(Cloud)

The door flew open and Marlene ran in screaming. You and Autumn instantly rushed to her.

"Autumn we need your help, theirs a girl, she's injured." Marlene cried out of breath. You looked out the door and saw Riley and Denzel carrying a little girl you've never seen before. You glanced at Autumn who silently nodded. You ran to them, picked the girl up and brought her into the bar.

"Cloud put her on the couch, Riley get some towels, Denzel, pillows" Autumn rushed around giving orders as she kneeled next to the girl.

(Autumn)

"Here's the first aid kit," Marlene offered. You silently thanked her and opened the first aid kit. Not much was in their; some peroxide, gauze, and medical tape and Band-Aid's of assorted sizes.

You examined the girl; she looked like she was about Riley's age. You checked her pulse it was strong, her breathing steady, no signs of broken bones. She had minor scrapes and bruises on her arms and legs almost as if she fell while running. You'd have to wait till she wakes up to be sure but you've concluded that she's just dehydrated.

As Denzel was tucking some pillows behind the girl's head, Riley came back with the towels and a bowl of warm water. You cleaned off the caked on dirt then used the peroxide to clean the cuts, most of them were already scabbing but you'd rather clean them now than risk infection later. As you were cleaning the last of the cuts you asked Marlene to get the blanket from your room, she nodded and ran off. Out of the corner of your eye you noticed Cloud staring at you, his gaze was so intense. You absently shook your head; this was not the time to be thinking about Cloud no matter how pretty his eyes are. You turned your attention back to the girl.

This girl didn't look like the orphans of Edge. Most of the orphans were emaciated, and wore threadbare clothes. She looked healthy and aside from the dirt, her clothes looked expensive and decently new. You noticed she was wearing diamond earrings.

"Is she going to be ok?" Riley asked.

"She'll make a full recovery," you said with a smile, as Marlene helped you put the blanket over her.

"What's wrong with her" Denzel asked curiously.

"I can't be certain but judging by the dryness of her skin, I think she's dehydrated" you replied, "Once she wakes up I'll have a better idea of what's wrong, but come on we should leave her to rest" you said as you motioned for everyone to move into the kitchen.

You looked at the time; it was only an hour before the bar opens. You stopped Cloud from sitting at the table with the kids. He looked at you in confusion.

"Can you help me cook dinner?" you asked, Cloud just stared at you in confusion. Marlene, Denzel and Riley started laughing. "Did I say something funny?" you asked curiously.

"Cloud can't cook" Marlene laughed.

"Tifa almost always cooks" Denzel added.

"Cloud brings us cake, so we don't tell Tifa he can't cook" Riley said, then covered his mouth as Marlene and Denzel snickered.

You looked at Cloud. "Seriously?" you asked in disbelief, he just looked away embarrassed . You sighed, "are you willing to learn? I really need the help," you pleaded.

Cloud nodded. You jumped up, "Thank you!" then you grabbed his hand and lead him the fridge, you looked inside, thankfully Tifa left chicken cutlet in the fridge to defrost. "Cloud grab those " you pointed out a few things, and then quickly looked through the cabinets to find the rest of the ingredients and seasonings.

As you and Cloud made dinner, the kids told you how they found the girl.

"We were playing in the park when we heard that girl crying, she was all by herself." Marlene started.

"We saw her earlier today yelling at the other kids" Denzel added, "I don't think she's very nice, the other kids wouldn't let her play."

"I was getting to that," Marlene sighed, "I think she was crying because she was abandoned."

"I think she's lost" Riley cut her off. "She doesn't look like the other orphans, I think she was separated from her family." So you're not the only one who picked up on that.

"Fuck" Cloud said under his breath. You turned to him as the kids started snickering about how Cloud said a bad word. Cloud, the guy who can wield a giant buster sword, Cloud the ex-SOLDIER who survived the Nibelheim incident, Cloud who face Sephiroth and lived, cut himself while cutting chicken. And by the looks of it, he took a pretty decent chunk out of his finger.

"Oh geez" you said as you automatically took his hand and ran it under warm water. "Riley?"

"I got it" Riley said as he ran off to get the first aid kit.

You looked at Cloud, his cheeks were a light shade of pink. "Cloud, are you alright?" you asked your voice filled with concern. Maybe he isn't feeling well? His hand was a bit clammy and his face looked paler than usual. You reached up to feel his forehead with the back of your hand, but Cloud flinched away.

"I'm ok" Cloud replied softly.

You looked at him skeptically for a moment before sighing and saying "alright". Riley came back with the first aid kit, you took out a Band-Aid and wrapped it around Cloud's finger. "All good now" you said brightly with a silly grin.

Cloud chuckled lightly as he said "thank you."

For a moment you were lost in his eyes, but you came to your senses when you heard Riley and Denzel laughing while Marlene was sighing dreamily. Embarrassed by your actions you went back to cooking. Once the chicken cutlet were breaded you put them in a oven and started making pasta and a rue for mac and cheese.

"Cloud do you think you can find a vegetable to make?" You asked without turning away from the rue.

You took the silence as a yes because you heard his heavy footfalls head towards the fridge. "Frozen peas?" Cloud asked.

"I think you can handle making that" you replied turning to look at him. Cloud gave you a horrified look, as the kids looked on all about to burst into laugher. You sighed, "When everything else is almost done, you put the peas in a bowl, put a little water in it and then throw it in the microwave for 3 minutes." you explained.

Cloud gave you a blank look, you took his silence as an answer and finished up the rue and mixed it together with the pasta and cheese before throwing that into the oven as well. You set a timer before walking back into the den to check on the little girl.

