, thank you. And thank you for coming to see me because it made me realise something."

"And what was that?" Reno's voice wavered a little, his cool exterior slightly ruffled by her calm and collected honest speech. She slid her fingertips a little closer to his as she spoke.

"Because I know you changed too. You gave me your tshirt. You didn't want to face saying goodbye in the sober morning light so you pretended to stay asleep. Not because you regretted anything, but because you were upset to see me go." She closed her eyes as she took a deep breath, hoping he wasn't going to turn around and deny everything she was saying. Or the next thing she said. Tifa opened her eyes and locked her gaze with his. "And you still want me."

Tifa had barely managed to get the last word out of her mouth before they were suddenly pressed up against each other, his hot mouth on hers and his arms wrapped around her almost possessively. She dug her fingers into his hair, tilting her head back as his lips devoured hers, his tongue impatiently pushing it's way into her mouth so he could taste her. She moaned softly and he growled in return, turning to press her against the bar. They battled for dominance of the kiss, equally as determined to show rather than tell the other how much they had missed them.

After what seemed like an eternity and yet entirely not enough time, they broke apart for breath, their foreheads pressed together as they both panted. Tifa opened her eyes to see he was always watching her, his lips still parted.

"You're right. I do want you. Not just for tonight. I dunno what the fuck you did to me, Tifa Lockhart." He breathed, his voice low. Tifa pressed her body against his as tightly she she could, a smile curling at her lips.

"Good. Because I want more."

"Good. Consider it startin' right now." Reno purred as he suddenly slid his hands under her ass and pulled her up into his arms, holding her against him. Tifa wrapped her legs around his waist as she laughed, happiness seemingly bursting from her chest. "You have fifteen seconds to tell me where your bedroom is or we make this bar a little less hygienic." He warned, his eyes flashing with mischief. Tifa laughed as inclined her head towards the door behind the bar that lead to her apartment upstairs and Reno's grin turned wicked.

"Wait, the door! I have to lock the bar!" Tifa suddenly remembered as Reno made to walk towards the door. He rolled his eyes and placed her down on the bar stool closest to them before he practically jogged over to the door, quickly turning all latches and sliding all bolts. Tifa squealed with delight as he was suddenly bounding back over to her, grabbing her and flinging her over his shoulder. He gave her ass a squeeze and grinned widely, causing Tifa to laugh and hit him playfully in return.

"There. We won' be disturbed now. Which is good, cause I got three months to catch up on."

AN : Fin! Awww I hope this was a satisfying ending for you guys! However, I don't think I'm quite done with writing about these two just yet so I may do a couple of one shots or maybe a sequel :) I have added an extra smut chapter after this because I know you guys love it xD

I just wanna say THANK YOU to all my reviewers and followers! The fact that this fic has over 1,800 views and over 430 visits may not seem much to most people but to me it's insane! I've reached over 65,000 words too which is crazy! AmelieAbsinthe, Imogen Colour, Princess Miele, Shiranai Atsune, The Moss Stompey, animefreak9058, h34rt1lly, kumadechu and starrienight, Jasien, and ren7720 thank you for following and reviewing! I will be adding some other one shots although this fic it finished so keep an eye out!