You were followed by the kids and Cloud, but you ignored them, far too concerned about the girl. As you neared she appeared to stir, you motioned for everyone to back off so not to startle her. You gave Riley a look, he completely understood what you meant and rushed into the kitchen for a glass of water. The girl slowly opened her eyes and sat up.

"Where am I" she asked in a daze.

"You're at Seventh Heaven in Edge" You replied softly, Riley rushed over with the glass of water, you nodded a thanks to him as you offered the water to the girl.

She completely ignored the water, "That sleazy bar?" she asked.

You were completely taken aback, she's like eight, what does she know about sleazy bars, besides you've been in sleazy bars, this is not one. You glanced at Cloud- he was just as puzzled as you were.

"See I told you she's mean" Denzel mumbled.

You ignored her question and asked, "Where's your family?"

"Well if I knew I wouldn't be here" She replied with an attitude.

"We're trying to help you, the least you can do is be nice" Marlene yelled at her.

The girl turned too quickly to look at Marlene and held her head, she seemed to be dizzy. "You need to take it easy. You're very dehydrated" you told her. Once she finished the last bit of water she shoved the glass back into your hands. As if on cue Riley took the glass and went back to the kitchen for more water. You couldn't get over how rude this little girl is, but you took an oath, you have to help her, plus as rude as she is, she's still a kid.

"Why should I listen to you?"

"Because its for your own good" You replied. "And I'm a doctor"

Before the little girl could speak Cloud coughed, "You're a doctor?" he asked confused.

You nodded, "Just like my mom" you told him.

"Why didn't you say something?" He asked.

You shrugged, "It never came up." Cloud gave you a look that said this conversation is not over. but you turned your attention back to the girl. Riley came back with another glass of water.

The fact that you're a doctor seemed to finally shut the girl up, "Now whats your name" you asked as you offered her the glass again.

She took a sip before saying, "Skylar" she replied.

"Ok Skylar, do you want to tell me what happened?" you asked.

The girl looked away before replying. "I ran away from my nanny, I don't like her, she old and never wants to do anything fun. I just wanted to play with the other kids." She then turned towards Marlene, Denzel and Riley, "But none of the kids would let me play with them." She accused.

"Maybe the other kids would want to play with you if you weren't so mean!" Marlene replied sticking her tongue out. Denzel and Riley soon joined in defending Marlene. Skylar tried to stand as she continued yelling at them, which only riled up the other kids. Thankfully Cloud picked up Marlene before the hotheaded little girl could advance toward Skylar.

"Ok none of that matters" You you announced instantly quieting the kids. "Skylar how do we contact your parents or your nanny?" you asked.

"Give me your phone" The little girl demanded.

You looked down, thinking for a moment, your phone was upstairs somewhere in your room. Just because Vincent bought it for you doesn't mean you carry it around. You looked at Cloud, he just shook his head, yeah he didn't seem like the type to carry his phone either. You sighed, "Riley?"

"I got ya sis" He said then sprinted upstairs. He's such a sweetie.

There was an awkward silence, so you decided to make sure Skylar really is only dehydrated. "How are you feeling?" you asked softly.

"Why does it matter?" the girl asked. She seemed way to young to already hate the world- thats usually reserved for the angsty teenage years.

"I mean physically, you were unconscious when the kids brought you here" you clarified. "Are you dizzy at all? Anything hurt?"

Skylar shook her head 'no,' but a moment later held up her arm and showed you a particularly nasty bruise on her arm. "This might hurt but I want to make sure its nothing serious," you warned her before touching several places searching for any signs of a broken bone. Thankfully it turned out to just be a bad bruise. "You seem fine, but let me know right away if anything hurts" you told her seriously.

Surprisingly she nodded without an argument. Riley returned with your phone. You handed it to Skylar who instantly dialed a number.

You stood up and absently walked over to Cloud. He gave you a look that said he has a few questions for you. You sent the kids into the kitchen in an attempt to give Skylar a little privacy. Her conversation was very short before she motioned for you to come back and said. "Mother wants to talk to you."

You took the phone and said "hello" when you were instantly bombarded with the most unpleasant voice you've ever heard.

"You're the barmaid that has my daughter?" The voice asked.

"The Barmaid has a name," you replied, Cloud shot an annoyed glance in your direction. "but yes she's here, I can give you the address so you can pick her up" you told her.

"That won't be necessary" She replied.

"Wait what?" you questioned in disbelief. Cloud walked closer to you, you assumed so he could hear the conversation.

"It won't be necessary" She repeated. "It's really an inconvenience that the nanny lost her, She's already been fired, but you can bring Skylar to our estate in Kalm"

"Wait Kalm?" You questioned. "Listen lady, she's your.." you trailed off upon seeing Skylar's upset face, her own parents didn't care that she was missing. It was horrible. "Fine text me the address, I'll figure out a way to get there tomorrow" you sighed. The women then hung up the phone. "The nerve of that…" you trailed off thinking of a few things you'd love to call her but you made it a point not to curse in front of kids, so you settled for an angry moan. How dare she be so awful to her daughter. Its so unbelievable that someone like her could have kids when…

"When can I go home?" Skylar asked innocently, all traces of the nasty little girl were gone, now you only saw how vulnerable she is.

"Its to late to leave now, We'll go tomorrow" you told her. Skylar nodded she seemed content with that answer. Then you turned to Cloud, "Want to go on a road trip to Kalm tomorrow?" you asked.

"I have a delivery there anyway" Cloud told you.